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The old man, I think, is God or a messenger from God because a man could not do such miracle.

1. ordinary, common 

2. collect 

3. sadness, pain 

4. conclusive

The ship entered a region where there was both mist and snow. It grew ‘wonderous cold’. Ice, mast-high, was floating on the water. The sailors could see neither men nor beasts anywhere in that region. Wherever their eyes went, they could see ice all around. Ice cracked making a roaring and howling sound. The sailors found themselves in a lifeless, very hostile and utterly cold region.

Value Points :

Came through the fog - came at a time of unfavourable weather – symbol of purity and goodness - sign of hope from God – saved them from the trouble.

Detailed Answer :

The Albatross was considered as a ‘Christian Soul’ because its arrival took away all the miseries that the Mariners had been facing. They felt that Lord Christ had sent them help in the form of an Albatross.

They could see a dull and dismal shine through the floating pieces of ice and snowy cliff. But no man or beast could be seen there. There was only ice all around them.

Alliteration – Did Send a dismal sheen. 

Repetition – Nor Shapes of Men nor. 

(a) It means the Albatross came after a very long time. 

(b) It brought the south wind which enabled the ship to steer northwards.

(c) The Albatross was considered as a saviour, a good omen, whose appearance coincided with the favourable change of weather.

(d) abcb

(a) A very large white sea-bird with long wings. 

(b) through the fog.

(c) simile.

(d) Welcomed.

There was ice and only ice all around when it cracked the sound seemed brutal and gave the impression that one ice animal had came alive and was attacking the ship.

Repetition – The ice was here, the ice was there.

Onomatopoeia – It cracked and growled and roared and hawled.

Simile – Like noises in a swound.

Suddenly, an albatross came there from amidst the fog. The sailor welcomed it in God’s name and treated it like a Christian soul.

The Mariners thought that the bird was a symbol of good omen because when they were surrounded by mist and snow and were completely cut off; the Albatross arrived suddenly out of nowhere and shared their joys.

The albatross ate the food which the sailors gave him. He had never eaten that food before and flew round the ship suddenly, one day the ice split into pieces with a thundering sound. The helmsman found the way to steer the ship and they all cause out of the land of mist and snow.

Repetition – And round and round it flew. 

(i) Agenda 21 was adopted at first International Earth Summit held in 1992 at Rio de Janerio Brazil.

(ii) The two principles are as follows:

(a) To combat environmental damage, poverty disease through global cooperation on (common interests, mutual needs and shared responsibilities).

(b) Every local government should draw its own local Agenda 21.

With that, a soft, gentle south wind started slaving. The albatross continued following the ship. He came near the ship everyday when the mariners called him whether it was for food or the playing.

The albatross came near the ship everyday whether it was misty or a cloudy day. He used to sit on the mast at a fixed time every day which was the hour of the church service. The moon show all through the night through the fog smoke.

Alliteration – In mist or cloud, on mast or shroud.

1. Llanos — The Orinoco Plains are called llanos which means plains in Spanish. 

2. Selvas — The Amazon Lowlands are called selvas. 

3. Pampas — The temperate grassy plains of Argentina are called pampas. 

4. Gran Chaco — The vast alluvial region which is not drained well and become marshy during rainy season in Parana- Paraguay lowlands are called Gran Chaco.

• Extent — Long stretch of young fold mountains that run parallel to pacific coast in Western part of South America. 
• Position — They are not one mountain range but several parallel ranges with basins and plateaux between them lying in the West Coastal region of South America. 
•  Features — Despite being near the equator, the highest peak. Mt. Aconcagua remains snow covered. The Uspallata Pass is one of few gaps in the lofty mountain range. Lake Titicaca is the highest freshwater lake found in Andes. There are many active volcanic mountains present in Andes as they form a part of Pacific Ring of fire. 
• Significance — Andes are storehouse of mineral wealth like copper, gold, silver, tin, lead and platinum. Many short, swift rivers flowing down the Andes supply hydroelectricity.

1. True.

2. True.

3. False. 

Correct— The pampas are another name for the grasslands of Argentina.

4. True.

5. False. 

Correct — Lake Titicaca and Lake Poopo are freshwater lakes.

