Explore topic-wise InterviewSolutions in .

1. Ahimsa (Non-violence) 

2. Truthfulness (Satya) 

3. Non-stealing (Asatya),

4. Celibacy (Brahmacharya), 

5. Non-convetious (Aprigrah).

Two common principles of all the religions :

1. All the religions aim to reach that ultimate authority (God). 

2. Values like service of humanity, helping others, Ahimsa, love, etc. are found in all the religions.

Main features of Vedic philosophy are:

1. In Vedic period, people worship many natural forces. Among them Indra, Mitra, Varuna, Agni, Yama are main. To please them anushthans were done. The creator, preserver and destroyer is one God (Ishwar), Multi-gods and goddesses described in Vedas are living forms of natural forces.

Some gods in Vedas are considered as feelings (Bhavas). Feeling of Shradha, Krodha (Devotion, anger) in man are considered as god and goddesses in Vedas. The basis of Vedic philosophy is, there was no form of gods and goddesses (Nirakar) as these were natural forces.

2. The first mandai of the Rig Veda says that (Ishwar or ultimate truth) is one but intellectuals call it with different names. 

3. According to Upnishadas: The all pervasive Brahma in the world and the soul in man are one and the same. The objective of man is to feel this Ekatma. Due to feeling of this Ekatma, person gets permanent bliss or happiness (Sachidananda). This philosophy has given the message of tolerance (Sahishnuta) to all mankind. A system of four Purusharthas is given in Vedic philosophy to elevate man’s spritual and physical life. They are (t) Dharma (it) Artha (Hi) Kama (iv) Moksha.

1. Dharma: Fulfillment of duty and good behaviour 

2. Artha: Achieving material prosperity 

3. Kama: Achievement of physical pleasure 

4. Moksha: To achieve salvation or Mukti by following the path of Karma (deeds), Gyana (knowledge), Bhakti (devotion). The development of man and society is possible by appropriate co-ordination of four Purusharthas.

4. According to Vedic philosophy, rebirth occurs on the basis of Karma (deeds). Hence, by doing good deeds man can make his life best. In Vedic Darshan, Vasudhev Kutumbkam is illustrated. By this a man make free himself from the chains of narrowness and consider whole earth as his family.

5. In Vedic philosophy, inspiration is given to keep the elements of nature like Agni, Jal, Prithvi, Vayu, Aakash pure through Stuti and Yajanas (Yagya). 

6. In Upnishadas, thought of balanced or disciplined consumption is illustrated. By following this a person follow his duties keeping him away from greed and attachment. Service of others is Dharma and giving others grief is sin is said in Vedic Darshan. In this way, Vedic philosophy gives inspiration of love, brotherhood, good behaviour, co-operation and co-ordination to whole world.

Roman Catholics

(a) (A) is true (R) is false

“Fire works” capital of India is Sivakasi.

Yes, certainly. The very fact that he addresses the poem to his beloved makes it clear that he wants to lay bare before his innermost feelings. Perhaps he has the courage to do so because he knows that his beloved would understand his feelings. If he has to have that confidence in his beloved, then the love between them must be real. It is as if the speaker seeks the approval of his beloved in taking up work that would make him serve the less fortunate in society.

There is a note of pleading when he says, “But I’m helpless too’. It is as if he is saying that unless she understands him and cooperates with him, he will not be able to continue on his path of fighting for the cause of the less fortunate. So, in a way, the poem can be taken as an indirect plea of the poet to the beloved to let him go so that he can take up the national and political cause. So, though at one point of time the poet says that his earlier love seemed to be an illusion, it is clear that he still has a love for the beloved, but is impelled to answer the call of the suffering humanity. It isn’t that he scorns love, but that he understands that it can’t exist in isolation from the world.

The phrase ‘comforts other than love’ suggests the joys of political struggle and comradeship, which are a different and wider form of love. In the repetition of ‘my love’ in the final line, Faiz nevertheless re-emphasises how difficult it is to leave behind his former bliss. This is a poem about the heavy burden of taking on responsibility, and the inner struggle that it entails.

It was expected of Jesse Owens to win a gold medal in long jump because he had already established a new world record in it only a year before.

Jesse Owens thought that if Luz Long won, it would encourage the Master Race Theory of Hitler and it will be against spirit of Olympic Games.

(b) superiority of German race.

(b) Jain philosophy

Human body is mortal, soul is immortal. Man gets heaven or hell according to his deeds like the Vedic philosophy. 

There are two types of forces in the world : -

(a) Deities: Ahuramazada, symbol of Gods, is a great deity who created earth, man and heaven. He says, “Dont think evil, don’t leave the right path (truth), don’t do sin.” 

(b) Demons: Ahirman is the representative of demons. He makes the people shaitan and take them towards hell. There is always a fight between deities and demons but ultimately Ahurnazada wins.

• Parsi or Zoroastrian philosophy is not an escapist. According to him, doing good deeds by living on the earth heaven can be attained. 
• Physical and spiritual are two parts of the body and after death the former dies but the later remains alive. 
• According to Parsi philosophy, the world is made up of air, water, fire and the earth. 
• Avesta-a-Jind, the holy book of Parsis in which teaching of Zoroaster are preserved.

