PSEB Class 10 English Chapter 8 The Rule of The Road Important Question Answers from English Main Course Book
PSEB Class 10 English The Rule of The Road Question Answers – Looking for questions and answers for PSEB Class 10 English Main Course Book Chapter 8 The Rule of The Road? Look no further! Our comprehensive compilation of important questions will help you brush up on your subject knowledge. Practising Class 10 English question answers can significantly improve your performance in the exam. Improve your chances of scoring high marks by exploring Chapter 8 The Rule of The Road now. The questions listed below are based on the latest PSEB exam pattern. All the Questions Answers given at the back of the lesson have also been covered.
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PSEB Class 10 English Chapter 8 The Rule of The Road Textbook Questions
A. Comprehension Questions
1. Why was the stout old lady walking down the middle of a road?
Ans. The stout old lady was walking down the middle of the road because she believed that liberty meant she could walk wherever she pleased. After gaining liberty (possibly following the Russian Revolution), she misunderstood freedom to mean doing anything without restrictions or consideration for others.
2. How was the stout old lady mistaken about liberty?
Ans. The stout old lady misunderstood liberty as complete freedom to do whatever she liked. She failed to realize that unlimited freedom for everyone would result in chaos. If pedestrians walked anywhere they wished, drivers could also ignore rules, making safe and orderly movement impossible for all.
3. What does the policeman at Piccadilly Circus symbolize?
Ans. The policeman at Piccadilly Circus represents liberty, not tyranny. Though he seems to restrict people by controlling traffic, he actually protects freedom. By regulating movement and limiting individual liberty, he maintains order and allows everyone to move safely, making true freedom possible for all.
4. Can we do whatever we feel like doing?
Ans. No, we cannot act freely in every situation. We are free in matters that affect only us. But when our actions affect others, our liberty must be limited. We should adjust our freedom to respect others’ rights and feelings and live together peacefully.
5. What was the writer reading during the journey?
Ans. The writer was reading a Blue-book (government report or official document) during the train journey. He was not reading it for pleasure but as a professional task, like a lawyer reads a brief, for the purpose of earning an honest living from it.
6. Why did the writer of ‘The Rule of the Road’ need a reasonable silence in the compartment?
Ans. The writer needed reasonable silence because he was reading a Blue-book for his work, not for enjoyment. Reading for work requires full concentration and quiet. Unlike leisure reading, professional reading is disturbed by noise, making it difficult to focus and complete the task properly.
7. Who disturbed the writer of ‘The Rule of the Road’?
Ans. The writer was disturbed by one of two men who entered the railway compartment at the next station. This passenger talked to his friend in a loud and pompous voice throughout the rest of the journey, making it impossible for the writer to concentrate on his reading.
8. What was the intruding passenger talking of?
Ans. The intruding passenger spoke loudly and pompously about every topic imaginable. He talked continuously without pause, discussing many subjects. He seemed to believe that his opinions were important and that everyone in the compartment would benefit from listening to his knowledge.
9. What is the basis of social contract?
Ans. The social contract is based on showing reasonable consideration for others’ rights and feelings. Liberty is not only personal freedom but a balance of interests. People must limit their own freedom when needed so that everyone’s liberty can exist peacefully in society.
10. ‘We should be a judicious mixture of both.’ What does the writer of ‘The Rule of the Road’ mean by his statement?
Ans. By this statement, the writer means we should follow a balanced approach. We cannot act without rules like anarchists, nor give up all freedom to society. We must keep personal freedom in private matters while accepting reasonable limits that maintain social order and harmony.
(ii) Answer in 50-60 words:
1. What is the theme of the essay ‘The Rule of the Road’? Explain.
Ans. The essay explains the balance between individual freedom and social duty. Gardiner says liberty is not complete freedom, but living with rules. Like traffic rules, small limits on freedom prevent confusion. Respecting others’ rights in daily life shows true freedom and proves whether a society is truly civilized.
2. Describe, in your own words, how the writer was disturbed during his train journey.
Ans. During a train journey, the writer tried to read an important Blue-book that needed silence. Two men entered, and one spoke loudly throughout the journey. His continuous talk disturbed the writer’s concentration. The man showed poor social sense, ignoring the needs and comfort of other passengers.
3. ‘Liberty is not a personal affair only, but a social contract.’ Explain.
Ans. This statement explains that liberty is not only individual freedom but also social responsibility. To live peacefully, people must give up some personal freedoms. We enjoy complete liberty in private matters, but when our actions affect others, we must limit our freedom and respect others’ rights.
