The Fun They Had

At the beginning of “The Fun They Had,” what has caused Margie to hate school even more than before?

• learning about real teachers instead of teaching machines

• reading an old book that Tommy has found in his attic

• doing poorly on test after test in geography

• having no friends in school anymore

In “The Fun They Had,” how is Margie’s teacher different from the teachers that most students who attend schools today have?

• Margie’s teacher has been told very little about her.

• Margie’s teacher is a person at a remote location.

• Margie’s teacher is her mother.

• Margie’s teacher is a machine.

In “The Fun They Had,” why does Margie’s mother have the county inspector visit?

• to reprogram Margie’s teacher

• to punish Margie for her poor grades

• to explain what Margie needs to learn

• to give Margie personal instruction in geography

In “The Fun They Had,” which of these things are unfamiliar to Margie until she learns about them from Tommy or his book? Choose three options.

• tests

• homework

• group learning

• human teachers

• school buildings

At which of these events would a person most likely speak sorrowfully?

• a funeral

• a concert

• a wedding

• a graduation

Which of these adjectives would best describe someone who loftily answers a question?

• inspirational

• thoughtful

• snobby

• kind

If a person behaves nonchalantly, how does he or she most likely feel?

• sad

• angry

• worried

• carefree

The following question has two parts. Answer Part A first, and then Part B.

Part A In “The Fun They Had,” Tommy finds a book. Why are the book’s pages yellow and crinkly?

• The book is very cheaply made.

• No one has ever read the book before.

• The book was printed a long time ago.

• Someone was trying to hide the book in the attic.

Part A answer: The book was printed a long time ago.

Part B Which quotation from “The Fun They Had” best supports the answer to Part A?

• It was a very old book.

• [I]t 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 had when they read it the first time.

• “Our television screen must have had a million books on it and it’s good for plenty more.”

The following question has two parts. Answer Part A first, and then Part B.

Part A In “The Fun They Had,” in what way is Margie’s education more personal than the education of students her age in most schools today?

• Her teacher is a caring human being who focuses on only one student.

• Her schoolwork is programmed to suit her own specific learning abilities.

• She is able to decide when to take tests and how difficult those tests should be.

• She is able to connect with other students who are studying the same subjects at a similar pace.