Get summaries, questions, answers, solutions, notes, extras, PDF and guide of Class 9 English textbook, chapter 12 Hunting Snake by Judith Wright which is part of the syllabus of students studying under West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE). These solutions, however, should only be treated as references and can be modified/changed.
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Summary
The poem “Hunting Snake” by Judith Wright reflects on a brief yet impactful encounter with a black snake during a walk on a calm autumn day. The poet and her companions are captivated as the snake moves gracefully and purposefully through the grass, hunting for prey. Its dark, shining scales catch the sunlight, creating a striking visual image. The sight is both awe-inspiring and intimidating.
The group momentarily freezes, their breaths caught by the snake’s presence. They do not dwell on what the snake might be hunting but are instead transfixed by its beauty and quiet intensity. The poem conveys a sense of respect for the snake’s instinctive drive and its role in nature’s cycle.
As the snake vanishes into the grass, the observers exhale deeply, acknowledging the transient nature of the experience. They share a moment of connection before resuming their walk, subtly changed by the encounter. The imagery of the snake, cold and splendid, evokes a mix of fear and admiration, symbolising nature’s power and mystery. The poem captures the fleeting yet memorable intersection between humans and the untamed world, leaving readers with a quiet sense of wonder.
Video tutorial
Line-by-line explanations
Sun-warmed in the late season’s grace
The poet describes a warm, sunny day in late autumn, a time characterized by mild weather and a serene atmosphere, referred to as “grace” here, highlighting nature’s calm beauty.
Under the autumn’s gentlest sky
The autumn sky is described as gentle, emphasizing its soft light and soothing effect, which sets a peaceful tone.
We walked and froze half-through a pace.
As the poet and her companion walked, they suddenly stopped mid-step, likely due to something unexpected that caught their attention.
The great black snake went reeling by.
A large black snake moved past them, its motion described as “reeling,” indicating it moved in a coiled or curving manner.
Head down, tongue flickering on the trail
The snake’s head is lowered as it moves forward, and its tongue flickers rapidly, a behavior snakes use to sense their surroundings or follow a scent trail.
He quested through the parting grass.
The snake is actively searching for something as it moves through grass that parts to make way for its body. “Quested” suggests a purposeful or determined search.
Sun glazed his curves of diamond scale
The sunlight reflects off the snake’s scaly body, making the scales shine like diamonds, emphasizing its sleek, shiny appearance.
And we lost breath to see him pass.
The sight of the snake is so awe-inspiring or startling that it takes the onlookers’ breath away, suggesting both fear and fascination.
What track he followed, what small food
The poet wonders what path the snake was following and what small prey it might be hunting, reflecting curiosity about its intentions.
Fled living from his fierce intent,
The poet imagines how the snake’s prey would be fleeing in fear from its determined, predatory nature.
We scarcely thought; still as we stood
Despite their curiosity, the poet and her companion do not dwell on these thoughts and remain motionless, captivated by the snake’s presence.
Our eyes went with him as he went.
Their gaze follows the snake as it moves away, unable to look away from the mesmerizing sight.
Cold, dark and splendid he was gone
The snake is described as “cold” and “dark,” reflecting its potentially dangerous nature, but also “splendid,” highlighting its beauty and majesty. It eventually disappears from sight.
Into the grass that hid his prey.
The snake vanishes into the grass, possibly where it plans to ambush or hunt its prey.
We took a deeper breath of day,
After the snake is gone, the onlookers take a deep breath, as if relieved or processing the intense moment they just witnessed.
Looked at each other, and went on.
They exchange glances, perhaps to acknowledge the shared experience or their mutual emotions, and then resume their walk as if to return to normalcy after the encounter.
Textbook solutions
Exercise 1
Tick the correct answer from the given alternatives:
1. The poet was sun-warmed under the gentlest sky of
(a) summer
(b) winter
(c) autumn
(d) spring
Answer: c. autumn
2. The colour of the snake was
(a) black
(b) grey
(c) green
(d) yellow
Answer: a. black
3. The tongue of the snake was
(a) still
(b) flickering
(c) dangling
(d) hanging
Answer: b. flickering
4. The shape of the snake’s scale was like
(a) star
(b) kite
(c) diamond
(d) pyramid
Answer: c. diamond
5. According to the poet, the intent of the snake was
(a) malicious
(b) greedy
(c) timid
(d) fierce
Answer: d. fierce
6. The snake finally disappeared into the
(a) sand
(b) grass
(c) rock
(d) stream
Answer: b. grass
Exercise 2
Answer the following questions within twenty-five words:
1. How did the snake appear as it was moving through the grass?
Answer: Cold, dark and splendid
2. What did the poet and her companions do when the snake was gone?
Answer: They took a deeper breath of day, looked at each other, and went on.
Exercise 3
Rewrite the following sentences as directed:
1. How happy we are here! (change into an assertive sentence)
Answer: We are very happy here.
Explanation: Assertive sentences state something as a fact without expressing strong emotions. Here, the exclamation is removed, and “how happy” is changed to “very happy” to convey the same meaning without the emotion of surprise.
