Animal World (The Medusa and the Snail)
Working with words
Find the words from the text which have the following meanings.
a. Persons who are related to you and who live after you, such as your child or grandchild are called → descendants
b. ‘Twirl’ means to turn or spin around and around quickly
c. Glycoproteins are proteins which contain oligosaccharide chains (glycans) attached to amino acid side-chains
d. Lectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins that are highly specific for sugar groups that are part of other molecules and so cause agglutination of particular cells.
e. Polyps are abnormal tissue growths that most often look like small, flat bumps or tiny mushroom like stalks found in the phylum Cnidaria and the medusa
f. Predation is a biological interaction where one organism, the predator, kills and eats another organism, its prey.
g. Anemone is a genus of flowering plants in the buttercup family.
h. A/An finicky person is extremely or excessively particular, exacting, or meticulous in taste or standards.
i. Nudibranch is a group of soft-bodied, marine gastropod molluscs which shed their shells after their larval stage.
j. A medusa is a free-swimming sexual form of a coelenterate such as a jellyfish, typically having an umbrella-shaped body with stinging tentacles around the edge.
Look up a dictionary and write the meanings of the following words then use them in your own sentences.
arthropod, gastropod, biomass, calcification, metamorphosis, sturgeon
Arthropod: a member of the phylum Arthropoda, characterized by a segmented body, jointed limbs, and an exoskeleton, which includes insects, arachnids, crustaceans, and other groups. Example sentence: Spiders and lobsters are both arthropods.
Gastropod: a mollusk of the class Gastropoda, characterized by a single, spiral-shelled body, which includes snails and slugs. Example sentence: Snails are a common type of gastropod found in gardens.
Biomass: the total mass of living organisms in a given area or ecosystem. Example sentence: The biomass of the forest increased as more trees grew.
Calcification: the process of forming or depositing calcium salts in soft tissue, resulting in the hardening of the tissue. Example sentence: The calcification of the coral reef was caused by increased ocean acidification.
Metamorphosis: a biological process in which an animal physically develops after birth or hatching, involving a change in the organism's body structure through cell growth and differentiation. Example sentence: The metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly is one of the most well-known examples of metamorphosis.
Sturgeon: a large, freshwater fish of the family Acipenseridae, characterized by a long body and snout, and a bony armor-like covering. Example sentence: The beluga sturgeon is a type of sturgeon that is known for its valuable roe, which is used to make caviar.
Comprehension
Answer the following questions.
a. What are the indicators of the fact that we are very self-conscious about ourselves these days?
The indicators of the fact that we are very self-conscious about ourselves these days are self-realization, self-help, self-development, self-awareness, self-respect and self-enlightenment.
b. How have we celebrated the fact that we have our individual identity?
We have celebrated the discovery of individual identity by giving it a name, "Myself."
c. Are we, human beings, really unique? Why/Why not?
No, we human beings, aren’t really unique. It’s because uniqueness is so commonplace a property of living things that there is really nothing at all unique about it. The phenomenon can’t be unique and universal at the same time.
d. How do fish recognize each other?
Fish recognize each other by the smell of each other.
e. What is the function of individuality?
The function of individuality is self-preservation and maintaining individuality.
f. What does the mix-up of two selves tell us about our identity?
The mix-up of two selves tells us unity and cooperation to each other is required for survival and existence.
g. What does the author illustrate with the tale of the nudibranch and the medusa?
The author illustrates the value of co-existence, cooperation, helpfulness, collaboration and togetherness with the tale of the nudibranch and the medusa. It also projects the significance of friendship and dependence on each other for survival and existence.
h. Why is the author disturbed by the thought of the creatures like the nudibranch and medusa?
The author is disturbed by the thought of the creatures like the nudibranch and medusa because it provides him with an odd feeling and confuses in with vague and bizarre concept like a dream.
i. What does the writer mean by “they remind me of the whole earth at once?”
The author is trying to convey that it is extremely difficult and weird to rationalize the relationship between living organisms and non-living objects in the world, and the more one tries to understand, the more confused he/she becomes, by using the phrase "they remind me of the whole earth at once."
Critical thinking
Write an essay on “Independence vs. Interdependence” in about 250 words.
