CBSE Class 11 English: The Ailing Planet - The Green Movement's Role NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 11 PDF

This chapter, "The Ailing Planet: The Green Movement's Role," delves into the critical environmental challenges facing our world. The NCERT Solutions provide detailed answers to questions that explore the concept of an 'ailing planet,' the human role in environmental degradation, and the significance of the green movement. It highlights how human activities like overfishing, deforestation, and unsustainable agricultural practices are depleting Earth's biological systems. The solutions also discuss the impact of population growth and the ethical responsibility to preserve the planet for future generations. These solutions are designed to help students grasp the core issues presented in the chapter, understand the arguments for environmental protection, and prepare effectively for their examinations by offering clear explanations and insights into the text's message.

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Board	CBSE
Class	Class 11
Subject	English
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	11. The Ailing Planet the Green Movement’s Role

Chapter summary

This chapter focuses on the environmental crisis and the emergence of the Green Movement. The NCERT Solutions cover questions related to the title's significance, the human impact on Earth's biological systems, and the consequences of overpopulation. It emphasizes the responsibility of current generations to act as stewards of the planet for future inhabitants, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable practices and environmental consciousness.

Learning outcomes

Understand the meaning and implications of the title "The Ailing Planet."
Identify human activities causing environmental degradation.
Explain the concept of Earth's principal biological systems and their depletion.
Analyze the role of population growth in environmental issues.
Discuss the ethical responsibility towards future generations regarding the environment.
Recognize the importance of the Green Movement in addressing environmental concerns.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Environmental Degradation
The Green Movement
Human Impact on Ecosystems
Population Growth and Environment
Sustainable Development
Responsibility towards Future Generations
Depletion of Biological Systems
Conservation of Resources

Important topics

The concept of an 'Ailing Planet'
Human responsibility for environmental damage
The consequences of depleting biological systems
The role of population growth
The ethical imperative of intergenerational equity

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

Locate the lines in the text that support the title "The Ailing Planet".

Solution: The title "The Ailing Planet" is supported by lines that vividly describe the deteriorating state of the Earth and the potential consequences of human actions. Specifically, the text includes phrases like: "Are we to leave our successors a scorched planet of advancing deserts, impoverished landscapes and ailing environment?" and references a United Nations study warning that "the environment has deteriorated so badly that it is 'critical' in many of the eighty-eight countries investigated." These statements collectively paint a picture of a planet suffering from severe environmental distress.

Question 2

What does the notice "The world's most dangerous animals" at a cage in the zoo at Lusaka, Zambia, signify?

Solution: The notice "The world's most dangerous animals" displayed at a cage in the Lusaka zoo serves as a powerful symbolic statement. It signifies that humanity itself is the most dangerous species on Earth, responsible for the widespread environmental degradation, the depletion of natural resources, and the overall 'ailing' condition of the planet. It urges introspection about our destructive impact.

Question 3

How are the earth's principal biological systems being depleted?

Solution: The earth's principal biological systems—which include fisheries, forests, grasslands, and croplands—are being depleted primarily due to excessive human exploitation and unsustainable practices. Overfishing is rampant, leading to the decline of fish populations. Forests are being cleared at an alarming rate, often for firewood or other resources. Grasslands are being overgrazed, turning them into barren wastelands. Similarly, croplands are losing their productivity due to intensive farming and soil degradation, impairing their ability to sustain food production.

Question 4

Why does the author agree that the growth of world population is one of the strongest factors distorting the future of human society?

Solution: The author agrees that the rapid growth of the world population is a major factor distorting the future because it places an immense and unsustainable strain on the Earth's finite biological systems. As the population increases, the demand for resources like food, water, and energy escalates, pushing these systems beyond their regenerative capacity. This excessive pressure leads to the deterioration of ecosystems, impairs their productivity, and can result in widespread issues such as hunger, poverty, and unemployment, thereby distorting the future trajectory of human society.

Question 1 (B. Talking About the Text)

Discuss in groups of four: Laws are neither respected nor enforced in India.

