Sharing Tradition Exercise : Summary and Question Answers

Full exercise of Sharing Tradition : Summary and Question Answers | Literature | Class 11 English Notes SBN ONLINE SCHOOL

Sharing Tradition

Understanding the text

Answer the following questions.

a. According to LaPena, what is the importance of the oral tradition? To what extent do you agree with his opinions and why?

Frank Lapena, the writer of this essay give more importance in the oral tradition. According to him, the tradition followed by our elders must be passed from generation to generation orally. It helps to maintain our cultural resource.

Yes, I agree with his opinion because oral tradition helps the young generation to know about the lifestyle. Social, cultural environment of our elders in the past moreover, they can know about their family history. Our culture is our identity simply oral tradition helps people to preserve their identity.

b. Who preserve and pass on the oral tradition?

Oral tradition is a form of human communication in which knowledge, culture, traditions, ideas etc. are transmitted orally from one generation to another generation. Its duty of every to preserve and promote to pass on their tradition because they are experienced one.

c. What is the danger of not passing on information from generation to generation?

If the information from one generation to generation is not passed then there will not be perseverance of cultural environment i.e. following festivals, religion etc. our identity and values will be no more left.

d. What is the difference between oral tradition and literary tradition?

The difference between oral tradition and literary tradition is that in an oral tradition information related to culture and values are transmitted from generation to generation through oral means whereas in literary tradition information is transmitted through written means.

e. How does LaPena establish a relationship between art and the oral tradition?

Both art and the oral tradition are the form of communication in which the author or story teller tries to convey a message to the listener/reader. LaPena presents the oral tradition as the source of our inspiration for art. He says that the oral tradition has an impact on how one visualizes the stories, the characters, the designs and color for art.

Reference to the context

a. LaPena states that the oral tradition helps maintain the values of a culture. If you believe that the oral tradition is important, how would you maintain it?

It is true that oral tradition helps maintain the values of a culture. I would maintain oral tradition in the following ways:-

i) I would save the original tape as well as the transcript of the interview that were given by old peoples.

ii) I would pay much more attention to the things that the elders are willing to share with us.

iii) I may start a project on preserverance of our oral tradition.

iv) I would perform different street dramas about our oral tradition.

v) In my old age I would try to share my views and ideas that I know about oral tradition. I would like to share it with the next generation.

b. “Not everyone is capable of fulfilling the roles of the elders.” Explain this statement with reference to the essay.

Yes, obviously not everyone is capable of fulfilling the rules of elders. Elders are the old aged persons. On the one hand everyone who lives long enough automatically becomes an elder.

According, to my view of point to be an elder one should live for long years. And to fulfill the roles of elders, the elders should have better views, knowledge about the past traditions. We know that all the elders are not of same type. Some may have followed their traditions from their young age and some may not have followed their traditions from their young age which means the one who has not followed traditions from their young age, they do not know much more about the tradition.

So, to fulfill the responsibilities of the elders, the elders should be specialized, they should have to know much more things about past tradition. So, they could pass to us. If they don’t know anything about the tradition than they pass us the knowledge, views and ideas. Hence, “not everyone is capable of fulfilling the rules of elders.”

c. What is the controlling idea or thesis of this essay?

The controlling ideas or thesis of this essay is to preserve and protect our tradition. Whatever our tradition are that we follow always should be preserve. The persons of next to next generation should also follow their tradition, they should be well known about the tradition that we are following and the same type of tradition they should also follow. Coming to present generation, many people does not know some traditions, they already forget and some traditions have already been disappear and stopped. So, to preserve and protect our tradition this essay is written.

d. How do topic sentences guide the reader through the essay? What would be lost without them?

The topic sentence relates to the thesis, or main point of the essay guides the reader by signposting what the paragraph is about. All the sentences in the rest of the paragraph should relate to the topic sentence. An effective topic sentence combines a main idea with the writer’s personal attitude or opinion. It serves to orient the reader and provides an indication of what will follow in the rest of paragraph. If there is no topic sentences then the main point of a paragraph can’t be expressed and hence the reader can understand the main thesis or controlling idea of paragraph.

e. What are the four major problems developed by LaPena with regard to maintaining the oral tradition. How are they used to structure the essay?

The four major problems developed by LaPena with regard to maintaining the oral tradition are as follows:

– Some of the elders have played ideal and special roles in preserving the values. And it is hard to fill their places.

– The youngsters do not show enough interest in listening to and asking the elders.

– It is hard to maintain traditions in changing times when new technologies destroy old values.

– There is no authentic sharing between the generations. Modern research may not collect true data about the oral contents of tradition. Once wrong information is published, correction is difficult.

