Hi Everyone!! This article will share An Education in Science Questions & Answers.
In my previous posts, I have shared the questions & answers of The Triantiwontigongolope, Haroun Meets Iff and A Day so, you can check these posts as well.
An Education in Science Questions & Answers
Question 1: Write True or False:
1. The world we live in will change in the next 100 years – True
2. Life was much easier in the past – False
3. People think about basic science only because they are paid a lot for it – False
4. Most people distrust science because they do not understand it – True
5. A nuclear was could end the world over a long period of time – True
6. The best way to understand science is through equations – False
7. Science programmes should entertain and educate – True
8. The writer fears that minor world powers will use nuclear weapons in an irresponsible manner – True
9. The writer wishes governments would cut down the use of nuclear weapons – True
10. There is a belief that extremely advanced civilisations tend to destroy themselves – True
Question 2: Read and answer the questions:
It has come to expect the steady increase in the standard of living that new developments in science and technology have brought to continue, but it also distrusts science.
(a) What does ‘it’ refer to?
Answer: ‘It’ refers to the public.
(b) Why does it ‘distrusts science’?
Answer: According to the author, most people distrust science because they are unable to understand.
(c) The television series Cosmos shows that the public is deeply interested in a particular subject. Which is this ‘particular subject’?
Answer: That subject is science, particularly astronomy.
Question 3: Read and answer the questions:
The major powers have behaved in a reasonably responsible way so far, but one cannot have such confidence in minor powers.
(a) What have the major powers been responsible about?
Answer: The major powers have been responsible about the way they use nuclear power.
(b) Which minor powers does the writer refer to here?
Answer: The writer refers to powers like Libya or Iraq, Pakistan or even Azerbaijan.
(c) Why does the author use the words ‘so far’ here?
Answer: The author uses the words ‘so far’ because he is not sure that they will continue to do so.
Question 4: Read and answer the questions:
I included one equation, Einstein’s famous equation, E=mc2.
(a) Where did the writer include ‘one equation’?
Answer: The writer included ‘one equation’ in a popular book that he wrote.
(b) Why did he include just one equation?
Answer: He included just one equation because he was told that including equations in the book would make its sale go down.
(c) What does he feel would have happened if he had not included this equation?
Answer: He feels that the book would have sold twice as many copies if he hadn’t included the equation.
Question 5: Why do some people wish to stop scientific progress?
Answer: Some people wish to stop scientific progress so that they can go back to a simpler and purer age.
Question 6: What was life like before science advanced?
Answer: Life was difficult for most people. It was not so bad for a privileged minority, though even they had to do without modern medicine and childbirth was highly risky for women. But for the vast majority of the population, life was nasty, brutish and short.
An Education in Science Questions & Answers
Question 7: What would prevent further developments from taking place?
Answer: The only way to prevent further developments from taking place would be to have a global totalitarian state that suppressed anything new.
Question 8: Why would it be difficult to stop scientific developments?
Answer: It would be difficult to stop scientific developments because one cannot stop enquiring minds from thinking about basic science, so development will continue to take place. Also, human initiative and ingenuity would ensure that developments continue to take place.
Question 9: What does the writer say about public’s attitude towards science?
Answer: The writer says that the public has a rather ambivalent attitude towards science. It has come to expect the steady increase in the standard of living those new developments in science and technology have brought to continue but it also distrusts science because it does not understand it.
Question 10: Why does the public distrust science?
Answer: The public distrusts science because it does not understand it.
Question 11: How is science taught in schools?
Answer: Children learn science by rote to pass examination. They are not shown its relevance to the world around them. Moreover, science is often taught in terms of equations.
Question 12: How would the writer like science to be taught?
Answer: The writer would like science to be taught through words and diagrams without the use of equations. They could also be taught through educative and entertaining science programmes shown on television.
Question 13: What is the writer’s opinion about nuclear weapons?
Answer: The writer would like to see the minimum use of nuclear weapons. He sees them as a great danger. He feels that it would only take a computer error or a mutiny by some of those manning the weapons to trigger a global war. He feels worried about the fact that even minor nations are acquiring nuclear weapons. He does not trust that countries will use nuclear power in a responsible manner.
Question 14: Which science related problems will the public have to take decisions about?
Answer: The public will have to take decisions about global problems such as food supply or the greenhouse effect. The most urgent problem is that of nuclear weapons. This is because the irresponsible use of these weapons can wipe out humanity.
Question 15: Which ‘sick joke’ does the writer mention?
Answer: The joke is that the reason humans have not been contacted by an alien civilization is that civilisations tend to destroy themselves when they reach the stage which we have reached.
Question 16: On what note does the author end his essay?
Answer: The author ends his essay on an optimistic note, expressing his faith in the ability of humans to use their good judgement.
So, these were An Education in Science Questions & Answers.