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IV. Answer each of these questions in two or three paragraphs ... - Beehive
IV. Answer each of these questions in two or three paragraphs (100 –150 words).
1. What are the main features of the mechanical teachers and the schoolrooms that Margie and Tommy have in the story?
2. Why did Margie hate school? Why did she think the old kind of school must have been fun?
3. Do you agree with Margie that schools today are more fun than the school in the story? Give reasons for your answer.
1. What are the main features of the mechanical teachers and the schoolrooms that Margie and Tommy have in the story?
Ans: Margie and Tommy have mechanical teachers, which are large black screens that display lessons and ask questions. These teachers are not human; they are machines programmed to teach specific subjects like Geography, History, and Arithmetic. A key feature is the "slot" where students have to put their homework and test papers. These papers are written in a punch code, and the mechanical teacher calculates the marks instantly.
Their schoolrooms are located right inside their homes. Margie’s schoolroom, for example, is right next to her bedroom. There are no classmates; each student studies alone. The school follows a very strict and regular schedule, as the mechanical teacher turns on at the same time every day except for Saturdays and Sundays. The learning is personalized, as the machine's speed is adjusted to fit the mental level of each individual child.
2. Why did Margie hate school? Why did she think the old kind of school must have been fun?
Ans: Margie hated school because it was monotonous, lonely, and lacked any excitement. She found it boring to sit alone in a room with a machine. Her hatred increased because she was performing poorly in Geography tests. The mechanical teacher kept giving her test after test, and she found the process of submitting homework through a punch-code slot very tiresome. The mechanical nature of her education left no room for imagination or social interaction.
On the other hand, she thought the old kind of school must have been fun because it involved human interaction. She imagined all the kids from the entire neighborhood coming together, laughing and shouting in the schoolyard. Since they all learned the same things and sat together in the same classroom, they could help each other with homework and discuss their lessons. To Margie, the idea of having a human teacher and being surrounded by friends was much more appealing than her isolated mechanical school.
3. Do you agree with Margie that schools today are more fun than the school in the story? Give reasons for your answer.
Ans: Yes, I completely agree with Margie that schools today are more fun than the mechanical schools of the future. The primary reason is the social environment. In today’s schools, students interact with their peers, build friendships, and learn social skills. This makes the school experience lively and enjoyable, unlike the lonely and robotic environment Margie lived in. Activities like playing together, sharing lunch, and participating in sports or cultural events provide a healthy break from studies.
Furthermore, human teachers are far superior to mechanical ones. A machine can only follow a pre-set program and cannot understand a child’s emotions or individual struggles. A human teacher can offer empathy, encouragement, and adapt their teaching style to inspire students. The physical school building creates a sense of community and discipline. In contrast, Margie’s school was merely a functional room that lacked the warmth and joy of a modern-day classroom.