Fire and Ice Extra Questions and Answers Class 10 English are available here. Class 10 English Fire and Ice (Poem) extra questions and answers have been meticulously curated by our expert teachers. These questions are divided into hree sections, encompassing very short-type question answers, short-type question answers, and long-type question answers. Mastering these questions will greatly aid you in achieving excellent marks in your board exams.
Fire and Ice Extra Questions and Answers
Very Short Answer Questions
Question 1. What is ‘fire’ a symbol of?
Answer: ‘Fire’ is a symbol of lust and endless desires.
Question 2. What is ‘Ice’ a symbol of?
Answer: ‘Ice’ is a symbol of hatred.
Question 3. What will fire do to the world?
Answer: Fire will put an end to the world.
Question 4. What will the world end in?
Answer: The world will end in both fire and ice.
Question 5. Why does the poet side with those who favor fire?
Answer: The poet sides with those who favor fire because the lust for material things is rapidly increasing.
Question 6. Why do some people say that the world will end in ice?
Answer: They say so because hatred among people is rapidly increasing.
Question 7. Who is the poet of the poem ‘Fire and Ice’?
Answer: Robert Frost.
Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1. What do you think would be enough to destroy the world? Can Fire and Ice contribute to it?
Answer: Our desires and hatred would be enough to destroy the world. According to the poet, ‘fire’ represents ‘desire’ and ‘ice’ represents ‘hatred’. Desires, like fire, spread rapidly and engulf one’s whole life, while ‘hatred’ fills life with poison.
Question 2. What is the underlying idea of the poem ‘Fire and Ice’?
Answer: The poet equates fire with ‘desire’ and ice with ‘hatred’. Both of these are growing with enormous speed. If we don’t check them from growing, the world will perish. So, we must restrain our desires and love our fellow beings.
Question 3. Which two ideas about how the world will end have been mentioned in the poem? Which idea does the poet support more?
Answer: The two ideas mentioned are that the world will end in fire or in ice. Though the poet thinks both are great for destruction, yet he seems to favor the idea of the destruction of the world in fire a little more than in ice.
Question 4. What do ‘fire’ and ‘ice’ stand for, and what is the general opinion regarding the world?
Answer: According to the poet, ‘fire’ represents desire, and ‘ice’ represents hatred. I agree with the poet. Desires, like fire, spread rapidly and engulf one’s whole life. Similarly, ‘hatred’ fills life with poison, making one hard-hearted and cruel.
Question 5. What do people think about the ending of the world? What does the poet think?
Answer: Some people think that someday the world will end in fire. On the other hand, some people say that it will end in ice. The poet has tasted both the fire and the ice. He thinks that the world will end in fire. Here, fire stands for the tire of desire.
Question 6. How will the world end twice?
Answer: The poet says that both fire and ice are destructive. Here, fire stands for the heat of desire, and ice stands for hatred. He thinks that our violent desires will end the world. If it survives, it will be ruined by hatred.
Question 7. What is the main idea of the poem?
Answer: The main idea of the poem is that there are violent passions in the world. They are destructive. But more distinctive than those violent desires is the hatred between man and man. The poet thinks that one day this hatred will destroy the world.
Question 8. Will this world come to an end? What does the poet say in this regard?
Answer: Everything that has a beginning or origin does have an end. It is an eternal law of nature. The existing world will come to an end someday. The poet believed many people believe that either ‘fire’ or ‘ice’ will be the cause of the end of the world.
Question 9. What do people think about the end of the world? Who does the poet side with and why?
Answer: People are divided over the cause of the end of this world. Some people think that ‘fire’, symbolized by unbridled passions, desires, and fury, will destroy this world. Others believe that ‘ice’, symbolized by cold reasoning, indifference, and hatred, will be the cause of destruction. The poet sides with those who believe that ‘fire’ or unbridled passions and desires will result in the destruction of the world.
Question 10. Why does the poet say, ‘I’ve tasted of desire/I hold with those who favor fire’?
Answer: The poet is familiar with the fire of passions and desires in love. He knows it quite well that uncontrolled desires, passions, and fury lead to our destruction. Similarly, he sides with those people who believe that ‘fire’, symbolized by unbridled passions and desires, will be the real cause of the end of the world.
Question 11. What will be the cause of the end of the world if it has to perish twice?
Answer: The world is not eternal; its end is certain. The poet aligns with those who believe that ‘fire’ will cause the end of the existing world. However, if the world has to perish twice, ‘ice’ is as potent to bring about its end as ‘fire’. Icy reasoning devoid of human love and sympathy, coupled with hatred, is sufficient to bring about the world’s demise.
Question 12. How does the poet ‘know enough of hate’? Where will this ‘hate’ lead to?
