Jammu and Kashmir Board Class 9 English Tulip Book Poem 6 On Killing A Tree Question Answers
On Killing A Tree Question Answers: Looking for important questions and answers of JKBOSE Class 9 English Tulip Book Poem 6 On Killing A Tree? Look no further! Our comprehensive compilation of important questions will help you brush up on your subject knowledge. Practicing JKBOSE Class 9 English question answers can significantly improve your performance in the board exam. Improve your chances of scoring high marks by exploring On Killing A Tree Question answers now. The questions listed below are based on the latest JKBOSE exam pattern. All the exercises and Questions Answers given at the back of the lesson have also been covered.
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Jammu and Kashmir Board Class 9 English Tulip Book Poem On Killing A Tree Textbook Questions
Understanding the Poem
1. Growth of a tree is a long process; killing of a tree is a longer process. Do you agree?
Ans. Yes, I agree completely. A tree takes years to grow by slowly consuming the earth, absorbing sunlight, air, and water. However, killing it takes longer because simple cutting won’t work. The tree heals and regenerates. To kill it completely, roots must be uprooted, exposed, and left to wither, a lengthy, difficult process.
2. How has the tree grown to its full size? List the words suggestive of its life and activity.
Ans. The tree has grown slowly by consuming earth, rising from it, feeding upon its crust, and absorbing years of sunlight, air, and water. Words suggestive of life: grown, consuming, rising, feeding, absorbing, sprouting, bleeding, heal, curled green twigs, miniature boughs, expand, anchoring, all showing vitality and continuous growth.
3. What does the poet mean by the bleeding barks? What makes it bleed?
Ans. “Bleeding bark” refers to sap oozing from the tree when cut. When hacked or chopped with a knife or axe, the protective bark breaks and sap flows out like blood from a wound. The poet personifies the tree, showing it’s a living being that feels pain and injury like humans.
4. The poet says ‘No’ in the beginning of the third stanza. What does it signify?
Ans. “No” emphatically denies that simply hacking and chopping will kill the tree. It signifies that surface-level cutting is insufficient because the tree heals and regenerates. The word creates emphasis, marks a transition to the real killing method, and highlights the tree’s remarkable survival power despite violence.
5. What does the poet mean by the earth-cave?
Ans. “Earth-cave” refers to the deep hollow space underground where the tree’s roots have been firmly established and hidden for years. It’s the protective underground chamber that anchors the tree, nourishes it, and shelters its most vital part, the source, keeping it safe and hidden beneath the earth’s surface.
6. What according to the poet can kill a tree?
Ans. To kill a tree, its root must be completely pulled out from the anchoring earth-cave, exposing the white, wet, sensitive source hidden for years. Then it must be subjected to scorching sun and choking air, causing browning, hardening, twisting, and withering. Only this complete process can truly kill the tree.
7. How do you find the style employed by the poet in the poem? Read the poem once again
Ans. The poet employs an ironic, instructional tone like a technical manual, using free verse with simple, direct language. Violent imagery (“hack,” “chop,” “bleeding,” “scorching”) and personification make the tree seem alive. Extensive use of gerunds, short fragmented lines, and sardonic undertone create a powerful environmental critique against deforestation.
Learning about the literary devices
1. Beginning with the title, what are the words and images that are suggestive of violence in the poem.
Ans. The poem “On Killing a Tree” itself suggests violence because the word “killing” is usually associated with living beings, not trees. This shows that cutting a tree is an act of cruelty. The poet uses many violent words and images to describe how humans destroy nature.
Phrases like “jab of the knife,” “hack,” and “chop” show physical attack on the tree. “Bleeding bark” is a powerful image that compares the tree to a wounded human being, making us feel its pain. Words like “roped, tied, snapped, pulled out” show forceful actions used to uproot the tree completely.
Later, words such as “scorching,” “choking,” “browning,” “hardening,” “twisting,” and “withering” describe the slow and painful death of the tree after it is exposed to sun and air. These images clearly show violence against nature and highlight human cruelty.
Through these harsh and violent images, the poet strongly criticizes deforestation and makes the reader feel sympathy for trees, emphasizing the need to protect the environment.
Discussion
1. The poet says that killing a tree is not so easy. Do you agree?
Ans. Yes, I agree with the poet. Killing a tree is not easy because a tree represents life, growth, and nature’s strength. It takes years to grow, but humans destroy it quickly. A tree dies slowly and painfully when cut, showing how cruel the act is.
2. Make a 300-word presentation on any one of the following:
a. Global warming
b. How can I contribute to a greener and healthier earth
c. Impact of smoke and fuel on human health
Ans.
a. Global Warming
Global warming means the rise in the Earth’s average temperature due to human activities. It is mainly caused by greenhouse gases released from vehicles, factories, and burning of fossil fuels. Deforestation also increases global warming because trees absorb carbon dioxide.
