The Poem “How to Tell Wild Animals" by Carolyn Wells
Complete Poem Analysis include - Paraphrasing (line by line and Stanza wise), Central Ideas, Summaries, Literary/Poetic devices, Questions, MCQs and vocabulary of difficult words
Complete Poem Analysis include - Paraphrasing (line by line and Stanza wise), Central Ideas, Summaries, Literary/Poetic devices, Questions, MCQs and vocabulary of difficult words
1. Original Readings (text) of the poem “How to Tell Wild Animals" by Carolyn Wells:
How to tell wild animals,By the marks that they leave;By the tracks of their feet,Or the prints of their claws.
The lion is shaggy and tawny,And eats any meat he can;But he never makes faces,As he stalks through the pan.
The tiger is striped,And is dangerous too;If you meet him at night,It’s better to shoo.
The bear is big and furry,And eats fish and honey;He growls at strangers,And is never funny.
The leopard is spotted,The monkey is sly;The fox is cunning,And the hare is shy.
So if you go wandering,In the forests and glades,Keep your eyes open,And watch the wild shades.
2. Line by line Paraphrasing of the poem “How to Tell Wild Animals" by Carolyn Wells:
🔹 Stanza -1: Line-by-Line Paraphrasing (Explanation)
1. 👉 How to tell wild animals,
👉 The poet introduces the topic by explaining that she will teach us how to identify different wild animals in an interesting and simple way.
2. 👉 By the marks that they leave;
👉 She suggests that we can recognize animals by carefully observing the marks or signs they leave behind in their surroundings.
3. 👉 By the tracks of their feet,
👉 The poet further explains that footprints left on the ground can help us understand which animal has passed through that place.
4. 👉 Or the prints of their claws.
👉 She adds that even the marks made by claws are useful clues, as different animals leave different patterns.
🔹 Stanza -2: Line-by-Line Paraphrasing (Explanation)
5. 👉 The lion is shaggy and tawny,
👉 The poet describes the lion as having a rough, hairy body with a yellowish-brown (tawny) color.
6. 👉 And eats any meat he can;
👉 She explains that the lion is a carnivorous animal that eats all kinds of meat it finds.
7. 👉 But he never makes faces,
👉 The poet humorously points out that the lion always looks serious and never makes funny or playful expressions.
8. 👉 As he stalks through the pan.
👉 She adds that the lion moves quietly and carefully while hunting in its natural habitat, showing its power and confidence.
🔹 Stanza -3: Line-by-Line Paraphrasing (Explanation)
9. 👉 The tiger is striped,
👉 The poet tells us that the tiger can be recognized by the dark stripes on its body.
10. 👉 And is dangerous too;
👉 She warns that the tiger is a very fierce and harmful animal.
11. 👉 If you meet him at night,
👉 The poet imagines a situation where a person might come across a tiger in the dark.
12. 👉 It’s better to shoo.
👉 She humorously advises that one should quickly try to scare it away or escape, though this is clearly exaggerated for fun.
🔹 Stanza -4: Line-by-Line Paraphrasing (Explanation)
13. 👉 The bear is big and furry,
👉 The poet describes the bear as a large animal covered with thick fur.
14. 👉 And eats fish and honey;
👉 She explains that the bear enjoys eating fish and sweet honey.
15. 👉 He growls at strangers,
👉 The poet mentions that bears can be aggressive and make growling sounds when they see unknown people.
16. 👉 And is never funny.
👉 She humorously adds that bears are serious animals and do not behave in a playful or amusing way.
🔹 Stanza -5: Line-by-Line Paraphrasing (Explanation)
17. 👉 The leopard is spotted,
👉 The poet tells us that the leopard has spots on its body, which help us identify it easily.
18. 👉 The monkey is sly;
👉 She describes the monkey as clever and mischievous in its behavior.
19. 👉 The fox is cunning,
👉 The poet explains that the fox is known for being intelligent and tricky.
20. 👉 And the hare is shy.
