Question Answers Notes Written Asif ul Hassan

PART-I
Unit-1 THE DYING SUN
1. How is it that a star seldom finds another star near it?
Ans: The universe is very vast. Million of stars are wandering about in space. They travel in complete
loneliness. There is the distance of millions miles among them. That is why a star seldom finds another
star near it.
2. What happened when, according to Sir James Jeans, a wandering star, wandering through space,
came near the sun?
Ans: According to Sir James Jeans, a wandering star, wandering through space, came near the sun. It began
to raise huge tidal waves on the surface of the sun by its power of gravity. These tidal waves formed a
high mountain on the surface of the sun. And before the wandering star began to move away, its tidal
pull had become so powerful that this mountain was torn to pieces and threw of small parts of itself
into space. These small pieces have been going round the sun ever since. They are the planets, great
and small of which our earth is one.
3. What happened when the wandering star came nearer and nearer?
Ans: Learn Answer no. 2
4. What are planets and how did they come into existence?
Ans: Learn Answer no. 2
5. Why is there no life on the stars?
Ans: There is no life on stars because they are balls of fire scattered through space. Life would melt away
there. Life can only exist on specific temperature where temperature is neither too hot nor too cold.
6. Write a note on the beginning of life on earth.
Ans: No one knows how, when and why life came into existence. According to Sir James Jeans, in the
course of time, the earth gradually became cooler and cooler. Its temperature is neither too hot nor
too cold. Life started in very simple organisms which had ability to reproduce themselves before
dying. In this way, it produced the most complicated organisms like man who has feelings and
ambitions.
7. Why is the universe, of which our earth is a part, so frightening? Give as many reasons as you can?
Ans: Our first feeling is something like fear. As our earth is a part of universe, we find the universe
frightening because of its immense distances which we do not understand. We find the universe
frightening because of the stretches of time so great that we cannot imagine them. This fear is also
due to littleness and loneliness of our earth in universe.
8. What, in your opinion, should be the conditions necessary, for the kind of life we know to exist on
other heavenly bodies? Do such conditions generally exist? OR What is necessary for life to exist?
OR What are the necessary conditions for existence of life on heavenly bodies?
Ans: Life can exist only in some suitable physical conditions like moderate temperature, air and water. Such
conditions do not exist on other heavenly bodies except the earth. Therefore, there is no life on other
heavenly bodies.
What are the total numbers of stars in the universe? OR What is the total number of stars?
Ans: There are innumerable stars in the universe. They are probably as many as the total number of grains
of sands on the all sea-shores of the world.
How big are the stars? OR Can a star contain millions and millions of earths in it?
Ans: Yes, a star can contain millions of earths in it. Only a few stars are known which are hardly bigger than
the earth, but most of them are so large that hundreds of thousands of earths could be packed inside
each and leave room to spare.

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Unit-2 USING THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

1. How has the scientific method helped us in our fight against disease?
Ans: By using the scientific method we are able to control and cure many diseases. It has helped us a lot in
our fight against diseases. Babies are born in hospital today. They have vaccinated against many
diseases. By using the scientific method we are able to make effective medicines.
2. Write a note on better sanitary conditions available in our cities today and compare them with
what they were like a hundred years ago.
Ans: Sanitary conditions were very poor a hundred years ago. People used to throw garbage in the streets.
Streets were narrow, unpaved and poorly drained. Outdoor toilets were common.
Today our city streets are clean, paved and well drained. It is against the law to throw garbage in the
streets. All the sewage is carried through sealed pipes to disposal plants.
3. What are the sanitary conditions like in our village today and how would you improve them?
Ans: The sanitary conditions in our villages are not good. Dirty water flows in open drains. The streets are
narrow and unpaved. We should set up a department of sanitation in every village to better the
sanitation.
4. How has the scientific method helped us in the production and preservation of foods?
Ans: Scientific method has helped us a lot in the production and preservation of food. Now machines are
used in ploughing, sowing and harvesting. To preserve food, we use the methods of freezing,
dehydration, pickling, grading, drying and canning.
5. We are now generally less fearful than our ancestors. What were our ancestors afraid of?
Ans: Our forefathers were superstitious. They were afraid of black cats, broken mirrors, and the number
13. They believed in signs of good and bad luck. Now we know that there is a reason behind every
happening. Therefore, we are less fearful than our forefathers.
6. How has the scientific method enabled us to get over the old fears?
Ans: People in the past were afraid of black cats, broken mirrors, and the number 13. They believed in
signs of good and bad luck. The scientific method has changed our thinking. We know that there is a
reason behind every happening. Therefore, we are not afraid of the old fears.
7. What part did astrology play in the lives of men and women in the past? Give examples.
Ans: Astrology is the knowledge of stars. In the past, people believed that the stars and their movement
influenced their lives a lot. They believed in the idea of evil spirits and they were afraid of many
superstitions without any natural reason. Therefore, astrology played a vital role in the lives of men
and women in the past.
8. Describe some of the superstitions still current in our society. How do they affect the lives of those
who believe in them?
Ans: Some superstitions are still present in our society. These have deep effect on the lives of the people
who believe in them. Some people do not start their journey on certain days. Some people cut off
their journey if a cat crosses their way. It is believed that a guest will come if a crow crows on the wall
of a house. Superstitions like these cause unnecessary fear.
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Unit-3 WHY BOYS FAIL IN COLEGE
1. According to the author there are some boys who fail because they do not try. Who are they? Can
we help them?
Ans: According to the writer there are some students who fail because they do not try. These boys suffer
from nervous habits and they cannot do their work with concentration. We can help them by telling
them to get rid of their nervous habits.
2. How does mistaken ambition on the part of boys and their parents lead to the failure of the boys?
Ans: A mistaken ambition leads to failure. The student wants to study the subjects of his interest while his
parents ask him to study another subjects. So, he cannot pay heed to studies and fail.
