“Journey to the End of the Earth” by Tishani Doshi isn’t just about reaching Antarctica—it’s about understanding how closely our lives are tied to the planet we live on, even in the farthest, coldest corners of the Earth.

In the middle of exam pressure and a packed Class 12 schedule, this chapter offers something rare: a moment to reflect. As Doshi travels to Antarctica with the Students on Ice program, she takes us on a journey that’s not just physical, but deeply emotional and environmental. Through her words, we explore the ancient history of Gondwana, witness the reality of climate change, and realize just how urgent it is to protect our Earth.

This isn’t just a travel story—it’s a reminder that the decisions we make today shape the world of tomorrow.

At www.dasklibro.com, we’re here to help you engage with this powerful chapter—not just for exams, but for awareness and understanding. On this page, you’ll find:

• Easy-to-understand NCERT solutions for every textbook question
  
  

• Deep insights into the chapter’s themes, tone, and purpose
  
  

• Exam-oriented tips to help you write meaningful and high-scoring answers
  
  

Whether you’re revising for your Class 12 English exam or just looking to understand the story on a deeper level, DAsKLiBrO is here to guide you—step by step.

EXTRA QUESTIONS

1. What was the author’s first reaction on seeing Antarctica?

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The author first felt relieved after the long journey and then amazed by the vast white land and endless blue sky.

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Tishani Doshi felt a deep sense of relief on reaching Antarctica after 100 hours of travel. This was followed by awe and wonder at the untouched white landscape, the silence, and the vast blue horizon that seemed to go forever.

60 words

After travelling over 100 hours through various time zones and ecosystems, the author finally reached Antarctica. Her first reaction was relief. But soon, that turned into wonder as she faced the immense white land, complete silence, and uninterrupted blue skies. The isolation, scale, and purity of the landscape made her feel she had entered another world.

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On finally reaching Antarctica after a long and exhausting journey, the author felt relieved. But that feeling quickly turned into amazement and deep wonder. The endless white ice, the clear blue sky, and the complete absence of human life made a lasting impression on her. Antarctica’s vastness and silence gave her a new sense of time and place, making her feel how tiny human existence is in comparison to Earth’s natural history and majestic landscape.

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2. Why does the author describe Antarctica as the “coldest, driest, and windiest” continent?

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Because Antarctica has extreme weather — freezing temperatures, no rainfall, and powerful winds. It’s the harshest place on Earth.

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The author calls Antarctica the coldest, driest, and windiest because of its extreme climate. Temperatures are freezing all year round, it receives almost no rainfall, and strong winds blow constantly. These conditions make it a very challenging and unique environment.

60 words

Antarctica is called the coldest, driest, and windiest continent because it has some of the harshest weather on Earth. The temperature remains below freezing most of the year. There is very little precipitation, making it a dry desert. Strong icy winds blow throughout the region. These harsh features make it an ideal place to study Earth’s extreme conditions and climate.

80 words

Tishani Doshi describes Antarctica as the coldest, driest, and windiest continent due to its extreme and unforgiving climate. It has the lowest temperatures on Earth, with very little precipitation, making it technically a desert. Strong winds constantly sweep across the icy land. These severe weather conditions create a lifeless, silent, and surreal environment. Despite its tough climate, this makes Antarctica perfect for studying natural forces, geological history, and climate change without the interference of human activities or pollution.

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3. What makes Antarctica look like a ‘giant ping-pong ball’?

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It has endless whiteness, no trees, no buildings, and no signs of humans—just ice, sky, and silence everywhere.

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Antarctica looks like a giant ping-pong ball because it is completely white, empty, and smooth. There are no trees, roads, houses, or signs of human life. The white snow and ice stretch endlessly, making it look round, blank, and vast.

60 words

The author compares Antarctica to a ping-pong ball because of its endless white landscape, smooth icy surfaces, and complete lack of human presence. There are no buildings, trees, or signs of civilization. The vast, white expanse and complete silence give it an unreal, floating feeling. This comparison highlights how Antarctica looks like an untouched, perfect, and round piece of frozen Earth.