Reference beyond the text

a. Write a paragraph or two explaining your attitude toward the oral tradition of passing along information.

Oral tradition is one of the effective practices for all the people of this world to maintain and preserve the culture and values of tradition. It is also an art form as it takes its subject matters from our tradition. There is an important role of both the elders and young people perform their vital roles in maintaining and preserving the culture and values of tradition through passing authentic information from generation to generation.

I believe that it helps to share and transmit ancestors’ culture, skill and knowledge to next generation. Next generation gets a chance to know past culture and tradition. They will understand that our culture is our true identity. So my attitude towards the oral tradition is positive. I believe that if we lose our culture, we will lose our identity and existence. We will suffer from the problem of identity crisis. Our culture and tradition are a living experience. Without it, we will lose our true identity. So, we must preserve, follow and transmit it from one generation to next to save its existence.

b. Our culture is our identity. Write a few paragraphs explaining how you intend to preserve your culture, values and norms.

Yes, it is true that our culture is our identity. Cultural traditions and perspectives have shaped who we are. The way we are determined to our cultural values, reveals who we are. If we lose our culture, we will lose our identity and existence. So its our duty to preserve our culture, values and norms.

I intend to preserve my culture, values and norms doing the following activities:

1. Celebrating every ceremony related to my culture.

2. Making people aware of the importance of our culture, values and norms.

3. Promoting cultural and traditional events in my community.

4. Forming an organization related to cultural heritage.

5. Sharing information related to the culture and values of my tradition.

In conclusion, cultural preservation is vital. It preserves a sense of unity and belonging among people of a specific community. So, the forefathers passed much cultural heritage to the new generation. Cultural preservation’s future is at risk. Because of today’s busy lifestyles and intense social responsibilities. Preservation of cultural heritage requires the protection of our cultural heritage. Above all, sharing your cultural heritage is the best way to preserve it. Future generations can live according to their ancestor’s values by preserving cultural heritage. Cultural heritage is a constitutional right that the constitution should protect.

How to Live Before You Die Exercise : Summary and Question Answers

Understanding the text

Answer the following questions.

a. What is the story about Steve Jobs’ birth?

Steve Jobs was given birth by an unwed college graduate student. She decided to put her baby for adoption during her pregnancy. She wanted her baby to be adopted by an educated family. Initially, a lawyer’s family was ready to adopted Steve Jobs. But when he was born the lawyer’s family insisted to adopt him as they had changed their minds to adopt a girl. Later a mechanic named Paul Jobs, and his wife, Clara Jobs adopted him with a promise that one day they would sent him in college to study.

b. What does he mean when he says, “you can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards”?

By saying “you can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards”, he wants to make it clear to all of us that our success and failures rely on how we learn lessons from our past experience. Life is full of suspenses and anything can happen at any time. Everyone has been failure once in a life. Learning from the failures and building up ourselves helps to get success in future. Taking his example, he had also faced a lot of failures in his life. He was dumped by his girlfriend. He also failed to get job at McKinsey. He wasted his four precious years without getting support from anyone. But he became successful at last. It proves that in our life, we shouldn’t be worried about our failure instead we should learn from it because one day all the dots (our experience) will be connected to bring something great.

c. What happened when Steve Jobs turned 30?

When Steve Jobs turned 30, the board of directors fired him from his own company.

d. Jobs contends that you need to love to do what you do in order to be great at it. Do you agree or disagree? Why?

Yes, I agree with his views that we must love what we do to become great because continuous effort and hard work is required to carve our path to be success.

e. Is death really life’s greatest invention?

Yes, death is life’s greatest invention, death is inevitable and nobody lives forever. Nobody wants to die, but everyone shares this intellectual concept. Instead of being worried about death, one should look how he/she could do great until they survive.

Reference to the context

a. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: “We have an unexpected baby boy; do you want him?” They said: “Of course.”

i. Who was the baby boy?

Steve Jobs was the baby boy.

ii. What does ‘do you want him?’ mean?

‘Do you want him?’ It is a question related to the adoption of Steve Jobs to his parents Paul and Clara Jobs, who were on the waiting list to adopt the baby.

iii. Who does ‘they’ refer to?

‘They’ refer to Mr. Paul Jobs and Mrs. Clara Jobs.

b. Explain the following lines:

i. “You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever.”

This line was said by Steve Jobs in his speech at Stanford University. Here he advises everyone to believe in ourselves. We have to build up self-motivation as no one is going to do it for us. If we believe in ourselves and have faith nothing can stop us from being successful.

ii. “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.”

