Maharashtra Board Class 11 English Chapter 2.1 Cherry Tree Solutions

Class 11 English Chapter 2.1 Cherry Tree Question Answer Maharashtra Board

11th Std English Chapter 2.1 Brainstorming Question Answer

Yuvakbharati English Navneet 11th Digest PDF Free Download Maharashtra Board

Question 1. Trees are revered because -
Answer:
1. They give us joy.
2. They look beautiful with their lush green leaves that soothe our eyes.
3. They clear the air by providing oxygen for us to survive and by taking away carbon dioxide to prevent pollution.
4. They provide us food and many useful things.
5. They provide habitat and food for birds and insects.
In simple words: Trees are valued because they offer joy, aesthetic beauty, clean air, food, and shelter for wildlife, all of which are essential for human and ecological well-being.

🎯 Exam Tip: When listing benefits, aim for a comprehensive range (aesthetic, environmental, ecological) to show a full understanding.

Question 2. Column 'A' shows your involvement in growing a tree, as well as the stages in the life of a tree. Column 'B' shows the feelings you experience at all the stages. Match them appropriately.
Answer:

🎯 Exam Tip: For matching questions, carefully read both columns to identify keywords and implied meanings, ensuring each pair creates a logical connection. Present the answer clearly, usually in a table format or as direct pairings.

(A1)

Question (i) Find proofs from the poem for the following:

Question (a) The poet has mentioned different seasons.
Answer:
(a) "And suddenly that summer..."
(b) "Next spring".
In simple words: The poet's mention of "summer" and "next spring" directly indicates the passing of different seasons within the poem.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked for proofs, always quote specific lines or phrases from the text verbatim to support your answer effectively.

Question (b) The poet's minute observations of the steady growth of the cherry tree.
Answer:
(a) "I found a tree had come to stay.
It was very small, five months child,
Lost in the tall grass running wild."

(b) "Next spring I watched three new shoots grow.
The young tree struggle, upward thrust.
Its arms in a fresh fierce lust For light and air and sun".

(c) "I could only wait, as one
Who watched, wandering, while Time and the rain
Made a miracle from green growing pain...."

🎯 Exam Tip: To demonstrate minute observations, select quotes that highlight specific stages, challenges, and the poet's sustained engagement with the subject's growth.

Question (c) The colour imagery in the poem.
Answer:
(a) 'Green' colour used in the poem quite often and it represents 'life'.
(b) 'Pink' colour used to show the tenderness, fragility of the berries.
(c) 'Blue' colour used for the sky as it represents the clear sky which the poet could see through the gap of the leaves of the cherry tree.
In simple words: The poem uses 'green' to symbolize life, 'pink' for the delicate berries, and 'blue' for the sky visible through the leaves, all contributing to vivid natural imagery.

🎯 Exam Tip: When analyzing imagery, identify the colours used and explain their symbolic meaning or the specific visual they evoke in the context of the poem.

Question (d) The struggle of the cherry tree for survival.
Answer:
(a) "It was very small, five months child,
Lost in the small grass, running wild”.

(b) "But cherries have a way of growing,
Though no one's caring very much or knowing".

(c) "Goats ate the leaves, the grass cutter scyth0e
Split it apart and a monsoon blight
Shrivelled the slender stem...Even so,"
All these dangers were handled by the plant boldly since it had the urge to live.

(d) "The young tree struggle, upward thrust
Its arms in a fresh fierce lust
For light and air and sun"
The young tree refused to accept defeat and continued its struggle for survival in order to get the basic necessities of light, air and sun needed for its growth.
In simple words: The cherry tree's struggle is depicted through its small size, lack of care, attacks from goats and grass cutters, and its determined upward thrust for essential light and air.

🎯 Exam Tip: To illustrate struggle, combine direct quotes about the tree's vulnerability and challenges with descriptions of its inherent will to survive against odds.

Question (ii) State whether the following statements are True or False. Correct the false statements by finding evidence from the poem to support your remark.

