NCERT Solutions Class 11 English Chapter 4 Albert Einstein at School Patrick Pringle

NCERT Solutions for Class 11 for English Chapter Albert Einstein at School by Patrick Pringle

Reading with insight 

Q1: What do you understand of Einstein's nature from his conversations with his history teacher, his mathematics teacher and the head teacher? 

Answer  

Einstein didn't believe in the then prevailing system of education as he found memorising facts and dates is quite useless. He straightaway told the History teacher that he was not interested in learning the dates of battles, which of the armies killed more men, etc. He also opinioned that he didn’t think learning facts is education. Ideas attracted him more than facts.  His mathematics teacher had a high opinion of him and he recognised Albert’s rare intellectual genius and his aptitude for mathematics. He said. “I can’t teach you more and probably you’ll soon be able to teach me’.  Albert had an inquisitive nature and enquiring mind. He loved music and played his violin regularly. He did not compromise and adjust to the system of education which gave importance to rote learning.  He was defensive at the beginning when he was summoned by his the head teacher. He had misunderstood Einstein and considered him as a rebellious student who was unwilling to study. He told Einstein to leave the school of his own accord. Albert wanted to tell the head teacher what he thought of him and the school but he kept quiet. He showed his contempt by not closing the door as was asked by the head teacher and he was in a carefree mood that he didn’t bother to give the school a last look.  

Q2 : The school system often curbs individual talents. Discuss. 

Answer 

Students should prepare the answer on their own. A model answer is given here for their reference. 

According to Mahatma Gandhi, education should be an all-round drawing out of the best in the child and man. Schools should provide a platform for the students for perfecting their talents. On the contrary, our education system often curbs individual talents. The modern education system comprises mostly the rote-learning which is measured by marks and grades. Such education system is unproductive and outdated as it doesn’t provide proper atmosphere for the proper development of the students. This kind of system is a hindrance to the holistic development of a child but kills the creative instinct in children. As Einstein commented, education is not just learning facts, figures and dates but it should help the students to understand concepts and generate new ideas.  

Q3 : How do you distinguish between information gathering and insight formation? 

Answer 

Students should prepare the answer on their own. A model answer is given here for their reference. 

According to Albert Einstein, education is not limited to mere information gathering. One can look up in a book for the information about anything hence, memorising it is of no use. What is important are understanding concepts and forming ideas or insights. So, insight formation must be the aim of education. The education that students receive from schools shouldn’t overburden students with the heaps of data collection. As described in the story, the school education system is more concerned about information gathering rather than making students proficient in developing insights. The teachers do not encourage the observatory and inferential skills of students that are essential to sharpen their intelligence.  Insight formation, may differ from person to person, in terms of one’s ideas and concepts.