Directions: Read the poem given below and answer the questions that follow, by selecting the correct/most appropriate options : I think that I shall never see A poem lovely as a tree. A tree whose hungry mouth is prest Against the earth's sweet flowing breast; A tree that looks at God all day, And lifts her leafy arms to pray; A tree that may in Summer wear A nest of robins in her hair; Upon whose bosom snow has lain; Who intimately lives with rain. Poems are made by fools like me, But only God can make a tree.
The tree prays to God by

Question

Accepted Answer

The poem beautifully personifies a tree, attributing human-like qualities to it, and describes its interactions with nature and the divine. The correct answer to how the tree prays to God is Option 2: "lifting her arms." Here's a detailed explanation supporting this choice:

1. **Justification for Option 2: Lifting her arms**
   - The poem explicitly mentions that the tree "lifts her leafy arms to pray." This line directly correlates with the act of praying, as lifting arms is a common gesture associated with prayer and supplication in many cultures. The imagery of the tree's branches reaching upwards towards the sky is symbolic of a prayerful stance, as if the tree is reaching out to connect with the divine.

2. **Explanation for why other options are incorrect:**

- **Option 1: Swinging its branches**
     - While trees do swing their branches, especially in the wind, this action is not typically associated with prayer. The poem does not mention swinging branches in the context of praying, so this option does not align with the specific description given in the poem.

- **Option 3: Producing fruit and flowers**
     - Producing fruit and flowers is a natural process for trees, symbolizing growth and life. However, this action is not depicted in the poem as a form of prayer. The poem focuses on the tree's posture and gesture (lifting arms) as the act of praying, rather than its biological functions.

- **Option 4: Providing shade to travellers**
     - Providing shade is a beneficial and nurturing aspect of a tree, but it is not described in the poem as a form of prayer. The poem emphasizes the tree's upward-reaching branches as the prayerful gesture, rather than its role in offering shade.

In conclusion, the poem clearly illustrates the tree's act of praying through the imagery of "lifting her leafy arms," making Option 2 the correct answer. The other options, while describing other attributes or actions of a tree, do not align with the specific depiction of prayer in the poem.