Solution of English Grade IX || Unit 7 The Resistant Moths || Ecology and Environment || Reading II

Unit 7

Reading II

The Resistant Moths

Key Points from the Text:

1. Mahendra Yadav expresses bitterness over the evolving recommendations regarding pesticide use to combat pests, which led to the current crisis of persistent moths.

2. Mahendra's fields are infested with an uncontrollable plague of moths that is severely affecting his main crop, potatoes.

3. In the early 1990s, government officials introduced pesticides to farmers, promising wealth and pest eradication. Farmers eagerly bought these pesticides, creating a widespread demand.

4. The salesmanship surrounding the pesticides led to their widespread use, often without proper understanding or care about their application methods or timing.

5. Despite the heavy use of pesticides, some moths survived and rapidly reproduced, consuming the potato crop at an alarming rate.

6. The pesticides disturbed the natural balance by not only killing pests but also their predators, allowing the moths to thrive unchecked.

7. Farmers initially responded by increasing pesticide doses and trying different chemicals, but the survival of a few resistant moths led to the development of tougher, pesticide-immune strains.

8. New pesticides provided temporary relief, but it became evident that they were not a permanent solution either.

9. Farmers faced despair due to their lost harvests and the perceived loss of the land's productive potential.

10. Mahendra Yadav took a more hopeful approach by returning to natural methods. He allowed some of his land to lie fallow and adjusted the irrigation system in hopes of resolving the moth issue.

A. Use the correct words from the box below to complete the following sentences.

a. As responsible citizens it is our duty to …………… all social evils.

combat

b. The whole town is suffering from the new ……..of rats.

plague

c. The minister’s opinion has created ……..of controversy.

avalanche

d. He got a …………cut above his eye in the accident.

nasty

e. Some animals do not have a natural ………

predator

f. Mosquitoes seem to have become …….to the toughest insecticides.

resistant

g. He is in ………due to all the failures in business.

despair

B. The following words also refer to different styles of eating. Use a dictionary to find their meanings.

a. munch - to eat something steadily and noisily

b. nibble - to take small bites of something, especially food

c. gobble - to eat something very fast

d. gnaw - to keep chewing something hard

e. swallow - to make food, drink, etc. go down your throat into your stomach

C. Write whether the following sentences are True or False.

a. The first use of pesticides caused further problems to the farmers.

True

b. The shopkeepers made the farmers buy many pesticides.

False

c. Mahendra Yadav admits that the farmers used chemicals carelessly.

True

d. The pesticides not only killed the pests but also increased the fertility of the land.

False

e. Mahendra Yadav expects that the moths will go away one day.

True

D. Answer the following questions.

a. Why do you think Mahendra Yadav says “these insects will eat us alive"?

I think Mahendra Yadav says “these insects will eat us alive" because his fields have been swamped by a strange new plague of moths./He is worried that the moths will multiply and eat all the crops.

b. What did the farmers hope when they bought the pesticides for the first time?

The farmers hoped pesticides would kill the insects in their field and soon make them rich when they bought the pesticides for the first time. / They hoped that the pesticides would kill the pests and increase their harvest.

c. What was the ‘nasty surprise’ for the farmers?

The ‘nasty surprise’ for the farmers was that despite the mixture of powerful chemicals on the potatoes, a few moths survived.

d. Find different words in the text that refer to the pesticide and the moth.

pesticide - poisons, chemicals

moth- pests, insects

e. Do you think that Mahendra Yadav has made a wise decision at the end? Why?

Yes, I think that Mahendra Yadav has made a wise decision at the end because he is letting some of his land lie fallow and changing the irrigation system in the hope that the moths will go away.

E. Why is the use of pesticide harmful for both people and the environment? What could be a good alternative to pesticides?

Pesticides have now become an integral part of our agricultural system. Although each pesticide is used to kill a certain pest, a large amount of pesticide reach a destination other than their target. Using pesticides excessively can affect non-target species. Runoff and pesticide drift can carry pesticides into distant aquatic environments, grazing areas, human settlements and undeveloped areas. This causes harmful effects on people and environment. Integrated pest management, and sustainable agriculture techniques such as polyculture could be the best alternatives to heavy use of pesticides.

Grammar II

A. Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verbs given in the brackets.

a. If we hurry, we ………….. there in time. (get)

will get

b. I won't go to the doctor unless the pain ………… (increase)

increases

c. If you spit in public place, you …………. into trouble. (get)

will get

d. We ……….. for a picnic tomorrow if the weather stays nice. (go)

will go

e. Everyone ……….. you if you tell them the truth. (believe)

will believe

f. If he ……….. up, he won't get to work on time. (not wake)

doesn't wake

g. If the baby ………….. a boy, I'll call him Nitesh. (be)

is

h. You can cause an accident if you ……….. so carelessly. (drive)

drive

i. Unless she …... the ambulance immediately, her father may die. (call)

calls

j. If you try harder, you …….. in your exams. (succeed)

will succeed

B. Complete the following sentences with suitable endings.

a. If you are hungry, ………………………….. .

get some food from the restaurant

b. If he runs fast, ……………………………….. .

he may catch the bus

c. They will win the match if ………………………………. .

they play well

d. If you phone him, ………………………………. .

he will help you

e. If Mira fails the exam, ………………………….. .

her father will scold her

f. Manashi will be promoted to grade ten if ………………………… .

he passes the exam

Pokhara

26th August, 2021

The Editor

The Rising Nepal

Kathmandu, Nepal

Dear Sir / Madam,

Through your esteemed daily newspaper, I'd like to highlight the importance of natural resources in Nepal, and ways of preserving them.

Writing

Write a letter to the editor of a local newspaper highlighting the importance of natural resources in Nepal, and ways of preserving them.

Pokhara

26th August, 2021

The Editor

The Rising Nepal

Kathmandu, Nepal

Dear Sir / Madam,

Through your esteemed daily newspaper, I'd like to highlight the importance of natural resources in Nepal, and ways of preserving them.

Natural resources are the important and valuable gift of nature. They can be anything from minerals and metals, to water and land. The importance of natural resources is not just limited to their economic value, but also their ecological value.

The use of natural resources has been increasing with time. This number has been reducing over time due to the increase in access to cleaner fuels like gas or electricity. The importance of natural resources is so great in Nepal because they have a direct effect on our lives through their use in food production and fuel sources, among other things.

Natural resources are important for the growth of a country's economy. They are crucial for economic development, infrastructure, and social stability. The availability of natural resources in a region can affect its economic growth. Regions with abundant natural resources have more opportunities for economic development than regions that do not have such resources available to them.

We depend on natural resources for everything from food to energy, and as populations grow and demand for resources increases, it becomes even more important that we protect them. The conservation of natural resources is a global issue that needs to be addressed in order to ensure sustainability for future generations. It is important to protect them to preserve biodiversity, maintain environmental quality and ensure sustainable development.

Natural resource depletion is one of the most pressing environmental issues facing the world today. Humans depend on these resources to survive, yet they’re being used up at an alarming rate. It’s predicted that by 2050, the demand for resources will have been double. This is due to population growth and our ever-increasing demand for resources. If this continues, humankind will be faced with a myriad of problems including food scarcity, water scarcity, health issues, poverty, and climate change.

Fortunately, there are many things we can do to conserve the natural resource. We can plant trees, use less water, and recycle more. We can also use renewable energy sources and support organizations that are fighting for environmental change. We have a responsibility to protect our planet for future generations. It’s time to stand up and make a difference.

Yours faithfully,

Sajin Thapa