English Adjectives

            An adjective modifies, describes, limits or add to the meaning of a noun or a pronoun, to modify a word, means to make its meaning more definite. Adjectives always modify nouns or noun equivalents.

1.       The old man was sitting in the sun.

2.       The cake tastes delicious.

3.       Hard work is key to success.

KINDS OF ADJECTIVES

(i)     Adjectives of Quality: They describe Nouns. They show the quality, kind  or state of a person or a thing:

A fast friend; a rich man; honest boys; a noble king etc.

Adjectives formed from Proper Nouns are called Proper Adjectives. They are also classed as Adjectives of Quality.

The Indian batsman; The Kenya tea; The French lady etc.

(ii)   Adjective of Quantity: They show the quantity or degree of a thing:

Much money; sufficient labour; some bread; no patience; half holiday etc.

(iii) Adjectives of Number (Numeral Adjectives): They show the number (counting) of persons and things along with their order. They are of the following three kinds:

(a)    Definite Numeral Adjectives show order and definite number:

First, Second, Third etc.

One, two three etc.

Single, double three-fold etc.

(b)    Indefinite Numeral Adjectives do not show a definite number:

Some, many, few all, several certain etc.

(c)    Distributive Numeral Adjectives show each person or thing separately out of their groups:

Each, every either, neither

            Now study the following sentences carefully:

	Adjectives of Quality	Adjectives of Number
1.	Did you eat any ripe mango.	Are there any boys in the playground?
2.	There is some milk in the jug.	Some girls did not attend the class today.
3.	She has no sense.	No boy in the class has paid his dues so far.
4.	He has lost all his wealth.	All the mangoes are sour.
5.	Your father has enough money.	There are enough seats in the hall.

(iv)  Demonstrative Adjectives: They point to the concerned persons, places or things:

This, that, these, those, such, same etc.

A, an andthe are also Demonstrative Adjectives. They are called Articles.

(v)    Interrogative Adjectives are used with Nouns to ask questions.

What time is it now?

Which pen do you like?

Whose house was burgled last night?

COMPARISON OF ADJECTIVES

Adjectives have three degrees of comparison:

1.       Positive

2.       Comparative

3.       Superlative

1.       Positive Degree shows simple quality. Comparative Degree shows a higher or lower degree of quality, and Superlative Degree shows the highest or the lowest quality; as

1.       Rahat is a clever boy.                                  (Positive)         

2.       Rahat is cleverer than Shan.                                   (Comparative)

3.       Rahat is the cleverest boy in the class.         (Superlative)

FORMATION OF DEGREES:

            The Comparative and Superlative Degrees are formed:

(i)     By adding ‘r’ and ‘st’ to the Positive when it ends in ‘e’.

Positive	Comparative	Superlative
Able	Abler	Ablest
Brave	Braver	Bravest
Noble	Nobler	Noblest
Wise	Wiser	Wisest

(ii)   By adding ‘er’ and ‘est’ to the Positive:

Positive	Comparative	Superlative
Bold	Bolder	Boldest
Clever	Cleverer	Cleverest
Great	Greater	Greatest
Sweet	Sweeter	Sweetest
Tall	Taller	Tallest

(iii) If the Positive Degree ends in ‘y’ and there is a consonant before ‘y’, change ‘y’ into ‘i’ and add ‘er’ or ‘est” with it.

Positive	Comparative	Superlative
Easy	Easier	Easiest
Happy	Happier	Happiest
Heavy	Heavier	Heaviest
Wealthy	Wealthier	Wealthiest

(iv)  If some adjective ends in ‘y; and there is a vowel before ‘y’ add ‘er’ and ‘est’ are added to it.

Positive	Comparative	Superlative
Gay	Gayer	Gayest
Grey	Greyer	Greyest

(v)    If the Positive Degree ends in a single consonant, and there is some vowel before the consonant, that consonant is doubled and ‘er’ and ‘est’ are added to it.

Positive	Comparative	Superlative
Big	Bigger	Biggest
Fat	Fatter	Fattest
Hot	Hoter	Hottest
Red	Redder	Reddest
Sad	Sadder	Saddest
Thin	Thinner	Thinnest

(vi)   If some Positive Degree ends in two or more syllables add ‘more’ and ‘most’ or ‘less’ and ‘least’ before it.

