LESSON 14
Q 1. Only one paragraph
in the essay does not begin with a key- sentence. Which is it?
Answer:
Only the third paragraph in the essay ‘Silence’ by
Robert Lynd does not begin with a key sentence.
Q 2. In not more than
three sentences explain how one can tell that the writer’s background is
England.
Answer:
One can tell that the writer, Robert Lynd’s background is from England from the
second paragraph of the essay, ‘Silence’, in which he speaks of two persons
talking about the memories of old times spent by them in an English academic
institution. In the last paragraph of the essay, the writer drops another hint
on his background, where he discusses the Armistice Day ceremonies in London.
Q 3. How can one tell
that the essay was written between 1919 and 1939?
Answer:
One can tell that the essay was written between 1919 and 1939 because the
writer has mentioned the “Two Minutes” silence observed in connection with
Armistice Day, in the remembrance of the cease-fire after the first World War,
in 1918. The celebration of the ceremony ceased with the beginning of the
Second World War in 1939. Therefore, it can be concluded that this essay was
written between 1919 and 1939.
Q 4. On what grounds does
Robert Lynd defend conversation about the weather?
Answer:
Robert Lynd defends the conversation about the weather on the ground that a
conversation must be based on mutual sympathy. A common note of sympathy is
struck by talking about experiences, which are shared by both. Weather is one
experience which is generally shared by people and enables them to talk on the
same note. Therefore, it is an ideal subject for initiating a conversation.
Q 5. According to this essay,
what kind of topic should be avoided in a conversation among three peoples?
Answer:
According to the essay ‘Silence’ by Robert Lloyd, such topics, which do not
cater to everyone’s interests, should be avoided while making a conversation.
The topics which have no relevancy and context to any one of the three people
is likely to make a person feel out of place.
Q 6. What is one
reason, in the writer’s opinion, for people’s fear of the dark?
Answer:
In Robert Lloyd’s opinion, people’s fear of silence is the reason behind their
fear of the dark. He is of the view that half of these fears experienced by
people would vanish if the daytime noise could be heard in the dark of the
night.
Q 7. If the paragraph
beginning ‘For complete silence produces feelings of awe in us …. ‘ had to be
divided into two, where would you make the difference?
Answer:
If the paragraph beginning, ‘For complete silence produces feelings of awe in
us …. ‘ had to be divided into two, I would make the division by beginning the
new paragraph with the sentence: “This is not said that we never enjoy the
awfulness of silence.”
Q 8. Explain the
meaning of ‘moves’ in the sentence, ‘The cathedral moves us most deeply in perfect
stillness.’
Answer:
The word, “moves” in the sentence, “The cathedral moves us most deeply in
perfect stillness” refers to the effects or feelings evoked by the cathedral.
In this sentence, the writer intends to say that it is on the times there is absolute
silence in the church that our we tend to ponder and feel more intensely.
Q 9. What is the
purpose of the Two Minutes Silence?
Answer:
The purpose of the Two Minutes silence was to remember the large number
causalities resulted by the First World War.
Q 10. ‘The men and
women had suddenly become statues. Is this literally true? If not, what does it
mean?
Answer:
No, the phrase, ‘The men and women had suddenly become statues’, is not true
literally. It refers to the Two Minutes Silence observed by people in
connection with Armistice Day, where everybody stood to attention to honour the
casualties that occurred during the first World War. This phrase used
metaphorically here in order to describe those people standing “motionless”.
Write
an essay of not more than four hundred words on one of the topics below. If you
fancy trying a difficult topic, choose number one or two. If you feel at all
doubtful about your ability to handle either of them, choose number three or
four instead.
1. Patriotism
2. Humour.
3. The career I should like to follow.
4. College life — its pleasures and its
cares.
