Important Questions Chapter 23 English Rainbow Part 2 Class 12 Bihar Board बिहार बोर्ड

The Ice Age Cometh

Short Questions with Answers

1. Who wrote the story “The Ice Age Cometh” ?

Answers : The story “The Ice Age Cometh” was written by Jayant V. Narlikar.

2. What unusual event surprised Rajiv’s family in Bombay?

Answers : The unusual event was snowfall in Bombay, a rare and unexpected phenomenon.

3. Why did the children wake up Rajiv excitedly?

Answers : The children woke up Rajiv excitedly because they saw snow outside.

4. What had caused the sudden cold weather in Bombay?

Answers : The cold weather was a result of significant climate changes.

5. What was the temperature in Bombay during the night?

Answers : The temperature in Bombay at night had touched zero degrees Celsius.

6. Where had Rajiv bought warm clothes for his family?

Answers : Rajiv had bought warm clothes during a trip to Ooty.

7. Who was Professor Vasant Chitnis?

Answers : Professor Vasant Chitnis was a scientist who predicted a minor Ice Age.

8. What kind of bet did Rajiv and Vasant make?

Answers : They bet on whether it would snow in Bombay within ten years.

9. What was the result of the bet between Rajiv and Vasant?

Answers : Rajiv lost the bet as it snowed in Bombay within five years.

10. Why did Vasant warn about moving capitals in the USA?

Answers : He warned about moving capitals due to the impact of the coming Ice Age.

11. What causes volcanic eruptions to impact the climate?

Answers : Volcanic eruptions release particles that upset the balance of nature.

12. What does the “diamond dust” refer to in the story?

Answers : “Diamond dust” refers to ice particles in the atmosphere that scatter sunlight.

13. What was the significance of the Arctic Surprise dessert?

Answers : It symbolized the icy conditions predicted in the near future.

14. What message did Vasant receive from Antarctica?

Answers : The message confirmed the expansion of the ice cap and dropping water temperatures.

15. What emergency measures did the Indian government consider?

Answers : The Indian government considered shifting the national capital to Bombay.

16. What caused the railway tracks in Bombay to become deserted?

Answers : The intense snowfall disrupted transportation, including railway tracks.

17. Why were migratory birds seen flying south?

Answers : Migratory birds instinctively moved south to escape the extreme cold.

18. What technological advancement helped predict snowfall?

Answers : Geostationary satellites helped predict the rapid atmospheric changes.

19. Why did Vasant suggest moving closer to the equator?

Answers : He believed areas closer to the equator would be less affected by the Ice Age.

20. What was Vasant’s project called to combat the Ice Age?

Answers : Vasant’s project was called “Invasion of Indra.”

21. What was the goal of the “Invasion of Indra” project?

Answers : The goal was to warm the atmosphere and prevent the Ice Age from worsening.

22. What materials were used to bombard the atmosphere in the project?

Answers : Tiny metallic particles were used to absorb and redirect sunlight.

23. Why was snowfall so shocking for Bombay?

Answers : Bombay is a tropical city and had never experienced snow before.

24. What did the BBC report about Europe and Russia?

Answers : The BBC reported that Europe and Russia were also facing catastrophic cold.

25. Why did Rajiv want an interview with Vasant?

Answers : Rajiv wanted to publicize Vasant’s scientific predictions and findings.

26. What happened to the population due to the Ice Age?

Answers : The human population was reduced to less than half its original size.

27. What lesson does the story convey about technology and nature?

Answers : The story shows that human technology is no match for the power of nature.

28. What did the melting snow unleash after the project?

Answers : The melting snow caused heavy floods globally.

29. How did humans respond to the second wave of the Ice Age?

Answers : Humans panicked and many sought refuge in nuclear shelters.

30. What did Rajiv observe about the birds flying south?

Answers : He noticed the birds’ discipline and instinct for survival in harsh conditions.

Medium Questions with Answers

1. Why were Rajiv’s children excited at the beginning of the story?

Answers : Rajiv’s children, Kavita and Pramod, were excited because it had snowed in Bombay, an unusual and surprising event. They wanted to play in the snow, which was something they had never experienced before.

