CBSE Class 10 English Animals VBQs

Multiple Choice Questions

Question. Which of the following options shows the poet’s love towards animals?
(a) He stands and looks at the animals for a very long time.
(b) He admires the animals
(c) He praises their inner qualities
(d) His desire to turn into one of them and live with them
Answer. (d)

Question. The line “They do not sweat and whine about their condition” means
(a) Animals do not cry for their conditions
(b) They do not blame others for their conditions
(c) They remain happy and accept whatever comes in their lives
(d) All of the above
Answer. (d) 

Question. The literary device used in the line “I think I could turn and live with animals” is ………… .
(a) Simile
(b) Assonance
(c) Metaphor
(d) Alliteration
Answer. (b) 

Question. Name the poetic device used in the following lines:
“They do not sweat and whine about their condition,
They do not lie awake in the dark and weep for their sins,
They do not make me sick discussing their duty to God,”
(a) Anaphora
(b) Assonance
(c) Metaphor
(d) Alliteration
Answer. (a) 

Question. How do human beings make the poet feel sick?
(a) By boasting their welfare works
(b) By discussing their duties
(c) By boasting and discussing their good deed in the name of God and religion
(d) By discussing their personal lives with him
Answer. (c) 

Question. The poet says animals are not dissatisfied.
This means that animals are
(a) unconcerned
(b) satisfied
(c) instinctive
(d) content
Answer. (d) 

Question. What craze do animals never display?
(a) Craze of owning things
(b) Craze of crying over sin in the dark
(c) Craze of complaining about their situation
(d) None of the above
Answer. (a)

Question. “Not one is demented with the mania of owning things” – the underlined word means
(a) Suffering from dementia
(b) Irrational behaviour
(c) Suffering from obsessions
(d) Both (b) and (c)
Answer. (b) 

Question. ‘Ancestors of human beings shared token of love and understanding in the remote past making them divine and worshipped’ – the given line is paraphrase of which line? Choose the correct option.
(a) They do not sweat and whine about their condition
(b) Did I pass that way huge times ago and negligently drop them?
(c) Not one is respectable or unhappy over the whole earth.
(d) Not one kneels to another, nor to his kind that lived thousands of years ago
Answer. (d) 

Question. Choose the option which tells the qualities of animals that humans should adopt from them.
(a) Animals spend most of their time in sleeping and eating, they show rudeness and ignorance towards each other.
(b) Animals learn to stand immediately after birth, fighting for one’s territory.
(c) Animals do not idle away their time discussing their duties to God, they show qualities of innocence and simplicity.
(d) None of the above
Answer. (c)

Question. Which qualities have the man taken over ‘the token’ refered in the poem?
(a) Materialism
(b) Immorality
(c) Selfishness
(d) All of these
Answer. (d) 

Question. The last line of the poem is a question. What do you think is its purpose?
(a) To allow readers to think about it
(b) To ask listeners about when
(c) For poetic diction
(d) To show his thinking nature
Answer. (a) 

Extract Based MCQs

1. Read the extract to attempt the questions that follow.

They do not sweat and whine about their condition,
They do not make me sick discussing their duty to God, 

Question. Why do humans lie awake in the dark?
(a) Donot feel sleepy
(b) Feel guilty
(c) Worried
(d) Cry for their sins
Answer. (d) 

Question. What does the word ‘whine’ mean here?
(a) Pleased
(b) Angry
(c) High complaining cry
(d) Utter softly
Answer. (c) 

Question. They are referred to ………… here.
(a) Animals
(b) Human beings
(c) Small children
(d) Birds
Answer. (a) ‘

Question. Why does the poet feel sick?
(a) Human’s running after money
(b) Always complaining
(c) Always criticising others
(d) Sermonising themselves
Answer. (d)

Question. What is the purpose of the given lines?
(a) To highlight the importance of moral virtues.
(b) To compare humans and animals.
(c) To highlight the virtures possessed by animals.
(d) To represent nostalgia regarding the good old days.
Answer. (b) 

2. Read the extract to attempt the questions that follow.

Not one is dissatisfied,
not one is demented with
the mania of owning things,
Not one kneels to another, nor to his kind thatlived
thousands of years ago,
Not one is respectable or unhappy over the whole earth.

