Dust of Snow Long Answer Type Question

This page offers Dust of Snow long answer type question for Class 10 from the book First Flight. We’ve put together a bunch of long answer type question based on assumption, creativity, extrapolation and critical thinking. These types of questions are introduced after 2024 in CBSE Board. So, practice to understand Dust of Snow long answer type question

By- Robert Frost

1. Question: Imagine you are the hemlock tree in “Dust of Snow.” How do you feel about the crow sitting on your branches and the interaction with the human below?

Answer: If I imagine myself as the hemlock tree from “Dust of Snow.” I feel quite special with the crow choosing to rest on my branches. It’s not every day that I get to play a role in changing someone’s mood.

When the crow shook down the snow, it wasn’t just snowflakes falling; it was like sprinkling a little bit of magic on someone. Watching the snowflakes go down and land on a sad person was an enjoyable experience for me.

I felt happier when I saw that the man’s mood changed from negative to positive. I felt like I was a part of something important. It’s nice to know that even a tree like me, which some might find a bit gloomy, can be part of a happy moment.

2. Question: If the “dust of snow” had not fallen on the speaker, how do you think the rest of his day would have unfolded? Describe an alternative ending to his day in around 120 words.

Answer: If that snow hadn’t gently fallen on the speaker, his full day might have continued to feel dark and heavy. That unexpected touch from nature, those few snowflakes, brought a moment of lightness into his heart. The snow broke the chain of sad thoughts. Without this small, surprising moment, he could have spent his time with negative feelings with regret. The whole day could have been colored by this sadness, missing out on any opportunity to see the world through a more hopeful lens.

It shows us a simple truth that even small things that we often overlook, can really shift how we view our day. They can turn a day that felt all wrong into one with a happy moment.

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3. Question: Explore the significance of choosing a crow and a hemlock tree, both often associated with negative connotations, to bring about a positive change in the speaker’s mood.

Answer: The crow and the hemlock tree in “Dust of Snow” are interesting choices because people usually think about them as symbols of bad luck or sadness. The crow is often seen as a sign of something ominous, and the hemlock tree is known for being poisonous. But in this poem, these symbols of negativity bring about a positive change for the poet. It’s like the poem is saying that even in things or moments that seem dark, there can be a silver lining. This twist makes us think about how our perspective can change the way we see the world around us. Sometimes, a small, unexpected moment can brighten our day, even if it comes from somewhere we wouldn’t expect.

4. Question: Consider the poem as a turning point in the speaker’s life. Write a short sequel poem that captures the speaker’s life after this momentous change in mood.

Answer: Sequel Poem:

Once under a hemlock, cold and drear,
A dust of snow, a change so sheer.
A crow, a tree, a moment bright,
Turned my rueful day to light.
Since then, each morning’s a new song,
Where even shadows dance along.
In nature’s small gifts, I now believe,
In the magic moments, mornings weave.
The crow, the tree, in memory fond,
A reminder of the bond,
Between nature’s simplest, subtle art,
And the thawing of a wintry heart.

5. Question: How would the poem change if the crow were replaced with a traditionally positive symbol, like a dove? Discuss the potential shift in theme and mood.

Answer: If the poem used a dove instead of a crow, the whole feel of the poem might change. Doves stand for peace and hope, so we’d expect something good. This could make the poem’s message less surprising. Right now, the crow and hemlock tree surprise us. They’re usually seen as bad signs, but here, they bring joy. This twist makes us think more. It tells us that good things can come from where we least expect them. With a dove, the poem might still be nice, but the surprise element would be missing. The deeper idea of finding happiness in unexpected places wouldn’t stand out as much. So, while the poem would still be about a mood change, it might not make us stop and think as much about where we find joy.

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6. Question: Reflect on a personal experience where a seemingly small and insignificant moment had a profound impact on your mood, similar to the speaker’s experience in the poem and what changed your mood from negative to positive.

