What is the most likely reason the poet uses the word 'nonplus' instead of confused ?
What is the most likely reason the poet uses the word 'nonplus' instead of confused ?
Official answer
The poet uses 'nonplus' instead of 'confused' to maintain the poem's mock-serious, textbook-like tone and to rhyme with 'thus' in the next line — both the comic effect and the rhyme requirement together justify the choice.
Marking scheme
- 1.1 mark: for identifying that 'nonplus' rhymes with 'thus' and/or maintains the poem's formal, mock-instructional, comic tone (either point, or both, accepted for the full mark).
Hint
Think about both sound (rhyme with 'thus') and the poem's mock-serious comic tone.
Quick oral answer
The poet uses 'nonplus' instead of 'confused' to rhyme with 'thus' and to keep up the poem's mock-formal, humorous tone.
Common mistakes
- 1.Giving only a dictionary meaning of 'nonplus' without explaining why the poet chose it over 'confused'.
- 2.Ignoring the rhyme scheme requirement (rhyming with 'thus') as one valid reason for the word choice.
Analysis and explanation
This question tests close reading of diction chosen for tone and rhyme in a comic poem.
Concept
- 'Nonplus' is a formal, old-fashioned word meaning to be so puzzled one doesn't know what to do — stronger than plain 'confused'
Key Points
- It sustains the poem's mock-scholarly, textbook-like tone that creates the humour
- It also supplies the required rhyme with 'thus' in the next line
Common Mistakes
- Giving only 'for the rhyme' or only 'for the tone' — full marks need both reasons
Interesting facts
'Nonplus' entered English in the 16th century from the Latin phrase 'non plus', meaning 'no more' (as in, no more can be said or done).
The poem's comic effect throughout relies heavily on such deliberately formal or archaic words placed beside very simple, almost childish rhymes.
Question details
Q40 of 72 questions
- Board
- CBSE
- Class
- Class 10
- Subject
- English (Language & Literature)
- Year
- 2026
- Section
- Section A
- Marks
- 1
- Type
- Very Short Answer
- Chapter
- How to Tell Wild Animals
- Topic
- How to Tell Wild Animals - Poet's Word Choice ('nonplus')
- Bloom's level
- analyze
- Syllabus topic
- Unit: First Flight (Poetry) - How to Tell Wild Animals: Diction and Tone
- Author
- CBSE
- Reviewed by
- Padhantu Academic Team
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Frequently asked questions
What does 'nonplus' mean?
'Nonplus' means to bewilder or perplex someone so completely that they do not know what to say or do.
Why does word choice matter in reference-to-context questions?
Poets choose specific words for rhyme, rhythm, tone, and meaning; identifying why a particular word was chosen over a simpler synonym shows deeper understanding of the poem's craft, which examiners specifically reward.