Advertisements
Advertisements
Question
“What man calls civilization always results in deserts. Man is never on the square he uses up the fat and greenery of the earth. Each generation wastes a little more of the future with greed and lust for riches”- Don Marquis
With our modern awareness of ecology are we likely to make sufficient progress in conservation, or are we still in danger of damaging the earth beyond repair? Write a discursive essay discussing the issue being raised.
Advertisements
Solution
The quote by Don Marquis raises a profound question about the impact of human civilization on the environment. As we stand at a critical juncture in the history of our planet, with growing awareness of ecology and environmental issues, it is crucial to examine whether we are making sufficient progress in conservation or if we are still in danger of damaging the Earth beyond repair.
The current state of the environment gives us both reasons for hope and causes for concern. On one hand, there has been significant progress in raising awareness about ecological issues. Environmental organizations, governments, and individuals around the world have been working diligently to protect and conserve natural resources, promote sustainable practices, and combat pollution. International agreements such as the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming, demonstrate a collective commitment to address pressing environmental challenges. Technological advancements have also provided us with innovative solutions for cleaner energy, more efficient resource utilization, and improved waste management.
However, despite these positive efforts, the Earth continues to face severe threats. Climate change, deforestation, habitat destruction, overfishing, and pollution remain persistent problems. Rapid industrialization, population growth, and unsustainable consumption patterns place enormous strain on ecosystems and biodiversity. The exploitation of natural resources for short-term gains often disregards the long-term consequences, leading to the depletion of vital resources, soil degradation, and the loss of biodiversity.
Sustainable development seeks to harmonize economic progress with ecological stewardship. It requires a shift in our collective mindset, emphasizing the need for responsible resource management, renewable energy sources, reduced waste generation, and the protection of natural habitats. Education and awareness play a critical role in this transformation. Empowering individuals with knowledge about the consequences of their actions on the environment can drive meaningful change. Schools, media, and communities must all contribute to fostering an environmentally conscious society. Furthermore, policies that incentivize environmentally friendly practices, such as tax incentives for renewable energy adoption or stringent regulations on pollution, can drive industries towards sustainable choices.
Notes
- Content – 2 marks
- Organisation – 1 mark (fluency, coherence, logical flow)
- Expression – 2 marks (vocabulary, originality of ideas, grammatical accuracy)
APPEARS IN
RELATED QUESTIONS
You had gone on a trekking expendition with a group of friends. As night closed in, you realised that you were separated from the group. Describe your initial feelings and the place where you got lost. How did you spend the night alone before you were reunited with your group?
“The best things in life come free”. Write for or against the statement.
In the following items, sentence A is complete, while sentence B is not. Complete sentence B, making it as similar as possible to sentence A. Write sentence B.
(A) She said that she would return the book to the library the next day.
(B) She said, “She will return the book in the library tomorrow”.
Fill in the blank with the suitable word.
I ran _____________ my old friend in the market place.
Fill in the blank with the suitable word.
Her aunt looks _____________ her aging grandparents.
Who are ‘they’ referred to in the third line of the last stanza? When had the poet come across them?
Why does the caged bird stand on the “grave of dreams?”
Is there any relevance of this poem to the present scenario?
The eight other runners pulled up on their heels
The ones who had trained for so long to complete
one by one they all turned around and went back to help him
And brought the young boy to his feet.
Then all the nine runners joined hands and continued
The hundred-yard dash now reduced to a walk
And a banner above that said (Special Olympics)
Could not have been more on the mark.
That's how the race ended, with nine gold medals
They came to the finish line holding hands still
And a standing ovation and nine beaming faces
Said more than these words ever will.
Read the lines given above and answer the following question:
Explain with reference to context.
In “A Horse and Two Goats”, how did Muni feel about his married life?
The story propagates the idea that dreams are necessary to remain happy, even if for a short while.
What are examples of simile, metaphor, and personification in “All Summer in a Day”?
What does “I think the sun is a flower” mean in Ray Bradbury’s short story “All Summer in a Day”?
Write a short story that ends with the words “……………… I really doubt if things could have turned out any better.”
The soldier laid________their lives defending their country.
You were a part of an organizing committee for an inter-school event that was very successful. You and the other committee members were congratulated and praised at the school assembly by the Principal. Write a letter to your grandmother telling her about the event and your feelings at being recognized and praised in front of the school.
Given below is an interesting combination of words. Explain why they have been used together.
funerary treasures
Given below is an interesting combination of words. Explain why they have been used together.
scientific detachment
(i) What do you understand by the terms `outsider art’ and `art brut’ or `raw art’?
(ii) Who was the “untutored genius who created a paradise” and what is the nature of his contribution to art?
Approval from the outside world and approval within the family.
Within a few pages, the author has packed the important events in the lives of John Ipe and his wife. Discuss how conciseness and economy of expression can achieve an effective portrayal of entire lives.
