Class 11 English Lesson 17: Scientific Research is a Kind of Humankind’s Survival : References beyond the text

 

References beyond the text

a.      Everyone lives under the fear of annihilation by nuclear weapons. Explain this statement.

Nuclear weapons are the most terrifying weapon ever invented: no weapon is more destructive; no weapon causes such unspeakable human suffering; there is no way to control how far the radioactive fallout will spread or how long the effects will last. Although the superpowers have already reached an agreement to stop the nuclear tests, the growing competition for power has increased fear and uncertainty about our future. It is a truth that the Soviet Union, the United States, and the United Kingdom have more than enough nuclear bombs to destroy the other nations in their first strike.              

A nuclear bomb detonated in a city would immediately kill tens of thousands of people, and tens of thousands more would suffer horrific injuries and later die from radiation exposure. Hiroshima and Nagasaki always remind people of the bitter truth. Anytime, global politics can deteriorate, and crazy rulers like those of North Korea can forget humanity, and the world population can suffer. Therefore, every man, woman, and child on earth is living under the threat of destruction by nuclear weapons.

b.     The essayist says ‘While there is science, there is the hope of survival and wellbeing for all of us.’ Explain it.

According to the essayist, science is our indispensable guardian and caretaker because it is the only science that can ensure that we are moving with time safely. For the survival of humankind, countries have signed the treaty not to test nuclear weapons secretly. Specialists can monitor the moves of different countries and us alerted on time. Science can differentiate between the tremors caused by nuclear explosions and natural earthquakes. It gives us new sources of energy, new mineral deposits, and efficient defence from terrorism, antibiotics, and a cure for human diseases. Besides that, science teaches us how to preserve our ecosystem and biosphere by correcting our past mistakes.

At present, the safety of mankind is threatened by both natural and man-made disasters. It can be a tsunami or terrorism, but money alone cannot tackle the problem. Scientific solutions are the only hope. Therefore, while there is science, there is the hope of survival and well-being for all of us.

c.      Is science a blessing or a curse? Write an essay on it.

Science – A Blessing Or A Curse

Science has benefited man in several ways. It has made man’s life more comfortable, more secure, and more powerful. But it is not an unmixed blessing. There are several disadvantages of science. However, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. Science has revolutionized human existence. Take, for instance, electricity, which is one of the many gifts of science. All one has to do is press a button. The room is flooded with light, the fan begins to whirr and give refreshing air, or still more, a desert cooler or an air conditioner turns the room into a hill resort. A thousand types of machines are run by electricity. Room heaters, electric ovens and cooking ranges, and several other household appliances are operated by electricity. It runs factories that produce innumerable things for our daily use.

Science has also relieved, to a great extent, human suffering. Advances in the field of medicine and surgery have reduced the rate of infant mortality. The average life span of man has increased. Today, many dreaded diseases like cholera, smallpox, and even tuberculosis are easily curable with the help of medicines. Surgery can remove a malignant tumor that has also proved to be harmful. The machine age made many people unemployed. Now there is no need for so many hands to do a task. Only one person is required to manipulate the machine. Thus, it has led to unemployment. In the light of all these grave dangers, man must try to make judicious use of machines.

After all, a man had applied his mind to invent new things, not to make his life miserable, but to make it more comfortable and better. Machines should serve mankind. The man should ensure that he does not allow them to destroy his environment and health, and put the lives of all living things in grave danger beyond a point of no return.

 

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivkQwAh6c-o

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