Previous Year Questions 2025
Q1: Read the following extract and answer the questions:
“Some say the world will end in fire
Some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favour fire.”
(i) The speaker offers evidence to support his preference for one theory over the other. Mention the evidence. (1 Mark)
Ans: The poet’s evidence is based on his own experience with desire. He has “tasted” its burning and destructive power and therefore agrees with those who believe the world will end in fire.
(ii) What is the prediction of the poet about how the world will come to an end? Answer in about 40 words. (2 Marks)
Ans: The poet predicts that the world will end either in fire or in ice. Fire symbolizes human desires like greed and passion, while ice symbolizes hatred and indifference. He believes both emotions are powerful enough to destroy the world if they grow uncontrolled.
(iii) “Fire” and “Ice” are used in the poem as (1 Mark)
(a) similes
(b) metaphors
(c) repetition
(d) oxymorons
Ans: (B) metaphors
Both “fire” and “ice” are metaphors for human emotions — desire and hatred respectively.
(iv) Comment on the overall mood of the extract. (1 Mark)
Ans: The overall mood of the extract is reflective and cautionary. The poet thoughtfully considers how intense human emotions, like desire and hatred, can lead to destruction.
Q2: Robert Frost’s view of nature changes when he talks about it positively in Dust of Snow, but negatively in Fire and Ice. Justify the statement. (Answer in about 100-120 words) (6 Marks)
Ans: In “Dust of Snow,” Robert Frost presents nature as a positive and healing force. The simple act of a crow shaking snow on the poet changes his mood and saves the rest of his day. Nature, here, brings hope, joy, and transformation.
In contrast, in “Fire and Ice,” Frost uses elements of nature—fire and ice—as symbols of human destruction. Fire represents uncontrolled desire and greed, while ice stands for hatred and indifference. Both are portrayed as capable of bringing an end to the world.
Thus, Frost’s view of nature shifts from being restorative and comforting in Dust of Snow to destructive and symbolic of human emotions in Fire and Ice. This shows his deep understanding of the dual nature of existence.
Previous Year Questions 2024
Q1: How does the poet use ‘fire’ and ‘ice’ to convey the central idea of the poem?
Ans: The poet uses ‘fire’ and ‘ice’ as metaphors to depict how uncontrolled desires and hatred can lead to the world’s destruction.He suggests that both emotions have the potential to destroy the world.
Q2: What is the message of the poem ‘Fire and Ice’?
Ans: The poem conveys that both unbridled passions (‘fire’) and cold indifference or hatred (‘ice’) have the potential to destroy the world, highlighting the destructive power of human emotions.
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Previous Year Questions 2023
Q3: Discuss how extreme behaviors can hasten the end of the world with reference to ‘Fire and Ice’.
Ans: The poem illustrates that extreme emotions like desire and hatred can lead to catastrophic outcomes. ‘Fire’ represents burning desires that can consume and destroy, while ‘ice’ symbolizes cold hatred that can freeze and obliterate. Both extremes are detrimental and can lead to the world’s end.
Q4: Analyze the use of symbolism in Robert Frost’s ‘Fire and Ice’.
Ans: In the poem, Frost employs ‘fire’ and ‘ice’ as symbols to represent human emotions. ‘Fire’ stands for intense desires and passions, which can lead to conflicts and destruction. ‘Ice’ signifies hatred and indifference, capable of causing isolation and demise. Through these symbols, Frost emphasizes that both emotions, if unchecked, can have catastrophic consequences.
| Also read: Extract Based Questions: Fire and Ice |
Previous Year Questions 2022
Q5: Explain why the poet personally holds the conviction that the world will primarily end in fire? (2022-23)
Ans: According to the poet, humans’ never-ending desires and ever-increasing hatred would be enough to bring destruction to the world. In the poem, the fire represents desire. Like fire, desire spreads quickly and overpowers a person’s sane thinking and whole life. The poet personally holds the conviction that the world will primarily end in fire as he was a victim of the fiery aspect of desire. He had experienced its destructive effects in life by his own confession (from what I’ve tasted ….)
Previous Year Questions 2021
Q6: Which word from the poem, Fire and Ice will complete the following? (Term I, 2021-22)
Cruelty : Fire : : Insensitivity : ______
(a) Ice
(b) Hate
(c) Desire
(d) Destruction
Ans: (a)
In the poem, Fire symbolizes emotions such as desire and cruelty, while Ice represents insensitivity and hatred.
Q7: Which option correctly replaces the underlined phrase in the given line from Fire and Ice?
‘I hold with those who favour fire.’
(a) am as experienced as
(b) strongly disagree with
(c) have the same opinion as
(d) habitually avoid (Term I, 2021-22)
Ans: (c) have the same opinion as
The phrase “I hold with those” means “I have the same opinion as those” who believe in the destructive power of fire, making (c) the correct replacement.
Previous Year Questions 2020
Q8: The use of symbolism in the poem ‘Fire and Ice’ conveys the poet’s message effectively. Expand with reference to the poem. (2020-21)
Ans:
In the poem, ice stands for hatred and emotional coldness. The poet believes that this indifference is powerful enough to bring destruction. Just like fire, ice can lead to the end of the world through emotional numbness and a lack of empathy.
 | Extract Based Questions Test: Fire & Ice |
Previous Year Questions 2014
Q9: To say that for destruction, ice is also great for the poet, what does ice stand for? How is it sufficient to bring destruction? (Answer the following questions in 40-50 words) (CBSE 2014)
Ans: The poem “Fire and Ice” explores the potential ways the world might come to an end, using powerful symbolism to convey its message. In the poem, fire symbolizes intense human desires such as lust, greed, and passion. On the other hand, ice represents coldness, hatred, and emotional indifference. The poet suggests that the world could meet its demise either through the destructive force of unchecked greed and desire (fire) or through the apathy and hatred that lead to emotional detachment (ice). By using these contrasting symbols, the poem effectively highlights how both extremes of human emotion have the potential to bring about destruction, whether through overwhelming intensity or complete emotional numbness.