The Jewel of the World /Questions Answers

by Philip K. Hitti

1. Give an account of the early career of Abd-al-Rahman I, his dramatic escape and his adventures in Africa.
Abd-al-Rahman was a young man of twenty. He was a striking young man. He was tall, lean and had sharp aquiline features. He had red hair. He was a youth of matchless strength and ability. One day, he was chased by his enemies. He jumped into the river and swam to safety. His enemies could not catch him. He was friendless and helpless. After bearing many hardships, he reached North Africa. His maternal uncles were Berbers. They gave him refuge.

2. How did Abd-al-Rahman deal with the governor appointed by the Abbasid caliph to contest his rule?
Abd-al-Rahman proved himself a strong rival. He gave a befitting response to Abbasid caliph who was against his rule. He cut off the head of his governor. He preserved the head in salt and camphor and covered it in a black flag. He presented this head as a gift to the caliph.

3. What did the Abbasid caliph say on receiving the head of his governor?
The Abbasid caliph was quite terrified when he received the head of his governor. His fervent rejoinder was,”Thanks be to Allah for having placed the sea between us and such a foe!” This remark of the caliph showed that he was at heart very much afraid of Abd-al-Rahman.

4. What did Abd-al-Rahman do to make himself strong and to beautify his capital?
Abd-al-Rahman developed a well-disciplined, high trained army of forty thousand or more Berbers. He won their loyality by giving them generous pay. He beautified the cities of his kingdom. He built an aqueduct for the supply of pure water. He built for himself a glorious palace named al-Zahra. He introduced many exotic plants. He also set up the great Mosque of Cordova.

5. Give an account of the all-round progress made by the Arabs under Abd-al-Rahman III.
The Arabs under Abd-al-Rahman III made matchless progress in every field of life. The capital city of Cordova became the most cultured city in Europe. It had seventy libraries, many book shops, paved streets, mosques and palaces. It got international fame. Spain became wealthy and prosperous. It progressed in leather industry, wool and silk fabrics, glassware and brass work, pottery,etc. The Spanish Arabs also promoted agriculture and industry.

6. What did Al-Hakam do to promote learning and scholarship in his kingdom?
Al-Hakam was himself a scholar and patronized learning. He was lover of books. He was generous to scholars. He established twenty-seven free schools in the capital mosque. Students from Spain, Europe, Africa and Asia used to come here to seek knowledge. He also set up a big library with forty thousand books. He invited professors from the East and gave them generous salaries.

Mustafa Kamal	Louis Pasteur	Sir Alexander Fleming	Hitch Hiking across the Sahara
First Year at Harrow	The Jewel of the World	Hunger and Population Explosion	China way to Progress
My Financial Career	The Man Who was Hospital	On Destroying Books	End of Terms
Why Boy Fail In College	Using the Scientific Method	The Dying Sun	Good Bye Mr. Chips

 

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Hunger and Population Explosion / Questions Answers

by Anna Mekenzie

1. What does hunger mean on a large scale as viewed by the author?
Hunger does not mean missing one meal or even meals for a whole day. It means never having enough to eat.It means, when you have had something to eat at least as much again. It also means a situation in which you are always wondering where the next meal is coming from or even if there will be a next meal.

2. Describe some great famines of the past.
In the past, there were very destructive famines. There were seven years of famine in Egypt during the time of Joseph. There was one famine every five years in Europe and one major famine every ten years in England in 350 different years. China had ninety major famines in one century. There was worst famine of the century in India in 1964-65. A large number of people were killed in these famines.

3. How do famines occur?
Famines may be caused by many things. It may be that there are just too many people for the amount of food available. It may be that crops have failed due to disease. Lack of rain also leads to famines.

4. What is the main reason for population increase today?
The main reason for population increase today is due to the number of people who are born in any year being greater than the number who die. In the past only a small number of babies grew up. Nowadays, 19 out 20 babies grow up due to modern medicines. The death rate has been decreased to the minimum.

5. What is meant by birth-rate and death-rate, and how do they affect the population of a country?
Birth-rate means number of births per 1000 population and death-rate means number of deaths per 1000 population. The difference between these rates affects the population of a country. The high birth-rate and the low death-rate mean that population is increasing and low birth-rate and high death-rate mean that population is decreasing.

