KSEEB Solutions for Class 8 English Chapter 10 The Comet-2 Summary In English
Within a week, a conference of experts was held in London. Renowned astronomers, computer scientists, nuclear physicists, biologists, and space technologists attended the conference. Manoj Dutta, the discoverer of ‘Comet Dutta’ was also invited. The calculations and observations of James Forsyth were checked and rechecked. They were found to be correct. The experts agreed that the comet’s collision with the Earth was inevitable.
However, there could be some chance of survival if Comet Dutta was slightly pushed away from its path. And that could be done with the help of a powerful nuclear explosion in space at the proper time. The conference of experts chalked out a detailed program. A small task force of experts was appointed and given the name of ‘Light Brigade’. The task that they were to perform was code-named ‘Project Light Brigade. It was decided that if the comet did not disappear or change its path by natural causes, the expert team of the ‘Light Brigade’ would send off a spacecraft with nuclear payload on October 10. And this nuclear payload was to be exploded on November 15.
When Duttada returned home after attending the conference of experts, he found that his wife and younger brother Sibaji Babu had made arrangements for a yajna to pacify the evil spirit behind the comet. But Duttada told them frankly and steely that he had no faith in such rituals. He refused to take part in any meaningless ritual.
Meanwhile, Comet Dutta was following its path exactly as estimated by the scientists. It was heading towards the Earth. The expert scientists of the ‘Light Brigade’ started their operations as had been decided earlier. On October 10, they sent off a spacecraft equipped with the required nuclear payload to detonate it. Duttada and the other scientists were all the time worried about the failure of the nuclear explosion to push back the comet from its path.
However, on November 18, he received a special message from John Macpherson that the Earth could hope to survive. Dutta shared the happy news with his wife. He told her that the comet had passed by the earth without causing any destruction. But she claimed that it was the yajna that had pacified the evil spirit behind the comet.
Duttada said that he had not performed any yajna. Thereupon, his wife informed him that according to the instructions of Guruji, the yajna had been performed on his behalf by his grandson, Khoka. Duttada was aware of the gulf between the rich and poor, the educated and the uneducated. But he realised that the gulf between the rational and the superstitious is far wider and much more dangerous.
Sslc Class 8 English The Comet 2 Question And Answers
Class 8 English KSEEB Chapter 10 The Comet-2 Summary In Hindi
इस प्रकार एक सप्ताह के भीतर लन्दन में विशेषज्ञों की एक सभा हुई जिसमें विख्यात खगोल वैज्ञानिकों, कम्प्यूटर वैज्ञानिकों, परमाणु विशेषज्ञों, जीव-वैज्ञानिकों तथा अन्तरिक्ष वैज्ञानिकों ने भाग लिया। “धूमकेतु दत्ता” का आविष्कारक मनोज दत्ता भी वहां उपस्थित था। जेम्स फौरसाईथ के गणनों की बार-बार जांच की गई और वे ठीक पाये गए। विशेषज्ञ इस बात से सहमत थे कि धुमकेतु का धरती से टकराव टल नहीं सकता था। सुरक्षा की एक ही सम्भावना हो सकती थीं। वह यह थी कि “धुमकेतु दत्ता ” को इसके परिक्रमा पथ से थोड़ा हटा दिया जाए। यह काम उचित समय पर अन्तरिक्ष में परमाणु विस्फोट द्वारा किया जा सकता था।
