Class 9 English - WEST-BENGAL
Prose: The Fun They Had
The Fun They Had by Isaac Asimov is a science fiction story set in the future year 2157, where traditional schools and printed books no longer exist. Two children, Margie and Tommy, discover a real printed book from the past and learn about old-fashioned schools where human teachers taught groups of children in a building. This chapter is very important for WBBSE Class 9 exams as it tests reading comprehension, critical thinking about the role of technology in education, and tests students' ability to analyze futuristic concepts against present-day schooling experiences.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Setting of the Story
The story takes place in the future, specifically on May 17, 2157, in a world dominated by mechanical teachers and digital learning.
Mechanical Teacher
A robotic computer screen installed in children's homes that gives lessons, asks questions, and calculates grades instantly without human interaction.
The Old School System
A historical concept in the story where human teachers taught children of the same age group in a special school building using physical books.
Margie's Dislike for School
Margie hates her mechanical teacher because she has been failing geography tests repeatedly due to a technical glitch in the machine's geography sector.
The Significance of the Printed Book
The yellow, crinkly printed book found in the attic represents a lost culture of reading on paper, sparking wonder and curiosity in Tommy and Margie.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE) Class 9 English curriculum, Prose chapters like 'The Fun They Had' typically carry around 8 to 12 marks in the annual examination. Common question types include Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), Very Short Answer Questions (VSAQs), Short Answer Type Questions (2-3 marks), and Long Answer / Descriptive Questions (5 marks) focusing on character analysis, theme interpretation, and comparison between past and future education.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Margie doing badly in geography?
Margie was doing badly because the mechanical teacher's geography sector had been geared a little too quick, and the County Inspector had to slow it down to an average ten-year level.
What did Margie find strange about the old book?
Margie found it strange that the words stood still instead of moving the way they were supposed to on a computer screen, and that people used to turn pages made of paper.
Why did Margie think children must have loved school in the old days?
Margie thought children must have loved old-fashioned schools because all kids from the neighborhood studied together, had fun, played, and learned from a human teacher.
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