Rule Of The Road | AG Gardiner | Book Back Exercises |www.engwin.net

On the Rule of the Road Book Back Answers | Class 12 English Unit 6
Tamil Nadu Samacheer Kalvi · Class 12 English

On the Rule of the Road

Unit 6 Prose · A. G. Gardiner · Book Back Answers and Complete Study Material

Warm-Up

Warm-Up

(a) From the pictures given below, identity the actions that may cause inconvenience and discomfort to others. Discuss.

Answer:

Using mobile phones, listening to loud music, and driving recklessly will cause inconvenience and discomfort to others.

(b) Classify these pictures to show what they depict-Personal freedom/Public liberty.

Personal freedomPublic liberty

colouring the hair red

Answer:

Personal freedomPublic liberty
colouring the hair redUsing a mobile phone
listen to musicdriving recklessly on the road

cycling

mountain climbing

Textual Questions and Book Back Answers

Samacheer Kalvi 12th English On the Rule of the Road Textual Questions

12th English Unit 6 Prose On the Rule of the Road Paragraph Book Back Answers Samacheer Kalvi

12th Standard English 6th Lesson On the Rule of the Road Questions and Answers

  1. Answer the following questions in one or two sentences each.

(a) Why did the lady think she was entitled to walk down the middle of the road?

She believed she had the liberty to walk anywhere she pleased.

(b) What would be the consequence of the old lady’s action?

If everyone acted like her, cars would have to drive on the pavement, causing universal chaos.

(c) What does the ‘rule of the road’ mean?

It means that to preserve everyone’s liberty, everybody’s liberty must be limited.

(d) Why should ‘individual liberty’ be curtailed?

Individual liberty must be curtailed so that everyone can enjoy a social order that makes real liberty possible.

(e) How would a reasonable person react when his actions affect another person’s liberty?

A reasonable person would adjust his own liberty to fit the liberties of others.

(f) Define Liberty as perceived by the author.

Liberty is an accommodation of interests — a social contract, not a personal affair.

(g) According to the author, what are we more conscious of?

We are more conscious of others’ imperfections than of our own.

(h) What is the foundation of social conduct?

A reasonable consideration for the rights and feelings of others is the foundation of social conduct.

(i) How can we sweeten our life’s journey?

We can sweeten life’s journey through the habit of commonplace communion that makes up the great sum of life.

(j) What does the traffic policeman symbolize?

The traffic policeman symbolizes liberty, not tyranny.

Additional Questions

(a) How does individual liberty become social anarchy?

When people ignore the rules of the road, they interfere with others. Everyone gets in everyone else’s way, and individual liberty turns into social anarchy.

(b) What will happen if the policeman does not interfere with traffic?

Universal chaos will occur if people care only about their own liberty and ignore the liberty of others.

(c) When can one enjoy a social order?

One can enjoy a social order only by submitting to a curtailment of private liberty. Such an order makes one’s liberty a reality.

(d) Why does the author say liberty is a social contract?

Liberty is not a personal affair but a social contract — an accommodation of interests.

(e) What are we liable to forget?

We are liable to forget that there are many people in the world and that we must accommodate our liberties to theirs.

(f) What are we often conscious of?

We are often conscious of others’ imperfections rather than our own when it comes to accommodating interests.

(g) How do we declare ourselves civilised or uncivilised?

It is in small matters of conduct — like observing the rules of the road — that we judge ourselves and declare whether we are civilised or uncivilised.

  1. Answer the following questions in three or four sentences each.

(a) What is ‘liberty’ according to the old lady?

According to the Russian old lady, liberty means the right to walk in the middle of the road. She is “liberty-drunk” and does not realise that if pedestrians walked wherever they pleased, it would lead to universal chaos. Her idea of liberty ignores the rights of others.

(b) How would ‘liberty’ cause universal chaos?

When liberty is used without considering the interests of others, it results in universal chaos. Everybody would get in everybody else’s way, and nobody would get anywhere. Individual liberty would then become social anarchy.

(c) Why is there a danger of the world getting ‘liberty drunk’?

Like the Russian old lady, many people are liberty-drunk. They think a traffic policeman is a symbol of tyranny. In their hurry, drivers at break-neck speed feel the policeman interferes with their right to free use of the highway. This attitude shows how easily people misunderstand liberty.

(d) ‘Curtailment of private liberty is done to establish social order’ – Do you agree?

Yes, curtailment of private liberty is done to establish social order. Liberty is not just a personal affair; it is a social contract. Since many people live in the world, each must accommodate their liberty to the liberties of others. A reasonable consideration for the rights and feelings of others is the foundation of social conduct. Only when one submits to this curtailment can one enjoy a social order that makes real liberty possible.

Answer (a): What do you infer from Gardiner’s essay ‘On the Rule of the Road’?

Gardiner’s essay teaches us that liberty is not just a personal right but a social responsibility. True freedom means enjoying our choices without disturbing the freedom of others. For example, a person may have the liberty to dress as he likes, dye his hair, or play the trombone at home. But if he plays loudly in the street at midnight, it disturbs others’ right to sleep peacefully. Hence, liberty must be balanced with consideration for others. The foundation of civilized society is respect for the rights and feelings of fellow citizens. When we adjust our freedom to accommodate others, life becomes harmonious and pleasant. Gardiner reminds us that real civilization lies in this thoughtful balance of personal liberty and social duty.

