The Elixir of Life
1. What do the geologist tell us about the creation of the Nile Valley?
Geologists tell us that the entire soil of the Nile Valley is the creation of the river. It
was brought down as the finest silt in its flood water, from the highlands of Abyssinia
and from remote Central Africa and laid down through the ages in the trough
through which the Nile flows. Egypt was made by the river and ancient civilization
was created and is sustained due to this water which comes down year after year
with unfailing regularity.
2. What agent is C. V. Raman talking about? How does he bring out its contrasting
nature?
Sir C. V. Raman is talking about water from the Nile Valley. He gives us the example of
the Libyan desert where there is a sea of billowing sand, without a speck of
vegetation and not a single living thing visible. On the other hand, in the immediate
neighbourhood, the Nile Valley is one of the greenest, most fertile and densely
populated areas on the earth, teeming with life and vegetation. This difference is
because of the river Nile flowing down to the Mediterranean
3. The rain-fed tanks are the cheering sights. Explain.
The rain-fed tanks are a cheering sight when they full, but sadly neglected in their
maintenance. They are shallow, but this is less evident since the water is silt-laden
and throws the light back. Hence the bottom does not show up. These tanks play a
vital role in South Indian agriculture. Some are large and it is a beautiful sight to see
the sun rise or set over them.
4. How does soil erosion take place? What are its causes? How can you check soil
erosion?
5. Water is the real elixir of life. Elucidate.
Louis Pasteur Conqueror of Disease
1. Describe the experiment conducted by Louis Pasteur to cure Anthrax. (How did
Pasteur develop the idea of immunity?)
2. What was troubling the French wine-growers? How did Pasteur solve their problem?
What is the name of the process which was the solution to the wine-growers?
French wine-growers troubled by a germs.
Pasteur showed how to render these germs harmless.
This process was called ‘Pasteurization’.
Explanation: Some French wine growers were troubled by a germ which had turned
their wine sour. Pasteur showed that by heating the wine to a temperature of 50 or
60 degrees centigrade, the germs were made harmless. This process was called
‘Pasteurization’.
3. “Pure air is different from stale air” How did Pasteur prove this?
4. “All the research which he did in his laboratories was meant to help his fellow human
beings”. Elucidate.
Abraham Lincoln’s Letter to his Son’s teacher
1. What ethical values does Abraham Lincoln want his son to learn in school while
dealing with different kinds of people in society?
All men are not just and not true.
For every scoundrel there is a hero.
For every enemy there is a friend.
For every selfish politician there is a dedicated leader.
Not to follow the crowd.
To have faith in his own ideas.
To close his ears to the howling mob.
Not to follow the crowd blindly.
To filter all he hears on a screen of truth.
There is no shame in tears.
To be aware of too much sweetness.
To sell his strength and intelligence to the highest bidders, but never, to sell his soul.
To stand and fight for the right.
To have sublime faith in mankind.
2. What does Abraham Lincoln want his son to be taught, to make him a positive and
optimistic person?
Abraham Lincoln is of the opinion that all men are not just, all men are not true. For
every scoundrel there is a hero. He feels that for every selfish politician there is a
dedicated leader. For every enemy there is a friend. A dollar earned is far more valuable
than five dollars found. Lincoln wants the teacher to teach his son to learn to lose and to
enjoy winning. To steer him away from envy and to teach the secret of quiet laughter. To
learn that bullies are the easier to lick. To have faith in his own ideas even if everyone
tells him, they are wrong. Finally, how to laugh when he is sad, as there is no shame in
tears.
