CBSE Class 10 English HOTs The Trees

Extract-Based Questions

Q. 1. All night the roots work
to disengage themselves from the cracks
in the veranda floor.
The leaves strain toward the glass
small twigs stiff with exertion
long-cramped boughs shuffling under the roof
like newly discharged patients
half-dazed, moving
to the clinic doors.

Question. Choose the image that represents the main object of the extract literally.

(a) Option (i)
(b) Option (ii)
(c) Option (iii)
(d) Option (iv)
Answer : D

Question. Long-cramped and half-dazed are combination of two words joined together to form compound words.
Choose the option that DOES NOT correctly fit the definition of the same.
1. discharged 2. backstage
3. comeback 4. toward
5. knighthood
(a) 1, 3, 5
(b) 2, 3, 4
(c) 2, 3, 5
(d) 1, 2, 4

Answer : C

Question. Choose the correct option that mentions the correct poetic device against the correct example.

(a) Option (1)
(b) Option (2)
(c) Option (3)
(d) Option (4)
Answer : B

Question. Choose the option that lists the examples of exertion.
1. Neha had been up all-night keeping accounts and now she’s resting.
2. Swati was running for five miles non-stop last evening.
3. Hemant is watching his favourite show and having snacks.
4. Sachin helped a senior citizen board a flight in the morning.
(a) 1, 2
(b) 2, 3
(c) 3, 4
(d) 1, 4
Answer : A

Question. Choose the option listing the image that the poem metaphorically represents.

(a) Option (i)
(b) Option (ii)
(c) Option (iii)
(d) Option (iv)
Answer : D

Q. 2. I sit inside, doors open to the veranda
writing long letters
in which I scarcely mention the departure
of the forest from the house.
The night is fresh, the whole moon shines
in a sky still open…

Question. The poet talks about the house as
(a) a safe sanctuary from predators.
(b) a place of confinement.
(c) a representation of family.
(d) a concrete alternative to a natural on
Answer : B

Question. The poet uses the indefinite article for ‘sky’ instead of the definite one. This is so because the poet is referring to
(a) the ceiling of the verandah as ‘a sky’ versus the door kept open, being ‘the sky’.
(b) some part of the sky still left open for women to explore, away from limitations set by patriarchal norms.
(c) the opportunities symbolized by an open sky outside can be utilized by a single woman.
(d) The portion of the sky bathed in moonlight versus the part that is still dark.
Answer : B

Question. The extract uses ‘open’ twice, suggesting different meanings. Pick the option that lists the correct meanings, respectively.
(a) entry point-vastness
(b) sharing a common space-great view
(c) allowing access and vision-expanse of space
(d) advantage-obstacles ahead.
Answer : C

Question. Choose the option that DOES NOT state the meaning of the underlined word. ‘I scarcely mention…’
(a) tactfully
(b) hardly
(c) barely
(d) only just
Answer : A

Question. Choose the option that correctly depicts the imagery in the last two lines of the extract.

(a) Option (i)
(b) Option (ii)
(c) Option (iii)
(d) Option (iv)
Answer : C

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question. In the poem “The Trees”, the poet compares the trees to “newly discharged patients”. Highlight any two reasons for the same.
Answer : The comparison converges two different aspects: Physical aspect- the trees like woman feel like patients who are on the way to recovery and emotional aspect- the optimism of full recovery and excitement of leaving the confines.

Question. The process of “moving out” was tedious for the trees. Support the statement with reference to the poem.
Answer : Every part of the confined trees rise in revolt and struggle hard to free itself. The roots and leaves struggle to come out of the glass. Small twigs become hard due to over work and the ling cramped boughs are trying to break opera the roof. So ‘moving out’ is tedious for trees.

Question. The trees have been shown to have human qualities in the poem. Justify the statement with any two instances from the text.
Answer : Nature represented by trees and forest, is struggling like women to escape itself from the onslaughts of man to destroy it. The victorious march of the trees gives a message of hope that nature can’t be tamed or subdued by the arrogance of man.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question. Change never comes easy. Justify the quote in the context of the poem “The Trees”
Answer : Change never come easy. But when people come together for a good cause, we can accomplish great things. In the same way, each and every part of the tree rises against the slaughtering of men and wage a long and hard struggle to liberate themselves from the bondage of man. Ultimately they are victorious. They return to their original home where they should be.