80 words

Antarctica appears like a giant ping-pong ball because it is completely white, smooth, and featureless. There are no buildings, signboards, trees, or human structures—just endless ice and sky. This complete absence of familiar landmarks creates a surreal experience. It makes people feel lost in time and space. The comparison to a ping-pong ball helps readers imagine the stillness, cold whiteness, and purity of Antarctica, where nature rules and nothing man-made interrupts the endless white silence.

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4. How long did the author travel to reach Antarctica? What was the route like?

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She travelled for over 100 hours by car, plane, and ship, crossing time zones, checkpoints, and various ecosystems.

40 words

The author’s journey to Antarctica took more than 100 hours. She started from Madras, travelled through nine time zones, passed six checkpoints, crossed three water bodies, and experienced many different ecosystems before finally reaching the frozen continent aboard a Russian research ship.

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Tishani Doshi’s long journey to Antarctica began in Madras, 13.09 degrees north of the Equator. She travelled for over 100 hours using cars, planes, and a research ship. Along the way, she crossed nine time zones, six immigration checkpoints, three major oceans, and several ecological zones. The difficult and tiring journey showed how distant and isolated Antarctica truly is from the rest of the world.

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To reach Antarctica, the author had to undergo a long and exhausting journey lasting more than 100 hours. She began in Madras, India, and travelled by car, airplane, and finally a Russian research ship. Her path took her across nine different time zones, six international checkpoints, and three major bodies of water. She passed through many ecosystems before stepping onto Antarctica’s ice. This challenging route highlighted just how remote and untouched Antarctica is, making her arrival feel even more special and emotional.

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5. What is Gondwana and what is its significance in Earth’s history?

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Gondwana was an ancient supercontinent. It helps scientists understand how continents split and Earth’s climate changed over time.

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Gondwana was a huge landmass that existed 650 million years ago. It included India, Antarctica, and other countries. Studying it helps us understand continental drift, evolution, and how the planet’s geography and climate have changed across millions of years.

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Gondwana was a supercontinent that existed about 650 million years ago. It was located near today’s Antarctica and included India, Africa, and other landmasses. Over time, it broke apart to form the continents we know today. Its breakup caused major geological changes and evolution. Studying Gondwana helps scientists learn about Earth’s past and predict how the planet might change in the future.

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Gondwana was a southern supercontinent that existed roughly 650 million years ago. It included land that is now part of India, Antarctica, South America, Africa, and Australia. The breakup of Gondwana shaped the Earth’s present-day continents and triggered massive changes in climate and evolution. Scientists study Gondwana to understand how plate tectonics work, how landmasses move, and how ecosystems evolved. It gives us important clues about the Earth’s geological history and helps us understand environmental changes today and in the future.

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6. Why does the author call the journey to Antarctica “mind-boggling”?

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Because it made her think about Earth's long history, climate changes, and how small human life is in comparison.

40 words

The author found the journey “mind-boggling” as it opened her eyes to the planet’s past, present, and possible future. Antarctica made her realize the vastness of time, the power of nature, and how everything on Earth is connected.

60 words

Tishani Doshi called her Antarctic journey “mind-boggling” because it made her reflect on Earth’s ancient history, its ongoing changes, and the role humans play in them. Seeing vast ice sheets, ancient rocks, and untouched landscapes made her feel small and thoughtful. She began to grasp how events over millions of years shaped the world we live in today.

80 words

The author called the journey “mind-boggling” because Antarctica gave her a deep understanding of Earth’s geology, evolution, and climate. The frozen land revealed the story of Gondwana, the movement of continents, and the rise of mountains like the Himalayas. It made her realize how powerful nature is, how tiny humans are in Earth’s timeline, and how our current actions could shape the planet’s future. The journey gave her a new sense of respect and awe for nature.

