Tittle meaning
Study in libraries
Main theme
The main idea of Oliver Sacks' essay is to celebrate libraries as places of freedom, community, and joyful discovery, while also expressing concern about the loss of physical books due to the rise of digital resources.
OR
The main idea of Oliver Sacks' essay is to praise the importance of libraries as places of intellectual freedom, community, and serendipitous discovery. He shares his personal experiences of how libraries shaped his life and allowed him to explore various subjects that interested him. Additionally, he expresses concern about the shift towards digital resources and the potential loss of valuable knowledge that physical books offer.
OR
The main theme of the essay "On Libraries" is that libraries are wonderful places where you can explore and learn new things. The author, Oliver Sacks, tells us how much he loved going to the library when he was a child. He could choose any book he wanted and read about exciting adventures or interesting facts. Libraries have a special atmosphere where you can feel free to learn at your own pace. The essay also talks about how technology is changing libraries, but the author believes that physical books are special and should not be forgotten. The main message is that libraries are magical places full of knowledge and discovery.
Summary in short
This essay is written by Oliver Sacks, who was a neurologist and an author. He loved libraries and talks about the important role they played in his life. He had a special library at home and spent many happy hours in the local public library, where he could freely choose and explore books. As he grew up, he found more libraries at school and university, which allowed him to learn and discover new things. However, he also noticed that with the rise of computers, many people stopped using physical books, leading to the loss of valuable knowledge. Oliver Sacks cherished the experience of reading physical books, their look, smell, and feel, and he valued libraries for the unexpected discoveries they offered. Thus, he believes libraries are magical places full of wonderful discoveries.
Main Summary
In the essay "On Libraries," Oliver Sacks talks about how libraries are super special places that help people learn and grow. When he was a kid, he had a cool library at home filled with books on different topics, and it made him love reading. He also loved going to the local library, where he could pick any book he wanted and explore exciting stories and ideas.
Sacks says that libraries are like magic places where you can find all kinds of books and learn about anything you want. They are better than regular schools because you can go on your own adventure and learn in a way that suits you. He shares some fun stories of discovering amazing books and interesting facts in different libraries.
The essay also talks about how some libraries are changing, and many people now use computers to read instead of physical books. While that's okay, Sacks believes that real books are super special because they look, smell, and feel wonderful. He hopes that we will always have libraries with real books to enjoy and learn from.
In the end, "On Libraries" reminds us that libraries are incredible places full of knowledge and excitement, where we can discover new worlds and become smarter and happier.
Understanding the text
"Here, I have provided 2 or 3 sample answers for each question. You may choose any of them that you find easiest. However, please remember that your answer must be at least 75 words for short-answer questions, which carry 2 marks in the exam. In your answer, include an introduction mentioning the author, main theme, and characters. Then, in the body, justify your response thoroughly. Finally, conclude your answer briefly!!
Answer the following questions.
a. Where could the author be found when he was late for lunch or dinner?
When the author was late for lunch or dinner, he could be found in the library. He loved reading so much that he would get absorbed in books and lose track of time.
OR
When Oliver Sacks was late for lunch or dinner, he could be found in the library. He would become so absorbed in what he was reading that he would lose track of time. The library was his favorite place to be, and he loved spending time there, even if it meant being late for meals.
b. What are
his first memories?
The
author's first memories were of the library at home. It was a large room with
oak-paneled walls and bookcases covering all four sides. He spent a lot of time
there, surrounded by books.
OR
Oliver Sacks' first memories were of the library at his childhood home. The library was a large oak-paneled room with bookcases covering all four walls. In this room, his father had a special collection of Hebrew texts, and his mother kept her favorite books by authors like Dickens, Trollope, and Thackeray. Additionally, on lower shelves within his reach, there were adventure and history books that belonged to his three older brothers. It was in this library that he discovered "The Jungle Book" and connected deeply with the character Mowgli, using the adventures as a starting point for his own imaginative fantasies. These memories show how books and the library played a significant role in shaping his early experiences and love for reading.
c. Why did he
dislike school?
He
disliked school because he didn't enjoy sitting in class and receiving
instructions. He wanted to learn on his own and explore topics that interested
him.
