‘On Killing a Tree’ by Gieve Patel, questions and answers(S.A.Q.), Class – 12, WBCHSE

1)‘It takes much time to kill a tree.’ – What does the poet Gieve Patel mean by the statement?

Ans.  The poet Gieve Patel means that it is not easy to kill a tree.

2) ‘Slowly consuming the earth’ – What does the expression ‘consuming the earth’ mean?[H.S. – 2019]

Ans.  ‘Consuming the earth’ means drawing vital nutrients from the earth.

3)How does a tree grow?[H.S. – 2017]

Ans.  A tree grows slowly by consuming the earth, feeding upon its crust, absorbing sunlight, air, water for years.

4)What does the word ‘crust’ mean?

Ans.  The word ‘crust’ means the top layer of the earth.

5)What has the tree absorbed for its growth?

Ans.  The tree has absorbed sunlight, air and water for years for its growth.

6)What does the expression ‘leprous hide’ refer to? Or.  What is meant by ‘leprous hide’? [H.S. – 2020]

Ans.  The expression ‘leprous hide’ refers to the bark which is probably rough and has marks.

7)What comes out from the leprous hide? Or. What sprouts out of the leprous hide?

Ans.  Green leaves sprout out of the leprous hide.

8) ‘But this alone won’t do it.’ – What do you mean by ‘this’?

Ans.  ‘ This’ refers to the hacking and chopping.

9) ‘Not much pain will do it.’ – What does the word ‘it’ refers to?

Ans.  ‘It’ refers to the task of killing a tree.

10) ‘Not much pain will do it.’ – What does the expression suggest? [H.S. – 2015]

Ans.  The expression suggests that the tree can get pain from hacking and chopping but they cannot kill it completely.

11)What does the expression ‘bleeding bark’ suggest?

Ans. The expression ‘bleeding bark’ suggests the flow of sap from the bark of the tree after hacking and chopping.

12)What causes the bark of a tree to bleed? [H.S. – 2019]

Ans.  The hacking and chopping causes the bark of tree to bleed.

13)What will rise from close to the ground?

Ans. Curled green twigs will rise from close to the ground.

14)What are miniature boughs?

Ans. The curled green twigs are the miniature boughs.

15)From where would curled green twigs rise?

Ans. Curled green miniature twigs would rise from stem close to the ground.

16)What would happen if the growth of miniature boughs is unchecked.

Ans.  If the growth of miniature boughs is unchecked, they will expand again to their former sizes.

17)What does the expression ‘anchoring earth’ suggest?

Ans.  The expression ‘anchoring earth’ suggests that the roots are deep-rooted into the earth and they are holding the tree tightly.

18)What does the phrase ‘earth cave’ refer to? [H.S. -2016]

Ans.  The phrase ‘earth cave’ refers to the hollow made after uprooting the tree.

19)Which part of the tree is the most sensitive, white and wet? [H.S. – 2018]   Or. What according to the poet is the most sensitive of the tree? [H.S. – 2015]

Ans.  The root of the tree is the most sensitive, white and wet.

20)Where does the tree’s strength lie? [H.S. – 2019]

Ans. The tree’s strength lies in the roots.

21)Why is the root wet?

Ans.  The root is wet because it sucks water from the earth and passes to the tree.

22)What remains hidden for years inside the earth?

Ans.  The roots of the tree remain hidden for years inside the earth.

23)What scorches and chokes the tree after it is pulled out? [H.S. – 2016]

Ans.  The sun and the air scorch and choke the tree after it is pulled out.

24)In what form of verse is the poem ‘On Killing a Tree’ written? [H.S. – 2020]

Ans. The poem ‘On Killing a Tree, is written in free verse.

Read more about :

Read more about :

∎ Poetry – M.C.Q. from the previous year H.S. Exams, Class 12, WBCHSE

∎ ‘On Killing a Tree’ by Gieve Patel – questions and answers(L.A.Q.), class – 12, WBCHSE

∎ ‘On Killing a Tree’ by Gieve Patel – Questions and Answers(M.C.Q.), class – 12, WBCHSE