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

I. SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

Q1. Duttada  was invited to a secret conference. Why was he called?
 Ans. Manoj Dutta was Sir John’s special invitee to the conference. It was attended by astronomers, biologists and nuclear/space scientists. It lasted for one week. The hidden agenda was to check James Forsyth’s findings about Comet Dutta.

Q2. “I am confident now of buying my Christmas presents on December 15 – John Macpherson.’ Why had John not been buying Christmas presents?
 Ans. On December 15, Comet Dutta came closest to the earth-at a distance of 80,000 km. Millions saw it and admired it but very few people knew how close the earth was to total destruction. When the comet passed off, John Macpherson heaved a sigh of relief. His operation had been successful. So he decided to celebrate Christmas.

Q3. What is the contrast in the character of Duttada’s wife. Do you agree to her orthodoxy?
 Ans. Duttada’s wife is an educated lady with master’s degree. Still she believes in superstitions. She gets a yajna performed for the safety and peace. She wants to purify her husband because he had travelled abroad. I don’t agree to her orthodoxy. It hampers our progress.

Q4. How was Duttada received after he returned from London?
 Ans. On his return from London, Duttada was greeted by the inevitable vast crowd of friends, students and the usual hangers-on. He was loaded with garlands. The media people were also around him with their questions.

II. LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

Q1. Duttada and the Defence Advisor became close friends and shared a secret. Elaborate.
 Ans. Sir John Macpherson was the Britain’s defense advisor. He was shaken by the predictions of James Forsyth about Comet Dutta. The two were confident in each other. They became friends, waiting for the success of ‘Project Light Brigade’. It was a secret operation. Sir John did not want the people to know about the approaching comet and its consequences.

Q2. What action was needed to be taken to meet the challenge of the new comet?
 Ans. The experts at the conference discussed two ways to save human lives. One was defensive measure, and the other was offensive measure. The people could be told to live in underground bunkers until the comet passed by. The other step was to push the comet from its course with the help of nuclear power. This operation was code-named ‘Project Light Brigade’.