Positive	Comparative	Superlative
Beautiful	More/less beautiful	Most/least beautiful
Courageous	More/less Courageous	Most/least Courageous
Intelligent	More/less Intelligent	Most/least Intelligent

(vii)            Irregular Comparisons:

Positive	Comparative	Superlative
Bad, ill, evil	Worse	Worst
Good, well	Better	Best
Little	Less	Least
Much, many	More	Most
Fore	Former	Foremost, first
Hind	Hinder	Hindmost
Late	Later, latter	Latest (time Last (order)
Near	Nearer	Nearest, next
Old	Older, elder	Oldest, eldest

Note: ‘Older’ is used in respect of ‘age’. ‘Elder’ is used only for members of the same family. Ahmad is my elder borther. Hamid is older than I (me).

(viii)          Certain words are Adverbs in Positive Degree but are Adjectives in Comparative and Superlative Degree:

Positive	Comparative	Superlative
Far	Farther	Farthest (distance)
Far	Further	Furthest (Position)
In	Inner	Inmost, innermost
Out	Outer	Outermost, uttermost
Up	Upper	Up most, uppermost

USES OF DEGREES OF COMPARISON:

1.         Positive Degree is used:

1. To show simple quality and when there is no comparison:

            You are a clever boy.

2. To show comparison between two persons or things when they are equal in some quality:

She is as tall as her sister.                                 (Positive)

He is not so wise as his friend.              (Negative)

Comparative Degree is used:

1. When, two persons or things are compared, ‘than’ is normally put after them.
   Murree is cooler than Rawalpindi.

My picture is more beautiful than yours.
He is less intelligent than his brother.
Neelam is wiser than all the other girls of her class.

2. In case of making a selection between two persons or things put ‘of’ in place of ‘than’ after the Comparative Degree:

      This book is the better of the two.

3. In case, two qualities of the same person or thing are compared to each other, the Comparative form (degree) of Adjective is not used:

He is more wise than honest.

(a)                Now study the use of Comparative Degree in the following sentences:
The sooner you come, the better.

The oftener we do a thing, the easier it becomes

The more I advised them, the worse he grew.

(b)                The following Latin Adjectives in Comparative Degree take ‘to’ instead of ‘than’:

He is junior to me in service.

You are senior to me by two years.

This cloth is inferior to that.

The paper of my book is superior to that of yours

Prior to his appointment, he had to work for six months without pay.

Superlative Degreeis used when more than two persons or things are compared. It is generally preceded by ‘the’:

      He is the wisest of all the boys in the class

Akbar was one of the greatest Mughal Kings.

You are the least industrious boy in the class.

Uzma is the most intelligent girl that I have ever seen.

Note:    If Possessive Pronoun is followed by superlative degree or in case there is a Noun in Possessive Case, ‘The’ is omitted; as

            You are my best friend.

            This is Shiela’s finest picture.

Some important points to Note:

(a)                Don’t use double Comparative or Superlative. It is incorrect to say:

She is more wiser than her sister.

He is the most tallest boy in the class.

But, we say:

            She is wiser than her sister.

He is the tallest boy in the class.

(b)                Never use the Superlative Degree where the Positive Degree is required.

He is a best player.                                           (Incorrect)
He is a very good player.                                              (Correct)

(c)                Use much, very much, or far before Comparative Adjectives and very and by far before Superlative Adjectives to make the Degree of Comparison intense:

You are much taller than he.

Raja is by far the wisest boy in the class.

(d)               To compare two qualities existing in, the same person or thing, use ‘more’ in place of comparative form (degree) of Adjectives.

Sohail is more brave (not braver) than prudent.

(e)        Some Adjectives like perfect, ideal, unique are not compared.

(f)         Former, latter, elder, hinder, inner, upper, minor, major, outer, utter etc., are not followed by than:

            Raheela and Ammara are two sisters. The former is a painter and the latter, a poetess.

            She is my elder sister.

Note:    We do not use than but use to after ‘elder’.

            Ahmad, my brother, is elder to me.

