by Sir Winston S.Churchill
First Year at Harrow by Sir Winston S. Churchill
Summary
In this essay, the writer has explained the place of examinations in the life of a student and the choice of the right subjects. He tells that he never liked examinations because he could not perform well in the examinations. He tells that examiners asked the questions he could not produce a satisfactory answer for.In the entrance examination at Harrow, the author got zero marks in Latin paper. He just wrote his name and returned the empty answer sheet back. The Headmaster, Mr. Weldon, however, let him be admitted at Harrow. It was both surprising and pleasant for the author.
The writer narrates that he was only two from the bottom of the merit list of admissions. While clever boys went for Latin and Greek because in that time these subjects were most important. He was taught English because of his apparent inability to study Latin and Greek.
The author worked hard and got good grades in English. His English teacher, Mr. Somervell taught him English thoroughly in an effective way. He surpassed all grammar rules and English prose. He had a long-term advantage over the clever boy. They had to improve their English later when they were in their jobs. The author is not sad for having not learned Latin and Greek. He says that he would whip those boys for not knowing English.
Questions Answers Notes
Q. 1:Who is the writer of ‘First year at Harrow’?Ans: Sir Winston Churchill is the author of the essay “First year at Harrow".
Q. 2: The writer says that the examiners ask the questions which students cannot answer and not those which they can answer. Is the complaint just?
Ans: To some extent, this complaint is true but mostly it does not happen. It is the complaint of dull students. The hardworking can answer any question asked in the exam.
Q. 3: What sort of questions is asked by your examiners?
Ans: Our examiners ask easy as well as difficult questions in the examinations. They ask such questions which can distinguish a diligent student from an ordinary one.
Q. 4: Why did not Churchill do well in examinations?
Ans: He liked poetry and essay writing but the examiners were interested in Latin and Mathematics. He did not know the answers of the questions. So he could not do well in the examination.
Q. 5: How did he do his Latin paper?
Ans: He did his Latin paper badly. He just wrote his name, question ‘1’ and after much reflection put a bracket around it thus (1). Then, unknowingly, he put a blot and many smudges on the paper.
Q. 6: Churchill was taught English at Harrow and not Latin and Greek. Was it a gain or a loss?
Ans: Churchill was taught English at Harrow and not Latin and Greek it was a gain for him. This knowledge proved very useful for him in future to earn his livelihood and a promising career.
Q. 7: What good did his three years stay at Harrow do him?
Ans: His three stay at Harrow was very important for Churchill. Here he learnt the basic rules of English. This knowledge proved very useful for him in future to earn his livelihood and a promising career.
Q.8: In after years how did the knowledge of English stand him in good stead?
Ans: In after years, the knowledge of English proved very useful for him in his practical life.By knowing his national language, he faced no difficulty in the daily affairs of life. He became a successful politician.
Q. 9: What happened to boys who had learnt Latin and Greek?
Ans: Those boys who had leant Latin and Greek and had won many prizes. They had to learn English again to earn their livelihood.
Q.10: What is Churchill’s advice regarding learning English?
Ans: His advice is that all English boys should learn English first. They should get it into their bones. Later on, clever ones may learn Latin as an honor and Greek as a treat.
Q.11: Who was Mr. Welldon?
Ans: Mr. Welldon was the head of Harrow. He was an intelligent man. He judged the hidden qualities in Churchill and granted him admission. Churchill had great regards for him.
Q.12: Who was Mr. Somervell and how did he teach English?
Ans: Mr. Somervell was a delightful teacher of English at Harrow. He had his own method of teaching. He taught English by means: of red, blue, black and green inks.
13. The writer says that the examiners ask questions which students cannot answer & not those which they can answer. Is the complaint just?
Examinations are a test of the abilities of students. Examiners set question papers in such a way as to test the understanding of students about their respective subjects. They should keep in mind the mental level of students while setting the papers. They should not set out of course questions. The question papers should be balanced so that both the average and bright students can answer.
Examinations are a test of the abilities of students. Examiners set question papers in such a way as to test the understanding of students about their respective subjects. They should keep in mind the mental level of students while setting the papers. They should not set out of course questions. The question papers should be balanced so that both the average and bright students can answer.
