Unseen Passage 5

 

SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER (2023-24)

ENGLISH CORE (Code No. 301)

CLASS-XII

SECTION A : READING SKILLS (22 marks)

2. Read the following text.                           10 m

(1) In recent years, there has been a surge in both group and solo travel among young adults in India. A survey conducted among young adults aged 18-25 aimed to explore the reasons behind their travel preferences and recorded the percentage variation for 10 common points that influence travel choices.

(2) Among those who prefer solo travel, the most common reason cited was the desire for independence and freedom (58%), followed closely by the opportunity for introspection and self-discovery (52%). Additionally, solo travellers appreciated the ability to customize their itinerary to their preferences (44%) and the chance to meet new people on their own terms (36%).

(3) On the other hand, those who prefer group travel often cited the desire for socializing and making new friends (61%) as their primary reason. Group travel also provided a sense of security and safety in unfamiliar places (52%) and allowed for shared experiences and memories with others (48%). Additionally, group travellers enjoyed the convenience of having pre-planned itineraries and organized transportation (38%).

(4) Interestingly, both groups had similar levels of interest in exploring new cultures and trying new experiences (40% for solo travellers, 36% for group travellers). Similarly, both groups valued the opportunity to relax and escape from the stresses of everyday life (36% for solo travellers, 32% for group travellers).

(5) However, there were also some notable differences between the two groups. For example, solo travellers placed a higher priority on budget-friendly travel options (38%) compared to group travellers (24%). Conversely, group travellers were more likely to prioritize luxury and comfort during their travels (28%) compared to solo travellers (12%).

(6) Overall, the survey results suggest that both group and solo travel have their own unique advantages and appeal to different individuals, based on their preferences and priorities.

Answer the following questions, based on given passage.

i Infer two possible ways that the survey , mentioned in paragraph (1) could be beneficial. Answer in about 40 words.                  2

ii Which travel choice point of the survey would influence tour operators to incorporate group dinners, social events, and shared accommodations in their itinerary?                 1            

A. Freedom to customise itinerary

B. Luxury and comfort

C. Security and safety

D. Desire for making new friends                                                                                                                                                

 

iii What do the top choices in the survey, for traveling solo and in a group suggest about young adults?          1

 

iv Identify the solo traveller from the following three travellers:         1

(a) Reshma- I don’t want to keep hunting for rickshaws or taxis. A pre-booked vehicle is perfect.

(b) Nawaz-I’m happy sharing a room in a hostel. I don’t need hotel accommodation.

(c) Deepak-I’m not worried about my well-being , even while exploring remote areas.                                         

 

v Which of the following is an example of an opportunity for self-discovery, as mentioned in paragraph 2?             1

A. Trying new cuisine

B. Hiring a tour guide

C. Purchasing local artifacts

D. Advance booking travel tickets                                                                                                                                              

 

vi How might the differences in budget priorities between solo and group travellers impact the types of accommodations and activities offered by the travel industry in India?                  2

 

vii Complete the sentence appropriately. The similarities in the percentage of both solo and group travellers who are interested in exploring new cultures and trying new experiences may be due to ________.          1

 

viii State TRUE or FALSE.                               1

The title, "Wanderlust: The Solo Travel Trend Among Young Adults in India", is appropriate for this passage.

Unseen Passage 4

 SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER (2023-24)

ENGLISH CORE (Code No. 301)

CLASS-XII

SECTION A : READING SKILLS (22 marks)

Reading Comprehension Through Unseen Passages

1. Read the following text.        12 m

Arthur lay in his cabin, still trying to piece together the events of the last few hours. He had watched his home planet of Earth be demolished to make way for a hyperspace bypass, been saved by his friend Ford, and then whisked away on a ship that was powered by an "infinite improbability drive." It was all too much for him.

Just then, Ford stuck his head around the door.

"Hey, Earthman," he said, "come and have a look at this."

Arthur stumbled after him down a corridor and into the ship's control room. He gazed in amazement at the banks of controls and flashing lights. In the center of the room was a large console covered in buttons and switches, and in the middle of the console was a small, white mouse

"What's that?" asked Arthur.

