A Visit to Cambridge Summary in English
This chapter is an experience of the author in England. Cambridge University always had a great appeal for him. But, after an interview with Stephen Hawking, it became more appealing to him. During a walking tour there he met Stephen Hawking. Stephen William Hawking was an astrophysicist and was a disabled person. He was the successor of Isaac Newton’s chair in the Physics Department at Cambridge University. He was the author of the book, ‘A Brief History of Time’, the biggest best-seller of his times.After the walking tour was over, he called at Steven Hawking’s house. His assistant answered the call. The author told him that he has come all the way from India and that he was in a wheelchair. He also indicated that he wished to write a book based on his travels in England and also his desire to meet Stephen Hawking. The assistant fixed the time from 3:30 to 4 for the meeting. The author was surprised to see that a machine was supporting his body. However, he composed himself to ask questions.On being asked about his courage, Hawking replied that he had no other option than to be brave and accept his situation. He said that he was amused to see that people patronize him. When the author asked him that did he feels annoyed when people like him disturb him. He replied yes with a smile. During the interview, Hawking appears to be the most beautiful man in the world to the author.The author also questioned him that is it that due to the disability, Hawking is not able to see humility and kindness in the world. Hawking agreed to this with the author. The interview came to the end with a piece of advice for the disabled or handicapped people. He said that they need to focus on the good in them and not their disability. They should not become over-enthusiastic and should do only in which they are good. After this, Hawking went into his garden. The author felt that his journey is inspiring as well as successful.
Question 1:
Which is the right sentence?
“Cambridge was my metaphor for England.” To the writer,
(i) Cambridge was a reputed university in England.
(ii) England was famous for Cambridge.
(iii) Cambridge was the real England.
Answer:
(iii) To the writer, Cambridge was the real England.
Question 2:
Which is the right sentence?
The writer phoned Stephen Hawking’s house
(i) from the nearest phone booth.
(ii) from outside a phone booth.
(iii) from inside a phone booth.
Answer:
(ii) The writer phoned Stephen Hawking’s house from outside a phone booth.
Question 3:
Which is the right sentence?
Every time he spoke to the scientist, the writer felt guilty because
(i) he wasn’t sure what he wanted to ask.
(ii) he forced the scientist to use his voice synthesiser.
(iii) he was face to face with a legend.
Answer:
(ii) Every time he spoke to the scientist, the writer felt guilty because he forced the scientist to use his voice synthesizer.
Question 4:
“I felt a huge relief… in the possibilities of my body.” In the given context, the highlighted words refer to
(i) shifting in the wheelchair, turning the wrist.
(ii) standing up, walking,
(iii) speaking, writing
Answer:
(i) In the given context, the highlighted words refer to shifting in the wheelchair, turning the wrist.
Question 1:
Answer the following questions.
(i) Did the prospect of meeting Stephen Hawking make the writer nervous? If so, why?
(ii) Did he at the same time feel very excited? If so, why?
Answer:
(i) Yes, the prospect of meeting Stephen Hawking made the writer nervous. He was to meet a great personality and that too one who had achieved greatness despite his disabilities. Clearly, it was a big moment, a great honour for the writer. So it is not surprising that he was nervous at the prospect of meeting Stephen Hawking.
(ii) Yes, he felt excited at the same time because it made him stronger to see somebody like him achieving something huge. This made him aware of the many possibilities present before him, thereby helping him to reach out further than he ever thought he could.
Question 2:
Guess the first question put to the scientist by the writer.
Answer:
The writer might have asked the scientist if he had been brave to reach where he had.
Question 3:
Stephen Hawking said, “I’ve had no choice.” Does the writer think there was a choice? What was it?
Answer:
The writer thought that there was a choice. Stephen Hawking could have chosen to leave everything, and be sad and depressed. He could have sulked. However, he chose to live creatively knowing the reality of his disintegrating body.
Question 4:
“I could feel his anguish.” What could be the anguish?
Answer:
Stephen Hawking’s mind was active with many thoughts that he wanted to express. However, his thoughts came out in phrases, without reflecting his feelings or emotions. His sentences were mere lines, without any sentiment. The writer felt he could understand his anguish and frustration at that.
Question 5:
What endeared the scientist to the writer so that he said he was looking at one of the most beautiful men in the world?Answer:
The writer asked Stephen Hawking if he found it annoying that someone like him came and disturbed him in his work. To this query, the scientist replied in the affirmative, frankly and honestly. Then, he smiled his one way smile and this was what endeared him to the writer. The writer felt that he was looking at one of the most beautiful men in the world.
Question 6:
Read aloud the description of ‘the beautiful’ man. Which is the most beautiful sentence in the description?
Answer:
The most beautiful sentence in the description is, “…you look at his eyes which can speak, still, and they are saying something huge and urgent….”
Question 7:
(i) If ‘the lantern’ is the man, what would its ‘walls’ be?
(ii) What is housed within the thin walls?
(iii) What general conclusion does the writer draw from this comparison?
Answer:
(i) If ‘the lantern’ is the man, its ‘walls’ would be the man’s body.
(ii) The incandescence or the inner glow of the man is housed within the thin walls.
(iii) The conclusion that the writer drew from this comparison was that the body exists only like a case made of shadows. It is just an accessory. It is the soul that matters. Each individual is what he is from his heart and soul, and not from the body.
Question 8:
What is the scientist’s message for the disabled?
Answer:
The message that he gave to the disabled was that they should concentrate on what they were good at.
Question 9:
Why does the writer refer to the guitar incident? Which idea does it support?Answer:
When Stephen Hawking said that things such as disabled Olympics were a waste of time, the writer agreed with him. He remembered the years which he spent trying to play a Spanish guitar that was considerably larger than he was. He was very happy when he unstringed it one night. It supports Stephen Hawking’s idea that the disabled should only concentrate on what they are good at, and not take up things unnecessarily.
Question 10:
The writer expresses his great gratitude to Stephen Hawking. What is the gratitude for?
Answer:
The writer expressed his gratitude to Stephen Hawking because he had been an inspiration for him. He saw him as the embodiment of his bravest self. He felt that if he had been as brave as Stephen, he would have achieved a lot. He felt he was moving towards that embodiment that he had believed in for many years. That is why he expressed his greatest gratitude to him as he had made him realise what great heights he could reach.
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