Chapter 7: Water – A True Elixir
Author: Dr. D. V. Jindal
Class 11 – General English | PSEB | A Panorama of Life
Q.1 Comprehension
(a) Short Answer Type Questions
1. Why is only one per cent of the water available on our planet fit for drinking?
About 75 per cent of the Earth’s surface is covered with water. However, 97 per cent of it is salty ocean water. Of the remaining three per cent of fresh water, most is frozen in glaciers and polar ice caps. Therefore, only about one per cent of the Earth’s water is available for drinking.
2. Why should we preserve the quality of water available to us?
Water is essential for life and is one of our most precious natural resources. The Earth has a fixed supply of water, and no new water is being created. Pollution is making water poisonous and unsafe for consumption. We must preserve its quality to protect life and ensure that future generations have access to clean water.
3. Why did civilisations generally grow on the banks of big rivers?
Civilisations generally grew on the banks of big rivers because rivers provided water for drinking, agriculture and other daily needs. Water supported food production and made it possible for people to settle and develop communities.
4. What type of water supply and sewerage system prevailed during the Indus Valley Civilisation?
The Indus Valley Civilisation had one of the most sophisticated urban water-supply and sewage systems in the world. The people were well acquainted with hygiene. Covered drains ran beneath the streets of the ancient cities of Mohenjodaro and Harappa.
5. What role do forests play in the conservation of water?
Forests help conserve water because vegetation slows down the flow of rainwater and allows it to seep gently into the ground. This groundwater feeds wells, lakes and rivers. Therefore, protecting forests also means protecting water catchments.
6. Why is water conservation the need of the day?
Growing populations, industrialisation and expanding agriculture have increased the demand for water. At the same time, pollution and excessive groundwater extraction are reducing the availability of clean water. Water conservation is necessary to protect the environment, support agriculture and ensure a sufficient supply of water for future generations.
7. What did the Punjab Irrigation Minister admit on the floor of the House?
The Punjab Irrigation Minister admitted in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on 29 June 2012 that groundwater was continuously declining in 85 per cent of the areas of the state. The lesson also highlights the increasing presence of nitrates in water due to excessive use of agricultural chemicals.
8. What is the result of the excessive decline in the water table in the state?
The excessive decline in the water table has reduced the discharge of tubewells and forced farmers to dig deeper wells. Low-cost centrifugal pumps are being replaced by more expensive submersible pumps. Energy costs have increased, adversely affecting the socio-economic condition of small and marginal farmers.
9. What technologies can be used to save water?
Water can be saved through improved soil and agricultural management, suitable planting and transplanting times, proper irrigation scheduling and modern irrigation methods such as sprinkler, drip and furrow irrigation. Artificial groundwater recharge and the formation of water-users’ associations can also help conserve water.
10. How do rural communities and the poor urban class suffer due to the shortage of water?
Hundreds of millions of people in rural communities and poor urban areas suffer from a lack of clean and safe water. Women and girls often have to walk long distances to collect water from streams and ponds contaminated with water-borne diseases. This exposes them and their families to illness and hardship.
(b) Long Answer Type Questions
1. How is water a source of beauty and joy? Explain.
Water is not merely essential for life; it is also a source of beauty and joy. It adds freshness, charm and variety to nature.
- Streams and waterfalls: Small streams trickling down rocks and waterfalls of different sizes delight the eyes and refresh the mind.
- Rivers and brooks: Brooks and rivers flow down hills towards the sea in winding paths. Their movement adds beauty and novelty to the landscape.
- Lakes and oceans: Small tanks, lakes and vast oceans inspire poets and writers because of their natural beauty.
- Changing moods of nature: Water reflects the mood of the surrounding landscape. It appears bright and cheerful in sunshine but dark and gloomy when the sky is overcast.
- Peace and refreshment: The sight and sound of flowing water bring peace and freshness to the human mind.
Thus, water enriches the beauty of nature and provides joy and inspiration to human beings.
2. Write a note on the necessity of conserving water.
Water is one of nature’s most precious gifts. It is as essential to life as air, and no living being can survive without it. Although about 75 per cent of the Earth is covered with water, only a very small proportion is available as fresh water for human consumption.
The demand for water has increased because of population growth, industrialisation and the expansion of agriculture. Pollution is also making many water sources unsafe. In Punjab, excessive use of groundwater for irrigation has caused a serious decline in the water table. The overuse of chemical fertilisers and pesticides has further affected water quality.
Water conservation is therefore essential. Farmers should adopt water-saving irrigation methods such as drip and sprinkler irrigation. Traditional cropping patterns should be changed where necessary, and artificial groundwater recharge should be encouraged. Forests must be protected because they help replenish groundwater. People should also avoid wasting water and take steps to keep water sources clean.
Every drop of water is precious. Conserving water today is necessary to protect the environment and secure the future of coming generations.
3. How and why is the groundwater level falling in Punjab with every passing year? Explain.
The groundwater level in Punjab is falling rapidly because of excessive extraction of water, particularly for agriculture.
