CBSE Class 6 English Honeysuckle Chapter 4: An Indian American Woman in Space NCERT Solutions

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 6 PDF

This chapter delves into the inspiring life of Kalpana Chawla, an Indian-American woman who became a celebrated astronaut. The NCERT Solutions for Class 6 English Honeysuckle, Chapter 4, 'An Indian American Woman in Space,' provide detailed answers to questions based on the text. Students will learn about Kalpana Chawla's birthplace, her journey to the U.S. for higher studies, her selection by NASA, and her historic space missions. The solutions also cover the technical aspects of her space voyage, including the duration, experiments conducted, and the tragic end of her final mission. These solutions aim to enhance comprehension of the narrative and the scientific achievements of Kalpana Chawla, aiding students in their exam preparation by offering clear and concise explanations.

Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 6
SubjectEnglish
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterHoneysuckle - Chapter 4 An Indian American Woman in Space

Chapter summary

NCERT Solutions for Class 6 English Honeysuckle Chapter 4, 'An Indian American Woman in Space,' focuses on the life and career of astronaut Kalpana Chawla. It covers her origins, her path to becoming an astronaut, details of her space missions, and her inspiring message about pursuing dreams. The solutions also include exercises on vocabulary and comprehension, helping students understand the text thoroughly and prepare for assessments.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the biography of Kalpana Chawla.
  • Identify key events in her life and career as an astronaut.
  • Comprehend the details of her space missions.
  • Learn about the significance of pursuing dreams and achieving success.
  • Improve vocabulary through matching exercises and sentence construction.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Biography of Kalpana Chawla
  • Indian-American identity
  • Aerospace engineering
  • NASA astronaut training
  • Space missions
  • Columbia space shuttle
  • Scientific experiments in space
  • Pursuing dreams
  • Vocabulary building
  • Reading comprehension

Important topics

  • Kalpana Chawla's life journey
  • Her role as an astronaut
  • Details of her space missions
  • The message about achieving dreams
  • Understanding key vocabulary

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

Where was Kalpana Chawla born? Why is she called an Indian-American?
Solution: Kalpana Chawla was born in the city of Kamal, located in the state of Haryana, India. She is referred to as an Indian-American because, although she was born in India, she later married an American citizen and subsequently became a naturalized citizen of the United States. This dual connection makes her identity 'Indian-American'.

Question 2

When and why did she go to the U.S.? Who did she marry?
Solution: Kalpana Chawla journeyed to the United States primarily for her higher education, specifically to pursue studies in aeronautical engineering. During her time in the U.S., she met and married Harrison, who was a flight instructor.

Question 3

How did she become an astronaut? What gave her the idea that she could be an astronaut?
Solution: Kalpana Chawla had already earned a bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering before moving to the U.S. She further advanced her education by obtaining a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering. Her path to becoming an astronaut was solidified in 1994 when NASA selected her for their astronaut training program. The encouragement she received from the people around her also played a significant role in nurturing her aspiration to become an astronaut.

Question 4

What abilities must an astronaut have, according to the journalist?
Solution: According to the journalist, an astronaut needs to possess a broad and deep understanding of various scientific fields. Specifically, they must have extensive knowledge in subjects like biology and aeronautical engineering, along with a wide grasp of general science subjects.

Question 5

Describe Kalpana Chawla's first mission in space.
Solution: Kalpana Chawla's inaugural space mission aboard the space shuttle Columbia was a significant undertaking that lasted for nearly 16 days. During this mission, she completed 252 orbits around the Earth. Her crewmates on this mission included astronauts from Japan and Ukraine. Together, they conducted a multitude of scientific experiments in space.

Question 6

What does Kalpana Chawla say about pursuing a dream? Do you agree with her that success is possible?
Solution: Kalpana Chawla, who achieved the extraordinary feat of reaching space from a small town, shared an inspiring message with college students from Chandigarh. She stated that it is always possible to realize one's dreams. According to her, success can certainly be achieved, provided an individual possesses the necessary vision and the courage to pursue it.

Yes, I do agree with her statement. Success is indeed possible for anyone who has a clear vision of their goals and the determination and courage to work towards them, regardless of their background or starting point.

Question 7

Read the newspaper report to find the following facts about the Columbia's ill-fated voyage.