Through this line the speaker is trying to convey that our life is limited and we shouldn’t be trapped by other’s principle. This can misguide us. We must listen to our own inner voice and utilize the time properly so that we could be the person what we want to be.

c. What does he mean by “don’t settle”?

By “don’t settle” he means that we should not accept something which isn’t as good as it is meant to be. We should keep on putting our efforts until and unless we get the result we are searching for. Instead of running behind the success, we should go for the excellence. If we are excellent, success automatically comes to us.

d. Which style of speech is used by the speaker to persuade the audience?

The speaker uses a personal and informal style of expression that appears to be of narrative type to persuade the audience. The speech is short and simple, and heavily based on encouragement and he tries to motivate the audience with his real life stories.

e. It is not easy to motivate others. How do you think Steve Jobs’ speech is so inspiring?

Steve Jobs’ speech is emotional, passionate, inspirational and simply structured. It is so inspiring because of his act of delivering real life stories in his speech to motivate his audience. Each of the three stories from Jobs’ life involves struggle or sacrifice. His speech encourages people to continue on the path of progress regardless of the family background they belong to. His life story is relatable to the many middle class peoples. He told us about how he struggled in his life to achieve success in his speech because of which I found it to be so inspiring.

f. Why do you think Steve Jobs used the personal narrative story telling technique in his speech? What influence does it have on the audiences?

I think Steve Jobs used the personal narrative storytelling technique in his speech to motivate his audiences. His speech contains several facts related to hardships, difficulties and struggles of life. It has a very positive influence on audiences. His speech gives a chance to audiences to know about what it takes to achieve a successful life in real sense.

Reference beyond the text

a. One of Steve Jobs mottos was: ‘Think differently’. Can this make a person succeed in life? What challenges are there in thinking differently?

Yes, thinking differently can make a person successful in life. We have to think differently and act differently in order to achieve success. Doing the thing that is already done by other or following the path that is already followed by other can’t help us to gain success. Thinking differently is not an easy task. For this one should get into the real world and learn from the past activities. If we have different way of thinking then other people may find us to be crazy and they may demotivate us saying that it’s not going to work. We should believe in ourselves, build up the self-confidence and do not run on other principles to become successful in our life.

b. What does the slogan “Stay hungry; stay foolish” mean to you?

The slogan “Stay hungry; stay foolish” means being prepared for accepting anything that comes to our life and working regularly to fulfill our dreams, wishes and desires. People stop after achieving a certain point in their life. We should not do that. Rather than that we should always dream higher and run behind it.

c. What does it mean to be a visionary? What makes Steve Jobs different from a fortune teller?

Being a visionary means to have a good vision or prospect for the future. Steve Jobs is quite different from a fortune teller in the sense that a fortune teller only predicts about people’s life but people like Steve Jobs lead the society with new visions. They set the direction of future and work hard to get there. Their dream is to change the present situation of the world and make it better. Visionaries like Jobs not only think about self but also about the society.

What I Require from Life Exercise : Summary and Question Answers

Full exercise of What I Require from Life : Summary and Question Answers | Literature | Class 11 English Notes SBN ONLINE SCHOOL

What I Require From Life

Understanding the text

Answer the following questions.

a. How does the writer distinguish between a peaceful age and a heroic age?

The writer distinguishes between a peaceful age and a heroic age by making a comparison between them. He recalls his birth time a peaceful age and the time of 1914, when the First World War took place as heroic age.

b. Why does the writer want more freedom of speech than most people?

The writer wants more freedom of speech than most people to express and explain what he feels about the society. He wants freedom of speech to tell the public about the issues like medicines, newspapers and drinks do not maintain quality.

c. According to the writer, what are the four general human needs?

According to the writer the four general human needs are work, freedom of speech, health and friendship.

d. What is the difference between desire and demand according to the writer?

According to the writer the difference between desire and demand is that the demand is related with the basic needs of life like food, clothes and shelter but desire includes things which improve living standard. The writer talks about car, garden, bathing pool and nearby beach as desires.

e. Why does the writer demand security?

The writer demands security because it is an important need for a person to live a happy life. He lived in the age of war and chaos due to which the lives of many peoples was in risk. So he demands security.

Reference to the context

Explain the following lines with reference to the context:

a. “The satisfaction of adventure is something much more solid than a thrill.”

The author believes that adventure is not only about emotions, but also about satisfaction in performing a creative activity. It enriches people with solid experience. He compares thrill with amusement he has got from reading Rimbaud’s poetry. He served on the war front in Madrid for six months and looked forward to read a book of Rimbaud’s poetry for a thrill.

b. “I want the workers to see the fruit of their own work not in profits for others, but in their own and their friends’ well-being.”

