EnglishNEB 2075 (old course)
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow. The condition of environment is a matter of great alarm and concern today. The environmental conditions have degenerated to such an…
15Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow. The condition of environment is a matter of great alarm and concern today. The environmental conditions have degenerated to such an extent that it has become a worldwide issue. Pollution at all levels, that is, air, water and soil knows no bounds. As if this is not enough, the whole ecological system has been disturbed because of man's urge to control nature. The extinction of a number of rare species, depletion of ozone and wide deforestation forcing the creatures of the wild to territories of men (and hence disturbing the balance of the ecological system) are only some examples. There is a distinction between the environmental threats faced by the developed nations, such as the United States and Western European Countries, and the developing nations, such as India and Mexico. Whatever the nature of the crisis, most of the environmental problems faced by the developed nations are the result of the overconsumption whereas the problems faced by the under developed and developing countries are the result of under consumption. It is usually said that the people in the poor nations fall ill because they are undernourished whereas the rich counterparts in the first world fall ill because they overeat. Same is the case with the environmental problems. The Americans and to a lesser extent, Western Europeans, Japanese and other residents of developed nations, are more likely to own one or more cars, purchase more food and clothes than subsistence levels require, and use considerable amounts of electricity. As a result, there is more pollution, creating environmental problems.
Questions: a) According to the passage, what has become a worldwide issue today? b) How has the ecological system been disturbed? c) How are the environmental threats of the developed nations different from the developing nations? d) What is the common concept about the poor health status of the poor nations? e) Which sentence in the passage informs us that air, water and soil are polluted?
Answer
Model Answer
a) According to the passage, what has become a worldwide issue today?
The condition of the environment has become a worldwide issue today. The passage states that environmental conditions have deteriorated to such an extent that pollution at all levels—air, water, and soil—has no boundaries. This widespread degradation of the environment has raised global concern.
b) How has the ecological system been disturbed?
The ecological system has been disturbed due to human interference and exploitation of nature. The passage highlights the following key factors:
- Extinction of rare species: Many rare and endangered species have become extinct due to human activities.
- Depletion of the ozone layer: The ozone layer, which protects life on Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation, is being depleted.
- Deforestation: Large-scale cutting down of forests has forced wild creatures into human territories, disrupting their natural habitats.
- Man’s urge to control nature: Human attempts to dominate and exploit nature have led to an imbalance in the ecological system.
These factors collectively contribute to the disturbance of the ecological balance.
c) How are the environmental threats of the developed nations different from the developing nations?
The environmental threats faced by developed nations (such as the United States and Western European countries) differ from those faced by developing nations (such as India and Mexico) in terms of cause and nature. The differences can be summarized in the following table:
| Aspect | Developed Nations | Developing Nations |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Cause | Overconsumption (excessive use of resources) | Underconsumption (lack of basic resources) |
| Pollution Sources | High levels of pollution due to excessive use of cars, electricity, and consumer goods | Pollution due to industrialization, poor waste management, and lack of environmental regulations |
| Health Issues | Illnesses caused by overeating, obesity, and lifestyle diseases | Illnesses caused by undernourishment, malnutrition, and poor sanitation |
| Resource Usage | High per capita consumption of food, clothes, and energy | Limited access to basic resources like clean water, food, and healthcare |
| Environmental Impact | Pollution from industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, and excessive energy use | Pollution from unregulated industries, deforestation, and agricultural runoff |
d) What is the common concept about the poor health status of the poor nations?
The passage states that the common concept about the poor health status of poor nations is that:
"The people in the poor nations fall ill because they are undernourished."
This means that lack of proper nutrition and food is a major reason for health problems in developing countries. In contrast, people in wealthy nations often suffer from health issues due to overeating and unhealthy lifestyles.
e) Which sentence in the passage informs us that air, water and soil are polluted?
The sentence that explicitly states this is:
"Pollution at all levels, that is, air, water and soil knows no bounds."
This sentence clearly indicates that pollution affects all three major environmental components: air, water, and soil.
Additional Explanation (For Better Understanding)
The passage highlights the global environmental crisis, emphasizing that pollution is not limited to any single region but is a worldwide problem. The ecological imbalance caused by human activities has led to severe consequences, including:
- Loss of biodiversity (extinction of rare species).
- Climate change (depletion of the ozone layer).
- Displacement of wildlife (due to deforestation).
- Health hazards (both in poor and rich nations, but for different reasons).
The distinction between developed and developing nations in terms of environmental threats is crucial because it shows that wealthier countries pollute more due to excessive consumption, while poorer countries suffer from pollution due to lack of resources and poor infrastructure.
This passage serves as a warning about the need for sustainable development and global cooperation to address environmental degradation effectively.
Discussion
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