Explain in your own words, “What freedom means?”

Answer (b): What freedom means?

Freedom does not mean that a person can do whatever he likes without limits. It is not only a personal right but also a social responsibility. True freedom is an adjustment between our interests and the interests of others. For example, one may choose his haircut, clothes, or sleeping habits without affecting anyone. But if he plays a trombone loudly at midnight in a street, it disturbs the neighbours’ right to sleep peacefully. Thus, freedom must be enjoyed in such a way that it does not harm others. The real meaning of liberty is respecting the rights and feelings of fellow human beings. This reasonable consideration forms the basis of good social behaviour and makes life pleasant for everyone.

“My right to swing my fist ends, where your nose begins.” Elucidate with reference to, ‘On the Rule of the Road’.

Answer (c): “My right to swing my fist ends, where your nose begins.”

Gardiner explains that liberty means enjoying our freedom without harming others. Personal liberty includes choices like dressing as we like, growing a moustache, eating our favourite food, or reading the books we prefer. These actions do not disturb anyone. But when our freedom interferes with another person’s rights, it must be limited. For example, playing a trombone loudly at midnight in a public place disturbs others’ sleep. Hence, liberty must be balanced with social responsibility. The saying “My right to swing my fist ends, where your nose begins” clearly shows that freedom cannot cross the boundary of another person’s rights. Only when we respect others’ liberty can good social conduct and harmony be maintained.

Question (d)

Civilization can only exist when the public collectively accepts constraints on its freedom of action – Explain.

Answer (d): Civilization can only exist when the public collectively accepts constraints on its freedom of action

Gardiner explains that true civilization is possible only when people agree to limit their personal freedom for the sake of others. Human beings often complain about others but forget that their own liberty must also be adjusted to the liberty of fellow citizens. Respecting the rights and feelings of others is the foundation of social conduct. Small acts, like following traffic rules or keeping quiet at night, show whether we are civilized or not. We are civilized when we enjoy our rights without violating the rights or privacy of others. In society, freedom means sharing and accommodating interests, not acting selfishly. Thus, civilization can exist and prosper only when people collectively accept certain restrictions on their actions and live with mutual respect.

Vocabulary

Vocabulary

Pronunciation – Functional Stress

(a) Now the teacher will read the following words. Listen carefully to the stress in each word. Write against each word whether it is a noun or a verb and mark the stress.

‘contractcon’tract
‘conductcon’duct
‘objectob’ject
‘subjectsub’ject
‘presentpre’sent
‘desertde’sert
‘projectpro’ject
‘refusere’fuse
‘addressad’dress

Answer:

‘contract (n)con’tract (v)
‘conduct (n)con’duct (v)
‘object (n)object (v)
‘subject (n)subject (v)
‘present (n)pre’sent (v)
‘desert (n)de’sert (v)
‘project (n)project (v)
‘refuse (n)re’fuse (v)
‘address (n)ad’dress (v)

American And British English

(c) Some British English words are given in column ‘A’. Write their corresponding American English word is Column ‘B.’

BritishAmerican
pavementsidewalk

pull over

waistcoat

chips

flat

ground floor

underground

queue

windscreen

indicator

timetable

post

holiday

autumn

lift

happy

fully

Answer:

BritishAmerican
pavementsidewalk
pull oversweater
waistcoatvest
chipsfrench fries
flatapartment
ground floorfirst floor
undergroundsub-way
queueline
windscreenwindshield
indicatorturn signal
timetableschedule
postmail
holidayvacation
autumnface
liftelevator
happyhappy
fullytotally

(d) Similarly there is a difference in the spelling of certain words between American and British English. In Column ‘A’ words are spelled in American. Write down the corresponding British English spelling for those words in column ‘B\ (The first one is done for you)

AB
odorodour

program

parlor

apologize

color

check

theater

gray

behavior

humor

labor

Answer:

AB
odorodour
programprogramme
parlorparlour
apologizeapologise
colorcolour
checkcheque
theatertheatre
graygrey
behaviorbehaviour
humorhumour
laborlabour

Listening Activity

Listening Activity

Listen carefully to the story being read out and answer the questions.

A boy was flying a kite with his father. He was excited to watch the kite soar high and asked his father, “What kept the kite up?” Dad replied “The String”. The boy said “No dad, the string is holding the kite down.” The father suddenly broke the string, the kite came crashing down. Now the boy understood, what was holding the kite up. This is true in life as well. We are advised to follow a set of rules or a prescribed code of conduct to enable us to reach our full potential.

However, very often we hear the phrase “I want to be free.” If you take the train off the track, it is free. But where would it go? If each one of us follows our own traffic rules and drive on any side of the road what would you call it? Freedom or chaos? By observing rules we are actually gaining freedom. This is what discipline is all about.

Question 1.

According to the father, what kept the kite up?

(a) the kite itself

(b) air

(c) the string

(d) father’s skills

Answer:

(c) the string

Question 2.