Global warming leads to melting of glaciers, rising sea levels, and extreme weather conditions like floods, droughts, and heat waves. It affects human health, agriculture, and wildlife.
To reduce global warming, we should plant more trees, save electricity, use renewable energy, and reduce pollution. Using public transport and avoiding plastic can also help.
In conclusion, global warming is a serious issue. With small efforts and awareness, we can protect the Earth and ensure a safe future for coming generations.
b. How can I contribute to a greener and healthier earth
A greener and healthier earth is essential for the survival of all living beings. Due to pollution, deforestation, and climate change, our environment is facing serious threats. However, every individual can play an important role in protecting the earth through small but meaningful actions.
One of the most effective ways to contribute is by planting trees. Trees provide oxygen, absorb carbon dioxide, and help reduce air pollution. Saving trees and avoiding unnecessary cutting of forests is equally important. Using paper wisely and recycling it can help protect trees.
Reducing pollution is another important step. We should avoid using plastic bags and instead use cloth or paper bags. Plastic causes land and water pollution and harms animals. Proper waste management by separating biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste helps keep the environment clean.
Saving energy also contributes to a healthier earth. Switching off lights, fans, and electrical appliances when not in use reduces energy consumption. Using renewable sources of energy such as solar power is eco-friendly and reduces pollution.
Water conservation is equally important. We should avoid wasting water while bathing, washing clothes, or cleaning. Rainwater harvesting can help store water for future use.
Using public transport, cycling, or walking instead of private vehicles reduces fuel consumption and air pollution. Keeping our surroundings clean and spreading awareness about environmental protection can inspire others as well.
In conclusion, protecting the earth is our responsibility. By adopting eco-friendly habits in our daily life, we can contribute to a greener and healthier earth for present and future generations.
c. Impact of smoke and fuel on human health.
Smoke and fuel pollution have become major health hazards, affecting millions worldwide. Burning fossil fuels and biomass releases harmful pollutants that severely impact human health and quality of life.
Sources: Primary sources include vehicle emissions, industrial smokestacks, burning coal and wood for cooking, crop residue burning, construction activities, and garbage combustion. Both outdoor pollution from vehicles/industries and indoor pollution from cooking fuels significantly affect health.
Harmful Components: Smoke contains dangerous substances including particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and carcinogenic chemicals. These pollutants penetrate deep into our respiratory system and bloodstream, causing serious damage.
Health Impacts: Smoke pollution primarily affects the respiratory system, causing asthma, bronchitis, COPD, lung cancer, and reduced lung function. Children and elderly are particularly vulnerable. Cardiovascular effects include heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure, and heart diseases. Fine particles damage blood vessels and cause inflammation. Other problems include eye irritation, headaches, fatigue, dizziness, and reduced immunity. Pregnant women risk premature births and low birth weight babies. Long-term exposure increases cancer risk. Children suffer developmental issues and cognitive impairment.
Indoor Air Pollution: In rural areas, burning wood, dung, and coal for cooking creates deadly indoor smoke, especially affecting women and children who spend more time near cooking areas, causing millions of premature deaths annually.
Solutions: We must transition to cleaner fuels like LPG, electricity, and solar energy. Using public transport, carpooling, and electric vehicles reduces emissions. Industries must install pollution control equipment. Individuals should avoid burning waste and support clean energy initiatives.
Conclusion: The impact of smoke and fuel on human health is devastating but preventable. Immediate action, both personal and policy-level, is essential to reduce pollution and protect public health for current and future generations.
3. What are the environmental hazards that your city faces?
Ans. My city faces several environmental hazards such as air pollution caused by vehicles and factories, water pollution due to waste disposal, noise pollution, garbage accumulation, deforestation, and overcrowding. These problems harm human health and disturb ecological balance.
4. In what way felling of trees is an environmental hazard?
Ans. Felling of trees is a serious environmental hazard because it destroys forests, reduces oxygen supply, and increases carbon dioxide in the air. Without trees, the soil becomes weak and erosion increases. Wildlife loses its habitat, leading to loss of biodiversity. Deforestation also contributes to climate change, floods, and global warming, harming both nature and human life.
Jammu and Kashmir Board Class 9 English Tulip Book Poem I Cannot Remember My Mother Extra Question and Answers
Extract-Based Questions
A.
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.
Q1. Which poem does this extract belong to?
Ans. It comes from Gieve Patel’s poem, “On Killing A Tree”.
Q2. Can a few blows from an axe kill a tree?
Ans. No, a few blows from an axe can not kill a tree. It takes much more than that to kill a tree.
Q3. How does a tree gain its strength?