Vardhman Mahavir: He was born in 599 BC in Kundagram near Vaishali in Kshatriya Kul. His childhood name was Vardhman. His father’s name Siddhartha and mother’s name Trishla. His mother was sister of king Chetak belonged to Lichchvi Ganrajya. He became an ascetic at the age of 30 after the death of his parents. He left his home in search of truth by the permission of his elder brother Nandivardhan. He had to face difficulties during rigorous meditation. He lived without food and clothes. After 12 years, he attained knowledge on the bank of river Rizupalika. He was then called with names Jin (winner), Nirgranth (free from doubt) and Mahavir, etc. After attaining enlightment, he started giving right way of life to people. To propagate his thoughts, he roamed place to place. His thoughts reached to Magadha, Kashi and Kaushla. Due to his true teachings, many people became his followers. Slowly number of his followers increased. He breathed his last at the age of 72 years at Pavapuri in 527 BC. He left behind him 14 thousand disciples.

Gautam Buddha: He was born in 563 BC in Kapilvastu Ganrajya near North Bihar in Shakya dynasty in Kshatriya Kul. His father’s name was Shuddhodhan. His mother Mayadevi gave him birth in Lumbini on the way when she was going to her parents’ place. His childhood name was Siddharth. Unfortunately his mother died after seven days of the birth of Siddharth. Hence, he was brought up by his aunt Prajapati Gautami right from his childhood. He was very kind and philosophical minded. He had no interest in world. By seeing such an attitude, his father got him marry with a princess named Yashodhra. After spending 10 years of married life, his ascetic mana could not love this physical world. He left his wife and son Rahul, father Shushoddhan, and went in search of enlightment. This event of Siddhartha’s life is stated as ‘Mahabhinish kraman’ in Buddha literature.

He lived 7 years as a sage. First of all, he went to Alar Kalam of Vaishali for knowledge but it could not fulfil his thirst. Then he went to Udrak Ramput at Rajgriha still he was not satisfied then he reached to Uruvela forests. There he did meditation with his five disciples including Kandinya at the bank of river Niranjana. He became very weak physically. Still he was not satisfied so he started taking meals leaving Tapasya. By seeing such change in him, his disciples left him. But Siddhartha sat for Tapa under a Peepal tree with firm determination. He attained enlightment after rigorous penance of 7 days on Vaishakh Purnima, and that day on wards he was named Buddha.

The Peepal tree under which he attained enlightment became famous as Bodhvriksh. He gave his first sermon to two Banjaras named Tapassu and Mallik at Bodh Gaya. Then he reached to Sarnath to preach his teachings to common people. He made contact with his 5 disciples. He gave them Diksha. This event in Bodh religion is called Dharmachakra-Parivartan. He left his body at the age of 80 in 483 BC in Kushinagar near Gorakhpur. This event of leaving his body is called Mahaparinirvan.

Correct Answer is: (a) Rig Veda

Lord Buddha propounded his philosophy independently by criticizing orthodoxes of that era. He stressed on reason. He did not believe in blind faith. Hence, he criticized the authenticity of Vedas. He did not accept God as creator. Hence people called him Nastik (who do not believe in God). He did not believe in immortality of soul. According to him, soul was a matter of suspense, so he did not say soul is present, or not. He believed in the theory of Karma (deeds). He said one has to reap the fruits of his Karma.

He believed in cycle of rebirth which is based on Karmas. But according to him, soul do not take rebirth instead ego takes rebirth. When man’s Trishna and Vaasna is removed or destroyed, ego also destroyed and man comes out from the cycle of rebirth and gets Nirvana or Moksha or salvation. Though Ahimsa is the main mantra of Buddhism like Jainism, but he did not give much stress on it, instead he gave stress on purity of soul. The ultimate aim of Buddhism is Moksha. The meaning of Nirvana is to Extinguish. According to him, Nirvana can be achieved after extinguishing fire of Trishna. In this way, Jainism and Buddhism eliminated the rituals of Vedic philosophy and added new.

The Ashtangik Marga is related to the Buddhist philosophy.

It was expected of Jesse Owens to win a gold medal in long jump because he had already established a new world record in it only a year before.

(c) was angry over the ‘master race’ theory of Adolf Hitler.

(c) the friendship with Luz Long.

Jesse Owens’s greatest Olympic prize was his true friendship with Luz Long. He had formed a real friendship with Luz Long who was a nice man like him. He could achieve it with the real spirit of a sportsman like Luz Long.

(b) Christian philosophy

The Olympic Games in 1936, were held in Berlin.

The full name of the school was Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute. It was situated at Hampton in Virginia.

(c) Hitler’s ways.

The writer received the order with great delight because he thought that it was a golden opportunity to impress the head teacher and to get admission.

The conversation of two miners about an unusually good institute at Hampton inspired Booker T. Washington to go to Hampton Institute.