Question (a) The cherry tree did not take long to grow.
Answer:
False. The cherry tree took eight years to grow into a six-feet high full-grown, fruit-bearing tree.
In simple words: The statement is false because the poem explicitly mentions the tree took eight years to fully mature.

🎯 Exam Tip: For true/false questions, provide a clear 'True' or 'False' first, and for false statements, always include the correct information or reason to justify your answer.

Question (b) Birds and insects were benefited from the tree.
Answer:
True
In simple words: The statement is true as the poem describes birds and insects finding shelter and food in the matured cherry tree.

🎯 Exam Tip: Simple true statements often require minimal explanation, but ensure your internal understanding of the text confirms the accuracy.

Question (c) The poet was exalted at the sight of the cherry tree.
Answer:
True
In simple words: The poet's descriptions of joy and pride upon seeing the grown tree confirm his exaltation.

🎯 Exam Tip: Look for words or phrases in the poem that convey strong positive emotions to confirm whether the poet was exalted or felt a similar strong feeling.

Question (d) The poem has an underlying message about the importance of trees.
Answer:
False. The underlying message in this poem is not about the importance of trees. It mainly stresses on the struggle against adversities of life and how dedication and desire to survive can help any living object to come out of it.
In simple words: This statement is false; the poem's core message focuses more on resilience, the struggle for survival against odds, and dedication rather than just the general importance of trees.

🎯 Exam Tip: When identifying underlying messages, distinguish between explicit themes and deeper symbolic interpretations; the poem uses the tree's growth as an allegory for life's challenges.

Question (e) The poet repents planting the cherry tree.
Answer:
False. The poet actually enjoys watching the magnificent cherry tree and takes pride in being the owner who has decided to sow the seed of this cherry tree.
In simple words: The statement is false; the poet clearly expresses joy and pride in the cherry tree's growth, showing no regret for planting it.

🎯 Exam Tip: Assess the poet's tone and explicit feelings throughout the poem to determine their true sentiment towards the cherry tree and its creation.

3. Discuss the reasons/consequences/effects.

Question (a) The life of the cherry tree was threatened.
Answer:
The cherry tree was so small initially that it was lost among the tall, wild grasses all around it. The threats in its life were the goats who ate its leaves, the grass cutter's scythe that could split it apart and its tender stem had to fight the heavy monsoon. Moreover, no special attention or care was provided for it. But it was a fighter who could face all these threats boldly
In simple words: The cherry tree faced multiple threats including being tiny and lost in tall grass, eaten by goats, damaged by a scythe, and enduring harsh monsoons without human care, yet it fought bravely.

🎯 Exam Tip: When discussing threats, ensure you list all the mentioned dangers and explain how each posed a risk to the tree's survival to demonstrate a complete understanding.

Question (b) The cherry blossomed.
Answer:
In spite of not getting any special care, the cherry tree, just by its urge to survive, could raise its head, fought all the odds in its life, came out successfully to nurture itself with the basic necessities for its growth, the light, the rain and sun. With the passage of time, its hard work bore fruits and it became a six-feet high full-grown tree which happily blossomed with fruits.
In simple words: Despite neglect and challenges, the cherry tree, driven by an innate will to survive, sought out light, rain, and sun, eventually growing into a six-feet tall, fruit-bearing tree and blossoming.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight the tree's self-sufficiency and perseverance as key factors that led to its blossoming, connecting its internal drive to the positive outcome.

Question (iii) A small thought, put in action, led to a great achievement. Pick out the lines from the beginning and end of the poem and explain their significance.
Answer:
(i) "Must have a tree of my own" I said.
The poet just wanted to be the sole owner of a tree and just with this simple thought in his mind he sowed the cherry seed. It is just a passing idea of his mind which he easily forgot. But the cherry seed had the potential to grow in spite of not having proper care and lots of threats on its onward journey in life. It was a winner all the way to grow into a magnificent fruit-bearing tree as it was dedicated to fight the odds.

