CBSE Class 12 English Core Vistas Book Chapter 2 The Tiger King Question Answers from previous years question papers (2019-2024)
The Tiger King Previous Year Questions with Answers – Question Answers from Previous years Board Exam Question papers provide valuable insights into how chapters are typically presented in exams. They are essential for preparing for the CBSE Board Exams, serving as a valuable resource.They can reveal the types of questions commonly asked and highlight the key concepts that require more attention. In this post, we have shared Previous Year Questions for Class 12 English Core Chapter 2, “The Tiger King”.
Questions which came in 2024 Board Exam
Q1. Read the following extracts and answer the questions :
From that day onwards it was celebration time for all the tigers inhabiting Pratibandapuram.
The State banned tiger hunting by anyone except the Maharaja. A proclamation was issued to the effect that if anyone dared to fling so much as a stone at a tiger, all his wealth and property would be confiscated.
The Maharaja vowed he would attend to all other matters only after killing the hundred tigers. Initially the king seemed well set to realise his ambition.
(i) Select the correct option :
‘… he would attend to all other matters only after killing hundred tigers’. This reflects Tiger King’s
(A) courage
(B) determination
(C) selfishness
(D) kindness
Ans. (B) determination
(ii) Complete the sentence appropriately.
From that day onwards it was celebration time for all the tigers. The above statement is ironical in the sense _______.
Ans. From that day onwards it was celebration time for all the tigers. The above statement is ironical in the sense that while it seems like good news for the tigers, it actually means they are in greater danger because the king is hunting them.
(iii) ‘… if anyone dared to fling so much as a stone at a tiger, all his wealth and property would be confiscated’.
What trait of the king is reflected in the above line?
Ans. The king is shown to be authoritarian and strict, enforcing severe punishment for harming tigers.
(iv) State whether the following statement is TRUE or FALSE.
The King’s ambition is to save people from the tigers.
Ans. FALSE
Q2. What confusion does the Dewan have when the Tiger King broaches the topic of his marriage? [40-50 Words]
Ans. The Dewan is confused because the Tiger King wants to marry a girl from a state with many tigers. The Dewan wonders if this is the right criterion for marriage, showing his concern over the unusual and practical approach to selecting a bride.
Q3. Do you think the prediction made by the state astrologer “was indisputably disproved”? Give reasons in support of your answer. [40-50 Words]
Ans. No, the prediction by the state astrologer was not indisputably disproved. Although the astrologer predicted that the King would die from a tiger bite, the King’s death came about due to a different cause. The irony is that despite the prediction’s apparent failure, the King’s demise was indirectly linked to tigers, illustrating how the prophecy played out in an unexpected way.
Q4. What were the two ‘amazing’ things of the royal infant? [40-50 Words]
Ans. The two amazing things about the royal infant were his prophetic utterance at birth that he would eventually have to meet his death from a tiger and his extraordinary determination to defy this fate by killing one hundred tigers, which demonstrated his strong will and unique character from a very young age.
Q5. ‘They decided that the Maharaja must not come to know that he had missed the target’.
Why did the hunters try to hide the truth from the king? [40-50 Words]
Ans. The hunters decided not to disclose the truth because they feared the wrath of the king. They were afraid of losing their jobs so, they kept quiet.
Q6. The story “The Tiger King” is a satire on the conceit of those in power. How does the author employ the literary device of dramatic irony in the story? [120-150 Words]
Ans. In “The Tiger King,” the author uses dramatic irony to critique the arrogance and self importance of those in power. Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows more about a situation than the characters do. In the story, the King’s belief that he will overcome any threat posed by the tigers, despite the growing danger, highlights his arrogance. The irony is evident when the King is ultimately killed by a tiger, despite his efforts to control and conquer them. The story exposes the futility of the King’s attempts to defy fate and demonstrates how his arrogance leads to his downfall. This use of dramatic irony serves to underscore the inherent foolishness and hubris of those who hold power, as they are blind to the consequences of their actions.
Q7. “Tiger population became extinct in the forests of Pratibandapuram.” Tiger King is a typical example of man’s dominance over nature.
As a member of your school Eco Club, write an article for your school magazine on how man should follow the policy of ‘Live and Let Live’.
You may begin like this.
‘The noblest principle, man should follow in his life is co-existence. (The Tiger King) [120-150 Words]
Ans. Live and Let Live: A Call for Coexistence
By [Your Name], Member of Eco Club
The noblest principle man should follow in his life is co-existence. The extinction of the tiger population in Pratibandapuram, as depicted in “Tiger King,” is a stark reminder of the consequences of man’s dominance over nature. This tale highlights the urgent need for a balanced approach to life, where humans and nature coexist harmoniously.
