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Chapter 9, The Comet I, COMPREHENSION CHECK {Page 77), 1. Why does Indrani Debi dislike Duttada’s ‘hobnobbing’ with Dibya ?, A1. Duttada spent most of his time with ‘Dibya’, the telescope. He was suffering from cold, but, he forgot to put on even his sweater. He also did not bother to close the door. He was so much, lost in stargazing. ‘Dibya’ had cast a spell on him. So Indrani Debi did not like him to hobnob, with ‘Dibya’., 2. She is complaining and smiling. Why is she smiling ?, A2. She could not repress her smile because he did not even close the door. He was unaware, of the practical problems of living. He forgot to put on his sweater even after the doctor’s advice., 3. (i) What was Duttada’s secret ambition ?, (ii) What did he do to achieve it ?, 3. (i) Duttada’s secret ambition was to buy a good telescope and to have sufficient time. He, wanted to observe sky., (ii) He got them both when he retired with sufficient money. The telescope was installed and, Duttada started gazing at the stars., 4. What is the difference between a planet and a comet, as given in the story ?, A4. A comet can be new. They come from the distant corners of the Solar System. Like planets,, they orbit around the sun. But their orbit keeps on changing. On the other hand, a planet has a, fixed orbit. ., 5. Why was Duttada hopeful that he would discover a new comet soon ?, 5. Professional astronomers do not pay much attention to comets. They consider them, insignificant. An amateur astronomer like Duttada was hopeful to discover a new comet., , 6. Why does Duttada say-“I almost wish I had not discovered this comet. ” ?, 6. Duttada was an introvert. The discovery of a new comet brought unwelcome publicity to him., He had to attend many receptions and functions. So he wished he had not discovered that, comet., , 7. Why is his wife unhappy about the discovery ?, A7. His wife is also unhappy about the discovery because she was superstitious. For her, arrival, of a comet brings calamities., COMPREHENSION CHECK (Page 80), 1. How did Sir John get hold of James’ original manuscript ?

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A1. Sir John met one Mr. Taylor at lunch in a club. Taylor showed him a paper there. He asked, for Sir John’s opinion about the manuscript. It was James’s original manuscript. Taylor wanted to, consult Sir John before sending the manuscript to a professional referee. So Sir John got hold, of James’s original manuscript., 2. What is the important point the paper makes ?, A2. The paper makes the important point that Comet Dutta will collide with the earth., 3. Why does Sir John say that James's Paper should not be published ?, A3. If James’s paper had been published it would have caused widespread panic in the world., So Sir John asks James to tone down the terrible truth in the paper., 4. What do the two men finally decide to do ?, A4. Finally the two men decide to call an important secret conference of international experts., , Chapter 10, The Comet II, TEXTUAL EXERCISES, COMPREHENSION CHECK (Page 83), 1. “For a moment James wondered if he had done his sums right.” Why was James doubtful, about his sums and calculations ?, A1. Sir John dropped James at his hotel at 1 a.m. When he looked up from his window, he saw, the star-studded sky. Looking at the sky, it was difficult to believe that any calamity could, happen. So James wondered if he had done his, sums and calculations right., 2. What did the scientists at the conference say about James’s ‘sums’ ?, 2. The scientists at the conference discussed the matter for a week. They came to the, conclusion that James Forsyth was correct in his calculations. The ‘Dutta’ comet would collide, with the earth., 3. Immediate action was needed, the scientists decided. Give one example each of defensive’, and ‘offensive’ action mentioned in the text., A3. The scientists suggested suitable measures. They rejected defensive measures like living in, bunkers. So the only way was to take offensive action. The comet could he slightly deflected, from its path. A nuclear explosion could do the job. This could be done by exploding a nuclear, payload near the comet., 4. “I am not buying any Christmas presents till December 15.” What did Sir John mean by that ?, 4. Sir John was doubtful about the success of the offensive action suggested. So he told, Duttada that he won’t buy his Christmas presents till December 15. By that time the whole, situation would become clear.

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COMPREHENSION CHECK (Page 87), 1. What is Duttada expected to do on his return from London ?, A1. Duttada is expected to do a shanti-path to pacify the evil spirit. His wife had called the, priests to bless him. People were waiting for him to perform the yajna., 2. What is his reaction to the proposal ?, 2. When theproposal of & yajna was put before Duttada, he became very angry. He did not find, any specific advantage in that ceremony. He considered it no more than a superstition to think, that comets have ill-effects., 3. (i) What does ‘Project Light Brigade’ refer to ?, (ii) What does Sir John say about the Project in his letter to Duttada in October ?, 3. (i) ‘Project Light Brigade’ refers to the project of averting ‘Dutta’ comet’s collision. For this, purpose, a spacecraft had been launched. It carried nuclear fuel. It would explode near the, comet to break it up., (ii) Sir John gave an account of the meeting of the Royal Astronomical Society. He also talked, about the unusually warm weather. He also made a mention of “The charge of the Light, Brigade.”, 4. Did Sir John buy Christmas presents on December 15 ? How did Duttada get to know about it, ?, 4. Yes Sir John bought presents on December 15. Duttada knew about Sir John buying the, Christmas presents from a letter., 5. Why, according to Indrani Debi, had the comet not been disastrous ? Do you agree with her ?, 5. Indrani Debi was sure that the comet ‘Dutta’ had not been disastrous because of the yajna., 6. Is Duttada’s general outlook, rational ?, moral ?, traditional ?, Choose the right word. Say why you think it right., 6. Duttada’s outlook is rational because he does not believe in outdated rituals and ceremonies., He is truly a scientist and has a scientific attitude to life. He cannot be called traditional. There, can be no question of morality so far as scientific investigation is concerned. A scientist has to, go by reason, not by morality., , Please do not write this in your notebooks., This is for reference., EXERCISE (Page 88), Discuss the following topics in small groups. Write your answers afterwards.

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Question 1., Should a scientist’s findings be suppressed if they seem disturbing ? Give reasons for and, against the topic., Answer:, Copernicus (1473-1543) was a Polish astronomer. He put forward the theory that the earth, orbits the sun. Until then Ptolemy’s theory was generally accepted. The theory was that the, earth was the centre of the universe. Heavenly bodies rotated round it. Copernicus’s theory, went against the traditional theory as well as the Bible. But Copernicus’s findings were not, suppressed. Galileo (1564-1642) the Italian scientist also accepted Copernicus’s theory. But, in, 1633, he was made to recant by the church. However, even then the earth revolved round the, sun as it does now. So we gain nothing by suppressing a scientist’s findings. Truth should come, to light however disturbing it may be., Question 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:, No doubt, ours is a traditional society. We are traditional because we believe in so many, religious rituals and ceremonies. Most of these are useless. For example, Indrani Debi, organised a yajna to avert the comet’s collision with the earth. She was an M.A. yet she, believed in such things rather than scientific measures. She even believed that tine yajna had, averted the collision. We find these things interesting but most of them are useless. They serve, no useful purpose. Only superstitious people believe in such things., Question 3., Give two or three examples to show how science has been useful to us., Answer:, Scientific discoveries have made human life more comfortable than before. Most of the progress, in the world is because of science. It has helped man in fighting disease and poverty. The, invention of electricity, steam engine, etc. has brought about a change in our life. There is no, field of life or activity where science is not helpful., Question 4., Give one example to show how science has been misused, and has as a result been harmful to, us., Answer:, Man has misused science by producing weapons of mass destruction like atom and hydrogen, bombs. They can bring about widespread destruction in no time. They don’t spare even, innocent people.