1. False

2. True

3. True

4. False

5. False

Context : The writer had a keen desire to go to Hampton for education. He was a person with little means but he was determined to proceed to Hampton. Finally the day of his departure came. 

Explanation : The writer says that he had only a few things to take with him like his clothes which he put into a cheap school bag. He further says that his mother was so weak and in so poor health that he did not hope her to survive for long. For this reason he had to leave her with a heavy heart. But his mother faced the parting with courage and showed no sign of sadness.

Two miners were talking about an unusually good school. The writer heard them in a coal mine.

No doubt the author of the lesson faced all the difficulties boldly and did not lose courage. He started with a very little money, faced many difficulties in the way and faced the strict behaviour of the head teacher and succeeded. These examples show that he was a man of perseverance.

Context : One day the writer heard two miners talking about a great school in Virginia. He thought that it must be the greatest place on earth. So, he decided at once to go to that school, although he did not know where it was.

Explanation: The writer made up his mind to go to that school in the fall of 1872. But his mother was afraid that he would not be able to achieve his goal. Yet she allowed him to go half-heartedly. The author had very little money with him for travelling expenses and for buying other necessary items. Anyhow his brother John helped him with some money.

(b) distance

Booker T. Washington is referring to the order of sweeping the recitation room given by the head teacher.

The conversation of two miners about an unusually good institute at Hampton inspired Booker T. Washington to go to Hampton Institute.

1. True

2. True

3. True

4. True

5. False

6. True.

By working on a ship as a labourer the author earned money. For saving money he continued to sleep under the sidewalk.

Context: The writer reached the city of Richmond at night by begging rides both in wagons and in cars. It took him number of days to reach here. At this time he was tired, hungry and in dirty clothes. 

Explanation: The writer was a quite stranger in Richmond. He had never come before in a large city and he had no money. So he was much worried. Nobody was known to him there. He was quite unfamiliar with the ways of the city. He wanted to stay somewhere and eat food. But wherever he went everybody wanted money and he had no money to give. So, he went on walking on the streets.

The writer travelled some distance on foot and some distance by begging lifts in wagons and cars. Thus, he reached Richmond very late in the night.

Context : The writer dusted and cleaned the room again and again. When he was satisfied, he reported to the head teacher. She inspected everything very minutely and was very happy. She said to Washington, “Now you will get admission in this institution.” 

Explanation : Nice sweeping of the room pleased the head teacher and she allowed him to take admission. The ambition of the writer was fulfilled. He thought that he was the happiest person on the earth. Sweeping of the room was the most thrilling examination for him. His sincerity and devotion to his duty convinced the head teacher, so much that she decided that she would be right in giving him admission.

Context: The writer started his journey to Hampton for getting good education. He had to travel a very long distance on foot because he was short of money. At one point he was completely exhausted. 

Explanation: The writer reached Richmond but he had no money. He was so tired that he had no energy to walk any more. He was hungry also. But he did not lose courage. Then he came to a place where the sidewalk was considerably elevated. So, he crept under the sidewalk and laid down there. He could not sleep well because he heard the tramp of feet of the passers-by over his head the whole night.

The teacher gave him the test of sweeping the recitation room which was a ” menial work. Booker passed it easily and proved his suitability for admission.

Context: Seeing the dirty appearance of the writer the head teacher was in a great ase. She could neither allow him admission nor could refuse him. But the writer did not lose heart. He tried his best to please her by his patience and good manners.

Explanation : At the same time the writer saw that the head teacher was admitting other students who were not better than he in his own opinion. Seeing this he became restless but did not lose heart. He was confident that he would prove himself a more worthy student than others only if he got a chance. So he waited for his turn patiently for some time and ultimately got a chance.

Reference: These lines have been taken from the lesson ‘My Struggle for an Education’ written by Booker T. Washington. 

(N.B.: The above reference will be used for all explanations of this lesson.)

Context : One day the writer heard two miners talking about a great school in Virginia. He says that very first time he had heard about a school which was more attractive than the Negro school of his town.

Explanation : So he thought that it must be the greatest place on earth. He had realized that this school had more attraction than Heaven. So he decided at once to go to that school, although he did not know where it was, how far it was and how to reach there. All the twenty-four hours he remained thinking to reach Hampton.

The author, Booker T. Washington, asked the captain to permit him to help unload the vessel in order to get money for food.

The sweeping of the recitation room was the college examination for the writer because success in it meant his admission in the college.

Context: The writer worked on a ship and saved money to reach Hampton. When he reached Hampton, he was very much delighted to see the grand three storeyed brick school building. Then he presented himself before the head teacher for assignment to a class. 

Explanation : The writer stood before the head teacher seeking admission in her school. But soon he guessed that his dirty appearance made no favourable impression upon her. She doubted whether it would be wise to admit him as a student. But the writer did not lose his heart. He tried his best to please her by his patience and good manners. He had some hope also to get admission because the head teacher had not yet refused him openly.

(a) continue

(c) sweeping

I continued to linger about her, and to impress her in all the ways I could with my worthiness.

(b) cleaning