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Great Books Born out of Great Minds-Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam-Questions-An...

Sonnet 18- William Shakespeare's- Extracts for Explanation

 Sometimes too hot the eye of heaven shines, and often is his gold complexion dimmed; and every fair from fair sometime declines, by chance or nature's changing course untrimmed

Reference to the Context: These lines are from William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18, also known by its first line: “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? In this sonnet, the poet is praising the beauty of a young person (often believed to be a beloved friend or muse). He begins by asking if he should compare this person’s beauty to a summer’s day. Then, in the following lines, he explains why summer is not a perfect comparison — because summer can change and fade, while the beauty of the person he’s talking about is more lasting and constant.

Explanation: In these lines from Sonnet 18, Shakespeare explains that summer is not always perfect—it can be too hot, or the sun can be hidden behind clouds. Just like summer, all beautiful things in nature eventually lose their charm. This happens either by chance or through the natural process of time. He says this to show that the person he’s talking about is even better than a summer’s day because their beauty will not fade like the beauty of nature does.

The Essay on Man-Explanation of Extracts

 Created half to rise, and half to fall;

Great lord of all things, yet a prey to all;
Sole judge of truth, in endless error hurled,
The glory, jest, and riddle of the world.
Reference to the context:

Reference to the Context: These lines are from The Essay on Man (Epistle II of the poem), where Pope discusses human nature and the place of man in the universe. He tries to show that humans are a mixture of greatness and weakness and that their position in the world is full of contradictions.
Explanation In these lines from An Essay on Man, Alexander Pope talks about human beings' mixed and confusing nature. He says that humans are made "half to rise and half to fall," meaning they have both strengths and weaknesses. They can achieve great things but also make big mistakes. Even though humans are called the "great lord of all things" because they rule over other creatures and nature, they are still weak and can be harmed by many things. Pope also points out that humans are the only ones who try to judge what is true, but they often make many errors. In the end, he calls man "the glory, jest, and riddle of the world," which means humans are amazing, sometimes foolish, and very hard to understand. These lines show how humans are full of contradictions and are both wonderful and confusing at the same time.

Great Books Born out of Great Minds-Questions-Answers

Great Books Born Out of Great Minds

By A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

 

EXAM-STYLE QUESTIONS

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

 

Q1. What does Dr Kalam mean by the culture of excellence?

Ans. Dr Kalam says that excellence doesn’t come suddenly. It is something we work on throughout our life. A person keeps trying to improve himself, his organization, and his country. To reach excellence, we must set a goal and then work hard to reach it. Once that goal is achieved, we aim for a higher one and continue the process. This habit of always improving is the culture of excellence.

 

Q2. How do people become independent learners? How can one become excellent in life?

Ans. According to Dr Kalam, reading books regularly is the first step towards excellence. Reading gives us knowledge. We keep improving, step by step. This habit of learning makes us self-learners. To succeed, we must set goals and work hard to reach them. After achieving one goal, we aim higher and continue working. This cycle helps us become better and better.

 

Q3. What did Dr Kalam find in his interactions with children?

Ans. Dr Kalam found talking to children very exciting. Children love turning what they hear into stories. They imagine and feel the stories as if they are real. While talking to them, even the speaker feels like being part of their magical world. Kids create stories from whatever they see or hear.

 

Q4. Why is excellence not an accident? What happens as we move towards our dreams?

Ans. Dr Kalam says excellence doesn’t happen by chance. It takes regular effort and patience. A person may fail many times but must keep trying. After reaching one level, they must aim for the next. This journey of hard work continues until they achieve their dream.

 

Q5. How does excellence increase one’s abilities? Who should we compete with?

Ans. When we do our best, our performance improves. This encourages us to do even better. Our ability grows with practice. Dr Kalam says we should compete with ourselves, not others. Real progress comes when we keep improving ourselves.

 

Q6. What do children want to become? What kind of world do they live in? What do they learn as they grow?

Ans. Children live in a world of dreams and imagination. When asked what they want to be, they say things like astronaut, pilot, doctor, or soldier. As they grow and watch movies or read books, they add more dreams to their world. Stories and shows shape how they think and feel.

 

Q7. What inspired great writers to write such big epics? What is said about Life Force?

Ans. Great writers like Goethe, Shakespeare, and Valmiki were inspired by something called the Life Force. This Life Force is in everyone, but most people get busy with daily life and forget it. Only a few great people use this inner power to create amazing works.

 

Q8. How do stories affect our minds?

Ans. Stories help us find answers to problems and prepare us for tough situations. Just like pilots use flight simulators to practice, stories prepare our minds for real-life problems. They teach us how to think and act.

 

Q9. How has storytelling grown like human behaviour?

Ans. Dr Kalam says storytelling doesn’t come naturally—it needs practice. In the same way, good behaviour also comes from learning and repeating. Both need time and effort to get better.

