GSEB Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 8 On Killing a Tree Solutions

Thinking About The Poem

Question 1. Can a "simple jab of the knife” kill a tree? Why not?
Answer: No, a small jab from a knife cannot kill a tree. It takes many years for a tree to grow and rise up from the earth. Furthermore, just a chop won't destroy it because it will slowly grow back and reach its original size.
In simple words: A small knife cut cannot kill a tree because trees take many years to grow and can regrow even after being chopped.

Exam Tip: Remember that the poem emphasizes the tree's resilience, so a superficial attack like a "simple jab" is never enough to kill it.

Question 2. How has the tree grown to its full size? List the words suggestive of its life and activity.
Answer: The tree grows to its full size by soaking up sunlight, water, and air for many years. It slowly comes out of the ground and produces leaves. The words that show its life and actions are 'grown slowly consuming the earth', 'rising out of it', 'feeding upon its crust', 'absorbing years of sunlight, air, water', and 'sprouting leaves'.
In simple words: A tree grows large by using the earth, sun, water, and air over many years, showing life through slow growth, rising, feeding, absorbing, and sprouting leaves.

Exam Tip: When describing growth, always include the key elements like earth, sun, water, and air, as these are fundamental to a tree's development.

Question 3. What is the meaning of 'bleeding bark'? What makes it bleed?
Answer: 'Bleeding bark' refers to the spot on the tree trunk where an axe has hit it. It appears to bleed because the woodcutter has hurt the tree by cutting and chopping it.
In simple words: 'Bleeding bark' is where the tree trunk is cut by an axe, appearing to bleed because it is wounded.

Exam Tip: The term "bleeding bark" is a poetic way to describe the sap oozing from a wound, using personification to convey the tree's pain.

Question 4. The poet says 'No' in the beginning of the third stanza. What does he mean by this?
Answer: At the start of the third stanza, the poet says 'No' to stress the idea that simply chopping a tree will not destroy it. The tree would grow back and regain its original size.
In simple words: The poet says 'No' to emphasize that just cutting a tree won't kill it; it will regrow.

Exam Tip: Pay attention to strong introductory words like "No" in poetry, as they often signal a key point or a counter-argument being made by the poet.

Question 5. What is the meaning of 'anchoring earth' and 'earth cave'?
Answer: 'Anchoring earth' refers to the tree's roots that rest inside the ground and act as an anchor, helping the tree grow. These roots ensure the tree's safety by providing it with water and food. 'Earth cave' means the ground where the tree's base is set, as it holds the roots, keeps the tree upright, and guards it from harsh weather like heavy rain or storms.
In simple words: 'Anchoring earth' means the roots holding the tree in the ground, while 'earth cave' refers to the soil that supports the tree's base and protects its roots.

Exam Tip: Understanding these metaphors helps grasp how deeply connected a tree is to the earth, highlighting why it's so difficult to kill.

Question 6. What does the poet mean by 'the strength of the tree exposed'?
Answer: The tree's strength lies in its roots, which the poet suggests pulling out to kill the tree. Thus, the phrase 'the strength of the tree exposed' means the tree's roots being open to sunlight and air.
In simple words: 'The strength of the tree exposed' means its roots are pulled out and no longer hidden, showing the core of its life.

Exam Tip: The roots symbolize the life force of the tree. Exposing them is crucial because they are vital for its survival, drawing nourishment from the earth.

Question 7. What finally kills the tree?
Answer: The tree is finally killed by pulling out its roots. When the roots, which had kept it hidden in the ground for years, were dug out, the tree's core strength was revealed, and this caused the tree to die. It dried up after being pulled out.
In simple words: Uprooting the tree, which exposes its hidden roots, finally kills it by drying out its source of strength.

Exam Tip: Emphasize that it's not just the cutting, but the complete removal and exposure of the roots that leads to the tree's ultimate death, highlighting the poem's central message.

Gseb Class 9 English On Killing A Tree Additional Important Questions And Answers

Reading Comprehension

Read The Following Stanzas And Answer The Questions Given Below Them:

Question 1.
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.
Questions:
(1) What is not easy, according to the poet?
(2) What has made the tree firmly rooted?
(3) The words 'leprous hide' stands for :
(a) firm roots
(b) damaged with leprosy
(c) discoloured bark
Answer:
(1) According to the poet, killing a tree cannot be done with just one knife stroke. That is not simple.
(2) A tree needs years to grow. While growing, it uses water, minerals, etc., from the earth. It also takes in sunlight, air, and water all these years and is strongly rooted.
(3) The words 'leprous hide' stand for: (c) discoloured bark
In simple words: Killing a tree is hard because it grows for years by taking in nutrients from the earth, which firmly roots it. 'Leprous hide' means discolored bark.