OR
Oliver Sacks disliked school because he found the traditional method of learning in the classroom to be boring and passive. He mentioned that information seemed to go in one ear and out the other, indicating that he didn't feel engaged or interested in the lessons. Instead, he preferred to be active and learn on his own terms, choosing what interested him and exploring it in a way that suited him best. This independent and self-directed approach to learning clashed with the structured and formal environment of the school, leading to his disinterest and dissatisfaction.
d. What did
he feel about at the library?
At
the library, he felt free and happy. He had the freedom to choose any book he
wanted to read and follow his interests. The library provided a quiet and
special atmosphere for him to learn.
OR
At the library, Oliver Sacks felt free and absorbed in his own world. He loved spending time in the quiet and beautiful atmosphere of the library. He would lose track of time and become completely engrossed in the books he was reading. Sacks enjoyed the special companionship of other readers, all on their own quests for knowledge. The library allowed him to explore thousands of books and follow his interests wherever they led him. It was a place where he could learn for himself, in his own way, and discover the wonders of the world through the books he found there.
## Absorbed: Completely Focused
## Engrossed: Totally Captivated or Fascinated (मोहित)
e. Why was he
so biased about sciences, especially astronomy and chemistry?
He
was biased towards sciences, especially astronomy and chemistry, because he had
a strong desire to learn about these subjects. He was hungry for knowledge in
these fields and found them fascinating.
OR
Oliver Sacks was biased towards sciences, especially astronomy and chemistry, because he had a strong interest in these subjects. He loved exploring books on these topics and wanted to learn more about them. As a curious person, he found astronomy fascinating with its study of stars, planets, and the universe. Chemistry, on the other hand, intrigued him with its understanding of matter and chemical reactions. The library allowed him to access specialized books on these subjects, and he spent many hours learning and exploring the wonders of science.
f. Why did he
become so fascinated by Hook?
He
became fascinated by Hook, a man admired for his wit and genius for
improvisation, after stumbling upon his works in the library. The author was so
intrigued by Hook's talents that he wanted to write a biography about him.
## intrigued- interest, fascinate (उत्सुक)
OR
Oliver Sacks became fascinated by Theodore Hook, a man admired in the early nineteenth century for his wit and genius for theatrical and musical improvisation. He stumbled upon Hook's now-obscure and forgotten works in the Bodleian library, and this discovery sparked his interest in the man's life and accomplishments. Sacks was captivated by Hook's talents and creativity, particularly his ability to compose over five hundred operas on the spot. This fascination inspired Sacks to write a biography or "case-history" of Hook, delving into the life of this remarkable and unconventional individual.
g. Describe
the library at Queen’s College.
The
library at Queen’s College was magnificent, with a building designed by
Christopher Wren. It had vast subterranean holdings with ancient books and
incunabula. The author found many old and rare books there, and it introduced
him to seventeenth- and eighteenth-century literature.
OR
The library at Queen's College in Oxford is a beautiful and important building. It was designed by a famous architect named Christopher Wren. Inside, there is a special area called the Upper Library, where students can read and study. Recently, the library was cleaned and made brighter, so it looks nicer and more welcoming. This renovation was done to keep the historical importance of the library and to create a pleasant place for students to study. Overall, it's a special and lovely place full of books and knowledge.
h. Why did the
students ignore the bookshelves in the 1990s?
In
the 1990s, students started ignoring the bookshelves in the library because
they had easy access to information through computers. They didn't feel the
need to go to the shelves when they could find what they needed digitally.
OR
In the 1990s, students started to ignore the bookshelves in libraries because of the rise of computers and digital technology. Instead of searching for books on the physical shelves, students began using computers to find the information they needed. With the convenience of digital access, many people stopped exploring the actual books in the library. This shift towards technology made the traditional bookshelves less popular among students, leading them to prefer digital sources for their research and studies.
i. Why was he
horrified when he visited the library a couple of months ago?
The
author was horrified when he visited the library a couple of months ago and
found the shelves sparsely occupied. He discovered that most of the books had
been thrown out, and the library was getting rid of physical books. As someone
who cherished physical books and their history, he felt deeply saddened by the
loss of knowledge and the shift towards digitization.
OR
When he
visited the library a couple of months ago, he was horrified to find that most
of the books had been thrown out, and the shelves were sparsely occupied. He
felt like a crime had been committed and was deeply saddened by the loss of
valuable knowledge.
