1.2 The Fun They Had

Margie even wrote about it that night in her diary. On the page headed 17 May 2157, she wrote, ‘Today Tommy found a real book!’
It was a very old book. Margie’s grandfather once said that when he was a little boy his grandfather told him that there was a time when all stories were printed on paper.
They turned the pages, which were yellow and crinkly, and it was awfully funny to read words that stood still instead of moving the way they were supposed to – on a screen, you know. And then when they turned back to the page before, it had the same words on it that it had when they read it the first time.
“Gee,” said Tommy, “what a waste ! When you’re
through with the book, you just throw it away, I guess. Our television screen must have had a million books on it and it’s good for plenty more. I wouldn’t throw it away.”
“Same with mine,” said Margie. She was eleven and hadn’t seen as many telebooks as Tommy had. He was thirteen.
She said, “Where did you find it ?”
“In my house.” He pointed without looking because he was busy reading. “In the attic.”
“What’s it about ?”
“School.”
Margie was scornful. “School ? What’s there to write about school ? I hate school.”
Margie always hated school, but now she hated it more than ever. The mechanical teacher had been giving her test after test in geography and she had been doing worse and worse until her mother had shaken her head sorrowfully and sent for the County Inspector.
He was a round little man with a red face and a whole box of tools with dials and wires. He smiled at Margie and gave her an apple, then took the teacher apart. Margie had hoped he wouldn’t know how to put it together again, but he knew how all right, and, after an hour.

1. **Simple Factual Question (2 marks):**

True or False:

Margie found the book in the attic of her house.

**Answer:** False

(or)

Fill in the Blank:

Margie wrote about the book Tommy found in her ______.

**Answer:** diary

2. **Complex Factual Question (2 marks):**

Why did Margie hate school more than ever?

**Answer:** Margie hated school more than ever because the mechanical teacher kept giving her test after test in geography, and she was doing worse each time.

3. **Vocabulary Question (2 marks):**

What does the word “scornful” mean as used in the passage?

(a) Curious

(b) Disdainful

(c) Excited

(d) Confused

**Answer:** (b) Disdainful

4. **Language Study (2 questions, 1 mark each):**

1. Identify the part of speech of the word “awfully” in the sentence: “It was awfully funny to read words that stood still.”

**Answer:** Adverb

2. Convert the sentence into passive voice: “He pointed without looking because he was busy reading.”

**Answer:** “The pointing was done without looking because he was busy reading.”

5. **Personal Response Question (2 marks):**

Do you think Margie’s dislike for school is justified? Why or why not?

**Answer:**

Yes, her dislike is justified because the mechanical teacher was not helping her learn effectively and caused her stress.

(Or) No, her dislike is not justified because school is important for learning, even if it is challenging.