1. What government should do for these lakes?
The government should do many things for these lakes. The government should spend money to maintain these places. The government should impose some rules and regulations for tourists so that they don’t litter the place. There should be strict fine for those who violate these rules. There should be dust bins at regular intervals. Government should have a nominal fee for visitors which can be used for the upkeep of the lakes. The government can promote these lakes as places for tourism through the media.
2. What are the water sports?
There are many water sports such as swimming, boating, canoeing, rafting, SCUBA diving, snorkeling, surfing, fishing and rowing.
3. Why people choose these sports?
People choose these sports because these sports are great fun. Some of these sports are full of adventure such as SCUBA diving and white-water rafting.
4. What are the sports which you can play near the water?
There are many sports which are played on beaches such as beach volleyball, beach soccer, beach tennis and so on. These sports are just the variants of other sports.
5. What government should do to promote these sports?
The government can do many things to promote these sports. The government can make people aware of these sports by advertising through the media. The government can organise tournaments of such sports. The government should aware people to keep beaches clean in order to provide environment for such sports.
6. Is water transport used nowadays?
Yes, water transport is used nowadays. The naval forces of the country travel on huge ships throughout the oceans to protect their country in times of peace and war. Secondly people take luxury cruises on huge ships. These ships are so huge that they are just like cities floating on water.
Water transport is slower than other means of transport but people like to spend holidays by taking such cruises.
7. What are its advantages and disadvantages?
The advantages are that it is an economical mode for transporting heavy goods. Oceans and rivers are the free gifts of nature. No cost is involved in their construction unlike that of railways and roads. Secondly water transport is regarded as the second line of defense. Finally, as compared to other means of transport, maintenance cost of water transport is very little.
The disadvantages are that it is a much slower than other means of transport. It requires large initial investment and water transport is highly affected by weather conditions.
8. For what purposes water transport were used in the earlier time?
In earlier times, water transport was used to travel to different places. It was also used for transport of all types of goods. But today it is only used to transport heavy goods with a long shelf life. As far as a means of travel is concerned, today people take luxury cruises only. For travelling to other countries air transport is preferred because it is much faster.
9. Would you like to travel through water transport?
I would definitely like to take a pleasure cruise one day when I have enough money but for going to another country I would rather travel by air.
10. Whether water transport will increase in future and why?
I think luxury cruises will gain popularity in the future. Transporting goods by sea will also be there. In future if water transport could be made faster through technology, then perhaps it will be used more.
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1. What is the importance of stories in the development of a child?
Stories play an important role in the development of a child. They help the child imagine the characters in the mind which is the first step to creativity. Another important benefit is that we can impart the knowledge of culture, tradition, moral values and religion in the mind of the child. This forms the basis of the child’s personality. Finally, telling stories enhances the curiosity of the child and enhances their mental growth.
2. What are the benefits of grandparents telling stories to children in the family?
There are many benefits of grandparents telling stories to their grandchildren. This is one of the best ways to pass on our cultural heritage to our children. Another big advantage is that it reduces the loneliness of grandparents. They feel wanted and loved. It is a win-win situation for both. The relationship between grandparents and grandchildren is a symbiotic relation. Parents can find time for other things while grandparents and grandchildren are happily busy with each other.
3. What type of books children read nowadays?
Nowadays, generally speaking, the reading habit of the children is on the decline. Whatever books they read are based on fantasy, fiction and supernatural characters like Barbie, superman and shaktiman.
50 years ago – Children read a lot. They read moral and spiritual books. They read animal stories.
After 50 years – I do not think they will do any reading. All the time will be spent in front of computers.
4. Do you think children have lost their interest in stories?
No, I don’t think that children have lost their interest in stories. However, the stories they read today are very different from the past.
5. Can story books be an ideal gift for children?
Yes, definitely! Story books can be an ideal gift for children. They can help the child imagine the characters in the mind which is the first step to creativity. Another important benefit is that we can impart the knowledge of culture, tradition, moral values and religion in the mind of the child. This forms the basis of the child’s personality. Finally, story books enhance the curiosity of the child and enhance their mental growth.