1. Date and place of lift off:

2. Number of astronauts on board:

3. Number of days it stayed in space:

4. Number of experiments done by scientists:

5. Date of return journey:

6. Height at which it lost contact:

Solution: Here are the facts about the Columbia's final voyage, as reported:
  1. Date and place of lift off: January 16, 2003
  2. Number of astronauts on board: Seven
  3. Number of days it stayed in space: Approximately 16 days
  4. Number of experiments done by scientists: Eighty experiments
  5. Date of return journey: February 1, 2003
  6. Height at which it lost contact: 200,000 feet

Question 8

Match the following phrases with their meanings:

1. unprecedented space tragedy

2. certified flight instructor

3. space mission

4. super specialisation

5. encyclopaedic knowledge

6. awe-inspiring

7. in this age

(a) something that causes feelings of respect and wonder

(b) having knowledge of a wide variety of subjects

(c) nowadays, in these times

(d) a set of jobs to be done in space by a group

(e) a person with the correct qualification to teach people to fly planes

(f) a sad accident of a kind that has never happened before in space

(g) great expertise in limited field or a particular subject

Solution: Here are the correct matches for the phrases and their meanings:
  1. unprecedented space tragedy - (f) a sad accident of a kind that has never happened before in space
  2. certified flight instructor - (e) a person with the correct qualification to teach people to fly planes
  3. space mission - (d) a set of jobs to be done in space by a group
  4. super specialisation - (g) great expertise in limited field or a particular subject
  5. encyclopaedic knowledge - (b) having knowledge of a wide variety of subjects
  6. awe-inspiring - (a) something that causes feelings of respect and wonder
  7. in this age - (c) nowadays, in these times

Question 9

Use these phrases in sentences of your own, after finding out their meanings.

1. broke apart

2. streaked over

3. spread across

4. lifted off

5. blast off

6. went on

7. cheered along

8. on board

9. carry on

Solution: Here are example sentences using the given phrases:
  1. broke apart: The old bridge suddenly broke apart during the storm.
  2. streaked over: A shooting star streaked over the night sky.
  3. spread across: The news of the festival spread across the entire town.
  4. lifted off: The hot air balloon slowly lifted off the ground.
  5. blast off: The rocket is scheduled to blast off tomorrow morning.
  6. went on: The meeting went on for several hours.
  7. cheered along: The crowd cheered along the athletes as they crossed the finish line.
  8. on board: All passengers must remain seated when the plane is on board.
  9. carry on: Despite the difficulties, they decided to carry on with their project.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing 'Indian-American' with 'Indian'.
  • Misinterpreting the reasons for her move to the U.S.
  • Difficulty in recalling specific details of the space mission from the text.
  • Incorrectly matching vocabulary words with their meanings.

Revision tips

  • Read the chapter thoroughly to grasp the timeline of Kalpana Chawla's life.
  • Focus on understanding the definition of 'Indian-American'.
  • Memorize key facts about her space missions, such as duration and experiments.
  • Practice using the given phrases in sentences to improve language skills.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Where was Kalpana Chawla born?

Q2. Why is Kalpana Chawla referred to as an 'Indian-American'?

Q3. What was the primary reason Kalpana Chawla went to the U.S.?

Q4. Who selected Kalpana Chawla for astronaut training?

Q5. How long was Kalpana Chawla's first space mission?

Q6. According to the text, what did Kalpana Chawla say about pursuing dreams?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main focus of the NCERT Solutions for Chapter 4, 'An Indian American Woman in Space'?

These solutions focus on providing answers to questions related to the life, journey, and space missions of Kalpana Chawla, an Indian-American astronaut, as presented in the NCERT textbook.

Who was Kalpana Chawla?

Kalpana Chawla was an Indian-American astronaut and aerospace engineer. She was the first woman of Indian origin to go to space.

Why is Kalpana Chawla called an 'Indian-American'?

She is called an Indian-American because she was born in India but later became a naturalized citizen of the United States after marrying an American.

What information is provided about Kalpana Chawla's space missions?

The solutions detail her first mission in the space shuttle Columbia, its duration, the number of times it orbited the Earth, the experiments conducted, and the tragic end of her final voyage.

How do these solutions help students prepare for exams?

They help by providing clear, concise, and accurate answers to comprehension questions, reinforcing understanding of the chapter's content, and aiding in vocabulary and language skill development.

What are the key takeaways from Kalpana Chawla's story as presented in the chapter?

The key takeaways include the importance of pursuing one's dreams with vision and courage, overcoming challenges, and achieving success against all odds, inspired by Kalpana's own journey from a small town to space.

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