The line shows the writer’s support for socialism. He asserts the hardworking should be rewarded directly to a considerable extent. He wants democracy within the working environment. He is a socialist who wants industry to be controlled by the workers. They should be free to work and share profit among themselves too. He compares the nature of industrial work with hunting and gardening like of paleothitic and neolithitic. To create an even and pleasing working atmosphere the profits of work should remain among working people.

c. Why do you think the essayist has taken reference from the ancient philosophers?

I think the essayist has taken reference from the ancient philosopher like Aristotle, Lord Blan, Mr. Dash, and Sir John Asterisk to support his ideas and convince the readers about his idea of decent work and death.

d. Discuss the essay in terms of its language, purpose, subject, point of view and mode of writing.

The language is simple and lucid in the essay. Haldane’s style is typically straight forward and vigorous. As a science popularize, he is accustomed to write about complex maters in a simple language so that any reader can understand. Here, when writing on a non- technical subject, he retains this simplicity, with short, forceful, declarative sentences and clear explanations.

His subject at first appears to be personal and thus made of writing descriptive. However, in the second part of his essay, it becomes clear that he is putting forward a political argument freedom, for instance not merely a personal preference of Haldane’s but a universal requirement. This means that society should be structured in such a way as to maximize freedom for everyone.

His viewpoint is that of a social critic, setting forth a general program of the principles that should underlie to a civilized society.

Reference beyond the text

a. What do you require from your life to be happy and satisfied?

I require good health, a job, friendship, freedom & security from my life to be happy and satisfied.

b. What is socialism? How is it different from capitalism?

Socialism is a system of social and economic equality in which private property and ownership are not prioritized. It differs from capitalism because capitalism does not provide economic equality. Unlike socialism, capitalism ignores people’s needs and does not promote equal opportunity.

c. Write an essay about your dream house.

My Dream House

My dream house is an ideal house that I always imagine. House becomes home when we pour love to our family members. It is a place where different generation live together in a single bond. So, my dream house will be full of love and happiness.

I always dream of a mountainous wooden home. My ideal home should be facing a river. Through the windows, I could watch the mountains sunset and vanish. It should be facing East direction because I want to enjoy cool air as well as rising sun view. My ideal home would include a little garden with my own veggies and fruits.

I would like to maintain my house neat and clean. There will be a meditation room for myself to do Yoga and meditation. I will also make one library room for my family and visitors. I will make a special room for my parents and visitors.I won’t add too much amenities in my dream house because it creates laziness. I believe that physical exercises are necessary to be healthy and fit. There will be solar panel in my house to maintain regular light. I will also add a big smart TV for my parents and visitors. My house’s wall will be decorated with beautiful wall paintings capturing nature’s true beauty. I also have a 1 year old pet dog named Puppy. I also want a modest but cozy area in Puppy’s home where he may sleep and rest when he gets old.

My dream home is a place of joy, peace and beauty. Right now it exists only in my dreams. But someday, it will become a reality.

What is Poverty? Exercise : Summary and Question Answers

Full exercise of What is Poverty? : Summary and Question Answers | Literature | Class 11 English Notes SBN ONLINE SCHOOL

What Is Poverty?

Summary

The essay “What is Poverty?” is written by Jo Goodwin Parker who gives a real account of what poverty actually is. She describes how painful it is to live with poverty and her daily struggles to raise a family. She stresses that poverty is uglier, crueler and more devastating than it is shown in newspapers.

She defines poverty as a lack – that is living without hope, better foods, medicinal care, proper sanitation, and proper education. It is like an acid that destroys pride, honor, health, and future. Parker’s main purpose is to show how shameful, humiliating and disgusting it is to be poor. She wants to draw the readers’ attention to the pathetic state of poor people.

Poor people have to live a restless life looking at the dark future of their children. Poverty breaks relationships. Parker had three children. She divorced her husband because he had lost his job and they couldn’t buy contraceptives to prevent unwanted birth. She had a job. Once she left the children under the care of their grandmother. She found her children under the pitiable condition- her youngest son was covered with fly specks and his diaper had not been changed since morning. Another child was playing with broken glasses and the oldest one was playing alone at the edge of a lake. She did not have enough income to admit them at a nursery school. She made 20 dollars a week and a nursery school cost 20 dollars a week for three children. Therefore, she quitted her job.

Parker describes herself as “dirty, smelly, and with no “proper” underwear on and with the stench of rotting teeth. She has no luxuries while being poor due to the high cost of simple things such as hot water, soap, medicine and clothing. She continues by writing that while there are government programs to help the poor, none exist in her area and if there were, she has no means by which to travel to them. Parker explains how she cannot get out of her situation through employment because the job does not pay enough to pay for the expense of child care. Parker writes that “poverty is looking into a black future” and states that her children have no future. She does not want sympathy, but rather she wants understanding.

