Samacheer Class 10 English - The Ant and the Cricket

Your Progress - Chapter 40% complete

1A. Based on your understanding of the poem, read the following lines and answer the questions given below.3 questions

Q.1A silly young cricket accustomed to sing Through the warm, sunny months of gay summer and spring. a) What was the routine of the cricket? b) Name the seasons mentioned here.v

Solution

a) The lines say the cricket was "accustomed to sing", so his routine was singing. b) The seasons mentioned are summer and spring.

Answer:

a) The cricket used to sing regularly. b) Summer and spring.

Q.2Began to complain when he found that, at home, His cupboard was empty, and winter was come. a) Who does 'he' refer to? b) Why was his cupboard empty?v

Solution

a) The previous lines refer to the cricket; thus 'he' is the cricket. b) The cricket did not store food (did not save for winter), so there was nothing in his cupboard.

Answer:

a) 'He' refers to the cricket. b) His cupboard was empty because he had not saved any food during the warm months.

Q.3Not a crumb to be found On the snow-covered ground; a) What couldn't he find on the ground? b) Why was the ground covered with snow?v

Solution

a) 'Not a crumb to be found' means there was no food. b) Snow on the ground indicates the season is winter.

Answer:

a) He couldn't find any crumbs (food) on the ground. b) The ground was covered with snow because it was winter.

2A7 questions

Q.A.44. At last by starvation and famine made bold, All dripping with wet, and all trembling with cold, a) What made the cricket bold? b) Why did the cricket drip and tremble? (Also: Pick out the rhyming words in the above lines and give more examples of rhyming words from the poem.)v

Solution

a) 'By starvation and famine made bold' shows hunger forced him to act. b) 'All dripping with wet' indicates he was wet from rain/snow; 'trembling with cold' shows he was shivering in winter. Rhymes identified as above.

Answer:

a) Starvation and extreme hunger made the cricket bold enough to seek help. b) He was dripping from wet weather (rain/snow melt) and trembling from the cold of winter. Rhyming words in the lines: bold / cold. More rhymes from the poem: sing / spring; found / ground; rain / grain; borrow / tomorrow; light / night / might / sight (examples).

Q.A.55. Away he set off to a miserly ant, To keep if, to keep him alive, he would grant Him shelter from rain, And a mouthful of grain. a) Whom did the cricket want to meet? Why? b) What would keep him alive? (Mention the rhyme scheme employed in the above lines.)v

Solution

Corrected OCR phrase 'To keep if' to intended meaning 'To beg if, to keep him alive, he would grant' (meaning he asked the ant to grant shelter and some grain). The cricket sought the ant's help; shelter and food would save him. Rhyme pattern: first two lines rhyme with each other, and the last two rhyme with each other (A A B B).

Answer:

a) He went to a miserly ant asking for help. b) Shelter from rain and a mouthful of grain would keep him alive. Rhyme scheme: A A B B (ant/grant rhyme; rain/grain rhyme).

Q.A.66. But we ants never borrow; we ants never lend. a) Why do you think ants neither borrow nor lend? b) Who says these lines to whom?v

Solution

a) The ant explains their habit of saving and not depending on others. b) In the story the ant speaks these words to refuse the cricket's request.

Answer:

a) Ants neither borrow nor lend because they are self-reliant and save for themselves; they believe in keeping their stores. b) The ant says these lines to the cricket.

Q.A.77. '' Not I! My heart was so light That I sang day and night, For all nature looked gay." a) Who does 'I' refer to? b) What was the nature of the cricket? How do you know?v

Solution

The cricket admits he was joyful and spent his time singing when the weather was pleasant, showing a carefree temperament.

Answer:

a) 'I' refers to the cricket. b) The cricket was light-hearted and carefree; we know this because he says his heart was so light that he sang day and night since nature looked gay.

Q.A.88. Thus ending, he hastily lifted the wicket, And out of the door turned the poor little cricket, a) The ant refused to help the cricket. Why? b) Explain the second line.v

Solution

a) The ant cites the principle of not lending and the cricket's failure to save. b) 'Lifted the wicket' = opened the small gate/door and 'turned the poor little cricket' = expelled him outside.

