Albert Einstein at School – Questions & Answers

Very Short Answer Questions (1–2 lines each)

Where was Albert Einstein studying in this story?
Ans. In a school in Munich, Germany.
Why did Einstein dislike his school?
Ans. Because it encouraged rote learning instead of understanding.
What subject did Einstein find most interesting?
Ans. Mathematics.
Which subject did Einstein dislike the most?
Ans. History, as he hated memorising facts and dates.
What was Albert’s dream for the future?
Ans. To study science at a university where he could think freely.
Who was Yuri in the story?
Ans. Einstein’s friend who supported him in difficult times.
Who was Dr. Ernest Weil?
Ans. A doctor who agreed to give Einstein a medical certificate stating he should leave school.
What did the history teacher think about Einstein?
Ans. That he was rebellious, insolent, and not fit for school.
What decision did the head teacher make about Einstein?
Ans. He expelled Einstein from school for being a disruptive influence.
How did Einstein react to his expulsion?
Ans. He felt relieved and happy to leave the oppressive school environment.

Why did Einstein find history lessons useless?
Ans. Einstein believed history required only memorising facts and dates, which could easily be looked up in books. He wanted education to encourage reasoning and original thinking rather than blind repetition, which he found meaningless.
How did Yuri help Einstein during his crisis at school?
Ans. Yuri supported Einstein emotionally and introduced him to Dr. Ernest Weil, who provided a medical certificate. This helped Einstein plan his escape from school and eventually shaped his path toward freedom.
What qualities of Einstein as a student are revealed in this chapter?
Ans. Einstein is shown as intelligent, curious, and independent. He disliked rote learning but excelled in mathematics and science. His questioning nature and refusal to conform made him appear rebellious to teachers.
What was the significance of Dr. Weil’s medical certificate?
Ans. The certificate stated that Einstein was unfit to continue at school due to mental stress. It was supposed to help him leave school without being labelled a failure, though ironically, he was expelled before using it.
How did Einstein’s expulsion turn out to be a blessing?
Ans. The expulsion freed him from the suffocating atmosphere of rote learning and rigid discipline. He could now pursue education on his own terms, which later led to his remarkable achievements in science.

Discuss the conflict between Einstein and the traditional education system in the story.
Ans. “Albert Einstein at School” highlights the clash between Einstein’s questioning mind and the rigid, rote-learning based education system of his time. His teachers wanted obedience and memorisation, while Einstein valued reasoning and creativity. He found history meaningless as it required cramming dates, while mathematics and science fascinated him because they encouraged logic. His refusal to conform made teachers see him as a misfit. The head teacher even called him a disruptive influence. This conflict reflects the shortcomings of an education system that discourages innovation. Einstein’s later success proves that true genius needs freedom, not restrictions.
How do Einstein’s interactions with Yuri and Dr. Weil shape the story?
Ans. Yuri plays the role of a loyal friend who listens to Einstein’s frustrations and supports him when no one else does. By introducing him to Dr. Ernest Weil, Yuri indirectly helps Einstein find a way out of school. Dr. Weil, understanding Einstein’s suffering, issues a medical certificate stating that he must leave school for health reasons. Although Einstein did not need the certificate because he was expelled, the support of these two individuals gave him hope and strength to endure his struggles. Their presence shows the importance of friendship and compassion during difficult times, highlighting that even geniuses need allies.