The Magic Ring Questions & Answers
The Magic Ring Short Discription
"The Magic Ring" by Zai Whitaker is a captivating tale that revolves around a remarkable piece of jewelry. The magic ring, the central focus of the story, possesses an enchanting power that allows the wearer to communicate with animals. The author skillfully weaves a vivid narrative around the ring, highlighting its allure and the transformative experiences it brings. As the protagonist, Kim, discovers the ring's extraordinary abilities, a whole new world opens up to her. She embarks on an incredible adventure, forging deep connections with animals, unraveling secrets, and navigating unexpected challenges. The ring serves as a catalyst for personal growth and understanding, teaching Kim important lessons about empathy, conservation, and the interconnectedness of all living beings. With whimsical prose and a richly imaginative premise, Whitaker paints a delightful and thought-provoking portrait of the magic ring, capturing the reader's imagination and inviting them to explore the wonders that lie beyond its enchanting power.
The Magic Ring Questions and Answers
A. 1. Answer the following questions.
a. Why is the migration of birds such an amazing phenomenon?
Answer: The migration of birds is such an amazing phenomenon because large flocks of thousands of birds come and leaves, year after year, around the same time, sometimes on the very same day.
b. What did early naturalists believe about the sudden disappearance and astounding reappearance of birds?
Answer: Some early naturalists believed that they hid in the bottom of the sea, to rise like the Phoenix in the Greek legend.
c. By the time Salim All appeared on the scene, what had naturalists learnt?
Answer: By the time, all appeared on the scene, the naturalists knew that many species of birds, big and small fly thousands of miles every year to escape cold winters and to lay their eggs and raise their chicks in the comfort of a warm land. like all tourists, birds want warmth and good food and a comfortable place. Some fly 11,000 miles each way to and from their winter resting place.
d. What has confused naturalists over the years?
Answer: How birds find their way to a specific spot on the other side of the world, year after year has confused naturalists. Like computer programmed objects, they fly thousands of miles and land at a particular lake or forest or river, every year, with very precise punctuality.
e. What do you understand by 'taught' behaviour"?
Answer: 'Taught' behaviour is one where the bird parents guide their young on these long journeys and teach the ways and means of migration.
f. If bird migration is not 'taught behaviour, what causes it to happen regularly, year after year?
Answer: It is caused by strong genetic or inborn instincts which all animals share. Like a good computer program, instinct guides them to food and friends and prevents them from getting lost as they roam miles and miles in different directions.
g. What is bird-ringing and why are birds ringed?
Answer: A small aluminium or plastic ring, too small and light to handicap the bird, is clamped on the bird's foot. On the ring is a message asking the finder of the bird to return the ring to a particular address. he is also asked to name the place, date and time the bird was found.
h. How did Salim All get involved in bird-ringing? Park?
Answer: Salim had participated in bird ringing camps in Heligoland, Germany and this had given him useful training. A few trail rounds of bird ringing camps were held around Mumbai and thir results showed that they should be done on a larger scale.
i. What part did Salim All play in saving Keoladeo National?
Answer: Keoladeo near Bharatpur in Rajasthan is a national park thanks to Salim's campaign for its conservation. This bird paradise was the private hunting ground of the royal family of Bharatpur. Agter Independence the local farmers and politicians tried to get this fantastic bird house drained and converted into agricultural land. Fortunately Salim Ali knew Prime Minister Nehru personally and also knew of his deep love for nature and asked him to stop this crazy plan. And Nehruji was able to help in the matter.
A. 2. Think and answer these questions carefully. HOTS
a. Why did the migration of birds cause much 'head-scratching' and mumbling through 'learned beards'?
Answer: The phrase "head-scratching" and "mumbling through learned beards" in reference to the migration of birds suggests that the phenomenon perplexed and puzzled even the knowledgeable and scholarly individuals. The migration of birds is a complex and fascinating natural event that has been studied by scientists and experts, and yet it continues to hold mysteries and unanswered questions. The behavior of migratory birds, their navigation skills, and the mechanisms behind their long-distance journeys are still not fully understood. The phrase implies that even the most knowledgeable individuals, symbolized by their "learned beards," are left in a state of bewilderment and uncertainty when confronted with the intricate patterns and mechanisms of bird migration. It underscores the awe-inspiring and enigmatic nature of this natural phenomenon, leaving even the most learned individuals searching for answers.
b. Why was the cuckoo, a migratory bird, taken up as a study?