👉 She adds that the hare is a timid animal that gets frightened easily.
🔹 Stanza -6: Line-by-Line Paraphrasing (Explanation)
21. 👉 So if you go wandering,
👉 The poet advises that if someone goes walking or exploring in forests or wild places,
22. 👉 In the forests and glades,
👉 She refers to natural areas like forests and open grassy spaces where wild animals live.
23. 👉 Keep your eyes open,
👉 The poet suggests that one should remain alert and observant at all times.
24. 👉 And watch the wild shades.
👉 She concludes by saying that by carefully observing the surroundings, one can notice animals and understand their presence.
3. Stanza-wise paraphrasing in a paragraph of the poem “How to Tell Wild Animals" by Carolyn Wells:
Stanza 1: Stanza-wise Paraphrasing (Paragraph Style)
Original Text:How to tell wild animals,
By the marks that they leave;
By the tracks of their feet,
Or the prints of their claws.
By the marks that they leave;
By the tracks of their feet,
Or the prints of their claws.
Paraphrasing:
In the first stanza, the poet begins by explaining that wild animals can be identified by closely observing the signs they leave behind. She highlights that footprints and claw marks serve as important clues in understanding which animal has passed through a particular area. The poet encourages careful observation of nature, suggesting that even without directly seeing the animal, one can still recognize its presence through these visible traces. This stanza sets the foundation of the poem by introducing a playful yet informative way of identifying animals.
Stanza 2: Stanza-wise Paraphrasing (Paragraph Style)
Original Text:The lion is shaggy and tawny,And eats any meat he can;But he never makes faces,As he stalks through the pan.
Paraphrasing:
In this stanza, the poet describes the lion as a strong and powerful animal with a rough, hairy body and a golden-brown colour. She explains that the lion is a carnivore that eats meat and survives by hunting other animals. The poet humorously adds that the lion always appears serious and does not make funny expressions while moving silently in search of prey. This description highlights the lion’s dignity, strength, and calm confidence as it moves through its habitat.
Stanza 3: Stanza-wise Paraphrasing (Paragraph Style)
Original Text:The tiger is striped,And is dangerous too;If you meet him at night,It’s better to shoo.
Paraphrasing:
In the third stanza, the poet introduces the tiger, emphasizing its striped body, which makes it easy to recognize. She warns that the tiger is a dangerous and fierce animal. The poet creates a humorous situation by suggesting that if someone encounters a tiger at night, they should try to scare it away or escape quickly. Although this advice is exaggerated, it adds a playful tone to the poem while still reminding readers of the tiger’s strength and danger.
Stanza 4: Stanza-wise Paraphrasing (Paragraph Style)
Original Text:The bear is big and furry,And eats fish and honey;He growls at strangers,And is never funny.
Paraphrasing:
In this stanza, the poet describes the bear as a large and heavily fur-covered animal that enjoys eating fish and honey. She explains that bears can be aggressive and often growl at unfamiliar people to show their strength and warning. The poet humorously remarks that bears are serious creatures and not playful or amusing. This stanza combines factual information with light humour, making the description engaging and easy to remember.
Stanza 5: Stanza-wise Paraphrasing (Paragraph Style)
Original Text:The leopard is spotted,The monkey is sly;The fox is cunning,And the hare is shy.
Paraphrasing:
In this stanza, the poet quickly describes several animals and their key characteristics. The leopard is recognized by its spotted body, the monkey is clever and mischievous, the fox is intelligent and tricky, and the hare is timid and easily frightened. Each animal is given a distinct personality, helping the reader understand and remember their traits easily. The simple and rhythmic style makes these descriptions both enjoyable and educational.
Stanza 6: Stanza-wise Paraphrasing (Paragraph Style)
Original Text:So if you go wandering,
In the forests and glades,
Keep your eyes open,
And watch the wild shades.
In the forests and glades,
Keep your eyes open,
And watch the wild shades.
