CBSE Textbook: Letters From The Planet Aurigae II | Communicative English for Class 10 PDF Download

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 Dear Pen Pal,
 When I received your letter from the interstellar correspondence club, my first 
impulse was to ignore it.  However, your description of Earth sounds exciting.  
I would like to live there for a while, and I have…  
 1. What does the letter suggest about its writer?
 2. What do you think may happen between the writer and Pen Pal?
D.2  Now find out what happens, in this exciting Science Fiction story.  The letter 
to Pen Pal continues…..
 a…. suggestion in this connection, but I won't mention it till I have 
developed it further.  I must introduce myself.  I am a scientist on the Planet 
Aurigae* II.  We have known for some centuries that there are other 
inhabited planets in the galaxy.  Since I am allowed to experiment in my 
spare time, I have been amusing myself at communication with those 
planets.  In fact, I have developed systems for intercepting communications 
between the planets in our galaxy, and have been able to draw your letter 
from the interstellar correspondence club.
 You will have noticed the material on which this letter is written.  It is a 
highly sensitive metal, very thin, very flexible, and I have enclosed several 
sheets of it for your use.  Tungsten dipped in any strong acid makes an 
excellent mark on it.  It is important to me that you write on it, as my fingers 
are too hot-literally-to hold your paper without damaging it.  This is because 
the temperature on Aurigae II is more than 250 degrees Celsius.  This must 
seem extremely hot to you, but (unlike you) we are not a hydrocarbon form 
of life, and we find 250 degrees Celsius very pleasant.
 I'll say no more now.  But before I close, I must tell you that I am a prisoner in 
the Aurigae jail.  If you are still interested in writing to me,  I shall be happy 
to continue the correspondence.
 Skander.
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UNIT-3
MAIN COURSE BOOK
SCIENCE
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UNIT-3
MAIN COURSE BOOK
SCIENCE
110
 Dear Pen Pal,
 When I received your letter from the interstellar correspondence club, my first 
impulse was to ignore it.  However, your description of Earth sounds exciting.  
I would like to live there for a while, and I have…  
 1. What does the letter suggest about its writer?
 2. What do you think may happen between the writer and Pen Pal?
D.2  Now find out what happens, in this exciting Science Fiction story.  The letter 
to Pen Pal continues…..
 a…. suggestion in this connection, but I won't mention it till I have 
developed it further.  I must introduce myself.  I am a scientist on the Planet 
Aurigae* II.  We have known for some centuries that there are other 
inhabited planets in the galaxy.  Since I am allowed to experiment in my 
spare time, I have been amusing myself at communication with those 
planets.  In fact, I have developed systems for intercepting communications 
between the planets in our galaxy, and have been able to draw your letter 
from the interstellar correspondence club.
 You will have noticed the material on which this letter is written.  It is a 
highly sensitive metal, very thin, very flexible, and I have enclosed several 
sheets of it for your use.  Tungsten dipped in any strong acid makes an 
excellent mark on it.  It is important to me that you write on it, as my fingers 
are too hot-literally-to hold your paper without damaging it.  This is because 
the temperature on Aurigae II is more than 250 degrees Celsius.  This must 
seem extremely hot to you, but (unlike you) we are not a hydrocarbon form 
of life, and we find 250 degrees Celsius very pleasant.
 I'll say no more now.  But before I close, I must tell you that I am a prisoner in 
the Aurigae jail.  If you are still interested in writing to me,  I shall be happy 
to continue the correspondence.
 Skander.
UNIT-3
MAIN COURSE BOOK
SCIENCE
111
 * pronounced "Our-ee-guy”
 1. What does "a hydrocarbon form of life" mean?
 2. What would a non-hydrocarbon form of life look like?
 3. Why do you think Skander is in prison?
D.3
 Planet AURIGAE II
 Dear Pen Pal
 Your prompt reply to my letter has made me very happy.  I welcome your 
many questions, and I shall  try to answer them all.  However, I am not yet 
in a position to answer your question about how I plan to visit Earth, as my 
experiment has not yet proceeded far enough.
 You are right in saying that it would be difficult for a being who lives at a 
temperature of 250 degrees Celsius to mingle freely with the people of 
Earth.  This has never been my intention, so please relieve your mind.  
However, let us drop that subject for the time being.
 I appreciate the delicate way in which you approach the subject of my 
imprisonment. But it is quite unnecessary. I have performed forbidden 
experiments upon my body in a way that is deemed to be dangerous to the 
public welfare, so charges have been laid against me.  I have thirty more 
years to serve.  It would be pleasant to leave my body behind and tour the 
universe-but as I said, we'll discuss that later.
 I wouldn't say that we're a superior race.  We have certain qualities which 
apparently your people don't have. We live longer - not because of any 
discoveries we've made about ourselves, but because our bodies are made of 
a more enduring element.
 I am enclosing a photographic plate, properly cooled and chemicalized for 
your climate.  I wonder if you would set it up and take a picture of yourself.  
