Question Bank: An Excerpt from “Journey to the End of the Earth”
Q1. Multiple Choice Questions based on an extract
My journey began 13.09 degrees north of the Equator in Madras, and involved crossing nine time zones, six checkpoints, three bodies of water, and at least as many ecospheres. By the time I actually set foot on the Antarctic continent I had been travelling over 100 hours in combination of a car, an aeroplane and a ship; so, my first emotion on facing Antarctica’s expansive white landscape and uninterrupted blue horizon was relief, followed up with an immediate and profound wonder.
i. The journey to Antarctica was challenging because it:
a) Required crossing many different geographical and time zones.
b) Was a long and tedious journey with no breaks.
c) Involved three different modes of transport.
d) Was undertaken in the coldest continent.
ii. The author’s initial emotion upon reaching Antarctica was relief because:
a) The long and arduous journey had finally concluded.
b) They were finally able to experience the cold weather.
c) The scenery was calming and beautiful.
d) They were no longer confined to the ship.
iii. The phrase “at least as many ecospheres” suggests that the author:
a) Traversed exactly nine distinct environments.
b) Found it difficult to count the number of ecospheres.
c) Passed through multiple and varied ecological zones.
d) Was travelling with ecologists who studied ecospheres.
iv. The author’s feelings of relief and wonder are juxtaposed. This implies:
a) Relief was a more significant emotion than wonder.
b) Wonder was a fleeting feeling that quickly faded.
c) The two emotions were felt one after the other.
d) The author was confused about how to feel.
v. Which of the following is an example of an ecosphere?
a) The car, aeroplane, and ship used for travel.
b) The nine time zones the author crossed.
c) The temperate zone of Madras and the polar zone of Antarctica.
d) The three bodies of water mentioned in the extract.
vi. The narrator’s journey can be best described as:
a) A scientific expedition.
b) A personal voyage of discovery.
c) A quest for adventure.
d) A mandatory research trip.
Answer Key and Explanations for Extract 01:
i. (a) Required crossing many different geographical and time zones.
Explanation: The text mentions crossing “nine time zones, six checkpoints, three bodies of water, and at least as many ecospheres,” all of which point to the complexity and geographical diversity of the journey, making it a challenging endeavor.
ii. (a) The long and arduous journey had finally concluded.
Explanation: The author states they had been “travelling over 100 hours” and their “first emotion… was relief.” This directly links the feeling of relief to the end of the long and tiring journey.
iii. (c) Passed through multiple and varied ecological zones.
Explanation: The word “ecosphere” refers to a distinct ecosystem or environment. The phrase “at least as many” as the nine time zones implies that the author crossed through numerous, different types of environments, such as marine, terrestrial, and polar.
iv. (c) The two emotions were felt one after the other.
Explanation: The phrase “followed up with” clearly indicates a sequence of events. The author first felt relief and then, immediately after, felt a profound wonder.
v. (c) The temperate zone of Madras and the polar zone of Antarctica.
Explanation: An ecosphere is a large-scale ecosystem. Madras is in a temperate region, while Antarctica is a polar region. These two distinct geographical areas represent different ecospheres, which the author would have traversed to complete their journey.
vi. (b) A personal voyage of discovery.
Explanation: While the narrator is on a research vessel, the emotions described—relief and wonder—are personal and introspective. The text emphasizes the narrator’s individual experience and thoughts, such as the wonder at the immensity of the continent and the historical connection between India and Antarctica, making it a personal voyage of discovery rather than a purely scientific or mandatory trip.