3. There are some boys who have done well at school but fail to make their mark at college. Who are
they? Do you have such boys in college in your country?
Ans: Some talented boys pass the school examination easily. They think that they would pass the college
examination in this way. So, they do not work hard. As a result they fail. Such boys could be found in
every college.
4. How does financial pressure lead the failure of students described in the lesson? Do you have
similar cases in your country?
Ans: Some poor students have to earn to meet their college expenses. So, much of their time is wasted. As
a result, they fail. We have such students in our country.
5. To what extent does the question of health lead to failure at college? How far can the college
authorities with their medical officers help students in such cases?
Ans: The question of health is also one of the reasons for failure. The boys with poor health cannot work
hard. The college authorities can help a lot in this regard if such cases are caught in time through in
time through co-ordination between the college doctor and the teachers. They should provide proper
medical facilities to such boys.
6. What place would you accord to sportsmen in colleges?
Ans: The main purpose of a college is to give education. But it does not ignore games. If a student is too
interested in games, he should be asked to become a professional player.
7. There are some students who join college for the fun of it. Should they be allowed to stay?
Ans: There are some students who join college simply for the fun of it. They here no serious interest in life
and they do not take any interest in their studies. Such lazy bluffers should be left at the mercy of
time to learn that there is no scope for them in life. Sometimes they may learn a lesson and return to
their real work.
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Unit-4 END OF TERM
1. What was Daiches’ attitude towards the week-end as a school boy? Why did he long for it?
Ans: As a school boy, David Daiches always welcomed the arrival of week-end. He felt very happy at the
week-end. At school he had always to work very hard for all the five days of the week. The daily work
at school, a lot of homework and the sense of hard competition always had a horrible effect on him so
he always longed for the holidays to have some rest at least. That’s why, he wished for the weekend.
2. What was his general view of school life? OR Why didn’t the author like school life?
Ans: As a school boy, the daily grind of school, with its abundant homework, its fierce competition, the
sense of never being able to relax, pressed heavily upon the author. In spite of the fact, that he often
enjoyed the actual classroom work. Hence, schooling was always a very dismal experience for him.
3. He/Daiches liked holidays for their freedom – freedom for what?
Ans: Daiches liked holidays for they gave him freedom from the school’s boring work. He was not a weak
student. He always enjoyed his school work and was never afraid of it but this continuous grind of
work always pressed heavily upon him them.
4. How did he/writer spend his summer holidays?
Ans: Summer holidays were a period of permanent felicity for the writer. He felt very happy at the arrival
of summer holidays. These vacations looked to be a period of joy for him. He spent these holidays in
his village along with the members of his family.
5. Wishes don’t come true in his life, writes Daiches. What are the things he longed for but could not
have?
Ans: According to David Daiches wishes did not come true in life. He told that in his early childhood he
longed desperately for a tricycle but his parents could never afford and later the wish was transferred
to a bicycle. In his child hood he also longed for ice-cream and sweets but he could not afford to buy
these things.
6. What did he do with his pocket money?
Ans: The writer had received some pocket money from his parents during his school-life. But he was not
allowed to spend it during the recess period. This money had to be put into a money-box and saved
for the coming days.
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Unit-5 ON DESTROYING BOOKS
1. What sorts of books were presented by the British public to soldiers?
Ans: More than two million books were presented to soldiers by British public. Most of them, was quite
ordinary and suitable. These included twenty years old magazines, guides to the Lake District and back
numbers of Whitaker’s Almanac.
2. Was it interest of soldiers that prompted their action, or was it the wish to get rid of useless books?
Ans: The action of the people was not at all in the interest of the soldiers. The people presented oddest
books to the soldiers. In fact, they wanted to get rid of their old and useless books. Therefore, they
sent them to the soldiers.
3. Why should bad books be destroyed?
Ans: The writer is of the view that bad books should be destroyed because it is quite absurd to keep bad
books. Rather, it is the positively public duty to destroy them. Destruction of bad books not merely
makes more room for new and readable books but also saves one’s heirs the trouble of sorting out
the rubbish or storing it.
4. Why is it difficult to destroy books?
Ans: According to the writer it is not always easy to destroy books. They can neither be burnt up nor
thrown away. Before destroying a book one has to sort out bad books from the whole lot. Then he has
to turn over their pages to see whether these are really unreadable and useless.
5. Why could not the author burn the unwanted books?
Ans: The writer could not burn the unwanted books because he had a small kitchen. The books were many
in number and he had no kitchen range. He could not even toast them on the gas-cooker or consume
them leaf by leaf in his small study fire.
6. How did he/the writer decide to get rid of them/books?
Ans: The writer thought about all the possible ways to get rid of his rubbish books. So in in the end, he
determined to get rid of his books as people get rid of the kittens. He improvised a sack. He tied up all
 the books and stuffed them into the sack and put it over his shoulder and went out to throw them
into the river in the darkness of the night.
7. Describe the author’s midnight venture to through the books in the river and the suspicions which
his actions were likely to arouse.
Ans: He improvised a sack. He tied up all the books and stuffed them into the sack and put it over his
shoulder and went out to throw them into the river in the darkness of the night. He passed by a
policeman and thought that policeman might take him for a thief. Whenever, he saw a man, he feared
that he might suspect him that he had swag in the sack. At last, he reached the river. There he
thought that he might be arrested as a baby killer.
8. How did he muster up courage at last to fling them into the river?
Ans: The Writer rebuked himself and called himself a coward. He thought that, if he could not throw the
books into the river, he would never be able to raise his head in shame. He thought that people would
consider him timid. But he decided to throw the books even at the risk of his life. Finally he mustered
up his courage and threw them into the river.
