NEB Grade- 11 (English) Unit: 3 Essays (all) 3.1 Sharing Tradition, 3.2 How to Live Before You Die, 3.3 What I Require From Life, 3.4 What is Poverty?, 3.5 Scientific Research is a token of Humankind’s survival (Part- 2)

 NEB Grade- 11 (English)  Unit: 3  Essays (all)   -(Part- 2)

3.1 Sharing Tradition  -by Frank LaPena
3.2 How to Live Before You Die  -by Steve Jobs
3.3 What I Require From Life   -J.B.S. Haldane
3.4 What is Poverty?   -by Jo Goodwin Parker
3.5 Scientific Research is a token of Humankind’s survival   --by Vladimir Keilis-borok

Unit- 3 Essays

3.1 Sharing Tradition – by Frank LaPena

Before Reading…

Answer these questions.

a.     Do you share your cultural traditions with your friends?

o   Ofcourse, I share my cultural traditions with my friends. I tell them about my family traditions, cultural values and activities and sometimes invite them to attend such ceremonies at my home.

b.     Did your parents tell you stories when you were a child? If yes, did they have anything to do with your culture of values?

o   Yes, my parents told so many stories to me when I was a child. Most of them  religious and they had close connection to our cultural values, norms and traditions.

c.      Should we preserve our cultural values and traditions? Why?

o   Yes, we should preserve our cultural values and traditions because they are the precious things which lead our life in righteous way and in right tracks.

Summary of the essay "Sharing Tradition by Frank LaPena

o   In this essay “Sharing Tradition”,  Frank LaPena puts forward his opinion in favour of oral tradition and its preservation as it is passing on culture and values from generation to generation and the challenges people face in maintaining this oral tradition in this modern era due to their elders already passed away.

o   According to him, the oral tradition refers to a form of art of human communication where knowledge, art, ideas and cultural material is received, preserved and  transmitted orally from generation to generation. In other words, oral tradition is about passing on information related to cultures and values from generation to generation through oral means. This transmission is made through speech or song, folktales, ballads, chants, prose or verses etc. Oral tradition helps to maintain the values of the culture.

o   Here, the writer  gives significance to oral tradition for maintaining our culture and tradition. He stresses on the importance of tradition for the people of this world and its preservation through the oral tradition which is an art form. Our traditional and cultural values are very much important for our bright future. Therefore, he is of the opinion that we must listen to our elders to maintain our cultural and traditional norms and values.  The task of sharing tradition through oral means seems easy to talk and write but quite hard to practice.

o   The knowledge of elders related to cultures, traditions, religions, and values must be listened and followed properly by young people. The elders share the traditions and various concepts related to culture and value to the young people. After the death of elderly people, young people have to fill up their places being responsible. They have to take responsibility for sharing tradition after elders through oral tradition to maintain cultures and values in their community. In this way, the oral tradition keeps on moving generation to generation preserving cultures and values. Young generation can make elders alive maintaining their concepts of tradition and knowledge of life in the community. The concepts of elders move on generation to generation being immortal for the welfare of humanity. It is our elder who pave the paths to survive ahead.

o   He also mentions about several factors especially four have affected oral tradition and created problems to maintain our culture and values such as

Ø Difficulty in filling the niche the elders in matter of sharing tradition orally,

Ø Advancement of new technology,

Ø Modern education system and its impacts,

Ø And Source of information and the way of preserving it.

o   He distinguishes the oral tradition from literary tradition stating former as more natural and practical way of understanding the natural world than later.

o    To wrap up, the writer here presents Oral tradition as an educational tool for understanding this natural world and to secure the cultures and values of the people suggesting readers to honour the elders and their inspirations and values by fulfilling their duties of preserving and promoting our oral tradition and culture.

    

  Understanding the text 

      Answer the following questions.

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

o   According to LaPena, the importance of the oral tradition is to preserve and maintain the culture and values of our tradition from generation to generation by words or means of mouth. It is also significant in the sense it educates people about the world-sharing information naturally.

o    I fully agree with his views because the culture and values of tradition should be nurtured and protected from generation to generation for the welfare of human beings and humanity. Cultural and traditional values are very much significant in people's lives.

b. Who preserve and pass on the oral tradition?

o   An Oral tradition is an art form where information and values related culture and tradition are transmitted from generation to generation through oral means.

o   It is elders and young people who play a vital role in the preservation and transmission of oral tradition.

o   This task of preserving and transmitting the oral tradition is done by the elders at first and then  continued by the young people which continues from generation to generation.

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

o   The danger of not passing information down from generation to generation is that the culture and values of our tradition may extinct and we people  may have to survive meaningless and valueless lives without their cultural and traditional values.

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

o   An Oral tradition is an art form where information and values related culture and tradition are transmitted from generation to generation through oral means.

o   Errors or missteps  in oral tradition can be modified and corrected at any time by oral means.

o   On the other hand, the literary tradition refers to both the written and the printed tradition where information is transmitted through written  or printed means.

o   In literary tradition, mistakes or errors are quite difficult to change, modify or correct.

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

o   LaPena establishes the relationship between art and oral tradition through his opinion of transmission and preservation of tradition and cultural values from generation to generation by words or means of mouth.

o    This art form is transferred  from one  generation to generation which sustain, preserve and promote culture and values.

o   Information related to tradition is communicated quite artistically through oral speech, folk tales, ballads, songs, chants, prose, verses, etc effectively. Oral tradition is a unique art form through which the culture and values of tradition are preserved, transferred , promoted and upheld in this  era.

 Reference to the context 

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

§  LaPena states that the oral tradition helps maintain the values of a culture. I believe in it and I would maintain this oral tradition  by performing following activities:

§   I would try my best to convey information related to culture and values through oral means.

§  I would launch awareness programmes relating significance of oral tradition. 

§  I would make several teams  in my community to  enhance our culture and traditions through oral means. 

§  I would convey the community people about the benefits or pros of oral tradition for human beings and humanity.

§  I would suggest people to pass out authentic and valuable information to everyone orally.

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

§  Not everyone can fulfil the role of elders, the elderly are the basis of our tradition. Our culture and values are first and foremost preserved, maintained and promoted by the elders. Their roles is vital and exceptional  in maintaining and preserving our culture and our traditional values.

§  The roles of the elders often involve responsibilities that require specialized knowledge, skills or the wisdom that is acquired with experience. Sometimes the elder can mentor a younger person to assume the responsibility. They preserve and maintain our culture and values of oral tradition from generation to generation. Because of their vital roles, they become able to acquire ideal positions like our teachers, healers, protectors and leaders in their life. Their duties and obligations related to their cultural and traditional values as religions, ceremonies, dance, etc. reflect their way of life and knowledge of their tradition which touches  and attract many people in the community.

