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CLASS 12 · KALIEDOSCOPE · CHAPTER 14

Freedom

Original student-friendly answers to George Bernard Shaw and J. Krishnamurti on freedom, social control, inquiry, and sensitivity.

20 worked answersOriginal sample responses

20 worked answers · short steps first, explanations when you need them

Stop and Think: George Bernard Shaw

Textbook pages

Question Stop and Think (Shaw) 1

What causes the master class to be more deluded than the enslaved classes?

Steps only

Connect privilege-supporting education with the belief that the system is fair.

Answer

Shaw says privileged education encourages the master class to see its advantages as deserved, while workers can see the system's unfairness.

Question Stop and Think (Shaw) 2

According to Aristotle, what are the conditions to be fulfilled for the common people to accept law and order, and government, and all that they imply?

Steps only

Explain that acceptance depends on legitimate, fair rules serving the common good.

Answer

People accept law and government more readily when rules seem legitimate, fair, and protective of the common good.

Question Stop and Think (Shaw) 3

How can reasonable laws, impartially administered, contribute to one’s freedom?

Steps only

Explain that fair laws protect people from harm and disorder.

Answer

Fair laws can increase freedom by protecting people from violence, theft, and disorder.

Question Stop and Think (Shaw) 4

What are the ways in which individual freedom gets restricted?

Steps only

Name natural needs, laws, and control by employers or landlords.

Answer

Freedom is limited by natural needs and laws, and can be restricted further by employers or landlords controlling work and housing.

Stop and Think: J. Krishnamurti

Textbook pages

Question Stop and Think (Krishnamurti) 1

Why do most people find it easier to conform, imitate, and follow a self-appointed guru?

Steps only

Contrast the comfort of ready-made answers with the effort of independent inquiry.

Answer

Following feels easier because it offers ready-made answers; independent thinking takes effort and responsibility.

Question Stop and Think (Krishnamurti) 2

What is the inward struggle that the author refers to?

Steps only

Describe the clash between personal inquiry and pressure to obey tradition.

Answer

It is the struggle between wanting to choose independently and feeling pressured to follow family or social expectations.

Understanding the Text

Textbook pages

Question Understanding the Text 1

Point out the difference between the slavery of man to Nature and the unnatural slavery of man to Man.

Steps only

Distinguish unavoidable basic needs from one person's exploitation of another.

Answer

Nature requires everyone to meet basic needs; human slavery occurs when people exploit or control other people.

Question Understanding the Text 2

What are the ways in which people are subjected to greater control in the personal spheres than in the wider political sphere?

Steps only

Use examples of employer and landlord control, then contrast this with public law.

Answer

Employers and landlords may control work, clothing, housing, and livelihood directly; this can affect daily choices more closely than general political rules.

Question Understanding the Text 3

List the common misconceptions about ‘freedom’ that Shaw tries to debunk.

Steps only

Name the false ideas of unlimited choice, voting as complete freedom, and choice without leisure or means.

Answer

Shaw questions the ideas that freedom means unlimited choice, that voting alone makes people free, and that people are free without time or resources.

Question Understanding the Text 4

Why, according to Krishnamurti, are the concepts of freedom and discipline contradictory to one another?

Steps only

Explain that imposed obedience can block the inquiry needed for freedom.

Answer

Imposed discipline can keep thought inside rules, while freedom requires questioning and discovery; in that sense they conflict.

Question Understanding the Text 5

How does the process of inquiry lead to true freedom?

Steps only

Describe questioning, examining evidence, and making an informed choice.

Answer

Inquiry helps people test inherited ideas and make thoughtful choices instead of blindly imitating others.

Talking about the Text

Textbook pages

Question Talking about the Text 1

According to the author, the masses are prevented from realising their slavery; the masses are also continually reminded that they have the right to vote. Do you think this idea holds good for our country too?

Steps only

Acknowledge voting's value while discussing barriers that may limit everyday choices.

Answer

Partly: voting is an important democratic right, but economic hardship and unequal opportunities can still limit people's everyday choices.

Question Talking about the Text 2

‘Nature may have tricks up her sleeve to check us if the chemists exploit her too greedily.’ Discuss.

Steps only

Explain that careless exploitation can cause unexpected environmental harm.

Answer

Careless use of chemicals and resources can damage nature and harm people, so scientific progress needs responsibility.

Question Talking about the Text 3

Respect for elders is not to be confused with blind obedience. Discuss.

Steps only

Separate courteous listening from unthinking obedience.

Answer

We can value elders and listen respectfully while still asking questions and thinking about whether advice is fair and safe.

Appreciation

Textbook pages

Question Appreciation 1

Both the texts are on ‘freedom’. Comment on the difference in the style of treatment of the topic in them.

Steps only

Contrast Shaw's social satire with Krishnamurti's reflective, direct questioning.

Answer

Shaw uses satire and social examples to discuss economic and political control; Krishnamurti uses direct, reflective questions about thought and tradition.

Question Appreciation 2

When Shaw makes a statement he supports it with a number of examples. Identify two sections in the text which explain a statement with examples. Write down the main statement and the examples. Notice how this contributes to the effectiveness of the writing.

Steps only

Give two claims, examples for each, and explain that examples clarify the argument.

Answer

Shaw illustrates unavoidable needs with food, beds, shelter, and clothes; he questions voting as full freedom by showing that a vote may not change working hours or dependence. Examples make his claims concrete.

Question Appreciation 3

Notice the use of personal pronouns in the two texts. Did this make you identify yourself more with the topic than if it had been written in an impersonal style? As you read the texts, were you able to relate the writer’s thoughts with the way you lead your own life?

Steps only

Explain how direct pronouns involve readers and give a personal example or response.

Answer

The words 'you' and 'we' involve readers in the topic and encourage personal reflection about work, choices, and accepted ideas.

Language Work

Textbook pages

Question Language Work A.I Task

Split the five given sentences into their constituent clauses.

Steps only

Separate each complete clause and label dependent clauses where they occur.

Answer

1. Main: There is no freedom. Dependent: if you are enclosed… 2. Dependent: When you see a servant… Main: do you give him a helping hand? 3. Two main clauses joined by but. 4. Two main clauses joined by but; 'that we have great difficulty…' depends on 'so pleasant'. 5. Two coordinated commands; 'to enjoy it…' is an infinitive phrase.

Question Language Work A.II Task

Pick out examples of rhetorical questions from the text and understand what the writer/speaker wishes to communicate through them.

Steps only

Give examples and state the point each question implies.

Answer

Questions about being free in a 'prison' imply that unquestioned limits restrict freedom; questions about noticing villagers challenge readers' lack of sensitivity.

Question Language Work B Task

Write the sound sequences for the words: sleep, thrift, snake, task, smear, facts, sweet, boasts, strain, street, strangle, strengths.

Steps only

Count spoken sounds, not letters; silent letters do not add a sound.

Answer

sleep CCVC; thrift CCVCC; snake CCVC; task CVCC; smear CCVC; facts CVCCC; sweet CCVC; boasts CCVCC; strain CCCVC; street CCCVC; strangle CCCVCC; strengths CCCVCC.

Questions and activities were checked against the official NCERT chapter PDF ↗. Answers are written in original wording; no literary passage or illustration is reproduced.

Learnivelle is not affiliated with NCERT.

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