प्रश्न बैंक - सह - उत्तर पुस्तक (Question Bank-Cum-Answer Book)
Class - 12
English Elective
6. On Science Fiction - Isaac Asimov
Q1. What makes for the distinction between the various genres of
fiction, 'a sports story', 'a Western story', 'a jungle story' and 'science
fiction"?
Ans-
Science fiction is a literary form. It is known through the background. It is
an influence which in no case is inferior to any literary form. In the present
essay, the author has made a distinction between various genres of fiction
which are 'a sports story', 'a Western story', 'a jungle story' and 'science
fiction'. In this regard, the author says, "Science fiction is a literary
universe of no mean size because science fiction is what it is, not through its
content but through its background."
According
to the author, a 'sports story' must contain an athletic or competitive
activity which becomes an integral part of the story. A western story is weaved
around the life of a cowboy who wanders in the American West. In 'Jungle
story', the author depicts the dangers of a forested tropical wilderness.
Science fiction necessarily displays different components such as
interplanetary travel and extraterrestrial creatures as a part of the plot.
Thus,
the author has presented the characteristics in each type of fiction but what
really distinguishes it from other genres of fiction is its background, while
other genres are differentiated on the basis of their content. He makes it
clear that if any of these genres contains a different background of society
which is different from ours, it becomes science fiction. Thus, the author
makes perfect science fiction.
Q2. How does Asimov establish that John Campbell was wrong in
his opinion that it is not possible for a science fiction mystery to be fair to
a reader in the same way as a classical mystery is?
Ans-
The author refers to John W. Campbell who was a great science fiction editor.
He was of the opinion that the domain of science fiction is limitless. But he
failed in regard to science fiction mystery. Asimov claims that John Campbell
was wrong in his opinion.
The
author says that in Campbell's opinion, it is not possible for a science
fiction mystery to be presented before the reader in the same way as a
classical mystery. He considered it a very tough and almost impossible task. He
quotes the example of Sherlock Holmes' classical mystery. Sherlock Holmes was a
detective. He was gifted with extraordinary abilities of sight to keep pace
with the plot yet it remained fair to the readers. He expresses his opinion
that such plots were fair in classical mysteries. And if they were suitable in
classical mysteries, they are suitable for scientific mysteries also because
the reader is quite unaware of these mysteries. So the writer is able to pen
down a science fiction mystery. It would be quite appropriate to put such
science fiction mystery before the readers.
Q3. What are the pitfalls that the writer of science fiction
mystery must guard against?
Ans-
The pitfalls that the writer of science fiction mystery, must guard against are
the following-
(i)
To start writing science fiction without the least knowledge of laws,
assumptions and dictums of science. Asimov refers here to John Dickson Carr who
has dared to write science fiction while his works reveal that he does not know
the difference between CO2 and CO.
(ii)
To assemble the events and people without proper scrutiny and scientific
observation.
(iii)
To give place to myths and legends in the subject matter of science fiction.
(iv)
To abandon an application of mind and scientific rules and laws.
Q4. What is the parallel drawn between myths and legends of the
past and science fiction?
Ans-
The ancient myths and legends are full of stories of human beings with
supernatural powers. There are the legendary heroes who control situations,
those ancient pieces of magic still fascinate us today, those crystal balls,
into which one can see things that are happening many miles away, and magic
shells that can allow us to hear the whisperings of humans many miles away.
In
science fiction we have hypotheses that are often built up on the same
principle which is superstitious beliefs and imaginary beliefs. The goals of
these ancient stories are the same as those of modern science fiction. These
are the parallel drawn between myths and legends of the past and science
fiction that connect each other.
Q5. What gives science fiction its validity?
Ans-
In this essay the author indicates the validity of science fiction by stating
that the difference is that the ancient myths and legends fulfill those needs
and meet those goals against the background of a Universe that is controlled by
gods and demons that can, in turn, be controlled by magical formulas either in
the form of enchantments to coerce, or prayers to cajole. Science fiction, on
the other hand, fulfills those needs against the background of a Universe that
is controlled by impersonal and answerable laws of nature, which can, in turn,
be controlled by an understanding of their nature. In a narrow sense, only
science fiction is valid for today since, as far as we can tell, the Universe
does follow the dictates of the laws of nature and is not at the mercy of gods
and demons. This shows that law and nature validates science fiction.
Q6. Which literary works does the author have in mind when he
refers to 'Open Sesame' or the concept of winged horses or flying carpets?
Ans-
The ancient myths and legends are full of stories of human beings with
supernatural powers. In prescientific times, it was the priest, magician,
wizard, shaman who filled the function of the scientist today. It was the
priest and others who were perceived as having the secret of controlling the
Universe and it was advances in the knowledge of magical formulas that could
enhance power. The literary works the author have in mind when he refers the
following are:
'Open
Sesame'-Alibaba and Forty Thieves
'winged-horses'-Panchatantra
'Flying-carpets'-
One Thousand Tales of Arabian Nights
Q7. What is the general thinking of human beings about gods?