Question. The forest undergoes tremendous transformation overnight. Discuss with reference to the poem “The Trees”
Answer : The roots of these trees are engaged into the cracks of the veranda floor. At night, these roots try to free themselves from the cracks. The leaves try to move towards the glass. Twigs become harden and the boughs try to expand under the roof.

Question. The poet uses trees as a symbol for women breaking patriarchal notions. Do you agree? Why/Why not?
Answer : Indeed, the poet uses trees as a symbol for women breaking patriarchal notions. In a male dominated society, women are in bondage. They are struggling to free themselves. Similarly, nature representing tree and forests, is struggling to escape itself form the onslaughts of men to destroy it.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question. Imagine you are a senior journalist covering this event of the trees moving. Pen down a 120 words’ submission for the weekly newspaper column titled-‘Change’
Include a brief account of your observation as well as your opinion.
You may begin like this:
CHANGE THIS WEEK
-Sr. correspondent, The U.S. Chronicle
It was a movement to behold! The trees…(continue)
Answer : Change This Week
Sr. Correspondent, The U.S. Chronicle
It was a movement to behold! The trees along with their leaves, twigs, bought and roots were struggling hard to free themselves. It was a historical movement. Everyone around was perhaps shocked and embarrassed by the sudden and unexpected happenings. It appeared as if every part of the confined trees rose in revolt and struggled hard to free itself. The roots and leaves strived to break free. Small twigs become hard due to overwork.
Long cramped boughs were trying to break open the roof and come out. The confined trees put in artificial glass houses wanted to be free. They are shuffling hard to come out in the open. They are suffocated with the limited space available. Humans must understand the negative impact of their actions on nature and mend their ways before it is too late. Man is doing more and more harm to nature. Nature is getting angry. Man’s existence on this planet is in danger. Thus, it become foremost duty of every citizen to work for the protection of the environment.

Question. Imagine yourself to be the tallest oak among the trees. Write a speech motivating the other trees to work hard in order to move out of the veranda into the forest.
You may use the clue given below-
The Importance of Working Together
Dear fellow trees, I see how charged up you all are to move away from the confines of…(continue)
Answer : The Importance of Working Together
Dear fellow trees,
I see how charged up you all are to move away from the confines of these artificial glass walls to the forest our natural habitat. See outside the night is fresh. The full moon is shining in the open sky. You can feel the mild wind blowing as if getting ready to welcome our victorious arrival.
Come on friends, do not forget that freedom is essential for all. We wanted this freedom since a long time. Now that time has come so put in your maximum efforts and come out in the open. We together will break open all the natural barriers to contain and subdue nature created by man. We have been deprived of our homes so strive to free yourselves from the clutches of man. Your toil won’t go in vain. By morning, we will be marching victoriously to the forest. And the forest will be full of trees by morning.

Question. The poem ‘Trees’ appears to be about trees, environment, deforestation and afforestation. On a deeper level we discover that Adrienne Rich is expressing her concerned about women and their emancipation. Elaborate with reference to the poem.
Answer : In her poem ‘The Tree’ poetess Adrienne Rich subtly drives home the message about the importance of tree.
Without trees, the birds would have no place to sit, insects will have no place to hide and the sun would not bury its feet in shadow. The trees do not look attractive indoors. The poetess hereby emphasizes that trees need to be kept alive, but should not be ‘imprisoned’ inside the house as they look more beautiful and tend to thrive outdoors that is where trees belong.
On the deeper level, we discover that Adrienne Rich her concern about women and their emancipation. The liberation of the crushed women is based on the same theme. In a male-dominated society, women are struggling to come out of the clutches of men to gain freedom. The victorious march of the trees gives a message of hope that mature can’t be tamed or subdued by the onslaughts and arrogance of man.