All you have to do is arrange it properly on the basis of the laws of light-that 
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UNIT-3
MAIN COURSE BOOK
SCIENCE
109
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
UNIT-3
MAIN COURSE BOOK
SCIENCE
110
 Dear Pen Pal,
 When I received your letter from the interstellar correspondence club, my first 
impulse was to ignore it.  However, your description of Earth sounds exciting.  
I would like to live there for a while, and I have…  
 1. What does the letter suggest about its writer?
 2. What do you think may happen between the writer and Pen Pal?
D.2  Now find out what happens, in this exciting Science Fiction story.  The letter 
to Pen Pal continues…..
 a…. suggestion in this connection, but I won't mention it till I have 
developed it further.  I must introduce myself.  I am a scientist on the Planet 
Aurigae* II.  We have known for some centuries that there are other 
inhabited planets in the galaxy.  Since I am allowed to experiment in my 
spare time, I have been amusing myself at communication with those 
planets.  In fact, I have developed systems for intercepting communications 
between the planets in our galaxy, and have been able to draw your letter 
from the interstellar correspondence club.
 You will have noticed the material on which this letter is written.  It is a 
highly sensitive metal, very thin, very flexible, and I have enclosed several 
sheets of it for your use.  Tungsten dipped in any strong acid makes an 
excellent mark on it.  It is important to me that you write on it, as my fingers 
are too hot-literally-to hold your paper without damaging it.  This is because 
the temperature on Aurigae II is more than 250 degrees Celsius.  This must 
seem extremely hot to you, but (unlike you) we are not a hydrocarbon form 
of life, and we find 250 degrees Celsius very pleasant.
 I'll say no more now.  But before I close, I must tell you that I am a prisoner in 
the Aurigae jail.  If you are still interested in writing to me,  I shall be happy 
to continue the correspondence.
 Skander.
UNIT-3
MAIN COURSE BOOK
SCIENCE
111
 * pronounced "Our-ee-guy”
 1. What does "a hydrocarbon form of life" mean?
 2. What would a non-hydrocarbon form of life look like?
 3. Why do you think Skander is in prison?
D.3
 Planet AURIGAE II
 Dear Pen Pal
 Your prompt reply to my letter has made me very happy.  I welcome your 
many questions, and I shall  try to answer them all.  However, I am not yet 
in a position to answer your question about how I plan to visit Earth, as my 
experiment has not yet proceeded far enough.
 You are right in saying that it would be difficult for a being who lives at a 
temperature of 250 degrees Celsius to mingle freely with the people of 
Earth.  This has never been my intention, so please relieve your mind.  
However, let us drop that subject for the time being.
 I appreciate the delicate way in which you approach the subject of my 
imprisonment. But it is quite unnecessary. I have performed forbidden 
experiments upon my body in a way that is deemed to be dangerous to the 
public welfare, so charges have been laid against me.  I have thirty more 
years to serve.  It would be pleasant to leave my body behind and tour the 
universe-but as I said, we'll discuss that later.
 I wouldn't say that we're a superior race.  We have certain qualities which 
apparently your people don't have. We live longer - not because of any 
discoveries we've made about ourselves, but because our bodies are made of 
a more enduring element.
 I am enclosing a photographic plate, properly cooled and chemicalized for 
your climate.  I wonder if you would set it up and take a picture of yourself.  
All you have to do is arrange it properly on the basis of the laws of light-that 
UNIT-3
MAIN COURSE BOOK
SCIENCE
is, light travels in straight lines, so stand in front of it - and when you are 
ready think "Ready!"  The picture will be automatically taken.
 Would you do this for me?  If you are interested, I will also send you a picture 
of myself, though, I must warn you: my appearance will probably shock you.  
 Skander
 1. What qualities of the Pen Pal can you gauge from this letter?
 2. Why do you think that Skander has started this correspondence with Pen Pal?
 3. What impression do you have of Skander?
D.4 
Aurigae II
 Dear Pen Pal,
 You say you showed the photographic plate to one of the doctors at the 
hospital-I cannot picture what you mean by "doctor" or "hospital" but let 
that pass-and he took the problem up with government authorities.  
Problem? I don't understand.  I thought we were having a pleasant 
correspondence, private and personal.  I shall certainly appreciate your 
sending that picture of yourself.
 Skander
D.5
Aurigae II
 Dear Pen Pal,
 I assure you that I am not annoyed at your action.  It merely puzzled me, 
and I am sorry the plate has not been returned to you.  Knowing what 
governments are, I can imagine that it will not be returned to you for some 
time, so I am taking the liberty of enclosing another plate.
112
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UNIT-3
MAIN COURSE BOOK
SCIENCE
109
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
UNIT-3
MAIN COURSE BOOK
SCIENCE
110
 Dear Pen Pal,
 When I received your letter from the interstellar correspondence club, my first 
impulse was to ignore it.  However, your description of Earth sounds exciting.  
I would like to live there for a while, and I have…  
 1. What does the letter suggest about its writer?
 2. What do you think may happen between the writer and Pen Pal?
D.2  Now find out what happens, in this exciting Science Fiction story.  The letter 
to Pen Pal continues…..
 a…. suggestion in this connection, but I won't mention it till I have 
developed it further.  I must introduce myself.  I am a scientist on the Planet 
Aurigae* II.  We have known for some centuries that there are other 
inhabited planets in the galaxy.  Since I am allowed to experiment in my 
spare time, I have been amusing myself at communication with those 
planets.  In fact, I have developed systems for intercepting communications 
between the planets in our galaxy, and have been able to draw your letter 
from the interstellar correspondence club.
