Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:
1. Nuclear capability gives a status to the country in the community of nations. No nation can
afford to make destructive use of the nuclear energy without risking a World War. That is
why America did not make use of nuclear weapon in the Vietnam War though it had
become a matter of prestige for her. Similarly Russia preferred to pull out her missile bases
from Cuba instead of coming in direct conflict with a nuclear power, America. But India,
since she started adopting nuclear technology, had decided to make only peaceful use of
nuclear energy. The fear expressed by Pakistan and the comments made in the Chinese
press are more for the sake of propaganda than for the projection of truth.
2. India needs nuclear energy in order to meet her power shortage. She has been depending
upon hydroelectric power which is undependable because of the uncertainty of rainfall.
Good quality of coal which is another source of energy cannot be extracted commercially
because it lies very deep and the cost of extraction is very high. India is not producing much
of oil, rather she has to import nearly 74 per cent of her total consumption. So the only
alternative with India is to have a cheaper and more dependable source of energy. The
known reserves of thorium in India are sufficient to last many hundred years. That is why
India has already commissioned two nuclear power stations, one at Tarapur and the other
at RanaPratap Sagan. Each one has the installed capacity of producing 420 M.W. of
electricity. Two other at Kalpakkam, are operational. This energy will be able to meet the
power shortage throughout the country. If industries work at their full capacity, production
will be higher and so per capita income will increase and inflation will be neutralized.
3. With the help of controlled nuclear explosions, artificial dams can be made. In fact for
building a dam there should be two huge mountain walls enclosing a deep valley just near
the course of a river. These conditions are not available at all the places. So with the help of
controlled nuclear explosions mountains can be blown up. This can also help in laying
roads in the mountainous areas. In fact, some of the borders of India have mountainous
terrain and the movement of the army is quite difficult. So even for the sake of national
security it is necessary to have roads in those areas.
4. With the help of radiation the shelf life of vegetables and fruits can be increased. In the
tropical countries like India, it is necessary that the perishable fruit stuffs are preserved for a
long time. Radiation can check the sprouting of onions and potatoes which are much in
demand in foreign countries. Similarly fruits like bananas and mangoes which have much
export potential can be preserved for a very long time. The texture and taste of the fruit do
not undergo any change.
5. Nuclear technology can also be harnessed for medical purposes. It is said that radioactive
iodine is used for detecting the disease of the thyroid glands. Similarly, India of U.N.
experts, radiated vaccine which can immunize sheep from lungworm disease, which used
to take a heavy toll of sheep every year.
6. Properly processed nuclear fuel is also used for artificial satellite in space. Weather
satellites can predict cyclones and the rainfall with extreme accuracy. Communication
satellites can help in conveying the messages to very long distances. In a huge country like
India, communication satellites are necessary.
7. Radiation is also used for preparing the mutant seeds. Many varieties of rice and some
cereals have been prepared at Tarapur laboratory. This will increase our agricultural
production and help India to become economically better off. So for India it is necessary to
make peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
I. On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer the following questions by choosing
the most appropriate option.
1. India needs nuclear energy in order to _________
1. (a) gain status in the community of nations
2. (b) meet her power shortage
3. (c) increase her might
4. (d) frighten the hostile countries
2. Coal, another source of energy, cannot be extracted commercially because __________
1. (a) it lies very deep
2. (b) the cost of extraction is very high
3. (c) it lies very deep and the cost of extraction is very high
4. (d) it is risky for the miners to extract it
II. Answer the following questions as briefly as possible.
3. Why does India need nuclear energy?
4. How can radiation be helpful?
5. How does nuclear technology help in the field of medicine?
6. In what way can nuclear energy boost our communication?
7. How can nuclear energy help the country in its economic growth?
8. How can radiation help in the field of agriculture?
III. Find words from the passage which are similar in meaning to the following:
1. (a) withdraw
2. (b) extremely
3. (c) vaccinate
4. (d) honour
Answers
Answer:
1) gain status in the community of nation
2)it lies very deep and the cost of extraction is very high
3)India needs nuclear energy in order to meet her power shortage .she has been depending upon hydroelectric power which is undependable because of the uncertainty of rainfall
4)with the help of radiation the shelf life of vegetables and fruits can be increased in the tropical countries like India and it is helpful inin preparing of mutant seeds
5) nuclear technology can also be harnessed for medical purpose.it os said that radioactive iodine is used for detection of disease of the thyroid glands
6)nuclear fuel is also used for artificial satellites in space.wheather satellites can predict cyclones and the rainfall with extreme accuracy
7)many varieties of rice and some cereals have been prepared at Tarapur laboratory.this will increase our agriculture production and help India to become ecnomically better off..so for India is necessary to make peaceful use of nuclear energy
8) radiation is also used for preparing the mutant seeds so that many varieties of rice and some other cereals are increasing in India in the way radiation help in the field of agriculture..
Explanation:
Radiation is also used for preparing the mutant seeds. Many varieties of rice and some
cereals have been prepared at Tarapur laboratory. This will increase our agricultural
production and help India to become economically better off.