English Language & Literature — CBSE Class 10 board question

I. The poet uses 'nonplus' instead of 'confused' because it rhymes with the preceding line ending in 'us', maintaining the poem's rhyme scheme. It also adds a humorous, sophisticated tone.

II. The irony lies in the fact that weeping is generally associated with sadness and sympathy, yet here it is a sign of danger — the crocodile weeps while attacking its prey ("crocodile tears"). A creature that smiles (hyena) is also deadly. Both expressions — smiling and weeping — are deceptive, which ironically makes neither animal trustworthy or safe.

III. The word 'novice' signifies an inexperienced person.

IV. Option A — 1 and 4

The lines are humorous because the poet offers an absurd, comic "method" to distinguish dangerous animals. They are also confusing because both animals are deadly regardless of their expressions, making the advice practically useless.

Source: "How to Tell Wild Animals," Carolyn Wells

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• I: Always check for rhyme scheme when unusual word choices appear in poetry — examiners expect this observation.
• II: "Crocodile tears" is the key literary/cultural reference here. Stress the irony that weeping = danger, not sympathy.
• III: 'Novice' = beginner/inexperienced — either word is acceptable.
• IV: The poem is clearly comic/humorous (option 1) and the advice is deliberately muddled/confusing (option 4), so A is correct.