The Rule of The Road 



A. Comprehension Questions

(1) Answer the following questions in your own words in 10-12 words:

1. Why was the stout old lady walking down the middle of a road?

Answer: The stout old lady was walking down the middle of the road because she believed that with the newfound liberty in her country, she had the right to walk wherever she liked, including the middle of the street, without considering the potential consequences or the rights of others.


2. How was the stout old lady mistaken about liberty?

Answer: The stout old lady was mistaken about liberty because she believed that liberty meant doing whatever she liked without considering the impact on others. She didn't realize that true liberty involves balancing individual freedom with the rights of others. If everyone acted according to her interpretation of liberty, it would lead to chaos, with everyone getting in each other's way. Liberty, in a social context, requires some restrictions to maintain order and prevent harm to others.


3. What does the policeman at Picadilly Circus symbolize ?

Answer: The policeman at Piccadilly Circus symbolizes liberty, not tyranny. When the policeman steps into the middle of the road and raises his hand, he is not restricting freedom but ensuring that the liberties of all individuals are preserved by maintaining order. His action prevents chaos and ensures that traffic flows smoothly, allowing everyone to enjoy their liberty in a safe and organized manner.


4. Can we do whatever we feel like doing?

Answer: No, we cannot do whatever we feel like doing without considering others. While we have the liberty to make personal choices, our actions must be balanced with the rights and freedoms of others. For example, we can choose to do things that do not interfere with other people's rights or cause them harm. True liberty involves understanding that our actions have an impact on the social order and that we need to respect the rights of others while exercising our freedom.


5. What was the writer reading during the journey?

Answer: During the journey, the writer was reading a Blue-book, which he was not reading for pleasure. He was reading it as a task, much like a lawyer reading a brief, with the purpose of turning an honest penny from it.


7. Who disturbed the writer of "The Rule of the Road"?

Answer: The writer of "The Rule of the Road" was disturbed by a man who talked loudly and pompously to his friend throughout the journey. His conversation on various topics created a disturbance, preventing the writer from focusing on his task of reading the Blue-book.


8. What was the intruding passenger talking of ?

Answer: The intruding passenger was talking about any and every subject under the sun in a loud and pompous voice. His conversation was continuous throughout the journey, and he seemed to believe that everyone around him was interested in his knowledge and would find his words illuminating.


9. What is the basis of social contract?

Answer: The basis of the social contract, as discussed in "The Rule of the Road," is a reasonable consideration for the rights and feelings of others. It is about balancing individual liberties with social responsibilities. In order for society to function smoothly, individuals must limit their personal freedom when it interferes with the rights of others. The social contract is an accommodation of interests where everyone’s liberty is respected, but not at the cost of disrupting social harmony.


10. 'We should be a judicious mixture of both. What does the writer of The Rule of the Road' mean by his statement?

Answer: By the statement "We should be a judicious mixture of both", the writer of The Rule of the Road means that we should strike a balance between individual liberty and social responsibility.

He suggests that we cannot be complete anarchists (doing whatever we like without considering others) or complete socialists (where society dictates every action). Instead, we must find a reasonable mix where we respect our own freedoms while also considering the impact of our actions on others, ensuring that our personal liberties do not harm or disturb the rights of those around us.


(ii) Answer the following questions in your own words in 30-50 words.

1. What is the theme of the essay 'The Rule of the Road"? Explain.

Answer: The theme of the essay "The Rule of the Road" revolves around the balance between individual liberty and social responsibility.

The writer, AG Gardiner, emphasizes that while individuals have the right to personal freedom and liberty, this freedom should not infringe upon the rights of others. He uses various anecdotes, including the story of the old lady in Petrograd and the writer's train journey, to illustrate how one's actions can disturb the peace and liberty of others.

The central idea is that true liberty is not about doing whatever one wants but about understanding the limits of one's actions in a social context. For society to function harmoniously, individuals must curtail their personal liberties when they interfere with the freedoms of others. Thus, the essay highlights the importance of mutual respect, social conduct, and responsibility in maintaining a balanced and orderly society


2. Describe, in your own words, how the writer was disturbed doing his train journey.

Answer: During his train journey, the writer was disturbed by a passenger who entered the carriage and began speaking loudly to his friend. The man talked in a pompous manner on a wide range of topics, making it impossible for the writer to concentrate on his work. The writer was trying to read a Blue-book, which he was using as a task, not for pleasure. However, the loud conversation disrupted his concentration and created an unpleasant environment for him. Despite wanting quiet, the writer did not ask the man to lower his voice, as he knew that the speaker would likely view such a request as rude.


3. 'Liberty is not a personal affair only, but a social contract." Explain in 50-60 words.

Answer: The statement means that liberty is not just about individual freedom but also about balancing personal rights with the rights of others in society. While individuals have the freedom to do as they wish, their actions should not infringe upon the rights or well-being of others. This creates a social contract where personal liberty and social responsibility coexist harmoniously.


C. Grammar Exercises

(1) Punctuate the following sentences:

a. but why isnt it absurd i persisted i can buy as many things as i like he replied.

Answer: Here's the correct punctuation and capitalization for the sentence:

"But why isn't it absurd?" I persisted. "I can buy as many things as I like," he replied.

Let me know if you'd like this turned into reported speech or used in an exercise. 


b. John said i am in a hurry and cant spare time.

Answer:  Here’s the correct version of your sentence with proper punctuation and capitalization:

John said, "I am in a hurry and can't spare time."

Let me know if you want it converted into indirect speech too!


c. phatik was furious he cried if you don't get down this minute i ll thrash you.\

Answer: Here’s the corrected version of the sentence with proper punctuation and capitalization:

Phatik was furious. He cried, "If you don't get down this minute, I'll thrash you."

Let me know if you'd like it in reported speech as well!


d. what an easy paper said ashok was it set by a kind examiner.

Answer: Here is the corrected version with proper punctuation and capitalization:

"What an easy paper!" said Ashok. "Was it set by a kind examiner?"

Let me know if you'd like the sentence in indirect (reported) speech too!


e. on tuesday the prime minister of afghanistan would reach India.

Answer: Here is the corrected version:

On Tuesday, the Prime Minister of Afghanistan will reach India.

Let me know if you'd like it rewritten in a different tense or format!