Patriotism
A patriot is a person who is extremely
loyal towards his country and is always willing to defend it. He feels that he
is indebted to his motherland. The spirit of patriotism lies in the love and
patriotism for one’s motherland. It is natural for a person to have love and
devotion to the place where he is born, and lives. A strong association and
devotion for one’s country culminate into the sublime qualities of patriotism.
One of the qualities of a true
patriot lies in having love, and a sense of responsibility and commitment to
his motherland. The first and the foremost responsibility lies in acting as
responsible and law-abiding citizens of our native country and eventually
contributing towards the betterment and progress of the fellow countrymen. It
urges us to outdo ourselves and do something for our fellow citizens. A true
patriot works for the welfare of his motherland wholeheartedly. Patriotism
does not mean only to fight for the liberation of one’s own country from the
burden of foreign rule. It includes true love and honest feelings for fellow
men and passionate work for the country’s progress.
The testimony of being honest and truthful
towards one’s country lies in the ability to sacrifice. In its extreme form,
patriotism obliges us to sacrifice our lives. A true patriot is so loyal
towards his country that he does not hesitate in sacrificing his personal
interests and life for the sake of the country. He lives and dies for his
motherland. He is not only loved and respected in life but also remembered by
people even after his death. Such a patriot is immortal in the eyes of his
fellowmen. Such a spirit of patriotism has been displayed by many of our
national heroes, like, Allama Iqbal, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Liaquat
Ali Khan, Syed Ameer Ali and many others. A true patriot has a never-ending
spirit; he remains fearless even in the face of even death.
Patriotism is an ideal attribute of
revolutionary rulers. The future of the country depends on its rulers and only
a patriotic ruler keeps the nation’s interest above his own. He thinks of the
interests of the country and the people before his personal benefits. A
patriotic ruler strives for the betterment and progress of the country. He can
go to any length in order to glorify his country or free it from the shackles
of the enemy.
In Pakistan, many patriots who suffered from cruelty inflicted
upon them by the foreign rulers, whom they protested against, in order to seek
freedom for their native land from the shackles of the foreign rule. Some of
them were imprisoned, publicly beaten and had undergone inhuman torture for
their undying patriotism. However, they did not let their spirits die, even at
the cost of their lives, and carried on their struggle for freedom until they
shed the last drop of their blood.
Patriotism broods from the spirit of love
for one’s country and the ability to sacrifice one’s self. A true patriot is a
responsible, law-abiding citizen. The devotion of a patriotic person lies in
his ability to sacrifice his personal interests for the betterment of the
country. However, patriotism towards one’s own country should not mean having a
feeling of hatred and animosity towards other countries, but patriotism teaches
us to devote our lives for the service of humanity.
2. Humour “A day
without laughter is a day wasted.” Charlie Chaplin.
It is rightly said that “Laughter is the
best medicine”. Humour is one of the most crucial aspects of our lives. In
everyday life, human beings suffer from a lot of challenges and problems. The
school-going children and college-goers are increasingly being burdened with
exams and struggling to face the increasing competition with every passing day.
They are either under the pressure of looking for jobs or under the pressure of
meeting deadlines. Similarly, while the bread-earner of the family has to be concerned
about his family’s needs and expenses, the housewife has to take care of all
the domestic issues in the house. Everyone is caught up in this vicious circle
of life. In such times, humour is the only tool that enables a person to face
the hardest times in his life, and appreciate smallest of things. Laughter and
positive emotions add colour to our lives by simply putting us in a better mood
and making everyone around us happier.
Humour lightens up the mood of any
situation. A little bit of humour may aid in finding the solution to any
problem or in resolving a dispute. If a person is going through personal
conflict or any stressful phase of life, just a pinch of humour at the right
time can act as “comic relief” to help him get out of the situation. In this
way, humour gives strength to a person. It brings about a positive outlook
towards life. It is only by means of good humour that a person can remain calm
and composed even in the worst of situations. Therefore, the role of good
humour in our lives, which has the capability to cure our souls, cannot be
denied.
