Chapter 5 Scientific Research is a Token of Humankind’s Survival

Chapter 5 Scientific Research is a Token of
Humankind’s Survival 

Class 11 English 

Exercise 

Vladimir Keilis 

Introduction 

Vladimir Keilis-Borok was a Russian mathematical geophysicist and
seismologist. Here, he talks about how science has given greater
contribution to the lives of the people. This essay has shown how
scientists across the globe, rise above their national identities, to
find solutions for common problems of nations. The speaker/writer
advocates science saying that science is the indispensable guardian
and caretaker of humankind. 

Summary 

Although scientists have low earnings in comparison to
businessmen, doctors, lawyers etc., some people decide to be
scientists because they cannot live without science. It’s an exciting
adventure where the major reward comes from the discovery itself.
In that way, scientists get honors and promotions and they enjoy
freedom, camaraderie and independence. 

Next, the writer talks about his experience during the cold war.
During 1960, he was invited to Geneva to attend a discussion about
nuclear weapons. At that time, people were worried of destructive
nuclear weapons of Russia, America and England. The three nuclear
powers were willing to come to an agreement putting a ban on new
nuclear test. However, they faced a problem that if anyone violated
the agreement by secret underground testing of nuclear weapons,
how they could detect that test. For that, the technical experts
including the writer were called to solve that problem. As a
seismologist, the writer had theoretical knowledge in seismic waves
that could easily detect underground nuclear explosions as well as tremors produced by earthquakes. Here, his knowledge had a direct
application in the survival of the humankind. That episode taught
the writer that science is the hope of survival and well-being of all.

Scientists are the most practical people in the world. This could be
seen in new technologies, new brands of the industry from defense
to entertainment. The scientists invent antibiotics, electronics,
biotechnology, synthetic fibers, the green revolution, and genetic
forensic diagnosis etc. 

The basic knowledge of science always
supports people in their lives.
The survival of our civilization is threatened by natural and manmade disasters. Among them, the natural disasters are
earthquakes, a self-inflicted destruction of megacities,
environmental catastrophes, economic and social crises. A massive
release of radioactivity from nuclear waste disposal and an outburst
of mass violence etc. are 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 treaty of not
testing the nuclear weapons secretly. But science and its scientists
ensured about 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 defense from terrorism.
The hope of science for the survival of mankind has larger
significance. In the present scenario the safety of mankind is
threatened by both natural and manmade disasters. Be it a
tsunami, be it terrorism, money alone cannot tackle the problem.
Scientific solutions are the only hope. Thus, the writer has
numerous reasons to conclude that science is the hope of survival.
Scientific Research is a Token of Humankind’s 

Survival – Complete Exercise 

Understanding the text

Answer the following questions. 

a. What does a scientist get instead of big money? 

Answer: A scientist gets freedom, camaraderie and independence
instead of big money. 

b. What was the problem that the nuclear powers had faced? 

Answer: The nuclear powers had agreed to a moratorium to stop
the test of nuclear weapons. But, they had faced the problem that if
anyone violated the agreement by secret underground testing of
nuclear weapons, they would not be able to detect it. 

c. In which area did Keilis Borok’s theoretical knowledge have a
direct application? 

Answer: As a seismologist, he had theoretical knowledge in seismic
waves that could easily detect underground nuclear explosions as
well as tremors produced by earthquakes. His knowledge could
easily detect secret underground nuclear test. Here, his knowledge
had a direct application in the survival of the humankind. 

d. What was the important decision that the politicians took before
Geneva Summit? 

Answer: The important decision that the politicians took before
Geneva Summit was to ban nuclear weapons text for the shake of
survival of humanity. According to them, after banning nuclear
tests, there would be no competition for developing nuclear
weapons.

e. What are the natural and man-made disasters as mentioned by
the author? 

Answer: The natural disasters mentioned by the author are
earthquakes, self-inflicted destruction of megacities, environmental
catastrophes, economic and social crises, and so on. The manmade disasters mentioned include a massive release of radioactivity
from nuclear waste disposal, an outburst of mass violence, war,
and so on. 

Reference to the context 

a. The professional addressed as ‘you’ in the sentence “If you are
clever, why are you so poor?” refers to a… 

i. lawyer ii. doctor iii. scientist iv. businessman.
Justify your choice. 

Answer: Here the ‘you’ refers to a scientist. The author wants to
know why some people with clever and brilliant mind want to be
scientists though other professionals like lawyers, doctors and
businessmen earn much more. The author intends to show that
although scientists are very wise, their wisdom does not generally
help them in generating wealth. Thus, scientists are generally wise
but not wealthy. 

b. The writer says, “I found myself in Geneva.” What does it
express? 

Answer: It expresses the surprise of the writer. He says the above
line because he was summoned all of a sudden to attend the
meeting related to nuclear weapons in Geneva. 

c. Are the following statements true? Why or why not? Discuss with
your partner. 

i. Money is more powerful than intellectual resources. 

Answer: This statement is not true. Money can give us the power to
make a difference in the lives of others, but not the desire to do so.
It can give us the time to develop and nurture our relationships, but
not the love and caring necessary to do so. It can just as easily
make us jaded, escapist, selfish, and lonely. How much do you
need? What is it going to cost you to get it? It is keeping these two
questions in mind that gives us a true sense of money’s relationship
to happiness. If we have less than what we need, or if what we
have is costing us too much, we can never be happy. 

ii. Intellectual resources help survival of the mankind. 

Answer: This statement is true. It is because of the intellectual
resources that we have combated many diseases. Though man is
not the fittest among all the creations of God, he is able to ensure
his safety against the other powerful creatures of nature because of
his intellectual resources. Basic research can help our survival by
giving us new sources of energy and new mineral deposits. Basic
research can also protect us against terrorism.

iii. Basic research is a way of stalling disasters. 