Answer: The cuckoo, being a migratory bird, was taken up as a study due to its intriguing and unique behavior. The migration patterns and habits of cuckoos are particularly fascinating to researchers and ornithologists. Unlike many other migratory birds, cuckoos are known for their remarkable brood parasitism, where they lay their eggs in the nests of other bird species, relying on those species to raise their offspring. This behavior presents a captivating evolutionary adaptation that has captivated scientists for centuries. By studying cuckoos, researchers can gain insights into the mechanisms behind their migration, navigation skills, and the co-evolutionary relationships they have with their host species. Additionally, the study of cuckoos provides valuable information about the ecological dynamics and conservation of both cuckoo populations and the species they parasitize. Therefore, the cuckoo's unique migratory behavior and brood parasitism make it a compelling subject for scientific research and study.
c. How did Shimoga sickness, caused by a Siberian virus, get to Karnataka?
Answer: The Shivamogga district that P. K. Rajagopalan had arrived around six decades ago, when he studied of a “mysterious virus” there, was radically different from the one it is today. In March 1957, Rajagopalan was a fresh-out-of-college Field Entomologist, who was called to investigate an outbreak of Yellow Fever-like disease in Kyasanur village in Shivamogga district of Karnataka. As casualties mounted, it soon became apparent that this wasn’t Yellow Fever, but a new kind of disease. It was named Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) – commonly known today as Monkey Fever.
d. Why do migratory birds avoid flying over the sky-scraper Himalayas?
Answer: Migratory birds generally avoid flying over the sky-scraper Himalayas due to several factors:
- Altitude and Cold: The Himalayas are known for their high altitude and extreme cold temperatures. These harsh conditions pose significant challenges for birds in terms of oxygen availability and maintaining body temperature. The high altitude can also cause physiological stress and affect their ability to navigate effectively.
- Lack of Food and Resources: The Himalayas are largely devoid of the food sources and habitats that migratory birds rely on during their long-distance journeys. The rugged terrain, lack of vegetation, and limited availability of suitable nesting sites make it inhospitable for birds to find adequate food, shelter, and rest.
- Physical Barrier: The towering peaks and steep slopes of the Himalayas create a physical barrier that obstructs the flight path of migratory birds. Birds typically choose migratory routes that provide the most favorable conditions and avoid obstacles that may pose risks or require excessive energy expenditure.
- Air Currents and Wind Patterns: The Himalayas create unique air currents and wind patterns that can be challenging for birds to navigate. Strong winds, updrafts, and downdrafts generated by the complex topography can interfere with the birds' flight patterns and disrupt their migratory journey.
- Adaptation and Evolution: Over time, migratory birds have evolved specific routes and strategies to optimize their migration. They tend to follow established pathways and fly over more suitable and accessible habitats, such as plains, wetlands, or coastal regions, to ensure the availability of food, water, and resting areas.
Overall, the combination of harsh environmental conditions, lack of resources, physical barriers, and the natural adaptation of migratory birds contributes to their avoidance of flying over the Himalayas during their journeys.
e. What in the article leads you to the conclusion that countries collaborated to make the bird-ringing project a success?
Answer: Countries play a crucial role in making bird ringing projects a success through various collaborative efforts. Firstly, countries establish networks and partnerships with local organizations, research institutions, and citizen scientists to create a widespread and comprehensive monitoring system. This network allows for data collection from multiple locations, enhancing the scope and accuracy of the project's findings. Secondly, countries collaborate in sharing knowledge, research techniques, and best practices related to bird ringing. This exchange of information facilitates standardization in protocols, ensuring consistency and comparability of data across regions. Thirdly, countries participate in international collaborations and organizations dedicated to bird ringing, such as EURING, fostering global coordination and cooperation. This collective effort enables the sharing of data, resources, and expertise, benefiting from the collective knowledge and experience of multiple nations. Lastly, countries contribute to the success of bird ringing projects through conservation initiatives. The data collected from bird ringing provides valuable insights into migratory patterns, breeding success, and population dynamics, enabling countries to implement targeted conservation measures and protect critical habitats. In conclusion, the collaboration and cooperation among countries are vital for the success of bird ringing projects, fostering a deeper understanding of bird populations and contributing to their conservation on a global scale.
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