MP Board · Class 8 · English Grammar · Unseen PassageRead the following unseen passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: "Trees are nature's greatest gift to mankind and all living beings on Earth. They act as the green lungs of our planet by absorbing harmful carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and releasing fresh oxygen, which is essential for human and animal survival. Forests regulate the global climate, prevent soil erosion by binding the soil tightly with their roots, and help in maintaining the natural water cycle by attracting rainfall. Furthermore, trees provide us with fruits, timber, medicinal herbs, rubber, paper, and shade. Millions of species of birds, insects, and animals depend on forests for their natural habitat and food. Unfortunately, due to rapid deforestation, urbanization, and industrialization, vast areas of forest cover are being destroyed daily. This unmindful destruction of trees has led to severe global environmental issues like global warming, soil degradation, erratic rainfall patterns, and loss of biodiversity. To protect our planet and secure a safe future, afforestation—planting more trees—and preserving existing forests must become a collective global effort. Every individual should plant trees and refrain from harming nature." Questions: How do trees act as the 'green lungs' of Earth and help in preserving the environment? What are the major consequences of rapid deforestation mentioned in the passage? Find words from the passage that mean: (i) The action of clearing wide areas of trees (ii) The process of planting trees on land to create a forest Suggest a suitable title for the passage and write its central moral lesson.

Comprehensive Answers to the Passage Questions

1. How trees act as 'green lungs' and preserve the environment:\nTrees are described as the 'green lungs' of Earth because they carry out the essential process of photosynthesis. During this process, trees absorb harmful carbon dioxide gas from the atmosphere and release clean, life-sustaining oxygen that is vital for the survival of human beings and animals. Beyond purifying the air, trees play multiple critical roles in environmental preservation:

• Soil Protection: Their deep root systems hold soil particles together tightly, thereby preventing soil erosion caused by heavy rains and winds.
• Climate Control & Rainfall: Forests regulate global temperatures and contribute to the water cycle by releasing moisture into the atmosphere, which attracts rain clouds.
• Habitat Provision: Forests act as a home and primary food source for millions of wild species of fauna, including birds, insects, and mammals.

2. Major consequences of rapid deforestation:\nThe passage highlights several devastating impacts of large-scale tree cutting caused by urbanization and industrial expansion:

• Global Warming: Destruction of trees increases greenhouse gas concentration in the air, leading to rising planetary temperatures.
• Loss of Biodiversity: Wildlife species lose their natural natural habitats and food sources, pushing many toward extinction.
• Environmental Degradation: Deforestation causes severe soil degradation, unpredictable weather patterns, and erratic rainfall, leading to frequent droughts and floods.

3. Vocabulary / Word Meanings:

• (i) The action of clearing wide areas of trees: Deforestation
• (ii) The process of planting trees on land to create a forest: Afforestation

4. Suitable Title and Central Moral Lesson:

• Suitable Title: Importance of Trees and Environmental Conservation (or Trees: The Green Lungs of Earth).
• Central Moral Lesson: The core lesson of the passage is that human survival is inextricably linked to the protection of nature. We must stop unmindful destruction of forests and actively participate in tree planting (afforestation) to ensure a safe, healthy, and green planet for present and future generations.