Advertisements
Advertisements
Question
Answer the following question in 120-150 words :
How did the order from Berlin change the situation in the school ? (The Last Lesson)
Advertisements
Solution
The order from Berlin was received with an uncanny silence in the school. There were new copies for the students with ‘France, Alsace’ written on them. They looked like little flags floating everywhere in the classroom. This was in contrast to the usual scene when the school would be buzzing with activity. The sound of opening and closing of desks, lessons repeated in chorus and the teacher’s great ruler rapping on the table could be heard on the street. But that day everyone was working quietly and M. Hamel, who was dressed formally in the attire that he never wore except on special occasions, was walking up and down with his terrible iron ruler under his arm. The only sound that was heard was the scratching of pen over paper. The villagers had gathered in the classroom and sitting quietly on the back benches.
APPEARS IN
RELATED QUESTIONS
What did Franz notice that was unusual about the school that day?
What changes did the order from Berlin cause in school that day?
How did Franz’s feelings about M. Hamel and school change?
The people in this story suddenly realize how precious their language is to them. What shows you this? Why does this happen?
Franz thinks, “Will they make them sing in German, even the pigeons?” What could this mean?
“When a people are enslaved, as long as they hold fast to their language it is as if they had the key to their prison.”
Can you think of examples in history where conquered people had their language taken away from them or had a language imposed on them?
Is it possible to carry pride in one’s language too far?
Find out about the following (You may go to the internet, interview people, consult reference books or visit a library.)
- Linguistic human rights
- Constitutional guarantees for linguistic minorities in India
“You realise the true value of a thing only on losing it.” Comment on this statement in the light of the story, The Last Lesson.
Read the given extract and answer the questions.
| Usually, when school began, there was a great bustle, which could be heard out in the street, the opening and closing of desks, lessons repeated in unison, very loud, with our hands over our ears to understand better, and the teacher’s great ruler rapping on the table. But now it was all so still! I had counted on the commotion to get to my desk without being seen; but, of course, that day everything had to be as quiet as Sunday morning. Through the window I saw my classmates, already in their 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. |
- List any two sensory details present in this extract. (1)
- Why does the protagonist feel anxious about entering the classroom on this particular day? (1)
- The classmates have started the lesson
- The teacher is in a bad mood
- The classroom is too quiet
- The protagonist is running late
- Complete the sentence appropriately. (1)
The phrase "as quiet as Sunday morning" suggests that ______. - Pick evidence from the extract that helps one infer that this was not the protagonist’s first time being late to school. (1)
- What does the term 'terrible iron ruler' indicate about M. Hamel? (1)
- Which of the following headlines best suggests the central idea of the extract? (1)
- The Fears of a Latecomer
- The Importance of Punctuality
- The Rigidity of the School System
- The Anxiety of a Young Student
- How was this year for you?
- Are you happy with what you could study this year?
- What did you miss, or could not do?
- What do you plan to do about it- about the things you could not do/study well?
- What was the best moment for you this year?
Form groups of four. Write four sentences of four words each.
Try to write phrases with each word beginning with the same letter.
Who is M. Hamel?
In what region does the story take place?
Why is the iron ruler said to be ‘terrible’?
Who is narrating the story?
With the coming of the Prussians, will language be the only thing that will change? What other changes may take place?
Where does M. Hamel live? Who lived with him?
List the people and their occupations mentioned in the story.
Find five examples of commonly used past participles from the story. For example, said, learnt.
What is the meaning of the following word and phrase in the passage? Choose the correct alternative.
______ was in great dread of
What is the meaning of the following word and phrase in the passage? Choose the correct alternative.
______ did not know the first word about them
What is the meaning of the following words and phrases in the passage? Choose the correct alternative.
______ got a little over my fright
What should people never lose even when they lose freedom?
See if you can make a sentence with as many words in it as there are students in your classroom.
Write the sentence in big letters on chart paper and display it in the classroom.
