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Chapter 7 of 17
NCERT Solutions

The Ailing Planet: the Green Movement’s Role & Childhood

Madhya Pradesh Board · Class 11 · English

NCERT Solutions for The Ailing Planet: the Green Movement’s Role & Childhood — Madhya Pradesh Board Class 11 English.

70 questions34 flashcards5 concepts

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17 Questions Solved · 6 Sections

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Understanding the text

1Locate the lines in the text that support the title 'The Ailing Planet'.Show solution
The title "The Ailing Planet" is supported by lines showing that the earth is like a sick patient: "The earth’s vital signs reveal a patient in declining health." It is also supported by the concern for sustainable development, forest depletion, and the warning that the environment has deteriorated badly. These lines show that the planet is in trouble and needs care.

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2What does the notice 'The world's most dangerous animal' at a cage in the zoo at Lusaka, Zambia, signify?Show solution
The notice signifies that human beings are the most dangerous animal on earth. The mirror in the cage makes the visitor see himself, suggesting that man is responsible for environmental destruction and for threatening life on the planet.

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3How are the earth's principal biological systems being depleted?Show solution
The earth’s principal biological systems — fisheries, forests, grasslands, and croplands — are being depleted by overuse and unsustainable human claims. This leads to over-fishing, cutting of forests for firewood, conversion of grasslands into barren wastelands, and deterioration of croplands.

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4Why does the author aver that the growth of world population is one of the strongest factors distorting the future of human society?Show solution
The author says so because population growth affects the future of society in many ways. A fast-growing population puts pressure on food, jobs, land, forests, and resources. It worsens poverty, makes development harder, and threatens the survival of future generations.

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Talking about the text

1Laws are never respected nor enforced in India.Show solution
The statement is not literally accepted by the author; instead, he says that in India laws are never respected nor enforced. He supports this by pointing out that even constitutional provisions against casteism, untouchability, and bonded labour are still violated openly.

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2"Are we to leave our successors a scorched planet of advancing deserts, impoverished landscapes and an ailing environment?"Show solution
This line is a warning against leaving the next generation with a ruined earth. It means we should not pass on a planet that has been damaged by deserts, poverty of landscape, forests destroyed, and an unhealthy environment. We must protect nature for our successors.

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3"We have not inherited this earth from our forefathers; we have borrowed it from our children".Show solution
This means that the earth does not belong to us as absolute owners. We are only trustees or borrowers of the planet, and we must preserve it for our children and future generations. It stresses responsibility toward nature.

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4The problems of overpopulation that directly affect our everyday life.Show solution
Overpopulation affects everyday life by causing poverty, unemployment, pressure on food and water, shortage of resources, deforestation, and environmental degradation. More people also make it harder to provide education, health care, housing, and a decent standard of living for all.

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Thinking about language

1Find out what these Latin phrases mean.Show solution
The Latin phrases mean:

1. prima facie — at first sight; on the face of it
2. ad hoc — for a particular purpose
3. in camera — in private; in a closed meeting
4. ad infinitum — endlessly; forever
5. mutatis mutandis — with necessary changes made
6. caveat — a warning; let the buyer beware
7. tabula rasa — a blank slate; something wiped clean

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Working with words

ILocate the following phrases in the text and study their connotation.
IIThe words 'grip', 'dawn', 'usher', 'coin', 'passport' have a literal as well as a figurative meaning. Write pairs of sentences using each word in the literal as well as the figurative sense.

Things to do

1Make posters to highlight the importance of the Green Movement.
2Maintain a record of the trees cut down and the parks demolished in your area, or any other act that violates the environment. Write to newspapers reporting on any such acts that disturb you.

Think it out

1Identify the stanza that talks of each of the following.
2What according to the poem is involved in the process of growing up?
3What is the poet's feeling towards childhood?
4Which do you think are the most poetic lines? Why?

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the important topics in The Ailing Planet: the Green Movement’s Role & Childhood for Madhya Pradesh Board Class 11 English?
The Ailing Planet: the Green Movement’s Role & Childhood covers several key topics that are frequently asked in Madhya Pradesh Board Class 11 board exams. Focus on the core concepts listed on this page and practise related questions to build confidence.
How to score full marks in The Ailing Planet: the Green Movement’s Role & Childhood — Madhya Pradesh Board Class 11 English?
Understand the core concepts first, then work through the 70 practice questions available for this chapter. Revise formulas and definitions regularly, and use flashcards for quick recall before the exam.
Where can I get free NCERT Solutions for The Ailing Planet: the Green Movement’s Role & Childhood Class 11 English?
This page has free step-by-step NCERT Solutions for every exercise question in The Ailing Planet: the Green Movement’s Role & Childhood (Madhya Pradesh Board Class 11 English) — written the way examiners award marks: given, formula, working, answer.

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