Question

Q4) Read the following poem carefully.
It crept forward. A spark at first.
growing into a flame,
then brightening into a blaze.
It crept forward
like a panther, stealthily stalking its prey.
Slowly, now, then leaping
like a beast gone mad.
Leaping, and then being doused with water.
still, relentlessly, on and on it went.
Tearing through, with lighting speed.
it spread. Its petals fanned out, yellow and orange and red.
The greedy-rage flower.
advancing its tendrils, announcing their arrival with a
crackle, a hiss, a sizzle and spit.
Tearing along with blinding fury, destroying
everything in its path. Hurrying through.
feeding on dried-up wood and brittle screams fire!
a) What does 'it' in the above lines refer to?
b)
Why does the poet compare the fire to a panther?
c)
What does the fire feed on?
d)
Which word in the passage means 'following'?

Answer 1

Answer:

a) In the above lines 'it' refers to fire.

b) The poet compares the fire to a panther because of its similar characteristics. The fire, like a panther, stealthily stalks its prey, slowly at first and then leaping like the beast when gone mad.

c) The fire feeds on dried up wood and brittle screams of "fire".

d) stalking