Questions and Answers

Question 1

What does the speaker mean by “laughing with their teeth” and “laughing with their eyes”? How does this contrast reflect a change in society’s emotional expression over time?

Ans. The name of the lesson is Once Upon a Time. In this lesson, the writer Gabriel Okara discusses the differences between past people’s genuine behaviors and present people’s unreal behaviors.

• Laughing with their eyes: Represents people’s real happiness. In the past, people laughed with their eyes because their happiness was genuine.
• Laughing with their teeth: Represents unreal happiness. In modern times, people laugh with their teeth because their happiness is often fake.

This contrast reflects a change in society’s emotional experience over time:

• People lament the loss of innocence.
• There is less warmth in modern relationships.

Question 2

How does the author illustrate the detrimental effects of noise on human health, especially in terms of potential damage to the ears and its correlation with stress-related issues?

Ans. Noise is unwanted sound that negatively impacts well-being. The effects of noise include:

• Impact on health: Noise can cause blood vessels in the brain to expand, leading to health issues.
• Potential damage to hearing: Continuous noise exposure can result in hearing loss.
• Stress-related issues: Noise exposure, even during sleep, can trigger stress responses in the body.

Question 3

What impact does Janaki Iyer’s school, Ananda Bharati, have on the lives of the domestic workers and the community it serves? Provide examples from the text to support your answer.

Ans. Janaki Iyer, a 70-year-old woman, runs Ananda Bharati school for children of domestic workers. Its impacts include:

• Educational access: Domestic workers’ children gain access to education.
• Confidence and personal growth: The school fosters confidence and self-reliance in its students.

Question 4

What role does international collaboration play in achieving the vision of India standing up to the world, and how can India strategically engage with other nations to strengthen its position globally?

Ans. The lesson My Vision for India by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam emphasizes three visions: freedom, development, and strength. International collaboration plays a role in:

• Strengthening economic position.
• Advancing technology and science.
• Enhancing defense and security cooperation.

Strategic engagement includes:

• Developing defense partnerships.
• Promoting scientific collaboration.
• Contributing to global policy discussions.

Question 5

How does the waste management approach in India differ from Western countries, and what wasteful habits are we starting to adopt as we enter the twenty-first century?

Ans. The lesson emphasizes recycling and reusing. Differences include:

• Western approach: Advanced recycling systems for materials like paper and glass.
• Indian approach: Reusing items like bottles and reselling to junk dealers.

India is adopting wasteful habits like increased use of disposable products, posing environmental risks.

Question 6

The lesson “Noise: How It Affects Our Lives” mentions the impact of noise on the inner ear and emphasizes the importance of reducing noise levels in various settings. Write a project on the topic “Creating a Quiet Zone.”

Ans. Creating a Quiet Zone:

Noise pollution affects mental and physical health. Steps to create a quiet zone:

• Organize awareness campaigns.
• Use noise-reducing techniques like soundproof materials.
• Encourage quieter behaviors.
• Collaborate with authorities to establish quiet zones in public spaces.

Expected Outcomes: Reduced stress, better focus, and a more serene environment.