CLASS - 6 // SUBJECT - ENGLISH // Chapter 4 // An Indian American Woman in Space //

 

Chapter 4 An Indian American Woman in Space

Answer the following questions.

1.      Where was Kalpana Chawla born? Why is she called an Indian-American? (3)

Ans: Kalpana Chawla was born at Kamal, in Haryana. She was born in India, but married an American and became a naturalised citizen. So she is called an Indian- American.

 

2.      When and why did she go to the U.S? Who did she marry? (2, 3)

Ans: Kalpana went to the U.S. for higher studies in aeronautical engineering. There she married the flight instructor Harrison.

 

3.      How did she become an astronaut? What gave her the idea that she could be an astronaut? (3)

Ans: Kalpana had already got a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering before she went to the U.S. She earned her PhD in aerospace engineering. In 1994 she was selected by NASA for training as an astronaut. She was encouraged by the people around her.

 

4.      What abilities must an astronaut have, according to the journalist? (6)

Ans: An astronaut needs to know a lot about biology and aeronautical engineering. He/ she must have a wide knowledge of science subjects.

5.      5. Describe Kalpana Chawla’s first mission in space. (5)

Ans:  Kalpana’s first mission in the space shuttle, Columbia, was nearly 16 days long. She went around the earth 252 times. Among her colleagues were a Japanese and Ukranian astronauts. They performed so many experiments.

 

6.      What does Kalpana Chawla say about pursuing a dream? Do you agree with her that success is possible? (7)

Ans:  Kalpana Chawla, a girl from a small town, touched the skies. In her message to college students of Chandigarh, from space, she said that it was always possible to realise one’s dream. One could certainly get success provided one had the vision and the courage.

Yes, I do agree with her on this point.  

 

II. SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

 

7.      What was Kalpana Chawla’s great achievement?
Ans: Kalpana Chawla’s great achievement was that she was selected to go into space. Her achievement was awe-inspiring.

 

8.      What is a space shuttle? Name the shuttle which took Kalpana in space.
Ans: Space shuttle is a spacecraft. It can be used for space travel more than once. It is unlike a rocket. Kalpana took in space the shuttle named Columbia.

 

9.      How did Kalpana Chawla meet her end? When did this tragedy in space take place?
Ans: Kalpana Chawla went up in a space shuttle along with six other astronauts. On Saturday, February 1, 2003 the shuttle Columbia broke apart. All the seven on board were killed.

 

10.  What do you know about Kalpana Chawla’s education? How did she become an American citizen?
Ans: Kalpana Chawla graduated from Tagore School. She got a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering. She then went to the USA to earn her PhD. She became a naturalised U.S. citizen after her marriage with Harrison, an American.

 

11.  What do you learn about Columbia from the lesson you have read? What was its final fate?
Ans: Columbia was a space shuttle. It carried Kalpana and six other astronauts. It went up in flames over Texas on the return journey. On February 1, 2003, all the seven on board lost their lives.

 

12.  ‘Kalpana Chawla was a heroine’. How did a journalist support his statement?
Ans:  Kalpana was a heroine. She was born in the small town of Karnal. But she was a genius. She became an astronaut. She had an encyclopaedic knowledge of so many subjects. She made a great achievement.

 

II.LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

 

13.  What do you know about Kalpana Chawla’s birth, education, great achievement and tragic end?
Ans: Kalpana Chawla was bom in Kamal, Haiyana. She got a degree in aeronautical engineering in India and earned her doctorate in the USA. She made a historic achievement when she blasted off from Florida in a space mission. She became a naturalised American citizen after her marriage with an American flight instructor, Harrison. She met her tragic end on February 1, 2003, when Columbia broke apart and caught fire. All the seven members on board met a tragic end.

 

14.  The story of Kalpana Chawla has become an inspiration for millions of young Indians. How? What message did she send from the space shuttle to students of her college?
Ans: Kalpana Chawla, an Indian-American woman, made history when she went up in a space shuttle Columbia. It had a great achievement but she met with a tragic end. Columbia went up in flames and she lost her life. In a message she sent from Columbia to students of her college in Chandigarh she told them that with courage they too can fulfil their dreams. She wished them all a great journey.