Samacheer Kalvi 9th English Solutions Poem Chapter 3 On Killing a Tree
Tamilnadu Samacheer Kalvi 9th English Solutions Poem Chapter 3 On Killing a Tree Questions and Answers
On Killing a Tree Warm Up:
On Killing A Tree Poem Questions And Answers Pdf Question 1.
What is a tree ?
Answer:
A tree is a tall plant that has a wooden trunk with branches, leaves, flowers and fruits.
On Killing A Tree Book Back Answers Question 2.
Why trees are important for our survival ?
Answer:
Trees are important for our survival because it is the primary source of oxygen we breathe. Apart from that, various parts of a tree are used in making things that we use in our day-to-day lives.
On Killing A Tree Question Answers Question 3.
How long does it take a tree to grow to its full size?
Answer:
It takes around seven to ten years and more for a tree to attain its full size.
On Killing A Tree Poem Book Back Answers Question 4.
How much time does it take to cut down a tree?
Answer:
With modem equipments a tree can be cut down within an hour.
On Killing a Tree Textual Questions
A. Memorize the first two stanzas of the poem.
B. Read the following lines from the poem and answer the questions in a sentence or two.
1. It takes much time to kill a tree,
Not a simple jab of the knife
Will do it.
Question (i).
Can a ‘simple jab of the knife’ kill a tree?
Answer:
No.
Question (ii).
Why does it take much time to kill a tree?
Answer:
It takes much time to kill a tree as it has grown strong all through the years.
2. It has grown
Slowly consuming the earth,
Rising out of it, feeding
Upon its crust, absorbing
Question (i).
How has the tree grown?
Answer:
The tree has grown Slowly consuming the earth, rising out of it, feeding upon its crust.
Question (ii).
What does the tree feed from the crust?
Answer:
The tree feeds sunlight, air, water from the crust.
3. And out of its leprous hide
Sprouting leaves.
Question (i).
What does the phrase ‘leprous hide’ mean?
Answer:
‘Leprous hide’ means the discolored bark of the tree.
Question (ii).
What comes out of the leprous hide?
Answer:
Sprouting leaves come out of the leprous hide.
4. The bleeding bark will heal
And from close to the ground
Will rise curled green twigs,
Miniature boughs
Question (i).
What will happen to the bleeding bark?
Answer:
The bleeding bark will heal.
Question (ii).
What will rise from close to the ground?
Answer:
Curled green twigs and miniature boughs will rise from close to the ground.
5. The root is to be pulled out
One of the anchoring earth;
Question (i).
Why should the root be pulled out?
Answer:
The root should be pulled out to kill the tree.
Question (ii).
What does ‘anchoring earth’ mean?
Answer:
Anchoring earth means that the roots fixed to the earth strongly like an anchor.
Additional Questions
1. “ Which if unchecked will expand again To former size”
Question (i).
What does ‘which’ refer to? ,
Answer:
Which refers to the bleeding bark.
2. “The root is to be pulled out-One of the anchoring earth”
Question (i).
What has to be pulled out?
Answer:
The root has to be pulled out.
Question (ii).
What is anchoring earth?
The root is anchoring earth.
3. “Or pulled out entirely,
Out from the earth-cave”
Question (i).
From where should the root be pulled out?
Answer:
The root should be out of the earth-cave.
Question (ii).
What is an earth-cave?
Answer:
Earth-cave is the surface of the earth where the root is hidden.
4. “The source, white and wet.”
Question (i).
What is the source referred to?
Answer:
The source is referred as ‘white and wet’.
Question (ii).
What does ‘white and wet’ indicate?
Answer:
White and wet indicates life.
5. “Of scorching and choking In sun and air”
Question (i).
How is the source scorched and choked?
Answer:
The source is scorched and choked in sun and air.
Question (ii).
Why is it scorched and choked?
It is scorched and choked to kill.
6. “And then it is done”
Question (i).
Explain ‘it is done’.
Answer:
It is done implies that the tree is dead and that there is no chance of regrowth since its root has been completely pulled out.