(ii) The lines at the end of the poem, "Yes, I! – praised Night and Stars and trees. That small, the cherry, grown by me" express the pride of the poet who takes the credit for creating such a beautiful life. He has, no hesitation to accept that the cherry tree has struggled hard to come to this stage. But, at the same time, he is excited that the process has been started by him and the result is unbelievable.
In simple words: The initial thought "Must have a tree of my own" led to planting a forgotten seed, which, against all odds, grew into a magnificent tree, culminating in the poet's proud exclamation "Yes, I! – praised Night and Stars and trees. That small, the cherry, grown by me," highlighting the unexpected and fulfilling achievement.

🎯 Exam Tip: When analyzing "beginning and end" lines, connect the initial motivation to the final outcome, emphasizing the journey, challenges, and the poet's evolving emotional connection to the tree.

(A3)

Question (i) The cherry tree has inspired the poet to compose the poem. Such poems, describing Nature or aspects of Nature are called 'Nature poems'. Find out some expressions from the poem that bring out the elements of beauty of Nature.
Answer:
1. "I could scarcely believe it - a berry,
Ripened and jeweled in the sun..."
2. "....... there were blossoms small
Pink, fragile, quick to fall..."
3. "Looking up through leaves... each bloom”.
4. "...the sun sank...crickets..."
In simple words: Expressions like "jeweled in the sun" berries, "pink, fragile" blossoms, "leaves... each bloom," and "the sun sank...crickets" all beautifully capture various elements of nature's charm within the poem.

🎯 Exam Tip: When identifying elements of natural beauty, select phrases that appeal to different senses (sight, sound, touch) and depict specific, vivid natural imagery from the poem.

Question (ii) Find out an example of climax from the extract and explain it.
Answer:
"Pink, fragile, quick to fall"
They move from healthy to delicate
This figure of speech is called Climax where successive words, phrases, sentences are arranged in ascending order of importance. Here, the cherry blossom turns pink, ripens and is ready to be picked.
In simple words: The phrase "Pink, fragile, quick to fall" is an example of climax because it arranges the characteristics of the cherry blossom in an increasing order of intensity, moving from colour to its delicate nature and then to its imminent fall.

🎯 Exam Tip: To identify climax, look for a sequence of words or ideas that build in intensity or significance, leading to a peak emotional or descriptive point.

Question (a) Alliteration:
Answer:
1. "Shrivelled the slender stem..." sound of 's' is repeated.
2. "Its arms in a fresh fierce lust..." sound of 'f is repeated.
3. "Made a miracle from green growing pain..." sounds of'm' and 'g' are repeated.
4. "... at the finches as they flew/And flitted through..." sound of'f is repeated.
5. "the sun sank/swiftly..." Sound of 's' is repeated.
6. "who watched, wondering, while time..." sound of'w' is repeated.
In simple words: Alliteration is demonstrated through the repetition of initial consonant sounds, such as 's' in "Shrivelled the slender stem" and 'f' in "fresh fierce lust," creating a musical effect.

🎯 Exam Tip: When identifying alliteration, pinpoint the repeated consonant sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words and clearly state the sound and the words.

Question (b) Antithesis:
Answer:
1. ".... but cherries have a way of growing,
Though no one's caring very much or knowing".
Two opposite ideas of the steady growth of the tree in spite of not having much care and even knowledge of its presence, are placed side by side.

2. "Came back thinner, rather poor,
But richer by a cherry tree at my door".
Two opposite ideas of having poor condition of health but feeling rich at the sight of the cherry tree, are placed side by side.
In simple words: Antithesis is used to contrast opposing ideas, like the tree growing despite "no one's caring" and the poet feeling "thinner, rather poor, But richer by a cherry tree," highlighting the juxtaposition of physical state and emotional wealth.

🎯 Exam Tip: To explain antithesis, identify two contrasting ideas presented in close proximity and articulate how their opposition creates emphasis or a deeper meaning.

