“For a moment James wondered if he had done his sums right.” Why was James doubtful about his sums and calculations?
James was doubtful that his calculations could be wrong. When he reached his hotel at 1 pm. He was quiet while looking at the star-studded sky. He couldn’t believe that any event could have happened on such a peaceful night.
What did the scientists at the conference say about James’s ‘sums’?
The scientists who attended the conference came to the conclusion that the calculations done by James Forsyth’s were correct. There was a change that the new comet would collide with the earth. Even it would enter the earth’s atmosphere, it will cause lot of damage.
Immediate action was needed, the scientists decided. Give one example each of ‘defensive’ and ‘offensive’ action mentioned in the text.
The scientists had thought of two options against the approaching comet that needed immediate action. The defensive measure was that the people should live in underground bunkers. The offensive action was to do something to deflect the comet from its path, so that the chances of the comet to collide with the earth lessen. This could be done be exploding a nuclear payload near the comet. A payload is a part of an aircraft.
“I am not buying any Christmas presents till December 15”. What dis Dir John mean by that?
Sir John was not quite sure about the safety of the earth because he was not confident that his operation will be success. So, he deferred the buying of Christmas presents till December 15 as it was 15 December that was the expected date of collision of the comet with the earth.
What is Duttada expected to do on his return from London?
Duttada was expected to take part in a Shanti jajna to pacify evil spirit behind the comet. Through this yajna the black spirit on the comet would vanish.
What is his reaction to the proposal?
Duttada was very angry and declared it just a silly superstition to think that comets have ill-effects. Therefore, he decided not perform the yajna.
What does ‘Project Light Brigade’ refer to?
‘Project Light Brigade’ refers to the plan to divert the comet from its path. The plan was to launch a spacecraft and explode the nuclear device near the comet.
What does Sir John say about the Project in his letter to Duttada in October?
Sir John, said that, “The charge of the light Brigade has begun. Let us hope for the best.” It meant that the spaceship was launched and they hoped it would deflect the path of the comet.
Did Sir John Buy Christmas present on December 15? How did Duttada get to known about it?
Duttada got to know from the letter that Sir John had bought Christmas presents on December 15. It indicated that the Project Light Brigade was successful because 15 December was the date when it was thought that the comet would collide with the earth.
Why, according to Indrani Debi, had the comet not been disastrous? Do you agree with her?
Indrani Debi thought that Comet Dutta could not harm the earth because of the Yajna performed at their house. I don’t agree with this because comet is like a natural object. It could do no harm.
Is Duttada’s general outlook
(i) rational?
(ii) moral?
(iii) traditional?
Choode the right word. Say why you think it right.
Duttada’s general outlook is rational because he had a scientific temper. He was a logical person who knew scientific terms and he didn’t believe in customs or morality.
Should a scientist’s dindings be suppressed if they seem disturbing? Give reasons for and against the topic.
No, the scientist tries to discover the truth after doing some observations. Hence, such activities should not be ignored. Copernicus put forward the theory that the earth moves round the sun. He disproved the belief that the earth was the centre of universe.
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?
Ours is a traditional and conservative society. People have believe in rites and rituals. Yes, many superstitions are followed in our country blindly and several types of pooja’s are performed to pacify the evil spirits.
Give two or three examples to show how science has been useful to us.
Science have given us so many great discoveries. Today, technology alongwith research is working on every sphere of life, from making devices to medicines of several diseases. We are also using wrong use of atomic bombs etc, which is causing bad to us only.
Give one example to show how science has been misused, and has a result been harmful to us.
Science and technology discovered gun powder and hydrogen bombs gases and other weapons of mass destruction. Instead of using energy for good causes, many people today, are inventing wrong type of destructive devices.