Welcome to “Advice to Youth Workbook Solution: ISC Rhapsody & Prism,” where we delve into the insightful narrative from the ISC English Literature collection, Rhapsody & Prism. Within these pages, we explore the essence of Mark Twain’s satirical piece “Advice to Youth” through meticulous workbook solutions. This post offers comprehensive answers to multiple-choice and contextual questions, deepening your understanding of this timeless essay. Engage with the witty and sharp-eyed perspective of Twain as we explore the nuances of his character and thematic depth. Each question serves as a gateway to dissecting the text, encouraging readers to analyze subtle nuances and extract deeper meanings. Contextual inquiries broaden our scope for exploration, promoting critical engagement with the socio-cultural backdrop and the universal themes of humor and moral reflection. Through this examination, readers refine their analytical skills and develop a profound appreciation for literary craftsmanship. Whether you are a student navigating ISC English Literature or an avid reader exploring the layers of this thought-provoking essay, “ISC Rhapsody & Prism: Advice to Youth Workbook Solutions” offers invaluable insights. Join us on this literary journey as we illuminate the path to understanding, one workbook solution at a time.
Table of Contents
Story Summary :
Essay in Detail
Obedience to parents: Twain begins with the need to obey one’s parents when
they are present. He calls it the “best policy in the long run.” Twain in response to an invitation, enumerates, what he calls good advice to young people. If the children are not obedient, parents will make them so. There is a superstition that parents know best and the young do not.
Respect superiors: Twain advises that one should be respectful to those one considers superiors as well as strangers. One can resort to ‘extreme measures’ if one is offended irrespective of whether the offence was intentional. Though it is better to leave violence to the dregs in society.
Punctuality: Going to bed early and getting up early is the best policy. It would be better if the youth train a bird (a lark) to give a wake up call to them as late as possible, so that they will sleep more yet they will be considered disciplined.
Lying: Be careful about lying. Once you are caught for lying, you can never regain the same old status of being an honest person. Twain calls lying as an art that requires lot of hard work to cultivate and one should begin early. The young should exercise “caution” while using the weapon of lying.
Ammunition: Twain warns against handling of firearms without the required knowledge or care because these weapons when used by untrained people can cause more havoc than that caused in wars. He quotes an example of using old, rusty, unloaded guns that created unnecessary fear.
Good books: He advises the young people to read good books. He calls books “great, inestimable and unspeakable means of improvement”. He strongly recommends Robertson’s Sermons, Baxter’s Saints’ Rest, The Innocents Abroad and other books of this kind (for details refer to the box in the Notes section).
Conclusion: Twain concludes his essay in a sarcastic way. The youth should build their personalities following his advice. But they will be shocked to see that they are similar to the rest of the people. He hits at the lack of originality and uniqueness that is a function of how society works and every individual conforms to a fixed set of expected standards.
Workbook MCQs :
1. Which of the following speech is NOT suitable for youth?
(a) Didactic
(b) Instructive
(c) Provocative
(d) Advisory
Answer :- (c) Provocative
2. If one does not obey one’s parents
(a) parents are more knowledgeable
(b) parents will force them to do so
(c) parents are superstitious about it
(d) parents know better than their children
Answer :- (b) parents will force them to do so
3. If a person offends, intentional or not
(a) hit him with a brick
(b) find his intentions
(c) avoid violence
(d) All of the above
Answer :- (a) hit him with a brick
4. In today’s world violence should
(a) be left to the low and unrefined
(b) is replaced by charity and kindliness
(c) be confessed and acknowledged
(d) be acknowledged and forgiveness sought
Answer :- (a) be left to the low and unrefined
5. Though authorities say ‘rise with the sun’ Twain prefers the idiom
(a) Early to bed, early to rise
(b) Be up with the lark
(c) Early bird catches the worm
(d) All of the above
Answer :- [ For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View ]
6. Twain’s last piece of advice was on
(a) not using guns and ammunition.
(b) reading good books.
(c) being punctual.
(d) respecting superiors.
Answer :- [ For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View ]
7. The figure of speech used in the line, “go to bed early, get up early” is:
(a) Anaphora
(b) Alliteration
(c) Parallelism
(d) Simile
Answer :- [ For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View ]
8. According to Twain, in this age of charity and kindliness, the time has gone by for
(a) telling lies.