OR
Oliver Sacks was horrified when he visited the library a couple of months ago because he found that most of the books had been thrown out, and the shelves were nearly empty. This shocked and saddened him deeply. He believed that centuries of knowledge were being lost, and he felt that something valuable was being taken away. As a person who cherished physical books and the traditional library experience, seeing so many books discarded and the library's shelves sparsely occupied made him feel distressed about the potential loss of knowledge and history.
REFERENCE TO THE TEXT;
"Mostly, long questions answer which carries 5 marks in the exam, mainly comes from "Reference to the text Questions". So ensure that your answer consists of at least three paragraphs, which should include an introduction where you can mention the author, main theme, and characters. Likewise in the body paragraph justify your answer with evidence from the text and finally, conclude your answer briefly. Remember, your response must be at least 150 words."
a. The author says, “I was not a good pupil, but I was a good listener.” Justify it
The author says, "I was not a good pupil, but I was a good learner." He justifies this by explaining that he didn't enjoy sitting in class and receiving instruction like a traditional student. However, he was a good learner because he loved reading and exploring books on his own. The textual evidence to support this can be found when he says, "On the whole, I disliked school, sitting in class, receiving instruction; information seemed to go in one ear and out by the other. I could not be passive—I had to be active, learn for myself, learn what I wanted, and in the way which suited me best."
OR
The author's statement, "I was not a good pupil, but I was a good listener," is justified by his personal experiences shared in the essay. He mentions that he disliked traditional schooling and did not excel as a student in a typical classroom setting. However, when it came to his love for learning and acquiring knowledge, he was an attentive and eager listener. He preferred to be actively engaged in his education, learning for himself in a way that suited him best. This is evident in how he spent countless hours in libraries, immersing himself in books and freely selecting what interested him. His ability to listen to his own curiosity and follow his passions made him a good learner, despite not conforming to the conventional expectations of a "good pupil."
OR
The author, Oliver Sacks, justifies his statement of being "not a good pupil, but a good listener" through his personal experiences with learning and education. He mentions that in school, he disliked sitting in class and receiving instructions in a passive manner. Traditional classroom settings did not suit his learning style, and he found it difficult to absorb information in that environment. However, this does not mean he lacked intellectual curiosity or a desire to learn.
Sacks demonstrates that he was a good listener by recounting his time spent in libraries. When he visited the library, he felt a sense of freedom and excitement as he roamed the shelves, selecting books that fascinated him. His deep interest in books, especially in the sciences like astronomy and chemistry, showcases his active engagement with the material. Instead of being a passive learner, Sacks took the initiative to explore topics that intrigued him, allowing him to learn in a way that suited him best.
In essence, Sacks' statement implies that he might not have excelled in a conventional educational setting, but he possessed a natural curiosity and eagerness to learn. His ability to listen actively, seek knowledge on his terms, and immerse himself in the world of books demonstrated his true passion for learning and intellectual growth. This approach to education, driven by curiosity and self-directed exploration, contributed significantly to his later accomplishments as a renowned neurologist and author.
a b. A proverb says, "Nothing is pleasanter than exploring a library." Does this proverb apply in the essay? Explain.
The proverb, "Nothing is pleasanter than exploring a library," applies in the essay. Oliver Sacks expresses his love for libraries throughout the essay, describing them as magical places where he could freely choose and explore books. The pleasure and wonder he experienced in libraries align with the meaning of the proverb. The essay showcases the joy and excitement of discovering new books and knowledge in a library, making it a perfect fit for the proverb.
OR
Yes, the proverb "Nothing is pleasanter than exploring a library" applies to the essay. The author's fondness for libraries and his description of the various libraries he encountered throughout his life reflect the pleasure and joy he derived from exploring these spaces. From his childhood home library to the Willesden Public Library and the libraries in his schools and universities, he found libraries to be places of intellectual freedom, where he could roam the shelves, follow his interests, and discover new treasures. The author's passion for books and the sense of community he felt with other readers in the libraries align with the spirit of the proverb, highlighting the pleasure that comes from the exploration of knowledge and literature in a library setting.
