Worksheet Solutions: The Ailing Planet: the Green Movement's Role | English Class 11 PDF Download

Fill in the Blanks

Q1: The Earth is described as a ________________ being in the text.
Ans: living organism
The text describes the Earth as a living organism, emphasizing its interconnectedness and importance.

Q2: The Green Movement was launched in the year _________.
Ans: 1972
The Green Movement was launched in 1972, as mentioned in the text.

Q3: Mr. L.K. Jha raised a vital question about leaving our successors a ___________ planet.
Ans: scorched
Mr. L.K. Jha raised concerns about leaving a scorched planet for future generations, as mentioned in the text.

Q4: According to the passage, ________________ are reaching an unsustainable level.
Ans: four biological systems
The text mentions that four biological systems are reaching an unsustainable level.

Q5: The tropical forests are referred to as the "powerhouse of evolution" by ____________.
Ans: Dr. Meyers
Dr. Meyers is credited with calling tropical forests the "powerhouse of evolution" in the text.

Q6: India is losing its forests at the rate of __________ million acres a year.
Ans: 3.7 million
The text states that India is losing its forests at a rate of 3.7 million acres per year.

Q7: Article 48A of the Indian Constitution is about the protection of _______________.
Ans: environment and safeguarding the forest and wildlife
Article 48A of the Indian Constitution aims to protect and improve the environment and safeguard the forest and wildlife, as mentioned in the text.

Q8: According to Nani Palkhivala, ______________ is the only solution for conserving the environment and reducing the population.
Ans: development
Nani Palkhivala suggests that development is the only solution for conserving the environment and reducing the population, as stated in the text.

Q9: The population of India today is __________ million.
Ans: 920 million
The text mentions that the population of India today is 920 million.

Q10: The Chairman of Du Pont, Mr. Edgar S. Woolard, emphasizes the importance of _______________.
Ans: environmental performance
Mr. Edgar S. Woolard emphasizes the importance of environmental performance, as mentioned in the text.

Assertion and Reason Based

Q1: Assertion: The Green Movement's role is to protect the environment.
Reason: It was launched in 1987.
(a) Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
(b) Both the assertion and reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
(c) The assertion is true, but the reason is false.
(d) The assertion is false, but the reason is true.
Ans: (c)
The assertion is true as the Green Movement's role is to protect the environment, but the reason is false because the Green Movement was actually launched in 1972, not 1987.

Q2: Assertion: The text mentions the destruction of tropical forests.
Reason: Tropical forests are a source of clean energy.
(a) Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
(b) Both the assertion and reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
(c) The assertion is true, but the reason is false.
(d) The assertion is false, but the reason is true.
Ans: (b)
The text does mention the destruction of tropical forests, but it doesn't state that they are a source of clean energy. Therefore, the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.

Q3: Assertion: Nani Palkhivala suggests that development is the only solution for conserving the environment.
Reason: Fertility falls as income rises, education spreads, and health improves.
(a) Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
(b) Both the assertion and reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
(c) The assertion is true, but the reason is false.
(d) The assertion is false, but the reason is true.
Ans: (a)
Nani Palkhivala does suggest that development is the only solution for conserving the environment, and the reason provided is a correct explanation of this assertion.

Q4: Assertion: The text emphasizes the importance of protecting the environment.
Reason: The population of India is more than the entire population of Africa and South America.
(a) Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
(b) Both the assertion and reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
(c) The assertion is true, but the reason is false.
(d) The assertion is false, but the reason is true.
Ans: (a)
The text does emphasize the importance of protecting the environment, and the reason is a correct explanation because it highlights the significance of India's population in the context of environmental challenges.

Q5: Assertion: The Green Movement was launched in 1972.
Reason: The text mentions the growing need for sustainable development.
(a) Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
(b) Both the assertion and reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
(c) The assertion is true, but the reason is false.
(d) The assertion is false, but the reason is true.
Ans: (a)
The Green Movement was indeed launched in 1972, and the reason provided is a correct explanation of this assertion as it aligns with the text's content about the need for sustainable development.

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Q1: What does the text describe the Earth as?
Ans: The text describes the Earth as a "living organism."

Q2: When was the Green Movement launched?
Ans: The Green Movement was launched in "1972."

Q3: Who raised the question about leaving a scorched planet for successors?
Ans: Mr. L.K. Jha raised the question about leaving a scorched planet for successors.

Q4: According to the text, what is reaching an unsustainable level?
Ans: The text mentions that "four biological systems" are reaching an unsustainable level.

Q5: How are tropical forests described in the text?
Ans: Tropical forests are described as the "powerhouse of evolution" by "Dr. Meyers" in the text.

Q6: What is the rate at which India is losing its forests?
Ans: India is losing its forests at the rate of "3.7 million acres a year," as mentioned in the text.

Q7: What does Article 48A of the Indian Constitution aim to protect?
Ans: Article 48A of the Indian Constitution aims to protect and improve the "environment" and safeguard the "forest and wildlife" of the country.

