Rama has awakened. Far from the explorers, the Rama Committee must decide whether an unknown visitor represents a discovery, a danger, or both.
Engineering clue: why might the sea have unequal cliffs?
Summarize the committee’s debate and identify the Mercury ambassador’s concern.
Separate observation, inference, prediction, and recommendation.
Use evidence from the cliffs to explain how acceleration might affect the sea.
After Rama’s storm, the committee meets again. The representative from Mercury (a Hermian) worries that Rama could be dangerous and urges more exploration before it is too late.
Dr. Perera considers whether Rama could change speed or direction using an unfamiliar propulsion system. The unequal cliffs around the Cylindrical Sea may protect the water during acceleration.
1. What does the committee know?
2. What does Mercury fear?
3. What does the sea’s design suggest?
The sea is contained by cliffs of different heights. Perera suggests this asymmetry might make sense if Rama accelerates along its axis.
The drawing is a simplified teaching model, not a scale diagram.
Rama’s systems are active after the storm.
Mercury raises a security warning.
The committee considers reentry.
Perera proposes a propulsion hypothesis.
The cliffs become engineering evidence.
The committee favors further investigation, while intent remains unknown.
Oral retell: use initially, however, therefore, and although.
“The cliffs on opposite sides of the Cylindrical Sea have different heights.”
Choose each event from earliest to latest.
Although Mercury fears an attack, the committee has no proof of hostile intent.
Because the cliffs are unequal, Perera considers a possible acceleration function.
The risk remains uncertain; therefore, further investigation is reasonable.
Write two sentences: one using although, one using therefore.
Mercury has a legitimate reason to prepare for danger.
Investigate Rama before assuming it is hostile.
Prepare defensive measures without treating an unknown visitor as an enemy.
In 5–7 sentences, explain: (1) what changed after the storm, (2) Mercury’s concern, (3) Perera’s scientific hypothesis, (4) what the cliffs suggest, (5) what is still uncertain, and (6) your recommended action.