2nd Year English: Prose & Heroes, Mr. Chips

• These notes cover important questions for the 2nd Year English exam, focusing on "Modern Prose & Heroes" and "Mr. Chips".
• The questions are divided by units and cover a range of topics within each unit.

Unit 1

• Questions explore the Earth's origins, the possibility of life on other stars, and the universe's nature.
• Asks about the beginning and appearance of life on Earth.

Unit 2

• Focuses on the impact of the scientific method on various aspects of life.
• Addresses its role in disease control, health improvement, overcoming fears, water usage and food production.
• Includes a question comparing city sanitation conditions over time.

Unit 3

• The financial pressures and mistaken ambitions contribute towards student failure.
• What the role of a college dean is and advice for lazy students.
• What place would be accorded to sports men in college?
• Why do some talented boys fail in college?

Unit 4

• Explores Daiches' attitude towards weekends and school life.
• Asks about his general views on school.
• Daiches' wishes, holiday preferences, summer activities, and spending habits are questioned.

Unit 5

• Discusses the act of destroying books and the reasons behind it.
• Why it is difficult to destroy books and what should be done with unwanted books.
• Why people want to get rid of useless and old books.

Unit 6

• Focuses on a writer's medical experience and visit to a doctor.
• Asks about the prescription, visit to the chemist, suspicion about liver issues, and a visit to the British Museum.
• It inquires about a disease the writer thought he had.

Unit 7

• Centers on a writer's experience at a bank.
• Why a bank manager thought Leacock had secrets to tell and his feelings upon entering the bank.
• The manager's attitude upon learning the writer only wanted to deposit $56.
• Asks about the mistakes the writer made in the bank and the reaction of bank officials when he left.

Unit 8

• Looks at the changing attitudes towards China and aspects of Chinese life.
• Includes the life of a Chinese student, as well as social security benefits for Chinese women and workers.
• Discusses the Chinese agricultural system and the country's reliance on its own resources.

Unit 9

• Examines population-related issues.
• These are the reasons for high birth rates in advanced countries and the causes of famines.
• It also considers the primary reason for population increase.

Unit 10

• Focuses on Abdul-Rehman's escape and his rule.
• This includes his dramatic escape, his dealings with the Abbasid Caliph's governor, and his contributions to Cordova.
• Asks about Al-Hakam's efforts to promote learning and Abdul-al-Rehman's efforts to strengthen his rule.

Unit 11

• Centers on Churchill's academic experiences, particularly with Latin and English.
• It aska about his struggles with examinations, the teaching methods of Mr. Somervell, and the value of his time at Harrow.

Unit 12

• Describes the Sahara Desert and Christopher's adventure.
• This covers the size and location of the Sahara, Christopher's journey, and the challenges faced crossing the desert. Also, it discusses the town of Ghardaia.

Unit 13

• Focuses on antiseptics, leukocytes, and penicillin.
• Includes questions about the antiseptic method, the importance of white blood cells, and the discovery and benefits of penicillin.
• The discovery of Penicillin and the early life of Fleming.

Unit 14

• Asks a single question: What is spontaneous generation?

Unit 15

• Centers on Mustafa Kamal's activities and reforms in Turkey.
• Includes his assignment to Anatolia, his activities there, and the Turkish government's attitude towards the Allies.
• Inquires about the reforms he introduced, including changes in the dress code for women, improvements to the Turkish language, and advancements in education and industry.

MR. Chips (Most Important SQs)

• Discusses the character Mr. Chips and his life at Brookfield school.
• Asks about his handling of his first class and reasons for leaving Melbury Public School.
• Looks at his ambitions, a description of Brookfield.
• Also includes the rise and fall of Brookfield and the kinds of people it produced.
• The relationships between Chips and other characters like Collingwood, Mrs. Wickett, Katherine Bridges and Ralston.
• His views on various topics, and significant events in his life, such as his marriage, Katherine's death, and his experiences during World War.
• Also explores his personality, teaching style, and the impact he had on the students and the school.

Most Important Essays

• Lists potential essay topics, including career aspirations, leisure activities, sports, historical figures, and the importance of education.
• Covers broader themes like patriotism, science, terrorism and the role of women in society.

Most Important Idioms

• Lists a series of idioms, which are grouped three numbers per line.
• Idioms range from common phrases such as "black sheep" and "a bird's eye view" - to more complex expressions.