CHAPTER # 1 Q.

7: What is the total numbers of stars in the

universe?
Q. 1: How is it that a star seldom finds another
star near it? Ans: There are numberless stars in the
universe. They are perhaps something more
Ans: Our universe is very vast. Numberlessthan the total number of grains of sand on all
stars move in it. It is very rare that a star shouldthe sea shores of the world.
come near the other star during its journey.
Q. 8: What are temperature belts? OR Define
Q. 2: What happened when according to Sirthe life zone.
James Jeans a wandering star, wandering
through space, came near the sun? Ans: Temperature belts are zones where the
temperature is neither too hot nor too cold.
Ans: Two million years ago, a wandering starOutside these belts life would be frozen. Inside,
came near the sun. It produced a huge tide onit would be burnt up.
the surface of the sun. It was changed into a
huge mountain. The mountain broke into pieces Chapter 2
.our earth is one of them. These small pieces
have been going round the sun ever since.Q. 9: How has scientific method helped us in
They are called planets. Our earth is one ofour fight against disease?
them.
Ans: Science has discovered new medicines and
Q. 3: What happened when the wandering starequipments with the use of new medicines and
modem equipment, science has controlled many
came nearer the sun?
diseases.
Ans: The wave rose higher and higher, when
Q.10: What were the sanitary conditions in the
the star came near the sun.
cities a hundred years ago?
Q. 4: Why is there no life on the stars?
Ans: A hundred year ago the sanitary
Ans: The stars are the big balls of fire. They areconditions in the city were very poor.
very hot, life would melt away there. The streets were narrow and unpaved.
Animals wandered through the streets.
Q. 5: Why is the universe frightening? Outdoor toilets were common.
Ans: 1) The universe is very vast. The house wives threw household
2) The stretches of time are so great. garbage in the streets.
3) Human history looks very small as
compared to the stretches of time. Q.11: What are the sanitary conditions like in
4) Our earth is very small asour villages today and how would you improve
compared to the universe. them?

Q. 6: What in your opinion should be theAns: The sanitary condition in our villages is not
condition necessary, for the kind of life we knowvery good. The streets are narrow and unpaved,
to exist on other heavenly bodies? Do suchHeaps of dirt lies in them. Flies and mosquitoes
breed on them. They spread diseases.
conditions generally exist?
Q.12: How has the scientific method helped us in
Ans: Moderate temperature is the main need
the production and preservation of foods?
for life to exist.
Ans: Now machines are used in ploughing,some nervous habit. They pay more attention to
sowing seeds and harvesting. The preservationsmall things than to their books.
of food is done by quick freeze method.
Q.19: What is the influence of mistaken
Q.13: We are now generally less fearful thanambition of the parents on their child?
our ancestors. What were our ancestors afraid
of? Ans: The student has to study courses which
run counter to all his interests and abilities. He
Ans: They feared black cats, broken mirrorshas to study subjects which he did not like. The
and the number 13. result is that the student does not make
progress in his studies.
Q.14: How has the scientific method enabled us
to get over the old fears? Q.20: Why do some intelligent boys fail at
college, while they are good at school?
Ans: Now people no longer fear black cats,
broken mirrors and the number 13. Science hasAns: Such boys do not work hard at college.
made man rational and realistic. They take the college work no seriously. The
result is that they fail although they are
Q.15: What part did a strongly play in the lives ofintelligent.
men and women in the past? Give examples.
Q.21: How does financial pressure lead to the
Ans: In the past, people believed that stars playfailure of students described in the lesson?
an important part in their lives. They got
guidance in matters of love, marriage andAns: Some boys fall due to their poor financial
business from the movement of the stars. condition. They have to work hard from six
oclock in the evening till two in the morning to
Q.16: Describe some of the superstitions stillraise funds for their education.
current in our country. How do they affect the
lives of those who believe in them? Q.22: To what extent does the question of
Ans: Some of the people in our country are stillhealth lead to failure at college?
very superstitious. They believe that if a crowAns: Some students fail in the examination
sits on a wall, it is said that a guest will come. Ifbecause they have poor health. They cannot
a cat crosses their way, they cut of theirconcentrate on their books due to their weak
journey. health. They suffer from both physical and
Q.17: What do you mean by attitude? mental ailments.