B. Vocabulary Exercises
II (i) Match the phrases in column A with their meaning in column B.
| A | B |
| pointed out | to ignore |
| of course | to think about |
| to have a fancy for | to come to mind |
| to be indifferent to | to come out quickly |
| to occur | without doubt |
| to look after | showed, explained |
| to fly into a passion | to have a liking for |
| to rush out | to go mad |
| to reflect on | to take care of |
Ans.
| A | B |
| pointed out | showed, explained |
| of course | without doubt |
| to have a fancy for | to have a liking for |
| to be indifferent to | to ignore |
| to occur | to come to mind |
| to look after | to take care of |
| to fly into a passion | to go mad |
| to rush out | to come out quickly |
| to reflect on | to think about |
(ii) Add the correct suffixes to the words given in the brackets and fill in the blanks, choosing words from the list given below :
____ dom, ____ ful, ___ ness, ____ hood.
1. We must work hard for our ……….. . (free)
2. The difference between madness and ………. (wise) is measured by success.
3. Human journey from …….. (child) to ……….. (man) is full of surprises.
4. .……. (truthful) is essential for …….. (sweet) in life.
5. ……… (parent) is an art.
6. ……… (happy) is an intrinsic quality.
Ans
1. We must work hard for our freedom. (free)
2. The difference between madness and wisdom (wise) is measured by success.
3. Human journey from childhood (child) to manhood (man) is full of surprises.
4. Truthfulness (truthful) is essential for sweetness (sweet) in life.
5. Parenthood (parent) is an art.
6. Happiness (happy) is an intrinsic quality.
(iii) Fill in the blanks with suitable words from amongst those given in the box :
| eccentric | despised | lantern |
| followed | questions | blew |
| tub | pressed |
There once lived in Athens a very wise man called Diogenes. He was an ………. fellow. To show people how he …..…… wealth and luxury, he lived in an old tub. One day he came to the market–place with a lighted …….. in broad daylight. He looked at the face of everyone he met with his lantern. People ……….. him wondering as to what he was searching. But he did not answer their ……… . At last he ……… out his lantern and went in to his …….. . When people ……. him for an answer he replied, “I was looking for an honest man ; but there is not a single such man in all Athens.”
Ans.
There once lived in Athens a very wise man called Diogenes. He was an eccentric fellow. To show people how he despised wealth and luxury, he lived in an old tub. One day he came to the market-place with a lighted lantern in broad daylight. He looked at the face of everyone he met with his lantern. People followed him wondering as to what he was searching. But he did not answer their questions. At last he blew out his lantern and went in to his tub. When people pressed him for an answer he replied, “I was looking for an honest man; but there is not a single such man in all Athens.”
C. Grammar Exercises
(i) Punctuate the following sentences :
a. but why isnt it absurd i persisted i can buy as many things as i like he replied.
b. John said i am in a hurry and cant spare time.
c. Phatik was furious he cried if you don’t get down this minute i ll thrash you.
d. what an easy paper said ashok was it set by a kind examiner.
e. on tuesday the prime minister of afghanistan would reach India.
Ans.
a. “But why isn’t it absurd?” I persisted. “I can buy as many things as I like,” he replied.
b.John said, “I am in a hurry and can’t spare time.”
c. Phatik was furious. He cried, “If you don’t get down this minute, I’ll thrash you.”
d. “What an easy paper!” said Ashok. “Was it set by a kind examiner?”
e. On Tuesday, the Prime Minister of Afghanistan would reach India.
(ii) Rearrange the following words and phrases to form meaningful sentences :
a. game / is / glorious / Cricket / a / of / uncertainties.
b. a / city / very / large / Mumbai / is.
c. has / thirty-nine / Jupiter / satellites / the / planet / in / solar / system / largest / the.
d. imaginary / line / equator / equal / halves / earth / into / that / divides / the / two / an / is / the.
Ans.
a. Cricket is a glorious game of uncertainties.
b. Mumbai is a very large city.
c. Jupiter, the largest planet in the solar system, has thirty-nine satellites.
d. The equator is an imaginary line that divides the earth into two equal halves.
(iii) Fill in the blanks with correct form of the verb given in brackets :
a. Sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar …………………. (nominate) for this year’s Grammy Award for his album Full Circle.
b. This is the fourth time he …………. (nominate) for the music world’s top award.
c. Shankar ………. (already won) two Grammy Awards.
d. ‘Full Circle’, which was ……….. (record) in October 2000, ………… (feature) Shankar’s rendering of the night raga Kaushi Kanhara.
