Class-VIII

Chapter-9  Couplets

By Alexander Pope

B.

1. What is the key to a successful life?

Ans. The key to a successful life is to tread the middle path and avoid leaning on the extremes.

2. What are the various forms of government? Which one is the best? Why?

Ans. The various forms of government are democratic, monarchy and dictatorship. The best form of the government is the one with the best administration where people enjoy their rights and are happy.

3. What should be the chief concern of the whole mankind? What other concerns divert people’s attention from this?

Ans. Charity should be the chief concern of the whole mankind. The other concerns which divert people’s attention from this are religion, faith, hopes and beliefs.

C. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow:

1. He knows to live, who keeps the middle state.

a. What do you understand by ‘middle state’?

Ans. ‘Middle state’ means the middle path or leading a balanced life.

b. How can the ‘middle state’ be achieved?

Ans. The ‘middle state’ can be achieved by avoiding leaning on the extremes.

c. Is this line relevant in a students’ life? Give an example.

Ans. Yes, this line is relevant in a student’s life.A student should tread on middle way i.e he should maintain a balance between his studies and sports.He should not be studying the whole day but should also pay attention to co curricular activities.

d. What other things are required to lead a virtuous life?

Ans. Patience , generosity ,compassion , prudence , justice ,fortitude and tolerance.

2. For modes of faith let graceless zealots fight.

a. Why do zealots fight?

Ans. Zealots fight over the types of religion.

b. Why are zealots ‘graceless’?

Ans. Zealots are ‘graceless’ because they fight over the superiority of their religion.

c. Whose life cannot be wrong? Why?

Ans. The person who does good deeds in life and is truthful his life cannot be wrong.

d. How can we help the zealots attain peace?

Ans. Peace is the most important virtue in today’s  world of violence and extremism. Zealots can attain peace by countering th forces of baseless hatred that unconditional and zealots love and pursuit of peace. By fostering and intensifying unity and brotherhood, peace can be attained.

HOTS

‘Half of the problems of the world will vanish if we realize that each person is right in their own perspective.’Discuss.

Most of the world’s problems are due to conflicts and contradiction of ideas and thinking People seem to be more obsessed when it comes to their own point of views .But one must realise that everyone has his/her own point of view and  most  of the time an opposite view or idea or thinking does not make it wrong. Everyone has his   own  perspective . We  must  realise  that  each person is independent in  his thinking and we can’t force anyone to act or think according to our wish. So, by simply respecting other’s perspective and thinking, the problem of the world will  be halved.

Life Skills

List five qualities that a good government should have other than good administration.

Good government should be accountable , transparent , follow the rule of law , effective and efficient.