Here we are providing The Ailing Planet: the Green Movement’s Role Extra Questions and Answers Class 11 English Hornbill, Extra Questions for Class 11 English was designed by subject expert teachers.
The Ailing Planet: the Green Movement’s Role Extra Questions and Answers Class 11 English Hornbill
The Ailing Planet: the Green Movement’s Role Extra Questions and Answers Short Answer Type
Question 1.
What is the Green Movement? Why has it become popular all over the world?
Answer:
The Green Movement was started in 1972 in New Zealand. It has informed the people that earth is a living organism which needs to be cared for. It tells us to co-operate and co-exist with other species. The Green Movement takes a holistic view of the situation and seeks to preserve environment as well as continuous development.
Question 2.
What is the holistic and ecological view of the world that has emerged in recent times?
Answer:
The holistic and ecological view is that earth itself is an organism which needs to be cared for. It has its metabolic needs and vital processes which need to be respected and preserved. We need to save the earth for our future generations.
Question 3.
What is the concept of ‘sustainable development’?
Answer:
The development which meets the needs of the present and at the same time preserves the environment for future generations is sustainable development.
Question 4.
What do you mean by ‘sustainable development’?
Answer:
‘Sustainable development’ is the only way to save the planet earth. It means that development should not be at the cost of the environment. The resources of the earth should be used with restraint so that they are available for future generations too.
Question 5.
Who is ‘the world’s most dangerous animal’? Why is it called so?
Answer:
Human beings are the most dangerous to the environment. They cause more destruction to the environment than any other species does.
Question 6.
Who is ‘the world’s most dangerous animal’? Why is it called so?
Answer:
The human being is the most dangerous of all animals because he destroys the elements of nature that sustain him. He does not spare animals, his fellow creatures. He exploits and overuses the natural resources like water, land forest, etc.
Question 7.
What was the significance of placing a mirror in the zoo at Lusaka, Zambia?
Ans.
In the zoo at Lusaka in Zambia, a mirror has been placed in the cage under which a notice reads, ‘The world’s most dangerous animal’. This notice actually tries to put light on the fact that we humans are the most destructive creatures present on the earth. This has been deliberately done by the zoo authorities to make us realise that we are the real culprits. This step of the zoo authorities up brings some hope.
Question 8.
What are the earth’s principal biological systems? What is happening to them and what can be the results?
Answer:
The four principal biological systems are fisheries, forests, grasslands and croplands. They are the . foundation of global economy as they supply us with food and raw materials required by the industries. At present, these biological systems are under threat and stress. In the near future, fisheries will deplete, grasslands will turn into wastelands, forests will start disappearing and croplands will also deteriorate. We need to awake and arise before it’s too late. Sense and sensibility is required on the part of all human beings.
Question 9.
Explain the statement‘forests precede mankind; deserts follow’.
Answer:
Forests help in nurturing mankind — man destroys forests so thoughtlessly that deserts grow where once forests flourished. Man destroys himself by destroying forests.
Question 10.
How are the biological systems endangered by human beings?
Answer:
The biological systems of the earth are fisheries, forests, grasslands and croplands. These are being fast depleted due to the uncontrolled greed of human beings. Forests are being lost at the rate of an acre and a half per second.
Question 11.
What is the status of the earth’s forest systems?
Answer:
Tropical forests are eroding at the rate of 40 to 50 million acres a year. We are losing one and a half . acre of forests per second.
Question 12.
What is the role of industries in the preservation of the environment?
Answer:
Industries have to exercise restraint about using natural resources. The top officers need to become guardians of the environment — control effluents — place filters on smoke emissions — take necessary steps.
Question 13.
Has the growth of world population contributed to the bad environment situation today?
Answer:
Due to population growth, great pressure is placed on natural resources. Natural resources like forests, rivers are getting depleted.
Question 14.
Explain Margaret Thatcher’s statement made by her, during the years of her Prime Ministership on the earth-as an ailing planet.
Answer:
We have to take care of our planet so that our children too may enjoy its bounty. We should not deplete and ruin the planet.
Question 15.
We have not inherited this earth from our forefathers; we have borrowed it from our children. Elucidate this keeping in mind the lesson ‘The Ailing Planet’.
Answer:
We need to practise sustainable development — development which meets the needs of the present and at the same time preserves the environment for future generations.
Question 16.
Justify the title of the essay.
Answer:
The planet earth is thought of as someone ailing, i.e. sick. We need to restore the health of the planet.
The Ailing Planet: the Green Movement’s Role Extra Questions and Answers Long Answer Type
Question 1.
Why does Nani Palkhivala call the earth ‘The Ailing Planet’? How can the ailing planet survive?
Answer:
The word ‘ailing’ means sick or not improving. Nani Palkhivala, the author, feels that the current state of our planet ‘Earth’ is like that of a patient whose health is not recovering. The Earth is in poor health as its vital systems like forests, water, atmosphere are deteriorating day by day. All these components of the earth sped to be revived. There is still a scope of survival of this ailing planet.
It just needs our attention and care. We should take certain steps for preserving our environment for the future generations. We have to be thoughtful in the usage of natural resources, environment has to be enriched by replenishment of the four biological systems. Industries should curb their level of pollution. We all need to monitor our activities. Overall, awareness has to be created among all and sundry.
Question 2.
‘No generation has a freehold on this earth. All we have is a life with a full repairing lease.’ Explain with reference to The Ailing Planet: the Green Movement’s Role.
Answer:
No generation can deplete the earth of its resources. The use of water, trees, minerals should be such that they are available to the coming generations too. Therefore, we should understand the concept of sustainable development, i.e. development which meets the needs of the present and at the same time preserves the environment for future generations.