Ans.
a. Sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar has been nominated (nominate) for this year’s Grammy Award for his album Full Circle.
b. This is the fourth time he has been nominated (nominate) for the music world’s top award.
c. Shankar has already won (already won) two Grammy Awards.
d. ‘Full Circle’, which was recorded (record) in October 2000, features (feature) Shankar’s rendering of the night raga Kaushi Kanhara.
D. Pronunciation Practice
The plural morpheme – e (s) is pronounced in three ways :
- / z /
- /IZ /
- / s /
Read the following words now with the correct sound at the final position :
| a. | bags | b. | washes | c. | caps |
| heads | benches | books | |||
| breathes | judges | laughs | |||
| flies | asses | cats | |||
| plays | kisses | jumps |
Ans.
The plural morpheme -e(s) is pronounced in three ways::
| a. /z/ | b. /ɪz/ | c. /s/ |
| bags | washes | caps |
| heads | benches | books |
| breathes | judges | laughs |
| flies | asses | cats |
| plays | kisses | jumps |
Rules for Pronunciation:
- /z/ sound: When the base word ends in a voiced sound (except /z/, /ʒ/, /dʒ/)
- /ɪz/ sound: When the base word ends in /s/, /z/, /ʃ/, /ʒ/, /tʃ/, or /dʒ/ sounds
- /s/ sound: When the base word ends in a voiceless sound (except /s/, /ʃ/, /tʃ/)
E. Creative Writing and Extended Reading
2. Write a paragraph on:
i. Rights and Duties Go Together
Ans. Rights and duties are inseparable in civilized society, representing two sides of the same coin. While rights grant us freedoms and privileges, duties remind us of responsibilities toward others. If everyone claims rights without fulfilling duties, social order collapses into chaos. We have the right to free speech but the duty not to spread hatred. True liberty is a social contract where we curtail personal freedoms to preserve everyone’s freedoms. Rights without duties lead to anarchy; duties without rights lead to tyranny. Responsible citizenship requires claiming rights while faithfully discharging duties, understanding our rights end where others’ rights begin.
ii. Value of Discipline in Life
Ans. Discipline is the foundation of successful living, serving as the bridge between goals and accomplishments. It involves controlling impulses, emotions, and actions in pursuit of long-term objectives. Without discipline, talented individuals fail to reach potential, while disciplined people achieve extraordinary success. Discipline manifests in students studying regularly, athletes maintaining training schedules, and professionals meeting deadlines. Self-discipline helps resist immediate gratification for greater future rewards. It builds character, teaching patience, perseverance, and responsibility. Social discipline, curtailing liberties to preserve everyone’s freedom, enables civilized living. Discipline liberates us from chaos, providing structure that paradoxically creates genuine freedom in personal, professional, and social spheres.
iii. Individual Liberty vs Social Responsibility
Ans. The tension between individual liberty and social responsibility requires careful balance. Individual liberty allows pursuing personal goals and making choices essential for human dignity. However, unlimited freedom leads to chaos where everyone interferes with everyone else. Social responsibility demands considering how actions affect others and accepting reasonable restrictions. The “rule of the road” demonstrates that curtailing individual liberty preserves genuine freedom for all. Liberty is a social contract, an accommodation of interests. In private matters we enjoy complete freedom, but when actions impact others, social responsibility must limit individual liberty. True freedom exists not in absence of restrictions but in reasonable rules enabling everyone to flourish together.
Punjab Board Class 10 English Chapter 8 The Rule of The Road Extra Question and Answers
Extract-Based questions
A.
“That was a jolly story which Mr Arthur Ransome told the other day in one of his messages from Petrograd. A stout old lady was walking with her basket down the middle of a street in Petrograd to the great confusion of the traffic and with no small peril to herself. It was pointed out to her that the pavement was the place for foot passengers, but she replied: ‘I’m going to walk where I like. We’ve got liberty now.’ It did not occur to the dear old lady that if liberty entitled the foot passenger to walk down the middle of a road, it also entitled the car driver to drive on the pavement, and that the end of such liberty would be universal chaos.”
Q1. Where did this incident take place?
Ans. This incident took place in Petrograd (now St. Petersburg, Russia). It was reported by Mr. Arthur Ransome in one of his messages from that city.
Q2. What was the stout old lady doing and why was it dangerous?
