Prepared by Philmon Sir, Aecs-Jaduguda, for Personal Use only

THE LAST LESSON come from there. He wondered what the matter could
be there that day. However, he did not stop there and
Answer the following questions in 30 – 40 hurried by as fast as he could.
Words. 6. What was Franz expected to be prepared with
1. What fear did little Franz have when he started for school that day?
for school in the morning? Franz was expected to be prepared with rules for the
Franz was late for school that morning. He feared use of participles. It was because the teacher had to
that the teacher would scold him. It was because the ask the questions on participles. But poor Franz had
teacher was to ask questions on participles. But not learnt anything about them.
Franz did not know a word about participles. 7. What was the most surprising thing Franz saw
2. What did Franz notice that was unusual about in his classroom?
the school that day? Franz was quite surprise to see the villagers on the
Franz noticed that there was pin-drop silence in the back benches. They were old Houser, the former
school that day like Sunday morning. Usually there postmaster and many others. Everybody looked sad.
was a great noise in the school everyday which could Old Hauser had brought an old primer. He was
be heard in the street. The opening and closing of holding it open on his knees.
desks, lessons repeated in unison, the rapping of the
8. What words of M. Hamel were a thunderclap
teacher’s ruler could also be heard.
to Franz?
3. What had been put up on the bulletin board?
M. Hamel told the children that it would be his last
There was a notice on the bulletin board. It was
lesson to his class. Orders had come from Berlin to
written that only German language would be taught
teach only German in the schools of Alsace and
in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. The order had
Lorraine. He said that the new teacher was coming
come from Berlin. It was also written that French
the next day. These words came like a thunderclap to
language would not be taught in those schools.
Franz.
4. Why did Franz think of running away and
9. How did Franz feel when M. Hamel said that it
spending the day out of doors?
was his last lesson at school?
Franz had not learnt even a single word on
Franz was shocked. He cursed the Prussian rulers. He
participles. The teacher was to ask questions on it.
cursed himself also. He cursed himself for not
He feared that the teacher would scold him. So he
learning his lesson. He used to call his book
thought of running away and spending the day out of
nuisance. But now he was sorry that he would never
doors for enjoying so warm and so bright day,
see M. Hamel again.
chirping of birds at the edge of the woods and the
10. What changes did the order from Berlin cause
drilling Prussian soldiers.
in school that day?
5. What did Franz see when he passed through the
The order from Berlin had caused a great change in
town-hall?
the school. There were no noises. It was as quiet as
Franz saw a crowd in front of the bulletin-board of
Sunday morning. M. Hamel was wearing those
the town hall. For the last two years, all bad news had

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Prepared by Philmon Sir, Aecs-Jaduguda, for Personal Use only

clothes which he generally wore on Sunday, present in the school room for thanking their master
inspection and prize days. He said it would be his last for forty years of his faithful service. Thus they were
lesson. The village people were sad and had come to showing their respect for the country that was theirs
thank M. Hamel for his forty years of faithful no more. They were sorry, too, that they had not gone
services. to school more.
11. What usual noises could be heard in the street 16. What did M. Hamel say about the French
when the school began? language?
One could hear the opening and closing of desks. M. Hamel called French the most beautiful language
Then there was the loud noise of lessons repeated in of the world. He said that it was the clearest and most
unison. The teacher’s great ruler rapping on the table logical language. He wanted his people to keep it
could also be heard. alive and never forget it.
12. How was M. Hamel dressed on his last day in 17. What happened when the Church-Clock
the school? struck twelve?
Mr. Hamel was dressed in his best clothes. He was There were sounds of the mid-day prayer (Angelus).
in his beautiful green coat and frilled shirt. He was At the same moment the sound of trumpets by
wearing a little black silk cap. He never wore this Prussian soldiers was heard. They were returning
dress except on inspection and prize days. from their drill. Mr. Hamel stood up to say
13. How did Franz’s feelings about M. Hamel and something. But something choked him and he could
his school change? say nothing. He took a big piece of chalk and wrote
The very idea that M. Hamel was going away and he in big letters, “Long Live France!”
would never see him again, made him forget all 18. What did M. Hamel – the teacher, teach in the
about his ruler and that he was very cranky. He Last Lesson?
started liking and sympathizing with him. He also After questioning on participles, he talked of the
listened his teacher’s teaching very carefully and French. He called it to be the most beautiful, clearest
understood each and every thing. The class became and logical language. After the grammar, they had a
interesting for him. lesson in writing. He heard every lesson to the last
14. In the honour of The Last Lesson what were then they had a lesson in history before the babies
the changes on the teacher and the taught? chanted - ba, be, bi, bo, bu.
M. Hamel had put on his fine Sunday clothes and 19. How did Franz take The Last Lesson in him?
even his old students – the old men of the village How it occurred so?
were sitting there on the usually empty back benches Franz was surprised to see that he understood The
of the school room. Last Lesson very well. All seemed to him very easy.
15. Why were even the old men of the village The reason was that he never had listened the lesson
present in the school room on the Last Lesson so carefully, and the teacher had never explained to
morning? them everything with so much patience.
The village people – Old Hauser, the former Mayor, 20 How did ‘The Last Lesson’ come to an end”?
the former post master and several others were

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Prepared by Philmon Sir, Aecs-Jaduguda, for Personal Use only

The teacher M. Hamel could not speak. Something philosopher for his students. He was extra gentle and
choked him. He wrote on the blackboard in very polite in his last class. He was quite upset and broken
large letters: heart as he had to leave the school the next day. An
“Vive La France!” order had come from Berlin to teach German only in
With a gesture to the students with his hand he the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. He had worn his
hinted. “School is dismissed – You may go.” fine Sunday dress – the beautiful green coat, frilled
Answer the following questions in 100 to 120 shirt and the little black silk cap – all embroidered.
Words. Like a friend and guide, he advised the innocent
1. Describe the feelings, emotions and behaviours villagers to shift their priorities and pay more
of M. Hamel on his Last day in school. attention to learning at school. As a patient teacher
he made Franz realize why he insisted on learning
OR
the lessons in time and not postponing the learning.
Write a character sketch of M. Hamel.
He called upon them to shake off their delay and
M. Hamel was a strict man of discipline. He was a
safeguard their language as it was key to their prison.
devoted teacher of French language. He was a true
patriot. He had boundless love for French We see him as a man of deep emotions when he
language. He had been teaching the students for the proudly writes ‘Viva La France’ on the black board
last forty years. in the end. Thus M. Hamel is a true guide, an ideal
He was very serious that his students should learn teacher, philosopher and patriot
their lessons. He was a true facilitator, guide and
to the core.

Note:- For long answer-questions, follow the steps to write as instructed in the class.

Short-questions will be derived in a twisted way from the questions above.

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