 

Q10. What are some bad sides of storytelling?

Ans. Dr Kalam warns that not all stories are good. Some can be harmful. For example:

They might encourage violence or bad habits.

 

They can fill young minds with useless or wrong ideas.

They may teach fake values or dreams that are not real.

He says we should choose our books and stories carefully because they shape who we become.

 

Q11. What does Dr Kalam say about Goethe, Shakespeare, and Valmiki?

Ans. Dr Kalam talks about these great writers who created powerful stories. Goethe wrote Faust, a great German epic. Shakespeare wrote plays that showed the past, present, and future. Valmiki wrote the Ramayana, which also connects all three times. These writers were guided by the Life Force in their minds.

 

Q12. What advice does Dr Kalam give at the end of his speech?

Ans. Dr Kalam tells young people who want to become writers to discover and use their Life Force. They should focus and use their creativity to write great books. This inner strength can help them create powerful works of art.

 

LONG ANSWER QUESTION

 

Q1. What final message does Dr Kalam give? What are his thoughts on Goethe, Shakespeare, and Valmiki?

Ans. At the end of his speech, Dr Kalam gives a message to young people who want to become writers. He tells them to find and use their inner power—the Life Force. This power helps people imagine and create great stories. He gives examples of Goethe, Shakespeare, and Valmiki. Goethe wrote Faust, Shakespeare wrote many famous plays, and Valmiki wrote the Ramayana. Dr Kalam believes these writers were able to write such great works because they used their Life Force. Valmiki himself said that a divine power helped him write. Dr Kalam believes everyone has this power, but only a few people use it. He encourages the youth to use their own Life Force to write great books.

Q2. What does Dr Kalam mean when he talks about storytelling in his essay Great Books Born out of Great Minds?

Ans. Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam says that storytelling is a powerful way to teach, inspire, and shape young minds. For him, stories are not just for fun—they help us learn values, gain knowledge, and grow as people.

He believes great books tell great stories, and these come from great minds full of ideas, dreams, and wisdom. These stories pass on important messages to the next generation.

Dr Kalam wants young people to read such stories because they help build character, spark imagination, and give life a purpose.

But he also warns that not all stories are good. Some stories can harm young minds if they promote violence, false ideas, or wrong behavior.

In short, Dr Kalam sees storytelling as a way to turn thoughts into action—by using emotion and imagination to learn and grow.

 

Q3. According to Kalam, how do stories affect our minds? What are the bad effects of some stories?

Ans. Dr Kalam believes that stories have a strong effect on our minds, especially when we are young. Good stories can:

(i) Grow our imagination and creativity

(ii) Teach us right values and morals

(iii) Make us stronger emotionally

(iv) Inspire us to dream big and think differently

 

Such stories leave a deep mark on our thinking and help shape our future goals. They can push us to learn more and live a meaningful life.

However, Dr Kalam also says that some stories can have a bad effect. These include stories that:

(i) Show violence, hate, or wrong behavior

(ii) Distract young minds with useless or harmful ideas

(iii) Promote false hopes or fake values

 

He advises everyone to pick the right kind of books and stories, as they help build a better mind and society.

 

Q4. What is the culture of excellence according to Kalam? What does he learn from talking to young people?

Ans. Dr Kalam says that the culture of excellence means always trying to be better and not settling for average work. It includes:

(i) Love for learning

(ii) Not giving up in hard times

(iii) Working hard and giving your best

(iv) Taking full responsibility for what you do

(v) Trying again and again until you succeed

 

For him, excellence is not something you do once—it’s a way of living. When we keep aiming high and doing our best, it becomes part of our character.

When Dr Kalam talks to young people, he feels hopeful. He sees that they have big dreams, lots of energy, and fresh ideas. They ask smart questions and are eager to learn.

But he also reminds them that dreaming is not enough. They must work hard, stay focused, and not fear failure. He encourages them to have a vision—for themselves and for the country—and to follow it with strong will and effort.

 

What does Kalam mean to say when he mentions 'Life Force in his speech: "Great Books Born Out of Great Minds'?

In Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam's speech "Great Books Born Out of Great Minds," when he mentions the "Life Force," he is referring to the inner energy, inspiration, or driving spirit that resides within a person. This "Life Force" is what pushes someone to create, to think deeply, and to write meaningfully—especially when it comes to creating great books or works of literature.

Kalam suggests that this Life Force enables authors to pour their thoughts, emotions, and ideals into their writing. It goes beyond just intellect or skill—it's a deeper motivation, often tied to a purpose or vision. For example, he talks about how writers like Thiruvalluvar, Shakespeare, or Tolstoy used their Life Force to bring forth ideas that have inspired generations.

In essence, by mentioning the Life Force, Kalam highlights the power of passion, purpose, and creativity—that inner spark that transforms ordinary thoughts into timeless works.