2. Everybody knows the name of Tagore. (change into an interrogative sentence)
Answer: Does everybody know the name of Tagore?
Explanation: To change an assertive sentence into an interrogative, we use the auxiliary verb “does” at the beginning. The sentence still asks about the same subject but in question form.
3. The painting is very beautiful. (change into an exclamatory sentence)
Answer: How beautiful the painting is!
Explanation: Exclamatory sentences express strong emotions. To convert, “very beautiful” is changed into an exclamatory phrase “how beautiful,” and the structure of the sentence is adjusted to end with an exclamation mark.
4. Can we ever forget our childhood days? (change into an assertive sentence)
Answer: We can never forget our childhood days.
Explanation: Assertive sentences make statements. The question “Can we ever forget” is turned into a statement by rephrasing it as “We can never forget,” conveying the same meaning in a declarative form.
Exercise 4
Rewrite the following sentences as directed:
1. We are proud of our heritage. (use the noun form of ‘proud’)
Answer: We take pride in our heritage.
Explanation: The noun form of “proud” is “pride.” In this transformation, “are proud” is replaced by “take pride,” which retains the same meaning.
2. We should have sympathy for the poor. (use the adjective form of ‘sympathy’)
Answer: We should be sympathetic to the poor.
Explanation: The adjective form of “sympathy” is “sympathetic.” The sentence is adjusted to fit this form while preserving the meaning.
3. His success was due to his labour. (use the verb form of ‘labour’)
Answer: His success was due to his laboured efforts.
Explanation: The verb form of “labour” is “laboured.” It is used here to describe the nature of the efforts that contributed to success.
4. The song of the nightingale is very sweet. (use the adverb form of ‘sweet’)
Answer: The song of the nightingale is sung sweetly.
Explanation: The adverb form of “sweet” is “sweetly.” Adverbs modify verbs, so the sentence is adjusted to describe how the song is sung.
Exercise 5
Write a newspaper report within 100 words on a boat capsize . Use the following hints:
place—date—number of people in the boat—cause—casualties—rescue operations—steps taken by the government.
Answer: Boat Capsizes in Kerala, Rescue Efforts Underway
Staff Reporter
Alappuzha, December 29: A boat carrying 25 passengers capsized in Vembanad Lake due to strong winds and overloading. The mishap occurred around 3 p.m. while the boat was en route to Kumarakom.
Local authorities confirmed that 15 people have been rescued, but six bodies were recovered. Four remain missing, and search efforts are ongoing.
Fishermen and the National Disaster Response Force led the rescue operation. The state government announced compensation for victims’ families and ordered a safety audit of boats in the area. Measures are being taken to enforce stricter rules to prevent such accidents in the future.
Exercise 6
Write a summary of the following passage within 100 words:
Where and how should children learn values? We know that they need to learn them because values form the beliefs and attitudes that will determine how they live their lives and function in society. To function effectively in society, children need to be taught how to be honest, kind, courteous and considerate. Any society that does not teach children these values would soon fall apart. Similarly, one would expect a nation to be made up of citizens who know how to respect other people and their property. These citizens should also understand the value of humility and self-control. They should appreciate courage and be willing to care of those weaker than themselves. Any nation whose citizens do not practice these values would soon become a nation not worth living in. Teaching these values to children cannot be delayed. This is because, unlike young animals, whose instincts are often highly developed at birth, human babies are totally dependent. Human beings have emotional needs, desires, thoughts and feelings which determine action. This is precisely why they must learn values, not just survival skills as do animals. These values will help control the natural responses that result from satisfying purely selfish needs and desires.
Answer: Children must learn values early as they shape beliefs, attitudes, and societal functioning. Essential values include honesty, kindness, respect, humility, and self-control. These enable citizens to respect others, their property, and care for the vulnerable. Societies and nations lacking these values risk disintegration and unlivable conditions. Unlike animals, human children depend entirely on others at birth and require guidance to manage emotions, thoughts, and actions. Values help regulate selfish desires and ensure harmonious living. Teaching these values cannot be delayed, as they are crucial for building individuals who contribute positively to society and create a better nation.
Extras
Additional MCQs
1. Under which sky was the poet sun-warmed?
A. Summer
B. Winter
C. Autumn
D. Spring
Answer: C. Autumn
6. Where did the snake finally disappear?
A. Sand
B. Grass
C. Rock
D. Stream
Answer: B. Grass
Additional questions and answers
1. Who is the poet of “Hunting Snake”?
Answer: The poet of “Hunting Snake” is Judith Wright.
11. Describe the physical appearance of the snake as portrayed in the poem.
Answer: The snake is described as large and black, with “sun glazed” curves that resemble “diamond scale.” Its body moves with a smooth, almost graceful motion, with its head down and its tongue flickering as it follows a trail through the grass. The description emphasizes both its sleek, shimmering appearance and its formidable presence.
Ron’e Dutta is a journalist, teacher, aspiring novelist, and blogger who manages Online Free Notes. An avid reader of Victorian literature, his favourite book is Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. He dreams of travelling the world. You can connect with him on social media. He does personal writing on ronism.
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