Qb class8 unit8
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The document contains questions and answers about educating the public on science. It discusses that the past was not as wonderful as thought due to lack of technology and medicine. It is important for the public to understand science to make informed decisions and prevent risks. The easiest way to educate the public, according to Hawking, is through interesting science programs on television since books and schools do not reach many people. The most important issue is nuclear weapons as a nuclear war could wipe out all human life. The public can put pressure on governments to reduce arms to lessen the risk of nuclear war.
Qb class8 unit8
- 1. Question Bank: Reader 8 Unit 8 – An Education in Science 1. Why does the author say that the past was not that wonderful? The author says that the past was not wonderful as the vast majority of the population was poor and had to suffer as they couldn’t afford a comfortable life since there was not much technological development. Though the small class of rich did enjoy some comforts, there was no modern medicine to cure their ailments or guarantee safe childbirths. 2. Why is it important for the public to have an understanding of science? It is important for the public to have a basic understanding of science, as this would help them make intelligent decisions and prevent any wrongful and risky developments that may take place. 3. According to Hawking which is the easiest way to educate the public? Why? The easiest way to educate the public is to telecast interesting science programmes which just don’t show science as magic, but explain how scientific wonders fit into a framework of ideas. Hawking feels that since science is presented in an uninteresting way in schools and books on science are read only by a small proportion of the population, the easiest way to reach the public is through television. 4. What is the most important issue that concerns the future? Why? The most important issue that needs to be taken care of is that of nuclear weapons as a nuclear war could wipe out all human life on earth within days. 5. How can the public lessen the danger of a nuclear war? The public can put pressure on all governments to agree to large arms cuts to lessen the danger of a nuclear war. Revision/ Challenge questions 6. What is a ‘sick joke’? A ‘sick joke’ means a bad joke; something that is said with a feeling of heartlessness. It is not funny but conveys a message in a sarcastic way. 7. What is the ‘sick joke’ Hawking is talking about? The ‘sick joke’ is that the aliens don’t want to contact us because we have reached such an advanced stage of development that could only lead to civilisations destroying themselves.