ICSE Class 10 Daffodils Workbook Solutions and Answers

Comprehension Passages

Stanza 1

What does he plant who plants a tree?a
He plants a friend of sun and sky;b
He plants the flag of breezes free;
The shaft of beauty, towering high;
He plants a home to heaven anigh;
For song and mother-croon of bird
In hushed and happy twilight heard-
The treble of heaven's harmony-
These things he plants who plants a tree.
Read the lines given above and answer the questions that follow:

Question 1. Explain with reference to context.
Answer: These lines have been taken from the poem, ‘The Heart of a tree' by Henry Cuyler Bunnar. The poet comments on the advantages of planting a tree. The poem opens with a rhetorical question asking the reader what does the planting of a tree signify. The poet emphasises that when a tree is planted the sun and sky share their bounty like a friend with the earth. The tree which rises high helps in originating cool breezes, a home which is close to heaven for the birds to nest in and nurture their young ones. The music created by the humming of birds and breeze is like a heavenly song and the poet reiterates that these are all the things that are created when a tree is planted.
In simple words: The poet explains how planting a tree brings many benefits, such as creating a home for birds, providing cool breezes, and producing a harmonious sound, emphasizing its positive impact on nature and life.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining with reference to context, remember to name the poem and poet, then clearly summarize the main idea and key contributions of the lines to the overall theme.

Question 2. Why does the poet call the tree a friend of sun and sky?
Answer: The poet says that the tree is a friend of the sun and sky because it shares their benefits like a friend and helps to create cool breeze to lessen the heat of the sun and the glare of the sky.
In simple words: The tree is called a friend of the sun and sky because it uses their benefits, like sunlight, to grow and, in turn, helps by providing shade and cool air.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on how the tree interacts with its environment to describe its "friendship" with natural elements like the sun and sky.

Question 3. What is the shaft of beauty, towering high?
Answer: The small sapling grows into a tall and high arrow like tree which stands stately in beauty.
In simple words: The phrase refers to a tree growing tall and majestic, becoming a beautiful and grand structure.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify the metaphor or imagery used to describe the tree's physical appearance and its associated qualities.

Question 4. For whom is the home to heaven anigh?
Answer: In the tree that rises towards the sky the birds build their nests on the high branches which seem close to heaven.
In simple words: The "home to heaven anigh" is for birds that build their nests high up in the tree branches, making it seem like their home is close to the sky.

🎯 Exam Tip: Link descriptive phrases in the poem to the specific beneficiaries or elements they refer to, like birds in this case.

Question 5. What is meant by ‘the treble of heaven's harmony'?
Answer: The sound of the breeze rustling the leaves, the crooning of the bird to their young ones and the sound of the creatures in the twilight all mingle together and create music that seems like a combination of simultaneously sounded musical notes which produce a divine effect.
In simple words: This phrase refers to the beautiful, high-pitched musical sounds created by nature, like rustling leaves and birdsong, all blending together harmoniously as if from heaven.

🎯 Exam Tip: Break down poetic phrases into their literal components (sounds, instruments) and then explain the combined, symbolic meaning (divine harmony).

Question 6. What three things are created when a tree is planted according to the poet?
Answer: When one plants a tree the things created are a friend,beauty, and music.
In simple words: According to the poet, planting a tree creates friendship, beauty, and music.

🎯 Exam Tip: Extract key direct benefits mentioned in the poem when asked for specific outcomes of an action.

Question 7. Pick out some figures of speech.
Answer: The poet personifies a tree by calling it a friend, he uses euphemisms like home to heaven anigh, towering high and treble of heaven's harmony. He uses metaphors like hushed and happy twilight.
In simple words: The poem uses personification (tree as a friend), euphemisms (home to heaven anigh), and metaphors (hushed and happy twilight) to enrich its language.

🎯 Exam Tip: To identify figures of speech, look for non-literal language such as comparisons, human qualities given to objects, or softened expressions for harsh realities.

Question 8. Who is described as a 'friend of sun and sky' ?
Answer: A tree is described as a ‘friend of sun and sky'.
In simple words: The tree is described as a 'friend of sun and sky'.

🎯 Exam Tip: Directly quote the entity being described when the question asks for identification of a specific reference.