"That's the ship's computer," said Ford.

Arthur stared at the mouse. "That's a computer?" he said.

"Yup," said Ford. "Five-dimensional, biologically-based, super intelligent, and in the form of a white lab mouse. Pretty neat, huh?"

"I don't know," said Arthur. "I don't think I really understand anything anymore. Why is a mouse the ship's computer?"

"It's a long story," said Ford. "But the short version is that the mice built the Earth as a giant computer to figure out the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything. Then they ran out of money and had to destroy it to make way for a hyperspace bypass. So now they're using the Heart of Gold to finish the calculation.

" Arthur was about to say something, but at that moment the ship's intercom crackled to life.

"Good evening, Heart of Gold," said a smooth, computerized voice. "This is Eddie, your shipboard computer. I'm feeling a bit depressed today. Would you like me to sing you a song?"

"Oh, not again," groaned Ford.

"Eddie, would you mind shutting up?" said Arthur.  

Arthur sighed and leaned back against the console, trying to make sense of everything. But as he closed his eyes, he heard a voice inside his head.

"Hello?" it said.

Arthur jumped, startled. "Who's there?" he said.

"It's me," said the voice. "Marvin."

"Marvin?" said Arthur. "Who's Marvin?"

"The Paranoid Android," said the voice.  

Arthur looked around, but he didn't see anyone. "Where are you?" he said.

"I'm down here," said the voice.

Arthur looked down and saw a small, metal figure shuffling across the floor. It was about three feet tall, with a round head and a body that looked like it had been cobbled together from spare parts. Its eyes were a dull red, and its voice was a monotone.

"I've been waiting for someone to talk to me for over two million years," said Marvin

Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.

i Select the option that classifies Arthur's confusion about drastic events such as the destruction of his home planet and the introduction of new technologies, correctly.        1

A. Routine and boredom

B. Adventure and excitement

C. Loss and change

D. Calm and relaxation                                                                                                                      

ii What is the significance of the white lab mouse in the control room of the Heart of Gold spaceship?        1

A. It is the captain of the ship

B. It serves as the ship's computer

C. It is a pet of the crew

D. It is used for scientific experiments                                                                                                 

iii Share evidence from the text, in about 40 words to support the view that the writer’s writing style is descriptive and humourous.        2

iv Complete the sentence appropriately with a characteristic or its description. Based on the information given in the excerpt, one can infer that the mice who built the Earth are____.1

v Select the option that is similar in meaning to Ford’s expression , “Pretty neat, huh?".    1   

A. Easy , isn’t it?

B. Could be worse, no?

C. Impressive, yes?

D. Too difficult for you?             

vi Explain, in about 40 words, why the name "The Paranoid Android" is considered ironic.    2

vii In the line, “…a body that looked like it had been cobbled together from spare parts…”, what comparison does the word “cobbled” refer to?        1

viii How does the following, impact the reader, even though they know Marvin is just an android? "I've been waiting for someone to talk to me for over two million years," said Marvin. Answer in about 40 words.        2

ix Read the five headlines (a) -(e), given below:        1

(a) HUMANITY'S JOURNEY WITNESSED BY A DEPRESSED ROBOT

(b) HITCHHIKING THROUGH SPACE: A COMICAL TAKE ON THE END OF THE WORLD

(c) NEW STUDY FINDS ALIENS LIVING AMONG US

(d) GROUNDBREAKING TECHNOLOGY WILL SOON ENABLE TIME TRAVEL

(e) INTERGALACTIC TRAVEL VIA NEW INFINITE IMPROBABILITY DRIVE

Identify the option that displays the headline/s that DOES/ DO NOT correspond with occurrences in the passage.

A. Only (a)

B. (b) (c) and (d)

C. Only (e)

D. (a) and (e)  

 

The Voice of the Rain

Question 1:

There is a parallel drawn between rain and music. Which words indicate this? Explain the similarity between the two.

