8. SCIENCE AND HOPE OF SURVIVAL
– Keilis-Borok
KEY POINTS
• The lesson is an article which discusses the necessity and importance of science and
scientific research.
• The author, being a scientist discusses the need of practical and basic science in different
aspects.
• In 1960, during the height of cold war, the author was in Moscow doing research on
the theory of seismic waves, he was summoned by the President of Russia to attend a
summit in Geneva.
• At that time the Earth lived under the threat of annihilation by nuclear weapon as the
three super powers USSR, USA and UK possessed them.
• Hence, they maintained peace because of the fear of Mutually Assured Destruction
(MAD).
• The scientist all over the world gave a unanimous solution which resulted in the Nuclear
Test Ban.
• The scientific inventions like antibiotics, electronics, biotechnology, synthetic fibres,
the green revolution, and genetic forensic diagnosis etc. have given hope for the welfare
of world.
• It is commonly recognised that the very survival of our civilization is threatened by
natural and man-made disasters. Among them are earthquakes, self-inflicted destruction
of mega cities, environmental catastrophes, economic and social crisis.
Multiple choice questions:
1. According to Keilis-Borok The following cannot enjoy a higher income ______
A. doctors B. businessmen C. lawyer’s D. scientists.
Answer
D. scientists
2. “A writer is not a writer merely a person who writes: a writer is a person who cannot
live without writing.”-this is a saying by
A. Keilis-Borok B. Rabindranath Tagore
C. Leo Tolstoy D. A scientist
Answer
C. Leo Tolstoy
3. Science is an exciting adventure where major reward comes from ______
A. society B. scientists
C. discovery itself D. every one
Answer
C. discovery itself
4. By science a Scientist cannot get
A. camaraderie B. independence
C. money D. freedom
Answer
C. money
5. The scientist Keilis-Borok worked on
A. cold war B. nuclear weapons
C. seismic waves D. biotechnology
Answer
C. seismic waves
6. The scientist Keilis-Borok was summoned by
A. the President of Russian Academy of Sciences
B. the palace of Nations in Geneva
C. the President of America
D. the President of United Kingdom.
Answer
A. the President of Russian Academy of Sciences
7. In 1960, every man and child on the earth lived under the threat of annihilation by
A.cold war B. bombs C. great countries D. nuclear weapon
Answer
D. nuclear weapon
8. The technical experts were summoned to the Palace of Nations in Geneva to solve the
problem of
A. nuclear weapon test ban B. nuclear test
C. power politics D. annihilation
Answer
A. nuclear weapon test ban
9. People trained in theoretical physics are head hunted by_
A. scientific institutions B. financial institutions
C. mathematical institutions D. educational institutions
Answer
B. financial institutions
10. Those who trained in biological research become founders and directors in
A. electronics industry B. Pharmaceutical industry
C. large scale industry D. bio industry
Answer
B. Pharmaceutical industry
11. According to Keilis-Borok the indispensable guardian and care taker of humanity, is
A. nuclear energy B. Bio technology
C. science D. industrial growth
Answer
C. science
12. 1f you are so clever, why are you so poor?
-The professional addressed as ‘you’ in the Statement refers more than others to a _
A. lawyer B. scientist C. doctor D. businessman
Answer
B. scientist
13. The writer says, “l found myself in Geneva.” It expresses, more than anything else, the writer’s
A. pleasure B. surprise C. anxiety D. annoyance
Answer
B. surprise
14. Which of the following qualities help the scientists to come up with a solution the problem.
A. self-assessment B. self-praise C. popularity D. self-discipline
Answer
A. self-assessment
Answer the following questions:
1. “According to the author why do some people choose to become scientists though
they may not earn much money?
Ans:According to the author, some people choose to be scientists because they cannot live
without science. Their discovery brings the reward. Instead of money, they enjoy
freedom, discovering the mysteries of nature and teamwork.
2. Why did the super powers meet in Geneva?
Ans:The three super powers wanted to come to an agreement – ban on the nuclear weapon
test. They met in Geneva to discuss the problems that could arise as a result.
3. “Technical experts were summoned to solve the problem that arose” What was
th problem?
Ans:The nuclear powers wanted to sign an agreement to stop the test of nuclear weapons.
There was a possibility that, one of them could secretly conduct a test. Detecting the
violation was the problem.
4. How can you prove that scientists are the most practical people in the world?
Ans:It is through the work of the scientists that we have medicines, electronics, new sources
of energy, modes of transport and the green revolution. This proves that scientists are
the most practical people.
5. What did Borok learn at the Geneva Summit?
Ans:He leant that there were people all over the world, who thought and acted the way he
did. So, he never felt lonely abroad. He also realized that while there was science there
was hope for the survival of mankind.
6. According to the authors why do some people choose to become Scientists? Ans:
Some people choose to be scientists because they cannot live without science. Discovery
is their reward. They enjoy teamwork, independence and the joy of uncovering one of
the mysteries of nature.
7. Why did the super powers meet in Geneva?
Ans:The three super powers wanted to come to an agreement, to put a ban on the nuclear
weapon test. They also wanted to discuss the problems that could arise as a result.
8. How could the Keilis-Borok help to solve the problem?
Ans: The scientist was doing research on the theory of seismic waves. It turned out that the
problem had a direct connection with the theory of seismic waves.
9. What was the common thread that bound scientists from the opposite sides of the
Iron Curtain? Ans: The scientists are able to work out a common language, based on
respect to hard evidence, indisputable ranking by expertise only and persistent self-
criticism.
10. How does basic science help one’s career?
Ans: The knowledge of basic science gives us new sources of energy, mineral deposits,
efficient defence from terrorism, cure from cancer and new forms of transportation.
Read the given extracts and answer the questions that follow:
1. It turned out that this problem had a direct connection with the theory of seismic
waves. Underground nuclear explosions produced earth tremors very similar to
those generated by earthquakes.
a. When did this ‘problem’ arise?
Ans: This problem arose during the Geneva Summit.
b. What is the ‘problem’ referred here?
Ans:The ‘problem’ referred here is how the powers could detect the violation of agreement.
2. The three nuclear powers were willing to come to an agreement.
a. Who were the three nuclear powers?
Ans:Soviet Union, United States and United Kingdom
b. What was the agreement?
Ans: The three nuclear powers were willing to come to an agreement putting a ban on the
nuclear weapon test.
3. At that time every man, and child on the Earth lived under the threat of
annihilation?
a. What caused this threat?
Ans.Nuclear weapons
b. Why did everyone live under the threat?
Ans:Because each super power nation seemed stronger than the other as far as nuclear
weapons were concerned.
4. “My theoretical knowledge had a direct application in the area of survival of
humankind”
a. In which field did the author, Borok, have theoretical knowledge?
Ans: The author was doing research on seismic waves and had theoretical knowledge in
this field.
b. How would it have a direct application in the area of survival of humankind?
Ans:Underground nuclear explosions produced earth tremors like those generated by
earthquakes. With his knowledge, the author would know the difference between the
two. This would help in checking the violation of the Nuclear Test Ban agreement
.