Chapter 4 An Indian-American Woman in Space: Kalpana Chawla Important Questions Class 6 Honeysuckle English
Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1. What massage did she send from the space shuttle to students of her college?
Answer
In a message she sent from Columbia to students of her college in Chandigarh she told them that with courage they too can fulfill their dreams. She wished them all a great journey.
Question 2. When and why did she go to the U.S.? Who did she marry?
Answer
She went to U.S. after Completing a Bachelor or Science degree in aeronautical engineering for pursuing master’s degree. She was married to flight instructor Jean-Pierre Harrison.
Question 3. When was Kalpana Chawla selected by NASA?
Answer
Kalpana Chawla was selected by NASA for training as an astronaut in 1994 after a hard competition.
Question 4. Describe Kalpana Chawla’s first mission in space.
Answer
Kalpana’s first mission in the space shuttle, Columbia, was 15 days, 16 hours and 34 minutes long. She went around the earth 252 times. Among her colleagues were a Japanese and a Ukrainian astronauts. They performed many experiments.
Question 5. Write about Kalpana’s achievements.
Answer
Kalpana Chawla graduated in aeronautical engineering, then did her Masters and earned her Ph.D. in aerospace engineering. She was a licensed pilot and a certified flight instructor. She was later chosen for training as an astronaut.
Question 6. How did Kalpana Chawla meet her end? When did this tragedy take place in space?
Answer
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. While entering into atmosphere of the earth.
Question 7. What is a space shuttle? Name the shuttle which took Kalpana in space.
Answer
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.
Question 8. Kalpana Chawla was a heroine’. How did a journalist support his statement?
Answer
Kalpana was a heroine. She was born in the small town of Karnal. But she was a genius. She became an astronaut. She had encyclopedic knowledge of so many subjects. She made a great achievement.
Question 9. Where was Kalpana Chawla bom? Why is she called an Indian American?
Answer
Kalpana Chawla was bom in Kamal, Haryana. Thus she was born an Indian but later she went to U.S. and became her naturalized citizen. So she is called an Indian American.
Question 10. Who was against Kalpana Chawla’s wish to study in United States?
Answer
Kalpana Chawla’s father was against her wish to study in the United States of America.
Question 11. What abilities must an astronaut have, according to the journalist?
Answer
According to the journalist, an astronaut needs enormous abilities. He/she needs to know a lot about everything from biology to astrophysics to aeronautical engineering. In brief, he/she must have encyclopaedic knowledge.
Question 12. How successfully has Kalpana Chawla’s chased her dream?
Answer
Kalpana Chawla’s followed her dream. Her great achievement was that she was selected to go into space. Her achievement was awe-inspiring.
Question 13. Who was Jean-Pierre Harrison?
Answer
Jean-Pierre Harrison was an American flight instructor who later on married Kalpana Chawla.
Question 14. What do you know about Kalpana Chawla’s education? How did she become an American citizen?
Answer
Kalpana Chawla graduated from Tagore school, Karnal. She got a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering. She then went to the USA to earn her Ph.D. she became a naturalized U.S. citizen.
Question 15. What was Kalpana Chawla’s great achievement?
Answer
Kalpana Chawla’s great achievement was that she was selected to go into space. Her achievement was awe-inspiring.
Question 16. How is the story of Kalpana Chawla an inspiration to million of Indian and especially girls.
Answer
Kalpana Chawla was a small town girl having faith in her capabilities. Her selection for Columbia, the space shuttle in US has opened horizons for coming generation. Her achievement infused energy and dreams in the mind of girls also along with their parents.
Question 17. How did she became an astronaut? What gave her the idea that she could be an astronaut?
Answer
After completing her bachelor degree in aeronautical engineering, Kalpana applied for NASA’s space shuttle program. She was selected as a research scientist by NASA in 1994. The idea that she could be an astronaut came from her desire and she followed her dreams.
Question 18. What do you learn about Columbia from the lesson you have read? What was its final fate?
Answer
Columbia was a space shuttle. It carried Kalpana and six other astronauts. It went up in flames over Texas on return journey. On February 1, 2003 all the seven on board lost their lives.
Question 19. What does Kalpana Chawla say about pursuing a dream? Do you agree with her that success is possible?
Answer
Kalpana Chawla said that the path from dreams to success does exist. One needs to have the vision to find it, and the courage to get onto it. Yes, I do agree with her. Success is possible, if we work hard for the same, we will definitely achieve it.
Question 20. Who were the people present to cheer Kalpana Chawla when the Columbia lifted off?
Answer
When the Columbia lifted off from the launch pad at Cape Canaveral, Florida the family members of Kalpana were present to cheer her along with staff at the Kennedy Space Center.
Long Answer Type Questions
Question 1. Write in detail, the message that Kalpana Chawla sent from space to the student of her college in Chandigarh.
Answer
Kalpana Chawla is a role model for millions of young Indians. A girl from a small town touched the skies and became an inspiration. In her message from her space shuttle, she insisted that the path from dreams to success does exist. You only need the vision to find that path and follow your dreams. She also wished the students a great journey on this path to success.
Question 2. Kalpana Chawla’s life teaches us a lesson of devotion. Discuss.
