Unit
-08
THE GIFTS OF NATURE
Talking about the test:
1) Answer the following questions in a word, a
phrase or a sentence. Discuss with your partner and write down what you say.
a) What is our moral duty?
Ans: We must learn to take care of the gifts
of Nature, so that these are not destroyed or harmed. We must not use gifts of
Nature for our selfish ends, but instead, work to preserve them and we must
look after the things God has given us. Thus these are our moral duties.
b) Which animals are on the verge of
extinction?
Ans: The animals on verge of extinction are tigers,
lions and some rare species.
c) Where should we throw waste paper, tins,
and bottles?
Ans: Waste papers, tins and bottles should be
thrown in a dustbin rather than throwing into the river.
d) What are trees said to be?
Ans: “Green Gold” are trees said to be.
e) How can we maintain ecological balance?
Ans: We can maintain ecological balance by
planting more and more trees everywhere.
f) Who are the carriers of pollen?
Ans: The carriers of pollen are bees and
butterflies.
g) What is the wonderful handiwork of God?
Ans: The wonderful handiworks of God are the
moon, the stars, mountains and seas.
2) Discuss with your partner and write down
the answers to the following questions in two or three sentences each:
a) What are the gifts of nature?
Ans: The gifts of nature are long-range of
mountains, the wide oceans, the sparkling streams, the dense forests, the
animals, birds, and insects, colorful flowers, fruits.
b) Why should we not destroy the gifts of
nature?
Ans: We should not destroy the gifts of
nature because we admire, use and preserve them.
c) There were many more animals than there
are today. Why? Discuss.
Ans: Over the years, hunters had killed them
for sport or food in large numbers. Day by day there number is decreasing and
species may soon extinct. Tigers, lions and some rare species are on the verge
of extinction. So, there were many more animals than there are today.
d) What is water pollution?
Ans: Water pollution is making the ocean
dirty by throwing tons and tons of refuse into the rivers and oceans.
e) Give three examples of where trees are
used in our daily life.
Ans: The three examples of where trees are
used in our daily life for building houses, making furniture and firewood for
cooking.
f) Why should we put out the camp-fire before
we leave the camp?
Ans: We should put out the camp fire before
we leave the camp because to avoid accidental forest fires.
g) What will happen if you take your pet
animals to the garden?
Ans: Pet animals may step on the flower beds
and destroy plants if we take them to the garden.
h) Name a few things of Nature which gives
you inspiration.
Ans: Few things of Nature which gives us
inspiration are the moon, the stars, mountains, seas and oceans.
3) Answer the following questions, discuss it with your partner and write down what you say in the form of a paragraph.
a) How can we take care of rare animals?
Ans: Rare animals are on the verge of extinction
and these things are happening due to human greediness. Many spices would
extinct if we do not take any measure step. If we do not take care of these
rare animals, there will soon be none left. We should also preserve the forests
so that the wild animals can thrive and multiply. We must not kill animals and
birds for sport.
b) What steps can be taken to prevent water
pollution?
Ans:
The steps can be taken to prevent water pollution are; throw waste
paper, tins and bottles in dustbins. Avoid washing dirty dishes and clothes in
the river. Don’t throw left out waste into the rivers.
Grammar: Relative Clauses
4) Look at these sentences.
a) This giraffe is refusing to eat.
b) This giraffe, which has come
from Africa, is refusing to eat.
a) This traffic policewoman seems to be
efficient.
b) This traffic policewomen, who
works here, seems to be efficient.
The meaning is clear in sentence ‘a’ in both the examples. In sentence ‘b’ the underlined words add extra information. These words form a clause called relative clause. They begin with relative pronouns ‘which’ and ‘who’.
Punctuation: Comma or commas separate the extra information relative clause from the rest of the sentence.
5) Join the sentences given below using the
relative pronoun given in the brackets:
a) I often go to Mumbai, Mumbai is the
commercial capital of India (which)
Ans: I often go to Mumbai which is the commercial capital of
India.
b) My mother is going to host a T.V show on
cooking. She cooks very well (who)
Ans: My mother, who cooks very well is going to host a T.V. show on cooking.
c) These sportspersons are going to meet the
President. Their performance has been excellent (whose)
Ans: These sportspersons, whose performance has been excellent are
going to meet the President.
Pronunciation:
6) Read this sentence aloud to your partner:
It is our responsibility to preserve the gifts of nature.
Note that the word ‘responsibility’ has two stresses-re. spon. si. bil. i.ty
The secondary stress is weak and the primary stress is strong.
Note that in words ending with the spelling- ity’ the primary stress falls on the third syllable from the end.
Practice saying these words.
cu. ri. ‘os. i. ty; spe.
ci. ‘a. li. ty; gen.e. ‘ros.
i. ty;
ti. ‘mid. i. ty; sin.
‘cer. i. ty;