To ensure the survival of our planet’s diverse ecosystems, we must adopt the policy of ‘Live and Let Live.’ This involves respecting wildlife, conserving natural habitats, and promoting sustainable practices. Protecting endangered species, reducing pollution, and preserving forests are crucial steps.
Education and awareness are key to fostering a sense of responsibility towards nature. By understanding the impact of our actions, we can make conscious efforts to protect the environment. Let us strive to create a world where all living beings can thrive together, ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.
Q8. The boy drank the milk of an English cow, was brought up by an English nanny, tutored in English …… (The Tiger King)
You realise that western influence on Indian culture is deep rooted since the days of Tiger King.
Write an article using material from the text, on the pros and cons of western influence on Indian society.
You may begin like this ………
Indian’s exposure to English language and western influence …….. [120-150 Words]
Ans. Indian’s exposure to English language and western influence dates back to the British rule. The British deeply influenced Indian culture and uplifted the masses in several ways. The present day education system was introduced by the British who laid stress on the knowledge of English language which they said was superior to the ancient Indian languages. The British also formed the legal system in India on similar lines as that of England. Indian Railways was also set up during the British era. However, the aim of the British was to colonize India and so, they adopted measures like divide and rule policy which led to disintegration. They took benefit of the presence of small princely kingdoms and used one against the other to get their own benefits. The British forced Indians to work as mere labourers. They who had set foot in India as traders, eventually became rulers of the country.
The royal and rich people of India were exposed to the British culture and they even adopted the British way of life. Royal princes would get higher education from England and would speak English just like a Britisher. Thus, we can say that there was a deep influence of the British on the Indians.
Q9. Until then the Maharaja had given his entire time and energy to tiger hunting. He had no time to spare for the crown prince. (The Tiger King)
In the present times, we see people following their profession and running after money and neglect their children. As a professional counsellor, you address working parents, stressing the need to spend quality time with children, Take material from the story ‘The Tiger King’ to re-inforce your points of view.
You may begin like this
Spending time with children will boost their confidence… [120-150 Words]
Ans. Spending time with children will boost their confidence. It is not essential to provide several things to your child, rather it is necessary to spend time with them. Your affection and care is invaluable. You must spend quality time with your child. You both can get involved in activities of his interest like making a puzzle, playing with clay or even story telling. It is crucial that you form a close bond with the child. I know that both of you are working and time is a constraint. However, remember the maxim – Where there is a will, there is a way.
Now see the case of the Tiger King. He was a maharaja and had to perform several duties but still he gave time to his son on his third birthday. Before that, he had been so busy in accomplishing his goal of killing a hundred tigers that the fact of his son growing big went unnoticed. He planned to make it a grand celebration and bought a gift for his son, both played with the wooden toy tiger also. This was the king’s way of bonding with the prince. Similarly, you should not be so busy that the child’s upbringing goes unnoticed. Rather, take out at least thirty minutes on a daily basis. Allocate this time to your children and see how the bond will strengthen.
Q10. “Your Majesty, I have two wives already. If I marry you ………..(Tiger King)
No doubt it adds humour to the story. Humour always captures the mind of readers.
Taking ideas from the story ‘Tiger King’, write an article on the ‘Importance of Humour in Life’.
You may begin like this ; Sense of humour helps us deal with problems of life and improves one’s mental and physical health…….. [120-150 Words]
Ans.
Importance of Humour in Life
Sense of humour helps us deal with problems of life and improves one’s mental and physical health. When we read the story ‘The Tiger King’, the instances of humour in the story make us laugh and thus, we feel light. Creating humour and laughter is definitely therapeutic. Kalki has displayed his expertise in using humour very creatively which giving out an important message.
The astrologer’s prediction that a child born under the particular star will one day meet his death is strange and creates humour because nevertheless, everyone has to eventually die. When the ten-day old prince talks to the astrologer, that is also humorous. The idea of a ten-day old infant growling also creates a light scene. The Maharaja refused the British officer from getting a picture clicked with a tiger carcass and then, in order to save his kingdom, he sent fifty diamond rings to his wife. This seems illogical and creates humour.
Another humorous scene is the chat between the king and his dewan. When the king tells him that he wants to get married, the dewan denied that he already had two wives and could not marry the king. Then the king clarified that he wanted a tiger and the dewan, presuming that the king wanted to marry a tiger, said that the king’s ancestors had married swords and guns in the past but a tiger queen would be too much for the kingdom.
