Question Bank — The Cherry Tree

Section A — MCQs (10 questions, 1 mark each)

1. What did Rakesh do with the last cherry seed after eating the cherries?
   A) Threw it away
   B) Kept it in his pocket
   C) Rolled it on his tongue and then planted it
   D) Gave it to Grandfather

2. Where did Grandfather ask Rakesh to plant the cherry seed?
   A) In the mustard bed
   B) In the shady corner of the garden
   C) Near the cottage door
   D) In a pot

3. Assertion (A): The cherry tree survived after being cut in two by a woman cutting grass.
   Reason (R): Grandfather said cherry trees are tough.
   Choose the correct option:
   a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
   b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
   c) A is true, but R is false.
   d) A is false, but R is true.

4. What did Rakesh notice on his ninth birthday?
   A) The tree was taller than Grandfather
   B) The tree had a pale pink blossom
   C) The tree bore sweet cherries
   D) The tree had grown three feet

5. In the poem Harvest Hymn, who is praised as the “Lord of the lotus, lord of the harvest”?
   A) Varuna
   B) Surya
   C) Prithvi
   D) Brahma

6. Assertion (A): The farmers offer songs, garlands and the gold of their fields as tribute.
   Reason (R): They believe the gods have given them the bounty of harvest.
   Choose the correct option:
   a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
   b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
   c) A is true, but R is false.
   d) A is false, but R is true.

7. What did the old woman in “Waiting for the Rain” tell Velu about the land?
   A) The land should be ploughed every day
   B) The land needs rest just like human beings
   C) The land should be left barren forever
   D) The land should be sold

8. Which literary device is used in the line “The cherry tree bent low with the weight of snow”?
   A) Simile
   B) Personification
   C) Metaphor
   D) Alliteration

9. What did Rakesh feel when he lay under the fully grown cherry tree?
   A) He felt he was like God
   B) He felt angry with Grandfather
   C) He wanted to cut the tree
   D) He felt nothing special

10. In Harvest Hymn, what does the repetition of “Thine is the bounty…” emphasise?
    A) The farmers’ fear of the gods
    B) The gods’ generosity and ownership of the harvest
    C) The farmers’ wealth
    D) The coming of rain

Section B — Reference to Context (3 extracts, 4 marks each)

Extract 1

“One morning in the garden he bent to pick up what he thought was a small twig and found to his surprise that it was well rooted. He stared at it for a moment, then ran to fetch Grandfather, calling, ‘Dada, come and look, the cherry tree has come up!’”

(i) Who is the speaker and to whom is he speaking?
(ii) What does the discovery of the small twig signify?
(iii) Identify the literary device used in “the cherry tree has come up”.
(iv) What does Rakesh’s action of running to fetch Grandfather show about his character?

Extract 2

“We bring thee our songs and our garlands for tribute,
The gold of our fields and the gold of our fruit;
O giver of mellowing radiance, we hail thee,
We praise thee, O Surya, with cymbal and flute.”

(i) Who are the speakers in these lines?
(ii) What do the farmers offer as tribute and why?
(iii) Name the poetic device used in “gold of our fields and the gold of our fruit”.
(iv) What quality of Surya is highlighted by the phrase “giver of mellowing radiance”?

Extract 3

“Rest? Let the land rest? I don’t understand,” Velu looked at her, a little puzzled.
“Yes, my son, that is the difficulty. You don’t realise that the earth is old...”

(i) Who is speaking to Velu and what advice is being given?
(ii) Why is Velu puzzled?
(iii) What literary device is used when the old woman calls Velu “my son”?
(iv) What does the old woman’s advice reveal about her understanding of nature?

Section C — Short Answer (5 questions, 3 marks each)

1. Why did Rakesh’s parents send him to live with his grandfather in Mussoorie?
2. How did the cherry tree survive after the goat ate its leaves and after it was cut in two?
3. What does Grandfather mean when he says, “We planted it ourselves. That’s why it’s special”?
4. In Harvest Hymn, why do the women praise Prithvi as “sweet and omnipotent mother”?
5. What lesson about nature does the old woman teach Velu in “Waiting for the Rain”?

Section D — Long Answer (2 questions, 6 marks each)

1. Describe the relationship between Rakesh and his grandfather. How does the cherry tree strengthen this bond? (100–120 words)
2. “The Cherry Tree” and “Harvest Hymn” both celebrate the bond between humans and nature. Elaborate with examples from the texts. (100–120 words)

Section E — Language and Writing (2 questions, 4 marks each)

1. From the unit, fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb given in brackets (Simple Past / Past Progressive / Past Perfect):
   Rakesh _ (plant) the seed last year. While he _ (play) cricket, the seed _ (begin) to grow. By the time he noticed it, the tree _ (send) out tender leaves.

2. Write a short diary entry (80–100 words) from Rakesh’s point of view on the day he saw the first pink blossom on the cherry tree. Express his feelings of wonder and gratitude.