Kalpana: The Star | Class 8 | Lesson 9 | Exercises Question Answer | MPBSE

“Kalpana: The Star” is a lesson of Class 8 Textbook of MPBSE. Here all the Exercises Questions are done by teachers.

Word Power

A) The words given in the table are mis-spelt. Correct their spellings and also write their meanings with the help of a dictionary.

B) Match the columns:

Comprehension

A) Answer the following questions in one or two sentences:

a. When and where was Kalpana Chawla born?
Kalpana Chawla was born on 1 July 1961 in Karnal, Haryana, India.

b. What were her hobbies?
Her hobbies included reading, flying, hiking, and bird-watching.

c. Who inspired her to fly?
She was inspired by the pioneering Indian pilot J.R.D. Tata.

d. When did she first fly into space?
She first flew into space on 19 November 1997 in the Space Shuttle Columbia on Flight STS-87.

e. How many experiments did the crew of Flight STS-107 perform?
The crew of Flight STS-107 performed 80 experiments in space.

B) Answer the following questions in three to five sentences:

a. What courses did Kalpana Chawla have to go through to become an astronaut?
Kalpana Chawla completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh, in 1982. She then pursued her Master’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Texas, USA, in 1984. Later, she earned her Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Colorado, USA, in 1988. These rigorous academic courses helped her prepare for her career as an astronaut.

b. Describe the first space mission of Kalpana Chawla.
Kalpana Chawla’s first space mission was aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia on 19 November 1997. The mission was called Flight STS-87, and she worked as a mission specialist and prime robotic arm operator. Along with her six-member crew, she conducted several scientific experiments and enjoyed every moment of the mission.

c. Describe her last space mission.
Her last space mission was aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia (Flight STS-107), which launched on 16 January 2003. This mission was dedicated to science and research, and the crew performed 80 scientific experiments in space. Unfortunately, the spacecraft developed a snag 16 minutes before landing, and the mission ended in tragedy on 1 February 2003.

d. Mention some of the honours awarded to Kalpana Chawla after her heroic death.
After her heroic death, several honours were awarded to Kalpana Chawla. An asteroid (51826) and a hill on Mars were named after her. The Indian government announced that a meteorological satellite series would be named Kalpana. Additionally, a dormitory at the University of Texas was named Kalpana Chawla Hall, and NASA dedicated a supercomputer to her memory.

Let’s Learn

A) Read the following sentences carefully:

Santa writes neatly.
The boys are waiting outside.
She left early.

The underlined words (neatly, outside, early) tell you how, where, or when an action takes place. These words are called adverbs.

The adverbs add something to the meaning of a verb, an adjective, or another adverb.

Now underline the adverbs in the following sentences:

1. She behaved foolishly.
   Answer: The adverb is foolishly.
2. We looked for her everywhere.
   Answer: The adverb is everywhere.
3. The children laughed loudly.
   Answer: The adverb is loudly.
4. The school will open tomorrow.
   Answer: The adverb is tomorrow.
5. The soldiers fought bravely.
   Answer: The adverb is bravely.
6. She wrote to me yesterday.
   Answer: The adverb is yesterday.
7. He lives here.
   Answer: The adverb is here.
8. The old man walked slowly.
   Answer: The adverb is slowly.
9. She ran fast.
   Answer: The adverb is fast.
10. The bus stops there.
    Answer: The adverb is there.

B) Tick the correct preposition to complete each sentence:

1. Do not agree about/with/to his proposal.
   Answer: to
2. Rohan is popular with/among/to his classmates.
   Answer: with
3. They congratulated the team about/on/from its success.
   Answer: on
4. Hari takes interest about/in/over his studies.
   Answer: in
5. Beware from/about/of the dog.
   Answer: of
6. Mr. Das was late for his work by/in/of an hour.
   Answer: by
7. Jeetu is taller to/than/by Aslam.
   Answer: than
8. He is senior to/than/by me in service.
   Answer: to
9. Good health is necessary for/with/of success in life.
   Answer: for
10. I prefer milk than/to/from tea.
    Answer: to

Imagine that you are a reporter of a famous magazine for children. You have to interview one of the children (of your class) as you have come to know that he/she has attained first place in the District Middle Board Examination.