9. Did he come to have a feeling for those books once he had got rid of them? OR What are the
feelings of J.C Squire after destroying books?
Ans: After throwing the books into the river, the writer thought sadly about the books. They had settled
down on the thin dark mud in the bottom of the river. They were to remain there and forgotten. After
throwing the books he thought that your fate was perhaps worse than you deserved.
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Unit-6 THE MAN WHO WAS A HOSOITAL
1. How did Jerome K. Jerome come to suspect that his liver was out of order?
Ans: After reading a patent liver-pill circular, Jerome K. Jerome came to suspect that his live was out of
order. In the advertisement, he read all the symptoms detailed by which a man could tell when his
liver was out of order. According to him, he had all the symptoms.
2. What was the disease he discovered he didn’t have?
Ans: The only disease, he discovered, he did not have was housemaid’s knee. When he came to know that
he was not suffering from housemaid’s knee, he became sad. He felt rather hurt. He thought why had
not I got housemaid’s knee? Why this invidious reservation?
3. Was he pleased to find he didn’t have?
Ans: He was not pleased to find he didn’t have. When he came to know that he was not suffering from
housemaid’s knee, he became sad. He felt rather hurt. He thought why had not I got housemaid’s
knee? Why this invidious reservation?
4. What was his first reaction?
Ans: When he came to know that he was not suffering from housemaid’s knee, he became sad. He felt
rather hurt. He thought why had not I got housemaid’s knee? Why this invidious reservation? So, his
first reaction was that of sadness.
5. Why should he be an acquisition to the medical class?
Ans: After finding almost all the diseases in him, he called himself a hospital. He sat and thought what an
interesting case it must be from a medical point of view, what an acquisition he should be class. He
thought that students would have no need to walk the hospital if they had me. All they need to do
would be walk round me, and after that take their diploma.
6. Describe his/Jerome’s visit to the medical man?
Ans: He went to medical man who was his intimate friend. He felt his pulse and looked at his tongue, and
talked about the weather. After examining, the doctor hit the writer over the chest. Then he butted
him with the side of his head. After that, he sat down and wrote out a prescription. He folded it up
and gave it to the Jerome K. Jerome.
7. He thought he was doing the doctor good turn by going to him. Why?
Ans: The writer thought that he was doing well by going to doctor because he was a man who was a
hospital. Doctors usually need practice. The main objective of a doctor is to get practice. So, for
purpose of practice the doctor would not go to the hospital. He would get more practice out of him
than out of seventeen hundreds of ordinary, commonplace patients.
8. What was the prescription given to him by the doctor?
Ans: The doctor gave him the following prescription.
“Eat 1 lb. beefsteak, after every 6 hours.
Ten-mile walk every morning,
Go to bed at 11 sharp every night.
Don’t stuff your mind with things
You don’t understand.
9. Describe his visit to the chemist.
Ans: The write did not open the prescription. He went to the chemist and handed him the prescription. The
chemist read the prescription and then handed it back. He said that he didn’t keep it. The writer said,”
You are a chemist?” He answered that I am a chemist. If I were a co-operative store and family hotel
combined, I might be able to oblige you.
10. What is the significance of the doctor’s advice: don’t stuff your head with things you don’t
understand?
Ans: The doctor’s advice, don’t stuff your head with things you don’t understand is an important and
reasonable. It means that we should not trouble ourselves with the things we don’t understand. If we
try to do the things which we don’t have proper knowledge, the result would be only misperception
and devastation.
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Unit-7 MY FINANCIAL CAREER
1. What light do the following expressions throw on Leacock’s state of mind when he entered the
bank: ‘looked timidly round’, ‘shambled in’?
Ans: When the write entered the bank, he was very nervous. Everything in the bank, the clerks, the wickets
and the sight of money rattled him. The expressions such as ‘looked timidly round’ and ‘shambled’
show that the writer was very confused and rattled. He had no idea to open an account in a bank.
2. Why did the manager come to think that Leacock had an awful secret to reveal?
Ans: When Leacock entered the bank, he behaved in a mysterious manner. He also wanted to meet the
manager alone. Due to these reasons, the manager came to think that Leacock had an awful secret to
reveal.
3. What was the attitude of the manager towards Leacock on learning that he only wished to deposit
56 dollars in the bank?
Ans: When the manager came to know that the writer wanted to deposit only 56 dollars, the manager was
disappointed. His attitude became strict and professional. He got up and opened the door. He also
called the accountant unkindly to deposit his 56 dollars.
4. What other blunders did Leacock commit after leaving the manager’s office?
Ans: After leaving the manager’s office, Leacock committed many blunders in confusion. Firstly, he stepped
into the safe. Secondly, he gave the money to the accountant in an absurd manner. Thirdly, he
deposited 56 dollars instead of 50 dollars. Lastly, instead of writing 6 dollars for the present use he
wrote down 56 dollars to withdraw. These were the blunders committed by the writer in the bank.
5. After this misadventure in the bank where did Leacock keep his money?
Ans: After this misadventure in the bank, Leacock never went to bank to deposit his money. He kept his
money in cash in his trousers. Moreover, he also used to keep his savings in silver dollars in a sock.
6. Give an example as you can to show that Leacock was feeling completely lost in the bank all the
time he was there?
Ans: The whole story is filled with examples of his nervousness. When he entered the bank, he was very
nervous. Everything in the bank, the clerks, the wickets and the sight of money rattled him very much.
Firstly, he stepped into the safe. Secondly, he gave the money to the accountant in an absurd manner.
Thirdly, he deposited 56 dollars instead of 50 dollars. Lastly, instead of writing 6 dollars for the
present use he wrote down 56 dollars to withdraw.
