NCERT solutions for English - Kaleidoscope Class 12 chapter 6 - On Science Fiction [Latest edition]

What is the parallel drawn between myths and legends of the past and science fiction?

What gives science fiction its validity?

Which literary works does the author have in mind when he refers to ‘Open Sesame’ or the concept of winged horses or flying carpets?

What makes for the distinction between the various genres of fiction—‘a sports story’, ‘a Western story’, ‘a jungle story’ and science fiction?

How does Asimov establish that John Campbell was wrong in his opinion that it is not possible for a science fiction mystery to be fair to a reader in the same way as a classical mystery is?

What are the pitfalls that the writer of science fiction mystery must guard against?

Discuss in small groups

Imagination and fantasy help human beings to speculate upon the possible explanations for the complexity and unpredictability of the phenomena in the universe.

The difference that science and technology have made to everyday life today was visualized in science fiction fifty years ago.

Discuss the author’s attitude towards the pre-scientific imagination and the tone he adopts while talking about it.

Observe how the paragraph, as a form, has been used in the essay. Some paragraphs consist of just one sentence. What purpose do you think the author had in putting them in this manner?

Mark the linkers used by the author to connect the point he makes in one paragraph with that in the next. For example, Let me explain the difference that makes in the last line of para 1 of Section II. These are called discourse markers or discourse signalers.

(i) Look up a literary dictionary or encyclopedia or the internet to understand the references to the following mythical creatures

Find out parallel creatures in Indian mythology.

Find out about the story of Achilles and Hector.

Here is a sentence with transitive verbs, adapted from the text. Identify the noun phrases that are the verbs’ objects, and underline them. Then turn this sentence into a passive form.

• He expected a sudden change of rules.

Here is a sentence with transitive verbs, adapted from the text. Identify the noun phrases that are the verbs’ objects, and underline them. Then turn this sentence into a passive form.

• Nothing prevents writers from using actual science.

Here is a sentence with transitive verbs, adapted from the text. Identify the noun phrases that are the verbs’ objects, and underline them. Then turn this sentence into a passive form.

• He revealed that he didn’t know the difference between the element and the compound.

Here is a sentence with transitive verbs, adapted from the text. Identify the noun phrases that are the verbs’ objects, and underline them. Then turn this sentence into a passive form.

• He demonstrated that he couldn’t tell the difference between carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide and reduced the plot to a shambles.

Here is a sentence with transitive verbs, adapted from the text. Identify the noun phrases that are the verbs’ objects, and underline them. Then turn this sentence into a passive form.

• The writer must carefully explain to the reader all the boundary conditions of the imaginary society.

Some verbs take a that-clause after them. Find the verb ask in the last paragraph of the first part of this text (which begins ‘I don’t even ask that…’) and note how it is followed by that-clauses. Look for other verbs, in this text as well as in the earlier ones, that are followed by a that-clause (verbs such as belief, know, realize, promise…).