Here are clear, exam-focused question–answers for the poem “How to Tell Wild Animals” (Class 10, First Flight).

Very short Q–A (1 mark)

Q1. Who is the poet of the poem “How to Tell Wild Animals”?
Ans. The poem “How to Tell Wild Animals” is written by Carolyn Wells.

Q2. What kind of poem is “How to Tell Wild Animals”?
Ans. It is a humorous and playful poem that describes different wild animals in a funny way.

Q3. What does the poet say about the Asian lion?
Ans. The Asian lion is a large, tawny (brownish-yellow) beast that roars loudly when it attacks its prey.

Q4. How can you recognize a Bengal tiger?
Ans. The Bengal tiger has black stripes on its yellow coat and attacks its prey silently.

Q5. How can you recognize a leopard?
Ans. A leopard has spots (peppered marks) on its body and jumps on you again and again if it attacks.

Q6. What is the special feature of a bear mentioned in the poem?
Ans. A bear is recognized by its strong, tight hug , which can actually crush a person.

Q7. How does the poet say we can distinguish between a hyena and a crocodile?
Ans. A hyena comes with a merry smile , while a crocodile appears to be weeping (shedding “crocodile tears”).

Q8. What does the phrase “crocodile tears” mean?
Ans. “Crocodile tears” means false or pretend tears , when someone shows fake sorrow.

Q9. How does the poet describe the chameleon?
Ans. The chameleon is small, looks like a lizard, has no ears or wings, and can be found on a tree.

Q10. Does “dyin’” really rhyme with “lion”?
Ans. In normal pronunciation it does not, but if we change the way we say “lion” , we can make “dyin’” rhyme with it for poetic effect.

Short answer Q–A (30–40 words)

1. Identifying animals

Q1. How can you identify the Asian lion and the Bengal tiger?
Ans. The Asian lion is a large animal with a brownish-yellow coat, and it roars loudly when it attacks its prey. The Bengal tiger has black stripes on its yellow coat and attacks silently without roaring.

Q2. How can you distinguish between a tiger and a leopard?
Ans. A tiger has black stripes on its yellow body and usually kills only when hungry. A leopard is covered with spots and can leap repeatedly , sometimes killing just for the thrill of it.

Q3. How does the poet describe the bear?
Ans. The poet says a bear can be known by its hug. It may appear friendly and embrace you tightly, but this hug is dangerous and can crush you, so it is not a loving hug at all.

Q4. Why might it be difficult for a novice to distinguish wild animals?
Ans. A beginner, or novice , may get confused because many beasts of prey look frightening and similar. The poet humorously suggests that such a person might be easily puzzled among them.

Q5. What picture of the hyena and the crocodile does the poet give?
Ans. The poet says a hyena always seems to smile , giving it a false friendly look, while a crocodile appears to weep , symbolizing fake tears or insincere emotions.

Q6. What are the main characteristics of a chameleon in the poem?
Ans. The chameleon is small , looks like a lizard , has no ears or wings , and it changes its colour to match its surroundings, usually seen on a tree, making it hard to notice.

Reference-to-context / extract-based type (in easy form)

“If ever you should go by chance
To jungles in the east;
And if there should to you advance
A large and tawny beast,
If he roars at you as you’re dyin’
You’ll know it is the Asian Lion …”

Q1. Which animal is being described here?
Ans. The Asian lion is being described in these lines.

Q2. What does “tawny beast” mean?
Ans. “Tawny beast” means a large animal with a brownish-yellow coat , referring to the lion.

Q3. What will make you sure that it is the Asian lion?
Ans. When the animal roars at you while attacking , and you feel as if you are dying, you will know it is the Asian lion.

“This simple rule may help you learn
The Bengal Tiger to discern.”

Q4. What simple rule is mentioned to recognize the Bengal tiger?
Ans. The rule is that a Bengal tiger can be recognized by the black stripes on its yellow body and its habit of attacking silently.

“Hyenas come with merry smiles;
But if they weep they’re Crocodiles.”

Q5. How does the poet differentiate between a hyena and a crocodile?
Ans. A hyena can be recognized by its merry smile , while a crocodile can be recognized by its pretended tears , called “crocodile tears.”

Long answer (100–120 words)

Q. How does the poet use humour in “How to Tell Wild Animals” to describe dangerous animals? Ans. In “How to Tell Wild Animals”, Carolyn Wells uses humour and exaggeration to describe some of the most dangerous animals of the jungle. She tells the reader that if a lion roars at you while you are “dyin’”, you will know it is the Asian lion, which makes a terrifying situation sound comical. The tiger’s silent attack, the leopard’s repeated leaps, and the bear’s deadly hug are all presented in a playful way, as if they are simple “tests” to identify the animal. The smiling hyena and the weeping crocodile add to the fun. This light, humorous tone helps students learn the animals’ features without feeling scared.

Theme / message type

Q. What is the central idea of the poem “How to Tell Wild Animals”? Ans. The central idea of the poem is to introduce various wild animals and their special features in a humorous way. The poet describes lions, tigers, leopards, bears, hyenas, crocodiles, and chameleons using funny situations that would actually be fatal in real life. Instead of warning us seriously, she plays with language, rhyme, and exaggeration so that readers enjoy the poem and still remember how each animal looks and behaves. The poem shows that even serious or dangerous subjects can be presented in a light and entertaining manner.

Character / description table (for quick revision)

[1][5] [3][1] [1][5] [1][5] [5] [3][5] [5] [5] [5] [5] [5] [5] [5] [5]
Animal Key features in poem How you “identify” it
Asian lion Large, tawny (brownish- yellow), lives in eastern jungles Roars loudly as it attacks, you feel as if you’re “dyin’”
Bengal tiger Yellow coat with black stripes Attacks silently, called a “noble animal”
Leopard Body covered with spots, very fast Leaps on you at once and may “lep and lep again”
Bear Big, powerful animal Known by its strong, tight, crushing hug
Hyena Wild animal of prey Comes with a “merry smile”
Crocodile Lives in water, dangerous jaws Appears to weep; symbol of “crocodile tears” (false sorrow)
Chameleon Small, like a lizard, no ears or wings Changes colour on a tree, so you may not even see it
**TL;DR:** Learn **who the poet is, key traits of each animal, and how humour is used**. Practice short and long answers like the ones above and you’ll be fully ready for “how to tell wild animals class 10 question answer” in your exam.