Chapter 7
A Visit to Cambridge
Comprehension Check (Page 100)
Which is the right sentence?
1:“Cambridge was my metaphor for England.” To the writer,
(i) Cambridge was a reputed university in England.
(ii) England was famous for Cambridge.
(iii) Cambridge was the real England.
Answer:(iii) Cambridge was the real England.
2:The writer phoned Stephen Hawking’s house
(i) from the nearest phone booth.
(ii) from outside a phone booth.
(iii) from inside a phone booth.
Answer:(ii) from outside a phone booth.
3:Every time he spoke to the scientist, the writer felt guilty because
(i) he wasn’t sure what he wanted to ask.
(ii) he forced the scientist to use his voice synthesiser.
(iii) he was face to face with a legend.
Answer:(ii) he forced the scientist to use his voice synthesiser.
4:“I felt a huge relief… in the possibilities of my body.” In the given context, the highlighted words refer to
(ii) standing up, walking.
(iii) speaking, writing.
(i) shifting in the wheelchair, turning the wrist.
Answer:(i) shifting in the wheelchair, turning the wrist.
Working with the text (Page 100-101)
Answer the following questions.
1:(i) Did the prospect of meeting Stephen Hawking make the writer nervous? If so, why?
Answer: The writer felt nervous about meeting Stephen Hawking because Hawking was an exceptionally famous and brilliant astrophysicist, despite being paralysed and differently-abled. He had written the hugely popular book A Brief History of Time and was considered a worthy successor to Sir Isaac Newton, holding his Chair at Cambridge University.
(ii) Did he at the same time feel very excited? If so, why?
Answer: At the same time, Firdaus Kanga was extremely excited to meet Hawking because he never expected to have the chance to speak face-to-face with such an extraordinary personality. Seeing how Hawking had achieved remarkable success despite his physical limitations made Firdaus realize the endless possibilities before him and inspired him to aim higher than he ever imagined.
2:Guess the first question put to the scientist by the writer.
Answer: The writer’s first question to the scientist was likely whether he felt a sense of relief and courage for achieving such remarkable accomplishments in life despite his disability.
3:Stephen Hawking said, “I’ve had no choice.” Does the writer think there was a choice? What was it?
Answer: Even though Stephen Hawking said he “had no choice” but to stay in a wheelchair, the writer believed that he did have a choice in how to live creatively despite his deteriorating body. Firdaus Kanga felt that Hawking could have given in to despair, yet he chose to achieve remarkable accomplishments despite his disability.
4:“I could feel his anguish.” What could be the anguish?
Answer:Stephen Hawking, a brilliant scientist, constantly had new ideas and wanted to share his thoughts. However, being dependent on a voice synthesizer to communicate without emotion, he experienced helplessness. The writer could sense Hawking’s anguish, knowing there were countless things he wished to express but could not, as his entire existence relied on a computer for conveying his thoughts and feelings.
5:What endeared the scientist to the writer so that he said he was looking at one of the most beautiful men in the world?
Answer: When the writer asked Stephen Hawking if interruptions bothered him, Hawking immediately answered yes but then gave a brief, one-sided smile. This small gesture charmed the writer, making him feel he was looking at one of the most beautiful men in the world—someone whose soul shone brightly despite physical disability, proving that the body is merely an accessory.
6:Read aloud the description of ‘the beautiful’ man. Which is the most beautiful sentence in the description?
Answer: The sentence that stands out most beautifully in the description of ‘the beautiful’ man is: “Before you, like a lantern whose walls are worn so thin you glimpse only the light inside, is the incandescence of a man.”
This line captures Hawking’s inner brilliance and radiance, showing that his physical limitations are insignificant compared to the vibrant beauty of his mind and spirit.
7:(i) If ‘the lantern’ is the man, what would its ‘walls’ be?
Answer:(i) If ‘the lantern’ is the man, its ‘walls’ would refer to the structure of the human body.
(ii) What is housed within the thin walls?
Answer:(ii) The light of life is housed within the thin walls of the external structure.
(iii) What general conclusion does the writer draw from this comparison?
Answer:(iii) The author implies that inside the human body, there is an eternal soul, which is the incandescence of a man. The outer physical structure is nothing more than just an accessory.
8:What is the scientist’s message for the disabled?
Answer: Stephen Hawking’s message for the disabled is that everyone, regardless of their limitations, should focus on developing and excelling in their own strengths. He advised that the disabled need not waste energy trying to imitate so-called “normal” people, but should instead make the best use of their abilities and resources, being grateful for the capacity to achieve what may seem impossible.
9:Why does the writer refer to the guitar incident? Which idea does it support?
Answer: The writer refers to the guitar incident to illustrate Hawking’s advice to the disabled. It supports the idea that one should focus on their own strengths instead of trying to imitate others or measure themselves against so-called “normal” people. The author realized this when he remembered the years spent struggling with the oversized Spanish guitar and finally letting go of it without regret.
10:The writer expresses his great gratitude to Stephen Hawking. What is gratitude for?
Answer: The writer’s gratitude towards Stephen Hawking stems from the immense inspiration he received from him. Hawking’s courage and achievements despite his disability showed the author a way to live life positively, without dwelling on limitations. This bravery and optimistic outlook moved the writer deeply, making him feel thankful for the new perspective Hawking offered on facing life’s challenges.
11:Complete the following sentences taking their appropriate parts from both the boxes below.
(i) There was his assistant on the line …
(ii) You get fed up with people asking you to be brave, …
(iii) There he was, …
(iv) You look at his eyes which can speak, …
(v) It doesn’t do much good to know …
Answer:
(i) There was his assistant on the line and I told him I had come in a wheelchair from India.
(ii) You get fed up with people asking you to be brave, as if you have a courage account on which you are too lazy to draw a cheque.
(iii) There he was, tapping at a little switch in his hand trying to find the words on his computer.
(iv) You look at his eyes which can speak, and they are saying something huge and urgent – it is hard to tell what.
(v) It doesn’t do much good to know that there are people smiling with admiration to see you breathing still.
Working with language (Page 102-103)
Question 1:
Fill in the blanks in the sentences below using the appropriate forms of the words given in the following box.
(i) I met a ____________ from an antique land.
Answer:(i) I met a traveller from an antique land.
(ii) I need special ____________ in mathematics. I can’t count the number of times I have failed in the subject.
Answer:(ii) I need special guidance in mathematics. I can’t count the number of times I have failed in the subject.
(iii) The guide called Stephen Hawking a worthy ____________ to Issac Newton.
Answer:(iii) The guide called Stephen Hawking a worthy successor to Isaac Newton.
(iv) His other problems ____________ into insignificance beside this unforeseen mishap.
Answer:(iv) His other problems paled into insignificance beside this unforeseen mishap.
(v) The meeting was ____________ by the youngest member of the board.
Answer:(v) The meeting was chaired by the youngest member of the board.
(vi) Some people say ‘yours ____________’ when they informally refer to themselves.
Answer:(vi) Some people say ‘yours truly’ when they informally refer to themselves.
(vii) I wish it had been a ____________ match. We would have been spared the noise of celebrations, at least.
Answer:(vii) I wish it had been a drawn match. We would have been spared the noise of celebrations, at least.
Answer by Mrinmoee
