Explore Tishani Doshi’s Journey to the End of the Earth with a detailed summary, vocabulary definitions, extract-based MCQs, and key questions. This guide is ideal for students aiming to strengthen their understanding of this thought-provoking chapter and prepare for their Unit Tests and Board Exams.
Summary of Journey to the End of the Earth
In Journey to the End of the Earth, Tishani Doshi recounts her voyage to Antarctica, highlighting the continent’s desolation and importance to the Earth’s environmental history. She emphasises how the Antarctic landscape reveals ancient geological formations and evolutionary history. The chapter underscores the impact of human activities on the environment, warning of climate change and urging the younger generation to be conscious stewards of the planet. Through her observations, Doshi illustrates the ecological vulnerability of Antarctica and stresses its role in understanding Earth’s past and future climate.
Explanation of chapter Journey to the End of the Earth
Introduction to the Journey
In Journey to the End of the Earth, Tishani Doshi takes readers through her profound experience of travelling to Antarctica aboard the research vessel Akademik Shokalskiy. Starting her journey in Madras, she crosses continents and time zones before reaching this desolate and icy landscape. Upon arrival, Doshi is struck by the vast emptiness of Antarctica, a place devoid of human markers like trees or buildings. The sight of this pristine wilderness, with its endless white landscape and surreal 24-hour daylight, evokes a sense of awe and reverence in her.
Historical Context
The chapter delves into the history of Antarctica, which was once part of a supercontinent called Gondwana around 650 million years ago. Doshi explains that, over millions of years, Gondwana broke apart, forming present-day continents. This ancient geological transformation underlines how Earth’s climate, ecosystems, and continents have evolved, and it highlights how much can change over time. By observing Antarctica, we can see the remnants of this ancient history, offering a unique window into the Earth’s past.
Environmental Threats
Doshi also discusses the environmental threats facing our planet, particularly the impact of climate change. Antarctica’s ice cores, holding carbon records dating back millions of years, are critical for scientists studying the effects of human activity on global warming. The continent’s isolation and unique ecosystem make it an ideal location to witness how minor changes in the environment, like the depletion of the ozone layer, can lead to significant consequences. Doshi uses the example of phytoplankton – tiny plants at the base of the marine food chain – to illustrate how interconnected life on Earth is and how even small disruptions can affect the entire planet.
Students on Ice Programme
A key part of her journey is the Students on Ice programme, led by Geoff Green, which brings young students to Antarctica to experience its beauty and vulnerability firsthand. Green believes that witnessing the reality of climate change in such an extreme environment will inspire these young people to become advocates for environmental conservation. Doshi reflects on how the Antarctic expedition teaches the importance of taking care of our planet, emphasising that by addressing small environmental issues, we can help protect larger ecosystems.
Conclusion
Ultimately, Journey to the End of the Earth is a powerful reminder of humanity’s responsibility to preserve nature. Doshi’s reflections on the landscape, its history, and the urgent need for environmental awareness leave readers with a deepened understanding of Antarctica’s critical role in studying and safeguarding Earth’s future.
Word Meaning of Journey to the End of the Earth
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Amalgamated | Merged or combined into a unified whole |
| Cordilleran | Related to a mountain range |
| Ecosphere | The region supporting life on Earth |
| Epiphany | A sudden, profound insight or realisation |
| Phytoplankton | Microscopic plants in the ocean |
| Ozone Layer | A layer in Earth’s stratosphere that absorbs UV radiation |
| Austral | Southern, related to the southern hemisphere |
| Pristine | In its original, unspoiled condition |
| Calving | The breaking of ice chunks from a glacier |
| Circumpolar | Surrounding the pole, such as the Antarctic |
Extract-Based MCQs from Journey to the End of the Earth
Extract 1
“By the time I actually set foot on the Antarctic continent… mainly at how there could ever have been a time when India and Antarctica were part of the same landmass.”
- Where is the narrator when she begins to feel wonder?
- a) In the mountains
- b) In Antarctica
- c) In India
- d) On a plane
- What historical fact astonishes the narrator?
- a) That Antarctica is so cold
- b) That India and Antarctica were once connected
- c) That animals used to live in Antarctica
- d) That humans lived on all continents
- What is the main theme of the narrator’s wonder?
- a) Weather
- b) Time zones
- c) Continental drift
- d) Survival
Answer Key:
- (b)
- (b)
- (c)
Extract 2
“Six hundred and fifty million years ago, a giant amalgamated southern supercontinent — Gondwana — did indeed exist, centred roughly around the present-day Antarctica.”
- What was Gondwana?
- a) A modern country
- b) A supercontinent
- c) A type of animal
- d) An Antarctic research station
- Where was Gondwana mainly centred?
- a) North America
- b) Asia
- c) Antarctica
- d) Africa
- When did Gondwana begin to break apart?
