CBSE Class 9 English Beehive NCERT Solutions: The Fun They Had

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 9 PDF

CBSE Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 1, 'The Fun They Had,' presents a compelling vision of future education. This NCERT Solutions introduction highlights how the story contrasts the traditional classroom with a technologically advanced, solitary learning experience. It focuses on young Margie and her discovery of a real book, leading her to question the efficiency and joy of her mechanical teacher and virtual lessons. The solutions guide students through understanding the characters' perspectives, the significance of the 'fun' in past schooling, and the implications of digital versus physical learning. By analyzing the narrative and its themes, these solutions aim to enhance comprehension and equip students with the insights needed for a thorough understanding of the chapter and its relevance to evolving educational landscapes.

Home

Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 9
Subject	English Beehive
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	Chapter 1

Chapter summary

Chapter 1, 'The Fun They Had,' presents a story set in the future where children learn from mechanical teachers at home. These NCERT Solutions cover questions about the characters' ages, their discovery of a real book, and their thoughts on past versus future education. The solutions explain concepts like telebooks and the nature of Margie's schooling, providing clear answers to aid student comprehension and revision.

Learning outcomes

Understand the futuristic setting of the story 'The Fun They Had'.
Identify and describe the characters Margie and Tommy.
Compare and contrast traditional schooling with future virtual learning.
Explain the concept of a 'telebook' as presented in the story.
Analyze Margie's reactions to finding a physical book.
Answer comprehension questions based on the text accurately.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Futuristic education system
Mechanical teachers
Virtual learning vs. traditional learning
Discovery of a physical book
Character analysis: Margie and Tommy
Concept of telebooks
Diary entry analysis
Comprehension of narrative text

Important topics

Comparison of future and past education
Margie's perspective on learning
The significance of the physical book
Understanding the 'mechanical teacher'
Defining 'telebook'

PDF preview

Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.

Loading document …

Page of

Loading page …

Questions and Solutions

Q.1 Calculate how many years and months ahead from now Margie's entry is.

Calculate how many years and months ahead from now Margie's entry is.

Solution: Margie's diary entry is dated May 17, 2157. To calculate how many years and months ahead this is from the present day, we need to subtract the current year and month from 2157. For example, if the current date is May 17, 2018, then the entry is 139 years and 0 months ahead (2157 - 2018 = 139). If the current date is, say, November 17, 2017, then the entry is 139 years and 6 months ahead (139 years from Nov 2017 to Nov 2017, plus 6 months from Nov 2017 to May 2018). The exact calculation depends on the current date. The provided answer of 'about 139 years and 5 months ahead' suggests a current date around April 2018.

Q.1A Answer these questions in a few words or a couple of sentences each. How old are Margie and Tommy?

Answer these questions in a few words or a couple of sentences each. How old are Margie and Tommy?

Solution: Margie is eleven years old, and Tommy is thirteen years old. They are both children who attend school in the future.

Q.1B Answer these questions in a few words or a couple of sentences each. What did Margie write in her diary?

Answer these questions in a few words or a couple of sentences each. What did Margie write in her diary?

Solution: Margie wrote in her diary, "Today Tommy found a real book!" She was excited because finding a physical book was a rare event in their time.

Q.1C Answer these questions in a few words or a couple of sentences each. Had Margie ever seen a book before?

Answer these questions in a few words or a couple of sentences each. Had Margie ever seen a book before?

Solution: No, Margie had never seen a book before. In her time, all reading material is displayed on screens, and they learn from mechanical teachers, not from physical books.

Q.1D Answer these questions in a few words or a couple of sentences each. What things about the book did she find strange?

Answer these questions in a few words or a couple of sentences each. What things about the book did she find strange?

Solution: Margie found several things about the book strange. She was surprised by its yellow and crinkly pages, which seemed very old. She also found it odd that the words on the pages were fixed and did not move like they did on a screen. Additionally, she noted that when she turned back to a previous page, the words were the same as when she first read them, unlike the dynamic content on a screen.

Q.1E Answer these questions in a few words or a couple of sentences each. What do you think a telebook is?

Answer these questions in a few words or a couple of sentences each. What do you think a telebook is?

Solution: A telebook is likely a book that is read on a screen, such as a computer or television monitor. It represents the digital form of books in Margie's future world, contrasting with the physical books of the past.

Q.1F Answer these questions in a few words or a couple of sentences each. Where was Margie's school? Did she have any classmates?

Answer these questions in a few words or a couple of sentences each. Where was Margie's school? Did she have any classmates?

Solution: Margie's school was located within her own home, in a special room right next to her bedroom. She did not have any classmates; she learned alone with her mechanical teacher.

Q.1G Answer these questions in a few words or a couple of sentences each. What subjects did Margie and Tommy learn?

Answer these questions in a few words or a couple of sentences each. What subjects did Margie and Tommy learn?

Solution: Margie and Tommy learned subjects such as History, Geography, and Arithmetic. Their education was delivered by mechanical teachers, which were essentially televisions displaying lessons.

Q.2A Answer the following with reference to the story: "I wouldn't throw it away."

Answer the following with reference to the story: "I wouldn't throw it away."

Who says these words?

Solution: These words are spoken by Tommy. He says this in response to Margie's question about what happens to old books, implying that he values the old book they found, unlike the discarded mechanical teachers or components that might be thrown away.

Common mistakes

Confusing the dates and time differences mentioned in the story.
Misinterpreting the function of the mechanical teacher.
Failing to grasp the significance of the 'real book' discovery.
Difficulty in differentiating between a telebook and a physical book.

Revision tips

Reread the story focusing on the differences between Margie's school and a traditional school.
Pay close attention to Margie's feelings and thoughts about the book and the teacher.
Use the provided solutions to check your understanding of each question.
Discuss the story's themes with classmates to deepen comprehension.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What year is Margie's diary entry set in?

Q2. What did Tommy discover that Margie found exciting?

Q3. How was Margie's school different from a traditional school?

Q4. What does the term 'telebook' likely refer to in the story?

Q5. Why did Margie find the book strange?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of 'The Fun They Had'?

The main theme is the contrast between future virtual education and traditional schooling, exploring how children learn and interact in different eras.

Who are the main characters in Chapter 1 of English Beehive?

The main characters are Margie, an eleven-year-old girl, and Tommy, her thirteen-year-old friend.

What is a 'telebook' according to the story?

A telebook is a book that can be read on a screen, similar to an e-book, as opposed to a physical book with printed pages.

How do these NCERT Solutions help students?

These solutions provide clear, rewritten answers to all questions, helping students understand the story's details, characters, and themes for better exam preparation.

What is Margie's initial reaction to finding a real book?

Margie finds the real book strange because of its old, yellow pages and the static words, contrasting it with the moving text and interactive screens she is used to.

Content reviewed by the NCERT Help team. Editorial Team and update policy

NCERT Solutions PDF PDF on NCERT Help. URL unchanged for search indexing.