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7. What role does Antarctica play in understanding climate change?

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Antarctica’s ice holds ancient climate records. Studying them helps scientists understand global warming and Earth’s climate history.

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Antarctica is important for climate studies because its ice traps carbon dioxide and air from thousands of years ago. These ice-core records help scientists understand how Earth’s climate changed in the past and how human activities are now speeding up global warming.

60 words

Antarctica is like a frozen library of climate records. Its ice sheets contain air bubbles from thousands of years ago, showing carbon levels and temperature patterns. Scientists study these to understand natural climate changes and compare them with today’s rising temperatures. It shows how human activities are disturbing nature and how Antarctica’s melting could lead to serious global consequences.

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Antarctica plays a crucial role in studying climate change because it holds carbon and air trapped in its ice sheets for over 500,000 years. Scientists analyze these ice cores to learn about past temperatures, carbon dioxide levels, and major climate events. By comparing past data with the current situation, they can understand the impact of pollution, fossil fuels, and global warming. Antarctica is also a warning system—its melting glaciers are signs of rising temperatures and future dangers for the whole planet.

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8. How does the study of ice cores help scientists?

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Ice cores store ancient air bubbles. Scientists study them to learn about Earth’s past climates and carbon dioxide levels.

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Ice cores are like frozen history books. They contain layers of snow and air bubbles from thousands of years ago. Scientists study these layers to find out past carbon levels, temperature patterns, and climate changes that help predict Earth’s environmental future.

60 words

Ice cores from Antarctica are valuable tools for climate scientists. Each layer in the core represents a year of snowfall and contains air bubbles trapped long ago. By studying them, scientists learn how the Earth’s atmosphere, carbon dioxide levels, and climate have changed. This helps us understand global warming, track pollution trends, and prepare for possible future environmental challenges based on past patterns.

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Ice cores help scientists unlock Earth’s climate history. Each core has layers of snow compressed into ice over thousands of years, with tiny air bubbles trapped inside. These bubbles reveal the levels of carbon dioxide, temperature, and other gases from ancient times. By analyzing these layers, scientists understand how Earth’s climate naturally changed and compare it with today’s changes. This helps them predict future trends and shows how serious the current global warming problem is due to human activity.

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9. Why is Antarctica considered ‘pristine’?

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Because no human population has lived there. It’s untouched, pure, and free from pollution, buildings, and industries.

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Antarctica is called ‘pristine’ because it has never had permanent human settlement. There’s no pollution, no buildings, or cities. Its environment is clean, natural, and unspoiled, making it ideal for studying Earth’s original conditions and observing the effects of climate change.

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Antarctica is considered pristine because it remains one of the few places on Earth that hasn’t been altered by human activities. It has no cities, no industries, and no pollution. This untouched environment allows scientists to study natural processes, wildlife, and climate without human interference. Its purity helps researchers understand what Earth was like before humans started changing it.

80 words

Antarctica is one of the last places on Earth that remains pristine, meaning clean, untouched, and free from human impact. There are no cities, roads, or factories. No one has ever lived there permanently, so its air, ice, and land are still in their natural state. This makes it an ideal place for scientists to study nature’s purest forms and understand the effects of climate change, because there are no human-made factors affecting the data collected from the continent.

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10. What environmental message is hidden in the story of phytoplankton?

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Phytoplankton show how small things affect big systems. If they’re harmed, the entire ocean food chain is in danger.

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Phytoplankton, though tiny, are essential for the ocean’s food chain and carbon cycle. If ozone layer damage affects them, the whole marine system suffers. This teaches us that taking care of small things helps maintain balance in the environment.

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Phytoplankton are tiny sea plants that support the entire marine food chain. They absorb carbon and help in photosynthesis. If affected by ozone depletion or warming, all ocean life is at risk. Their story teaches an important environmental lesson: small, unseen parts of nature can have massive roles. Protecting them is crucial to maintaining Earth’s ecological balance and global health.