            The area of the inner circle is smaller than that of the outer one.

            You should try to overcome the major difficulty.

Nouns used as Adjectives:

            There are some Nouns which can be used as Adjectives:

            The well water is good to drink.

            She offered me a gold ring.

            Stone walls do not make a prison.

            He has joined a night school.

Adjectives Used as Nouns:

            Certain adjectives have been given below which can be used as Nouns. The article ‘the’ is placed before them and they are used in the plural, like the Common Nouns:

                        Always help the needy.

                        Do not look down upon the poor.

                        The rich are never contented.

                        Do not laugh at the blind.

                        Respect the old and love the young.

Note:    1.         Every four hours means regularly after an interval of     our hours.

            2.         Every fourth hour means after each interval of three      hours.  

            3.         Every other hour means every second hour.

POSITION OF THE ADJECTIVES:

1.         Attributive Adjective:

            (i)         Before Nouns:

                        I’m reading an interesting        novel.

                                     Adjective                Noun               

                Ali needs          expensive         suits.

            Adjectives which appear immediately before the noun or noun phrase that they describe are called attributive adjectives.

i.        Good  boys are always polite.

ii.      Ahmad reads an interesting book.

iii.    Each one of us brought used books from the jumbo sale.

2.         Predicative Adjective:

            Certain adjective come after their verbs and said to be used predicatively. These verbs are these: be, become, seem, appear, feel, sound, taste, make, keep, look, get, turn, grow etc.

i.                    I feel good.

ii.                  It sounds great.

iii.                The weather grew cool.

iv.                 He makes me happy.

v.                   It appears nice.

The adjectives which come after the linking verb refer back to noun or pronoun of the subject and are called Predictive Adjectives.

i.                    Ali is intelligent

ii.                  Hassan is always very helpful.

After a direct object as objective complement.

iii.                Marium found the novel boring.

3.         Post Position:

a.         An adjective sometimes can be post position, i.e. they can sometimes follow the item they modify. It is usually regarded as a reduced relative clause.

            The people involved were found.

            Only indefinite pronouns ending in body, one, thing, where can be modified in post position:

            I want to try on something larger (i.e. which is larger)

b.         It also happens in several compounds such as;

            Attorney general: heir apparent; post master general; notary public, etc.

c.          A few adjective also have post position. For example:

            The house ablaze is next door to mine.

d.         Adjective Phrase:

            An idiomatic phrase or prepositional phrase modifying a noun comes after it.

For example:

i.        The king hale and hearty appeared majestically in the court.

ii.      The map, although old and worn, proved to be useful.

iii.    The boys of my class are very naughty.

CORRECT USE OF SOME ADJECTIVES:

(i)         All, Whole

            All denotes both quantity and umber, while whole referes only to quantity:

            All the apples are rotten.                                   (Number)

            She drank all the milk.                                      (Quantity)

            The milkman sold the whole (entire) milk.         (Quantity)

            The lion ate up the whole (entire) goat.             (Quantity)

Note:    ‘The’ is used after ‘all’ but before ‘whole’.

(ii)        Each, Every

            ‘Each’  is used with two or more persons (definite), while ‘Every’ is used with twoor more persons (Indefinite):

            The two girls had each a book.

            Each of the girls had a book.

            Everything is ready. He comes to me every day.

Note:    Each and Every take a Singular Verb.

(iii)       Each other, One another

            ‘Each other’ is used for two persons or things while ‘One another’ is used with two or more persons (Indefinite):

            Board and Anders quarreled with each other over a watch.

            All the boys quarreled with one another.

(iv)       Either, Neither, Any, Any other

            Either means one of the two or each of the two.

            Neither is the opposite of either. Any means one or more out of many:

            There are shops on either side of the bazaar.

            I can speak on either side.

            He belongs to neither party.

            You may have any pen you like.

            She is wiser than any other girl in the class.

Note:    In such sentences never omit other because she herself is one of the girls.

(v)        Some, Any

            ‘Some’ is used in Affirmative Sentences; while ‘Any’ is used in Negative Sentences. But both of ‘Some’ and ‘Any’ can be used in Interrogative Sentences:

            I shall buy some books.

            I could not get any tonga there.

