Read the given extract and answer the questions
Extract:
No, The root is to be pulled out
Out of the anchoring earth;
It is to be roped, tied,
And pulled out - snapped out
Or pulled out entirely,
Out from the earth-cave,
And the strength of the tree exposed,
The source, white and wet,
The most sensitive, hidden
For years inside the earth.
(On Killing a Tree)
Question (i)
What does the poet mean by "the anchoring earth" in the extract?
- a) The earth that holds the tree firmly in place.
- b) The earth that nourishes the tree with minerals and water.
- c) The earth that covers the tree's roots from sunlight and air.
- d) All of the above.
Answer:
As written by the student:
d) All of the above.
Step-by-Step Explanation:
- To answer this question, we need to understand what the poet is trying to convey in this extract. He is describing how difficult it is to kill a tree and what steps are required to do so . He says that the root of the tree has to be pulled out from the earth that anchors it.🌳
- The word "anchor" means to secure or hold something firmly in place. The poet uses this word to show that the earth has a strong connection with the tree and supports its growth and survival. 🌎
- The poet also implies that the earth provides nourishment, protection, and stability to the tree. The earth supplies the tree with minerals and water that help it grow and thrive. The earth also covers the tree's roots from sunlight and air that can harm or dry them out.🌞
- Therefore, the poet means all of these things by "the anchoring earth" in the extract. He wants to emphasize how much the tree depends on the earth and how hard it is to separate them . He also wants to show his respect and admiration for the tree and its resilience.👏
- Hence, the correct answer is d) All of the above. ✔️
Question (ii)
What is the synonym of "roped" in the extract?
Answer:
As written by the student:
Tied.
Step-by-Step Explanation:
- To answer this question, we need to know what the word "roped" means and find another word that has the same or similar meaning.🧐
- The word "roped" means to fasten or secure something with a rope or a similar material . The poet uses this word to show how the root of the tree has to be bound and pulled out from the earth.🌳
- A synonym is a word that has the same or nearly the same meaning as another word. We can use a dictionary or a thesaurus to find synonyms for words.📚
- One possible synonym for "roped" is "tied" . This word also means to fasten or secure something with a rope or a similar material. It has the same spelling and pronunciation as the past tense of "tie".👍
- Therefore, the synonym of "roped" in the extract is "tied". ✔️
Question (iii)
How does the poet describe "the strength of the tree" in the extract? What does this reveal about his attitude towards trees?
Answer:
As written by the student:
The poet describes " the strength of the tree " as " the source, white and wet, the most sensitive, hidden for years inside the earth ". This reveals that he has a positive and respectful attitude towards trees.
Step-by-Step Explanation:
- To answer this question, we need to analyze the poet's choice of words and what they imply about his feelings and thoughts.🤔
- The poet describes "the strength of the tree" as "the source, white and wet, the most sensitive, hidden for years inside the earth". He uses these words to show how the root of the tree is the vital part that gives it life and energy .🌳
- The word "source" means the origin or the starting point of something. The poet uses this word to show that the root is where the tree begins and where it gets its nourishment and support from. 🌱
- The words "white and wet" suggest that the root is fresh and alive. They contrast with the words "scorching and choking in sun and air" that describe how the root will die if exposed . The poet uses this contrast to show how the root is vulnerable and needs protection.🌞
- The word "sensitive" means having or showing a quick and delicate appreciation of others' feelings. The poet uses this word to show that he empathizes with the tree and its pain. He also implies that the tree has feelings and emotions that can be hurt.😢
- The word "hidden" means kept out of sight or concealed from view. The poet uses this word to show that the root is not visible or noticeable to most people. He also suggests that the root has a mysterious and secretive quality that makes it special.🔮
- The phrase "for years inside the earth" shows that the root has a long history and a deep connection with the earth. The poet uses this phrase to show that he respects and admires the tree for its longevity and resilience .👏
- Therefore, the poet describes "the strength of the tree" in a positive and respectful way. He shows that he values and cares for trees as living beings that have a strong bond with the earth . He also shows that he feels sorry and guilty for killing them.😔
Question (iv)
The poet uses _________ and _________ words to create a contrast between the tree and its surroundings in this extract.
Answer:
As written by the student:
The poet uses positive and negative words to create a contrast between the tree and its surroundings in this extract.
Step-by-Step Explanation:
- To answer this question, we need to identify the words that the poet uses to describe the tree and its surroundings in this extract. Then we need to classify them as positive or negative based on their connotations.👀
- The words that the poet uses to describe the tree are: pulled out, snapped out, exposed, source, white, wet, sensitive, hidden . The words that the poet uses to describe the surroundings are: anchoring, earth-cave, scorching, choking, sun, air, browning, hardening, twisting, withering .🌳
- The words that have a positive connotation are: source, white, wet, sensitive . These words imply that the tree is alive, fresh, delicate, and empathetic. They also suggest that the poet has a positive and respectful attitude towards the tree.😊
- The words that have a negative connotation are: pulled out, snapped out, exposed, anchoring, earth-cave, scorching, choking, sun, air, browning, hardening, twisting, withering . These words imply that the tree is being harmed, uprooted, exposed, trapped, suffocated, dried out, and killed. They also suggest that the poet has a negative and remorseful attitude towards his actions.😞
- Therefore, the poet uses positive and negative words to create a contrast between the tree and its surroundings in this extract. He shows how the tree is different from its environment and how it suffers from being separated from it . He also shows how he feels about the tree and his actions.😔
