The Last Lesson -Question-Answers-Alphonse Daudet-English for Class XII

 Flamingo : The Last Lesson  (Alphonse Daudet) [ Notes Prepared By Shish Pal Chauhan]

Short Answer Type Questions : (Modified in July)

 Q.1 Why was Franz afraid of going to school? OR What dread did little Franz have when he started for school in the morning?         OR what was Franz expected to be prepared with for school that day?        OR Why did Franz think of spending the day out of school?

Ans.    Franz had not prepared his lesson on participles. So he was afraid of being punished by Mr. Hamel, his teacher. He was expected to learn his homework on the rules of participles.

Q.2     What sights did Franz see on his way to school?

Ans.    He saw that Prussian soldiers were drilling in the open field. He saw a crowd of people reading something from the bulletin board.

Q.3     What things did Franz find tempting to keep him away from school?

Ans.    The morning was bright and warm. Birds were chirping in trees. At some distance, Prussian soldiers were drilling. All these sights were tempting Franz.

Q.4     What usual noise could be heard in the street during school time? What unusual did Franz see on that day?

Ans.    It was about the opening and closing of desks. Lessons could be heard being repeated in a chorus. The sound of Mr. Hamel’s ruler being rapped on the table also could also be heard. . But there was no noise on that day.                       

Q.5     How was Mr. Hamel dressed on that day and why?

Ans.    Mr. Hamel was in his beautiful green coat, frilled shirt, and black silk cap. It was Mr. Hamel’s last day in school. So he was in his special dress.

Q.6     What was the most surprising thing which Franz saw in his classroom?

Ans.    Some village people were sitting quietly on the backbenches. Among them were the former mayor, the former postmaster, old Hauser, and several others. Each of them looked sad. Old Hauser was sitting with an old primer (a book on alphabets) holding it on his knees.

Q.7 What information did Mr. Hamel give to the children in his class? How did it affect Franz?

Ans.    Mr. Hamel told his students very politely that it would be his last lesson on that day. French would not be taught in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. German would be taught there in the future. A new teacher was coming the next day. The words fell on Franz’s ears like a thunderclap.

Q.8     What were Franz’s feelings when he came to know that it was Mr. Hamel’s last lesson in his school?

Ans.    He was sorry for not learning his lessons. He felt regret for wasting his time in fun and thinking his books were a nuisance. Books were a burden to him some time ago. Now he forgot about Mr. Hamel’s ruler too.

Q.9     Why did the old men of the village come to school?

Ans.    The old men of the village came to school to thank Mr. Hamel for his forty years of faithful service. It was their way of showing respect for the country.

Q.10   What did Mr. Hamel say about the French language?

Ans.    Mr. Hamel said that the French language was the most beautiful language in the world. It was the most logical and clearest language. He advised the audience to guard (save) it and never to forget it.

Q.11   What happened when the church clock struck twelve?

Ans.    As the church struck twelve, the sounds of the mid-day prayer were heard. The sounds coming from the trumpets of the Prussian soldiers were also heard. Mr. Hamel felt choked. He took a big piece of chalk and wrote in big letters, ““Vive La France!” (Long live France)!”.

Q.12   What did Mr. Hamel say when Franz failed to recite the rules for participles?

Ans.    Mr. Hamel did not scold Franz for not reciting the rules for participles. He blamed himself, his parents for not caring for his studies. He advised never to put off learning till tomorrow. [Notes Prepared by Shish Pal Chauhan]

Q13. What was the importance of the bulletin board? Why had the people gathered there on that day?

Ans. The latest information (almost bad news) like all lost battles, the drafts, the orders of the commanding officer were put on the bulletin board. The people used to read from there about the latest information.

14. How did Franz want to enter the classroom? How did he have to go in and how did he feel?

Ans. Franz wanted to enter the classroom unnoticed. But on that day, everything was so quiet and peaceful, so he had to enter the classroom by opening the door. The class was already full. He felt blushed and frightened.

15. How did M Hamel treat Franz when he reached school late? What did Franz expect?

Ans. M. Hamel treated Franz kindly and asked him to take his seat. He expected harsh treatment from him. But the teacher told him in a polite manner to occupy his seat quickly. Franz jumped over the bench and sat down on his seat.

Q16. As the teacher began to speak, “My children, this is the last lesson…”, the words sounded like a thunderclap to Franz. Why?

Ans. The teacher said that it was his last lesson on that day. The words fell on his ears like a thunderclap. He was in a tizzy (in utter confusion). He could not understand what would be his future.

Long Answer covering several points [Notes Prepared by Shish Pal Chauhan]

A General Question

 Ans. Franz had not learned the rules about participles. So he did not want to go to school that day. He was also afraid of Mr. Hamel’s terrible iron ruler. But he reached school late. There was dead silence in the school. M. Hamel was also polite with him. He was in his special dress.

The village elderly people were also sitting on the backbenches. He could not understand all that. Then Mr. Hamel said that it was his last lesson in the French language. He advised them to keep it alive. Then he talked about the French language. He also spoke about the parents’ carelessness about their children. After that Mr. Hamel delivered his last lesson. Even Franz listened to his teacher very patiently. His outlook on books changed. Then the church bells struck twelve. Mr. Hamel felt choked. He could only write “Vive La France!” (Long Live France)!”

Some more Long Answer-Type Qs

Long Answer-type Question: Word-limit: 100-120)

Q1. What changes did the narrator find in school when the orders from Berlin came?