            Have you some work to do?

            Have you any money?

(vi)       Older, Oldest, Elder, Eldest

            ‘Older’ and ‘Oldest’ are used for both, living beings and things but ‘elder’ and ‘eldest’ are used for members of own family. ‘Than’ is not used with elder:

            My elder sister is much older than I.

            My eldest brother deals in cotton.

            This is the oldest temple in the city.

Mark the difference between:

            He is my oldest son.

            He is my eldest son.

(vii)      Later, Latest; Latter, Last

            Later and latest refer to time; while latter and last refer to position or order:

            I came later than he.

            What is the latest news?

            Ahmad and Hamid are two brothers. The former is an engineer and the latter is a pilot.

            He came last of all.

Note:    Later is opposed to earlier, while latter is opposed to former.

(viii)     Less, Lesser, Fewer

            Less denotes quantity; while fewer denotes number.

            Lesser is the double comparative of little:

                        This jug contains less milk than that.

                        No fewer than fifteen houses were burnt to ashes.

                        This is the lesser evil of the two.

(ix)       Farther, Further

            Farther means more distant; while further means next, onwards or additional:

            The nearer the Church, the farther from heaven.

            Let us proceed further.

(x)        First, Foremost

            First shows order or position; while foremost means the most important:

            I was the first to solve the question.

            The first chapter of this boo is not difficult.

            Our foremost duty is to obey our parents.

(xi)       Nearest, Next

            Nearest refers to position or order, next shows order in space or time:

            I went to the nearest railway station.

            The next house belongs to Rahat, my brother.

(xii)      Outer, Utter

            Outer shows position and utter refers to degree:

            The outer wall of this house has collapsed.

            In utter disappointment he gave up the attempt.

(xiii)     Many, Many a, Much

            Much denotes quantity while many denotes number.

            Many is followed by Plural Noun; while much by a Singular Noun:

            I have much work to do.

            Many students were absent yesterday.

            A great many men enjoyed the show.

            Many a man has died of cholera.

Note:    Singular Noun and verb are used after many a and not after many alone.

 

Articles

Three words are used as articles.

They are:

1. a
2. an
3. the

Of these, a and an are indefinite articles.

Because, the indefinite-articles are used to indicate not any specific object or subject in the sentence.

“The” is the only definite article

The definite article is used to indicate a specific object or subject in the sentence.

1. Indefinite articles:

Examples:

• A man is standing at the corner of the road.

• An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

• He demolished a temple in the next town.

• What he needed was an umbrella.

• We need a building to set an office for our company.

• He gave me an onion.

• An honor of this type is what everybody dreams to get.

Uses of the Indefinite articles:

I. The indefinite articles are used before a singular countable noun.

Examples:
• We want to construct a house for us.

• A ball costs only few cents.

• A boy was born to the couples two days back.

II. “An” is used before a word beginning with a vowel (or a vowel sound).

Examples:

• He gave me an onion.

• An ass is leaping into your field.

• An enemy need not be far away from you. He may be beside you.

• An orange is what you have to take to overcome thirsty.

• Before you go out in the winter season, please remember to take an umbrella with you.

III. “A” is used before a word beginning with a consonant.

Examples:

• A cat is running behind the rat.

• We need a man to safeguard our car.

• A hole in the boat will endanger its safety.

IV. “An” is used before the word beginning with ‘h’ in case the ‘h’ is silent in pronunciation.

Examples:
• An hour is a long time for the students who take this examination.

• An honor of this type is what everybody dreams to get. (A vowel sound)

• It is difficult to find an honest policeman.

• The train was late by an hour.

V. “A” is used before the words beginning with a vowel which is pronounced like the ‘y’ in young.

Examples:

• The employees of this company formed a union.

• A European is better placed to reach the Oxford University than an Asian.

• The government decided to set a university in this area of the country.

• The ornithologist has written about a unique bird.

VI. When the word ‘such’ is applied to countable things, the indefinite article is used after ‘such’.

Examples:

• Mr. Ram is an honest man. You can not find such a man.

• He confused everybody with his witty talk. Such a blunder is rare to find in our lives.

VII. “A” is used in expression like:

Examples:

• A few students came forward to organize this function.

