Should teenager be given unstricted freedom

Amity International School
Subject - English
Class - XI
Value Based Questions

Chapter 1. The Portrait of a Lady

1. Khushwant Singh says about his grandmother" She was an expanse of pure white serenity breathing peace and contentment." Love and respect for elders is an integral part of our culture. Discuss in about hundred words what other things about your culture you would take pride in.

Value Points
• The diversity of the culture
• Democracy in India dates back to ancient times
• Secularism
• Intellectual capital

2. Coming to the city was a turning point in Khushwant Singh and his grandmother’s relationship. Write in about 100 words how in this stressful world one can overcome the communication gap.

Value Points
• To keep an open mind
• Empathy
• Discussion and appreciation
• One must adopt positive attitude towards change of a particular age

3. Khushwant Singh's grandmother was a religious lady. Write in about 100 words how spirituality can be combined with religion to make this world a better place to live.

Value Points
• Spirituality -acceptance of divinity in every living and non living thing
• Love for under privileged
• Non violence of words and deeds - people and animals
Compassion for bio diversity tolerance and respect for other religions

4. The author's grandmother thought that music was not meant for gentle folk. Discuss in about 100 words how one can overcome biases.

Value Points

• Logical and analytical ability
• scientific temperament
• Good education
• Magnanimity of spirit
• Respect and pride in one’s art forms

5. Khushwant Singh says of his grandmother- She could never have been pretty, but she was always beautiful-------- She was like the winter landscape in the mountains, an expanse of pure white serenity breathing contentment.
Co- relate the above statement with your personal experience and express your views on the topic, ‘Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder’ in about 100 words.

Value Points
• a person’s inner beauty
• appearances are deceptive
• purity of heart
• simplicity of life.

6. In the ‘Portrait of a Lady’ at one point the author mentions that the grandmother carried several stale chapattis for the village dogs. He then narrates how:
The sparrows collected round the grandmother creating a veritable bedlam of chirrupings. Some came and perched on her shoulders, while some even sat on her head. She smiled but never shooed them away. It used to be the happiest half- hour of the day for her.

In the light of the above extract from the lesson, comment on the topic, ‘Harmony between Man and Nature.’ in about 100 words.

Value Points
• care and compassion for fellow creatures
• sensitive attitude
• conservation of wildlife
• shelters for stray animals.
• giving

7. That was a turning point in our friendship, says Khushwant Singh when he and his grandmother moved to the city. He later mentions that when he began his studies at the University – The common link of friendship between him and his grandmother snapped.
Bearing in mind the above observations made by the author, write a paragraph on ‘Strengthening Family Bonds is The Need of the Hour.’

Value Points
• reinstating the joint family system
• being tolerant of others’ views
• accepting and coming to terms with change
• spending quality time with family.

8.Read the following extract from the lesson :
She said her morning prayer in a monotonous sing-song while she bathed and dressed me in the hope that I would listen and get to know it by heart.
When her end is near - she lay peacefully in bed praying and telling her beads.
In the light of the above comments express your views on ‘The Importance of Religion and Spirituality in Man’s Life’, in about 100 words.

Value Points
• gives meaning and direction to man’s life
• gives courage to overcome life’s obstacles
• makes a person resilient and stoic
• lead to cosmic consciousness and self –awareness.

CHAPTER 2- Discovering Tut ……….. The Saga Continues

1. "At first I could see nothing, the hot air escaping from the chamber causing the candle flame to flicker, but presently, as my eyes grew accustomed to the light, details of the room within emerged slowly from the mist, strange animals, statues, and gold – everywhere the glint of gold. For the moment – an eternity it must have seemed to the others standing by – I was struck dumb with amazement, and when Lord Carnarvon, unable to stand the suspense any longer inquired anxiously, "Can you see anything?", it was all I could do to get out the words,
"Yes, wonderful things.” – Howard Carter, on the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in November 1922

Do you agree that archeological excavations help us comprehend popular culture sources? Explain how.

Value Points
• Certainly they do-help understand the present.
• We can comprehend why we follow certain customs.
• The youth are not so sceptical and defiant about following certain practices once they understand the origin.
• We accept differences .

2.You must have visited many museums and historical monuments. Discuss what we can learn from arte facts that we cannot learn from replicas or photographs of artefacts?

Value Points:
• Difference between real and virtual
• Arte facts give the true picture
• A sensation of the real—the actual
• Vivid – concrete and tangible.

3. To archaeologists, the human past is owned by no one. It represents the cultural heritage of everyone who has ever lived on Earth or will live on it in the future. Archaeology puts all human societies on an equal footing.
Brian Fagan 1996
How can the youth today strive to put human societies on an equal footing?
Value Points:
• Bring about awareness:
• Study the evolution of societies --- so that people realize how meaningless caste and class is in today’s context
• The basis of religion
• eliminating biases based on colour, religion and caste
• endeavouring to facilitate equal opportunities
• Appreciate commonality in all culture
• Lessons to learn from history
• Spread the message of brotherhood
• Compassion and love

4. ‘ Akheneten shocked the country by attacking Amun, a major god, smashing his images and closing his temples’. Discuss in about 100 words what, according to you, is the mark of a secular leader/ruler ?