80 words

The story of phytoplankton carries a powerful environmental message. These microscopic plants are the base of the entire Southern Ocean’s food chain and play a big role in the global carbon cycle. They rely on sunlight for photosynthesis, but ozone layer damage and climate change threaten them. If they decline, marine animals and birds would suffer too. This shows that even tiny organisms are vital. It teaches us to protect the small things in nature to save the larger ecosystem.

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11. Describe the importance of the circumpolar current created by the Drake Passage.

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It isolates Antarctica with cold water, keeping it frozen and helping maintain Earth's temperature balance and oceanic health.

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The Drake Passage formed a cold circumpolar current around Antarctica. This current keeps warm ocean waters away, maintaining Antarctica’s frozen state. It also regulates global temperatures and supports marine life by circulating nutrients across the Southern Ocean, making it very important.

60 words

The Drake Passage created a cold-water current that flows continuously around Antarctica. This circumpolar current prevents warm waters from reaching the continent, helping it stay frozen and isolated. It also circulates nutrients and affects ocean temperatures globally. Without this current, Antarctica might have warmed, and marine ecosystems and climate balance across the world could have been affected negatively.

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The cold circumpolar current formed due to the opening of the Drake Passage plays a key role in Earth's climate. It surrounds Antarctica and blocks warm ocean waters from reaching the continent, keeping it cold and isolated. This helps preserve Antarctica’s ice sheets. The current also moves cold, nutrient-rich water around the oceans, supporting marine life and regulating global temperatures. It is a major reason Antarctica remains frozen, making it essential for climate control and Earth’s oceanic health.

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12. How does the Antarctic landscape affect one’s sense of time and scale?

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Antarctica’s emptiness and endless whiteness make people lose track of time and feel small in nature’s vastness.

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The Antarctic landscape has no trees, buildings, or human marks. Its vast white emptiness and 24-hour daylight confuse time and perspective. People feel tiny and timeless, overwhelmed by the stillness, size, and silence that dominate the entire region.

60 words

The Antarctic environment is surreal and overwhelming. There are no familiar signs like roads or trees, and the landscape is just endless snow and sky. With 24 hours of daylight during summer, people lose their sense of day and night. The size and silence of the place make you feel small and out of sync with regular time and space.

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Antarctica’s landscape has a strange effect on the human mind. It lacks any human-made structures, trees, or roads, and instead offers an endless view of white ice and open sky. The constant 24-hour summer daylight and complete silence blur our usual sense of time. Days seem to stretch forever, and without any familiar markers, people lose track of scale and time. This unique environment reminds us of how small and temporary human life is compared to nature’s vastness.

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13. Why is it important to take young students to Antarctica?

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They learn firsthand about climate change, biodiversity, and Earth’s history—building awareness and responsibility for the planet’s future.

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Taking students to Antarctica helps them see environmental issues with their own eyes. This firsthand experience creates a lasting impact. It teaches them to respect nature, understand global warming, and encourages them to become responsible citizens who care about saving Earth.

60 words

Young students are future leaders. Visiting Antarctica at a young age makes them aware of serious environmental issues like climate change and ozone depletion. Seeing melting glaciers and the beauty of untouched nature leaves a deep impact. These trips shape their thinking, inspire them to take action, and make them more aware of their duty to protect the planet.

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Taking students to Antarctica is important because it teaches them about Earth’s fragility and climate challenges in a direct, unforgettable way. Instead of reading about melting glaciers or global warming in books, they see it for themselves. This emotional and visual experience helps them grow into environmentally conscious adults. It also instills leadership, curiosity, and responsibility in young minds—encouraging them to make decisions that support the planet. They are the generation who can make a real difference.

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14. Explain the metaphor “everything connects” in the context of this chapter.

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It means all parts of nature are linked—small changes in one area can cause big effects elsewhere on Earth.

40 words

“Everything connects” shows how nature’s systems are linked. Melting ice in Antarctica can raise sea levels globally. Tiny creatures like phytoplankton affect the whole food chain. This reminds us that all living and non-living things on Earth depend on one another.

