Class 12 English - MAHARASHTRA
Supplementary: Journey to the End of the Earth
Supplementary Chapter 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 vital environmental lesson, highlighting how Antarctica holds the secrets of Earth's geological past, present, and future through its pristine ice cores. For Maharashtra State Board (MSBSHSE) Class 12 exams, this chapter is crucial for testing reading comprehension, critical thinking on global warming, and appreciation for ecological preservation. Questions frequently evaluate students' understanding of the human impact on the planet's fragile ecosystems.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Gondwana Supercontinent
A giant southern supercontinent that existed around 650 million years ago, which included modern-day Antarctica, India, and other landmasses before drifting apart due to tectonics.
Significance of Antarctica
Antarctica is the ideal place to study Earth's past climate because it remains uncorrupted, storing half-million-year-old carbon records trapped in its ice layers.
Students on Ice Programme
An educational initiative led by Canadian Geof Green that takes high school students to the ends of the earth to foster a deep understanding and respect for our planet.
Phytoplankton
Microscopic grasses of the Southern Ocean that nourish and sustain the entire southern ocean's food chain, highly vulnerable to ozone depletion.
Geological Time Scale
The chapter highlights how quickly human dominance has altered the planet within a short geological timeframe, threatening global climate stability.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Maharashtra (MSBSHSE) Class 12 English Kumarbharati board exam, this chapter typically contributes around 4 to 6 marks. Questions usually include personal response questions, textual comprehension, and short analytical notes on environmental themes or the significance of the Antarctica expedition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Antarctica the best place to study Earth's past?
Antarctica holds half-million-year-old carbon records trapped in its ice sheets, providing an uncorrupted window into the Earth's geological and climatic history.
What is the objective of the 'Students on Ice' programme?
The programme aims to take high school students to the end of the world to instill an understanding and respect for the planet, inspiring them to take action against climate change.
How do small changes in phytoplankton affect the ecosystem?
Phytoplankton are microscopic grasses that sustain the entire Southern Ocean's food web. Any depletion in their population due to UV rays directly impacts all marine animals and birds.
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