📘 Understanding – Answer the following questions
1. Why does the author call the industrial accident that took place on Dec. 3, 1984, in Bhopal a tragedy? Also, mention the cause of the accident.
The accident is called a tragedy because it caused the death of 4,000 people, injured 1.5 to 6 lakh people, and left thousands crippled or blinded for life. The accident occurred due to a deadly gas leak from a chemical plant owned by Union Carbide.
2. In the opinion of the author, what sort of problem is every big city in India facing every day?
Every big city in India is facing the problem of air pollution, which is becoming a major health threat.
3. Why is air more important than food and water?
Air is more important because a person can live without food for a month, and water for 2–3 days, but cannot survive without air for even a few minutes.
4. Why is air pollution more serious than polluted water or contaminated food?
Because we breathe around 15 kg of air daily, more than the quantity of food or water we consume. Thus, more pollutants enter the body through air than through food or water.
5. When is air called polluted? What harm can polluted air cause to human beings?
Air becomes polluted when harmful substances like gases and particles alter its natural composition. Polluted air can cause respiratory issues, lung damage, cancer, and other serious illnesses.
6. How is man-made pollution different from natural pollution?
Natural pollution comes from volcanoes, forest fires, and dust, while man-made pollution is caused by industries, vehicles, chemicals, and burning fuels.
7. Name the harmful substances that enter the air from factories and motor vehicles.
- From factories: Smoke, ash, nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, toxic gases
- From motor vehicles: Carbon monoxide, lead, fine particulate matter
8. List the industries that are sources of air pollution mentioned in the passage.
- Thermal power stations
- Cement industries
- Steel industries
- Ore processing industries
- Chemical industries
9. What sort of vehicles are on the increase? What have they led to?
Two-wheelers and motor vehicles are rapidly increasing. This has led to urban air pollution, with a rise in harmful gases and fine particles in the atmosphere.
10. What is a gas mask? Why is it going to be required soon?
A gas mask is a device worn over the face to filter polluted air for safe breathing. If air pollution continues to rise, people might need to wear gas masks daily to protect themselves.
11. What is indoor pollution? Make a list of substances that cause indoor pollution.
Indoor pollution refers to pollution inside buildings and homes.
Substances causing it include:
- Tobacco smoke
- Air fresheners, incense sticks
- Paints, asbestos, plywood
- Dry-cleaned clothes
- Chemical sprays (e.g., pesticides)
- Smoke from burning wood or stoves
12. What do you think is second-hand tobacco smoke?
Second-hand tobacco smoke is the inhalation of smoke by non-smokers who are nearby someone who is smoking. It is also harmful and is a major source of indoor air pollution.
📝 Words
A. Pick out words/phrases that show harmful effects of air pollution.
Already given: deadly, crippled
Others:
- blinded
- poisoning
- threat to health
- pollutants
- garbage dumps for lungs
- cancer
- toxic gases
B. Noun/Verb Forms TableNounVerb resident reside pollution pollute respiration respire composition compose inhalation inhale emission emit comparison compare knowledge know expectation expect VerbNoun consume consumption alter alteration believe belief reduce reduction continue continuation produce production operate operation
✍️ Grammar – Participles as Adjectives
Pick out a past participle used as an adjective from Para 2:
➤ “polluted air” – polluted is a past participle used as an adjective.
Complete the sentences using participles:
- The beggar is wearing a torn shirt. (tear)
- He does not like to eat a boiled egg. (boil)
- His grandfather told him a very interesting story. (interest)
- He was angry with his servant because he served him a burnt chapati. (burn)
- The mother bought her daughter a swimming suit. (swim)
- The baby started crying when he put his hand in boiling water. (boil)
🗣️ Speaking – Making Suggestions
A. Match the suggestions to situations:
- Oh, the car has broken down. What shall we do?
- ✅ 5. How about leaving the car here and taking a taxi?
- ✅ 7. Let’s look for a mechanic.
- ✅ 8. Why don’t we push the car to the nearest garage?
- It’s raining heavily. We can’t go out.
- ✅ 2. Let’s play cards.
- ✅ 3. Why don’t we sit and watch the rain?
- ✅ 9. I suppose we could watch TV.
- I can’t cook tonight.
- ✅ 1. We could buy some bread and butter.
- ✅ 4. We could manage with what we have.
- ✅ 6. How about dining out?
B. Make suggestions for the following:
- Next Sunday is your grandmother’s birthday:
→ Let’s bake her a cake and plan a small surprise party. 🎂
→ We could make a handmade card and gift. - Your family wants to spend a week’s holiday somewhere:
→ How about going to a hill station or a beach resort? 🏖️
→ We could book a family trip to a historical city like Jaipur. - You are meeting some of your friends after a long time:
→ Let’s plan a picnic or movie night together. 🎬
→ Why don’t we meet at our favourite café? - Your class needs to raise money for a school trip:
→ We could organise a charity fair or a talent show. 🎭
→ How about making and selling handmade bookmarks or crafts? - You want to improve your English skills:
→ Let’s start reading English storybooks and newspapers daily. 📚
→ We could join an online spoken English course. - You have a project due in a week but haven’t started yet:
→ Let’s break the project into small tasks and do a bit every day.
→ How about asking a friend to help you plan it? 📝