When a village arranged to hundredth tiger for the king’s shooting, the king got elated and excused them from paying taxes for three years. In order to save his job, the dewan hid a tiger in his house. This seems overboard too.
Also, the end of the poem where the king dies due to a wooden tiger instead of a real one makes the reader amused.
Questions from the Chapter in 2023 Board Exams
Q1. Why did the shopkeeper sell the wooden tiger at a cheap price? [40-50 Words]
Ans. A builder who wasn’t very good had made the wooden tiger. It had a rough surface where little pieces of wood stuck up like quills. It only cost two and a quarter annas. But the shopkeeper was afraid that the king would punish him if he told the king about the low price. So he gave a very high price.
Q2. Did the Tiger King manage to kill the hundredth tiger? Why / Why not? [40-50 Words]
Ans. The Tiger King shot at the tiger, but the bullet went in the wrong direction. The shot only made the tiger pass out, but he was still living. But the shooters didn’t want the king to know, so they killed the tiger.
Q3. In what way did the infant Tiger King surprise the astrologer? [40-50 Words]
Ans. When Tiger King was born, the royal astrologer said that the prince would grow up to be a great fighter, but that one day he would die, When ten-day-old Jilani Jung Jung Bahadur heard this, he said that everyone must die someday, and he didn’t need a prediction to know this. Then he asked how his father had died. Everyone, there was surprised to hear such wise words from a baby who was only ten days old.
Q4. Do you agree with the Tiger King’s statement? You may kill even a cow in self defence. [40-50 Words]
Ans. I disagree with the Tiger King’s statement. He thinks it’s not wrong to kill a tiger if it’s okay to kill a cow in self-defence. Mankind, on the other hand, has a long history of killing life on Earth, especially wildlife, because of their lack of care. So, we need to set up a way to take care of all living things on Earth.
Q5. What did the Maharaja and dewan do to avoid the danger of losing the throne? [40-50 Words]
Ans. The Maharaja was in danger of losing the throne when he refused the British officer from shoting in his kingdom. To avoid this danger, he sent samples of expensive diamond rings to his wife.However, the officer’s wife kept all the fifty rings and the king was glad that by spending three lakh rupees, he had saved his throne.
Q6. What did the Maharaja do to realize his ambition of killing hundred tigers? [40-50 Words]
Ans. The Maharaja had exhausted all hunting prospects in his kingdom. To complete the count of killing a hundred tigers, he married into a kingdom which had a high tiger population.
Q7. Who was the Tiger King? How did he get the name Tiger King? [40-50 Words]
Ans. The Maharaja of Pratibandapuram Crown prince Jung Jung Bahadur was known as the Tiger King. He got this name because he was born in the hour of the Bull and so, he faced the danger of death from a tiger. The king was an infant when the astrologer predicted that the cause of his death would be a tiger, the infant gave a growl and warned the tigers to be aware of him. Thus, he was named as the Tiger King.
Q8. What message does the story “The Tiger King” give to the readers? [40-50 Words]
Ans. The story gives the message that one cannot escape fate. Even if one is powerful, one cannot control nature. The carelessness of the king made him overlook that the hundredth tiger was not killed. He got injured by the wooden tiger toy which turned out to be the hundredth tiger, the cause of his death.
Q9. Which problem did the Maharaja face after killing seventy tigers when he had vowed to kill 100 tigers? [40-50 Words]
Ans. He had hunted all the tigers in his kingdom. Thus, he planned to marry into a kingdom that had a high tiger population.
Q10. Why did the Maharaja have to pay a bill of three lakh rupees to the British jewellers? [40-50 Words]
Ans. He wanted to save his throne which was at risk after he had refused permission to the British officer from hunting a tiger in his kingdom. Thus, he got a sample of diamond rings for the officer’s wife. She kept all of them and the Maharaja had to pay three lakh rupees bill to the jeweller.
Q11. What was the hidden agenda behind the Tiger King’s marriage with the princess in the neighbouring state? [40-50 Words]
Ans. The Tiger King’s hidden agenda was behind his marriage was to complete the count of killing a hundred tigers because he had killed all the tigers in his kingdom.
Q12. What did the astrologers predict about the child when he was born? [40-50 words]
Ans. They predicted that he would die. As he was born in the hour of the bull, the tiger being an enemy of the bull, would be the cause of the Tiger King’s death.
Q13. What was the Maharaja’s mission? How did he resolve to overcome the obstacles in the fulfilment of his mission? [120-150 Words]
Ans. The astrologer’s prediction regarding the death of the Tiger King was that the king would be killed by a tiger. This prophecy deeply troubled the Tiger King, who then embarked on a mission to hunt and kill one hundred tigers in an attempt to defy his fate. He believed that by eliminating the tigers, he could avert the prophecy and secure his safety.