Understanding the text

Answer the following questions.

a. What is poverty according to Parker?

According to Parker, poverty is about lack of having enough money for necessities, better foodstuffs, very little education and little or no access to health care. It is like an acid that destroys pride, honour, health and future. Overall poverty means living without hope, better foods, medical care and proper education.

b. How is poverty difficult for Parker’s children? List some specific examples.

Parker’s three children suffer a lot due to poverty. They live their miserable lives due to the lack of proper foodstuffs, education, clothing and care. Parker has presented the very bad condition of her children along with her. According to her, they eat oil less cornbread as a breakfast. They wear dirty clothes. They aren’t sent to a school. Parker has informed us about a day’s event when she left her children under the care of her mother during her job. When she returned, she found her youngest covered with flyspecks whose diaper hadn’t been changed since morning. Her next son was playing with the broken glasses. Her eldest son was playing on the edge of the lake. Her children would play in dirt. In this way poverty is difficult for Parker’s children.

c. How does Parker try to obtain help, and what problems does she encounter?

Parker tires to obtain help from different people but she was rejected. She asks her relative for a loan, but her relative wanted something in return. She also tried in different offices for job and asked for loan too. She had to describe her pathetic condition to many people to get help. Finally, someone comes out and asks her if she needs help. That isn’t the person she needs to see. She goes to see another person. After telling him the whole story about her poverty she finds that this is the wrong office. Then, she must repeat the whole process. In this way, Parker has to encounter a lot of problems.

d. Why are people’s opinions and prejudices her greatest obstacles?

People’s opinions and prejudices are her greatest obstacles because these aspects prevent her from getting supportive hands for the sake of her family. She was dominated by other people due to her poor condition. Most of the people don’t realize the bitter experience of poverty. For them, the pain of poor people is nothing. They keep on giving their free advices as if being poor is a curse and it is easy to come out of poverty. When she asks for help, some want to take advantage of her helplessness. Such prejudices make her unable to get help.

e. How does Parker defend her inability to get help? How does she discount the usual solutions society has for poverty (e.g., welfare, education, and health clinics)?

Parker defends her inability to get help through her opinions and by expressing her experiences of poverty. She discounts the usual solutions society has for poverty by drawing the attention of people towards the pathetic state of poor people. She says that living without hope, medical care, and proper education is like an acid that destroys pride, honour, heath and future. She has to move and spread her hands in many agencies in the name of welfare where she has to be ashamed and humiliated. She has to prove her poverty time and again and face rejection. In the name of education, school-launched programs are there but they are of no use. She has experienced her two children’s condition after sending them to school. Parker’s life is quite away from health clinics’ facilities. To get medical help, she has to walk miles. If she asks for someone’s help, the helper expects negative things from her.Thus, Parker shows how shameful, humiliating and disgusting it is to be poor.

Reference to the context

a. Explain the following: Poverty is looking into a black future.

This line “Poverty is looking into a black future” has been stated by the writer Jo Goodwin Parker in her essay. She has put forward this line for her readers to present her experience of poverty. She thinks that poor can’t provide proper food and education to their children. Nor they can maintain cleanliness and sound health because they don’t have money. Such condition ultimately invites disease, helplessness, hunger, unemployment, crimes etc. So, poverty leads people towards the black future. Poor people have to live a miserable life on their daily basis. They have no hope of any betterment. They keep on spending their lives in disparity looking into a black future. Poverty breaks expectations and dreams of future.

b. What does Parker mean by “The poor are always silent”?

“The poor are always silent” means the helplessness of poor people who cannot spend money for healthcare and medicine. When the question of money arises, they are silent, because they can’t even dream of having expensive medical operations, eating in restaurant, wearing fashionable dresses, going to quality schools etc. They have no words in response because they are completely helpless. Where money speaks, they are voiceless. They have very pathetic situation.

c. What writing strategy does the author use at the beginning of most of the paragraphs? Do you notice a recurring pattern? What is it?

In this essay, the author uses her repetition strategy at the beginning of most of the paragraphs. She repeats the phrase “Poverty is”. The essay is well organized where she repeats the word – poverty many times. That means her main concern is poverty and she is showing her bitter feelings and frustrations about her miserable conditions. The whole essay sounds like a casual conversation. She is talking to an imaginary reader who does not understand what poverty is. She uses satire and humour in the middle.

d. How does Parker develop each paragraph? What details make each paragraph memorable?