§  But after the death of these elders, it is very hard to younger ones to fill up their niche.

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

•      The controlling idea or thesis of this essay “ Sharing Tradition” by Frank LaPena  is about sharing traditions and cultural values by oral means and even the correct way of passing it on from generation to generation.

•      This essay has demonstrated the significance of sharing tradition and cultural values for all readers. The task of orally sharing tradition is  considered as a  form of art where the elders and new generation both have to  play  a vital role in preserving and promoting the culture and  traditional values for betterment of human beings and humanity. Though there may arise many obstacles in the paths, both the elders and youngers should perform their duty and responsibility trusting each others for transforming righteous information from one generation to another.

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

o    In the essay “Sharing Tradition”, topic sentences guide readers  several aspects of preserving and promoting cultural values and traditions through oral means.

o   Topic sentences refer to the sentences that appeared initially in each paragraph. Putting them there mean the paragraph contain related ideas with it. Here, in this essay, they mainly convey themes and  support oral tradition  I in preserving and promoting  the culture and values of tradition.

o   Without topic sentences, the essay will lose a lot  such as following things:

Ø Accurate concept of tradition sharing.

Ø Controlling idea or gist of the essay.

Ø Oral tradition and its importance.

Ø The role of the elderly people and youth in preserving and promoting cultural values and traditions.

Ø Difference between oral traditions and literary traditions.

Ø Hindrances arise in the preservation and promotion of oral traditions. 

Ø Remedies for maintaining oral tradition.

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

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

1.     Difficulty in filling the niche of the elders in matter of sharing tradition orally.

2.     The Advancement of new technology.

3.     Modern education system and its impacts.

4.     And Sources of information and the way of  recognizing and preserving them.

Reference beyond the text 

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

o   Oral tradition is a tradition or practice that is shared orally or through speech- usually handed down from generation to generation.

o   I think that oral tradition is one of the effective practices for preserving and promoting the culture and values of the tradition for all the human beings of this world.

o   I also take granted this  oral tradition as an art form or a tradition or practice that is shared orally or through speech- usually handed down from generation to generation where both elderly and young people play their vital roles; former in transmitting and later in preserving and maintaining culture and traditional values by passing on authentic and relevant  information from one generation to another generation. 

o   The practice of this oral tradition is very much significant in this modern era as people have lost their faith in such this due to modern education system. It is our hard attempts which can secure our cultural value and tradition and help in transmitting cultural values, norms and rituals.

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

o   Our identity is our culture. In our lives, our culture, values and norms play a huge role to shape our identity. Culture is what makes a person who he/she is today and what he/she will be in the upcoming future. Culture, itself  behaviours and morals of people determine their identity. Culturally, We can perform good  deeds in our lives because of our culture, standards, norms and values. These elements teach us in our lives to choose the right paths, thoughts and decisions. In Nepalese context, the phrase, ‘Our culture, Our identity’ is especially true.

o   I intend to preserve my culture, values and norms by  conducting following tasks:

o   By sharing our culture’s art and technology through several means such as dance, cultural programmes, crafts etc.

o   By launching several campaigns and organizing cultural events related to significance of our culture, values and standards.

o    By advertising or promoting cultural and traditional events through oral and literary means.

o   By teaching them about religious traditions and speaking ancestral language.

o    By forming a culture-related groups and  organizations.

o    By sharing culture-related information and the values of our traditions.

Unit-3

3.2 How to Live Before You Die- by Steve Jobs

About the Speech: ‘How to Live Before you Die’

ü The speech “ How to Live Before You Die” is a speech delivered by the then CEO and co-founder of Apple Company, at Stanford University 2005  on 114^th commencement (Dikxant Smaroh) addressing his autobiographical integrity and life related incidents.

ü Here, he presents three stories about his life.

1.     The first story is about connecting the dots.

2.     The second story is about love and loss.

3.     The third story is about death.

ü This speech not only inspired the students of the University but also to the common citizens, business men and others  around the world.

Central idea or Gist of the Speech: ‘How to Live Before You Die’

ü This motivational speech by Steve Jobs discloses the fact that time is significant in life. The proper utilization of Time as it passes on its own phase and way. Furthermore, he commits that one should have stand in his/ her life and we should be  easily misguided by anyone’s vision rather we should have firm determinism. We should listen customers voice and always work for perfection.

The First Story: Connecting Dots.

ü The first story is about connecting the dots. Here, he tries to connect his life experiences  or facts related to his life to get meaning in his life.

ü In the first part of his speech, he mentions about his  biological mother, an unwed graduate student who put him up for adoption and she wanted him  to grow up with parents who were graduates. A lawyer and his wife had promised to adopt him but after his birth, they decided  to adopt a baby girl so they refused and later he was adopted by another family.

ü He also said that his mother never graduated college and  his father never graduated high school. His  biological mother refused to sign the adoption papers until my mother promised he would go to college.

ü He joined an expensive college named Reed College  at the age of  17 years  and his parents all savings were being spent for his college tuition.  But after 6 months, he dropped out of college not knowing what he wanted to do with his life and trusted that it would all work out ok.

ü After that, he didn’t have to go to classes that were of no interest to him and dropped in on ones he did find interesting. It wasn’t easy, he had no money and room. He faced many hardships.  But what he discovered through following his curiosity and intuition turned out to be priceless later on.

ü He joined calligraphy class to learn typefaces and for him, this calligraphy class turned  out to be a blessing and boon which inspired the beautiful fonts in designing the first Macintosh computer after 10 years.

ü Then, he presents his inspirational views saying that one can’t connect the dots looking forwards, rather he/she can only connect them looking backwards. He/she has to trust that the dots will somehow connect in his/her future and that will encourage anyone to follow his/her heart. Thus, everybody has to trust in something- one’s gut (belly), life, karma destiny and whatever. By connecting these dots he becomes successful in his life.

Second Story: About Love & Loss

ü Second story is about his love for his work and loss of his company. He  was lucky that he discovered what I loved doing in his early phase of life.

ü  Apple became such a huge success run by he and his friend in his father’s garage at the age  of 20 and later became huge with over 4000 employees. And he later got fired as someone he hired to run the company with him and  he had different visions of the future at the age of 30.

ü He said he lost what he loved most and he was completely devastated and thought himself as rejected everywhere.  But then he realised that he still loved doing work, so he started over again. Then after, as he was free to be he entered one of  the most creative periods he has ever been in his life.

