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This page offers Extract Based Questions  from the Chapter Journey to the end of the Earth for Class 12 from the book Vistas.  We’ve put together a bunch extracts which ask assumption based, creativity based and critical thinking-based questions. These types of questions are introduced after 2024 in CBSE Board. The types of questions are quick MCQs, true/false and Subjective questions. So, practice to understand Journey to the end of the Earth Extracts to score great.

Journey to the end of the Earth Extract Based MCQ questions Extract 1 

Early this year, I found myself aboard a Russian research vessel — the Akademik Shokalskiy — heading towards the coldest, driest, windiest continent in the world: Antarctica. 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. 

Question 1: Why do you think the narrator’s journey involved crossing multiple time zones and ecosystems? (Answer in 40 words)  

Answer: The journey through many time zones and ecosystems shows that travelling to far places is not easy. It needs strength, change, and patience. These challenges help people see how hard it is to study such places. 

Question 2: State True or False. 

None of the following terms can be applied to the statement — “I found myself aboard a Russian research vessel heading towards Antarctica”: 

(a) A vacation – a break from work to relax

(b) A mission – an important task with a specific goal 

(c) An adventure – an exciting or unusual experience 

(d) A pilgrimage – a journey for religious purposes 

Answer: False 

Reason: The statement is both a mission with a research goal and an adventure. So, terms (b) mission and (c) adventure apply to the statement.  

Question 3: The narrator’s journey through time zones and bodies of water shows that exploration requires ________. 

Answer: Strength/ flexibility/ patience/ interest/ willpower or any other similar response.  

Question 4: What does the narrator’s long journey show about the nature of scientific exploration? (10 Words)

Answer: It shows that exploring means facing challenges with patience to find new knowledge.

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Extract from Journey to the end of the Earth – 2

Things were quite different then: humans hadn’t arrived on the global scene, and the climate was much warmer, hosting a huge variety of flora and fauna. For 500 million years Gondwana thrived, but around the time when the dinosaurs were wiped out and the age of the mammals got under way, the landmass was forced to separate into countries, shaping the globe much as we know it today.

Question 1: Why do you think the separation of Gondwana was important for shaping the world? (Answer in 40 words)  

Answer: The separation of Gondwana was important because it created the continents and ecosystems. This change affected the climate and geography, shaping the way plants, animals, and humans live. It also set the foundation for the world’s environment and landscapes.

Question 2: State True or False.  

None of the following terms can be applied to the statement — “After 500 million years, it broke apart, creating the continents and shaping the world we see today.”  

(a) Evolution – change in living organisms over time

(b) Extinction – disappearance of species

(c) Division – splitting into parts

(d) Geological shift – movement of Earth’s crust 

Answer: False  

Reason: The statement is both a division of landmasses and a geological shift. So, terms (c) division and (d) geological shift apply to the statement.

Question 3: The separation of Gondwana suggests that Earth’s surface is constantly _______.  

Answer: Changing/Shifting/Transforming or any other similar response.  

Question 4: What does the breakup of Gondwana teach us about Earth’s history?  (10 Words)

Answer: It shows that change is a constant process that shapes life and geography.

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Class 12 Journey to the end of the Earth Extract Based Questions- 3

It’s to understand the significance of Cordilleran folds and pre-Cambrian granite shields; ozone and carbon; evolution and extinction. When you think about all that can happen in a million years, it can get pretty mind-boggling.

Question 1: Why is understanding geological features important for humans? (Answer in 40 words)   

Answer: Understanding geological features helps us learn about Earth’s history, how climates change, and the natural events that shape life. It also shows how the land and environment have changed over time, helping us prepare for future environmental challenges.

Question 2: State True or False.  

None of the following terms can be applied to the statement — “Geological features help us understand how life has developed, how Earth’s surface changes over time.”:  

(a) Evolution – gradual development of life forms  

(b) Ozone – protective atmospheric layer  

(c) Erosion – wearing away of Earth’s surface  

(d) Extinction – end of species  

Answer: False  

Reason: The statement involves both evolution and extinction. So, terms (a) evolution and (d) extinction apply to the statement.

Question 3: The study of ozone and carbon shows how small changes affect _______.  

Answer: Climate/Life/Earth or any other similar response.  

Question 4: What does the mention of Cordilleran folds suggest about Earth’s landscape?  (10 Words)

Answer: It shows that Earth’s surface is shaped by powerful natural forces.

