NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English It So Happened Chapter 9 The Comet -I
NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English It So Happened Chapter 9 The Comet -I are provided below. These solutions contain answers to all the textbook questions. All the questions are solved by experts with a detailed explanation that help students to complete their assignments and homework. NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English It So Happened Chapter 9 The Comet Part 1 are prepared as per the latest CBSE syllabus and curriculum. Students of Class 8th can study the answers provided here to score well in their school exams.
The Comet -I Class 8 NCERT Questions and Answers
Comprehension Check (Page No 77)
Question 1: Why does Indrani Debi dislike Duttada’s “hobnobbing’ with Dibya?
Answer: Indrani Debi disliked Duttada’s “hobnobbing” with Dibya because for her, that telescope was like a designing woman who had ensnared her husband.
Question 2: She is complaining and smiling. Why is she smiling?
Answer: She complains that Dibya has cast a spell on her husband. But she could not help smiling at his childlike behaviour. He did not bother to close the door and he forgot to put on his sweater.
Question 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 have enough of spare time to watch the stars.
(ii) He waited for his retirement. After retirement he got sufficient funds. Then he bought a telescope and he started gazing at the stars without caring for his wife and life.
Question 4: What is the difference between a planet and a comet, as given in the story?
Answer: Like planets, comets also orbit round the Sun, but their orbits are highly eccentric. Once in a while, a comet comes close to the Sun. It has a longish tail that is lit brilliantly by the sunlight, and then it recedes into darkness, not to be seen again for years or for centuries.
Question 5: Why was Duttada hopeful that he would discover a new comet soon?
Answer: Duttada was hopeful that he would discover a new comet soon because he knew that the professionals with their pre-assigned programmes would be looking at faint stars and nebulous galaxies. They might miss such an insignificant thing as a comet. He was also of the view that amateurs had often discovered new comets which the professionals had missed.
Question 6: Why does Duttada say____ “I almost wish I had not discovered this comet”.
Answer: Duttada says “I almost wish I had not discovered this Comet” because he was an introvert and the discovery of the comet brought him unwelcome publicity. There were numerous receptions and functions to attend.
Question 7: Why is his wife unhappy about the discovery?
Answer: The discovery of the new comet made Duttada’s wife unhappy. She was superstitious. She thought that the discovery would bring calamities on the family as well as on the earth.
Comprehension Check (Page No 80)
Question 1: How did Sir John get hold of James’ original manuscript?
Answer: James’ original manuscript was to be published in ‘Nature’. Sir John got hold of it as the editor of ‘Nature’ was his friend.
Question 2: What is the important point the paper makes?
Answer: The paper makes the important point that Duttada’s comet would collide with the earth.
Question 3: Why does Sir John say that James’ paper should not be published?
Answer: Sir John says that James’ paper should not be published because it would cause panic in the world if that dreadful news leaked out.
Question 4: What do the two men finally decide to do?
Answer: The two men finally decide to organize an important secret conference of international experts to chalk out a plan to avert this impending calamity.