Despite the king’s efforts and precautions, the prophecy ultimately came true in an unexpected manner. After successfully killing ninety-nine tigers, the king’s men found a weak and old tiger to complete the tally of one hundred. The king killed this tiger, believing he had triumphed over the prophecy. However, the irony lay in the fact that the tiger was not actually killed by the king’s bullet but merely stunned. Later, a sliver from a toy tiger, which the king received as a gift for his son, pierced his finger, leading to an infection that ultimately caused his death. Thus, the astrologer’s prediction came true in a symbolic and ironic way, despite the king’s extensive precautions.
Questions from the Chapter in 2020 Board Exams
Q1. When was the Tiger King in danger of losing his kingdom? [30-40 words]
Ans. When he refused the British official from shoting in his kingdom, he got in the danger of losing his kingdom.
Q2. Who killed the hundredth tiger? Why? [30-40 words]
Ans. The king went after shooting at the tiger but one of the hunters realized that the tiger had merely fainted. Fearing the anger of the king, he shot the tiger dead.
Q3. When did the ‘Tiger King’ decide to get married? [30-40 words]
Ans. The king had killed seventy tigers but the tiger population in his kingdom exhausted. Thus, he decided to get married into a kingdom which had a high tiger population and complete his target of killing a hundred tigers.
Q4. Why did the Tiger King decide to kill a hundred tigers? Describe the efforts he made to attain his target. [120-150 words]
Ans. He decided to kill a hundred tigers when he was an infant and the astrologer prophesied that he faced danger from the hundredth tiger in his life. He started killing tigers and when the tiger population in his kingdom exhausted, he married into a kingdom that had a high tiger population.
Q5. What was the prediction of the astrologers regarding the ultimate fate of the Tiger King? How did it come to be true? Describe with reference to the story. [120-150 words]
Ans. The astrologers predicted that as the tiger king was born in the hour of the Bull, he faced danger to life from a tiger. The hundredth tiger would be the cause of the king’s death. The infant tiger king warned all tigers and decided to kill a hundred tigers and prove the fallacy of the prediction.
After killing seventy tigers, the tiger population in his kingdom exhausted. He married into a kingdom that had a good number of tigers and continued to hunt more tigers. However, the hundredth tiger that the king shot was too old and had merely fainted. The king’s servant feared his wrath and thus, did not disclose this to the king and himself shot the tiger dead. However, the unaware king thought that he had completed the target of killing a hundred tigers and had proved the astrologers wrong.
Now he diverted his mind towards his son and to celebrate his birthday, bought a wooden toy tiger. While the father-son duo were playing with the toy tiger which was made crudely, a wooden shaving pricked the king which got infected and his arm had to be operated upon. During operation, the king succumbed and thus, died.
So, eventually, the hundredth tiger a wooden toy tiger caused the king’s death and thus, the prophesy was proved true.
Q6. Attempt a character sketch of the Tiger King. [120-150 words]
Ans. The Maharaja of Pratibandapuram, Sir Jilani Jung Jung Bahadur, had many titles and sub-names. However, he was popular as the Tiger King. When he was born, the astrologers had predicted his death which would be caused by a tiger. But the baby had some miraculous quality in him. He was only ten days old, when he challenged the prediction of the astrologers and asked them the manner of his death. The Chief astrologers foretold that he was born in the hour of the Bull. The Bull and the Tiger are enemies. Therefore his death would come from the Tiger.
The Crown Prince was brought up in an English environment. He grew up a tall, sturdy, brave and strong man. He become the king of his state at the age of twenty. He was determined to fulfill his pledge. So he issued a proclamation not to kill the tigers except by himself. Being a man of firm determination and self-respect, he denied permission to the British officer to hunt a tiger. In return, he had to pay a high price to retain his throne. In a duration of ten years, he killed seventy tigers and his forests became extinct. Then he married a princess whose father had a large forest cover full of tigers. There he killed more and reached ninety-nine tigers but the hundredth one merely fainted due to the shock of the bullet. His hunters came there and killed it. Thus the tiger king thought that he had fulfilled his vow. Thus it can be said that he was a brave, courageous king but lacked worldly wisdom.
Q7. Describe the Tiger King as a completely self-centred person. [120-150 words]
Ans. The tiger king was a completely self-centred person who cared only about his own power and pleasure. He ruled his kingdom with an iron fist, exploiting the people and the resources for his own benefit. He had no regard for the welfare of his subjects, the environment, or the animals he hunted. He was obsessed with killing a hundred tigers to fulfill a prophecy, even though it endangered the species and violated the law. He was arrogant, cruel, and ruthless, and he met his end in a fitting way: by a toy tiger that pierced his heart.
