THE FUN THEY HAD

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

Question 1 :-

1. How old are Margie and Tommy?

2. What did Margie write in her diary?
3. Had Margie ever seen a book before?
4. What things about the book did she find strange?
5. What do you think a telebook is?
6. Where was Margie’s school? Did she have any classmates?
7. What subjects did Margie and Tommy learn?

Solution :
1. Margie is eleven and Tommy is thirteen-year-old.
2. Margie wrote, “Today Tommy found a real book!”.
3. No, Margie had never seen a book before.
4. Margie found it strange that the words printed on a book stood still instead of moving
the way they did on a screen. She also found it odd that the words on a page always
remained the same as the first time they were read. Besides, the idea that someone
would write a book about schools was itself strange for Margie.
5. A book that can be displayed on a screen is called telebook.
6. Margie’s school was in her home itself, right next to her bedroom. No, she did not
have any classmates.
7. Margie and Tommy learned geography, history and arithmetic.

II. Answer the following with reference to the story.

Question 1.

“I wouldn’t throw it away.”

(i) Who says these words?
(ii) What does ‘it’ refer to?
(iii) What is it being compared with by the speaker?

Solution :
(i) Tommy said these words.
(ii) ‘It’ refers to the television screen, on which you could read over a million books
(iii) Tommy is comparing the television screen to the real books in earlier times in which words
were printed on paper. He thought that after reading such books, one would have to throw them
away. However, he would never have to throw away his telebooks.

Question 2.

“Sure they had a teacher, but it wasn’t a regular teacher. It was a man.”
(i) Who does ‘they’ refer to?
(ii) What does ‘regular’ mean here?
(iii) What is it contrasted with?

Solution :
(i) They refer to the students who studied in the old kind of schools centuries before the time the
story is set in.
(ii) Here, ‘regular’ refers to the mechanical teachers that Tommy and Margie had.
(iii) The mechanical teacher is contrasted with the teacher of the earlier times, who was a human
being.

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

Question 1. What kind of teachers did Margie and Tommy have?

Solution : Margie and Tommy had mechanical teachers. They were large and black and ugly
and had large black screens on which all the lessons were shown and questions were asked.
These mechanical teachers had a slot in which the students had to put their homework and test
papers. They had to write their answers in a punch code and the mechanical teacher calculated
the marks immediately.

Question 2. Why did Margie’s mother send for the County Inspector?
Solution : Margie had been given many tests in geography by the mechanical teacher, but there
was no improvement in her performance. It only kept getting worse. It is for this reason that
Margie’s mother sent for the County Inspector to find out why this was happening.

Question 3. What did he do?

Solution : The County Inspector gave Margie an apple and started working on the mechanical
teacher. He took it apart and then checked it. Margie had hoped that the Inspector would not
know how to put the mechanical teacher together again, but he managed to reassemble it. He
slowed down the geography sector of the teacher because it was geared a little too quick for an
average ten-year-old.

Question 4. Why was Margie doing badly in geography? What did the County Inspector do
to help her?
Solution : Margie was doing badly in geography because the geography sector of the
mechanical teacher had been geared a little too quick. The County Inspector rightly told her that
she could not be blamed for her poor performance. The County Inspector slowed down the
geography sector of the mechanical teacher to an average ten-year level. He also told Mrs. Jones
that Margie’s overall progress pattern was satisfactory.

Question 5. What had once happened to Tommy’s teacher?

Solution : Once, The history sector of Tommy’s teacher had once blanked out completely.

Question 6. Did Margie have regular days and hours for school? If so, why?
Solution : Yes, Margie had regular days and hours for school. This was because her mother
believed that learning at regular hours helped little girls learn better. Her mechanical teacher was
also on at the same time everyday except Saturday and Sunday.

Question 7. How does Tommy describe the old kind of school?

Solution : Tommy described old kind of school as a special building where all kids studied
together. There were hundreds of students studying and playing together. They used to shout and
laugh together in an open yard.

Question 8. How does he describe the old kind of teachers?

Solution : Tommy said that the old kind of teacherswas men, who taught the students inside a
special building. The teachers taught the children in groups and gave them homework and asked
them questions.

IV. Answer each of these questions in two or three paragraphs (100 –150 words).

Question 1. What are the main features of the mechanical teachers and the schoolrooms
that Margie and Tommy have in the story?
Solution : Margie and Tommy had mechanical teachers. These teachers were basically large
black screens on which the lessons were shown and questions were asked. These teachers were
adjusted according to the age and potential of the student concerned. They had a slot in which the
students had to put their homework and test papers. The mechanical teacher immediately
calculated the marks for the answers written in punch codes by the students. However, these
teachers were prone to technical and mechanical failure and troubles.
Their schools were in their homes itself. In fact, Margie school was right next to her bedroom.
Students did not have classmates. They had regular days and hours for school. The mechanical
teacher always turned on at the same time every day except Saturdays and Sundays.

