US Trends

how to tell wild animals question answer

How to Tell Wild Animals – Question Answer Guide

Quick Scoop

You’re asking about “how to tell wild animals question answer”, which refers to the Class 10 English poem “How to Tell Wild Animals” by Carolyn Wells, and the common exam-style questions and answers related to it. Below is a student‑friendly, exam‑ready explanation with key Q&A, in simple English.


1\. About the Poem “How to Tell Wild Animals”

This is a humorous poem from the Class 10 English book “First Flight”. It describes different wild animals in a funny way and tells how to “recognise” them through their behaviour and appearance. The tone is playful, but the poem still gives clear clues about each animal’s characteristics.[5][7]

  • The poet imagines you are meeting wild animals directly in the jungle.
  • She gives “simple rules” to identify lion, tiger, leopard, bear, etc.
  • Humour comes from the idea that you know the animal only when it has almost killed you.
  • [7][5]

2\. Short Question–Answer (Very Important for Exams)

(A) How to identify main animals

[5][7] [7][5] [5][7] [7] [1] [1] [1]
Animal How to recognise (as per poem)
Asian Lion It is a large, brownish‑yellow (tawny) animal; if it roars loudly at you while you are “dyin’”, then you have met an Asian lion.
Bengal Tiger It has black stripes on a yellow coat; if this “noble” wild beast quietly attacks and eats you, it is the Bengal tiger.
Leopard It has a spotted (peppered) skin; if it leaps on you at once and even if you cry, it will jump on you again, then it is a leopard.
Bear If while you are walking in your yard, an animal comes and gives you a tight “hug” and keeps hugging you, then it is a bear.
Hyena A hyena is known by the funny, “laughing” sound it makes while eating its prey.
Crocodile A crocodile is recognised because it “weeps” while swallowing its victim (idea of “crocodile tears”).
Chameleon A small lizard‑like creature with no ears and no wings, which changes its colour and blends with surroundings.

(B) Very short answers (1–2 lines)

  1. Q: How can you recognise an Asian lion?
    A: You recognise an Asian lion by its large body, brownish‑yellow colour and its loud roar, which you hear when you are “dyin’”.
  2. [5]
  3. Q: How can you recognise a Bengal tiger?
    A: You can recognise a Bengal tiger by the black stripes on its yellow coat and its silent, sudden attack.
  4. [5]
  5. Q: When do you know it is a leopard?
    A: You know it is a leopard when an animal with spots jumps on you at once and, even if you cry, it leaps on you again.
  6. [5]
  7. Q: How does the bear “embrace” a person?
    A: The bear gives a tight, strong hug, and if the person is still alive, he keeps hugging again, which is called a “bear’s hug” in the poem.
  8. [7]
  9. Q: How can you distinguish between a hyena and a crocodile?
    A: A hyena “laughs” as it swallows its victim, whereas a crocodile “weeps” while swallowing its victim.
  10. [1]
  11. Q: What does the poet say about a chameleon?
    A: The poet says a chameleon is a small lizard‑like creature, with no ears and no wings, and it can change its colour.
  12. [1]

3\. Important Long‑Type Question Answers

Q1. How does the poet use humour to describe wild animals?

The poet uses a light, playful tone to describe very dangerous animals like lions, tigers, and leopards. Instead of giving dry scientific details, she imagines funny “rules” such as knowing the lion when you hear his roar while you are “dyin’”, or realising you met a tiger only after it has eaten you. This contrast between the serious danger and the casual, joking language creates humour. It also makes the poem memorable and less scary for students.[8][9][5]

Q2. What is the main theme of the poem “How to Tell Wild Animals”?

The main theme is identification of wild animals through their physical features and behaviour, presented in a humorous way. The poem also suggests that nature and wild animals can be looked at with curiosity and fun, instead of only fear. Through playful exaggeration, it teaches us about several animals and shows how language and rhyme can make learning enjoyable.[8][7][5]

Q3. How are the Asian Lion and the Bengal Tiger different in the poem?

The Asian lion is described as a large, tawny (brownish‑yellow) beast whose loud, terrifying roar is heard when you are about to die. The Bengal tiger, on the other hand, is called a “noble” animal that moves silently with black stripes on a yellow coat and attacks suddenly without loud roaring. So, the lion is linked with fearful roaring, while the tiger is linked with royal appearance and silent attack.[7][5]

Q4. What impression do you get of the leopard from the poem?

The leopard seems fast, powerful, and merciless. The poet focuses on its spotted skin and its habit of leaping on the victim immediately, and adds that even if you cry, it will “lep and lep again”, showing that once it attacks, it does not stop. The repetition of the word “lep” makes the scene funny but still clearly shows the leopard’s ferocity.[8][5]


4\. Literary Devices in “How to Tell Wild Animals” (Quick Notes)

  • Rhyme: The poem uses simple rhyme schemes that make it musical and easy to remember.
  • [4][7]
  • Humour & exaggeration: Saying that you know the animal only when it kills/eats you is an exaggeration used for comic effect.
  • [8][5]
  • Imagery: Clear visual pictures are created of stripes, spots, hugs, tears, and laughing sounds.
  • [7]
  • Alliteration & sound play: Phrases like “lep and lep again” play with sound to increase rhythm and humour.
  • [8]

5\. Sample Exam‑Style Answers (Ready to Use)

Q: Write a short summary of the poem “How to Tell Wild Animals”.

In this humorous poem, the poet explains how to recognise different wild animals such as the Asian lion, Bengal tiger, leopard, bear, hyena, crocodile, and chameleon. She gives playful “rules” like hearing the lion’s roar while dying, being eaten by the tiger, or being hugged by the bear. Through such funny examples and exaggerated situations, she highlights each animal’s special features. The poem makes the dangerous world of wild animals look less frightening and turns it into an interesting, enjoyable lesson.[8][5][7]

Q: What message does the poem give to students?

The poem’s main message is that learning, even about serious or dangerous things like wild animals, can be fun when presented creatively. It encourages students to observe characteristics carefully while enjoying humour and wordplay. It also shows that poetry can teach facts and entertain at the same time.[7][8]


SEO‑Style Meta Description

Meta description: Complete guide to “how to tell wild animals question answer” for Class 10 – key points, short and long Q&A, summary, theme, and literary devices explained in simple English.[5][7]


Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.