C. Based on the understanding of the poem, write down the summary of the poem by filling in the blanks.
The poet explains the process of ______(1)______. A lot of work has to be done in order to ______(2)______ completely. It cannot be accomplished by merely cutting it with ______(3)_____ . The tree has grown strong with the help of ______(4)______for a countless years. Even the ______(5)______ of the tree gives rise to______(6)______. The______(7)______ sprouts new twigs and leaves. In a short period, they grow into a new tree. So, to ______(8)______ completely, one should take out its roots completely from the soil. Then they should be exposed to ______(9)______. Only then the tree will be completely killed.
Answers:
- killing a tree
- root it out
- a knife
- sunlight, water and nutrients of the soil
- bark
- leaves
- boughs
- kill it
- sunlight and heat
D. Based on the understanding of the poem, answer the following questions in a sentence or two.
On Killing A Tree Questions and Answers Question 1.
What is the poem about?
Answer:
The poem is about killing a tree.
On Killing A Tree Poem 9th Standard Question 2.
What are the lessons to be learnt from the poem?
Answer:
The poet teaches us about nature and the sturdiness and longevity of the tree. To kill the tree or anything else, the heart of the thing has to be destroyed.
9th English Poem On Killing A Tree Question 3.
What are the life sources needed for a tree to grow?
Answer:
Soil, Water, Oxygen and Sunlight.
9th English On Killing A Tree Question 4.
What does the poet mean by ‘bleeding bark’?
Answer:
The cut in the bark oozes sap. The poet compares the fluid to blood.
On Killing A Tree Question Answer Question 5.
Why the poet says ‘No’ in the beginning of the third stanza?
Answer:
He wants to emphasize that it is not so easy to kill a tree.
On Killing A Tree Samacheer Kalvi Question 6.
How should the root be pulled out?
Answer:
The root must be roped, tied, pulled out, snapped out, and exposed.
9th Standard On Killing A Tree Poem Question 7.
What is hidden inside the earth for years?
Answer:
Life and legacy is hidden inside the earth.
9th English Memory Poem On Killing A Tree Question 8.
What finally happens to the tree in this poem?
Answer:
The tree is killed.
E. Answer the following questions in about 80-100 words.
On Killing A Tree Poem Question 1.
How well does the post bring out the pain of the tree?
Answer:
Give Patel spins a very visual tale of pain where the reader can almost feel the hacks made at a tree. The ‘bleeding bark’ is the visual representation of the pain, Patel envisions the tree going through. The tone of the poem is sarcastic and filled with caustic remarks. The poet, Gieve Patel, takes this ironic stance to propose his actual view on cutting down trees, which is according to him, not short of committing an act of murder. The cutting down of trees is equated with death. Every time Patel talks of cutting down a tree, he portrays it as killing it. The death the poet incorporates in this poem is both natural and spiritual.
9th Standard English On Killing A Tree Question 2.
‘A tree doesn’t grow in a day.’ Explain it with reference to the poem.
Answer:
Give Patel tells us that killing a tree is not easy. It is very time-consuming. Ajab of a knife is not enough. A tree grows straight out the earth, nourishing itself on the nutrients found in the earth, along with years of sunlight, water, and air. And even though the bark looks irregular and scaly, leaves and branches sprout of it. The lines
“It has grown
Slowly consuming the earth,
Rising out of it, feeding
Upon its crust, absorbing
Years of sunlight, air, water”
justify the longevity of the tree.
On Killing A Tree Poem Questions And Answers Question 3.
Why do you think the poet describes the act of cutting a tree? What effect does it have on you as a reader?
Answer:
The poet wants to highlight the harmful effects of deforestation in a sarcastic style. Therefore, Deforestation is another major theme of this poem. Deforestation has become a problem, especially in the modem times, where forests are cleared to make roads, or for furniture or for fossil fuel. It is incredibly harmful to the ecosystem and the imminent danger is felt throughout the poem. I feel we should grow more trees.
F. Complete the table by identifying lines, against the poetic devices from the poem.
Listening:
G. Listen to the passage about Nammazhwar, an environmental crusader from Tamil Nadu. As you listen, answer the following questions. The listening act can be repeated if required. (For listening to the passage refer to our website www.fullcircleeducation.in)
Nammazhwar was born in 1938 in Elangadu, Thanjavur District, and he graduated from Annamalai University with a B.Sc. degree in Agriculture. In 1963, he began working for the Agricultural Regional Research Station, a government organisation in Kovilpatti, as a scientist, conducting trials on spacing and use of various chemical fertilizers in cotton and millet crops. During his tenure there, the government had conducted various experiments in rain-fed land, he left the institute in 1969. should rely only minimally on external inputs.
