What I Require From Life | Exercise With Summary | Grade 11 | English
0Summary:
"What I Require from Life" by J.B.S. Haldane explores the author's personal philosophy and the conditions he believes are necessary for a fulfilling and meaningful life. Haldane distinguishes between peaceful and heroic ages, stating that the former is characterized by security, freedom, and leisure, while the latter is defined by struggle, heroism, and sacrifice. He advocates for greater freedom of speech and argues that the four fundamental human needs are food, shelter, health, and companionship. Haldane emphasizes the difference between desire and demand, stressing the importance of demanding what is necessary rather than merely desiring it. He also discusses the need for security, stating that it is essential for the pursuit of other goals.
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 stating that a peaceful age is characterized by security, freedom, and leisure, while a heroic age is defined by struggle, heroism, and sacrifice.
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 believes that it is essential for the pursuit of truth and the progress of society.
c. According to the writer, what are the four general human needs?
According to the writer, the four general human needs are food, shelter, health, and companionship.
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 is a mere feeling, while demand is a conscious and deliberate expression of need.
e. Why does the writer demand security?
The writer demands security because he believes that it is essential for the pursuit of other goals, such as freedom and happiness.
a. “The satisfaction of adventure is something much more solid than a thrill.”
In this line, the writer is emphasizing the difference between a thrill, which is a momentary and superficial excitement, and the satisfaction of adventure, which is a deeper and more lasting sense of fulfillment.
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 this line, the writer is expressing his desire for a socialist society, where the workers own the means of production and reap the benefits of their labor, rather than having their profits exploited by capitalists.
c. Why do you think the essayist has taken reference from the ancient philosophers?
The essayist has taken reference from the ancient philosophers because he believes that they provide valuable insights into human nature and the good life.
d. Discuss the essay in terms of its language, purpose, subject, point of view, and mode of writing.
The essay is written in a clear and concise style, with a formal tone. The purpose of the essay is to explore the author's personal philosophy and the conditions he believes are necessary for a fulfilling and meaningful life. The subject of the essay is the author's own life and experiences. The point of view of the essay is subjective, as the author is writing from his own perspective. The mode of writing is argumentative, as the author is trying to persuade the reader of his point of view.
a. What do you require from your life to be happy and satisfied?
In order to be happy and satisfied, I require a sense of purpose, fulfilling relationships, financial security, and the opportunity to pursue my passions.
b. What is socialism? How is it different from capitalism?
Socialism is an economic system in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the community as a whole, rather than by private individuals or corporations. This is in contrast to capitalism, which is an economic system in which the means of production are privately owned and controlled.
c. Write an essay about your dream house.
My dream house would be a spacious and comfortable home in a quiet and peaceful neighborhood. It would have a large living room for entertaining guests, a cozy kitchen with a fireplace, and a big backyard for gardening and relaxing. I would also want my dream house to be energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.