Ans: By an attitude, we mean the way we feelQ.23: What place would you allot to sportsman
towards some idea or some event. in colleges? OR How do games and sports
influence the success of a student?
Chapter 3 Ans: The writer says that games and sports
Q.18: According to the author there are someplay an important part in the educational career
boys who fail because they do not try. Who areof a student. They develop the physical strength
they? Can we help them? of a student. But some students pay more
attention to sports than to their studies. This
Ans: Many boys have the native ability to passthing leads to their failure.
the examination. But they fail. They suffer from
Q.24: Who are lazy bluffers?
Ans: Lazy bluffers are those students whoAns: They were not allowed to spend it. It was
come to college and do not pay attention to theirput in a money box.
studies. They enjoy the college and leave it
without attending the classes. They do not try toQ.31: What does the phrase Friday, Thank
know the bitter realities of life. God express?

Q.25: What is the duty of the college Dean toAns: The phrase expresses the writers attitude
improve the educational career of the students?to the arrival of the weekend during his school
time. The write was heavily burdened with the
Ans: The college dean is the mental androutine of school. He had to work very hard in
spiritual guide of the students. He should savehis class. Friday promised two holidays lying
the boys from foolishness, sickness and sin. ahead for him. He always longed for the arrival
of Friday.
Chapter 4
Q.32: What were the unexpected respites in the
Q.26: What was Daiches attitude towards thewriters life at school?
week-end as a school boy?
Ans: The writer had unexpected relief from the
Ans: As it promised two holidays ahead of it.school life. The school was closed for half
Friday morning was positively rose coloured. holiday on account of football match. The
school was closed sometime on account of
Q.27: What was his general view of school life?
some unexpected crisis or celebration.
Ans: The writer was not very happy at school.
Q.33: What were the feelings of the writer on
He had to do a lot of homework. There was a
Saturday and Sunday?
great competition among the boys. The boys did
not get time to relax and enjoy life. Life atAns: Saturday was a pleasant day for him.
school was very boring and tiresome. Saturday night was a lovely night for the writer
because there was still a whole day between it
Q.28: Daiches liked holidays for their
and Monday.
freedom_______freedom from what?
However, the writer did not like Sunday night.
Ans: Daiches liked holidays because they
He had to go to school on Monday.
afforded him freedom from school work. He was
afraid of the daily grind of school. He was forced
to do heavy home work. He always wanted to
relax himself. That why, he liked holidays. Chapter 5
Q.29: What were the wishes which the writerQ.34: What sort of books was presented by the
could not fulfill in his school life? British public to soldier?
Ans: He longed for a tricycle in his childhood.Ans: People sent ordinary and odd books to the
His parents did not afford it. He wanted to havearmy. They sent old magazines guides and
a bicycle. But he could not buy it. He could notback number of Whitakers Almanacs.
eat ice cream due to his poverty.
Q.35: Was it interest of soldiers that prompted
Q.30: What did the write do with his pockettheir action, or was it the wish to get rid of
money? useless books?
Ans: People knew that the books were justAns: The writer went to the middle of Chelsea
rubbish. They were useless for them. TheyBridge. There were projecting circular bays with
wanted to get rid of them. People had no loveseats in them. He knelt on a seat. He collected
for the troops. his courage and threw the sack of books into
river. There was a vast splash.
Q.36: Why bad books are destroyed?
Q.42: Did he come to have a feeling for those
Ans: The writer says that it should be our dutybooks once he had got rid of them? OR what
to destroy bad books. Destruction of bookswere the feelings of the writer after he threw the
creates more room for new books. Moreover itbooks?
will save our time to sort out good books from
bad ones. Ans: The writer felt sad after he threw the
books into the river. The books were no doubt
Q.37: Why is it difficult to destroy books? useless but he loved them. He called them poor
Ans: It is very difficult to find a proper place toinnocent books.
destroy them it is very difficult to burn them or Chapter 6
throw them into the river.
