Substance Writings Solutions HSLC
Q. Give the substance of the following passage:
(a) It is easy to acquire bad habits, such as eating too much food or eating too many sweets or drinking too much fluid of any kind or smoking. The more we do a thing, the more we tend to like doing it and if we do not continue to do it, we feel unhappy. This is called the force of habit and the force of habit should be fought against. Things which may be very good when only done from time to time tend to become very harmful when done too often and too much. This applies even to such good things as work or rest. Some pople form a habit of working too much and others of idling too much. The wise man always remembers that this is the true about himself and checks any bad habit. He says to himself, “I am now becoming idle” or “I smoke too much” and then adds, “I will get myslelf out of this bad habit at once.” HSLC ’17
Ans: Habit is often referred to as a second nature. When we repeatedly do something, it gradually turns into a habit. Habits are so ingrained that discontinuing them can make us feel uncomfortable. Wise individuals consciously avoid developing bad habits, and if they do fall into one, they promptly work to break free from it. It is crucial to cultivate good habits right from childhood.
(b) Of all the amusement which can possibly be imagined for a hard working man after his daily labour there is nothing like reading an entertaining book. It calls for no bodily exertion, of which he had enough. It relieves his home of its dullness. It transports him to a livelier and more interesting scene. While he enjoys there, he may forget the evils of the present moment. Nay, it accompanies him to his next day’s work and if the book is an interesting one, it gives him something to think of besides the drudgery of his everyday occupation. If I were to pray for a taste it would be a taste for reading. Give a man this taste and the means of gratifying it, you will find a happy man. You place him in contact with the best writers of every age recorded in history and then you will find him like a citizen of all nations and a contemporary of all ages. HSLC ’18
Ans: Reading books is the finest form of entertainment after a day of hard work. It requires no physical effort and helps us escape the monotony of daily life. It provides fresh thoughts to engage with, beyond the routine tasks of our everyday activities. Reading books transforms us into global citizens and allows us to experience the wisdom and stories of all ages.
(c) Man is the maker of his fortune. We cannot prosper in life if we are afraid of labour. People generally think that success in life depends on luck. This is not true. Men of science have toiled day and night to invent radio, television, telephone which have added to joy of our life. Life is not a bed of roses. Life will be miserable if we shrink from labour and fail to earn money enough to meet our daily expenses. Industry is the secret of success not only for an individual but also for a nation. China and America are the most powerful rations of the world today. They have attained such power and position by virtue of the earnest labour of their people. We, Indians too, must work hard if we want to raise the prestige of our country in the eyes of the world. HSLC ’20
Ans: Hard work, not luck, is the true key to success. Those who shy away from hard work cannot achieve prosperity in life. Avoiding effort leads to a difficult and unfulfilling existence. The wealth and reputation of a nation rely on the dedication and industriousness of its citizens.