60 words

The metaphor “everything connects” means nature is a delicate web. A small change in one part, like melting ice or ozone damage, affects everything else. For example, damaged phytoplankton impact marine life and the carbon cycle. The author felt this connection while walking on Antarctic ice—realizing that oceans, climate, wildlife, and humans are deeply linked across the globe.

80 words

The phrase “everything connects” reflects the deep interconnectedness of Earth’s systems. In Antarctica, the author saw how melting glaciers, shrinking ice, and damaged ozone all linked to climate change worldwide. Even tiny organisms like phytoplankton have global importance because they support the ocean’s food chain and absorb carbon. Her experience revealed that every part of the planet, big or small, affects the others. It’s a powerful reminder that human actions impact nature—and nature, in turn, impacts us all.

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15. What is the significance of walking on the ocean in the story?

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Walking on frozen sea ice showed the author how powerful, mysterious, and deeply connected the Earth truly is.

40 words

Walking on the frozen ocean was a powerful moment. The author felt she was walking on hidden water, supported only by a layer of ice. It reminded her of Earth’s fragile balance and how closely life, water, and nature are connected.

60 words

The moment the author walked on the frozen ocean near Tadpole Island was unforgettable. She stood on a one-meter-thick layer of ice, with deep seawater underneath. It made her realize how delicate nature is. Seeing seals nearby and sensing the hidden ocean below reminded her that even in the coldest, quietest places, life exists. It was a moment of revelation and deep connection with Earth.

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Walking on the ocean, over a meter-thick sheet of ice with 180 meters of saltwater below, was a magical and humbling experience for the author. It made her feel the real power and mystery of nature. The silence, the presence of Crabeater seals nearby, and the sheer whiteness of the ice made her reflect on Earth’s beauty and balance. That moment made her understand how life, water, and the planet are all deeply connected—and how fragile that connection really is.

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16. Why is Antarctica the best place to understand Earth’s past, present, and future?

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Antarctica’s ice and rocks show Earth's past climate, present environmental balance, and future threats due to global warming.

40 words:

Antarctica helps scientists study climate change, carbon levels, and Earth’s geological history. Its untouched land and frozen layers provide valuable data. Studying it gives us deep insight into the past, present, and what might happen to the Earth in future.

60 words:

Antarctica holds vital clues to Earth’s geological history. Its ice cores trap air bubbles from hundreds of thousands of years ago, showing carbon dioxide levels and climate patterns. This frozen land remains untouched by humans, making it a perfect natural lab. By studying its ice and rocks, scientists predict future climate changes and understand global environmental risks more clearly.

80 words:

Antarctica is a unique place to understand our planet’s history and future. Its frozen landscape contains ice cores that preserve ancient air bubbles and climate records. These reveal how temperatures and carbon levels have changed over thousands of years. Since it’s untouched by human activity, Antarctica gives clear evidence of Earth’s natural state. Scientists use it to track climate change, study extinction patterns, and predict what could happen if global warming continues. That’s why it’s called Earth’s time machine.

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17. What are Geoff Green’s reasons for including students in the ‘Students on Ice’ expedition?

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He wanted young students to see nature directly, understand environmental issues, and become responsible future decision-makers for the planet.

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Geoff Green felt that taking students to Antarctica would deeply impact their thinking. At a young age, they are open-minded and willing to learn. By witnessing climate change firsthand, students develop a sense of responsibility toward saving the Earth.

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Geoff Green started the ‘Students on Ice’ program to give students life-changing experiences. He believed that seeing Antarctica would help them understand climate change in a real way. Unlike adults, young students are more open to learning and changing. These experiences help them grow into future leaders who care about the environment and are willing to take action to protect it.

