Here is a new post in the Class 8th English section on this website. Polythene A Disaster is Chapter 7 from Tulip Series English for students of JKBOSE. Today, in this post I am providing you with Polythene A Disaster Class 8th Question Answers. In a previous post, you read about the Summary and Word Meanings in Chapter 6 Julius Caesar. I will discuss the complete Question Answers, Language Work, and Grammar Work of Chapter 7 Polythene: A Disaster in this post. Let’s get started with this post:
Polythene A Disaster Class 8th Question Answers
Introduction
The chapter is a conversation about polythene and its effects on human health and the environment. Rakesh, a student in 5th standard, visited his uncle’s house with his parents and found a heap of dirt in polythene bags stinking nearby the house. Rakesh and his parents covered their mouths with their handkerchiefs and rushed into the house. Rakesh’s uncle and his family warmly welcomed them.
Working with the Text
1. What is polythene? Who discovered it?
Ans. Polythene is a tough, light, flexible synthetic resin made by the polymerization of ethylene. It is mainly used for plastic bags, food containers, and other packing materials. It was discovered by a German Scientist, Hans Von Pechmann.
2. What does Rakesh’s father expect from the kids?
Ans. Rakesh’s father expects the kids to follow his advice and stop using polythene bags which elders failed to do so far. He also wants them to encourage other kids in the school and in their neighbourhood to stop using polyethene.
3. Why is polythene widely used?
Ans. Polythene bags are used because it is cheap and easy to carry everywhere. Also, people find it very easy to dispose of after use as it is light and can be easily thrown away. Due to these reasons’ polythene is widely used.
4. What is biodegradation?
Ans. Biodegradation is a process of natural decaying or decomposition of organic matter. It is caused due to action of microorganisms (decomposers) like bacteria, fungi etc.
5. What are the harmful effects of polythene?
Ans. Polythene has many harmful effects. It is responsible for diseases like cholera, malaria, etc. It increases the infertility of soil if it is dumped into the soil. It also causes blockage of the water systems like sewerage and water pipes. It causes air pollution by burning. Polythene has become a cause of several problems for plants and animals living underwater.
6. How, is soil affected by polythene?
Ans. Polythene is a non-biodegradable material, so it is not, decomposed in the soil. Polythene damages the ecosystem of soil by retarding its carrying capacity. Also, it is non-permeable, so it cuts off the respiration of the soil system, which in turn not only affects plant life but also
other creatures living in the soil.
7. How does polythene affect animals?
Ans. Polythene is harmful to animals. The polythene bags that we see on the roads are often eaten by stray animals which causes their death. According to a news report, 40 kg of polythene was recovered by a veterinary surgeon from the stomach of a dead cow. It is also estimated that about one billion marine animals die each year due to polythene pollution.
8. What is SRO 182?
Ans. SRO 182 is a law, made by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir on the 18th of June 2008, by which the use of polythene has been, banned within the territorial limits of the JK UT.
9. How can we save our posterity from the harmful effects of polythene?
Ans. We can save our posterity from the harmful effects of polythene by completely avoiding the use of polythene. Instead of polythene, we can use bags made of jute and cotton. Every citizen must cooperate with the government and avoid the use of polythene.
Language Work
- Look at the following sentences from the lesson:
While they [polythene bags] were rarely found during the 1960s and 70s, their usage has increased at an alarming rate since they became popular during the 1980s.
In the above sentences, mark the use of the article “the” and the letter “s” with 1960, 1970 and 1980. (“The” with 1960 is common to 1970 as well). When we do so, we are referring to a particular decade of a century. However, when we refer to a particular year, we neither use “the” nor “s”.
Now in the following sentences, choose the correct sentences:
- I have known him since 2009.
- The freedom struggle against the Maharaja started in the 1930s.
- Television revolutionized the game of cricket in 1980.
- The economic depression in the USA started in the 1920s.
NOTE: Never say “I know him since….”
Ans.