• A little sugar should be added to this coffee.

• A certain number of books have been sold off by the authorities of this library.

VIII. The indefinite article is used when a singular noun stands for a whole group or species.

Examples:

• A cow is a useful animal.

• A dog is a faithful animal.



NOTE:

Countable noun is the noun which can be counted as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6….

Five animals, seven students, eight stars, ten countries etc…

So, animals, stars, students, colleges, computers, countries, books and boats are countable nouns.

Uncountable nouns are the nouns which can not be counted.

Time, rice, sky, sugar, soil, water, honesty, virtue and wisdom are the nouns which can not be counted.

So, they are called uncountable nouns.

2. Definite articles:

Examples:

• The lion is a majestic animal.

• The boy who is standing there is my nephew.

• The Andamans belong to India.

• The book that you wanted is not in this book-stall.

• The girl is not an Indian.

• You are welcome to the function.

Uses of definite articles:

The definite articles “the” is used as follows.

Examples:

i. To refer to both countable nouns and uncountable nouns.

• The book is costly one.

• The pen is what He sells in his shop.

• The news is not sweet for our ears.

• The river is going through our city.

ii. To refer to a particular person or thing or one already mentioned in the sentence.


Examples:

• There is a chair but the chair is broken.

• The book that you want is not available in this library.

• The President arrived by a special plane.

iii. To refer to a singular noun that represents a whole class.

Examples:

• The elephant is a huge animal.

• The scientist is a useful person to the society.

The definite article “the” is used:

iv. With superlatives:

Examples:

• The highest mountain is Mount Everest.

• This is the best book on Ornithology.

• The darkest night has its own dawn.

v. With ordinals:

Examples:

• The tenth student in the last row has to stand up.

• The first man who arrives will be given a prize.

vi. Before musical instruments:

Examples:

• He can play the flute.

• We have master the key-board at the early stage.

vii. Before the adjective when the noun is implied:

Examples:

• The downtrodden (people) will vote him to power.

• The intelligent (students) will answer this question.

• The poor (people) will not agree to this policy.

viii. Before names of unique of their kind.

Examples:

• The Sun is the source of all forms of energies.

• The Sky looks beautiful every night.

• The earth is the example of patience.

• The sea is the birth-place of many rare fishes.

NOTE:

The two words “Man” and “Woman” in the general sense do not take any article.

Man (not “The Man”) is the only animal that has intelligence.

ix. To refer to rivers, seas, oceans, groups of islands, mountains, ranges trains etc…

Examples:

• The Frontier mail will arrive in time.

• The Bay of Bengal is tsunami affected ocean.

• The Andaman is a part of India.

x. To refer to Holy books.

Examples:

• The Bhaghavat Gita is the sacred book of Indian.

• The Koran is a book of wisdom.

• The Bible is an age-old book.

NOTE:

“The” is not used when the author name of the book is used as follows.

Examples:

• Valmiki’s Ramayana is one of the Epics of Hindus. (Not “Valmiki’s the Ramayana)

xi. To refer to a noun when it is preceded by an adjective.

Examples:

• The immortal Keats has created many books of their own classes.

• The great Alexander followed Buddhism.

xii. To refer to the superlative degrees.

Examples:

• The highest mountain is Mount Everest.

• The tallest man in our class is Mr. Oats.

• Ms. Sharma is the most beautiful girl in this state.

xiii. To refer to the people of a Country but not to their language.

Examples:

o The French people are civilized people.

o The English Men are sensitive to this issue.

xiv. Before an adjective when the qualified noun is not mentioned.

Examples:

• The strong should not oppress the weak.

• He works for the down-trodden.

xv. In certain expression like…

Examples:

• The more you work, the more you earn.

The omission of articles:

The uses of articles should be avoided in few sentences to make the sentences meaningful.

I. To refer to proper noun.

Examples:

• New Delhi is the capital of India. (Not “The New Delhi”)

• Nile is one of the longest rivers. (Not “The Nile”)

II. Before Abstract nouns when they are used in a general sense.

Examples:

o Truth always triumphs. (Not “The Truth”)

o Suspicion should be based on evidence. (Not “The Suspicion”)

o Honesty is the best policy.

o Wisdom is the gift of heaven.

o Virtue is its own reward

III. Before material nouns.

Examples:

o Silver is not as costly as Gold. (Not “The Silver”)

o Cotton is grown in several parts of India. (Not “The Cotton”)

IV. Before languages:

Examples:

• We are learning English.

