Dust of Snow & Fire and Ice — Class 10 English MCQ with Answers (2026-27)

Updated 23 August 2026 · checked against the CBSE 2026-27 syllabus

10 objective questions on Dust of Snow & Fire and Ice (Class 10 English — First Flight — Poems), every one checked against the CBSE 2026-27 syllabus. Pick an option and the correct answer is shown straight away, with your marks running at the top.

Dust of Snow & Fire and Ice MCQ questions with answers

1. The way a crow Shook down on me The dust of snow From a hemlock tree Has given my heart A change of mood And saved some part Of a day I had rued.
   Of the many symbols the hemlock tree represents,​ choose the​ one that Frost drew upon in all likelihood, for this poem. Symbol of
   1. longevity
   2. togetherness
   3. healing
   4. protection

   Answer: c) healing

   Why: The tree’s snow heals the poet’s mood — a poisonous, gloomy tree becomes the source of recovery.

2. The way a crow Shook down on me The dust of snow From a hemlock tree Has given my heart A change of mood And saved some part Of a day I had rued.
   Choose the option that lists the possible feelings of the poet prior to the experience shared in the poem. (1) reassured (2) disappointed (3) curious (4) demotivated (5) thankful (6) disheartened‌ (7) impulsive​
   1. 1, 3 & 7
   2. 2, 4 & 6
   3. 5 & 7
   4. 1 & 3

   Answer: b) 2, 4 & 6

   Why: He had ‘rued’ the day — regret means he was disappointed, demotivated and disheartened.

3. The way a crow Shook down on me The dust of snow From a hemlock tree Has given my heart A change of mood And saved some part Of a day I had rued.
   Identify the option​ that DOES‌ NOT use the word 'rue' correctly.
   1. The film was a disaster and he rued his decision to act in it.
   2. I am sure she rued the day she listened to a fortune-teller.
   3. It wasn’t long before I rued my disobedience and my deceit.
   4. Others finally rue the one who is dishonest and heartless.

   Answer: d) Others finally rue the one who is dishonest and heartless.

   Why: ‘Rue’ means to regret one’s own action; you cannot ‘rue’ another person.

4. The way a crow Shook down on me The dust of snow From a hemlock tree Has given my heart A change of mood And saved some part Of a day I had rued.
   Synecdoche uses a part‌ to represent‌ the whole (e.g. ‘a great set of wheels’ for a car). Pick an example of synecdoche from the poem.
   1. Has given my heart / A change of mood
   2. The way a crow / Shook down on me
   3. The dust of snow / From a hemlock tree
   4. And saved some part / Of a day I had rued

   Answer: a) Has given my heart / A change of mood

   Why: ‘Heart’ stands for the poet’s whole self and state of mind.

5. The way a crow Shook down on me The dust of snow From a hemlock tree Has given my heart A change of mood And saved some part Of a day I had rued.
   Choose the option showing the reason NOT corresponding with “… a​ crow /​ Shook down on me / The dust of snow”.
   1. The crow’s landing on the branch of the tree.
   2. The shivering of the crow, due to the cold.
   3. The readjustment of position of the crow on the branch.
   4. The cawing of the crow hidden in the foliage.

   Answer: d) The cawing of the crow hidden in the foliage.

   Why: Only movement can shake snow off a branch — cawing alone would not.

6. 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.
   1. Fire and ice are images — they help the readers visualise the power of nature over man.
   2. Fire and ice are symbols — not of natural disasters, but of humanity’s ability to create disasters of its own.
   3. Fire and ice are elements — not of Nature but man-made and possess the ability to create havoc for mankind.
   4. Fire and ice are agents — they change the thinking of mankind from negative to positive and bring harmony.

   Answer: b) Fire and ice are symbols — not of natural disasters, but of humanity’s ability to create disasters of its own.

   Why: Frost links fire to desire and ice to hate — both are human failings, not natural calamities.

7. 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
   1. Fire — 3,4; Ice — 1,2,5
   2. Fire — 2,5; Ice — 1,3,4
   3. Fire — 1,3,5; Ice — 2,4
   4. Fire — 1,2,4; Ice — 3,5

   Answer: d) Fire — 1,2,4; Ice — 3,5

   Why: Fire carries the hot emotions — rage, violence, hate; ice carries the cold ones — indifference and greed.

8. 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.‌
   1. powerful warning
   2. heart-felt apology
   3. earnest appeal
   4. vengeful threat

   Answer: a) powerful warning

   Why: Frost warns that human desire and hate are enough to destroy the world.

9. 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.
   Pick the option​ that is​ NOT TRUE about the poet according to the extract. The poet
   1. is inclined to believe that the world would most likely end with fire.
   2. has heard divided opinions about the way the world would end in all likelihood.
   3. preaches love and kindness to combat the spread of hate among all.
   4. declares the power of ice to be as destructive as that of fire.

   Answer: c) preaches love and kindness to combat the spread of hate among all.

   Why: The poem diagnoses the danger; it never preaches a remedy.

10. 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.
    Identify the most likely tone​​ of the poet in the lines — 'To say that for destruction ice / Is also great'.
    1. sarcastic
    2. serious
    3. amused
    4. celebratory

    Answer: a) sarcastic

    Why: Calling destruction ‘great’ is deliberate irony — the understatement is sarcastic.