6. What have public-health measures to do with increase in population?
The public-health measures are largely responsible for increase in population. In the past many people were killed by various diseases like typhoid, cholera, small-pox, diphtheria, measles, etc. Child mortality rate was very high. Nowadays, science has very successfully discovered the treatment of various incurable diseases. The average life expectancy has increased. And the death-rate has been reduced.

7. Account for the high birth-rate in under-developed countries?
The birth-rate is very high in under-developed countries. Their population is mainly uneducated. They are not aware of the benefits of small families. Their population is increasing at alarming levels. As a result, they face extra burden on their small resources. Their economy is unable to meet the needs of increasing population.

8. Why is birth-rate not so high in the more advanced countries?
The birth-rate is not so high in the more advanced countries. Their population is educated. They know the benefits of small families. They act upon family planning. They use modern contraceptive methods to reduce population. The government also encourages small families through various incentives.

9. Give a brief account of the poor economic conditions prevailing in under-developed countries.
The under-developed countries suffer from poverty. Many people live below poverty line. Beggars wander everywhere. These countries lack industries and factories. They suffer from energy crisis. They have poor road and railways. Hospitals and schools are not enough. Many people are uneducated. Their economies are weak.

Mustafa Kamal	Louis Pasteur	Sir Alexander Fleming	Hitch Hiking across the Sahara
First Year at Harrow	The Jewel of the World	Hunger and Population Explosion	China way to Progress
My Financial Career	The Man Who was Hospital	On Destroying Books	End of Terms
Why Boy Fail In College	Using the Scientific Method	The Dying Sun	Good Bye Mr. Chips

 

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China’s way to Progress/Questions Answers

by Galeazzo Santini

1. Why has the world changed its attitude towards China?
The world has changed its attitude towards China because it has made matchless progress in every field of life. Its advancement in science and technology is amazing and remarkable. It is now fast becoming super power of the world. It is a giant economically. The world is naturally attracted towards China.

2. Discuss Chinese agriculture system.
China is a powerfully agricultural and peasant country. The Chinese agriculture system is modernized. It is based on communes. The Chinese farmers use modern machinery and tools. These machines are cheap and durable because they are locally made. The farmers do not run away towards the cities. They are provided basic facilities in their own areas.

3. How does China rely on its own resources?
The Chinese people rely on their own resources. They use their own machines and technology. These machines are cheap and durable because they are locally made. They do not borrow money from other countries. They use their own raw material to make goods. Their products are internationally recognized and have great demand abroad. As a nation, they are very hard-working and dedicated.

4. Describe a day in the life of a Chinese student.
The writer took interview of a Chinese student and came to know about her daily routine. She is sixteen years old. She is a pupil of class 3. She gets up at 6 a.m. She does some house work. Then she takes breakfast and goes to school at 8. She finishes at 11 a.m. She comes home and takes lunch. She comes back to school at 1:30 until 3 p.m. She does home work at school. Then she relaxes and enjoys sports and games with her friends.

5. Write a note on the Chinese women.
The Chinese women are very hard-working and dedicated. They do not use cosmetics. They equally participate in the progress and development of their country. They have a lot of social benefits. They have to work 8 hours a day. They enjoy free medical care, nursery and infant schools. They are given leave of 56 paid days before child birth. They retire at the age of 50 or 55.

6. What are the social security benefits provided to the Chinese workers?
The Chinese workers enjoy a lot of social security benefits. All medical and hospital treatment is entirely free for every Chinese worker or peasant. A sick worker receives his total pay cheque for the first six months. They retire at the age of 60. Each factory has a cafeteria where the workers can eat three meals a day for 10-12 Yuan a month. Many workers are housed within the factories.

7. “It is the people and not the things that are decisive.” Discuss.
The Chinese people have proved that the people are decisive for the progress and development of their country. It is the geat men of a nation that take their nation towards peaks of glory and success. They work hard and produce wonders for their country. All the progress in the world is a proof of this that people are decisive and not the things.

8. “The heart of the matter is the need to root out selfishness.” Discuss.
Selfishness is the root cause of evils in a society. The Chinese model shows us how to finish this selfishness to bring harmony and peace in the society. The Chinese have proved Thomas Hobbes wrong that man is at war with man. The Chinese are selfless and dedicated. They believe in collective welfare. That is how we can promote equality and justice in a society.

