📘 Scientific Research is a Token of Humankind’s Survival
📖 Understanding the Text
a. What does a scientist get instead of big money?
=> Answer: Scientists may not earn as much money as people working in highly profitable professions. However, scientific careers offer rewards such as freedom to think, independence in conducting research, and valuable companionship with other scientists. These intellectual and social benefits can give scientists a deep sense of satisfaction that wealth alone cannot provide.
b. What was the problem that the nuclear powers had faced?
=> Answer: The nuclear powers had agreed to stop testing nuclear weapons for a certain period. The difficulty was that there was no completely dependable method for finding out whether a country had secretly performed an underground nuclear test. Since underground explosions could produce signals resembling those of earthquakes, it was difficult to prove whether a suspicious event was a natural phenomenon or a hidden nuclear test.
c. In which area did Keilis Borok's theoretical knowledge have a direct application?
=> Answer: Keilis Borok's knowledge was related to seismology, particularly the study of seismic waves. His theoretical understanding could be practically used to distinguish the signals of an underground nuclear explosion from those produced by an earthquake. In this way, his scientific expertise became useful in detecting secret nuclear tests and helping to reduce a major threat to humanity.
d. What was the important decision that the politicians took before Geneva Summit?
=> Answer: Before the Geneva Summit, the politicians decided to prohibit nuclear-weapons testing. They considered this decision necessary for protecting human beings from the destructive consequences of nuclear weapons. They also hoped that ending nuclear testing would reduce the competition among nations to produce increasingly powerful weapons.
e. What are the natural and man-made disasters as mentioned by the author?
=> Answer: The author discusses various dangers capable of threatening human existence. Among the natural dangers are earthquakes and the destruction of large cities, along with environmental and other crises. Human-created dangers include nuclear radiation, radioactive waste, wars, large-scale violence, and destructive activities caused by human beings. Economic and social difficulties are also presented as serious problems affecting human life.
📚 Reference to the Context
a. The professional addressed as ‘you’ in “If you are clever, why are you so poor?” refers to a…
i. Lawyer
ii. Doctor
iii. Scientist
iv. Businessman
Justify your choice.
=> Answer: The correct answer is iii. Scientist.
The person addressed as “you” is a scientist. The question reflects the belief that a clever person should select a profession that brings considerable financial success. The writer, however, points out that scientists can be extremely intelligent without becoming wealthy. Their work is motivated more by knowledge, discovery, intellectual freedom, and service to society than by the pursuit of money.
b. “I found myself in Geneva.” What does it express?
=> Answer: This expression shows that the writer unexpectedly came to be in Geneva. He had become involved in an important discussion connected with nuclear weapons and international concerns. The phrase suggests a sense of surprise because he did not originally expect to find himself participating in such an important event.
c. State whether the following statements are true or false and give reasons.
i. Money is more powerful than intellectual resources.
=> Answer: The statement is false.
Financial wealth has considerable material power, but it cannot provide every valuable thing in human life. Money cannot guarantee love, genuine friendship, compassion, wisdom, or a meaningful desire to help others.
A person can possess great wealth and still feel lonely or dissatisfied. The pursuit of excessive wealth may even require sacrifices that reduce the quality of life. Therefore, intellectual resources and human qualities can have a value that money cannot replace.
ii. Intellectual resources help survival of mankind.
=> Answer: The statement is true.
Human civilization has survived and advanced because people can reason, investigate, discover, and create solutions. Intellectual ability enables humans to deal with dangers that cannot be overcome through physical power.
Scientific research has helped develop medical treatments, new energy resources, mineral discoveries, technological improvements, and methods of protecting people from various threats. For this reason, intellectual resources are essential for both the survival and advancement of humankind.
iii. Basic research is a way of stalling disasters.
=> Answer: The statement is true.
Basic research enables scientists to understand natural processes and identify possible dangers. Studies of earthquakes, tsunamis, storms, and environmental changes can provide information about when and how destructive events may occur.
Such knowledge allows authorities and communities to prepare themselves, issue warnings, evacuate vulnerable populations, and take preventive measures. Thus, scientific research can help reduce the consequences of disasters and protect human life.
d. How does the essayist justify scientific research is humankind’s survival?
=> Answer: The essayist connects scientific research directly with the continued survival of human beings. He illustrates this through the work of Keilis Borok, whose knowledge of seismic waves could help differentiate underground nuclear explosions from naturally occurring earthquakes.
The writer further explains that research can help humanity discover alternative sources of energy, new mineral resources, medicines, technological solutions, and methods of dealing with serious threats such as terrorism. Scientific investigation also improves our understanding of environmental changes and dangerous natural events.
Therefore, scientific research is much more than theoretical study. It provides humanity with knowledge that can prevent dangers, solve difficult problems, protect lives, and improve the future of civilization.
e. What can be the purpose of the essayist of using quotations in the essay?
