What Changes Did the Order from Berlin Cause in School that Day? - English Core

Question

What changes did the order from Berlin cause in school that day?

Short/Brief Note

Solution

The order from Berlin brought all the routine hustle-bustle of the school life to a stand-still. The teacher, M. Hamel, became more sympathetic to his students and taught his lessons with more patience. The students became more attentive in their classes. The villagers, who were sitting at the usually empty back benches and had come to show their respect and gratitude to M. Hamel, regretted not going to school more than they did. The order also brought about a great change in the feelings of the people towards their country and their native language. There was a general sadness about not being able to utilise the opportunities of learning French when it was easily accessible.

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The Last Lesson

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Comment.

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in great dread of
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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.

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2. The teacher is in a bad mood
3. The classroom is too quiet
4. The protagonist is running late
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How was this year for you?
Are you happy with what you could study this year?
What did you miss, or could not do?
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Is the school closing down?

Think and answer:

Why is it the last lesson?

Think and answer:

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

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