(b) using violence.
(c) Being careful about lying.
(d) Going to bed early.
Answer :- [ For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View ]
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Complete The Sentences :
1. It is best to target the very young for instructions because at that age it takes deep root, is enduring and valuable.
2. One must obey one’s parents because of the superstition that parents know better than one does.
3. In today’s day and age always avoid violence because it is best left to the low and unrefined.
4. The lark is the best thing to wake up to because it can be trained to wake up late.
5. A student should be deeply involved in nurturing the ‘art’ of lying because it is the sure foundation for future eminence.
6. The Boston monument is mentioned in the essay because it represents a lie which will outlive the monument.
7. An awkward, feeble, lie should be avoided because it is more transient that the average truth.
8. Firearms handling requires knowledge and care because otherwise firearms could cause more damage than war.
9. Young should read good books because [ For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View ]
10. Twain refers to a particular selection of books because [ For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View ]
11. Originality and individuality is absent in current society because [ For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View ]
12. Advice to Youth is a hidden call for young people to think critically and act independently because [ For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View ]
13. Using a lark is the best way to get up in the morning because[ For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View ]
14. The author advises students to be careful about lying because [ For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View ]
15. The author mentions the monument in Boston because [ For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View ]
16. Mark Twain calls telling a lie an art because [ For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View ]
17. Always obey your parents when they are present because [ For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View ]
18. If a person offends you hit him with a brick because [ For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View ]
19. Young people must read religious and moral books because [ For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View ]
Short Question Answers :
1. List and explain briefly the heads under which Mark Twain passes down valuable lessons that he learned so far in life.
Answer :- In “Advice to Youth,” Mark Twain structures his humorous and satirical guidance under several key heads:
1. Obedience to Parents : Twain ironically suggests that obedience should be practiced as a means to avoid conflict rather than out of genuine respect, subtly critiquing the often hypocritical nature of adult authority.
2. Respect for Superiors : He advises showing respect to superiors, but his tongue-in-cheek manner implies that such respect is often more about maintaining appearances than genuine admiration.
3. Going to Bed Early : Twain humorously advocates for going to bed early by stating that it allows one to wake up early, thereby getting a head start on doing things like lying in bed.
4. Lying : He advises against lying, but does so by mockingly suggesting that if one must lie, they should do it effectively, highlighting the moral ambiguity in societal expectations.
5. Handling Firearms : Twain gives a mock-serious warning about the dangers of firearms, using exaggerated caution to underscore the recklessness often associated with their use.
6. Reading Good Books : He suggests reading good books, not for enlightenment, but to avoid doing something worse, poking fun at the superficial endorsement of literacy.
Each head reflects Twain’s satirical take on conventional wisdom, using humor to challenge accepted norms and behaviors.
2. How does Twain speak out against learned behaviors that adults abide by in the name of cultural conformity?
Answer :- Twain critiques learned behaviors and cultural conformity by using irony and exaggeration to reveal the absurdity of societal norms. He humorously advises the youth to obey parents and respect superiors, but the way he frames these suggestions exposes the superficiality and contradictions in adult behavior. For example, he suggests that obeying parents is useful mainly to avoid conflict and that respecting superiors is often about maintaining appearances rather than genuine admiration. This exposes how adults often follow social customs not because they are inherently meaningful, but because they are expected to do so.
Twain also addresses the issue of lying, advising that if one must lie, they should do it well. This underlines the double standards in moral teachings, where society condemns dishonesty yet often rewards clever deceit. Through these humorous yet pointed critiques, Twain highlights how societal norms and behaviors can be shallow and hypocritical, encouraging the youth to question and critically assess the values they are taught to conform to.
3. How does Mark Twain tackle the issue of responsible handling of firearms?
Answer :- In “Advice to Youth,” Twain tackles the issue of responsible handling of firearms with a blend of humor and exaggeration. He advises the youth to be extremely cautious with firearms, suggesting that they should not point a firearm at anything they do not intend to shoot, especially if it is loaded, which is obvious advice presented in a mock-serious tone. Twain humorously warns that one should never aim a gun at a relative unless the intention is to shoot them, highlighting the potential dangers and irresponsibility often associated with firearms in a satirical manner.
