📘 What I Require from Life
=> Answer: the following questions.**
a. How does the writer distinguish between a peaceful age and a heroic age?
=> Answer: The writer differentiates the two periods by considering the conditions in which people lived. He describes the period of his birth as a peaceful age, whereas he associates 1914, the year of the First World War, with a heroic age.
b. Why does the writer want more freedom of speech than most people?
=> Answer: The writer considers freedom of expression especially important because he wants to communicate his observations about society openly. He wishes to speak to the public about various matters, particularly the unsatisfactory quality of products such as medicines, newspapers and drinks.
c. According to the writer, what are the four general human needs?
=> Answer: The four general needs mentioned by the writer are work, freedom of speech, health and friendship.
d. What is the difference between desire and demand according to the writer?
=> Answer: The writer explains that a demand is connected with the fundamental necessities required for survival, such as food, clothes and shelter. A desire, in comparison, involves additional things that can make one's standard of living more comfortable. A car, garden, bathing pool and nearby beach are presented as examples of desires.
e. Why does the writer demand security?
=> Answer: The writer asks for security because human happiness is difficult to achieve when one's life is exposed to constant danger. He had experienced an era of war and chaos, during which the safety of many people was uncertain. Therefore, he regards security as one of the necessary conditions for a satisfactory life.
📖 Reference to the Context
Explain the following lines with reference to the context:
a. “The satisfaction of adventure is something much more solid than a thrill.”
=> Answer: The writer suggests that genuine adventure offers a deeper form of fulfilment than a momentary feeling of excitement. Adventure involves meaningful experience and can provide a lasting sense of satisfaction. He contrasts this with the simple pleasure or excitement associated with reading Rimbaud's poetry. Although he spent six months serving on the war front in Madrid, he remained eager to read a book of Rimbaud's poetry because it promised him a particular kind of thrill.
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.”
=> Answer: This statement clearly expresses the writer's socialist outlook. He believes that workers should enjoy the benefits generated through their own labour instead of allowing those benefits to go mainly to other people. In his ideal system, workers would have greater freedom within their workplaces and would participate in controlling industries and sharing their profits.
The writer compares industrial labour with activities performed by early human societies, especially hunting and gardening during the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods. He wants work to contribute directly to the welfare of workers and their companions. According to his view, keeping the rewards of labour among the working people would help establish a more equal and satisfying environment.
c. Why do you think the essayist has taken reference from the ancient philosophers?
=> Answer: The essayist mentions ancient philosophers such as Aristotle, Lord Blan, Mr. Dash, and Sir John Asterisk to strengthen the arguments presented in his essay. Such references give additional authority to his discussion and help persuade readers to accept his views about decent work and death.
d. Discuss the essay in terms of its language, purpose, subject, point of view and mode of writing.
=> Answer: Haldane presents his ideas in simple and lucid language. His writing is direct, energetic and easy to follow. As a science popularizer, he is familiar with explaining complicated subjects in a way that ordinary readers can understand. The same quality can be seen in this essay, where he relies on short, strong statements and clear explanations even though the subject is not technical.
The essay begins with what seems to be a discussion of the writer's own requirements and experiences, so its initial mode appears descriptive. Later, the discussion expands into a political argument. For example, the writer does not regard freedom merely as a personal preference; instead, he considers it a requirement that should be enjoyed by everyone. From this idea, he argues that society needs to be organized so that maximum freedom can be available to all.
His overall perspective is that of a social critic. He uses the essay to present broader principles that, in his opinion, should guide the development of a civilized society.
🌍 Reference Beyond the Text
a. What do you require from your life to be happy and satisfied?
=> Answer: For a happy and contented life, I require good health, a job, friendship, freedom and security.
b. What is socialism? How is it different from capitalism?
=> Answer: Socialism** is a social and economic system that emphasizes equality and does not place primary importance on private property and ownership. It is different from capitalism, which does not guarantee economic equality. Whereas socialism emphasizes equal opportunities and people's needs, capitalism does not give the same emphasis to these aspects.
c. Write an essay about your dream house.
My Dream House
A dream house is not simply a beautiful building; it is a place where people can experience love, peace and togetherness. I have also imagined an ideal home for myself. In my view, a house becomes a home when family members fill it with affection and live together in harmony. I would therefore like my dream home to be a happy place shared by different generations of my family.
My preferred home would be a wooden house in the mountains, situated close to a river. I would like its windows to open towards beautiful natural scenery so that I could observe the mountains, enjoy the sunset and watch the beauty of the rising sun. The house would face the East, allowing me to receive the pleasant morning breeze and enjoy the sunrise. I would also create a small garden around the house and grow vegetables and fruits there.
Cleanliness and order would be important features of my home. I would have a separate meditation room where I could practise yoga and meditation. Another room would serve as a library for my family and visitors. I would also provide a special room for my parents and guests. I would avoid unnecessary luxuries because too many conveniences can encourage laziness. Instead, I would maintain a lifestyle that gives importance to physical exercise and good health. Solar panels would be installed to provide regular electricity. A large smart TV would also be available for my parents and visitors. To give the house a natural and attractive appearance, I would decorate its walls with beautiful paintings based on nature.
My pet dog Puppy, who is one year old, would also have a special place in my home. I would arrange a simple yet comfortable area for him where he could sleep and rest, particularly when he becomes old.
In my imagination, my dream home is surrounded by peace, happiness and beauty. It has not become real yet, but I hope that I will eventually have the opportunity to turn this imagined home into reality.