Kerala SCERT Class 9 English Chapter 13 The Happiness Machine Question Answer Solution here. Kerala Board Class 9 Students can find Here 13th Chapter The Happiness Machine Notes provide by our Teacher. Important Question Answer from Chapter 13 The Happiness Machine.
- Board- Kerala Board.
- Class – 9.
- Subject – English Part 2 / Volume 2
- Chapter Name – The Happiness Machine.
- Topic – Question Answer Solution.
Kerala SCERT Class 9 English The Happiness Machine Question Answer
Read and respond
1.) What according to Auffman, is the novel invention?
Ans.According to Auffman, the novel invention was “The Happiness Machine”.
2.) What was the perplexing question forming in his mind?
Ans.The perplexing question forming in his mind was that should the machine be something that can be carried in his pocket or something that carried him in its pocket.
3.) Leo Auffman was carrying a dictionary when he went to talk to his wife. What is his intention behind it?
Ans.Leo Auffman was carrying a dictionary when he went to talk to his wife as he wanted to understand the right words which were connected to happiness.
4.) “Do you think whether I am happy by doing all these household works.” What did Lena mean by that? Do you think she is really happy?
Ans. Lena meant that she was not at all pleased by doing all the household works. No, she is not really happy as she has to perform lots of hard work alone.
5.) What made Lena freeze? What led to such a mishap?
Ans. Lena suddenly froze as she smelled a burning smell and found cloud of smoke from the kitchen. She was talking to her husband which made her mind divert from her work in the kitchen.
6.) Pick out the expressions which suggest Leo Auffman worked hard.
Ans.The expressions like ‘clings, clangs, rings, beeps; sounds of toil echoed rhythmically from the garage, thosedays were without food, rest and sleep’ suggest that Leo Auffman worked hard.
7.) How did Lena respond when she heard that the Happiness Machine was ready?
Ans. Lena after hearing that the Happiness Machine was ready expressed that her husband Lee has lost his pounds and become very thin and their children never had the care and love from their father. According to her he should stop himself from making whatever he was making as man could not make any changes.
8) The garage grabbed the attention of even the birds and dogs. Why were they attracted to it?
Ans.The garage grabbed the attention of even the birds and dogs. They were all attracted to it as the garage contained the Happiness Machine which made different types of sounds. The birds, dogs and people were inquisitive about the source of the sounds that were coming from the machine.
9.) What made Lena think that the machine was worthless? How should the happiness machine be according to Lena?
Ans.Lena thought the machine was worthless as she thought if Leo died of overwork, then she would be left with children and tedious household tasks. Lena also thought that if the machine was unable to perform all household tasks, the kitchen work, look after children, make old men young it was a useless machine.
10.)Who was the first to test the machine? What was the effect of it?
Ans. The first to test the machine was Leo’s son Saul. Saul had gone into the garage and tried to find happiness in the Happiness Machine but the machine became very hot and did not find any happiness for him.
11.)Why was Lena ready to try the machine?
Ans.Lena was ready to try the machine as she did not want her children to be hurt in the Happiness Machine as Leo was interested in testing the children in the Happiness Machine.
12.) How did the machine behave when the button was pressed?
Ans. When the button was pressed the machine trembled, started making different sounds and growled like a wild dog.
13.) ‘Blue Danube’ stands for
Ans. It stands for Danube River.
14.) “Only she thinks she is dancing!” What did Leo Auffman mean by this?
Ans.Leo Auffman meant that he was also very happy that the machine was working as per his expectations and that it was not only that Lena was dancing but Leo was also dancing with happiness of success.
15.) How did Paris make Lena sad?
Ans. Paris made Leena sad as the Happiness machine was actually making Leena feel that she was in Paris but originally, she was not and she would never be able to visit Paris.
16.) What all things did the machine do to make Lena happy?
Ans. The Happiness Machine showed Lena Paris, made the beautiful sun-set last forever, made her feel that she was dancing, made her feel young and filled the compartment with fragrance and a pleasing temperature so that Lena remains comfortable always.