Answer: Thinking back to a time like in “Dust of Snow,” I remember a cold fall morning that felt really down because of some problems I was facing. Walking in the park, deep in thought, a sudden wind made a bunch of golden leaves swirl around me. This surprise of leaves twirling, looking bright against the dull sky, made me forget my worries for a bit. Seeing this beautiful moment made me remember how amazing the world can be. It made me stop thinking about my problems and just enjoy the little good things happening right then. Even though it was just a quick moment, it made me feel a lot better for the whole day.

7. Question: The poem ends with the speaker feeling much better about his day. Think about what could have made the speaker feel bad at the start. What happened earlier that day in the poem?

Answer: At the beginning of “Dust of Snow,” the speaker might have been upset for many reasons. He could have made a mistake, missed a good chance, or had a problem with someone close to him. He likely woke up feeling heavy-hearted, spending time thinking about what didn’t go right or what he wished had happened differently. This made him not look forward to his day much, feeling quite down about everything.

But then, something unexpected happened when he came across the crow and the snow on the hemlock tree. This moment was like a surprise pause in his day full of regrets. It was as if nature itself decided to step in and give him a gentle nudge, reminding him that not everything was lost. This encounter showed him that beautiful and changing moments could pop up when he least expected them, even from the most unlikely places.

8. Question: How does the poem “Dust of Snow” show us that we can find beautiful and inspiring things where we least expect them? Answer in about 120 words.

Answer: “Dust of Snow” shows us that we can find beauty and new ideas in even very normal places. A simple moment, like a crow knocking snow off a tree onto someone, changes a sad, maybe even scary, moment into something special. The crow and the hemlock tree usually make people think of sad or bad things. But here, they bring something good and new. This reminds us that beauty isn’t just in the obvious places. It’s often hidden in everyday things we might not notice. The poem tells us to keep our eyes and minds open. Good surprises can happen when we least expect them, making a day that seemed bad turn out to be happy.

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9. Question:If we turned the poem “Dust of Snow” into a short movie, what pictures and sounds would you use to show the special, changing moment? Write about it in about 120 words.

Answer: If we made a short movie of “Dust of Snow,” we would use pictures and sounds to show the special moment in the poem. The movie might begin with a close look at the crow sitting quietly on the leafless branches of the hemlock tree, with a cold winter scene behind it.

You would hear a soft wind and see snowflakes start to fall from the tree. The camera would then show the snowflakes falling slowly towards the person in the poem, who doesn’t see it coming. This shows the beauty of this unexpected moment. The person’s face, which at first looks thoughtful or sad, would slowly start to look happier, showing how they feel better.

The music in the background would be quiet but touching, getting a bit louder at this moment. It would use gentle sounds from instruments like strings or piano to bring out feelings of wonder and deep thought, just like the poem moves from being sad to more hopeful.

10. Question: Imagine a scenario with different nature elements, like a butterfly and a flower, leading to a mood change. How do these compare to the crow and hemlock in the poem “Dust of Snow”? Write about it in about 120 words.

Answer: Imagine a butterfly gently landing on a bright flower in a sunny garden. This scene is colorful and full of life, very different from the darker surprise of the crow and snow. The butterfly and flower show us nature’s clear beauty and how everything fits together. While the crow and snow change the mood in a surprising way, the butterfly and flower bring a calm, peaceful feeling. They remind us how nature can be kind and caring. Both the crow and snow and the butterfly and flower make us feel better, but in different ways. The butterfly and flower make us feel calm and happy, showing the softer side of nature.

11. Question: If the speaker shared his experience with someone, how might this affect the listener’s perception of his own challenges? Answer in about 120 words.

Answer: If the poet shared his “Dust of Snow” moment, it could help the listener to see problems in a new way. If he heard about the poet’s unexpected happy moment, he might start looking for little bits of happiness in his own day-to-day life, even when things seem tough. It could show him that sometimes, tiny surprises can really change how we feel and make tough situations seem lighter. This story could make him more open to finding these moments for himself, giving him hope and making him feel stronger when facing challenges. It’s like the poet’s story might teach him to keep an eye out for those small, good things that can pop up when we least expect them, making life a bit brighter.

