‘The Trees’ Poem Past years’ Questions (PYQs) given here are necessary questions to prepare for Class 10 Board Exams. The questions include PYQs, SQPs, CBSE Question Bank and other questions. Study here to prepare well for Board exams.
The Trees PYQS & Important Questions
SQP 2024-25
1. How does the imagery of the trees’ movement from the house to the forest, in ‘Trees’, reflect broader themes of liberation and growth in human experiences? (SQP 2024-25)
Ans. In The Trees, the movement of trees from the house to the forest symbolizes liberation and growth. It reflects breaking free from confinement, personal transformation, and rebellion against oppression. The empty forest filling with trees signifies renewal, showing that freedom leads to growth, change, and a new beginning in human experiences.
Long Answer:
In The Trees by Adrienne Rich, the movement of the trees from the house to the forest symbolizes liberation and growth, which are also important themes in human life.
- Breaking Free from Confinement – The trees struggle to leave the house, just like people who feel trapped in society’s restrictions or oppressive situations (such as women fighting for independence). Their movement represents freedom from control.
- Personal Growth and Change – When the trees move to the forest, they finally reach a place where they can grow naturally. This reflects how people also need space and freedom to grow, improve, and find their true identity.
- Rebellion Against Oppression – The breaking glass in the poem shows the breaking of barriers (like traditions or social rules) that stop people from being free. Just as the trees push forward, people struggle for equality and rights.
- Nature and Renewal – The forest was empty before, but by morning, it will be full of trees. This suggests that once people break free, they can create a new world where they can live happily and grow without restrictions.
Conclusion: The trees’ movement is a powerful image of freedom, change, and personal growth, encouraging individuals to break free from restrictions and embrace new beginnings.
CBSE PYQs: 2023-24
My head is full of whispers
Which tomorrow will be silent.
Listen. The glass is breaking.
The trees are stumbling forward
into the night. Winds rush to meet them.
The moon is broken like a mirror,
its pieces flash now in the crown
of the tallest Oak.
(i) Identify the figure of speech used in the line: “The trees are stumbling forward into the night”.
(ii) Explain the significance of the line:
“The moon is broken like a mirror, its pieces flash
now in the crown of the tallest Oak.” Answer in about 40 words.
(iii) Complete the sentence with the appropriate option. In the third line, the word ‘Listen’ is used to _____.
- (A) serve no purpose but to complete the sentence.
- (B) emphasise listening carefully to the sound of glass breaking.
- (C) emphasise listening carefully as a change is about to take place.
- (D) make the reader more attentive.
(iv) What does the line: “My head is full of whispers which tomorrow will be silent” tell us about the poet’s state of mind?
Answers:
(i) Personification – The trees are given human qualities by describing them as “stumbling”, as if they are struggling like people learning to walk after being confined.
(ii) The broken moon symbolizes change, destruction of old norms, and a new beginning. Its shattered pieces shining on the tallest oak suggest that freedom comes at a cost, but it leads to growth and transformation, just like the trees reclaiming their space in nature.
(iii) (C) Emphasise listening carefully as a change is about to take place.
(iv) The line suggests the poet’s inner conflict and awareness of change. The “whispers” represent her unspoken thoughts about freedom, but she knows that by morning, everything will be silent again, showing how people often ignore or forget struggles for liberation.
SQP 2022-23
The trees inside are moving out into the forest,
the forest that was empty all these days
where no bird could sit
no insect hide
no sun bury its feet in shadow
the forest that was empty all these nights
will be full of trees by morning.
(i) Complete the sentence appropriately.
It is clear that Personification is the poetic device used for ‘No sun bury its feet….’ because _____ .
(Clue: explain how personification applies here)
(ii) The poet has used a poetic device in the given lines. What effect does she wish to create by its use?
…no bird could sit
no insect hide
no sun…
(a) emphasis (b) comparison (c) rhyme (d) humour
(iii) State whether the following statement is TRUE or FALSE:
The extract uses trees as a symbol for conservative people.
(iv) Select the appropriate option to complete the sentence, according to the extract.
The idea of a forest that has been ‘empty all these days’ is .
(a) unnatural (b) scary (c) magical (d) legendary
v) How does the use of enjambment impact this extract?
- (a) It forces frequent pauses.
- (b) It simplifies the meaning.
- (c) It builds momentum.
- (d) It makes the lines lyrical.
Answers:
(i) It is clear that Personification is the poetic device used for ‘No sun bury its feet…’ because the sun is given human qualities by describing it as having feet that it can bury in the shadows, making nature feel more alive and expressive.
(ii) (a) Emphasis – The repetition of “no bird,” “no insect,” “no sun” highlights the barrenness and lifelessness of the forest before the trees move back in.
(iii) FALSE – The extract uses trees as a symbol of freedom, growth, and breaking away from oppression, rather than conservative people.
