Questions & Answers
Maharashtra State Board - Grade - 11
Subject: English
Poem - 01 - Cherry Tree
Types of Questions
Appreciation of the Poem
- Theme:
The poem reflects the themes of growth, patience, resilience, and the beauty of nature. It emphasizes how even the smallest act, like planting a seed, can lead to something beautiful and meaningful over time. - Tone and Mood:
The tone of the poem is reflective, appreciative, and calm. The mood gradually shifts from wonder and struggle to joy and contentment, as the poet observes the growth of the cherry tree. - Language and Style:
The poet uses simple, vivid, and descriptive language that brings nature alive. The use of natural imagery and personification makes the cherry tree’s journey emotional and relatable. - Figures of Speech:
The poem includes several poetic devices such as:
- Alliteration: “fresh fierce lust”, “slender stem shrivelled”
- Personification: The tree is described as if it has human qualities — “its arms in a fresh fierce lust”
- Metaphor: “Made a miracle from green growing pain” symbolizes the struggles of growth
- Symbolism: The cherry tree symbolizes hope, patience, reward, and the cycle of life
- Message / Moral:
The poem teaches that nature has its own strength and rhythm. With patience and care, small efforts can lead to great rewards. It reminds us to appreciate the silent wonders of life and growth.
The poem leaves a lasting impression with its gentle tone and philosophical message. It makes the reader reflect on how nature mirrors life and how fulfillment often comes from the smallest joys.
Rhyming Scheme
The poem does not follow a fixed or regular rhyming scheme throughout. Instead, it employs a free verse style with occasional end rhymes.
For example, in the opening lines:
Eight years have passed
Since I placed my cherry seed in the grass.
“Must have a tree of my own,” I said,
And watered it once and went to bed.
Here, we can see a loose AABB rhyme pattern:
- passed / grass (A)
- said / bed (B)
However, this pattern does not remain consistent throughout the poem. Some stanzas follow free verse, while others include occasional rhymes such as:
And moon-moths and singing crickets and I
Yes I! – praised night and stars and tree:
That small, the cherry, grown by me.
Here, “I” / “tree” / “me” have a near rhyme or assonance, not perfect rhyme.
Explanation:
- The poem mostly follows free verse: it does not rely on a strict rhyming pattern, which gives it a natural, conversational tone.
- Occasional rhymes and internal rhythms are used to maintain musicality and flow, but not in a patterned way.
- This flexible structure suits the theme of natural growth and the spontaneity of life, echoing how the cherry tree itself grew unpredictably over time.
- The free verse form also reflects the poet’s personal reflections, making the poem more intimate and fluid.
Conclusion:
Rhyming Scheme: Free verse with occasional rhymes
Effect: Allows for natural expression, matches the gentle, reflective mood of the poem, and mirrors the organic growth of the cherry tree.
Meanings, Synonyms, Antonyms, Sentences
- Shrivelled
Meaning: Shrunken or wrinkled due to lack of moisture
Synonym: Withered
Antonym: Fresh
Sentence: The old leaves shrivelled under the harsh summer sun.
- Slender
Meaning: Thin and delicate in form
Synonym: Slim
Antonym: Thick
Sentence: A slender branch swayed gently in the breeze.
- Scarcely
Meaning: Hardly or barely
Synonym: Barely
Antonym: Easily
Sentence: He could scarcely believe his eyes when he saw the ripe cherry.
- Ecstasy
Meaning: A feeling of intense joy or delight
Synonym: Bliss
Antonym: Misery
Sentence: The children shouted in ecstasy when they saw the snowfall.
- Nectar
Meaning: A sweet liquid produced by flowers
Synonym: Sweet juice
Antonym: Bitter fluid
Sentence: The bees collected nectar from the blooming flowers.
- Blight
Meaning: A plant disease or a condition causing decay
Synonym: Infestation
Antonym: Growth
Sentence: The crops were ruined by a sudden fungal blight.
- Wandered
Meaning: Moved aimlessly without a fixed course
Synonym: Roamed
Antonym: Stayed
Sentence: She wandered through the forest lost in thought.
- Monsoon
Meaning: The seasonal wind and rain, especially in South Asia
Synonym: Rainy season
Antonym: Drought
Sentence: The monsoon brought heavy rains and flooded the fields.