Paraphrasing:
In the final stanza, the poet gives advice to the reader. She suggests that if someone goes exploring in forests or natural areas, they should stay alert and observe their surroundings carefully. By paying attention to footprints, movements, and shadows, one can identify the presence of wild animals. This stanza concludes the poem by reinforcing the importance of observation and curiosity, while maintaining the light-hearted and instructive tone throughout.
4. Central Idea of the poem “How to Tell Wild Animals" by Carolyn Wells in a board exam-style way:
🌟 Central Idea – 1
The central idea of the poem “How to Tell Wild Animals" by Carolyn Wells is to present a humorous and imaginative way of identifying wild animals based on their physical features and behaviours. The poet explains that animals can be recognized by their footprints, claw marks, and unique characteristics. She describes different animals like the lion, tiger, bear, leopard, fox, and hare in a playful manner. Each animal is given a distinct identity through simple and memorable traits. The poem mixes reality with exaggeration to create humour. It makes learning about animals interesting and enjoyable for readers. The poet uses rhyme and rhythm to make the descriptions easy to remember. The tone remains light-hearted throughout the poem. At the same time, it also highlights the importance of careful observation in nature. The poem encourages curiosity about the natural world. It teaches that even small clues can reveal important information. Overall, the poem is both entertaining and slightly informative.
🌟 Central Idea – 2
The central idea of the poem “How to Tell Wild Animals" by Carolyn Wells is to entertain readers by giving witty and exaggerated descriptions of wild animals and their identifying features. The poet uses simple language to describe how animals look and behave in their natural surroundings. She highlights qualities like strength, danger, cleverness, and shyness in different animals. The poem creates a fun learning experience by combining facts with imagination. It shows how each animal has a unique identity that makes it recognizable. The use of humour makes the poem engaging and memorable. The poet also indirectly teaches readers to observe nature closely. Through playful advice, she builds curiosity about wildlife. The poem avoids seriousness and instead focuses on enjoyment. It presents knowledge in a creative and easy way. Readers can relate to the descriptions and remember them easily. In the end, the poem celebrates the diversity of animals. It leaves a cheerful and lively impression on the reader.
🌟 Central Idea – Key Points (Exam Revision Notes)
5. Summary of the poem “How to Tell Wild Animals" by Carolyn Wells in a board exam-style way:
✨ Summary – 1
The poem “How to Tell Wild Animals" by Carolyn Wells describes different wild animals and explains how they can be identified by their features and behaviour. The poet begins by saying that animals can be recognized through their footprints and claw marks. She then describes the lion as strong and serious, and the tiger as dangerous with stripes. The bear is shown as big, furry, and sometimes aggressive. Other animals like the leopard, monkey, fox, and hare are described with their special traits. Each description is short, simple, and easy to understand. The poet uses humour and exaggeration to make the poem interesting. The rhyming words make it enjoyable to read. The poem gives the feeling of learning while having fun. It encourages readers to observe animals carefully. The tone remains playful and light throughout. It does not give real instructions but imaginative ones. Overall, the poem is entertaining and informative at the same time.
✨ Summary – 2
The poem “How to Tell Wild Animals" by Carolyn Wells presents a fun and creative way to learn about wild animals and their characteristics. The poet explains that animals can be identified by the marks they leave behind and their physical appearance. She describes animals like lions, tigers, and bears in a humorous tone. Each animal is given a simple but clear identity. The poet also includes animals like the fox, monkey, and hare with their well-known traits. The poem uses exaggeration to create a comic effect. It is written in an easy and rhythmic style. This makes it suitable and enjoyable for students. The poem does not aim to be scientific but imaginative. It creates interest in wildlife through simple descriptions. Readers can easily remember the characteristics of each animal. The overall mood is cheerful and lively. The poem successfully combines learning with entertainment.
🌟 Summary – Key Points (Exam Revision Notes)
6. a. Literary / Poetic Devices (for teacher / understanding) Used in the “How to Tell Wild Animals" by Carolyn Wells:
Poetic Devices (Student-Friendly)
1. Rhyme Scheme
Definition: The pattern of rhyming words at the end of lines.