17.) Why couldn’t Lena enjoy the sunset which lasted long?
Ans. Lena did not enjoy the sunset which lasted long because Lena believed that everyone enjoyed the beauty of sunset because it always came and went every day, its beauty lied on its temporariness. Lena also said that she could not watch sunset forever as she had many household chores to complete.
18.) In the words of Lena, what was the mistake Leo Auffman made in the making of the Happiness Machine?
Ans.In the words of Lena, Leo Auffman made the mistake of making quick things slow and far away things close, he forgot that people love the things because of their originality, the sunset is beautiful as it does not last long, far away things attract humans as they are not easily reachable.
19.) How could Leo Auffman escape from the burning machine?
Ans.Leo Auffman escaped from the burning machine when someone broke the doors of the machine and the boys dragged him out.
20.) What changed the house into total disarray?
Ans. The house changed into total disarray due to the burning of Happiness Machine and the resulting commotion of many people and the firemen.
21.) Did Leo Auffman realise his mistake in his attempt to make others happy with a machine?
Ans. Yes, Leo Auffman realised his mistake in his attempt to make others happy with a machine, he understood that a Happiness Machine was made a thousand years ago and was still there but not did not prove to be useful and it ran on and on.
22.) According to Leo Auffman, what is the real Happiness Machine? What made him realise that?
Ans. According to Leo Auffman, the real Happiness Machine was the home and the family residing in it. The love, care and togetherness that all the members share with each other is the Happiness Machine for every person. A family which enjoys and shares all the responsibilities together is the instrument of contentment and merriment. Leo Auffman realised this when he looked through the large window pane and found his family gathered together cheerfully performing their activities, his children were merrily playing, his wife cooking a sumptuous meal, the fragrance of baking bread and butter. These sights brought about ripples in his body and made Auffman realise that the true happiness was the time spent with the family and not any machine.
Let’s revisit and reflect
Let’s quote what Mr. Leo Auffman and Lena Auffman said about the machine. The following quotes of Leo Auffman suggest that he is very confident about the machine which creates happy situations. Now pick out the comments of Lena Auffman about the machine.
Leo Auffman | Lena Auffman |
I am trying to get a way to solve all your complaints.
That’s not how it’s built! Press the button and you will see! She only thinks she is dancing! I still do not understand what’s wrong with the machine. |
“Lee, you lost your pounds and our children were lacking your care.”
“Could that make old men young or I be happy in that box if you died of overwork?” “Can the machine get all things done for the house, the kitchen and the children?” “We always like sunset when it comes and goes. How long can I watch the sunset when our children wait for lunch, dishes to be washed and beds to be made? You made the quick things go slow and brought far away things come close. It shouldn’t be. We like quick things for they are quick and far away things as they are not easily reachable.” |
Now we have gone through the different perspectives of Leo and Lena Auffman towards happiness. Let’s discuss to what extent the story supports or refutes the following statements.
Machines and devices make our life easy and happy.
Real happiness comes from our relationships rather than from material things.
Ans.Machines and devices make our life easy and comfortable; they can perform our works easily and faster. In today’s world we are leading a very fast life and everyone is working to fulfil their requirements. The machines and devices assist us to make our work faster and effortless. Inspite of all the benefits of machines these cannot provide real happiness. If a family has huge house, modern equipments of all comfort and luxury but would not be able to enjoy pure happiness and bliss unless the family has complete peace, harmony, love and togetherness among all its members. If the parents and the children are always arguing and full of unhappiness, no machine can bring them contentment and bliss. The machines would not be able to provide the happiness that only the affection and attachment of a family.
Activity 1
a) Given below is the story board of the film ‘The Happiness Machine’. Study the pictures carefully and write the appropriate events from the story in the space provided. One has been done for you.
Lena Auffman is working in the working alone Leo Auffman is working on his Happiness
in the kitchen without any help Machine which is almost ready and bigger
she is tired and angry. than him in size.
