On Killing a Tree

“On Killing a Tree” is a small poem written by Gieve Patel. The first two stanzas of the poem
describe the strength of the tree and the last two stanzas give step-by step instructions to kill a tree
completely. The poet says that we cannot kill a tree by a simple knife. The tree is the child of mother
earth. It has grown eating the dust, consuming air, water, sunlight etc. It is very strong. The
discoloured bark of the tree gives an impression that the tree has been suffering from some leprosy
kind of disease. But it is a wrong impression. The tree is not sick. Since the roots are inside the earth,
it looks like that. The green leaves, twigs, flowers and fruits are the evidence for the strength of the
tree. The repeated hacking and chopping of tree will make the tree bleed but they will not kill the
tree. The tree is an example for resilience. If you cut them, the boughs will start growing again in the
former place. The tree should be uprooted to be killed. It is the root that gives enormous strength to
the tree. After that, the tree will pale, stiffen, dry up and will meet its death inch by inch. Thus this
poem talks about the power of nature and man’s insensitive nature.

MCQ

1. The poem is written in

1 point
Iambic pentameter
rhyming couplet
free verse
blank verse.
2. The word 'crust' means
1 point
sandy layer
outer layer
muddy layer
inner layer.
3. "And out of its leprous hide." -- Here the phrase 'leprous hide'
suggests that the tree is
1 point
diseased
just born
young
very old.
4. 'The bleeding bark will heal." -- Here the phrase 'bleeding bark' is an
example of
1 point
alliteration
assonance
hyperbole
oxymoron
5. "Out of the anchoring earth' -- Here the phrase 'anchoring earth' is an
example of
1 point
contrast
exclamation
simile
metaphor.
6. In order to kill a tree completely, it is to be
1 point
stabbed
chopped
uprooted
hacked.
7. The most sensitive part of the tree is its
1 point
root
stems
bark
branch.
8. "And then it is done." -- Here 'it' refers to
1 point
planting of a tree
fencing of a tree
killing of a tree
growing of a tree.
9. The final line of the poem brings a
1 point
sense of pathos
sense of joy
sense of humour
sense of wonder.
10. In this poem the killing of a tree is described as
1 point
a woodcutter's job
a deliberate act
an innocent act
a healthy exercise.
4. 'The bleeding bark will heal." -- Here the phrase 'bleeding bark'
is an example of
0/1
alliteration
assonance
hyperbole
 
oxymoron
Correct answer
alliteration
 
5. "Out of the anchoring earth' -- Here the phrase 'anchoring
earth' is an example of
0/1
contrast
exclamation
simile
 
metaphor.
Correct answer
metaphor.
 
6. In order to kill a tree completely, it is to be
0/1
stabbed
chopped
uprooted
hacked.
 
Correct answer
uprooted
 
7. The most sensitive part of the tree is its
0/1
root
stems
 
bark
branch.
Correct answer
root
 
8. "And then it is done." -- Here 'it' refers to
1/1
planting of a tree
fencing of a tree
killing of a tree
 
growing of a tree.
 
9. The final line of the poem brings a
0/1
sense of pathos
sense of joy
sense of humour
sense of wonder.
 
Correct answer
sense of pathos
 
10. In this poem the killing of a tree is described as
0/1
a woodcutter's job
 
a deliberate act
an innocent act
a healthy exercise.
Correct answer
a deliberate act