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CBSE Class 9 English notes will assist students in studying the topic thoroughly and clearly.

These CBSE Class 9 English notes were written by subject experts who made the study material very basic, both in terms of language and format.

Introduction

Summary of the Chapter

“The Fun They Had” is a short story written by Isaac Asimov, a prolific science fiction writer who was born in 1899.

It was first published in 1951.

The story is set in the future and revolves around two children who live in a world where robot teachers and computerised homeschooling are the norm.

“The Fun They Had,” which was written as a favour to a friend for publication in a children’s magazine, was later described by Asimov as “the biggest surprise of his literary career,” due to the fact that it was reprinted more than thirty times.

Diary Entry By Margie

The storyline takes place in the future, when children do not have access to traditional books and educational opportunities.

Margie, a young girl who appears in the story, writes in her diary, “Tommy found a real book.”

The date on the entry is revealed to be May 21, 2157, indicating that the story takes place a long time in the future.

She found a very old book, one that looked exactly like the one that her grandfather used to have when he was a student.

Its pages were yellow, and she thought it was amusing to read the words on a computer screen that were not moving like they were on a printed page

Feelings About The Book

After holding the book in his hands, Tommy declared it to be a waste because, after only one reading, it could be thrown in the trash.

In the same way, Margie had the same feeling.

Tommy discovered a book in the attic of his home, and the book was about a school, which was interesting.

Margie despised her school, as well as her mechanical teacher, to a great extent. Her teacher was a non-living entity.

He was an image that flashed across the screen of her computer in her study room.

He was giving her geography tests after geography tests, and she was not doing well on any of them.

Her failure in geography had prompted an inspector to visit her and attempt to identify the source of the problem.

As a result, her mother requested that the County Inspector investigate what was going on.

The Arrival Of The County Inspector

Mr. County Inspector was a small, round man with a red complexion.

Although Margie had expected him to remove her mechanical teacher from the picture completely, that did not turn out to be the case.

It only took an hour or so for the Inspector to correct the teacher’s mistakes.

He explained to her mother that there was nothing wrong with her daughter, but that the screen was moving too quickly for her, and that this was the cause of Margie’s difficulties.

It had now been slowed down to a comfortable pace for her to be able to cope with its intensity.

The Old Kind Of School

Following his reading of that book, Tommy and Margie had a conversation about the school.

The old-fashioned type of school consisted of a building that was shared by all students, as well as human teachers who taught all boys and girls the same thing if they were of the same age.

He assigned tests as well as homework to the students.

Margie was intrigued by the idea of attending one of those amusing schools, but it was time for her to return to her own institution.

Tommy had to get ready for school as well, and the two of them decided to read the book later on together.

Margie’s Schoolroom

In the next room to Margie’s bedroom, where the mechanical teacher was on duty and waiting for Margie, was Margie’s schoolroom.

Her school was open seven days a week, with the exception of Saturday and Sunday.

Margie’s mother believed that girls learn more effectively if they do something on a regular basis.

The mechanical teacher (whose image appeared on the screen and began to speak) was about to begin a lesson on arithmetic.

It was all about the inclusion of appropriate factions.

Margie was completely uninterested in it.

Margie also had to make sure that yesterday’s homework was placed in the appropriate slot.

The mechanical teacher never failed to remind his students to turn in their homework.

Margie Being Nostalgic

Margie was sitting in front of her mechanical teacher, but she couldn’t help but think back to the good old days when the kids all got together at the same time and place to study together.

She was also thinking about the human teacher who had previously instructed them.

She was reminiscing about the good times they had at school.

Outro

SOLVED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS NCERT SOLVED QUESTIONS

I. Answer these questions in a few words or a couple of sentences each.

1. How old are Margie and Tommy ?
   Answer : Margie was eleven years old and Tommy was thirteen.
2. What did Margie write in her diary ?
   Answer : She wrote in her diary : Today (17 May, 2157) Tommy found a real book’.
3. Had Margie ever seen a Book before ?
   Answer : Margie, on the other hand, had never seen a book before. She could not have written the sentence in her diary if she had.
4. What things about the book did she find strange ?
   Answer : She was taken aback by its yellowed and wrinkled pages. Additionally, she found the words strange. That was the case because they remained stationary rather than moving.
5. What do you think a telebook is ?
   Answer : A telebook is a book that is exclusively intended for television. It is that which moves on a television screen and possesses the characteristics of a book.
6. Where was Margie’s school ? Did she have any classmates ?
   Answer : Margie’s school consisted entirely of her own room. Her mechanical teacher (computer) was implemented into the structure to instruct her. She lacked classmates.
7. What subjects did Margie and Tommy learn ?
   Answer : Margie acquired knowledge of geography and mathematics. Tommy gained knowledge of history and mathematics.

II. Answer the following with reference to the story.

1. “I wouldn’t throw it away.”

• Who says these words ?

• What does ‘it’ refer to ?

• What is it being compared with by the speaker ?