This exaggerated advice serves to underscore the serious consequences of mishandling firearms while mocking the casual and sometimes reckless attitudes people have towards them. By using humor, Twain effectively conveys the message that firearms are dangerous and should be handled with the utmost care and responsibility, subtly criticizing the often cavalier approach to gun safety in society.
4. What does Twain say about good books? Why does he suggest the books?
Answer :- [ For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View ]
5. What does Twain say about parents and superiors?
Answer :- [ For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View ]
6. Describe the scene of the grandmother and the armed grandson in your own words, taking into account Twain’s humor.
Answer :- [ For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View ]
7. Write in your own words the issue mentioned about the monument in Boston.
Answer :- [ For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View ]
8. What would be the end result of building character on the ‘precepts’ of adults? Does Twain want to encourage such a thing? Why?
Answer :- [ For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View ]
Long Question Answers :
1. Imagine you have to deliver a graduation day speech. Write the speech in the same satirical manner as Mark Twain’s Advice to Youth.
Answer :- Ladies and Gentlemen, dear graduates, and bewildered parents,
Today, you stand on the precipice of greatness, ready to dive into the abyss of adulthood, where you will navigate the treacherous waters of responsibility and, more importantly, student loans. My heartfelt congratulations! You have successfully demonstrated the ability to sit through countless lectures without succumbing to a deep and satisfying nap.
Let me impart some wisdom, much like our esteemed Mark Twain, who had a knack for steering the youth towards the dubious path of critical thinking. Firstly, always respect your parents. They are the ones who will likely remind you of the “investment” they made in your education, subtly hinting that you owe them big time. So, keep those thank-you cards and interest-free loan requests handy.
Next, I advise you to be diligent in your work. But remember, the true measure of diligence is in perfecting the art of looking busy. Master the thoughtful frown and the artful shuffle of papers, and you will go far in any corporate setting.
As for honesty, Twain wisely suggested lying sparingly and skillfully. The trick is to tell the truth as much as possible, so when you do stretch it, people will be more likely to believe you. Remember, a well-placed “truth” about your work ethic can do wonders during performance reviews.
And lastly, always aim for the stars. Not because it’s noble or inspiring, but because if you aim low and fail, people will think you didn’t try. Aim high, fail spectacularly, and blame it on “learning experiences.”
In conclusion, graduates, life is a balancing act of humor, wit, and strategic maneuvering. May you navigate it with the same cunning and irony as our dear Mr. Twain.
Thank you, and remember to laugh at least as often as you cry.
2. How does Twain sprinkle each advice with humor? Give the implied meaning of each.
Answer :- Mark Twain infuses humor into his advice in “Advice to Youth” by presenting conventional wisdom with a twist of irony and exaggeration, highlighting the often absurd and hypocritical nature of societal norms.
1. Obeying Parents : Twain humorously advises to obey parents mainly to avoid conflict rather than out of genuine respect. The implied meaning is that parental authority is often arbitrary and self-serving, and obedience is more about maintaining peace than moral integrity.
2. Respecting Superiors : He suggests showing respect to superiors to avoid trouble, not because they are deserving. This hints at the superficiality of social hierarchies where respect is given based on position rather than merit.
3. Going to Bed Early : Twain’s advice to go to bed early and rise early to have more time to do nothing implies that societal encouragements of discipline and productivity are often hollow, with no substantial outcome.
4. Handling Firearms : His exaggerated caution about firearms serves to mock the casual attitude towards guns, underscoring the inherent dangers and the recklessness often associated with their use.
5. Reading Good Books : Suggesting reading to avoid worse activities implies that society’s promotion of literacy is less about enlightenment and more about curbing undesirable behavior.
Through these humorous takes, Twain highlights the contradictions and shallow motivations behind many societal norms, encouraging a more critical and thoughtful approach to conventional wisdom.
3. How appropriate is the title of the essay? Give reasons to justify your answer.
Answer :- [ For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View ]
4. Comment on lying as an art form and its usage as well as utility, as listed by Mark Twain in his ‘Advice to Youth’.
Answer :- [ For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View ]
5. Do you agree with the advice given by Mark Twain? Why or why not? Give reasons to support your answer.
Answer :- [ For Full Answers Get The Workbook Answers PDF – View ]
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