Chapter 2:
USING THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD
Answer the Questions
Q1: How has the scientific method helped us in our fight against disease?
Ans: Babies are born in hospitals today. They are vaccinated against diseases. People eat fresh food, drink
pure water and live in clean environment. All these things have become possible because of scientific method.
Thus it has helped us a lot in our fight against diseases.
Q2: Write a note on the better sanitary conditions available in our cities today and compare them
with what they were like a hundred years ago?
Ans: Today streets are paved in cities. Dirty water flows in sealed pipes. People live in clean environment.
While a hundred years ago, the streets were narrow, unpaved and poorly drained. The garbage was thrown
into the streets. Outdoor toilets were common.
Q3: What are the sanitary conditions like in our villages today and how would you improve them?
Ans: Sanitary conditions in our villages are not good even today. Dirty water flows in open drains. The streets
are narrow and unpaved. Outdoor toilets are still common in far-off villages. We should set up a department
of sanitation in our villages. It will improve the sanitary conditions there.
Q4: How has the scientific method helped us in the production and preservation of foods?
Ans: Science has helped us a lot in the production and preservation of food. Now we use machines to plough
fields, sow seeds and harvest crops. We use the methods of Freezing, dehydration, pickling, grading, drying
and canning to preserve food.
Q5: We are now generally less fearful than our ancestors. What were our ancestors afraid of?
Ans: Our forefathers were superstitions. They believed in the signs of good or bad luck. They were afraid of
black cats, broken mirrors, and the number 13. Now, we know that there is a reason behind every happening.
Therefore, we are less fearful than our forefathers.
Q6: How has the scientific method enabled us to get over the old fears?
Ans: The scientific method has changed our thinking habits. We do not assume things. We know that there is
a solid reason behind every happening. We accept only such things as are supported by facts. It has made us
rational. Thus, we have got over the old baseless fears.
Q7: What part did astrology play in the lives of men and women in the past? Give examples.
Ans: Astrology is the knowledge of stars. In the past, people believed that the movements of stars affected
their lives. Astrologers predicted the coming events. Therefore, astrology played an important part in the
lives of people.
Q8: Describe some of the superstitions still current in our country. How do they affect the lives of
those who believe in them?
Ans: Even today there are people who do not go on a journey on certain days. Some people cut off their
journey if a cat crosses their way. They believe that a guest will come if a crow caws on the wall of their
house. Superstitions like these are still common in our society. They cause undue fears sometimes.