Comprehension check:-

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

Ans. James predicted that Comet Dutta would collide with Earth within ten months based on his sums and calculations. On such a peaceful night, it was difficult to believe the impending disaster. So he wondered if he had done his calculations correctly.

Q 2. What did the scientists at the conference say about James’s ‘sums’ ?

Ans. Experts and scientists compared James Forsyth’s calculation to the most recent Comet Dutta observations. They discovered that his calculations and sums were correct, indicating that a comet may collide with Earth soon.

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

Ans. It was proposed that people live in underground bunkers as a “defensive” measure. However, the experts rejected this proposal. The offensive strategy was to deflect Comet Dutta’s path slightly by giving it a push.

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

Ans. By making this statement, Duttada meant that they were unsure of their ability to prevent Comet Dutta from colliding with Earth on December 15.

Comprehension Check:-

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

Ans. Duttada is expected to perform a Shanti Yajna arranged by his wife and younger brother upon his return from London.

Q 2. What is his reaction to the proposal ?

Ans. Duttada was enraged. He refused to participate in any Shanti Yajna. He dismissed it as mere superstition.

Q 3. (i) What does ‘Project Light Brigade’ refer to ?

Ans. The term ‘Project Light Brigade’ refers to the effort to avoid a collision between Comet Dutta and the Earth.

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

Ans. Sir John informs Duttada in this letter that the charge of the Light Brigade has begun.

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

Ans. Sir John did, in fact, purchase a Christmas present on December 15. On November 18, Duttada received a telex message from Sir John in which he stated that he was confident of purchasing his Christmas.

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

Ans. Because of her yajna, the comet did not cause a disaster, according to Indrani Debi. I disagree with her because it is not a folklore. The timely efforts of the scientists prevented the disaster.

Q 6. Is Duttada’s general outlook

• Rational?
• Moral?
• Traditional?

Choose the right word. Say why you think it right.

Ans. According to Indrani Debi, the comet did not cause a disaster because of her yajna. She is incorrect, and it is not folklore. The scientists’ timely efforts prevented the disaster.

Exercise :-

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

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

Ans. For example, if a scientist’s findings are disturbing, they should be suppressed. The truth can cause widespread panic among the general public.

Opponents argue that suppressing a scientist’s findings, no matter how disturbing, is wrong. People will be unaware of the threat to their lives if

Q 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 ?

Ans. Yes, we live in a traditional society. We keep fasts. We participate in yajnas. On special occasions, we feed priests to appease the souls of our ancestors who have passed away. In our families, we have many rituals for weddings. Many traditional things are observed in our families when a child is born. Some of these things, in my opinion, are beneficial because they raise our moral values. They contribute to the improvement of our environment. Some of these traditional practises are harmful because they obstruct our progress.

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

Ans. Science has been extremely beneficial to us. It has altered modern man’s life.
Like:- With the help of science, man has conquered many deadly diseases. With the help of science, man has developed modern modes of transportation and communication, which has changed his life. Man has learned about the behaviour of natural objects such as the stars, sun, moon, and earth.

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

Ans. With the help of science, man has created lethal weapons. People have frequently used these lethal weapons to murder others. Many people have been killed as a result of these weapons. A dangerous scientific invention has been the bomb blast with remote controls.