Question. The repetition of ‘not one’ in the given extract signifies the poet’s
(a) effort to create a sense of continuity.
(b) attempt at musicality and rhythm.
(c) sense of disappointment and frustration.
(d) feelings of anger and vengeance.
Answer. (c) 

Question. Which of the following set of qualities does the poet attribute to animals in the given extract?
1. Discontented, furious, respectful
2. Fearless, materialistic, reputable
3. Contented, equal, non-acquisitive
4. Happy, self-serving, intelligent
(a) Option (1)
(b) Option (2)
(c) Option (3)
(d) Option (4)
Answer. (c) 

Question. Pick the option that completes the following
Dementia : Demented :: Mania: ............... .
(a) Maniac
(b) Manically
(c) Manical
(d) Maniacal
Answer. (d) 

Question. Choose the option that contains a statement which
CANNOT be conclusively inferred from the extract.
(a) Man is miserable
(b) Man is materialistic.
(c) Man is power-hungry.
(d) Man is curious.
Answer. (d) 

Question.  Which of the following characterises the poet’s attitude towards animals in the given extract?
(a) Admiration
(b) Nostalgia
(c) Jealousy
(d) Enthusiasm
Answer. (a) 

Short Answer Type Questions

Question. Notice the use of the word ‘turn’ in the first line, “I think I could turn and live with animals...”. What is the poet turning from?
Answer. In this line, the poet wants to turn from a human into an animal. This turning represents the poet’s desire to get away from the depressing, selfish and false world of humans and stay with animals.

Question. Why does the poet wants to turn and live with animals? 
Answer. The poet likes/prefers animals for their calm and self-controlled nature.
He is impressed with animals because unlike human beings, they don’t desire to own things and are satisfied with their lives.
The poet wants himself to turn into an animal and live with animals as they have retained the basic good values lost by humAnswer.

Question. What is the difference between animals and humans regarding their attitude towards sin and God?
or Why do humans keep awake in the dark and weep for their sins while animals never do such things?
Answer. In the poem, the poet states that animals are simple and innocent creatures who commit no sins. Therefore, they do not have to worry about forgiveness from God. However, humans commit sins of greed, possession etc. As a result, they can’t sleep peacefully all night and pray to God for forgiveness.

Question. Explain the satisfaction that animals have and humans don’t.
Answer. Animals do not have the desire to possess worldly things and thus, are satisfied with what they have. They live happily in their natural surroundings. However, humans desire to own as many things as possible and thus, are dissatisfied forever.

Question. Explain ‘‘No One kneels to another… Not one is respectable …’’
Answer. In the poem ‘Animals’, ‘‘No one kneels to another… Not one is respectable…’’ refers to the good values possessed by animals.
It states that there is no concept of respect or insult among animals. They are all equal and don’t get involved in unnecessary activities and formalities.

Question. What is the relevance of ‘tokens’ in the poem ‘Animals’? Who brings them to the poet?
Or Why does the poet say ‘‘They bring me tokens of myself ’’? Who owns those tokens?
Answer. In the poem ‘Animals’, the poet states the animals bring him/show him ‘tokens’ of himself. Tokens here refers to the good virtues which includes satisfaction, self-containment, innocence, etc. The poet believes that these virtues were present in both humans and animals but humans have forgotten them. Animals still retain these tokens or virtues and remind the poet about them.

Question. What message does the poet Walt Whitman want to give through this poem?
Answer. Through the poem, ‘Animals’, the poet Walt Whitman wants to convey the message of superiority of animals over humAnswer. In the poem, the poet states that with advancement, humans have forgotten all the nobel virtues. They have degraded themselves while animals still retain those noble virtues. So, they appear to be noble as compared to humAnswer.