- Thrust
Meaning: To push forcefully
Synonym: Drive
Antonym: Pull
Sentence: The seedling thrust its way through the hard soil.
- Finches
Meaning: Small songbirds with colorful plumage
Synonym: Songbirds
Antonym: (No common antonym, as it’s a specific bird type)
Sentence: Finches flitted from branch to branch chirping joyfully.
- Dappled
Meaning: Marked with spots or patches of light and shade
Synonym: Speckled
Antonym: Plain
Sentence: The sunlight fell in dappled patterns on the forest floor.
- Flitted
Meaning: Moved lightly and swiftly
Synonym: Darted
Antonym: Crawled
Sentence: A butterfly flitted across the garden.
- Praise
Meaning: To express admiration or approval
Synonym: Applaud
Antonym: Criticize
Sentence: Everyone praised the student for her outstanding performance.
- Fragile
Meaning: Easily broken or damaged
Synonym: Delicate
Antonym: Strong
Sentence: The glass vase was too fragile to be handled by children.
- Miracle
Meaning: A surprising and welcome event not explicable by natural laws
Synonym: Wonder
Antonym: Disaster
Sentence: It was a miracle that the boy survived the accident.
- Split
Meaning: To divide or separate into parts
Synonym: Break
Antonym: Join
Sentence: He accidentally split the log with a sharp axe.
- Upward
Meaning: Towards a higher place or level
Synonym: Ascending
Antonym: Downward
Sentence: The balloon floated upward into the clear blue sky.
- Struggle
Meaning: To try hard despite difficulties
Synonym: Strive
Antonym: Surrender
Sentence: The plant struggled to grow in the dry soil.
- Placed
Meaning: Put in a particular position
Synonym: Positioned
Antonym: Removed
Sentence: She placed the flower vase at the center of the table.
- Jeweled
Meaning: Decorated with jewels or sparkling like jewels
Synonym: Ornamental
Antonym: Plain
Sentence: The ripened cherry looked jeweled in the morning sunlight.
MCQ
- What did the poet plant in the grass?
A) Apple seed
B) Cherry seed
C) Mango seed
D) Rose plant
Answer: B) Cherry seed
- How long did it take for the tree to grow?
A) Two years
B) Five years
C) Eight years
D) Ten years
Answer: C) Eight years
- What season did the poet notice the tree had grown?
A) Winter
B) Monsoon
C) Autumn
D) Summer
Answer: D) Summer - What destroyed the tree’s stem in the early stage?
A) Termites
B) A woodcutter
C) A grass cutter’s scythe
D) A gardener
Answer: C) A grass cutter’s scythe - What natural calamity shrivelled the stem?
A) Drought
B) Flood
C) Monsoon blight
D) Earthquake
Answer: C) Monsoon blight - How many cherries did the poet see when it first fruited?
A) One
B) Two
C) Four
D) Ten
Answer: A) One - What kind of tree did the poet want to grow?
A) Wild tree
B) Tree of his own
C) Decorative tree
D) Flowering tree
Answer: B) Tree of his own - What is the tone of the poem?
A) Angry and harsh
B) Sad and depressed
C) Reflective and appreciative
D) Humorous and comic
Answer: C) Reflective and appreciative - What is the meaning of “shrivelled”?
A) Grown rapidly
B) Turned green
C) Dried and wrinkled
D) Washed and cleaned
Answer: C) Dried and wrinkled - What did the bees drink from the flowers?
A) Water
B) Nectar
C) Dew
D) Pollen
Answer: B) Nectar - What is the poetic device used in “arms in a fresh fierce lust”?
A) Metaphor
B) Simile
C) Alliteration
D) Personification
Answer: C) Alliteration - What did the poet compare the cherry to?
A) A gold coin
B) A raindrop
C) A jewel
D) A ruby
Answer: C) A jewel - What birds are mentioned in the poem?
A) Crows
B) Finches
C) Parrots
D) Pigeons
Answer: B) Finches - What did the poet do while lying on the grass?
A) Slept
B) Picked cherries
C) Looked at the sky and nature
D) Watered the tree
Answer: C) Looked at the sky and nature - What is the poetic device in “Made a miracle from green growing pain”?
A) Simile
B) Metaphor
C) Irony
D) Hyperbole
Answer: B) Metaphor - What message does the poem convey?
