Extra Question answer of ON KILLING A TREE for exam
Comprehension Questions Short answer questions (answers in about 30–40 words each)
"It takes much time to kill a tree. Not a simple job of the knife. Will do it...." Why does it take so much time to kill a tree?
(ANS)It is not easy to kill a tree simply with a stroke of a knife. The tree has deep roots which anchor it to the soil. It has risen out of the earth and absorbed years of sunlight, air and water. In order to kill a tree, its root must be uprooted. If the roots are left to be scorched and choked in sun and air, then the tree dies. This process takes much time and it requires a lot of effort.
Contrast 'bleeding bark' with 'green twigs'.
(ANS)The poet has used the words and phrases very skilfully. 'Bleeding bark' is suggestive of deterioration whereas 'green twigs' suggest fresh growth. 'Bleeding' represents destruction; ‘Green’ shows the springing of life. 'Green' and 'bleeding' symbolize the change from destruction to life.
Describe the process of uprooting a tree. OR How does the poet describe the uprooting of a tree?
Neither a simple job of a knife nor hacking and chopping kill a tree because it is firmly anchored to the soil. The root of the tree should be pulled out entirely of the earth. It should be roped, tied and snapped out. So it should be pulled out entirely from the earth cover. Then it should be exposed to sunlight. The roots will burn, harden and wither and then the process is complete.
In the phrase ‘consuming the earth’, who consumes the earth and how?
(ANS)It is the tree that consumes the earth by drawing its nourishment from the soil through its root. The food required by the tree lies deep inside the earth and the root sucks and absorbs nutrients and nourishes the tree.
What is meant by ‘years of sunlight, air and water’?
(ANS)Years of sunlight, air and water means that the tree takes years together to grow up fully. In this course of time it draws energy from sunlight, air and water.
Why has the hide of the tree been called leprous?
(ANS)The bark of the tree is uneven in texture and colour. Leprosy also robs the skin of the leper of its colour and evenness. Hence, the poet has drawn a metaphorical comparison between the discoloured bark of a tree and the diseased skin.
7. What does hacking and chopping do to a tree?
(ANS)Hacking and chopping wound the body of a tree causing it great pain. They peel the bark of the tree and it appears to be bleeding when the sap oozes out. However, this pain or bleeding does not kill the tree. The tree is able to heal itself.
8. What will rise from ‘close to the ground after the bark is hacked and chopped? Why?
(ANS)Curled green twigs and miniature boughs will rise from the stump of the tree that is close to the ground. They will rise because the tree rejuvenates and revives itself as long as its root is intact.
9. What will happen if the miniature boughs are left ‘unchecked’?
(ANS) ‘Unchecked’ here means left free to grow without any harm or danger. If left ‘unchecked’, the new, green, delicate branches from the stump of a tree will expand and regain their original size.
10. How is the root of the tree to be pulled out? What is the result of this pulling?
(ANS)The root of the tree is to be tied to a rope and pulled out with a great force. This pulling results in creating a cave-like hollow in the earth and exposes the root to the vagaries of weather that eventually cause the death of the tree.
11. What is ‘the most sensitive’ part of the tree? What is it sensitive to and why?
(ANS)The root of the tree is its most sensitive part. It is sensitive to the heat and vagaries of weather on the open surface of the earth. Hence, it remains hidden safely under the earth.
12. How is the exposed root affected by the sun and air?
(ANS)Sun and air start drawing life out of the exposed root. It becomes discoloured, dry and hard. It starts withering and becomes gnarled and twisted. Devoid of all its moisture, it gradually becomes lifeless and the process of killing the tree is completed.
13. “The bleeding bark will heal” How will the bleeding bark heal?
(ANS)In the poem ‘On Killing a Tree’, the poet says that a woodcutter may cut a tree with his repeated blows. But this alone will not be able to kill a tree. The affected tree does not seem to express its pain because its bleeding bark will heal itself in time. ‘Curled green twigs’ of the tree closely attached to earth will grow from the miniature boughs. The strength of the tree lies in the roots. If the tree is not completely uprooted, the tree will expand and become a full grown tree again.
14. Justify the title of the poem.
(ANS)The title of the poem is simple and appropriate as it contains the major concern of the poet i.e. merciless and callous felling of trees. It indicates appropriately that the poem is about the process of killing of tree. The entire poem explains the view that killing a tree is not a simple, short or easy process. Trees have tremendous strength and great instinct for survival.
15. What is the message conveyed in the poem?
(ANS)The poem conveys the message that trees are living beings just like any other form of life. They have strong survival instincts and can withstand any type of assault, trauma or crisis. It is not easy to kill them, for they have a never-say-die attitude to life. Every time they are attacked, injured or scraped, they heal themselves and regain their glory. However, if they are uprooted and left in the air and the sun, they die.