Question. What is the central idea of the poem, ’Animals’ ?
Answer. In the poem animals, Walt Whitman frankly tells that he feels more comfortable with animals rather than humAnswer. According to him, humans have become corrupted and had lost all the good values of kindness, equality and peace. Animals have yet retained all the positive values and thus are superior to humAnswer.

Question. What vices in human being does Whitman notice?
Answer. Whitman notices that human beings have been self-centred and do not respect other beings. They weep for their sins and pray to God to ask for forgiveness. Human beings are dissatisfied with their lives. They suffer from the obsession of possession and want to rule the world.

Question. Does Whitman believe that animals and humans are essentially similar? Provide one reason to support your opinion. CBSE Question Bank 2021
Answer. Yes, Whitman believes that animals and humans are essentially similar. According to him, humans too possessed the same qualities like calmness, self, restraint etc. Initially that are possessed by animals. However, with the passage of time they have lost them.

Question. Calling someone ‘an animal’ usually has a negative connotation. How does the poet invert it?
Answer. Calling someone an animal means he/she is uncivilised. The poet inverts this by high lighting the qualities of calmness and self-restraint possessed by animals. By this he brings about the fact that animals are far more civilised than human who are greedy and sinful.

Question. Whitman’s ode to animals is merely a yearning for a simpler life. Do you agree? Justify your answer.
Answer. Yes, I agree that to animals is merely a yearning for a simpler life. In the poem ‘Animals, Whitman urges man to slowdown and lead a peaceful life. He believes that man’s lust for greed is taking a toll on his quality of life.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question. Why do you think the poet has called the desire to own things, as a mania? Is the poet right in doing so? Write your own views.
Answer. In the poem ‘Animals’, the poet uses the word ‘mania’ to refer to the never-ending desire of human beings to possess things.
According to the poet, humans desire to possess as many things as possible and thus, never get satisfied. The acquisition of material things is a rat race in which all human beings participate forever.
The more a human gets, the more he/she desires. There is no end to their greed. Yes, the poet is right in doing so. The greed or desire to possess things drives all humans mad. They madly try to acquire more and more but are never satisfied. So the poet states, animals are better than humAnswer.
They do not have any desire to possess physical things and are happy with what they have. Unlike animals, humans always worry and complain. Thus, the poet is right in calling the desire to own things as a mania.

Question. ‘‘Human beings are called the most civilised species in the entire world. But sometimes they lack the virtues which are better exhibited by the animals.’’
Elucidate with reference to the poem ‘Animals’.
Answer. Human beings are called the most civilised species in the entire world, yet they lack good virtues. Human beings are devoid of virtues of being respectable, happy, self contained and calm. In the poem ‘Animals’, the poet believes that it is with civilisation that humans have lost their true nature.
They have become selfish, jealous, restless, unhappy and greedy creatures. They always complain about their lives, cry over their sins and discuss their duty to God. They have become false to their true identity.
Unlike humans, animals are peaceful, self-contained, and happy. They are satisfied with their lives. They do not have the mania of owning things nor do they have the concept of respect or insult. Animals, thus retain all those good virtues that were present even in humans, very long time ago.

Question. The key to happiness is ‘Do not complain but accept the situation’. Elaborate it in the context of the poem ‘Animals’.
Answer. It is true that the key to happiness is ‘Do not complain but accept the situation. ‘The poet, Walt Whitman in the poem ‘Animals’ justifies the given statement.
In the poem, animals are compared to human beings to highlight the differences between them. On the basis of their characteristics of happiness, equality, simplicity and many more ‘tokens’, animals have been ranked much superior and nobler to humAnswer.
The poet explains his belief by stating that animals are simple creatures who never complain about their situations. They have accepted their natural surroundings and thus, are happy and satisfied with their lives. Humans, on the other hand, have never accepted nature. They are always complaining about it and so, try to change it. Thus, they lead an unhappy life. The ever increasing expectations of human beings and their demanding, greedy and selfish nature leads to their unhappiness.

