Reading Comprehension exercise for Ib Acio Tier 2
Passage -1
In 18th-century Germany, Baron Munchausen regales his friends, over drinks, with stories of his many adventures. These include his supposed travel to the moon. Long before Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin stepped out of Apollo 11 onto the surface of the moon 50 years ago, on July 20, 1969, the aspiration to travel to this shiny orb in the sky has fired human imagination. A Flight To The Moon by George Fowler, From The Earth To The Moon – and its sequel, Around The Moon – by Jules Verne, The First Men In The Moon by HG Wells, Prelude To Space by Arthur C Clarke are only a few of the many fictionalised accounts that have, for centuries, reflected this aspiration. In the 1954 Explorers On The Moon, iconic comic book character, Tintin, reaches the moon.
While some writers imagined the moon’s surface to be barren and uninhabited, others have written about it being populated with lunar beings. Even when Apollo 11 mission was being planned and worked on, in 1963, Apollo At Go by Jeff Sutton, presented a realistic fictionalised portrayal of the upcoming landing. The successful landing of Apollo 11 and Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin’s walk on the moon, opened up another exciting possibility – could the common man or non-space-scientist reach for the moon? Literally? What had hitherto been in the realm of speculation was now a reality and we weren’t satisfied with just second-hand information any more. Between 1969 and 1972, the US sent six successful manned missions to the moon, and with each victory, the lunar destination seemed a little closer within the reach of the common man.
1) When did the US send first successful manned trip to the moon?
2) Who was the first person to speak of travel to the moon?
3) How many fictional books written about travelling to the moon are referred to here?
4) What is the advantages of imagination ?
5) Give a suitable title for the passage.
1) When did the US send first successful manned trip to the moon?
Answer : The US sent its first successful manned trip to the moon in 1969. Using Apollo
11 Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin traveled to the surface of the moon and landed on it. The US also sent five other successful manned missions to the moon between 1969 and 1972.
2) Who was the first person to speak of travel to the moon?
Answer : ‘Baron Munchausen regales his friends….These include his supposed travel to the moon’ this line says that it was Baron Munchausen who first spoke of travel to the moon in the 18th century, well before the actual manned mission.
3) How many fictional books written about travelling to the moon are referred to here?
Answer : Seven fictional books are referred to about travelling to the moon. They are as follows :- A Flight To The Moon by George Fowler, From The Earth To The Moon – and its sequel, Around The Moon – by Jules Verne, The First Men In The Moon by HG Wells, Prelude To Space by Arthur C Clarke, On The Moon, Apollo At Go by Jeff Sutton.
4) What is the advantages of imagination ?
Answer : Imagination brings out creativity. It allows exploration beyond any restriction. In this context it is this urge that drove the man to aspire to travel to the shiny orb in the form of fictionalised accounts, which eventually took its shape.
5) Give a suitable title for the passage.
Answer : According to the passage An Expedition to the moon : Fiction to reality is
the suitable title.
Passage -2
Science and technology is dominating not only the psyche of humanity but also the whole biosphere on the earth. How does science influence civilization and how is it related to human happiness? The original, cosmic evolution of the biosphere was one that promoted, supported, nourished, sustained and enhanced life. Life went on adding to the evolution with newer species and ecosystems, even more beautiful and vibrant than the ones before.
Our biosphere accommodated a pleasant weather cycle and climate system to support these newer species, keeping everything in dynamic equilibrium. Now the biosphere is overburdened and ailing. Some of our ecosystems have already collapsed, while others are at death’s door. Ever increasing pollution coupled with over–exploitation of natural resources and greenhouse gas emissions is driving several species towards extinction.
This phenomenon that has occurred by itself, and neither has it been caused by, human beings alone. But it definitely has been spurred by so–called advances in technology. In this millennium, we no longer live in a, biosphere – we are inhabitants of a technosphere. A technosphere is an impaired biosphere that has no affinity with values of life nor with sustainability and evolution of life.
Although technology has empowered civilization, it has also reduced it to being a mere tool of science and technology. And when the whole civilization turns technocratic, science and technology are bound to dominate, causing life to shrink. The intensifying climate crisis is but a symptom of the biosphere’s illness and life’s gradual collapse. We’ve reached a point where we are intolerant of anything remotely “unscientific” in our contemporary world.
Scientists look for alternatives, but even these solutions are sought in the same domain that has caused these problems. In short, we are stewing in a soup of our own making. So, what would be meaningful for the welfare of humans? Naturally, something that would enhance life, serve to integrate ecosystems and cleanse our environment. Enhancement of lit includes betterment of human life and vice versa. If life shrinks, we cannot blossom.
Science and technology by themselves are neutral; it is the way we use them that has either a positive or negative impact on our lives and environment. And when we use science in a manner that increases unsustainability and unhappiness in our lives, how can we rely blindly on science for our happiness ?
Important Words :
Psyche : The mind; your deepest feelings and attitudes ,मन, चित्त
Accommodated : To have enough space for somebody/something बैठने या ठहरने की पर्याप्त सुविधा होना
Ailing : Not in good health; weak बीमार; कमज़ोर
Spurred : To encourage to work harder or faster अधिक मेहनत या तेज़ी से काम करने के लिए प्रेरित या बाध्य करना
Millennium : A period of 1000 years एक हजार वर्ष की अवधि; सहस्त्राब्दी
Stewing : Boiling slowly पकाना
Lit : Provided with light or lighting ज्योतिर्मय
Questions :
1) What is the difference between biosphere and technosphere?
2) How did the biosphere evolve over a period of time?
3) How has this equilibrium got disturbed now?
4) Man needs to use ‘science and technology’ in a sensible manner. Elucidate
5) Suggest a suitable title for the Passage
Question & Answer :
1) What is the difference between biosphere and technosphere?
Answer –
Biosphere is the natural habitat of plants, animals and other species. The human being and animals live in harmony with the climate around. A technosphere is a biosphere that has been destroyed by the advancement of technology, without sustainability and evolution of life.
2) How did the biosphere evolve over a period of time ?
Answer –
When cosmic evolution happened, biosphere supported and promoted the growth of species. As life continued, more and more newer species and ecosystems evolved. Our biosphere also evolved and created the right weather and climate to support the new species.
3) How has this equilibrium got disturbed now ?
Answer –
Today most of the ecosystems have collapsed, many species have disappeared from the earth. This has happened due to increasing pollution, deforestation and over exploitation of natural resources.
4) Man needs to use ‘science and technology’ in a sensible manner. Elucidate
Answer –
By itself science and technology is neither good nor bad. It is totally depend how we use them for our needs. If we use it to increase instability, then it will create unhappiness around us. We cannot blindly rely on science and technology only for our happiness.
5) Suggest a suitable title for the Passage
Answer –
Science and technology Vs Our Natural Biospheren India’s development.