Q.43: How did the writer come to know that his
Q.38: Why could writer not destroy the uselessliver was out of order?
books? OR Why could the writer not burn
books? Ans: The writer was reading a patent liver pill
circular. It contained the various symptoms of
Ans: He could not destroy them due to thethe disease of liver. The writer had all those
following reasons; symptoms in him. He concluded that his liver
was out of order.
1. He had no kitchen range.
Q.44: What was the disease he discovered he
2. He could not burn them leaf by leaf in
didnt have?
his small study fire.
Ans: He found that he did not have house
Q.39: How did the writer decide to get rid of
maids knee.
books?
Q.45: What was the first reaction of the writer
Ans: He decided to put the books in a sack and
when he thought he was suffering from all
throw them in to the river.
diseases?
Q.40: Describe the writers midnight venture to
Ans: The writer came to know that he was
throw the books in to the river?
suffering from all the diseases written in the
Ans: The writer packed the books in a sack. Hebook. He found himself to be in a listless horror.
set out towards the river. It was midnight. TheHe sat frozen with horror for some time.
wind was very cold. A few people were moving
Q.46: Why should the writer be acquisition to
about. He came across a policeman. He was
the medical class?
frightened. He walked on with confidence. The
police man did not suspect him. He walked onAns: The writer thinks that he has almost all
till he reached the Embankment. diseases. He can be an interesting case from
the medical point of view. The students need
Q.41: How did the writer collect the courage to
not walk round the hospital and examine
throw books into river?
various patients. They will examine him andMoreover, he wanted to see him alone. He
complete their education. realized that he must be a detective who
wanted to see him alone.
Q.47: Describe the writers visit to the medical
man. Q.52: What was the attitude of the manager
towards Leacock on learning that he only
Ans: The writer went to his medical man for hiswished to deposit 56 dollars in the bank? OR
examination. He asked his doctor to examineWhat was the reaction of the manager when he
him. The doctor examined him and wrote downcame to know that he wanted to deposit only 56
a prescription for him. dollars?
Q.48: What was the prescription given to him byAns: When the manager learnt that the writer
the doctor? wanted to deposit fifty six dollars, he got up
from his seat in anger.
Ans: He wrote the following prescription;
Q.53: What other blunders did Leacock commit
(i) 1 lb beef steak, every six ours. (ii) Ten mile
after leaving the managers office? OR What
walks every morning.
other follies did the writer commit in opening his
(iii) Bed at 11 sharp every night. account?

(iv) And do not stuff your mind with things youAns: The writer entered the safe instead of
do not understand. going out when he parted from the manager. He
deposited all the money in his pocket. He wrote
Q.49: How did he examine himself? fifty six dollars instead of six on the cheque.
Ans: He tried to examine himself. He felt hisQ.54: After his misadventure in the bank where
pulse. He could not feel his heart. It haddid Leacock keep his money?
stopped beating. He tried to look at his tongue.
He shut his one eye and tried to examine it withAns: He kept his money in cash in his trousers
the other. He came to the conclusion that hepocket and his saving in silver dollars in socks.
had scarlet fever also.
Chapter 8
Chapter 7
Q.55: How does China rely on its own
Q.50: What light do the following expressions resources?
throw on Leacocks state of mind when he
Ans: The Chinese follow the maxim of Mao,
entered the bank: looked timidly round,
Rely on your own resources. They rely on their
shambled in?
own resources and use the locally made
Ans: To shambled in means to walk slowlymachines. Such machines are easily available.
and awkwardly. The writer felt quite nervousThey are cheaper than the foreign machines.
when he entered the bank. He was afraid of the
Q.56: What is the social security benefits
clerks. He feared the wickets.
provided to the Chinese workers?