Question. Imagine that Walt Whitman and Nelson Mandela are invited to engage in a discussion on the topic - ‘Man’s Journey – Vices, Virtues and Vision’.
Based on your reading of ‘Animals’ and ‘Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom’, present the similarities and differences in their viewpoints and vision of human beings in the form of a conversation.
Or Nelson Mandela is more hopeful about human kind than Walt Whitman. Do you agree? Support your opinion based on your reading of ‘Animals’ and ‘Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom’.
Answer. Nelson Mandela’s ‘Long Walk to Freedom’ talks about the value of freedom. He states that a human being who has not enjoyed freedom know its value better than one who is free. He believed that the oppressed and the oppressor both were equally to be blamed. Nelson Mandela believed in the power of humans to unite and fight against evils like social and racial discrimination. Walt Whitman in the poem ‘Animals’ says that human beings are inferior to animals as they no longer possess the qualities of contentment, kindness etc. that they possessed once. he states that they are not free creatures as they are bound by greed, over-ambition, arrogance, etc.
He wants to leave the human world and take refuge in the animal kingdom as animals still possess the noble qualities. So, we can say that Walt Whitman is less hopeful about human kind than Nelson Mandela.

Extract Based Questions

1. Read the extract to attempt the questions that follow.

I. I think I could turn and live with animals, they
are so placid and self-contain’d,
I stand and look at them long and long.

Question. What does the poet want to turn into?
Answer. The poet wants to turn into an animal.

Question. Which qualities of animals attract the poet?
Answer. The poet is attracted to the calmness and poise of the animals.

Question. Which word is similar to the word ‘calm’?
Answer. The word ‘placid’ is similar to the word ‘calm’.

Question. Explain the successive use of the word ‘long’ twice and bring out its significance.
Answer. The successive use of the word ‘long’ makes the line significant; the first ‘long’ denotes ‘time’ whereas the other, ‘a desire’.

Question. Why does the poet want to live with animals?
Answer. The poet wants to live with animals because they are calm and self-contained.

2. Read the extract to attempt the questions that follow.

They do not sweat and whine about their condition,
They do not lie awake in the dark and weep for their sins,
They do not make me sick discussing their duty to God,

Question. Why do humans lie awake in the dark?
Answer. Humans lie awake in the dark weeping for their sins.

Question. What do humans do about their condition?
Answer. They regret and cry about their condition.

Question. What does the phrase ‘make me sick’ mean?
Answer. The phrase means to make someone feel angry or upset.

Question. Find a word from the stanza that is an antonym of ‘Thanking’.
Answer. The word ‘whine’ is an antonym of ‘Thanking’.

Question. How do human beings make the poet feel sick?
Answer. Human beings make the poet feel sick by discussing their good deeds done I the name of God.

3. Read the extract to attempt questions that follow.

So they showtheir relations tome and I accept them,
They bring me tokens of myself, they evince them plainly in their possession
I wonder where they get those tokens,
Did I pass that way huge times ago and negligently drop them? 

Question. Explain the line: “They bring me tokens of myself ”.
Answer. The poet here means that the animals remind him of true values of the human nature such as love and understanding.

Question. What does the poet accept?
Answer. The poet accepts the bonding with animals and their love.

Question. What similarities does the poet find between the human beings and the animals?
Answer. The poet finds that animals have virtues of truthfulness, kindness, and innocence just like human beings. However, human beings have long lost these virtues.

Question. What does the poet wonder about?
Answer. The poet wonders if the animals got their virtues from humans when they dropped them for their greed and selfishness.

Question. Which poetic device is used in the line – “I wonder where they get those tokens”?
Answer. Alliteration is used in the given line.