Maharashtra State Board – English
Standard IX
Chapter 4.3 – Intellectual Rubbish
Warming Up!
1. How will you react in the following situations?
(a) Your Science teacher tells you that plants exposed to sunlight grow faster than those always in the shade.
Ans: If my Science teacher tells me that plants exposed to sunlight grow faster than those always in the shade, I shall believe her because she is knowledgeable and I am in school to learn from her.
(b) Your aunt tells you not to go for a job interview because it is a no-moon day.
Ans: If my aunt tells me not to go for a job interview because it is a no-moon day, I will not believe her. I do not believe in superstitions. The job interview is more important, and there is no scientific proof that the phases of the moon affect our success.
(c) Your friend argues that Mount Everest is not the tallest peak in the world.
Ans: If my friend argues that Mount Everest is not the tallest peak in the world, I will politely disagree and explain that according to geography books and reliable sources, Mount Everest is the tallest peak above sea level.
(d) A stranger claims he can turn your mother’s silver jewellery into gold.
Ans: If a stranger claims that he can turn my mother’s silver jewellery into gold, I will not believe him. I will not allow him to enter the house because he may be a fraud.
2. What do you notice about the following pairs of words?
Act naturally, liquid gas, open secret, sound of silence, sweet sorrow, original copy, only choice, growing smaller.
Ans: These pairs contain contradictory words placed together. They create a special effect and are called oxymorons.
Now try to add a contradictory word to the following:
(a) What a ______ mess you’ve got us into!
Ans: What a wonderful mess you’ve got us into!
(b) It’s a ______ imitation of a diamond necklace.
Ans: It’s a genuine imitation of a diamond necklace.
(c) My trip to Matheran was a ______ holiday.
Ans: My trip to Matheran was a working holiday.
(d) With such heavy make-up, she looks ______ ugly.
Ans: With such heavy make-up, she looks pretty ugly.
(e) A ______ crowd gathered to see the magic show.
Ans: A tiny crowd gathered to see the magic show.
📖 In Between the Lesson
Q1. What erroneous notion did Aristotle have? What does his example convey to you?
Ans: Aristotle wrongly believed that women have fewer teeth than men without actually checking the facts. His example teaches us that we should not blindly believe something. We must verify facts through observation.
Q2. How can you prevent developing a dogmatic attitude?
Ans: We can prevent developing a dogmatic attitude by listening to different opinions, reading widely and being open to new ideas.
Q3. What do you feel when –
(a) someone opposes your strong belief?
Ans: I may feel upset at first, but later I think calmly and analyse the matter logically.
(b) someone insists that 2 + 2 = 5?
Ans: I would either laugh or feel sorry for the person’s ignorance.
Q4. What two examples does the writer give to those who have opinions that flatter their self-esteem?
Ans: The writer says that if someone claims that most poets and scientists are men, a woman may reply that most criminals are also men. He also reminds us that humans may not be superior beings in the universe, as there may be creatures far more advanced than us.
Q5. What is the only way to tackle such self-pride?
Ans: The only way to tackle self-pride is to remember that humans are just a small part of a vast universe and not the centre of everything.
Q6. What two evils does fear lead to? How can one overcome fear?
Ans: Fear leads to superstition and cruelty. One can overcome fear by admitting it honestly and by thinking rationally instead of imagining false dangers.
Q7. What is the aim of primitive magic?
Ans: The aim of primitive magic is to secure safety either by harming enemies or by protecting oneself through charms, spells or rituals.
Q8. How did the prophetess befool her believers?
Ans: The prophetess claimed that she could walk on water and fixed a time to prove it. When her followers said they already believed her, she said there was no need to demonstrate it. In this way, she fooled them.
English Workshop
1. Replace the describing words with others that go with the underlined nouns.
(a) fatal mistake
Ans: serious mistake, careless mistake, foolish mistake, grave mistake.
(b) foreign customs
Ans: traditional customs, strange customs, ancient customs, local customs.
(c) unappetizing diet
Ans: healthy diet, strict diet, balanced diet, nutritious diet.
(d) plentiful supply
Ans: sufficient supply, regular supply, steady supply, continuous supply.
(e) simple device
Ans: useful device, modern device, mechanical device, complex device.
(f) savage controversy
Ans: heated controversy, fierce controversy, bitter controversy, intense controversy.
