Answer following questions in short.
Q1) Can a ‘simple jab
of knife’ kill a tree? Why not?
Ans1) A simple jab of the knife can not kill a tree. Its
roots go on curling inside the deep Earth. They keep it well protected and it
needs so much power for pulling and cutting down.
Q2) What is the
meaning of ‘bleeding bark’? What makes it bleed?
Ans2) ‘Bleeding bark’ here points to the mark of cutting on
the bark with heavy and unbearable blows of axe. The continuous and rough blows
of an axe make the tree bleed.
Q3) What is the
meaning of ‘anchoring earth’ and ‘earth cave’?
Ans3)‘Anchoring earth’ here refers that the roots of the
tree that held it firmly in the earth. They hold it properly. ‘Earth cave’ means
that after uprooting a tree an opening is formed which is usually deep. It is
called ‘earth cave’.
Q4) How do the roots
look like when they are pulled out?
Ans4) When the roots are pulled out, they are white and wet.
The roots are the most sensitive part of the tree. The real strength of the
tree lies in its roots.
Some more questions for practice.
Q1) How has the tree
grown to its full size? List the words suggestive of its life and activity.
Q2) What finally
kills the tree?
Q3) What does he mean
by ‘the strength of the tree exposed?
Q4) What is the significance of the last phase in the
life of the tree ?
Q5) What are the
ideas contained in the poem ‘On killing a Tree’?
Q6) There are some
ironical details in the poem. Substantiate your answer with facts.
Q7) How does the poet
create the feeling of sadness in the poem?