Class 9 English – Beehive, Chapter 1: The Fun They Had
- Who are the main characters of the story?
Margie and Tommy are two children living in the future where education is done by mechanical teachers at home. - What is the setting of the story?
The story is set in the year 2157, in a future society where students learn from computers and robots. - What did Tommy find?
Tommy found an old printed book in his attic, which fascinated both him and Margie. - Why were Margie and Tommy surprised by the book?
They were surprised that words didn’t move, and the pages turned yellow. They had never seen a real book before. - Why did Margie hate school?
She disliked the mechanical teacher, especially after it gave her poor test marks in geography. - What was different about the schools in the old days?
Schools had human teachers, children gathered in buildings, and they learned together, unlike the isolated robotic system Margie and Tommy had. - Why did Margie’s mother call the County Inspector?
Margie’s performance in geography was poor, so her mother called the inspector to check the machine. - What did the County Inspector do?
He took the machine apart, adjusted the geography sector, and said Margie wasn’t to blame. - How was the mechanical teacher different from today’s teachers?
It was a robot that taught lessons and gave tests on a screen. It had no emotions, interaction, or human touch. - What fascinated Margie about old schools?
She loved the idea of children laughing and learning together in the same building with a real teacher. - Why did Margie feel nostalgic about old schools?
Though she never experienced them, the thought of human interaction made her long for that kind of learning. - What is the theme of the story?
The contrast between technology-based education and human interaction, and the importance of emotional connection in learning. - What was Tommy’s attitude toward the old book?
He found it strange but interesting. He still thought his modern school system was better. - Why is the title “The Fun They Had” appropriate?
It reflects Margie’s belief that children in the past had more fun learning together than she does with a machine. - What does the story say about future education?
It questions whether too much reliance on technology can remove the joy and social aspect of learning. - Why did Margie write in her diary?
She recorded that day’s experience and noted, “Today Tommy found a real book!” as it was unusual. - What was Margie’s reaction to the printed book?
She was curious, amazed, and began to reflect on the differences between the past and her current life. - What do the old book and schools symbolize?
They represent traditional learning, human connection, and a time when education was more personal and lively. - Why did Tommy call Margie a ‘stupid’ girl?
Because she thought someone had written the book just for them. He explained that books were shared back then. - What was Margie’s school schedule like?
She had to study every day except Saturday and Sunday, in her schoolroom at home, with a screen. - What subject was Margie struggling with?
She was performing poorly in geography, which made her hate her mechanical teacher even more. - Why did Margie envy the children of the past?
She imagined them learning together, sharing stories, and having fun in a group, unlike her lonely experience. - What did the County Inspector look like?
He was a round little man with a red face and a whole box of tools and wires. - Why did the Inspector reassure Margie’s mother?
He explained that Margie’s progress was normal and the mechanical teacher was just adjusted incorrectly. - What was Tommy’s opinion about the old schools?
He was amused and thought it was silly to have a teacher who didn’t know everything like machines do. - What tone does the author use?
Futuristic, reflective, and ironic. It compares cold robotic learning with warm human education. - How does the story end?
Margie sits in front of her mechanical teacher but keeps thinking about the fun old students must have had. - What is the conflict in the story?
Between automated learning systems and the natural human need for interaction, warmth, and shared experiences in education. - What does Margie dream of?
She imagines school with friends, shared lessons, laughter, and a human teacher who smiles and understands. - What is the author’s main message?
Education must not become so mechanical that it loses its heart. Learning should include empathy, connection, and shared joy.