2. What unusual weather conditions does Bombay experience in the story?

Answers : Bombay experiences a drastic drop in temperature to 0°C and snowfall. This unexpected cold wave shocks the residents, who are unprepared for such weather.

3. What bet did Rajiv make with Dr. Chitnis?

Answers : Rajiv bet Dr. Chitnis that it would not snow in Bombay within ten years. However, the snowfall proved Rajiv wrong within five years.

4. Who is Dr. Vasant Chitnis, and what was his prediction?

Answers : Dr. Vasant Chitnis is a scientist who predicted that global climatic changes could lead to a minor Ice Age. He warned about snowfall in unlikely places like Bombay due to these changes.

5. Why did Rajiv want to interview Dr. Chitnis after losing the bet?

Answers : Rajiv wanted to interview Dr. Chitnis to understand the scientific basis of his prediction. He aimed to publicize the theory and raise awareness about the impending crisis.

6. How did Dr. Chitnis explain the formation of diamond dust?

Answers : Dr. Chitnis explained that diamond dust forms when temperatures drop significantly, and water vapor solidifies into ice particles. These particles scatter sunlight, reducing the heat reaching the Earth’s surface.

7. What role do oceans play in controlling the Earth’s climate, according to Dr. Chitnis?

Answers : Oceans regulate the climate by supplying warm air to the atmosphere. However, if the ocean’s upper layers cool, it could disrupt this balance and lead to severe climatic changes.

8. What was the impact of volcanic eruptions on the climate?

Answers : Volcanic eruptions release particles into the atmosphere, which scatter sunlight. These particles can lower global temperatures and contribute to the onset of an Ice Age.

9. What were the effects of the Ice Age on North India?

Answers : North India experienced extreme snowfall, frozen rivers, and widespread crop failure. The weather caused severe disruptions, loss of life, and damage to infrastructure.

10. How did the global community initially react to the changing climate?

Answers : The global community underestimated the severity of the situation, viewing it as a transient issue. Many were unprepared for the extent of the climatic changes.

11. Why did birds migrate southward during the story?

Answers : Birds instinctively sensed the impending cold and migrated southward to survive. Their behavior reflected an ability to adapt to environmental changes better than humans.

12. What steps did Dr. Chitnis propose to counter the Ice Age?

Answers : Dr. Chitnis proposed bombarding the atmosphere with metallic particles to absorb sunlight and generate heat. He also suggested explosive heating to reduce the diamond dust.

13. What was the purpose of the “Invasion of Indra”?

Answers : The “Invasion of Indra” aimed to combat the cooling atmosphere by introducing metallic particles and generating heat. This ambitious project sought to reverse the effects of the Ice Age.

14. How did advanced technology aid the fight against the Ice Age?

Answers : Advanced technology allowed scientists to monitor atmospheric changes and implement solutions like rockets and satellites. This technology was crucial for combating the Ice Age.

15. What was the outcome of the “Invasion of Indra”?

Answers : The “Invasion of Indra” successfully melted snow and ice, reducing the diamond dust. This marked the first step toward reversing the Ice Age, but challenges remained.

16. How did the Ice Age affect global population and infrastructure?

Answers : The Ice Age reduced the global population to less than half, caused widespread destruction, and depleted resources. Many cities were abandoned due to uninhabitable conditions.

17. What lessons does the story teach about human technology and nature?

Answers : The story highlights that human technology is no match for the scale of natural forces. It emphasizes the need for cooperation and proactive measures to tackle global challenges.

18. How does the story connect with the theme of global warming?

Answers : The story indirectly warns about the consequences of global warming and environmental neglect. It shows how disruptions in natural systems can lead to catastrophic changes.

19. What challenges remained after reversing the Ice Age?

Answers : Reversing the Ice Age created problems like floods and resource scarcity. The story stresses the importance of sustained cooperation to address these new challenges.

20. Why does the story end with a sense of uncertainty?

Answers : The story ends with uncertainty as Vasant Chitnis acknowledges future struggles. Despite the victory against the Ice Age, the long-term survival of humanity remains uncertain.