Mustafa Kamal	Louis Pasteur	Sir Alexander Fleming	Hitch Hiking across the Sahara
First Year at Harrow	The Jewel of the World	Hunger and Population Explosion	China way to Progress
My Financial Career	The Man Who was Hospital	On Destroying Books	End of Terms
Why Boy Fail In College	Using the Scientific Method	The Dying Sun	Good Bye Mr. Chips

 

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My Financial Career/Questions and answers

by Stephen Leacock

1. What light do the following expressions throw on Leacock’s state of mind when he entered the bank: ‘looked timidly round’, ‘shambled in’?
These expressions show that he was quite nervous and upset when he entered the bank. He was very much afraid of the bank and its clerks. He was acting like a fool. He could not show confidence. He was mentally confused. His condition was quite miserable.

2. Why did the manager come to think that Leacock had an awful secret to reveal?
Leacock was mentally confused. He was acting like a fool. His movements were quite mysterious. He wished to see the manager alone. The manager guessed that he had some great secret to reveal in private.

3. What was the attitude of the manager towards Leacock on learning that he only wished to deposit 56 dollars in the bank?
The manager was feeling quite uneasy. But, when the writer told him that he only wished to deposit only 56 dollars, his attitude was very unfriendly. He was angry and displeased. He told the writer to leave his room and go to the respective clerk.

4. What other blunders did Leacock commit after leaving the manager’s office?
Leacock committed many blunders after leaving the manager’s office. For example, he entered the safe instead of going out. The manager showed him the way. He wrote 56 dollars on the cheque instead of just 6 dollars.

5. After this misadventure in the bank where did Leacock keep his money?
He decided not to keep his money in the bank after his misadventure. He decided to keep his money in the pocket of his trousers and his savings in silver dollars in a sock.

6. Give as many examples as you can to show that Leacock was feeling completely lost in the bank all the time he was there.
Leacock was quite lost in the bank all the time. He was quite nervous and upset when he entered the bank. He was very much afraid of the bank and its clerks. He was acting like a fool. He could not show confidence. He was mentally confused. His condition was quite miserable. He entered the safe instead of going out. He wrote 56 dollars on the cheque instead of just 6 dollars.

Mustafa Kamal	Louis Pasteur	Sir Alexander Fleming	Hitch Hiking across the Sahara
First Year at Harrow	The Jewel of the World	Hunger and Population Explosion	China way to Progress
My Financial Career	The Man Who was Hospital	On Destroying Books	End of Terms
Why Boy Fail In College	Using the Scientific Method	The Dying Sun	Good Bye Mr. Chips

 

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The Man who was a Hospital / Questions Answers

by Jerome K. Jerome

1. How did Jerome K. Jerome come to suspect that his liver was out of order? What were the diseases he thought he was suffering from on reading a book on the treatment of diseases?
The writer came to suspect that his liver was out of order when he read patent liver-pill circular. He read the symptoms of this disease and felt he had them all. He then consulted a book on various diseases. He was surprised to find that he had all the diseases.

2. What was the disease he discovered he did not have?
3. Was he pleased to find he did not have it?
He came to know that he had all the diseases of the world except one disease. He did not have housemaid’s knee. He was not pleased to find this. Rather he felt hurt. He was feeling sorry that why he did not have this disease.

4. What was his first reaction?
The writer thought that he was a hospital now. He began to think that he had become quite an interesting case. He thought that he was a rare person of the world. Nobody could have as many diseases as he had.

5. Why should he be an acquisition to the medical class?
He thought that he had become quite valuable from medical point of view. He would prove an asset for medical class. He thought that medical students should not visit various hospitals for research on diseases. Instead they should visit and study him and get medical diploma.

6. Describe his visit to the medical man.
He became quite nervous and upset to find that he was suffering from all the diseases. He ran towards the doctor who was his friend. The doctor listened to his hard-luck story and wrote him a prescription.

7. He thought he was doing the doctor good turn by going to him. Why?
He thought that he had become quite valuable from medical point of view. He thought that a doctor could add to his knowledge and experience by studying him because he had more diseases than seventeen hundred patients.

