In India, as perhaps in many other countries of the world, trees have been held in veneration since ancient times. Our rishis of yore retired to forests to meditate and to do penance amidst trees "far from the madding crowd. Our forefathers loved trees and forests so much so that, they even deified and worshipped them as abodes of Vrikshadevata and Varadetata. Many of them were not cut without good reason In ancient India, groves of trees and flower gardens were reared with loving care. In ancient Sanskrit literature, there are many references of young maidens kicking the Ashoka tree to make it flower. But in fact, the kick could be administered by anyone. The method seems to work, though nobody knows why? Some say the kick interrupts the flow of water upwards triggering a defense mechanism that causes the tree to flower. In western countries, people beat their walnut trees to encourage them to bear fruit. It is believed that a good beating ensures a good crop of walnuts. Like the Ashoka, the Walnut too is a fall tree. Perhaps all tall trees benefit occasionally from a beating sound.In parts of Uttar Pradesh, they resort to another strategy to get mango trees to Bower. If a tree has not given fruit in a particular year, the owner, accompanied by three or four friends, walks menacingly towards it with an axe and loudly announces his intention of cutting down the tree. His friends persuade him not to do so. When he has gone they berate the tree for not giving fruit and advise it to give plenty of fruit the next time if it wants to live. The method is said to give good results.1. Why did Rishis retire to the forests?a. Rishis retired to forests to meditate and to do farming.b. Rishis retired to forests to multiply and to do menace.c. Rishis retired to forests to do Ashing and to do penance.d. Rishis retired to forests to meditate and to do penance.2. Why are walnut trees beaten in Western countries?a. Walnut trees are beaten in Western countries to encourage them to bear fruits.b. Walnut trees are beaten in Western countries to encourage them to bear flowers.c. Walnut trees are beaten in Western countries to encourage them uproot them.d. Walnut trees are beaten in Western countries to encourage other people to plant more.3. Fill in the blanks :In Uttar Pradesh mango trees are caused to Bower by _____.a. sowing the seeds in the summer season.b. advising them.c. sowing the seeds in the spring season.d. sowing the seeds in all the season.4. According to some people kicking _____ the upward Bower water.a. delocalizedb. helpsc. interruptsd. improves5. Vrikshadevta and Vanadevta are referred to :a. Vrikshadevta and Vanadevta are referred to the treesb. Vrikshadevta and Vanadevta are referred to the plantsc. Vrikshadevta and Vanadevta are referred to the birdsd. Vrikshadevta and Vanadevta are referred to the gods6. Choose the correct option :In ancient times, young maidens used to kick which tree?a. In ancient times, young maidens used to kick the Mango treeb. In ancient times, young maidens used to kick the coconut treec. In ancient times, young maidens used to kick the Neem treed. In ancient times, young maidens used to kick the Ashoka tree.7. Choose the correct option :One similarity between Ashoka and walnut Trees is that both are a. One similarity between Ashoka and walnut Trees is that both are tall treesb. One similarity between Ashoka and walnut Trees is that both are small treesc. One similarity between Ashoka and walnut Trees is that both are blue in color.d. One similarity between Ashoka and walnut Trees is that both are summer trees.8. Choose the correct option :The word 'menacingly' in the passage meansa. Humblyb. Politelyc. Threateninglyd. Honestly9. State true or false :It is believed that a good beating ensures a good crop of walnuts.a. Trueb. False10. Which of the following is the synonym of the word 'deified'?a. Demonizeb. Skimpyc. Worshipd. Friendly