All inputs using expensive inputs like hybrid seeds, chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides which Nammazhwar considered futile as the farmers were resource poor. Based on his experience, he felt very-strongly that it was imperative to totally reorient the research work being undertaken. But his peers at the institute paid little attention to his advice. Fmstrated, he left the institute in 1969. For the next 10 years, he was an agronomist for Island of Peace, an organisation founded by the Nobel Laureate Dominique Pire. His focus was on improving the standard of living through agricultural development in the Kalakad block of Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu.
It was at this time that he realised that to get optimal results in farming, farmers should rely only minimally on external inputs. All inputs should come from within the farm. So called waste should be recycled and used as input. This revelation was a turning point in his life. He completely lost trust in conventional farming practices and began experimenting with sustainable agricultural methods. Vegetables have a short lifespan compared to fruit crops.
By making use of modem technologies and inputs, their lifespan can perhaps be extended to say about a year. But if there is a simple method of growing vegetables throughout the year, without any costly gadgets, modem technologies, or costly inputs, it is definitely worth a try for the farmers. He advocated the ‘Bread sandwich’ method. In this method once the soil is made ready and the suggested practices followed, one need not work on the soil for the second time. They can go on sowing and reaping, all through the year.
He always said it was no use trying to teach a farmer. Instead, one should make the farmer understand the issue. He never stopped learning from them himself and had become a vast repository of farming practices and knowledge that he shared with whoever was interested. He never pushed ideas down anyone’s throat. Each farm is unique according to the farmers’ understanding and the conditions, Nammazhwar would say. He would keep experimenting with what he learned from the farmers, refi ned this knowledge and then gave it back to them.
He often said “Farming is not a way of producing crops to make money. It is a way of living, and a way of living that is possible even in the 21st century.” He trained hundreds of farm youths as trainers and helped any farmers to be master trainers-all this without the support of the government.
On Killing A Tree Poem Question 1.
Who is Nammazhwar? What is his contribution to farmers and farming?
Answer:
Nammazhwar was an agricultural scientist. He conducted trials on spacing and use of various fertilizers in cotton and millet crops.
On Killing A Tree Question And Answer Question 2.
In 1963 he worked for the ______ as _______.
Answer:
Agricultural Regional Research Station in Kovilpatti as a scientist.
9th On Killing A Tree Poem Question 3.
What was the turning point in the life of Nammazhwar?
Answer:
During his period as agronomist, he realised that farmers should rely minimally on external inputs. All inputs should come from within the farm. Waste should be recycled and used as input. This revelation was a turning point in his life.
9th Std English Poem On Killing A Tree Question 4.
How is the “Bread sandwich method” a boon to the farmers?
Answer:
In this method, once the soil is made ready and the suggested practices followed,
one need not work for the second time. They can go on sowing and reaping all through the year.
On Killing A Tree Poem Question Answer Question 5.
Pick out ideas from the passage to show that he learnt first and then shared with farmers.
Answer:
He said that it was no use trying to teach a farmer. He never stopped learning from them and had become a vast repository of farming practices and knowledge that he shared with whoever was interested.
9th Standard Poem On Killing A Tree Question 6.
Explain in your own words the meaning of “Farming __________ even in the 21st Century”.
Answer:
Farming is not only for making money. It is necessary to do farming to live even in the 21st century.
9th Standard English Poem On Killing A Tree Question 7.
Give the synonyms of ‘rely’ and ‘sustainable’.
Answer:
Rely – depend
Sustainable – maintainable
On Killing A Tree 9th Standard Question 8.
“He never pushed ideas down anyone’s throat” means
(a) favoured
(b) compelled
(c) opposed
Answer:
(b) compelled
Writing:
H. Based on the iding of the poem, complete the web chart given below.
Answer:
-
- Killing a tree is killing a life
- Trees too feel the pain and bleed
- Deforestation is the result of man’s greed
I. Look at the two trees. One is a green flourishing tree and the other, a brown withering tree.
The class will now be divided into two groups. Group A will list down the agents that support a tree’s growth. Group B will list down those that prevent it. Once the groups are ready with their lists, a few representatives from each group will write down the lists on the blackboard.