Ans. The stout old lady was walking with her basket down the middle of a street, causing great confusion to the traffic and putting herself in considerable danger (“no small peril”). She was blocking vehicles and risking being hit.
Q3. How did the old lady justify her behavior?
Ans. The old lady justified her behavior by saying, “I’m going to walk where I like. We’ve got liberty now.” She believed her newfound liberty gave her the absolute right to walk anywhere without restrictions.
Q4. What logical flaw in her thinking does Gardiner point out?
Ans. Gardiner points out that if her interpretation were correct and pedestrians could walk in the middle of roads, then car drivers could equally claim the right to drive on pavements. This shows her logic is flawed and would lead to chaos.
Q5. What would be the result of such unlimited liberty?
Ans. The result would be universal chaos. Everyone would interfere with everyone else, obstruct each other’s paths, and nobody would be able to reach their destination or accomplish anything. Individual liberty would become social anarchy.
B.
“There is a danger of the world getting liberty-drunk in these days like the old lady with the basket, and it is just as well to remind ourselves of what the rule of the road means. It means that in order that the liberties of all may be preserved, the liberties of everybody must be curtailed. When the policeman, say at Piccadilly Circus, steps into the middle of the road and puts out his hand, he is the symbol not of tyranny, but of liberty.”
Q1. What does “liberty-drunk” mean?
Ans. “Liberty-drunk” means becoming intoxicated or obsessed with the idea of freedom without understanding its limitations and responsibilities. It refers to people who interpret liberty as absolute freedom to do anything without regard for consequences or others.
Q2. What does “the rule of the road” mean according to Gardiner?
Ans. “The rule of the road” refers to traffic regulations, but metaphorically represents all social rules. It means that to preserve everyone’s liberties, each individual’s liberty must be curtailed or reasonably limited.
Q3. What does the policeman at Piccadilly Circus do?
Ans. The policeman at Piccadilly Circus steps into the middle of the road and puts out his hand to stop and direct traffic, controlling the flow of vehicles at the busy intersection.
Q4. What does the policeman symbolize according to Gardiner?
Ans. According to Gardiner, the policeman symbolizes liberty, not tyranny. Though he appears to restrict individual freedom by stopping traffic, he actually represents and enables genuine freedom for all by creating order.
Q5. What is the paradox presented in this passage?
Ans. The paradox is that curtailing (limiting) individual liberty actually preserves everyone’s liberty. By restricting some personal freedoms through rules and regulations, we create social order that makes real, practical freedom possible for all.
C.
“Liberty is not a personal affair only, but a social contract. It is an accommodation of interest. In matters which do not touch anybody else’s liberty, of course, I may be as free as I like. If I choose to go down the Strand in a dressing-gown with long hair and bare feet, who shall raise an objection? You have liberty to laugh at me, but I have liberty to be indifferent to you.”
Q1. How does Gardiner define liberty in this passage?
Ans. Gardiner defines liberty as not merely a personal affair but a social contract. It is an accommodation of interests, meaning a balance and adjustment between one’s own freedoms and the freedoms of others in society.
Q2. When can we be completely free according to Gardiner?
Ans. We can be completely free in matters that do not touch or affect anybody else’s liberty. In purely personal choices that have no impact on others, we may do as we please without needing anyone’s permission.
Q3. What unusual example does Gardiner give of personal freedom?
Ans. Gardiner gives the example of choosing to walk down the Strand (a famous London street) in a dressing-gown with long hair and bare feet. This eccentric appearance is a personal choice that doesn’t harm anyone.
Q4. What does “accommodation of interests” mean?
Ans. “Accommodation of interests” means adjusting, balancing, and harmonizing different people’s needs, desires, and freedoms so that everyone can coexist peacefully. It requires compromise and mutual consideration rather than absolute individual freedom.
Q5. What two liberties does Gardiner mention at the end of this extract?
Ans. The two liberties mentioned are: others’ liberty to laugh at someone’s eccentric appearance, and the person’s liberty to be indifferent to others’ opinions and reactions. Both are valid freedoms that don’t interfere with each other.
D.
“I might like to practise on the guitar from midnight till three in the morning. If I went on to the top of a hill to do it, I could please myself, but if I do it out in the streets, the neighbours will remind me that my liberty to play on a guitar must not interfere with their liberty to sleep in quiet. There are a lot of people in the world, and I have to accommodate my liberty to their liberties.”
Q1. What example does Gardiner use to illustrate qualified liberty?