The string helped the kite to

(a) withstand the pressure

(b) break free

(c) crash

(d) soar high

Answer:

(d) soar high

Question 3.

To realize our full potential, we should

(a) obey our elders

(b) follow a set of rules

(c) work hard

(d) plan well

Answer:

(b) follow a set of rules

Question 4.

A train should go on the to reach its destination.

(a) track

(b) line

(c) road

(d) path

Answer:

(a) track

Question 5.

Taking freedom into our own hands will lead to

(a) self-discipline

(b) chaos

(c) a code of conduct

(d) freedom

Answer:

(b) chaos

Question 6.

The main idea of the passage is

(a) the art of flying kites

(b) father’s advice to his son

(c) the importance of discipline

(d) the right to freedom

Answer:

(c) the importance of discipline

Speaking Activity

Speaking Activity

(a) Everybody enjoys holidays but, when it comes to safety ‘There is no holiday for Safety’. Discuss in groups what safety measures one should take while driving a car/ two-wheeler.

Group A

While riding a bike, the rider should wear a helmet. If there is a pillion rider, he/she should also wear a helmet. When the signal is yellow, one must stop the vehicle as a red signal will follow soon. Don’t ride or drive with breakneck speed. If somebody tries to cross the road suddenly, there could be a fatal accident. Before leaving the home, check the tyre pressure, adequacy of petrol or diesel or electricity if it is an electric bike/scooter. Thus, you can ensure safety by adopting the above strategies.

Group B

If you plan to travel by car, leave at least one hour early to avoid peak hour traffic. Wear a seat belt. Before overtaking ensure if the vehicle ahead of you wishes to take a ‘U’ turn or not. If you wish to take a right turn or a left turn using the indicator to warn the following vehicle of your intended change in the direction of travel. If you tend to travel near a school, don’t speed up, look on either side to verify if children are trying to cross the road. Don’t honk near hospitals and schools. If there is an unmanned level crossing, park your car 10 meters away from the level crossing, check for the movement of the train on either side. Even if the train is seen far away, wait for the train to pass by.

(b) Your school has arranged for a road safety campaign, Share a few ideas with your classmates which can be used during the campaign. For example ‘Speed thrills but kills’.

The following are some interesting slogans to be used in the road safety campaign.

•Drive as if every child on the road is your own.
•A spill, a slip, a hospital trip
•Start early, drive slowly, reach safely
•An accident would cripple your income
•Safety protects people
•Safety starts within you
•Risk prevention is better than cure
•Drowsy driving is impaired driving
•Fast drive’ could be the last drive
•Don’t lose your head to gain a minute, you need your head Your brains are in it
•Hug your kids at home but belt them in the car
•Safety first because accident last
•Chance takers are accident makers
•Accidents hurt but safety doesn’t
•Speed kills, slow down
•Be cautious, nearly 40% of victims in road accidents are pedestrians
•Sober up, drunk driving kills

Reading: Cyber Safety

Reading

Cyber Safety

Given below is a text on “Cybersafety” developed from the inputs received from Crime- Branch Crime Investigation Department (CBCID), Tamil Nadu dated: 05.12.2018. Read the text and answer the questions that follow.

Question 1

How should teenagers guard against cybercrimes?

Answer:

•Desist from interacting with strangers on social media and never meet strangers in person pursuant to social media chat/interaction.
•Avoid having your picture as a profile picture. Even if you choose to have one, do so while restricting those persons who can see your profile picture.
•Do not download software’s/Apps from unknown sources. Do not download unnecessary apps on the devices. Be a member of a social media group or WhatsApp group only if you know the majority of members in it and also if it is relevant to be part of the group. Do not believe and blindly share messages on social media without verifying the facts.
•Keep front camera of mobile phones, laptops, etc., closed when not used. For Example, Stickers may be used to close the camera and to avoid remote access of the front camera.

Question 2

What should we do to ensure Safe Surfing?

Answer:

•Use a secure browser.
•Do not surf unsafe websites. A website with a URL starting with https:// is a secure website. If the website URL starts only as http://, it is unsecure.
•Avoid clicking on links from unknown emails/pop-ups.
•Do not enter passwords when connected to a public network (WiFi in Railway station or Airports)
•Always use a computer in which an updated Anti Virus is installed.

Question 3

What are the details not to be revealed in the public domain?

Answer:

•Any Passwords
•Bank account /credentials
•Credit card/Debit card details
•Personal mobile number
•Date of Birth
•Any details which would help to track your routine activities

Question 4

What should parents do to ensure the safety of children in cyberspace?

Answer:

•Set a fixed time during which children are allowed to surf the internet.
•Always place the computer in that part of the house, which is visited most often by everyone. Don’t keep the computer in a secluded part. Talk with the children and educate them on the websites that they are allowed / not allowed to visit.
•Be “Friends” with the children’s social media account so that their activities are monitored.
•Install an Anti Virus with parental control in the computer.
•Make it a habit to check to browse history/hidden files, apps installed, etc., on the computer/ device to monitor the activity of the children.

Question 5

Should children be discouraged from playing online games?

Answer:

Yes, the following steps can be followed to discourage children from playing online games.