Question 9. Whom does a tree give shelter? How?
Answer: A tree gives shelter to birds by allowing them to build their nests.
In simple words: A tree provides shelter to birds by offering branches and leaves for building nests.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain both the recipient of the benefit and the mechanism through which the benefit is provided.

Question 10. Which literary device has been used in the line: ‘In hushed and happy twilight heard' ?
Answer: The literary device used here as alliteration.
In simple words: Alliteration is used in the line 'In hushed and happy twilight heard' due to the repetition of the 'h' sound.

🎯 Exam Tip: Alliteration is identified by the repetition of initial consonant sounds in words close to each other.

Question 11. Explain: The treble of heaven's harmony.'
Answer: The high tone ‘treble' of the song of the bird is symbolic of heaven's harmony. It provides an atmosphere of calm and peace.
In simple words: This phrase refers to the clear, high-pitched sounds of nature, like bird songs, which create a peaceful and divine atmosphere.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining a phrase, define key terms (like 'treble') and then elaborate on its symbolic meaning in the context of the poem.

Question 12. Towards the end of the poem the poet refers to the longing in the heart of the one who plants a tree. What is this longing?
Answer: This longing is for the growth of his country
In simple words: The longing in the heart of the tree planter is for the prosperity and growth of their country.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand the broader implications of planting a tree beyond immediate environmental benefits, often connecting to national or societal well-being in poetry.

Stanza 2

What does he plant who plants a tree?
He plants cool shade and tender rain,
And seed and bud of days to be,
And years that fade and flush again;
He plants the glory of the plain;
He plants the forest's heritage;
The harvest of a coming age;
The joy that unborn eyes shall see-
These things he plants who plants a tree.
Read the lines given above and answer the questions that follow:

Question 1. Explain with reference to context.
Answer: These lines have been taken from the poem, ‘The Heart of a tree' by Henry Cuyler Bunnar. In this second stanza the poet continues eulogising on the benefits of planting a tree. The poet says that by planting a tree one ensures that there is cool shade and no dry spell as trees make sure it rains. The planting of a tree leads to new life to replace the one which has withered. The tree leads to a legacy that is the forest of the future and it adds beauty to the plains. The tree when planted as a sapling will one day grow into a tall towering tree and become a joy for everyone. The poet talks about the cycle of life that is very evident in the growth of a tree, which germinates in soil, grows and flourishes, then dies, decays and returns to the soil to support new saplings.
In simple words: This stanza emphasizes the long-term benefits of planting a tree, including providing shade, encouraging rain, ensuring new life cycles, and creating a lasting legacy for future forests and generations.

🎯 Exam Tip: For contextual explanations, identify the poem's theme (here, benefits of tree planting) and describe how the stanza elaborates on or reinforces that theme.

Question 2. What is meant by the phrase 'days to be'?
Answer: This phrase is a reference to the future, the days which will follow.
In simple words: 'Days to be' simply means the future or the time yet to come.

🎯 Exam Tip: When defining a phrase, provide a clear and concise synonym or brief explanation of its meaning.

Question 3. Explain the line, “And years that fade and flush again."
Answer: Here the poet refers to the cycle of life which is never ending. Things bloom and then fade only to be born again to again bloom and fade or wither and die.
In simple words: This line describes the continuous cycle of life, where things flourish ('flush'), then decline ('fade'), only to be renewed again.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain poetic lines by breaking them into parts, defining the imagery, and connecting it to a broader theme like the cycle of life or nature.

Question 4. What is meant by the 'forest's heritage'?
Answer: The new sapling planted will grow into a big tree which will be part of a forest and thus the legacy of the forest will continue.
In simple words: 'Forest's heritage' refers to the continuation and expansion of a forest through new trees, ensuring its legacy for future generations.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the concept of 'legacy' or 'inheritance' in relation to nature when explaining terms like 'forest's heritage'.

Question 5. How is it the harvest of a coming age?
Answer: The future will see the tree in all its glory as a towering tree with a thick trunk which can be put to various uses by the future generations. The poet is here talking about transition from a tender youth to adulthood which is also a reference to the tree growing from a sapling into a tree.
In simple words: A tree is a "harvest of a coming age" because it grows over time to provide resources and benefits that future generations will enjoy and utilize.

🎯 Exam Tip: Connect the growth and utility of the tree to the concept of future benefits and resources, akin to a harvest.

