Class 11 English Lesson 17: Scientific Research is a Kind of Humankind’s Survival : Reference to the Context

 

Reference to the context

a.      The professional addressed as ‘you’ in the sentence “If you are clever, why are you so poor?” refers to

i.  a lawyer          ii. doctor               iii. scientist          iv. businessman.
Justify your choice.

Here, the ‘you’ refers to a scientist. The author wants to know why some people with clever and brilliant minds want to be scientists, through other professionals like lawyers, doctors, and businessmen who earn much more. The author intends to show that although scientists are very wise, their wisdom does not generally help them in generating wealth. Thus, scientists are generally wise but not wealthy.

b.     The writer says, “I found myself in Geneva.” What does it express?

It expresses the surprise of writer. He said the above line because he was summoned all of a sudden to attend the meeting related to nuclear weapons in Geneva.

c.      Are the following statements true? Why or why not? Discuss with your partner.

i.       Money is more powerful than intellectual resources.

This statement is not true. Money can give us the power to make a difference in the lives of others, but not the desire to do so. It can give us the time to develop and nurture our relationships, but not the love and caring necessary to do so. It can just as easily make us jaded, escapist, selfish, and lonely. How much do you need? What is it going to cost you to get it? It is keeping these two questions in mind that gives us a true sense of money’s relationship to happiness. If we have less than what we need, or if what we have is costing us too much, we can never be happy.

ii.     Intellectual resources help the survival of mankind.

This statement is true. It is because of the intellectual resources that we have combated many diseases. Though man is not the fittest among all the creations of God, he can ensure his safety against the other powerful creatures of nature because of his intellectual resources. Basic research can help our survival by giving us new sources of energy and new mineral deposits. Basic research can also protect us against terrorism.

iii.  Basic research is a way of stalling disasters.

This statement is true. People in the world are living their lives securely, believing in scientific research. Scientists keep on studying the ecological changes and forewarn people about natural disasters like earthquakes, tsunamis, storms, etc. People can be evacuated from the area posed with danger.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WP6T4MH0Dn4 

d.     How does the essayist justify that scientific research is humankind’s survival?

The essayist justifies that scientific research is humankind’s survival by presenting his opinions in favour of science and its research-based inventions. As a seismologist, he had theoretical knowledge in seismic waves that could easily detect underground nuclear explosions as well as tremors produced by earthquakes. His knowledge could easily detect secret underground nuclear tests. Here, his knowledge had a direct application in the survival of humankind. According to him, science is the indispensable guardian and caretaker of humankind’s survival. Scientific researchers have found solutions to the problems of human beings. It has given us new sources of energy, new mineral deposits, medicines, and efficient defence from terrorism.

Moreover, scientific research can easily predict upcoming disasters and ecological changes and forewarn people. People can be evacuated from the area posed with danger. Thus, the writer has numerous reasons to conclude that scientific research is the hope of humankind’s survival.

e.      What can be the purpose of the essayist in using quotations in the essay?

The purpose of the essayist’s use of quotations in the essay is to support the ideas and arguments presented in the essay. He wants to get all of his readers aware of the main points that he wishes to convey. People have many misconceptions about science and scientists, so he compares public understanding and the reality of a scientist’s life. So, to support his ideas, the writer uses quotations.

f.    Discuss and illustrate the writer’s stand that scientists are the most practical people in the world.

The writer’s stand here in this essay is that scientists are the most practical people in the world. According to him, all new technologies and new brands of the industry, from defence to entertainment, are the result of scientists’ research. The scientists invent antibiotics, electronics, biotechnology, synthetic fibres, modes of transport, the green revolution, genetic forensic diagnosis, etc. Only scientific research can provide us with new sources of energy and new minerals, efficient defence from terrorism, a cure for cancer, and new forms of transportation. By this, we can say that scientists are the most practical people in the world. 

 

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