Class 9 English Chapter 1 Practice Question Answers - On Killing a Tree

Q1: Who is the poet of the poem ‘On Killing a Tree’?
(a) Edward Lear
(b) Gieve Patel
(c) W.W.E. Ross
(d) William Wordsworth
Ans: (b)
The poet of the poem 'On Killing a Tree' is Gieve Patel. He explores the theme of destroying nature and draws parallels between cutting down a tree and the various ways humans harm it.

Q2: What will again expand to a tree’s full size?
(a) roots
(b) green twigs
(c) fruit
(d) flowers
Ans: (b)
Green twigs, the young branches of a tree, have the potential to grow and expand to the tree's full size if given the chance. This emphasizes the tree's resilience and ability to regenerate.

Q3: What is related to the death of roots?
(a) pulling out
(b) scorching
(c) choking
(d) all of the above
Ans: (d)
The death of roots can occur due to various reasons such as pulling them out, scorching them, or choking them. These actions lead to the deterioration of the tree's foundation, ultimately causing its demise.

Q4: Chocking is done in the absence of:
(a) earth
(b) air
(c) water
(d) sunlight
Ans: (b)
Choking refers to depriving the roots of air. It happens when the roots are suffocated due to waterlogging or poor drainage, which inhibits their ability to take in oxygen, resulting in the tree's decline.

Q5: What does the strength of a tree lie in?
(a) leaves
(b) root
(c) flowers
(d) fruit
Ans: (b)
The strength of a tree lies in its roots. Healthy and well-established roots provide stability, nourishment, and support to the tree, enabling it to grow and withstand various environmental challenges.

Q6: What can alone kill a tree?
(a) hacking
(b) chopping
(c) hacking and chopping
(d) none of the above
Ans: (d)
The poem suggests that no single action, such as hacking or chopping, can alone kill a tree. It is a combination of factors like scorching and chopping that gradually weaken and lead to the death of a tree.

Q7: What does a tree consume to grow?
(a) earth
(b) sky
(c) chopping
(d) none of the above
Ans: (a)
A tree consumes nutrients and water from the earth to grow. The soil provides essential minerals and elements that nourish the tree and contribute to its growth.

Q8: What does the poet symbolize a tree too?
(a) a good tradition
(b) a deep-rooted evil
(c) a noble thing
(d) all of the above
Ans: (b)
In the poem, the poet symbolizes a tree as a deep-rooted evil to convey how destructive actions against nature can have far-reaching and negative consequences, just like the pervasive and enduring impact of an evil.

Q9: What does the poet equate killing trees with?
(a) killing animals
(b) killing insects
(c) killing human beings
(d) None
Ans: (c)
The poet equates killing trees with killing human beings, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all life forms and suggesting that harming nature ultimately harms humanity.

Q10: How do the trees die?
(a) when they don’t get water
(b) when they don’t get manure
(c) when their roots are uprooted
(d) when we cut it with a knife or jab
Ans: (c)
Trees die when their roots are uprooted, disrupting their source of nourishment and stability. This can happen due to various reasons, including human activities or natural forces.

Q11: What is the message of this poem?
(a) cut trees
(b) spoil trees
(c) don’t cut trees and save them
(d) None
Ans: (c)
The poem's message is to discourage the cutting of trees and encourage their preservation. It highlights the importance of respecting and protecting nature for the well-being of the environment and humanity.

Q12: What killed the tree?
(a) scorching and chopping
(b) floods
(c) irresponsible behaviors
(d) All
Ans: (a)
The tree in the poem is killed by a combination of scorching (heat or fire) and chopping (physical damage inflicted by cutting tools), which gradually weaken and destroy the tree.

Q13: What helps the tree to grow?
(a) earth
(b) air
(c) gardener
(d) none
Ans: (a)
The earth, or soil, provides essential nutrients, minerals, and a supportive environment that helps the tree to grow and thrive.

Q14: What does the tree symbolize in this poem?
(a) prosperity
(b) greenery
(c) deep-rooted evil
(d) none
Ans: (c)
The tree symbolizes a deep-rooted evil to convey the idea that destructive actions against nature can have long-lasting and pervasive negative effects, similar to the enduring impact of an evil.

Q15: What helps the tree to grow?
(a) earth
(b) air
(c) gardener
(d) none
Ans: (a)
The earth, or soil, provides the necessary nutrients and support for the tree's growth and development.

Q16: Where does the strength of the tree lie?
(a) in leaves
(b) in fruits
(c) in its roots
(d) All
Ans: (c)
The strength of the tree lies in its roots, which anchor it securely in the ground, provide stability, and absorb nutrients and water.

Q17: What killed the tree?
(a) scorching and chopping
(b) floods
(c) irresponsible behaviors
(d) All
Ans: (a)
The tree's death is caused by scorching (burning or heat) and chopping (physical damage from cutting tools), both of which weaken and eventually kill the tree.

Q18: The strength of the tree is exposed’ what do these words convey?
(a) roots of the tree taken out of the earth
(b) roots are withered
(c) tree is withered
(d) All
Ans: (a)
The phrase "strength of the tree is exposed" suggests that the tree's true strength is revealed when its roots are taken out of the earth, leading to its vulnerability and decline.

Q19: What is the message of this poem?
(a) cut trees
(b) spoil trees
(c) don’t cut trees and save them
(d) None
Ans: (c)
The poem conveys a message of environmental conservation and urges readers not to cut down trees but instead work to preserve and protect them for a sustainable future.

Q20: What does this poem speak?
(a) merciless, thoughtless, and callous behavior of humans towards trees
(b) save plants
(c) human behavior
(d) None
Ans: (a)
The poem speaks about the insensitive and destructive behavior of humans towards trees, highlighting how thoughtless actions can harm nature and its delicate balance.