A) Nature is dangerous
B) Trees need constant watering
C) Nature grows silently and rewards patience
D) Cherry trees grow fast
Answer: C) Nature grows silently and rewards patience - What happens to the blossoms mentioned in the poem?
A) They stayed forever
B) They turned into leaves
C) They fell easily
D) They became fruits quickly
Answer: C) They fell easily - Which insect is not mentioned in the poem?
A) Bees
B) Crickets
C) Ants
D) Moths
Answer: C) Ants - What is the figure of speech in “praised night and stars and tree”?
A) Personification
B) Irony
C) Repetition
D) Simile
Answer: C) Repetition - What did the poet feel about the tree in the end?
A) Disappointed
B) Indifferent
C) Proud and joyful
D) Tired and bored
Answer: C) Proud and joyful
Fill in the Blanks
- The poet planted a ________ seed in the grass.
Answer: cherry - The poet watered the seed once and then went to ________.
Answer: bed - Cherries have a way of ________, even without care.
Answer: growing - The tree was very small, a five months’ ________.
Answer: child - The ________ ate the leaves of the young cherry tree.
Answer: goats - A grass cutter’s ________ split the stem.
Answer: scythe - A ________ blight shrivelled the slender stem.
Answer: monsoon - The tree grew three new ________ the next spring.
Answer: shoots - The tree’s arms showed a fierce lust for light, air, and ________.
Answer: sun - The poet watched, wandering, while time and the ________ made a miracle.
Answer: rain - The poet spent a season in ________.
Answer: Kashmir - When the poet returned, the tree had grown ________ feet tall.
Answer: six - A single cherry ________ and jeweled in the sun.
Answer: ripened - The blossoms were pink, fragile, and quick to ________.
Answer: fall - The poet lay on the ________, at ease, watching the sky.
Answer: grass - Finches flitted through the ________ green.
Answer: dappled - ________ drank nectar from each bloom.
Answer: Bees - The poet praised night, stars, and the ________.
Answer: tree - The tree had grown from a seed planted by ________.
Answer: me - The poet expresses joy at the small cherry tree grown by ________.
Answer: me
Figures of Speech
- Identify the figure of speech: “arms in a fresh fierce lust for light and air and sun”
Answer: Alliteration - Identify the figure of speech: “Though no one’s caring very much or knowing.”
Answer: Personification - Identify the figure of speech: “Made a miracle from green growing pain”
Answer: Metaphor - Identify the figure of speech: “Lost in the tall grass, running wild.”
Answer: Personification - Identify the figure of speech: “And moon-moths and singing crickets and I”
Answer: Alliteration - Identify the figure of speech: “A tree had come to stay.”
Answer: Personification - Identify the figure of speech: “The young tree struggle, upward thrust”
Answer: Personification - Identify the figure of speech: “Six feet high my own dark cherry”
Answer: Imagery - Identify the figure of speech: “Looking up through leaves at the blue blind sky”
Answer: Alliteration and Imagery - Identify the figure of speech: “Ripened and jeweled in the sun”
Answer: Metaphor - Identify the figure of speech: “Pink, fragile, quick to fall”
Answer: Imagery - Identify the figure of speech: “Goats ate the leaves”
Answer: Personification (light) - Identify the figure of speech: “Yes I! – praised night and stars and tree”
Answer: Repetition - Identify the figure of speech: “Came back thinner, rather poor / But richer by a cherry tree at my door.”
Answer: Antithesis - Identify the figure of speech: “Finches flitted through the dappled green.”
Answer: Alliteration - Identify the figure of speech: “And flitted through the dappled green.”
Answer: Imagery - Identify the figure of speech: “And watered it once and went to bed”
Answer: Alliteration - Identify the figure of speech: “Cherry tree… grown by me.”
Answer: Repetition (emphasis) - Identify the figure of speech: “Split it apart and a monsoon blight / Shrivelled the slender stem…”
Answer: Alliteration and Imagery - Identify the figure of speech: “Time and the rain made a miracle from green growing pain.”