Sentences (1) and (4) are correct.
- The letters SRO in the text stand for Statutory Rules and Orders as indicated in the following glossary. This kind of abbreviation is called an acronym.
What do the following acronyms stand for:
- a) IPL
Ans. Indian Premier League.
- b) WHO
Ans. World Health Organization.
- c) WWF
Ans. World Wildlife Fund.
- d) ILO
Ans. International Labour Organization.
- e) BBC
Ans. British Broadcasting Corporation.
- f) FIFA
Ans. The Federation of International Football Association.
- g) HBO
Ans. Home Box Office.
- h) PIL
Ans. Public Interest Litigation.
- i) ICC
Ans. International Cricket Council.
- j) IMF
Ans. International Monetary Fund.
Grammar Work
Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences
In your previous books, you have learnt that there are five kinds of sentences. Now you’ll learn that sentences are divided into three kinds concerning clauses.
Look at the following sentences:
- Mysha lost her watch.
- The sun rose and the fog disappeared.
- Rayees sold the pen that I had gifted him.
Sentence 1 contains only one Subject (Mysha) and one Finite verb (lost) or one Predicate (lost her watch). Such sentence which has only one Subject and one Finite verb or one Predicate is called a Simple Sentence.
Sentence 2 consists of two parts:
(a) The sun rose (b) The fog disappeared.
These two parts are joined by the Coordinating Conjunction – ‘and’.
Further, each part is a Principle or Main Clause or Coordinate Clause.
A sentence which is made up of two or more Principle or Main or Coordinate Clauses are called a Compound Sentence.
Sentence 3 consists of two parts:
(a) Rayees sold the pen (b) That I had gifted him.
Part (a) is the Principle or Main Clause and Part (b) is the Subordinate or Dependent Clause.
A sentence which consists of one Principle or Main Clause and one or more Subordinate or Dependent Clauses is called a Complex Sentence.
Exercise
Say which of the following sentences are Simple, Compound or Complex:
- I don’t like girls/boys who are lazy.
Ans. Complex Sentence.
- He called her but didn’t respond.
Ans. Compound Sentence.
- She went because she was invited.
Ans. Compound Sentence.
- You should work hard or you will fail.
Ans. Compound Sentence.
- Man proposes, but God disposes.
Ans. Compound Sentence.
- He stood first in the class.
Ans. Simple Sentence.
- They must apologize or they will be punished.
Ans. Compound Sentence.
- She must apologize to avoid punishment.
Ans. Simple Sentence.
- The mother hit him and made him cry.
Ans. Compound Sentence.
- She succeeded in the very first attempt.
Ans. Simple Sentence.
- She has lost the book that my brother had given her.
Ans. Complex Sentence.
- Men may come and men may go but I go on forever.
Ans. Compound Sentence.
- We eat so that we may live.
Ans. Complex Sentence.
- They serve God well who serve his creatures.
Ans. Complex Sentence.
- One blushes when one is guilty.
Ans. Complex Sentence.
Let’s Write
Draft an attractive poster for display on the walls of your school, informing students about the harmful effects of polythene on our health. Use quotes like “Use of plastic will bring results drastic” or “If you litter, the future will be better, etc.
Ans. Students have to do it themselves.
Read Aloud
Now read aloud this poem:
A Monologue
I am the poison for this good earth
I am the bane for this mother
My work is to render her infertile.
I pollute this planet, water and all.
I ruin pastures and vegetation
I clog drains and defile oceans.
I suffocate birds and animals.
Nothing can destroy me
I am the harmful destroyer.
Replace me by cloth or paper
Before I destroy you.
Stop manufacturing me.
Don’t carry me anywhere for I am your enemy.
Whom am I?
Who am I?
You’ve guessed alright:
I’m a deadly giant.
I’m no other than – POLYTHENE! (Arvind Gigoo)
That’s all about Polythene A Disaster Class 8th Question Answers. Hope it has helped you. Do share your views about this post in the comment section below.
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