Try each question on your own first. Use the Show Answer button only after you have selected your option, then read the explanation and revise the related concept from your chapter notes.
Explanation: 'On Killing a Tree' is written by the renowned Indian poet and physician Dr. Gieve Patel.
2. Can a simple jab of the knife kill a tree?
A. Yes, very easily
B. No, it takes much time to kill a tree
C. Yes, within seconds
D. It kills the tree partially
Answer: B. No, it takes much time to kill a tree
Explanation: "It takes much time to kill a tree, / Not a simple jab of the knife / Will do it." A tree has strong deep roots and cannot be killed by just a blow.
3. How does a tree grow over years?
A. By consuming the earth
B. By feeding upon its crust
C. By absorbing sunlight, air, and water
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Explanation: The tree grows slowly by feeding on the earth's crust and absorbing years of sunlight, air, and water.
4. What happens when the tree is hacked and chopped?
A. It dies instantly
B. Its bleeding bark heals, and green twigs rise again
C. It turns into dust
D. It dries up completely
Answer: B. Its bleeding bark heals, and green twigs rise again
Explanation: Hacking and chopping cause pain, but "the bleeding bark will heal" and miniature boughs will regrow if left unchecked.
5. What must be pulled out to kill the tree permanently?
A. The leaves
B. The branches
C. The root
D. The outer bark
Answer: C. The root
Explanation: "No, / The root is to be pulled out / Out of the anchoring earth." The root contains the tree's vital strength.
6. What is the most sensitive part of the tree?
A. Its leaves
B. Its flowers
C. Its root (white and wet)
D. Its trunk
Answer: C. Its root (white and wet)
Explanation: The poet describes the root as "white and wet, the most sensitive, hidden / For years inside the earth."
7. What happens to the pulled-out root in the sun and air?
A. It grows bigger
B. It rots, scorches, browning, hardening, and withering
C. It blossoms
D. It turns green again
Answer: B. It rots, scorches, browning, hardening, and withering
Explanation: Once exposed, the sun and air scorch and choke it, leading to browning, hardening, withering, and finally death.
8. What phrase is used to describe the earth holding the tree's roots firmly?
A. Earth cave
B. Anchoring earth
C. Deep earth
D. Green earth
Answer: B. Anchoring earth
Explanation: The phrase "anchoring earth" implies that the earth supports and holds the tree securely like an anchor holds a ship.
9. What literary tone or style does the poet use in this poem?
A. Irony / Sarcasm
B. Humor
C. Romance
D. Fantasy
Answer: A. Irony / Sarcasm
Explanation: The poet uses irony by presenting a step-by-step guide on how to kill a tree to highlight human cruelty towards nature.
10. When is the process of killing a tree complete ("and then it is done")?
A. When the leaves fall off
B. When the bark turns brown
C. When the root is completely dried, withered, and dead
D. When the branches are chopped off
Answer: C. When the root is completely dried, withered, and dead
Explanation: Only when the root goes through scorching, browning, hardening, and withering is the tree completely killed.
This page contains a chapter-wise objective practice set. Try the questions without checking the answer first, then use the explanation to understand the point you missed. The current page contains 10 questions, so you can practise in smaller sets when you are revising.
Quick revision tip
After the practice set, write down the question numbers you missed and revise only those concepts once more. This makes MCQ practice more useful than repeatedly attempting the same questions without reviewing mistakes.