Answer: This statement is true. People in the world are living their
life securely believing in scientific researches. Scientists keep on
studying the ecological changes and forewarn people about natural
disasters like earthquakes, tsunamis, storms etc. People can be
evacuated from the area posed with danger. 

d. How does the essayist justify that scientific research is the
humankind’s survival? 

Answer: The essayist justifies that scientific research is the
humankind’s survival by presenting his opinions in favour of
science and its research-based inventions. As a seismologist, he
had theoretical knowledge in seismic waves that could easily detect
underground nuclear explosions as well as tremors produced by
earthquakes. His knowledge could easily detect secret underground
nuclear test. Here, his knowledge had a direct application in the
survival of the humankind. According to him, science is the
indispensable guardian and caretaker of humankind’s survival.
Scientific researchers have found the solutions to the problems of
human beings. It has given us new sources of energy, new mineral
deposits, medicines and efficient defense from terrorism. Scientific
researches can easily predict the upcoming disasters ecological
changes and forewarn people. People can be evacuated from the
area posed with danger. Thus, the writer has numerous reasons to
conclude that scientific research is the hope of humankind’s
survival.

e. What can be the purpose of the essayist of using quotations in
the essay? 

Answer: The purpose of the essayist’s use of quotations in the essay
is to support the ideas and arguments presented in the essay. He
wants to get all of his readers aware to the main points that he
wishes to convey. People have many misconceptions about science
and scientists so he compares public understanding and the reality
of a scientist’s life. So in order to support his ideas, the writer uses
quotations. 

f. Discuss and illustrate the writer’s stand that scientists are the
most practical people in the world. 

Answer: The writer’s stand here in this essay is that scientists are the most practical people in the world. According to him, all new
technologies and new brands of industry from defense to
entertainment are the result of scientists’ research. The scientists
invent antibiotics, electronics, biotechnology, synthetic fibers,
modes of transport, the green revolution, and genetic forensic
diagnosis etc. Only the scientific research can provide us new
sources of energy and new minerals, efficient defense from
terrorism, cure from cancer and new forms of transportation. By
this we can say that scientists are the most practical people in the
world.

Reference beyond the text 

a. Everyone lives under the fear of annihilation by nuclear weapons.
Explain this statement. 

Answer: Nuclear weapons are the most terrifying weapon ever
invented: no weapon is more destructive; no weapon causes such
unspeakable human suffering; and there is no way to control how
far the radioactive fallout will spread or how long the effects will
last. 

Although the superpowers have already reached an agreement to
stop nuclear test, the growing competition for power has increased
fear and uncertainty about our future. It is a truth that Soviet
Union, the United States and the United Kingdom have more than
enough nuclear bombs to destroy the other nations in their first
strike. A nuclear bomb detonated in a city would immediately kill
tens of thousands of people, and tens of thousands more would
suffer horrific injuries and later die from radiation exposure.
Hiroshima and Nagasaki always remind people of the bitter truth.
Anytime, the global politics can deteriorate and crazy rulers like
that of North Korea can forget humanity and the world population
can suffer. Therefore, every man, woman, and child on the earth is
living under the threat of annihilation by nuclear weapons. 

b. The essayist says ‘While there is science, there is hope of survival
and well being for all of us.’ Explain it. 

Answer: According to the essayist, science is our indispensable guardian and caretaker because it is the only science that can
ensure that we are moving with time safely. For the survival of
humankind, countries have signed the treaty of not testing nuclear
weapons secretly. Specialists can invigilate the moves of different
countries and make us alert on time. Science can differentiate
between the tremors caused by nuclear explosions and natural
earthquakes. It gives us new sources of energy, new mineral
deposits, efficient defense from terrorism, antibiotics and cure for
human diseases. Besides that, science teaches us how to preserve
our ecosystem and biosphere correcting our past mistakes. At
present, the safety of mankind is threatened by both natural and
man-made disasters. Be it a tsunami, be it terrorism, money alone
cannot tackle the problem. Scientific solutions are the only hope.
Therefore, while there is science, there is hope of survival and
well being for all of us.

c. Is science a blessing or a curse? Write an essay on it.

Answer:

Science – A Blessing or A Curse 

Science has benefited man in several ways. It has made man’s life
more comfortable, more secure and more powerful. But it is not an
unmixed blessing. There are several disadvantages of science.
However, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.
Science has revolutionized the human existence. 

Take, for instance,
electricity which is one of the many gifts of science. All one has to
do is to press a button. The room is flooded with light, the fan
begins to whir and give refreshing air, or still more, a desert cooler
or an air conditioner turns the room into a hill resort. Thousand
types of machines are run by electricity. Room heaters, electric
ovens and cooking ranges and several other household appliances
are operated by electricity. It runs factories which produce
innumerable things of our daily use. 

Science has also relieved to a great extent human suffering.
Advance in the field of medicine and surgery have reduced the rate
of infant mortality. The average life span of man has increased.
Today, many the dreaded diseases like cholera, small-pox and even tuberculosis are easily curable with the help of medicines. Surgery
can remove malignant also proved to be harmful. The machine age
made many people unemployed. Now there is no need for so many
hands to do a task. Only one person is required to manipulate the
machine. Thus, it has led to unemployment.

In the light of all these grave dangers, it is imperative that man
tries to make judicious use of machines. After all, man had applied
his mind to invent new things not to make his life miserable, but to
make it more comfortable and better. Machines should serve
mankind. Man should ensure that he does not allow them to
destroy his environment and health and put the life of all living
things in grave danger beyond a point of no return.