Class 12 English Vistas – Chapter 3: Journey to the End of the Earth by Tishani Doshi
1. What is the central theme of “Journey to the End of the Earth”?
Answer:
The chapter highlights Antarctica’s importance in understanding Earth’s past, present, and future—focusing on climate change, ecology, human impact, and the need for environmental responsibility.
2. Why did the author visit Antarctica?
Answer:
She joined the Students on Ice program to experience and study Antarctica firsthand, gaining insights into climate change, geological history, and the interconnectedness of ecosystems.
3. How does Antarctica help us understand Earth’s history?
Answer:
Antarctica preserves 500-million-year-old geological records, showing how continents split and climate evolved. It provides clues about Earth’s origin, movement, and environmental changes.
4. What does the author mean by “the world’s geological history is trapped in Antarctica”?
Answer:
The continent’s ice and rock hold undisturbed records of Earth’s climate, tectonic shifts, and biological evolution, making it a living museum of Earth’s ancient past.
5. Why does the author call Antarctica “the end of the Earth”?
Answer:
It’s the southernmost continent, isolated, uninhabited, and extreme in weather—physically and symbolically representing the limits of human reach and Earth’s purest natural state.
6. How does the trip impact the author’s perception of human existence?
Answer:
The vastness and emptiness of Antarctica make her realize how small and transient humans are, and how fragile our environment is against our destructive actions.
7. What is the role of the “Students on Ice” program?
Answer:
It educates young minds about climate change through real experience. It connects students to the environment, promoting awareness, scientific curiosity, and ecological responsibility.
8. How is Antarctica different from any other place on Earth?
Answer:
It’s pristine, unspoiled, and detached from civilization. There are no trees, cities, or pollution—only silence, ice, and nature in its most raw and powerful form.
9. What changes does the author observe in herself during the journey?
Answer:
She feels humbled, more aware of climate issues, and spiritually connected to the planet. The journey alters her understanding of life and humanity’s role on Earth.
10. What are the visible effects of global warming in Antarctica?
Answer:
Melting glaciers, thinning ice shelves, and changing wildlife patterns signal the impact of human-induced climate change, threatening the stability of global ecosystems.
11. How does Antarctica connect to the theory of Gondwana?
Answer:
Antarctica was once part of the supercontinent Gondwana. Studying it helps scientists understand continental drift and how diverse life evolved and spread across the world.
12. Why is Antarctica important for climate research?
Answer:
Its ice cores and landscape provide data on Earth’s climate over millennia. It acts as a thermometer for climate shifts and helps predict future trends.
13. How does the poem reflect on the damage caused by humans?
Answer:
The narrative expresses concern about overpopulation, resource exploitation, and pollution. The author warns that ignoring environmental balance could lead to disastrous consequences.
14. What does the author feel while seeing Antarctica’s untouched beauty?
Answer:
She is overwhelmed by its silence and scale. The purity of nature inspires awe, reflection, and a sense of urgency to protect what remains.
15. What do the microscopic phytoplankton signify in the chapter?
Answer:
They are crucial to the food chain and carbon cycle. Any damage to them due to ozone depletion or warming can disrupt life globally—highlighting ecosystem sensitivity.
16. How does the chapter stress the urgency of environmental conservation?
Answer:
By showing the vulnerability of Antarctica and global ecosystems, it urges immediate action, responsible living, and environmental education to preserve life on Earth.
17. What contrast does the author draw between human civilization and Antarctica?
Answer:
Antarctica is untouched, while human civilization is chaotic, polluted, and consuming. The contrast reveals what we’ve lost and what’s worth preserving.
18. Why is Antarctica considered a barometer for global climate?
Answer:
Any change in temperature or ice in Antarctica has ripple effects across oceans and climates. It reflects the Earth’s health and future.
19. How does the author describe the physical experience of Antarctica?
Answer:
She describes freezing winds, surreal silence, endless ice, and majestic glaciers—evoking both physical discomfort and emotional awakening about nature’s power.
20. What is the ultimate message of “Journey to the End of the Earth”?
Answer:
It urges readers to respect nature, act against climate change, and realize that the future of Earth depends on how we behave today.
