NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English - Albert Einstein at School

Ques 1: What do you understand of Einstein’s nature from his conversations with his history teacher, his mathematics teacher and the head teacher?
Ans: A model answer has been provided for students' reference. It is strongly recommended that students prepare the answer on their own. Einstein’s behavior seemed to be extremely unruly. He didn't believe in the then prevailing system of education. His nature was a spontaneous one. He found memorising facts and dates quite useless. Ideas lured him more than facts because of which he had a heated argument on education with his history teacher. He was so restless and indifferent to the importance of attending school that he didn't mind not attending it at all. From his conversation with the Maths teacher, we come to know that he was a student who actually had some interest in mathematics, that being the only class in which he paid a lot of attention and never wasted his time. He wasn't open and outright in front of his Mathematics teacher. His behavior had turned mild before his teacher which showed his level of respect and obediance for elders. Later, when he confronts the headmaster, we find him defensive at the beginning and carefree at the end of the meeting.

Ques 2: The school system often curbs individual talents. Discuss.
Ans: A model answer has been provided for students' reference. It is strongly recommended that students prepare the answer on their own.
Various points to prove the fact that the school system curbs individual talents are:

1. Focusses more on memorising facts and data rather than encouraging them to understand concepts and ideas.

2. Thrust on taking exams rather than focussing on increasing the mental and intellectual aptitude of a student;

3. The irregular student-teacher ratio makes it impossible for the teachers to provide individual attention to each and every student.

4. One-to-one interaction with the kids have lessened these days.

5. Quantity matters more than quality.

Ques 3: How do you distinguish between information gathering and insight formation?
Ans: A model answer has been provided for students' reference. It is strongly recommended that students prepare the answer on their own. There is a mass difference between the concepts of information gathering and insight formation. Information gathering refers to collection of data and facts. It means knowledge of specific events or situations that has been gathered or received by communication. Insight formation, on the other hand, refers to the perception one has of things through his deep understanding of a subject. Insight refers to the capacity to discern the true nature of a situation. Thus, it might differ from person to person, depending on everyone's ideas and concepts.