Chaper 10 ( Comet-II )
(I)
Q1) “ For a moment
James wonders if he had done his sums right” Why was James doubtful about his
sums and calculations?
Ans) From the window of his room in hotel in London, James
was looking at the peaceful star-studded sky. In such atmosphere it was hard to
believe that a calamity was so near. He wondered, for a moment, if he had done
his sums right.
Q2) What did the
scientists at the conference say about James’s ‘sums’?
Ans) Scientists at the conference checked and rechecked the
calculations of James’ paper and concluded that calculations were correct and
his prediction was right. Collision with the comet Dutta was inevitable. Only slight
possibility was that it missed the head on collision and just grazed the
atmosphere of the earth. In that case total loss of life would not happen but
harm would be big.
Q3) Immediate action
was needed, scientists decided. Give one example each of ‘defensive’ and
‘offensive’ action mentioned in the text.
Ans) One defensive measure could be to hide in underground
bunkers. It was not a practical proposition. One offensive action was to give a
push to the comet and deflect it from its current path. This could be done by
the use of nuclear power.
Q4) “I am not buying
any chrishmas presents till December 15.” What did Sir John mean by that?
Ana) Sir john was not sure if the action decided in the
conference would be fruitful. There was only thin possibility of success. If
experiment failed, the comet would strike the earth on December 15. That’s why
he said he would not purchase any charismas gift till then.
(II)
Q1) What is Duttada expected to do on his return from London?
Ans) Duttada’s family had organized a
yajna and called the priest to bless him. They wanted him to participate in
rituals to avoid any ill effects that the comet might cause.
Q2) What is his reaction to the proposal?
Ans) Duttada was annoyed with the
yajna. He did not believe in the superstition acts. For him arrival of comet
was a natural phenomena and it had nothing to do with the ill-effects or
misfortune. He refused to take part in any yajna. He tried to convince his
family members that they should develop scientific temper.
Q3) (i) What does ‘Project Light Brigade’ refer to?
Ans) ‘Project Light Brigade’ was a
secret mission to divert the path of comet Dutta. In this project a spacecraft loaded
with mammoth nuclear payload was launched towards the comet. It would strike
the comet and nuclear material would be exploded by the remote at that time. If
everything went right, it would deflect the path of comet and collision with
the earth would be averted.
Q3) (ii) What does Sir John say about the project in his letter to
Duttada in October?
Ans) In October Duttada received a
letter from Sir John in which he wrote about many things like meeting of
astronomical society, high temperature, football matches and by-elections. Amid
all these things he mentioned that charge of light brigade had started and he hoped
for the best. It meant that spaceship had been launched on time.
Q4) Did Sir John buy Christmas presents on December 15? How did Duttada
get to know about it?
Ans) Yes, Sir John purchased the Christmas
presents on December 15. Duttada received an urgent message from Sir john on November
18, in which he told that he was now sure that he would purchase the present in
December 15.
Q5) Why according to Indrani Debi had the comet not been disastrous? Do
you agree with her?
Ans) Indrani Debi had faith in the
yajna that she had completed even in the absence of Duttada. On the advice of
guruji, their grandson, Khoka, performed the rituals in place of Duttada. She
was confident that all ill-effects of the comet were eliminated by the yajna
that she organized and performed very religiously.
No I do not agree with her logic. The
great collision was diverted by the efforts of scientific community. They
launched a swift and risky project for it.
Q6) Is Duttada’s general outlook
(i) rational?
(ii) moral?
(iii) traditional?
Choose the right word. Say why you think it right.
Ans) Duttada’s general outlook is
rational. He was man of scientific temper. He believed in the scientific
explanation of astronomical phenomena. He didn’t trust the superstitious views
of his family and never took part in their yajna and rituals.
