Table of Contents
On Killing A Tree Question Answer
2015
Q. Why does it take “much time to kill a tree”? How is the tree finally killed? 3+3
i) It takes much time to kill a tree because its roots are deep inside the earth and for years it has been feeding on earth’s crust absorbing sunlight, air and water.
ii) The tree is finally killed by pulling out of the mother earth. When its roots are exposed to sunlight and air, the tree begins to get scorched and choked.
2016
Q. Justify the title of the poem ‘On Killing a Tree’ (100 words). 6
Ans: The title “On Killing a Tree” by Gieve Patel is fitting because the poem details the effort and violence required to completely destroy a tree. Patel explains that simply cutting the tree is not enough to kill it. The poem describes how a tree heals and regrows if only its branches are cut. To truly kill a tree, one must uproot it, exposing its roots to the sun and air, causing it to wither and die. This process is long and brutal, emphasizing the tree’s strength and resilience. The title reflects the poem’s focus on the serious and determined effort needed to overcome the tree’s natural power, highlighting the conflict between human force and nature’s vitality.
2017
Q. How does a tree offer resistance to its destruction? How does its resistance fail? 3+3
i) A tree offers resistance to its destruction through its deep roots, regenerative capacity, and ability to heal wounds, such as sprouting new twigs and boughs from its “bleeding bark.”
ii) Its resistance fails when the tree is completely uprooted, exposing its roots and removing its life source, leading to its eventual withering and death.
2018
Q. “It takes much time to kill a tree.”- Why does it take much time to kill a tree? According to the poet, how is the tree finally killed? 3+3
i) It takes much time to kill a tree because of its deep roots, strong trunk, and ability to heal and regenerate, making simple cutting insufficient.
ii) The tree is finally killed by uprooting it completely, exposing its roots and severing its connection to the earth, leading to its eventual withering and death.
2019
Q. How does the poet describe the growth of a tree over the years? What are the different steps taken for killing the tree? 4+2
i) The poet describes the tree’s growth as a slow process of absorbing nutrients from the earth, sunlight, air, and water. Over the years, it develops a strong trunk and sprouting leaves, deeply rooted in the ground.
ii) ‘Hacking, chopping, uprooting, exposing roots, and allowing the tree to wither’ are the different steps taken for killing the tree.
2020
Q. “And then it is done.”- What a being referred to? How is it done? On what tone does the poem end? 1+3+2
i) It is being referred to the complete destruction of the tree.
ii) It is done by uprooting the tree, exposing its roots to the sun and air, which leads to scorching, browning, hardening, twisting, and withering, causing its death.
iii) The poem ends on a somber and resigned tone, reflecting the finality and inevitability of the tree’s destruction.
2021
No exam due to Covid-19
2022
No Questions from this poem
2023
[SA1] What causes the bark of the tree to bleed?
Ans: The bark of the tree bleeds due to hacking and chopping.
[SA2] Where does the strength of the tree lie?
Ans: The strength of the tree lies in its roots, deeply anchored in the earth.
[LSA] “It takes much time to kill a tree” – Why does it take much time to kill a tree? How is a tree finally killed? 3+3
i) It takes much time to kill a tree because its roots are deeply embedded in the earth, and it has the ability to heal and regenerate, making it resistant to superficial damage.
ii) A tree is finally killed by uprooting it completely, severing its roots, and exposing them to the sun and air, leading to its withering and death.
2024
[SA1] Who has written the poem ‘On Killing A Tree’?
Ans: Gieve Patel has written the poem ‘On Killing A Tree’
[LSA] “Not a simple jab of the knife Will do it.” (a) What is meant by ‘it’? (b) Why will the jab of the knife not do ‘it’? (c) How can ‘it’ be done? 1+3 +2
i) “It” refers to killing the tree.
ii) A jab of the knife will not kill the tree because its roots and ability to regenerate make it resilient to minor damage.
iii) : It can be done by uprooting the tree completely and exposing its roots to the sun and air, causing it to wither and die.
