Answer key

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Last edited 10 days ago by Learn LoopHQ.

Chapter: 12. All By Electricity

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A. Answer these questions.

What was the first impression Dr. Aronnax had of Captain Nemo's room?

Dr. Aronnax's first impression of Captain Nemo's room was that it had a "severe, almost hermit-like appearance," suggesting a spartan and unluxurious living space.

Besides navigation, what other essential needs did electricity fulfill for Captain Nemo on the Nautilus?

Besides navigation, electricity fulfilled essential needs such as providing heat and light, cooking food, heating water for bathing, distilling drinking water, and working powerful pumps to store air for breathing at deep levels.

Why did Captain Nemo divide his electric clock into 24 hours instead of a typical 12-hour format?

Captain Nemo divided his electric clock into 24 hours because, deep beneath the sea in the Nautilus, there was no natural "night" or "day," sun or moon. He relied entirely on artificial light, making a 24-hour cycle more practical for his environment.

How did Captain Nemo explain the source of the elements needed for his electricity without contact with land?

Captain Nemo explained that he could extract metals like zinc, iron, silver, and gold from deposits on the bottom of the sea. However, he preferred to derive the means to produce his electricity "from the sea itself," owing "nothing to the metals of the earth."

What two main sections was the engine room of the Nautilus divided into?

The engine room of the Nautilus was divided into two main sections: the first contained the devices for producing electricity, and the other contained the mechanism for transmitting movement to the propeller.

B. Answer these questions with reference to the context.

"No comfort. Only the barest of necessities." a. Whose quarters are being described here? These are the quarters of Captain Nemo being described. b. What does this description reveal about the owner's priorities or lifestyle? This description reveals that Captain Nemo is a person focused on utility and purpose rather than luxury or personal comfort. It suggests a disciplined, perhaps ascetic, lifestyle dedicated to his work and the Nautilus. c. How does this contrast with the advanced nature of the Nautilus itself? * This contrasts sharply with the advanced and complex technology of the Nautilus, which itself is a marvel of ingenuity. It shows that the captain's personal life is austere despite commanding such a sophisticated vessel.

"Before going any further, Dr Aronnax, I must explain a few things. So please pay attention to what I have to say." a. Who is the speaker and what is the relationship between the speaker and Dr. Aronnax at this point? The speaker is Captain Nemo, and Dr. Aronnax is his captive. b. What "few things" is the speaker about to explain? The speaker is about to explain that electricity is the supreme agent on board the Nautilus, powering everything from heat and light to its movement and machines. c. Why is the speaker emphasizing the need for Dr. Aronnax's complete attention? * The speaker is emphasizing the need for Dr. Aronnax's complete attention because what he is about to reveal is the foundational secret to the Nautilus's operation and a revolutionary concept that Dr. Aronnax, as a scientist, would find astonishing and perhaps difficult to grasp initially.

"But not the air you breathe?" a. Who asks this question and to whom? Dr. Aronnax asks this question to Captain Nemo. b. What assumption does the questioner seem to have about the complete self-sufficiency of the Nautilus based on electricity? The questioner seems to assume that if electricity provides everything else (heat, light, movement, water), it must also provide the air for breathing, implying a complete and almost magical self-sufficiency from the sea. c. How does the listener clarify this point regarding air supply? * The listener, Captain Nemo, clarifies that while electricity does not directly provide the air he breathes (he goes to the surface for that), it does power the "powerful pumps that store air in special tanks," allowing him to remain at deep levels as long as he wishes.

C. Think and answer.

Based on Captain Nemo's character and his reliance on the sea, what values do you think are most important to him?

Based on Captain Nemo's character, the values most important to him appear to be: Independence and Self-Sufficiency (as he desires complete freedom from the land and its resources), Innovation and Scientific Mastery (evidenced by his revolutionary electrical system and the Nautilus), Resourcefulness (utilizing the sea for all needs), and a degree of Secrecy/Privacy (maintaining his discoveries and life apart from the world).

The extract calls Jules Verne the "Father of Science Fiction." Why is imagination so crucial for a science fiction writer, and how do we see Verne's imagination at work in this chapter?

Imagination is crucial for a science fiction writer because the genre requires creating worlds, technologies, and scenarios that do not yet exist, allowing for exploration of future possibilities and their impacts. We see Verne's imagination at work in this chapter through:

The Nautilus: An advanced submarine far beyond 19th-century capabilities.

The "special" electricity: Conceiving a form of electricity with immense dynamic capacity to power everything on board.

Self-sustaining living: Imagining a complete, technologically-driven ecosystem within the submarine, independent of the surface world.

Specific applications: Detailed inventions like the 24-hour electric clock, electric kitchen, and distillation devices for water.

If you were designing a self-sufficient underwater vehicle today, what modern technologies (beyond what Nemo had) would you incorporate to make it even more advanced and independent?

If designing a self-sufficient underwater vehicle today, beyond what Nemo had, I would incorporate:

Advanced AI and Automation: For navigation, maintenance, and complex operations, reducing human crew needs.

Closed-Loop Life Support Systems: Utilizing biotechnology for complete air and water recycling, and even onboard food production (e.g., hydroponics).

High-Capacity, Long-Duration Energy Storage: Such as advanced solid-state batteries or even compact nuclear reactors for extended missions without refueling.

Self-Healing Materials: For the hull, to repair minor damage automatically.

Advanced Sonar and Lidar Systems: For extremely detailed mapping and obstacle avoidance in deep, dark waters.

Quantum Communication: For instantaneous, secure communication without needing to surface.

Why do you think Dr. Aronnax transitions from being "somewhat surprised" to being in "complete awe" of Captain Nemo's electricity? What specific details contributed to this shift?

Dr. Aronnax transitions from being "somewhat surprised" to "complete awe" as he progresses from hearing about the electricity to witnessing its widespread and seamless integration. Initially, he's surprised because electricity in his time was limited in "dynamic capacity." The shift occurs as Nemo explains and demonstrates its myriad applications:

It provides continuous light, superior to natural light.

It powers an incredibly accurate 24-hour clock.

It precisely measures the Nautilus's speed.

Crucially, he sees it applied to everyday life in the kitchen (electric cooking, water distillation) and powering the main "machinery for locomotion." The sheer scale and flawless functionality of electricity in every aspect of the Nautilus's operation solidify his "complete awe."

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