The Fun They Had Flashcards
What did Margie write in her diary and when? What was so surprising in writing that in her diary?
Margie wrote in her diary that Tommy had found a real book. She wrote it on 17th May 2157. It was very surprising because there were no real books in those days. Margie and Tommy used to read telebooks only.
What was the condition of the book that Tommy had found? What was so funny about it?
The condition of the book was pretty bad. It was a very old book. Its pages were yellow and crinkly. It was funny that the words stood still. They did not move as they did in telebooks. They could be read again and again.
What was Tommy’s reaction to the real book?
Tommy exclaimed that it was a great waste. When one had read the book, one could throw that away. The television screen must have a million books on it. It was good for plenty more, but he wouldn’t throw it away.
Why did Margie hate school? What kind was it?
Margie was 11 and Tommy was 13. Margie hated school more because she knew its kind. Her teacher was mechanical and it was a television. She was bad at geography. Her mechanical teacher was giving her lessons after lessons and one day it went dead.
What did Margie think after inserting her homework in the paper slot?
Margie inserted her homework in the paper slot with a sigh. She was thinking about the old school they had when her grandfather’s grandfather was a little boy. All the students would go to school and would laugh and shout together. They learned the same things and helped one another with homework. They returned home together at the end of the day and the teachers were humans.
Why did Margie’s mother call for the county inspector? How did he look like?
Margie’s mother called for the county inspector when her mechanical teacher had gone out of order. The county inspector was a little man with a red face. He had a whole box of tools with dials and wires.
How did Margie learn the lessons of the mechanical teacher?
Margie read her lessons on the big screen of the mechanical teacher. It asked her questions, and she had to submit her homework and test papers into a paper slot. She wrote her answers in punch code, and the teacher instantly calculated her marks.
What did the inspector tell Margie’s mother, Mrs. Jones, about the mechanical teacher?
The inspector told Mrs. Jones that her geography sector had been geared up a little too quick. It loaded up to an average 10-year level. Margie’s level of intelligence was quite satisfactory. She had been facing problems in geography. It was all due to the setting of her mechanical teacher.
Why was Margie disappointed?
Margie was disappointed because she had been doing bad in geography. Actually, the geography sector had been set a bit higher. Her A’s and the level of intelligence were not that high. Secondly, she hated her school because it was her room and the mechanical teacher was in it. Now, she would have to study again the same way.
In the story The Fun They Had, do you think that they really had much fun?
Yes, the students in the past had great fun being in school. This is confirmed by their going to school together. They would laugh and shout in the schoolyard. They sat together in the classroom and studied together. They helped one another. They would sit together to crack jokes or play together. Then they would return home together and help one another in their homework.
What problem had Margie been facing with her mechanical teacher? Why did she hate it? What did her mother do to help her?
Margie’s mechanical teacher had got geared too quick in geography for her mental level. It had been giving her more homework or lessons. She had been finding them difficult, so she hated her mechanical teacher. She wanted it to be taken away as Tommy’s had been taken for nearly a month. Margie’s mother, Mrs. Jones, called for the county inspector to set things right. He told her that it was not the little girl’s fault. The geography sector was a bit fast. He geared his geography sector a bit slow. He slowed it up to an average 10-year level. He told that Margie’s overall progress was quite satisfactory.
Our schools today are with a physical teacher and a bunch of students. More fun than the school mentioned in the story The Fun They Had. Give your views in about 100 to 150 words.
It is a fact that the present-time schools are more fun than the schools mentioned in the story. In today’s school, students mix among themselves spiritually. They study together, play together, and assess one another to solve their problems in their studies. In doing so, they enjoy the emotions of togetherness, team spirit, and fellow feeling. They also enjoy social values which help them greatly in being socially valuable. How enjoyable it is when students together take part in activities both at school and privately. Margie is very sad and lonely when she has to sit alone before her tele-teacher. This is not so in case of the present-day schools. The presence of human teachers proves a great source of teaching various human values necessary for all-round growth and development of the students.
Use your imagination to describe a school of the future.
To my mind, a school of the future would be an ideal school. It must have three special features, human, nature and technology. The children and the teacher in a modern school stand opposite to each other. Most students dislike their teachers and most teachers complain against the students. This must end. How? This will end if there are not always face-to-face students listening and the teachers speaking. The teacher in the future school will use technology like internet where pictures will be doing most of the teaching. The teacher must, of course, be present to explain why the technology can’t. Thus, he or she will be a help and the students will love the teacher also. There will be much more outdoor activities where the students will learn about the nature and society.
Crinkly
With many folds or lines.
Attic
A space just below the roof, used as a storeroom.
Scornful
Contemptuous, showing disdain
Slot
A given space, time, or position
Geared
Adjusted to a particular standard or level.
Loftily
In a superior way.
Regular
Normal, of the usual kind.
Betcha
Informal, “I bet you,” meaning “I’m sure.”
Dispute
To disagree with or argue about something.
Nonchalantly
Not showing much interest or enthusiasm.