ü During the next five years he founded a next company named NeXT (a computer company) and  a company named Pixar and fell in love with the woman who would became his wife later.

ü Remarkably, Apple called him back as an advisor and bought Next so he returned to Apple with the new technology he had created with NeXT. He also had a wonderful family with his wife. None of this would have happened if he hadn’t been fired from Apple.

ü Even when life hits you hard, what really keeps you going is what you love. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking, don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you’ve found it. Don’t loose your faith at any cost.

Third Story: About  Death

ü Third story is about death where he first talked about a quote which he had read at the age of 17 – “ If you read each day as if it was your last, someday you’ll most certainly be right.”

ü Knowing that he would die soon was the most important tool to help him to make big choices in his life. Fear of failure, embarrassment and pride all fall away in the face of death and only what is truly important remains.

ü At the age of 49, he was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer, and the doctor told that he would be able to live 3 to 6 months only but he was fortunate in that it turned out to be curable and he was fine at the time. Death is the destination we all share.

ü Although nobody wants to die, death is perhaps the most essential thing about life. It is the greatest invention. It clears away the old and makes way for the new. Everybody’s time is limited so don’t waste it living someone else’s life, or be trapped by dogma which is being trapped by other people’s thinking.

ü He said that he never lost hope. After his recovery, he kept on working honestly for his company . Therefore, he suggest to have the courage to follow your heart and intuition, they somehow already know what you want to become. Stay hungry, stay foolish.

Glossary

§  calligraphy (n.): decorative handwriting or handwritten lettering

§  commencement (n.): a ceremony in which degrees or diplomas are conferred on graduating students

§  dogma (n.): a principle or belief accepted as true

§  generation (n.): all of the people born and living at about the same time

§  intuition (n.): an ability to understand or know something immediately based on your feelings

§  naively (adv.): in a way that shows a lack of experience, wisdom, or judgment

§  relent (v.): to change one's mind; agree to something

§  sedated (adj.): being in a calm, relaxed state

§  serif (n.): a short line at the end of the main strokes of a letter

§  unwed (adj.): not married Understanding the text

Understanding the text

Answer the following questions.

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

ü Steve was born from an unwed college graduate students named  Abdulfatah and Joanne but later on, after rejection by the lawyer’s family, he was adopted and grown up by Paul Jobs and Clara Jobs with a promise to send him to college for his study. His family’s economic condition was not good as he adopted father was a garage mechanic.

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

ü When he says, "you can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards” he means to say that life experiences  or facts related to his life  help people to connect  meaning in their life. For instance,  his calligraphy class to learn typefaces inspired his in designing the first Macintosh computer after 10 years.

c.      What happened when Steve Jobs turned 30?

When Steve Jobs turned 30 , he was got fired from Apple Company and he lost what he loved most.

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

     Yes, I agree with the statement of Jobs that one needs to love to do what he/she does in order to be great at it. It is in the sense the task performed by heart with much efforts bring fruitful results .

e.      Is death really life's greatest invention?

     Ofcourse, death is  life’s greatest invention. As per to Steve, It clears away the old and makes way for the new who with much effort  bring changes in the world.

 

Reference to the context

a. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

     “We have an unexpected baby boy; do you want him?” They said: “Of course."

     i.  Who was the baby boy?”- Steve Jobs

     ii.  What does ‘do you want him?' mean? – It means whether they wanted to keep Steve Jobs or not.

     iii. Who does 'they‘ refer to? – Steve’s biological father and mother.

b.  Explain the following lines:

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

     Through given lines, he says that one can’t connect the dots looking forward rather it is only possible by looking past experiences and facts of the life. They will connect down the road and  give him/her the confidence  to perform the tasks  in effective and fruitful ways. It also means that one should have faith in gut (instinct), destiny, life, karma and so on as they help to conduct something better and distinct even in troublesome situations  and that will make all the difference.

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

     The given lines by Steve means that one can’t live for forever and even he/she doesn’t know how long he/she will survive. Therefore, he says that one should do whatever his heart wishes to do or he/she loves to do rather than blindly following the track of others. Do something of your own wish.

     By this, he also means to state that don’t waste your precious time as life is very short with no certainty of death at any time. The biggest lesson Steve's lines convey is that don’t wait for something comfortable and don’t afraid, do better each day by heart and love what you do.

c.      What does he mean by "don't settle”?

      When he says “don’t settle”, he means to say that one should not give up the task in the middle or after failure for forever rather he/she should keep on doing better and better as the years roll on for achievements.

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

     The speaker uses persuasive  style with conversational methods and striking quotes to convince the audience and to accept his point of view. The speech is arranged in such a way with his own life experiences as to hopefully cause the audiences to accept all or part of the expressed view.

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

     Obviously, it is not easy to motivate others but here through this speech, Steve inspires the audiences by using various techniques such as fewer words, conversational or informal styles, striking quotes and so on. Because of his these qualities used in his speech, it is so inspiring  for readers.

    

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

•      Narrative writing is simply the power of language in a form of creative expression that is powerful and moving. Just as importantly, sharing personal stories with one another is a means to develop empathy and understanding.

•      Undoubtedly, Steve Jobs used the personal narrative story telling technique in his speech to influence his audiences as they take it granted as they find it closely connected to his own life. He used instances, phenomena and references of his own life to strike in the mind of the audiences so that they believe on them.

•      The submissions presented by Steve Jobs in his speech are funny, sweet, shocking, and sad, sometimes all at the same time, and they all speak to the human condition in some way. People believe on his saying because he presents facts of his life and references from the real world with his inspiring quotes and informal conversation.

Reference beyond the text…

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

Ø ‘Think differently’ is an advertising slogan used from 1997 to 2002 by Apple Computer, Inc., and its co-founder Steve Jobs which obviously provide people  new ways to get succeed in life. By this, he doesn’t mean to think only differently rather  to see the same thing through different angles for doing it in unique way.

Ø Why Jobs chose the word “different” and since then Apple is on top as a multinational enterprise in technology and launching the most innovative devices, services because he wanted to provide services to people without  misleading or confusing messages in clear way. For instance, he changed the advertising of Apple from “Fast, Super Light, Pentium Processor, 3 Grade Colour” into “The World’s Thinnest Notebook”  . So, without any doubt it has gained the market and the consumers in general. It also reminds us to some of the great people such as Einstein, Edison. Gandhi, Picasso and dozen more of the world who thought differently and became recognizable in the world and changed the world with their distinct thoughts.

