A. Answer the following questions
1. Give one example from the lesson to show how scientific predictions can go wrong.
The chairman of IBM once predicted that only six computers would be needed in the world. But later, the invention of the microchip made it possible for millions of people to use computers everywhere. This shows how predictions in science can be completely wrong.
2. What is the number of people who have travelled into space so far?
According to the lesson, a little more than a hundred people have actually travelled into space till now.
3. In what way will hospitals in space be good for patients?
Hospitals in space will help patients because they will be in a weightless condition. They will not need wheelchairs, and they will be free from bedsores, which are common in bedridden patients on Earth.
4. Who will do the work on the scientific bases that will be built on the planets?
The work on scientific bases will be done by both human crews and robots, depending on the location and type of work.
5. Sir Arthur Clarke says that the idea of building a space elevator is very simple. What according to him is the difficulty in building a space elevator?
The main difficulty is finding a material that is strong enough to make the cable. Although the material called C 60 (Carbon-60) is 100 times stronger than steel, it is available in very small quantities, and huge amounts are needed to build the elevator.
Chapter: Space Travel
B. Rearrange the predictions in the order mentioned in the lesson:
- ☐ Scientific bases will be set up on almost all the planets of the solar system. [3]
- ☐ Orbiting hotels, laboratories, workshops and hospitals will be constructed in the next 20-30 years. [2]
- ☐ Space travel will become very cheap in the long run. [5]
- ☐ People might travel to space in space elevators. [4]
- ☐ The moon might be colonized to some extent. [1]
C. Complete the following sentences using information from the lesson:
- The first space tourist was Dennis Tito.
- Man may not build colonies on the planets of the solar system because the conditions for life are very hostile.
- The cost of space travel is very high at present because a lot of energy is wasted.
- A space elevator can be built using a very strong cable connecting a satellite in stationary orbit to a point on the Equator.
- The cost of fuel used for sending a man in space may be less than the cost of fuel in air travel.
Words – Vocabulary Matching
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| 1. microchip | i. a very small piece of a material used to carry a complicated electronic circuit |
| 2. exploration | e. travelling to a place to find out more about it |
| 3. robots | a. automatic machines that can do some tasks which a human being can do |
| 4. hostile | f. unfriendly, making it difficult for things to happen |
| 5. hurdles | h. difficulties |
| 6. elevator | d. a machine that carries people and goods up and down a tall building, a lift |
| 7. payload | c. passenger and things that a spaceship is carrying |
| 8. catering | b. work of providing food and drinks |
| 9. in-flight | g. during a journey in a plane or spaceship |
Grammar
Expressing Future Possibilities using will, may, might
Now express your views on what is likely to happen in India during the next ten years by filling the blanks using will, may or might.
- India will send a spaceship to the moon.
- Air pollution may decrease to a certain extent.
- The cities will become more crowded.
- Air travel might become cheaper.
- India may become a great military power in the world.
- More and more people will use computers.
- India might win the next cricket World Cup.
- India may win many medals in the Olympic Games.
- Polio will disappear from India.
- More and more children will go to school for education.