Class 9 English - BIHAR
Prose: The Fun They Had
The Fun They Had by Isaac Asimov is a fascinating science fiction story set in the future year 2157, where children learn through mechanical teachers in home schoolrooms and books are digital strings on a screen. The story centers on Margie and Tommy, who discover a real, printed book from the past and wonder about the old days of school. This chapter is very important for Bihar (BSEB) Class 9 students as it encourages critical thinking about modern technology versus traditional human-led education, and frequently features in reading comprehension and short answer sections of board examinations.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Setting and Premise
The story is set in 2157, a futuristic world where traditional schools and physical books have completely vanished, replaced by mechanical home teachers and e-texts.
Margie and Tommy
The two main child protagonists who represent the future generation; Tommy finds an old printed book in his attic, sparking curiosity about the past.
Mechanical Teacher
A robotic computer screen fixed in a schoolroom that teaches students individually, gives homework, and calculates test scores, lacking any human empathy or peer interaction.
Old-fashioned School
The historical concept of school where human teachers taught children of the same age group in a special building, playing and studying together.
Theme of Technology vs Humanity
The chapter highlights the emotional and social isolation of automated learning, emphasizing the value of human connection and shared experiences in education.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Bihar (BSEB) Class 9 English exams, this chapter typically carries around 4 to 6 marks. Questions usually include reading comprehension extracts, short answer questions about the differences between future schools and present schools, and character sketches of Margie and Tommy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Margie hated her mechanical school because it was boring, robotic, and her mechanical teacher kept failing her in geography due to a technical glitch, leading to mounting frustration.
What was strange about the old book Tommy found?
The words in the old book stood still on the paper instead of moving across a screen like telebooks, and turning the pages felt peculiar to children who only knew digital screens.
Why do you think Margie wanted to read about the old schools?
Margie was fascinated by the idea of kids gathering together, playing, laughing in the schoolyard, and learning from human teachers because her own school life was isolated and mechanical.
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