Class 8 English Question Answers - The Comet-I (Old Syllabus)

Comprehension Check (Page 77) 

Q1. Why does Indrani Debi dislike Duttada’s ‘hobnobbing’ with Dibya?
 Ans. ‘Dibya’ was the name given by Indrani Debi. It was a telescope. Dattada was always busy during night with Dibya. He never cared for his wife or about himself. So his wife disliked it as her rival.

Q2. She is complaining and smiling. Why is she smiling?
 Ans. 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.

Q3. (i) What was Duttada’s secret ambition?
 Ans. Duttada’s secret ambition was to buy a good telescope and to have enough of spare time to watch the stars.

(ii) What did he do to achieve it? 
 Ans. 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.

Q4. What is the difference between a planet and a comet, as given in the story?
 Ans. A planet has a fixed orbit. A comet comes from the distant corners of the solar system. It keeps on changing.

Q5. Why was Duttada hopeful that he would discover a new comet soon?
 Ans. Duttada was hopeful of discovering a new comet because he knew that professional astronomers did not consider them significant and ignored them.

Q6. Why does Duttada say ___“I almost wish I had not discovered this comet”.
 Ans. The discovery of the new comet brought Duttada publicity which he did not like. He had to attend many receptions and functions. So he wished he hadn’t discovered that new comet.

Q7. Why is his wife unhappy about the discovery? 
 Ans. 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 80) 

Q1. How did Sir John get hold of James’ original manuscript?
 Ans. Sir John got hold of James’ original manuscript from Mr. Taylor who wanted to get his opinion before sending it to a professional referee.

Q2. What is the important point the paper makes?
 Ans.The paper makes the important point that Duttada’s comet would collide with the earth.

Q3. Why does Sir John say that James’ paper should not be published?
 Ans. Sir John opposes the publication of James’ paper because his prediction would cause widespread panic in the world.

Q4. What do the two men finally decide to do? 
 Ans. The two men finally agree to organise a secret conference of international experts to plan how to avert the calamity.