Taking clues from the lists on the board, complete the following chart.
Answers:
J. Work in par Create three slogans on ‘Saving Trees’
Use catchy, meaningful phrases. Do not write complete sentences. Ensure that the words at the end rhyme. Read this example: Save a Tree
Get Oxygen for free
Answers:
1. If You Don’t Care
Trees Might Become Rare
2. Save Trees, Save Nature
Give Your Kids a Better Future
3. Trees Give Good Look
Don’t Destroy Them from Earth Book
Speaking:
K. Deliver a short speech for about five minutes on the following.
Question 1.
Imagine what will happen if all the trees in the earth disappear. Discuss with your friends and share it with your classmates.
Answer:
Life will not exist on Earth if trees disappear. Trees produce most of the oxygen that humans and wildlife need to live. Trees absorb Carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen using the process of photosynthesis. Lack of rain will be a major concern. If there is no rain, there will be no forests. Forests act as giant air filters in the world. They also prevent soil erosion. They break the force of wind and rain on soil helping their roots bind the soil. The decayed, leaves absorbed by the earth enrich the soil.
Question 2.
Think of a situation where all the trees can speak. What will they talk about?
Answer:
If trees talk they will complain to one another about their bitter enemy, man. They will express regret about the countless murders of their friends and relatives. They may even feel angry against the abuse they are faced with every day and the fear they have to survive each day due to road development projects and modem lifestyle. They will discuss mockingly, mankind’s thoughtlessness in cutting them down for more and more houses. I think they will express their sadness. They will also express their anger and their disappointment.
The trees will surely discuss about their forgiving friends and relatives and their sacrificial nature. Trees will cry and express grief when they see their fellow friends being cut down. Surely, they will weep. Perhaps that is what happens during autumn. Perhaps when the trees shed their leaves, they are weeping for all that they have lost during illegal felling and plundering.
They will discuss with one another how people are destroyers at heart. If trees speak, if they move, they will riot and campaign against the atrocities done to them. Broken shrieks of despair and fury will erupt from their throats. They will say that they inhabited the land even before the first man was created. They will create an awareness about the pride and greed which blind human-beings.
They will express and regret about the green monsters dwelling in a man’s brain, demanding for more, more, more. Despite all that a human does the trees will express compassion. Trees speak about their warmth and how they give us shade when human beings feel the heat and weary.
Let us laugh together:
1. How do trees access the internet?
They simply login.
2. What will the tree do, if the banks are closed?
It will start its own branch.
3. What type of tree fits in your hand?
A palm tree.
On Killing a Tree by Gieve Patel About The Poet:
Dr. Gieve Patel is one of the prominent Indian poets. His famous works include Evening, Forensic Medicine, and From Bombay Central. He has also penned three plays. He belongs to the group of writers who have subscribed themselves to the ‘Green Movement’ involving in an effort to protect the environment. His poems address deep concerns for nature and expose man’s cruelty to it. He has been conducting a poetry workshop in Rishi Valley School for more than a decade. This poem is taken from his poetry collection ‘Poems’ published in 1966.
On Killing a Tree Summary:
The poet observes how much time is required to kill a tree. A simple cut with a knife cannot kill a huge tree. A tree has roots deep down the earth, absorbing nutrients and using the sunlight, water and air around for years, sprouting out leaves from it’s disfigured bark. Although the tree is hacked and chopped, it isn’t enough for killing a tree. The tree can withstand the pain. These injuries will heal and once again the new green twig will rise from the ground which will grow to bigger branches.
If this growth is unchecked, the tree will regain its original size. So in order to kill a tree, the roots which are anchored inside the ground has to be pulled out. To pull out the roots, it has to be roped and forced out of the earth with all the might. This leads to the exposure of the most sensitive region of the tree, which had been hidden and supporting the tree since its birth. Then when the roots are exposed to sunlight and air, it dies slowly by browning, hardening, twisting and withering. Only then the tree is said to have perished.
On Killing a Tree Glossary:
Textual:
crust – the brown, hard outer portion or surface
jab – to poke, or thrust abruptly or sharply with a short, quick blow
hide – the strong thick outer skin
leprous – covered with scales
miniature – very small
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