Question 6. Who is being referred to as the unborn eyes?
Answer: The poet is referring to the future generations who are still unborn but will be born in the future and will find pleasure in the sight of the tree which would have grown big in height by that time.
In simple words: "Unborn eyes" refers to the future generations who are not yet alive but will benefit from and enjoy the trees planted today.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify and explain metaphorical references to people or groups, especially those pertaining to the future.

Question 7. List two phrases which refer to the future.
Answer: The phrases which denote future are- “days to be,' and 'a coming age.'
In simple words: Two phrases referring to the future are "days to be" and "a coming age."

🎯 Exam Tip: Directly extract the requested phrases from the text without additional explanation, ensuring accuracy.

Stanza 3

What does he plant who plants a tree?
He plants, in sap and leaf and wood,
In love of home and loyalty
And far-cast thought of civic good-
His blessings on the neighbourhood,
Who in the hollow of His hand
Holds all the growth of all our land-
A nation's growth from sea to sea
Stirs in his heart who plants a tree.
Read the lines given above and answer the questions that follow:

Question 1. Explain with reference to context.
Answer: These lines have been taken from the poem, ‘The Heart of a tree' by Henry Ciiyler Bunnar. In the final stanza the poet refers to It is the sapling as a thing that infuses life into the earth just like a heart. Whenever a heart is planted it will sprout into beaming life, and will create new life. Thus the person who plants a tree sees in it a symbol of growth, of regeneration and this shows his love for his family, for his society and nations. He who plants a tree believes in the growth of mankind, his neighbors, his nation. The man who plants a tree is likened to a man who plants a heart that pumps life. He thinks that planting a tree is like planting a new nation and it will bring peace and harmony to the Earth.
In simple words: This stanza highlights that planting a tree symbolizes growth, regeneration, and a deep love for one's family, community, and nation, connecting the act to broader civic good and peace.

🎯 Exam Tip: Emphasize the symbolic meaning of the tree in relation to civic duty and national well-being, as presented in this final stanza.

Question 2. What motivates the man to plant a tree according to the poet?
Answer: The poet believes that when a man plants a sapling he does so because he sees it as symbolic of growth and future life.
In simple words: The man is motivated to plant a tree because he sees it as a symbol of growth and the promise of future life.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the underlying symbolic reasons rather than just practical ones when asked about motivation in poetry.

Question 3. Does the man plant a tree because of his love of society and his nation?
Answer: Yes, the man believes that if he plants a tree he will be planting a new nation.
In simple words: Yes, the man plants a tree out of love for society and his nation, viewing it as an act that helps build a stronger future.

🎯 Exam Tip: Connect the act of tree planting to the wider social and national benefits emphasized in the poem.

Question 4. How is the man holding the blessing on his neighborhood in his hand?
Answer: The poet believes that the man who holds the sapling in his hand is actually in fact holding the growth of humanity in his hand because the tree is like a heart and will create new life on earth. The trunk is like a bridge; and the branches are a link to the cosmos. He will bring transformation and aid in the growth and prosperity of life on earth.
In simple words: By holding a sapling, the man figuratively holds the future growth and prosperity of his community and humanity, as the tree symbolizes life and connection.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain the symbolic connection between holding a sapling and holding the future blessings for the community, drawing from the poem's metaphors.

Question 5. What is meant by a nation's growth from sea to sea?
Answer: The poet believes that the tree is symbolic and will lead to prosperity and peace in the nation. It will be a transition to peace and growth.
In simple words: This phrase signifies the widespread prosperity and development of a nation across its entire geographical expanse, from one end to the other.

🎯 Exam Tip: Interpret phrases referring to geographical scope as representing comprehensive or nationwide impact, linking it to the overarching theme of national growth.

Question 6. What is the reference to in the phrase 'stirs in his heart'?
Answer: The poet says that the feelings that are awakened in the heart of the man who plants a tree are feelings that hope for growth and transformation.
In simple words: 'Stirs in his heart' refers to the deep emotions of hope, aspiration, and vision for growth and positive change that planting a tree awakens within a person.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain how emotions like hope and aspiration are evoked, connecting them to the symbolic act of planting.

