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

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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.

Reference to Context Questions

Q1: Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
It takes much time to kill a tree,
Not a simple jab of the knife
Will do it. It has grown
Slowly consuming the earth,
Rising out of it, feeding
Upon its crust, absorbing
Years of sunlight, air, water,
And out of its leprous hide
Sprouting leaves.
(a) Why does it take so much time to kill a tree?
Ans: It takes much time to kill because killing a tree is not a simple or easy task.

(b) What does it consume?
Ans: The tree consumes nutrients from the soil.

(c) What does a tree absorb?
Ans: It absorbs sunlight, air and water

(d) Explain “leprous hide”.
Ans: Leprous hide means the disfigured and irregular bark of the tree which seems as if it is diseased or suffering from leprosy.

Q2: Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
It takes much time to kill a tree,
Not a simple jab of the knife
Will do it. It has grown
Slowly consuming the earth,
Rising out of it, feeding
Upon its crust, absorbing
Years of sunlight, air, water,
And out of its leprous hide ‘
Sprouting leaves.
(a) What kind of task is it to kill a tree?
Ans: It is very difficult task to kill a tree and it takes much time

(b) Why can a “simple jab of the knife” not kill a tree?
Ans: The tree is too strong to be killed by a simple jab of the knife as it is firmly held by the earth for so many years and its roots are safe.

(c) How is the task of cutting a tree represented in the poem?
Ans: The task of cutting a tree is represented as a killing or murder of a tree.

(d) What happens if the branches of a tree are cut off?
Ans: The branches that are cut off are replaced by new boughs, which will grow into their former size.

Q3: Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
So hack and chop
But this alone won’t do it.
Not so much pain will do it.
The bleeding bark will heal
And from close to the ground
Will rise curled green twigs,
Miniature boughs
Which if unchecked will expand again
To former size.
(a) Why does the poet say ‘killing’ a tree rather than cutting it?
Ans: The tree has been personified and hence the word ‘killing’ instead of ‘cutting’ has been used.

(b) “But this alone won’t do it..- What does ‘this’ refer to here? What does ‘it’ refer to?
Ans: The word ‘this’ refers to hacking and chopping of the tree. ‘It’ refers to the killing of a tree

(c) What does the phrase ‘bleeding bark’ mean?
Ans: “Bleeding bark” refers to the area on the tree trunk where it has been hit with the axe, It bleeds because the wood cutter has wounded the tree by cutting and chopping it. The area is oozing sap.

(d) What are processes suggested to do it?
Ans: The root of the tree has to be roped, tied and pulled out entirely from the earth-cave till the root of the tree is exposed. It will then shrivel, choke and die.

Q4: Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
So hack and chop
But this alone won’t do it.
Not so much pain will do it.
The bleeding bark will heal
And from close to the ground
Will rise curled green twigs,
Miniature boughs
Which if unchecked will expand again
To former size.
(a) Explain “hack and chop”?
Ans: Hack or chop means to cut off something, usually with a sharp instrument or weapon.

(b) What do you mean by ‘not so much pain will do it’?
Ans: It means that hacking and chopping of the tree will cause it pain but will not kill it.

(c) Where will the curling green twigs rise from?
Ans: After hacking and chopping the curling green twigs will rise from the remaining part of tree that is close to the ground.

(d) What finally kills the tree?
Ans: Uprooting the tree and exposing its roots to heat and scorching and choking them kills the tree.

Q5: Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
No,
The root is to be pulled out – 
Out of the anchoring earth;
It is to be roped, tied,
And pulled out-snapped out
Or pulled out entirely,
Out from the earth-cave,
And the strength of the tree exposed
The source, white and wet,
The most sensitive, hidden
For years inside the earth.
(a) What does the poet mean by the word “No”?
Ans: The poet says “No” in the beginning of the third stanza suggesting that a simple jab of knife will not kill a tree. It will grow again.

(b) Why should the root be pulled out?
Ans: Pulling out its root is the only way of killing a tree.

(c) What is the meaning of “anchoring earth”?
Ans: Anchoring earth’ implies that the trees are held secure with the help of the roots in the earth. So long as the roots are firmly held by the earth, the tree is safe and cannot be killed by a simple jab of a knife.

(d) What is the condition of the root of the tree?
Ans: The root of the tree looks wet and white.

Q6: Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
No,
The root is to be pulled out –
Out of the anchoring earth;
It is to be roped, tied,
And pulled out-snapped out
Or pulled out entirely,
Out from the earth-cave,
And the strength of the tree exposed
The source, white and wet,
The most sensitive, hidden
For years inside the earth.
(a) Where does the strength of the tree lie?
Ans: The real strength of a tree lies in its roots.

(b) How does the earth protect the tree?
Ans: The earth protects the tree by giving it nourishment and allowing its root to spread under the earth.

(c) What role do the sun and air play in killing a tree?
Ans: The sun and the air play a vital role in killing a tree by scorching and choking the root.

(d) Explain the meaning of “earth cave”?
Ans: ‘Earth-cave’ suggests the space created in the earth by uprooting a tree. When the roots are pulled out of the earth, the large hollow where the roots were hidden, is exposed.

Q7: Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
Then the matter
Of scorching and choking
In sun and air,
Browning, hardening,
Twisting, withering,
And then it is done.
(a) How do the roots look like when they are pulled out?
Ans: When the roots are pulled out, they are white and wet.

(b) What happens to the tree after it is pulled out?
Ans: The root gets scorched and choked after it is pulled out. It becomes brown, hardens and withers.

(c) What happens to the tree after withering?
Ans: It is killed after withering.

(d) “And then it is done” – What is done?
Ans: The act of killing a tree completely is accomplished; the tree is killed.

Q8: Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
Then the matter
Of scorching and choking
In sun and air,
Browning, hardening,
Twisting, withering,
And then it is done.
(a) “Then the matter..” What does ‘Then’ refer to?
Ans: ‘Then’ here refers to what happens to the root after it is exposed,

(b) What role do the sun and air play in killing a tree?
Ans: The sun and the air play a vital role in killing a tree by scorching and choking the root after it is pulled out.

(c) “The strength of the tree exposed.” Explain.
Ans: The root, which is the strength of a tree, must be pulled out of its cave, in order to kill the tree.

(d) What will happen if the miniature boughs are left unchecked?
Ans: If the miniature boughs are left unchecked, they will expand to their former size.