Having a good sense of humour brings
people closer to each other. It enables them to build healthy relationships
with others by knowing what to say or do that helps or comes in the way of a
conversation. Humor often takes human beings to the edge of uncertainty where
they exaggerate or tease others to make their point. Successful humor brings
trust and cooperation. They not only discover that they are not alone but also
learn to accept their mistakes. It also broadens their outlook and makes their
attitude more flexible, as they tend to look for the good in others as well as
themselves. Losing a sense of humour, on the other hand, leads to people
becoming more critical or defensive, as we start blaming others or ourselves
for everything.
Incorporation of humor is a commonly used
trend in English literature. Famous English prose writers on humour include
Stephen Leacock amongst many others. Satire is the most common form of humour,
which is frequently employed by the novelists like Jonathan Swift. However,
satire is aimed at meeting a relatively more serious objective, that is,
bringing about the follies of the society to the forefront in a light manner,
for the purpose of the reformation of the society. The various devices which
are commonly incorporated in order to add humour to any piece of literature
include surprise, sarcasm, irony, and pun etc. among many others. Every writer
has a distinctive style and uses one or more of these devices in his piece of
writing, depending upon the context.
Humour is the key to finding happiness.
It would not be wrong to say that humour is the best helping hand in the
hardest of times. Humour is a ray of light that lightens up a situation and
gives hope to a life doomed in dark shadows. It gives us the strength to meet
with the challenges of our lives. In other words, in the absence of humor, life
would become extremely mechanical and the world will become a difficult place
to live in. On the contrary, incorporation of humour in our everyday life makes
it much easier and happier to live.
3. The Career I Should
Like to Follow
(Note: Mistake in the book. The correct
title of the essay: The Career I Would like to follow).
Ambition gives direction to the life of a
person. Those people who do not plan their careers are like a ship without a
rudder or an envelope without an address. Different people adopt different aims
according to their inclinations. Some people want to become doctors, while
others aspire to start a business of their own. If the law appeals to some,
armed forces have an attraction for others. Some aim at becoming teachers while
social service or politics attracts others. I believe that success in life
depends upon having a well-planned aim. I am in the first year of college, but
since I do not want to take a leap in the dark, I have already decided that I
am going to be a teacher one day. My father is an efficient teacher, and he has
inspired me to choose the profession of teaching as a career.
Teaching
is the noblest of all professions. Being a teacher, I feel I can serve this
society and the country in the best possible way. Since a teacher has the
capacity to shape the minds of the students who are the future of the country,
I aspire to become a Lecturer of Urdu. However,
many people do not prefer the profession of teaching because teachers are not
paid well these days, and can hardly make both ends meet. But money is not the
only consideration with me. What is important for me is to make a significant
contribution to the future of our country, and be remembered by future
generations. I strongly believe that a teacher lives among the smiling faces
and young hearts, even after his departure from this world.
A teacher alone can impart the right type
of education and make the students ideal citizens. He can inculcate refined
qualities in the young minds and develop the spirit of patriotism in them.
However, when I tell my friends about my ambition and goals, they make fun of
me because they consider my choice to be old-fashioned. The dilemma of our
society is that we do not take pride in our own culture. Urdu is the national
language of Pakistan, and it is a pain to see that most of the people are not
fluent in speaking and writing Urdu.
I do not want to take up the conventional
role of a teacher, who is rigid and does not give room for creativity to his
students. As far as the classroom environment is concerned, I plan to
incorporate humor in teaching because I feel that students always retain the
ideas in taught in a light manner in their minds for a long time. However, I
would always make sure that no compromise is being made on class discipline and
maintaining a level of respect at the same time. Moreover, I am strictly
against the growing trend of discrimination in the treatment of the students
and plan to abstain from this practice. As an Urdu teacher, I hope to awaken
the spirit of nationalism by teaching Urdu to the students and spread knowledge
about the rich history and unique trends of Urdu literature.
