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On Killing a Tree — Syllabus

ICSE · Class 10 · English Literature-Treasure Chest ( Poems and Short Stories)

What On Killing a Tree covers in ICSE Class 10 English Literature-Treasure Chest: 4 topics, for the 2026-27 session.

54 questions26 flashcards5 concepts

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An infographic explaining and providing examples of the literary devices used in the poem: Repetition, Contrast, Imagery, Personification, and Irony.
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4 Topics · ICSE Class 10 English Literature-Treasure Chest ( Poems and Short Stories) · 2026-27

Topics in On Killing a Tree

1

About the Poet and the Poem

  • Gieve Patel was born on 18 August 1940 in Bombay, now Mumbai.
  • He was educated at St. Xavier's High School and Grant Medical College, Mumbai.
  • He was a poet, playwright, painter, and physician.
2

How the Tree Grows and Survives

  • The poem says it takes much time to kill a tree.
  • A simple jab of a knife will not kill it.
  • The tree has grown slowly over years by consuming the earth and absorbing sunlight, air, and water.
3

The True Way of Killing the Tree

  • The poem clearly says that the root must be pulled out.
  • The root has to be taken out from the anchoring earth.
  • It must be roped, tied, and pulled out completely.
4

Themes and Message

  • The poem is a strong protest against human cruelty to nature.
  • It shows that destroying a tree is not easy, but it is still a violent and cruel act.
  • The tree stands for the strength and endurance of nature.

Key Concepts

Central concept: The poem shows that killing a tree is a slow, cruel process that begins with surface damage and ends only when the roots are uprooted and exposed to sun and air.

Gieve PatelFree verseTree as symbol of NatureHuman crueltyTree's growth and strengthSurface damageRegrowthRoots

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the important topics in On Killing a Tree for ICSE Class 10 English Literature-Treasure Chest ( Poems and Short Stories)?
Key topics in On Killing a Tree include About the Poet and the Poem, How the Tree Grows and Survives, The True Way of Killing the Tree, Themes and Message. Study these first, then practise questions on each for the ICSE Class 10 board exam.
How should I revise On Killing a Tree for the ICSE Class 10 board exam?
Learn the core ideas first, then work through the 54 practice questions on On Killing a Tree. Revise definitions regularly and use flashcards for quick recall before the exam.

Sources & Official References

Content is aligned to the official syllabus. Refer to the board website for the latest curriculum.

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All ICSE Class 10 English Literature-Treasure Chest ( Poems and Short Stories) Syllabus

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