Page 13 - English Expedition Class 6
P. 13
Comprehension
A. Complete the following summary by fi lling the blanks with suitable words from the poem.
The poet pleads with the ____________ to ____________ his oak tree. He tells him not to touch
even a single ____________. He reminisces how the tree had ____________ him in his youth and
says that now it is time for him to ____________ it. He goes on to say that it was planted by his
____________ near his cot. He asks the woodman if he could really ____________ down a tree
whose glory and ____________ are spread far and wide.
The poet insists that the latter mustn’t cut the ____________-bound ____________ of the
____________ tree. He talks about how much he rejoiced in its ____________ shade as a boy;
how his ____________ played there, his ____________ kissed him while his father ____________
his ____________ to reassure him. He asks to be forgiven for his ____________.
The poet ends the poem by addressing the tree as his ____________. He says that his
____________ cling to the tree as closely as its ____________. He is certain that the
____________ tree will brave the ____________ once again; the wild-____________ shall
sing again and the tree’s ____________ shall continue to bend. He concludes by challenging
the woodman, telling him that as long as he has a ____________ to save it, the former’s
____________ shall not ____________ the tree.
B. Answer the following questions.
1. Why does the poet want to protect the oak tree?
2. What does the ‘glory and renown’ of the old oak tree refer to?
3. What are the ‘earth-bound ties’ of the tree? Why must they not be cut?
4. What memories of the poet and his family are associated with the tree?
5. Explain these lines in your own words:
While I’ve a hand to save,
Thy axe shall harm it not.
C. Refl ect and answer.
1. Though the reasons given by the poet are sentimental, the thought of preserving trees is
central to the poem. Do you agree with this statement? Elaborate.
2. Do you think the poet’s arguments convinced the woodman to spare the tree? Why/Why not?
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