Ø There are some challenges that people face in thinking differently which are as follow:

1.     Thinking differently means challenging the existing trend which is really a great task.

2.     It requires creative and critical thoughts.

3.     Common citizens may go against such trends.

4.     People may not  accept such ideas  at first, for instance, Steve Jobs himself by his committee members.

5.     They may  consider such people as crazy and their thoughts as lunatic thoughts.

b.  What does the slogan ‘ Stay hungry: stay foolish” mean to you?

ü  Steve  Jobs ends his speech  “ How to Live Before You Die” with the slogan ‘ Stay Hungry: Stay Foolish’  where ‘stay foolish’ means to ‘do  the things people say cannot be done’ or to ‘be ready to try new things’ and  ‘Stay hungry’ means "stay eager“. This phrase purposefully uses negative adjectives to forward positive aspects.

ü  The phrase ‘Stay Hungry’ simply means willingness to acquire more and more and striving constantly for doing something better.  It also means striving for objective or goal. People may work better as they practice it staying hungry for many more. For instance, if your goal is to study 2 books in a month and you complete it before the time, you must not take it as granted rather you should study many more and your  hunger of studying book should not be  ended. In next month, I should study two more books and so on. Whereas, if I continue to stay hungry, I may work on bringing quality with that quantity. We should always pursue our dreams. We find ourselves hungry to do something when we are interested in it  with more dedication, perfection and passion which makes our work stand out of the crowd or something distinct.

ü On the other hand, the phrase ‘Stay Foolish’ means taking unconventional decision. One should not think or worry of what people of the world are adopting. Neither he/she should be afraid of what he/she doing is to be adopted by the world and its people. Needless to say, there has to be some limitations to this and only he/she would know what they are.

ü The phrase of the Speech "Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish "is unique quote for young people to work hard in building dreams to come true. It is a source of inspiration for all the youths of this post modern era.

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

ü A visionary is someone with a strong vision of the future.  Not only is the visionary intelligent creating revolutionary products, Apple's founder Steve Jobs is also known as a master communicator and presenter of inspiriting quotes and ideas. The way he delivered speeches and presentation materials is always thrilling, striking, inspiriting. guiding and directing   people in right tracks for many ways.

ü Apple CEO and co-founder, Steve Jobs was the most inspiring and inspired individual. Today precisely around a decade after his death, his name is still synonymous with visionary, genius, innovator, and icon. He is such a man who  revolutionized the world with ground-breaking innovations with the personal computer, iPod, iPhone, and iPad.

ü Steve was and still is a role model for many struggling entrepreneurs, ousted business leaders, college drop-outs, adoptees, and disease-fighting people who could relate to his journey. Many people aspire to be like him and drew from his courage and “think outside the box” mindset.

ü Steve Jobs is regarded as one of the most inspirational entrepreneurs  who disregarded  people who said it wasn’t possible and his vision for the future made him a pioneer. He is different form a fortune teller due to his following striking ideas:

1.     He says people to follow their heart and trust that it knows where it's going.

2.     The worst thing that could happen might turn out to be the best thing that could happen.

3.     All people are already naked and they should try to make themselves catchy and valid.

4.     His inspirational quote “Stay hungry; Stay foolish” make him different from fortune teller.

5.     Fewer but striking words which are easy to recollect  and his smiling face all the time even in critical situations.

6.     Risk-taking, communicative strategies and optimistic nature make him vary from fortune teller.

 

Unit-3

3.3 What I  Require From Life- J.B.S. Haldane

Answer these questions…
a.  What do you want to be in your life?
-… to be a good person, a doctor, a social mobilizer,  a teacher, a government official, a politician  or a good citizen in my life.
b. Do you see equality in your society or any discrimination?
-No equality rather discrimination in every fields such as social works, selection of people, Government works, social status, in different posts and  so on.
c. What are the basic needs of human beings?
-Human beings have certain basic needs such as food, water, air, and shelter to survive.

 

What I Require From Life: About the Essay

• The essay “ What I Require Form Life’(1940), first published in the Daily Worker, reflects socialistic convictions demanding democratic activities in work places in simple and lucid language.
•      It is a compilation of his popular scientific essays which not only reflects his masterful ability  to communicate scientific understanding but also his deep commitment to socialism.
•      It also mirrors his socialist thoughts.
•      Purpose of the Essay: to uplift the situation of  working class people and to see equality for all people in all sectors.
 

What I Require From Life: Summary

•      Haldane’s  essay “What I Require Form Life’ deals with his own ideas related to Socialism demanding equality as well as democratic activities for all working class people in working places.
•      Haldane begins his essay with his acceptance to the universe as it is.  A s per to him, one should not require for impossible things in life.  Then, he states  about his few personal wants of life: interesting work, sound health, true friendship, and  complete freedom. In fact, one should not hope of  perfect things  in life despite harm to others.
•      Though he was born in a peaceful age, he desired to live a life of peace but  due  to devastating outbreak of the World War I, he also participated in the heroic deeds. This world war context changed his concept of living in a peaceful state. He satisfies himself  with his basic needs as food, water, clothes and shelter.
     In the second part of the essay, he mentions his personal requirements to his hopes for the rest of humanity, assuming himself to be a fairly typical specimen.  He includes four general human needs which the author and other people require.
1.     Work:  The first human need that the writer as well as other people  require is a good work with a decent salary. He considers himself lucky to get such a suitable job to a large extent. He wishes to be busy with children’s stories, political speeches or war events beside his scientific field.
2.     Freedom: Then, he talks about the second requirement, freedom mostly in speech and writing. He states that it is essential requirement for all. He thinks of writing about poisonous aspects of different fields but law of libel prevents him to do so.
3.     Health: The third requirement is sound health. He wishes to be  healthy through out his life, not to be suffered from occasional toothache or headache etc.  He wants to be fit and sound with mind and body for work and enjoyment and die  when not able to do work.
4.     Friendship: The fourth requirement  the writer wishes  is friendship of his colleagues and comrades  to work in scientific and political fields. He wishes equality in the society and work places  where criticism can be done freely and all are free from any sort of order or obey  of the elders.
Beside these basic needs, he requires for several other things such as adventures and thrilling,  freedom of experiments, a room of his own with some books, a motor-car, and a daily bath healthy men and women on this planet at work, full control  and freedom for workers on their works and industry, economic revolution, end of partiality on the name of class and sex, practice of perfect peace and security for everyone, spread of education  and increasing application of scientific methods in all branches of life and  many more.
Finally, he doesn’t wish to die like  as fortunate as Socrates but to a simple death. Haldane's style is typically straightforward and vigorous. His viewpoint is that of a social critic, setting forth a general program of the principles that should underlie a civilized society.

