1. Who is Stephen Hawking?
1. Who is Stephen Hawking?
Explanation:
Stephen Hawking was a world-renowned astrophysicist who made significant contributions to the field of theoretical physics. Despite being disabled, he authored the bestselling book 'A Brief History of Time' and communicated through a computer.
2. What took the author Firdaus to England? Why did he wish to see Hawking?
2. What took the author Firdaus to England? Why did he wish to see Hawking?
Explanation:
Firdaus Kanga went to England to write a book about his travels. Being disabled himself, he wanted to meet the brilliant astrophysicist Stephen Hawking, who was also completely paralyzed, on the advice of his guide in Cambridge.
3. How did Kanga arrange the interview with Hawking?
3. How did Kanga arrange the interview with Hawking?
Explanation:
Kanga arranged the interview by calling Hawking's assistant and requesting a ten-minute meeting. However, he was fortunate to receive half an hour of Hawking's valuable time.
4. What advice do people typically give to the disabled? Did Hawking choose to be brave?
4. What advice do people typically give to the disabled? Did Hawking choose to be brave?
Explanation:
People usually advise the disabled to be brave. However, Hawking was honest in admitting that he had no choice but to live with his disability. He did not deliberately choose to be brave, but rather had to live with the reality of his condition.
5. What advice did the scientist offer to the handicapped?
5. What advice did the scientist offer to the handicapped?
Explanation:
Hawking advised the disabled to focus on their strengths and not try to emulate able-bodied individuals. He believed that every person had unique talents and abilities, and the key to success was to identify and develop those strengths.
6. Did the writer feel nervous and excited at the prospect of meeting Stephen Hawking? What were the reasons for each emotion?
6. Did the writer feel nervous and excited at the prospect of meeting Stephen Hawking? What were the reasons for each emotion?
Explanation:
The writer was nervous as he was uncertain about getting the interview with Hawking. However, he was also excited as he got to meet Hawking for half an hour, which was a great opportunity.
7. What might have been the writer's first question to Stephen Hawking?
7. What might have been the writer's first question to Stephen Hawking?
Explanation:
It's possible that the writer's first question to Hawking could have been related to his disability, perhaps about how he adapted to it and continued his work despite it.
8. Stephen Hawking stated that he had no choice. Did the writer believe that there was a choice? If so, what was it?
8. Stephen Hawking stated that he had no choice. Did the writer believe that there was a choice? If so, what was it?
Explanation:
The writer believed that Hawking had a choice in living creatively with his weakening body, which he did by adapting his methods of communication and continuing his work in the field of physics.
9. What was the source of Stephen Hawking's anguish that the writer could feel?
9. What was the source of Stephen Hawking's anguish that the writer could feel?
Explanation:
The writer believed that Hawking's anguish stemmed from his physical limitations, which made it difficult for him to communicate his ideas and thoughts to others.
10. What was it about Stephen Hawking that made the writer feel that he was looking at one of the most beautiful men in the world?
10. What was it about Stephen Hawking that made the writer feel that he was looking at one of the most beautiful men in the world?
Explanation:
The writer found Hawking's one-way smile to be endearing and it contributed to his belief that Hawking was a beautiful person.
11. Which sentence in the description of Stephen Hawking did the writer find to be the most beautiful? Could you read it aloud?
11. Which sentence in the description of Stephen Hawking did the writer find to be the most beautiful? Could you read it aloud?
Explanation:
The sentence that the writer found to be the most beautiful was: "before you like a lantern whose walls are worn so thin, you glimpse only the light inside, is the incandescence of a man".
12. What does the metaphor of the lantern and its walls represent in the description of Stephen Hawking? What conclusion did the writer draw from this comparison?
12. What does the metaphor of the lantern and its walls represent in the description of Stephen Hawking? What conclusion did the writer draw from this comparison?
Explanation:
The walls of the lantern in Hawking's case represented his physical limitations, while the light inside represented his eternal soul. The writer concluded that one's soul is more important than their physical body.