1.Encourage children to play outdoor games.
2.Monitor closely if they are found playing a single game for long hours.
3.Watch out for early signs of addiction to games such as
•Decreasing Academic activity 4 Less times spent with family
•Loss of interest in things previously enjoyed.
•Lack of sleep / Sore Eyes
•Headaches
•Create awareness about the ill-effects of dangerous online games.

Questions

Question 1.

Which of the following should one avoid while using social media? Tick against the correct options.

Answer:

•Interacting with strangers on social media
•Avoid posting your picture as a profile picture
•Forwarding Whatsapp messages without verifying facts
•Use a secure browser
•Entering passwords while using a public network

Question 2.

How can we identify insecure websites?

Answer:

If the website URL starts only as http://, it is insecure.

Question 3.

Mention any three details that should not be revealed in the public domain.

Answer:

1.Password
2.Bank account details
3.Personal mobile number

Question 4.

What should parents do to ensure cyber safety for their wards? (Any three points)

Answer:

Set a fixed time for viewing the internet

Keep the computer in a place where the content being viewed can be monitored by anyone Educate children on safe and unsafe sites.

Question 5.

Why is it not advisable to play online games?

Answer:

1.They could swindle the family fortune
2.Online games distract children from studies
3.Children tend to spend less quality time with family members.
4.Children tend to develop eye problems

Question 6.

Pick out words which mean the same as

Answer:

1.stop doing something (para 1) – desist/avoid
2.place or fix (para 2) – having
3.not protected (para 2) – insecure
4.keep a check on (para 3) – monitor

Grammar

Grammar

Agreement of the subject with the verb

Task 1

I. Choose the correct option and complete the sentences.

1.Manoj (was, were) present along with his parents.
2.Each of these boys (has, have) passed.
3.Neither Lekha nor Leela (has, have) been selected.
4.Every man, woman, and child (was, were) happy.
5.One of the machines (is, are) defective.
6.A number of books (is, are) missing.
7.Seker or his brothers (has, have) done it.
8.To make a promise and then not to keep it (is, are) dishonesty.
9.One of the other of those men (has, have) lodged a complaint.
10.TO. Each leaf and each flower (was, were) stripped off the tree.

Answers

1.was
2.has
3.3. has
4.were
5.is
6.are
7.have
8.is
9.has
10.was

Task 2

II. Identify the errors in each of the following sentences and rewrite them correctly.

Question 1.

Either Shyam or Ram have to pay the fine.

Answer:

Either Shyam or Ram has to pay the fine.

Question 2.

Abdul as well as Karim deserve praise.

Answer:

Abdul as well as Karim deserves praise.

Question 3.

Ten thousand rupees a month are an insufficient income.

Answer:

Ten thousand rupees a month is an insufficient income.

Question 4.

Many a student were awarded at the function.

Answer:

Many a student was awarded at the function.

Question 5.

Neither Veena nor her sisters have been informed of the accident.

Answer:

Neither Veena nor her sisters have been informed of the accident.

Question 6.

Mithra as well as her daughters enjoy singing.

Answer:

Mithra as well as her daughters enjoys singing.

Question 7.

You, who is my friend, should help me.

Answer:

You, who are my friend, should help me.

Question 8.

My scissors is missing.

Answer:

My scissors are missing.

Question 9.

A variety of pleasing objects charm the eye.

Answer:

A variety of pleasing objects charms the eye.

Question 10.

Sixty miles are a long distance.

Answer:

Sixty miles is a long distance.

Writing: Process Description

Writing

Describing a process

Task 1

Preparation of apple juice

You plan to delight your parents and sister, serving them chilled apple juice. Here is the process:

(Complete the sentences with the right form of the verbs)

Four or five apples (1) (take) and (2) (wash) well. They (3) (wipe) dry and cut into pieces of medium size. The seeds (4) (remove). Then the apples (5) (put) into the mixer. Some milk (6) (add) .The apples(7) (crush) and a fine liquid (8) (obtain). This liquid (9) (filter) and the juice (10) (store) in the refrigerator. It is (11) (take ) out whenever needed, and after adding sugar, it (12) (sen e) in cups.

Answer:

1.should be taken
2.washed
3.should be wiped
4.should be removed
5.should be put
6.should be added
7.should be crushed
8.will be obtained
9.should be filtered
10.should be stored
11.taken
12.is served

Task 2

Installing a computer

The description of installing a computer in your study room is given in the form of jumbled sentences. Rearrange the sentences in the right order and form a coherent paragraph.

1.Once you connect the CPU, connect the keyboard and mouse.
2.Before turning on the power, check that all parts are connected to the CPU.
3.First, open the box and take out the computer parts.
4.Plug both the computer and the monitor with a power cord.
5.Set the computer on a table or flat surface.
6.Finally, turn on the power.

Task 3

Attempt a description of the following processes, in about 100 words each, either using the imperative or the passive.

Question 1.