(g) modern technique
Ans: advanced technique, scientific technique, improved technique, effective technique.
(h) foolish custom
Ans: old custom, strange custom, harmful custom, traditional custom.
2. Use the following expressions in sentences.
(a) to be prone to
Ans: Children are prone to catching colds during winter.
(b) to have a difference of opinion
Ans: We had a difference of opinion about the project.
(c) to go beyond
Ans: His behaviour went beyond acceptable limits.
(d) to have a beneficial effect
Ans: Regular exercise has a beneficial effect on health.
(e) to have a bias
Ans: A judge should not have a bias towards anyone.
(f) to undo
Ans: One mistake can undo years of hard work.
(g) to be wary of
Ans: We should be wary of strangers offering easy money.
(h) under the influence
Ans: He made a wrong decision under the influence of anger.
3. Say ‘WHY’.
(a) One should avoid getting angry about a difference of opinion.
Ans: One should avoid getting angry because anger shows that our belief may not be based on strong evidence.
(b) The writer found his stay abroad very profitable.
Ans: The writer found his stay abroad profitable because it helped him understand new ideas and reduce prejudice.
(c) The writer grew less dogmatic and more open-minded.
Ans: He met people with different opinions and customs, which made him more open-minded.
(d) Men declaring that they are saints write letters to the writer.
Ans: They want publicity and recognition from a famous writer.
(e) The writer claims that all false beliefs need not be replaced by cold science.
Ans: He believes that removing all false beliefs may remove imagination and variety from life.
4. Make sentences to show the difference between the following homophones.
(a) device – This machine is a useful device.
devise – We must devise a new plan.
(b) advice – She gave me good advice.
advise – The teacher advised us to study regularly.
(c) practice – Yoga is a healthy practice.
practise – I practise singing every day.
5. Compose a dialogue about black magic.
Ans:
Grandmother: We should call the man who cures people through special powers.
Granddaughter: Grandma, doctors have already diagnosed the illness. It can be cured with medicines.
Grandmother: But she has been ill for so long.
Granddaughter: Recovery takes time. We must trust science and proper treatment.
Grandmother: Do you think those people are frauds?
Granddaughter: Yes, Grandma. If they truly had powers, they would cure themselves first. We should not believe in black magic.
Grandmother: You are right. We should trust doctors.
6. List the various ways of avoiding error mentioned in the passage.
Ans:
- Make observations yourself.
- Be aware of your own bias.
- Control anger during differences of opinion.
- Listen to people with different views.
- Travel and learn about other cultures.
- Be cautious of opinions that flatter your self-esteem.
- Admit and overcome fear.
7. Answer the following questions:
(a) If an opinion contrary to your own makes you angry, what does it indicate?
Ans: It indicates that you may not have strong evidence to support your belief.
(b) What are the most savage controversies about?
Ans: They are usually about matters where there is no clear evidence.
(c) What are the benefits of travel?
Ans: Travel broadens our minds and helps us understand different cultures and ideas.
(d) Is the influence of foreign customs always beneficial?
Ans: No, we must carefully judge which customs are good to follow.
(e) What are the advantages of an imaginary argument?
Ans: It helps us think clearly and understand opposing views at any time.
(f) Why should one be wary of opinions that flatter one’s self-esteem?
Ans: Such opinions may not be supported by evidence and may mislead us.
(g) How does fear lead us to error?
Ans: Fear makes us believe in superstitions and false ideas.
(h) What are the two ways of avoiding fear?
Ans: The two ways are by building courage and by thinking rationally.
8. What is the meaning of ‘intellectual rubbish’?
Ans: The phrase refers to false beliefs, baseless opinions, dogmatism and superstitions that people accept without questioning.
9. Find the opposites of the following:
cautious – reckless
dogmatic – open-minded
contrary – same
savage – mild
beneficial – harmful
reasonable – unreasonable
hypothetical – real
cruelty – kindness
immune – vulnerable
10. Write an imaginary dialogue contesting opposite views on a topic of your choice.
Ans:
Topic: Should boys and girls share household work?
Mother: Girls should learn to do all the housework.
Daughter: Why only girls? Boys should also learn.
Mother: It is our tradition.
Daughter: Times have changed. Both men and women work today.
Mother: But who will manage the house?
Daughter: Both can share responsibilities equally. That is fair and practical.
Mother: You make a good point. Equality is important.