Ans. Gardiner uses the example of practicing guitar from midnight till three in the morning to illustrate how our liberty becomes qualified (limited) when it affects others. This shows the difference between private and public liberty.
Q2. Where could the person practice guitar freely and why?
Ans. The person could practice guitar freely on top of a hill because there are no neighbors to disturb in that isolated location. When no one else is affected, complete personal freedom exists.
Q3. What would happen if someone practiced guitar in the streets at night?
Ans. If someone practiced guitar in the streets at night, the neighbors would object and remind them that their liberty to play music must not interfere with the neighbors’ liberty to sleep peacefully and quietly.
Q4. What two conflicting liberties are mentioned in this example?
Ans. The two conflicting liberties are: (1) the guitar player’s liberty to practice their instrument whenever they choose, and (2) the neighbors’ liberty to sleep in peace and quiet without disturbance during nighttime hours.
Q5. What principle does this example teach about living in society?
Ans. This example teaches that “I have to accommodate my liberty to their liberties.” Our personal liberty of action becomes qualified by other people’s liberties once we’re in populated areas. We must show consideration for others’ rights and balance our freedoms with theirs.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Q1. What is the central theme of “The Rule of the Road”?
A. Traffic regulations
B. Balance between individual liberty and social responsibility
C. Police authority
D. Russian Revolution
Ans. B. Balance between individual liberty and social responsibility
Q2. Where did the incident of the stout old lady take place?
A. London
B. Moscow
C. Petrograd
D. Paris
Ans. C. Petrograd
Q3. What did the stout old lady say when told to use the pavement?
A. “I don’t care about rules”
B. “I’m going to walk where I like. We’ve got liberty now”
C. “Mind your own business”
D. “The road is safer”
Ans. B. “I’m going to walk where I like. We’ve got liberty now”
Q4. What does the policeman at Piccadilly Circus symbolize?
A. Tyranny
B. Authority
C. Liberty
D. Oppression
Ans. C. Liberty
Q5. What is a Blue-book?
A. A novel
B. A government report
C. A diary
D. A poetry collection
Ans. B. A government report
Q6. Why was Gardiner reading the Blue-book?
A. For pleasure
B. For passing time
C. For work, to earn money
D. For entertainment
Ans. C. For work, to earn money
Q7. Who disturbed Gardiner during his train journey?
A. A child
B. A loud, pompous passenger
C. The ticket collector
D. A street musician
Ans. B. A loud, pompous passenger
Q8. What was the loud passenger lacking?
A. Education
B. Social sense
C. Money
D. Manners in eating
Ans. B. Social sense
Q9. According to Gardiner, liberty is:
A. Doing whatever we want
B. A social contract
C. Absolute freedom
D. Only for the rich
Ans. B. A social contract
Q10. What does “accommodation of interests” mean?
A. Finding hotel rooms
B. Balancing different people’s freedoms
C. Compromising quality
D. Sharing resources
Ans. B. Balancing different people’s freedoms
Q11. What example does Gardiner give of complete personal liberty?
A. Driving fast
B. Walking down the Strand in a dressing-gown
C. Playing loud music
D. Building a house
Ans. B. Walking down the Strand in a dressing-gown
Q12. What instrument does Gardiner use as an example?
A. Piano
B. Violin
C. Guitar
D. Drums
Ans. C. Guitar
Q13. Where could someone practice guitar freely at midnight?
A. In the streets
B. In the living room
C. On top of a hill
D. In the basement
Ans. C. On top of a hill
Q14. What is the foundation of social conduct?
A. Wealth
B. Education
C. Reasonable consideration for others’ rights
D. Following all rules blindly
Ans. C. Reasonable consideration for others’ rights
Q15. Who is Friend X in the essay?
A. A person who loves street pianos
B. A person who hates street pianos
C. A musician
D. A policeman
Ans. B. A person who hates street pianos
Q16. What does the distinguished lady love?
A. Classical music
B. Street pianos
C. Silence
D. Opera
Ans. B. Street pianos
Q17. What should we be according to Gardiner?
A. Complete anarchists
B. Complete socialists
C. A judicious mixture of both
D. Neither
Ans. C. A judicious mixture of both
Q18. What would unlimited liberty lead to?
A. Happiness
B. Universal chaos
C. Social order
D. Economic growth
Ans. B. Universal chaos
Q19. What does Gardiner say about great moments of heroism?
A. They are common
B. They are rare
C. They are unnecessary
D. They are easy
Ans. B. They are rare
Q20. What makes up the great sum of life?