Preparing your favourite dish

Answer:

1.Finely chop one medium size onion, 1 to 2 green chilies, half-inch ginger, and some coriander leaves.
2.One must keep aside 8 to 10 curry leaves, 10 to 12 cashew nuts, 1 teaspoon chana dal, and 1 teaspoon of urud dal.
3.Heat a pan or Kadai. Add one cup rava and roast at a low flame, until the aroma of roasted rava arises.
4.Shift the roasted rava to another plate.
5.In a pan, heat 2 tablespoons of ghee or oil and add mustard seeds. Wait until it crackles.
6.Then add cumin seeds and chana dal and fry them until brown.
7.Add cashews and roast till they become golden colour. Now add finely chopped onions and saute them till they become translucent.
8.Now add green chilly, ginger, curry’ leaves. Saute for a minute. Add two and a half cups of water and add salt to taste.
9.Wait until the water boils and add the roasted Rava in four or five batches. Keep stirring and mix well under low flame.
10.The rava will absorb the water and will be cooked.
11.Keep on stirring until all the water is absorbed by the rava and then turn off the flame.
12.Serve the delicious upma with coconut chutney or sugar.

Question 2.

Organising a birthday party at your house

Answer:

Organising a birthday party especially for young children could be great fun.

1.Shortlist the names of invitees.
2.Write or print as many invitation cards as necessary,
3.Place them inside the cover and write the names on each cover.
4.Decide on the items to be served to the invitees such as juice, cakes, ice-cream, candies etc.
5.Decorate the home with colour flags, balloons, etc.
6.Decide on the games to be played.
7.Along with food items procure gift items to be given to children who come to honour the child at the birthday party.
8.Either has a photographer or videographer to record the event.
9.Now go ahead with the plan, you will have a wonderful birthday party.

Question 3.

Sending a letter by courier service

Answer:

1.Write the letter, fold it, and place it inside an envelope.
2.Paste the right end of the envelope and write your address at the left-hand bottom.
3.Write the addressee’s name and address in the middle of the envelope.
4.Take it to the courier office.
5.Write on top of the envelope “By Courier”.
6.Get it weighed.
7.The front desk personnel will ask you to pay an amount according to the weight of the envelope and the distance it has to travel.
8.Pay the money and get the invoice.
9.Now the courier is on its way to the intended destination.

Question 4.

Obtaining a demand draft from a bank

Answer:

1.It is a very simple process.
2.Go to any nationalized bank and ask for a challan to fill in details such as the beneficiary’s name, date, amount, commission to be paid.
3.One can turn the challan leaf to find the Tamil version of the challan to be filled,
4.Total the amount and the commission and fill the challan.
5.Draw a self-drawn cheque and attach it along with the DD challan.
6.The bank will deduct the money from your account and give a demand draft to you.
7.If you don’t have an account, the commission amount maybe a little extra.

About the Author

About the Author

Alfred George Gardiner was a British journalist and author. He was a prolific essayist and his style and subject matter easily qualified him to be categorized as what the English would call a very civilized gentleman. His essays include ‘On Habits’, ‘On Being Tidy’, and ‘On Talk and Talkers’. ‘On the Rule of the Road’, was included in one of Gardiner’s compilations titled “Leaves in the Wind’ and was published under his pseudonym “Alpha of the Plough”.

Summary in English

Summary in English

Introduction

On the rule of the road, A. G. Gardiner emphasizes the necessity of certain constraints on individual liberty if society is to function in a genuinely civilized manner.

Social awareness

A plump old lady was walking with her basket in the middle of the road in Petrograd. It created great confusion with the traffic. Even her own life was in danger. Somebody pointed out to her that the pavement was meant for the pedestrians. Her reply was that she enjoyed liberty and could walk anywhere she liked. She did not realize that her liberty or such unrestrained freedom could lead to an all-round disorder. If everybody interferes with the liberties of others, nobody would be able to enjoy liberty. This could lead to social anarchy.

Liberty drunk public

In the modem world, people are liberty dunk like that old lady. Therefore, it is important to remind them what the mle of the road means. It means that to preserve the liberties of all, everybody’s liberties must be reduced. He makes his point clear with an example of a traffic policeman. The traffic policeman is not a symbol of tyranny but of liberty. An unreasonable man will be annoyed by the interference of the traffic policeman. If the policeman stops a man in a hurry, he will feel that his liberty has been injured by violence. A reasonable man will surely think him to be the right man to do so. If he does not interfere with him, he would interfere with none. It would lead to chaos. Then nobody would be able to cross the road. Therefore, one’s liberty has to be curtailed to create social order and make liberty real.

Personal liberty vs Public liberty

Liberty is not only a personal affair but a social contract too. It requires an adjustment of our interests. There are matters of a private kingdom which does not touch anybody else’s liberty’. In this kingdom, one can follow one’s own fancy and ask no one’s permission. For example, one may follow any religion or one may marry a dark or fair lady. One may dye one’s hair or do whatever one may like with his hairstyle. These actions do not interfere with the liberties of others. But when one comes out of the kingdom of one’s personal liberty of action, becomes qualified by other people’s liberty. For example, one may like to play the guitar. But one should do the practice mildly to accommodate one’s liberty to other liberties. But most often people forget this. People look to the faults of others but forget their own. A reasonable consideration for the rights or feelings of others is the foundation of social conduct

Equal rights for small and big people

The rights and liberties of small people are as important as those of small nationalities. Gardiner here condemns the attack of Germany on Belgium. In World War-II, Germany, a super military power overran the small and poorly equipped Belgium. He also criticizes the aggressive and bullying nature of some people and nations of the world. He called them an ugly specimen of a civilized world.