Question (c) Personification:
Answer:
1. "A tree had come to stay"
The tree has been personified by giving it the human quality of coming to stay.
2. "The grass cutter scythe split it apart"
The grass cutter scythe is personified.
3. "a monsoon blight shrivelled..."
Monsoon is personified.
4. "The young tree struggle"
The young tree is personified by giving it the human quality of struggling.
5. "the sleepiest breeze”
The breeze is personified.
6. "singing crickets"
Crickets are personified.
7. "The young tree ... thrust/its arms in a fresh fierce lust"
The young tree is personified as it expresses its 'lust' like a human being.
In simple words: Personification is used to give human qualities to non-human entities, such as the tree "had come to stay," the scythe "split it apart," the monsoon "shrivelled," the tree "struggle," the "sleepiest breeze," "singing crickets," and the tree's "fresh fierce lust," making these elements more relatable and dynamic.

🎯 Exam Tip: When identifying personification, look for verbs or adjectives that typically describe human actions or emotions being applied to inanimate objects or animals.

(A5)

Question (i) Cherry tree is a narrative poem. Features that make it a narrative poem are given below. Justify them with proper examples.
• The poem has a beginning, a middle and an end.
• Different places are mentioned.
• Characters are referred to.
• Incidents are arranged in sequence.
• There is a dialogue between the poet and the reader or the characters of the poem.
• It is a time-bound poem.
Answer:
'Cherry Tree', a narrative poem which tells the story of the birth and growth of a cherry tree by the poet, Ruskin Bond. He carefully divides the poem in three distinct division of a proper beginning, a middle and an end as we usually find in a story.
The story begins with the planting of a seed of a cherry which the poet, a young boy sows in order to have a tree of his own. He forgets to take care of the planted seed but the plant, with the help of nature and rain has a natural growth. On its journey to its growth, it faces many odds in life, but by sheer will-power survives all adversities. Meanwhile, the poet has to go to Kashmir. When he comes back he is surprised to see a full-six-feet high fruit-bearing tree at his door. The poet is ecstatic in this middle part of the story.
At the end of the story, the poet spends time in company of his cherry tree from dawn to dusk, enjoying the sights and sounds, birds and insects, the bright sun and the twinkling stars. He concludes the poem expressing his pride for being the creator of such an atmosphere because of his own cherry tree.
The poem shifts to different places at different times as it begins in the poet's garden where the cherry tree has been sowed, tells the readers about the poet's visit to Kashmir, comes back to see the cherry tree at his door and finally ends at his garden where the cherry tree stands tall.
The cherry tree is the protagonist, that is, the main character of the story which narrates the different phases of the life of the tree in a span of eight years. The poet, the owner of the cherry tree also represents a character of the story since he is the one who is involved in the life of the tree. Sometimes actively and sometimes by narrating the happening in its life. Apart from these two main characters, there are some small characters like the goats, the grass cutter, the birds and insects who also play small but significant roles in the story.
There is definitely a continuity in the presentation of the story in a sequence. From the planting of the cherry seed in the poet's garden, its life as a baby with tall grasses hiding it, its struggle for survival without having much care, its aggressive growth to get light, air and sun and finally becoming a six-feet high fruit-bearing tree.
There is no direct conversation among the poet, the readers and the other characters in the poem but the presentation of the happenings in the story makes it appear as if the cherry tree is expressing its desires and determinations to the poet. In the beginning of the poem also the poet tells his readers the reason for his sowing the cherry seed and that is given in direct speech as if he is talking to his readers.
It is a time-bound poem since the sowed cherry seed grows into a full-grown tree in a span of eight years. The poet also intermittently, keeps on mentioning about the change of season during the growth of the tree, his stay in Kashmir for one season and finally after his return his feeling of happiness or seeing the fruit-bearing six feet high tree.
In simple words: "Cherry Tree" is a narrative poem because it tells a clear story with a beginning (planting the seed), middle (tree's struggle and growth, poet's trip to Kashmir), and end (poet's pride and enjoyment of the mature tree). It features characters (poet, tree, goats, birds), sequences of events, shifts in location, and spans eight years, all characteristic of a narrative.