Answer
Kalpana Chawla’s life is a journey to fulfill our dreams and aspirations. If we are focused towards achieving our goal, nothing can stop us. We should be courageous enough to overcome all the barriers coming in our way. She sent a message to the students of her college to motivate them from the space. She said that there is no bar between success and dreams and one has to develop it. The only thing is that one should do one’s work untried with utmost devotion. There is no short cut in life for success. All the people who want to get success have to make their own way to fulfill their dreams. This is a true message for humanity.
Question 3. Write a short note about Kalpana Chawla’s achievement.
Answer
India born Kalpana Chawla was the first India-American woman to become an astronaut, who participated in a successful mission in space. She took her bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering in Chandigarh, India and went to the United States of America to get a master’s degree and than Ph.D degree in the same subject. She had a license to fly single and multi-engine land airplanes, single-engine seaplanes and gliders, she was an expert pilot. She was also a certified flight instructor. She was hired as a research scientist at NASA and then, NASA selected her for training as an astronaut to go into space.
Question 4. After reading the lesson on Kalpana Chawla, what should be the aim of life – luxury or achievement?
Answer
Kalpana Chawla lived an inspirational life. She is a role model to many. Her courage in adversity, self determination made her successful person. She became an astronaut. No girl can ever dream of pursuing such a career. So she is motivation for both girls and boys alike. She has achieved fame with her sincerity and dedication at an early age. Her courage, simplicity add feather to her cap. Everyone wants to follow her steps. Therefore, in my opinion achievement should be the aim of life.
Question 5. What do you know about Kalpana Chawla’s birth, education, great achievement and tragic end?
Answer
Kalpana Chawla was born in Kamal, Haryana. 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.
Question 6. Kalapna Chawla’s life has changed the outlook of many. Do you agree or not?
Answer
Kalpana Chawla was an ordinary girl born and brought up in middle class family she quietly resisted the obstruction and finally succeeded in becoming an astronaut. Her achievements were so extraordinary. She made her mark permanent in the minds of people of the world. Conservative minds of parents are opening up and are allowing their daughter to follow their dreams. Parents and society are now appreciating the achievements of girls in every sphere of life. So I agree to the statement that the life and achievement of Kalpana Chawla will never fade away from the lives of the people.
Question 7. 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?
Answer
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.
Question 78. What answer did Kalpana Chawla give when she was asked what it was like being a woman in her field?
Answer
When asked what it was like being a woman in her field, she replied that being a woman never hindered her determination of doing what she always wanted to do. She had her own dreams and ambitions and she followed them. The people around her i.e. her colleagues and family always supported her.
Extract Based Questions
Extract 1
She was a heroine. It takes enormous ability to become an astronaut. You need to know a lot about everything, from biology to astrophysics to aeronautical engineering. In this age of super-specialisation, you must have encyclopaedic knowledge to be an astronaut. Her achievement is awe-inspiring.
Questions
(i) Why is it difficult to be an astronaut?
(ii) Why was she called a “heroine’ by the journalist?
(iii) ‘Her achievement is awe – inspiring’. Do you agree to the statement?
(iv) What is ‘encyclopedia’?
(v) ‘Awe’ is used to describe
Answer
(i) An astronaut should know about everything like biology, astrophysics, aeronautical engineering etc.
(ii) A heroine is the one who leads and done to take challenges. And she was a true leader in every sense.
(iii) Her achievements are beyond measures. She studied in Kamal and become an astronaut.
(iv) Encyclopedia is a book or set of books giving information on many subjects or on many aspects of one subject and typically arranged alphabetically.
(v) A feeling of respect mixed with fear or wonder.
Extract 2
After a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering, against great opposition from her father, she went for a master’s degree to the United States of America. She later earned her Ph.D. in aerospace engineering. Kalpana Chawla was the first Indian-American woman astronaut to blast off from the launch pad at Cape Canaveral, Florida, and participate in a successful mission in space. Her family from India cheered along with staff at the Kennedy Space Center as they watched the Columbia lift off.
Questions
(i) State whether the statement is correct or not? ‘She went for a masters degree to the USA with the consent of her father’.
(ii) From where did the space shuttle launched?
(iii) What was the reaction of her family when Columbia lift off?
(iv) From where did she earn her Ph.D.?
(v) The phrasal verb for “blast’ and ‘lift’ is _____
Answer
(i) False.
(ii) Space shuttle was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
(iii) The family was happy when Columbia lift off.
(iv) She had earned her Ph.D from United States of America
(v) blast off, lift off.
Extract 3
Kalpana was born in Kamal, Haryana, but was a naturalised U.S. citizen, married to flight instructor Jean-Pierre Harrison, Besides being an astronaut, she was licensed to fly single and multi engine land airplanes, single-engine seaplanes and gliders. She was also a certified flight instructor. After qualifying as a pilot, Kalpana began to consider another challenge: applying to NASA’s space shuttle program. She was first hired as a research scientist at NASA. In 1994 she was selected by NASA for training as an astronaut.
Questions
(i) What was the birth place of Kalpana?
(ii) Whom did she marry?
(iii) What was her ‘another challenge’?
(iv) When was she selected by NASA?
(v) What does the word ‘naturalized’ mean?
Answer
(i) Kalpana was born in Kamal, Haryana.
(ii) She was married to Jean Pierre Harrison.
(iii) She was a qualified pilot and she applied for NASA’s space shuttle program.
(iv) She was selected by NASA in 1994 as an astronaut.
(v) Naturalized means ‘acquiring citizenship of a country that one is not born into.