अतः विशेषज्ञों की सभा ने एक विस्तृत योजना बनाई कुछ विशेषज्ञों की टीम इस योजना को कार्य रूप देने के लिए नियुक्त की गईं। इसको ‘‘लाइट ब्रिगेड़” का नाम दिया गया। जो कार्य उन्हें सौंपा गया उसे “प्रोजेक्ट लाइट ब्रिगेड़” का नाम दिया गया। यह निर्णय किया गया कि यदि धूमकेतु किन्हीं प्राकृतिक प्रभावों के अधीन लुप्त न हो या अपना पथ न बदले तो विशेषज्ञों की टीम 10 अक्तूबर को अन्तरिक्षवान द्वारा एक परमाणु विस्फोटक अन्तरिक्ष में भेजेगी। यह विस्फोट 15 नवम्बर को किया जाएगा। जब दत्तादा विशेषज्ञों की सभा में भाग लेने के पश्चात् वापिस घर लौटा तो उसने देखा कि उसकी पत्नी और छोटे भाई सिबजी बाबू ने एक यज्ञ का आयोजन कर रखा था। सिबजी ने कहा कि धूमकेतु की दुष्ट वृत्ति को शान्त करने के लिए गुरु जी ने यज्ञ करने की सिफारिश की थी। परन्तु दत्तादा ने दृढतापूर्वक कहा कि यह बात उपनिषदों की भावना के भी विरुद्ध थी क्योंकि उपनिषद् वैज्ञानिक दृष्टिकोण को प्रोत्साहन देने हैं, न कि अन्धविश्वास को।
अतः उसने किसी यज्ञ आदि में भाग लेने से इन्कार कर दिया। इसी बीच ‘धूमकेतु दत्ता’ अपने परिक्रमा पथ पर बढ़ता चला जा रहा था। यह पृथ्वी की ओर बढ़ रहा था। लाईट बिग्रेड के वैज्ञानिकों ने निश्चित प्रोग्राम के अनुसार अक्तूबर में धूमकेतु को इसके पथ से हटाने के लिए अपना काम शुरू कर दिया। दत्तादा और अन्य वैज्ञानिक दुविधा में थे और उन्हें चिन्ता थी कि धूमकेतु को इसके पथ से परे करने के लिए जो परमाणु विस्फोट किया जा रहा था, वह कहीं असफल न रह जाए।
दत्तादा ने जब यह धूमकेतु 16 नवम्बर को देखा तो उसे पता चला कि धूमकेतु की स्थिति बदल गई है। परन्तु उसे यह निश्चय नहीं था कि टकराव का ख़तरा टल गया था अथवा नहीं। अठारह नवम्बर को उसे जॉन मैकफर्सन से एक विशेष सन्देश प्राप्त हुआ कि अब आशा हो सकती थी कि शायद पृथ्वी बच जाएगी।
दत्तादा ने अपनी पत्नी को बताया कि उसे अब खुश होना चाहिए क्योंकि धूमकंतु ने पृथ्वी पर कोई विनाश नहीं किया था। परन्तु इस के उत्तर में पत्नी ने कहा कि धूमकेतु केवल इसी कारण हानि नहीं पहुंचा सका था क्योंकि उनके द्वारा आयोजित यज्ञ से उसकी दुष्ट वृत्ति शान्त हो गई थी। जब दत्तादा ने कहा कि उसने तो कोई यज्ञ आदि किया ही नहीं था तो उसकी पत्नी ने कहा कि गुरु जी के निर्देशानुसार यह यज्ञ दत्तादा के पौत्र खांका से करवा दिया दिया था। दत्तादा को गरीब और अमीर के बीच की खाई के विषय में जानकारी थी पर अब उस ने अन्ध-विश्वास तथा वैज्ञानिक विचारधारा में भारी अन्तर महसूस किया।
The Comet-2 Word Meanings
Class 8 English Reader Chapter 10 The Comet 2 Summary Kseeb
The Comet-2 Exercises (Solved) Comprehension Check-1
Question 1. “For a moment James wondered if he had done his sums right.” Why was James doubtful about his sums and calculations?
Answer. At about i am, James looked up at the sky from his window. A star-studded night greeted him. One could not even think of the calamity that was to strike the planet on such a peaceful night. The s created in him doubts about his calculations.
Question 2. What did the scientists at the conference say about James’s sums?
Answer. The scientists said that James was right in his calculations. There was no escape from the Comet Dutta’s direct hit with the Earth as predicted by him.
