NCERT Class 12 English Vistas: Chapter 3 — Journey to the end of the Earth
This chapter, "Journey to the end of the Earth" by Tishani Doshi, recounts the author's expedition to Antarctica aboard the Russian research vessel Akademik Shokalskiy. The journey, starting from Madras, involved extensive travel across time zones and geographical barriers. Upon reaching Antarctica, the author experienced profound wonder at its vastness and isolation, contemplating its geological past as part of the supercontinent Gondwana. The text highlights how understanding Antarctica's history, from its formation to its current state, offers insights into Earth's past, present, and future, including geological phenomena like Cordilleran folds and the impact of continental drift. It emphasizes the significance of this continent for understanding evolution, extinction, and the planet's climate, urging readers to grasp our origins and potential future.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 12 |
| Subject | English |
| Book | Vistas |
| Chapter | Chapter 3 — Journey to the end of the Earth |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 3 minutes |
| Word count | 492 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the geological history of Antarctica and its connection to Gondwana.
- Appreciate the significance of Antarctica for studying Earth's past, present, and future.
- Reflect on the impact of continental drift and geological phenomena on the planet.
- Gain insights into the author's personal experience and sense of wonder in Antarctica.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Continent | One of the world's main continuous expanses of land (e.g., Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America, Australia, Antarctica). |
| Equator | An imaginary line drawn around the earth equally distant from both poles, dividing the earth into northern and southern hemispheres. |
| Ecospheres | The various life zones or environments on Earth. |
| Immensity | Extreme hugeness or vastness. |
| Amalgamated | Combined or united to form one organization or structure. |
| Supercontinent | A large landmass that comprises continental crust. |
| Flora and fauna | Plants and animals, respectively. |
| Continental drift | The slow movement of the continents across the Earth's surface. |
| Cordilleran folds | Mountain ranges formed by the folding of the Earth's crust. |
| Pre-Cambrian | The earliest geological eon, preceding the Cambrian period. |
| Circumpolar current | An ocean current that flows around a pole. |
| Frigid | Very cold in temperature. |
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Practice questions
- What was the name of the Russian research vessel the author travelled on? Answer: The author travelled on the Akademik Shokalskiy.
- What was the author's initial emotion upon reaching Antarctica? Answer: The author's initial emotion was relief, followed by profound wonder.
- What was Gondwana? Answer: Gondwana was a giant, amalgamated southern supercontinent that existed 650 million years ago.
- How does the author describe the climate of Gondwana? Answer: The climate of Gondwana was much warmer than today and hosted a variety of flora and fauna.
- What is the significance of visiting Antarctica according to the author? Answer: Visiting Antarctica helps one grasp where we've come from and where we might be heading, understanding geological and evolutionary history.
Practice MCQs
Q1. Where did the author's journey begin?
Explanation: The author explicitly states, 'My journey began 13.09 degrees north of the Equator in Madras'.
Q2. Which continent is described as the coldest, driest, and windiest?
Explanation: The text mentions the author was heading towards 'the coldest, driest, windiest continent in the world: Antarctica'.
Q3. What was the name of the supercontinent that existed 650 million years ago?
Explanation: The chapter states, 'Six hundred and fifty million years ago, a giant amalgamated southern supercontinent — Gondwana — did indeed exist'.
Q4. According to the text, what was the climate of Gondwana like?
Explanation: The text mentions, 'the climate was much warmer, hosting a huge variety of flora and fauna'.
Q5. What geological event led to the formation of the Himalayas?
Explanation: The text explains, 'India pushing northwards, jamming against Asia to buckle its crust and form the Himalayas'.
Q6. What percentage of the Earth's total ice volumes are stored in Antarctica?
Explanation: The author notes that '90 per cent of the Earth's total ice volumes are stored' in Antarctica.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main theme of the chapter 'Journey to the end of the Earth'?
The chapter explores Antarctica's geological history, its significance for understanding Earth's past and future, and the author's personal journey and reflections.
Who is the author of 'Journey to the end of the Earth'?
The author is Tishani Doshi.
What is Gondwana?
Gondwana was a massive southern supercontinent that existed millions of years ago, of which Antarctica was once a part.
Why is Antarctica important for studying Earth's history?
Antarctica holds crucial geological records, including evidence of past climates and continental drift, helping us understand Earth's evolution and potential future.
What does the author mean by losing 'all earthly sense of perspective and time' in Antarctica?
The author implies that the vast, isolated, and marker-less landscape of Antarctica makes human concerns and the passage of time seem insignificant.
How did India and Antarctica relate geologically in the past?
Millions of years ago, India and Antarctica were part of the same supercontinent, Gondwana, before continental drift separated them.
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NCERT Class 12 English — Vistas — Chapter 3 — Journey to the end of the Earth. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.