Long answer questions (answers in about 100-150 words each)
1. How does a tree grow up?
(ANS)A tree takes years together to grow to its full size. After sprouting out from the surface of the earth from a seed it grows gradually. Its root nurtures it by drawing nutrients from deep under the earth. Sunlight, air and water further nourish it. Out of its bark, tender green branches shoot out and leaves grow all over them. After a long span of time the tree stands so strong and sturdy that it can survive even the wounds inflicted with a knife. In fact, chopping and hacking are not sufficient to kill it as the wounds get healed. Branches appear again even from the stump and in due course and attain their original size. As long as the root of the tree remains intact under the earth, the tree keeps growing.
2. What relationship does the tree have with the earth?
(ANS)A tree has a deep relationship with the earth. It owes its very existence to the earth. The seed germinates in the womb of the earth and the baby plant sprouts out over the surface of earth. The tree draws nutrients from the soil. It is the earth that gives it support to stand erect and protects it from falling. The earth gives it ground to grow and assume a massive size. The earth keeps roots of the tree concealed, protecting it from exposure to the sunlight and the air which can prove to be very injurious for its existence. Thus, the earth helps a tree right from its birth to its survival. Even a chopped tree grows again out of the stump and gains the original, size because the earth supports it.
3. What does the root of the tree look like when it is pulled out of the earth-cave? What happens to it when it is left exposed?
(ANS)The root of the tree is moist and white when it is pulled out of its hiding, the earth-cave. It is very tender and delicate as it has remained concealed for years together, away from sunlight and air. The root cannot tolerate the light and heat of the sun and the open air. When it is left exposed, it gets scorched and chokes in the sun and the air. Initially, it starts changing its colour and becomes brown. Then it starts losing its tenderness. It becomes hard and its suppleness declines. Gradually, it withers away and becomes gnarled and twisted. Ultimately, life is completely drained out of it and it leads to the death of the whole tree. This is how exposure robs first the root and then the entire tree of its life.
4. What would happen if the tree is hacked and chopped?
(ANS)If the tree is hacked and chopped and left as such with the root of the tree neither dug out nor injured, the root will continue to provide nourishment to the stump of the tree. This stump will then be covered with tender twigs that will sprout out of its surface. If these twigs are not pruned or hacked or chopped, they will keep on growing and eventually, with the passage of time, the tree will grow up to its original size. The wounded bark of the tree will get healed and the tree will be as big as it was earlier. The threat to its life will be overcome and hacking or chopping will fail to kill the tree. The safe root will rescue and resuscitate the tree and help it to regain its lost glory.
"It takes much time to kill a tree. Not a simple job of the knife. Will do it...." Why does it take so much time to kill a tree?
(ANS)It is not easy to kill a tree simply with a stroke of a knife. The tree has deep roots which anchor it to the soil. It has risen out of the earth and absorbed years of sunlight, air and water. In order to kill a tree, its root must be uprooted. If the roots are left to be scorched and choked in sun and air, then the tree dies. This process takes much time and it requires a lot of effort.
Contrast 'bleeding bark' with 'green twigs'.
(ANS)The poet has used the words and phrases very skilfully. 'Bleeding bark' is suggestive of deterioration whereas 'green twigs' suggest fresh growth. 'Bleeding' represents destruction; ‘Green’ shows the springing of life. 'Green' and 'bleeding' symbolize the change from destruction to life.
Describe the process of uprooting a tree. OR How does the poet describe the uprooting of a tree?
Neither a simple job of a knife nor hacking and chopping kill a tree because it is firmly anchored to the soil. The root of the tree should be pulled out entirely of the earth. It should be roped, tied and snapped out. So it should be pulled out entirely from the earth cover. Then it should be exposed to sunlight. The roots will burn, harden and wither and then the process is complete.
In the phrase ‘consuming the earth’, who consumes the earth and how?
(ANS)It is the tree that consumes the earth by drawing its nourishment from the soil through its root. The food required by the tree lies deep inside the earth and the root sucks and absorbs nutrients and nourishes the tree.
What is meant by ‘years of sunlight, air and water’?
(ANS)Years of sunlight, air and water means that the tree takes years together to grow up fully. In this course of time it draws energy from sunlight, air and water.
Why has the hide of the tree been called leprous?
(ANS)The bark of the tree is uneven in texture and colour. Leprosy also robs the skin of the leper of its colour and evenness. Hence, the poet has drawn a metaphorical comparison between the discoloured bark of a tree and the diseased skin.
7. What does hacking and chopping do to a tree?
(ANS)Hacking and chopping wound the body of a tree causing it great pain. They peel the bark of the tree and it appears to be bleeding when the sap oozes out. However, this pain or bleeding does not kill the tree. The tree is able to heal itself.
8. What will rise from ‘close to the ground after the bark is hacked and chopped? Why?
(ANS)Curled green twigs and miniature boughs will rise from the stump of the tree that is close to the ground. They will rise because the tree rejuvenates and revives itself as long as its root is intact.