Answer:

The following words/phrases indicate the parallel between rain and music: ‘Poem of Earth’, ‘eternal I rise impalpable out of land and the bottomless sea’ ‘For song duly with love returns.’

Both originate from a source, rise up, reach fulfilment, wander about whether cared about or not and finally return to source of origin with love.

Question 2:

How is the cyclic movement of rain brought out in the poem?

Answer:

Rain water rises untouched out of the land and deep sea and gathers in the sky, where it changes form, and then comes down to earth to bathe the dry tiny particles of dust layers and all that lies buried under it. Then it returns to the place of its origin. Science textbooks indicate that water vapours from the rivers and ocean rise up to the sky due to the intense heat. They assume the form of clouds and after condensation drop down as rain. The water flows back through rivers to the seas and oceans.

Question 3:

Why are the last two lines put within brackets?

Answer:

The last two lines contain a comment about music and its cycle. These differ from the first nine lines. The first two lines are the voice of the poet whereas lines three to nine are spoken by rain. The cycle of song is put within brackets to mark the difference in speakers but similarity in content.

A. Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1:

The poem begins in a conversational tone. Who are the two participants? What is the advantage of this method?

Answer:

The two participants are the poet and the rain. The poet makes the rain relate its own story. This direct presentation makes the narration more authentic, interesting and captivating.

Question 2:

“Behind the apparent simplicity, the poem hides a deep meaning.” What exactly does the poem convey to the reader?

Answer:

The poem is not merely a description of life-cycle of rain. It has deeper meaning. Rain is a poem or thing of beauty of Earth and so is song or music. The comparison between rain and music .and their function: making the Earth pure and beautiful conveys the eternal role of natural phenomenon and art in real life.

Question 3:

How does the rain justify its claim: “I am the Poem of Earth’”?

Answer:

The rain narrates the journey of its life—from birth to return to origin in mythical terms. The facts are scientific but the phrases that convey them are metaphoric and literary. The whole journey has a beauty and charm associated with a poem.

B. Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1:

How is the cyclic movement of rain brought out in the poem “The Voice of the Rain”? What points of similarity do you notice between rain and music?

Answer:

The rain calls itself the poem of earth. It is everlasting and perpetual. It is something that cannot be touched. It originates from the land and the deep sea. Then it rises upward to heaven where it changes its form into a cloud, yet remains the same in quality. From the sky it pours down on earth to wash the dry tiny particles and dust layers of the earth. The rain helps the unborn seeds to sprout. These seeds lay hidden and unborn under the layers of earth. Rain gives back life to its origin making it pure and beautiful. Rain and music are both beautiful and life-giving. They are eternal sources of joy and go on perpetually. They inspire even dormant objects and persons with life and activity.

Poem - Childhood

 Childhood

Question 1:

What according to the poem, is involved in the process of growing up?

Answer:

According to the poem, the loss of childhood is involved in the process of growing up.

This loss is compensated by some gains which come with adolescence. These are: increase in understanding, power of rationalising and discrimination as well as a sense of individuality and self-confidence.

Question 2:

What are the poet’s feelings towards childhood?

Answer:

The poet regards childhood as an important stage in the process of growing up. Childhood is a period of make-believe. Children readily accept whatever the elders say. The poet does not feel any regret or sense of loss on losing his childhood.

Question 3:

Which, do you think are the most poetic lines? Why?

Answer:

The following lines in the poem are most poetic:

It went to some forgotten place That’s hidden in an infant’s face,

That’s all I know.

These lines beautifully sum up the process of growth and the disappearance of a particular stage of life. These lines have a figurative or metaphorical meaning also. The infant’s innocent face hides many things behind its smiles. Perhaps the childhood lies hidden in some forgotten place lying buried deep inside a child’s consciousness.

A. Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1:

What did the speaker learn about the existence of Heaven and Hell ?

Answer:

As the speaker grew to be mature, he acquired reasoning power. He realized that Hell and Heaven could not be found in Geography books or Atlas. Since they could not be located anywhere in the world map, he concluded that they did not exist. He would believe only what he could see and find.