Small actions with big impact

Small actions of conduct count more. By these actions, like observing or not the rules of the road, we can be civilized or uncivilized. It is the little habits of commonplace intercourse that make up the great sum of life sweeter or make the journey bitter.

Conclusion

A.G. Gardiner illustrates with interesting examples of how social anarchy could be prevented by adhering to rules of the road. In a way, adhering to the rules of the road will not only retain a social order but also prevent fatal accidents on the road and embarrassing traffic jams.

Summary in Tamil

Summary in Tamil

முன்னுரை

_ ‘On the Rule of the Road’ (“சாலை விதியைப் பற்றி”) என்ற பாடத்தின் வாயிலாக கார்டினர், நம் தனி சுதந்திரத்தில் சில கட்டுப்பாடுகளை வகுத்துக் கொண்டால் நம் சமுதாயம் உண்மையாக நாகரிகம் நிறைந்ததாக செயல்படும் என்கிறார்.

சமூக விழிப்புணர்வு

பெட்ரோகாட் நகரத்தில் பருமனான வயது | முதிர்ந்த பெண்மணி ஒருவர் தன் கையில் ஒரு | கூடையுடன் நடுரோட்டில் நடந்து கொண்டிருந்தார். இது சாலை போக்குவரத்தை பெரிய குழப்பத்திற்கு | உண்டாக்கியது. அவர் உயிருக்கே ஆபத்தாக இருந்தது. | நடைபாதையில் நடக்குமாறு சிலர் கூறிய போது, தான் | சுதந்திரத்தை விரும்புதால் தான் எங்கும் நடப்பதற்கு | உரிமை உண்டு எனப் பதிலளித்தார். அத்தகைய சுதந்திரம் மொத்தத்தில் குழப்பத்தையே ஏற்படுத்தும் என்பதை அவர் உணரவில்லை. ஒவ்வொருவரும் அடுத்தவரின் தனி சுதந்திரத்தில் தலையிட்டால் எவராலும் சுதந்திரத்தை அனுபவிக்க முடியாது. இது சமூக அராஜகத்தை உண்டாக்கும்.

சுதந்திர போதையில் தள்ளாடும் பொதுமக்கள்

தனிச் சுதந்திரம் என்ற அபாய நோக்கமானது இக்காலத்தினரிடயே அந்த வயதான மூதாட்டி போல் தொற்றிக் கொண்டுள்ளது. ஆதலால், சாலை ஒழுக்கத்தை அவர்களுக்கு நினைவுபடுத்துவது முக்கியமான கடமையாகிறது. அதாவது அனைவரின் சுதந்திரத்தை பாதுகாக்கும் பொருட்டு அவர்களின் சுதந்திரத்தில் எல்லை வரையறுக்கப்படுகிறது. ஆசிரியர் இந்த கருத்தை தெளிவாக்க சாலை பாதுகாப்பு காவல்காரரை உதாரணமாகக் கொள்கிறார். சாலை பாதுகாப்பு காவலர் எதேச்சதிகாரத்தின் அடையாளம் அல்ல. அவர் உரிமையின் சின்னமாவார். இதைப் புரிந்து கொள்ளாதவர் காவலர் குறுக்கிடுதலை இடையூறாக கருதுவார். அவசரமாக காவலர் தடுத்து நிறுத்தினால் அவர் நம்மை வன்முறைக்கு உள்ளாக்குகிறார் என நினைக்கக்கூடும். புரிந்துகொண்டவர்களுக்கு அவர் நம் நன்மைக்கே செய்கிறார் என்பது விளங்கும். அவர் நம்மிடம் தலையிடாவிட்டால் அவரால் யாரிடமும் தலையிட முடியாது. அது குழப்பத்தையே உருவாக்கும். ஆகவே, வெறும் சாலையை கடக்க முடியாது. உங்களின் தனிச் சுதந்திரத்தை கட்டுப்படுத்துவது உங்களை பொது விதிகளை அனுசரிக்கச் செய்து உண்மை சுதந்திரத்தை உணரச் செய்வதற்கே ஆகும்.

