The comet II - Worksheets

CBSE Worksheet 01
The comet II
  1. How long was Dutta away from home, in the foreign land?
  2. What was expected to happen on December 15? Answer in the context of The Comet II.
  3. What was the conclusion of the scientists at the conference? Answer in the context of The Comet II.
  4. What did James do as Sir John dropped him at Regent Street?
  5. What confirmed Duttada that comet was not going to collide with the earth?
  6. “I am confident now of buying my Christmas presents on December 15 – John Macpherson’. Why had John not been buying Christmas presents?
  7. What were the varied reactions of people to the arrival of the Comet Dutta?
  8. Give an account of the scientist's conference called by Sir John.
CBSE Worksheet 01
The comet II
Solution
  1. For about three weeks. He spent a week in London to attend the conference and two weeks to tour the British Isles.
  2. If the experiment of the scientists failed, the comet would hit the earth. If it succeeded, the comet would pass by the earth at a near but safe distance.
  3. The conclusion was that there was no escape from the comet’s direct hit on the earth. There was a small chance that it might only graze the earth’s atmosphere.
  4. James looked up in the star-studded sky to observe the Comet Dutta among those stars. It was difficult for him to imagine the calamity on such a peaceful night.
  5. When Duttada received a telex message from Sir John saying, 'I am confident now of buying my Christmas presents', he was confirmed that the comet would not collide with the earth.
  6. On December 15, Comet Dutta came closest to the earth-at a distance of 80,000 Km. Millions saw it and admired it but very few people knew how close the earthy was to total destruction. When the comet passed off, John Macpherson heaved a sigh of relief. His operation had been successful. So he decided to celebrate Christmas.
  7. On December 15, Comet Dutta appeared the closest to Earth at a distance of 80,000 kilometres from Earth. Millions saw and admired it. Only a handful knew how close they had come to annihilation.
  8. The conference lasted one week. It went on under the total cover of secrecy. The experts checked and rechecked James’s calculations. They made the latest observations of comet Dutta. They found that there was no escape from the comet’s hit at the earth. There was a small chance that it might graze the atmosphere of the earth. In that case, there would not be a total loss of life and property. The scientists decided that some action was needed. The experts rejected defensive measures like living in underground bunkers. They recommended offensive action.