Leo Auffman’s son Saul was crying in his bed at night, Leo Auffman thought he was having nightmares and then he saw the garage door open and the Happiness Machine hot.
Lena Auffman is inside the machine and Leo Auffman is giving instruction to run the machine to her, she looks happy and smiling. Leo Auffman was very excited about the success of the machine and his boys were standing with him.
The Happiness Machine was on fire and the firemen were trying to extinguish the flames. Leo Auffman was angry because the Happiness Machine was burning and he was trying to put down the flames.
b) Now select any scene from the given story board and complete the worksheet. Sample is given.
Title of the scene | Lena Auffman is sitting inside the Happiness Machine |
Key ideas | The beautiful sights, sounds of music and mesmerizing fragrances inside the Happiness Machine |
Appearance/ features of the characters | Lena Auffman -middle aged and happy looking, Leo Auffman -Middle aged, confident, Saul – Son of Leo and Lena, young man, worried. |
Settings and background information
|
Garage in front of the Happiness Machine constructed by Leo Auffman which he wants to experiment, Lena Auffman herself comes forward to go inside the machine to avoid her children from facing the dangers. The Happiness Machine is eight -foot -tall and orange coloured. |
Plot (problems and solutions)
|
Leo Auffman has spent most of his time and energy for six months in constructing the Happiness Machine. He has not only lost his weight but also did not spend any time with their children. Lena was unhappy as she had to perform all household chores and look after the children all alone and there was no help from her husband Leo. |
Props you may need | A large cardboard box with a door painted in orange colour and transparent plastic sheet put on the half door as a see-through glass. |
Likely Conversation | Saul: “Is Mother alright?”
Leo: “Yes, she is very happy and enjoying.” Saul: “No, the machine is becoming hot, something will happen to mother.” Leo: “No, listen, she is laughing.” |
d) Given below is the dialogue of the characters from a particular scene of the film ‘ The Happiness Machine ‘. Scan the QR code to see the particular scene. Watch the scene carefully and complete the dialogue.
Leo: Why am I in bed so late?
Lena: Stay there or I will give you such a hit.
Leo: What’s this?
Lena: Its’ your breakfast which is now cold.
Leo: Where is the Happiness Machine?
e) Let’s now draft a subtitle for this scene: Ans- Breakfast Scene
Activity 2
By making use of these words, write a paragraph on the topic, ‘How can we be happy?’
Ans. Happiness is a phenomenon which is a state of mind that cannot be acquired through materials and machines. Machines and various devices can make our life easy and comfortable but cannot give us complete happiness. Happiness, contentment, peace of mind, bliss etc are feelings that can only be acquired when humans have love, cooperation and togetherness from each other. If a house is full of all modern appliances offering all the comforts to the members of the family but there is no love, togetherness amongst the parents and children then all these comforts are of no benefit. If the members of the family fight, argue and behave in a selfish manner with each other then the gadgets will not bring any happiness to them. A person can be completely happy when there is cooperation, togetherness and empathy between him and his family. Friends are also an essential part of our life, they share our happiness, sadness and success with us. True friends are our biggest companion and they are pillars of strength along with our family. We can be truly happy only when we have a loving family and compassionate friends.
Activity 3
a) Leo Auffmann tries to find happiness from a machine. The present generation tries to seek happiness from mobile phones.
Now, look at this cartoon strip.
b) What idea does this cartoon strip convey?
Ans. The cartoon strip conveys that the man is so engrossed with the mobile phone in his hand that he does not notice that a bird is laying eggs, he is unaware that the eggs are laid and hatched and small birds also fly out but the man still does not even understand as he is preoccupied with his gadget in his hand.
c) Based on the discussion on the cartoon, conduct a debate on the topic, ‘Mobile phone – boon or bane.’
Ans Debate on the topic, ‘Mobile phone – boon or bane.’
