Advertisements
Advertisements
Question
The entire classroom, M. Hamel as well as those present in the class, is full of regret. For what and why?
Advertisements
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.
APPEARS IN
RELATED QUESTIONS
Answer the following question in 120 − 150 words :
Everybody during the last lesson is filled with regret. Comment. (The Last Lesson)
The Last Lesson shows that people suddenly realised how precious their language was to them.
Comment.
Notice these expressions in the text. Infer their meaning from the context.
- in great dread of
- counted on
- thumbed at the edges
- in unison
- a great bustle
- reproach ourselves with
What had been put up on the bulletin-board?
What changes did the order from Berlin cause in school that day?
How did Franz’s feelings about M. Hamel and school change?
“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?
Notice the underlined words in these sentences and choose the option that best explains their meanings.
“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.”
It is as if they have the key to the prison as long as they ______
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
Given below is a survey form. Talk to at least five of your classmates and fill in the information you get in the form.
|
S. No. |
Languages |
Home |
Neighbourhood |
City/Town |
School |
| 1. | |||||
| 2. | |||||
| 3. | |||||
| 4. | |||||
| 5. |
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
Answer the following question in about 40-50 words.
When do the residents of Alsace realise how precious their language is to them?
Form groups of three. Write three sentences of three words each.
Form groups of four. Write four sentences of four words each.
Who is M. Hamel?
In what region does the story take place?
In what time period does the story take place?
Think and answer:
Is the school closing down?
Find where Alsace and Loraine are located with the help of the map.
Why did M. Hamel not scold Franz?
Why does the author say, ‘I never saw him look so tall’?
Find five words ending with ‘-ing’ and five words ending with ‘-ed’ from the lesson.
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.
Terrible iron ruler
What is the meaning of the following word and phrase in the passage? Choose the correct alternative.
______ She put off learning tomorrow