Q.51: Why did the manager come to think that
Ans: The Chinese workers enjoy a number of
Leacock had an awful secret to reveal?
social security benefits. All medical and hospital
Ans: The manager found that the writer hadtreatment is entirely free for a Chinese worker.
entered the bank in a mysterious manner.The members of their family only pay 50 per
cent. A sick worker receives his total payAns: The birth rate in the under developed
cheque for the first six months. Each factory hascountries is on the increase. The people of
a cafeteria where workers eat three meals a dayunder developed countries are uneducated.
for only 4 to 5 dollars a month. The workersThey do not know that over population is
retire at the age of 60. The female workersharmful for the progress of the country. They do
enjoy 56 paid rest on full salary before givingnot plane there life.
birth to children.
Q.62: Why birth rate is not so high in advanced
Chapter 9 countries.
Q.57: What does hunger mean a large scale asAns: The people of the West are educational
viewed by the author? and wise. They know the dangers of over
population. They adopt every method to check
Ans: Hunger does not mean to miss one mealthe growth of population.
for a whole day. It means never, having enough
to eat. Q.63: How was death rate controlled in Ceylon?
Q.58: Describe some great feelings of the Ans: In Ceylon, the death rate was reduced by
world? one third in two years. The people of Ceylon
mostly died of malaria. Malaria was controlled
Ans: The write traces the history of hunger andby the use of D.D.T.
famine.
Q.64: What are under developed countries?
The Russian famine in 1971 in 1971-72 killed
several million people. Ans: The under developed countries are those
where poverty, disease and illiteracy are
Ten million died in the famine of Bengal duringcommon. They do not have sufficient number of
1967-70. factories and miles. They do not have enough
power and light. They have poor road and
In India in 1964-65, there was the worst famine
railways.
of the century.
Chapter 10
Q.59: How does famine occur? OR What are
the causes of famine? Q.65: Give an account of early career of Abd-al-
Rahman I, his dramatic ecape and his
Ans: Famines are caused by various reasons.
adventures in Africa?
Sometime lack of food causes famine.
Sometimes crops fall due to some disease. Ans: The story of his escape was dramatic. He
was in a Bedouin camp on the left bank. One
Q.60: What is the main reason for population
day the army men of Abbasid suddenly
increase?
appeared Abd-al-Rehman, dashed into river
Ans: There is only one reason for populationalong with his brother. The younger brother was
increase in the world. The number of peoplekilled by the Abbasid family. Abd-al-Rahman
who are born in the world are greater than thereached the opposite bank of the river.
number of people who die.
Q.66: Give an account of the all round progress
Q.61: Which are the factors responsible for the made by the Arabs under Abd-al-Rahman III?
high birth rate in the under developed
countries?
Ans: Abd-al-Rahman-III ruled Spain for fiftyAns: The writer did not do well in the
years. During his rule, Spain made greatexamination. He was examined in those
progress. During his reign, Cordova became thesubjects whom he did not like. He was
most cultured city in Europe. It had seventyexamined in Latin and Mathematics and he did
libraries and a large number of book shops,not like these subjects. As a result of it, he failed
mosques and places. It became one of thein them.
wealthiest and most thickly populated lands of
Europe. The art of tanning and embossingQ.2: How did writer do in his entrance
reached its climax. Its leather, wool, silk,examination? OR How did he do in his Latin
glasswork, brass work and pottery industriespaper?
flourished. Ans: The writer wrote his name at the top of the
page. He wrote the number of the question 1.
Q.67: What did Al-Hakam do to promoteHe put a bracket round it thus (1). He left the
learning and scholar ship in his Kingdom? entire paper blank.
Ans: (i) Under him, the university if Cordova,Q.3: Write a note on Somervells method of
became a place of great eminence. It attractedteaching?
students from all parts of Europe. Ans: Somervell was a dutiful teacher. He taught
the writer and his class fellows how to write
(ii) He collected more than four lakhEnglish. He taught them parsing of a sentence.
books from different countries of the world. He took a long sentence and broke it up into its
components by means of black, red, blue and
(iii) He established 27 free schools in
green inks. Each word or part of speech had its
Cordova.
own colour and its bracket.
(iv)He was a great scholar himself. He
Chapter 12
studied books and wrote notes about them.
Q.5: Give an idea of the size of the Sahara.
(v) During his reign everybody could read
How does it is compared with England?
or write.