Long Questions with Answers

1. How did Bombay residents react to the unexpected snowfall?

Answers : Bombay residents were shocked and unprepared for the snowfall. Children were excited to play, but adults struggled with the cold due to a lack of warm clothing and heating. The city’s infrastructure, like railways, was disrupted, causing widespread inconvenience.

2. What scientific reasoning did Dr. Chitnis provide for the Ice Age prediction?

Answers : Dr. Chitnis explained that cooling oceans and volcanic activity contributed to the formation of diamond dust. This dust scattered sunlight, reducing heat on Earth. He warned that such disruptions could trigger a chain reaction leading to an Ice Age.

3. What role did Rajiv play in spreading awareness about the Ice Age?

Answers : Rajiv used his journalism skills to publicize Dr. Chitnis’s theories and warnings. He wrote articles and conducted interviews to inform the public and authorities about the scientific basis of the Ice Age and its potential solutions.

4. How did Dr. Chitnis’s theory compare to the discoveries of Copernicus and Galileo?

Answers : Dr. Chitnis faced skepticism from the scientific community, much like Copernicus and Galileo. His unconventional ideas about the Ice Age were initially dismissed but later proved accurate, highlighting the challenges of presenting groundbreaking scientific theories.

5. What were the global effects of the Ice Age in the story?

Answers : The Ice Age caused extreme cold, food shortages, and loss of life worldwide. Countries struggled to cope, with some relocating their populations. Advanced nations faced infrastructure collapse, while warmer regions experienced lesser but significant impacts.

6. What is the significance of the birds’ migration in the story?

Answers : The birds’ migration symbolizes nature’s instinctive ability to adapt to changes. While humans debated and panicked, birds demonstrated survival strategies, serving as a contrast to human overreliance on technology.

7. What solutions did humanity implement during the “Invasion of Indra”?

Answers : Humanity launched rockets, satellites, and high-altitude balloons to introduce metallic particles into the atmosphere. These particles absorbed sunlight and countered the cooling caused by volcanic ejecta, offering a temporary solution to the Ice Age.

8. Why did the Ice Age serve as a warning about environmental neglect?

Answers : The Ice Age illustrated the catastrophic effects of disrupting natural balances. It warned about the dangers of human activities like pollution and deforestation, emphasizing the need for environmental conservation and proactive global efforts.

9. What was the significance of the snowfall in Bombay for Dr. Chitnis’s prediction?

Answers : The snowfall validated Dr. Chitnis’s prediction about climatic changes reaching unlikely places. It highlighted the accuracy of his theories and the urgency of addressing the underlying causes of the Ice Age.

10. How did international cooperation play a role in combating the Ice Age?

Answers : International cooperation was crucial as countries pooled resources and expertise. Despite earlier skepticism, they worked together to implement Dr. Chitnis’s solutions, showing the importance of unity in facing global crises.

11. What challenges did humanity face even after reversing the Ice Age?

Answers : Floods from melting snow, resource depletion, and economic strain were major challenges. These issues underscored the ongoing need for collaboration and innovative solutions to rebuild and stabilize human civilization.

12. Why did Dr. Chitnis’s warnings initially go unheeded?

Answers : Dr. Chitnis’s warnings were dismissed as extreme and unlikely. The scientific establishment resisted unconventional ideas, and the public underestimated the severity of the issue until the crisis unfolded.

13. How does the story highlight the limitations of human technology?

Answers : The story shows that even advanced technology struggled against the scale of the Ice Age. It emphasizes that humanity must respect nature and prepare for unforeseen challenges rather than overestimate its technological capabilities.

14. What parallels can be drawn between the Ice Age in the story and modern climate change?

Answers : Both involve disruptions to natural systems caused by human activity. The story mirrors modern concerns about global warming, showing how neglecting environmental issues can lead to severe and widespread consequences.

15. What message does “The Ice Age Cometh” convey about survival and adaptation?

Answers : The story conveys that survival depends on adaptability, cooperation, and proactive efforts. It warns against complacency and highlights the need for global unity to face environmental and climatic challenges.