🎯 Exam Tip: To justify a poem as narrative, systematically address each feature (beginning-middle-end, characters, setting, plot sequence, time frame) and provide brief textual examples or explanations for each point.

Question (ii) Compose 8 to 10 lines. Narrate any incident in your life without using any rhyming pattern.
Answer:
Speaking Tree
"Look at me. Don't like to see me? Green and soothing to the eye?"
Somebody called me as I was walking away.
I stopped, looked around, curious to know the speaker,
Herd the voice again, this time with more emotions.
"Have mercy on us, don't kill us day in and day out",
Save trees, save environment - everyone's demand, I suppose,
But who listens? sky scrappers mushroom, higher and higher,
All are happy, no need to think about our fall.
Yet we love you, want to care and serve,
One earth, one planet, with you let's share.
In simple words: This free-verse poem describes an imagined encounter where a "Speaking Tree" calls out to the narrator, expressing sorrow over deforestation and appealing for compassion and environmental protection amidst increasing urbanisation.

🎯 Exam Tip: For creative writing tasks, focus on conveying a clear message or emotion through vivid imagery and consistent tone, even without a rhyming pattern.

Question (iii) Write an appreciation of the poem.
Answer:
The poem 'Cherry Tree' is about the poet Ruskin Bond's excitement over a cherry tree whose seed he planted eight years ago and the steady growth of the plant to a big tree, bearing tender cherries. The existence of the tree is so important for the poet that he has not thought of any other title but the simple 'Cherry Tree' to make the tree appear all important.
The poet planted the seed of the cherry just because he wanted to own a plant. The plant grew on its own without much care from anybody except nature and rain, learnt to fight against all odds and was finally successful in bearing tender berries. The poet, after spending a season in Kashmir, came back to get the surprise of a six feet high cherry tree at his door. He felt so attached to the tree that he started spending long hours, from dawn to dusk, in the company of his cherry tree, watching the flora and fauna around it and taking pride for being responsible for the existence of the tree.
The poet used simple language to narrate the birth and growth of his cherry tree. The process is known to all but the narration made it an interesting story. The figures of speech used are all common ones and easy to understand. The beauty of the nature can be enjoyed and appreciated by one and all because of the informal language.
The poet has stuck to the topic of the cherry tree right from the beginning to the end of the poem. Ruskin Bond basically writes for the children and he has not done anything where a child's attention can be diverted from the cherry tree. The child can easily identify with the feelings and joys of the poem and this gives the poem its exclusivity.
But the poem also has a food for thought, a deeper meaning of struggle for survival, qualities needed to fight back and be a winner, dedication, growth and pride. The cherry's fight starts at a very young age when it appears difficult because of it small size. But, as it grows up it learns, through experience, to be stronger.
The similar situation happens in human life also. The learning process continues at every young stage of life and makes a person capable of handling the adversities as tactfully as possible. The poet is proud that he has planted the cherry seed which now gives him so much of satisfaction as the parents of an individual feels seeing the success of their child.
It gives me immense pleasure to read and understand the beauty of the poem, The clarity in the language and the lucidity of presentation help me enjoy each and every stage of the growth of the cherry tree. I am able to connect with its struggle and feel related when it wins the race of life.
In simple words: "Cherry Tree" is an appreciation of Ruskin Bond's pride and joy in a cherry tree he planted, detailing its eight-year journey of self-sufficient growth despite neglect. The poem uses simple language and figures of speech to narrate the tree's survival, offering a deeper message about resilience and the satisfaction of witnessing life's triumphs against adversity.

🎯 Exam Tip: A comprehensive appreciation should cover the poem's theme, structure, language, poetic devices, and your personal interpretation, linking these elements to the overall message and impact.

