Meerkat, a kind of mongoose found in the Kalahari Desert of Africa.

 Q. Given below are some notes on the Meerkat, a kind of mongoose found in the Kalahari Desert of Africa. Taking information from the notes, write an article on this interesting mammal species for your school magazine. 

Group called a "mob", "gang" or "clan" about 20 members–Weight: about 731 grams (males), 720 grams (females)–Iong slender or body and limbs–25 to 35 centimetres (9.8 to 14 in) and an added tail length of 17 to 25 centimetres–face tapers, nose brown and pointed–black patches around eyes (binocular vision)–crescent shaped ears–sharp claws for digging and climbing tress–fur-colour: fawn, peppered with grey, tan, or brown with a silver tint - short parallel stripes across backs–Food: mainly insectivores, eat lizards, snakes, scorpions, spiders, plants, eggs, small mammals etc. 

MEERKATS
By: ABC

The meerkat, a mammal of the mongoose family, is found in the Kalahari Desert of Africa. Meerkats live in groups called 'mob', 'gang' or 'clan' that can have up to 20 or more members. On an average, a male weighs 731 grams and a female 720 grams. Meerkats have long and slender bodies and limbs–25 to 35 centimetres long– excluding a tail that can be another 17 to 25 centimetres long. Meerkat faces have a tapered shape and their noses are brown and pointed. There are characteristic black patches around their eyes that have binocular vision; crescent shaped ears and sharp claws to dig, forage for food and climb trees. The meerkat coat is usually fawn coloured peppered with grey or brown with a silver tint. There are short parallel stripes across the back. Meerkats like to eat mainly insects but also relish lizards, snakes, scorpions, spiders, plants, small mammals and eggs. [Key]


II

The Meerkat, also known as the Suricate, is a fascinating mammal species found in the Kalahari Desert of Africa. These adorable creatures belong to the mongoose family and are known for their unique and interesting features. One of the most interesting things about Meerkats is that they live in groups called a "mob", "gang" or "clan". These groups consist of about 20 members and are led by an alpha male and female. These groups are extremely social and work together for survival. They take turns to stand guard while the others forage for food and look after the young ones. Meerkats are small in size, weighing about 731 grams for males and 720 grams for females. They have long slender bodies and limbs, measuring 25 to 35 centimetres (9.8 to 14 in) with an added tail length of 17 to 25 centimetres. Their face tapers to a pointed nose and they have black patches around their eyes, which gives them a unique and cute appearance. They also have crescent-shaped ears that help them to hear the slightest of sounds. The Meerkat's sharp claws are their ultimate weapon for survival. They use these claws for digging and climbing trees to escape from predators. They are also excellent hunters and have binocular vision, which helps them to spot their prey from a distance. The fur of a Meerkat is another distinctive feature. Their fur is fawn in color and is peppered with shades of grey, tan, or brown with a silver tint. They also have short parallel stripes across their backs, which adds to their unique appearance. Meerkats are mainly insectivores, which means they mainly feed on insects. However, they are not fussy eaters and also consume lizards, snakes, scorpions, spiders, plants, eggs, and small mammals. They have a varied diet and are always on the lookout for food. These fascinating creatures are not only interesting to look at, but they also play an important role in the ecosystem. They help to control the population of insects and other small animals, which in turn helps to maintain the balance in nature.

Unfortunately, Meerkats are facing threats in the wild due to habitat loss and human interference. Their numbers are declining, and they are now considered a vulnerable species. It is important for us to understand the importance of these creatures and take necessary steps to protect them. In conclusion, Meerkats are fascinating animals that play a crucial role in their ecosystem and deserve our respect and protection.

MEERKATS

Role of Cashless payment in combating corruption

 Q. Write an article on Role of Cashless payment in combating corruption.

Role of Cashless payment in combating corruption
By: ABC

Now a days, no work can be completed without money power. Education sector, health sector, or any other whether a government or non government, almost each and every sector of the economy is affected by corruption. Bribery, lack of transparency in payments are the most common forms of corruption. To combat corruption from the society, Cashless payment is a good move (positive step).

Cashless payment can play a very important role in combating corruption. To put it simply, cashless payment means payments without the use of physical cash. With the digitalization of economy, every economy are under the strict surveillance of the government. Each and everything is under the records of the government.
It can allow work to be completed as per the definite procedure. No individual can  skip any of the steps from the pre determined process. Secondly, cashless payment can restrain the officials to fill up the vacant posts in their departments. They have to accountable about their source of income. By the means of cashless payment, all incoming and outgoing payments can be traced. It records even the petty payments such as petty bribes paid to police officers. 

Moreover, the concept of under the table (secrect or hidden action) has almost eliminated. Putting in a good words for loved ones to get done what is not under ethics and morals is no longer exist. For instance, taking bribes or gifts for getting forced work done. Through cashless payments, the true income of the individuals can also be computed for tax purposes.