Bogota, the capital of Colombia; Quito, the capital of Ecuador, and La Paz, the capital city of Bolivia, are important towns. Cuzco, the old Inca capital, Oroya in Peru, and Potosi in Bolivia are also important cities.

The flat plains that are formed by the Parana, Paraguay and Uruguay rivers collectively is called La Plata river system. These rivers flow southwards and drain into the South Atlantic Ocean in a wide estuary in Argentina, which provides on excellent harbour.

Europe can be divided into four climatic regions : 

1. Maritime Northwest Europe 

2. Continental climate 

3. Mediterranean climate 

4. Mountainous climate

South America extends from 12°N to 55°S and from 35°W and 81°W. Major part of this continent lies in Southern hemisphere though some parts lie north of the equator.

1. Goldho Piggen (2469 m) in Norway is the highest peak in Northern Europe. The Ben Nevis (1343 m) in Scotland and Snowdon (1085 m) in Wales are the other peaks. 

2. They are also known as the ‘Alpine Mountain System’. It includes several mountains – the Sierra Morena in Spain as well as the Pyrenees which form the boundary between France and Spain. 

3. Mount Blanc is the highest peak (4807 m) in the Alps.

Europe has six types of vegetation :

1. Tundra Vegetation 

2. Taiga Forests 

3. Mixed Forests 

4. Mediterranean vegetation 

5. Grasslands 

6. Alpine vegetation

The continent is bounded by Pacific ocean in West, Atlantic Ocean in East. The Caribbean sea lies north of this continent and it stretches as far South as the Southern Ocean.

• The continent of Asia is bounded by oceans on three sides and by land on one side. It is bounded by the Arctic Ocean in the north, the Pacific Ocean in the east and the Indian Ocean in the south. Europe Continent in the west. 
• The border between Asia and Europe is traditionally drawn as a zig zag line passing down the spine of the Ural mountains, and through the Caspian Sea, Caucasus mountain and the Black Sea. 
• The boundary separating Asia and Africa is along the Suez canal and the boundary between Asia and Australia is usually placed between the island of New Guinea and Australia.

Asia is the largest of all the continents. Hence it has the greatest variety in terms of physical features, climate, vegetation, wild life, soils, etc. It has the highest mountains, plateaus, vast fertile plains, deserts, river systems and lakes. There is diversity in languages, religions, uneven distribution of population and density. That is why it is often called a land of contrasts.

The Himalayas are the highest mountains in Asia, the Yunnan Plateau (Southwest of China) is the highest pleateau of Asia.

There are four major industrial regions in Japan. 

1. The Keihin Region is the greatest industrial region of Japan. It includes by Tokyo, Kawasaki and Yokohama cities. The important industries are textiles, engineering, shipbuilding, paper and cement. 

2. The Hanshin Region includes Osaka-Kobe- Kyoto. It is dominated by textiles. 

3. The Ise Bay Region spreads around Nogoya city and is dominated by textiles and engineering industries. 

4. The Kita Kyushu Region includes Yawata, Kokura and Mji. The industries are steel, ship-building, machinery, chemicals and textiles.

Europe has numerous peninsulas, such as the Scandinavian, the Iberian, the Jutland, the Balkan Peninsula, etc. Thus, very often Europe is known as the ‘Peninsula of Peninsulas’.

The sparsely populated areas includes the northern and eastern parts of Siberia which are very cold, the deserts of Arabia, Iran and Thar in India (too dry) and the highlands of Central Asia.

Europe has been occupied by man for a long time and is very densely populated. Hence, the natural vegetation has been almost entirely removed, except in the higher and more unfavorable areas.

Continental Climate mainly prevails in Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria.

Soil is a valuable natural resource because it gives life to this planet. Since food is one of the basic needs for survival, fertile soil provides good crops for human consumption, stores water and filters it for the growth of vegetation and crops. Humans also use soil to build houses and towns, store waste, get fuel and energy for daily needs, and make clothing and extract water for daily consumption and growth of various industries. The progress of a country depends on soil, and it is also the home to various ecosystems which maintains the ecological balance of the world. It helps regulate the overall temperature and climate by the growth of trees and vegetation and maintains biodiversity.