If a person aims to make a significant
contribution towards society, teaching provides the best possible platform. It
is rightly said that a teacher is a nation-builder, as he can shape the lives
of the future generations. If teachers are efficient and serve as torchbearers
to the students, there is a fair chance for the country to prosper. As
Wordsworth says, “a noble profession is a noble deed”, my ambition is to become
a hardworking, honest and an efficient teacher and achieve the best of both
worlds.
4. College Life — its
Pleasures and its Cares
College life has its own pleasures and
cares. Owing to its pleasures, there is no doubt that college life is the golden
period of a student’s life. A college student has to bear the strain of
adjusting a completely new environment, and also take a decision regarding the
choice of the career he aims to pursue in future. However, in comparison to
school life, college life is a life of liberty, self-respect, and confidence.
The knowledge gained, the opportunities availed, and the friendship made during
the stay at college goes a long way in shaping the career and personality of a
student.
A college student begins to see life as a
whole, with the help of highly educated and experienced professors. He develops
a sense of honour, dignity, duty, and responsibility in himself, and is treated
as a grown-up man. When students enter college, they get freedom from the
authoritative attitude of the schoolteachers because of college teachers quite
friendly and persuasive. His feelings of self-respect are recognized properly
and he is encouraged to be self-dependent. His opinions and decisions are given
due importance. He is no longer fears physical punishment from his teacher.
College life offers innumerable pleasures
and facilities in the form of extra-curricular activities, such as sports and
debating competitions. These activities play a great role in the training of a
student’s character and refining his abilities. College students are also
encouraged to do self-study and research. They have access to the college
library where they can find relevant books, research and study material in
order to enrich their minds by borrowing books that cater to their interest.
Moreover, there are also a number of societies of various subjects and student
activity centers, which arrange regular workshops and educational trips to
enhance the knowledge of students and increase their awareness. Students are
expected to become more polished, and their manners to be improved after
entering college.
College life also provides an opportunity
for enjoying the company of like-minded young fellows of the same age and
similar interests. One can socialize with a large number of college fellows,
belonging to different families, and having different temperaments, qualities,
habits, manners, etc. In this way, he is free to make new friends and to learn
and adopt what is good in others. Once they enter college life, students are
expected to gain more confidence and start asserting themselves. Such a healthy
influence on the minds of students may not only prove to be decisive in shaping
their future career but also broaden their outlook of life in general. It also
enables them to recognize their abilities to excel in a particular field.
In comparison to school, college is an
advanced seat of learning. Life of college students is usually filled with
pleasure, adventures, and inspiration. College students gain the opportunity to
gain knowledge from encouraging and progressive guidance of many learned
professors. It not only provides vast opportunities for education but also
co-curricular activities and In short, college life is full of pleasures,
facilities, possibilities and opportunities of progress which cannot be
available to a young man in his life once he enters practical life. However,
all these things are of value to those who are willing to participate and
benefit instead of hesitating and staying away and aloof.
Replace the dashes in the
following passage by verbs chosen from this list:
march, stroll, saunter, hurry, chase,
swing, grasp, gaze, stare, pause, present, afford, glitter, flutter, cheer,
gesticulate, shout, wave, stop, shine.
The soldiers — ed along the street, —ing
their arms. An officer was in front of the column, — a sword. The civilians on
the route, who were —ing from one shop to another, —ing in the windows, — ed to
— at the soldiers as they went by. The latter —ed a splendid spectacle with
their rifles and equipment — ing in the sun, and the regimental flag
—ing above the front rank. A few small boys —ed after them, —ing and —ing.
Answer:
The soldiers marched
along the street, swinging
their arms. An officer was in front of the column, grasping a
sword. The civilians on the route, who were gazing from
one shop to another, staring
in the windows, shouted
to cheer at
the soldiers as they went by. The latter presented a splendid spectacle with their rifles
and equipment gesticulating
in the sun, and the regimental flag fluttering
above the front rank. A few small boys chased after them, waving and shouting.
