Comprehension Practice
And still it moves. The words of Galileo, murmured when the tortures of the Inquisition had driven him to recant the Truth he knew, apply in a new way to our world today. Sometimes, in the knowledge of all that has been discovered, all that has been done to make life on the planet happier and more worthy, we may be tempted to settle down to enjoy our heritage. That would, indeed, be the betrayal of our trust. These men and women of the past have given everything ---comfort, time, treasure, peace of mind and body, life itself --- that we might live as we do. The challenge to each one of us is to carry on their work for the sake of future generations. The adventurous human mind must not falter. Still must we question the old truths and work for the new ones. Still must we risk scorn, cynicism, neglect, loneliness, poverty, persecution, if need be. We must shut our ears to the easy voice which tells us that ‘human nature will never alter’ as an excuse for doing nothing to make life more worthy. Thus will the course of the history of mankind go onward, and the world we know move into a new splendor for those who are yet to be.
Questions & Answers
1. What made Galileo recant the Truth he knew?
Galileo was driven to recant the Truth he knew by the tortures of the Inquisition.
2. What is the heritage being alluded to in the first paragraph?
The heritage being alluded to is the knowledge of all that has been discovered and all that has been done to make life on the planet happier and more worthy.
3. What does the ‘betrayal of our trust’ imply?
The betrayal of our trust implies being tempted to settle down to enjoy our heritage rather than accepting the challenge to carry on their work for the sake of future generations.
4. Why do we need to Question the old truths and work for the new ones?
We need to Question the old truths and work for the new ones because the adventurous human mind must not falter, and so that the course of the history of mankind will go onward, moving the world into a new splendor for those who are yet to be.
5. Explain the words or expressions as highlighted/underlined in the passage.
• Heritage: The beneficial results of past discoveries and achievements (knowledge, happier life, worthier existence) left to the current generation. • Betrayal of our trust: A failure to fulfill the responsibility of carrying on the legacy of progress left by those who sacrificed everything. • Carry on their work: To continue the efforts of past men and women (who gave comfort, time, treasure, life itself) for the benefit of future generations.• Falter: To lose strength or momentum; the human mind must not hesitate or weaken its adventurous spirit. • Question the old truths and work for the new ones: To maintain intellectual vigor by challenging existing knowledge and striving for continuous, innovative progress.