The Last Lesson Extra/ Important Questions Class XII CBSE

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

Answer the following in 30-40 words each.

1.Why was Franz afraid to go to school that morning?

Franz was afraid of being scolded that day especially because M. Hamel, the teacher, had said that he would question them on participles. Franz frankly admits that he was totally ignorant about the topic. His exact words are, “I did not know the first word about them.”Secondly, he had started very late for school that morning. 

2. What temptations did Franz overcome to proceed to school? (p-2 ,para-1)

3. What was the significance of the bulletin-board in the town hall? (p-2, para-2)

4. Why was Franz blushing and feeling frightened when he entered the class room? (was late ,easily noticed as everyone was settled)

5. How and why was M. Hamel dressed differently that day?(p-3 ,last para)

6. Why were the old men of the village present in the class room? (p-5 ,1st para)

7. How was the order from Berlin going to make a difference to the lives of the students?(not study the native language , will be compelled to study a foreign language)

8.“What a thunderclap these words were to me!” Which were the words that shocked and surprised the narrator?
M. Hamel, the teacher, told the children in a solemn and gentle tone that it was their last French lesson. Henceforth, only German would be taught in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. The new master would come the next day. As that was their last French lesson, he wanted them to be very attentive.

9. How did Franz’s attitude towards his books change after he heard about the order from Berlin? (p-4 ,2nd last para)

10. What happened when Franz attempted to recite the rule for participles in class? (p-5 ,2nd para: “But i got mixed up.......look up”

11. What does M. Hamel find wrong with the attitude of Alsace towards learning? (puts off learning till tomorrow)

12. How does M. Hamel held parents and himself responsible for students neglecting learning?(p-5 ,2nd last para)

13. How does M. Hamel praise the French language? (p-5 ,last para)

14. How is the mother tongue important for the enslaved people?

15. Why was Franz able to understand everything?(Franz- listening carefully ,Hamel-explaining everything with patience)

16. How had the school changed in the forty years of M. Hamel’s stay ?(p-8 ,para-1)

17. “He had the courage to hear every lesson to the very last.” What led Franz to make this remark?

       Franz noticed that M/Hamel was feeling sad on having to leave the place after 40 years and not being allowed to teach French any longer. Yet, he kept control on his emotions. He performed his duties faithfully. He heard every lesson to the last. The school was dismissed only at mid-day prayer time.

18. “I never saw him look so tall”. Who is the person mentioned? What does the speaker mean by the above statement?

19. Why did M. Hamel make a gesture to the students to leave?(was choked up ,overwhelmed with emotions)

20.How does M. Hamel evoke feelings of patriotism in the class ?

21. What did M. Hamel Count on when he used to enter the class? (commotion)

LONG  ANSWER QUESTIONS

Answer the following in about 150 words each

1. Justify the title “The Last Lesson.”

The story has an appropriate and suggestive title. It is the centre of attention throughout and the whole story revolves around it. The beginning of the story serves as preparation for it. The unusual quietness at school, presence of village elders and the teacher in his Sunday best dress – all point out to the unusual and unique occasion- the last lesson in French in a French village school in a district conquered by the Prussians. While delivering the last lesson, the teacher wants to transmit all his knowledge in one go. He explains everything with patience and the students as well as old villagers listen attentively.

For the narrator it is an unforgettable experience.”Ah, how well I remember it, that last lesson,” says he. Old Hauser is crying and his voice trembled with emotion. As the teacher is unable to explain his emotions because of choked throat, he ends the lesson by writing : ‘Vive La France” on the blackboard. He makes a gesture with his hand to indicate that the school is dismissed and students can go home.

2.What do you think is the theme of the story “The Last Lesson”? What is the reason behind its universal appeal?

The theme of the story “The Last Lesson” is linguistic chauvinism of the proud conquerors and the pain that is inflicted on the people of a territory by them by taking away the right to study or speak their own language and thus make them aliens in their own land of birth. The story has a sub-theme also. It highlights the attitudes of the students and teachers to learning and teaching.

Though the story is located in a particular village of Alsace district of France which had passed into Prussian hands, it has a universal appeal. It highlights the efforts of the victors to crush their victims – the vanquished people in all possible manner – materially, spiritually, mentally and emotionally. Taking away mother tongue from the people is the harshest punishment. The proper equation between student and teacher, his focused attention, helpful and encouraging attitude and kind treatment can encourage students to learn better.

3. In the story M. Hamel emerges not only as a dedicated teacher but also as a sensitive and

understanding human being”. Elaborate the character of M. Hamel in light of the above

statement.

4. “The importance of a thing dawns upon us when it is no longer with us”. Do you agree ? Give reasons based on the text ?

5. Language becomes a tool in the lands of the conquerors to establish their superiority over the loser. Critically analyse the statement with reference to the lesson.

6.Describe the classroom scene on the last day as painted in the story.