Page 25 - English Reader - 8
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D. Answer the following questions.
1. Who according to the author are our closest living relatives? Why does she say so?
2. ‘To follow my ridiculous dream.’ What was the dream and why is it called ridiculous?
3. ‘It is always a mystery.’ What is the mystery?
4. Why are chimpanzees disappearing?
5. What do you understand by the term ‘bushmeat’? Why do people pay more for bushmeat?
6. Why do pygmy hunters kill animals? What did they do in the past?
E. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.
It is very sad to know that, right across the world, animals are losing out. In Africa, a hundred
years ago, there were maybe close to 20,00,000 chimpanzees stretched right across 25
countries, across the Equatorial forest belt. Today, at the most, there are only 2,00,000. They
are disappearing as their habitat slowly disappears under the encroaching, ever-growing
human population desperate to find food, to grow crops, to build houses. Chimpanzees, like
other animals, are disappearing as hungry people set up wide snares to catch animals for
food, dying slow, painful deaths. The greatest threat to chimpanzees and other animals of the
great Congo basin, the central area of Africa, is what is known as the “bushmeat trade” or
commercial hunting for food.
1. How many chimpanzees were there in the Equatorial forest belt a hundred years ago? And,
how many are there now?
2. Across how many countries does the Equatorial forest belt stretch?
3. Why is the population of chimpanzees steadily decreasing across the Equatorial forest belt?
4. How are chimpanzees being killed by humans?
5. What is bushmeat trade? Explain?
Let’s Listen
Despite being innocent, Dr Manette was imprisoned. Over a period of time, he possibly must
have been mentally disturbed too. For any person, mental health is important and needs as
much attention as physical health. We all need to be well informed about mental health.
Listen carefully to some statements about mental health. Write M if you think they are myths
or F if they are facts.
1. ___________________ 2. ___________________ 3. ___________________
4. ___________________ 5. ___________________ 6. ___________________
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