Answer :
1. Margie conveys it.
2.’It’ is a reference to the book.
3. It is compared to a television screen or a telephone book.

2. “Sure they had a teacher, but it wasn’t a regular teacher. It was a man.”

• Who does ‘they’ refer to ?

• What does ‘regular’ mean here ?

• What is it contrasted with ?

Answer : 
1. ‘They’ are Tommy’s grandfather’s great-grandparents.

2. ‘Regular’ in this context refers to someone who is present daily and never absent.
3. It is compared to a television instructor (mechanical teacher).

III. Answer each of these questions in a short paragraph (about 30 words).

1. What kind of teachers did Margie and Tommy have ?
   Or
   Describe the teachers Margie and Tommy had. (CBSE)
   Answer :  They had mechanical instructors, such as television or computer instructors. It was 2157. Science had dispensed with’male’ teachers in favour of ‘computer’ teachers.
2. Why did Margie’s mother send for the County Inspector ? (CBSE)
   Answer :  She requested the County Inspector’s assistance. Margie’s mechanical teacher had been creating trouble in the school’s Geography department. It had been far too swift. Margie was unable to follow it.
3. What did he do ?
   Answer : He paid a visit to Margie’s house. He snatched away the mechanical instructor. He set its Geography level to the same level as Margie’s mental ability. It was there for Margie to learn from prior to Margie.
4. Why was Margie doing badly in geography ? What did the County Inspector do to help her ? (CBSE)
   Answer : Margie was struggling because the Geography sector moved too quickly for her to keep up. Margie’s mental state was out of sync. The County Inspector made his appearance. He double-checked the mechanical instructor. Then he restored the mechanical teacher’s mental state to Margie’s.
5. What had once happened to Tommy’s teacher ? (CBSE)
   Answer :  Tommy’s mechanical teacher’s history section had completely vanished. As a result, they removed it for nearly a month. Tommy was RELAXED during that time period.
6. Did Margie have regular days and hours for school ? If so, why ?
   or
   Did Margie have regular days and hours for school ? Why or why not ? (CBSE)
   Answer : Yes, Margie attended school on a regular schedule. Her mother’s instruction to’study’ is clear at that point. Tommy had visited her home at the time.
7. How does Tommy describe the old kind of school ? (CBSE 2017)
   Answer :  He describes how they had a unique structure. Every child went there. They both discovered the same thing. They aided one another in this endeavour. In the schoolyard, they laughed and shouted. They sat in the schoolroom together. As a result, they had a great time together.
8. How does he describe the old kind of teachers ?
   Answer :  He describes the old teachers as not living in the house. They had a unique structure. They travelled there. They assigned homework to both boys and girls. They questioned them. They were individuals.
   

IV. Answer each of these questions in two or three paragraphs (100-150 words).

1. What are the main features of the mechanical teachers and the schoolrooms that Margie and Tommy have in the story ? (CBSE)
   Answer : The mechanical teachers and classrooms are primarily comprised of computers with displays. They are ensconced in their classrooms. When it is time to study, Tommy and Margie both sit in front of them. Then they turn them on. Following that, their lessons will appear on the screen.These mechanical educators have slots in strategic locations. They have flashing icons on their screens. Margie or Tommy places their homework in the slot provided. They evaluate it using a punch code system. After that, it is returned to them. This enables them to be evaluated on their academic progress.

   These mechanical educators are knowledgeable in subjects such as geography, mathematics, and history. The subjects are matched to the mental abilities of each child. Margie struggles in Geography because the pace is too fast. The County Inspector adjusts it to Margie’s mental capacity.

2. Why did Margie hate school ? Why did she think the old kind of school must have been fun ?
   Answer : Margie disliked school, owing to the fact that her’school’ was her mechanical teacher. It was repaired in her classroom. She was required to sit alone at a predetermined time and perform mathematical calculations or acquire new knowledge. Her animosity was directed primarily at the Geography sector.It had passed far too quickly. Second, Margie’s mental capacity was inadequate. As a result, she encountered difficulties with Geography. According to her mental state, the County Teacher corrected it.

   However, there was justification for her hatred. It was because she lacked male and female companions her age. Every boy and girl in her neighbourhood studied in their own study rooms in the same way. There were no schools in the manner in which we now have them. She became aware of these establishments. It only served to intensify her dislike for her mechanical teacher.

3. Do you agree with Margie that schools today are more fun than the school in the story ? Give reasons for your answer. (CBSE)
   Answer : True, schools today are more enjoyable than the school depicted in the tale. This school is nothing more than a computer equipped with a monitor and a slot. On its screen, instructions flash. It enquires as to what should be done and what should not be done. Additionally, it instructs her on how to organise her homework. There is no interaction with other humans.However, in today’s schools, children of the same age attend schools in their neighbourhood. They approach them with laughter and shouting. They engage in cooperative play. They take pleasure in their time at school. At the end of the day, they return home together.

   They acquire the same knowledge. As a result, they can assist one another with their homework. They may also discuss it. As a result, they are not lonely or bored. They play together and enjoy the togetherness.