Answer: ‘Icy’ or cold reasoning can lead to rigidity, indifference, and insensitivity, stripping away all warmth of human feelings, love, and sympathy. The result can be disastrous. ‘Hatred’ born out of cold and ‘icy’ reasoning can lead to the destruction of the world.
Question 13. How will ‘ice’ be as ‘great’ and ‘suffice’ for causing the end of this existing world? Do you agree with the poet?
Answer: There is no need for ‘fire’ to destroy the world; even ‘ice’ is sufficient and ‘strong’ enough to cause the destruction of this world. If the world has to ‘perish twice’, then there is no need for fire to destroy it twice. ‘Ice’ is as ‘strong’ and ‘great’ a cause that can lead to the end of this world.
Question 14. What is the message of the poem ‘Fire and Ice’?
Answer: The metaphors of ‘fire’ and ‘ice’ are used effectively to convey a clear message to the readers. ‘Fire’ symbolizes unbridled, uncontrolled passions, desires, lust, and fury, which are disastrous for human beings. Similarly, cold reasoning devoid of all human warmth, love, sympathy, will bring insensitivity, cruelty, and rigidity. This hatred will lead to the end of this world.
Question 15. “From when I have tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.”
Why does the poet hold with those who favor fire?
Answer: The poet sides with those who believe that the world will be destroyed by fire. ‘Fire’ is a symbol of desire. The poet has already experienced desire. Based on his experience, he knows that excessive desire will destroy the world. That is why he holds with those who favor fire.
Question 16. “But if it has to perish twice
I think I know enough of hate.”
What does ‘it’ refer to? How will it perish twice?
Answer: ‘It’ here refers to the world. The poet says that people hold different opinions about the end of the world. Some say ‘fire’, which stands for ‘desire’, will destroy the world. Secondly, ‘ice’, which stands for ‘hatred’, can also destroy the world.
Question 17. “To say that for destruction ice
Is also great”
In the poem, what does ‘ice’ stand for? How is it sufficient to bring destruction?
Answer: ‘Ice’ stands for ‘hatred’. Hatred may be religious, communal, or of any other type. According to the poet, there is enough hatred in the world which will destroy the external, physical world one day.
Long Answer Type Questions
Question 1. How does the poem depict the two contrasting ideas— ‘Fire’ and ‘Ice’? Can hatred destroy us and the world? Explain, bringing out values that can make this world a better place to live in.
Answer: (i) In this poem, Robert Frost presents two contrasting ideas—Fire and Ice—as predictions of how the world will end. Some people believe the world will end in fire, while others hold that it will end in ice. The poet equates desire with fire and hatred with ice. Both desire and hatred are growing at such a rapid pace that the world may end in either manner.
(ii) Yes, hatred can destroy us and the world. Intolerance breeds hatred, leading to fury and cruelty. Individuals become hard-hearted and insensitive to the feelings of others.
(iii) Love, brotherhood, tolerance, peace, contentment, sensitivity, benevolence, and generosity among people can make this world a better place to live in.
Question 2. What is the rhyme scheme of the poem? How does it help in bringing out the contrasting ideas in the poem?
Answer: The rhyme scheme of the poem in the first stanza is a, b; a and in the second stanza, it is a, b, a, b, a. Lines ending with the same rhythm convey similar ideas, while lines ending with a different note introduce contrasting ideas. In the first stanza, the first, third, and fourth lines end with the words fire, desire, fire—sharing the same rhythm—but the second line ends with the word ‘ice,’ which contrasts with ‘fire.’ This scheme effectively highlights the contrasting ideas in the poem.
Question 3. There are many ideas about how this world will come to an ‘end.’ What are they? Do you agree with the poet and his understanding of the issue in this regard?
Answer: Various perspectives exist regarding how the world will end. Some believe ‘fire’ will cause the end, while others believe it will be ‘ice.’ Both views have their valid reasons. The poet aligns with those who believe ‘fire’ will be the cause of the end due to its potential to unleash unbridled passions and desires, leading to destruction. However, ‘ice’ also poses a significant threat, as cold and ‘icy’ reasoning devoid of human warmth can breed hatred and contempt, ultimately leading to destruction. Both ‘fire’ and ‘ice’ hold potential for disaster and destruction.
Question 4. What do the metaphors of ‘ice’ and ‘fire’ convey to the readers? Don’t they represent the two extremes of human behavior that can lead to the destruction and death of this world? What is the message that the poet wants to give to the readers?
Answer: The metaphors of ‘ice’ and ‘fire’ symbolize the extremes of human behavior that can lead to the destruction of the world. ‘Fire’ represents unbridled passions, desires, and fury, while ‘ice’ symbolizes cold reasoning devoid of human warmth, love, and sympathy, leading to hatred and contempt. The poet warns against succumbing to these extremes, as both can bring about disaster and hasten the end of the world. Humanity can save itself and delay the end by embracing values of love, tolerance, peace, and empathy, thereby fostering a better world for all.