An Alien Hand – Summary & Questions and Answers | Class 7 English, Chapter 10

An Alien Hand – Summary & Questions and Answers

Summary of An Alien Hand

Jayant Narlikar is the author of the lesson “An Alien Hand” Tilloo is a character in the story who lived with his parents beneath the surface of a planet. Tilloo’s father enters a forbidden passage on his way to work. Tilloo could not use the path for some reason, and he was inquisitive as to why.

Tilloo entered the passage one day by using his father’s security card. A security guard stopped him and led him back to his house before he could continue. Tilloo’s father afterwards informed him about the state of the surface where he used to work. To survive on the planet’s surface, he explained to Tilloo, he wore a special suit and had an oxygen reserve.

When Tilloo’s father returned to work the next day, he saw that two spacecraft were approaching them. The President then asked his colleagues for their thoughts on how to handle the problem. The President afterwards received a phone call informing him that the spacecraft had successfully landed on Mars.

Tilloo’s father later took him to the Control Room, where he saw the alien spacecraft on the television. Tilloo became pleased when he spotted a mechanical hand emerge from the spacecraft and hit the red button on the control panel. The robotic hand ceased to operate as a result. Furthermore, NASA’s specialists on Earth were successful in getting the mechanical hand to work. Furthermore, the mechanical hand began to work on the Martian surface, taking soil samples. Finally, scientists conducted research and concluded that life does not exist on Mars.

An Alien Hand Questions and Answers

Question 1: If you had to live in a home-like Tilloo’s, what parts of life would you find most difficult? What compensations might there be?
Answer: It must be terribly difficult and boring to live underground in artificial settings without the light and warmth of the stars and the sun. Only safety and security, as well as controlled light and heat, can compensate for such a dwelling.

Question 2: What, if anything, might drive mankind to make their homes underground?
Answer: If the Sun becomes too cold, life on Earth will perish. Temperatures will fall below freezing. People will be compelled to live below, where they will be guaranteed access to air, light, and heat.

Question 3: Do you think there is life on other planets? Can you guess what kind of people there may be on them? In what ways are they likely to be different from us?
Answer: Scientists are making strenuous efforts to determine whether any type of life exists on planets orbiting the sun. They have so far sent spacecraft to the moon and Mars, collected soil samples, and taken photographs. However, they have not discovered conclusive evidence of life on them.

The humans on any other planet, if they exist at all, would be substantially different from ours. They must have adapted to the odd and hostile environment in which they found themselves.

MORE QUESTIONS SOLVED

I. SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

Question 1: What do you know about the Viking Mission to Mars?
Answer: The Viking Mission to Mars was launched by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and consisted of two spacecraft, Viking 1 and Viking 2. On 20 August 1975, Viking 1 was launched and landed on Mars on 19 June 1976. On 9 September 1975, Viking 2 was launched. On 7 August 1976, it entered Mars’ orbit. Both missions were comprised of an orbiter and a lander.

Question 2: What were the primary objectives of the NASA Viking Mission to Mars?
Answer: The primary objectives of the NASA Viking Mars mission were as follows:

(i) To acquire images and samples of the Martian surface and soil,

(ii) To look for clues of probable life on Mars.

(iii) To examine the soil surrounding landing places for the existence of living microorganisms.

Question 3: What do you know about ‘That way?
Answer: “That way” was a subterranean passage. Tilloo’s father went to work and returned along that route. People were curious to find out what was at the end of that prohibited path. Only a few people were allowed to go that way. One of them was Tilloo’s father.

Question 4: What was the metal door’s function? How did it open?
Answer: The purpose of the metal door was to prevent access to the underground corridor. Tilloo inserted his father’s security card (magic) into a slot. The door slid open quietly.

Question 5: Why was Tilloo escorted back home?
Answer: Tilloo had inserted his father’s identification card into the slot. It came from a different slot. Tilloo was discovered and photographed by the unseen mechanical devices. His photograph was forwarded to the Central Bureau. Security personnel apprehended him and took him back to his residence.

II. LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

Question 1: How did Tilloo’s father manage the ugly situation when Tilloo was caught impersonating?
Answer: Tilloo was caught using his father’s security card. Tilloo was returned home by security officers. His mother became upset and began to chastise him. Tilloo’s father rushed to his aid. Tilloo’s mother was informed that Tilloo should be briefed correctly and sensibly. Then he would never do such a heinous offence again. He cautioned Tilloo that an ordinary person could not survive on the surface where he operated. The air was too thin to breathe there. Due to the extremely cold temperatures, one would perish.

Question 2: How did Tilloo’s father manage to survive on the surface of the planet?
Answer: Tilloo was curious as to how his father managed to survive on the surface where he worked. His father informed him that he went there fully prepared, wearing a special suit. He brought a reservoir of oxygen with him, which allowed him to stay warm. His boots were likewise custom-made. It made it easier for him to walk over the surface. Above all, he wanted to learn how to work and survive on the surface.