Ans: The Sahara is situated in North Africa. It is
Q.68: Who was the successor of Abd-al-a very large desert. It is many times the size of
Rahman-I? Great Britain.

Ans: Abd-al-Rahman III was the successor ofQ.6: What had Christophers foster mother do
Abd-al-Rahman-I. He took office at the age ofwith his desire to see distant places?
twenty three. Ans: Christopher was very naughty in his
childhood. His foster mother often threatened
Q.69: Who was the successor of Abd-al-him to send him to Timbuktu. It did not alarm
Rahman-III? Christopher. It created in him a desire to see
that place.
Ans: AL-Hakeem was the successor of Abd-al-
Rahman-III. He was a great scholar and man ofQ.7: How did Christopher manage to get a seat
learning. in the weapons carrier?
Ans: Christopher saw a fast moving weapon
CHAPTER 11 carrier. He requested the lieutenant to allow him
Q.1: Why did the writer not do well theto sit in the truck. The civilians were not allowed
examination? to travel in a military truck. Christopher
produced a permit from the war Ministry. In fact,
the permit was later cancelled. But luckily, theQ.14: What part is played by the white cells in
Lieuternant did not see it. He was allowed to sitthe blood of human body?
in the military truck. Ans: The white cells are the bodys natural
amour against disease. When germs enter the
Q.8: Give an account of the little town El-body, they are attacked by a host of white cells.
Golea? Disease is in fact a fight between leucocytes
Ans: El Golea was a fascinating little town. Itand germs.
was a true oasis. The toawn had defeated the
barrenness of the desert. Plenty of water wasQ.15: Write a note on the early life of Fleming?
available there Christopher had a bath there. Ans: Fleming was the scientist who discovered
penicillin. He was born on a farm near Darvel on
Q.9: What do you know about Professor ClaudeAugust 6, 1881. He was the youngest of the
Balanguernon? family of eight. His father died when he was
Ans: Professor Balanguernon was aseven year old.
Frenchman. He lived in Tamanrasset. He had
developed his life to help and educate theQ.16: How was penicillin discovered?
people living there. Ans: Fleming was carrying out a series of
experiments on the common germ called staphy
Q.10: Why did they kill the camel? lococcus. He was growing a large number of
Ans: When Christopher and his companionsgerms on the culture plate. By chance, the
were passing through the land of Thirst andspore of the mould or fungus was blown in
Death, they were short of water. They could notthrough a window of a house. It settled on the
get a drop of water in spite of their efforts. Theyculture plate. The mould began to grow. At
killed their camel and drank the fluid of itsonce, the germs round it began to disappear.
stomach. Fleming called it penicillin.
Q.11: Describe the journey through the land ofQ.17: How did the oxford team make penicillin
Thirst and Death? more effective? OR Who concentrated the
Ans: The land of thirst and death was situatedpenicillin? What was the contribution of Oxford
between Tamanrasset and Timbuktu. It wasteam?
known for its sand storms as well as for dried upAns: Fleming could not do it because he was
waterholes. Christopher also experiences onenot a chemist. A team of Oxford scientists and
such sand storm. The storm was fortunatelybacteriologists was formed to concentrate it.
less fierce. Christopher was hard hit by it butThey concentrated it successfully.
remained unhurt.
Q.18: What do you know of the Oxford tem?
Chapter 13 Ans: At Oxford, a team headed by Professor
Florey and Dr. E.B. Chain worked for the
Q.12: What are the antiseptics?
concentration of penicillin.
Ans: Antiseptics are chemicals which are used
to kill germs. Carbolic acid is one of them.
Q.19: Write a note on penicillin as a wonder
Q.13: What is defect of antiseptic method?
drug.
Ans: The antiseptic method could not cure the
Ans: Penicillin was hailed as a wonder drug. It
disease. It killed the germs inside the body but it
healed the wounds rapidly. It saved countless
also killed the white cells of blood. It did more
lives. It reached the Egyptain army and healed
harm than good.
the wounds of wounded soldiers.