=> Answer: The quotations are used to reinforce the writer's ideas and make his arguments more convincing. They give additional support to the points being discussed and make certain important ideas stand out clearly.
The writer also uses quotations to challenge common assumptions about scientists and scientific work. They help him present his arguments in a more powerful and persuasive manner.
f. Scientists are the most practical people in the world. Discuss and illustrate.
=> Answer: Scientists can be called practical people because their investigations often produce results that directly benefit everyday life. Scientific discoveries have influenced areas such as medicine, transportation, communication, defence, agriculture, biotechnology, and entertainment.
For example, scientific research has contributed to antibiotics, electronic devices, synthetic materials, improved transportation, agricultural development, genetic methods, and forensic techniques. Research can also lead to new energy sources, the discovery of useful minerals, improved medical treatments, and better ways of protecting society from terrorism.
Although scientists often work with theories and experiments that may initially seem abstract, their findings can eventually solve practical problems. Their work therefore has a strong connection with the real needs of society.
🌎 Reference Beyond the Text
a. Everyone lives under fear of annihilation by nuclear weapons. Explain.
=> Answer: Nuclear weapons are among the most serious dangers faced by humanity because a single attack can cause destruction on an enormous scale. They can result in mass deaths, severe injuries, destruction of cities, and long-lasting radioactive pollution.
The existence of nuclear weapons creates fear even when they are not being used. Nuclear powers have made agreements to restrict or stop nuclear testing, but international rivalry and competition for military strength continue to create uncertainty.
The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki demonstrate the devastating effects of nuclear weapons. Large numbers of people were killed, cities were destroyed, and many survivors continued to suffer from the effects of radiation.
If nuclear weapons were used in a densely populated area, countless people could die immediately, while survivors could face serious health problems for many years. Radioactive contamination could also affect areas beyond the location of the attack.
Thus, nuclear weapons are not merely a threat to individual nations. Their destructive power is so great that their misuse could endanger human civilization itself.
b. “While there is science, there is hope of survival and wellbeing for all of us.” Explain.
=> Answer: The statement means that scientific knowledge gives humanity the ability to understand its dangers and search for effective ways to overcome them.
Science has already helped humans deal with numerous problems. In the case of nuclear weapons, for example, seismological research provides methods for distinguishing underground nuclear explosions from ordinary earthquake activity. Such knowledge can support international efforts to control nuclear testing.
Scientific investigation also contributes to medical discoveries, new medicines, antibiotics, energy resources, mineral exploration, transportation, and technological development. It can help scientists understand environmental changes and develop methods for protecting the natural world.
Humanity faces many dangers, including natural disasters, environmental destruction, disease, terrorism, and the possibility of nuclear conflict. Wealth by itself cannot solve these problems. They require knowledge and systematic investigation.
Therefore, continued scientific research gives people hope for overcoming threats, protecting human life, improving health and living conditions, and creating a safer future.
c. Is science a blessing or curse? Write an essay.
उत्तर :
Science – A Blessing or a Curse
Science has completely changed the pattern of human life. It has made many difficult tasks easier and has provided people with better methods of communication, transportation, treatment, production, and entertainment. At the same time, scientific discoveries can become harmful when they are used without responsibility. Therefore, science can be regarded as either a blessing or a curse depending on how human beings employ it.
One of the most useful achievements of science is electricity. It illuminates houses, operates fans and electrical appliances, and helps people control temperature through heating and cooling systems. Industries also depend on electricity to operate machines and maintain production.
The field of medicine has benefited enormously from science. Modern medical knowledge has reduced infant mortality and contributed to longer life expectancy. Diseases such as cholera, smallpox, and tuberculosis can be prevented or treated much more successfully than before. Scientific progress in surgery has also enabled doctors to treat serious illnesses and remove dangerous growths from the body.
However, science has some negative consequences when its developments are poorly managed. The increasing use of machines can reduce the demand for manual labour. As machines take over tasks previously performed by workers, unemployment can become a social problem.
The destructive side of science is even more serious in the case of nuclear weapons. Scientific knowledge has made it possible to create weapons capable of destroying enormous numbers of people. Similarly, careless industrial and technological activities can cause pollution and damage the environment.
Nevertheless, blaming science itself for these problems would be unfair. Science is a form of knowledge; its consequences depend largely on human decisions and the purposes for which discoveries are used. Scientific inventions should be directed toward improving human life rather than causing destruction.
In conclusion, science is more beneficial than harmful when it is used with wisdom, responsibility, and humanity. People should control dangerous technologies, protect the environment, and use scientific discoveries for peaceful purposes. When guided properly, science can make human life healthier, safer, easier, and more prosperous.