Ans. A tree draws its strength from the earth’s crust by absorbing the sunlight, air and water.
Q4. Where do the leaves come from?
Ans. Leaves sprout from the bark of a tree.
Q5. Identify the poetic device in the first line of the poem.
Ans. Consonance (prominence of ‘t’ sound) is used in the first line of the poem.
“It takes much time to kill a tree.”
B.
So hack and chop
But this alone wont 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.
Q1. Which poetic device is used in the phrase, ‘bleeding bark’?
Ans. Alliteration is used in the phrase, ‘bleeding bark’
Q2. What happens when a tree is cut down?
Ans. When a tree is cut down, it sprouts green curled twigs which develop into full-sized branches.
Q3. What happens to the bleeding bark?
Ans. A bleeding bark heals up again and sprouts fresh twigs.
Q4. What does regrowing of a hacked tree indicate?
Ans. Hacked tree indicates that nature is not easily defeated by man.
Q5. What do you understand by “miniature boughs”?
Ans. Miniature boughs are new branches that sprout where a tree has been cut or hacked. If left unchecked, they will grow into a massive tree.
C.
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.
Q1. What is meant by the phrase, “anchoring earth”?
Ans. “Anchoring Earth” refers to the tree’s roots that lie within the earth and act as an anchor for the tree to grow and hold it firmly
Q2. Where does the strength of the tree lie?
Ans. The strength of a tree lies in its roots.
Q3. How can the root of a tree be destroyed?
Ans. Root is to be pulled out of the earth and exposed to scorching heat.
Q4. Which is the most sensitive part of a tree?
Ans. Its root is the most sensitive part of a tree.
Q5. Which part of the tree is wet and white?
Ans. The roots of a tree are wet and white.
D.
Then the matter
Of scorching and choking
In sun and air,
Browning, hardening,
Twisting, withering,
And then it is done.
Q1. What remains to be done to kill a tree after its root has been pulled out?
Ans. The tree has to be dried up after being uprooted.
Q2. What dries up the tree?
Ans. The hot and scorching sun dries up the tree.
Q3. What happens to the tree in the sun and dry air?
Ans. The tree turns brown, hardens, twists and withers in sun and dry air.
Q4. “And then it is done.” What does ‘it’ stand for?
Ans. ‘And then it is done’ means finally the tree will die.
Q5. Find a word in the extract which means the same as the following words. “Blazing, Torrid, Searing”
Ans. Scorching
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Q1. Identify the poetic device in the title of the poem. “On Killing a Tree”
A) Metaphor
B) Personification
C) Enjambment
D) Repetition
Ans. B) Personification
Q2. What does the tree symbolise in this poem?
A) prosperity
B) greenery
C) deep rooted evil
D) none
Ans. C) deep rooted evil
Q3. What helps the tree to grow?
A) earth
B) air
C) gardener
D) none
Ans.A) earth
Q4. Where does the strength of the tree lie?
A) in leaves
B) in fruits
C) in its roots
D) All
Ans. C) in its roots
Q5. What killed the tree?
A) scorching and chopping
B) floods
C) irresponsible behaviors
D) All
Ans. A) scorching and chopping
Q6. The strength of the tree is exposed’ what do these words convey?
A) roots of the tree taken out of the earth
B) roots are withered
C) tree is withered
D) All
Ans. A) roots of the tree taken out of the earth
Q7. What is the message of this poem?
A) cut trees
B) spoil trees
C) don’t cut trees and save them
D) None
Ans. C) don’t cut trees and save them
Q8. What does this poem speak?
A) merciless,thoughtless and callous behavior of humans towards trees
B) save plants
C) human behavior
D) None
Ans. A) merciless,thoughtless and callous behavior of humans towards trees
Q9. How do the trees die?
A) when they don’t get water
B) when they don’t get manure
C) when their roots are uprooted
D) when we cut it with knife or jab
Ans. C) when their roots are uprooted
Q10. What is the rhyming scheme of the poem “On Killing a Tree”?
A) aabc
B) abcd
C) no rhyming scheme.free verse
D) None
Ans. C) no rhyming scheme.free verse
Q11. What does the poet equate killing trees with?
A) killing human beings
B) killing insects
C) killing animals
D) None
Ans. A) killing human beings
Q12. Identify the poetic device. “The source, white and wet,”
A) Metaphor
B) Personification
C) Alliteration
D) Repetition
Ans. C) Alliteration
Q13. “On killing a Tree ‘reflects the poet’s concern for-
A) nature’s violence
B) destruction of environment by man
C) natural tendency of man
D) the sacred duty of a man
Ans. B) destruction of environment by man
Q14. The expression ‘leprous hide’ refers to –
A) Bark of a tree
B) the leper’s skin
C) smooth skin
D) roots
Ans. A) Bark of a tree
Q15. The poet uses the expression, ‘sprouting leaves’ to suggest the idea of –
A) approaching death
B) spirited and vibrant creature
C) small world
D) continuous life-cycle
Ans. D) continuous life-cycle
Q16. The epithet, ‘hack and chop’ reveals-
A) Resilience of the tree
B) a philosophy of violence
C) violence against nature
D) sympathy for the tree
Ans. C) violence against nature
Q17. Who is the author of the poem “On Killing a Tree”?