Exam Tip: For stanza-based questions, always refer back to the text to ensure your answers directly reflect the information provided in the passage.

Question 2.
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.
Questions:
(1) What will be ineffective in killing a tree?
(2) What will happen even if the tree is cut?
(3) When will miniature boughs expand again?
Answer:
(1) When killing a tree, even if one hacks and chops, it won't succeed. It will not destroy the trees fully.
(2) Even if the tree is cut with axe blows, it will not perish. The tree's bleeding bark will heal, and from near the ground, curled green twigs will sprout. It will recover.
(3) If the small branches are not stopped or controlled, they will grow back to their original size.
In simple words: Hacking and chopping alone won't kill a tree. Even if cut, the tree's bark will heal, and new twigs will grow back to full size if not checked.

Exam Tip: This stanza highlights the tree's immense power of regeneration. Focus on how it recovers from damage to answer questions about its survival.

Question 3.
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.
Questions:
(1) Explain 'anchoring earth'.
(2) Identify and explain the Figure of Speech in the line: 'And pulled out-snapped out'.
(3) How is the strength of the tree exposed?
Answer:
(1) The phrase 'anchoring earth' means that the earth acts like an anchor, holding the tree tightly through its roots.
(2) The Figure of Speech in the line: 'And pulled out-snapped out' is Repetition. The word 'out' is repeated to show that it is not possible to kill a tree until it is fully rooted out.
(3) The strength of a tree is its roots. The more they are spread within the earth, the stronger they make the tree. They are the tree's origin, and lying inside, they remain white and wet. When they are removed or shown, we can see the tree's strength.
In simple words: 'Anchoring earth' means the ground holding the tree. 'Pulled out-snapped out' uses repetition to stress that total removal is needed. The tree's strength is shown when its roots, its wet, white source, are taken out of the earth.

Exam Tip: When identifying figures of speech, explain *why* it is that figure. For repetition, note which word is repeated and what effect it creates (e.g., emphasis).

Question 4.
Then the matter
Of scorching and choking
In sun and air,
Browning, hardening,
Twisting, withering,
And then it is done.
Questions:
(1)When is the process narrated in this stanza take place?
(2) How does a tree die ? or How is a tree killed?
(3) Identify and explain the Figure of Speech in the lines :
Browning, hardening,
Twisting, withering.
Answer:
(1) The process described in this stanza occurs when a tree is slowly pulled out from the ground.
(2) After the tree is pulled from the earth, it no longer stands straight. It lies on the ground under the strong sun. The drying process takes many days. In the sun's scorching heat, it turns brown and hardens. As it dries, it gets twisted and finally withers away.
(3) The Figure of Speech in the lines: 'Browning, hardening, Twisting, withering' is climax. Here, the whole drying process happens in this increasing order of intensity, making it a climax.
In simple words: This process happens after the tree is pulled from the earth. The tree dies by being scorched and choked in the sun and air, turning brown, hard, twisted, and withered. The words "Browning, hardening, Twisting, withering" show a climax, as they describe the drying process in an ascending order of effect.

Exam Tip: A climax often involves a series of words or phrases that gradually increase in intensity, leading to a strong final effect. Always explain the sequence to justify your answer.

Figures Of Speech

Choose The Most Appropriate Figures Of Speech In The Following Lines :

Question 1. .......'it has grown slowly consuming the earth'.
(a) Metaphor
(b) Personification
(c) Metonymy
(d) Synecdoche
Answer: (b) Personification
In simple words: The tree is given human qualities of "consuming" and "feeding," which means it is personified.

Exam Tip: Personification is attributing human characteristics or actions to inanimate objects or abstract ideas. Look for verbs typically associated with human or animal behavior.

Question 2. 'And out of its leprous hide'.
(a) Alliteration
(b) Synecdoche
(c) Metaphor
(d) Apostrophe
Answer: (c) Metaphor
In simple words: "Leprous hide" compares the rough, discolored bark of the tree to the skin of a person with leprosy without using "like" or "as."