Reporter: Congratulations once again, Deepak! Can you share how you feel about achieving the first place in the District Middle Board Examination?
Deepak: Thank you, Sir. I feel very proud and happy. It is a great moment for me and my family.

Reporter: What was your study routine, and how did you prepare for the exams?
Deepak: I studied for 6-8 hours daily, followed a strict timetable, and focused on all subjects equally. My teachers and parents guided me throughout.

Reporter: Who do you credit for your success?
Deepak: I credit my success to my parents, teachers, and hard work. Their constant support and motivation helped me achieve this.

Reporter: What are your future plans, and how do you want to inspire others?
Deepak: I aim to pursue a career in science and make my school and family proud. I want to inspire others by showing that dedication and discipline always lead to success.

Reporter: Thank you for your time, Deepak. Best wishes for your future!
Deepak: Thank you very much, Sir.

Read the following passage carefully:

The first computer was built in the early nineteenth century by Charles Babbage . He called it a ‘difference engine’. It could carry out long calculations and print the results. Later he invented a better machine called an ‘analytical engine’. The computer that you use has been developed by several scientists working independently or as a team. It is being improved everyday. The computer can work out calculations and provide answers to complicated problems in a flash. A man would take days, or even months, to work the same thing out. But a computer cannot do things on its own. All the information it needs to do something is fed into it. This information is called data. Then it must be given clear and precise instructions about what to do with this data. These instructions have to be in a language that the computer understands. The information and the instructions make up a computer programme . If a computer gives an incorrect answer, something must be wrong with the programme and not with the machine. The computer also has a memory. It can store information and use it later. It can, therefore, be compared to the human brain. But it can solve problems much faster and more accurately than the human brain. It can be made to play games like chess and translate words from one language to another. (If you like, it can correct your spelling mistakes.) But it cannot take decisions or think up new ideas. That is where it cannot compete with the human brain.

A) Now answer the following questions:

1. What two things could the first computer developed by Charles Babbage do?
Answer: The first computer, called the “difference engine,” could carry out long calculations and print the results.

2. What is data?
Answer: Data is the information that is fed into a computer to help it perform tasks.

3. What is a computer programme?
Answer: A computer programme consists of clear and precise instructions, written in a language that the computer understands, to process the data and perform tasks.

4. In what way is a computer like a human brain?
Answer: A computer is like a human brain because it has memory to store information and can solve problems quickly and accurately.

5. In what way is the computer better than the human brain?
Answer: A computer is better than the human brain because it can solve problems much faster and more accurately, play games, and translate words between languages.

6. In what way is the human brain better than the computer?
Answer: The human brain is better than the computer because it can take decisions, think up new ideas, and create programmes, which a computer cannot do on its own.

B) Match words and phrases from column ‘A’ with their meanings in column ‘B’.

You are Ashok, residing at 3 Ashok Vilas, Indore. Write a letter to your friend, Vinit, telling him that you have been inspired by Kalpana Chawla and want to be an astronaut like her. Take the help of the clues given:

the great astronaut, work hard, study Maths, Science, engineer, reputed institute, fly high, etc.

3 Ashok Vilas,
Indore.
27th December 2024

Dear Vinit,

I hope this letter finds you in the best of health and spirits. I am writing to share something exciting with you. Recently, I have been inspired by the great astronaut Kalpana Chawla and her incredible achievements. Her hard work, determination, and success have motivated me to pursue my dream of becoming an astronaut like her.

To achieve this goal, I plan to work hard and focus on studying subjects like Mathematics and Science. I also aim to join a reputed institute to become an engineer and eventually get a chance to fly high into space. Kalpana Chawla’s story has shown me that with dedication and perseverance, anything is possible.

Let me know what you think about my dream! I would love to hear your thoughts.

Yours sincerely,
Ashok