NCERT English Class 8 | Chapter 10 | The comet-II | Question Answer |

COMPREHENSION CHECK I                                                       PAGE 83

1. "For a moment James wondered if he had done his sums right." Why was James doubtful about his sums and calculations?

Answer: After James had finished having a discussion with Sir John, the latter dropped him at his hotel. The street was desolate with hardly any people on it, and the sky was full of stars. Comet Dutta, James knew, was somewhere amongst those stars, approaching the Earth for a head-on collision. After all, he was the one who had done the calculations and arrived at this conclusion. Nevertheless, as the night was peaceful, James found it hard to believe that the Earth was facing an impending disaster. That's when he wondered whether he had done his sums right.

2. What did the scientists at the conference say about James's 'sums'?

Answer: That scientists at the conference said that James Forsyth's calculations were right, and thus, the head-on collision predicted by him was something that couldn't be escaped. Nevertheless, the scientists felt that there was a chance of the comet passing lightly by just touching the Earth's atmosphere and not colliding with it. That could reduce the loss to life and property, they felt.

3. Immediate action was needed, the scientists decided. Give one example each of 'defensive' and 'offensive' action mentioned in the text.

Answer: Living in underground bunkers to evade a head-on collision with Comet Dutta is an example of a 'defensive' action as mentioned in the text and that of marginally deflecting the comet from its path by giving it a push is an example of an 'offensive' action.

4. "I am not buying any Christmas presents till December 15." What did Sir John mean by that?

Answer: December 15 was predicted to be the date of comet Dutta's collision with the Earth. Although scientists had an experiment in place that could help avoid the collision, its success depended on the comet's size. The scientists only hoped the comet was not massive. So, when Sir John said, 'I am not buying Christmas presents till December 15,' he meant he was anticipating the worst despite being hopeful.

 

COMPREHENSION CHECK II                                                     PAGE 87

1. What is Duttada expected to do on his return from London?

Answer: Duttada is expected to participate in a sacrificial offering on his return from London.

2. What is his reaction to the proposal?

Answer: He responds to the proposal with indifference stating that rituals like sacrificial offerings were meaningless.

3. (i) What does 'Project Light Brigade' refer to?

Answer; 'Project Light Brigade' is a code name for an operation that aims to detonate comet Dutta by remote control. The experts who are part of the project calculate and conclude that the comet could be deflected from its path by organising a rendezvous with another spacecraft. The nuclear payload is to be placed in the spaceship which would then be sent to intercept the approaching comet. The comet would eventually be detonated by remote control.

    (ii) What does Sir John say about the Project in his letter to Duttada in October?

Answer: Referring to the Project, Sir John, in his letter to Dutta in October, says that its charge had begun. This meant that the spacecraft supposed to have a rendezvous with the comet to denote the latter's payload had been launched on time.

4. Did Sir John buy Christmas presents on December 15? How did Duttada get to know about it?

Answer: Sir John probably bought Christmas presents on December 15. Duttada got to know about it as he received a telex message from Sir John where the latter said he was confident of buying Christmas presents on the date. His message intimated that Project Light Brigade had been a success.

5. Why, according to Indrani Debi, had the comet not been disastrous? Do you agree with her?

Answer: Indrani Debi felt the comet had not been disastrous because of the sacrificial offering that was performed at their house. She divulged to a surprised Duttada that their eight-year-old grandson was deputised to perform the offering as the priest had said that a descendent of Dutta could be made to sit on Dutta's behalf. I don't agree with her as it was the combined efforts of scientists, astronomers, computer scientists, nuclear physicists, space technologists, and biologists that could deflect the comet, and thus, save the Earth from a huge calamity.

6. Is Duttada's general outlook (i) rational? (ii) moral? (iii) traditional? Choose the right word. Say why you think it right.

Answer: Duttada's general outlook is rational. Science does interest him, but he doesn't believe in traditional rituals and practices. This is evident as he calls his wife superstitious on more than one occasion. He also refuses to participate in the sacrificial offering which, according to his wife, could help prevent the comet from striking the Earth.

 

EXERCISE                                                                                      PAGE 88

Discuss the following topics in small groups. Write your answers afterwards.

1. Should a scientist’s findings be suppressed if they seem disturbing? Give reasons for and against the topic. 

Answer:

For the topic

A scientist’s findings must be suppressed if they seem disturbing or controversial, for if they are not suppressed, they may lead to confusion and chaos. The purpose of a scientific finding is to help people get acquainted with the realities of the universe. However, if a scientist intends to fulfil a personal agendum, there is nothing wrong in suppressing his/her findings.

 

Against the topic

In today’s day and age, it has become impossible to suppress anything. Like everybody, scientists too have the right to the freedom of expression. If the findings of a scientist happen to be disturbing, he/she can be asked to tone them down. Suppressing would only amount to infringing on the scientist’s right to air his/her opinions.

2. Do you think ours is a traditional society? What are some of the things we do to be called traditional? Do you find these things useless or useful?

Answer: Ours is a traditional society, and I have no second thoughts on that. There are many things that we do in order to be called traditional, some of them being performing rituals to avoid mishaps, wearing certain types of clothes, making certain gestures with the hand and body before performing an important activity, not travelling on specific days that are considered inauspicious, and not shaving or getting a haircut done on specific days. While I hold Indian traditions in high reverence, I am against some of the practices that can only be called superstitious. While praying, wearing traditional clothes, and performing rituals are useful, I a, of the opinion that fear of travelling or having a haircut on particular days is irrational. 

3. Give two or three examples to show how science has been useful to us.

Answer: Science has advanced tremendously in the field of medicine, helping us live our lives more satisfactorily. Innovations like computers and laptops have made it easy for people to work from home. Mobile phones, most importantly, have shrunk the world and made distant communication possible.

4. Give one example of how science has been misused, and as a result, has been harmful to us.

Answer: Science has been misused to make weapons. These weapons, including the nuclear weapons possessed by many countries, have led to disastrous wars besides causing tremendous loss to life and property.