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Unit-8 CHINA’S WAY TO PROGRESS
1. Why has the world changed its attitude towards China?
Ans: China is the third largest country of the world. The world has changed its attitude towards China
because China has started progressing both in socially and economically. China has proved that it a
hardworking nation. The people of China worked hard untidily and China proved itself as a developed
country. At this the world changed its attitude towards China.
2. Discuss Chinese agricultural system.
Ans: China is basically an agricultural country. In China, the agricultural production is growing through the
system of communes. A commune is a small rural community. Its memberswork together in the fields
and share the production of their fields according to their needs. Due to the grand agricultural system,
the production of food is increasing according to the rate of growth of population.
3. How does China rely on its own resources?
Ans: The Chinese people follow the famous maxim of Mao: “Rely on your own forces.” China rely its own
resources and use the national machines and local equipment. Local equipment can produces bigger,
faster, better and cheaper results. People of China also work hard for the collective welfare of all.
4. Describe a day in the life of a Chinese student.
Ans: Je Wen-Siu is a sixteen years old school girl. She is a student of class 3 at a junior school. She tells
about her routine day being a student. She gets up a 6 o’clock in the morning. She does a few chores
in the house. She goes to school at 8 a.m. She has a break at 11 o’clock and goes to home for lunch. At
one thirty she is back at school again until 3 o’clock. Then she goes back home to work till 4 o’clock.
After that she is relax to read the newspaper and listen to the radio. So this is the routine work of all
the students in China.
5. Write a note on the Chinese Women.
Ans: From a Western angle there is a lack of femininity in the Chinese Women. They use no beauty
products. The Chinese women enjoy many social benefits. They work eight hours a day. They enjoy
free hospitalization and medical care. They get fifty six paid holidays before childbirth. They do not
pay any charges for childbirth.
6. What are the social security benefits provided to the Chinese workers?
Ans: All medical and hospital treatment is entirely free for every Chinese worker or peasant, while
members of their family only pay 50 percent. A sick worker receives his total pay cheque for the first
six months after that he receives only 60 percent. Many workers are housed within the factories. In
the agricultural communes housing is completely free for all Chinese workers. Certain small expenses
such as cinema, theatre, haircuts and work overalls are also sometimes non-existent for Chinese
workers.
7. “It is the people and not the things that are decisive.” Discuss.
Ans: Moa says that it is the people and not the things that are decisive. This phrase denies the modern
concept that excessive population is a burden on state. In the modern age of technology, machines
are given importance. But the Chinese prefer the benefit of man to the benefit of machines. They
follow the way of cooperation, service and devotion. They know that if people work together they can
change their fate.
8. “The heart of the matter is the need to root out selfishness.”Discuss.
Ans: Thomas Hobbes in his book ‘Leviathan’ wrote: “Man fights against man to succeed.” The Chinese have
proved it wrong. They work for the benefits of all. They work for the collective benefits. They know
that if people work together they can change their fate.
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Unit-9 HUNGER AND POPULATION EXPLOSION
1. What does hunger mean on a large scale as viewed by the author?
Ans: According to Anna Mckenzie, hunger does not mean missing one meal or even meals for a whole day.
Hunger means never having enough to eat. It means, when you have had something to eat at least so
much again. It also means a situation in which the food does not satisfy the needs of the people and
they do not know where the next meal would come from.
2. Describe some great famines of the past.
Ans: Famines have been taking place since the beginning of time. We read in the Bible of many cases of
famine. There were seven years of famine in Egypt and surrounding countryside during the time of
Prophet Joseph (A.S). Europe had faced a famine every five years. England had faced a famine every
ten years. The famines of china, India and Bengal are also very famous in history. Millions of
peoplehad died in these famines. .
3. How do famines occur?
Ans: The famines may be caused by many things. The failure of food crops causes famines. Sometimes,
crops fail due to some disease. Sometimes, the crops fail due to the lack of rain. Sometimes, crops fail
due to floods and it may cause to famine.
4. What is the main reason for population increase today?
Ans: The birth-rate shows the speed with which babies are born. The death-rate shows the speed with
which people die. If the birth-rate is higher than the death-rate, the population increases. Hence,
birth-rate and death-rate have a great effect on the population of a country.
5. What is meant by birth-rate and death-rate, and how to do they affect the population of a country.
Ans: The birth-rate shows the speed with which babies are born. The death-rate shows the speed with
which people die. If the birth-rate is higher than the death-rate, the population increases. Hence,
birth-rate and death-rate have a great effect on the population of a country.
6. What have public health measures to do with increase in population?
Ans: The public health measures have controlled diseases. Therefore, death-rate has been reduced. The
decline in death-rate has caused the increase in population.
7. Account for the high birth rate in under-developed countries?
Ans: In the under-developed countries, most of the people are ignorant. They do not realize the problems
of a big family. They continue to produce children. Thus they cause high birth-rate. This is happening
due to lack of education.
8. Why is birth rate not so high in the more advanced countries?
Ans: In advanced countries, people are usually educated. They know the problems of big families. The
people are aware of the fact that increase in population may cause problems and sufferings and may
become a burden on the economy of the country. They have encouraged the limitation of the size of
their family. Therefore, they control the size of their families.
9. Give a brief account of the poor economic conditions prevailing in under-developed countries.
Ans: The under-developed countries face very poor economic condition. These countries face the problems
of poverty and low literacy-rate. There are also lack of factories and other industrial units in these
countries. . They lack medical facilities and means of communication and transportation. In short,
they lack modern facilities altogether.
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Unit-10 THE JEWELS OF THE WORLD
1. Give an account of the early career of Abd-al-Rahman I, his dramatic escape and his adventures in
Africa.
Ans: On the arrival of enemies, Abd-al-Rahman a striking young man swam across the river to save his life.
In North Africa, he had to face many dangers. Five years later, he reached Ceuta. His maternal uncles
lived in North Africa. They offered him refuge.
