Section A: Very Short Answer Questions :

1. Where is one likely to encounter the "large and tawny beast"?

Answer: One is likely to encounter this beast in the jungles of the East.

2. What is the "simple rule" to identify the Bengal Tiger?

Answer: The simple rule is that if the noble wild beast eats you, you will know it is the Bengal Tiger.

3. How does the poet describe the skin (hide) of the Leopard?

Answer: The poet describes the Leopard’s hide as being "peppered" with spots.

4. What will the Leopard do if you roar with pain?

Answer: He will not help; instead, he will "lep and lep again".

5. Where might you meet a Bear according to the poem?

Answer: You might meet a Bear while walking round your yard.

6. What is the distinguishing feature of a Bear’s attack in this poem?

Answer: The Bear identifies itself by hugging the person "very, very hard".

7. How can you tell a Hyena apart from a Crocodile?

Answer: Hyenas come with merry smiles, while Crocodiles appear to weep.

8. What are two physical features the Chameleon lacks?

Answer: The Chameleon has no ears at all and does not have a single wing.

9. According to the poet, what are you actually seeing if the tree appears empty?

Answer: You are seeing the chameleon, as it camouflages itself.

10. What color is the "noble wild beast" (the Tiger)?

Answer: The Tiger has black stripes on a "yellow ground" (background).

Section B: Short Answer Questions :

1. Why does the poet use the term "noble" for the Bengal Tiger?

Answer: The poet uses "noble" ironically to create humor. While "noble" usually implies dignity, this beast is simply waiting to "greet" and then eat the visitor.

2. Explain the irony in the Bear’s "caress."

Answer: In the poem, a Bear’s "caress" or "hug" is actually a deadly attack. The humor lies in describing a violent act using words associated with affection.

3. Why does the poet spell 'lept' and 'lep' incorrectly in the third stanza?

Answer: The poet uses "poetic license" to maintain the rhythm and rhyme of the poem. It also adds to the lighthearted, humorous tone of the text.

4. How does the poet describe the physical appearance of the Asian Lion?

Answer: The Asian Lion is described as a "large and tawny beast" that advances toward you in the eastern jungles and roars loudly.

5. What is the "simple rule" for a novice to discern the Bengal Tiger?

Answer: The "simple rule" is a humorous one: if you are roaming around and a beast with black stripes on a yellow ground eats you, you have identified the Bengal Tiger.

6. Describe the physical characteristics of a Chameleon as mentioned in the poem.

Answer: The Chameleon is a small, "lizard sort of thing". It is unique because it lacks ears and wings, and it can become invisible on a tree.

7. What is the difference between a Hyena’s "smile" and a Crocodile’s "tears"?

Answer: These are popular ideas where Hyenas are thought to laugh and Crocodiles are thought to weep while swallowing victims. The poet uses these traits as "dangerous" ways to tell them apart.

8. Why does the poet say "Twill do no good to roar with pain" when meeting a Leopard?

Answer: Because the Leopard’s nature is to jump (lep) on its prey repeatedly. Roaring with pain will not discourage the animal; it will only continue its attack.

9. Explain the phrase "A novice might nonplus."

Answer: This means someone new to a job or inexperienced might be puzzled or confused when trying to distinguish between different beasts of prey.

10. How does the regular rhythm contribute to the poem’s impact?

Answer: The strong and regular rhythm makes the poem sound like a nursery rhyme. This contrasts sharply with the "dangerous" subject matter, which creates the poem's unique humor.