Chapter - 1: The Fun They Had

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

1. How old are Margie and Tommy?Ans: Margie is eleven years old, and Tommy is thirteen years old.2. What did Margie write in her diary?Ans: Margie wrote, "Today Tommy found a real book!"3. Had Margie ever seen a book before?Ans: No, Margie had never seen a real book before.4. What things about the book did she find strange?Ans: She found it strange that the words on the pages did not move and remained the same when they turned back to a previous page.5. What do you think a telebook is?Ans: A telebook is a digital book that can be read on a screen, with moving text and possibly other interactive features.6. Where was Margie's school? Did she have any classmates?Ans: Margie's school was a room in her house, and she did not have any classmates.7. What subjects did Margie and Tommy learn?Ans: The story specifically mentions that Margie was learning geography, arithmetic, and history. It is implied that Tommy also studied similar subjects.

II. Answer the following with reference to the story.

1. 'I wouldn't throw it away.'(i) Who says these words?Ans: Tommy says these words.(ii) What does 'it' refer to?Ans: 'It' refers to their television screen that can hold millions of books.(iii) What is it being compared with by the speaker?Ans: It is being compared with the physical book that they found.2. 'Sure they had a teacher, but it wasn't a regular teacher. It was a man.'(i) Who does 'they' refer to?Ans: 'They' refers to the people from hundreds of years ago.(ii) What does 'regular' mean here?Ans: 'Regular' here means the mechanical teachers that Margie and Tommy have.(iii) What is it contrasted with?Ans: It is contrasted with human teachers from the past.

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

1. What kind of teachers did Margie and Tommy have?Ans: Margie and Tommy had mechanical teachers, which were computerized systems that taught lessons, gave tests, and provided homework.2. Why did Margie's mother send for the County Inspector?Ans: Margie's mother sent for the County Inspector because Margie was performing poorly in geography, and she suspected there was a problem with the mechanical teacher.3. What did he do?Ans: The County Inspector adjusted the geography sector of the mechanical teacher, slowing it down to the appropriate level for Margie.4. Why was Margie doing badly in geography? What did the County Inspector do to help her?Ans: Margie was doing badly because the geography sector was set too advanced for her. The Inspector adjusted it to suit her level.5. What had once happened to Tommy's teacher?Ans: Tommy's mechanical teacher was taken away for nearly a month because the history sector had blanked out completely.6. Did Margie have regular days and hours for school? If so, why?Ans: Yes, Margie had regular school hours every day except Saturdays and Sundays because her mother believed that consistent learning times were beneficial.7. How does Tommy describe the old kind of school?Ans: Tommy describes old schools as places where all kids went together, learned the same things, and were taught by human teachers.8. How does he describe the old kind of teachers?Ans: Tommy explains that old teachers were human beings who interacted directly with students, taught them lessons, gave homework, and asked questions.

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?Ans: The mechanical teachers in the story are computerized systems with large screens that display lessons and ask questions. They also have slots where students submit homework and test papers. These teachers are programmed to teach specific subjects and can be adjusted to suit the learning pace of each student. The schoolrooms are located in thestudents' homes, making education a solitary activity without classmates or traditional school settings. Margie and Tommy's education is highly individualized and automated, with lessons tailored to their abilities and regular assessments conducted by the machine.2. Why did Margie hate school? Why did she think the old kind of school must have been fun?Ans: Margie hated school because she found the mechanical teacher impersonal and the constant tests and homework tedious. The lack of human interaction made learning a monotonous and lonely experience for her. The idea of old schools, where children gathered in a common place, played, laughed, and learned together, seemed much more enjoyable to her. She imagined the camaraderie and fun of being with peers, the warmth of human teachers, and the collective experience of learning as something delightful compared to her solitary routine.3. Do you agree with Margie that schools today are more fun than the school in the story? Give reasons for your answer.Ans: Yes, I agree with Margie that schools today are more fun than the school in the story. Modern schools provide a social environment where students can interact, make friends, and participate in group activities, which is crucial for social development. The presence of human teachers allows for personalized instruction, immediate feedback, and emotional support that a mechanical teacher cannot provide. Additionally, extracurricular activities, sports, and cultural events in contemporary schools offer a well-rounded education that goes beyond academics. While technology plays an important role, the human element and communal experience in today's schools make learning more engaging and enjoyable.

Activity Calculation:

2157 - 2024 = 133 years.

Margie's diary entry is 133 years ahead from now.