(iv) (a) Unnatural – A forest is meant to be full of life, so describing it as “empty” feels unnatural and strange.
(v) (c) It builds momentum – The use of enjambment (continuing a sentence across lines without a pause) creates a sense of movement, mirroring the trees’ slow but unstoppable journey toward freedom.
CBSE PYQs – 2019
1. Why is the poet writing long letters? Why does she not mention the departure of the trees? (AI 2019)
Ans. The poet is writing long letters probably to keep herself busy in some activity. She does not mention the departure of the trees in her long letters because She does not mention it because she doesn’t want anyone to know that the trees are silently rebelling and escaping. She supports their liberation and believes they belong to nature, so she chooses to stay silent.
OR
She doesn’t mention the trees’ departure because she feels guilty yet passive, symbolizing how society often ignores change, even when witnessing it.
CBSE PYQs – 2017
2. What are the three things that can’t happen in a treeless forest? (Delhi 2017)
Ans. In a treeless forest, birds cannot sit, insects cannot hide, and the sun cannot create shadows.
3. In the poem ‘Trees’, where are the trees? What are their roots, twigs, etc. trying to do? (AI 2017)
Ans. The trees are inside a house, but their roots work to break free, twigs strain toward the glass, and boughs push against the roof, symbolizing their struggle for freedom.
4. What happens to the house when trees move out of it? (Foreign 2017)
Ans. As the trees move out, the house becomes silent, lifeless, and empty, losing its natural connection and warmth.
CBSE Question Bank
1. In the poem “The Trees”, the poet compares the trees to “newly discharged patients”. Highlight any two reasons for the same.
Ans. The poet compares the trees to “newly discharged patients” because:
- The trees, like patients, have been confined for a long time and are now stepping into freedom with uncertainty.
- Their movement is slow and hesitant, similar to how weak, recovering patients struggle to adjust after leaving a hospital.
2. The trees have been shown to have human qualities in the poem. Justify the statement with any two instances from the text.
Ans. The trees have been shown to have human qualities (personification) in the poem:
- “The roots work to disengage themselves.” → The roots are shown as actively freeing themselves, like people struggling to break free.
- “Long-cramped boughs shuffling under the roof.” → The branches are compared to oppressed individuals trying to escape confinement.
3. Change never comes easy. Justify the quote in the context of the poem “The Trees”
Ans. Change never comes easy – Justification from the poem:
- The trees struggle all night to break free from their confinement, symbolizing how freedom requires effort and persistence.
- The breaking of glass and the stumbling movement of trees highlight the pain and difficulty of transformation.
4. The forest undergoes tremendous transformation overnight. Discuss with reference to the poem “The Trees”
Ans. The forest undergoes a tremendous transformation overnight:
- It was once empty, lifeless, and silent, but by morning, it is filled with trees, life, and movement.
- The return of the trees restores balance in nature, symbolizing how freedom leads to renewal and vitality.
5. The poet uses trees as a symbol for women breaking patriarchal notions. Do you agree? Why/Why not?
Ans. The poet uses trees as a symbol for women breaking patriarchal notions – Do you agree?
Yes, I agree.
- The trees’ struggle to escape the house represents women breaking free from social restrictions.
- The house symbolizes patriarchal confinement, while the forest represents freedom, growth, and equality.
6. The poem ‘Trees’ appears to be about trees, environment, deforestation and afforestation. On a deeper level we discover that Adrienne Rich is expressing her concerned about women and their emancipation. Elaborate with reference to the poem. (100 to 120 words)
Ans. The poem ‘Trees’ appears to be about trees and nature, but it also highlights women’s emancipation.
On the surface, The Trees discusses deforestation and afforestation, but on a deeper level, it symbolizes women’s fight for freedom from patriarchal control. The trees trapped inside the house represent women confined by social norms, and their movement towards the forest signifies breaking free from oppression. The poet does not openly discuss their escape, showing silent rebellion. The breaking glass and stumbling movement reflect the struggles women face in their fight for equality. Just as the trees reclaim their space in the forest, women also deserve liberation and independence.
7. What message does Adrienne Rich want to convey through the poem, ‘The Trees’? (100 to 120 words)
Ans. Message of the poem “The Trees” by Adrienne Rich:
Adrienne Rich conveys a strong message of freedom, resistance, and change. The poem emphasizes the struggle against oppression, whether in nature (trees breaking free) or society (women fighting for rights). The trees symbolize human resilience, showing that liberation requires effort and sacrifice.
The poet also critiques deforestation and environmental destruction, reminding us that nature belongs in its rightful place. Through symbolism and imagery, Rich highlights the importance of breaking free from confinement, whether it be social restrictions or environmental exploitation. The poem inspires readers to embrace change, fight for freedom, and restore balance in both society and nature.