Question 2. Why did Margie hate school? Why did she think the old kind of school must
have been fun?
Solution : Margie hated school because it was not fun. A mechanical teacher used to teach her
everyday at a fixed time. Recently, she had been doing badly in the geography tests that her
mechanical teacher had been giving her. Her mother was not happy with the performance and
sends for the County Inspector, she hopes that the inspector would take the mechanical teacher
away. She is disappointed when the County Inspector manages to assemble all the parts of the
mechanical teacher. The part that she hated the most was inserting the homework and test papers
in the slot on the mechanical teacher.
She did not like the fact that she had to write her answers in a punch code. She thought that the
old kind of school must have been fun as she imagined all the kids from the entire
neighbourhood coming together, laughing and shouting in the schoolyard. She imagined that
they would sit together in the classroom and go home together at the end of the day. They would
learn the same things and could help one another with the homework and talk about it. Also, the
teachers were people. All these aspects made her believe that the old kind of school must have
been fun.

Question 3. Do you agree with Margie that schools today are more fun than the school in
the story? Give reasons for your answer.

Solution : Yes, I agree schools today are more fun than the school in the story. In the story, there
is no interaction among students regarding studies. Studying and answering questions seems to
be a boring idea. Doing homework without anybody’s help and writing them in a punch code
would also be draining. Moreover, children develop a better understanding about each other and
of their surroundings when they go to a school and interact with each other. It is a healthier way
of learning.
Listening to teachers explaining lessons is always more interesting than reading the entire lesson
on a mechanical computer. Also, if any student faces any problem with the subject or in
homework, he can discuss it with the teacher and other kids. It is impossible to discuss problems
and situations with a mechanical teacher that is only programmed to teach in a particular manner.
The excitement of waiting to know the marks scored in exams is greater when one is sitting in a
classroom with other students. It does not have the same effect when the marks are calculated
immediately after a test has been taken.
Finally, the friends that you make at school are most probably the best friends that you will ever
make in your entire life. The various qualities that you learn in school like obedience, respect,
kindness for others, sharing, taking part in school games, sports, and other activities are all a part
of school education today. Therefore, schools today are more fun than the school in the story as
they are more interactive. They promote a healthy environment for the students to study and
learn.

THE ROAD NOT TAKEN

Question 1. Where does the traveller find himself? What problem does he face?
Solution : The traveller finds himself in the yellow woods at a point where the road forks into
two. The problem that he faces is that he cannot decide which road to take to continue his
journey since it is not possible for him to travel both roads at the same time.
Question 2. Discuss what these phrases mean to you.
(i) a yellow wood
(ii) it was grassy and wanted wear
(iii) the passing there
(iv) leaves no step had trodden black
(v) how way leads on to way

Solution :
(i) Yellow wood symbolises the autumn season. Autumn corresponds with old age. The poet
could be symbolically talking about the later stages of life.
(ii) It conveys that the road was full of grass and nobody has used that road. It was a smooth
road which had not worn out.
(iii) The use of the path by passersby.
(iv) The leaves had not changed their colour and turned black because of less people stepping on
them. It could represent a path one may have never/seldom taken in life for the fear of
uncertainty.
(v) This phrase means how certain decisions one makes in life could pave the way for many
other decisions.

Question 3. Is there any difference between the two roads as the poet describes them
(i) in stanzas two and three?
(ii) in the last two lines of the poem?

Solution :
(i) In stanza two the poet explains that the only difference between the two roads was that the
road he took had the right to be chosen (the better claim) because it was covered with grass and
looked as if it had not been used too much. Besides this difference, both roads had been equally
worn down by passersby travelling on them.
In stanza three the poet says that both the roads were equally covered with leaves and that no
person had stepped on.
(ii) In the last two lines of the poem the poet says that there is a difference between the two
roads because he took the road that was less travelled by other people and that made all the
difference to his journey.

