CBSE Class 8 English Chapter 9 The Comet – I NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 8 PDF

This resource provides detailed NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English, Chapter 9, titled 'The Comet – I'. It covers comprehension questions from both the initial reading and subsequent discussions, focusing on the characters of Duttada and Indrani Debi, their reactions to the discovery of a comet, and the scientific and personal implications. The solutions explain the characters' motivations, the scientific concepts related to comets and planets as presented in the story, and the societal reactions to potential celestial events. These solutions are designed to help students grasp the narrative's nuances, understand the characters' perspectives, and reinforce their comprehension of the chapter's events and themes, aiding in effective exam preparation.

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Board	CBSE
Class	Class 8
Subject	English
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	Chapter 9 The Comet – I

Chapter summary

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Chapter 9, 'The Comet – I', offers in-depth answers to comprehension questions. It explores the story's central conflict arising from Duttada's passion for astronomy and his wife Indrani Debi's superstitious fears. The solutions clarify the differences between planets and comets, Duttada's ambition, and the global implications of discovering a potentially Earth-colliding comet, providing a clear understanding of the narrative and its scientific elements.

Learning outcomes

Understand the characters' motivations and reactions to the discovery of a comet.
Differentiate between a planet and a comet based on the story's explanation.
Analyze the theme of superstition versus scientific understanding.
Explain the significance of Duttada's ambition and its fulfillment.
Comprehend the global response to a potential celestial threat.
Identify the role of publicity and its impact on individuals.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Character analysis of Duttada and Indrani Debi
Themes of science vs. superstition
Understanding comets and planets
The impact of publicity
Ambition and its fulfillment
Celestial events and their implications
Story comprehension
Narrative structure
Character motivations
Scientific discovery

Important topics

Duttada's ambition and discovery
Indrani Debi's superstitions
Science vs. superstition conflict
The threat of the comet
Global response to a crisis
Character reactions to fame

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Questions and Solutions

Comprehension Check (Page 77) - Question 1

Why does Indrani Debi dislike Duttada's 'hobnobbing' with Dibya?

Solution: Indrani Debi dislikes Duttada's constant attention to his telescope, which she nicknamed 'Dibya', because she feels it makes him neglect her and himself. She views the telescope as a rival that has cast a spell on her husband, consuming his time and attention, especially during the nights.

Comprehension Check (Page 77) - Question 2

She is complaining and smiling. Why is she smiling?

Solution: Although Indrani Debi complains that her husband is completely engrossed with his telescope, 'Dibya', she smiles because she finds his childlike absorption in his hobby endearing. His forgetfulness, like not closing the door or forgetting his sweater, reveals a charming innocence that amuses her despite her complaints.

Comprehension Check (Page 77) - Question 3 (i)

What was Duttada's secret ambition?

Solution: Duttada's secret ambition was to own a high-quality telescope and to have sufficient leisure time after his work to dedicate to observing the stars and exploring the cosmos.

Comprehension Check (Page 77) - Question 3 (ii)

What did he do to achieve it?

Solution: To achieve his ambition, Duttada patiently waited for his retirement. Upon retiring, he received adequate funds, which he used to purchase a good telescope. He then began spending his time gazing at the stars, fully immersed in his passion.

Comprehension Check (Page 77) - Question 4

What is the difference between a planet and a comet, as given in the story?

Solution: As per the story, a planet is characterized by its fixed orbit, meaning it follows a predictable path around the sun. In contrast, a comet originates from the far reaches of the solar system and does not have a fixed orbit; its path is subject to change.

Comprehension Check (Page 77) - Question 5

Why was Duttada hopeful that he would discover a new comet soon?

Solution: Duttada was hopeful about discovering a new comet because he understood that professional astronomers often overlooked or did not consider amateur observations significant. He believed that by diligently observing, he had a good chance of spotting something new that might have been missed by others.

Comprehension Check (Page 77) - Question 6

Why does Duttada say, "I almost wish I had not discovered this comet"?

Solution: Duttada expresses this wish because the discovery brought him a level of publicity he was uncomfortable with. As an introvert, he disliked the numerous receptions, functions, and social engagements that followed, which disrupted his quiet life and passion for astronomy.

Comprehension Check (Page 77) - Question 7

Why is his wife unhappy about the discovery?

Solution: Duttada's wife, Indrani Debi, is unhappy about the comet's discovery primarily due to her superstitious nature. She believes that such celestial events, especially a comet, can bring about calamities and misfortune, and she fears it will bring ruin upon her family and possibly the entire Earth.

Comprehension Check (Page 80) - Question 1

How did Sir John get hold of James' original manuscript?

Solution: Sir John came into possession of James' original manuscript through Mr. Taylor. Mr. Taylor had obtained the manuscript and wanted Sir John's expert opinion on it before submitting it to a professional referee for evaluation.

Comprehension Check (Page 80) - Question 2

What is the important point the paper makes?

Solution: The crucial point made in James' paper is the alarming prediction that the comet discovered by Duttada is on a trajectory that will cause it to collide with the Earth.

Comprehension Check (Page 80) - Question 3

Why does Sir John say that James' paper should not be published?

Solution: Sir John believes that publishing James' paper would be detrimental because the prediction of an Earth-colliding comet would inevitably cause widespread panic and hysteria among the global population. He fears the societal chaos this news would unleash.

