Question

Read the following passage and do the activities:

B1. State whether the following statements are true or false.     [2]

1. Dr. Kalam’s own life was nourished by multiple faiths.
2. Dr. Kalam saw simplicity and divinity in his father.
3. Dr. Kalam was the Prime Minister of India.
4. Dr. Kalam’s father was a great Vedic scholar.

Dr. Kalam was a great scientist - this is indisputable. But he was also convinced that fact and faith can, together, create a better planet. He once told me, ‘Science and faith must coexist for the human good. Science provides focus - focus helps us solve questions, discover the truth and conceive inventions. Faith provides perspective - perspective helps us see how our creations and discoveries go on to impact a combination vital for the success of societies. Science accelerates progress and faith curbs it within reasonable limitations. If the two function true to their roles, they will work together for the betterment of humanity.’ Dr. Kalam’s own life was nourished by multiple faiths. His father, a boatman, also served as an imam at their local mosque, and his two best friends were from two different religions - one was a Hindu and the other was a Christian. Pakshi Lakshmana Shastrigal was the head priest of the famous Rameswara temple and a Vedic scholar, and the Reverend Father Bodal had built the first church on Rameswara Island. Dr. Kalam recalled how ‘All three of them, in the unique attire of their religion, used to sit and discuss the community’s problems and find solutions. Throughout the nation and the world, the need to have a frank dialogue among cultures, religions and civilizations is felt now more than ever.” When asked where he got his humility from Dr. Kalam would always attribute it to his father. In him, he saw how simplicity and divinity could go together. Even though his father was a boatman and Dr. Kalam went on to become the President of India, they shared the same values in life. Both believed that if one leads a spiritual life then that spirituality can lift them out of any kind of confusion misery or failure.

B2. Complete the web chart.     [2]

B3. Complete the crossword with the help of clues given:     [2]

ACROSS

3 NOUN FORM OF DIVINE
4 HOMOPHONE OF ROLL

DOWN

1 ONE AND ONLY
2 DRESS

B4. Do As directed:     [2]

1. Dr. Kalam was a great scientist - this is indisputable.
   (Make it a complex sentence using ‘that’)
2. Dr. Kalam’s own life was nourished by multiple faiths.
   (Begin the sentence with Multiple faiths.....)

B5. Why do science and faith have to go hand in hand?     [2]

Answer 1

B1.

1. This statement is true.
2. This statement is true.
3. This statement is false.
   Explanation:
   He was the President of India.
4. This statement is false.
   Explanation:
   His father was a boatman and an imam; Pakshi Lakshmana Shastrigal was the Vedic scholar.

B2.

B3.

B4.

1. It is indisputable that Dr. Kalam was a great scientist.
2. Multiple faiths nourished Dr. Kalam’s own life.

B5. Science and faith must go hand in hand because they serve complementary roles for the human good. While science provides the focus needed to solve problems, discover truths, and create inventions, faith provides the perspective necessary to understand the impact of those creations on society. Together, science accelerates progress, and faith ensures that this progress remains within reasonable, human-centred limitations.