Question 3. Immediate action was needed, the scientists decided. Give one example of each of ‘defensive’ and ‘offensive’ actions mentioned in the text.
Answer. It was suggested that people should take shelter in underground bunkers. But, this defensive action was not practical and was dismissed outright The second suggestion was that the scientists should try to push away the comet from its path. They could do so by a powerful nuclear explosion. This was an offensive action.
Question 4. “I am not buying any Christmas presents till December 15.” What did Sir John mean by that?
Answer. Sir John made these remarks when Duttada asked him if they would succeed in deflecting the comet from its path. He meant to say that he was not very sure about their success.
Kseeb Class 8 English The Comet 2 Textbook Solutions
The Comet-2 Comprehension Check-2
Question 1. What is Duttada expected to do on his return from London?
Answer. On his return from London, Duttada is expected to perform a Shanti yajna arranged by his wife and his younger brother.
Question 2. What is his (Duttada’s) reaction to the proposal (of yajna)?
Answer. Duttada refused to perform the yajna. He said that it was a meaningless ritual based on superstition.
Question 3.
- What does ‘Project Light Brigade’ refer to?
- What does Sir John say about the Project in his letter to Duttada in October?
Answer.
- Project Light Brigade refers to the task of pushing away Comet Dutta from its path. It was to be done by a powerful nuclear explosion.
- In October Duttada receives a letter from Sir John. He writes to tell Duttada, “The charge of the Light Brigade has begun. Let us hope for the best.”
Question 4. Did Sir John buy Christmas presents on December 15? How did Duttada get to know about it?
Answer. Yes, Sir John bought Christmas presents on December 15. On November 18, a special messenger from the British Council brought an urgent telex message for Duttada. It read “I am confident now of buying my Christmas presents on December 15—John Macpherson.”
Question 5. Why, according to Indrani Debi, had the comet not been disastrous? Do you agree with her?
Answer. Indrani Debi said that the comet did not lead to any disaster because of the yajna organised by her. We don’t agree with this view because it is based on superstition. The disaster was averted by the timely action of the scientists.
Question 6. Is Duttada’s general outlook
- rational?
- moral?
- traditional?
Choose the right word. Say why you think it is right.
Answer.
rational. I think it is the right word as he opposed the ‘yajna’ performed by his wife and believed in the scientists.
The Comet 2 Class 8 English Kseeb Important Questions
The Comet-2 Exercise (Solved)
Discuss the following topics in small groups. Write your answers afterward.
Question 1. Should a scientist’s findings be suppressed if they seem disturbing? Give reasons for and against the topic.
Answer. A scientist’s findings should not be suppressed even if they seen disturbing. If they are suppressed, then people will not know about the danger: hey are going to face and they would not be able to take precautionary measures against it. A scientist’s findings should be suppressed if they seem disturbing. If they get leaked, they may send a wave of panic throughout the world.
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 to be useless or useful?
Answer. Yes, ours is a traditional society. Majority of us believe in age-old traditions. We observe fasts, perform yajna, feed priests to pacify the souls of our forefathers, etc. These things are not absolutely useless. Observing fast is useful for health. By performing yajna, we purify the atmosphere as harmful germs are killed. These things are useless if performed blindly, without knowing their significance.
Question 3. Give two-three examples to show how science has been useful to us.
Answer. Science has affected every)’ sphere of life-medicine, entertainment, transport, communication, industry, commerce, etc.
- Man has eradicated some fatal diseases and found treatment for others through science.
- Science has created many means of entertainment-cinema T.V., radio, Internet, etc
- It has made life easy and comfortable. We have air coolers, washing machines, refrigerators, etc. that make our life and work easy.
- Science has conquered the distances of time and space through telephones, road, water, and air transport
Karnataka Sslc Class 8 English Chapter 10 Solutions In English
Question 4. Give one example to show how science has been misused and has as a result been harmful to us.