13. What was Stephen Hawking's message for disabled individuals?
13. What was Stephen Hawking's message for disabled individuals?
Explanation:
Hawking's message to disabled individuals was to focus on their strengths and what they are good at, rather than trying to imitate those who are not disabled.
14. What was the significance of the guitar incident mentioned by the writer? How did it relate to Stephen Hawking's message?
14. What was the significance of the guitar incident mentioned by the writer? How did it relate to Stephen Hawking's message?
Explanation:
The writer's experience with the guitar demonstrated the importance of focusing on one's strengths and abilities, rather than trying to pursue activities that may not be suited to one's limitations. This idea is consistent with Hawking's message to disabled individuals.
15. Why did the writer express his gratitude to Stephen Hawking?
15. Why did the writer express his gratitude to Stephen Hawking?
Explanation:
The writer expressed his gratitude to Hawking because meeting him had been a source of inspiration and he was grateful for the opportunity to have such an experience.
16.Write about Stephen Hawking and Firdaus Kanga.
16.Write about Stephen Hawking and Firdaus Kanga.
Explanation:
Stephen Hawking is a well-known astrophysicist and author of the book "A Brief History of Time." Despite being disabled, he has made significant contributions to the field of science. Firdaus Kanga, a journalist and writer, also lives with a disability, specifically brittle bones that make it difficult for him to move. Both individuals have found success in their respective fields, despite facing significant physical challenges.
17.Why did the writer feel guilty talking to Stephen Hawking?
17.Why did the writer feel guilty talking to Stephen Hawking?
Explanation:
The writer felt guilty speaking to Hawking because he knew it was a difficult task for Hawking to communicate. With limited movement and relying on a computerized voice to speak, Hawking had to exert significant effort to respond to the writer's questions. However, the writer needed to speak to Hawking to get answers for his book, which added to his sense of guilt.
18.What inspired Hardy to write the poem ‘When I set out for Lyonnesse’?
18.What inspired Hardy to write the poem ‘When I set out for Lyonnesse’?
Explanation:
Hardy wrote the poem 'When I set out for Lyonnesse' to commemorate his journey to Lyonnesse. He went there to supervise the renovation work of a church, and his successful completion of the task inspired him to pen down his thoughts in the form of a poem.
19.What does the poet tell about his feelings before he left for Lyonnesse and after his return?
19.What does the poet tell about his feelings before he left for Lyonnesse and after his return?
Explanation:
Before departing for Lyonnesse, Hardy felt uncertain and nervous about his ability to fulfill his responsibilities there. However, upon his return, he radiated with a sense of contentment and satisfaction, signifying that he had overcome his apprehensions and accomplished his task.
20.What did people notice on poet's return from the parish?
20.What did people notice on poet's return from the parish?
Explanation:
Upon his return from the parish, the people who saw Hardy noticed that he had a newfound radiance in his eyes and that a piece of paper was sticking out of his coat pocket in a crumpled manner.
21.In the first stanza, which words indicate that it was very cold, late evening, and the traveller was alone?
21.In the first stanza, which words indicate that it was very cold, late evening, and the traveller was alone?
Explanation:
(i) The word “rime’ suggests that it was very cold.
(ii) The word ‘starlight’ indicates that it was late evening.
(iii) The word ‘lonesomeness’ implies that the traveller was alone.
22.Something happened at Lyonnesse. Was it improbable, impossible, or unforeseeable? Provide two lines from stanza 2 to justify your answer.
22.Something happened at Lyonnesse. Was it improbable, impossible, or unforeseeable? Provide two lines from stanza 2 to justify your answer.
Explanation:
The event that took place at Lyonnesse was unforeseeable. The following lines support this conclusion:
No prophet durst declare
Nor did the wisest wizard guess
What would be chance at Lyonnesse
23.(i) Which line in stanza 3 implies that people noticed something but did not speak about it?
(ii) Which line refers to what they noticed?
23.(i) Which line in stanza 3 implies that people noticed something but did not speak about it?
(ii) Which line refers to what they noticed?
Explanation:
(i) The line "Whispers at length began to spread" suggests that people noticed something but did not speak about it.
(ii) The line "A curious rarity" refers to what they noticed.
