Important Questions for Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 1 The Fun They Had: Students studying Beehive Class 9 Chapter 1 can benefit from practicing the important questions of The Fun They Had. These questions are designed according to the Class 9 English syllabus to help students focus on key themes, events, and character details.
By revising these questions, learners can better understand the contrast between futuristic mechanical education and traditional schools, explore the perspectives of Margie and Tommy, and recall significant moments of the story.
The fun they had is the first chapter in the Class 9 Beehive textbook by Isaac Asimov. The chapter depicts futuristic world wherein children are learning at home with mechanical teachers as opposed to the conventional schools that were present previously. The story shows the contrast between traditional learning and Enhanced technological learning through their finding of an old book concerning schooling.
For students preparing for exams, practicing the Class 9 Beehive Chapter 1 these important question answer set is very helpful. These important questions cover key themes, character traits, and significant events, making it easier to revise and understand the story in depth. By referring to these questions and answers, learners can improve their comprehension, retain crucial points, and perform confidently in their exams.
Below are the important questions and answers from Beehive Class 9 Chapter 1 The Fun They Had. These Class 9 English question answers are designed according to the syllabus and cover key events, characters, and themes of the story.
1. Answer each of the following questions in a short paragraph (about 30 words).
a. Why did Margie’s mother send for the County Inspector?
Ans. Margie had been given many tests in geography by the mechanical teacher, but there was no improvement in her performance. It only kept getting worse. It is for this reason that Margie’s mother sent for the County Inspector to find out why this was happening.
2. What did the county inspector do?
Ans. The County Inspector gave Margie an apple and started working on the mechanical teacher. He took it apart and then checked it. Margie had hoped that the Inspector would not know how to put the mechanical teacher together again, but he managed to reassemble it. He slowed down the geography sector of the teacher because it was geared a little too quick for an average ten-year-old.
3. Why was Margie doing badly in geography? What did the country inspector do to help her?
Ans. Margie was doing badly in geography because the geography sector of the mechanical teacher had been geared a little too quick. The County Inspector rightly told her that she could not be blamed for her poor performance. The County Inspector slowed down the geography sector of the mechanical teacher to an average ten-year level. He also told Mrs. Jones that Margie’s overall progress pattern was satisfactory.
4. Do you agree with Margie that schools today are more fun than the school in the story? Give reasons for your answer in about 100-120 words.
Ans. Yes, schools today are more fun than the one in the story. In the story, there is no interaction among students, making learning dull and isolated. Studying on a mechanical computer lacks the excitement of classroom discussions, teacher explanations, and peer interactions. In real schools, students can ask questions, discuss subjects, and enjoy learning with friends. The joy of waiting for exam results and participating in extracurricular activities adds to the fun. Schools teach valuable qualities like obedience, kindness, and teamwork, shaping students' personalities. Unlike the mechanical setup in the story, today’s schools provide a lively, engaging, and enriching learning environment that fosters both education and personal growth.
5. Answer the following with reference to the story: “I wouldn’t throw it away.” a. Who says these words?
Ans.Tommy said these words.
b. What does ‘it’ refer to?
Ans.'It' refers to the television screen, on which you could read over a million books.
c. What is it being compared with by the speaker?
Ans.Tommy is comparing the television screen to the real books in earlier times in which words were printed on paper. He thought that after reading such books, one would have to throw them away. However, he would never have to throw away his telebooks.
6. Why did Margie hope that the Country Inspector would take away her mechanical teacher?
Ans. Margie hoped the County Inspector would take away her mechanical teacher because she was struggling with her schoolwork and did not enjoy the learning process with it. The mechanical teacher had been malfunctioning, making her do the same geography test over and over again. Margie likely saw the Inspector’s visit as an opportunity to get rid of the machine that was causing her frustration and perhaps secretly wished for a more engaging and interactive educational experience like the one she read about in the old book.
7. Answer these questions in a few words or a couple of sentences each. a. What do you think a telebook is?
Ans.A book that can be displayed on a screen is called telebook.
b. Where was Margie’s school? Did she have any classmates?
Ans.Margie’s school was in her home itself, right next to her bedroom. No, she did not have any classmates.
c. What subjects did Margie and Tommy learn?
Ans.Margie and Tommy learned geography, history and arithmetic.
d. How old are Margie and Tommy?
Ans.Margie is eleven and Tommy is thirteen-yearold.
e. What did Margie write in her diary?
Ans.Margie wrote, “Today Tommy found a real book!”
f. Had Margie ever seen a book before?