Q8. What made the Maharaja sink in gloom? How was he helped to get over his gloom? [120-150 words]
Ans. The maharaja was in despair after killing 70 tigers since the tiger population in Pratibandapuram’s forests had vanished. There were no more tigers to be found, and the maharaja still needed to kill 30 more tigers to reach his goal of 100. When there was only one tiger left to be slain, Maharaja’s fear reached new heights. During the day, he pondered about the hundredth tiger, and at night, he dreamed about it. Even in his father-in-domain, though, tiger farms were depleted. Tigers become impossible to find in any location. The Maharaja would lose all dread if he could just kill that one lonely beast. Maharaja should be wary of the hundredth tiger, according to the late chief astrologer. The Maharaja was in a gloomy mood. Then came some good news. Sheep began to disappear from a hillside community in his own state on a regular basis. A tiger was undoubtedly at work. The peasants hurried to the Maharaja to inform him. The Maharaja announced that that village will be exempt from all taxes for three years. He immediately went on the hunt. The tiger, on the other hand, was not easily located. The Maharaja remained in the forest waiting for the tiger to appear.
2019 Exam Question and Answers from the Chapter
Q1. Why did the Maharaja decide to double the land tax in a hillside village? [30 – 40 words]
Ans. The Maharaja decided to double the land tax for a village when he was not able to locate the tiger in the forest suggested by the villagers. This had infuriated and frustrated the Maharaja.
Q2. Why did the Maharaja decide to get married? [30 – 40 words]
OR
How did the Tiger King’s marriage bring him closer to his target?
Ans. The king had killed seventy tigers but the tiger population in his kingdom exhausted. Thus, he decided to get married into a kingdom which had a high tiger population and complete his target of killing a hundred tigers.
Q3. What made the chief astrologer place his finger on his nose? [30 – 40 words]
Ans. The Chief astrologer placed his finger on his nose because he was astonished when he heard the ten-day-old royal infant uttering the words so clearly in his little squeaky voice. The chief astrologer took off his spectacles and gazed intently at the baby in sheer surprise.
Q4. How was the hundredth tiger made available to the king? [30 – 40 words]
Ans. The Dewan had brought a tiger from the People’s Park in Madras and kept it hidden in his house. When the Maharaja threatened him with dire consequences, he understood that the only way to save himself was to ‘plant’ a tiger for the kill.
Q5. Who actually killed the hundredth tiger in ‘The Tiger King’? Why? [30 – 40 words]
Ans. Ironically, the hundredth tiger is not killed by the Tiger King. He does drop down after he is shot by the Maharaja, but he only faints from the bullet shot. The hunters then wonder what they should do. They realize if the Maharaja came to know this they could lose their jobs. So one of the hunters takes aim and shoots the tiger.
Q6. What great miracle did the ten-day-old Jilani Jung Jung Bahadur perform? How did it affect the people who listened to him? [30 – 40 words]
Ans. The 10-day old infant spoke to the astrologers regarding their prediction about his death. This stupefied everyone. The chief astrologer took off his spectacles and stared at the baby. He put his finger on his nose in wonder that a ten day baby was speaking and raising intelligent questions.
Q7. How did the Tiger King ‘manage to kill’ the hundredth tiger? [30 – 40 words]
Ans. The Tiger King had already killed Ninety-nine tigers and only one tiger was left and if he could kill just one more, he would have no fears left. But now it became impossible to locate tigers anywhere. The king sank into gloom but soon came the happy news about a tiger seen in the nearby village in his own state. He announced a three year exemption from all the taxes to the village in his excitement. He set out for hunt and managed to kill the hundredth tiger in the village.
Q8. Describe the efforts made by the Tiger King to achieve his target of killing a hundred tigers. [120 – 150 words]
Ans. The Tiger King vowed to kill a hundred tigers. First he started killing the beasts in his kingdom. Everyone was under a ban on tiger hunting except the king. He even refused the durai from hunting which put his throne in danger and he had to gift diamond rings to the duraisani to save it. He married into a kingdom with a high tiger population so that he could achieve his target. The hundredth tiger was arranged by his Dewan when he saw the king’s desperation on not being able to find his prey. Thus, there was a lot of effort undertaken to achieve the target of killing a hundred tigers.
Also see:
The Tiger King Important Questions, NCERT Solutions, Extra Questions
The Tiger King Summary, Explanation
The Tiger King Character Sketches