• He has planned to study French.

• They speak Hindi at home.

V. Before plural countable nouns when they are used in general sense.

Examples:

o Children prefer playtimes.

o Computers offer various job-opportunities.

o Cars are sold like hot-cakes.

VI. Before names of relations:

Examples:

• Father is the head a family.

• Son should shoulder the responsibility of the family.

• Daughter-in-law is nothing but a daughter.

The Knowledge Society

                                                                       by A.P.J.Abdul Kalam

 Short Answer Questions:

1)      What are the various resources of knowledge that Abdul Kalam points out?

A:- Kalam points out various resources of knowledge in this lesson. He points out that knowledge is acquired through education, information, intelligence and experience. It is available in academic institutions, at work places etc. Kalam says that knowledge, though closely linked to education, comes equally from learning skills like artists, philosophers, saints etc. It also available through our heritage, epics and traditions and is available in the oceans, bioreserves, deserts and in every state in our country.

2)      How has the world changed during the last century?

A:- Kalam mentions that during the 20^th century, the world has changed from being an agricultural society in which manual labor was the critical factor, to an industrial society, where the management of technology, capital and labor provide the competitive advantage.

3)  How can one judge whether a nation qualifies to be a knowledge society?

A:- Whether a nation qualifies as a knowledge society is judged by how effectively it deals with knowledge creation and knowledge deployment/usage.

4)      What does societal transformation result in?

A:- When a country is able to bring societal transformation in respect of education, health care ,agriculture and governance it will lead to employment generation, high productivity and rural prosperity.

5)      What are the areas which can help us change into a knowledge society?

A:- The TIFAC(Technology Information Forecasting Assessment Council) test team has identified certain core areas that will lead our march towards becoming a knowledge society. These areas are: information technology, biotechnology, space technology, weather forecasting, disaster management, telemedicine and tele-education, technologies utilizing knowledge, serving sector and infotainment that is the convergence of information and entertainment.

6)      What should be done in order to generate wealth?

A:- In order to generate wealth, which is the second component for establishing a knowledge society, citizen-centric approach is essential for shaping of  business policy, user-driven technology generation and intensified industry-lab-academia linkages have also to be established.

7)What according to Abdul Kalam is the third objective which needs to be realized in order to become a super power?

A:- In order to become a super power, the third objective, according to Abdul Kalam is Knowledge protection which entails/involves a tremendous responsibility. Kalam opines that it is important to protect our communication network and information  generators from electronic attacks through surveillance and careful observation.

 

 

 

     vali basha shaik

IN LONDON

Short Answer Questions:-

1 )“I wasted ten minutes everyday before a huge mirror.” What does Gandhi mean by this?

A:-While Gandhi was a student in London, his hair was by no means soft and everyday it requires a regular struggle with the brush(comb) to keep it in position. Hence he had to spend ten minutes everyday before a huge mirror to arrange his tie and part his hair in the correct fashion.

2)What does Gandhi says, “The recluse in the fable kept a cat to keep off the rats, and then cow to feed the cat with milk, and a man to keep the cow and so on”?

A:-In order to become an English gentleman, Gandhi makes every attempt, tries to follow lot many accomplishments. For the sake of learning something it is again required Gandhi to learn some other things. For  becoming an English gentleman Gandhi wants to learn the art of dancing. While this very skill of dancing also pursues Gandhi to learn another art of playing the violin. That is why Gandhi mentions  this fable at that context.

3 )“But hence forward I became a student.” What does Gandhi before? Why does he says so?

A:- In order to mould himself as an English gentleman, Gandhi not only wastes a lot of money but also valuable time, which he needs to spend on books. His acquired habit of wasting time by standing himself before mirror to arrange his hair to adjust his hair, his taking lessons in dancing, French, elocution and the violin makes Gandhi to keep away from serious reading of his subjects of study. When he gets realization by undergoing introspection, Gandhi notices that he is not even doing the basic chores of a law student. When he ables to come out from all these, focusing on his studies, Gandhi thinks hence forward he has become a (real) student.