Question (iv) Write a summary of the poem using the following points.
• Title
Introductory paragraph (about the poem, type, Nature, tone)
• Main body (central idea, gist of the poem)
Conclusion (opinion, views, appeal)
Answer:
Refer Synopsis
In simple words: The prompt requests a summary of the poem, with instructions to refer to a synopsis, indicating that the full summary is not provided here.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked to summarize using specific points, ensure each point is addressed concisely and accurately, focusing on the core ideas and progression of the poem.

(A6)

Question (i) Write the poem 'Cherry Tree' in the form of a story.
Answer:
Refer Towards Appreciation (1) question (paragraph 1, 2, 3).
In simple words: To present 'Cherry Tree' as a story, one should retell the events sequentially, from the poet's initial act of planting the seed, through the tree's struggles and growth over eight years, to the poet's eventual return and joy in its maturity, as detailed in the appreciation paragraphs.

🎯 Exam Tip: When converting a poem to a story, focus on narrative elements like plot, characters, setting, and chronological events, while retaining the essence of the poem's message.

Question (ii) Write in 100 words what the cherry tree in the poem symbolises.
Answer:
The cherry tree symbolises struggle, patience, devotion, growth and responsibility. Just like an individual who faces problems in life, is able to come out of it if he is ready to face it bravely, the cherry tree resists all hazards in its life to grow into a beautiful six feet high fruit-bearing tree. The poet only helped the tree to grow by planting the seed but it was defenseless after that. However, with growth, stability has come into its life. The poet may be suggesting that it can also happen in human life. So, like a parent he feels responsible for its growth.
In simple words: The cherry tree symbolises resilience, patience, and the triumph of life over adversity, reflecting the human spirit's ability to overcome challenges and flourish. It also embodies the responsibility and pride felt by a nurturer witnessing growth from a small beginning.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining symbolism, clearly state what the object represents and then elaborate on how specific events or descriptions in the text support that interpretation, linking it to broader life lessons.

Question (iii) You have studied the lesson 'The Call of the Soil' from prose 1.3. Compare 'Cherry Tree' with 'The Call of the Soil' and find out the element of joy of nurturing for the author and the poet.
Answer:
The author of "The Call of the Soil” Mr. Venkateshwaran Iyer, was unsuccessfully searching for the aromatic rice Kasbai for months and suddenly the old lady from a remote village gave him the good news of of having the rice. This revelation from the old lady was indeed very exciting for him. Ever since, he had heard about the rice, he had cherished the dream of growing it and now he could see the possibility of his dream to be fulfilled.
The poet Raskin Bond told the readers the story of his cherry tree whose seed he had planted but forgot to take care of it. After a gap of eight years, when he saw the full-grown tree with fruits on it, his joy, like Mr. Iyer knew no bound. The similarity in both the stories in the element of fulfillment of desire.
In simple words: Both "Cherry Tree" and "The Call of the Soil" illustrate the profound joy of nurturing, stemming from the fulfillment of a cherished desire – for Ruskin Bond, it was seeing his cherry tree thrive after years, and for Mr. Iyer, it was the potential to cultivate the rare Kasbai rice after a long search.

🎯 Exam Tip: For comparative questions, clearly state the common element (joy of nurturing), then discuss how each text exemplifies this, providing specific details or parallels from both stories.

(A7)

Project:

Question 1. Visit the library and collect at least five poems of any Nature poet. Write the poems along their summary.
Answer: [No answer provided in the text; this is a research-based project.]
In simple words: This question is a project-based task requiring students to research and compile five nature poems from a library, along with their summaries.

🎯 Exam Tip: For project-based questions, prioritize research and clear summarization skills. Ensure your chosen poems represent 'Nature poetry' well and that your summaries capture the main theme and structure of each poem.

