Handout - Journey To The End of The Earth

AMITY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, NOIDA
SESSION: 2024-25
SUBJECT: ENGLISH
CLASS : XII
TOPIC : JOURNEY TO THE END OF THE EARTH
Q1. How do geological phenomena help us to know about

the history of humankind?
The geological phenomenon of separating various continents and water bodies from
one compact landmass tells us about the age of existence of human race on the earth.
Six hundred and fifty million years ago, no human race existed on the earth because
the environment was not favorable. After the time when the dinosaurs were wiped
out, the Mammals started existing and after the separation of landmass, the human
race started flourishing on the earth.
Q2. ’The world’s geological history is trapped in Antarctica.’

How is the study of this region useful to us?
The study of this region of Antarctica gives us insight into the world’s geological
history. It gives an idea, how the earth was like, before it drifted into continents and
countries. It shows how slight changes in the climate can change the shape of the
region. It gives the explanation how the climatic conditions of the earth were not
favourable for life before and how slowly rising temperature made earth a place to
sustain life. All secrets are embedded in the layers of ice in the form of half million
year old carbon records.
Q3. What are the indications for the future of humankind?

The future of the humankind can get in danger if the emission of carbon- dioxide and
other poisonous gases go on in the same manner. These gases deplete the ozone layer
and allow the ultra-violet rays of the sun to enter the earth’s environment. This causes
the rise in temperature of the earth and giving rise to the phenomenon called global
warming. Increased temperature can melt the ice of the Antarctica, and cause other
environmental problems, thus jeopardising the future of human kind.
Q4. What are Geoff Green’s reasons for including high school
students in the Students on Ice expedition?
'Students on Ice' is an award-winning programme offering unique learning
expeditions in the Antarctic and the Arctic. Its mandate is to provide students from
around the world with inspiring educational opportunities. It aims to do exactly this
by taking high school students to the ends of the world and in doing so, help them
foster a new understanding and respect for our planet. It has been in operation for six
years now, headed by a Canadian, Geoff Green, who initially took celebrities and the
retired, rich, curiosity-seekers. He then felt that they could only 'give' back in a
limited way. With 'Students on Ice', he is optimistic because the students are the
future generation of policymakers. Green's programme offers a life-changing
experience at a young age which would help the students absorb, learn, and most
importantly, act for the benefit of the planet.
Q5. ‘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?
This statement has great relevance in the context of the Antarctic environment. A
small change in the environment can give rise to drastic developments. Antarctica has
a small biodiversity. The example of small grass called phytoplankton can be studied
in this context. These microscopic grasses undergo the process of photosynthesis and
serve as food for number of marine birds and animals. The author says if there is
further depletion of the ozone layer, it will affect the phytoplankton’s and the carbon
cycle on the globe. This whole process can jeopardise the existence of all the marine
birds and animals. So if we take care that processes carried over by these small
grasses are carried out properly, the bigger animals and birds will fall into the place
on their own.
Q6. Why is Antarctica the place to go to, to understand the

earth’s present, past and future?
Antarctica gives us an idea, how the earth would have been like millions of years ago
and how it got divided into various earth masses. The melting and colliding ice
masses also give us an insight into how our future is going to be, if we continue with
interference in the working of the nature. Moreover, Antarctica holds into the depths
of its ice half-million year old carbon records, which are helpful in understanding the
past, present and future of the earth. Therefore, Antarctica is the place which reveals
our past, shows our present and visualises our future.
Q7. What is the significance of the title ‘Journey to the End

of the Earth’?
The title, ‘Journey to the End of the Earth,’ has more than one meaning. It describes
an educational journey to Antarctica undertaken by groups of high school students to
learn more about the real impact of Global Warming and the future of the earth. 52
students went to the coldest, driest, windiest continent in the world called Antarctica
in a Russian research vessel, the Akademik Shokalskiy. The author calls it a journey
to the end of the earth because it began 13.09 deg North of Equator in Madras,
involved crossing nine time zones, six checkpoints, three oceans and three ecospheres.
She travelled over 100 hours in combination of a car, an aeroplane and a ship. The
journey, being to the extreme south of the earth, is really towards the end of it.
Another meaning of this title is more significant as the warnings that Antarctica gives
are shocking and much concerning the humanity and the millions of other species on
the earth. The changes taking place in Antarctica are pointing a warning finger at the
existence of the earth; the earth is journeying to its end!
Q8. Describe the author’s journey to the end of the Earth ?