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Geoff Green chose to include students in the ‘Students on Ice’ program because he believed that educating young minds would lead to long-term environmental change. He got tired of taking rich tourists who couldn’t contribute much. Instead, he wanted to inspire the youth. Teenagers, being curious and emotionally sensitive, are better learners. By seeing glaciers, melting ice, and wildlife, they understand the urgency of saving nature. These students may become future scientists, leaders, or environmental activists who protect the Earth.

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18. What is the significance of the statement: "Take care of the small things and the big things will take care of themselves"?

20 words:

It means small changes, like protecting phytoplankton, can prevent big disasters and maintain the Earth's natural balance.

40 words:

In Antarctica, even small organisms like phytoplankton are essential. They support the entire ocean food chain. If they suffer, everything collapses. The quote shows that taking care of small things in nature is the key to solving big environmental problems.

60 words:

The author uses the example of phytoplankton to explain this idea. These microscopic plants perform photosynthesis, absorb carbon dioxide, and support marine life. If they’re harmed due to ozone depletion or warming, the entire ecosystem suffers. This teaches that even tiny parts of nature are crucial. Protecting them helps preserve larger systems, showing how small actions can bring big environmental results.

80 words:

This statement reminds us that nature works in delicate balance. In Antarctica, phytoplankton—tiny plants—are the base of the food chain and help maintain the global carbon cycle. If they’re affected by climate change, the entire marine ecosystem could collapse. That’s why scientists say taking care of small things like ozone protection and temperature control is vital. When we handle minor issues seriously, larger problems get automatically solved. The statement is a powerful message for environmental awareness and sustainable living.

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19. Describe the author's emotional and intellectual experience during her journey to Antarctica.

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She felt amazed, overwhelmed, and deeply thoughtful. Antarctica’s silence and vastness made her reflect on Earth’s beauty and future.

40 words:

Tishani Doshi was first relieved, then filled with awe. The silence, endless ice, and natural purity of Antarctica made her feel small. She thought about Earth’s history, human damage, and the urgency to act before nature’s balance is lost forever.

60 words:

The author’s journey to Antarctica was life-changing. She felt stunned by the vast white ice, freezing winds, and complete silence. Being there made her think about Earth’s past—when India and Antarctica were one—and the present threat of climate change. Her emotions shifted from wonder to deep concern. Antarctica’s isolation and purity gave her clarity about nature, time, and human responsibility.

80 words:

Tishani Doshi’s journey to Antarctica was filled with wonder, self-reflection, and realization. She was amazed by its stark beauty, white silence, and untouched ecosystem. It made her think deeply about Earth’s geological changes, the damage done by humans, and what might happen next. Walking on the ocean’s frozen surface was a powerful moment. It helped her feel how everything in nature is connected. Her experience left her emotionally moved and intellectually awakened to the urgent need for environmental action.

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20. How does the chapter raise awareness about climate change and human impact on nature?

20 words:

It shows melting glaciers, collapsing ice, and disappearing species—warning signs that humans are harming Earth through pollution and greed.

40 words:

The chapter explains how human activities like burning fossil fuels and overpopulation are increasing carbon levels and damaging Earth’s balance. Antarctica shows visible effects—melting ice, rising temperatures. It makes readers understand how serious global warming is and why urgent action is needed.

60 words:

The chapter opens readers’ eyes to climate change by presenting real evidence from Antarctica. The author describes collapsing ice shelves, vanishing species, and ozone damage. These are results of human carelessness—burning fuels, pollution, and overuse of resources. The chapter sends a clear message: if we don’t act now, nature’s balance will break, and the Earth’s future will be in danger.

80 words:

Tishani Doshi’s account of Antarctica is a strong environmental warning. Through her descriptions of melting glaciers, ice shelf collapses, and shrinking wildlife, she shows that climate change is not a future threat—it’s happening now. The causes are clear: human overuse of fossil fuels, carbon emissions, and disregard for nature. The chapter explains that Antarctica is like Earth’s early warning system. If we ignore the signs, the consequences could be irreversible. It urges readers to take climate change seriously and act responsibly.