Project

Question 1. What message is relevant to the present age in the poem?
Answer: Though the poem was written many years ago when there was little importance given to ecology and environment yet it is relevant today also because it tells us that trees are an integral and important part of our ecological and economic growth and environmental well-being. In our times forests are being decimated for building houses, roads and bridges. Trees seem to attract none of our concern. But in the poem the poet draws our attention to the advantages of planting trees. He rightly says that one who plants trees, plants many things: beauty, peace, shade, harmony and good values.
He says that one who plants a tree:
Who in the hollow of His hand
Holds all the growth of all our land-
A nation's growth from sea to sea Stirs in his heart who plants a tree.
In simple words: The poem's message about the crucial role of trees for ecological, economic, and environmental well-being remains highly relevant today, especially as forests face destruction, reminding us of the profound benefits like beauty, peace, and harmony that trees provide.

🎯 Exam Tip: To demonstrate relevance, connect the poem's themes to current global issues like environmental degradation and sustainable development.

Question 2. Give two examples of alliteration from the poem.
Answer: Examples are:
He plants a friend of sun and sky. (sound of 's')
In hushed and happy twilight heard (sound of 'h')
In simple words: Two examples of alliteration are "sun and sky" (repeating 's' sound) and "hushed and happy" (repeating 'h' sound).

🎯 Exam Tip: When providing examples of alliteration, clearly state the phrase and identify the repeated initial consonant sound.

Question 3. What does the tree symbolise in the poem?
Answer: The tree is used as a symbol of all the good in our lives. It symbolises peace and prosperity in our country and in the world. It teaches the vales of love and loyalty. It symbolises rich rewards for our future generations and represents a link of our present with the future. It stands a s a symbol of growth, prosperity and harmony.
In simple words: In the poem, the tree symbolizes universal good, including peace, prosperity, love, loyalty, growth, and the connection between present and future generations.

🎯 Exam Tip: List the various abstract concepts that the tree represents, showing a comprehensive understanding of its symbolic depth.

Question 4. Do you consider the title apt?
Answer: The title of the poem is very apt and suggestive. The tree is the main focus in the poem and the poet refers to the heart of the tree. What kind of heart is it- it is generous, loving and magnanimous. It shows no discrimination based on colour or creed. It blesses all alike- all who take care of it and even those who neglect it. Whenever a tree is planted it turns the earth into a heaven and the poet rightly says:
The shaft of beauty, towering high:
He plants a home to heaven anigh.
In simple words: Yes, the title is apt because the poem centers on the tree's profound importance, portraying it as a generous, life-giving "heart" that benefits all indiscriminately.

🎯 Exam Tip: To justify a title's aptness, connect it directly to the poem's central theme, main subject, and the extended metaphors used (e.g., "heart of a tree").

Question 5. Does the poet use the literary devices in the poem?
Answer: Yes the poet uses metaphors, alliteration and imagery in the poem. The poet describes the tree metaphorically:'a friend of sun and sky, ' ‘the flag of breezes free. '
He uses alliteration when he says: He plants a friend of sun and sky.
In hushed and happy twilight heard'
Visual Imagery is used in the poem: The shaft of beauty, towering high:, 'the flag of
breezes free. 'And auditory imagery is also used: ‘For song and mother-croon of bird.’
In simple words: Yes, the poet effectively uses literary devices like metaphors ("friend of sun and sky"), alliteration ("hushed and happy"), and both visual and auditory imagery to enrich the poem and make its descriptions more vivid.

🎯 Exam Tip: When identifying literary devices, name the device, provide a specific example from the text, and briefly explain how it functions in that example.

Question 6. Why does the poet use repletion in the poem?
Answer: Repetition is used to show how a person should feel after he/she plants a tree. The first line of the poem, "What does he plant who plants a tree?” is repeated three times, and is followed by, “These things he plants who plants a tree,” which is repeated twice, and on the last line it says, "A nation's growth from sea to sea (new line) Stirs in his heart who plants a tree.” All put together it tells you that this man thinks that planting a tree is like planting a new nation and it will bring peace and harmony to the Earth!
In simple words: The poet uses repetition to emphasize the profound and comprehensive impact of planting a tree, suggesting it's akin to nurturing a nation's growth and bringing peace and harmony to the world.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain that repetition in poetry often serves to emphasize a key idea, reinforce a message, or highlight the significance of an action or concept.

Extra Questions

Question 1. How has the poet described a tree earlier in the poem?
Answer: The poet earlier describes it as a friend of sun and sky.
In simple words: Earlier in the poem, the poet described the tree as a friend of the sun and sky.

