Lesson- 1
The Last Lesson
Q.1.What was Franz expected to be prepared with for school that day?
A. Franz was to be prepared with the lesson on participles that day. Franz's teacher M.Hamel had said that he would question the class on participles.But Franz did not prepare them.
Q.2.What did Franz notice that was unusual about the school that day?
A.Everything was as quiet as Sunday morning.His classmates and the teacher were already in the class. There was no opening and closing of the desks or repetition of lessons in unison or rapping of the teacher's great ruler.Franz noticed these unusual things.
Q.3.What had been put up on the bulletin board?
A.An order from Berlin had been put on the bulletin- board. It said that only German would be taught in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine.The teaching of French had to be stopped.
Q4.What changes did the order from Berlin cause in school that day?
A.The school campus changed to a quietness of Sunday morning.Franz's teacher had to give his last French lesson.His behaviour changed to kindness.Franz changed to love French and M.Hamel.Villagers changed to love and learn French.
Q.5.How did Franz's feeling about M.Hamel and school change?
A.Franzhated his cranky teacher and his ruler.He avoided school to enjoy sliding etc. But when he knew about the order from Berlin, he regretted his attitude.He started loving his school, books, mother- tongue and teacher M.Hamel.
Additional Questions
Q.6.Why was the narrator scared of going to school that morning?
A.The narrator was scared of going to school,for two reasons.First he was late for school.Secondly, he had not learnt his lesson on participles. He was afraid ofascolding from Mr.M.Hamel.
Q7.What did Franz see as he passed the town hall?
A.There was a bulletin- board at the town hall.Itgave people news of the lost battles or the orders of commanding officer etc. Franzsaw a large crowd in front of the bulletin- board to read the latest news.
Q8.Who were the village people? How did they look?
A.The village people included the former mayor and the former Postmaster besides several others.OldHauser, with his three- cornered hat, had brought an old primer with him. They all looked sad.
Q9.How did Franz's attitude towards his books and M. Hamel change?
A.Formerly,Franz did not listen to his teacher carefully, but now he listened to him quite attentively.His respect for his teacher increased.Hebegan to love his school. He thought he should have paid more attention to his studies.
Q.10.What did M. Hamel say about the French language?
A.M. Hamel is a great lover of his language.His praise for his mother tongue shows his great love for French.He says that French is the most beautiful language in the world. It is the clearest and the most logical language.
Q.11.How did he wish to spend his day instead of going to school?Why?
A.He wanted to run away from the school and enjoy the warm and bright day. He was attracted by the chirping of the birds at the age of the woods and sight of Prussian soldiers drilling in the open field. He was afraid of M.Hamel's scolding.
Q.12.Why had M. Hamel put on his special clothes that morning.Why?
A.M.Hamel had put on his special clothes because he considered this day as a special day. He was going away forever from the school where he had taught for forty years. He was leaving his present and former students behind, whom he had taught so devotedly.
Q.13.Why had thevillage people occupied the back benches in the classroom?
A. They had come to know about the new order from Berlin.They came and sat down on the back benchers. It was their way of thanking their teacher for his long and devoted service to the society. They also wanted to show that they were sorry that they had not gone to school more.
Long Question
Q.1. Draw a character sketch ofM.Hamel.
A.M.Hamel was French teacher.He was a devoted to the students and school.He disliked late coming students and made fun of them.Hehada terrible iron ruler under his arm.The students were terrified by him. He was a strict teacher. His tone was Grave and gentle. He served that school faithfully for forty years. He showed respect for the country. He planted flower. Creepers in school premises.He liked fishing. He thought French language to be the most beautiful, the clearest and most logical language in the world. He was an emotional man.His voice trembled at the time of the end of the last lesson.The village people likedhim and they felt grief at his departure.