Assignment: The Fun They Had | English Class 9 PDF Download

Comprehension Questions (MCQs)

Read the excerpt and answer the questions:

"Margie was thinking about the old schools they had when her grandfather’s grandfather was a little boy. All the kids from the whole neighborhood came, laughing and shouting in the schoolyard, sitting together in the schoolroom, going home together at the end of the day..."

Q1: What made Margie think about old schools?
(a) A dream she had
(b) The mechanical teacher’s lesson
(c) The book Tommy found
(d) Her mother’s story
Correct option: (c)
Explanation: Tommy found an old printed book about school, which made Margie curious.

Q2: How did Margie imagine the old schools?
(a) Lonely and boring
(b) Fun and full of laughter
(c) Difficult and strict
(d) Exactly like her virtual school
Correct option: (b)
Explanation: Margie imagined old schools as social and enjoyable places.

Q3: What feature of old schools surprised Margie?
(a) That they had holidays
(b) That they used paper
(c) That the teacher was a man
(d) That they didn’t use code
Correct option: (c)
Explanation: She found it odd that a human could be a teacher.

Q4: Why did Tommy laugh at Margie?
(a) She liked the mechanical teacher
(b) She didn’t know about old schools
(c) She thought e-books were better
(d) She hated history
Correct option: (b)
Explanation: Tommy laughed at her ignorance of traditional schooling.

Q5: What did Margie dislike most about her mechanical teacher?
(a) The screen brightness
(b) The test slot
(c) The timing
(d) The voice
Correct option: (b)
Explanation: She hated inserting homework into the slot and getting instant marks.

Short Answer Questions

Q1: Why did Margie hate her school?
Ans: Margie hated school because of the mechanical teacher’s strictness, the boring lessons, and the constant tests. She found it dull and isolating.

Q2: How did the County Inspector help Margie?
Ans: He adjusted the geography sector’s speed to match Margie’s level and reassured her mother that Margie’s overall progress was fine.

Q3: Why was Margie interested in the old book?
Ans: The idea of children going to school together and being taught by a human fascinated her because it was so different from her lonely learning experience.

Q4: Where was Margie’s school and who were her classmates?
Ans: Margie’s school was a room next to her bedroom, and she had no classmates. All lessons were done individually with a machine.

Q5: What did Margie imagine about schools in the past?
Ans: Margie imagined children laughing, playing, studying together, and being taught by a human in a real building. She thought it must have been fun.

Character Sketch

Creative Writing Task

Q1:  Write a paragraph on topic- "Would You Prefer Studying in a Virtual Classroom or a Traditional One?" Word limit: 120–150 words

Ans: Would You Prefer Studying in a Virtual Classroom or a Traditional One?

​Studying in a virtual classroom has some clear advantages. It allows students to learn from the comfort of their homes and saves time spent on travelling. It also offers flexibility, as classes can be recorded and watched later. However, it has its drawbacks. Students often feel distracted at home and miss out on face-to-face interaction with teachers and friends.

On the other hand, traditional classrooms provide a focused learning environment and encourage better communication and group activities. They help students stay disciplined and social. But they can also be tiring due to long hours and travel, and sometimes students may feel shy to speak up in front of others.

Personally, I prefer traditional classrooms. Being around classmates and teachers keeps me motivated and helps me learn better. Though virtual learning is helpful, I enjoy the real connection and experiences a school brings.

Vocabulary Activity: Guess the Word

(a) Clue: This word means 'in a mocking or superior way'.
Word: Loftily
Explanation: Tommy used this tone when explaining about old schools.

(b) Clue: This adverb means 'without showing interest or enthusiasm'.
Word: Nonchalantly
Explanation: Tommy walked away nonchalantly with the book under his arm.

(c) Clue: This means 'having many folds or lines', often used for old paper.
Word: Crinkly
Explanation: The pages of the printed book were yellow and crinkly.

(d) Clue: A space in a device where Margie inserted her homework.
Word: Slot
Explanation: Margie disliked putting her test papers into the machine's slot.

(e) Clue: This adjective means 'showing you think something is worthless'.
Word: Scornful
Explanation: Margie was scornful about reading a book on school.