Poem - On Killing a Tree Class 9 Worksheet English Chapter 1

Q.1. Do we need to kill trees in the present scenario?

No, we don’t need to kill trees in the present scenario, rather we should protect trees as we see the threat of global warming and drifting seasons, erratic rainfall etc.

Q.2. What do you understand by the lines ‘Rising out of it, feeding upon its crust, absorbing years of sunlight, air, water’.

The tree is rising out of the earth, feeding upon its crust, absorbing years of sunlight, air, water’ thus growing on the generosity of the nature. However, it slowly steals nourishment from earth, food from sunlight through photosynthesis and air to gain strength and vigor.

Q.3. What are the circumstances that compelled the poet to write such a poem?

The development of countries leads to construct industries and factories for development of mankind. Rising population also brings extra pressure on nature. Thus these were the circumstances that compelled the poet to write such a poem.

Q.4. What is the contemplation of the poet when he says, ‘Not so much pain will do it’?

The contemplation of the poet when he says, ‘Not so much pain will do it’ is that little sufferings would not deter the tree from re-sprouting as like human it recovers from small pains and sours.

Q.5. Do you think, the poet is describing the way to kill a tree, or there is something else in his mind?

Although the poet is describing the way to kill a tree, but in his mind he is thinking about the nature. The nature wants us to be friend with the trees as they resurrect the nature. Killing a tree would deprive us of oxygen, shade, greenery and protection of soil from erosion.

Q.6. Why does the poet write such a poem?

The poet writes such a poem to compare the killing of a tree with that of a human being. As little wounds to a man don’t kill him similarly, small strokes of axe wouldn’t kill a tree.

Q.7. Justify the title of the poem ‘On Killing a Tree’.

'The tile of the poem ‘On Killing a Tree’ is very appropriate as the poet tries to bring in a relationship between the tree and human being. He says that as a man grows on the love, affection of his parents, similarly tree grows on the love and affection of mother earth and father nature. With such strength, it is not easy to kill a tree. We need brutal force to kill a tree as a single jab of knife or hacking and chopping would anything. To drain out the strength of the tree, one needs to expose its roots to the harsh scorching sun light and the rough air.

Q.8. Is this poem ironical or is it a satire on modernization?

This poem is not only ironical, but it also is a satire on modernization. It is ironical as we keep on talking about saving tree and growing more trees but simultaneously we keep felling them to construct buildings to house growing population and setting up industries to help modernization. All over the world we are propagating to save trees and on the other hand don’t even blink an eye when trees are felled to help clear lands in the name of construction or development. Let’s be clear whether we want to save environment, or we want to go for development. We need to bring a balance between the two or develop such ways and means to modernize without compromising on nature.

Q.9. What will be the effect of hacking and the chopping on the tree?

The hacking and chopping of the tree would make the tree bleed i.e. secret a liquid but this pain will be relieved soon and the bleeding bark will heal itself.

Q.10. How can the tree get back to its former size?

The bleeding bark will be heated and from the place closer to the ground, there will be new twigs arising out of it, new boughs will take place which will make the plant grow to its former size.