4)What is Gandhi wants every youth to learn from him about saving money?

A:- Gandhi wants that every youth should  make an account of money that comes into and goes out of one’s pocket, so that he/she is surely be a gainer in the end. Gandhi expects that every youth should lessen their expenditure and should save every coin here and there that is possible. The money, in Gandhi’s perception, they saves will be more beneficial for them in due course of time.

5)What made Gandhi think that he had to economize?

A:- As soon as he gets realized by undergoing introspection, Gandhi notices that he has wasted a lot of money at the cost of purchasing lot many luxurious things, and for taking lessons in various fields. He then keeps a strict watch over his way of living and decides to minimize his expenses by half. That is why he thinks that it is necessary for him to economize.

6)What effort did Gandhi make to economize?

A:- In order to economize his way of living, he decides to reduce his expenses by half. As his living with a family of friends required the payment of regular weekly bills of dinners and parties and conveyences(travelling expenses), he decided to take two rooms on his own account, instead of living in a family of friends. As  Gandhi’s accounts showed numerous items on fares, he also decided to move from place to place by walk. For  this, he also selectsed rooms that are near to his place of business. In this way he could economize his life.

7)Why did Gandhi decide to learn Latin and what did he do to learn it?

A;- During the period of Gandhi’s studying in London, French was not only the language of France, but also the lingua franca of the Europe. Gandhi was also told by one of his friends that the knowledge of Latin was very useful in comprehending law books and knowledge of Latin means greater command over the  English language. Hence Gandhi acquired a taste for Latin, though it was very difficult, wanted to acquire proficiency in it by undertaking literature degree, in which Latin was compulsory subject. Though he ploughed in Latin in his first attempt, he didn’t lose heart, and kept his serious attention to that course.

8) Why did Gandhi feel that he had to simplify his life further?

A:- Gandhi felt that his way of living didn’t befit/suit the modest/plain living of his family. The thought of his struggling brother, who nobly responded to his regular calls for monetary help, deeply pained him. Gandhi noticed some students, who could spend from eight to fifteen pounds per month, had the advantage of scholarship, observed a student who was staying in the slums at two shillings a week. All these made Gandhi feel that he had to simplify his life further.

                          

An essay on In London by M.K.Gandhi

 

In London is an extract taken from the autobiography of Gandhi titled “My Experiments With Truth” being translated into English by Mahadev Desai. He went to England to pursue his law degree. He proceeded to South Africa to protest against racial discrimination by practicing Satyagraha.He actively involved in various movements such as Champaran Satyagraha,Non-Cooperation Movement,Dandi March, Civil Disobedience Movement etc. He was called the ‘Father of Nation’ and the ‘Mahatma’.This lesson gives us an insight into the mind of young Gandhi, when he was a student in London.

                             When the lesson begins, he decides that he should not trouble others. He is a vegetarian and wants to cultivate a few accomplishments which makes one a decent gentleman in London. As he decides that Bombay clothes are unsuitable for English society, he purchases new clothes at the Army and Navy Stores. He purchases a chimney-pot hat, asks his brother to send him a “double watch chain of gold”. He also learns the art of tying himself. He watches himself before a huge mirror to part/put his hair in the correct fashion.

                                    As if it were not enough, he further takes coaching for dancing, French language, Elocution. He wastes 3 pounds for purchasing a Violin too in order to cultivate an ear for western  music. But he utterly fails to learn all these things.

                                 Gandhi, however, gets realization by undergoing introspection while he is reading the speech of Pitt from the book, “Bell’s Standard Elocutionist”. He thinks that he is not going to spend his life time in England. This thought makes him realize that he is wasting money. From that time onwards he struggles for austerity and frugality. He exercises strict economy in all aspects.

                                   As his living with a family involves him in a lot of unnecessary expenditure, he decides to take a couple of rooms on his own account. The rooms he selects are low in price and also very close to the place of business which he can reach on foot in half an hour. This also keeps him physically healthy. Gandhi knows that the Bar examinations did not require great study. On a friend’s advice Gandhi decides to pass the London Matriculation, thought it is very difficult to clear. He acquires a taste for Latin, French, appears in Matriculation though he fails in the first attempt.

