Journey to the Centre of the Earth

Reading 1 Page 106

2. The three men were walking on bones; yet the scene Is not gruesome. Why?

The three men were drawn by enthusiastic curiosity to find out the marvels in the bowels of the earth. That is why the scene is not gruesome.

3. Describe the mastodons and their keeper.

Mastodons were gigantic animals that look like elephants. They were tearing down large boughs and eating masses of leaves and green branches. The keeper of these mastodons was a human being. He was above twelve feet tall. His head was as big as the head of a buffalo. He carried a branch of a tree to be used as a crook.

4. Why do you think was the dagger left behind? Was it done on purpose?

The dagger was left behind to indicate the right road to the interior. It was done on purpose. The dagger might have belonged to Arne Saknussemn, who ventured into the earth before them.

5. There are three different terrains described in the story. How are these different from each other?

Bone-filled ground, illuminated forest, and the shore of the central sea are the three different terrains described in the story.

Bone-filled ground contained scattered hills over the ground occupied by the plain of bones. It appeared like a tropical country area during midday summer.

The forest contained wild vegetation of the Tertiary period. It has gigantic mammals and the land was covered with mosses and ferns.

The shore of the central sea had certain groups of rocks. Streams and cascades fell over the projections of rocks.

6. What was the most important discovery in this story? Why do you think so?

I think that the finding of the dagger was the most important discovery in this story. The dagger proved beyond doubt that a sixteenth-century explorer, Arne Saknussemm had travelled there before.

Reading 2 Page 107

1. Foreshadowing is an advance sign or warning of what is to come in future. Before the men spot huge creatures, you are in a way anticipating something like this. Quote words/phrases from the story that you feel prepare you for this.

We can find foreshadowing in the following sentence.

‘Since nature had shown herself capable of producing such stupendous vegetable supplies, why might we not meet with mammals just as large, and therefore dangerous?’

2. In the extract, it is perseverance that guides the men along the way. As a result, they gain knowledge. Justify.

The men in the story ventured into unknown depths of the earth by braving several hardships. They overcame physical tiredness, dangerous grounds, gigantic animals, and all sorts of difficulties. Because of their perseverance, they could finish their adventurous journey successfully and gain knowledge.

3. The lesson you just read is a piece of fiction but it also has some scientific truths. What are they?

The scientific truths that are evident in the fictional lesson are 1. Craters made by extinct volcanos lead to the underground. 2. The existence of giant elephant-like mammals. 3. Earth is covered by a thin layer of upper crust.