2. How did Abd-al-Rahman deal with the governor appointed by the Abbasid caliph to contest his
rule?
Ans: The Abbasid caliph in Baghdad appointed a governor of Spain. Two years later, he received a gift from
Abd-al-Rahman. This was the head of the governor wrapped in a black flag and the letter of
appointment. The caliph was wonderstruck by this action.
3. What did the Abbasid caliph say on receiving the head of his governor?
Ans: When the Abbasid caliph received the head of his governor, he became terrified. He said, "Thanks to
Allah for having placed the sea between us and such a foe!” This reflects his fear which he felt at that
time.
4. What Abd-al-Rahmando to make himself strong and to beauty his capital?
Ans: Abd-al-Rahman developed a well-disciplined, high trained army of above 40,000 or more Berbers. In
773, he discontinued the Friday sermon delivered in the name of the Abbasid caliph and assumed the
title of Amir for himself. Thus he shook off the authority of the caliph. He also tried to beautify his
capital, Cordova. A palace and garden was built there and numberless plants were grown there for
beautification.
5. Give an account of the all-round progress made by the Arabs under Abd-al-Rahman-III.
Ans: In the reign of Abd-al-Rahman-III, Cordova became the most cultured city of Europe. Leather industry
made a flying start there. Wool and silk were woven there. Glassware, brass work and pottery were
introduced there. Agriculture and industry made a lot of progress in Arab.
6. What did Al-Hakam do to promote learning and scholarship in his kiandom?
Ans: Al-Hakam himself was a great scholar. He set up 27 free schools in his capital. He enlarged the
Mosque which housed the University of Cordova. He invited professors from the East to teach and
uplift the University. He also gathered 400,000 books in the library of Cordova.
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PART-II
Unit-11 FIRST YEAR AT HARROW
1. The writer says that the examiners ask question which students cannot answer and not those which
they can answer. Is the complaint just?
Ans: Due to my opinion the writer’s complaint is not just. It is the complaint of the dull and sluggish
students. The examiners have to set one question paper for all students according to the syllabus. The
hardworking students can answer any question asked in the exam but he can’t. Moreover, the writer
did not like Latin and Mathematics and the examiners set the paper according to these subject. The
writer had no interest in these subjects. That is why; he is not able to solve the paper.
2. What sorts of questions are asked by your examiners?
Ans: Questions based on Board Pattern are asked by my examiners. The questions asked by my examiners
are moderate not very simple not very tough. Any good type of student can get good marks if he
works hard. If the students do not study proper they will fail in the end.
3. Why did not Churchill do well in the examinations?
Ans: Examinations were a great trial for Churchill. Churchill did not like Latin and Mathematics. He liked to
be examined in history, poetry and essay writing. The examiners, on the other hand, were partial to
Latin and Mathematics. That is why; he did not do well in the examinations.
4. How did he do his Latin paper?
Ans: Churchill did not do his Latin Paper well. He was given two hours to solve the Latin paper. He was
unable to answer a single question in that paper. He wrote his name at the top of the page of answer
sheet. He just wrote down the number of the question ‘I’. After much reflection, he put a bracket
around it thus ‘(I). But thereafter he could not think of anything connected with paper. Then
unknowingly, he put a blot and many smudges on the paper. At the end, examiner collected his paper.
5. Churchill was taught English at Harrow and not Latin and Greek. Was it a gain or loss?
Ans: Latin and Greek were taught to only brilliant and intelligent students. English was taught to the dull
and weak students. Churchill was not the brilliant and excellent student. Therefore, he was taught
only English. His English teacher Mr. Somervell taught him very well. He became a good writer and
was able to earn his livelihood easily. So, it is a good gain for Churchill.
6. What good did his three years stay at Harrow do him?
Ans: Churchill stayed at Harrow for three years. He was placed in the third, or the lowest division of the
fourth and he remained in this position for three years. He learnt and practised English Grammar very
well and three times more than every student. All the rules of grammar were at his finger tips. That is
why, he became a good writer.
7. In after years how did the knowledge of English stand him in good stead?
Ans: In after years, the knowledge of English stood him in a very good stead. He had a lot of advantage of
having English knowledge very well. He wrote many outstanding essays. He became a good writer and
was able to earn his livelihood easily. He became a successful politician as well. So, it is a good gain for
Churchill to learn English knowledge.
8. Write an appreciation or criticism on Churchill’s views in regard to the study of Latin, Greek and
English and their value in earning a living.
Ans: Churchill believes that Latin and Greek are highly valuable languages. Clever and the bright students
should learn Latin as an honour and Greek as a treat. On the other hand all of them should also learn
English as it is an international language. Naturally he is biased in favour of boys learning English.
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Unit-12 HITCH HIKING ACROSS THE SAHARA
1. Give an idea of the size of Sahara. How does it compare with England?
Ans: The full Sahara area is stretching almost the complete width of North Africa. It is many times the size
of Great Britain. If a giant were to pick England up and put it down in the middle of Sahara desert, we
should have quite a task to find it. Basically, it is much huge than the England. It covers thousands of
miles, and is mostly unpopulated.
2. What had Christopher’s foster-mother to do with his desire to see distant places?
Ans: When Christopher was a child, every time he was naughty. His foster-mother used to threaten to send
him to Timbuktu. Timbuktu was an ancient city in the heart of French Africa. It was a distant place.
Instead of alarming him, the idea aroused in him a keen desire to see this distant place.
3. How did he manage to get a seat in the weapons carrier?
Ans: When Christopher was travelling in a desert truck which was very slow, he saw a fast moving
weapons’ carrier overtaking. Christopher stopped it and begged lieutenant in charge to relieve him
from the misery of slowly baking to death at twenty miles an hour. The lieutenant pointed out that
strict military regulations forbade the carrying the civilians. Christopher replied by producing a permit
from the War Ministry giving him permission to join the French Foreign Legion. In this way he
managed to get a seat in the weapons carrier.