Parker develops each paragraph starting with her repetition strategy. She begins most of her paragraphs with a repetition statement as “Poverty is”. She then provides her personal experiences about her topic sentences.

The images of poverty that she mentioned in each paragraph is memorable. She says poverty is a chisel that chips on honour is worn away. The really poor people have inferiority complex due to the economic factor. Their honour is really scattered. Even if the man is wise and intellectual he can do nothing infront of the wealth. The details related to her personal painful experiences and the bitter reality of poverty make each paragraph memorable.

e. In the final paragraph, how does the author use questions to involve the reader in the issue of poverty?

In the final paragraph, the author uses questions in her informal style of direct conversation to involve the readers in the issue of poverty. In the final paragraph she uses question “can you be silent too?” where she wants to describe her silence due to poverty that she faced in her life. She asked us that if poor are silence and should we be silenced too. Parker is capable of causing the reader to feel many emotions and forces the reader to question her own stereotypes of poor Parker is capable of making the reader feel guilty for the possessions that she has. She wanted to make attention to the reader to solve the problems of poor people. They must not think about themselves only she said not to be silence and help others for their better future. She asked reader if his/her in that situation, can they be silence too. Poor people are always active to raise their voices. So, Parker wanted from the reader to give their attention towards poor too.

Reference beyond the text

a. Define a social problem (homelessness, unemployment, racism) imitating Parker’s style.

A Social Problem: Unemployment

Unemployment the word itself if stays longer would affect the cost of the economy. The entire individual who is not working in the referenced period falls under the category of unemployment. They might be anyone who is highly skilled or having no skills. When unemployment reaches above the expected rates it subtle the growth and leads to social issues. With no money, there is no education, food resources and basic elements for the survivor. Whether someone is homeless or has no job, this all head place to social issues.

In conclusion, unemployment is the major problem that creates disturbance, stress and lowers down a growing economy. The personal and social concern has been associated with poverty, population, lack of technologies, health risks, and slow expansion of the business. All these issues arise when unemployment exponentially grow within countries. This certainly remarks about the serious problems of housing and hopeless life. Unemployment causes harm for the economy not in the sense of waste of resources but also by building pressure on the community.

b. Using adjectives to highlight the futility of the situation, write a short definition essay on Growing up in Poverty.

Essay on Growing Up in Poverty

Poverty is a state or condition in which a person or community lacks the financial resources and essentials for a minimum standard of living. Poverty means that the income level from employment is so low that basic human needs can’t be met. Poverty-stricken people and families might go without proper housing, clean water, healthy food, and medical attention. Each nation may have its own threshold that determines how many of its people are living in poverty.

Growing up in poverty is annoying and frustrating that never allows you to be happy. When one cannot manage the minimum requirements of life like food, education and health, that life is a punishment. One’s creativity and natural talent can never come out. Rather such situation humiliates him and he can never live a dignified human life. Disparity and inequality never let him be free and do something good in his lives. Growing up in poverty is a frightening experience where one has to face various hardships and struggles. It provides him with tiring and worrying experience where pains are always ready to welcome him.

Scientific Research Is A Token Of Humankinds Survival

Introduction

Vladimir Keilis-Borok was a Russian mathematical geophysicist and seismologist. Here, he talks about how science has given greater contribution to the lives of the people. This essay has shown how scientists across the globe, rise above their national identities, to find solutions for common problems of nations. The speaker/writer advocates science saying that science is the indispensable guardian and caretaker of humankind.

Summary

Although scientists have low earnings in comparison to businessmen, doctors, lawyers etc., some people decide to be scientists because they cannot live without science. It’s an exciting adventure where the major reward comes from the discovery itself. In that way, scientists get honors and promotions and they enjoy freedom, camaraderie and independence.

Next, the writer talks about his experience during the cold war. During 1960, he was invited to Geneva to attend a discussion about nuclear weapons. At that time, people were worried of destructive nuclear weapons of Russia, America and England. The three nuclear powers were willing to come to an agreement putting a ban on new nuclear test. However, they faced a problem that if anyone violated the agreement by secret underground testing of nuclear weapons, how they could detect that test. For that, the technical experts including the writer were called to solve that problem. As a seismologist, the writer had theoretical knowledge in seismic waves that could easily detect underground nuclear explosions as well as tremors produced by earthquakes. Here, his knowledge had a direct application in the survival of the humankind. That episode taught the writer that science is the hope of survival and well-being of all.

Scientists are the most practical people in the world. This could be seen in new technologies, new brands of the industry from defense to entertainment. The scientists invent antibiotics, electronics, biotechnology, synthetic fibers, the green revolution, and genetic forensic diagnosis etc. The basic knowledge of science always supports people in their lives.