Glossary
o   ancestors (n.): forefathers, predecessors
o   confer (v.): grant or bestow (a title, degree, benefit, or right)
o   decent (adj.): satisfactory, reasonable, fair enviable (adj.): arousing or likely to arouse envy
o   epoch (n.): a period of time in history or a person's life
o   fraternity (n.): brotherhood, friendship
o   futile (adj.): incapable of producing any useful result; pointless
o   lament (v.): to express deep regret, grief, or sorrow
o   libel (n.): a published false statement that is damaging to a person's reputation
o   Neolithic (adj.): relating to or denoting the later part of the Stone Age
o   paleolithic (adj.): relating to or denoting the early phase of the Stone Age
o   prospect (n.): possibility, likelihood
o   respite (n.): a short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant
o   siege (n.): a military blockade of a city or fortified place to compel it to surrender
o   thrill (n.): a sudden feeling of excitement and pleasure
o   unimpeded (adj.): not obstructed or hindered Understanding the text
o   Madrid: the Spanish Capital
o   Fascism: a political system of government led by a dictator having complete power
 
Understanding the text
•      Answer the following questions.
a.      How does the writer distinguish between a peaceful age and a heroic age?
     The writer distinguishes between a peaceful age and a heroic age by  associating them to his two phases of life. He associates the peaceful age to the time of his birth and heroic age to his youth  age. He wishes to remain in the peaceful age but he engages in the heroic age at his youth  during the period of the World War I.

b.     Why does the writer want more freedom of speech than most people?
     The writer wants more freedom of speech than most people  because he wishes to write about poisonous aspects of different fields, their owners and institutions, the capitalists and their suppressions over the working classes.

c.      According to the writer, what are the four general human needs?
     According to the writer, the four general human needs are: work, freedom of speech and writing, sound health and friendship.

d.     What is the difference between desire and demand according to the writer?
     According to the writer, the difference between desire and demand is that desire simply refers to the mere wish of a person to have a particular commodity where as demand refers to a desire backed by the ability and willingness to pay for a particular commodity.  Here, he desires various things but does not demand.

e.      Why does the writer demand security?
     The writer demands security of life in the sense it is the primary aspect of life in the time of critical war. It is one of the most important aspects of life  as rightful aims than others.
 
Reference to the context
Explain the following lines with reference to the context:
a.      "The satisfaction of adventure is something much more solid than a thrill.“
     In the above mentioned line, the writer mentions about the satisfaction of adventurous  tasks. As per to the writer, the adventurous tasks are closely concerned to thrill. He considers satisfaction through an adventurous task is something much more solid than a thrill.

b.  "I want the workers to see the fruit of their own work not in profits for others, but in their own and their friends' well-being.
     In the above mentioned line,  the writer as a socialist wishes for comfortable condition of all the workers at their working places and in profits. He means to say that they should work for profits of themselves rather than of than of their factory of owners.

c.      " Why do you think the essayist has taken reference from the ancient philosophers?
     I think the essayist has taken reference from the ancient philosophers to support and justify his ideas related to basic needs in practical  and obvious way.

d.     Discuss the essay in terms of its language, purpose, subject, point of view and mode of writing.
ü The essay “What I Require From Life” is depicted by a British-Indian Scientist J.B.S. Haldane in simple and lucid language.
ü The Purpose of the essay is to uplift the situation of  working class people and to see equality for all people in all sectors.
ü He deals with various issues such as the needs, rights, and classes of people based on social as well as empirical sciences.
ü This essay has been presented from the point of view of the social critic.
ü The writer has projected the essay in descriptive mode with referential arguments.

Reference beyond the text…
a.      What do you require from your life to be happy and satisfied?
     First  of all, we should know, what is Happiness?  What is satisfaction? Happiness is defined as a wide-range of positive emotions, such as joy, pride, contentment, and gratitude where as  satisfaction is a state of contentment where all of your desires have been met.
     I require following things from my life to be happy and satisfied:
1.     Sound body and sound mind
2.     Being thankful for everything what I have
3.     Enjoy the relationship  with others
4.     Beware of indecision
5.     Avoid anger and negative energy
6.     Have a sense of humor
7.     Helping others and living with meaning
8.     Good job
9.     True Friends
10.   Freedom and Security of life
 
b.     What is socialism? How is it different form Capitalism?
     Socialism is an economic system in which the factors of production are valued in relationship to their usefulness to people. It takes into account both individual needs and greater social needs valuing the collective well-being of the community.
     Socialism differs from Capitalism in following ways:
1.     Ownership in Capitalism is private whereas it is public in Socialism.
2.     Capitalism is profit motivated while Socialism is social welfare motivated.
3.     In Capitalist society, two classes of people are found whereas classless society is found in Socialist society.
4.     Power is limited in capitalist while power is in central authoritarian. 
5.     Government has less or even no interference in Capitalism whereas absolute power in limited in the government in Socialism.
6.     Exploitation by the capitalists while  society is exploitation-free in Socialism.
7.     Capitalism is also known as free market economy whereas Socialism is known as centrally planned economy.
 

                       
c.      Write an essay about your dream house.
     People in this postmodern era have several sorts of dreams and desires. Similarly, I have a dream of my fantastic dream house in my life bearing following characteristics:
1.     I dream of an ideal house where I can live with my family members.
2.     It should have a beautiful balcony.
3.     it should be surrounded by a nice garden of several sorts of flowers and plants where one can play and enjoy the leisure time.
4.     All rooms should be spacious and airy.
5.     The  rooms are to be decorated with beautiful furniture.
6.     It should have a cozy study room.
7.     As people enter into the house they should bear positive energy and sense of comfort.
8.     Interior of the house should be well-planned and well-decorated.
9.     It  should be facing a small river where through the window, one can see sun  setting and mountains.
10.  The garden should have a swimming pool where one can enjoy swimming.

Unit-3

3.3 What is Poverty?  - by Jo Goodwin Parker

Before Reading…

a.      What do you consider poverty to be? Do you have a definitive explanation of it or do you consider it an abstract circumstance?

     I consider poverty to be a  bad destiny for the poor. Yes, I have a definitive explanation of it. I take it as  a lack of the necessities of life—food, shelter and clothing. It is the state of not having enough material possessions or income for a person's basic . It means not being able to heat your home, pay your rent, or buy the essentials for your children. 

 

c.      What is poverty according to Parker?

      Parker stresses that poverty is more ugly, cruel and devastating than it is shown in newspapers. According to her, poverty as a lack – that is living without hope, better foods, medicinal care, proper sanitation, and proper education. It is like an acid that destroys pride, honor, health, and future.