Q.20: Write a note on discovery of Flemingthose eggs laid by healthy worms. He asked
called Lysozyme? them to avoid overcrowding, uncleanness,
Ans: Lysozyme is the first natural antiseptic,overheating and unhealthy conditions.
manufactured by the body. It is not a chemical
antiseptic. Fleming discovered it by chance. Q.26: Give an account of Pasteurs treatment of
Hydrophobia and how he cured the first patient
Chapter 14 suffering from it?
Ans: In Hydrophobia, the nervous tissue of the
Q.21: Write a note on the birth of Pasteur. patient was affected. Pasteur discovered the
Ans: Pasteur was born at Dole in the Juratreatment. He took the spinal cord of rabbit
district of France in 1822. suffering from Rabies. He exposed it to the dry
air which weakened it. It became harmless. He
Q.22: Give some examples of Pasteurs
introduced in into dogs. They were rendered
patriotism.
immune to Rabies it. Pasteur cured the first
Ans: (1) Pasteur enrolled himself in the
patient of hydrophobia by inoculating him for ten
National Guard and donated all that he has to
days.
his country.
(2) He discovered the treatment of silkQ.27: What is Hydrophobia of Rabies?
worm and in this way saved hisAns: Hydrophobia is a disease caused by the
country from economic crisis. bite of a mad dog. The patient shows sings of
(3) His work on fermentation saved therestlessness, shudder at the least breath of air,
wine industry of France from disaster. impossibility of swallowing and fits of rage.
Illness in the long run ends on death.
Q.23: What does spontaneous generation
mean? Chapter 15
Ans: It means that germs are produced in a
thing without any external help. Pasteur provedQ.28: Who was Mustafa Kamal? Why was he
it wrong. If germs are destroyed in a thing, theysent to Anatolia?
do not develop in it. Ans: Mustafa Kamal was an army officer at that
time. The Sultan of Turkey sent Mustafa to
Q.24: How did Pasteur prove aboutAnatolia to control the situation. His mission
spontaneous generation was not a fact? was to crush the Turk rebels who were fighting
Ans: Pasteur proved that spontaneousagainst the Allied forces.
generation was not possible. He proved that if a
substance was heated to destroy all life, theQ.29: What were the activities of Mustafa
germs did not develop in it. He proved this thingKamal in Anatolla?
by means of an experiment. Ans: When Mustafa Kamal reached Anatolia,
he met Ali Faut, the commander of the patriotic
Q.25: Describe the importance and popularity ofarmy. At a secret meeting of the patriots, he
the silkworm industry in France. What help didsketched out his plan of resistance to hold up
Pasteur render in curing the silkworm disease inthe Greeks.
his country?
Ans: In France, the silk worm industryQ.30: Why did king Mehmet order Mustafa
flourished. The farmers of France lived on it.Kamal to come back Constantinople?
Every family had a room for rearing silkworms.Ans: King Mehmet came to know that Mustafa
Woman at midnight supplied the worms withKamal was siding with the rebels. He ordered
fresh mulberry leaves and kept the temperaturehim to come back. He had started guerilla war
right. Pasteur asked the farmers to help only
against the Greeks. He urged patriots to build
up a National army. He urged people for revolt.
Q.31: What was Mustafa Kamals reply?
Ans: Mustafa Kamal sent a long telegram to
King Mehmet. He asked him to come to
Anatolia and should lead against the Greeks
and all the foreign enemies. He said I shall stay
in Anatolia until the nation has won its
independence.
Q.32: What were his reforms in the field of
education?
Ans: Mustafa Kamal introduced the following
reforms in the field of education.
He abolished the Arabic script and
replaced it by the Roman script.
He simplified the Turkish language.
Q.33: Describe the reforms introduced by
Mustafa Kamal with reference to the change in
dresses?
Ans: Fez was the national head-dress of
Turkey. It was Greek in origin but it had made a
close link with Turkish life. In 1925, Mustafa
Kamal abolished the wearing of the Fez.
Q.34: What were his economic reforms?
Ans: Mustafa did many things to improve the lot
of poor people.
He started a five year plan.
He inaugurated great development and
construction schemes in the field of
railways and motor roads.
He set up new factories and mills. He
organized the banking system