Journey to the end of the Earth Extract Based MCQ Questions- 4

For a sun-worshipping South Indian like myself, two weeks in a place where 90 per cent of the Earth’s total ice volumes are stored is a chilling prospect (not just for circulatory and metabolic functions, but also for the imagination). It’s like walking into a giant ping-pong ball devoid of any human markers — no trees, billboards, buildings.

Question 1: Why do you think the narrator compares Antarctica to a giant ping-pong ball? (Answer in 40 words)  

Answer:  The narrator compares Antarctica to a giant ping-pong ball because it is big, white, and empty, with no familiar features like trees, buildings, or signs of human life. It feels strange and unfamiliar, challenging his imagination and sense of comfort.

Question 2: State True or False.  

None of the following terms can be applied to the statement — “The narrator’s time in Antarctica includes being alone and enjoying the thrill of exploring.”:

(a) Isolation – being separated from others

(b) Imagination – creative thinking

(c) Solitude – peaceful aloneness

(d) Adventure – an exciting experience

Answer: False  

Reason: The narrator’s experience includes both isolation and adventure. So, terms (a) isolation and (d) adventure apply to the statement.

Question 3: Antarctica challenges the narrator’s ________.  

Answer: Imagination/ Endurance/ Sense of comfort / Interest or any other similar response.

Question 4: What does the absence of human markers in Antarctica suggest?  (10 words)

Answer: It suggests that nature is untouched and remains in its purest form in Antarctica.

Journey to the end of the Earth Extract Based Questions MCQ with Answers- 5

The visual scale ranges from the microscopic to the mighty: midges and mites to blue whales and icebergs as big as countries (the largest recorded was the size of Belgium). Days go on and on and on in surreal 24-hour austral summer light, and a ubiquitous silence, interrupted only by the occasional avalanche or calving ice sheet, consecrates the place.

Question 1: Why do you think the narrator shows the large scale of Antarctic life? (Answer in 40 words)  

Answer: The narrator shows the large scale of Antarctic life to show how diverse the environment is. It goes from tiny creatures like mites to massive icebergs and marine animals. This difference helps us understand the uniqueness and richness of life in Antarctica.

Question 2: State True or False.  

None of the following terms can be applied to the statement — “The Antarctic environment has small creatures, huge icebergs, long summer days, and deep silence.”:

(a) Tranquillity – peaceful calm
(b) Vastness – immense size
(c) Silence – complete absence of sound
(d) Chaos – complete disorder

Answer: False  

Reason: The Antarctic environment is calm, vast, and silent. So, terms (a) tranquillity, (b) vastness, and (c) silence apply to the statement.

Question 3: The continuous summer light in Antarctica feels ______.  

Answer: Surreal/Endless/Unusual or any other similar response. 

Question 4: What does the large number of life forms say about the Antarctic ecosystem?

Answer: It shows that even remote ecosystems support a large variety of life.

Journey to the end of the Earth Extracts- 6

Human civilisations have been around for a paltry 12,000 years — barely a few seconds on the geological clock. In that short amount of time, we’ve managed to create quite a ruckus, etching our dominance over Nature with our villages, towns, cities, megacities.

Question 1: Why do you think the narrator refers to 12,000 years as a ‘few seconds’? (Answer in 40 words)    

Answer: It shows that human history is very short compared to Earth’s long geological history. Earth has existed for millions of years, and humans have been here for only a tiny part of it.

Question 2: State True or False.  

None of the following terms can be applied to the statement — “we’ve managed to create quite a ruckus, etching our dominance over Nature with our villages, towns, cities, megacities.”:

(a) Destructive – causing harm

(b) Dominant – having control

(c) Co-operative – working in harmony

(d) Permanent – lasting forever 

Answer: False  

Reason: Human activities are both harmful and controlling. So, terms (a) destructive and (b) dominant apply to the statement.

Question 3: Human activities have _______ the natural balance.  

Answer: Disrupted/Changed/Damaged/Interrupted or any other similar response. 

Question 4: What does the narrator’s mention of human impact suggest?  

Answer: It shows that human activities have greatly changed the environment.

Journey to the end of the Earth Extract- 7

Climate change is one of the most hotly contested environmental debates of our time. Will the West Antarctic ice sheet melt entirely? Will the Gulf Stream ocean current be disrupted? Will it be the end of the world as we know it?

Question 1: Why do you think the narrator raises questions about climate change? (Answer in 40 words)   

Answer: The narrator raises questions to show how unsure and serious the effects of climate change could be on Earth’s future. These questions make people think about the dangers and encourage them to act before it is too late.

Question 2: State True or False.  