8. What was the prescription given to him by the doctor?
The doctor wrote him a prescription which contained practical instructions for him. The doctor wrote that he should eat beefsteak every 6 hours, walk ten mile every morning, sleep at 11 sharp every night and not stuff his head with things he does not understand.

9. Describe his visit to the chemist.
The writer visited the chemist to get medicines. He saw the prescription and told the writer that he could not help him. He told the writer that he was not the owner of a hotel or co-operative stores.

10. What is the significance of the doctor’s advice: do not stuff your head with things you do not understand?
The doctor gave the writer a very valuable and useful advice. He told him that he should not focus on things which he could not understand. Sometimes we begin to worry about doubtful things that we could not understand. It is better to leave them. The writer followed the advice of the doctor and became healthy in a few days.

Mustafa Kamal	Louis Pasteur	Sir Alexander Fleming	Hitch Hiking across the Sahara
First Year at Harrow	The Jewel of the World	Hunger and Population Explosion	China way to Progress
My Financial Career	The Man Who was Hospital	On Destroying Books	End of Terms
Why Boy Fail In College	Using the Scientific Method	The Dying Sun	Good Bye Mr. Chips

 

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On Destroying Books/Questions Answers

by J.C. Squire

1. What sort of books were presented by the British public to soldiers?
The British public presented various kinds of books to soldiers. Most of them were quite ordinary and suitable. They also presented magazines which were twenty years old. Some other books included 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?
The British public presented the books to the soldiers. It was clear that they wanted to get rid of their old books and magazines. They did not gift these books out of interest. In fact, they thought that it was a golden opportunity to discard their useless and old books.

3. Why should bad books be destroyed?
We should destroy bad books to make room for new and latest books. So that we could gain new knowledge and information. It is also not useful to keep bad books with us as decoration. We should rather discard this rubbish as soon as possible.

4. Why is it difficult to destroy books?
It is always difficult to destroy books. They may not have as many lives as a cat but they certainly die hard. It is sometimes difficult to find a scaffold for them. We cannot burn them or throw them easily.

5. Why could not the author burn the unwanted books?
The author could not burn his unwanted books because he had not kitchen range. He lived in a small rented room where this facility was not available. He could not burn them on the gas cooker because there were bundles of books.

6. How did he decide to get rid of them?
The writer thought that nobody would buy these useless books. He hit upon a plan to get rid of his unwanted books. He decided to pack them into a sack and throw them into the river. It was the only way for him to part with his useless books.

7. Describe the author’s midnight venture to throw the books in the river and the suspicions which his actions were likely to arouse.
The writer packed his books into a sack and loaded the sack on his shoulder. He came down in the street at midnight. He was full of fears and doubts when he was going to the river. He thought that some policeman might arrest him. He was terrified to see a passer-by. He wandered on the bridge here and there. He was feeling uneasy and nervous. He thought that people might suspect that his sack contained the dead body of a baby.

8. How did he muster up courage at last to fling them into the river?
For a long time, the writer remained confused and hesitant. He could not overcome his fear. He cursed himself. He called himself a coward. At last, he took heart and decided to take the final step. He lifted the sack of books and threw it down into the river.

9. Did he come to have a feeling for those books once he had got rid of them?
The writer felt sad as well as glad for the books. He was glad to part with these useless books. He was also sad to lose these books which provided him company for a long time. He called them poor innocent books. He also called them horrible bad books.

Mustafa Kamal	Louis Pasteur	Sir Alexander Fleming	Hitch Hiking across the Sahara
First Year at Harrow	The Jewel of the World	Hunger and Population Explosion	China way to Progress
My Financial Career	The Man Who was Hospital	On Destroying Books	End of Terms
Why Boy Fail In College	Using the Scientific Method	The Dying Sun	Good Bye Mr. Chips

 

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End of Term / Questions answers

by David Daiches

1. What was the Daiches’ attitude towards the week-end as a school boy? Why did he long for it?
The writer did not like his school as a school boy. He disliked his school very much. Though he was a good student, yet he wanted to run away from his school. He always waited for the week-end. He felt quite delighted and excited at the arrival of the week-end. It provided him break from school work and enough time to enjoy sound sleep.

2. What was his general view of school life?
He did not like school life. He thought that school was like a prison. He disliked daily grind of school and its abundant home work. He disliked to stay at school for long hours. He always waited for the week-end to relax and enjoy.