Value Points:

• Unbiased and benevolent
• Secular
• Respect for cultural and regional diversity
• Brave and courageous

5.King Tut was buried with his treasures and things of everyday use he would require in the afterlife. Common people and rulers in some other civilizations in ancient times did the same. Do you think superstition and old myths impede progress ? Write in 100 words whether such practices should be respected?
Value Points:
• Overcoming superstitions
• Striking balance between old and new belief system
• Respect but not blind belief

6. The mummy of Tut has undergone a CT scan that offers new clues about his life and death and data for an accurate forensic reconstruction. In the light of this statement write your comments in 100 words whether scientific intervention undermines funerary practices. Further, does science oppose what custom and religion preach?
Value Points:

• Scientific intervention necessary for accurate data
• Judicious mix of both realism and religious customs and beliefs

7. History has great lessons for mankind. For instance,‘ Discovering Tut’ gives us a vivid insight on royal standards of the great pharaohs. Discuss in about 100 words, how important it is to preserve and respect arte facts, languages and monuments of the past for a better understanding of the future.
Value Points:
• Respect for heritage
• Appreciation for medieval and ancient art forms
• Understanding that history and life are dynamic and ever evolving

CHAPTER 3- We’re Not Afraid To Die……..

1. I could not find no words with which to respond, but I left the children’s cabin determined to fight the sea with everything I had.” The narrator says in the chapter We’re Not Afraid To Die…” “Never give in, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never Yield to a force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.”
― Winston Churchill
From this quote and extract which values do you think you can learn which can help you overcome any adversity in life. Write an article on the necessity of these values in order to succeed in life.
Determination
Strength and Positivity to fight odds
Will power to achive the goal
Meticulous Planning
Courage, Consistency, Patience

2. “ She gave me the card she made. On the front she had drawn caricatures………….Inside was a message: “ Oh, how I love you both. So this card is to say thank you and let’s hope for the best.” Somehow we had to make it.
Man often becomes what he believes himself to be. If I keep on saying to myself that I cannot do a certain thing, it is possible that I may end by really becoming incapable of doing it. On the contrary, if I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning.”
― Mahatma Gandhi
In life situations come which put us in difficult positions. We feel we are almost on the point of giving up. Then suddenly something inside us prompts us to rise up and fight. Which values are these which fills you with positivity to fight against odds. Write an article on these values and explain in what ways can they turn a leaf in your life.
Positivity
Optimism
Hope and Determination to achieve goals
Counter stress
Develop good Reasoning
3. A few meters away, Wavewalker was near capsizing……………..Then a wave hurled her upright, my lifeline jerked taut. I grabbed the guard rails and sailed through the air into Wavewalker’s main boom…………My ribs cracked; my mouth filled with blood and broken teeth. Somehow I found the wheel, lined up the stern for the next wave and hung on.” “It is under the greatest adversity that there exists the greatest potential for doing good, both for oneself and others.”
.― Dalai Lama XIV

In the above extract and quote we see how the captain of the ship selflessly toiled to save the ship from capsizing, forgetting about his own injuries and pains. Write an article on the importance of Selflessness and how it helps you to develop other values.
Sympathy
Empathy
Concern & Care
Compassion
Freedom from Greed and Vice
Inner Peace

4. “ When I went in to comfort the children, Jon asked, ‘ Daddy are we going to die?’ I assured him that we could make it. ‘ But , Daddy, ‘ he went on, ‘ We aren’t afraid of dying if we can all be together- you and Mummy, Sue and I ‘.”
There is an interconnectedness among members that bonds the family, much like mountain climbers who rope themselves together when climbing a mountain, so that if someone should slip or need support, he's held up by the others until he regains his footing.

PHIL McGRAW

The above words from the extract” We’re Not Afraid To Die…” are spoken by a boy called Jonathan, aged 6 years, who show rare maturity in the face of direst stress. He expresses his willingness to even die if his entire family is together. In what way is “Family Bonding” important in one’s life? Write an article on what you can do to develop Family Bonding and what other values can develop when there is a strong family bonding.

Gives mental strength against all odds.
Develop understanding among every member
Patience and Adjustment
Selflessness
Empathy
Sympathy
Respect for other people’s opinions
In t
5. The impending disaster came at about 6 p.m. with an ominous silence.......but the author survived the disaster with courage.
As E Roosevelt says," We gain strength and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face.
How does the value of courage enable a person to overcome all hurdles?

Ans. * Courage gives strength to fight all odds
*never let's a person give up at any point
* helps to face the truth and honesty
* helps to achieve the goal
* gives a positive push

6. Larry and Herb were pumping like madmen and Mary took charge of the wheel. How does team work help to overcome difficulties with success ?