தனிப்பட்ட சுதந்திரம் மற்றும் பொதுச் சுதந்திரம்

சுதந்திரம் என்பது தனி நபரைச் சார்ந்தது மட்டும் அல்ல. அது ஒரு பொதுக் கோட்பாடு ஆகும். இதில் நம் உரிமைகளை பொருந்தச் செய்யவேண்டும். தனிப்பட்ட சுதந்திரக் கோட்பாடுகள் வேறு எவரின் சுதந்திரத்தையும் பாதிப்பதில்லை. இந்த நாட்டில் ஒருவர் தன் மனம் செல்லும் வழியில் செல்ல யாரிடமும் உத்தரவு கேட்பதில்லை. உதாரணத்திற்கு ஒருவர் எந்த மதத்தையும் பின்பற்றலாம் அல்லது கறுப்பு நிறத்தவரையோ, வெள்ளை நிறத்தவரையோ திருமணம் செய்து கொள்ளலாம். அவர் தலைக்கு சாயம் அடித்துக் கொள்ளலாம். எதுவாயினும் செய்யலாம். இந்தச் செயல்கள் அடுத்தவரின் சுதந்திரத்தைப் பாதிப்பதில்லை. ஆனால் இந்த தனிப்பட்ட சுதந்திர வட்டத்தை விட்டு வெளியேறும் போது மற்றவரின் சுதந்திரத்தை மதித்து அனுமதிக்க வேண்டியுள்ளது. அதாவது ஒருவர் கிடார் (guitar) வாசிக்க விரும்பலாம். ஆனால், அடுத்தவரின் சுதந்திரத்தை அனுசரிக்கும் வகையில் தன் சுதந்திரம் இருக்க அவர் மெதுவாக வாசிக்க வேண்டும். பெரும்பான்மையான மக்கள் இதை மறந்து விடுகிறார்கள். அடுத்தவர் குறையைக் காணும் மக்கள் தன் குறையை மறந்து விடுகிறார்கள். அடுத்தவரின் உரிமை அல்லது உணர்வுகளுக்கு இடமளிப்பதே சமூக நடத்தையின் அடித்தளம் ஆகும்.

எளியவருக்கும், வலியவருக்கும் ஒரே விதி

சிறிய நாடுகளில் வாழும் மக்களைப் போன்ற சிறுபான்மைப்பட்ட மக்களின் விதிகளும், உரிமைகளும் முக்கியமானதே. கார்டினர் (Gardiner) ஜெர்மனி நாடானது பெல்ஜியத்தின் மேல் போர் தொடுத்ததை வன்மையாகக் கண்டிக்கிறார். இரண்டாம் உலகப் போரின் போது சிறுபான்மையான மற்றும் போதிய இராணுவ வசதிகள் இல்லாத பெல்ஜிய நாட்டை பெரும் இராணுவப் படையுடைய ஜெர்மனி தன் வசப்படுத்தியது. சில மக்கள் மற்றும் உலக நாட்டவரின் ஆக்ரமிக்கும் குணம் மற்றும் அகங்காரம் குறித்தும் ஆசிரியர் விமர்சனம் செய்கிறார். அவர்களை நாகரிக உலகத்தின் வெறுக்கத்தக்க இனம் எனக் குறிப்பிடுகிறார்.

சிறிய நடவடிக்கை கொடுத்த பெரிய விளைவு

சிறிய சிறிய நம் செயல்கள் பெரிய தாக்கத்தை உருவாக்குகின்றன. இத்தகைய சிறிய செயல்களான விதிமுறைகளைக் கடைப்பிடிப்பது அல்லது | தவிர்ப்பது வழியாகவே நாம் நாகரிகமானவரா அல்லது (நாகரிகமற்றவரா என வரையறுத்துக் கொள்ளலாம். | இத்தகைய சிறிய பொது இடக் கோட்பாடுகளே நம் பெரும்பான்மையான வாழ்வை இனிமையாக்குவது அல்லது கசப்பாக்குவது என்பதை முடிவு செய்கின்றன. இத்தகைய சிறிய பொது இடக் கோட்பாடுகளே நம் பெரும்பான்மையான வாழ்வை இனிமையாக்குவது அல்லது கசப்பாக்குவது என்பதை முடிவு செய்கின்றன.

முடிவுரை

சாலை விதிகளைக் கடைபிடிப்பதன் மூலம் சமூக அராஜகத்தை எப்படி தடை செய்யலாம் என்பதை ஏ.ஜி. கார்டினர் சுவாரஸ்யமான உதாரணங்களுடன் விளக்குகிறார். ஒரு வழியில், சாலையின் விதிகள் கடைபிடிக்கப்படுவது ஒரு சமூக ஒழுங்கைத் தக்கவைத்துக் கொள்வது மட்டுமல்லாமல், சாலையில் விபத்துகள் ஏற்படுவதை தடுக்கவும், சங்கடமான போக்குவரத்து நெரிசலைத் தடுக்கவும் உதவுகிறது.

Glossary

Glossary

Textual

Here is the extracted text from the images presented as a table:

WordMeaningTamil Meaning
accommodatefit in withஉடன்படுகிற
anarchylawlessness/ rebellionபெருங்குழப்பம், கட்டுப்பாடு இல்லாத நிலை
chaosconfusionகுழப்பம்
confusionmessகுழப்பம்
considerationscrutinyஆராய்தல்
contractcommitmentஒப்பந்தம்
conventionalnormalவழக்கத்திலுள்ள
curtailedreducedசுருக்கு அல்லது சிறிதாக்கு
fancydesireகற்பனை செய்
indifferentunconcernedஅலட்சியப் போக்குடைய
insolencerudenessஅகந்தை
interferehinderதலையிடு
pedestrianspersons who walk on the streetsதெரு ஓர நடைபாதையில் நடப்பவர்கள் / பாதசாரிகள்
perilriskஆபத்து
preservedmaintainedபாதுகாக்கப்பட்டது
ridiculouscomicalமுட்டாள்தனமான
shandylemonadeமதுபானம்
tyrannyautocracyகொடுங்கோல் ஆட்சி
civilizedpolite and well-manneredநாகரிகமான
liablelikely to doபொறுப்பான
outragedangered at something unjust or wrongசினம் உண்டாக்கியது

Synonyms

Synonyms

Find out the synonym of the underlined word in each of the following sentences.

