On Science Fiction (Isaac Asimov) — NCERT Solutions

Science fiction often predicts or imagines future changes in daily life caused by science and technology. Things that are normal today—such as television, telephones, remote-control devices, space travel, or computerized information systems—were once imagined in science fiction. So the statement means that science fiction foresaw many developments that later became part of everyday life.

Asimov’s attitude towards pre-scientific imagination is respectful and appreciative, not mocking. He admits that myths and legends are not science, but he treats them as a genuine and accomplished literary form that satisfied human needs for wonder. The tone is intelligent, balanced, slightly humorous, and mildly ironic. He gently points out the limits of old beliefs, but he does not sneer at them.

The short, sometimes one-sentence paragraphs help the essay in several ways:

• they give emphasis to important ideas,
• they create a clear, spoken, conversational rhythm,
• they make the argument easy to follow,
• and they highlight contrasts and conclusions sharply.

So the form supports the logic and the force of Asimov’s argument.

Some of the main discourse markers/linkers used by Asimov are:

• But what of that?
• so
• and yet
• naturally
• instead
• since
• therefore
• for instance
• or, for that matter
• the difference that makes
• in place of
• however
• after all
• that, however, only means
• then
• in only one respect
• as for
• modestly

These signal addition, contrast, explanation, example, consequence, and conclusion.

1. He expected _a sudden change of rules_.

Passive: _A sudden change of rules_ was expected by him.

2. Nothing prevents _writers_ from using actual science.

Passive: _Writers_ are not prevented by anything from using actual science.

3. He revealed _that he didn't know the difference between the element and the compound_.

Passive: _That he didn't know the difference between the element and the compound_ was revealed by him.

4. He demonstrated _that he couldn't tell the difference between carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide_ and _reduced the plot to a shambles_.

Passive: _That he couldn't tell the difference between carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide_ was demonstrated by him, and _the plot_ was reduced to a shambles by him.

5. The writer must carefully explain to the reader _all the boundary conditions of the imaginary society_.

Passive: The reader must be carefully explained _all the boundary conditions of the imaginary society_ by the writer.

The objects are the noun phrases or clauses receiving the action of each transitive verb, and in passive voice they become the subject of the sentence.

In the sentence beginning “I don't even ask that...”, the verb ask is followed by a that-clause: the author says he does not ask that the stories be wrenched out of context or made to fit reality.

Other verbs followed by that-clauses in the text include:

• believe — e.g. people believe that science is the key to understanding the Universe,
• suppose — it is reasonable to suppose that people would invent formulas,
• maintained / thought — John Campbell maintained that it was impossible...
• agree — “And I agree with him,”
• say — John Campbell used to say that...
• expect — “I imagine that what he expected was...”
• realise / know (as general examples of such verbs, though not all appear in exactly this form in the passage)