4. What was the most noticeable feature of the desert city, named Ghardaia?
Ans: When he was dropped at the town of Ghardaia, he saw flies everywhere in the town. He stated that
anything that has the remotest relationship with food was constantly and completely covered with
flies. In the street, he saw many children who seemed to be wearing masks of flies. So, it was the
most noticeable feature of Ghardaia to him.
5. How did they manage to drive the heavy truck in the trackless desert with its soft sand?
Ans: When they were travelling to El-Golea on a loaded heavy truck, it was very difficult to drive the heavy
truck in the trackless desert with its soft sand. Whenever the sand was become too soft to bear the
weight of the heavy truck, they managed ten-foot strips of steel mesh to make a runway and drag the
truck. When they reached harder ground, the strips were collected up and dragged forward to the
waiting truck.
6. What did the driver of the truck tell Christopher about three Englishmen who had attempted to
cross the desert?
Ans: The driver of the truck told the Christopher about the death incident of three Englishmen who had
attempted to cross the desert. He told the Christopher that their car had become stuck in a sand dune
and three days later their bodies were found dried up like leaves. They had drained the radiator in
their desperate thirst, and one of them tried to drink the oil from the crank-case.
7. Give an account of the little town, named El Golea, and compare it with in Salah, bringing out of the
difference between the two.
Ans: El Golea was a fascinating little town, a true oasis with so much water to drink. There was a little pool
half a kilometer from the center of the town, shaded by palm-trees and fruit-trees. On the other hand,
 In Salah was being swallowed by the desert. It was a frightening thing to see. Sand was slowly
covering the palm-trees. The quality of water was not good there. Many people had left their homes.
8. What do you know of Professor Claude Balanguernon?
Ans: Professor Claude Balanguernon was a remarkable Frenchman who had devoted his life to help the
Tuareg people. He succeeded in convincing them that education would be useful to them. Moreover,
he acted himself as Christopher’s guide, host and friend while he was in Tamanrasset. With his help
Christopher was able to spend a week in the encampment of the TuaregAmenokal King. He also saved
Christopher’s life in Abbangarit.
9. Describe the events leading to the killing of a camel. What sort of water did they get from its
stomach?
Ans: When Christopher and his companions started their journey from Tamantasset to Timbuuktu, They
had run short of water there. They searched all the nearby waterholes but found them dry. They
decided to kill a camel and collect water from its stomach to drink. They got a greenish fluid, like thin
blood which had bad taste.
10. Describe the journey through the land of Thirst and Death.
Ans: The reign of Kidal through which they were passing was known as the Land of Thirst and Death. It was
an area notorious for sandstorms as well for dried-up waterholes. They saw twenty large vultures
there. There, a snake also attacked Christopher but it could not bite him.
11. Describe the stay at In Abbangarit. How did Christopher manage to get water there?
Ans: There was no village in Abbangarit to stay. The only building was a bordj which was simple mud
structure to stay. The well was about 275 meters away. When he reached there, he found that water was 46
meters below. He had no rope and bucket to draw water from the well. He had a recoding machine having
305 meters long wire. He twisted seven strands of the wire and prepared a thin wire that could be pulled out
only a cup of water. In this way, he managed to collect water.
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Unit-13 SIR ALEXANDER FLEMIG
1. What are antiseptics and what is the antiseptic method?
Ans: Antiseptic are chemicals used for killing germs. Before the discovery of penicillin carbolic acid and
iodine were used to kill the germs. Antiseptic method means to prevent germs from entering into the
body and to destroy the germs if they have infected the wound.
2. What was the chief defect of antiseptic method?
Ans: The chief defect of the antiseptic method was that it destroyed white blood cells along with the germs
of the disease. It did more harm than good. Sometimes, its strong dose could kill the patient.
3. What part is played by the white cells in the blood of a human body?
Ans: The white blood cells are the body’s natural armour against disease. When germs enter a body they
are attacked by white blood cells. Disease is in fact a fight between White blood cells and germs. This
fight between the germs and the white cells ends only with the death of the germs or the death of the
patient.
4. Give an account of the early life of Fleming.
Ans: Alexander Fleming was born on a farm near Darvel, in Ayrshire, on August 6, 1881. He was the
youngest of a family of eight. He studied at Darvel School, Kilmarnock Academy and the Regent Street
Polytechnic. He worked in Leaden Hall Street for four years and at twenty, he joined a medical college.
He worked in Wright’s Laboratory for eight years and in 1914, he joined R.A.M.C. In 1928, he was
appointed Professor of Bacteriology in the University of London.
5. Describe how Fleming discovered penicillin.
Ans: In 1928 Fleming was appointed Professor of Bacteriology in the University of London. In his laboratory
at St. Mary’s he was carrying out a series of experiments on the common germs. He was growing
colonies of the germs on plates spread with agar. By chance, a mould spore or fungus dropped on the
plate. Having settled on the culture plate, the mould began to grow and microbes began to disappear.
Fleming performed further experiments and came to know that he had discovered another natural
antiseptic. He called it penicillin.
6. In what respect is penicillin better than the chemical antiseptics.
Ans: Carbolic acid and other chemical antiseptics, no doubt, killed the germs but they, at the same time,
killed the while cells of the blood. Penicillin was a natural antiseptic. It could kill the germs without
doing any harm to the white cells of the blood. In this respect penicillin is better than the chemical
antiseptics.
7. What do you know of the Oxford team?
Ans: The Oxford team was headed by Professor Howard Florey and Dr. E.B Chain. The team included
trained chemists and bacteriologist. Their job was to concentrate penicillin. They had all equipped.
They worked together and struggled very hard to give Fleming’s discovery a practical shape. In 1941,
they succeeded in producing a practical concentration of penicillin.
