NEB Grade XI Compulsory English Note | Literary Studies | Unit 3 | Lesson 5 Scientific Research is a Toke | Essay | Vladimir Keilis-Borok

Lesson:5

Scientific Research is a Token of Humankind’s Survival

Summary

In the essay, Vladimir Keilis-Borok talks about his profession as a scientist, and views that science is the mankind’s important guardian and caretaker.

The essayist mentions that some people still struggle to become scientists though their income is not higher than that of businessmen, lawyers and doctors. He regards science as an adventure where rewards come from discovery. Instead of money, scientists get freedom, camaraderie, independence, honors and promotions.

During the cold war, the three nuclear powers were willing to come to an agreement, putting a ban on the nuclear weapon test. At that time every person on Earth lived under the threat of annihilation by nuclear weapon. The technical experts from the Soviet Union, United States, and United Kingdom, including the essayist gathered in Geneva to solve the problem that arose. They were able to find a solution. This made the politicians to reach the most important decision. He claims that this problem had a direct connection with the theory of seismic waves into which he researched. Suddenly, his theoretical knowledge had a direct application in the area of survival of the humankind.

From the event, the essayist learnt that all scientists belonging to different nations and cultures, have similar thoughts. He also learnt that while there is science, there is hope of survival and well-being for all of us. According to him all new technologies and new brands of industry are developed from fundamental scientific research.

The essayist reveals the fact that the very survival of our civilization is very often threatened by natural and man-made disasters. They are earthquakes, self-inflicted destruction of megacities, environmental catastrophes, economic and social crises. He believes that combating the dangers depends on intellectual resources. He claims that only the basic scientific research can create a foundation for developing new disaster preparedness industry.

For the essayist, scientific research is an exciting venture into the token of humankind’s survival. He assures us that the scientists with their tools that can challenge any dangers and ensure that we all safely move with the time. If science is humanly used, it is our indispensable guardian and caretaker.

Understanding the text

Answer the following questions.

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

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Answer:
Instead of big money, a scientist gets freedom, camaraderie and independence. The honours and promotions will depend on themselves more than in the other occupations.

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

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Answer:
The nuclear powers had signed agreement to stop the test of the new nuclear weapons, and one of the participants had violated this agreement and secretly made an underground nuclear explosion. The problem was both the violation of agreement and its detection.

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

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Answer:
For survival of human beings, his theoretical knowledge had a direct application.

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

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Answer:
The important decision that the politicians took before Geneva Summit was to come to an agreement, putting a ban on the nuclear weapon test.

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

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Answer:
The natural and man-made disasters as mentioned by the author are earthquakes, self-inflicted destruction of megacities, environmental catastrophes, economic and social crises.

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.

Ans- scientist

In the given line the author wants to know why some people want to be scientists though other professionals like lawyers, doctors and businessmen earn much more.

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

The essayist’s theoretical knowledge of seismic waves had a direct application in the field of nuclear weapons. This resulted in the survival of entire mankind. Also, the scientists are able to ensure safety of human beings from any natural or man-made dangers. Basic scientific research helps our existence on earth by giving us new sources of energy and minerals, defense from terrorism, and cure from cancer.

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

The purpose of using quotations is to support the arguments and ideas presenting in the essay. He has introduced the quotation and explained to the reader. Using them the reader’s attention to the specific elements of the quotation that are most directly relevant to the arguments and ideas.

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

All new technologies and new brands of industry from defense to entertainment are the result of scientists’ research. Antibiotics, electronics, biotechnology, synthetic fibers, the green revolution, and genetic forensic diagnosis, etc. are some of the contributions of scientists to the society. 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. Financial institutions headhunt the persons who are trained in theoretical physics, and those who are trained in frontiers of biological research become founders and directors in the pharmaceutical industry.