                                     Gandhi feels that his way of living doesn’t fit to the modest means of his family. So he adjusts himself with one room instead of two and cooks food at home and manages to live on a shilling and three pence per a day. That is a period of intensive study too. Plain living saves him plenty of time and he passes his examination. Gandhi says at the end that he found lot of joy by leading this modest life which by no means a dreary one.                                             

Meanings:-

→extract                                  =  a short passage from a book

→pursue                                  =  study

→insight                                  =  clear understanding of a situation

→cultivate                               =  (here) adapt oneself  to the situation

→accomplishments               =  the abilities that have to acquire by training

→introspection                       =  the contemplation of one’s own thoughts, desires and behavior

→elocution                              =  the art of effective speaking

→frugality                                =  careful in avoiding waste of money

→austerity                               =  plain living

→acquires a taste                  =  improves interest

→modest life                          = plain living

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                Vali Basha Shaik

 

An Essay on The Knowledge Society

                                The Knowledge Society

                                                                                                      A.P.J.Abdul Kalam

The recipient of Bharat Ratna, Dr A.P.J.Abdul Kalam is the former president of India.”The Knowledge Society” is an extract taken from his popular and famous book “Ignited Minds”. He received many honorary awards like Bharat Ratna, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan.”Wings of Fire and India 2020”,”A Vision For The New Millennium” are some of his works. In this lesson, Kalam emphasizes that poverty can be rooted out only by striking a balance between the past heritage and present day knowledge. Kalam opines that India can reach the pinnacles of prosperity and glory by scrupulously following certain principles and applying modern technology.

                        Kalam opines that India is essentially a land of knowledge and it must rediscover itself its past legacy. No doubt, the foreign invasions and the colonial rule weakened India considerably. Knowledge has many forms and it is available at many places. It is available in academic institutions, at work places, from learning skills such as from artists, craftsmen, hakims, philosophers and saints and it is available from our heritage and history epics too.

                      Kalam says that Knowledge has always been the prime mover of prosperity and power. In India we had the tradition of transforming knowledge from guru to shishya and from the writings of the foreign travelers who visited Ancient Indian Universities like Nalanda. During the last century the world has changed from being an agricultural society to an industrial society. Thus technology played a vital role in the development of the society. While, in the 21^st century, knowledge has become the primary production resource instead of capital and labour. Education, health-care and agriculture are taken ahead in the knowledge society. It promotes high productivity and rural prosperity. It helps even to create new avenues for employment..

                       The multiple technologies and appropriate management structures must work together to generate a knowledge society. India has left its impression in Information Technology and it will be much more developed in the years to come. Thus it adds a new feather to knowledge society. As a second component, young and dynamic leaders are required for establishing knowledge society. The most important mission for the knowledge society is India should become a super power by the year 2010.

                       If societal transformation and wealth generation are the two important parameters to make India as knowledge society, a third dimension has come to transform India itself into a super power. Kalam says that our communication network and information generators must be protected from electronic attacks. It involves a tremendous responsibility. It is very important that our knowledge and culture too help us this great task of making India a super power.

Meanings:-

emphasize                    = stress something as important

heritage                       = practices that are handed down from the past by tradition

pinnacle                        = the highest level or degree

prosperity                    = an economic state of growth with rising profits and full

                                        employment

glory                             = a state of high honor

scrupulously                  = with extreme care

legacy                           = money or something that one receive from after someone dies

invasion                         = stepping into a place/region/country in a forceful way

epic                               = a long narrative poem telling of a hero’s deeds

hakim                            = a Muslim physician(medical practitioner)

colonial rule                  = the rule of a country which exploitates, imposes its authority

                                        towards a weaker country

transformation             = change in form, appearance, or nature of something

avenues                         = a line of approach; sources

adding a new feather    = adding a new advantage (to something)

parameter                     = any factor that defines a system and determines its

                                         performance

tremendous                   = extreme in degree or extent or impact

                                        

                                        

                                                                                                           Vali Basha Shaik