Ans.
*impossible can be made possible
*inculcates unity
*collaboration of ideas
* provides support in a stressful situation.
* gives mental strength

7. Hard work helped the author and his crew to endure the crisis in '-We are not afraid to die...'.Booker T Washington also says-" Nothing ever comes to one, that is worth having, except as a result of hard work.
Substantiate on the importance of hard work in life.

Ans.
*hard work is the basis of all achievements
* impossible is made possible
*helps overcome difficulties
*makes a person disciplined
*goal seems closer

8. "I checked and rechecked my calculations......". The author paid attention to details to get out of the hazardous experience when he was face to face with death. How being a meticulous person helped him survive the disaster?

Ans.
*a disciplined approach
* makes a person perfectionist
* gains foresight
* smooth execution of work takes place

CHAPTER 4 THE AILING PLANET

1 In some places, firewood has become so expensive that “what goes under the pot now costs more than what goes inside it.” Advancement of mankind has led to a catastrophic depletion of natural resources. Comment.
Value Points:
Man has consumed everything to satisfy his own selfish needs.
Limited natural resources .
Use of alternative forms of energy.
Restrict illegal large scale mining. limited reserves so use in a prudent manner

2 “ He has realized the wisdom of shifting from a system based on domination to one based on partnership.” Why does man need to co habit peacefully with the rest of the species on this earth?
Value Points: importance of coexisting with other living creatures
Every creature has an important role to play
Need to be sensitive to others’ needs

3 “Are we to leave our successors a scorched planet of advancing deserts, impoverished landscapes and the ailing environment?” Prepare a talk for your school assembly on the topic -Preservation of our Environment is the need of the hour.
Value Points: the three Rs – reduce, reuse and recycle.
Factories need to restrict their chemical discharge.
Afforestation

4 Article 48A of the Constitution of India provides that “ the state shall endeavor to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country.” The tiger population of our country is at threat today in the hands of poachers. Write an article for your school magazine on the need to protect tigers and why their conservation is important to maintain the balance of the ecosystem.
Value Points: indiscriminate poaching.
Poachers to be given exemplary punishment .
Lack of government monitoring.
Villagers near tiger sanctuaries can be co opted in the process of conservation.

5 “Development that meets the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.”
What do you understand by sustainable development ? Give an example from your immediate surrounding as to how it can be adapted in your daily life.
Value Points: to maintain our resources .
Use of car pool to school
Sensitive to the needs of our progeny.

6 “ The rich get richer, and the poor beget children which condemns them to remain poorer.”
As the youth of today how are you planning to mitigate the glaring difference between the rich and the poor in our society ?
Value Points:
Can share our wealth in an equitable manner. need to help our fellow citizens.
Give the gift of education .

7 “Scientists have catalogued about 1.4 million living species with which mankind shares the earth.”
Man’s quest for knowledge has worked wonders. On the one hand he has created nuclear bomb and on the other hand he has created medicine for treating life threatening illnesses. Man is both a perpetrator and a messiah. Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer.

Value Points:
Need to execute power with care and responsibility.
Concern for humanity.
Contribution to society.
Sense of accountability.

CHAPTER 5. THE BROWNING VERSION

1. Taplow : “ No sir, Mr. Crocker Harris doesn’t tell us the result like the other masters.”
In the play, The Browning Version, Mr. Crocker Harris comes across as a disciplined man who follows rules. Write an article for your school magazine on the Importance of Discipline in our lives.
Value Points :
Discipline is the basic framework for all. need to have a principled approach.
Belief in self.
Strength of character.

2. Frank :“------I’m not. Not, at least in the science I have to teach.” How important do you think it is for a person to be passionate about what he does ? Give reasons for your answer.
Value Points:
Loving one’s job.
Prerequisite for a successful life.
Interest help achieve unattainable goals .

3. Frank: “---- Why don’t you cut?”
Taplow: “ Oh no, I couldn’t cut.”
You bunked your accounts/physics class without telling the teacher, to go play football with your friends. Write a diary entry about how you felt and if it was the right thing to do.
Value Points :
Felt guilty and fearful
Fun in class .
Felt disappointed .
4. Taplow had a merry time discussing about Mr. Crocker Harris with Mr. Frank. How wise is it to gossip about someone behind their back?
Value Points :
Gossiping in itself is a self defeating exercise.
It affects you more than it affects others.
Reveals more about the gossip monger.
Rumours detrimental to others.

5. Mr. Crocker Harris detested flattery. However the world is full of flatterers who say or do anything to get their work done. Comment.
Value Points:
Flattery is short term
People can see through your trick.
An honest approach is always appreciated.

6. Taplow : “ The funny thing is that in spite of everything, I do rather like him.
Who according to you would be an ideal teacher? a principled man. impartial. straight forward approach.
Leads by example.

7. Frank : “ ------ What does he do—beat you all or something?”
Suggest ways in which a child can be disciplined for his misdemeanours.
Value Points :
Talking to them about the mistakes they committed is a good alternative.
Finding out the reason behind their actions.
Nothing works better than realizing one’s own mistake.