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

