Wheat, Maize. Sugar beet, potatoes, Fruits.

(i) Arid soils range from red to brown in colour.

(ii) They are generally sandy in texture and saline in nature.

(iii) Due to dry climate, high temperature, evaporation is faster and the soil lacks humus and moisture.

(iv) The lower horizons of the soil are occupied by Kankar because of the increasing calcium content downwards.

The colonial government never tried to conserve resources because they were utilising them on a massive scale to aid in their growth and progress of industries and trade. Trade was the means by which the British government gained control of India and in order to meet the growing demands of trade and commerce, and increase imperial power, the colonial government exploited various natural resources of India including felling of trees for building ships to boost trade, clearing forests to build railroads for communication and transportation of goods, supplies, ammunition and soldiers across the country.

Forest soils are found in mountainous regions where there is an abundance of forests. Frequent rains have made this soil very fertile and rich with humus. The nature and texture of the forest soils vary due to climate. Some other characteristics are:

(i) Some soils are dry, sandy, and unstable due to winds on the plains of the Indus valley.

(ii) Soils in the Northern and Central Zones of India are alluvial in nature, and some are red soils. Other types include laterite and black soils which are prevalent in Maharashtra and Orissa.

(iii) In the Southern regions, the soils have originated due to various geological phenomena like weathering of rocks etc. The soil is dry and shallow. Black cotton soil is also available in some areas.

(iv) In the Eastern regions, laterite soils are common. Other types include red, alluvium, and clay. The soils are fertile because there is an abundance of fallen leaves which add to the cycling of nutrients. The rocks from which these soils originated from are crystalline, metamorphic.

Biotic Resources – All living organisms in our environment are called biotic resources. For example, trees, animals, insects, etc.
Abiotic Resources – All non-living things present in our environment are termed as abiotic resources. For example – earth, air, water, metals, rocks, etc.

About 45% of land is used as net sown area, i.e. for farming. About 22% of the land is under forest and the rest of the land is used for various purposes; like housing, recreation and industrial activities. Increasing population and subsequent increase in demand for resources is the main reason that forested land has not increased much during this period.

For economic growth, the existence of natural resources in abundance is essential. A country which is deicient in natural resources will not be in a position to develop rapidly, but more availability of resources does not ensure economic development.

There are certain regions that are rich in resources but are not economically developed. The resources and technological advancement goes hand in hand. No state can ensure economic development if it does not keep pace with the latest technology. 

Example: Northeast sates which are rich in mineral resources but are considered to be underdeveloped because of lack of appropriate technology.

Economic development creates demand for various resources and technical development gives the knowhow to exploit those resources. Thus, technical and economic development; together lead to more consumption of resources.

The variety of flora and fauna in a given geographical area is called biodiversity of that area. Each species on this earth lives in a system of interdependencies on various biotic and abiotic factors. Human beings also depend on several biotic and abiotic factors for their survival. We may be directly taking some resources from certain species, but we indirectly depend on many other species. Hence, biodiversity is important for human lives.

(b) Project Rhino

(d) (a) and (c) both

Types of forests according to administration:

1. Reserved Forests: The forests where government puts restriction on cutting and collecting wood as well as on pasturing are known as reserved forests. Such forests are under the direct control of the government.
2. Protected Forests: The forests where local people are permitted to collect the wood and to graze their animals without causing any harm to the trees are called protected forests. These forests are under the control of local administration.
3. Unclassified Forests: These types of forests are still not classified. So, there is no restriction on deforestation or animal grazing.

Types of forests according to ownership, administration and management:

1. State Forest: Most of the forests of the country fall under this category. The Central or the State Government controls such forests.
2. Communal Forests: Local self-government, institutions like gram panchayat, municipalities, municipal corporations, district panchayat, etc. have control over such forests.
3. Private Forests: Forest land owned by individuals is called private forest. These types of forests are found more in Odisha, Meghalaya, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. Some of the forests of here are in haphazard condition whereas some of them are totally barren.

(a) Red Panda: Cold forests of eastern Himalayas.