Answer: Personification and Metaphor
ICSE - Grade 10 - Physics
All Chapters
- Chapter 1 – Force
- Chapter 2 – Work, Energy and Power
- Chapter 3 – Machines
- Chapter 4 – Refraction of Light at Plane Surfaces
- Chapter 5 – Refraction through Lens
- Chapter 6 – Spectrum
- Chapter 7 – Sound
- Chapter 8 – Current Electricity
- Chapter 9 – Electrical Power and Household Circuits
- Chapter 10 – Electro-magnetism
- Chapter 11 – Calorimetry
- Chapter 12 – Radioactivity
ICSE - Grade 10 - Chemistry
All Chapters
- Chapter 1 The Language of Chemistry
- Chapter 2 Chemical Changes and Reactions
- Chapter 3 Water
- Chapter 4 Atomic Structure and Chemical Bonding
- Chapter 5 The periodic table
- Chapter 6 Study of the first Element Hydrogen
- Chapter 7 Study of Gas laws
- Chapter 8 Atmospheric Pollution
ICSE - Grade 10 - Mathematics
All Chapters
- Chapter 1 Rational and Irrational Numbers
- Chapter 2 Compound Interest [Without Using Formula]
- Chapter 3 Compound Interest [Using Formula]
- Chapter 4 Expansions
- Chapter 5 Factorisation
- Chapter 6 Simultaneous Equations
- Chapter 7 Indices
- Chapter 8 Logarithms
- Chapter 9 Triangles
- Chapter 10 Isosceles Triangles
- Chapter 11 Inequalities
- Chapter 12 Midpoint and Its Converse
- Chapter 13 Pythagoras Theorem
- Chapter 14 Rectilinear Figures
- Chapter 15 Construction of Polygons
- Chapter 16 Area Theorems
- Chapter 17 Circle
- Chapter 18 Statistics
- Chapter 19 Mean and Median
- Chapter 20 Area and Perimeter of Plane Figures
- Chapter 21 Solids
- Chapter 22 Trigonometrical Ratios
- Chapter 23 Trigonometrical Ratios of Standard Angles
- Chapter 24 Solutions of Right Triangles
- Chapter 25 Complementary Angles
- Chapter 26 Coordinate Geometry
- Chapter 27 Graphical Solution
- Chapter 28 Distance Formula
ICSE - Grade 10 - Biology
All Chapters
- Chapter 1 Introducing Biology
- Chapter 2 Cell: The Unit Of Life
- Chapter 3 Tissues: Plant And Animal Tissue
- Chapter 4 The Flower
- Chapter 5 Pollination and Fertilization
- Chapter 6 Seeds: Structure and Germination
- Chapter 7 Respiration in Plants
- Chapter 8 Five Kingdom Classification
- Chapter 9 Economic Importance of Bacteria and Fungi
- Chapter 10 Nutrition
- Chapter 11 Digestive system
- Chapter 12 Skeleton: Movement and Locomotion
- Chapter 13 Skin: The Jack of all trades
- Chapter 14 The Respiratory System
- Chapter 15 Hygiene: [A key to Healthy Life]
- Chapter 16 Diseases: Cause and Control
- Chapter 17 Aids to Health
- Chapter 18 Health Organizations
- Chapter 19 Waste Generation and Management
ICSE - Grade 10 - History
All Chapters
- Chapter 1 – The Harappan Civilisation
- Chapter 2 – The Vedic Period
- Chapter 3 – Jainism and Buddhism
- Chapter 4 – The Mauryan Empire
- History — Chapter 5
The Sangam Age - Chapter 6 – The Age of the Guptas
- Chapter 7 – Medieval India — (A) The Cholas
- Chapter 8 – Medieval India — (B) The Delhi Sultanate
- Chapter 9 – Medieval India — (C) The Mughal Empire
- Chapter 10 – Medieval India — (D) Composite Culture
- Chapter 11 – The Modern Age in Europe — (A) Renaissance
- Chapter 12 – The Modern Age in Europe — (B) Reformation
- Chapter 13 – The Modern Age in Europe — (C) Industrial Revolution
ICSE - Grade 10 - Civics
All Chapters
- Chapter 1: Our Constitution
- Chapter 2: Salient Features of the Constitution — I
- Chapter 3: Salient Features of the
- Constitution — II
- Chapter 4: Elections
- Chapter 5: Local Self-Government — Rural
- Chapter 6: Local Self-Government — Urban
ICSE - Grade 10 - Geography
All Chapters
- Ch 1 – Earth as a Planet
Ch 2 – Geographic Grid: Latitudes and Longitudes
Ch 3 – Rotation and Revolution
Ch 4 – Earth’s Structure
Ch 5 – Landforms of the Earth
Ch 6 – Rocks
Ch 7 – Volcanoes
Ch 8 – Earthquakes
Ch 9 – Weathering
Ch 10 – Denudation
Ch 11 – Hydrosphere
Ch 12 – Composition and Structure of the Atmosphere
Ch 13 – Insolation
Ch 14 – Atmospheric Pressure and Winds
Ch 15 – Humidity
Ch 16 – Pollution
Ch 17 – Sources of Pollution
Ch 18 – Effects of Pollution
Ch 19 – Preventive Measures
Ch 20 – Natural Regions of the World
Short Answer Questions
- Who is the poet of the poem “Cherry Tree”?