Question 2:

How did the speaker realise the hypocrisy of the adults?

Answer:

The speaker noticed a wide gulf between what adults appeared to be and what they actually were in real life. There was apparent contradiction between their words and deeds. They talked of love and advised others to love, but they never acted lovingly.

Question 3:

How did the realization of being the master of his own mind helped him ?

Answer:

The realization that he was the master of his own mind, and could use it in any way he liked, filled him with self confidence. He could now think independently and need not repeat parrot like thoughts of others.

B. Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1:

‘Childhood is an essential state in the process of growing up, but it can’t go on forever.” Discuss.

Answer:

Childhood is an important stage in the process of growing up of every person. The human infant is totally dependent on others, but during childhood he gains physical, emotional and mental strength. As the tiny baby grows bigger in size, other faculties also develop. This stage is an important landmark in man’s growth, but it can’t go on forever.

Childhood being a stage, must give way to another stage. It is followed by adolescence or early youth. Now all the faculties are fully developed. The person acquires reasoning power. His rationalism helps him to decide truth or falsehood, fact and fiction. He acquires a fine capability of analysis and discrimination. Now he can see through persons and things. He begins to understand the hypocrisy of adults. He gains confidence and becomes an independent thinker.

6- The Tale of Melon City

 6 The Tale of Melon City

A. Reading With Insight

Question 1:

Narrate ‘The Tale of Melon City’ in your own words.

Answer:

‘The Tale of Melon City’ runs like folk tale. The city is called Melon City because its ruler is a melon. There is a curious tale around it. Once a fair and gentle king ruled over a state. He got an arch built across the thoroughfare. As he passed under the low arch it struck his head and he lost his crown. He thought it a disgrace and ordered the chief of builders to be hanged. The chief lay the blame on the workmen. The workmen were surprised. They said that the bricks were made of wrong size. So the masons were thought guilty. The masons shifted the blame on the architect. The architect put the blame at the king’s door as he had amended his original plan.

The king sought a wise man’s counsel. He held the arch guilty and ordered it to be hanged. A councillor objected to it as it had touched the king’s head. The people became restless. They wanted to see someone hanging. Only the king’s head could fit. the noose. So he was hanged. It was now announced that the next man who passed the City Gate would choose the king. An idiot came. He suggested ‘A melon’. So melon was crowned the king. He was taken to the throne. He was called melon king.

Question 2:

What impression would you form of a state where the king was just and placid*?

Answer:

The State where the king was just and placid’ seems to be a backward region full

of ignorant fools and ruled by a whimsical king. The king considers himself to be the custodian of people and gets an arch erected for their spiritual upliftment. The king’s word is a command and unwritten law. The whole process of changing judgement on the appeals of the victims appears as a mock-trial. The Ministers and Councillors seems to be selfish. They advise the king to serve their own ends, though they appear to flatter the king and seem dedicated to the state. The common people are uneducated and ignorant fools. They need mental as well as spiritual upliftment. They are fun loving. In their quest for fun, they can cross all limits. If deprived of fun, the unruly mob can rebel against the crown. They do not bother whether the king is a man or a melon. They want there personal freedom, free business and peaceful lives.

Question 3:

How according to you, can peace and liberty be maintained in a state?

Answer:

Various people advocate various means of maintaining peace and liberty in a state.

Some are in favour of dictatorship while others favour democracy. I think the best course lies in good governance. Whatever is well-administered is most fruitful for the citizens as well as the rulers. It ensures peace and liberty to the common man. A strong state, in itself, is safe against any external threat. Dedicated rulers, enlightened citizens and proper law enforcing agencies can establish peace and harmony in the state. Narrow considerations based on region, religion, caste etc. should be discouraged because these are potent threat to internal security as they fuel dissensions among the people. Free expression of opinions must be allowed but respect for law and order be observed. People should be conscious of their privileges and rights as well as duties and responsibilities. This is the only way to maintain peace and liberty.

Question 4:

Suggest a few instances in the poem which highlight humour and irony?