6. What can be done to encourage the habit of reading among children?
A lot can be done to encourage the habit of reading among children. The first and foremost step would be to make books available. There should be good libraries in the schools as well as in neighbourhoods. Story telling competitions could be organised. If children have to take part in these competitions, then naturally, they would be encouraged to read books. Finally, books could be made more interesting by adding graphics.
7. How does reading help a child?
Reading helps to improve concentration. It also helps to improve general knowledge. It also improves the language skills and satisfies the curiosity of children on various things.
8. What sort of books can be suggested to children to read?
Children should be encouraged to read religious and historical books. They should also read biographies and autobiographies of famous people so that they get motivation from them. They should also be encouraged to read books on science and technology. However, these books should be made very interesting by adding pictures.
9. How much should a child read every day?
A child should read half to one hour daily. I think that would be enough considering that they have to go to school and do their homework as well.
10. What is the difference between the books sold in the past and the books sold nowadays?
In the past, books related to culture, tradition, religion and history were sold. Nowadays, books are mostly based on fiction and fantasy.
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1. 1. Do old people in your country have a comfortable life after retirement?
Those people who have planned their retirement during their earning years have a comfortable life after retirement. But, unfortunately, there are many who cannot save for their retired life. They face many problems such as health problems and financial problems. The small amount of pension they draw is not enough and their children generally do not look after them. They also suffer from isolation as their children and grandchildren do not like to spend time with them.
2. Do teenagers and adults enjoy the same kind of songs?
It depends on the personal taste. Generally speaking, teenagers like songs with fast beats and adults like songs with good lyrics and soft music.
3. What are the factors which make people like a song?
A song should have good lyrics, a good composition, a pleasing voice and a good video to be liked by people.
4. On which occasions do people in your country sing together?
In my country, people sing together on birthday parties, marriages, anniversaries and national holidays like the Independence Day and so on.
5. Which kinds of songs are suitable for children? Why?
I think folk songs are very suitable for children because they keep children connected to our culture and tradition. As it is, today’s children are following the global culture and so, they need to be kept in touch with our traditional culture. Folk songs are a good way to connect with our culture.
6. Do you think that it is important to learn about the oceans and why?
I think it is very important to learn about the oceans. We are directly or indirectly influenced by the oceans. Ocean waters serve as a source of food and valuable minerals such as salt which we use daily in our food. Oceans also are used for commerce. For example, pearls taken from oysters are used in jewelry, and shells and coral are used as building materials. They also provide a place for recreation. Each year more people are attracted to the sports of swimming, fishing, scuba diving, boating, and waterskiing.
7. Do you think the oceans should be protected by international agreement?
Definitely, oceans should be protected by international agreement. Without oceans there would be no life on Earth. We are directly or indirectly influenced by the oceans. Ocean waters serve as a source of food and valuable minerals such as salt which we use daily in our food. Oceans also are used for commerce. For example, pearls taken from oysters are used in jewelry, and shells and coral are used as building materials. They also provide a place for recreation. Each year more people are attracted to the sports of swimming, fishing, scuba diving, boating, and waterskiing.
8. Do you think the environmental problems can affect the oceans?
Yes, the environmental problems can definitely affect the oceans. Because of global warming, ocean water is also getting heated up and this is affecting marine life. People and big industries are dumping their effluents in the oceans and this is a cause for alarm.
9. How is the noise level in your city?
My city is an industrial city and on top of that it is on the national highway. So, the noise levels are very high.
10. Where does noise in urban areas come from?
The noise in urban areas comes from pressure horns of vehicles, industries and loud speakers.
11. Do you think it is important to be alone sometimes?
It is very important to be alone sometimes. Everyone needs to introspect at times. One needs to know about ones likes and dislikes and everyone needs time for one’s personal work which can be best done in solitude.
12. What is the importance of belonging to a certain group?
There is a lot of importance of belonging to a social group. Man is a social animal and cannot live alone for long. One needs to share one’s happiness and sorrows with others. That is why we join social groups and feel part of these groups. Social groups are a sort of support system. They give us support when we are low in life. It is mentally unhealthy to be alone for long.
13. What are problem you could have if you go out together in big group?
There could be a lot of problems in a big group. It is difficult to organise a big group. Mismanagement can lead to conflicts. It could end up in a lot of wastage of time. It has been well said that “two is a company and three is a crowd”.
