Read the following and answer the questions given below: 1x8
We do not realize adequately to what extent our minds are moulded by books we read especially in youth.
We have several means by which we acquire knowledge today i.e. radio, cinema, newspaper and television
etc. But reading books is the most ancient and effective of them all. Reading a book is different from
mechanized instruction. We are never alone when we have books as our companions.
A great writer has said that religion is what man does with his solitariness. It is not merely religion but art
and literature, scientific discovery and technological invention that are the outcome of what a man does with
his solitariness. In the modern world we tend to be gregarious beings. When we have little leisure we run to
parties, clubs or other social activities. We are afraid to be alone with ourselves, afraid to stand and stare,
much less to sit and think. We are happy with others not with ourselves. Pascal tells us that all the evils of
the world arise from the fact that men are unable to sit still in a room. Reading a book gives us the habit of
solitary reflection and true enjoyment.
a) What is the best means of acquiring knowledge?
b) How has man produced great art, literature, scientific discoveries or technological inventions?
c) What is man by nature and how does he use his leisure?
d) What is the cause of evils in the world according to the author?
e) What are the views of Pascals on the loneliness of man?
f) Select a word from the paragraph which means social.
g) Select a word from the paragraph which is opposite of social.
h) Select a suitable title for the given paragraph.
Answers
Answer:
a) Reading is the best means of acquiring knowledge.
b) Man has produced great art, literature, scientific discoveries and technological inventions through solitariness.
c) Man is gregarious being by nature. He uses his leisure time by going to parties, clubs or other social activities.
d) according to author, the fact that man cannot sit still in one room is the cause of all evil in the World.
e) from Pascal's viewpoint, man is scared to be alone with ourselves, to stand and stare.
f) the word 'social' itself.
g) solitariness.
h) Solitary – a mysterious world
Answer:
a) reading is the best means of acquiring knowledge
because it will not harm our eyes as well as it improves the brian development and it also increase our reading skills