Answer:

‘The Tale of Melon City’ is full of instances of humour and irony. The just and placid

king got an arch built to ‘edify’ spectators. The king’s riding under low arch and losing his crown also creates humour. The way the accused appeal to the king and shift the blame on others is quite funny. The unstable behaviour of the king also creates humour. The self-defence of the architect is a masterpiece. He holds the king himself responsible for the disgrace as he had ‘made certain amendments’ to his original plan. The king’s anger and inability to act calmly create humour.

The criteria for selection of the wisest man is quite ironic. It is assumed that wisdom comes with age. Being blind he does not know that an arch cannot be hanged. Others have eyes, yet they follow his advice and take the arch to the gallows. How ironic it is! The king wants to keep the crowd in good humour and orders that someone be hanged. Only the king is tall enough to fit the noose. What an irony! The king is hanged by his own order. The custom of naming the next king seems equally ridiculous. The idiot who passes by the City Gate suggests “melon” to be the next king. People who think only of their own interests do not bother whether the king is a man or a melon.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1:

What sort of king ruled over the state? What did he proclaim?

Answer:

The king was fair and gentle. He seemed to be interested in the welfare of the masses. So he proclaimed that an arch should be constructed which should extend across the major thoroughfare. He hoped that it would improve people’s mind on looking at it.

Question 2:

Why did the king ride down the thoroughfare and what was the result?

Answer:

The king rode down the thoroughfare to edify spectators there. Since the arch was built too low, he lost his crown under it. A frown appeared on his mild face and he called it a disgrace.

Question 3:

Who was held responsible for the disgrace? How did he /they react to it? What do you learn about the king?

Answer:

The chief of builders was field responsible for the disgrace and ordered to be hanged. The chief called it the workmen’s fault. The king ordered to have all the workmen hanged. The workmen looked surprised but they blamed the wrong size of bricks for it. This shows the king’s fickle mindedness.

Question 4:

What argument did the architect advance in self-defence? How did the king take it?

Answer:

The architect reminded the king that he had made certain amendments to the original

plans of the architect He suggested that it was the fault of the king himself. On hearing it, the king became so angry that he nearly lost his ability to act sensibly or calmly.

Question 5:

Why did the king need some counsel and from whom? Do you think the man was really the wisest one? Give a reason for your answer.

Answer:

The king got confused by the architect’s clever self-defense. So, he needed the advice of the wisest man in the country. The man selected was so old that he could neither walk nor see. He was not really the wisest one as wisdom does not necessarily come with age. His advice proves his worthlessness.

5 Mothers Day

 

5 Mother's Day

A. Reading With Insight

Question 1:

This play, written in the 1950s, is a humorous and satirical depiction of the status of the mother in the family.

1. What are the issues it raises?
2. Do you think it caricatures these issues or do you think that the problems it raises are genuine? How does the play resolve the issues? Do you agree with the resolution?

Answer:

1. The play raises many serious issues. The first and foremost is proper appreciation of a housewife’s role and responsibilities. Those who work eight hours a day and forty hours a week treat the housewife as an unpaid domestic servant, who must carry out their orders. They neither request her nor thank her for her services. The second issue is the reciprocity of love and gratitude towards the mother or wife. The husband, son and daughter leave the lady of the house alone every night and go out to enjoy themselves in their several ways. They do not take any notice of her and have become thoughtless and selfish. The mother’s excessive love, care and promptness to serve them also spoil them.
2. The problems the play raises are serious. The treatment is of course, comic. The playwright adopts an unusual method to resolve the issues. He takes the help of magic bf the East. Incantation of a magical spell helps in the interchange of the personalities. Now Mrs Pearson, with the strong and sinister personality of Mrs Fitzgerald, gives rough treatment to the daughter, son and husband respectively. Her stern looks and commanding tone suggests to them that she can be really tough. The spoilt member are brought round by the heavy dose of exposure of reality to them. They agree to stay and help in preparing the supper while the housewife has a talk with her husband.
   The resolution of the issues seems far-fetched and unnatural but extreme means have to be adopted in disaster management.

