A Tiger in the Zoo - Short Answers

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 A Tiger in the Zoo - Short Answers

1. Do you think the tiger in the poem has lost its natural instinct due to captivity? Justify.

The tiger in the cage walks proudly and quietly. But his anger is seen in his eyes. He is energetic, active and confident. All his actions prove that he has not lost his natural instinct due to captivity.

2. Why is the tiger angry? Why does he express his anger quietly?

The tiger is angry because it's stuck in a tiny cage. It can't move freely or show how strong it is. This makes the tiger really angry. But because it's trapped, it can't fight back. So, it keeps its natural instincts hidden and doesn't roar loudly like it wants to.

3. How does the poet describe the tiger's appearance?

The tiger looks majestic with sharp, clear stripes all over his body. The stripes are very distinct as they stand in complete contrast to the colour of his coat. He moves about in a royal, stately manner and has been called 'noble,' though actually he is a beast of prey.

4.. 'He should be lurking in shadow'. Why should the tiger be lurking in shadow?

"Shadow" represents how dense the trees and tall grass are in the dark jungle. The thick plants give the tiger a hiding spot while it searches for prey, often near water. Tigers naturally hunt by pouncing on other animals to satisfy their hunger.

5. What should the tiger be doing while in the forest to frighten people? Why can't he do it in the zoo?

The tiger is a predator, and its loud snarls, fierce teeth, and sharp claws can scare people near the forest. But because it's trapped in a cage, it can't come out to attack anyone. So, it holds back its natural instincts and doesn't roar at people, even though it's angry about losing its freedom.

6. What does the expression: "His strength behind bars" emphasize?

The phrase "His strength behind bars" shows that the tiger's power is stuck because of the cage. It means the tiger can't use its strength to scare people or run freely because it's trapped. The bars stop it from moving and showing its real power.

7. What is the attitude of the tiger towards the visitors?

The tiger doesn't care about the zoo visitors. It ignores them because it can't scare or attack them while stuck behind bars. Its natural fierceness, which usually scares people, is useless because it can't show it. Plus, the tiger might feel insulted being treated only as entertainment by the visitors.