 

 

What is Poverty? : About the Essay

—  "What is Poverty?" an essay,  written by an American writer Jo Goodwin Parker, is about Parker’s personally experienced rural poverty. She explains her story from childhood to adulthood. Here, she addresses not only the situation of the poor but its misunderstanding by the upper and middle classes and the impossibility of self-liberation from poverty. Then she talks about the different aspects of poverty. Parker talks about the lack of health conditions she and her three children suffer from. Also it reveals a real and graphic account of what being poor actually means on a daily basis.  She stresses that it is more ugly, cruel and devastating than it is shown in newspapers.

—  In her essay, she says to listen to the story of what poverty is. . From her underwear to living arrangements, and everything in between, Parker resides in poverty. Parker presents a realistic account of the shame, humiliation, and outrage of being poor. She defines poverty as a lack – that is living without hope, better foods, medicinal care, proper sanitation, and proper education. It is like an acid that destroys pride, honor, health, and future.

—  Parker’s main purpose is to show how shameful, humiliating and disgusting it is to be poor. She wants to draw the readers’ attention to the pathetic and painful state of poor people.

—  Poverty breaks relationships. Parker had three children. She divorced her husband because he had lost his job and they couldn’t buy contraceptives to prevent unwanted birth. She had a job. Once she left the children under the care of their grandmother. When she returned home, She found her children under the pitiable condition . Her youngest son was covered with fly specks and his diaper had not been changed since morning. When the dried diaper came off, her baby’s  bits of flesh came with it. Her other child was playing with broken glasses and the oldest one was playing alone at the edge of a lake. She did not have enough income to admit them at a nursery school as She made 20 dollars a week and a nursery school cost 20 dollars a week for three children. Therefore, she quitted her job.

—  Furthermore, she says that poverty is dirt with no money for shops to wash and clean the dishes and clothes. She washes the dishes in cold water. It also means standing up all night on cold nights to watch the fire. Poverty is cooking without food and cleaning without shops. It also means no needles, and thread, no hot water, no aspirin, no worm medicine, no hand cream, no shampoo and many more. It means asking for help  with the person who never wants to see your face.

—  Parker says that poverty is remembering the painful instances of life such as marrying without money and no money for birth control. Poverty is  looking into black future. She says that her children had no extra books , no magazines, no extra pencils, or crayons or paper  and what they had, were worms, infections, and pink-eye all summer.

—  Thus, Parker states that poverty is an acid which not only burns the life of people but also destroys the images as well. It only makes people remain silent in despair. She talks about the different aspects of poverty in her essay.

 

Understanding the text…

a.      What is poverty according to Parker?

     Parker defines poverty as a lack – that is living without hope, better foods, medicinal care, proper sanitation, and proper education. It is like an acid that destroys pride, honor, health, and future.

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

     Poverty is difficult for Parker’s children as her children do not have proper food, clothes, education, care, sanitation and education. Some instances-

Ø Parker feed food like oil less cornbread as her breakfast for children.

Ø Once, she found her youngest son  covered in flyspecks not changed his diaper since morning; her next son with broken glasses; and the eldest one at the edge of the lake.

Ø They were not sent to a good school.

Ø Her children had no extra books, no magazines, no extra pencils or papers etc.

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

     Parker tries to obtain help by asking for money with many people and organizations for the sake of her children. She encounters so many problems as she is asked to wait and wait for hours again and again. Thus, she finds difficulties in meeting the right persons and organizations who are ready to help her or to support her and her children.

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

     People’s opinions and prejudices are her greatest obstacles in the sense these perspectives  are responsible for not getting any supportive hands for her and her children. People do not consider the painful situations of poor  people and they do not want to support to them. They think poor people are themselves responsible for their poverty.

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

     In the essay, ‘What is Poverty?, Parker defends her inability to get help through her several statements and her personal experiences of poverty. She discounts the usual solutions society has for poverty by connecting her experiences related to welfare, education and health clinics.

Ø She spends before many people and organizations spreading her hands asking for supports but they do not care and say to wait for time and again and again. She repeats her painful story many times. Promises are very hard to made.

Ø In the case of education, her children have no extra books, no magazines, no extra pencils or paper for project works. Even she quits her job as she received $20 a week and the same dollars cost for her children education.

Ø In case of health clinics, Parker’s family is quite far in both finance as well as distance. Thus, Parker faces many challenges in all these cases.

 

Explain the following…

a.      Explain the following:

     Poverty is looking into a black future. 

     In the above mentioned line, Parker  associates poverty with dark future stating that poverty leads people in dark upcoming days and pitiful hardships of children and their parents. Future is uncertain and life bears countless obstacles. She mentions cruel and painful aspects of poverty which lead children only to drugs, bars, alcohol, slavery  and so on.

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

     Parker means by “The poor are always silent”  that they are in  the state of helplessness. People become helpless and silent as they feel themselves backward or not equal in presence of others. According to Parker, it is money which divides people rich and poor categories and make them talkative and silent. Money makes people talk more. Because of lack of finance or money, people are silent in state.

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

     At the beginning of most of the paragraphs, the author uses refrain, connotative  and informal language, harsh images, personal account and conversational style to convey her message to the readers effectively, meaningfully, sincerely, and appropriately.

     Parker uses a recurring pattern in the  essay to what we call refrain strategy to convey her message to the readers. For instance , “ Poverty is…”.

     She describes the situation minutely with many more details such as her pitiful homely environment full of smell of dirt  and garbage and poor health condition.

 

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

     Parker develops each paragraph with providing each new definition of poverty and clarifies it with her personal experiences with conversational tone and minute details.

      Her topic sentence is aptly justified with her details of personal painful experiences and  bitter reality of poverty which makes each paragraphs memorable, effective, communicative and justifiable to the readers.

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

     In the final paragraph of the essay “What is Poverty?, the author uses conversational and informal style to convey her issues of grim poverty to the readers.

     Parker is successful in conveying her message through to the readers and she involves the readers in her interactions saying them to look at  her angrily which will  help to live her as well. She says that poor are silent so that she asks other to remain silent, too. She catches attention of the readers by portraying factual and real plight of poor people.

 

Reference beyond the text…

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

     Homelessness is the sleeping on the footpaths or on the road. It  makes people weaker in many aspects. It is a complex social problem with a variety of underlying economic and social factors such as poverty, lack of affordable housing, uncertain physical and mental health, addictions, and community and family breakdown. It degrades people’s value, prestige, and status in the society. 

     Unemployment is the jobless situation. People get ridiculed if they are unemployed. They are disrespected and humiliated in the society by other who have jobs and good status in the society.