Solution: The statement that laws are neither respected nor enforced in India, while painful, holds a significant degree of truth when observed in practice. Everyday life provides numerous examples: traffic rules are frequently violated, leading to accidents and chaos. Constitutional mandates for free and compulsory education up to the age of fourteen are often unmet, with many children engaged in labor instead. Environmental protection laws, despite being enshrined in the Constitution, are often disregarded, with continued deforestation and illegal hunting. Similarly, laws aimed at abolishing social evils like untouchability and bonded labor remain largely on paper, with their spirit not truly implemented in society. This widespread disregard suggests a systemic issue where respect for and enforcement of laws are lacking.

Question 2 (B. Talking About the Text)

"Are we to leave our successors a scorched planet of advancing desert, impoverished landscapes and an ailing environment?" Discuss this statement.

Solution: This rhetorical question powerfully conveys the potential catastrophic future we might bequeath to subsequent generations if current environmental practices continue unchecked. The statement highlights a deep concern that our indiscriminate consumption of limited resources is leading to irreversible damage. The Earth's biological systems—fisheries, forests, grasslands, and croplands—are the foundation of our global economy and survival. However, increasing population pressure and excessive exploitation have impaired their productivity, pushing them towards an unsustainable state. If this trend persists, we risk facing a future characterized by collapsed fisheries, vanished forests, barren deserts, and infertile lands, making the planet a harsh and inhospitable place.

Question 3 (B. Talking About the Text)

Discuss the statement: "We have not inherited this earth from our forefathers; we have borrowed it from our children".

Solution: This profound statement by Lester Brown reframes our relationship with the planet, emphasizing our role as temporary custodians rather than absolute owners. It challenges the notion that we have an inherent right to exploit Earth's resources without consequence. Instead, it posits that the Earth truly belongs to future generations, and we are merely borrowing it. This perspective underscores our ethical obligation to practice sustainable development—meeting our current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. It calls for a shift from short-term exploitation to long-term stewardship, ensuring that the natural heritage we pass on is healthy and viable.

Question 4 (B. Talking About the Text)

Discuss the problems of overpopulation that directly affect our everyday life.

Solution: Overpopulation significantly impacts our everyday lives by creating immense pressure on essential resources and services. The fundamental human needs for food, clothing, and shelter become increasingly difficult to meet adequately for a growing population. This strain is evident in the depletion of Earth's biological systems: fisheries are overexploited for protein, forests are destroyed for fuel and space, grasslands turn into wastelands due to overgrazing, and croplands suffer from reduced productivity. These interconnected issues can lead to resource scarcity, increased competition, and a general decline in the quality of life, manifesting as hunger, poverty, and social instability in daily existence.

Common mistakes

Confusing the 'ailing planet' with a simple illness rather than a systemic environmental crisis.
Underestimating the long-term consequences of individual actions on the environment.
Failing to connect population growth directly to resource depletion and environmental strain.
Viewing environmental protection as solely the government's responsibility, neglecting individual roles.

Revision tips

Reread the chapter, paying close attention to the author's tone and the evidence provided.
Summarize the key arguments about environmental degradation and the green movement in your own words.
Practice answering the textbook questions to ensure a thorough understanding of the text's core messages.
Discuss the ethical dimensions of environmental responsibility with classmates.
Connect the concepts discussed in the chapter to current environmental news and issues.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What does the notice "The world's most dangerous animals" in a zoo cage signify?

Q2. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a principal biological system being depleted?

Q3. According to the text, what is a major factor distorting the future of human society?

Q4. The statement "we have borrowed it from our children" emphasizes:

Q5. What does the author imply by calling the planet 'ailing'?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of "The Ailing Planet: the Green Movement's Role"?

The main theme is the critical state of the Earth's environment due to human activities and the urgent need for a global green movement to address these issues and ensure sustainability for future generations.

How does the chapter explain the 'ailing' state of the planet?

The chapter explains the 'ailing' state by detailing how human actions like overfishing, deforestation, and unsustainable use of resources are depleting Earth's principal biological systems, leading to environmental deterioration.

What is the significance of the notice at the Lusaka zoo cage?

The notice "The world's most dangerous animals" signifies that humans are the primary cause of the planet's environmental problems and are, therefore, the most dangerous species.

What responsibility do we have towards future generations, according to the text?

We have a responsibility to act as custodians of the Earth, ensuring that our present development needs do not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. We must preserve natural resources for them.

How can these NCERT Solutions help students?

These solutions provide clear, detailed answers to textbook questions, helping students understand complex environmental concepts, analyze the author's arguments, and prepare effectively for exams.

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