Thus, Cashless payment can be the ultimate weapon against corruption. The real end to corruption will come only when every transaction or income can be tracked. 

So, In this way cashless payment can help in combating corruption from the society.

(Misuse of power (public) for personal gain — corruption )

Avoid littering tourist places

 Q. As Swati/Saswat, Write a speech to be delivered in your school assembly on the topic “Avoid littering tourist places” with refcrence to Unit 5 ‘Vacation Time’ of My English Reader. You may take help from the given hints. (100-150 words)
• Avoid littering the surroundings.
• Large number of dustbins along the tourist spots.
• Do all you can to be a conservationist.
• Even a kid can make a difference,
• Spread awareness not to throw cans, plastic bottles, eatables etc. 

Respected principal, teachers and my dear friends. Good morning everybody. Today, I, Swati, am here to speak on “Avoid littering tourist places”.

Despite Prime Minister’s cleanliness campaign, it is the matter of grave concern that tourist places are full of rubbish scattered on the ground that stinks the whole surroundings. People throw the wrappers, leftover eatables, plastic bottles etc. anywhere in the ground without bothering the cleanliness.  This littering pollute the overall environment of the various beautiful and historic monuments such as Taj Mahal is getting yellowish due to acid rain and pollution, in national parks tourists abuse the various available facilities and thus endanger the environment. Littering also harms the animals or birds in zoos or parks. It is very common to find the cattles consuming plastic bags which choks their digestive system and leads to deaths. What's more, due to littering, tourists places become the breeding ground for houseflies, mosquitoes which in turn, spread various infectious diseases such as malaria, various respiratory problems as severe cough, sneezing and so on. So, in order to save ourselves from various diseases and infections, we should not make the tourists spot dirty.

Now, It is right time to take action otherwise our tourist places can take different (look, shape). We should protect our aged old heritage, tradition and culture. Littering at surroundings of such places should be avoided. The concerned authorities should place/fix bins at some distances at tourist places. Even a kid can make a difference. Kids should be teach to maintain cleanliness at various tourist site. They should be teach to throw their thrash at dustbins and not to throw on the ground. Do all you can be a conservationist ? Of course yes.  Each one of us has a responsibility to protect these precious places. Besides, the concerned authorities should come forward to spread awareness about not to throw cans, plastic bottles, eatables etc. at tourist places instead they should maintain cleanliness as these places are beautiful depiction of (domestic culture.) our aged old culture.

Thank you.

Extra:
Littering- the act of throwing rubbish on ground in public places.

Littering not only ruins the beauty of the place but also harms the wildlife living there. We must make sure to dispose of our waste in the designated bins provided at tourist spots. There are large numbers of dustbins placed along tourist spots for our convenience. It is our responsibility as travelers to keep these places clean for future generations to enjoy.

Remember, even a small act like picking up trash can make a big difference. Let us spread awareness and encourage others not to throw cans, plastic bottles, or any other waste irresponsibly. Let us all do our part to be conservationists and preserve the beauty of our natural surroundings.

Impact of television on children

 Q. As Roshan/ Roshni, Write a speech. to be delivered in your School assembly on the topic, ‘Impact of television on children’, with reference to Unit 6 Tinsel World of My English Reader. You may take the help of the given hints. (100-150 words)

• Television influences the thought and behaviour of of an individual. 
• The positive or negative impact of television depends on selection of programmes.
• Watching too much of television affects health, eyes, mental development etc
• One can gain a lot of knowledge through educative and informative programmes.
• Children try to imitate the characters. 

Respected Principal, My worthy teachers and dear friends. A very good morning to all. Today I am here to (share my views on) speak on impact of television on children.

Universally speaking, since the decades, television has been the most popular source of entertainment for people of almost all age groups including children. Various programmes on TV transported the viewers into virtual world, which are more exciting and engaging than real life. They enjoy various programmes, movies based on various themes etc. They gain a lot of knowledge through various educative and informative programmes such as dicovery, National Geographic and Animaĺ Planet shows various facts related to science, which provide them live reflection of their bookish knowledge. They also get an inspiration to raise their voice against social evils or any injustice.

On the other hand, television is a powerful medium that influences the thoughts and behaviour of the children. That is to say, that they are watching more crime and violent scenes which will indulge in them and tend to do the same in their real life. Besides, it will make them addicted to bad habits such as smoking, drnking, violence etc. Consequently, they are under the feeling of aggression and irritability. Additionally, it has negative impact on young kid's physical development and consistently watching TV may leads to degradation of academic performance and values.  What’s more, watching too much TV leads to many health problems such as obesity, weak eye sight, slow mental development etc. The last but not the least, children try to intimate the characters or various stunts shown by the actors in the films, putting their life in danger.

Therefore, it would be wrong to say that the impact of television on children is always negative. The positive or negative impact of television depends on selection of programs that children watch. What type of programmes children watch make all the difference.

Thank you.