A. Answer these questions.
1. The poem mentions the pine marten, polecat, cheetahs, wolves and , Great
Crested newt, as being endangered, without naming a specific threat to them.
2. The animals facing the danger of being hunted or killed include the hippos,
cheetahs, pine marten, polecat, cats of the Andes, jaguar, whitetip shark, angel
shark, snakes, Puerto Rican toads, and koalas.
3. Human activities affecting various animals mentioned in the poem include
mining affecting the golden mole, pollution of waters affecting the manta ray,
Overfishing and Trawling affecting whitetip shark and angel shark, habitat
destruction due to roads affecting snakes and Puerto Rican toads, and logging
affecting koalas.
4. The two natural resources that need to be saved according to the poem are the
Arctic ice and the Mpingo tree.
5. The message conveyed in the last stanza of the poem is the importance of
remembering and valuing all living creatures with whom we share the Earth and
working together to restore their rightful place.
B. Answer the questions with reference to the context.
1. As Arctic ice dissolves and polar bears decline...
a. The Arctic ice is dissolving due to climate change and global warming.
b. The decline of polar bears is linked to the melting of Arctic ice because polar
bears rely on the ice as a platform for hunting seals, their primary food source. As
the ice melts, polar bears have fewer opportunities to hunt and feed, leading to a
decline in their population.
2. How soon until the Mpingo tree takes its final fall? What is meant by 'final
fall'? What will happen after that?
The phrase "final fall" refers to the extinction or complete destruction of the
Mpingo tree. After the Mpingo tree takes its final fall, it will no longer exist,
leading to the loss of its habitat, biodiversity, and any ecological services it
provides.
3. Shall we bother to find out or is that just too much slogging?
a. The poem tries to build awareness about the importance of finding out about
the threats and challenges faced by various species mentioned in the poem.
b. It could be "just too much slogging" because investigating and addressing the
issues affecting wildlife and their habitats require significant effort, resources, and
commitment.
c. This line is a question to provoke thought and reflection on whether it is worth
the effort to address these conservation challenges.
C. Think and answer.
The decline in the numbers of plants and animals is primarily caused by human
activities such as habitat destruction, pollution, overhunting, and climate change.
Yes, this is a serious concern because it not only leads to the loss of biodiversity
but also disrupts ecosystems, affects food chains, and ultimately threatens human
well-being. Protecting and conserving biodiversity is essential for maintaining the
balance of ecosystems and ensuring a sustainable future for all living beings on
Earth.
