P-2 Fire and Ice

Some say the world will end in fire,

Some say in ice.

From what I’ve tasted of desire

I hold with those who favor fire.

But if it had to perish twice,

I think I know enough of hate

To say that for destruction ice

Is also great

And would suffice.

Choose the CORRECT statement about the given poem.

• Fire and ice are images—they help the readers visualise the power of

  nature over man.

• Fire and ice are symbols—not of natural disasters, but of humanity’s ability

  to create disasters of its own.

• Fire and ice are elements—not of Nature but man-made and possess the

  ability to create havoc for mankind.

• Fire and ice are agents—they change the thinking of mankind from negative

  to positive and bring harmony.

Some say the world will end in fire,

Some say in ice.

From what I’ve tasted of desire

I hold with those who favor fire.

But if it had to perish twice,

I think I know enough of hate

To say that for destruction ice

Is also great

And would suffice.

Select the option that correctly classifies the connotations for fire and ice, as

suggested in the poem.

(1) rage (2) violence (3) indifference (4) hate (5) greed

• Fire- 3,4; Ice- 1,2,5

• Fire- 2, 5; Ice-1,3,4

• Fire-1,3,5; Ice- 2, 4

• Fire- 1,2,4; Ice- 3,5

Some say the world will end in fire,

Some say in ice.

From what I’ve tasted of desire

I hold with those who favor fire.

But if it had to perish twice,

I think I know enough of hate

To say that for destruction ice

Is also great

And would suffice.

The poem is a _________, put across by the poet.

• powerful warning

• heart-felt apology

• earnest appeal

• vengeful threat

Some say the world will end in fire,

Some say in ice.

From what I’ve tasted of desire

I hold with those who favor fire.

But if it had to perish twice,

I think I know enough of hate

To say that for destruction ice

Is also great

The poet uses the phrasal verb -hold with.

Choose the option that DOES NOT indicate a valid phrasal verb.

• option 1

• option 2

• option 3

• option 4

Some say the world will end in fire,

Some say in ice.

From what I’ve tasted of desire

I hold with those who favor fire.

But if it had to perish twice,

I think I know enough of hate

To say that for destruction ice

Is also great

Pick the option that is NOT TRUE about the poet according to the extract.

The poet

• is inclined to believe that the world would most likely end with fire.

• has heard divided opinions about the way the world would end in all

  likelihood.

• preaches love and kindness to combat the spread of hate among all.

• declares the power of ice to be as destructive as that of fire.

Some say the world will end in fire,

Some say in ice.

From what I’ve tasted of desire

I hold with those who favor fire.

But if it had to perish twice,

I think I know enough of hate

To say that for destruction ice

Is also great

Identify the most likely tone of the poet in the lines-

‘To say that for destruction ice/Is also great’.

• sarcastic

• serious

• amused

• celebratory