Yuvakbharati English 11th Digest Chapter 2.1 Cherry Tree Additional Important Questions and Answers

Question 1. The thought which prompted the poet to plant the cherry seed.
Answer:
The thought which prompted the poet to plant the cherry tree was to have a tree of his own.
In simple words: The poet was motivated to plant the cherry tree simply by a desire to own his own tree.

🎯 Exam Tip: For simple recall questions, provide a direct and concise answer that accurately reflects the text's information.

Question 2. The threats to the cherry sapling were -
Answer:
The threats to the cherry sapling were (i) goats (ii) grass cutter (iii) monsoon
In simple words: The cherry sapling faced threats from goats eating its leaves, a grass cutter that could split it, and the heavy monsoon rains.

🎯 Exam Tip: When identifying multiple threats, list them clearly and comprehensively to show a full understanding of the dangers the sapling encountered.

State whether the following statements are True or False and correct the false statements.

Question (i) They destroyed the cherry tree.
Answer:
False. They damaged the cherry sapling but could not destroy it as it had a violent urge to move ahead.
In simple words: The statement is false; although the cherry sapling was damaged by various threats, it was not destroyed due to its strong will to survive and grow.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always state True/False clearly, and for false statements, explain *why* it's false, providing the correct information or outcome from the text.

Question (ii) The cherry tree had an instinct to survive.
Answer: True
In simple words: The cherry tree possessed an inherent drive to live and grow, overcoming obstacles naturally.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identifying innate qualities like survival instinct is key to understanding character or natural processes.

Question (iii) The blossoms are fragile.
Answer: True
In simple words: The cherry blossoms are delicate and easily damaged or fall off.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to descriptive adjectives that highlight sensory details or inherent properties.

Question 4. The poet felt richer because -
Answer: The poet felt richer because he had a six feet high cherry tree of his own at his door.
In simple words: The poet felt a deep sense of emotional wealth and satisfaction from owning and witnessing the growth of his very own cherry tree.

🎯 Exam Tip: Look for expressions of emotion or subjective experience to understand the poet's connection to the subject.

Question 5. The beneficiaries of the cherry tree are -
Answer:
1. The finches, that is, the seed-eating songbirds.
2. The ecstatic bees who drank nectar from each bloom.
3. The moon-moths who took shelter in the tree.
4. The singing crickets who took shelter in the tree.
5. Of course, the poet himself who claims to be the owner of the tree, provides enjoyment for himself as well as other beneficiaries.
In simple words: The cherry tree benefits various creatures like birds, bees, moths, and crickets by providing food and shelter, and it also brings joy to the poet.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked for beneficiaries, list all entities mentioned that directly or indirectly gain from the subject.

Comprehension

Global Understanding:

Question 1. Complete the web to show the growth of the cherry tree. (Answers are given directly in bold)
ℹ️ चित्र व्याख्या (Diagram Explanation): यह चित्र एक वेब डायग्राम है जो चेरी के पेड़ के विकास को दर्शाता है। इसमें केंद्रीय विषय 'Growth of the Cherry Tree' है, जिससे चार शाखाएँ निकल रही हैं: 'Even bore small tender berries' (यहां तक कि छोटे कोमल फल भी लगे), 'Struggle to force out' (बाहर निकलने का संघर्ष), 'Grew into a six feet high tree' (छह फीट ऊँचा पेड़ बन गया), और 'Light, air and rain made a miracle for its growth' (प्रकाश, हवा और बारिश ने इसके विकास के लिए एक चमत्कार किया). यह पेड़ के जीवनचक्र की मुख्य विशेषताओं को रेखांकित करता.
Answer:
Even bore small tender berries
Struggle to force out
Grew into a six feet high tree
Light, air and rain made a miracle for its growth
In simple words: The cherry tree grew from a struggle, reaching six feet, bearing berries, with light, air, and rain facilitating its miraculous growth.

🎯 Exam Tip: Web diagrams require summarizing key stages or aspects of a concept in a structured, visual-friendly manner.