Ans.No, Margie had never seen a book before.
8. Why was Margie disappointed with her mechanical teacher, and what does this suggest about her character and her attitude towards learning?
Ans. Margie was disappointed with her mechanical teacher because it couldn't offer her the engagement or interaction that a human teacher could, as she learned from the old book. It suggests Margie craves a more human connection in her learning, indicating she values interaction and possibly feels isolated with the mechanical teacher.
9. Discuss the central theme of 'The Fun They Had'. How does Isaac Asimov use the contrast between the mechanical and the traditional education systems to present his message?
Ans. The central theme revolves around the loss of human interaction in education. Asimov contrasts mechanical teaching with the traditional, communal learning experience to critique a solely technology-based education. He emphasizes the importance of human elements in learning, such as personal connection and collective experiences.
10. Find and explain the meaning of the word 'geared' in the context of the story. How does it relate to Margie's performance in her geography lessons?
Ans. In the context of the story, 'geared' refers to the setting of the mechanical teacher's operations. It was set too fast, making geography difficult for Margie, which led to her poor performance. The term metaphorically relates to Margie needing a pace tailored to her learning speed.
11. Given the story’s setting in the future and the depiction of technological advancement in education, what predictions can we infer about Asimov’s vision of future learning? Are there elements in the story that resonate with today's educational technologies?
Ans. Asimov’s vision includes individualized learning with advanced technology, which can be seen today with personalized computer-based learning. However, he also implies this might lead to isolation. Today, we resonate with this concern as we seek a balance between technological and traditional interpersonal education methods.
12. How does Isaac Asimov's depiction of future education in "The Fun They Had" reflect societal concerns about technological dependence?
Ans. Asimov’s depiction reflects societal concerns about an over-reliance on technology potentially leading to a lack of human interaction and the diminishing of social skills. His story projects a future where technology overtakes traditional human roles, suggesting that while this may enhance certain efficiencies, it may also lead to the loss of communal and interactive learning experiences that are vital for comprehensive education.
13. Identify and discuss the use of irony in "The Fun They Had."
Ans. The story employs situational irony. Children in the future perceive a ‘fun’ element in the old education system, which is ironic because it's typically assumed that future systems would be more advanced and enjoyable. Asimov uses irony to highlight that progress, particularly in the form of technology, doesn’t always align with human emotional needs, such as the joy and camaraderie found in traditional schooling.
14. Read the given extract and answer the questions that follow. A. They turned the pages, which were yellow and crinkly, and it was awfully funny to read words that stood still instead of moving the way they were supposed to — on a screen, you know. And then when they turned back to the page before, it had the same words on it that it had had when they read it the first time.
I. What is the children’s reaction to the printed book as described in the extract? Choose the most suitable option.
(A) They find it amusing and unusual.
(B) They feel frustrated by it.
(C) They are uninterested in it.
(D) They find it easier to use than a screen.
Ans: They find it amusing and unusual.
II. How does the author’s use of contrast between a printed book and a screen enhance the theme of the story?
Ans: The contrast between the static words in a printed book and the moving text on a screen highlights how technology has changed the way people interact with information. This difference emphasizes the futuristic setting of the story and the children's unfamiliarity with traditional books.
III. Fill in the blank with the correct word from the bracket. The phrase “words that stood still instead of moving” emphasizes the children’s____ (curiosity / boredom) about printed books.
Ans: curiosity
IV. How does the children’s perception of books in the extract contrast with how books are traditionally viewed?
Ans: Traditionally, books are seen as a valuable source of knowledge and learning. However, in the extract, the children find them strange and outdated because they are used to digital screens where text moves and updates dynamically.
Students preparing for exams can refer to the Important Questions for Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 1 The Fun They Had to revise effectively. These questions cover the main events, characters, and themes of the story helping learners focus on important points of the Class 9 English syllabus.
To make revision easier students download the PDF of these important questions from below and practice the Beehive Class 9 Chapter 1 Question Answer. This resource is useful for quick revision and ensures students are well-prepared for their exams.
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Here are the Benefits of Using Important Questions for Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 1 The Fun They Had
Helps students understand the main events, characters, and themes of the chapter.
Covers key aspects like futuristic schooling, Margie and Tommy’s experiences, and differences between traditional and mechanical education.
Improves time management and answer-writing skills.
Enhances overall exam performance.
Helps identify weak areas and correct mistakes before the final exam.
Works effectively when used along with NCERT solutions, class notes, sample papers, and Class 9 previous year questions (PYQs).