Thinking about the Poem
I.
Question 1:
Can a “simple jab of the knife” kill a tree? Why not?
Answer:
No, a simple jab of the knife cannot kill a tree. While it may cause some damage, it cannot completely kill the tree. The tree has strong life forces, and as long as the root is intact in the earth, the tree will continue to grow. It requires a more thorough process to destroy the tree, such as uprooting it entirely.
Question 2:
How has the tree grown to its full size? List the words suggestive of its life and activity.
Answer:
The tree has grown to its full size by absorbing the nutrients from the earth, feeding on the earth’s crust, and receiving sunlight, air, and water. The words that suggest its life and activity are:
- “feeding upon its crust”
- “absorbing years of sunlight, air, and water”
- “consuming the earth”
These words imply the tree’s active process of growth and its dependence on natural resources.
Question 3:
What is the meaning of “bleeding bark”? What makes it bleed?
Answer:
“Bleeding bark” refers to the tree’s sap or liquid that comes out when its bark is cut. When a tree is harmed or the bark is wounded, it releases a liquid substance, much like blood oozes from a wound in a living creature. The cutting of the tree by human hands (with an axe or knife) makes the bark bleed.
Question 4:
The poet says “No” in the beginning of the third stanza. What does he mean by this?
Answer:
In the third stanza, the poet says “No” to emphasize that a simple cutting of the tree’s trunk or branches will not be enough to kill it. He stresses that it requires much more effort, particularly the removal of the tree’s roots, to actually kill the tree.
Question 5:
What is the meaning of “anchoring earth” and “earth cave”?
Answer:
“Anchoring earth” refers to the earth’s role in holding the tree firmly in place. The earth acts as a strong foundation that keeps the tree secure.
“Earth cave” refers to the space in the ground where the roots of the tree are hidden and protected. It suggests that the roots are inside the earth, sheltered from the outside elements, allowing the tree to grow.
Question 6:
What does he mean by “the strength of the tree exposed”?
Answer:
When the poet says “the strength of the tree exposed,” he refers to the moment when the tree is uprooted and its roots are exposed to the air. The roots, which were hidden in the soil and provided nourishment, are now visible, and the tree’s life-support system is laid bare, leaving it vulnerable to death.
Question 7:
What finally kills the tree?
Answer:
The tree is finally killed when it is completely uprooted from the earth. Once the roots are exposed to the sun and air, they dry out, harden, and begin to wither. The tree becomes weak, brittle, and ultimately dies.
Additional Questions
Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1:
How does a tree become strong?
Answer:
A tree becomes strong by gradually growing and expanding over time. It feeds on the earth’s crust, absorbing sunlight, air, and water. These elements provide the necessary nourishment for the tree to grow tall and strong.
Question 2:
How do the sun and the air contribute to the killing of a tree?
Answer:
The sun and the air contribute to the killing of a tree when its roots are exposed. The sun scorches and dries out the roots, while the air deprives the tree of the essential oxygen it needs. Without its roots to nourish it, the tree withers and eventually dies.
Question 3:
What is the most important thing to do while killing a tree?
Answer:
The most important thing to do while killing a tree is to uproot it. As long as the roots are intact in the earth, the tree can survive and grow again. Only when the roots are removed and exposed to the elements, like sunlight and air, will the tree begin to die.
Question 4:
How does the tree get killed in the end?
Answer:
In the end, the tree gets killed when its roots are exposed, scorched by the sun, and choked by the air. The tree goes through a process of browning, hardening, twisting, and withering. Eventually, it dies when it can no longer receive nourishment.
Question 5:
Describe the growth and expansion story of a tree.
Answer:
The growth and expansion of a tree is a gradual process. First, the seed is planted in the earth, and it begins to sprout. The tree grows slowly by feeding on the earth’s crust, absorbing nutrients from the soil. Over the years, it absorbs sunlight, air, and water, and grows bigger and stronger. As it matures, its bark becomes rough and leprous, and it sprouts branches, becoming a full-grown tree.
Question 6:
Describe the healing power of a tree that doesn’t allow it to die so soon.
Answer:
A tree has a natural healing power that helps it survive even after it is harmed. When the bark is cut, it bleeds, but this wound heals over time. New green twigs sprout from near the ground, and if left unchecked, the tree will continue to grow and regain its former size. This demonstrates the resilience of the tree.
Question 7:
Describe the various processes that lead to the ultimate death of a rootless tree.
Answer:
Once a tree is uprooted, its roots, the most sensitive part of the tree, are exposed. The tree undergoes a process of scorching in the sunlight and choking from the lack of nourishment from the earth. The exposed roots become dry and hard, leading to browning and withering. The tree loses its shape and eventually dies from this prolonged exposure.
Long Answer Type Question
Question 1:
Write a critical appreciation of the poem On Killing a Tree.
Answer:
On Killing a Tree is a powerful poem by Gieve Patel that explores the theme of nature’s resilience and the destructive power of humans. The poet starts by emphasizing that it is not easy to kill a tree, highlighting that it takes time and deliberate effort. The poem metaphorically explains that cutting the tree’s bark is not sufficient to kill it, as the tree has deep roots that provide it with life. The roots are symbolic of the tree’s strength and survival instincts.
The poem vividly describes the process of uprooting a tree, where the strength of the tree is exposed when its roots are pulled out. The tree, once exposed to the harsh elements of the sun and air, begins to wither and die. Patel’s choice of words, like “scorching,” “choking,” and “bleeding bark,” convey the violence of nature’s destruction.
The poem also serves as an allegory for the struggle for survival, showing how life cannot be destroyed easily. It takes not just physical force, but a gradual process that leads to decay. Through this, the poet reflects on the strength of nature and how it endures despite human intervention.
Question 2:
Describe the pulling out of the roots and the various processes of withering and dying of a tree after it.
Answer:
The process of pulling out the roots begins with uprooting the tree from the earth. The roots, which are hidden and protected inside the soil, are exposed when the tree is pulled out. This is the moment when the “strength of the tree” is revealed. Once the roots are exposed, the tree starts to die.
First, the roots are scorched by the sun, which dries them out. The tree is then choked because it is unable to get the air and water it needs to survive. As the tree is deprived of nourishment, it begins to lose its color, turning brown. The exposed parts of the tree twist and harden, and eventually, the tree withers and dies. This process represents the gradual decay of the tree as it is deprived of its life source, the earth.
Value-Based Question
Question 1:
After reading the poem, what similarities can we draw between trees and some great people of yesteryears?
Answer:
Like trees, some great people of the past continue to live in our memories even long after they are gone. Trees, despite being cut or harmed, continue to thrive and sprout again because of their deep roots in the earth. Similarly, the impact of great people continues to influence society even after their death, as their ideas and values remain deeply rooted in our consciousness. These people, like the tree, refuse to die as their legacy endures through generations. The roots of both trees and great people are what sustain them and ensure their lasting presence in the world.
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