Answer: Ruskin Bond - What did the poet plant in the grass?
Answer: A cherry seed - How many times did the poet water the seed after planting it?
Answer: Only once - What natural season helped the tree to grow unexpectedly?
Answer: Summer - What kind of plant damage did the monsoon cause?
Answer: A monsoon blight shrivelled the slender stem - How did the grass cutter harm the tree?
Answer: The grass cutter’s scythe split the stem - What challenges did the young cherry tree face?
Answer: Goats ate the leaves, the scythe cut the stem, and a blight affected it - What miraculous thing did the poet observe the next spring?
Answer: Three new shoots growing from the tree - What was the poet’s emotional reaction to the tree’s growth?
Answer: He watched in wonder and admiration - Where did the poet go away for a season?
Answer: Kashmir - What was the poet’s financial condition on returning from Kashmir?
Answer: He was thinner and rather poor - How tall had the cherry tree grown when the poet returned?
Answer: Six feet high - How many cherries did the tree bear at first?
Answer: Just one - Describe the cherry that grew on the tree.
Answer: Ripened and jeweled in the sun - What did the blossoms look like?
Answer: Small, pink, fragile, and quick to fall - What did the poet do while lying on the grass?
Answer: He looked up at the sky and watched nature around him - What birds are mentioned in the poem?
Answer: Finches - What insects are mentioned enjoying the tree’s nectar?
Answer: Bees - What is the main theme of the poem?
Answer: The resilience of nature and the reward of patience - What is the poet’s final feeling about the cherry tree?
Answer: A sense of pride, joy, and gratitude
Long Answer Questions
- Describe the journey of the cherry tree from seed to full growth as narrated in the poem.
Answer: The poet planted a cherry seed and forgot about it after watering it once. Despite neglect and natural hardships—such as being eaten by goats, cut by a scythe, and affected by monsoon blight—the tree slowly grew. It showed resilience and developed three new shoots in the spring. After the poet returned from Kashmir, he found the tree six feet tall with a single ripened cherry. Later, it bore pink blossoms, and the poet felt immense joy and pride watching nature’s miracle. - What challenges did the cherry tree face during its early stages, and how did it overcome them?
Answer: The cherry tree faced several challenges, including being eaten by goats, being cut by a grass cutter’s scythe, and a monsoon blight that shriveled its stem. Despite these setbacks, the tree showed resilience and continued to grow. In the next spring, three new shoots appeared, and over the years, it matured into a blossoming tree, symbolizing persistence and the power of natural growth. - How does Ruskin Bond use imagery in the poem to highlight nature’s beauty?
Answer: Ruskin Bond uses vivid imagery to bring nature to life, such as describing the cherry as “ripened and jeweled in the sun” and the sky as “blue blind sky.” He paints scenes with finches flitting, bees drinking nectar in ecstasy, and moon-moths and crickets singing. These images make the reader visualize the natural setting and feel the quiet, magical beauty of the cherry tree and its surroundings. - What is the significance of the title “Cherry Tree”?
Answer: The title “Cherry Tree” is symbolic. It represents more than just a plant—it symbolizes growth, patience, resilience, and the rewards of nurturing. The tree’s journey mirrors human effort and the joy that comes from watching something flourish over time. It also highlights the poet’s emotional connection to nature and the fulfillment derived from simple, personal achievements. - How does the poet express his sense of wonder and fulfillment through the poem?