Exam Tip: A metaphor directly equates two unlike things for comparison, whereas a simile uses "like" or "as." Identify the two things being compared for clarity.

Question 3. 'Not so much pain will do it.
(a) Metaphor
(b) Litotes
(c) Alliteration
(d) Simile
Answer: (b) Litotes
In simple words: Litotes is a way of saying something strongly by using a negative statement, meaning the pain is not enough to kill the tree.

Exam Tip: Litotes is a figure of speech that uses understatement, often with a negative to express an affirmative. For instance, "not bad" actually means "good."

Question 4. 'The bleeding bark will heal'.
(a) Personification
(b) Alliteration
(c) Apostrophe
(d) Both 'A' and 'B'
Answer: (d) Both 'A' and 'B'
In simple words: The bark is personified as "bleeding" and "healing" like a human, and "bleeding bark" also shows alliteration with the repeated 'b' sound.

Exam Tip: When evaluating multiple options for a figure of speech, check if more than one is applicable. In this case, "bleeding" and "heal" suggest personification, while the repeated 'b' sound points to alliteration.

Question 5. 'And pulled out-snapped out'.
(a) Repetition
(b) Alliteration
(c) Tautology
(d) Metaphor
Answer: (a) Repetition
In simple words: The word "out" is repeated, emphasizing the forceful and complete removal of the tree.

Exam Tip: Repetition is the simplest figure of speech to identify; look for words or phrases repeated for emphasis or rhythm within a short sequence.

Question 6. 'Out of the earth cave.
(a) Metaphor
(b) Exaggeration
(c) Metonymy
(d) Personification
Answer: (a) Metaphor
In simple words: The phrase "earth cave" compares the ground where the roots are hidden to a cave without using "like" or "as."

Exam Tip: Metaphors create vivid imagery by equating one thing to another, enriching the descriptive power of the text.

Question 7. 'The source, white and wet'.
(a) Repetition
(b) Alliteration
(c) Metaphor
(d) Apostrophe
Answer: (b) Alliteration
In simple words: The repetition of the 'w' sound in "white and wet" is an example of alliteration.

Exam Tip: Alliteration involves the repetition of initial consonant sounds in words that are close to each other. It adds musicality to the lines.

Question 8.
(1) 'Then the matter of scorching and choking...
(2) ‘Browning, hardening, Twisting, withering’...
(a) Tautology
(b) Internal Rhyme
(c) Repetition
(d) Both 'A' and 'B'
Answer: (d) Both 'A' and 'B'
In simple words: The lines show Tautology by using words that mean similar things ("scorching and choking", "browning, hardening") and also contain internal rhyme within the phrases.

Exam Tip: Tautology is the repetition of the same meaning in different words, while internal rhyme occurs when rhyming words appear within the same line of poetry.

Answer The Following Questions In Five To Six Sentences Each:

Question 1. Critically analyse the poem 'On Killing a Tree.
Answer: The poem itself is designed like a plant growing from a seed. The first line says, "It takes much time to kill a tree." Then, the process of the tree's growth is explained. It is assumed that the tree has grown from its seed, which develops the root. The root works its way through the rocks and stones of the soil. The tree grows slowly by feeding on the earth's surface, taking in sunlight, air, and water for years. The poem suggests a struggle during the tree's growth. The tree's ability to survive, despite attempts to destroy it, is shown by the line, "And from close to the ground".
In simple words: The poem "On Killing a Tree" is structured like a growing plant. It shows how difficult it is to kill a tree, describing its slow growth from a seed, its roots finding strength in the soil, and how it survives by absorbing natural elements, highlighting its strong will to live.

Exam Tip: For a critical analysis, focus on the poet's techniques (like structure and imagery) and the central message (the tree's resilience and the critique of human actions).

Question 2. Write the substance of the poem 'On Killing a Tree.
Answer: The poet Gieve Patel presents a lovely ironic poem called 'On Killing a Tree'. He begins the poem with an ironic statement—that it takes a lot of time and effort to kill a tree. Then he explains how a tree grows—it slowly develops and rises from the earth by taking in years of sunlight, air, and water. So, it is not easy to kill a tree with a single knife stroke. The tree has deep roots that draw its sap from the earth. It produces small twigs and miniature branches. We hack and chop to kill a tree. Then he very skillfully describes how to kill a tree. But hacking and chopping cannot fully destroy it, as green twigs will surely emerge from the bleeding bark. The small branches will grow from close to the ground and return to their normal size. The tree's source is its roots, which are white and wet. Its hidden strength is that it stays deep inside the earth for years. It is firmly set in the ground. Thus, to kill a tree, it must be pulled out, scorched, and choked in the sun. After pulling it out, the roots are exposed to sunlight until they dry and turn brown. Then it stops breathing. It becomes hard, twisted, and brown.
In simple words: Gieve Patel's poem "On Killing a Tree" ironically shows how hard it is to destroy a tree. It grows slowly, nourished by earth, sun, and water, making it resilient. Simple cutting won't work, as it regrows from its strong roots. To truly kill it, the tree must be uprooted, exposing its wet, white roots to sunlight, which dries, hardens, and finally kills it.

