diff --git a/chapter05/binutils-pass2.xml b/chapter05/binutils-pass2.xml
index c281f92fa..4e3dcb9f6 100644
--- a/chapter05/binutils-pass2.xml
+++ b/chapter05/binutils-pass2.xml
@@ -86,10 +86,16 @@ RANLIB=$LFS_TGT-ranlib         \
       <varlistentry>
         <term><parameter>--with-sysroot</parameter></term>
         <listitem>
-          <para>The sysroot feature enables the linker to find shared objects
-          which are required by other shared objects explicitly included on the
-          linker's command line. Without this, some packages may not build
-          successfully on some hosts.</para>
+          <para>This defines a default (non-existent) sysroot directory
+          <filename class="directory">/tools/$LFS_TGT/sys-root</filename>.
+          It is useful when looking for shared objects which are required by
+          other shared objects explicitly included on the linker's command
+          line. Those objects are searched into the directories listed in
+          <filename>&lt;sysroot&gt;/etc/ld.so.conf</filename>, and failing
+          that, into the linker search path, which is right. If this switch
+          is not given, <filename>/etc/ld.so.conf</filename> on the host
+          is used, that is, programs may be linked to libraries on
+          the host, which we want to avoid.</para>
         </listitem>
       </varlistentry>
 
diff --git a/chapter05/libstdc++.xml b/chapter05/libstdc++.xml
index 6c3b3d27b..42a304bfe 100644
--- a/chapter05/libstdc++.xml
+++ b/chapter05/libstdc++.xml
@@ -82,8 +82,8 @@ cd       build</userinput></screen>
       <varlistentry>
         <term><parameter>--disable-libstdcxx-threads</parameter></term>
         <listitem>
-          <para>Since we have not yet built the C threads library, the C++
-          one cannot be built either.</para>
+          <para>Since gcc-pass1 is built without thread support, the C++
+          thread library cannot be built either.</para>
         </listitem>
       </varlistentry>