12. Question:Think about simple, everyday moments that can really change things for us. How do these moments make us see our everyday life differently? Write about it in about 120 words.

Answer: Simple things, like the quiet feeling after it rains or that first warm sip of coffee in the morning, can make us pause and really enjoy what’s happening right then. They help us put aside our long to-do lists and just soak in the small, nice things we often miss. Like, noticing how fresh the air smells after rain, or how comforting a warm drink can feel. These moments remind us that even when our days are packed and we feel rushed, there’s still a bit of calm and happiness to be found in the usual stuff. When we begin to notice and enjoy these parts of our day more, we start feeling more content and grateful. It’s like learning to find little treasures in our day-to-day life that make us smile and take a deep, happy breath.

13. Question: In “Dust of Snow,” the poet shows how nature can change how we feel. Think about how important it is to notice the little things. How does paying attention like this help us feel better and deal with everyday problems? Answer in about 120 words.

Answer: In “Dust of Snow,” the poet shares how a short moment with nature, such as snow falling from a branch, can lift our spirits. This moment highlights the importance of mindfulness, or really noticing the small details in our world. By focusing on these little things, we discover beauty in unexpected spots, like the unique pattern of a snowflake or the peaceful silence of an early morning. This awareness can bring us joy and reduce our stress, shifting our focus away from our troubles. It encourages us to appreciate the everyday wonders, turning even a regular walk or a simple cup of tea into something special. This way of seeing the world can help us feel more at peace and capable of handling life’s challenges, making our worries feel less overwhelming.

14. Question: What does “Dust of Snow” teach us about bouncing back and adjusting to change? How can happy surprises help us deal with life’s hard times? Answer in about 120 words.

Answer: The poem’s theme of transformation teaches us about flexibility and adaptability. The speaker’s mood shifts positively because of a small, unexpected moment with nature. This shows us that being open to change and finding joy in little surprises can help us deal with tough times. When life gets hard, it’s easy to focus only on the bad stuff. But if we’re like the speaker and let small, good moments touch us, we can find the strength to keep going. These moments remind us that things can get better and that there’s still beauty in the world, even when we’re facing challenges.

15. Question: How does “Dust of Snow” show us the importance of saying thanks for little things? How does being thankful for small moments or things in nature make our life and friendships better?

Answer: In “Dust of Snow,” the speaker feels thankful for a moment that might seem small to others. This gratitude, even for something as simple as snow falling from a tree, can change how we see the world. When we’re thankful for the little things, we start to notice more good around us, which makes us happier and more positive. This can also make our relationships better because when we appreciate the small things others do for us or the beauty in nature they share with us, it brings us closer together. Being thankful for the little things in life and in nature helps us build a more positive life and connect more deeply with the people and world around us.

16. Question: Why is setting important in storytelling, and how can it change a story’s impact? Answer with reference to the poem “Dust of Snow”.

Answer: Setting is really important in storytelling because it’s like the background for the whole story. It’s where everything happens, and it can tell us a lot about the mood or feeling of the story. For example, a story set in a spooky, old house at night might make us feel a bit scared or on edge, while a story set in a sunny, flowery meadow might make us feel happy and relaxed.

In “Dust of Snow,” the setting with the crow and the hemlock tree really makes the moment special. It’s not just about what happens, but where it happens that adds to the feeling of the poem. The snowy tree and the crow give the scene a certain vibe that might feel a bit mysterious or unexpected. This setting helps change how we see the story, making the moment when the snow falls and changes the speaker’s mood even more powerful. It shows us how the right setting can make a story’s impact stronger and help us feel more connected to what’s happening.

Note- The following are old types of questions that were asked before 2023. These are not critical thinking and assumption based. If you wish to observe them that would also be a good decision.

