On Libraries | Exercise With Summary | Grade 12 | English
0Summary (400 words):
In his essay "On Libraries," Oliver Sacks recounts his lifelong love of libraries and the profound impact they have had on his intellectual and emotional development. He writes about his childhood memories of visiting the public library with his parents, where he would spend hours browsing the shelves and discovering new worlds. He also describes his experiences as a student at the Queen's College in Oxford, where he spent countless hours in the college library, immersing himself in the works of great thinkers and writers.
Sacks reflects on the role that libraries have played in shaping his worldview and his understanding of the natural world. He credits his early exposure to books with his fascination with science, especially astronomy and chemistry. He also writes about his admiration for Robert Hooke, the 17th-century scientist and inventor who was one of the first to use a microscope to study the natural world.
Sacks laments the decline of libraries in recent years, as more and more people turn to the internet for information. He worries that the physical experience of browsing a library's shelves and discovering new books is being lost, and that this will have a negative impact on future generations of readers and learners.
a. Where could the author be found when he was late for lunch or dinner?
When the author was late for lunch or dinner, he could be found in the library.
b. What are his first memories?
The author's first memories are of visiting the public library with his parents.
c. Why did he dislike school?
The author disliked school because he found it dull and uninspiring.
d. What did he feel about at the library?
At the library, the author felt a sense of freedom and excitement. He loved the feeling of being surrounded by books and the possibility of discovering new knowledge.
e. Why was he so biased about sciences especially astronomy and chemistry?
The author was biased about sciences, especially astronomy and chemistry, because he was fascinated by the natural world and the possibility of understanding it through scientific inquiry.
f. Why did he become so fascinated by Hook?
The author became so fascinated by Hook because he was a brilliant and innovative scientist who made important contributions to our understanding of the natural world.
g. Describe library at the Queen’s College.
The library at the Queen's College was a large and well-stocked library with a wide range of books on all subjects. The author spent many hours in the library, reading and studying.
h. Why did the students ignore the bookshelves in the 1990s?
In the 1990s, students ignored the bookshelves because they were more interested in using the internet to find information.
i. Why was he horrified when he visited the library a couple of months ago?
The author was horrified when he visited the library a couple of months ago because he saw that the library was empty and that the bookshelves were covered in dust. He realized that the library was no longer being used and that it was in danger of disappearing.
a. The author says, “I was not a good pupil, but I was a good listener.” Justify it with the textual evidences.
The author says that he was not a good pupil because he found school dull and uninspiring. However, he was a good listener, as evidenced by the fact that he spent many hours in the library, reading and studying.
b. A proverb says, "Nothing is pleasanter than exploring a library." Does this proverb apply in the essay? Explain.
The proverb "Nothing is pleasanter than exploring a library" applies in the essay because the author describes the pleasure and excitement he felt when he was exploring the library shelves and discovering new books.
c. Are there any other services that you would like to see added to the library?
I would like to see libraries offer more services to their patrons, such as computer training, job search assistance, and access to e-books and audiobooks.
a. Write an essay on Libraries and its uses for students.
In an essay on libraries and their uses for students, I would discuss the importance of libraries in providing students with access to information and resources. I would also discuss the different ways that students can use libraries to support their studies, such as doing research, finding books and articles, and getting help with their homework.
b. Do you have any public library in your locality? If so, do the people in your community use it? Give a couple of examples.
Yes, I have a public library in my locality. The library is used by people of all ages, including students, parents, and senior citizens. People use the library to borrow books, use the computers, and attend events such as story time for children and book clubs for adults.