A. Heroic deeds
B. Wealth and power
C. Little habits of commonplace intercourse
D. Education
Ans. C. Little habits of commonplace intercourse
True or False
Identify whether the following statements are true or false-
1. The stout old lady was walking on the pavement when advised to move.
2. The policeman at Piccadilly Circus symbolizes tyranny.
3. Liberty is described as a social contract.
4. Gardiner was reading a Blue-book for pleasure.
5. The loud passenger had excellent social sense.
6. We can be completely free in matters that don’t affect others.
7. Gardiner suggests we should be complete anarchists.
8. Friend X loves street pianos.
9. The foundation of social conduct is consideration for others.
10. Individual liberty without limits leads to social order.
Answers:
1. False
2. False
3. True
4. False
5. False
6. True
7. False
8. False
9. True
10. False
Fill in the Blanks-
1. The stout old lady was walking in ________.
2. The policeman at Piccadilly Circus symbolizes ________, not tyranny.
3. Liberty is an ________ of interests.
4. A Blue-book is a ________ report.
5. The loud passenger lacked ________ sense.
6. The foundation of social conduct is reasonable ________ for others.
7. Gardiner uses the ________ as an example of qualified liberty.
8. We should be a ________ mixture of anarchism and socialism.
9. Friend X hates ________ pianos.
10. Great moments of heroism are ________.
Answers:
1. Petrograd
2. liberty
3. accommodation
4. government
5. social
6. consideration
7. guitar
8. judicious
9. street
10.rare
Extra Questions
Answer the following questions briefly
Q1. What was wrong with the old lady’s understanding of liberty?
Ans. The old lady believed liberty meant absolute freedom to do whatever she pleased without restrictions. She failed to understand that such unlimited freedom would lead to universal chaos, as everyone would interfere with everyone else. True liberty requires balancing individual freedom with others’ freedoms.
Q2. Why does Gardiner compare the policeman to a symbol of liberty?
Ans. Gardiner compares the policeman to liberty because by regulating traffic and curtailing individual freedoms, he creates social order. Without his intervention, Piccadilly Circus would become an uncrossable chaos. His restrictions paradoxically preserve genuine freedom for everyone.
Q3. What is meant by “getting liberty-drunk”?
Ans. “Getting liberty-drunk” means becoming intoxicated with the idea of freedom without understanding its limitations and responsibilities. It refers to people who interpret liberty as license to do whatever they want, regardless of consequences or impact on others’ freedoms.
Q4. Why couldn’t Gardiner concentrate on reading in the train?
Ans. Gardiner couldn’t concentrate because a pompous passenger entered and talked loudly about various subjects throughout the journey. Reading for work requires reasonable quiet, unlike pleasure reading. The continuous loud conversation made concentration impossible despite the passenger’s well-intentioned nature.
Q5. What does “clubbable man” mean?
Ans. A “clubbable man” is someone with social sense—awareness of others’ needs and appropriate behavior in shared spaces. Such a person recognizes boundaries, respects others’ requirements for quiet or privacy, and adjusts their behavior accordingly in communal settings.
Q6. Why must someone learning guitar minimize noise?
Ans. Someone learning guitar must minimize noise because while entitled to practice at home, they have a responsibility to limit nuisance to neighbors. Practicing in the attic with closed windows shows consideration for neighbors’ liberty to enjoy peace, especially on Sunday afternoons.
Q7. What conflict exists between Friend X and the distinguished lady?
Ans. Friend X hates street pianos and rushes to drive them away, while the distinguished lady loves them and attracts them. Both preferences are equally reasonable, creating a seemingly unsolvable conflict where neither party is wrong but their liberties directly clash.
Q8. Why can’t we be complete anarchists or complete socialists?
Ans. We can’t be complete anarchists because unlimited individual freedom leads to chaos. We can’t be complete socialists because total collective control eliminates personal freedom. A judicious mixture preserves both individual liberty in personal matters and social order through reasonable restrictions.
Q9. What role do small acts play in civilization?
Ans. Small acts of commonplace courtesy and consideration constitute the great sum of life. Unlike rare heroic moments, these little daily habits of respecting others’ rights and feelings determine whether we are civilized. They sweeten or embitter life’s journey.
Q10. What lesson does the guitar example teach?
Ans. The guitar example teaches that personal liberty becomes qualified when it affects others. While we can practice freely in isolation, in populated areas we must accommodate our liberty to neighbors’ liberties, showing consideration for their right to peace and quiet.