In Favor of the motion– Mobile phones are boon in many respects, it has connected everyone all over the world with each other no matter what is the distance. We can do our various works on the mobile phone, the phones are also our source of entertainment also, we can watch movies, games, news etc. Nowadays various applications have been developed through which we can perform banking, booking travel tickets, buy various items through our mobile phones. We can know about During the time of Covid and continuous lockdowns, the mobile phones have been the biggest asset to the world. People were able to connect with their relatives from far places, students were able to study, complete courses and most importantly the government was able to reach all citizens across the country to inform about the covid situation and necessary steps required through the mobile phones as everyone uses phones more than any other media of communications. Mobile phones coupled with internet superhighway have enabled us to get any information at a click of finger.
Against of Motion– Mobile phones have many benefits but these gadgets have become a bane due to excessive use by us. The phones are expensive also sometimes. Nowadays people keep all their personal informations and photos in their phones which sometimes become dangerous as these informations and photos get leaked in the internet by hackers which cause both financial and social hindrances. People are so engrossed in the phones that they even talk or watch phones while driving and crossing roads which lead to fatal accidents. The use of internet is useful only when we use it for productive works, but the trend of tasteless videos, movies are spoiling the minds of people. The young generation is badly affected by the uncontrolled use of mobile phones, they are not only harming their studies, health but also their future by continuous use of mobile phones. They do not go outside to play or mix up with new people but prefer the virtual world which is not only unhealthy but also making them unsocial. These phones are also causing psychological disorders in the young minds who think that the virtual world is happier place to live in. The use of mobile phones and internet cause malpractices in exam halls and other important institutions. People have lost interest in reading gardening etc outdoor hobbies, they do not also pass time also with their family and friends but stay busy with phones and virtual friends. Humans have become selfish and self-centred; they prefer to make videos of people in trouble rather than helping them so to gain popularity in social media. Thus, mobile phones can only be boon if we use them in control.
Language activity
Study the given sentences:
a.) Leo consoled Lena.
b.) Lena was consoled by Leo.
Do the above two sentences express the same meaning?
What did Leo do? Hence Leo. is the doer of the action.
Activity 1
Read the following sentences and identify the doer of the action in each sentence.
1.) The oven door was pulled open by Lena. – Lena
2.) Leo forced Lena to stop her work. – Leo
3.) Leo was awakened by vague sounds. – Vague sounds
4.) Leo makes a new machine. – Leo
5.) The clothes have been ironed by Lena. – Lena
6.) Naomi was cutting paper doll dress.- Naomi
When do we begin a sentence with the doer of the action? Tick the correct option.
(a) When the doer of the action is emphasised.
(b) When the receiver of the action is emphasised.
Ans.(a) When the doer of the action is emphasised.
a) Observe the sentence patterns given in column A and column B and complete the missing rows.
A | B |
1. Leo made a new machine.
2. Naomi was cutting paper doll dress. 3.Lena pulled the oven open. 4. Lena ironed the clothes. 5. Joseph is running his electric train. 6. Lena had pressed the button.
|
1. A new machine was made by Leo.
2Paper doll dress was being cut by Naomi. 3. The oven was pulled open by Lena. 4. The clothes have been ironed by Lena. 5.The electric train is run by Joseph. 6.The button was pressed by Lena. |
b) Some events from the lesson The Happiness Machine are given below. Read them.
Leo completed the work of the happiness machine.
Lena checked the function of the happiness machine. Leo did not care for their children. Lena looked after their children. They could hear a muffled explosion. The boys dragged him out. They called the fire force. Children were watching the firemen. |
In the above sentences, the doers are emphasised. Now rewrite the sentences giving emphasise to the receiver. One has been done for you.
1.) The work of the happiness machine was completed.
2.) The function of the Happiness Machine was checked by Leo.
3.) Their children were not cared for by Leo.
4.) Their children were looked after by Lena.
5.) A muffled explosion was heard by them.
6.) He was dragged by the boys.
7.) The fire force was called by them.
8.) The firemen were being watched by the children.