1. Positive attitude in life can make the world a better place to live in. Do you agree or disagree with reference to the poem ‘Dust of Snow’? Express your views bringing out the inherent values.

Ans. I completely agree with the statement that positive attitude can make the world a better place to live in Robert Frost, in ‘Dust of Snow’, talks of how an otherwise bad day altered into a not so bad one, due to the action of a crow. It was a seemingly disconnected occurrence that brought about a change of mood in the poet. One lesson that can be learnt from the poet, is to see the brightness amidst the gloom. The crow, the hemlock and the snow are all dark images, and yet, the poet sees the colour of happiness. Another lesson is that life is made up of small joys. It is through them that one can always manage to see positivity in negativity.

2. Our attitude towards a situation evokes both negative and positive response. Analyze this with reference to the poem, ‘Dust of Snow’ to bring out the inherent valuable lessons.

Ans. Whatever situation life throws at us, it evokes both positive and negative responses. The poet, in the poem ‘Dust of Snow,’ was in a sorrowful mood. However, when a crow shook down the ‘dust of snow’ on him, his bitter mood changed into a more optimistic one. Now, being in a sorrowful or bad mood already, the poet could have got angry at the crow also. However, the dust of snow becomes a positive medium of change for him. It made him cheerful to some extent and helped him forget his sadness, at least for a few moments. Thus, we see that instead of seeing the negative aspect of a happening, one should see the positive aspect, and one’s response may greatly affect the outcome of incidents.

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3. The poet has succeeded in giving valuable information in a light-hearted manner. What creates the desired effect? Highlight its importance in present-day life.

Ans. Truly, Frost has used simple language to drive home a very significant message, that little thing sometimes, have a big impact. An easy, uncomplicated language, coupled with unusual visual imagery and brevity of words creates the desired effect. The poet’s bitterness finds reflection even in the environment around him. The noisy, dark crow, the poisonous hemlock and the icy snow around—all are essentially depressing images. However, despite the negativity, when the crow shakes down the dust of snow onto the poet, it also shakes off some of the author’s regretful thoughts. Today, when all of us live in stressful atmospheres, the poem teaches us to gain happiness from little things.

4. There are times when we feel depressed and hopeless. We think that things will never change. Suddenly, a change comes in our mood when cheerfulness replaces the sense of regret. Justify the above statement in the context of the poem ‘Dust of Snow’.

Ans. Change is the law of nature. Man’s mood and spirits change like the change of the weather. In the poem, the poet is in a depressed and hopeless mood. He feels that the whole of the day has been wasted. But fortunately, this is not so. The falling of the fine dust of snow on him brings a sudden change in his mood. He realises that all is not lost. There is still hope for redemption. No doubt, a large part of the day has already been lost. It has been rather a bad day so far. But no more now. Now a part of the day has been redeemed. The change of landscape has changed his mood. Cheerfulness had replaced the feeling of regret. His spirits are no more depressed. The sudden change outside also cheers his heart and mood.

5. Poets have great power of imagination. Robert Frost also explains his imagination very well and proves that sometimes the bad symbols change into a boon. Discuss.

Ans. It is well known that poets have great imaginative power. On the basis of this power, the poet gives this world a new idea and pleasure. They do dip down into the ocean of imagination and carry valuable things. Then they present before the world an exotic moment. Robert Frost, in this poem, represents the crow and hemlock tree as inauspicious. But when the crow shakes off the dust of snow from the hemlock tree, it falls on the poet. It changes his dejected mood and saves the day from being spoilt.

6. Our mental condition depends on our surroundings and it can be changed according to it. Explain and prove.

Ans. It is true that our mental condition depends on our surroundings. For example, if we go to greener places or nearby waterfalls, we get immense pleasure. This poem also describes it. The poet was sitting under a hemlock tree in a dejected mood, but when a crow shakes this tree and dust of snow falls on the poet, it changes the poet’s mood. It was a pleasant incident.

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