Journey to the End of the Earth NCERT Text Book Questions and Answers

1. How do geological phenomena help us to know about the history of humankind?

Ans: Geographical lands carry fossils as imprints of history. The fossils provide us with major evidential data to study evolutionary history. Using modern technology like Carbon Dating helps us to determine the age of the fossil. Various civilizations have been excavated at various locations across the globe. Mammals and other flora and fauna existed on land even before the separation of landmass. 

Questions

1. What are the indications for the future of humankind?

Ans: As civilization progressed the pollution and damage to nature have been on the continuous increase too. Carbon emissions have increased multiple folds which have led to global warming and the greenhouse effect. These all have melted the glaciers and have led to the extinction of flora and fauna. The gases have depleted the ozone layer which in turn has led to the penetration of UV rays into the atmosphere. These all-environmental issues not only affect the flora and fauna but humankind too and can lead to its end. Antarctica has given significant shocking and much concerning warnings to humanity that the damage it’s causing can lead to the end of all.

Questions

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

Ans: Antarctica was once a part of the supercontinent Gondwana land. It later got separated from India and drifted south to create the present continent. The climate on the land changed from warm and humid to extremely cold and frigid. It hence carries a lot of history with itself and can be useful for archaeological purposes too. It is a place one should visit to get a glimpse of past, present, and future coexisting together in a pure and realistic form. The secrets of life are embedded in the deep layers of ice.  Antarctica also provides us warning signs to foresee the consequences of present damage to the environment are. It reminds us that the effects of global warming are real and can produce disastrous consequences.

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

Ans: Tishani Doshi traveled South to the end of the Earth to Antarctica along with an expedition group ‘Students on Ice.’ Geoff Green took high schools on the expedition because he wanted to make young minds sensitive about climatic changes that are happening around the world. He believes that these young minds are the future policymakers of the world, and it is in their hands that the future lies. He considers them to be the best ones to shoulder the responsibility to save the world and the environment and can turn the situation better.

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?

Ans: The statement points out the fact that building up trivial habits and making insignificant changes can bring a substantial change in the world we live in. If every individual takes small steps, the total impact on the world will be massive. The book provides an example of phytoplankton, which are small photosynthetic plants and serve as food for several marine birds and animals. If the ozone layer depletes further, the phytoplankton might get depleted and its contribution to the ecosystem will be depleted which in turn would affect the globe on a large scale. We need to focus on small things and make slight changes so that we can save the world together and make it a better place to live. 

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

Ans: Antarctica was part of the Gondwana land. It, hence, has a mass of lands that have existed millions of years ago and is untouched by humankind. Its present state of melting and breaking apart tells us about the crisis the environment is going through now. Our neglect of the environment has led to an increase in global warming. The state of earth points out the fact that if the present state continues the earth will not sustain for long and the end is near. We need to be conscious and take small steps to protect our Earth from the potential threat and decline its heading towards.