Chapter 4
An Indian - American Woman in Space:
Answer: Kalpana Chawla was born in Karnal, Haryana, India. She is called an Indian-American because she was born in India and later became a naturalized citizen of the United States.
2.When and why did she go to the U.S.? Who did she marry? (2, 3)
Answer: Kalpana Chawla went to the U.S. after completing her Bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering in India. She went for further studies, pursuing a master’s degree and later a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering. She married Jean-Pierre Harrison, a flight instructor.
3.How did she become an astronaut? What gave her the idea that she could be an astronaut? (3)
Answer: Kalpana became an astronaut after being selected by NASA in 1994 for astronaut training. She initially joined NASA as a research scientist and later applied to the space shuttle program. What gave her the idea that she could be an astronaut was her determination and belief that she could achieve anything if she worked hard enough, along with the encouragement from those around her.
4.What abilities must an astronaut have, according to the Journalist? (6)
Answer: According to the journalist, an astronaut must have enormous ability and extensive knowledge in a variety of fields, from biology to astrophysics to aeronautical engineering. In the age of specialization, astronauts must possess an encyclopedic knowledge to handle the wide range of challenges in space.
5.Describe Kalpana Chawla's first mission in space. (5)
Answer: Kalpana Chawla's first space mission aboard the Columbia lasted 15 days, 16 hours, and 34 minutes. During this mission, she traveled around the Earth 252 times, covering 10.45 million kilometers. The crew, which included astronauts from Japan and Ukraine, conducted 80 experiments, including studies on food growth in space and tests to develop stronger metals and faster computer chips.
6.What does Kalpana Chawla say about pursuing a dream? Do you agree with her that success is possible? (7)
Answer: Kalpana Chawla said, "The path from dreams to success does exist. May you have the vision to find it, the courage to get onto it." She believed that with vision and courage, anyone could pursue their dreams and achieve success. I agree with her that success is possible if we are dedicated, persistent, and willing to work toward our goals, no matter the obstacles.
7. What was the public reaction in India after the Columbia disaster? (3)
Answer: After the Columbia disaster, there was a deep sense of shock and disbelief across India. The town of Karnal, Kalpana Chawla’s hometown, spent a sleepless night, with people glued to their television screens, hoping that she and the crew had survived. The entire nation mourned the loss of a brave and inspirational figure who had made India proud.
🌼 BEAUTY
TEXTUAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:
1. What things are beautiful according to the poet?
Answer: According to the poet, beauty is seen in sunlight, trees, birds, corn growing, people working, and dancing for their harvest. Beauty is also heard in the night—in the sound of the wind, rain, and in the sincere singing of a person. It is also found in good deeds, happy thoughts, and dreams.
2. In what forms is beauty seen and heard as per the poem?
Answer: Beauty is seen in the natural world: sunlight, trees, birds, fields of corn, and people joyfully working or dancing.
Beauty is heard in the sounds of nature at night: the sighing wind, the falling rain, and the heartfelt chanting of a singer.
3. Where does the poet say beauty lives?
Answer: The poet says that beauty lives within us—it is in our good deeds, happy thoughts, dreams, honest work, and peaceful rest.
4. What message does the poem give about beauty?
Answer: The poem tells us that beauty is not just in physical things, but also in sounds, thoughts, actions, and feelings. True beauty lies within us and in how we live our lives.
🌟 ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:
5. Who do you think the people are dancing for in the poem? Why?
Answer: The people are dancing to celebrate their harvest. They are expressing joy and gratitude for the crops they have grown, which is a beautiful moment of hard work and happiness.
6. How can beauty be found in rest and dreams?
Answer: Beauty can be found in rest when the body and mind are at peace after doing good work. Dreams reflect our thoughts, and if we have kind and positive thoughts, our dreams will also be beautiful and comforting.
7. What do the lines "Beauty is in yourself" suggest?
Answer: These lines suggest that beauty is not just external. It exists within each person—in the form of kind actions, cheerful thoughts, and the peacefulness we feel from doing good things. True beauty comes from within.
