Class 9 English Chapter 4 Question Answers - A Truly Beautiful Mind

Q1. What did Einstein’s mother think him to be? Why?

Ans: Einstein's mother considered him a freak due to his unusually large head, which made him appear different from other children. This perception stemmed from her concern about his behaviour and physical appearance, leading her to view him as having an abnormality.

Q2. Einstein showed no early signs of his genius one day. Comment.

Ans: As a child, Einstein exhibited no signs of his future genius. He had a large head and did not begin speaking until he was two-and-a-half years old. When he finally spoke, he repeated everything twice. His social interactions were limited; he often played alone and was nicknamed "Brother Boring" by his peers. These traits suggested a lack of early brilliance.

Q3. What did Einstein’s playmates call him? Why?

Ans: Einstein's playmates called him ‘Brother Boring’ because he struggled to connect with them. He found their games uninteresting and did not know how to interact with other children. Additionally, he did not speak until he was two-and-a-half years old, and when he did, he repeated each word twice. This made him seem dull to his peers.

Q4. Why does the world remember Einstein as a “world citizen”?

Ans: The world remembers Einstein as a world citizen because, in the latter part of his life, he focused on promoting peace and the well-being of all people, rather than just his own country. He evolved from being merely a scientific genius to a visionary who believed that a world government was essential for resolving conflicts between nations.

Q5. What kind of toys attracted the attention of Einstein when he was a child? Why?

Ans: As a child, Einstein was drawn to mechanical toys rather than the company of other children, reflecting his scientific temperament. His introverted nature meant he preferred toys that operated on scientific principles, which captivated his interest and curiosity.

Q6. Why did Einstein try to look for wheels on the body of his newlyborn sister?

Ans: Einstein had a strong fascination with mechanical toys and displayed scientific curiosity from a young age. When his sister, Maja, was born, he viewed her as a new toy. This led him to amusingly wonder where her wheels were, reflecting his playful mindset.

Q7. What was the opinion of the school headmaster about Einstein?

Ans: The school headmaster viewed Einstein as a good-for-nothing boy, believing he would never succeed in any profession. He felt that Einstein's choice of career would not affect the outcome of his efforts.

Q8. Which musical instrument did Einstein begin to learn? Why?

Ans: Einstein began learning to play the violin at the age of six because his mother wanted him to. He maintained this interest throughout his life and became a gifted amateur violinist.

Q9. How did Einstein perform in various subjects while studying in Munich?

Ans: As a child, Einstein was initially slow to learn. However, while studying in Munich, he made significant progress in almost all subjects and achieved good marks. He particularly excelled in Physics and Mathematics.

Q10. Why did Einstein leave school in Munich?

Ans: Einstein left school in Munich due to the stifling environment that hindered his scientific curiosity. The strict discipline and rigid rules led to frequent conflicts with his teachers. He felt that such an atmosphere was unsuitable for a liberal person like himself, prompting his decision to leave.

Q11. Why did Einstein shift to Switzerland to continue his education?

Ans: Einstein moved to the German-speaking part of Switzerland to continue his education after leaving his school in Munich midway. This new location offered a more liberal environment, which suited Einstein's curious and free-spirited nature.

Q12. Why did Einstein see an ally in Mileva Maric?

Ans: Einstein viewed Mileva Maric, his Serbian classmate, as an ally because they both opposed the philistines—those who dismissed art and culture. Their shared interests drew them together, leading to a deep affection and eventual love.

Q13. What did Einstein call his desk drawer at the patent office? Why?

Ans: Einstein humorously referred to his desk drawer at the patent office as the "Bureau of Theoretical Physics." He made this joke because, while his job involved evaluating others' inventions, he was secretly working on his own ideas related to his passion for physics.

Q14. Why did Einstein’s mother not want him to marry Mileva?

Ans: Einstein's mother had two main reasons for opposing his marriage to Mileva. Firstly, she believed that Mileva was too old for her son, as she wasthree years older. Secondly, she felt that Mileva was excessivelyintelligent, referring to her as "a book" like Einstein himself.

Q15. Why did Einstein’s marriage with Mileva not survive long?

Ans: Although Einstein and Mileva were once in love, their marriage did not last. Over time, Mileva lost her intellectual ambition and became a frustrated housewife. Frequent arguments between the couple led to their divorce in 1919.

Q16. What was the new personal chapter in Einstein’s life? How did it coincide with his fame?

Ans: The new personal chapter in Einstein's life began with his marriage to his cousin Elsa in 1919, shortly after his divorce from Mileva. This significant change coincided with his rise to global fame, following the validation of his General Theory of Relativity, published in 1915. The theory gained recognition when an eclipse of the sun in 1919 confirmed Einstein's predictions about the deflection of light due to the sun's gravitational field.

Q17. When and for what did Einstein gain international fame?

Ans: Einstein gained international fame in 1919 when his paper on the General Theory of Relativity was confirmed as accurate. His predictions about the deflection of light from stars during a solar eclipse were proven correct, marking this event as a significant scientific revolution.

Q18. How was Einstein honoured for his achievements?

Ans: After his groundbreaking theories were validated, Einstein received numerous accolades. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1921, recognising his exceptional contributions to science. Following this, he was inundated with honours and invitations from across the globe, and the press celebrated his genius.

Q19. Why did Einstein leave Germany and emigrate to America?

Ans: Einstein was a strong advocate for freedom and liberal ideas. When the Nazi regime took control of Germany in 1933, it imposed severe restrictions and an autocratic rule. As a result, Einstein decided to leave Germany and emigrate to America.

Q20. Why did the discovery of nuclear fission in Berlin disturb the American physicists?

Ans: The discovery of nuclear fission in Berlin alarmed American physicists because they feared that Germany could develop an atomic bomb for destructive purposes.

Q21. Why did Einstein write a letter to Franklin Roosevelt?

Ans: On August 2, 1939, Einstein wrote to President Roosevelt to warn him about the danger of an atomic bomb. He was worried that the Germans might create this powerful weapon after the discovery of nuclear fission. Einstein explained that if such a bomb exploded in a port, it could destroy the entire port and the area around it.

Q22. How did Einstein react to the bombing of the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by America?

Ans: Einstein was profoundly shaken by the devastation caused by the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In response to this tragic event, he wrote a letter to the United Nations, advocating for the creation of a world government aimed at reducing hostility among nations. This proposal reflected his deep concern for global peace and security.