Professional English Unit 3 Answer Key | Softskills Paper for Arts and Social Science Degree| 1st Year 1st Semester UG Degree| Madras University 2020

 Professional English

(Softskills for Arts and Social Sciences)

1st Year, 1st Semester

Unit – III

SPEAKING: BRAINSTORMING (MIND MAPPING)

Task 1: Sketch mind maps for the following:  (Book Page No: 59)

3. Resolving the problems of farmers in India.

Ans:

Main Problems often faced by Indian Farmers

 1. Insufficient Water Supply

Water availability in India is more than sufficient to irrigate all cultivation areas; the problem is that we still have to find cheap and suitable solutions to utilise such enormous water supplies. Due to several reasons, farmers either don’t receive the appropriate amount of water or don’t get the supply on time; many farmers rely on rainwater for irrigation.

2. Less Use of Modern Farming Equipment

In most areas, to date, farmers follow primitive cultivation methods; traditionally-used plough and relevant native accessories continue to be farmers’ preference. Despite no shortage of efficient equipment and machinery, there’s very little use of modern equipment, majorly because most farmers don’t have lands huge enough to use advanced instruments, heavy machinery.

3. Over Dependence on Traditional Crops

Indian farmers are growing rice and wheat for centuries now in several regions. The excessive production of the two grains, many times lead to the storage, sale problems and shortage of other farm products.

“India is heading toward a fourth record wheat harvest and near-record rice production for 2020-21” – the US Department of Agriculture. Source

Many farmers depending upon only these traditional crops indicates a lack of an effective, nation-wide agriculture plan.

4. Poor Storage Facilities

In rural areas, storage facilities are either insufficient or completely absent. In such a situation, farmers usually have no other option than selling their produce immediately once it’s ready, at market prices that are often very low. They are far away from a legitimate income.

5. Transportation Problems

Lack of cheap, efficient means of transportation is a big problem widely seen in the Indian agriculture sector; small farmers still rely on bullock-carts for transporting their produce. Moreover, lakhs of villages are connected with highways and market centres with temporary (kutcha) roads that become muddy and useless in rains. Consequently, farmers cannot deliver their produce to the central market and helplessly sell it in the local market at low costs.

6. High Interest Rates

Thousands of farmers take their lives each year due to debt burden (having other indirect causes interlinked). Unreasonably-high interest rates should be declared illegal, and the government must take quick, strict, and appropriate action against greedy money lenders. Another problem is small and marginal farmers have to go through cumbersome procedures (that they are unaware of) to get institutional credit.

7. Government Schemes are yet to reach Small Farmers

In 2008, the government brought agricultural debt-waiver and debt-relief scheme in effect to benefit over 36 million farmers. The scheme also covered direct agricultural loan to stressed farmers. However, most of such welfare programs and subsidies announced by both the central and state governments are yet to reach poor farmers, while big/wealthy landlords are hugely benefited.

 Possible Solutions to These Problems:

1. Multiple Crops

For better yield and profitable results, farmers are advised to cultivate multiple crops, including Apple, Pineapple, Papaya, Banana, Coconut, Ginger, Turmeric, and many others.

2. Modernisation in Agriculture

If we encourage youth for farming and related occupation, this sector will definitely boom. They already have basic institutional education and knowledge; they can learn and grow quickly. For instance, almost all of them have smartphones; by using a modern agriculture app, they can perform well in farms.

Besides, introducing modern technology and passing advanced equipment to small farmers will help boost efficiency, productivity, and quality.

3. Farmers’ Education is Vital

Many farmers are unaware of crop rotation. Education is pretty much improved in urban areas, but the govt has overlooked the need for the same in rural areas, particularly in the overall agriculture sector. This is the reason why farmers remain unaware of several government-provided schemes and their benefits.

4. The Requirement for Crop Insurance

Crop insurance is essential but easy, quick settlement of claims is vital. There’s a need for transparent index-based insurance that treats policyholders equally within a defined geographical area. Index-based insurance system has low operational and transnational costs and ensures quicker payouts.

5. Better Water Management

Water resources can be fully utilised through interstate coordination on water management; water can easily be delivered to the areas where it is most required. Connecting the rivers and constructing national waterways/channels will solve water supply problems and improve irrigation facility, helping farmers in case monsoon fails.

SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION

Task: (Book Page No: 61)

1. Having read the passage, get into small groups and discuss what activities can be a part of the “Earth Hour” campaign

Ans: Creating awareness about environmental degradation, Bring in a catalyst for change, Harnessing power of the people and their collective action, Prevention of rapid loss of biodiversity and Averting a crisis in climate change.

2. Earth hour sensitizes us to our use of “energy” (Lights, fans etc) and how it is important to conserve energy. Discuss how each of us can be more careful in our use of energy on a daily basis.