Find out the information about the qualification and eligibility required in the profession related to wildlife such as:
Environmentalist
There are certain words that are repeated in the poem. For example, ‘no more’ (Line 7).
Find out other similar expressions.
Explain the effect they have created in the poem.
We add ‘un-’ to make opposites. For example, true — untrue. Add ‘un’– to the word below to make its opposite. Then look up the meaning of the word you have formed in the dictionary.
educated: ____________
What is beauty? Where can, in the poet’s opinion, beauty be seen, heard, and experienced?
Re-word the lines from the story:
I had heard a great deal about Miss Beam’s school.
Re-word the line from the story:
“We cannot bandage the children’s mouths, so they really have to exercise their will-power.”
There are many career opportunities that can be availed of by a graduate. Discuss and make a list of various opportunities available in the legal field, economics, management, commerce, administration, etc.
Report writing
Study the web diagram and write the characteristics of report writing.
You are going to meet a Great Indian Bustard very soon. Prepare at least 10 questions to interview him.
The same landscape appears different at different times. What message can we draw from this?
Why should one learn to tackle one's problems by one’s own self?
Answer the following question :
How does fear lead us to error?
Archaic words are those that are no longer used in a language, but sometimes their usage adds a historical or old-times flavour to a piece of writing.
Examples:
- behold – look
- afeared – frightened
- forsooth – indeed
- hither – this place
Now find out some archaic words from your mother tongue or another language that you are proficient in and write down at least ten of them, and against each, their modern equivalent and meaning in English.
| Archaic Language | |||
| Archaic Word | Modern Equivalent | Meaning in English | |
| 1. | |||
| 2. | |||
| 3. | |||
| 4. | |||
| 5. | |||
| 6. | |||
| 7. | |||
| 8. | |||
| 9. | |||
| 10. | |||
Name the occasion or reason for which the announcements are being made. Then think of an occasion and prepare an announcement for it as a group activity.
Work in pairs and discuss the factors that contribute towards making a choice and make a presentation to the class.
Discuss in groups. Draw the haunted house described in the poem and write a paragraph about it in your own words.
Write a letter of enquiry for the following.
Write a letter to the head of the BSNL office enquiring regarding the internet broadband scheme launched recently.
Look at the picture and write a paragraph using the clues in the picture.
| GROW AND PROTECT TREES |
Work in groups and write a paragraph on “Laughter is the best medicine.”
Fill in the blank by choosing the preposition from the option.
The boy ran ______ the dog.
Fill in the blank by choosing the preposition from the option.
The girl was thrilled ______ see her new bicycle.
Fill in the blank by choosing the preposition from the option.
The birds were caught ______ the net.
Let s imagine a topsy-turvy scene and describe it in the lines below.
Punctuate the following passage.
mother father neelam said i have got a fire engine ive got a fire engine whats this whats this called mother somewhat confused by the noise ive got a fire engine mother come and see it.
Look at the following words. They are group names.
troop of soldiers
swarm of bees
team of players
litter of puppies
fleet of ships
library of books
Find out when the International Day of Friendship is celebrated.
What would you do in this situation, if you were Jimmy Wells? Substantiate your reason.
How did Woman 5 move ahead in the waiting list of patients?
Answer the following question as briefly as possible and with close reference to the relevant text.
How does Prospero prove, “the rarer action is in/virtue than in vengeance” in the final act of The Tempest?
Answer the following question as briefly as possible and with close reference to the relevant text.
Referring closely to the short story, The Singing Lesson relate what Basil wrote in his letter to Miss Meadows. What do you conclude about Basil from the tone and wording of the letter?
News Report:
Read the following headline and prepare a news report with the help of the given points:
21-Year-Old Mayur Wins World Chess Championship
Make use of the following guidelines:
- Headline
- Dateline
- Lead line
- Body of the report
Using the given informal letter as a model, write a letter about the topic given below.
Write a letter to your father asking permission to go on an educational tour.
The line 'The house-roofs seemed to heave and sway' in Browning's poem 'The Patriot' means ______.
As a member of the Student Council of your school, you wish to set up a Food Club to promote healthy eating habits among students. Write a proposal in not more than 150 words, outlining the steps that you will take to make this club a success.
Find some examples of antithesis from your mother tongue and translate them into English.
You want to convince the customer to buy your product. Prepare a conversation between you and the customer about it.
Write a review of a film that you watched recently, using the points given below. The reveiw is to be published in your school newsletter and should not exceed 300 words.
Name of the film and director - lead actors and their performances - plot - setting - description of a scene that you particularly liked - rating and recommendation.
Write a composition (300-350 words) of the following:
Study the picture given below. Write a story or a description or an account of what it suggests to you. Your composition may be about the subject of the picture or you may take suggestions from it; however, there must be a clear connection between the picture and your composition.
Write a composition (in approximately 400 – 450 words) on the following subject.
During the lunch break, a surprising sight unfolded as a monkey entered your school campus. Narrate your experience as you took charge and guided junior students to their classrooms ensuring their safety.