8. How did they make penicillin more effective?
Ans: In its crude from, penicillin was quite unstable. In such form, it could not be used in the treatment of
disease. Fleming could not concentrate penicillin because he lacked necessary equipment and
training. The Oxford team made penicillin more effective by concentrating it.
9. Write a note on penicillin as a wonder drug.
Ans: As a wonder drug, penicillin saved countless lives during the World War-II. So, penicillin proved a
wonder drug. It was found very useful in wound infection. It not only killed the germs but also
strengthened the white cells of the blood.
10. Was Fleming proud of his discovery?
Ans: Fleming was not proud of his discovery. He protested that such gratitude was not due to him. He
protested vigorously against the idea that penicillin was a man-made invention. He said that he had
not done anything. He declared that Nature made penicillin and he only discovered it and he
discovered it by chance. This shows his humility.
11. Why couldn’t penicillin have been discovered in the research laboratories of America?
Ans: Penicillin could never have been discovered in the research laboratories of America because the
research laboratories of America were gleaming, dustless, air conditioned and sterilized. The culture-
plates of these laboratories were never uncovered so they could never allow the spores of a common
mould to enter there.
12. Fleming’s achievement paved the way for other discoveries in the medical field. What are they?
Ans: Fleming achievement was not only the discovery of penicillin. It also paved the way for so many other
discoveries in the field of medical science. His achievement also encouraged other scientists to
discover new antibiotics like streptomycin.
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Unit-14 LOUIS PASTEUR
1. Describe the early life of Pasteur?
Ans: Louis Pasteur was born at Dole in the Jura district of France in 1822. He was sent to a school at the
Communal College. After that he went to Besancon. Here he graduated in Science and Arts and was
 given a post on the College Staff. In 1848, at the age of twenty-six he became Deputy Professor of
Chemistry in the University of Strasburg and here he met his future wife, who was the daughter of the
Rector of the Strasburg University.
2. Give some instances of Pasteur’s patriotism.
Ans: Louis Pasteur was a patriot. In 1848, When Europe was politically upheaved, Pasteur enrolled himself
in the National Guard. Once, he placed all his worldly wealth-150 Frances on an altar for the sake of
his country. In 1870, he returned his medical degree to the University of Boon because Germany was
at war with his country France.
3. What do you mean by spontaneous generation?
Ans: Spontaneous generation means that life can automatically come into being from non-living things. It is
also called autogenesis. Pasteur proved this idea wrong.
4. How did Pasteur prove that spontaneous generation was not a fact?
Ans: Louis Pasteur proved that spontaneous generation was not a fact. He proved it by doing an
experiment. In his experiment he proved that life cannot be produced automatically. He declared that
if a substance is sufficiently heated to destroy all germs in it and air is in contact made free of germs, it
does not develop any life.
5. Describe the importance and popularity of the silkworm industry in France. What help did Pasteur
render in curing the silkworm disease in the country?
Ans: Silkworm industry was very popular and important industry in France. This country used to earn a
huge foreign exchange through this industry. Every family had a room from raising silkworms. A
disease had flopped whole industry. Pasteur was commissioned by the government to diagnose the
disease. He researched it and directed that over-crowding, uncleanliness, overheating and unhealthy
conditions be avoided. The people acted upon his advice and the industry flourished once again.
6. How did Pasteur discover the treatment of the cattle disease, Anthrax?
Ans: In 1877, Pasteur began to examine the cattle-disease named Anthrax. He injected weak germs of this
disease into a healthy animal’s blood. He proved that it was due to a germ. He cultivated the Anthrax
bacillus in a mild form and used it as a vaccine to protect the animals from the disease. This protective
treatment saved millions of animals.
7. How did Pasteur discover the method of making vaccines?
Ans: In 1879, Pasteur was working at fowl-cholera. On his return from business, he found the germs dead
or dying. He injected the mixture of strong and weak germs into various birds. The birds fell slightly ill
but recovered. He concluded that weakened germs could fight against the attack of active germs. This
combination of weakened germs was called vaccine.
8. Give an account of Pasteur’s treatment of Hydrophobia and how he cured the first patient suffering
from it.
Ans: Hydrophobia is a disease produced by the bite of a mad dog. It is also known as rabies. A child bitten
by a mad dog was brought to Pasteur. He injected him with the vaccine of hydrophobia for ten days
and he was completely cured. Afterwards it was used in so many cases with great success.
9. How did Pasteur show the way to other scientists? Give an account of the discoveries.
Ans: Pasteur’s work stimulated the other scientists to invent the cures for other diseases. Between 1880
and 1890, they succeeded in discovering the germs of consumption,diphtheria, typhoid, lock-Jaw,
Cholera and Malta fever. Thus Pasteur’s work brought the facts of disease and death from the realm
of supernatural to the realm of nature.
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 Unit-15 MUSTAFA KAMAL
1. What was the attitude of the Turkish government towards the Allies after World War-I?
Ans: After World War-I, the Turkish Government hailed the Allies forces as deliverers. The government in
Istanbul and the Padishah were eager to co-operate with the Allies to ensure cease-fire. They thought
that co-operation with them was in the best interest of the nation and the country.
2. Why was Mustafa Kamal sent to Anatolia?
Ans: The province of Anatolia showed signs of resistance against the Allied Force. Week by week little
encounters between the patriots and the Allied Forces increased. This caused concentration not only
among the Anatolia but in Istanbul itself too. So on May 15, 1919, Mustafa Kamal, a young capable
soldier, was sent to Anatolia as Governor General of the Eastern Provinces to cope with the situation.
3. What was the reaction of the Turkish patriots to the intention of the Allies to partition the Ottoman
Empire?