1. Complete the
following sentences by adding the most suitable verb from the list of three on
the right.
2. For each two sentences compose a third to illustrate the use of
the remaining verb.
Answer:
1. (a) The
soldiers marched along
the street with fixed bayonets.
(b) The
women walked along
the street, looking at the shop windows.
(c) Accompanied
by her dog, she strolls in
the park every morning.
2.
(a) What are you staring at
me like that for? Is my face dirty?
(b) He
was lying on his back, gazing thoughtfully
at the sky.
(c) He
is looking for
his wrist watch since the past half an hour.
3.
(a) He laughed merrily
when I told him my story today.
(b) He smiled sarcastically
and shrugged his shoulders.
(c) I
could assume from the mischievous grin of
the little boy that he was up to some mischief.
4.
(a) The dog pursued the
bait.
(b) Once,
in India, I spent
three days hunting a
tiger.
(c) The
police has been chasing the
thief for two hours.
5.
(a) “Don’t hit me”,
cried the little boy, trembling with fear.
(b) He struck him
a sharp blow on the head.
(c) The
strong and fierce Japanese wrestler knocked his
opponent’s head on the floor.
6.
(a) I’ve taken my
suit to the dry cleaners.
(b) They
are going to bring it
back on Wednesday.
(c)
Fetch me a glass of water, please.
7.
(a) The crowded football stadium presented an
impressive sight.
(b) The
war offered many
people an opportunity to get rich.
(c) He
cannot afford to
lose the opportunity of working with this reputable company.
8.
(a) The statue was erected in
the center of the park.
(b) A
new oil refinery is being constructed on
the west coast.
(c) The
platform of the railway station will be built soon.
9.
(a) The surface of the lake gleamed in
the moonlight.
(b) The
silver tea-service glittered on
the sunlit lawn.
(c) His
face shone with
enthusiasm as he watched his son playing his first ever cricket match on an
international level.
10.
(a) She was in tears and asked me
to help her.
(b) She begged God
to let her husband live.
(c) Teary-eyed,
she prayed for
her son’s health who was fighting cancer.
A
verb used with many different particles is ‘to get’. It even has a number of
different meanings without the help of prepositions and adverbs Replace ‘get’,
wherever it occurs in the following passage, with another verb. Here is a list
of possible substitutes:
be; have; earn; arrive at; rise; leave;
agree with; find; meet; survive; return; depress; buy; obtain; forget; become;
grow.
‘When
I was your age, said the old man’ ‘I only got thirty shillings a week. Life was
much harder then. I had to get up at six and get to work by seven. We got no
holidays and worked ten hours a day for six days a week. There was a lot of
unemployment, too, and slow workers were often told to get out. I got dismissed
once because I didn’t get on with the boss, and it was several months before I
got another job. Then the First World War broke out Well, of course, I joined
up, but I was lucky and got through it without getting killed or wounded. When
I got back after the war. unemployment got worse for a time, and it really got me
down. It took me two years to get a good job. I’ve never really got over that
period of frustration. So just remember, young fellow, you’ve got nothing to
complain of nowadays. You don’t know how lucky you are!
Answer:
‘When I was your age, said the old man’ ‘I only earned thirty
shillings a week. Life was much harder then. I had to rise at
six and arrive
at work by seven. We obtained no holidays and worked ten hours a
day for six days a week. There was a lot of unemployment, too, and slow workers
were often told to leave.
I was dismissed
once because I didn’t agree with
the boss, and it was several months before I found another
job. Then the First World War broke out. Well, of course, I joined up, but I
was lucky and survived it
without getting killed or wounded. When I returned after the war, unemployment grew worse
for a time, and it really depressed me.
It took me two years to find a
good job. I’ve never really forgotten that
period of frustration. So just remember, young fellow, you have nothing
to complain of nowadays. You don’t know how lucky you are!
0 Comments