Exam Tip: When summarizing, ensure you cover the main points of each stanza: the tree's resilience, the ineffective methods of killing, and the final, brutal process that truly kills it.

Question 3. "The bleeding bark will heal”. How ? will the bleeding bark heal?
Answer: In the poem 'On Killing a Tree', Gieve Patel says that a woodcutter might cut a tree with many blows. But this alone will not be able to kill a tree. The affected tree does not appear to show its pain because its bleeding bark will continuously heal itself. New green twigs will grow from the miniature boughs that are closely connected to the earth.
In simple words: The bleeding bark heals because the tree is very strong and resilient. Despite many cuts, the tree's vital force causes new growth and healing, allowing it to recover and sprout fresh twigs from its connection to the earth.

Exam Tip: Focus on the tree's regenerative power. The poem uses "bleeding bark" as personification, and its healing shows nature's ability to recover from damage.

Question 4. "It takes much time to kill a tree,?Not a simple jab of the knife. Will do it ...” s Why does it takes so much time to kill a !; tree?
Answer: It is not simple to kill a tree with just one stroke of a knife. The tree has deep roots, which give rise to tiny twigs and small branches. The root must be pulled out, and it must be scorched and choked in the sun and air. This process takes a lot of time and requires a significant amount of effort. Only then is the tree killed.
In simple words: Killing a tree takes a lot of time because it has deep roots that allow it to regrow even after being cut. It requires the complete uprooting and drying out of the tree in the sun and air, which is a lengthy and difficult process.

Exam Tip: The poem emphasizes the comprehensive and sustained effort needed to kill a tree, contrasting it with quick, superficial actions. Mention the roots and exposure to elements as key factors.

Question 5. Describe the growth of a tree in detail. OR How does a tree grow?
Answer: The poet, Gieve Patel, describes how a tree grows in the first stanza of his poem 'On Killing a Tree'. For him, the tree grows slowly by steadily using the earth. It takes in sunlight, air, and water from nature for years to create food with these nutrients. But a tree heals its injuries from hacking and chopping to produce small branches that grow back to full size. Thus, a tree grows slowly by taking in years of sunlight, air, and water.
In simple words: A tree grows slowly by feeding on the earth, absorbing sunlight, air, and water for many years to make food. Even after being cut, it heals its wounds and regrows branches, continually taking in natural elements to reach its full size.

Exam Tip: When describing growth, highlight the consistent, patient absorption of natural resources (sun, air, water, earth) over a long period, which makes the tree so resilient.

Question 6. Contrast 'bleeding bark' with 'green twigs'. What does 'blood' represent? What does 'green' show?
Answer: The poet has used words and phrases very skillfully. 'Bleeding bark' suggests damage or decay, while 'green twigs' suggest fresh life. 'Blood' represents the death or injury of the tree. 'Green' shows the beginning of life. 'Green' and 'blood' symbolize the shift from death to life and vice versa.
In simple words: 'Bleeding bark' signifies injury or death, while 'green twigs' represent new life. 'Blood' stands for the tree's suffering or demise, and 'green' symbolizes its renewal and growth. Together, they show the cycle of damage and recovery.

Exam Tip: This question asks for a contrast, so clearly define what each term represents and how they stand in opposition to each other, highlighting the cycle of life and death in the poem.

Question 7. Describe the process of uprooting a tree. OR How does the poet describe the uprooting of a tree?
Answer: Neither a simple knife jab nor hacking and chopping can kill a tree. Thus, the tree's root should be pulled from the ground. It would then be roped, tied, and pulled out—snapped out. So, it should be completely pulled out from the earth's covering. Then it should be exposed to sunlight. This, according to the poet, is the full process of uprooting a tree.
In simple words: Uprooting a tree means pulling its root entirely out of the earth. This process involves roping and tying the tree, then forcefully pulling it out from its anchoring soil. Finally, it must be exposed to the sun to completely destroy it.

