Louis Pasteur/Questions Answers

by Margaret Avery

1. Describe the early life of Pasteur.
Pasteur was born in Jura district of France in 1822. He belonged to a poor family. He was sent to Communal College. He graduated in Science and Arts. In 1848, at the age of twenty six, he became Deputy Professor of Chemistry in the University of Strasburg.

2. Give some instances of Pasteur’s patriotism.
Pasteur was a great patriot and lover of France. He tried to enroll himself in the army when France and Germany were plunged into war. Once he gave 150 francs for his country. He returned the degree of German University because Germany was at war with France.

3. What do we mean by spontaneous generation?
Spontaneous generation means production of living things from non-living things because of bacteria. Pasteur rejected this theory.

4. How did Pasteur prove that spontaneous generation was not a fact?
Pasteur proved that spontaneous generation was not a fact. He proved it through an experiment. He declared that bacteria would not be developed if a substance was sufficiently heated.

5. Describe the importance & popularity of silkworm industry in France. What help did Pasteur render in curing the silkworm disease in his country?
The silkworm industry in France was very popular at that time. It was the only source of living for many farmers of France. Unfortunately, silkworms were hit by a dangerous disease. It destroyed the silkworm industry. Pasteur very successfully discovered its treatment and saved this industry.

6. How did Pasteur discover the treatment for the cattle disease, Anthrax?
Pasteur very successfully discovered the treatment of cattle disease called Anthrax. He injected weak germs of this disease into the blood of the animal. It showed slight symptoms of the disease but then it recovered from the disease. He called it vaccine.

7. How did Pasteur discover the method of making vaccines?
Pasteur discovered the method of making vaccines by weakening the germs. He injected weak germs of the disease into the blood of the animal. It showed slight symptoms of the disease but then it recovered from the disease. He called it vaccine.

8. Give an account of Pasteur’s treatment of Hydrophobia & how he cured the first patient suffering from it?
Pasteur very successfully discovered the treatment of the disease called Hydrophobia or Rabies. It is a very dangerous disease. It is caused by the bite of mad dog. Pasteur took the nervous tissue of an animal which had died of this disease. He weakened these germs. He injected weak germs of the disease into the blood of the animal which was recovered. In the same way, he treated the first patient of Hydrophobia.

9. How did Pasteur show the way to other scientists ? Give an account of the discoveries.
Pasteur showed the way to other scientists through his matchless work. They began to discover new methods and medicines. These discoveries included antitoxin, protective treatment for cholera & protective inoculation for typhoid and plague. His work inspired them greatly. He also removed superstitions of the people.

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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Sir Alexander Fleming /Questions Answers

by Patrick Pringle

1. What are antiseptics and what is the antiseptic method?
2. What was the chief defect of antiseptic method?
Antiseptics are chemicals. These are used to destroy germs. Antiseptic method means killing of germs through the use of chemicals. The chief defect of this method was that it used to kill germs as well as white cells of the body.

3. What part is played by the white cells in the blood of a human body?
White cells of the body are called natural defence of human body. They protect the body from the germs of diseases.They attack the germs when they enter human body.Fleming stressed the need to support these cells.

4. Give an account of the early life of Fleming.
Fleming was born in 1881.He got his early education in the village school. He went to London to study at the Regent Street Polytechnic at the age of fourteen. He then joined St.Mary’s Hospital to become a doctor.

5. Describe how Fleming discovered penicillin.
Fleming was busy in experiments in his lab. He was growing colonies of germs. By chance, a mould spore dropped on the culture plate .The germs began to disappear. Fleming tested it for its anti bacterial features and discovered penicillin.

6. In what respect is penicillin better than the chemical antiseptics?
9. Write a note on penicillin as a wonder drug.
Penicillin is better than all other chemicals. It does not damage white cells of the body. Whereas other chemicals like carbolic acid damage white cells of the body. It is also called wonder drug. It saved millions of lives. Its discovery revolutionized the world of medicine.

7. What do you know of the Oxford team?
8. How did they make penicillin more effective?
The Oxford team included trained chemists and bacteriologists. It was headed by Professor Haward Florey and Doctor E.B.Chain. They concentrated and made penicillin more effective through a series of brilliant experiments. They adopted modern methods of manufacturing.

10. Was Fleming proud of his discovery?
12. Fleming’s achievement paved the way for other discoveries in the medical field. What were they?
Fleming was a very humble fellow. He was not proud of his discovery. He said that penicillin was nature-made and he only discovered it. Fleming inspired other scientists to look for new medicines and cures of diseases. An important discovery was streptomycine.

11. Why could not penicillin have been discovered in the research laboratories of America?
Penicillin could not have been discovered in American laboratories because their labs were clean, dustless and air-conditioned. There was no chance of a mould spore to enter the lab through a window.

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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Hitch-Hiking Across the Sahara/Questions Answers

by G.F.Lamb

1. Give an idea of the size of the Sahara. How is it compared with England?
The size of the Sahara is very large. It is very vast and extensive. It is bigger than England which is a large country. We cannot find England if a giant puts it in the middle of this great desert. It is full of sand which is spreading far and wide.

2. What had Christopher’s foster-mother to do with his desire to see distant places?
When he was a small child, he used to be cheeky and naughty. His foster-mother used to threaten him to send him to Timbuktu to silence him. It is a distant place in the great desert. But, instead of becoming afraid, he desired to see that place one day. It showed that he was enterprising since childhood.

3. How did he manage to get a seat in the weapons carrier?
Christopher was travelling in a slow moving truck. It was very painful experience for him. Suddenly, a weapons carrier overtook them. He stopped the truck and requested the lieutenant to give him a lift. He told Christopher that strict military laws did not allow civilians to be taken along. Christopher showed him a permit of war ministry. This permit had expired but, fortunately, the lieutenant did not notice it and allowed him in his truck.

4. What was the most noticeable feature of the desert city named Ghardaia?
The most noticeable feature of the desert city named Ghardaia was its numerous ant stickier flies. All the food items seemed to be covered with flies. These flies did not hesitate to follow food into the mouth of the eaters. Even the children were not easily recognizable. Their faces were constantly covered with flies. It showed that the condition of cleanliness was very bad and dirty here.

5. How did they manage to drive the heavy truck in the trackless desert with its soft sand?
The driver of the truck drove it very skillfully. Sometimes, it was difficult to drive it on soft sand. They used to take out strips of iron from the truck and place them in front of it. Then it was easy to drive the truck. After crossing the soft sand, they collected these iron strips and loaded them back into the truck.

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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First year at Harrow/Questions and answers

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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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