Discursive Passage - 5 | English Grammar Advanced - Class 10 PDF Download

Read the following passage carefully:

1. What is Discipline? Is it absolute freedom to do what a person wants? Is freedom regardless of consequences? Does it mean corrective action after a problem occurs or a wrong is done? Is it imposition? Is it abuse? Does it take away freedom?

2. The answer is none of the above. Discipline does not mean that a person takes a belt and beats up kids. That is madness. Discipline is loving firmness. It is direction. It is prevention before a problem arises. It is harnessing and channelising energy for great performance. Discipline is not something you do to but you do for those you care about.

3. Discipline is an act of love. Sometimes you have to be unkind to be kind: Not all medicine is sweet, not all surgery is painless, but we have to take it. We need to learn from nature. We are all familiar with that big animal, the–giraffe. A mama giraffe gives birth to a baby giraffe, standing. All of a sudden, the baby falls on a hard surface from the cushion of mama’s womb, and sits on the ground. The first thing mama does is to get behind the baby and give him a hard kick. The baby gets up, but his legs are weak and Wobbly and the baby falls down. Mama goes behind again and gives him one more kick. The baby gets up but sits down again. Mama keeps kicking till the baby gets on its feet and starts moving. Why? Because mama knows that the only chance of survival for the baby in the jungle is to get on its feet. Otherwise it will be eaten up by wildcats and become dead meat.

4. Children brought up in a loving, disciplined environment end up respecting their parents more and become law–abiding citizens. The reverse is just as true. Good parents are not afraid of momentary dislikes by children to enforce the subject. Allowing a child to eat a box of chocolate could lead to sickness. At the same time, the discipline of eating one or two pieces a day can be an enjoyable experience for a longer time. Our instinct makes us do whatever we want regardless of the consequences. Freedom is not procured by a full enjoyment of what is desired but controlling the desire.

5.1. On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer the following questions in 30–40 words each:

(a) What according to the writer is not discipline?

Discipline is not giving absolute freedom. It is also not hitting or abusing a child. Discipline is not force either.

(b) How can we prevent a problem from Surfacing?

We can prevent a problem from surfacing by taking steps before the problem occurs. We need to anticipate and take precautionary steps rather than correcting it after the problem occurs.

(c) Why do you think a mama giraffe kicks her baby immediately after birth?

A mama giraffe knows the harsh ways of the world. It knows that if the baby does not stand up then the wild animals of the forest will eat it up. So it does this in the interest of the child.

(d) What is the role played by parents in creating law–abiding citizens?

Good parents instil good habits and discipline in their children without worrying for their momentary dislikes. The children brought up this way become respectful and law–abiding citizens.

5.2. On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer of the following:
(a) In para 1, the word ‘corrective’ means _________.
(i) improve
(ii) remedial
(iii) medicinal
(iv) therapeutic

Correct Option is (ii) remedial

(b) In para 4, the opposite of ‘incapacity is __________.
(i) enforce
(ii) procured
(iii) instinct
(iv) controlling

Correct Option is (ii) procured

(c) Discipline means not only absolute freedom but also a corrective action after a problem occurs. (True/False)

False

(d) Discipline brings true freedom by __________.

controlling the desires.