 You will have noticed the material on which this letter is written.  It is a 
highly sensitive metal, very thin, very flexible, and I have enclosed several 
sheets of it for your use.  Tungsten dipped in any strong acid makes an 
excellent mark on it.  It is important to me that you write on it, as my fingers 
are too hot-literally-to hold your paper without damaging it.  This is because 
the temperature on Aurigae II is more than 250 degrees Celsius.  This must 
seem extremely hot to you, but (unlike you) we are not a hydrocarbon form 
of life, and we find 250 degrees Celsius very pleasant.
 I'll say no more now.  But before I close, I must tell you that I am a prisoner in 
the Aurigae jail.  If you are still interested in writing to me,  I shall be happy 
to continue the correspondence.
 Skander.
UNIT-3
MAIN COURSE BOOK
SCIENCE
111
 * pronounced "Our-ee-guy”
 1. What does "a hydrocarbon form of life" mean?
 2. What would a non-hydrocarbon form of life look like?
 3. Why do you think Skander is in prison?
D.3
 Planet AURIGAE II
 Dear Pen Pal
 Your prompt reply to my letter has made me very happy.  I welcome your 
many questions, and I shall  try to answer them all.  However, I am not yet 
in a position to answer your question about how I plan to visit Earth, as my 
experiment has not yet proceeded far enough.
 You are right in saying that it would be difficult for a being who lives at a 
temperature of 250 degrees Celsius to mingle freely with the people of 
Earth.  This has never been my intention, so please relieve your mind.  
However, let us drop that subject for the time being.
 I appreciate the delicate way in which you approach the subject of my 
imprisonment. But it is quite unnecessary. I have performed forbidden 
experiments upon my body in a way that is deemed to be dangerous to the 
public welfare, so charges have been laid against me.  I have thirty more 
years to serve.  It would be pleasant to leave my body behind and tour the 
universe-but as I said, we'll discuss that later.
 I wouldn't say that we're a superior race.  We have certain qualities which 
apparently your people don't have. We live longer - not because of any 
discoveries we've made about ourselves, but because our bodies are made of 
a more enduring element.
 I am enclosing a photographic plate, properly cooled and chemicalized for 
your climate.  I wonder if you would set it up and take a picture of yourself.  
All you have to do is arrange it properly on the basis of the laws of light-that 
UNIT-3
MAIN COURSE BOOK
SCIENCE
is, light travels in straight lines, so stand in front of it - and when you are 
ready think "Ready!"  The picture will be automatically taken.
 Would you do this for me?  If you are interested, I will also send you a picture 
of myself, though, I must warn you: my appearance will probably shock you.  
 Skander
 1. What qualities of the Pen Pal can you gauge from this letter?
 2. Why do you think that Skander has started this correspondence with Pen Pal?
 3. What impression do you have of Skander?
D.4 
Aurigae II
 Dear Pen Pal,
 You say you showed the photographic plate to one of the doctors at the 
hospital-I cannot picture what you mean by "doctor" or "hospital" but let 
that pass-and he took the problem up with government authorities.  
Problem? I don't understand.  I thought we were having a pleasant 
correspondence, private and personal.  I shall certainly appreciate your 
sending that picture of yourself.
 Skander
D.5
Aurigae II
 Dear Pen Pal,
 I assure you that I am not annoyed at your action.  It merely puzzled me, 
and I am sorry the plate has not been returned to you.  Knowing what 
governments are, I can imagine that it will not be returned to you for some 
time, so I am taking the liberty of enclosing another plate.
112
UNIT-3
MAIN COURSE BOOK
SCIENCE
113
 I cannot imagine why you should have been warned against continuing this 
correspondence.  What do they expect me to do? - eat you up at long 
distance?
 In any event, I would like your picture as a memento of our friendship, and I 
will send mine as soon as I have received yours.
 Skander
D.6 
Aurigae II
 Dear Pen Pal, 
 Your last letter was so slow in coming that I thought you had decided to 
break off the correspondence.  I was sorry to notice that you failed to enclose 
the photograph, puzzled by your reference to having a "relapse", and 
cheered by your statement that you would send it along as soon as you felt 
"better" - whatever that means.  However, the important thing is that you 
did write.
 Here I am in prison, doomed to spend the next thirty years tucked away from 
the mainstream of life.  Even the thought is hard on my restless spirit, 
though I know I have a long life ahead of me after my release.
 In spite of your friendly letter, I won't feel that you have completely re-
established contact with me until you send the photograph.
 Skander
 1. Why (D4) do you think Pen Pal showed Skander's photographic plate to a 
doctor at the hospital?
 2. In all the last four letters, Skander is insistent that Pen Pal sends a 
photograph of himself.  Why do you think Skander is so insistent?
 3. Why (D5) do you think Pen Pal's government warned him against continuing 
the correspondence?