CLICK HERE 👇 TO SELECT CHAPTERS
NEB ENGLISH GUIDE CLASS 11: ALL NOTES [ C. ENGLISH |M. ENGLISH] NEB ENGLISH SUPPORT
 |
| Neb English Notes |
Scientific Research is a Token of Humankind's Survival Exercise | Vladimir Keilis Borok
Summary | Question Answers | Class 11 English
Neb English Notes
Scientific Research is a Token of Humankind's Survival by Vladimir Keilis Borok
DETAILED SUMMARY
Scientific Research is a Token of Humankind Survival by Vladimir Keillis-Borok
Write the summary of the essay "Scientific Research is a Token of Humankind's Survival" by Vladimir Keillis-Borok.
This essay "Scientific Research is a Token of Humanity's Survival" has been written by Russian mathematical geophysicist and seismologist Vladimir Keilis-Borok. This essay has presented facts related to science and its outstanding contribution to the lives of people around the world. This essay has shown how scientists across the globe rise above their national identities to find solutions to common problems among nations. The speaker of this essay is the writer himself. Here, we find him advocating science, saying that science is the indispensable guardian and caretaker of humankind.
The writer starts with the profession of a scientist, saying that scientists get lower earnings than businessmen, lawyers, and doctors. Despite this fact, some people still decide to be scientists because they cannot live without science. According to the writer, science is an exciting adventure where the major reward comes from the discovery itself. Instead of big money, the scientist gets honours and promotions through his or her discoveries. A scientist gets less money than lawyers, doctors, and businessmen but enjoys freedom, camaraderie, and independence.
Next, the writer talks about his experience during the Cold War with his readers. The writer says that during 1960, while he was doing his research on seismic waves (earth tremors) in the capital city of Moscow, he was summoned by the President of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The President showed him a letter from Geneva related to a meeting in Geneva about nuclear weapons. An American scientist, Fran Press, called him to Geneva to attend the discussion. As a result, the writer found himself in Geneva.
During that time, the fear of annihilation by nuclear weapons was so high. People were living under threat. The Cold War was at its height in 1960. The superpower nations, such as Russia (the Soviet Union), America, and England, had lots of nuclear weapons. They could easily destroy other nations in their first strike using nuclear weapons. Before the Geneva Summit, for the sake of the survival of humanity, an important decision was taken by the politicians of three powerful nations. The three nuclear powers were willing to come to an agreement banning the new nuclear weapons test. That episode was the atmosphere of the Cold War, in which scientists from opposite sides had to come to an understanding to promote world peace and prevent the use of nuclear weapons. That episode taught the writer that science is the hope of survival and well-being for all.
The nuclear powers signed an agreement to stop the testing of new nuclear weapons. But they faced the problem that if anyone violated the agreement by secret underground testing of nuclear weapons, how could they (other powers) detect that test? For that, the technical experts (scientists) were summoned to solve the problem that arose.
As a seismologist, the writer had theoretical knowledge of seismic waves. His theoretical knowledge had a direct application in the area of the survival of humankind. He had very good knowledge about the tremors of underground nuclear explosions as well as tremors produced by earthquakes. With his knowledge, the writer would easily know the difference between the two different tremors.
According to the writer, scientists are the most practical people in the world. This could be seen in new technologies and new brands in the industry, from defence to entertainment. The scientists invent antibiotics, electronics, biotechnology, synthetic fibres, the green revolution, genetic forensic diagnosis, etc. The basic knowledge of science always supports people in their lives.
According to the writer, the survival of our civilization is threatened by natural and man-made disasters. Among them are earthquakes, self-inflicted destruction of megacities, environmental catastrophes, and economic and social crises. A massive release of radioactivity from nuclear waste disposal and an outburst of mass violence are cited by the writer as man-made disasters.
Science is our indispensable guardian and caretaker because it is the only science that can ensure that we move with time safely.
For the survival of humankind, countries had signed a treaty not to test nuclear weapons secretly. But science and its scientists ensured humankind's survival. It is the only science that can differentiate between the tremors caused by nuclear explosions and natural earthquakes. It is science that can give us new sources of energy, new mineral deposits, and efficient defence from terrorism.
The hope of science for the survival of mankind has greater significance as well. In the present scenario, the safety of mankind is threatened by both natural and man-made disasters. Be it a tsunami or terrorism, money alone cannot tackle the problem. Scientific solutions are the only hope. Thus, the writer has umpteen reasons to conclude that science is the hope of survival.
QUESTIONS
1. Why do some people become scientists even if they earn less money?
Answer:
Some people choose science despite earning less because science is an exciting adventure. Here, instead of money, they get freedom, friendship, and the joy of new discoveries. The writer says - Russian writer Tolstoy said, a writer is one who cannot live without writing, similarly a scientist cannot live without science. That's why the joy of discovery is greater than money.
2. What was the problem during 1960 Geneva Summit?
Answer:
In 1960, experts from USSR, USA and UK wanted to make a nuclear test ban treaty. But the biggest problem was - how to know if any country did a secret underground nuclear test or it was a natural earthquake? Without distinguishing this, the treaty could not be made. That's why scientists' help was needed.
3. How did scientists distinguish between man-made vibration and natural earthquake?
Answer:
Scientists first found some differences. First - in nuclear explosions, seismic waves are very sharp and sudden, in natural earthquakes they gradually rise and fall. Second - the ratio of P-wave and S-wave is different. Third - nuclear explosions are always less than 10 kilometers deep, natural earthquakes can be up to 700 km. Fourth - aftershocks are almost none after nuclear explosions. These differences were put into a mathematical model and a computer program was made which could detect nuclear tests with 99% accuracy.
4. Why does the writer call science the basis of human survival?
Answer:
According to the writer - solutions to big problems like tsunamis, terrorism, energy crisis, new minerals can be given not by money, but only by science. Science also helped to stop nuclear war. Today also science gives new energy sources and ways to protect from terrorism. That's why science is the protector and guardian of humanity, without it our existence is impossible.
CLICK HERE 👇 TO READ
CLICK HERE 👇 TO READ
NEXT PLAY: TRIFLES BY SUSAN GLASPELL SUMMARY & SOLUTION
Thanks for Visiting my Website: Suraj Bhatt
Post a Comment