NCERT Solutions Class 8 English It So Happened Chapter 10 The Comet-II
NCERT Solutions Class 8 English It So Happened Chapter 10 The Comet-II: National Council of Educational Research and Training Class 8 English It So Happened Chapter 10 Solutions – The Comet-II. NCERT Solutions Class 8 English It So Happened Chapter 10 PDF Download.
Board |
NCERT |
Class |
8 |
Subject |
English |
Book Name |
It So Happened |
Chapter |
10 |
Chapter Name |
The Comet-II |
Topic |
Exercise Solutions |
NCERT Solutions Class 8 English It So Happened Chapter 10 – The Comet-II
I
Comprehension Check
1.) “For a moment James wondered if he had done his sums right.” Why?
Answer: At 1.00 am James looked up in the star-studded sky from his window. Somewhere among these stars were comet Dutta which was heading to collid with the earth. It was such a peaceful night that it became hard for him to believe that calamity would happen in the future. This situation made him wonder whether his sums were right or not.
2.) What did the scientists at the conference say about James’s ‘sums’?
Answer: The scientists checked and rechecked James’ sums and concluded that he was right. Though there was a slight chance that the comet may just graze the atmosphere of the earth and not collide but this too would cause some damage.
3.) Immediate action was needed, the scientists decided. Give one example each of ‘defensive’ and ‘offensive’ action mentioned in the text.
Answer: There was a need of actions to be taken. There were two actions i.e. defensive and offensive. The defensive action was to live in underground bunkers but this was dismissed as it was not practical proposition. There was offensive action which wastomarginally deflect comet Dutta from its path by giving it a push. A gigantic nuclear explosion suitably placed, suitably directed and suitably timed could do the trick. This could be done by placing the nuclear payload in a spaceship, sending it to intercept the
approaching comet and detonating it by remote control.
4.) “I am not buying any Christmas presents till December 15.” What did Sir John mean by that?
Answer: John said that because he was unsure about the success of experiment. 15 December was the day of the experiment and if it failed then it would be the day the comet would hit the earth.
II
1.) What is Duttada expected to do on his return from London?
Answer: After his arrival, he was expected to perform shanty yajna to pacify the evil spirit behind the comet.
2.) What is his reaction to the proposal?
Answer: Duttada was angry at the proposal and he thought that doing such things was superstition.
3.) (i) What does ‘Project Light Brigade’ refer to?
Answer: ‘Project Light Brigade’ was a code-name given to the experiment of deflecting the comet’s path by placing the nuclear payload.
(ii) What does Sir John say about the Project in his letter to Duttada in October?
Answer: Duttada received a letter from Sir John is October in which he mentioned that the charge of the Light Brigade had begun and they hoped for the best. The spacecraft had been launched on time.
4.) Did Sir John buy Christmas presents on December 15? How did Duttada get to know about it?
Answer: On 18th November Duttada received an urgent telex in which John mentioned that he was going to buy Christmas presents on December. This indicated success of the experiment.
5.) Why, according to Indrani Debi, had the comet not been disastrous?Do you agree with her?
Answer: According to Indrani Debi the comet had not been disastrous because of the yajna performed at their house. No, I don’t agree with her because it was completely illogical and superstitious. She was someone who believed in superstition rather than science. It was the intelligent brains of the experts around the world who took efforts and saved the comet from colliding it with the earth.
6.) Is Duttada’s general outlook
(i) rational?
(ii) moral?
(iii) traditional?
Choose the right word. Say why you think it right.
Answer: Duttada had a rational outlook. He believed in science. He didn’t agree with his wife’s views on yajna and didn’t perform it. He was of the opinion that there was no connection between yajna and comet.
Exercise
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: No, a scientist’s findings should never be suppressed. A scientist tries go deep in his subject matter and puts forward his research. His study is not just empirical but he relies on practical knowledge approach. He works hard for his research and is passionate about discovering something new. He works towards the betterment of the mankind and always thinks how any new scientific discovery can make lives of the people easier.
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: Yes, our society is a traditional one. There are many things we believe and do which are illogical and baseless. Even in this advanced scientific and technological age, people still believe in superstition. There are some people who declare themselves are priest and on the pretext of offering to god and telling people that they will be blessed by god, they do unethical things.
3.) Give two or three examples to show how science has been useful to us.
Answer: Science has helped mankind in many ways. It has made our living easy in many ways. Scientific advancements have given cure to many diseases. Another example is of automobile that is an important part of our daily lives.