Answer. Science has created weapons of destruction which have brought death and annihilation. Two Japanese cities, Hiroshima and Nagasaki were completely destroyed by atom bombs dropped on them during World War II.
The Comet-2 Additional Questions Very Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1. What did James see from his window at around I a.m.?
Answer. James saw a star-studded night sky from his window.
Question 2. Who had attended the international conference?
Answer. Astronomers, computer scientists, nuclear physicists, space technologists, and biologists had attended the international conference.
Question 3. Why did the experts dismiss the idea of underground bunkers?
Answer. The idea of underground bunkers was not a practical proposition so it was dismissed.
Question 4. What was the name given to the secret operation?
Answer. The operation was code-named ‘Project Light Brigade.
Question 5. What kind of a person was Indrani Debi?
Answer. Indrani Debi was a very superstitious person.
Class 8 English Reader The Comet 2 Notes Karnataka Board
Question 6. Who was Khoka?
Answer. Khoka was Duttada’s eight-year-old grandson.
Question 7. What was the urgent message sent by John Macpherson?
Answer. John Macpherson had messaged, “I am now confident of buying presents on December 15”.
Question 8. What was Duttada’s reaction to the message sent through the telex operator?
Answer. Duttada couldn’t contain his joy and rushed to his favorite rasagolla shop.
Explanation Of The Comet-2 KSEEB Class 8
The Comet-2 Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1. How did the experts arrive to the conclusion that James Forsyth’s observation was correct?
Answer. The conference of experts lasted one week. The experts checked and rechecked James’s calculations with the latest observations of Comet Dutta and arrived at the conclusion that James was right
Question 2. What was the ‘small chance’ that the scientists had hinted upon?
Answer. The small chance that the scientists had hinted upon was that the comet may just graze the atmosphere of the Earth and not collide with it.
Question 3. Why was it important to maintain secrecy on the entire mission?
Answer. It was important to maintain secrecy on the entire mission as leaking information about the same could create panic around the world.
Question 4. Why had a crowd gathered under a pandal near Duttada’s home?
Answer. A crowd had gathered under a pandal near Duttada’s home as Indrani Debi (Duttada’s wife) and Sibaji Babu (Duttada’s brother) had organised a yajna to pacify the evil spirit behind the comet that Duttada had discovered.
The Comet 2 Class 8 English Summary And Explanation Kseeb
Question 5. What was Duttada’s reaction to the yajna organised by his wife and brother?
Answer. Duttada became furious and almost blew up when he got to know that a yajna was being organised to ward off evil associated with the comet.
Question 6. What did the priest suggest when Duttada refused to perform the yajna?
Answer. As Duttada was unwilling to perform the yajna, Guruji (the priest) told Indrani Debi and others that it was all right if a descendant of Duttada performed the yajna.
The Comet-2 Long Answer Type Questions
How was the disaster averted at last?
Answer. Comet Dutta was marginally deflected from its path by giving it a slight push. A bulk of destructive nuclear power that was available on the Earth was placed in a spaceship and sent to seize the approaching comet. The payload was exploded at the right place and time and in the right direction with the help of a remote control. This was made possible due to precise observations and calculations made by the experts.
KSEEB Solutions for Class 8 English Karnataka State Syllabus
- Chapter 1 The Best Christmas Present in the World
- Chapter 2 The Tsunami
- Chapter 3 Glimpses of the past
- Chapter 4 Bepin Choudhury’s Lapse Of Memory
- Chapter 5 The Summit Within
- Chapter 6 This Is Jody’s Fawn
- Chapter 7 A Visit to Cambridge
- Chapter 8 A Short Monsoon Diary
- Chapter 9 The Great Stone Face 1
- Chapter 9 The Comet-1
- Chapter 10 The Comet-2
KSEEB Class 8 English Supplementary Readers contains Textbook Readers and Supplementary Readers of all chapters are part of Revision Notes for grade 8 English. Here we have given notes Class VIII.