Footprints ch10 The Book That Saved the Earth - CBSE Test Papers

CBSE Test Paper 01
The Book That Saved the Earth
  1. Why did Think-Tank send his crew on the Earth?
  2. What did the historian speak about the books?
  3. What was the plan of Martians? Did they succeed in their attempt?
  4. How did Think-Tank interpret the poem The Cat and the Fiddle.
  5. What does Noodle tell Think-Tank about the book?
  6. How did the book change Think-Tank's opinion about the Earthlings?
  7. How did a nursery rhyme book save the Earth from Think Tank?
  8. Do you think books are being replaced by the electronic media? Can we do away with the books all together?
CBSE Test Paper 01
The Book That Saved the Earth
Solution
  1. Think-Tank, the ruler of Mars, planned to invade the Earth and expand his domain. He regarded the Earth as a mass of mud and Earthlings as ugly, tiny-headed creatures. He sent Probe One to the Earth to get more information about the Earthlings.
  2. The twentieth century was called the 'Era of the Books' because they were the encyclopedia of knowledge. There were books for everything-from ant-eaters to Zulus. Books were used to educate people and teach them. In fact, books were a very important part of the life of the people. They were concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as related to the human race; as well as the study of all history in time. 
  3. The Martians wanted to invade earth to include it in their domain so they planned to capture and invade the earth in 2040. But they could not succeed in their plan. There was a single book that stopped the invasion of the earth.
  4. Think-Tank misinterpreted the rhyme The Cat And The Fiddle. He thought that the Earthlings had taught musical culture and space techniques to their domesticated animals. They might be launching an interplanetary attack on millions of cows.
  5. Initially, Think-Tank considers books as an eatable for Earthlings, but later Noodle informs him that the Earthlings do not eat books. They use them for communication. He tells them books are a kind of communication device. Think-Tank orders his crew to listen to the devices but later finds that those are not an ear communication device but an eye communication device.
  6. Think Tank was the mighty ruler of Mars, who believed that Martians were superior creatures with handsome looks and high intellect. He planned to invade the Earth as he had little regard for the inhabitants of the Earth. His delegates, who had landed on Earth, were confused to see the books in the Centerville Public Library. So when he contacted them later, they could not make any sense of what the objects were nor comprehend the information therein. So, Think Tank ordered the crew to consume the vitamins to enable them to decode the information.
    He misinterpreted the nursery rhymes and thought that the Earthlings were powerful creatures and were planning an attack on them. Much to the amusement of the readers, he assumed Humpty-Dumpty in the rhyme as himself and fled to Alpha Centauri to save his life.
  7. Think Tank completely misinterpreted the book of nursery rhymes and interpreted it in a verbal manner. When Omega transcribed 'Hey Diddle Diddle', he thought that the animals on Earth were also ready for a space attack. When Omega read the nursery rhyme 'Mistress Mary', he was shocked to discover that metals could be grown in fields on Earth. He thought that the Earthlings were now able to grow high explosives as they had discovered how to combine agriculture and mining. When he saw the image of Humpty-Dumpty, he thought that it was his own brain and the Earthlings were planning to capture the Mass Central Control. Therefore, Think Tank got ready to save his own life instead of invading the Earth. Thus, the nursery rhyme book saved the Earth.
  8. The statement is true but only partially. All the information, that was earlier sourced by the encyclopedia, is today available at the touch of a button through the electronic media. So there is no doubt that the electronic media has made its presence felt in a big way. The visual effect is even better when we watch videos than the pictures in the books. Moreover, the electronic media saves paper and there is a lesser impact on the environment in the form of carbon footprints. Nevertheless, the electronic media cannot replace the printed books ever, despite the conveniences offered by it. Our paper books have their own special charm and significance and will continue to exist with whatever newer option that may be available. Thus, we cannot do away with books altogether.