CBSE Class 9 English (Beehive) Important Questions Chapter 7 Poem - On Killing a Tree

1. What does the poet say about killing a tree?
Answer: The poet says that killing a tree is not a simple task, as it requires much more effort than just cutting it with a knife.

2. Why does the poet say hacking and chopping won’t kill a tree?
Answer: Hacking and chopping won’t kill a tree because it can heal itself and grow back, with new twigs sprouting from the cut area.

3. Where does the tree get its strength from?
Answer: The tree gets its strength from its roots, which are deep in the earth, absorbing nutrients from the soil, sunlight, air, and water.

4. What happens to the tree after its bark is cut?
Answer: After its bark is cut, the tree bleeds, but eventually, the wound heals, and new branches grow, allowing the tree to regenerate.

5. What does the poet mean by the "earth-cave"?
Answer: The "earth-cave" refers to the deep place in the earth where the tree’s roots are anchored and hidden, giving it strength.

6. Why does the poet say it takes much time to kill a tree?
Answer: The poet says it takes much time to kill a tree because it is deeply rooted in the earth, having grown strong over many years by absorbing sunlight, air, and water. A simple cut or jab with a knife cannot destroy it, as the tree has the ability to heal itself and sprout new branches. The real way to kill the tree is by uprooting it entirely from the earth.

7. How does the tree heal after being hacked and chopped?
Answer: After being hacked and chopped, the tree bleeds from its bark, but over time, it begins to heal. New green twigs and miniature branches sprout from near the ground, allowing the tree to grow again if it is left unchecked. This shows the tree’s resilience and ability to regenerate.

8. What is the significance of the tree’s roots in the poem?
Answer: The tree’s roots are significant because they are the source of the tree’s strength and survival. They are deeply anchored in the earth, absorbing nutrients and keeping the tree alive. The poet emphasizes that to truly kill a tree, its roots must be pulled out entirely, as they are what keeps the tree connected to life.

9. What happens to the tree after its roots are pulled out?
Answer: After the tree’s roots are pulled out, the tree is left exposed to the sun and air, where it begins to wither and die. Its roots dry up, and the tree’s strength slowly fades. Eventually, the tree twists, hardens, and withers away, completing the process of killing it.

10. What does the poet mean by "the strength of the tree exposed"?
Answer: By "the strength of the tree exposed," the poet refers to the roots being pulled out of the earth, revealing the tree’s true source of power. The roots, which have been hidden underground for years, are now exposed to the air, marking the beginning of the tree’s death as it loses its connection to the earth.

11. How does the poet describe the process of killing a tree in the poem?
Answer: The poet describes the process of killing a tree as something that takes a long time and requires much effort. A simple cut or jab with a knife will not kill the tree, as it has the ability to heal and grow back. The poet explains that to truly kill a tree, one must pull out its roots, which are deeply anchored in the earth and have been absorbing nutrients for many years. Once the roots are exposed to the sun and air, the tree begins to wither and die. The poet compares the tree’s life to its connection with the earth, showing that removing it from its natural habitat is the only way to end its life. Even after being uprooted, the tree’s death is slow, involving scorching, hardening, and withering over time.

12. Why does the poet emphasize that the roots must be pulled out to kill the tree?
Answer: The poet emphasizes that the roots must be pulled out to kill the tree because the roots are the tree’s source of life and strength. The tree is deeply connected to the earth through its roots, which absorb water, nutrients, and provide stability. Even if the tree is hacked or chopped, it will continue to grow back from its roots. By pulling the roots out, the tree loses its connection to the earth, which weakens it and eventually leads to its death. The poet uses this imagery to show that the tree’s survival depends on its deep relationship with the earth, and removing that connection is the only way to truly destroy it.

13. What message does the poet convey about nature through the poem?
Answer: The poet conveys a message about the resilience and strength of nature through the poem. He shows how difficult it is to kill a tree, as it has grown strong over time, deeply rooted in the earth. Even when it is cut or chopped, the tree has the ability to heal and grow back. This reflects the enduring power of nature and its ability to recover from harm. However, the poet also highlights the vulnerability of nature, as pulling out the tree’s roots and exposing them to the sun and air eventually leads to the tree’s death. The poem suggests that while nature is strong and resilient, it can also be destroyed if its essential connections to the earth are severed.

14. How does the poet use the imagery of pain and healing to describe the life of a tree?
Answer: The poet uses vivid imagery of pain and healing to describe the life of a tree. He refers to the "bleeding bark" when the tree is hacked or chopped, as if the tree is experiencing physical pain. However, the poet also describes how the tree heals itself over time, with new green twigs and miniature branches sprouting from the cut areas. This imagery of the tree "bleeding" and then "healing" reflects the tree’s ability to endure and recover from harm. The poet shows that the tree is not easily killed, as it has the power to regenerate and grow back, much like how wounds in living beings can heal.