Example: leave / claws, can / pan
Effect: It creates musicality and makes the poem easy to remember.
2. Alliteration
Definition: Repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of words.
Example: “wild animals”
Effect: It adds rhythm and emphasis to the poem.
3. Imagery
Definition: Language that appeals to the senses.
Example: “tracks of their feet”
Effect: Helps readers visualize animals and their surroundings clearly.
4. Personification
Definition: Giving human qualities to animals or objects.
Example: Animals behaving in human-like ways
Effect: Makes the poem lively and humorous.
5. Simplicity (Diction)
Definition: Use of simple and easy language.
Example: Short and clear descriptions of animals
Effect: Makes the poem understandable for all readers, especially students.
6. Humor
Definition: Use of funny or amusing ideas.
Example: Suggesting to “shoo” a tiger
Effect: Creates entertainment and keeps readers engaged.
7. Exaggeration (Hyperbole)
Definition: Overstatement for emphasis.
Example: Easy ways to deal with dangerous animals
Effect: Adds a comic and unrealistic effect.
8. Repetition
Definition: Repeating words or ideas.
Example: Repeated structure of describing animals
Effect: Reinforces ideas and improves memorization.
9. Tone
Definition: The attitude of the poet.
Example: Light and playful tone throughout
Effect: Makes the poem enjoyable and non-serious.
10. Rhythm
Definition: The flow of words in a poem.
Example: Smooth, balanced lines
Effect: Enhances reading experience and musical quality.
11. Descriptive Language
Definition: Use of adjectives to describe things.
Example: “shaggy”, “tawny”, “striped”
Effect: Gives clear and vivid pictures of animals.
12. Structure
Definition: Organization of stanzas and lines.
Example: Short stanzas with clear ideas
Effect: Makes the poem neat and easy to follow.
b. Poetic devices for Student only to attempt in the board exam:
1. Imagery: Descriptive language that creates pictures in the mind, e.g., “tracks of their feet”. Helps readers clearly visualize animals and their movements.
2. Alliteration: Repetition of initial consonant sounds, e.g., “wild animals”. Adds rhythm and makes lines more attractive.
3. Rhyme Scheme: Pattern of rhyming words, e.g., “leave / claws”, “can / pan”. Makes the poem musical and easy to memorize.
4. Humor: Use of funny ideas, e.g., suggesting to “shoo” a tiger. Keeps the poem entertaining and light-hearted.
5. Hyperbole (Exaggeration): Overstatement for effect, e.g., easy ways to deal with dangerous animals. Creates a comic effect.
6. Personification: Giving human-like qualities to animals, e.g., animals behaving in human ways. Makes the poem lively and interesting.
7. Tone: The poet’s attitude, e.g., playful and humorous. Creates a cheerful and enjoyable mood.
8. Rhythm: The flow of words, e.g., smooth and balanced lines. Makes the poem pleasant to read.
9. Repetition: Repeating ideas or patterns, e.g., similar structure for each animal. Helps reinforce learning.
10. Descriptive Language: Use of adjectives, e.g., “shaggy”, “tawny”, “striped”. Gives clear and vivid descriptions.
11. Simplicity (Diction): Use of easy words and short sentences. Makes the poem student-friendly and easy to understand.
12. Structure: Organized short stanzas describing animals one by one. Makes the poem clear and well-arranged.
7. Short-Answer Questions of the poem “How to Tell Wild Animals" by Carolyn Wells:
Q1. What is the main theme of the poem “How to Tell Wild Animals" by Carolyn Wells?
Answer: The poem humorously explains how to identify wild animals. It combines learning with entertainment through simple descriptions.
Q2. How can animals be identified in the poem “How to Tell Wild Animals" by Carolyn Wells?
Answer: Animals can be identified through their footprints and claw marks. These signs help recognize their presence.
Q3. How is the lion described in the poem “How to Tell Wild Animals" by Carolyn Wells?