Question 2:

If you were to write these issues today, what are some of the incidents, examples and problems that you would think of as relevant?

Answer:

Various responses are possible One such response is given below:

The incidents of unfair treatment to the fair gender at home, at work, in public transport and elsewhere will prove handy. The examples of exploitation of female workers with lower wages, harassment by seniors, indecent remarks, eve-teasing and molestation can highlight the problems of social inequality that women face in practice. Even in the twenty first century women face the same problems in spite of the talk of women empowerment. The poor housewives have to bear the physical torment and mental anguish at the hands of bullish husbands who boast of their masculinity by inflicting physical violence, barbs and taunts on the defense less women. Examples of rapes and sexual harassment which hug the limelight in daily newspapers can also be included to highlight the problems of insecurity of women in modem society.

Question 3:

Is drama a good medium for conveying a social message? Discuss.

Answer:

Yes, drama is certainly a good medium for conveying a social message. Direct moralising is often resented and usually ignored. Drama is a presentation of a slice of life through characters placed in various situations. The attention of the spectators centres round their actions and reactions. Most of them feel fully involved with the protagonists. The working out of the theme generally leaves a message—sometimes obvious and explicit but in most of the cases, indirect and implicit. The social message of these plays seems to come out of the interactions of the characters and their traits of character. The victory of evil over good is usually portrayed indirectly. These day we find many plays centred around themes creating social awareness such as evils of drinking and smoking; dangers of pollution, child labour, the decreasing female ratio and need to empower women.

A. Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1:

How are Mrs Pearson and Mrs Fitzgerald contrasted?

Answer:

The two ladies are sharply contrasted. Mrs Pearson is a pleasant but worried looking woman in her forties. She speaks in a light, flurried sort of tone with a touch of suburban cockney. Mrs Fitzgerald is older, heavier and has a strong and sinister personality. She smokes. She has a deep voice, rather Irish tone.

Question 2:

“I’m much obliged,” says Mrs. J Pearson. What for does she feel obliged and to whom?

Answer:

Mrs. Pearson feels obliged to Mrs Fitzgerald for telling her fortune. She thinks it quite wonderful having a real fortune teller living next door.

Question 3:

What fortune does Mrs Fitzgerald predict for Mrs Pearson?

Answer: Mrs Fitzgerald is quite equivocal in her predictions. She says it could be a good fortune or a bad one. All depends on Mrs Pearson herself now. She asks her to decide firmly. Her fortune depends on it.

Question 4:

What problem does Mrs Pearson face? Who do you think is responsible for this state of affairs?

Answer:

Mrs Pearson devotes all her time and energy to serve her husband, son and daughter. These thoughtless and selfish persons go out every night to enjoy themselves leaving Mrs Pearson alone at home. She is no better than a servant in her own home. Mrs Pearson herself is responsible for the ill-treatment, neglect and lack of concern shown to her.

Question 5:

What course of action does Mrs Fitzgerald suggest to Mrs Pearson to tackle the situation?

Answer:

Mrs Fitzgerald tells Mrs Pearson to decide firmly and stick to her decision. She must assert her position and become the real mistress of the house. Her own initiative can help her. She must let them wait or look after themselves for once.

Question 6:

What difficulties does Mrs Pearson face while dealing with the various members of her family?

Answer:

Mrs Pearson loves her husband and children too much. She does not find courage enough to discuss the problem with them. She only keeps dropping hints. She hates any unpleasantness. She does not know where to start. She doesn’t know how to begin discussion with the other members of the family.

Question 7:

“Then let me do it”, suggests Mrs Fitzgerald. How does Mrs Pearson react to it?

Answer:

Mrs Fitzgerald offers to deal with the family of Mrs Pearson and teach them to

treat her properly Mrs Pearson feels flustered. She thanks her saying that it wouldn’t do at all. They would resent being ill-treated by somebody else and wouldn’t listen.

Question 8:

How does Mrs Fitzgerald plan to deal with the family of Mrs Pearson?