3. He liked holidays for their freedom-freedom from what?
He liked holidays for their freedom from daily school work. These holidays provided him with opportunities to spend time in enjoyment and entertainment. He could sleep well. He could indulge in sports and games.

4. How did he spend his summer holidays?
His summer holidays were quite attractive and charming for him. He spent his summer holidays in enjoyment. He used to visit historical places. He also ran across meadows and trees.

5. Wishes do not come true in this life, writes Daiches. What are the things he longed for but could not have?
There were many wishes of the writer that remained unfulfilled. He wanted to eat sweets and ice cream but he had no money. He wanted to purchase a tricycle but he could not afford it because his parents were poor.

6. What did he do with his pocket money?
The writer belonged to a poor family. He used to save his pocket money into a money box. He used to spend it on Christmas. That is how he fulfilled his innocent wishes.

Mustafa Kamal	Louis Pasteur	Sir Alexander Fleming	Hitch Hiking across the Sahara
First Year at Harrow	The Jewel of the World	Hunger and Population Explosion	China way to Progress
My Financial Career	The Man Who was Hospital	On Destroying Books	End of Terms
Why Boy Fail In College	Using the Scientific Method	The Dying Sun	Good Bye Mr. Chips

 

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Why Boys Fail in College?/Questions and answers

by Herbert E. Hawke

1. According to the author there are some boys who fail because they do not try. Who are they? Can we help them?
Some boys fail because they do not try. They are suffering from nervous habits. They have the ability to work hard. But, they cannot focus on their studies. They waste their precious time in useless activities. Such habits are not easy to finish. Only the boy can correct himself. We cannot do anything about him. He needs to change his habits. He should create balance and peace of mind in his personality.

2. How do mistaken ambition on the part of boys and their parents lead to the failure of the boys?
Sometimes mistaken ambition on the part of boys and their parents lead to the failure of boys. Parents choose ambitious careers for their boys. They want them to become engineers and doctors. But, they do not consider the wishes of their boys in selecting careers for them. They want them to choose such subjects in which they have no interest. As a result, the boys do not work hard and fail badly. We should let the students choose subjects of their choice to save them from failure.

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?
There are some bright boys who have done well at school. But, they fail in college simply because they are over-confident. They think that they can pass college exams as easily as they passed school exams. But, they are mistaken. They should understand that the level of college is different from that of school. In college, the course of studies is comprehensive. Such types of students are found everywhere. They need to change their attitude to utilize their talent to get success at college.

4. How does financial pressure lead to the failure of students described in the lesson? Do you have similar cases in your country?
Some students fail because they cannot meet their college expenses. They are suffering from financial problems. They cannot pay college fee. They cannot buy books and uniform. Some students do jobs to meet these expenses. They cannot focus on studies well. Their time is wasted. Their health is also affected while doing a job. Such types of students are found everywhere. It is the duty of the parents to provide enough money to their boys to meet their college expenses.

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?
Many students fail in college because they are mentally or physically unfit. They are suffering from various diseases. Therefore, they cannot focus properly on their studies. The students should regularly see a doctor for their medical check-up. A sound mind is in a sound body. The college should also provide medical assistance to the students. By improving the health of the students, they can be saved from failure.

6. What place would you accord to sportsmen in college?
Some students fail in college because they take interest only in sports and games. They ignore their studies. They do not keep balance between their studies and sports. Sports and games are necessary for their mental and physical fitness. But, they should not play at the cost of their studies. They must remember that education is their first duty and priority.

7. There are some students who join college for the fun of it. Should they be allowed to stay?
Some students do not have serious aim in life. They are fond of entertainment and merry-making. They join college just for fun. They are non-serious and showy. They waste their time in meaningless activities. They should be expelled from the college. So that they could know that what is the worth of lazy bluffers in the cold world.

Mustafa Kamal	Louis Pasteur	Sir Alexander Fleming	Hitch Hiking across the Sahara
First Year at Harrow	The Jewel of the World	Hunger and Population Explosion	China way to Progress
My Financial Career	The Man Who was Hospital	On Destroying Books	End of Terms
Why Boy Fail In College	Using the Scientific Method	The Dying Sun	Good Bye Mr. Chips

 

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