Ans: When on the 15th of the May, 1919, the Allies decided to dismember the Ottomon Empire the Turkus
patriots reacted intensely. Even the Turkish friends of Allies became angry when they came to know
that the great seaport Izmir and the rich province of Ayedin were to be occupied by the Greeks.
4. Write a note on Mustafa Kamal’s activities in Anatolia.
Ans: In Anatolia, Mustafa Kamal had meeting with patriots and succeeded in uniting the separated Turkish
army. He urged the patriots to build up a National Army. He motivated the people for revolt. For this
purpose he also visited villages and towns to unite the patriots.
5. Why did Mehmet order Mustafa Kamal to return to Constantinople?
Ans: Mustafa Kamal started guerrilla war against the Greeks. He urged the patriots to build up a National
Army. He motivated the people for revolt. At this moment the Turkish King had realized his fault of
sending Mustafa Kamal to Anatolia. He was against resistance. He ordered Mustafa Kamal to return to
Istanbul. However, Mustafa Kamal refused to return. He, on the other hand, advised the King to come
over Anatolia to lead the resistance movement himself to save himself, the Turkish throne and the
Turkish people.
6. What was Mustafa Kamal’s reply?
Ans: When Mustafa Kamal received the orders of the Turkish King to return to Istanbul, he very
emphatically refused to abide by these orders. He stated that he would stay in Anatolia until the
nation won its independence. This was, indeed, a momentous reply in the history of Ottoman Empire.
7. How did Mehmet try to regain Anatolia for himself?
Ans: When Mehmet saw that Mustafa Kamal did not carry out his command, he tried to regain Anatolia by
diplomacy and cunningness. He did not want the patriots to continue their activities against the Allies.
So the King Mehmet declared that he was willing to form a representative Government in the capital.
8. Why did his/ Mehmet’s plan fail?
Ans: The Turkish King, Mehmet’s plan failed. Only few people were entrapped by the idea of the National
Assembly at Istanbul. This gave a free hand to Mustafa Kamal to unite the scattered people. Thus, in
1920, King’s plan failed and Mustafa Kamal succeeded in assembling the Grand National at Ankara.
9. What were the terms offered to Turkey by the Allies?
Ans: As the month of May, 1920 was drawing to its close the Allies published the terms of peace which
they were willing to make with Mehmet-IV. In the terms Istanbul was to be under the control of
Britain, France and Italy. It was said that all the Arab provinces were to be Mandated Territories. The
Eastern Anatolia, Izmir and Ciciliaware to be added to the state of Armenia, Greece and France
Respectively.
10. Give an account of the Greek attack and its defeat.
Ans: On the 21st August, 1921, the Greeks attacked Izmir. In the mountain country above the Sakaryariver,
some fifty kilo-meters west of Ankara the two valiant people fought almost man to man for fourteen
days under the burning heat of the sun. On the 12th of September, the Greeks started to withdraw.
Izmir was full of refuges of Greek and Armenian population. On 9th September 1922, Mustafa Kamal
entered Izmir. Three days after the change of government, fire broke out in several parts of the city at
once and the greater part of Izmir was reduced to ashes.
11. Give an account of the departure of Mehmet from Istanbul.
Ans: It was the 17thof November, 1922. A British motor ambulance drew up at the side-door of the palace
where Mehmet was staying.Some baggage wasbrought out of the palace and placed in the car. An
elderly man followed. A British Officer the old man’s umbrella as he entered the vehicle. The door was
closed when a British officer took king’s umbrella in his hand and the ambulance drove away. Thus the
last Sultan was on his way to exile.
12. Describe the reforms introduced by Mustafa Kamal with reference to (1) the position of women, (2)
removal of illiteracy, (3) change in dresses, (4) adoption of the Roman script and (5) the industrial
and economic development.
Ans: Mustafa Kamal introduced many reforms in several fields of life. Mustafa Kamal insisted upon the
women’s rightful place in society. He worked for their education and abolished their veil. He planned
to educate all the people and went from village to village educating the people with chalk in his hand.
In this regard, he simplified the language and adopted the Roman script. To create equality among
people, he changed the dress. And above all, he made many plans for the industrial and economic
progress.
13. Sum up in a few sentences the work of Mustafa Kamal as a great nation-builder.
Ans: Mustafa Kamal was a founder and saviour of Turkey. He rendered great services to his nation and
country. He liberated Turkey from the Allies. He turned to the arts of peace. He starts a five-year plan
to bring about great development in almost all the fields of life. That is why, he is regarded not only
the saviour of the country but also a great reformer.
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Unit-16 A DIALOGUE
1. What type of news was there in the newspaper?
Ans: In the newspaper, there was published the news of another incident of child abuse in the same
week.This was the second incident in the same week. This news made Farasat and Saleem sad and
depressed.
2. Why did Farasat and Saleem become sad after reading the news?
Ans: Farasat and Saleem read the news about child abuse published in the newspaper. This was the second
incident in the same week. This news made Farasat and Saleem sad and depressed.
3. Describe the four categories of the child abuse.
Ans: The four categories of child abuse are as follows: neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse and sexual
abuse.
4. How can we overcome child abuse?
Ans: We can overcome child abuse by preparing families mentally to protect their children. They should be
prepared to fulfill their physical, social and emotional needs.
5. What are the basic rights of children in Islam?
Ans: Islam says that children should be fed, clothed and protected properly. They should be brought up in
good environment. They should be given good education. They should also be trained to face the
difficulties of life bravely.
6. What are the threats to the children living in war-zones of the world?
Ans: In war-zones children face injuries and death. They cannot move to safe places. They are forced to
join the warring groups.
7. How can parents, teachers and media perform their duties to eliminate this evil of child abuse from
the society?
Ans: Parents should educate their children. The teachers should tell the children how to be safe from being
abused. Media should foster safe environment for children.
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END