OR
The proverb "Nothing is pleasanter than exploring a library" suggests that libraries are delightful places for discovering knowledge and enjoyment. In this essay, we will explore whether this proverb applies to the author's experiences as described in the essay "On Libraries" by Oliver Sacks.
In the essay, Oliver Sacks vividly portrays his lifelong love affair with libraries. He reminisces about his childhood library, the Willesden Public Library, where he spent countless hours immersed in books, free to explore and follow his interests. Sacks expresses his deep affection for physical books, appreciating their look, smell, and heft. The libraries he encountered throughout his education, including those at St. Paul's School and Oxford University, provided him with the freedom to select books that fascinated him, fostering a sense of community among readers. His fondness for libraries and the joy he derived from discovering unexpected treasures on library shelves align with the essence of the proverb.
In conclusion, the proverb "Nothing is pleasanter than exploring a library" perfectly applies to the essay "On Libraries" by Oliver Sacks. The author's passion for libraries, the sense of intellectual freedom they offered, and the camaraderie he experienced with fellow readers reflect the delightful nature of library exploration. Sacks' eloquent portrayal of his library encounters highlights the beauty and significance of these treasured institutions, confirming that exploring a library indeed brings immense pleasure and fulfillment.
c. Are there any other services that you would like to see added to the library?
While the essay primarily focuses on the author's personal experiences and reflections on libraries, it does not explicitly discuss additional services he would like to see added to them. However, based on his love for physical books and the sense of history and intimacy he associates with them, one could speculate that he might appreciate preserving and enhancing physical book collections in libraries. Additionally, he might support initiatives that foster a love for reading and cultivate a sense of community among library users. This could include organizing more literary events, book clubs, workshops, and reading programs that encourage interactions among readers and promote the joys of reading and learning in the library setting.
REFERENCE BEYOND THE TEXT;
a. Write an
essay on Libraries and its uses for students.
Firstly, libraries provide students with access to a diverse collection of books on various subjects. Whether it's history, science, literature, or art, libraries have books that cater to every interest and academic need. Students can immerse themselves in these books, expanding their understanding of the world and fostering a love for learning.
Secondly, libraries offer a quiet and conducive environment for studying and research. Unlike noisy classrooms or crowded cafeterias, libraries provide a peaceful space where students can concentrate, read, and explore without distractions. This serene ambiance allows them to focus on their studies and perform better in their academic pursuits.
Moreover, libraries offer digital resources, including e-books, online databases, and academic journals, which enhance students' access to up-to-date information and research material. With the internet becoming an integral part of education, libraries bridge the digital divide and ensure that every student can benefit from the vast ocean of knowledge available online.
Additionally, libraries often organize workshops, seminars, and book clubs, providing students with opportunities to engage in extracurricular activities, interact with like-minded peers, and develop critical thinking skills. These activities not only supplement their academic learning but also foster personal growth and social development.
In conclusion, libraries are invaluable assets for students. They offer a wealth of information, a peaceful study environment, and opportunities for personal and intellectual growth. As students embrace the habit of utilizing libraries effectively, they lay a strong foundation for a lifetime of continuous learning and exploration.
b. . Do you have any public library in your locality? If so, do the people in your community use it? Give a couple of examples
Yes, there is a public library in my locality, and it serves as a valuable resource for people of all ages. The library is located in the heart of the community and is easily accessible to everyone. It offers a wide range of books, from children's picture books to academic textbooks and popular fiction for adults.
Many people in my community use the public library regularly. For example, students often visit the library after school to study, complete assignments, and prepare for exams. The quiet and welcoming atmosphere of the library helps them concentrate better and be more productive in their studies.
Additionally, the library hosts various events and workshops that attract people from the community. For instance, they organize storytelling sessions for children, book clubs for book enthusiasts, and computer literacy classes for seniors. These events foster a sense of community engagement and bring people together for shared interests.
Furthermore, the public library provides valuable support to those who may not have access to expensive educational resources. People from diverse backgrounds can borrow books, use computers, and access the internet for free, leveling the playing field and promoting equal opportunities for education and learning.
In conclusion, the public library in my locality is a well-utilized and cherished resource. It serves as a hub of knowledge, a place for personal growth, and a community center that brings people together. The library's impact is evident in the regular flow of visitors, spanning from young students to seasoned readers, all benefiting from the treasure trove of information and opportunities it offers.
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