Question 1.

A stout old lady walking down the middle of the street caused great confusion.

(a) vision

(b) clarity

(c) mess

(d) mesh

Answer:

(c) mess

Question 2.

She caused great peril to herself.

(a) safety

(b) frill

(c) shrill

(d) danger

Answer:

(d) danger

Question 3.

One who walks on the pavement is called,

(a) stalker

(b) walker

(c) pedestrian

(d) martian

Answer:

(c) pedestrian

Question 4.

We have got liberty now.

(a) tyranny

(b) freedom

(c) avarice

(d) slavery

Answer:

(b) freedom

Question 5.

The end of such liberty would be universal chaos.

(a) brotherhood

(b) love

(c) peace

(d) confusion

Answer:

(d) confusion

Question 6.

Individual liberty would become social anarchy.

(a) cooperation

(b) vanity

(c) civility

(d) lawlessness

Answer:

(d) lawlessness

Question 7.

Liberties of all may be preserved.

(a) excluded

(b) severed

(c) maintained

(d) pointed

Answer:

(c) maintained

Question 8.

The liberties of everybody must be curtailed.

(a) enhanced

(b) increased

(c) levelled

(d) reduced

Answer:

(d) reduced

Question 9.

He is a symbol of tyranny.

(a) plutocracy

(b) democracy

(c) aristocracy

(d) autocracy

Answer:

(d) autocracy

Question 10.

We may choose to be wise or ridiculous.

(a) serious

(b) funny

(c) earnest

(d) critical

Answer:

(b) funny

Question 11.

You can be conventional or odd.

(a) common

(b) usual

(c) strength

(d) popular

Answer:

(c) strength

Question 12.

If I play trombone in my bedroom, my family will object.

(a) accept

(b) approve

(c) oppose

(d) oppese

Answer:

(c) oppose

Question 13.

Liberty is a social contract.

(a) contact

(b) encounter

(c) confront

(d) agreement

Answer:

(d) agreement

Question 14.

I have to accommodate the interests of others.

(a) reject

(b) decline

(c) accomplish

(d) fit in with

Answer:

(d) fit in with

Question 15.

A reasonable consideration for the rights or feelings of others is the foundation of social conduct.

(a) thoughtfulness

(b) rejection

(c) confrontation

(d) argument

Answer:

(a) thoughtfulness

Antonyms

Antonyms

Find out the antonym of the underlined word in each of the following sentences.

Question 1.

A stout old lady was walking.

(a) fat

(b) obese

(c) brittle

(d) lean

Answer:

(d) lean

Question 2.

We’ve got liberty now.

(a) freedom

(b) slavery

(c) right

(d) democracy

Answer:

(b) slavery

Question 3.

Such liberty would be universal chaos.

(a) disorder

(b) confusion

(c) order

(d) mess

Answer:

(c) order

Question 4.

Individual liberty would have become social anarchy.

(a) order

(b) disorder

(c) confusion

(d) mess

Answer:

(a) order

Question 5.

Liberties of all may be preserved.

(a) conserved

(b) damaged

(c) retained

(d) maintained

Answer:

(b) damaged

Question 6.

The liberties of everybody must be curtailed.

(a) reduced

(b) constrained

(c) restricted

(d) increased

Answer:

(d) increased

Question 7.

The policeman is not a symbol of tyranny.

(a) democracy

(b) autocracy

(c) plutocracy

(d) aristocracy

Answer:

(a) democracy

Question 8.

If you are a reasonable person, you would understand liberty.

(a) sound

(b) fair

(c) logical

(d) unreasonable

Answer:

(d) unreasonable

Question 9.

I have the liberty to be indifferent to you.

(a) caring

(b) disinterested

(c) heedless

(d) unconcerned

Answer:

(a) caring

Question 10.

We may choose to be harsh or easy.

(a) rude

(b) soft

(c) rough

(d) severe

Answer:

(b) soft

Question 11.

I have to accommodate my liberty to other’s liberties.

(a) adjust

(b) hinder

(c) fit in with

(d) give up

Answer:

(b) hinder

Question 12.

We are conscious of much more imperfections of others than of our own.

(a) frailties

(b) follies

(c) perfections

(d) shortcomings

Answer:

(c) perfections

Question 13.

A reasonable consideration for the rights or feelings of others is the foundation of social conduct.

(a) thoughtfulness

(b) heedfulness

(c) heedlessness

(d) sensitivity

Answer:

(c) heedlessness

Question 14.

I must not interfere with their liberty to sleep in quiet.

(a) solemnity

(b) quietude

(c) tranquillity

(d) noise

Answer:

(d) noise

Question 15.

The lady walked down the middle of the road with great peril to herself.

(a) danger

(b) safety

(c) horror

(d) criticality

Answer:

(b) safety

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