Comprehension Check (Page 80) - Question 4

What do the two men finally decide to do?

Solution: Sir John and James ultimately decide on a course of action that avoids public panic. They agree to organize a secret, high-level conference involving international experts to collaboratively devise a plan and take necessary measures to avert the potential disaster posed by the comet.

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS - Question 1

What did Indrani Debi think about Duttada's telescope?

Solution: Indrani Debi harbored a strong dislike for Duttada's telescope, which she referred to as 'Dibya'. She perceived it as a rival, akin to a designing woman, that had ensnared her husband's attention and affection, drawing him away from her and other responsibilities.

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS - Question 2

What news was published in the Ananda Bazaar Patrika two days later?

Solution: Two days later, the Ananda Bazaar Patrika published the news that Shri Manoj Dutta, a resident from the northern outskirts of Calcutta, had claimed the discovery of a new comet. The report mentioned that he had observed it over the past two nights and had officially informed the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) in Bangalore about its location.

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS - Question 3

What did the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) do after getting the information about the discovery of the new comet?

Solution: Upon receiving the information about the new comet, the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) took steps to verify the discovery. After confirming the findings, they officially communicated this significant astronomical event to the world and, importantly, named the newly discovered comet in honor of its discoverer, Duttada.

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS - Question 4

How did Duttada take his publicity?

Solution: Duttada did not receive the publicity well; in fact, he was quite unhappy about it. As an introvert by nature, he found the numerous receptions and functions organized in his honor to be overwhelming and unpleasant. The attention became so bothersome that he began to regret his discovery.

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS - Question 5

How can you say that Indrani Debi was a superstitious lady?

Solution: Indrani Debi's superstitious nature is evident in her reaction to the comet's discovery. Despite being an educated woman, she did not welcome the news. Instead, she feared that the comet's appearance was an omen that would bring severe calamities upon her family and potentially the entire Earth, reflecting a belief in supernatural influences.

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS - Question 1

What was Duttada's hobby and secret ambition? How did he succeed in his adventure?

Solution: Duttada's primary hobby was amateur astronomy, specifically star gazing. His secret ambition was to achieve a significant scientific discovery, such as finding a comet or a shooting star. He pursued this ambition with scientific rigor. After retiring from his job, he finally had the financial resources and the necessary leisure time to invest in a good telescope, which he named 'Dibya-chakshu'. He dedicated himself to observing the night sky. His persistent efforts paid off when he successfully discovered a comet that was heading towards Earth. This discovery, later named the Dutta comet, brought him worldwide recognition. The story further elaborates on the subsequent events, including James Forsyth's prediction of a collision, Indrani Debi's superstitious rituals like a Yajna, and the international effort ('Project Light Brigade') to deflect the comet, ultimately saving the world. Indrani Debi, however, attributed the salvation to her Yajna.

Common mistakes

Confusing the scientific explanation of comets with superstitious beliefs.
Underestimating the impact of publicity on introverted personalities.
Misinterpreting Indrani Debi's reactions as solely negative rather than rooted in fear.
Failing to grasp the distinction between a planet's and a comet's orbit.

Revision tips

Reread the chapter, paying close attention to Duttada's and Indrani Debi's dialogues and actions.
Summarize the key events in chronological order to understand the plot progression.
List the scientific facts about comets presented in the text and compare them with Indrani Debi's beliefs.
Discuss with classmates the different perspectives on the comet's discovery.
Focus on the vocabulary used to describe Duttada's passion and Indrani Debi's fears.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What did Indrani Debi call Duttada's telescope?

Q2. What was Duttada's secret ambition?

Q3. According to the story, what is a key difference between a planet and a comet?

Q4. Why did Duttada wish he had not discovered the comet?

Q5. What was Indrani Debi's main concern about the comet's discovery?

Q6. What important point did James' paper make regarding Duttada's comet?

Q7. How did Sir John and James plan to avert the potential calamity?

Frequently asked questions

What is Chapter 9 of CBSE Class 8 English NCERT about?

Chapter 9, 'The Comet – I', in CBSE Class 8 English NCERT Solutions deals with a story about an amateur astronomer, Duttada, who discovers a comet, and the contrasting reactions of his superstitious wife, Indrani Debi, and the scientific community.

Who are the main characters in 'The Comet – I'?

The main characters are Duttada, an amateur astronomer passionate about stargazing, and his wife, Indrani Debi, who is superstitious and fears the consequences of his discovery.

What is the difference between a planet and a comet as explained in the story?

The story explains that a planet has a fixed orbit, while a comet comes from the distant parts of the solar system and its path is not fixed, implying it can change.

Why did Indrani Debi dislike Duttada's telescope?

Indrani Debi disliked Duttada's telescope, which she called 'Dibya', because she felt it took her husband's attention away from her and their life, viewing it as a rival.

What was the main concern raised by James' paper about Duttada's comet?

James' paper raised the critical concern that Duttada's comet was predicted to collide with the Earth, posing a significant threat.

How do these NCERT Solutions help Class 8 students?

These solutions provide clear, step-by-step answers to comprehension questions, helping students understand the plot, characters, themes, and scientific elements of Chapter 9, thereby aiding in their exam preparation.

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