Class 12 English - GUJARAT
Supplementary: Journey to the End of the Earth
Supplementary: Journey to the End of the Earth by Tishani Doshi, included in the Class 12 English curriculum for Gujarat (GSEB) students, recounts the author's expedition to Antarctica aboard the Russian research vessel Akademik Shokalskiy. The chapter serves as a stark wake-up call regarding global warming and climate change. By studying Antarctica's pristine ice cores, students gain insight into Earth's past, present, and future. The chapter highlights the importance of preserving the polar regions and emphasizes that small changes in the environment can have catastrophic global effects, making it a crucial topic for board exams.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
The Supercontinent Gondwana
650 million years ago, a giant amalgamated southern supercontinent named Gondwana centered roughly on the present-day Antarctica, supporting a warm climate and diverse flora and fauna before landmasses drifted apart.
Significance of Antarctica
Antarctica holds half-million-year-old carbon records trapped in its ice layers, making it the ideal place to study Earth's past climatic conditions and predict future global changes.
Students on Ice Programme
An educational initiative led by Canadian Geoff Green that takes high school students to the ends of the earth to foster an understanding and respect for our planet.
Phytoplankton
Single-celled microscopic plants that nourish and sustain the entire Southern Ocean's food chain, whose activities are directly threatened by ozone depletion.
Geological Time Scale
The framework used by geologists and scientists to understand Earth's history, highlighting how human existence is a mere blink in geological time yet has caused massive disruptions.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Gujarat (GSEB) Class 12 English board exam, this supplementary chapter typically carries around 3 to 5 marks. Questions commonly include short answer questions (SAQs) testing comprehension of Antarctica's geological history, long answer questions (LAQs) on the environmental message of the chapter, and value-based questions regarding climate change and student responsibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Antarctica the best place to study Earth's past and future?
Antarctica remains relatively pristine and holds half-million-year-old carbon records trapped in its ice layers, which provide crucial clues about Earth's historical climates and future environmental trends.
What is the main objective of the 'Students on Ice' program?
The program aims to take young minds to the end of the earth to provide them with inspiring educational opportunities, fostering a deep understanding and respect for the planet's ecosystem.
How do phytoplankton affect the global ecosystem according to the chapter?
Phytoplankton are microscopic grasses of the sea that undergo photosynthesis to nourish and sustain the entire Southern Ocean's food chain, making their survival vital for global marine life.
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