14. What sort of questions are asked by your examiners?
Our examiners ask different type of questions. These questions are conceptual and creative. A question paper generally comprises three sections namely A,B, and C. In these sections, objective, short and long questions are set to test the understanding of students about their syllabus. Sometimes they repeat the same questions.
Our examiners ask different type of questions. These questions are conceptual and creative. A question paper generally comprises three sections namely A,B, and C. In these sections, objective, short and long questions are set to test the understanding of students about their syllabus. Sometimes they repeat the same questions.
15. Why did Churchill not do well in examinations?
Churchill disliked exams. He was interested in History, Poetry & Essay writing. But, his examiners did not value these subjects. They liked to ask questions from Latin, Greek & Mathematics. But, Churchill was not interested in these subjects. As a result, he could not show satisfactory performance in exams and failed.
Churchill disliked exams. He was interested in History, Poetry & Essay writing. But, his examiners did not value these subjects. They liked to ask questions from Latin, Greek & Mathematics. But, Churchill was not interested in these subjects. As a result, he could not show satisfactory performance in exams and failed.
16. How did he do his Latin paper?
Churchill had to appear for entry test for admission to Harrow school. He was not interested in Latin. He could not show satisfactory performance in this paper. He just wrote his name at the top of the paper and also wrote question number and put a bracket round it. He remained sitting for two hours and could not answer even a single question. But, the headmaster saw through his ability and gave him admission.
Churchill had to appear for entry test for admission to Harrow school. He was not interested in Latin. He could not show satisfactory performance in this paper. He just wrote his name at the top of the paper and also wrote question number and put a bracket round it. He remained sitting for two hours and could not answer even a single question. But, the headmaster saw through his ability and gave him admission.
17. Churchill was taught English at Harrow & not Latin & Greek. Was it a gain or loss?
Churchill was considered a duffer because he was weak in Latin & Greek. It was decided to teach him only English because he was unable to learn anything valuable. He remained in this school for three years. He was taught English by an able teacher, Mr. Somervell. He learnt English very well. He had a strong grip over this language. At that time English language became popular. All the bright students had to learn English. Therefore, Mr.Churchill was not at a loss. It was a gain for him.
Churchill was considered a duffer because he was weak in Latin & Greek. It was decided to teach him only English because he was unable to learn anything valuable. He remained in this school for three years. He was taught English by an able teacher, Mr. Somervell. He learnt English very well. He had a strong grip over this language. At that time English language became popular. All the bright students had to learn English. Therefore, Mr.Churchill was not at a loss. It was a gain for him.
18. What good did his three years stay at Harrow do him?
His three years stay at Harrow was very useful for him. It was a blessing in disguise that he was taught English language. He became expert in English. He could use it correctly & comfortably. Mr.Somervell was an able teacher. His method of teaching was very effective. Churchill outclassed bright boys who were learning Latin & Greek.
His three years stay at Harrow was very useful for him. It was a blessing in disguise that he was taught English language. He became expert in English. He could use it correctly & comfortably. Mr.Somervell was an able teacher. His method of teaching was very effective. Churchill outclassed bright boys who were learning Latin & Greek.
19. In after years how did the knowledge of English stand him in good stead?
The knowledge of English language helped him a lot. It was useful and beneficial for him to learn English. It was a blessing in disguise that he was taught English language. He became a good writer. He became a politician and made effective speeches that convinced people. He had bright chances of success. At last, he became Prime Minister of Great Britain due to his mastery of English language.
The knowledge of English language helped him a lot. It was useful and beneficial for him to learn English. It was a blessing in disguise that he was taught English language. He became a good writer. He became a politician and made effective speeches that convinced people. He had bright chances of success. At last, he became Prime Minister of Great Britain due to his mastery of English language.
20. Write an appreciation or criticism of Churchill’s views in regard to the study of Latin, Greek & English and their value in earning a living.
Churchill says that students should first learn English for their bright and successful career. He even suggests to punish those students who do not learn English language. He says that the knowledge of English language is a must for them. Afterwards, they can learn Latin as an honour and Greek as a treat.
Churchill says that students should first learn English for their bright and successful career. He even suggests to punish those students who do not learn English language. He says that the knowledge of English language is a must for them. Afterwards, they can learn Latin as an honour and Greek as a treat.
