Class 9 - Unit 01 (ENVIRONMENT) - Reading B - BEAUTIFUL BLUE PLANET

UNIT - 1	ENVIRONMENT
READING - B	BEAUTIFUL BLUE PLANET

Comprehension

I. Answer the following questions.

1. In what sense have the expressions ‘Beautiful-Blue’ and ‘Pretty-Planet’ been used by the poet?

Answer – The expression ‘Beautiful-Blue’ is used for our beautiful blue planet – Planet Earth. Approximately 71% of the planet is covered with water bodies. As a result the planet from the space looks blue and beautiful. ‘Pretty-Planet’ is used to show the pretty greenery on the earth. The earth is covered with forests which adds to its beauty.

2. What lessons has nature taught us? Give reasons for your answer.

Answer – Nature has taught us to be grateful and protective. It has given us everything without asking anything in return. Mother Nature has given us birth and helped us to survive by giving us air, food and shelter. Though, human beings have been destroying it for their greed. The nature is teaching us to be respectful. The global warming, climate change, crops failure and extinction of the species are its way to teach that if we would not take care of it, it will not hesitate to end all the human beings and start afresh.

 

4. Who are the ‘next caretakers’?

Answer – The next caretakers are the next generations of species which would protect and take care of the planet earth and make it beautiful blue planet again.

 

II. List in the Table below the changes that have taken place in different aspects of nature and environment around us.

Features	How were they before?	How are they now?
The oceans	Beautiful blue	Black with oil
The forests	Covered the planet in abundance	All gone and now the ground is sickly brown
The clouds	Held fresh water	Filled with Acid rain, turned deathly-gray
The plains	Overflowed with grains	Barren with erosion
The air	Clear without pollution	Polluted and impossible to breath
Care for nature and the earth	Our ancestors cared for the nature and earth	Human have now become selfish and have no care for the nature and earth

© Anupam Agrawal