Lesson 4 – The Ailing Planet: The Green Movement’s Role
🌿 SUMMARY (English)
“The Ailing Planet” highlights the declining health of Earth due to overpopulation, overexploitation and environmental degradation. The author compares Earth to a patient and credits the Green Movement (since 1972) for awakening global awareness about conservation.
He emphasises four global assets — Forests, Water, Air and Land — and argues humans are trustees, not owners. Reckless consumption and deforestation have led to ecological imbalance. The author urges population control, conservation and responsible governance to protect the planet for future generations.
🌍 ANALYSIS (English)
Theme: Environmental conservation and sustainable development are central to the essay.
Tone: Serious, warning and hopeful — pressing for action while acknowledging efforts of the Green Movement.
Key Issues: Overpopulation, deforestation, misuse of resources and the need for strong environmental laws.
Message: Act as caretakers (trustees) of the Earth; adopt sustainable practices now for a liveable future.
🌿 सारांश (Hindi)
यह लेख प्रकृति के दोहन, जनसंख्या वृद्धि और पर्यावरणीय क्षरण की चिंता व्यक्त करता है। लेखक पृथ्वी को एक रोगी मानकर कहता है कि हमें इसे संरक्षित करने के लिए सतत विकास अपनाना चाहिए।
लेखक चार महत्वपूर्ण वैश्विक संसाधनों — जंगल, पानी, हवा और भूमि — का उल्लेख करते हैं और कहते हैं कि मनुष्य इनका संरक्षक है। अगर हम तुरंत नहीं जागे तो भविष्य संकट में होगा।
🌍 विश्लेषण (Hindi)
मुख्य विषय: पर्यावरण संरक्षण और संसाधनों का विवेकपूर्ण उपयोग।
स्वर: गंभीर और चेतावनीपूर्ण, पर आशावादी भी।
सुझाव: सरकारें कड़े नियम लागू करें; नागरिक जीवनशैली में परिवर्तन लाएँ; वन-आवरण बढ़ाएँ।
✅ 20 MCQs (With Options & Answers)
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1. Who is the author of “The Ailing Planet: The Green Movement’s Role”?
Answer
b) Nani Palkhivala
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2. The article was originally published in which newspaper?
Answer
d) The Illustrated Weekly of India
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3. The term "Green Movement" began in which year?
Answer
b) 1972
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4. According to the author, the Earth is described as a/an —
Answer
b) Ailing planet
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5. What is considered the root cause of environmental degradation?
Answer
b) Overpopulation
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6. Who described Earth as “an ailing planet”?
Answer
d) Lester R. Brown
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7. The biggest threat to survival on Earth is—
Answer
b) Humans
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8. Forests are referred to as the world’s —
Answer
a) Oxygen Bank
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9. The article expresses concern about—
Answer
c) Environmental destruction
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10. The concept of “Sustainable Development” means—
Answer
c) Development that meets present needs without harming future generations
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11. What percentage of India’s land area should be under forests (as recommended)?
Answer
c) 33%
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12. According to the author, humans are—
Answer
c) Trustees of the Earth
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13. The Green Movement gave a new vision known as—
Answer
b) Sustainable development
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14. When was the World Commission on Environment and Development established?
Answer
b) 1983
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15. What is the main reason for deforestation according to the chapter?
Answer
c) Growing needs of human beings
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16. What does “holistic view” of the world mean?
Answer
c) Seeing Earth as an integrated whole
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17. Who gave the concept of “intergenerational responsibility”?
Answer
a) Lester Brown
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18. The author compares Earth’s health to —
Answer
b) A sick patient
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19. Which of the following is NOT a global resource mentioned?
Answer
d) Gold
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20. The future of mankind depends on —
Answer
b) Preservation of environment
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