Class 9 English Chapter 1 Important Question Answers - The Fun they had

Q1. How was the book that Tommy found different from his own books ?

Ans: The book that Tommy found was an old, real book that belonged to his grandfather's grandfather. It had crinkly, yellow pages, while Tommy's books were tale books created by mechanical teachers and computers.

Q2. What kind of book did Tommy show to Margie?

Ans: The book Tommy showed to Margie was an old book that belonged to his grandfather. It had crinkly yellow pages with stories printed on paper, where the words remained still instead of moving on a screen.

Q3. Why did Margie hope that the County Inspector would take away her mechanical teacher?

Ans: Margie hoped that the County Inspector would take away her mechanical teacher because she had been struggling with her geography tests. Her poor performance led to a growing dislike for school, making her wish for a change.

Q4. Tommy thought the old books were funny and a big waste. Why?

Ans: Tommy found the old books to be a waste because the words remained still, unlike the moving text on the screens. He believed they were inefficient since, once read, they could not be reused like the television screen of their mechanical teacher.

Q5. What did County Inspector do to improve Margie’s performance?

Ans: The County Inspector discovered that the geography sector was set too fast for Margie. He adjusted it to a more suitable pace, aligning it with an average ten-year level. Overall, he found Margie's progress to be quite satisfactory.

Q6. What kind of teachers did Margie and Tommy have?

Ans: Margie and Tommy had mechanical teachers, which were essentially computers, along with telebooks. Their school did not have a separate building; instead, they learned at home. The robotic teachers provided lessons and graded their work, always ready for them.

Q7. Why did Margie hate school?

Ans: Margie hated school because it was just a room in her house, and her teacher was a mechanical one. This teacher constantly gave her tests in geography, which she found frustrating. The answers had to be written in a punch code, and although the results were given immediately, Margie was doing worse each time. This made her dislike school even more.

Q8. What differences do you find in present school and the school described in the lesson ‘The Fun They Had’ ?

Ans: In present-day schools, students learn together in a physical building, and teachers are real people. In contrast, the school described in 'The Fun They Had' takes place at home, where the teacher is a mechanical device. This highlights a significant shift in the educational experience.

Q9. How does Tommy describe the old kind of teachers?

Ans: Tommy describes the old teachers as non-mechanical educators who taught in a dedicated building where all children gathered to learn. These teachers engaged with students by asking questions and assigning homework.

Q10. Why did Margie find the book strange?

Ans: The book seemed strange to Margie because it had yellow and crinkly pages. Unlike the words on a screen that moved, the words in the book stood still. When they flipped back to previous pages, the words were exactly the same as when they first read them. All these features were unusual for her.

Q11. Why did Margie’s mother sent for the County Inspector? What did he do?

Ans: Margie's mother called for the County Inspector because Margie was struggling with her geography tests. The inspector, a small man with a red face, arrived with tools to examine the mechanical teacher.

He took the teacher apart and discovered that the geography section was set to a level that was too advanced for Margie. After adjusting it to a more suitable pace, he reassured her mother that Margie's overall progress was satisfactory. This adjustment helped Margie feel more comfortable with her studies.

Q12. In spite of all the comforts and luxuries in today’s world, our grandparents still cherish their own time when life was quite tough. Give your own views regarding this in 80-100 words.

Ans: Our grandparents grew up between the 1950s and 1970s, a time when life was both simple and challenging. They had the opportunity to explore their surroundings, enjoying parks with less pollution. While mechanical gadgets existed, they were used sparingly for essential tasks. They could picnic by rivers without worrying about allergies. School was a place of fun, where friendships flourished without the pressure of competition. Togetherness was valued over rivalry. In contrast, today’s world is filled with competition, despite having numerous facilities. We often find ourselves playing on computers instead of spending quality time with family and friends.

Q13. How was Margie’s school different from the schools that existed hundreds of years ago?

Ans: Margie’s school was quite different from schools of the past. She studied at home with a mechanical teacher and used telebooks. There were no other students, and her lessons were delivered through punch codes. In contrast, traditional schools had physical buildings, many students, and human teachers who assigned homework and engaged in discussions. Everyone learned the same subjects, and books were made of paper. This stark difference highlights how Margie’s school experience was unlike the schools that existed hundreds of years ago.

Q14. How is Margie’s school different from a normal school ?

Ans: Margie’s school was quite different from a normal school. She learned from a computer in a room designed for her lessons. There were no teachers present to guide the students, and no homework was assigned. The computer-administered tests and provided results immediately. Additionally, there was no one to correct mistakes or assist with problems, and Margie had no classmates to interact with. Overall, Margie’s school experience was very unlike that of a traditional school.

Q15. ‘Machines can’t replace human beings.’ Explain this in 80-100 words with reference to the Lesson ‘The Fun They Had’.

Ans: A teacher's role extends beyond simply delivering lessons; they must also understand their students' mindsets. Unlike a computer instructor, a human teacher can connect emotionally with students, creating a comfortable learning environment. This emotional connection is essential for addressing individual challenges and fostering a supportive atmosphere. While machines can provide information, they lack the ability to impart values and lessons effectively. Therefore, teaching is best accomplished by a person who can engage with students on a deeper level.