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The entire classroom, M. Hamel as well as those present in the class, is full of regret. For what and why?

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Question

The entire classroom, M. Hamel as well as those present in the class, is full of regret. For what and why?

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Solution

The entire classroom, M.Hamel as well as those present in the class are full of regrets on their faces. Mr. Hamel expresses his disappointment at the lack of interest in learning French among the villagers and the students. In his last lesson, Mr. Hamel tells his students about the beauty of their language, French. He says that it is the most beautiful language in the world. He describes it as the clearest and the most logical of all the languages. He says that during colonial rule, when the colonial power tries to enforce political and cultural dominance by imposing their own language, if the natives are attached to their native language, their identity remain intact. They could said to have the key to their prison as long as they are hold fast with their language. These words of the professor makes the villagers feel regretful for not valuing the importance of their language. They feel sorry for notsending their children to study in school instead they sent them to the farms and mills to earn extra money. The professor too share the blame for not giving the task of teaching the language due importance.

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The Last Lesson
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2015-2016 (March) Foreign Set 1

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Answer the following question in 120 – 150 words:

Our language is part of our culture and we are proud of it. Describe how regretful M. Hamel and the village elders are for having neglected their native language, French. 


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  1. in great dread of
  2. counted on
  3. thumbed at the edges
  4. in unison
  5. a great bustle
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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.
  1. List any two sensory details present in this extract.     (1)
  2. Why does the protagonist feel anxious about entering the classroom on this particular day?      (1)
    1. The classmates have started the lesson
    2. The teacher is in a bad mood
    3. The classroom is too quiet
    4. The protagonist is running late
  3. Complete the sentence appropriately.      (1)
    The phrase "as quiet as Sunday morning" suggests that ______.
  4. Pick evidence from the extract that helps one infer that this was not the protagonist’s first time being late to school.       (1)
  5. What does the term 'terrible iron ruler' indicate about M. Hamel?      (1)
  6. Which of the following headlines best suggests the central idea of the extract?     (1)
    1. The Fears of a Latecomer
    2. The Importance of Punctuality
    3. The Rigidity of the School System
    4. The Anxiety of a Young Student

Answer the following question in about 40-50 words.

What were Franz's feelings as he set out for school and why?


  • How was this year for you?
  • Are you happy with what you could study this year?
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  • 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 pairs. Write two sentences of two words each.


Try to write phrases with each word beginning with the same letter.


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What is it like when your school begins? Tell it in short.


How did M. Hamel dress up on special occasions?


Think and answer:

Why is it the last lesson?


Think and answer:

Why were the old men of the village attending school that day?


Why did M. Hamel not scold Franz?


Why does Franz understand his lesson well?


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 word and phrase in the passage? Choose the correct alternative.

What a thunderclap these words were to me!


What should people never lose even when they lose freedom?


Continue to write as many sentences as the number of students in the group, till you reach the number 10.

After that, go on forming bigger groups and writing sentences with as many words as the number of students in the group. However, you may write only one or two sentences at each step after 10.


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