Question 4. What do you think the last two lines of the poem mean? (Looking back, doesthe
poet regret his choice or accept it?)
Solution : The last two lines of the poem mean the acceptance of reality. The poet made a
choice and accepted the challenging path. He took and unexplored path in his life. He wanted to
do something different in his life so he chooses the less travelled road. No he does not regret his
choice.
Question 5. Have you ever had to make a difficult choice (or do you think you will have
difficult choices to make)? How will you make the choice (for what reasons)?
Solution : No, till now I have never been in a situation in which I had to make a difficult choice.
Perhaps I am still too young to make an independent choice. Yes, I think later or sooner I will
have difficult choices to make. After completing my general education, I will have to make
choice of profession whether I should become and engineer or doctor or something else. I will
have hundreds of option before me. Then it will be difficult to make a choice in between them. I
will make choice according to my capabilities and strong points at that time. I will choose a path
that gives me satisfaction and mental peace. I will not join the rat race for money. Like the poet
in poem, I will choose a challenging and unexplored path in my life.

Question 6. After you have made a choice do you always think about what might have
been, or do you accept the reality?
Solution : Taking a decision sometime make or mars our future. Having made a choice, I accept
the reality. Reconsidering a decision or contemplating over it is not a positive approach towards
life. Such thoughts never allow us to be happy with what we have gained from our decision.
Therefore, I believe in sticking to my decisions.

Question 8(a). The poet says “I took the one less travelled by, And that has made all the
difference.” What is ‘the difference’ that the poet mentions?
Solution : The difference is probably the degree of success which he has achieved and the
amount of happiness and fulfilment he must have felt by travelling the unexplored way.

Question 8(b). Does the speaker seem happy about his decision?
Solution : There is a certain ambiguity here. The speaker seems happy and satisfied when he
says – “And that has made all the difference.” However, the sigh just before this makes us
question his happiness.

Question 8(c). Which road would you choose? Why?

Solution : A sample answer has been provided for students’ reference. It is strongly
recommended that students prepare the answer on their own. I would always choose the path not
tread upon before me. I like adventure and would want to explore new facets. I am always
enthusiastic for venturing into something absolutely new, uncommon and unknown to the rest of
the world.

Question 8(d). Which road does the speaker choose?

Solution : The speaker chose the road which was less used. The road he chose seemed to tread
upon lesser than the other. His road seems to be grassy as well while the other was not.

Question 9. Describe the two roads that the author finds.

Solution : Both the roads were covered with undergrowth. The one which the poet took was
“grassy” and apparently less used and thus, wanted wear.
Bring out the symbolism in the poem ‘The Road Not Taken’.

Answer: The poem The Road Not Taken’ concerns a choice made between two roads by the
poet. The poet decides to explore one road and then come back and explore the other but this
might not be possible. The choice of roads in the poem symbolizes the choices that one has to
make in life. All the choices appear to be equally attractive. They are confining too as one cannot
foretell the eventual result of one’s choice. Through the years, however, we come to find out that
the choices we make and the paths we choose, will make all the difference in our lives.

. Why did the poet keep the first road for another day?

Answer: The poet kept the first road for another day in the hope that he would travel it in the
future. But all know that our future is uncertain. No one can predict it. One can never hope to
return to the original starting point to resume the path.

THE LOST CHILD

Question 8(a). The poet says “I took the one less travelled by, And that has made all the
difference.” What is ‘the difference’ that the poet mentions?
Solution : The difference is probably the degree of success which he has achieved and the
amount of happiness and fulfilment he must have felt by travelling the unexplored way.

Question 8(b). Does the speaker seem happy about his decision?
Solution : There is a certain ambiguity here. The speaker seems happy and satisfied when he
says – “And that has made all the difference.” However, the sigh just before this makes us
question his happiness.

Question 8(c). Which road would you choose? Why?

Solution : A sample answer has been provided for students’ reference. It is strongly
recommended that students prepare the answer on their own. I would always choose the path not
tread upon before me. I like adventure and would want to explore new facets. I am always
enthusiastic for venturing into something absolutely new, uncommon and unknown to the rest of
the world.

Question 8(d). Which road does the speaker choose?

Solution : The speaker chose the road which was less used. The road he chose seemed to tread
upon lesser than the other. His road seems to be grassy as well while the other was not.
Question 9. Describe the two roads that the author finds.
Solution : Both the roads were covered with undergrowth. The one which the poet took was
“grassy” and apparently less used and thus, wanted wear.

1. Write a note on the theme of the story ‘The Lost Child’.

Answer: The story The Lost Child’ is based on child psychology. A child is curious by nature.
He is attracted by beautiful things. He wishes to possess everything which looks attractive.
However, he takes interest in these things only when he is in the company of his parents. But
when he is lost, these things lose their charm for him. In this story, a child goes to a fair with his
parents. He is attracted by different things. He wishes to buy balloons, sweets and garlands of
gulmohur. He wishes to enjoy a ride in the roundabout. But suddenly he finds that his parents
are missing. Now he starts weeping. A kind man tries to console him. He offers to buy him a
number of things. But the child goes on weeping. He wants only his parents.