Answer:

a) The ant refused because ants do not borrow or lend and the cricket had not saved anything for winter. b) The second line means the ant quickly opened the little gate (wicket) and pushed the cricket out of the house.

Q.A.99. He wished only to borrow; He'd repay it tomorrow; a) Pick out the rhyming words in the above lines. b) Give more examples of rhyming words from the poem.v

Solution

Identify the rhyme pair in the lines and provide additional rhyme pairs found elsewhere in the poem.

Answer:

a) Rhyming words: borrow / tomorrow. b) Other examples: sing / spring; found / ground; bold / cold; rain / grain; light / night.

Q.A.1010. My heart was so light that I sang day and night, For all nature looked gay. "You sang , Sir , you say"? a) What was the nature of the cricket's heart? b) Why is the line "You sang, Sir, you say" used?v

Solution

a) The cricket's heart was light, carefree and cheerful. b) The ant repeats "You sang, Sir, you say?" ironically to remind the cricket that he wasted the warm months singing instead of preparing for winter.

Answer:

3B1 questions

Q.BBased on your understanding of the poem, complete the summary using the phrases given below. In this narrative poem, the poet brings out the idea that is essential for every creature. He conveys this message to the readers through a story of _____(1)_____. _____(2)_____. The cricket _____ (3) _____ happily in the summer. He _____ (4)_____ anything for the winter. When winter comes, he is worried that his _____ (5)_____ is empty. So, he seeks the help of the ant to have _____ (6)_____ and a _____ (7)_____ to stay. The cricket was even prepared to repay it in the future. The ant made it clear that ants _____ (8)_____. He also enquired the cricket if it had saved anything when the weather was fine. The cricket answered _____ (9)______. The ant threw the cricket out and stated in a stern voice it should dance in the winter season too. In his concluding lines, the poet affirms that this is not _____ (10) _____ but it is true and applicable to _____ (11)_____ also. (Phrases given: the pleasant nature, human beings, doesn't save, warm place, kitchen cupboard, just a fable, saving for future, some grains, never borrow or lend, an ant and a cricket, sings and dances)v

Solution

Reasoning: (1) story in the poem is about an ant and a cricket; (2) the central idea is saving for the future; (3) cricket sings and dances in summer; (4) he doesn't save for winter; (5) his kitchen cupboard is empty; (6)-(7) he asks the ant for a warm place and some grains; (8) ant says ants never borrow or lend; (9) cricket says he sang because of the pleasant nature; (10)-(11) poet says the story is not just a fable but applies to human beings.

Answer:

Filled summary:
(1) an ant and a cricket
(2) saving for future
(3) sings and dances
(4) doesn't save
(5) kitchen cupboard
(6) warm place
(7) some grains
(8) never borrow or lend
(9) the pleasant nature
(10) just a fable
(11) human beings

4C3 questions

Q.C.11. 'Some crickets have four legs and some have two'. Elucidate this statement from the poet's point of view.v

Solution

Explaination: The poet notices physical or behavioural differences among crickets to remind readers that not all are alike. This contrast helps introduce the moral contrast between the industrious ant and the carefree cricket.

Answer:

The poet means that creatures (and by extension people) differ in appearance and habits; some are different from others. Despite such differences, many (like crickets) share the same nature of singing. The line highlights variety among beings and leads to the moral about different behaviour (some save, some do not).

Q.C.22. Compare and contrast the attitude of the ant and the cricket.v

Solution

The ant plans ahead, works steadily through summer to store food, values responsibility and self-reliance. The cricket spends the warm months singing and enjoying the present, neglecting preparation for winter. As a result, the ant is secure in hardship while the cricket faces hunger and must beg. In short: ant = industrious and provident; cricket = careless and impractical.

Answer:

The ant is hardworking, prudent and future-oriented; the cricket is carefree, pleasure-seeking and short-sighted.

Q.C.33. If given a chance, who would you want to be- the ant or the cricket? Justify your answer.v

Solution

Being like the ant means working consistently, planning for the future and being self-reliant—qualities that provide long-term security and dignity. While the cricket’s joy and spontaneity are admirable, without planning they lead to avoidable suffering. A balanced approach—enjoying life while preparing for the future—combines the best traits of both.

Answer:

I would choose to be the ant because it demonstrates responsibility, foresight and independence, ensuring security in hardship.

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