Life and Learning
I. State whether the following statements are True or False.
1. The hardest part of schooling, according to Shaw, is the early part.
Ans: True
2. School life is always irksome.
Ans: True
3. There was a time when German boots were not divided into rights and lefts.
Ans: True
4. The scholar who knows everything exists.
Ans: False
5. Shaw forgets everybody five minutes after they have been introduced to him.
Ans: False
II. Answer these questions in one sentence.
1. What is Shaw’s interesting opinion on ‘routine’?
Ans: Shaw believes that a routine is supposed to suit everyone, but in reality it suits nobody.
2. Why were English people going to live in Germany astonished?
Ans: They were astonished because German boots were not made separately for the right and left feet.
3. Why is Leonardo da Vinci’s notebook considered ‘funny’?
Ans: It was considered funny because it claimed that the Earth is a moon of the Sun.
4. Why does Shaw call himself ‘an educated man’?
Ans: Shaw calls himself an educated man because he has earned his living for sixty years by doing work that requires a high level of education.
5. Why didn’t the governess teach Shaw the table of logarithms and the binomial theorem?
Ans: The governess did not teach him these subjects because she herself did not understand them.
III. Answer these questions in two or three sentences.
1. Why does the author say that the hardest part of schooling is the early part?
Ans:
The author believes that the early stage of schooling is the hardest because children must learn the basic skills of reading, writing, and arithmetic. These skills require great effort and concentration at first. Interestingly, although they are difficult to learn, people often forget the process of learning them as they grow older.
2. How can a crammer find out what questions are going to be asked?
Ans: A crammer studies previous examination papers to identify patterns in the questions. By analyzing these papers carefully, they can guess the type of questions that are likely to appear in future examinations. This helps students prepare more effectively.
3. Why does Shaw say that once students pass their examinations, they will discover their education to be defective?
Ans: Shaw believes that after passing examinations, students often realize that their education is incomplete. Schools may teach many subjects, but they often fail to prepare students for practical life. As a result, students may feel unprepared for real-world challenges.
4. Who is a savage or an ignoramus according to Shaw?
Ans: According to Shaw, a person who knows nothing about great musicians like Palestrina and Elgar or great painters like Giotto and Burne-Jones is a savage or ignoramus, even if he has won many academic medals.
5. Why does Shaw think he has not grown up yet?
Ans: Shaw thinks he has not grown up yet because he believes that learning never ends. He continues to learn new things every day and considers life itself to be a continuous process of education.
IV. Answer these questions briefly in your own words.
1. Why does Shaw say that to do well in an examination, ‘you must go to a crammer’?
Ans: Shaw says that to succeed in examinations, students often depend on crammers who specialize in predicting examination questions. By studying previous question papers and recognizing common patterns, crammers can guess the types of questions that may appear in the exam. This helps students prepare specifically for the examination rather than gaining true knowledge.
2. ‘School to me was a sentence of penal servitude.’ Explain.
Ans: Shaw compares school to a punishment because he found school life dull and restrictive. He disliked the rigid methods of teaching and the poorly written textbooks used in schools. For a creative and artistic mind like Shaw’s, school felt more like forced labor than an enjoyable learning experience.
3. How does Shaw argue that a routine, supposed to suit everybody, suits nobody?
Ans: Shaw argues that a fixed routine cannot suit everyone because each person has different abilities, interests, and needs. He illustrates this idea with the example of German boots that were made without distinguishing between right and left feet. Just as such boots cannot fit everyone comfortably, a rigid routine cannot meet the needs of all students.
4. Explain why it is dangerous to give up-to-date answers in examinations.
Ans: Shaw believes it is risky to give modern or up-to-date answers in examinations because examiners often follow traditional ideas and may reject new viewpoints. They tend to consider old knowledge as permanently correct. Shaw illustrates this with examples of great thinkers like Copernicus and Da Vinci whose ideas were initially rejected but later proved true.
V. Answer these questions in detail.
1. Shaw had a reputation for holding radical views and opinions. Which of his views do you agree with, and why?
Ans: I agree with several of Shaw’s views expressed in the essay. His idea that education should not rely solely on routine and memorization is very meaningful. Every student has unique talents and interests, and the education system should help develop these qualities rather than forcing everyone into the same pattern.
I also agree with his belief that learning continues throughout life. School education alone cannot provide complete knowledge, and real learning takes place through experiences and challenges in everyday life. Shaw’s criticism of rigid teaching methods encourages us to think about making education more creative and practical.
2. Suggest some steps to improve the quality of school education in your state or region.
Ans: Several steps can be taken to improve the quality of school education. First, teachers should receive regular training to update their teaching methods and subject knowledge. Second, the curriculum should focus more on practical learning and real-life applications instead of rote memorization.
Schools should also encourage creative activities, critical thinking, and participation in sports and cultural programs. In addition, reducing the student-teacher ratio and improving school infrastructure can greatly enhance the learning environment and the overall quality of education.