2. Give a description of the festival of spring.

Answer: The festival of spring was a gay occasion. It was held in a village. A number of people
were going to the fair. They were wearing new clothes. Sonic of them were on foot. Others were
in bullock carts and on horses. The fair was full of joy. A little boy was also going to the fair
along with his parents. He was very happy. There were several shops selling toys, sweets,
balloons. etc. At a shop, garlands of gulmohur Bowers were also being sold. The child wanted
to buy balloons, sweets and other things. But his parents rejected his demands. There were
jugglers also. Near the temple, the crowd was very thick. Some people were enjoying the ride in
a roundabout. The child also wanted to have a ride in it. But he lost interest when he found his
parents missing.

4. Describe the condition of the child after he had lost his parents at the fair.

Answer: The child went to the fair along with his parents. He was very happy. He was attracted
by the colourful and beautiful things. He saw balloons, flower garlands, toys and sweets. He
saw a juggler showing tricks. He also saw a roundabout. But he was sad because his parents
rejected all his demands. They did not purchase anything for him. He could not enjoy the
juggler’s tricks. Then he wanted to have a ride on the roundabout Ile turned to ask his parents.
But he found them missing. He was separated from them. Now a sudden change came in the
child. He started crying for his parents. A kind man tried to console him. But the child lost
interest in everything. He wanted to join his parents again. He cried, “I want my mother. I want
my father!”

9. Compare the child’s behaviour before and after he lost his parents.
Answer: Before losing his parents, the child is in a happy, cheerful and playful mood. He gets
attracted to many things on the way but follows his parents’ call whenever they ask him to. He is
amazed by the beauty of nature and enjoys it in his innocent way. He feels secure in the
presence of his parents and so he does not even wait for their response when he demands
things from them. However, on getting separated, he is filled with fear and panic. He cries
inconsolably and gets lost in a large crowd of people all around. He refuses to accept even
those things that he had wanted a little while ago. Everything else loses value in his eyes in the
absence of his parents. His laughter and happiness are replaced by insecurity and fear.

When the child got lost in the fair a stranger helped him and tried to solve his problem.
What do you feel about the behaviour of the stranger?
Answer: The stranger was certainly a kind-hearted man. He saved the child from being
trampled under the feet. He loved children very much. He lifted the lost child in his lap and
offered him all those things which the child desired to have earlier. He also offered the child to
go on the roundabout. Obviously, such persons are rare and their responsibility gets increased
in the fair. The stranger showed the love of parents in his behaviour towards the lost child. He
tried to assure the child that he should not be afraid of anything in the fair. He will find the
parents and hand over the lost child to him. The stranger also knew that the lost child could not
live with his parents because he was weeping bitterly for his parents. Still, he tried to make the
lost child happy. With his kind behaviour, the stranger proved that everybody has immense love
for children.

The child was denied everything by his parents. Why then did his love for them not
lessen in any way?
Answer: The child had come to the fair with his parents to have fun and to enjoy the festive
spirit like others. Although he wanted to have many things at the fair, he knew that he could not
have them because his parents disliked those things. Although he was denied everything that
he asked for, his love for them did not lessen. He enjoyed the natural beauty and satisfied
himself by simply looking at the things he liked but could not have. He accompanied them
obediently and did not throw any tantrums or compel them in any way to buy him sweets,
garlands, balloons etc. His deep love for them can be seen when he gets separated from them.
He misses them terribly and feels lonely. At that time his only concern is to get them back.

Describe the character of the child as depicted in the story.

AnswerThe child is very young, innocent and full of joy and energy. He finds everything around
him exciting and fascinating, whether a dragonfly or toy displayed in a toy shop. Like any child
he is easily distracted and his desires and interests keep on changing from sweetmeats to
balloons to rides. He is not used to large crowds and is ‘repelled and fascinated’ by them.His
whole world revolves around his parents and he is deeply affected at his separation from them.
He is obedient and disciplined and does not throw a tantrum to get his object of desire. He fears
his father and approaches his mother whenever he is tempted by any of the objects he sees
during his journey to the fair and at the fair itself.

What could the child see when they neared the village?

AnswerThe child was going to the village fair along with his parents. As they neared the village,
he could see many footpaths full of throngs, converging to the whirlpool of the fair and felt at
once repelled and fascinated by the confusion of the world he was entering into.