Class 12 English - KERALA

Supplementary: Journey to the End of the Earth

Supplementary: Journey to the End of the Earth by Tishani Doshi recounts her expedition to Antarctica aboard the Russian research vessel Akademik Shokalskiy. The chapter serves as a stark reminder of Earth's fragile ecosystem, tracing human geological history from the supercontinent Gondwana to the present day. For Kerala SCERT Class 12 board exams, this chapter is crucial for testing comprehension of environmental concerns, reading skills, and analytical thinking through direct questions and paragraph reflections.

Start Learning Free

Key Concepts

Gondwana

A giant amalgamated southern supercontinent that existed around 650 million years ago, centered roughly on the present-day Antarctic region, before separating into the continents we know today.

Significance of Antarctica

Antarctica holds unblemished ice cores containing half-million-year-old carbon records, making it the ideal place to study Earth's past, present, and future climates.

Phytoplankton

Microscopic grasses of the southern oceans that nourish and sustain the entire Southern Ocean's food chain, whose activities are threatened by ozone depletion.

Students on Ice Programme

An educational journey headed by Geoff Green that takes high school students to the ends of the world to foster a new understanding and respect for our planet.

Human Impact

Humanity's rapid intervention, burning of fossil fuels, and rising population have created a significant geological footprint, leading to global warming and climate change.

Important Formulas

Gondwana: The ancient supercontinent existing 650 million years ago
Phytoplankton: Microscopic marine algae that are the primary producers of the ocean
Geological era: Refers to major divisions of time based on rock strata and fossil records (e.g., Cretaceous, Cambrian)
Ice Cores: Cylindrical samples of ice drilled from an ice sheet used to reconstruct past climates

Board Exam Info

In the Kerala SCERT Class 12 English examinations, this chapter typically contributes around 4 to 8 marks. Questions usually appear as short-answer questions testing factual recall, or paragraph-level analytical questions regarding environmental awareness and the author's message about saving the planet.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Antarctica's pristine ice cores contain half-million-year-old carbon records trapped in its layers, offering an unbroken historical record of Earth's climate that cannot be found anywhere else.

What are phytoplankton and why are they important?

Phytoplankton are single-celled microscopic marine plants that use sun energy to assimilate carbon and synthesize organic compounds, forming the base of the Southern Ocean's food chain.

What is the objective of the 'Students on Ice' programme?

The programme aims to take high school students to the ends of the world, providing them inspiring educational opportunities to foster a deep understanding and respect for planet Earth.

Learn Supplementary: Journey to the End of the Earth with Your AI Tutor

10 different ways to study this chapter. Free for 3 chapters per day.

Lecture

Key Points

Interactive

Quiz

Flashcards

Start Learning Free

More English Chapters - KERALA Class 12