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Question
Think and answer:
Is the school closing down?
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Solution
No, the school isn't closing. It would be the last French class, and a German instructor would replace M. Hamel to teach German.
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RELATED QUESTIONS
The entire classroom, M. Hamel as well as those present in the class, is full of regret. For what and why?
Answer the following question in 120 − 150 words :
Everybody during the last lesson is filled with regret. Comment. (The Last Lesson)
Notice these expressions in the text. Infer their meaning from the context.
- in great dread of
- counted on
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- in unison
- a great bustle
- reproach ourselves with
What did Franz notice that was unusual about the school that day?
The people in this story suddenly realize how precious their language is to them. What shows you this? Why does this happen?
What happens to a linguistic minority in a state? How do you think they can keep their language alive? For example:
Punjabis in Bangalore
Tamilians in Mumbai
Kannadigas in Delhi
Gujaratis in Kolkata
Find out about the following (You may go to the internet, interview people, consult reference books or visit a library.)
(a) Linguistic human rights
(b) 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 you know |
Home language |
Neighbourhood language |
City/Town language |
School language |
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Have you ever changed your opinion about someone or something that you had earlier liked or disliked? Narrate what led you to change your mind.
“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
Form groups of three. Write three sentences of three words each.
In what region does the story take place?
In what time period does the story take place?
What is it like when your school begins? Tell it in short.
Why is the iron ruler said to be ‘terrible’?
Who is narrating the story?
How did M. Hamel dress up on special occasions?
Think and answer:
Why were the old men of the village attending school that day?
Why does Franz understand his lesson well?
With the coming of the Prussians, will language be the only thing that will change? What other changes may take place?
Guess why M. Hamel was leaving the country.
Find five words ending with ‘-ing’ and five words ending with ‘-ed’ from the lesson.
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.
______ 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.