Answer:

She tells Mrs Pearson that she will deal with her family not as herself but as Mrs Pearson. They will change places or really bodies. Mrs Pearson would then look like Mrs Fitzgerald and the latter would look like the former.

Question 9:

Why does Doris Pearson feel astounded on returning home?

Answer:

Doris finds her mother smoking away—lighting another cigarette and laying out the cards for patience on the table. She shoots her query about ironing her yellow silk, but feel astounded on seeing her mother’s behaviour.

Question 10:

What are the two reasons that annoy Doris Pearson?

Answer:

Firstly, Doris is annoyed that her mother has not ironed her yellow silk dress which she has to wear that night. Secondly, she has returned home after working hard all day and mother hasn’t even bothered to get her tea ready.

Ch 3 - Journey to the end of the Earth

Ch 3 - Journey to the end of the Earth

Reading with Insight

1. ‘The world’s geological history is trapped in Antarctica.’ How is the study of this region useful to us?

A. The geological phenomena of separation of the landmass into various continents and water bodies almost six hundred and fifty million years ago marks the beginning of the human race on the Earth. Mammals started existing after dinosaurs became extinct which happened once the landmarks separated.

2. What are Geoff Green’s reasons for including high school students in the Students on Ice expedition?

A. Geoff Green took high school students on an expedition to one end of the Earth to make them realize the impact that human intervention could have on nature. He wanted the future policy – makers to experience how difficult it would be to sustain life with the rising temperatures. He wanted them to see the melting ice shelves so that they could estimate the trouble that mankind was headed to.

3. ‘Take care of the small things and the big things will take care of themselves.’ What is the relevance of this statement in the context of the Antarctic environment?

A. The statement holds great importance in context of the Antarctic environment. For instance, the phytoplanktons in the region serve as food for marine birds and animals. The depletion of the ozone layer affects the phytoplanktons and the carbon cycle. This can obstruct the existence of marine life. So, if the process carried on by these small grasses is taken care of, the processes of the bigger animals and birds can be taken care of.

4. Why is Antarctica the place to go to, to understand the earth’s present, past and future?

A. Antarctica is the place to go to to understand the earth’s past, present and future because it gives us an idea of how the earth was millions of years ago. The melting sheets of ice give us an idea of the future also.

2. Answer the following question in about 125-150 words.

Question 1.
How the programme, ‘Students on Ice’ was an attempt to equip future generation with knowledge to save Earth?
Answer:
The objective of the ‘Students on Ice’ programme was to take the High School students to the limits of the world and provide them with inspiring opportunities in education to enable them to understand and respect our planet. According to Geoff Green, the High School students are the future policy-makers and through this programme they would be able to save this planet from the ecological hazards and the harmful effects of global warming. Antarctica, with its simple ecosystem and lack of biodiversity, is the perfect place to study how little changes in the environment can have major repercussions. The school students’ impressionable minds can study and examine the Earth’s past, present and future by their voyage to Antarctica.

Question 2.
The world’s geological history is trapped in the Antarctica. How is the study of this region useful to us?
Answer:
The Antarctic landmass dates back to 650 million years. It was an amalgamated southern supercontinent called Gondwana. This landmass centered around the present-day Antarctica. Human beings did not exist as their civilization is only 12,000 years old. The climate at that time was warm and landmass flourished with a vast variety of flora and fauna. The study of this region shows that Gondwana prospered for 500 million years. But then the dinosaurs got wiped out and mammals began to appear. The landmass disintegrated into countries and India, the Himalayas and South America was formed. This left Antarctica frigid at the bottom of the earth. Today, it stores the key to the significance of cordilleran folds and pre- Cambrian granite shields, ozone and carbon layers as well as a study of the evolution and extinction. This can help us to understand in a better way the formation of continents and mountains like the Himalayas as we find them in the modem world. Its ice-folds hold over half-million-year-old carbon records that are so crucial for the study of the Earth’s past, present and future, thus trapping the world’s geological history in Antarctica.