Does 'dyin' really rhyme with 'lion'? Can you say it in such a way that it does?
No, the word 'dyin' does not really rhyme with 'lion' in standard English pronunciation. While 'dyin'' ends with an 'in' sound, 'lion' ends with an 'on' sound, making them phonetically different.
Yes, we can say it in such a way that it does rhyme. If we pronounce 'lion' as 'lyin', it rhymes perfectly with 'dyin'. The poet takes liberties with language and pronunciation to create a humorous effect in the poem.
Explanation
The question tests the student's understanding of rhyme and poetic license. In the poem 'How to Tell Wild Animals', the poet pairs 'dyin' and 'lion' at the end of the first stanza. While they do not rhyme in standard pronunciation, pronouncing 'lion' as 'lyin' forces the rhyme, which is a liberty the poet takes for humorous effect.