     Racism is the living life with inferiority. It is the belief that different races possess especially so as to distinguish them as inferior or superior to one another. It causes negative psychological, social, educational and economic impacts throughout the life span and contributes to mental health problems in the community.

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

 Growing Up in Poverty

—  Poverty is the pitiable situation. It is the inability to meet even the basic necessities of life. It is  an inability to fulfill daily requirements of the family. I think  poverty is  growing up day by day which fragile people and makes them suffer in grim poverty. It is material deprivation.

—  Child labour, child exploitation, street violence, domestic ill-treatment, bullying, sexual abuse  and many more are the results of growing up poverty.  It is a constant struggle to either fight back or perish in such an environment. Child marriage, early pregnancy, repeated pregnancies, rape, domestic abuse aggravates  etc  are seen in the society due to grim poverty. People are physically weak,  mentally inactive and lack of proper medical aid and advice, lack of vaccination facilities , child marriages lead to poor health and high infant mortality.  Death through accidents is a common occurrence where day-to-day life is met with constant hurdles and life-threatening obstacles.

—  Thus, poverty is a huge thing, we don’t  even realize that. May be we don’t even notice, but there’s a lot kids growing up in poverty.  Things like food, education, health and other  basic needs that are what majority of poor people are missing off. It is really a difficult task  and the most challenging one. 

                                                                      Unit-3

3.5 Scientific Research is a token of Humankind’s survival

-by Vladimir Keilis-borok

Before Reading…
a.      What is science? What do the scientists do?
Science is the system of knowledge that is concerned with the understanding of physical world and its phenomena  through observations and systematic experimentation.
Scientists conduct research, making hypotheses and testing them through various means such as statistics and data to formulate conclusions based on the evidence related to world and life.

b. We are all scientists. The nature of science can be captured to our ordinary experiences. Share your scientific experiences that you have got in your everyday life.
Science is systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment. It’s true: Everyone is a scientist. It’s just that most people don’t realise it. A scientist is someone who tackles a problem through scientific methods, and we all do!
All humans are scientists. The notion that the scientists have more brain than us is false. We all have the power of reasoning. We learn from our experiences. Scientists and ordinary men use the same method to find out the thing.
 I do several activities in my daily life and follow empirical methods knowingly or unknowingly but obviously I conduct them through using different methods.

Scientific research is a token o f Humankind’s survival : Summary

•  Keilis-Borok’s essay “Scientific Research is a Token of Humankind’s Survival”  is about his profession as a scientist, where he views science as the humankinds’ indispensable guardian and caretaker.
•  In the opening of the essay, he cites reference of Leo Tolstoy’s saying that the writer is not only a person who writes but also he can’t live without writing. He associate it with Science which also requires exciting adventure as well as discovery or uncovering mysteries.
•  The writer then projects his own experience during the cold war as he was doing his research of seismic waves or tremors in earth generated by an earthquake in Moscow. Then, an American Scientist, Frank Press invited him to Geneva to participate in a discussion being impressed from his work.
• At the time human beings in the earth were living under threat of annihilation by nuclear weapon and the cold war was at its apex during 1960. The three most powerful and heavily loaded nations the USSR, the USA and England were enough to ruin the earth at their first strike of nuclear weapons-(the threat of  Mutually Assured Destruction- MAD). Therefore, the leaders of these countries decided to have an agreement to ban on the new nuclear weapons test.
• The Nuclear powers signed the agreement to end the test of the new nuclear weapons but the problem was that how to detect violation if any participant secretly made an underground nuclear explosion violating the agreement. For solving this problem, they had a summon of technical scientists Geneva.
• The writer’s theoretical knowledge had a direct application in the area of survival of the humankind. He had very knowledge to differentiate about the underground tremors produced by nuclear explosions and the earthquake tremors. The scientists gave practical and important decisions during the critical crisis of the world. Thus, the writer said that while there is science, there is hope of survival and well-being for all of us.
• The writer said that scientists are the practical people of the world. The examples are: antibiotics, electronics, biotechnology, synthetic fibres, the green revolution, and genetic forensic diagnosis. New mineral deposits, efficient defense from terrorism, cure from cancer, and new form of transportation are other developments of science for survival of human beings. Though the survival of our civilisation is threatened by natural and man-made disasters but scientific research is an exciting venture which is infact a token of hope for human beings.
• To wrap up, the writer reminded the readers that science is not the beginning and end. Moreover, scientific researches and inventions should be used for constructive purposes or for the sake of human kind rather than for destructive purposes. If humanly used, science is their indispensable guardian and caretaker.

 
NOTES

•  Iron Curtain: the name for the socio-political border that was believed to exist between Western Europe and the communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe
•  L. Tolstoy: (Leo Tolstoy) a Russian writer, author of the novel War and Peace
• Mc George Bundy: He was United States National Security Advisor to presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson.

Glossary

•  acronym (n.): a word made from the first letters of the name of any organization, e.g. MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction)
•  annihilation (n.): complete destruction
•  camaraderie (n.): a feeling of close friendship in a team
• overwhelming (adj.): a great effect on you that you feel very happy; overpowering
•  cold war: intense economic, political, military, and ideological conflict between nations
•  forensic (adj.): of scientific method of finding out about a crime
•  indisputable (adj.): known to be true
•  lore (n.): information about a subject
•  ominous (adj.): making you feel that something bad is going to happen
•  retaliation (n.): counterattack, revenge
•  self-inflict (v.): to cause pain or problem for oneself
•  stalemate (n.): a situation without an agreement or disagreement
•  standoff (n.): a situation in which one side counterbalances the other a standstill
•  venture (n.): anew risky activity war
•  mystery (n.): something that people do not know anything about it; an unknown

Understanding the text

Answer the following questions.
a.      What does a scientist get instead of big money?
     A scientist gets freedom, camaraderie, independence, honours and promotions instead of big money. He/she receives awards and achievements with overwhelming feelings uncovering facts.

b.     What was the problem that the nuclear powers had faced?
     The nuclear powers had faced the problem in detecting the secret underground testing of nuclear weapons if in case any country violated the agreement.

c.      In which area did Keilis Borok's theoretical knowledge have a direct application?
     Keilis Borok's theoretical knowledge had a direct application in the area of survival of the human kind. Underground nuclear explosions produced earth tremors very similar to those generated by earthquakes. His theory of seismic waves distinguished between nuclear explosions tremors and Earthquake’s tremors.

d.     What was the important decision that the politicians took before Geneva Summit?
     Before Geneva Summit, the politicians took an important decision of banning on the new nuclear weapon test for survival of human beings and humanity.

e.      What are the natural and man-made disasters as mentioned by the author?
     The natural disasters as mentioned by the author are:
     Earthquakes, self-inflicted destruction of megacities, and environmental catastrophes.
     The man-made disasters mentioned by the author are:

    Massive release of radioactivity from a nuclear waste disposal, an outburst of mass violence, global economic depression and war. 