15. What does the poem suggest about the relationship between humans and nature?
Answer: The poem suggests that humans often underestimate the strength and resilience of nature, represented by the tree. The tree is not easily destroyed by simple cuts or hacks, and it continues to grow and thrive unless it is uprooted completely. This reflects how deeply connected nature is to the earth and its environment. However, the poem also shows how humans have the power to destroy nature by severing these connections, as pulling out the tree’s roots eventually leads to its death. The poet implies that while nature is strong, human actions can have devastating consequences if we do not respect its power and its role in sustaining life.

16. Do you think the poet sympathises with the tree? Why or why not?
Answer: Yes, the poet seems to sympathise with the tree, as he describes its slow and painful process of being killed. The detailed imagery of the tree’s "bleeding bark" and its eventual withering suggests that the poet is aware of the tree’s suffering. By showing how difficult it is to kill the tree and how it fights to survive, the poet seems to respect the strength and resilience of the tree. The emphasis on the tree’s healing and regeneration also suggests that the poet admires its connection to nature.

17. What does the slow process of killing a tree symbolise in the poem?
Answer: The slow process of killing a tree symbolises the enduring strength of nature and how difficult it is to completely destroy it. The tree has grown over many years, absorbing sunlight, air, and water, and it cannot be easily killed by a simple act of cutting or chopping. This process also symbolises the deeper connection that living things have with the earth, suggesting that life cannot be easily taken away unless these natural connections are severed. The poem reflects the idea that nature is resilient but can be harmed through persistent human actions.

18. How does the poet highlight the tree’s resilience in the poem?
Answer: The poet highlights the tree’s resilience by describing how it continues to heal and grow back even after being hacked and chopped. The tree’s "bleeding bark" eventually heals, and new twigs and branches sprout from the cut areas. The poet shows that the tree is not easily killed, as it has the ability to regenerate and thrive unless its roots are pulled out. This imagery emphasises the strength of the tree and its ability to survive against efforts to destroy it.

19. Why does the poet describe the tree’s death as a slow and painful process?
Answer: The poet describes the tree’s death as a slow and painful process to highlight the difficulty of killing something that is deeply connected to the earth. The tree has grown strong over many years, and even when it is hacked and chopped, it continues to live and grow back. Only by pulling out the roots and exposing them to the sun and air does the tree begin to wither and die. This slow process reflects the idea that nature is not easily destroyed and that its life force is strong.

20. How does the poem reflect the theme of human intervention in nature?
Answer: The poem reflects the theme of human intervention in nature by showing how humans can destroy even the most resilient parts of nature, such as a tree. While the tree is strong and capable of healing itself after being cut, it is ultimately humans who cause its death by uprooting it from the earth. The poem highlights how human actions, like pulling out the roots, expose the tree’s vulnerability and lead to its eventual destruction. This suggests that while nature can endure a lot, human interference—if persistent and aggressive—can cause irreversible damage. The poem serves as a reminder of the consequences of such intervention and the delicate balance between humans and nature.

21. What does the poet mean by "leprous hide" in the poem?
Answer: The phrase "leprous hide" refers to the rough, patchy, and uneven surface of the tree’s bark. The comparison to "leprous" highlights the rugged appearance of the tree’s trunk, which seems diseased but is still strong and full of life.

22. Why does the poet say, "It takes much time to kill a tree"?
Answer: The poet says, "It takes much time to kill a tree" because a tree is deeply rooted in the earth, having absorbed nutrients and grown strong over many years. A simple cut or hack cannot kill it, as it will continue to grow back. The real killing happens only when the roots are entirely uprooted.

23. What happens to the tree after its roots are exposed to the sun and air?
Answer: After the tree’s roots are exposed to the sun and air, they begin to dry out, and the tree slowly withers, hardens, and dies. The exposure weakens the tree’s lifeline, and over time, it twists, withers, and loses its vitality.

24. What is the importance of sunlight, air, and water in the poem?
Answer: Sunlight, air, and water are important in the poem because they represent the natural elements that give life to the tree. Over many years, the tree absorbs these elements to grow and thrive. The poet highlights the tree’s deep connection to nature and how it depends on these elements to survive.

25. What is the central theme of the poem "On Killing a Tree"?
Answer: The central theme of the poem is the resilience of nature and the difficulty of destroying something that is deeply rooted in the earth. The poet shows how trees, and by extension nature, can endure harm and recover, but human intervention can ultimately lead to their destruction. The poem conveys the message that nature is strong but fragile, and careless human actions can have irreversible consequences.

Benefits of CBSE Class 9 English (Beehive) Important Questions for Chapter 7 On Killing a Tree

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Conclusion:

On Killing a Tree" by Gieve Patel highlights the strength and resilience of nature, showing that even something as strong as a tree can be destroyed if its roots are severed. The poem serves as a reminder of the irreversible harm humans can do to nature when they destroy it thoughtlessly. Vedantu’s FREE PDF for Important Questions from this chapter, designed by subject matter experts, aligns with the current syllabus. Students can easily download it to study anywhere, anytime, making learning more accessible and exam preparation smoother.

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