Answer: The lion is described as shaggy, tawny, and serious. It moves quietly and hunts confidently.
Q4. What is special about the tiger in the poem “How to Tell Wild Animals" by Carolyn Wells?
Answer: The tiger has stripes and is dangerous. It is a powerful and fierce animal.
Q5. What does the poet say about the bear in the poem “How to Tell Wild Animals" by Carolyn Wells?
Answer: The bear is big and furry. It eats fish and honey and can be aggressive.
Q6. How is the leopard identified in the poem “How to Tell Wild Animals" by Carolyn Wells?
Answer: The leopard is recognized by its spotted body. This makes it easy to identify.
Q7. What quality of the fox is mentioned in the poem “How to Tell Wild Animals" by Carolyn Wells?
Answer: The fox is described as cunning. It is clever and tricky in nature.
Q8. How is the hare described in the poem “How to Tell Wild Animals" by Carolyn Wells?
Answer: The hare is shy and timid. It gets frightened easily.
Q9. What tone does the poem “How to Tell Wild Animals" by Carolyn Wells have?
Answer: The poem has a humorous and playful tone. It keeps the mood light and entertaining.
Q10. Why is the poem “How to Tell Wild Animals" by Carolyn Wells humorous?
Answer: The poem uses exaggeration and funny advice. This creates a comic effect.
Q11. What is the role of imagery in the poem “How to Tell Wild Animals" by Carolyn Wells?
Answer: Imagery helps readers visualize animals clearly. It makes descriptions vivid.
Q12. What is the importance of observation according to the poem “How to Tell Wild Animals" by Carolyn Wells?
Answer: Observation helps in identifying animals. It encourages awareness of nature.
Q13. Why is simple language used in the poem “How to Tell Wild Animals" by Carolyn Wells?
Answer: Simple language makes the poem easy to understand. It is suitable for students.
Q14. What does the poem “How to Tell Wild Animals" by Carolyn Wells teach indirectly?
Answer: It teaches curiosity and observation of wildlife. It also builds interest in nature.
Q15. Is the poem “How to Tell Wild Animals" by Carolyn Wells realistic or imaginative?
Answer: The poem is partly imaginative. It mixes facts with humour and exaggeration.
8. Long-Answer Questions (LAQs) of the poem “How to Tell Wild Animals" by Carolyn Wells:
Q1. Explain the central idea of the poem “How to Tell Wild Animals" by Carolyn Wells.
Q2. Describe how different animals are portrayed in the poem “How to Tell Wild Animals" by Carolyn Wells.
Q3. How does the poet use humor in the poem “How to Tell Wild Animals" by Carolyn Wells?
Q4. Discuss the importance of observation in the poem “How to Tell Wild Animals" by Carolyn Wells.
Q5. What is the tone of the poem “How to Tell Wild Animals" by Carolyn Wells? Explain.
Q6. How does the poem “How to Tell Wild Animals" by Carolyn Wells combine learning and entertainment?
Q7. Why is the poem “How to Tell Wild Animals" by Carolyn Wells suitable for students?
9. MCQs of the poem “How to Tell Wild Animals" by Carolyn Wells:
MCQ No. 1
What is the poem about?
a) Cities
b) Wild animals
c) History
d) Science
Correct answer: b
Explanation: The poem describes wild animals and their traits.
MCQ No. 2
Animals are identified by:
a) Names
b) Colors only
c) Tracks and marks
d) Sounds
Correct answer: c
Explanation: The poet mentions footprints and claw marks.
MCQ No. 3
The lion is:
a) Weak
b) Shaggy and tawny
c) Small
d) Silent only
Correct answer: b
Explanation: The lion is described with these features.
MCQ No. 4
The tiger is recognized by:
a) Spots
b) Stripes
c) Fur
d) Claws
Correct answer: b
Explanation: The poet clearly describes the tiger as a striped animal.
MCQ No. 5
What does the bear eat?
a) Fish and honey
b) Grass
c) Fruits only
d) Leaves
Correct answer: a
Explanation: The poet mentions that the bear eats fish and honey.
