Question.1. Can a “simple jab of the knife” kill a tree? Why not?
Ans. No, a simple jab of a knife wouldn’t be enough to kill a tree because it will heal itself in the due course of time if it is not destroyed by uprooting it completely. Moreover, only chopping cannot kill it because it will slowly rise again and grow to its original size.

Question.2. How has the tree grown to its full size? List the words suggestive of its life and activity.
Ans. The tree has grown to its full size by absorbing years of sunlight, water, and air. It slowly grows out of the earth and sprouts its leaves. The words suggestive of its life and activity are ‘grown slowly consuming the earth’, ‘rising out of it’, ‘feeding upon its crust’, ‘absorbing years of sunlight, air, water”.

Question.3. What is the meaning of ‘bleeding bark’? What makes it bleed?
Ans. The ‘Bleeding bark’ refers to the bark of the tree which gives out a liquid after it is cut or hurt. Chopping and hacking the tree make its bark bleed.

Question.4. The poet says ‘No’ in the beginning of the third stanza. What does he mean by this?
Ans. The poet says ‘No’ in the beginning of the third stanza, to focus on the fact that mere chopping of the tree would not kill it. The tree would grow again and retain its original size.

Question.5. What is the meaning of ‘anchoring earth’ and ‘earth cave’?
Ans. It means the earth that gives protection to the tree. The earth, that is, the soil keeps the tree in its grip and gives life to it. ‘Earth cave’ means a hole inside it. The tree has its roots in it. As a cave gives shelter, similarly, the earth gives shelter to the roots.

Question.6. What does he mean by ‘the strength of the tree exposed’?
Ans. The strength of the tree are its roots. When the tree is pulled out of the soil, they become lifelss.

Question.7. What finally kills the tree?
Ans. When the tree is entirely uprooted, it lies exposed in the sun and it dries up. It cannot feed on the soil. It cannot breathe and then it dies.