The survival of our civilization is threatened by natural and man-made disasters. Among them, the natural disasters are earthquakes, a self-inflicted destruction of megacities, environmental catastrophes, economic and social crises. A massive release of radioactivity from nuclear waste disposal and an outburst of mass violence etc. are man-made disasters.

Science is our indispensable guardian and caretaker because it is the only science that can ensure that we move with time safely. For the survival of humankind, countries had signed treaty of not testing the nuclear weapons secretly. But science and its scientists ensured about humankind’s survival. It is the only science that can differentiate between the tremors caused by nuclear explosions and natural earthquakes. It is science that can give us new sources of energy, new mineral deposits, and efficient defense from terrorism.

The hope of science for the survival of mankind has larger significance. In the present scenario the safety of mankind is threatened by both natural and manmade disasters. Be it a tsunami, be it terrorism, money alone cannot tackle the problem. Scientific solutions are the only hope. Thus, the writer has numerous reasons to conclude that science is the hope of survival.

Understanding the text

Answer the following questions.

a. What does a scientist get instead of big money?

A scientist gets freedom, camaraderie and independence instead of big money.

b. What was the problem that the nuclear powers had faced?

The nuclear powers had agreed to a moratorium to stop the test of nuclear weapons. But, they had faced the problem that if anyone violated the agreement by secret underground testing of nuclear weapons, they would not be able to detect it.

c. In which area did Keilis Borok’s theoretical knowledge have a direct application?

As a seismologist, he had theoretical knowledge in seismic waves that could easily detect underground nuclear explosions as well as tremors produced by earthquakes. His knowledge could easily detect secret underground nuclear test. Here, his knowledge had a direct application in the survival of the humankind.

d. What was the important decision that the politicians took before Geneva Summit?

The important decision that the politicians took before Geneva Summit was to ban nuclear weapons text for the shake of survival of humanity. According to them, after banning nuclear tests, there would be no competition for developing nuclear weapons.

e. What are the natural and man-made disasters as mentioned by the author?

The natural disasters mentioned by the author are earthquakes, self-inflicted destruction of megacities, environmental catastrophes, economic and social crises, and so on. The man-made disasters mentioned include a massive release of radioactivity from nuclear waste disposal, an outburst of mass violence, war, and so on.

Reference to the context

a. The professional addressed as ‘you’ in the sentence “If you are clever, why are you so poor?” refers to a…

i. lawyer ii. doctor iii. scientist iv. businessman.

Justify your choice.

Here the ‘you’ refers to a scientist. The author wants to know why some people with clever and brilliant mind want to be scientists though other professionals like lawyers, doctors and businessmen earn much more. The author intends to show that although scientists are very wise, their wisdom does not generally help them in generating wealth. Thus, scientists are generally wise but not wealthy.

b. The writer says, “I found myself in Geneva.” What does it express?

It expresses the surprise of the writer. He says the above line because he was summoned all of a sudden to attend the meeting related to nuclear weapons in Geneva.

c. Are the following statements true? Why or why not? Discuss with your partner.

i. Money is more powerful than intellectual resources.

This statement is not true. Money can give us the power to make a difference in the lives of others, but not the desire to do so. It can give us the time to develop and nurture our relationships, but not the love and caring necessary to do so. It can just as easily make us jaded, escapist, selfish, and lonely. How much do you need? What is it going to cost you to get it? It is keeping these two questions in mind that gives us a true sense of money’s relationship to happiness. If we have less than what we need, or if what we have is costing us too much, we can never be happy.

ii. Intellectual resources help survival of the mankind.

This statement is true. It is because of the intellectual resources that we have combated many diseases. Though man is not the fittest among all the creations of God, he is able to ensure his safety against the other powerful creatures of nature because of his intellectual resources. Basic research can help our survival by giving us new sources of energy and new mineral deposits. Basic research can also protect us against terrorism.

iii. Basic research is a way of stalling disasters.

This statement is true. People in the world are living their life securely believing in scientific researches. Scientists keep on studying the ecological changes and forewarn people about natural disasters like earthquakes, tsunamis, storms etc. People can be evacuated from the area posed with danger.

d. How does the essayist justify that scientific research is the humankind’s survival?

