Class 11 Exam  >  Class 11 Notes  >  English Class 11  >  NCERT Solution: Essay 5 - What is a Good Book?

NCERT Solution: Essay 5 - What is a Good Book? | English Class 11 PDF Download

Page No: 180

Understanding the Text
1. What, according to Ruskin, are the limitations of the good book of the hour?
Ans. According to Ruskin, the limitations of the good book of the hour are that these are not true books but merely letters or newspapers in good print. The good books of the hour are simply some useful or pleasant talk of some person whom one cannot otherwise converse with. These good books are written merely for the purpose of communication to a wider audience. According to the essayist, these good books are rather books of talk which are printed only because their authors cannot speak to thousands of people at once. These are mere conveyance of voice through printed words.

2. What are the criteria that Ruskin feels that readers should fulfil to make themselves fit for the company of the Dead?
Ans. The criteria that Ruskin feels that readers should fulfil to make themselves fit for the company of the Dead are that one must be laborious and meritorious. Ruskin feels that no wealth will bribe, no name will overawe, no artifice will deceive the Dead. Ruskin says that in order to be with their company one has to rise to the level of their thoughts.

3. Why does Ruskin feel that reading the work of a good author is a painstaking task?
Ans. Ruskin feels that reading the work of a good author is a painstaking task as it is not very easy to get into the meaning of the words that the author has written. He says that one has to be prepared to work like an Australian Miner to understand a good book which is born of wisdom. Just as mining is a very painstaking task, so is reading a good book, according to the author. In other words, the essayist means that one has to go through between the lines to understand the pithy words in the good books. Like an Australian miner, one needs patience and hard work to understand the works of the good authors.

4. What is the emphasis placed by Ruskin on accuracy?
Ans. Ruskin emphasised on accuracy by pointing out that the entire difference between education and non education consists in accuracy. Ruskin says a well educated gentleman may not know many languages – may not be able to speak any but his own – may have read very few books. But whatever language he knows, he knows precisely, whatever word he pronounces, he pronounces rightly etc, Ruskin points out that one may chose to read all the books in the British museum and may remain an utterly illiterate, uneducated person but that if one read ten pages of a good book, letter by letter, i.e., with real accuracy that truly is rewarding.

Talking about the Text
1. Ruskin's insistence on looking intensely at words, and assuring oneself of meaning, syllable by syllable – nay, letter by letter.
Ans. Ruskin advises that one should look intensely at words and assure oneself of meaning, syllable by syllable – nay, letter by letter. He means to say that one should go between the lines to get into the core of the text of any good book. This may be time taking and painstaking but very rewarding. This gives accuracy which is the mark of an educated person. A well educated person may read few books but if he or she reads them word by word, syllable by syllable only then can he/she reap the fruit, gather wisdom and transform life.
Another View
Reading between the lines is time taking. So,there is every possibility that in this process one may not develop a wider perspective on various issues of life .This would be so because one will be able to read few books only. One may develop narrow aristocratic attitude by reading few books. To develop a comprehensive view point one should be aware of the perspectives of as many authors as possible. Extensive reading is very valuable. The essayist talks only of intensive reading. Moreover, it is very difficult to categorise book as good or bad. This type of categorisation totally depends on subjective assessment. This is relative in nature; what is good book for some may not be so for the other.

2. Choice of diction is very crucial to the communication of meaning.
Ans. Communication through words may be easy but for effective communication emphasis has to be given on the choice of diction. In fact, the impact of any communication depends on the choice of diction. A set of words may convey almost the same meaning but out of these words only a particular word will convey the meaning effectively.

The document NCERT Solution: Essay 5 - What is a Good Book? | English Class 11 is a part of the Class 11 Course English Class 11.
All you need of Class 11 at this link: Class 11
15 videos|231 docs|46 tests

Top Courses for Class 11

FAQs on NCERT Solution: Essay 5 - What is a Good Book? - English Class 11

1. What is the definition of a good book?
Ans. A good book can be defined as a literary work that is well-written, engaging, and thought-provoking. It should have a well-developed plot, relatable characters, and provide valuable insights or entertainment to the readers.
2. How can one identify if a book is worth reading?
Ans. To identify if a book is worth reading, one can consider factors such as the author's reputation, critical acclaim, reader reviews, and personal interests. Additionally, reading a sample or synopsis of the book can give an idea of the writing style and subject matter, helping to determine its worthiness.
3. Are best-selling books always considered good books?
Ans. While best-selling books often indicate popularity, they may not necessarily be considered good books for everyone. The taste in literature varies among individuals, and a book that resonates with one person may not have the same impact on another. It is important to consider personal preferences and critical evaluations before concluding if a best-selling book is indeed good.
4. Can a book be considered good if it is not well-known or widely read?
Ans. Yes, a book can still be considered good even if it is not well-known or widely read. The quality of a book should not solely depend on its popularity or number of readers. There are numerous hidden gems in the literary world that may not have gained mainstream attention but are highly regarded by those who have discovered them.
5. What are some qualities that make a book stand out as exceptional?
Ans. Some qualities that make a book exceptional include originality, depth of characters, compelling storytelling, thematic relevance, and the ability to evoke emotional responses from readers. A book that challenges societal norms, explores complex themes, and leaves a lasting impact on its readers can be considered exceptional.
15 videos|231 docs|46 tests
Download as PDF
Explore Courses for Class 11 exam

Top Courses for Class 11

Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev
Related Searches

video lectures

,

study material

,

past year papers

,

Objective type Questions

,

Extra Questions

,

Free

,

shortcuts and tricks

,

ppt

,

Important questions

,

NCERT Solution: Essay 5 - What is a Good Book? | English Class 11

,

Sample Paper

,

pdf

,

NCERT Solution: Essay 5 - What is a Good Book? | English Class 11

,

Semester Notes

,

mock tests for examination

,

MCQs

,

Summary

,

Previous Year Questions with Solutions

,

Exam

,

practice quizzes

,

Viva Questions

,

NCERT Solution: Essay 5 - What is a Good Book? | English Class 11

;