Ans: We use energy faster than it can be produced - Coal, oil and natural gas - the most utilised sources take thousands of years for formation.

Most of the energy sources we use cannot be reused and renewed - Non renewable energy sources constitute 80% of the fuel use. It is said that our energy resources may last only for another 40 years or so.

We save our money when we save energy - Imagine your savings if your LPG cylinder comes for an extra week or there is a cut in your electricity bills.

We save our energy when we save energy - When we use fuel wood efficiently, our fuel wood requirements are lower and so is our drudgery for its collection.

Energy saved is energy generated - When we save one unit of energy, it is equivalent to 2 units of energy produced.

Save energy to reduce pollution - Energy production and use account to large proportion of air pollution and more than 83 percent of greenhouse gas emissions.

READING COMPREHENSION

Source Passage 1:

Task 1: (Book Page No: 63)

1. Traditional economy is an ancient practice. How did it operate?

Ans: This is the type of economy in which the organization of production and distribution is frequently governed by tribal rules or customs. In the traditional economy, economic matters are largely determined by social or religious customs and traditions.

2. What is the disadvantage of a “command economy”?

Ans: A command economy is a centrally planned economy. There is typically very little freedom of choice. The occupation of workers, the quantities of which type of commodity to be produced, and the distribution of income are determined by the central planners plus making arrangements for future economic growth.

3. What is the essence of “pure capitalism”?

Ans: Pure capitalism is an economic system based on private ownership and the freedom of individuals to conduct their economic affairs without interference from government bodies or other groups. The essence of pure capitalism is freedom.

4. What kind of economy do we have in India?

Ans: In India we have mixed capitalistic economic system, as both government and private decisions are important. Some of the economic decisions of the mixed economy are taken on collective basis.

ESSAY WRITING

TASKS: (Book Page No: 69)

1. Following the tips we learnt now, write a simple essay on “Your experience under Covid-19 Lockdown”

Ans: My experience on the Covid-19 Lockdown and Unlock for student’s life. During this coronavirus time as being students, have advantages and disadvantages. I was initially happy about the virus because there was a lockdown all over India, there were no schools and colleges, had an ash life initially enjoying all the day with playing games, watching movies right from the morning to the night. At once, an instant of time, I thought there was no movie for me to watch. Waiting for unlocking situation to meet friends and relatives. Still, things are not settled to meet the friends and relatives

Slowly taking online class after some time in the lockdown period onwards. Initially Online classes feel better. Where there was a complete change in the situation of the class’s atmosphere. After a month came to know that there are lots of disadvantages and advantages to this type of education. Finally came to know that this virus is not a blessing to students but a foreshadow of the student’s further life to adjust the Online mode of education. The shift in education is totally different from all my education career. This type of online course seen in Software Engineers attending from home. Taking time to adjust in college courses.

2. Out of all essays you have read so far in life, which essay has touched you the most? Write 5 reasons on how and why the essay appealed to you. Through this, let the writer in you learn how to write a good essay which would inspire people.

Ans: I consider Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam as the most inspiring person in my life. He was a great scientist and was the 11th president of India. His life story is really inspiring for me. APJ Abdul Kalam was born on 15th October 1931. He was born and brought up in Rameswaram, Tamilnadu. His father, Jainulabdeeen was a boat owner and imam of a local mosque and his mother, Ashiamma, on the other hand was a house wife. His father owned a ferry that took Hindu pilgrims back and forth in Rameswaram. He had 3 brothers and 1 sister. He has reached heights even after being born and brought up in a small village.

He started his career as a scientist in Defense research and development organization. He worked under the great leadership of Vikram Sarabhai and was later transferred to ISRO. He was made the project director of India’s first Satellite Launch Vehicle). During his official tenure he visited NASA which inspired him to push for developing our own technology. When working with ISRO. Abdul Kalam was invited by none other than Raja Ramanna, the famous Indian physicist to witness the country’s nuclear bomb test.  By then, Abdul Kalam was already well famous for developing different types of missiles. He also made nuclear tests successful. APJ Abdul Kalam later became the president of India, where he continued to inspire millions worldwide.

His books, India 2020 and Ignited Minds are worth reading. On July 27, 2015, APJ Abdul Kalam was invited to deliver a speech in IIT Guwahati. When he was climbing the stairs, to reach the stage, he felt pain and during the speech, within 5 minutes he collapsed and later passed away. His body was immediately taken to Chennai. Near to his house, they did his funeral.

I remember his famous quote, “Man needs difficulties because they are necessary to enjoy success”. He will be always remembered for inspiring millions through this work and life. He is a perfect example for what Gandhiji once said- My life is my message.

Click the below picture for remaining task answers for Unit -3, Professional English, Softskills paper for Arts and Social Science UG Degree.

 

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