Question 1 - Fire and Ice - First Flight - Poems (Literature) - English Class 10

Read the given extract and answer the questions-

Extract:

 Some say the world will end in fire

Some say in ice.

From what I’ve tasted of desire

I hold with those who favour fire.

(Fire and Ice)

Question (i)

What are the two ways the world could end according to the speaker?

Answer: 

 As written by the student:

The two ways the world could end according to the speaker are fire and ice.

 Step-by-Step explanation of the answer:

• In the poem "Fire and Ice" by Robert Frost, the speaker presents two possible ways the world could end: fire and ice.
•  These two elements are mentioned in the first two lines of the poem: "Some say the world will end in fire / Some say in ice." 
• The speaker is presenting two contrasting views on how the world could end. 🔥❄️

 Question (ii)

Which of the two ways does the speaker favor and why?

Answer:

 As written by the student:

The speaker favors fire as a way for the world to end because he has tasted desire and associates it with fire.

Step-by-Step explanation of the answer:

• In the poem "Fire and Ice" by Robert Frost, the speaker expresses his preference for fire as a way for the world to end.
•  In the third and fourth lines of the poem, he says : "From what I’ve tasted of desire / I hold with those who favour fire." 
• The speaker associates desire with fire and believes that it is a powerful force that can bring about destruction. He has experienced desire and this has influenced his preference for fire over ice. 🔥

Question (iii)

 What does the speaker's use of the word "desire" suggest about his view of fire?

Answer:

 As written by the student:

The speaker's use of the word "desire" suggests that he views fire as a symbol of passion and intense emotions.

Step-by-Step explanation of the answer:

•  In the third line of the poem, he says: "From what I’ve tasted of desire."
•  The use of the word "desire" suggests that the speaker views fire as a symbol of passion and intense emotions.
•   Desire is often associated with strong feelings and urges, and the speaker's use of this word implies that he sees fire as a powerful force that can consume and destroy. 🔥

Question (iv)

 What is the rhyme scheme of this extract?

Answer:

As written by the student:

 The rhyme scheme of this extract is ABAAB .

Step-by-Step explanation of the answer:

• In the given extract from the poem "Fire and Ice" by Robert Frost, the rhyme scheme is ABAAB.
•  This means that the first, third, and fourth lines end with words that rhyme with each other (fire, desire, fire), while the second and fifth lines end with words that rhyme with each other (ice, twice).
•  The rhyme scheme helps to create a rhythmic structure and adds to the musicality of the poem. 🎵