Independence and interdependence are two concepts that often come into conflict in society. Independence refers to the state of being self-reliant and not dependent on others, while interdependence refers to the state of being interconnected and dependent on others. Both concepts have their own unique advantages and disadvantages, and the key to a healthy society is to strike a balance between the two.
Independence is often viewed as a desirable trait, as it allows individuals to make their own choices and decisions without being influenced by others. It also allows individuals to take responsibility for their own lives and to be self-sufficient. However, too much independence can lead to isolation and alienation from others. It can also lead to a lack of cooperation and collaboration, which can be detrimental to society as a whole.
Interdependence, on the other hand, is often viewed as a necessary trait for a functioning society. It allows individuals to rely on each other for support and assistance, and it promotes cooperation and collaboration. Interdependence also allows for the sharing of resources and knowledge, which can lead to greater innovation and progress. However, too much interdependence can lead to a lack of individual autonomy and the loss of personal identity.
In conclusion, independence and interdependence are both important traits that are necessary for a healthy society. Independence allows individuals to be self-sufficient and to make their own choices, while interdependence allows for cooperation and collaboration. Striking a balance between the two is key to promoting both individual autonomy and societal progress.
Write a newspaper article highlighting the increasing individualism in the modern Nepali society.
Rise of Individualism in Modern Nepali Society
By Dibas Dauliya
January 17, 2023
In recent years, Nepal has seen a significant shift in societal values, with an increasing emphasis on individualism. The traditional collectivist culture of Nepal, where the needs of the community take precedence over the needs of the individual, is gradually giving way to a more individualistic mindset.
This shift towards individualism can be seen in various aspects of Nepali society. For example, there is a growing emphasis on personal success and achievement, with more and more young people pursuing higher education and professional careers. This trend has led to a greater emphasis on individual ambition, and a desire to stand out from the crowd.
Individualism can also be seen in the way people view their relationships with others. In the past, Nepali society was characterized by strong family and community ties, where individuals were expected to put the needs of their loved ones before their own. However, in recent times, there has been a shift towards more individualistic relationships, where people are more likely to prioritize their own needs and desires.
The rise of individualism in Nepal can also be seen in the way people view their personal beliefs and values. In the past, Nepali society was characterized by a strong sense of cultural and religious identity, where people were expected to conform to the norms and values of their community. However, in recent times, there has been a shift towards more individualistic beliefs and values, where people are more likely to question the traditional norms and forge their own path.
While individualism has its advantages, such as promoting personal ambition and self-expression, it also has its drawbacks. An excessive focus on individualism can lead to a lack of community spirit and cooperation, as well as increased competition and stress. It's important for society to strike a balance between individualism and collectivism, so that individuals can thrive while also maintaining strong community ties.
In conclusion, the modern Nepali society is increasingly becoming more individualistic, as seen in various aspects of society such as personal ambition, relationships, beliefs, and values. While it has its benefits, it is important to maintain a balance between individualism and collectivism for the overall well-being of society.
Grammar
Make passive sentences from the following information as in the example.
a. volleyball/every/country/play → Volleyball is played in every country.
b. spaghetti/boiling water/cook → Spaghetti is cooked in boiling water.
c. each lesson/an exercise/follow → Each lesson is followed by an exercise.
d. taxes/the price/include → Taxes are included in the price.
e. extensive information/the internet/find → Extensive information is found on the internet.
f. our order/the waiter/took → Our order was taken by the waiter.
g. the schedule/the participants/will distribute → The schedule will be distributed to the participants.
h. the police/footprint/found → Footprint was found by the police.
i. the children/the sandcastles/built → The sandcastles were built by the children.
j. the father/the window/not going to open → The window is not going to be opened by the father.
Rewrite the following sentences in the passive voice using the correct form of verbs in the brackets.
a. Call the ambulance! Two boys have been injured (injure) in a motorbike accident.
b. The clock has been used (use) since the 17th century.
c. I had to wait outside the classroom while the classroom was being cleaned (clean).
d. The problem is being discussed (discuss) by the subject specialists at the moment.
e. By the time I came back, the task has been finished (finish).
f. Women are said (say) to be happier than men.
g. Look! The house had been destroyed (destroy) by the fire.
h. The other three reports will be submitted (submit) by next month.
i. Many people have been rescued (rescue) from the floods by the security persons this year.
j. The state of Florida was hit (hit) by a hurricane that did serious damage.