Important Questions Chapter 5 English Rainbow Part 2 Class 12 Bihar Board बिहार बोर्ड

Ideas that have Helped Mankind

Short Questions with Answers

1. Who wrote “Ideas That Have Helped Mankind” ?

Answers : Bertrand Russell wrote “Ideas That Have Helped Mankind.”

2. What was Bertrand Russell known for?

Answers : He was a philosopher, historian, mathematician, and advocate for social reform.

3. What is Russell’s main focus in his writings?

Answers : His writings emphasize reason, intelligence, peace, and liberty.

4. Which prestigious award did Bertrand Russell receive in 1950?

Answers : He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.

5. What does Russell say about the first human species?

Answers : He mentions that early humans lived in jungles and caves, facing many dangers.

6. What biological advantage did early humans have?

Answers : Their intelligence was their main advantage.

7. What role did fire play in human development?

Answers : Fire provided warmth, protection, and the beginnings of cooking.

8. What is one of the earliest forms of human invention?

Answers : The utilization of fire was an early and important invention.

9. How did the domestication of animals help humans?

Answers : It made life more secure and provided resources like milk and meat.

10. What did Russell say about early agriculture?

Answers : It introduced food security but also harmful practices like human sacrifice.

11. What is the significance of writing, according to Russell?

Answers : Writing helped preserve and share knowledge across generations.

12. How does Russell describe human happiness compared to animals?

Answers : Humans often worry about the future, unlike animals, which live in the moment.

13. What does Russell say about diversity in human enjoyment?

Answers : Humans enjoy a wide range of activities that animals cannot.

14. What two qualities distinguish humans from animals?

Answers : Intelligence and moral development set humans apart from animals.

15. What does Russell think about humans becoming more like animals?

Answers : He believes humans have become progressively less like animals over time.

16. How does Russell describe human forethought?

Answers : It helps prevent disasters but often causes anxiety.

17. What were some early religious practices tied to agriculture?

Answers : They included sacrifices and rituals aimed at ensuring fertility.

18. What is the relationship between civilization and friendliness, according to Russell?

Answers : Civilization has made humans friendlier within their own groups.

19. What does Russell say about moral progress in humans?

Answers : He is not very hopeful about humans becoming more humane.

20. How did language contribute to human progress?

Answers : It allowed the sharing of knowledge and the passing of skills.

Medium Questions with Answers

1. What is the main idea of “Ideas That Have Helped Mankind” ?

Answers : The essay discusses how ideas like intelligence, language, and morality have shaped humanity. These ideas have made humans more advanced and different from animals. However, they have also introduced challenges like anxiety and conflict.

2. What does Russell say about early human survival?

Answers : Early humans lived in fear of animals and struggled for food. Their intelligence gradually helped them overcome these difficulties. This intelligence was passed down to future generations, leading to progress.

3. How does Russell describe the effect of intelligence on humans?

Answers : Intelligence helps humans create new tools and enjoy diverse experiences. However, it also brings worry and stress about the future. This makes humans both advanced and more anxious than animals.

4. Why does Russell think diversity of enjoyment is important?

Answers : Humans enjoy things like music, science, and sports that animals cannot. These activities make life richer and more fulfilling. However, they also make humans prone to boredom when they lack stimulation.

5. How did the use of fire change human life?

Answers : Fire provided safety, warmth, and the ability to cook food. It also helped humans stay alive in harsh conditions. Over time, fire became a key tool in human progress.

6. What does Russell say about the domestication of animals?

Answers : Domestic animals like cows and sheep provided food and security. Some believe early humans tamed animals they worshipped. This practice helped certain groups thrive over others.

7. What role did agriculture play in human development?

Answers : Agriculture made food production more reliable and changed human life. However, it also brought cruel practices like human sacrifices. Over time, these practices faded as knowledge improved.

8. Why does Russell value writing as an invention?

Answers : Writing allowed humans to preserve and share ideas across generations. It began as pictures and slowly evolved into letters. Writing was crucial for creating history and advancing knowledge.

9. How does Russell view humans’ relationship with fear and anxiety?

Answers : Humans suffer not only from real dangers but also from imagined ones. Forethought helps them plan but also creates stress. This makes humans less carefree than animals.

10. What are the two kinds of ideas that helped mankind, according to Russell?

Answers : Ideas about knowledge and technique improved human life physically. Ideas about morals and politics shaped society and relationships. Both types are essential for human progress.

11. How does Russell describe the impact of civilization on morality?

Answers : Civilization has made people kinder to those within their group. However, it has not removed hostility toward outsiders. This dual nature of humans remains a challenge.

12. What does Russell hope for humanity’s moral future?

Answers : He hopes humans will become more humane and compassionate. Though progress has been slow, he believes kindness can grow. This vision is vital for a better society.

Long Questions with Answers

1. How does Russell explain the difference between humans and animals?

Answers : Humans are different from animals because of their intelligence and morality. They use forethought to plan and create new things. Unlike animals, humans can enjoy diverse activities like art and science. However, these advancements often come with stress and anxiety.

2. What does Russell say about early inventions like fire and agriculture?

Answers : Fire provided safety, warmth, and the ability to cook food, improving life. Agriculture brought food security but also harmful practices like human sacrifice. Over time, humans improved these systems. These inventions marked the beginning of human progress.

3. What does Russell think about human happiness compared to animals?

Answers : Russell believes humans are less happy because they worry about the future. Animals live in the moment and avoid such stress. While humans have more pleasures, they also suffer from boredom and anxiety. This shows progress has both benefits and drawbacks.

4. Why does Russell consider writing an important invention?

Answers : Writing preserved knowledge and allowed communication across generations. It started as simple pictures and evolved into complex alphabets. Writing made history, science, and culture possible. It is one of the most important tools for human progress.

5. What does Russell say about human morality and friendliness?

Answers : Humans are kinder within their groups but remain hostile to outsiders. Civilization has improved moral behavior in some ways. However, human intelligence can also make cruelty more dangerous. Russell hopes for more progress in this area.

6. How did religious beliefs affect early human practices?

Answers : Early humans tied agriculture to rituals like human sacrifice. They believed sacrifices pleased gods and ensured fertility. Over time, such beliefs were replaced by better knowledge. This shows how ideas and progress changed society.

7. What does Russell say about the role of knowledge and technique?

Answers : Knowledge and technique helped humans survive and grow in numbers. Early tools, language, and fire were crucial to progress. These ideas also allowed humans to shape their environment. Knowledge continues to be a key driver of human success.

8. What lessons does Russell draw from human progress?

Answers : Russell believes progress has made humans intelligent and resourceful. However, it also brought challenges like worry and conflict. He emphasizes the need for balance between advancement and moral growth. This balance is essential for a better future.