9. What will happen if the miniature boughs are left ‘unchecked’?
(ANS) ‘Unchecked’ here means left free to grow without any harm or danger. If left ‘unchecked’, the new, green, delicate branches from the stump of a tree will expand and regain their original size.
10. How is the root of the tree to be pulled out? What is the result of this pulling?
(ANS)The root of the tree is to be tied to a rope and pulled out with a great force. This pulling results in creating a cave-like hollow in the earth and exposes the root to the vagaries of weather that eventually cause the death of the tree.
11. What is ‘the most sensitive’ part of the tree? What is it sensitive to and why?
(ANS)The root of the tree is its most sensitive part. It is sensitive to the heat and vagaries of weather on the open surface of the earth. Hence, it remains hidden safely under the earth.
12. How is the exposed root affected by the sun and air?
(ANS)Sun and air start drawing life out of the exposed root. It becomes discoloured, dry and hard. It starts withering and becomes gnarled and twisted. Devoid of all its moisture, it gradually becomes lifeless and the process of killing the tree is completed.
13. “The bleeding bark will heal” How will the bleeding bark heal?
(ANS)In the poem ‘On Killing a Tree’, the poet says that a woodcutter may cut a tree with his repeated blows. But this alone will not be able to kill a tree. The affected tree does not seem to express its pain because its bleeding bark will heal itself in time. ‘Curled green twigs’ of the tree closely attached to earth will grow from the miniature boughs. The strength of the tree lies in the roots. If the tree is not completely uprooted, the tree will expand and become a full grown tree again.
14. Justify the title of the poem.
(ANS)The title of the poem is simple and appropriate as it contains the major concern of the poet i.e. merciless and callous felling of trees. It indicates appropriately that the poem is about the process of killing of tree. The entire poem explains the view that killing a tree is not a simple, short or easy process. Trees have tremendous strength and great instinct for survival.
15. What is the message conveyed in the poem?
(ANS)The poem conveys the message that trees are living beings just like any other form of life. They have strong survival instincts and can withstand any type of assault, trauma or crisis. It is not easy to kill them, for they have a never-say-die attitude to life. Every time they are attacked, injured or scraped, they heal themselves and regain their glory. However, if they are uprooted and left in the air and the sun, they die.
Long answer questions (answers in about 100-150 words each)
1. How does a tree grow up?
(ANS)A tree takes years together to grow to its full size. After sprouting out from the surface of the earth from a seed it grows gradually. Its root nurtures it by drawing nutrients from deep under the earth. Sunlight, air and water further nourish it. Out of its bark, tender green branches shoot out and leaves grow all over them. After a long span of time the tree stands so strong and sturdy that it can survive even the wounds inflicted with a knife. In fact, chopping and hacking are not sufficient to kill it as the wounds get healed. Branches appear again even from the stump and in due course and attain their original size. As long as the root of the tree remains intact under the earth, the tree keeps growing.
2. What relationship does the tree have with the earth?
(ANS)A tree has a deep relationship with the earth. It owes its very existence to the earth. The seed germinates in the womb of the earth and the baby plant sprouts out over the surface of earth. The tree draws nutrients from the soil. It is the earth that gives it support to stand erect and protects it from falling. The earth gives it ground to grow and assume a massive size. The earth keeps roots of the tree concealed, protecting it from exposure to the sunlight and the air which can prove to be very injurious for its existence. Thus, the earth helps a tree right from its birth to its survival. Even a chopped tree grows again out of the stump and gains the original, size because the earth supports it.
3. What does the root of the tree look like when it is pulled out of the earth-cave? What happens to it when it is left exposed?
(ANS)The root of the tree is moist and white when it is pulled out of its hiding, the earth-cave. It is very tender and delicate as it has remained concealed for years together, away from sunlight and air. The root cannot tolerate the light and heat of the sun and the open air. When it is left exposed, it gets scorched and chokes in the sun and the air. Initially, it starts changing its colour and becomes brown. Then it starts losing its tenderness. It becomes hard and its suppleness declines. Gradually, it withers away and becomes gnarled and twisted. Ultimately, life is completely drained out of it and it leads to the death of the whole tree. This is how exposure robs first the root and then the entire tree of its life.
4. What would happen if the tree is hacked and chopped?
(ANS)If the tree is hacked and chopped and left as such with the root of the tree neither dug out nor injured, the root will continue to provide nourishment to the stump of the tree. This stump will then be covered with tender twigs that will sprout out of its surface. If these twigs are not pruned or hacked or chopped, they will keep on growing and eventually, with the passage of time, the tree will grow up to its original size. The wounded bark of the tree will get healed and the tree will be as big as it was earlier. The threat to its life will be overcome and hacking or chopping will fail to kill the tree. The safe root will rescue and resuscitate the tree and help it to regain its lost glory.
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