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1. Is it common in your country to buy and send a gift to your friends using the Internet? Why?
It is not common in my country to buy and send a gift using the internet because most people in my country still do not have an internet connection. Moreover, most people still do not have a credit card. A credit card is needed to do shopping on the net. The situation may be different in metropolitan cities like Mumbai and Delhi.
2. Is it easy to buy a present for somebody? Why?
Is it hard for you to choose gifts for others?
No, it is not easy to buy a present for somebody because different people have different tastes. Moreover, the markets today are flooded with choices and it becomes very difficult to select things. The situation is very different if you know the person whom you are buying a gift for, very well.
3. What is better as a present, to give money or to buy something? - Why?
It is better to give money as a gift because then the person could buy anything that he really needs. The gift you buy may not be useful for him at all.
4. Was your gift expensive?
Yes, my gift was very expensive. It was a pearl necklace. It cost me Rs.6000/-. But the person I bought it for is also very special to me.
5. Is it important to you that your gifts are expensive?
It is not important for me that my gifts are expensive. Gifts are gestures of love. I believe that an inexpensive item given with love is better than an expensive item gifted without love.
6. Do you think the person you bought the gift for cares about its price?
I definitely think the person I bought the gift for cares about its price because she knows my financial condition and she also knows that I had to save money for the gift.
7. Are gifts important?
Yes, gifts are very important. Gifts are gestures of love. Unfortunately, nowadays expensive gifts are given as a status symbol and so they have lost their true meaning.
8. In your country, when do you usually give gifts?
In my country we give gifts on birthdays, marriage parties, anniversaries, festivals and so on.
9. What is easier for you: giving or receiving a gift? Why?
Giving a gift is easier for me because when I receive a gift, I feel that I have to return the obligation at some time or the other and so it becomes a burden for me.
OR
It is not easy to give a present to somebody because different people have different tastes. Moreover, the markets today are flooded with choices and it becomes very difficult to select things. The situation is very different if you know the person whom you are buying a gift for, very well.
10. What do you think of shopping on the internet?
I think shopping on the internet is both a boon and a bane. It is a boon because you can buy anything from any corner of the world and at any time of the day or night. It is a boon for the handicapped people who cannot go out for shopping.
On the other hand it is a bane because you don’t get the feel of the thing before buying. Secondly, your credit card number may be hacked and misused. It is also bad for the environment because excessive packaging is done.
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1. What are the benefits of traveling?
There are many benefits of travelling. It is said that travel broadens the mind. We get first-hand knowledge of the people and places. We come to know about the different cultures and lifestyles of people.
2. Do you think it is important to travel?
Yes, it is very important to travel. It is said that travel broadens the mind. We get first-hand knowledge of the people and places. We come to know about the different cultures and lifestyles of people.
3. Should young people go out traveling, when they finish school?
Yes, young people should go out traveling when they finish school because travel broadens the mind. They get first-hand knowledge of the people and places. They come to know about the different cultures and lifestyles of people. They get time to realize what they want to become in life. They can choose their career path. They become independent and mature. They resume their education with added vigour.
OR
No, young people should not go traveling after high school because they are not mature enough to travel alone at that age and moreover, they find it difficult to resume studies after a long gap. They may also face food and language problems. This concept of traveling after high school is common in the western countries but it is not accepted very well in India. It is considered wastage of money and time here.
4. Do you prefer to travel alone or with others? Would you prefer traveling alone or with someone? Why?
I would prefer to travel with others because I would not get bored and also I would feel secure because there is always security in numbers.
5. What are the advantages of traveling alone?
There are many advantages of traveling alone. You become more independent as you have to face and solve all your problems alone. Moreover, when you travel alone, you make new friends and sometimes such friendships last a lifetime.
6. Are there any problems related to traveling with others?
Yes, there are some problems related to travelling with others. You do not get a chance to make new friends. You may want to do some activity like skiing but your partner may not be interested.
7. What qualities does a person need to be a good traveling companion?
A good traveling companion should be co-operative and adjusting. He should have a good sense of humour. He should be fun loving. His tastes should be similar to yours.
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