A) Nissim Ezekiel
B) Vikram Seth
C) Gieve Patel
D) Jamesh Kirkup
Ans. C) Gieve Patel
Q18. Identify the poetic device. “The bleeding bark will heal ”
A) Metaphor
B) Personification
C) Alliteration
D) All of the above
Ans. D) All of the above
Q19. “It takes much time to kill a tree.” The statement points out-
A) Nature’s resilience
B) vigorous efforts of man
C) cruelty of man
D) the rapid growth of the tree
Ans. A) Nature’s resilience
Q20. Which of the following statements is true with reference to the poem “On Killing a Tree”?
A) No matter how much humans cut and chop a tree, it won’t do anything.
B) The chopping of the bark of trees into many pieces will not be enough to destroy a tree.
C) The point at which the tree gets cut will bleed like a human being and gradually heal from it and grow into a new branch again.
D) All of the above
Ans. D) All of the above
True false
State whether the following are true or false-
1. A simple jab of the knife can kill a tree.
2. The tree has grown slowly consuming the water.
3. The tree absorbs years of sunlight, air, and water.
4. Hacking and chopping alone will kill the tree.
5. The bleeding bark will heal after being cut.
6. Curled green twigs will rise from close to the ground.
7. The root must be pulled out from the anchoring earth.
8. The source of the tree is white and wet.
9. The most sensitive part of the tree is visible above ground.
10. The tree dies after scorching and choking in sun and air.
Answer
1. False ( A simple jab will not kill it)
2. True
3. True
4. False ( This alone won’t do it )
5. True
6. True
7. True
8. True
9. False ( It is hidden for years inside the earth)
10. True
Fill in the blank
1. It takes much time to kill a tree, not a simple _________ of the knife will do it.
2. The tree has grown slowly __________ the earth.
3. The tree has been absorbing years of ________, air, and water.
4. Out of its leprous hide, the tree is ________ leaves.
5. The _________ bark will heal after being cut.
6. From close the ground will rise curled green ________.
7. The _____ is to be pulled out from the anchoring earth.
8. The root must be pulled out from the ________.
9. The source of the tree is white and _______, the most sensitive part.
10. After scorching and choking in sun and air, the tree undergoes browning, hardening, twisting, and __________ .
Answer
1. Jab
2. Consuming
3. Sunlight
4. Sprouting
5. Bleeding
6. Twigs
7. Root
8. Earth- cave
9. Wet
10. Withering
Extra Questions
Q1. What is the effect of hacking and chopping on a tree?
Ans. A simple knife assault cannot bring down a tree. When a tree is chopped and hacked, the bark bleeds. It quickly heals and returns to its original size. These actions by themselves are insufficient to kill it.
Q2. How does the poet create the feelings of sadness in the poem ‘On Killing A Tree’?
Ans. The poet uses terms like “killing,” “jabbing,” “bleeding,” “uprooting,” etc. to convey a sense of melancholy. The “bleeding bark” symbolises a tree’s suffering. The sentences that make readers melancholy include “No so much suffering will do it” and “The wounded bark will heal.”
Q3. What do the roots look like when these are pulled out?
Ans. The tree’s roots are where its true power lies. The most delicate portion of the tree are its roots. They are white and moist when they are removed. But soon these begin to dry out and wither.
Q4. What are the two important stages for killing a tree?
Ans. A tree can be killed in two stages. The tree should first be completely uprooted. Its roots must be exposed to the elements of the nature, like air and sun. Second, the roots must be exposed to the sun’s heat. The roots become dark, hard, and withering when they are burnt. Finally, the tree is killed.
Q5. “The strength of the tree exposed.” Explain.
Ans. The strength of a tree is in its roots. The tree is secure as long as its roots are protected. It cannot be killed. As the roots are removed and exposed to the air and sun, they wither, ultimately causing the tree to die.
Q6. How does the poet describe the growth of a tree over the years? What are the different steps taken for killing a tree?
Ans. In his poem “On Killing a Tree,” the poet Gieve Patel discusses how a tree grows slowly after absorbing nutrients from the soil. It feeds upon the upper crust of the earth. Over time, it absorbs water, air, and sunlight. A tree grows slowly in this way, absorbing all the nutrients from the soil and the atmosphere.