None of the following terms can be applied to the statement — “Climate change is one of the most hotly contested environmental debates of our time.”:

(a) Urgent – requiring immediate attention

(b) Simple – easy to understand

(c) Controversial – open to disagreement

(d) Minor – not important

Answer: False
Reason: Climate change needs immediate attention, so it is urgent, and people disagree about it, so it is controversial.

Question 3: The future of the planet depends on how we handle ________.  

Answer: Climate change/Global warming/Environmental issues  or any other similar response. 

Question 4: What does the narrator say about climate change through these questions? (10 Words)

Answer: That climate change could have serious effects and change life on Earth.

Extract from Journey to the end of the Earth – 8

The reason the programme has been so successful is because it’s impossible to go anywhere near the South Pole and not be affected by it. It’s easy to be blasé about polar ice-caps melting while sitting in the comfort zone of our respective latitude and longitude, but when you can visibly see glaciers retreating and ice shelves collapsing, you begin to realise that the threat of global warming is very real.

Question 1: Why do you think seeing glaciers retreat makes global warming feel real? (Answer in 40 words)    

Answer: Seeing glaciers melt with your own eyes makes the impact of global warming feel real and serious. It creates a personal connection to the problem, showing that the changes are happening now and need immediate attention.

Question 2: State True or False.  

None of the following terms can be applied to the statement — “Seeing glaciers melt and ice shelves break at the South Pole makes it hard to ignore the reality of climate change.”:

(a) Eye-opening – revealing something new
(b) Indifferent – showing no concern
(c) Realistic – reflecting reality
(d) Inspiring – encouraging positive change

Answer: False

Reason: The statement is both eye-opening and realistic, so terms (a) eye-opening and (c) realistic apply to the statement.

Question 3: Witnessing the impact of global warming firsthand can inspire ______.  

Answer: Action/Responsibility/Concern/Change or any other similar response. 

Question 4: What does the programme’s success suggest about environmental awareness?  (10 Words)

Answer: It shows that direct experiences can effectively raise awareness.

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Class 12 Journey to the end of the Earth Extract Based Questions- 9

Antarctica, because of her simple ecosystem and lack of biodiversity, is the perfect place to study how little changes in the environment can have big repercussions. Take the microscopic phytoplankton — those grasses of the sea that nourish and sustain the entire Southern Ocean’s food chain.

Question 1: Why is Antarctica ideal for studying environmental changes? (Answer in 40 words)   

Answer: Its simple ecosystem helps us see how small changes affect the environment. This makes it easier for researchers to understand how these changes connect and impact larger ecological systems.

Question 2: State True or False.  

None of the following terms can be applied to the statement — “Antarctica’s simple ecosystem shows how small changes can lead to big effects.”:

(a) Simple – easy to understand
(b) Complex – hard to understand
(c) Significant – important
(d) Fragile – easily damaged

Answer: False
Reason: The statement describes Antarctica’s ecosystem as simple and important, so terms (a) simple and (c) significant apply.

Question 3: Phytoplankton are ______ for the Southern Ocean’s food chain.  

Answer: Important/needed/Fundamental/Crucial or any other similar response.  

Question 4: What does the role of phytoplankton teach us about ecosystems?  (10 Words)

Answer: Small organisms can have large impacts on the environment.

Journey to the end of the Earth Extract Based MCQ Questions- 10

Scientists warn that a further depletion in the ozone layer will affect the activities of phytoplankton, which in turn will affect the lives of all the marine animals and birds of the region, and the global carbon cycle. In the parable of the phytoplankton, there is a great metaphor for existence: take care of the small things and the big things will fall into place.

Question 1: Why do you think the story of the phytoplankton is important to life? (Answer in 40 words)    

Answer: The story of the phytoplankton is important because it shows that caring for small things can lead to big results. Small actions matter and can have a big impact on our lives and the world around us.

Question 2: State True or False.  

None of the following terms can be applied to the statement — “Scientists warn that a further depletion in the ozone layer will affect the activities of phytoplankton.”:
(a) Important – having great value
(b) Negative – harmful or bad
(c) Minor – not significant
(d) Transformative – causing a significant change 

Answer: False  

Reason: The statement shows the important and negative impact of ozone depletion, so terms (a) important and (b) negative apply.

Question 3: The depletion of the ozone layer can disrupt the ______.  

Answer: Carbon cycle/Ecosystem/Food chain/Biodiversity or any other similar response.  

Question 4: What lesson does the story teach us about responsibility?  (10 Words)Answer: It teaches that small actions have significant outcomes.