It is essential that we preserve the four principal biological systems of the earth — the fisheries, forests, grasslands and croplands. So, we should plant trees for the future, take a holistic view of the environment and the planet and act with responsibility. This is what the Green Movement is all about.
Question 3.
What is the concept of sustainable development? Why did it become greatly popular?
Answer:
Sustainable development is the talk of the town these days. It is the organizing principle for meeting human development goals while at the same time sustaining and preserving the natural resources. The desired result is a state of society where living conditions and resource use to continue to meet humans needs without undermining the integrity and stability of the natural system.
It focuses on meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations. This concept has become greatly popular because it has treaded a path to preserve the environment. It says that if you cut trees, you ought to also plant them. We should always keep in mind, the needs of the future generations. Fisheries, forests, grasslands and croplands should not be over used. One is expected to be wise and witful.
Question 4.
Which are the earth’s principal biological systems? What is their current ecological status?
Answer:
The earth’s principal biological systems are — fisheries, forests, grasslands and croplands. These are the foundation of global economy as they supply food and raw materials for industries. The current ecological status of these systems are under threat. Human claims on these systems are reaching an unsustainable level. This has resulted in almost collapse of fisheries, disappearing forests, grasslands are converting into barren wastelands and croplands are also deteriorating. Many species are on the verge of extinction.
Question 5.
How has the growth of world population affected the environment? Support your answer with suitable argument.
Answer:
World population is growing at an alarming rate. It is growing by leaps and bounds, in the 19th century it was around 2 billion which went up to around 3.7 billion in the 20th century and since then, there is no turning back. Increasing population gives birth to the twin problem of poverty and unemployment. It cripples growth of a nation.
With the rising population, there is an increase in the demand of the products but the supp remains the same. As a result, we face problems like inflation. The growing population also exploits the natural resources. It also puts four systems under stress. It results in lack of space and fall in the standard of living. Only awareness, thoughtfulness and education can bring down the population growth.
Question 6.
What do you understand by the term ‘a holistic and ecological view’? Explain.
Answer:
The expression ‘holistic and ecological view’ is a revolutionary concept that recognises earth as a living organism with its own metabolic requirements which need to be preserved. We need to take into consideration the whole earth from the point of view of its atmosphere and environment. At present, the earth is like a patient is in poor health. Its vital systems like forests and water are worsening and have to be brought back to health.
Question 7.
“Are we to leave our successors a planet of advancing deserts, impoverished landscapes and an ailing environment”. Explain.
Answer:
It is a question mark raised by an international commission on ecology and environment. It is extremely pertinent as well as frightening. This question should actually awaken our inner conscious. Man’s so-called progress has taken a heavy toll on the earth’s environment.
Deforestation on large scale has led to a cycle of floods and droughts. This has affected the grasslands and the croplands and they are rapidly getting converted into deserts. Their productivity is getting depleted year by year. They are fast becoming unsustainable. This means climate change and a hotter planet leading to the extinction of several species and low food production and scarcity of potable water. ‘Ailing environment’ will mean polluted air, water and soil which will make survival difficult for the coming generations.
Question 8.
Is there hope for environmental enrichment in future? What is needed to bring about the change from degradation to enrichment?
Answer:
Though it has been too late, but as the saying goes, ‘Nothing is Impossible’. We can still hope that this environment enrichment is possible. The picture can be changed with only human efforts. We all need to become responsible and smart. There should be some restraint in the usage of natural resources. All the four biological systems need replenishment. Industrial pollution should be checked. On the whole, an awareness that we should leave the earth’s resources for the future generations is essential. People need to be thoughtful and sensible.
Question 9.
“We have not inherited this earth from our forefathers; we have borrowed it from our children.”
Margaret Thatcher’s words highlight the theme of the lesson ‘The Ailing Planet: The Green Movement’s Role.’ You feel very concerned about this earth which is being destroyed gradually. Write an article in about 100 words on ‘Save the Planet Earth.’
Answer:
Save the Planet Earth
Margaret Thatcher’s statement about our planet makes a very valid point. It is the responsibility of each generation to use the resources of the earth judiciously. Today air, water, soil, trees and rivers are being consumed or polluted as if there will be no tomorrow.
The picture is dismal. The vital systems of the earth are deteriorating due to overuse and pollution. We need to practise sustainable development which means development that meets the needs of the present and preserves the environment for future generations too. We need to preserve the fisheries, forests, grasslands and croplands of the earth. It is equally important to control the growth of the population and act responsibly towards the earth.
Question 10.
“The growth of the world population is one of the strongest factors distorting the future of human society” is the opinion of experts on world matters. Present your views in an article in about 100 words how growing population can take the world back to prehistoric times.
Answer:
The Population Bomb.The startling fact is that in every four days, the world population rises by a million. The effect of uncontrolled population growth, in one word, is shortage of natural as well as man-made resources which will lead to bloody fights among individuals as well as among nations.
Shortage of :
- food and water
- petrol and other fuels
- facilities for education
- facilities for health care
- housing
These shortages will lead to the growth of :
- poverty
- conflict
- moral degradation
There is an urgent need to control population growth.
Question 11.
“It has been well said that forests precede mankind; deserts follow,” says Nani Palkhivala, ‘ Bring out the truth of this statement in an article of 100 words.
Or
Explain the statement ‘forests precede mankind; deserts follow’.
Answer:
(Choose your points)
Forests precede mankind — because they provide all the resources needed to sustain life. Forests provide — food – shelter — material for building — raw material for industry. The present situation in India is grim. We are losing forests at the rate of one and a half acre per second which means 3.7 million acres a year. These are government figures. The actual loss could be eight times. Loss of forests is causing flood, drought, lack of wood, disappearance of wildlife. We need to plant forest at least five times the rate than we are using them.