Ans-
It is the general thinking of human beings about gods that they have control
over natural phenomena. Even they have control over natural activities. So they
are considered to be superhuman, super animal or super combinations of human
and animals. It is a true fact that no one contradicts gods and supernatural
elements.
But
it is also a fact that human beings have a deep rooted faith in their
existence. If some natural activities become disastrous and against human
beings, we think that gods are angry and they are taking revenge. And if the
events are in the favour of human beings and helpful, we consider the gods to
be kind and well wishers. This is the reason why human beings always try to
persuade the gods to win favour. If human beings fail to pursue gods, it is
thought that someone has offended gods and they are angry.
Q8. Who did the work of a scientist in the pre scientific times
and how?
Ans-
The author is very clear in this regard that in the pre-scientific times, the
priest, magician, wizard or shaman were the people who did the work of a
scientist. The people believed the priest to be the controller of the whole
universe. They could do whatever they lived with their supernatural powers.
There
are so many myths and legends in which human beings are so powerful enough that
they could control even winged horses or flying carpets. In a magical crystal
ball, human beings used to see the happenings from miles away. They could even
hear the whispering sounds though the ball, The seven league boots were
powerful enough to transport you several miles. In pre pre-scientific era,
there are so many legends in which we experience human and animal
characteristics in a single unit.
Q 9. How is the role of supernatural powers being played
nowadays?
Ans-
The author says that earlier, gods and demons were the supernatural agents who
performed the supernatural activities. Nowadays, the role of all those old
stories is played by science fiction. But there is a difference between the
activities. In the olden days, the myths and legends were controlled by gods
and demons in the form of prayers or enchantments. It was believed that these
prayers won favour of these supernatural powers.
On
the other hand, science fiction fulfills those needs with the help of
unanswerable laws of nature. Science fiction is dependent on deep imagination.
In the modern context, science fiction is valid. It is not dependent on the
mercy of gods or demons. Modern generations do not have any interest in the
duel of Achilles and Hector with spears and shields. Today, people enjoy
adventurous stories of exciting science fiction.
Q 10. What are the views of John W. Campbell about writing
science fiction?
Ans-
John W. Campbell was an eminent science fiction writer. He was of the opinion
that science fiction is not free. It has countless boundaries and domains in
all societies, past, future, probable, improbable, realistic or fantastic. He
clearly accepts that writing a science fiction mystery is full of troubles and
difficulties. It needs a great imaginative power.
What
we require most is a rational idea, mode of modification and estimate of it.
Apart from that, it is also true that science fiction mysteries are difficult
but not impossible. He advises setting science fiction mysteries in the future.
And the society must be of some different types in comparison to our own
society. It should be clearly depicted what can be done and what can't be done
in it.
Q 11. When did science fiction come into existence?
Ans-
According to the author, science fiction came into existence during the last
two centuries. It could happen only when people began to think about the real
meaning of science fiction, that it is a science and technology that is able to
differentiate between present and past or present and future. It was the time
when people began to wonder about science fiction.
Q 12. What is pre-historic period of science fiction?
Ans-
According to the writer, the scientific and technological changes came into
existence after the Industrial Revolution in 1800. After only this time,
science fiction could be written. The era before real science fiction is called
the prehistoric period of science fiction. By now, the people began to think
that science was the key for exploration and understanding the universe.
Q13. What is the opinion of people now about science?
Ans-
Now, people have a positive thinking about science.
They
have a clear vision and opinion that science is the main factor of development.
Human beings have always been curious about the mystery of nature. And this
curiosity has always helped human beings to invent new things every time.
People also hope that with the help of science, they will be able to understand
the laws of nature and enhance human powers.
Q14. What is the difference between content and background of
the story?
Ans-
The author clearly depicts the difference between content and background. In a
'sports story' competitive activity and athletic nature are its content. In a
'western story, we have the life of a nomadic cowboy of the American west in
the 19th century as a part of content. We can take the content of any of these
stories and place it against a background that involves a society significantly
different from our own. But if we add something and not allow it to change the
nature of the story, it becomes science fiction.
Q 15. Give two examples to show how a story becomes science
fiction.
Ans-
The author gives so many examples to prove his point. He says that in a western
story, take a fish boy in place of a cowboy with his dolphin, mackerel or cod;
it still remains the western story but turns into a science fiction. In the
same way, if we take a forest of a different planet with a different
environment, there are dangers in vegetation and atmosphere. This will remain a
jungle story along with a science fiction.
Q 16. What do you know about the Napoleonic war of 1812?
Ans-
The Napoleonic war of 1812 was fought between the United States and the United
Kingdom and Ireland and its dependent colonies in North America and Native
Americans allies. In the story, the author wants to know whether people will
take interest in the story of this battle because our warships are no longer
made of wood and are no longer equipped with sails.
Q 17. Why does the poet claim that only science fiction is valid
today?