Ans. A lot of change occurred after the orders had reached Berlin. There was no noise in the school. The class was on and the teacher was there. A few elderly men of the village had also occupied the last benches. M. Hamel, the teacher was silent and in a somber (sad) mood. He wore his special dress that day. The teacher did not scold Franz for entering the class late. He was polite with him. Franz felt shocked to know about his last lesson. The books seemed dear to him all of a sudden. He listened to the teacher with full attention. He felt sorry for the teacher in his heart of hearts. The village elders had come to pay respect to M. Hamel for his forty years of service to the nation.

Q2. What did the teacher say about the general tendency of people about tasks and what did he say about Franz’s parents and himself?

Ans. The teacher talked about the general tendency of people. Students usually put off (postpone) the work for the next day. They think that they have a lot of time. But that habit is devastating (dangerous). That is the reason why they were unable to speak and write their mother tongue properly. He blamed Franz’s parents for not being serious about his studies. He also blames himself for making them busy in other work and giving them holiday. In this way, the teacher not only blames the people in general, but he blames himself also for being negligent (careless) towards their duty.

(Notes made by Shish Pal Chauhan: My YouTube Channel: Shish Pal Chauhan Yamuna Nagar)

Q3. Franz’s attitude towards school and M. Hamel changes when he comes to know about the takeover of his village by Prussian soldiers. Do you agree? Discuss with reference to ‘The Last Lesson’?

Ans. Yes, we agree that Franz’s attitude towards school and M. Hamel is totally changed. Franz’s attitude changes towards his school now. He feels guilty about being careless for his lessons. His attitude towards Mr. Hamel is also changed now. He used to think his teacher to be a crank. But now he has full respect for him. The books on grammar and history were a burden for him. But now, they are no more burden for him.    On the last day, he listened to the lecture very attentively. He was able to understand everything.     Thus we see that Franz undergoes changes in his attitude towards school and M. Hamel.

Very Very Short Answer-type Qs

Q.1     Who is Alphonse Daudet?

Ans.    He is a French novelist and short-story writer.

Q.2     Who is the writer of ‘The Last Lesson’?

Ans.    Alphonse Daudet

Q.3     Why was the narrator late for school?

Ans.    He was afraid of M. Hamel’s scolding.

Q.4     Why was the narrator afraid of M. Hamel’s scolding?

Ans.    He did not know the rules about participles.

Q.5     What were the Prussian soldiers doing?

Ans.    They were drilling.

Q.6     Where were they drilling?

Ans.    In the open field at the back of the sawmill.

Q.7     What did Franz see near the Town Hall?

Ans.    He saw a crowd in front of the bulletin board.

Q.8     What is the name of the blacksmith?

Ans.    Wachter

Q.9     On reaching near his school, what unusual thing did Franz notice about it?

Ans.    There was silence.

Q.10   What did he see through the window?

Ans.    He saw his classmates in their seats and Mr. Hamel was walking up and down with his iron ruler.

Q.11   How did Franz feel while opening the door of his class and entering?

Ans.    He was blushed and frightened.

Q.12   What special thing did Franz see about M. Hamel’s dress?

Ans.    M. Hamel had put on his special dress- his beautiful green coat, his frilled shirt, the little black silk cap.

Q.13   On what occasion did M. Hamel usually wear his special dress?

Ans.    He wore it on inspection and prize days.

Q.14   What was the thing that surprised Franz most?

Ans.    He saw village people sitting quietly on the backbenches of his class.

Q.15   Who were the main among the villagers sitting in the class?

Ans.    They were old Hauser, the former mayor, and the former postmaster.

Q.16   What was old Hauser wearing?

Ans.    He was wearing his three-cornered hat.

Q.17   How did they look?

Ans.    They looked sad.

Q.18   What did the old Hauser bring with him?

Ans.    An old primer (alphabet book).

Q.19. In what manner did M. Hamel begin his last lesson?

Ans.    In a grave and gentle tone.

Q.20   What were the orders from Berlin?

Ans.    Only the German language would be taught in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine.

Q.21   What words of M. Hamel were thunderclap for Franz?

Ans.    “The new master comes tomorrow. This is your last French lesson ......”

Q.22   What made Franz forget all about M. Hamel’s ruler?

Ans.    The idea that he was going away made Franz forget all about M. Hamel’s ruler.

Q.23   Why had the old men of the village come to school?

Ans.    They had come to thank M. Hamel for his forty years of service.

Q.24   What did M. Hamel say about the French language?

Ans     He said it was the most beautiful language in the world- the clearest, the most logical.

Q.25   What advice did he give to the class and people?

Ans.    He advised them to guard and never forget it.

Q.26   Why did Hamel’s lecture seem so easy to Franz?

Ans.    On that day, he listened to the lecture very carefully.

Q.27   How was M. Hamel sitting in the class whenever Franz saw him?

Ans.    He was sitting motionless and gazing at one thing or the other.

Q.28   What time did the church clock strike?

Ans.    It struck twelve.

Q.29   What was heard as the clock struck twelve?

Ans.    The trumpets of the Prussians, returning from the drill were heard.

Q.30   How did M. Hamel look as he stood up from his chair?

Ans.    He looked pale.

Q.31   What did M. Hamel write on the blackboard?

Ans.    He wrote “Vive La France!”

Q.32   What was Wachter doing?

Ans.    He was reading the bulletin.

Q.33   Who was along with Wachter?

Ans.    His apprentice.

Q.34   What was M. Hamel doing in the class as Franz saw him from the window?

Ans.    He was walking up and down the class with his iron ruler.

Q.34 What did “Vive La France!” mean?

Ans. It meant “Long live France”.