The Author was part of the ‘Student on Ice programme’ which made her head to
Antarctica.To go there she boarded the Russian research vessel –Akademik Shokalsky
and headed towards Antarctica. Crossed nine time zones, six checkpoints, three water
bodies and many ecospheres. She was with a group of teenagers on ‘Student on Ice’
programme, whose aim was to develop new understanding and respect for the planet
They closely saw glaciers retreating and ice shelves collapsing and began to realize
that the threat of global warming was very real. Most enjoyable experience of the
author was walking on the ocean with a metre-thick ice underneath and 180 metres of
living ,breathing salt water below the ice.
Q9. What is Gondwana?

Six-fifty million years ago, a super continent existed present day Antarctica called
Gondwana. This land thrived for 500 million years. As mammals replace the
dinosaurs the landmass separated into countries.
Q10. What is ‘Students on Ice?’ Why is it a success?

‘Students on Ice’ is an educational journey to Antarctica. It takes high school students
to show them the horrifying impacts of human activities in Antarctica so that the
youngsters, the future policy makers of the earth, will realize that the end of the earth
is quite near and therefore something is to be done to save the planet. When one
stands in the midst of the calving ice-sheets and retreating glaciers and melting ice-
bergs, he realizes that the threats to the earth are real. It is different from talking about
Antarctica from the comfort zones of our warm countries and therefore being in
Antarctica is a shocking realization.
Q11. Why are the youngsters called the future policy makers
of the earth?
The youngsters are called the future policy-makers because it is they who will steer
the government-machine as they grow up. More than that, the more educated youth of
today is the hope for the earth as many students are more informed and more aware of
the weakening strength of the planet.
Q12. What lessons are we able to learn from Antarctica?

While in Antarctica, we can ice-sheets breaking, water level rising, seals taking sun
bath on the ice-floes. We can also walk on the thin layers of ice and feel the life under
our feet. We can see icebergs as big as a small country. We will be shocked to hear
that these ice sheets were many times bigger than their present size a few years ago.
You will see a green patch of phytoplankton – a microscopic grass that feeds the
entire marine life. Last of all, if you dig a bit, you will be lucky to see the fossils of
half a million year old animals, plants and birds that got killed in the previous ice-age.
From all this, we are able to learn the lesson of the death of the planet earth.
Q13. What are phytoplanktons? How are they important for
the earth’s survival? What does the parable of
phytoplankton teach us?
Phytoplankton is a single-celled grass that feed the entire southern ocean’s marine
life. These micro organisms require a low degree of temperature for their survival.
But due to the overheating and the depletion of ozone layers, their existence is
threatened. The message for the humans is to take care of the small things so that the
bigger things will also fall in place.
Q14. What beauty of balance does the author see in

Antarctica and in the warm countries?
While in Antarctica the author saw crab-eater seals having sun-bath on the ice-floes
much like the stray dogs sleep under the shade of trees in the warmer countries. While
the polar animals prefer a bit of warmth, the tropical ones desire a bit cool. The author
believes that the earth has a balancing of climatic variations and after millions of
years the Polar Regions will once again become warmer and the warmer will turn
cool.
Q15. Do you think that programs like the Students on Ice do

more harm than good? Support your answer with reference
to the text.
(Answer yourself)

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AMITY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, NOIDA

Q1. How do geological phenomena help us to know about

Q2. ’The world’s geological history is trapped in Antarctica.’

Q3. What are the indications for the future of humankind?

Q6. Why is Antarctica the place to go to, to understand the

Q7. What is the significance of the title ‘Journey to the End

Q8. Describe the author’s journey to the end of the Earth ?

Q9. What is Gondwana?

Q10. What is ‘Students on Ice?’ Why is it a success?

Q12. What lessons are we able to learn from Antarctica?

Q14. What beauty of balance does the author see in

Q15. Do you think that programs like the Students on Ice do

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