Answer: The poet expresses wonder through his astonishment at the tree’s growth despite neglect. His tone shifts from casual to deeply appreciative as he observes nature’s quiet persistence. He finds fulfillment in the single cherry, the blossoms, and the life around the tree. The act of lying under the tree and praising the night, stars, and tree reflects his deep emotional satisfaction and connection with nature. - What message does the poem convey about nature and life?
Answer: The poem conveys that nature is powerful, resilient, and often works miracles silently. It shows that life, like the cherry tree, grows slowly through difficulties. The poet emphasizes the importance of patience, the quiet reward of nurturing life, and the joy of watching something small turn into something beautiful and meaningful. - Explain the poet’s feelings when he saw the first fruit on the cherry tree.
Answer: The poet felt amazed and emotional when he saw the first fruit. The cherry, “ripened and jeweled in the sun,” symbolized success and reward. He could scarcely believe it had come from the seed he once planted casually. The moment was one of quiet pride, joy, and connection with nature’s magic. - How does the poet describe the blossoms of the cherry tree?
Answer: The poet describes the blossoms as small, pink, fragile, and quick to fall at the slightest breeze. This delicate imagery shows the temporary but beautiful nature of life. The blossoms symbolize the fulfillment of growth and add charm to the tree, making the poet lie on the grass at ease and admire the natural world. - Discuss the poetic devices used in the poem and their effect.
Answer: The poem uses various poetic devices like personification (the tree struggling and thrusting upward), alliteration (“fresh fierce lust”), and metaphor (“miracle from green growing pain”). These devices enhance the beauty of the poem, give emotion to the natural elements, and emphasize the message of resilience and joy in growth. They make the reader feel the emotional depth of a simple cherry tree’s life. - How does the cherry tree symbolize personal growth and reward in the poem?
Answer: The cherry tree is a metaphor for personal growth. The poet’s small act of planting a seed grows into a meaningful and beautiful experience. Despite neglect and hardships, the tree survives and thrives, much like one’s goals or dreams. The poet’s joy at seeing the fruit and blossoms represents the reward that comes from patience, perseverance, and faith in natural progress.
Punctuation
- Eight years have passed since I placed my cherry seed in the grass
Answer: Eight years have passed since I placed my cherry seed in the grass. - Must have a tree of my own I said
Answer: “Must have a tree of my own,” I said. - And watered it once and went to bed
Answer: And watered it once, and went to bed. - Though no ones caring very much or knowing
Answer: Though no one’s caring very much, or knowing. - I found a tree had come to stay
Answer: I found a tree had come to stay. - Goats ate the leaves the grass cutter scythe split it apart
Answer: Goats ate the leaves; the grass cutter’s scythe split it apart. - A monsoon blight shrivelled the slender stem
Answer: A monsoon blight shrivelled the slender stem. - The young tree struggle upward thrust its arms in a fresh fierce lust
Answer: The young tree struggled upward, thrust its arms in a fresh, fierce lust. - For light and air and sun
Answer: For light, and air, and sun. - I went away next year spent a season in Kashmir
Answer: I went away next year—spent a season in Kashmir. - Came back thinner rather poor
Answer: Came back thinner, rather poor. - But richer by a cherry tree at my door
Correct Answer: But richer by a cherry tree at my door. - And I could scarcely believe it a berry ripened and jeweled in the sun
Answer: And I could scarcely believe it—a berry ripened and jeweled in the sun. - Hung from a branch just one
Answer: Hung from a branch—just one! - Pink fragile quick to fall
Answer: Pink, fragile, quick to fall. - I lay on the grass at ease
Answer: I lay on the grass, at ease. - Looking up through leaves at the blue blind sky
Answer: Looking up through leaves at the blue, blind sky. - And moon moths and singing crickets and I
Answer: And moon-moths, and singing crickets, and I - Yes I praised night and stars and tree
Answer: Yes, I—praised night, and stars, and tree. - That small the cherry grown by me
Answer: That small—the cherry—grown by me.
Find out free resources that you need.
ICSE
Grade 8
Grade 9
CBSE
Grade 8
Grade 9
Subjects we teach
“Arise, awake, and learn by approaching the excellent teachers”
Shiksha Marg 108 gives you all free resources to ensure you get the best results. Get ready for you ICSE and CBSE exams!.







