Exam-oriented note for Chapter 4: A Truly Beautiful Mind from English Beehive – Class IX*, with a point-wise summary and detailed Q&A:

Chapter 4: A Truly Beautiful Mind

Author: Biographical Sketch of Albert Einstein

Point-wise Summary

• Albert Einstein was born in Germany in 1879 and didn’t speak until age two.
• He had a curious and questioning mind but disliked rote learning in school.
• His interest in mathematics and science grew as he got older.
• He continued his education in Switzerland and graduated in 1900.
• Einstein worked as a technical expert in a patent office, where he developed his ideas.
• In 1905, he published the Special Theory of Relativity, introducing the famous formula E = mc².
• He gained worldwide fame but remained humble and peace-loving.
• Einstein was deeply affected by war and promoted peace and democracy.
• He opposed the atomic bomb and supported disarmament.
• He died in 1955, leaving behind not only scientific achievements but also a legacy of compassion and humanity.

Theme

• A genius is not only defined by intellect but by compassion and responsibility
• The balance of science and humanity
• Importance of curiosity, peace, and ethical responsibility in the life of a scientist

Word Meanings

• Stifled – Held back; suppressed
• Patent – A government license for an invention
• Destiny – Fate
• Manifestation – Clear sign or expression
• Amateur – Non-professional, unpaid

Important Questions and Answers

1. When and where was Albert Einstein born?
He was born on 14 March 1879 in the German city of Ulm.

2. What were Einstein’s early interests?
He had a deep interest in mathematics and physics from a young age and was fascinated by the mysteries of the universe.

3. Why did Einstein dislike school?
He disliked the strict discipline and rote learning. He preferred thinking creatively and asking questions.

4. What was Einstein’s job at the patent office?
He worked as a technical expert, evaluating other people’s inventions, which gave him time to think and develop his theories.

5. What is the Special Theory of Relativity?
It was proposed in 1905 and included the revolutionary equation E = mc², explaining the relationship between mass and energy.

6. How did Einstein react to the atomic bomb?
Though his theories led to its development, he was deeply hurt by its use in Hiroshima and Nagasaki and became a promoter of peace and nuclear disarmament.

7. What does the title “A Truly Beautiful Mind” mean?
It suggests that Einstein’s greatness was not just in science but also in his humanitarian values—kindness, peace, and responsibility.

8. How did Einstein contribute to peace and democracy?
He wrote letters, spoke publicly, and supported causes that promoted world peace, especially after the horrors of World War II.

9. What makes Einstein’s life inspirational?
His brilliant mind, paired with humility, ethical responsibility, and love for humanity, sets an example of how intellect and character go hand in hand.