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CBSE Class 9 English (Beehive) Important Questions Chapter 1 - The Fun They Had

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CBSE English Class 9 Chapter 1 The Fun They Had - FREE PDF Download

"The Fun They Had" by Isaac Asimov, from the Class 9 English Syllabus is a futuristic story that explores how education might look in the year 2157. The story follows two children, Margie and Tommy, who discover an old book about schools from the past, where children learned together in buildings with human teachers. Margie, who is used to learning from a mechanical teacher at home, finds it hard to imagine a school like that. The story highlights how different education used to be and makes us think about the advantages and disadvantages of modern and traditional learning. It offers an interesting look at how technology might change the way we learn in the future.


Vedantu offers the FREE PDF for Class 9 English Important Questions from this chapter. These are created by subject matter experts who hold years of experience in dealing with the CBSE syllabus, thus ensuring the accuracy and relevance of the syllabus.

Access Important Questions for Class 9 English Chapter 1 - The Fun they Had

1. Who is the author of the story "The Fun They Had"?
Ans. The author is Isaac Asimov.


2. What date did Margie write in her diary?
Ans. Margie wrote in her diary on 17 May 2157.


3. Who found the old book?
Ans. Tommy found the old book.


4. Where did Tommy find the book?
Ans. Tommy found it in the attic of his house.


5. How old is Margie?
Ans. Margie is eleven years old.


6. Why did Margie dislike her school?
Ans. Margie disliked her school because her mechanical teacher kept giving her difficult geography tests. She was not doing well and found the lessons frustrating.


7. Who repaired Margie’s mechanical teacher, and what did he say?
Ans. The County Inspector repaired Margie’s mechanical teacher. He said that the geography section was set too fast, which made it hard for Margie.


8. Why was the old book strange to Margie and Tommy?
Ans. The old book was strange to them because it had words printed on paper that stayed still. They were used to words moving on a screen.


9. What did Margie think of the old schools?
Ans. Margie thought the old schools seemed fun because all the children learned together, and they could help each other with their work.


10. What did the County Inspector say about Margie’s progress in geography?
Ans. The County Inspector said that Margie’s progress was satisfactory, but the geography section was too advanced for her age.


11. How did Margie feel about her mechanical teacher, and why did she hope it would be taken away?
Ans. Margie did not like her mechanical teacher at all. It was strict and kept giving her difficult tests, especially in geography. She found the lessons boring and hard. Margie hoped that the County Inspector would not be able to fix the teacher because she wanted a break from her lessons. She envied the old schools where children seemed to have more fun and enjoyed learning.


12. Describe the differences between Margie’s school and the schools from the past.
Ans. Margie’s school was in her home, and her teacher was a mechanical robot that taught her using a screen. She had no classmates and had to study alone. In contrast, in the past, children went to a real school building. They had human teachers and many classmates. They learned together, helped each other, and had fun during breaks. The learning was more interactive and social, unlike Margie's isolated experience.


13. Why did Tommy call Margie 'stupid'? What does this tell you about his character?
Ans. Tommy called Margie 'stupid' because she did not understand how different the old schools were and that teachers used to be real people. This shows that Tommy thinks he knows more than Margie and can be a bit arrogant. He enjoys showing off his knowledge, especially when Margie does not understand something that he does.


14. What was the County Inspector’s role in Margie’s education, and what did he do when he visited?
Ans. The County Inspector's job was to maintain and repair the mechanical teachers. When Margie was struggling with geography, her mother called the Inspector to fix the teacher. He opened up the machine and adjusted it because it was set to a level that was too difficult for Margie. He slowed it down to match her learning level, and reassured her mother that Margie was doing fine overall.


15. Why was Margie curious about the old schools after reading the book with Tommy?
Ans. Margie became very curious about the old schools because they seemed so different from her own experience. She was fascinated by the idea of children going to a special building, learning the same things together, and having fun. The thought of having a human teacher who could interact with students and classmates to learn seemed enjoyable to her, unlike her mechanical teacher who was strict and impersonal. The old-school system made learning sound more exciting and less lonely.


16. What do you think the old book symbolises in the story?
Ans. The old book symbolises a time when learning was more personal and interactive. It contrasts with Margie and Tommy's impersonal, mechanical way of learning, showing how education used to be more engaging and social.


17. Why does Margie find the idea of human teachers strange?
Ans. Margie finds the idea of human teachers strange because she is used to her mechanical teacher, who is always exact and programmed. Human teachers seemed less predictable and less efficient to her, which made the idea unfamiliar.


18. What message is Isaac Asimov conveying about future education?
Ans. Isaac Asimov is suggesting that while technology can make education more efficient, it can also take away the human touch that makes learning enjoyable. The story warns against making education too mechanical and losing the joy of learning together.


19. How does the story make you think about the role of technology in our lives today?
Ans. The story makes us think about whether we are becoming too dependent on technology. It raises questions about whether technology might be taking away some of the personal connections and fun in learning, and if we need to find a balance between using machines and keeping human interaction.


20. Do you think Margie would enjoy attending a traditional school? Why or why not?
Ans. Margie would probably enjoy attending a traditional school because she seemed fascinated by the idea of learning with other children and having a real teacher. She liked the thought of having friends to study with, play with, and talk to, which is something she missed in her isolated learning environment.


21. What did the mechanical teacher say when Margie went into her schoolroom?
Ans. The mechanical teacher said, "Today's arithmetic lesson is on the addition of proper fractions. Please insert yesterday's homework in the proper slot."


22. How did Margie’s mother feel about regular study hours?
Ans. Margie’s mother believed that little girls learned better if they studied at regular hours every day. She thought having a set routine would help Margie learn more effectively.