Q8: According to Nani Palkhivala, what is the solution for conserving the environment and reducing the population?
Ans: According to Nani Palkhivala, the solution is "development."

Q9: What is the current population of India?
Ans: The current population of India is "920 million," as mentioned in the text.

Q10: What does Mr. Edgar S. Woolard emphasize in the text?
Ans: Mr. Edgar S. Woolard emphasizes the importance of "environmental performance" in the text.

Short Answer Type Questions

Q1: Explain the role of the Green Movement in addressing the ailing planet.
Ans: The Green Movement plays a crucial role in addressing environmental issues and promoting sustainable living practices. It aims to protect the environment, combat challenges such as climate change and deforestation, and advocate for the preservation of natural resources. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of all living beings and the Earth, highlighting the need for responsible and sustainable actions to ensure the planet's well-being.

Q2: What concerns are raised in the text regarding the environment and population?
Ans: The text raises concerns about the destruction of tropical forests, which are described as the "powerhouse of evolution." It also highlights the alarming rate at which India is losing its forests. Population growth is mentioned as a significant concern, with India's population exceeding 920 million. The text underscores the need to balance development, population control, and environmental protection to address these issues.

Q3: Why does Nani Palkhivala suggest that development is the only solution for conserving the environment?
Ans: Nani Palkhivala suggests that development is the only solution because he believes that as income rises, education spreads, and health improves, fertility falls. This implies that a higher standard of living and better education can lead to reduced population growth. In his view, development is essential for both improving people's quality of life and conserving the environment, as a smaller population would exert less pressure on natural resources.

Q4: How does the text highlight the impact of population growth on India?
Ans: The text indicates that India's population has reached 920 million, exceeding the entire population of Africa and South America. This population growth is seen as a significant concern, particularly because it contributes to the exploitation of natural resources, deforestation, and environmental degradation. The text suggests that population control is necessary to address these challenges and ensure the well-being of the planet.

Long Answer Type Questions

Q1: Discuss the significance of the Green Movement in the context of environmental protection and sustainability.
Ans: The Green Movement is a social and political movement with a profound significance in addressing environmental issues and promoting sustainability. It plays a pivotal role in advocating for the protection of the environment and the adoption of sustainable living practices. The movement focuses on key issues such as climate change, pollution, deforestation, and the preservation of natural resources. By raising awareness and mobilizing individuals and communities, the Green Movement strives to foster a sense of responsibility towards the planet. It emphasizes that Earth is a living organism, and its well-being is essential for the well-being of all living beings. The movement's role is to safeguard the Earth from degradation and to ensure that future generations have a habitable and sustainable planet to inherit.

Q2: Explain the environmental challenges mentioned in the text and their potential consequences.
Ans: The text highlights several environmental challenges, including the destruction of tropical forests, a significant loss of forests in India, and the rapid population growth.
The potential consequences of these challenges are as follows:

• Destruction of tropical forests: This poses a threat to biodiversity and the extinction of various species, affecting the delicate balance of ecosystems.
• Loss of forests in India: The rapid rate of forest loss in India contributes to deforestation, which leads to soil erosion, reduced water resources, and the disruption of local climates.
• Population growth: The high population in India strains natural resources, leads to increased pollution, and contributes to environmental degradation. It also poses challenges in providing essential services like education, healthcare, and employment for the growing population.
  
  

Q3: Elaborate on Nani Palkhivala's perspective on the relationship between development, population, and environmental conservation.
Ans: Nani Palkhivala advocates a perspective that emphasizes the interconnection of development, population control, and environmental conservation. He suggests that development is the only solution for conserving the environment. Palkhivala argues that as income rises, education spreads, and health improves, fertility falls. In other words, a higher standard of living and access to education and healthcare can lead to reduced population growth. He believes that a smaller population is crucial for environmental conservation as it exerts less pressure on natural resources. This perspective aligns development with the well-being of the environment, emphasizing the need to strike a balance between economic progress and sustainable practices.

Q4: Reflect on the idea of "an Era of Responsibility" and its implications for individuals and industries in addressing environmental issues.
Ans: The concept of "an Era of Responsibility" signifies a paradigm shift in the way individuals and industries view their role in addressing environmental issues. It implies that we have entered an era where both individuals and industries must take responsibility for the health and well-being of the planet.
This responsibility extends to various aspects:

• Individual Responsibility: Individuals are expected to adopt sustainable living practices, reduce their environmental footprint, and make conscious choices that protect the environment. This may include conserving energy, reducing waste, and supporting eco-friendly initiatives.
• Industrial Responsibility: Industries are called upon to excel in environmental performance. They must adopt eco-friendly practices, reduce emissions, and minimize their impact on the environment. This may involve investing in green technologies, sustainable supply chains, and responsible production methods.

The Era of Responsibility underscores the shared commitment to preserving the Earth for future generations, emphasizing that environmental protection is a collective duty that involves both individual actions and corporate initiatives.