CBSE Class 10 English NCERT Solutions: Animals

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 10 PDF

This resource provides detailed NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English, focusing on the poem 'Animals' (Chapter 18). It breaks down the poem's core themes, exploring the poet's desire to connect with the simplicity and honesty of animals, contrasting it with the complexities and flaws of human nature. The solutions offer clear explanations for each question, helping students understand concepts like symbolic turning, human vs. animal behavior, the reverence for historical figures, and the 'tokens' of innate human virtues that are often lost. These solutions are designed to aid students in grasping the poem's nuances and preparing effectively for their English exams by offering insightful interpretations and well-structured answers.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 10
Subject	English
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	18. Animals

Chapter summary

This chapter's NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English focus on the poem 'Animals'. It delves into the poet's perspective on the inherent qualities of animals versus humans. The solutions explain the symbolic meaning of 'turning' to live with animals, contrast human behaviors like complaining and sinning with animal contentment, and discuss the human tendency to venerate past figures. It also clarifies the 'tokens' of natural virtues that humans may have lost. The exercises encourage critical thinking about human nature and civilization's impact.

Learning outcomes

Understand the symbolic meaning of the poet's desire to 'turn' and live with animals.
Differentiate between the behaviors and characteristics of humans and animals as depicted in the poem.
Analyze the concept of human reverence for historical figures.
Identify and interpret the 'tokens' of innate human virtues mentioned in the poem.
Discuss the poem's commentary on civilization and its effect on human nature.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Poem Analysis
Human vs. Animal Nature
Symbolism in Poetry
Themes of Contentment
Critique of Civilization
Innate Virtues
Poetic Interpretation
Class 10 English Literature

Important topics

Contrast between Human and Animal Behavior
Symbolic Meaning of 'Turn'
Interpretation of 'Tokens'
Poet's View on Human Society
Themes of Innocence and Contentment

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

I think I could turn and live with animals... What is the poet turning from?

Solution: The poet expresses a desire to 'turn' away from the human world and live among animals. This 'turning' is not a physical movement but a symbolic rejection of human society and its inherent complexities, moral failings, and artificialities. The poet is turning away from the dissatisfaction, the constant complaining, the sins, and the materialistic desires that characterize human existence, seeking instead the perceived peace, honesty, and contentment found in animals.

Question 2

Mention three things that humans do and animals don't.

Solution: Based on the poem, here are three key differences in behavior between humans and animals:

Complaining and Crying: Humans often cry and complain about their circumstances, their losses, or their dissatisfaction with life. Animals, in contrast, are depicted as stoic and accepting, not engaging in such displays of discontent.
Committing Sins: The poem suggests that humans are capable of committing sins or moral transgressions, which may lead to regret or weeping. Animals are portrayed as innocent beings who do not engage in such actions.
Desire for Possessions: Humans are described as having a 'madness of owning things,' indicating a strong desire for material possessions and wealth. Animals, on the other hand, are content with their natural existence and do not exhibit this acquisitive behavior.

Question 3

Do humans kneel to other humans who lived thousands of years ago? Discuss this in groups.

Solution: Yes, humans do kneel or show deep reverence to other humans who lived thousands of years ago. This is evident in various cultural practices, such as:

Veneration of Ancestors: Many cultures have traditions of honoring and remembering ancestors, sometimes through rituals or acts of respect that can be seen as symbolic kneeling.
Respect for Historical Figures: People often show deep respect for historical figures, saints, or national heroes by visiting their memorials, praying at their tombs, or following their teachings, which can involve acts of reverence.
Religious Practices: In many religions, followers show devotion to prophets, deities, or saints who lived long ago, often through prayer and acts of worship that involve kneeling.

The poem contrasts this human behavior with animals, implying that animals do not engage in such acts of veneration towards their predecessors, highlighting a difference in how humans relate to history and legacy.

Question 4

What are the 'tokens' that the poet says he may have dropped long ago, and which the animals have kept for him? Discuss this in class. (Hint: Whitman belongs to the Romantic tradition that includes Rousseau and Wordsworth, which holds that civilisation has made humans false to their own true nature. What could be the basic aspects of our nature as living beings that humans choose to ignore or deny?)

Solution: The 'tokens' mentioned by the poet are not physical objects but symbolic representations of the inherent virtues and natural qualities that are fundamental to our true nature as living beings. The poet suggests that humans, through the process of civilization and societal development, have lost or abandoned these essential qualities. Animals, living in a state of natural innocence and authenticity, have retained these 'tokens'. These might include:

Honesty and Integrity: Being truthful and genuine in one's actions and intentions.
Innocence: A lack of guile, malice, or corruption.
Self-Containment: Being content with oneself and one's circumstances, without excessive desire or need.
Equanimity: Maintaining a calm and balanced state of mind, regardless of external conditions.

The poet implies that humans have chosen to ignore or deny these basic aspects of their nature, perhaps because they are inconvenient, difficult to maintain in a complex society, or have been overshadowed by artificial values and ambitions.

Common mistakes

Misinterpreting the literal meaning of 'turning' instead of its symbolic significance.
Failing to identify the specific human behaviors contrasted with animal traits.
Not fully grasping the abstract concept of 'tokens' representing lost virtues.
Confusing the poem's critique of human society with a general dislike for humanity.

Revision tips

Reread the poem 'Animals' carefully, paying attention to the poet's tone and imagery.
Focus on understanding the contrast drawn between human and animal characteristics.
Analyze the symbolic meanings of words and phrases, especially 'turn' and 'tokens'.
Discuss the questions with classmates to explore different interpretations and deepen understanding.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What does the poet wish to 'turn' to and live with?

Q2. Which of the following is NOT a behavior attributed to animals in the poem?

Q3. The 'tokens' the poet mentions that animals have kept for him symbolize:

Q4. According to the poem's perspective, what makes humans different from animals regarding their past?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of the poem 'Animals'?

The main theme is the contrast between the perceived purity, contentment, and honesty of animals and the complex, often flawed, nature of humans, who complain, sin, and are driven by the desire for possessions.

What does the poet mean by 'turning' and living with animals?

The poet uses 'turning' symbolically to express his desire to detach from the artificialities and moral failings of human society and embrace the simpler, more authentic existence he observes in animals.

What are the 'tokens' that animals have kept for the poet?

The 'tokens' refer to the innate virtues and natural qualities of beings, such as honesty, innocence, and self-containment, which the poet feels humans have lost or forgotten over time.

How do these NCERT Solutions help Class 10 students?

These solutions provide clear, step-by-step explanations for each question, helping students understand the poem's deeper meanings, literary devices, and themes, thereby aiding in exam preparation.

Why is the poem 'Animals' relevant for Class 10 English students?

It encourages critical thinking about human nature, societal values, and the relationship between humans and the natural world, offering insights into poetic expression and thematic depth.

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