Exam Tip: When describing a process, ensure you list the steps in a clear, logical order, as the poem meticulously details each stage of uprooting.

Question 8. Justify the title of the poem 'On Killing a Tree.
Answer: 'On Killing a Tree' by Gieve Patel discusses two things. First, it talks about the careful task of killing a tree. Then it tells us about the wrongness and sadness of such an act, about humans' systematic destruction of the environment. The poet highlights Nature's strength in the first two stanzas with images of a feeding tree and a healing tree. In the next two stanzas, he creates a sense of hunting in the detailed analysis of killing a tree. Thus, the poem, from its beginning to its end, explains in detail the process and results of killing a tree. Hence, the title is suitable and effectively conveys the poet's message.
In simple words: The title "On Killing a Tree" is justified because the poem precisely details the difficult process of destroying a tree and also critiques humanity's systematic harm to nature, highlighting the tree's resilience and the tragic impact of such actions.

Exam Tip: To justify a title, explain how it captures the poem's main theme, its irony, and the poet's purpose, referencing specific elements or sections of the poem.

On Killing A Tree Summary In English

On Killing A Tree Introduction:

Gieve Patel (Born 18 August 1940) is an Indian poet, playwright, and painter, as well as a practicing doctor based in Mumbai. Patel belongs to a group of writers who have dedicated themselves to the 'Green Movement,' which tries to protect the environment. His poems speak of deep concerns for nature and show man's cruelty to it. Patel's works include 'Poems,' 'How Do You Withstand,' 'Body,' and 'Mirrored Mirroring.' He has also written three plays called Princes, Savaska, and Mr Behram.
In simple words: Gieve Patel, an Indian poet, playwright, and painter from Mumbai, is part of the 'Green Movement' that works to protect nature. His poems often address environmental issues and human cruelty towards nature, with notable works including 'Poems' and several plays.

Exam Tip: When providing background on a poet, include their birthdate, profession, key affiliations (like movements), and significant works to give a comprehensive overview.

On Killing A Tree Summary:

It tells us that killing a tree is not simple; it takes a lot of time. A jab from a knife or an axe, or chopping off a branch, is not enough to bring a tree down. These jabs might cause pain to the tree, but the pain is not enough to kill it. A tree grows straight out of the earth, feeding itself on the nutrients found in the earth, along with years of sunlight, water, and air. And even though the bark looks uneven and scaly, leaves and branches sprout from it. The 'bleeding bark,' the part where it has been wounded or where a branch is chopped off, will heal with time. New green twigs will grow again; chopped branches will be replaced by new branches, which will grow into their former size. The poet explains how a tree could be killed.
In simple words: Killing a tree is a long and difficult task; simple cuts from a knife or axe are insufficient, as the tree's bark heals and new branches sprout. A tree grows by absorbing years of sunlight, water, and air from the earth, showing great resilience even if its bark appears rough.

Exam Tip: Summaries should capture the core message concisely. Here, emphasize the tree's resilience and the inadequacy of superficial attacks.

He says to kill a tree, its root must be pulled out. The root, which is the source of a tree's life, must be pulled out of its cave to seriously harm the tree. By 'earth cave', the poet means the deep point inside the earth where the root is attached. Once the center, the life source, the root is exposed, the tree becomes defenseless. The source is described as white and wet, probably referring to tree sap, which is a white liquid. The exposed life source, when left open to the sun and air, will be scorched due to the heat, and the air won't be able to reach the scorched places to relieve it of the heat. Slowly, it will begin to turn brown, with all its softness fading, leaving a hard, lifeless remains behind. With time, it will begin to wither, become dry, and bend out of shape, leaving a dead body where a tree once stood. In short, being exposed will make the root vulnerable to all kinds of weather, which will eventually weaken the tree and kill it.
In simple words: To kill a tree, its root, the life source, must be pulled from its 'earth cave' and exposed to sun and air. This exposure scorches the root, making it turn brown, hard, dry, and twisted, ultimately killing the tree as it becomes vulnerable to weather and loses its life-giving properties.

Exam Tip: When detailing the killing process, highlight the role of uprooting and the subsequent exposure to the elements, as these are the crucial steps described by the poet for permanent destruction.