The essayist justifies that scientific research is the humankind’s survival by presenting his opinions in favour of science and its research-based inventions. As a seismologist, he had theoretical knowledge in seismic waves that could easily detect underground nuclear explosions as well as tremors produced by earthquakes. His knowledge could easily detect secret underground nuclear test. Here, his knowledge had a direct application in the survival of the humankind. According to him, science is the indispensable guardian and caretaker of humankind’s survival. Scientific researchers have found the solutions to the problems of human beings. It has given us new sources of energy, new mineral deposits, medicines and efficient defense from terrorism. Scientific researches can easily predict the upcoming disasters ecological changes and forewarn people. People can be evacuated from the area posed with danger. Thus, the writer has numerous reasons to conclude that scientific research is the hope of humankind’s survival.

e. What can be the purpose of the essayist of using quotations in the essay?

The purpose of the essayist’s use of quotations in the essay is to support the ideas and arguments presented in the essay. He wants to get all of his readers aware to the main points that he wishes to convey. People have many misconceptions about science and scientists so he compares public understanding and the reality of a scientist’s life. So in order to support his ideas, the writer uses quotations.

f. Discuss and illustrate the writer’s stand that scientists are the most practical people in the world.

The writer’s stand here in this essay is that scientists are the most practical people in the world. According to him, all new technologies and new brands of industry from defense to entertainment are the result of scientists’ research. The scientists invent antibiotics, electronics, biotechnology, synthetic fibers, modes of transport, the green revolution, and genetic forensic diagnosis etc. Only the scientific research can provide us new sources of energy and new minerals, efficient defense from terrorism, cure from cancer and new forms of transportation. By this we can say that scientists are the most practical people in the world.

Reference beyond the text

a. Everyone lives under the fear of annihilation by nuclear weapons. Explain this statement.

Nuclear weapons are the most terrifying weapon ever invented: no weapon is more destructive; no weapon causes such unspeakable human suffering; and there is no way to control how far the radioactive fallout will spread or how long the effects will last.

Although the superpowers have already reached an agreement to stop nuclear test, the growing competition for power has increased fear and uncertainty about our future. It is a truth that Soviet Union, the United States and the United Kingdom have more than enough nuclear bombs to destroy the other nations in their first strike. A nuclear bomb detonated in a city would immediately kill tens of thousands of people, and tens of thousands more would suffer horrific injuries and later die from radiation exposure. Hiroshima and Nagasaki always remind people of the bitter truth. Anytime, the global politics can deteriorate and crazy rulers like that of North Korea can forget humanity and the world population can suffer. Therefore, every man, woman, and child on the earth is living under the threat of annihilation by nuclear weapons.

b. The essayist says ‘While there is science, there is hope of survival and wellbeing for all of us.’ Explain it.

According to the essayist, science is our indispensable guardian and caretaker because it is the only science that can ensure that we are moving with time safely. For the survival of humankind, countries have signed the treaty of not testing nuclear weapons secretly. Specialists can invigilate the moves of different countries and make us alert on time. Science can differentiate between the tremors caused by nuclear explosions and natural earthquakes. It gives us new sources of energy, new mineral deposits, efficient defense from terrorism, antibiotics and cure for human diseases. Besides that, science teaches us how to preserve our ecosystem and biosphere correcting our past mistakes. At present, the safety of mankind is threatened by both natural and man-made disasters. Be it a tsunami, be it terrorism, money alone cannot tackle the problem. Scientific solutions are the only hope. Therefore, while there is science, there is hope of survival and wellbeing for all of us.

c. Is science a blessing or a curse? Write an essay on it

Science – A Blessing or A Curse

Science has benefited man in several ways. It has made man’s life more comfortable, more secure and more powerful. But it is not an unmixed blessing. There are several disadvantages of science. However, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.

Science has revolutionized the human existence. Take, for instance, electricity which is one of the many gifts of science. All one has to do is to press a button. The room is flooded with light, the fan begins to whirr and give refreshing air, or still more, a desert cooler or an air conditioner turns the room into a hill resort. Thousand types of machines are run by electricity. Room heaters, electric ovens and cooking ranges and several other household appliances are operated by electricity. It runs factories which produce innumerable things of our daily use.

Science has also relieved to a great extent human suffering. Advance in the field of medicine and surgery have reduced the rate of infant mortality. The average life h4 of man has increased. Today, many the dreaded diseases like cholera, small-pox and even tuberculosis are easily curable with the help of medicines. Surgery can remove malignant also proved to be harmful. The machine age made many people unemployed. Now there is no need for so many hands to do a task. Only one person is required to manipulate the machine. Thus, it has led to unemployment.

In the light of all these grave dangers, it is imperative that man tries to make judicious use of machines. After all, man had applied his mind to invent new things not to make his life miserable, but to make it more comfortable and better. Machines should serve mankind. Man should ensure that he does not allow them to destroy his environment and health and put the life of all living things in grave danger beyond a point of no return.