9th English - Book Back Answers - Poem Unit 3

9th English - Book Back Answers - Poem Unit 3 - Download

Tamil Nadu Board 9th Standard English - Poem Unit 3: Book Back Answers and Solutions

This post covers the book back answers and solutions for Unit 3 – Poem from the Tamil Nadu State Board 9th Standard English textbook. These detailed answers have been carefully prepared by our expert teachers at KalviTips.com.

We have explained each answer in a simple, easy-to-understand format, highlighting important points step by step under the relevant subtopics. Students are advised to read and memorize these subtopics thoroughly. Once you understand the main concepts, you’ll be able to connect other related points with real-life examples and confidently present them in your tests and exams.

By going through this material, you’ll gain a strong understanding of Poem Unit 3 along with the corresponding book back questions and answers (PDF format).

Question Types Covered:

1 Mark Questions: Choose the correct answer, Fill in the blanks, Identify the correct statement, Match the following
2 Mark Questions: Answer briefly
3, 4, and 5 Mark Questions: Answer in detail

All answers are presented in a clear and student-friendly manner, focusing on key points to help you score full marks.

All the best, Class 9 students! Prepare well and aim for top scores. Thank you!

Unit 3: On Killing a Tree

B. Read the following lines and answer the questions in a sentence or two.

1. It takes much time to kill a tree,
Not a simple jab of the knife
Will do it.

i) Can a ‘simple jab of the knife’ kill a tree?
No, a simple jab of the knife cannot kill a tree.

ii) Why does it take much time to kill a tree?
It takes much time to kill a tree because of its strong roots and its ability to regenerate.

2. It has grown
Slowly consuming the earth,
Rising out of it, feeding
Upon its crust, absorbing

i) How has the tree grown?
The tree has grown slowly

ii) What does the tree feed from the crust?
The tree feeds water from the crust of the earth.

3. And out of its leprous hide
Sprouting leaves.

i) What does the phrase ‘leprous hide’ mean?
The phrase "leprous hide" refers to the discolored bark of the tree.

ii) What comes out of the leprous hide?
Leaves sprout out of the leprous hide of the tree.

4. The bleeding bark will heal
And from close to the ground
Will rise curled green twigs,
Miniature boughs

i) What will happen to the bleeding bark?
The bleeding bark will heal

ii) What will rise from close to the ground?
Curled green twigs and miniature boughs will rise from close to the ground.

5. The root is to be pulled out --
Out of the anchoring earth;

i) Why should the root be pulled out?
The root should be pulled out because it is a symbol of the tree's connection to nature

ii) What does ‘anchoring earth’ mean?
The "anchoring earth" refers to the earth that the tree's roots are embedded in.

C. Based on the understanding of the poem, write down the summary of the poem by filling in the blanks.

The poet explains the process of killing a tree. A lot of work has to be done in order to root it out completely. It cannot be accomplished by merely cutting it with a knife. The tree has grown strong with the help of sunlight, water, and nutrients of the soil for countless years. Even the bark of the tree gives rise to leaf. The boughs sprouts new twigs and leaves. In a short period, they grow into a new tree. So, to kill a tree completely, one should take out its roots completely from the soil. Then they should be exposed to sun and air. Only then the tree will be completely killed.

D. Based on the understanding of the poem, answer the following questions in a sentence or two.

1. What is the poem about?
   It is about the violence of human beings against nature.

2. What are the lessons to be learnt from the poem?
   We should respect and protect nature, and that we should not take it for granted

3. What are the life sources needed for a tree to grow?
   Sunlight, air, water, and soil.

4. What does the poet mean by ‘bleeding bark’?
   The poet means that the tree is suffering when it is cut down.

5. Why does the poet say ‘No’ in the beginning of the third stanza?
   The poet says "No" in the beginning of the third stanza because he does not believe that simply cutting down the tree will kill it. He believes that the root must be pulled out in order to truly kill the tree.

6. How should the root be pulled out?
    The root should be pulled out with force and determination.

7. What is hidden inside the earth for years?
    The source, white and wet, the most sensitive, hidden for years inside the earth is the tree's life force.

8. What finally happens to the tree in this poem?
   The tree is finally killed in this poem when its root is pulled out.

E. Answer the following questions in about 80-100 words.

1. How well does the poet bring out the pain of the tree?
The poet compares the killing of a tree with the killing of a man. As humans feel the pain, the poet imagines the feeling of the pain by the tree. A tree has a life so it must have sensitively.

Every poke or thrust with a sharp knife must give some severe pain to the tree. It is hard to cut the crust of the tree. It is like leprous hide. The bark of the tree bleeds when the cut is deep. The tree endures pain but still, it has life.
It is not killed until its root of a tree is cut off and taken away from the earth. The root of the tree is like the heart of man. A man dies only when the heart is damaged. Likewise, a tree struggles to hold its life until it is uprooted.

The root has anchored in the earth and stands straight and firm on the earth. The tree undergoes all unspeakable pain’ when it is felled. Though it does not cry but mankind my try to feel and be kind to it.

2. ‘A tree doesn’t grow in a day/ Explain it with reference to the poem.
Trees and shrubs are not all grown the same same. Some species grow rapidly, putting their energy into getting established quickly and putting on fast growth. Some are fast-growing trees with lower density and weaker woods.

They are popular willow and box elders. Longer lived trees associate more resources into developing dense wood fiber rather than rapid growth. When planted, these trees typically take a longer time to get established and often one wonders if they will ever start growing.
Eventually, they do, and often of the saying goes, “It’s worth the wait”. Trees such as oaks and Ginko’s are prime examples of slower-growing trees that have longevity. It is rare to see these trees failing storms and they are largely resistant to decay and insect damage.

There are trees which take 10 to 15 years to grow and even some other trees take 20 to 30 years. So it is certain the trees do not grow in a day.

3. Why do you think the poet describes the act of cutting a tree? What effect does it have on you as a reader?
The killing of a tree is a cruel act. The poet has made us realize that the felling of a tree is killing it. The word “Killing” is very effectively and earnestly used in this poem. Being a physician, the poet has dealt with life and death of the tree.

A man dies when the heart is affected. Similarly, a tree becomes lifeless only when its root is removed from the earth. The root of a tree is compared to the heart of a man.
The poem teaches a lesson to the readers that we must not be cruel towards any living thing, either a tree or man. Killing a tree is synonymous with murdering a man.

Thus it is clear that the poet wants the readers to be kind to mankind. As readers, we must feel the pain inflicted on others by every one of our cruel act through our word and deed.

F. Complete the table by identifying lines, against the poetic devices from the poem.

1. "It takes much time to kill a tree."
   Alliteration

2. "The bleeding bark will heal."
   Personification

3. "Out of the anchoring earth."
   Metaphor

J. Work in pairs. Create three slogans on 'Saving Trees'.

1. "Save trees, to save the seas."
2. "Plant trees, for clean air and bees."
3. "Trees are our friends, let's not end."