 
Reference to the context
a.      The professional addressed as "you' in the sentence “If you are clever, why are you so poor?” refers to a...
     i. lawyer  ii. Doctor  iii. Scientist  iv. Businessman. Justify your choice.
     The professional addressed as "you' in the sentence “If you are clever, why are you so poor?” refers to a scientist. Obviously, scientists are clever as well as talented but they are poor in the sense they have no so much higher income as the professional like businessmen, lawyers, and doctors. Thus, scientists are great by wit but by finance.

b.     The writer says, “I found myself in Geneva." What does it express?
      The writer says, “I found myself in Geneva."  It expresses his surprising feeling because he was invited to attend the summon of technical experts of the three powers possessing nuclear weapons all of a sudden.

c.      Are the following statements true? Why or why not? Discuss with your partner.
       i.   Money is more powerful than intellectual resources.
     No, the given statement is not true. Money is something important but it is not everything. It is something temporary which has short time value. On the other hand, intellectual sources are essential and significant as they bring success, inventions, developments and achievements for the people as well world.
     ii.  Intellectual resources help survival of the mankind.
     Obviously, the statement is correct. Intellectual resources not only provide hope but also secure the life human beings. They protect life, ensure health, provide joys and happiness and security for the humankind.
  iii. Basic research is a way of stalling(vehicle) disasters.
     Yes, the statement is correct. People in the world feel secure and live long due to scientists and their inventions. Their research about ecological change, their opinions about upcoming dangers and measures regarding natural and man-made disasters are the boon for humankind.

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

• The essayist justifies that scientific research is the humankind’s survival by stating that  the application of scientific knowledge helps to satisfy many basic human needs and improve living standards. Finding a cure for cancer and a clean form of energy are just two topical examples. As per the writer, science is the indispensable guardian and caretaker of humankind’s survival. Scientific research and study provide solutions to all the problems of human beings. It is science which drives economic growth, promotes personal health and longer life expectancies, makes technological advancement, and/or sustainability—in order to secure funding and gain social acceptance.
•  Science is not only necessary for humanity to thrive socially, environmentally and economically in both the short and the long term, but it is also the best tool available to satisfy the fundamental human thirst for knowledge, as well as to maintain, enhance and provide the hope to the humankind’s survival through scientific researches.

e.      What can be the purpose of the essayist of using quotations in the essay?
     The essayist uses quotations in the essay “Scientific Research is a Token of…” to convey his clear message to the readers that Scientific research is the guardian as well as caretaker of the humankind. Using referential quotations along with conversation tone, he attempts to justify what he wishes to pass out the readers meaningfully and aptly.

f.       Discuss and illustrate the writer's stand that scientists are the most practical people in the world.
     The Writer illustrates that scientists are the most practical people in the world. The examples are: antibiotics, electronics, biotechnology, synthetic fibres, the green revolution, and genetic forensic diagnosis. New mineral deposits, efficient defense from terrorism, cure from cancer, and new form of transportation are other  practical developments made by the scientists for survival of human beings.
      
Reference beyond the text…
a.      Everyone lives under the fear of annihilation by nuclear weapons. Explain this Statement.
     Nuclear weapons are the most terrifying weapon ever invented; and there is no way to control how far the radioactive fallout will spread or how long the effects will last. In this post modern era, everyone lives under threat of annihilation by nuclear weapon and the cold war was at its apex during 1960. It reflects the pitiful condition of people under the threat of nuclear weapons and the cold war.
     The three most powerful and heavily loaded nations the USSR, the USA and England were enough to ruin the earth at their first strike of nuclear weapons. A nuclear bomb detonated in any city would immediately kill tens of thousands of people, and tens of thousands more would suffer horrific injuries and later die from radiation exposure.
     In addition to the immense short-term loss of life, a nuclear war could cause long-term damage to our planet. It could severely disrupt the earth's ecosystem and reduce global temperatures, resulting in food shortages around the world.

b.     The essayist says, ‘ While there is science, there is hope of survival and well-being for all of us.’ Explain it.
Ø The essayist says, ‘ While there is science, there is hope of survival and well-being for all of us.’ He views science as the humankinds’ indispensable guardian and caretaker. The scientists gave practical and important decisions during the critical crisis of the world.
Ø Science is a great help to man. It has helped us to reach great heights. All modern inventions like phones, planes have become possible only due to science. It is difficult to enjoy our life without the wonders and applications of science. Science has truly helped us a lot. It is hard to survive without it. Man should use science only for constructive purposes and not for destructive purposes. Science if used in a proper way can create miracles for us.
Ø Though the survival of our civilisation is threatened by natural and man-made disasters but scientific research is an exciting venture which is infact a token of hope for human beings.

c.      Is science a blessing or a curse? Write an essay on it.
                                Science – A Blessing or A Curse

• Science has benefited man in several ways. It has made man’s life more comfortable, more secure and more powerful. But it is not an unmixed blessing. There are several disadvantages of science, too.
•  Science has revolutionized the human existence. Take, for instance, electricity which is one of the many gifts of science. All one has to do is to press a button.  The room is flooded with light, the fan begins to whirr and give refreshing air, or still more, a desert cooler or an air conditioner turns the room into a hill resort. It runs factories which produce innumerable things of our daily use.
•  Science has also relieved to a great extent human suffering. Advance in the field of medicine and surgery have reduced the rate of infant mortality. The average life span of man has increased. Today, many the dreaded diseases like cholera, small-pox and even tuberculosis are easily curable with the help of medicines.
•  On the other hand, Machines have made people unemployed as well as  led to degradation of our environment. The poisonous fumes and gases emitted by vehicles and industrial units have polluted the air we breathe and pose a threat to the health of the people.
•  Science has given us many dangerous and destructive weapons like atom and hydrogen bombs and missiles. During the second world War itself 300,000 people died in Hiroshima and Nagasaki when the USA dropped atom bombs there in 1945. The biological and chemical weapons  are still more destructive and dangerous. After all, man had applied his mind to invent new things not to make his life miserable, but to make it more comfortable and better.  
•  To wrap up, Science has two faces good and bad. It depends on us which face we want to see. If we use the gifts of science in a positive manner with positive intention and in positive direction it will benefit the mankind, but if we misuse it, it will prove harmful to all. To save ourselves and the world as a whole from destruction, we should use the gifts of science properly.

(All Images Credit: Google Images) 

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