NCERT Solutions for The Comet-I Class 8 It So Happened English
Book Solutions1
Why does Indrani Debi dislike Duttada's 'hobnobbing' with
Dibya?
Answer
'Dibya' was a telescope and its name was given by Indrani
Debi. Dattada was always excited about the stars and it was the telescope that
he cherished to have throughout his life. He never cared and paid attention for
his wife, Indrani Debi or about himself. That is why his wife disliked
"Dibya" as her rival.
2
She is complaining and smiling. Why is she smiling?
Answer
Indrani Deb is the complaining and smiling. Because she knew
that her husband, Duttada, never paid attention to the household things. On
that night, he did not even bother to close the door and he forgot to put on
his sweater too. That's why she complains that "Dibya", the telescope
has cast a spell on her husband. But she could not help smiling at her
husband's child- like behaviour.
3
(i) What was Duttada's secret ambition?
(ii) What did he do to achieve it?
Answer
(i) Duttada's secret ambition was to buy a good
telescope and to spend hours in watching stars at night. He used to observe the
patterns in the sky and record them. Like, an astronaut, he wanted to discover
a comet.
(ii) He waited for his retirement, so that we could
use his retirement funds for buying a telescope.
4
What is the difference between a planet and a comet, as
given in the story?
Answer
A planet has fixed orbit, but comets do not. Because a comet
comes from the distant corners of the solar system. It keeps on changing its
path. Also, planets are visible around the year. On the other hand, comets are
visible once in a century.
5
Why was Duttads hopeful that he would discover a new
comet soon?
Answer
Duttada was hopeful of discovering a new comet because he
knew that professional astronomers follow their organization's guidelines to
look for faint stars and nebulae. Also, he knows this fact that all the comets
that have been discovered till date were by amateur astronomers. So, he is
super excited to discover one too.
6
Why does Duttada say — this comet." - "I almost
wish I had not discovered this comet.”
Answer
The discovery of the new comet brought Duttada's publicity.
But, he did not like the way he was being treated as he was an introvert
person. That's why he said that he wished he hadn't discovered that new comet.
7
Why is his wife unhappy about the discovery?
Answer
The discovery of the new comet made Duttada's wife unhappy
because she believed that the comets are the symbols of destruction and bad
health. She was a superstitious woman. So, she feared that the discovery of
this comet will bring calamities on the family as well as on the earth.
8
How did Sir John get hold of James' original manuscript?
Answer
Sir John knew Mr. Taylor, the editor of the magazine,
"Nature". Using his relationship with the editor, he got hold of
James' original manuscript.
9
What is the important point the paper makes?
Answer
The paper makes the important point that Duttada's comet
would collide with the earth. And this collision will happen in approximately
ten months-time, after which the life on earth would end.
10
Why does Sir John say that James' paper should not be
published?
Answer
Sir John opposed the publication of James' paper because his
prediction would panic the world. He was confident enough to discuss this issue
with world's greatest scientists and find a solution to it.
11
What do the two men finally decide to do?
Answer
The two men finally agree to organise a secret conference of
international experts. The objective of this secret meeting was to plan how to
avert the calamity and find a remedial solution to it.