MCQ No. 6
The leopard is:
a) Hairy
b) Tall
c) Spotted
d) Weak
Correct answer: c
Explanation: The leopard is identified by its spotted body.
MCQ No. 7
The fox is described as:
a) Lazy
b) Strong
c) Kind
d) Cunning
Correct answer: d
Explanation: The poet calls the fox clever and cunning.
MCQ No. 8
The hare is:
a) Brave
b) Shy
c) Angry
d) Loud
Correct answer: b
Explanation: The hare is described as timid and shy.
MCQ No. 9
The tone of the poem is:
a) Sad
b) Serious
c) Humorous
d) Angry
Correct answer: c
Explanation: The poem uses humor and exaggeration throughout.
MCQ No. 10
The language of the poem is:
a) Difficult
b) Complex
c) Simple
d) Technical
Correct answer: c
Explanation: The poem uses simple and easy words.
MCQ No. 11
The poem uses exaggeration to:
a) Confuse readers
b) Entertain readers
c) Scare readers
d) Teach science
Correct answer: b
Explanation: Exaggeration creates humor and entertainment.
MCQ No. 12
What is the main purpose of the poem?
a) To warn
b) To entertain
c) To criticize
d) To inform only
Correct answer: b
Explanation: The poem mainly aims to entertain through humor.
MCQ No. 13
Imagery in the poem helps to:
a) Confuse
b) Entertain only
c) Visualize animals
d) Lengthen poem
Correct answer: c
Explanation: Imagery creates clear mental pictures.
MCQ No. 14
The structure of the poem is:
a) Complex
b) Irregular
c) Simple
d) Long
Correct answer: c
Explanation: The poem has short and simple stanzas.
MCQ No. 15
The theme of the poem is:
a) Nature beauty
b) Animal identification
c) Human life
d) War
Correct answer: b
Explanation: The poem explains how to identify animals.
10. Vocabulary of Difficult Words used in the poem “How to Tell Wild Animals" by Carolyn Wells:
1. Shaggy
Meaning: Rough and hairy
Synonym: Woolly
Antonym: Smooth
Example: The shaggy dog looked cute.
2. Tawny
Meaning: Yellowish-brown color
Synonym: Golden
Antonym: Pale
Example: The lion had a tawny coat.
3. Stalk
Meaning: Move quietly
Synonym: Sneak
Antonym: Rush
Example: The tiger stalked its prey.
4. Dangerous
Meaning: Harmful
Synonym: Risky
Antonym: Safe
Example: Wild animals can be dangerous.
5. Furry
Meaning: Covered with fur
Synonym: Hairy
Antonym: Hairless
Example: The bear is a furry animal.
6. Growl
Meaning: Low angry sound
Synonym: Snarl
Antonym: Whisper
Example: The dog began to growl.
7. Spotted
Meaning: Having spots
Synonym: Marked
Antonym: Plain
Example: The leopard is spotted.
8. Sly
Meaning: Clever in a tricky way
Synonym: Crafty
Antonym: Honest
Example: The monkey was sly.
9. Cunning
Meaning: Smart and tricky
Synonym: Clever
Antonym: Foolish
Example: The fox is cunning.
10. Shy
Meaning: Timid
Synonym: Nervous
Antonym: Bold
Example: The hare is shy.
11. Wandering
Meaning: Moving aimlessly
Synonym: Roaming
Antonym: Staying
Example: He was wandering in the forest.
12. Glades
Meaning: Open grassy areas
Synonym: Meadow
Antonym: Forest
Example: Animals rested in the glades.
13. Observe
Meaning: Watch carefully
Synonym: Notice
Antonym: Ignore
Example: Observe the animal’s behavior.
14. Traits
Meaning: Characteristics
Synonym: Qualities
Antonym: Defects
Example: Each animal has unique traits.
15. Identify
Meaning: Recognize
Synonym: Detect
Antonym: Confuse
Example: We can identify animals by tracks.
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