Question

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.

Through the window I saw my classmates, already in this places, and M. Hamel walking up and down with his terrible iron ruler under his arm. I had to open the door and go in before everybody. You can imagine how I blushed and how frightened I was.

1. What kind of teacher was M. Hamel? What did he teach? (Understanding)
2. What was M. Hamel doing when Franz looked through the window? Was it a pleasant sight? (Understanding)
3. Why was Franz frightened? (Analysis)
4. Did the teacher punish Franz? What happened when Franz entered the classroom? (Analysis)
5. Which kind of dress was M. Hamel wearing? Why? (Understanding and Analysis)

Answer 1

1. M. Hamel was a strict and disciplined teacher who taught French. Though strict, he was devoted to his language and cared deeply about his students.
2. M. Hamel was walking up and down the classroom with his iron ruler under his arm. For Franz, it was not a pleasant sight because he expected to be scolded for being late.
3. Franz was frightened because he was late for school and had not prepared his lesson on participles. He expected M. Hamel to punish or scold him.
4. No, M. Hamel did not punish Franz. When Franz entered, M. Hamel calmly told him to take his place quickly, and Franz was surprised by his gentle behaviour.
5. M. Hamel wore his formal Sunday clothes: his beautiful green coat, frilled shirt and black silk cap. He wore them because it was the last French lesson, and he wanted to mark the solemn occasion with dignity.