Read the following poem carefully. It crept forward. A spark at first. 3. Growing into a flame Then brightening into a blaze. It crept forward. 6. Like a panther, stealthily stalking his prey. Slowly, now, then leaping Like a beast gone mad. 9. Leaping, and being doused with water. Still, relentlessly, on and on it went. Tearing through, with lightning speed. 12. It spread. Its petals fanned out, yellow and orange And red. The greedy rage-flower. 15. Advancing its tendrils, announcing their arrival With a crackle, a hiss, a sizzle and spit. Tearing along with blinding fury. 18. Destroying everything in its path. Hurrying through. Feeding on dried-up wood and brittle screams 21. Fire! Azara Singh; The Hindu

Question

Read the following poem carefully.

1.  It crept forward. 
2. A spark at first.
3. Growing into a flame
4. Then brightening into a blaze.
5. It crept forward.
6. Like a panther, stealthily stalking his prey.
7. Slowly, now, then leaping
8. Like a beast gone mad.
9. Leaping, and being doused with water.
10. Still, relentlessly, on and on it went.
11. Tearing through, with lightning speed.
12. It spread.
13. Its petals fanned out, yellow and orange
14. And red. The greedy rage-flower.
15. Advancing its tendrils, announcing their arrival 
16. With a crackle, a hiss, a sizzle and spit.
17. Tearing along with blinding fury.
18. Destroying everything in its path.
19. Hurrying through.
20. Feeding on dried-up wood and brittle screams 
21. Fire! 

 Azara Singh; The Hindu

1. Tick (✔) the correct option for each of the following questions/statements.

(a) The fire

(i) increased in intensity gradually

(ii) burst out suddenly

(iii) burned steadily

(iv) did not advance at all

(b) The poet compares the fire to a panther because it

(i) moved very fast

(ii) was cruel

(iii) advanced quietly at first

(iv) jumped over things in its way

c) The fire is called 'greedy' because

(i) nothing can stop it

(ii) everybody feeds it

(iii) it continues to burn for a long time

(iv) it destroys everything it can find

(d) The fire burns

(i) noiselessly

(ii) with a thundering sound

(iii) like a growling animal

(iv) with a variety of sounds

(e) Which of the following is NOT an appropriate description of the fire? 

(i) fierce

(ii) destructive

(iii) relentless

(iv) controllable

(f) Which line describes the 'sounds' made by the fire?

(i) 10

(ii) 13

(iii) 16 

(iv) 20

(g) Which of the following CANNOT be considered a synonym of the word 'fire'?

(i) spark

(ii) flame

(iii) blaze

(iv) tendrils

(h) The expression 'brittle screams' (line 20) most probably refers to

(i)the noise of cries and panic made by fire victims

(ii) the sound the burning twigs make

(iii) the noises made by animals being preyed on by wild animals like panthers

(iv) noise made by fire fighters busy in dousing a fire

2. Given below is the summary of the poem. Complete it by writing the missing word in the space provided.

It takes only a (a)...............and to start a fire which soon (b)..............into a flame and becomes a (c).............. .It leaps like a (d)...............beast and (e)................its helpless preys. It (f).................with lightning speed defying all efforts to (g)...................it. Ignoring its screaming victims, it (h).................everything on its way.

3. The poem highlights the 'destructive power' of fire. Is fire only a destructive force? Answer 'Yes' or 'No'. Give reasons to support your answer.

........................................................................................................ 

Answer 1

1. The answers to the multiple-choice questions are as follows:

(a) (ii) burst out suddenly
(b) (iii) advanced quietly at first
(c) (iv) it destroys everything it can find
(d) (iii) like a growling animal
(e) (iv) controllable
(f) (iii) 16
(g) (iv) tendrils
(h) (i) the noise of cries and panic made by fire victims

2. Given below is the completed summary of the poem:

It takes only a spark to start a fire which soon grows into a flame and becomes a blaze. It leaps like a wild beast and devours its helpless preys. It spreads with lightning speed defying all efforts to extinguish it. Ignoring its screaming victims, it destroys everything on its way.

3. No. Fire is not only a destructive force. While the poem highlights the destructive power of fire, fire also has positive aspects and can be beneficial in various ways. Fire provides heat and light, helps in cooking food, and is used for various industrial and technological purposes. It has been a vital tool for human civilization throughout history. However, when not properly controlled or managed, fire can become dangerous and destructive.