- a) 50 million years ago
- b) 500 million years ago
- c) 650 million years ago
- d) 1 million years ago
Answer Key:
- (b)
- (c)
- (b)
Extract 3
“It’s like walking into a giant ping-pong ball devoid of any human markers — no trees, billboards, buildings. You lose all earthly sense of perspective and time here.”
- What does Antarctica lack according to the narrator?
- a) Human life
- b) Water bodies
- c) Animals
- d) Birds
- What is the effect of being in Antarctica on one’s sense of time?
- a) It becomes sharper
- b) It is slower
- c) It is distorted
- d) It is predictable
- What does the author compare Antarctica to?
- a) A desert
- b) A ping-pong ball
- c) A jungle
- d) A city
Answer Key:
- (a)
- (c)
- (b)
Extract 4
“Take care of the small things and the big things will take care of themselves.”
- What small element is highlighted as essential in the Antarctic ecosystem?
- a) Penguins
- b) Phytoplankton
- c) Polar bears
- d) Whales
- What does the phrase suggest about environmental responsibility?
- a) Small actions don’t matter
- b) Minor efforts can lead to major impacts
- c) Only big actions count
- d) Ignore small details
- What is the primary process performed by phytoplankton?
- a) Photosynthesis
- b) Migration
- c) Hunting
- d) Shelter-building
Answer Key:
- (b)
- (b)
- (a)
Extract 5
“Human civilisations have been around for a paltry 12,000 years… the average global temperature.”
- What does the author mean by “a paltry 12,000 years”?
- a) A long time
- b) A short time
- c) The age of Antarctica
- d) The age of human technology
- What human activity has contributed to rising temperatures?
- a) Migration
- b) Industrialisation
- c) Exploration
- d) Settlement building
- How has human activity affected the Earth?
- a) Made it safer
- b) Kept it pristine
- c) Caused environmental issues
- d) Balanced the climate
Answer Key:
- (b)
- (b)
- (c)
Extra Questions from Journey to the End of the Earth
- How does visiting Antarctica help us understand climate change?
Visiting Antarctica exposes the effects of global warming firsthand, showing the fragility of ice caps and the importance of preserving natural ecosystems. - What role do ice cores play in climate research?
Ice cores reveal past carbon levels, helping scientists study historical climates and understand current global warming trends. - Why is Antarctica considered a “pristine” environment?
It has never sustained a human population and thus remains unpolluted, providing a clear view of natural processes. - What makes phytoplankton vital to the Antarctic ecosystem?
Phytoplankton supports the marine food chain and regulates carbon, influencing the global carbon cycle. - What message does Tishani Doshi convey about environmental responsibility?
Doshi emphasises that by protecting small components like phytoplankton, we can maintain the broader environmental balance. - Why was the Students on Ice expedition created?
It was designed to educate youth about environmental issues and inspire future leaders to take meaningful action on climate change. - What is the significance of Gondwana in Earth’s history?
Gondwana was an ancient supercontinent that split to form present-day continents, highlighting Earth’s dynamic geological history. - How does Tishani Doshi describe the Antarctic landscape?
She portrays it as vast, desolate, and surreal, with 24-hour sunlight and vast icebergs, which creates a profound sense of wonder.
Read and Find Out (Q&A)
1. How do geological phenomena help us to know about the history of humankind?
Very Short Answer:
Geological phenomena reveal Earth’s past, showing changes in continents, climates, and species.
2. What are the indications for the future of humankind?
Short Answer:
Signs such as melting ice caps, rising temperatures, and ecosystem shifts hint at a potentially unstable future for humankind due to climate change. Antarctica’s pristine condition and ancient ice cores offer valuable records, highlighting our impact on the planet.
Reading with Insight (Q&A)
1. ‘The world’s geological history is trapped in Antarctica.’ How is the study of this region useful to us?
Long Answer:
Studying Antarctica helps scientists understand Earth’s history, as its ice cores contain records of climate conditions dating back millions of years. The continent holds clues about how ancient supercontinents like Gondwana broke apart, shaping present-day continents. Additionally, examining carbon levels in the ice reveals how the environment has evolved, aiding predictions about the impact of current human activities on global warming.
2. What are Geoff Green’s reasons for including high school students in the Students on Ice expedition?
Short Answer:
Geoff Green aims to inspire young minds to appreciate and respect the environment by exposing them to the fragile ecosystems of Antarctica. This immersive experience helps students develop an understanding of global issues like climate change, fostering a generation motivated to protect the planet.
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?
Short Answer:
In Antarctica, the survival of small organisms like phytoplankton, which sustain the food chain, underscores how minor changes in an ecosystem can lead to significant consequences. The statement highlights the importance of conserving even the smallest components to maintain ecological balance.
4. Why is Antarctica the place to go to, to understand the earth’s present, past and future?
Long Answer:
Antarctica offers insights into Earth’s geological and climatic history due to its ancient ice cores and relatively undisturbed ecosystems. It provides a clear view of past environmental conditions and the effects of climate change. Studying this continent allows us to predict future changes and serves as a reminder of our planet’s fragile equilibrium.
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