🎯 Exam Tip: Refer back to the initial descriptions of the tree in the poem to answer questions about earlier portrayals.

Question 2. What social and ecological benefits of planting a tree does the poet refer to?
Answer: The person who plants a tree not only ensures cool shade and tender rain but he also sows the seeds and buds for lush forests for the future generations to benefit from. He sows the seeds of development of the nation and the world.
In simple words: The poet highlights social benefits like national development and world peace, alongside ecological benefits such as providing shade, rain, and future forests for generations.

🎯 Exam Tip: Categorize benefits into "social" (community, nation, world) and "ecological" (environment, nature) to provide a structured answer.

Question 3. In what sense is the tree ‘the harvest of a coming age'?
Answer: The future will see the tree in all its glory as a towering tree with a thick trunk which can be put to various uses by the future generations. The poet is here talking about transition from a tender youth to adulthood which is also a reference to the tree growing from a sapling into a tree.
In simple words: A tree is 'the harvest of a coming age' because it grows from a sapling into a mighty resource, providing valuable materials and benefits that future generations will reap and utilize.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain the metaphor by linking the tree's growth and utility over time to the idea of future rewards or resources.

Question 4. How does a tree planter do civic good?
Answer: The planting of a tree makes the atmosphere fresh and pollution free giving peace and comfort not only to the one who plants a tree but to all and sundry. It makes the atmosphere pollution free and more congenial for all our neighbours and other people too.
In simple words: A tree planter contributes to civic good by creating a cleaner, pollution-free, and more peaceful environment that benefits not just themselves but also their neighbors and the wider community.

🎯 Exam Tip: Emphasize the community-wide and environmental benefits that extend beyond the individual planter to illustrate civic good.

Question 5. Who holds 'all the growth of our land'? Which land has the poet in mind?
Answer: The poet might be referring to America but he is also talking with reference to the entire earth as our land or the land of all mankind.
In simple words: The person who plants a tree metaphorically holds 'all the growth of our land,' referring to the potential for development across the entire Earth, or the land of all humanity.

🎯 Exam Tip: Consider both specific and universal interpretations when a poem refers to "our land," acknowledging the poet's context while recognizing broader themes.

Question 6. Do you agree with the poet that a nation's growth depends upon the wealth of trees? Why/why not?
Answer: The tree is like a heart and will create new life on earth. The trunk is like a bridge; and the
branches are a link to the cosmos. He will bring transformation and aid in the growth and prosperity
of life on earth. The tree is used as a symbol of all the good in our lives. It symbolises peace and
prosperity in our country and in the world. It teaches the vales of love and loyalty. It symbolises rich
rewards for our future generations and represents a link of our present with the future. It stands as
a symbol of growth, prosperity and harmony. A tree gives us seeds which sprout, and buds which
bloom in times to come. It is a forest heritage as one tree leads to a whole forest in the future and
a' harvest of a coming age or in other words a reward and legacy for the future in the form of wood
and a congenial environment. It is a link of the present to the future.
In simple words: Yes, a nation's growth can be seen to depend on the wealth of trees, as trees symbolize life, prosperity, environmental well-being, and a sustainable legacy that supports future generations, fostering peace and development.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked to agree or disagree, take a clear stance and support it with multiple points from the poem, linking trees to ecological, economic, and social well-being.

Question 7. In what way is the poet relevant to our times?
Answer: The poem is relevant today also because it tells us that trees are an integral and important part of
our ecological and economic growth and environmental well-being. In our times forests are being
decimated for building houses, roads, and bridges. Trees seem to attract none of our concern. But
in the poem the poet draws our attention to the advantages of planting trees. He rightly says that
one who plants trees, plants many things: beauty, peace, shade, harmony and good values. He
says that one who plants a tree: Who in the hollow of His hand
Holds all the growth of all our land-
A nation's growth from sea to sea
Stirs in his heart who plants a tree.
In simple words: The poet is relevant today by highlighting the critical importance of trees for ecological balance, economic progress, and overall well-being, contrasting with modern deforestation and reminding us of the lasting benefits of planting trees for beauty, peace, and good values.

🎯 Exam Tip: To establish contemporary relevance, contrast the poem's message with present-day environmental challenges and highlight how its advocacy for tree planting remains crucial.