Question 1 - Chapter 3 - Journey to the End of the Earth - Vistas - Chapters (Literature) - English Class 12

Read the extract and answer the following questions.

Extract:

To visit Antarctica now is to be a part of that history; to get a grasp of where we’ve come from and where we could possibly be heading. It’s to understand the significance of Cordilleran folds and preCambrian granite shields; ozone and carbon; evolution and extinction. When you think about all that can happen in a million years, it can get pretty mindboggling. Imagine: India pushing northwards, jamming against Asia to buckle its crust and form the Himalayas; South America drifting off to join North America, opening up the Drake Passage to create a cold circumpolar current, keeping Antarctica frigid, desolate, and at the bottom of the world

(Journey to the end of the Earth)

Question (i)

What is the name of the passage that connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and keeps Antarctica cold?

1. Panama Passage
2. Drake Passage
3. Bering Passage
4. Magellan Passage

Answer:

Answer as written by the student:

(b) Drake Passage

Step-by-step explanation: 🧐

• The passage that connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and keeps Antarctica cold is called the Drake Passage.
• This passage is named after the English explorer Sir Francis Drake , who sailed through it in 1578.
• The passage is a bout 800 km wide and has strong winds and currents that make it difficult to navigate.
• The passage allows cold water from the Antarctic Circumpolar Current to flow around Antarctica, isolating it from warmer waters and maintaining its low temperature.

Question (ii)

What does the author mean by "to be a part of that history" in the extract?

1. To witness the changes that have occurred in Antarctica over millions of years
2. To contribute to the scientific research and exploration of Antarctica
3. To experience the natural beauty and diversity of Antarctica
4. To join the efforts to protect and conserve Antarctica

Answer:

Answer as written by the student:

(a) To witness the changes that have occurred in Antarctica over millions of years

Step-by-step explanation: 🤓

• The author means that visiting Antarctica now is to be a part of its history, which spans over millions of years.
• The author mentions some of the historical events that have shaped Antarctica, such as the movement of continents, the formation of mountains, and the evolution of life forms.
• The author implies that by visiting Antarctica, one can get a glimpse of these events and understand how they have affected the climate and environment of the planet.
• The author also suggests that by learning from this history, one can appreciate the significance of Antarctica and its role in the future.

Question (iii)

 Fill in the blank with an appropriate word.

The ___________ of Antarctica is formed by ancient rocks that date back to billions of years ago.

Answer:

Answer as written by the student:

crust

Step-by-step explanation: 🙃

• The word that fits in the blank is crust, which is the outermost layer of a planet.
• The crust of Antarctica is formed by ancient rocks that date back to billions of years ago, such as granite and gneiss.
• These rocks are part of the Antarctic Shield, which is a large area of stable continental crust that covers most of East Antarctica.
• These rocks are exposed in some places, such as the Transantarctic Mountains, where they reveal clues about the geological history of Antarctica.

Question (iv)

Explain how the formation of the Himalayas is related to the movement of tectonic plates.

Answer:

Answer as written by the student:

The formation of the Himalayas is related to the movement of tectonic plates because it is caused by the collision of two plates.

Step-by-step explanation: 😊

• Tectonic plates are large pieces of Earth's crust that float on a layer of molten rock called the mantle.
• These plates move slowly due to convection currents in the mantle, which cause them to diverge, converge, or slide past each other.
• The Himalayas are a mountain range that stretches across Asia, from Afghanistan to China.
• The Himalayas were formed when two tectonic plates, namely the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate, collided about 50 million years ago.
• The Indian Plate was moving northward at a fast rate, pushing against the Eurasian Plate, which was relatively stationary.
• The collision resulted in the uplift and folding of the crust along the boundary, creating high peaks and deep valleys.
• The collision also caused earthquakes, volcanoes, and changes in climate and biodiversity in the region.