Question 2. Describe the struggle of the cherry tree during its growth.
Answer: The young cherry tree had to really work hard to grow into a full-grown tree. It had pushed itself strongly and aggressively in order to get the benefit of light, air and sun. It had nobody to take care and so it had to make its own effort to fulfill its desire to survive and develop.
In simple words: The cherry tree struggled significantly, pushing aggressively for light, air, and sun without external care, relying solely on its own will to survive and grow into a full-grown tree.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing a struggle, highlight the challenges faced and the efforts made to overcome them.

Personal Response:

Question 1. State in about 50 words your worries about cutting of trees for human habitation. Suggest atleast one solution.
Answer: I understand the necessity of providing place for human habitation but at the same time I am worried about cutting of trees for that purpose which is one of the main causes of environmental pollution. My suggestion is to make it compulsory for all housing societies to plant trees to get 'No Objection Certificate'.
In simple words: Cutting trees for housing worries me due to increased pollution, so I suggest making it mandatory for housing societies to plant trees to get approval.

🎯 Exam Tip: Personal response questions require you to express your views and offer practical, actionable solutions.

Creativity:

Question 1. Without using any rhyming pattern, write a poem of four lines about your enjoyment in thfe company of your friend.
Answer:
My friends are my assets, my lifeline,
our togetherness, everyone's envy. We fight, we patch up,
we cherish our love and loyalty.
We're committed to protect our friendship,
protect we must.
In simple words: My friends are vital to me; our strong bond is envied. We overcome conflicts, valuing our loyalty, and are committed to protecting our cherished friendship.

🎯 Exam Tip: For creative writing, focus on expressing sincere emotions and vivid imagery, even without rhyme.

Appreciation:

Question 1. Write a critical appreciation of the extract with the help of the following points. (100-150 words).
1. About the extract
2. Theme and significance
3. Poetic style, language, features / poetic devices
4. Inspirational message, moral, reflected
5. Your opinion and critical evaluation of the extract.
Answer:
The extract brings out the struggle for survival of the cherry tree which had nobody to take care of it. It also depicts the excitement of the poet when he sees the full-grown tree with ripened berries hanging from it.

The poet has used simple language and common figures of speech like Alliteration, Antithesis to express the process of growth of the cherry tree and his own excitement of seeing the six-feet high tree.

But the extract also draws attention towards the qualities needed to survive and be a winner. The poet appreciates the cherry tree's process of growth and is proud to own it. His satisfaction comes out very clearly like the proud parents who glow in the glory of their child. The will-power of the young plant to grow and the appreciation of the poet of the fully-grown cherry tree appeal to me immensely as a reader.
In simple words: This extract details the cherry tree's survival struggle and the poet's joy in its growth. Using simple language and devices like alliteration and antithesis, it highlights resilience and the pride of nurturing life, deeply resonating with the reader.

🎯 Exam Tip: A critical appreciation requires a structured analysis covering content, style, theme, and personal response, demonstrating a deep understanding of the text.

Glossary:

1. scythe - mowing and reaping tool with slightly long curved blade attached to a handle used to cut long grass and grain
2. blight - a plant disease typically one caused by fungi
3. shrivelled - wrinkled or shrunken due to lack of moisture
4. dried slender - thin
5. struggle - making forceful against odds
6. thrust - to push with sudden impulse or force
7. fierce - displaying a violent urge
8. lust - strong desire
9. miracle - a welcoming or happy event developing by chance that cannot be explained with reason or science
10. scarcely - almost not
11. ripened (ripen) - became or made ripe
12. jeweled- adorned with jewels
13. blossoms - bloom
14. fragile - weak
15. finches- a small seed-eating songbird flitted - pass lightly softly or rapidly
16. dappled - marked with rounded patches
17. ecstasy - a feeling of greatest happiness
18. nectar - a sweet fluid secreted by plants
19. moon-moths - a large pale long green moth
20. crickets - an insect, characteristic for it is its musical chirping sound.