23. How does Tommy’s attitude towards the old book differ from Margie’s?
Ans. Tommy thought the old book was interesting but also outdated. He was more focused on how strange it was compared to their modern books. Margie, on the other hand, was curious about the different ways of learning that the book described and wanted to know more about it.


24. Why did Margie want to read more of the book after school?
Ans. Margie wanted to read more of the book because she found the old schools fascinating. She wanted to learn more about how children went to school together, played, and learned in a way that was very different from her schooling.


25. What was Margie thinking about at the end of the story?
Ans. At the end of the story, Margie was thinking about how much fun the children must have had in the old days, going to school together, laughing, playing, and learning in a more social way. She imagined that it was much more enjoyable than her own experience with the mechanical teacher.


Benefits of CBSE Class 9 English (Beehive) Important Questions for Chapter 1 The Fun They Had

  • The questions are curated strictly according to the CBSE curriculum, ensuring students practice relevant and syllabus-specific content.

  • With a focus on probable exam questions, the resource enables students to prepare effectively and score better in exams.

  • The curated list saves students the time they might otherwise spend searching for quality practice questions, allowing them to focus on revision and learning.

  • Regular practice with important questions can increase students’ confidence, as they feel more prepared to tackle different types of questions in exams.

  • As a PDF, it is easily accessible on various devices, making it convenient for students to study anytime and anywhere.

  • Students can use the questions for self-assessment to identify strengths and weaknesses, ensuring targeted improvement.

  • Created by subject-matter experts at Vedantu, the PDF is reliable and ensures quality questions that adhere to the latest exam patterns.


Conclusion:

The Fun They Had  in Class 9 English (Beehive) gives us a glimpse into a future where learning is done through machines at home, making us reflect on the differences between modern and traditional education. Margie and Tommy, after discovering an old book about schools with human teachers, start to wonder about the fun children had learning together in the past. The story highlights how personal interaction, group learning, and human teachers played an important role in education. Vedantu’s important questions FREE PDF for this chapter helps students understand key points and prepare well for exams by focusing on the main themes and ideas from the story.


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FAQs on CBSE Class 9 English (Beehive) Important Questions Chapter 1 - The Fun They Had

1. What are some frequently asked 3-mark questions from the chapter 'The Fun They Had' for the CBSE 2025-26 exams?

For 3-mark questions, examiners often focus on character analysis and key plot points. Important questions include:

  • Why did Margie dislike her mechanical teacher and her school?
  • What did Tommy find in the attic, and why did he consider it a 'real book'?
  • Describe the role and actions of the County Inspector in the story.
  • What aspects of the old schools did Margie find most surprising?

2. How can a student frame a 5-mark long answer about the central theme of 'The Fun They Had'?

A high-scoring answer on the central theme—the human element in education—should contrast Margie's isolated, mechanised learning with the community-based schooling of the past. Key points to include are:

  • Margie's loneliness and lack of engagement with her mechanical teacher.
  • The joy and collaborative spirit she imagines in old schools with human teachers.
  • The idea that education is not just about information transfer but also about social interaction and fun.
  • The story serves as a cautionary tale about over-reliance on technology at the expense of human connection.

3. Why is the futuristic setting of 2157 crucial for the story's message?

The futuristic setting is not just a backdrop; it's essential for the story's critique of education. By placing the story in 2157, author Isaac Asimov could logically present a world where technology has completely replaced traditional schooling. This allows for a stark comparison between a potential future of dehumanised, isolated learning and the collaborative, social schools of the past, making the story's central theme more powerful and relevant.

4. How does Margie's initial opinion of the 'old school' concept differ from her final thoughts?

This is a common question on character development. Initially, Margie is scornful and sceptical about the old schools, unable to comprehend why anyone would write about them or have a human as a teacher. However, as Tommy describes the communal learning and social interactions, her view transforms into one of wonder and longing. By the end, she sits in her schoolroom wistfully thinking about 'the fun they had,' showing a complete shift in her perspective.

5. What is the significance of the title, 'The Fun They Had', and why is it an important question?

The title is significant because it reflects Margie's final realisation and the story's core message. It refers to the fun that children from the past experienced by learning together in a shared space. It highlights the stark contrast with her own monotonous and lonely education. Answering this question correctly demonstrates a deep understanding of the story's underlying theme and is a frequently asked question in exams.

6. What important details from 'The Fun They Had' are typically tested in objective-type questions?

For objective or MCQ-based questions, students should remember key factual details. Important areas include:

  • The specific year the story is set in (2157).
  • The ages of the main characters, Margie (11) and Tommy (13).
  • The subject Margie was performing poorly in (Geography).
  • The physical nature of the 'real book' (crinkly, yellow pages).
  • The name for the digital books used in their time (telebooks).

7. How does the story critique the idea of a 'one-size-fits-all' education system, even when it's technologically advanced?

The story cleverly critiques this idea through Margie's experience. Her mechanical teacher is set at a level too fast for her, causing her distress until it is adjusted by the County Inspector. This shows that even a sophisticated machine designed for individual learning can fail without proper customisation and empathy. It suggests that a true education requires understanding a student's individual pace and emotional state, a quality more associated with human teachers than with rigid algorithms.

8. What is the significance of the County Inspector's character in the story?

The County Inspector is significant because he represents a bridge between technology and humanity. While his job is to repair the mechanical teacher, his kind and empathetic interaction with Margie contrasts sharply with the impersonal machine. He reassures Margie that her poor performance is not her fault, showcasing a level of understanding that the machine lacks. He symbolises the need for a human touch even in a technologically dominated world.