Ans-
According to the author, only science fiction is valid for today. So far as he
can understand the claim, he explains the reason behind it. He says that now
the mental attitude of the people has been changed and they think that now the
universe does follow the dictates of the laws of nature. It is not dependent on
the mercy of gods and demons for its smooth functioning.
Q 18. What are the similarities between ancient stories and that
of science fiction?
Ans-
There is a great similarity between the ancient stories and that of science
fiction. Both of them depict the life that is quite unknown to us. We can only
imagine about the unknown world. It also fulfills our emotional needs which are
also the same. These emotional needs arouse a curiosity in the human heart and
they need the satisfaction of the longing for wonder.
Q 19. Why does the author say that writing a science fiction
mystery is difficult?
Ans-
The author Isaac Asimov says that writing a science fiction mystery is
difficult because it requires some knowledge of natural sciences like Physics,
Chemistry. Biology, etc. It should be correctly defined otherwise the context
would become ridiculous. He refers to his science fictions- 'The Caves of
Steel' and 'The Naked Sun'- to explain that such a style can be adopted while
writing science fiction.
Q 20. What is the difference between the pre-scientific universe
and the universe of scientific fiction?
Ans-
The difference between the pre-scientific universe and the universe of
scientific fiction is that the ancient myths and legends fulfill those needs
and those goals against the background of a universe that is controlled by Gods
and demons who can, in turn, be controlled by magical formulas. Science fiction
on the other hand fulfills those needs against the background of a universe
that is controlled by impersonal and answerable laws of nature, which can in
tum be controlled by and an understanding of their nature.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
1. Who is the writer of the essay 'On Science Fiction'?
a.
G.B.Shaw
b. Isaac Asimov
c.
Virginia Woolf
d.
D.H.Lawrence
2. Into how many parts is the essay divided?
a. two
b.
three
c.
four
d.
five
3. The first part is called..............
a. The Prescientific Universe
b.
The Prehistoric Universe
c.
The Post Scientific Universe
d.
The Posthistoric Universe
4. The second part is called......
a.
The World of Science Fiction
b. The Universe of Science Fiction
c.
The World of Child Fiction
d.
The Universe of Child Fiction
5. Asimov points that true science is a creature of the
last........... Centuries.
a. two
b.
three
c.
four
d.
five
6. People get the idea that it is science and technology that
produce the .........
a.
Present
b.
past
c. future
d.
none of the above
7. Science fiction was written after.....
a.
French Revolution
b. Industrial Revolution
c.
Black Death
d.
Spanish Flu
8. Through science, people can make use of..... of nature to
control the environment and enhance human powers.
a.
gifts
b.
miracles
c. laws
d.
none of the above
9. Earlier the gods were pictured as …….
a.
whimsical
b.
unpredictable
c. both (a) and (b)
d.
neither (a) and (b)
10. The ancient myths and legends are full of stories of human
beings with …….
a.
gold
b.
wings
c.
horns
d. supernormal powers
11. What is the meaning of aeronavigation?
a.
travelling in an aeroplane
b. swim or swing in the air
c.
01navigating the sea
d.
none of the above
12. Asimov compares the crystal ball, into which one can see
things that are happening many miles away to a modern day .........
a.
computer
b. television
c.
telephone
d.
internet
13. Which fairytale does 'Open sesame' refer to?
a.
Cindrella
b.
Alladin and the Magic Lamp
c. Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves
d.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
14. The man-horse is called ....
a.
Satyr
b.
Sphinx
c.
Harpy
d. Centaur
15. The man-goat is called ....
a. Satyr
b.
Sphinx
c.
Harpy
d.
Gorgon
16. The woman lion is called
....
a.
Harpy
b.
Satyr
c. Sphinx
d.
Gorgon
17. The woman-hawk is called ........
a. Harpy
b.
Gryphon
c.
Sphinx
d.
Satyr
18. The eagle lion is called.........
a.
Sphinx
b. Gryphon
c.
Centaur
d.
Harpy
19. The snake woman is called...........
a. Gorgon
b.
Centaur
c.
Sphinxd.
d.
Harpy
20. The goal of ancient stories and modern science fiction are
same-
a. the depiction of life as we don't know it
b.
to fear nature and its laws
c.
to entertain us
d.
all of the above
21. As per science fiction the... is not at the mercy of gods
and demons.
a.
ocean
b.
mountains
c.
world
d. universe
22. What does Q-rays in the chapter mean?
a.
gamma rays
b.
sun rays
c. the suspicious point
d.
none of the above
23. Does some basic knowledge of natural science is required to
write science fiction?
a. yes
b.
no
c.
maybe
d.
none of the above
24. What happens when a writer of science fiction does not have
basic knowledge of Science?
a.
His books are not published
b. The situation becomes ridiculous.
c.
He cannot write good sci-fi.
d.
all of the above
25. Name the book/books whose style can be followed to write
science fiction.
a.
The Caves of Steel
b.
The Naked Sun
c. both (a) and (b)
d. neither (a) and (b)