- Excessive tubewell use: The number of tubewells increased considerably, allowing large quantities of groundwater to be pumped out for irrigation.
- Rice-wheat cropping system: Punjab’s agriculture depends heavily on the rice-wheat cropping pattern. Rice requires large quantities of water, and the textbook states that one kilogram of rice may consume 3,500–4,000 litres of water, depending on the variety, sowing time and area.
- Over-exploitation of resources: Groundwater is being extracted faster than it can be replenished. The lesson cites findings that groundwater levels were declining by approximately 60 centimetres annually.
- Growing demand: Increasing agricultural, industrial and domestic requirements have placed additional pressure on water resources.
- Environmental and economic effects: Falling groundwater levels force farmers to dig deeper wells and install expensive submersible pumps. This increases electricity and irrigation costs and affects small and marginal farmers.
- Water pollution: Excessive use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides has also contributed to declining water quality.
The problem can be addressed by changing unsuitable cropping patterns, adopting efficient irrigation methods, improving agricultural management and promoting artificial groundwater recharge. Immediate action is necessary to prevent a serious water crisis.
4. How does the cropping pattern affect the water table?
The cropping pattern has a direct effect on groundwater consumption. In Punjab, the rice-wheat cropping system uses a major share of the available water. Rice requires a large amount of water for its growth, and the textbook estimates that producing one kilogram of rice may consume 3,500–4,000 litres.
When farmers repeatedly grow water-intensive crops, they pump out more groundwater than nature can replenish. This causes the water table to fall. Farmers then have to dig deeper wells and use more powerful pumps, increasing cultivation costs.
To conserve groundwater, the traditional cropping pattern needs to be changed where appropriate. Farmers should consider crops requiring less water and adopt efficient irrigation techniques such as sprinkler, drip and furrow irrigation. Proper irrigation scheduling and improved agricultural practices can increase productivity while reducing water use.
5. Write a short paragraph on “Water, A True Elixir”.
Water is a true elixir of life because it is essential for the survival of all living beings. The Earth appears to have abundant water, but most of it is salty ocean water, while much of the fresh water is locked in glaciers and polar ice caps. Only a small proportion is available for drinking. Water supports agriculture, industry, human settlements and the natural environment. It also adds beauty and joy to nature through rivers, streams, waterfalls and lakes. Unfortunately, pollution, population growth and excessive groundwater extraction are threatening our water resources. Punjab is facing a serious decline in its groundwater level because of water-intensive agriculture. We must conserve water by preventing wastage, protecting forests, keeping water sources clean and adopting efficient irrigation methods. Water is precious, and its conservation is essential for the survival of future generations.
Q.2 Vocabulary
1. Match the words in Column A with their meanings in Column B.
| Column A | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1. Plentiful | Sufficiently large in quantity |
| 2. Draught | A small amount |
| 3. Insight | Understanding |
| 4. Flourish | Prosper |
| 5. Acquainted with | Familiar with |
| 6. Gloomy | Sad |
| 7. Serpentine | Twisting and turning |
| 8. Alarming | Threatening or dangerous |
| 9. Decline | Fall down or decrease |
| 10. Access | Reach |
2. Use a prefix to form the antonyms of the following words.
- Discipline — Indiscipline
- Dependence — Independence
- Developed — Undeveloped
- Secure — Insecure
- Directly — Indirectly
Q.3 Grammar
1. Fill in each blank with a suitable modal.
- The teacher said that he would be punished for his mistake.
- Can you impose discipline on yourself first?
- Some of us are worrying about whether the stock market will crash.
- You must be careful while driving.
- We must preserve our forests.
2. Change the form of narration.
(i) Barb shouted, “Malcolm, hold on. I am going for help.”
Barb shouted to Malcolm to hold on and said that she was going for help.
(ii) I said, “What a mean act!”
I exclaimed that it was a very mean act.
(iii) “Most of you will be leaving school within six months,” said the teacher to his pupils.
The teacher told his pupils that most of them would be leaving school within six months.
(iv) I asked my guest, “Did you have a bad night?”
I asked my guest whether he had had a bad night.
(v) She said, “I sold my car myself.”
She said that she had sold her car herself.
3. Use each of the following words as a noun and a verb.
(i) Treasure
- Noun: The king possessed a great treasure.
- Verb: We should treasure our natural resources.
(ii) Order
- Noun: The officer gave an order.
- Verb: The teacher ordered the students to remain silent.
(iii) Attack
- Noun: The enemy launched an attack.
- Verb: The soldiers attacked the enemy position.
(iv) Water
- Noun: Water is essential for life.
- Verb: We water the plants every morning.
(v) Table
- Noun: The books are on the table.
- Verb: The committee decided to table the proposal.
(vi) Encounter
- Noun: The soldiers had a dangerous encounter with the enemy.
- Verb: We may encounter difficulties during our journey.