Test: The Last Lesson- 3 - Class 12 MCQ

In the story "The Last Lesson" by Alphonse Daudet, the back benches of the classroom were occupied by the village elders on the day of the last lesson. They attended to show their respect for their native language and the country they had lost. The elderly villagers sat quietly, reflecting their sadness over the loss of their language. Among them were notable figures like old Hauser, the former mayor, and the postmaster. They came to honour M. Hamel's forty years of teaching and to express their regret for not valuing education more.

Franz felt regretful and sad for not learning his mother tongue. During M. Hamel's last French lesson, the atmosphere in the classroom was solemn and sombre. When he announced that this was their final lesson, the students suddenly realised the importance of their native language and felt genuine remorse for neglecting it.

One of the elder villagers, Hauser, attends M. Hamel's final lesson with the children. He brings his old primer, an elementary reading textbook, to assist the youngest students in learning their letters.

M. Hamel had great love for the French language which he had been teaching for forty years. For him it was the most beautiful, most logical and clearest language. He wanted the French people to preserve it among themselves and this would enable them to be free from foreign rule.

In the short story 'The Last Lesson' by Alphonse Daudet, the character M. Hamel expresses his frustration with parents who prioritise work over education. He highlights that many parents send their children to work on farms or in mills instead of encouraging them to learn French.

This reflects a broader theme of the story, where the loss of language and culture is portrayed as a significant loss for the community.

M. Hamel regarded the French language as the most beautiful in the world. He believed it was the clearest and most logical language. M. Hamel urged the people of France to cherish and protect their language, emphasising that it should never be forgotten.

It is absolutely true when people are enslaved, as long as they hold fast to their language, it is if they have key to their prison. Love and loyalty to one's motherland and mother-tongue are the cornerstone of one's identity and self-esteem.

For the last two years all the bad news had come from the bulletin-board. That day, an order had come from Berlin to teach only German in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. This is the notice that the Germans had put up on the bulletin-board.

M. Hamel told his students that it was their last french lesson as an order had come from Berlin that henceforth Only German was to be taught in school of Alsace And jarman.

Franz came to know that it was the last lesson in French that M. Hamel would give them. From the next day they will be taught only German. Then he felt sorry for not learning his lessons properly. His books, which seemed a nuisance and a burden earlier were now old friends. His feelings about M. Hamel also changed. He forgot all about his ruler and how cranky he was.

It refers to the shock/surprise felt by Franz when he heard that M. Hamel would no longer teach them French.

The Last Lesson is written by Alphonse Daudet. The story is set during the year 1870 - 1871, when France was captured by the Prussian forces led by Bismarck. This event resulted in the districts of Lorraine and Alsace coming under Prussian control.

A crowd had gathered in front of the bulletin board at the town hall to read the latest news. The announcement from Berlin stated that, instead of French, German would be taught in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. This news attracted many people who often visited the board to check for updates.

On the bulletin board, it was put from the next day only the German language would be taught in the schools of Alsace. The teaching of French was totally banned and the teachers teaching French were asked to leave the place.

The shocking order from Berlin that only German would be taught in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine saddened and hurt the pride of the French people. So as a gesture to express their solidarity for their language the village elders also attended school for the last French lesson. The usual hustle and bustle was missing from school and it was unusually quiet. M. Hamel was also dressed in his formal suit which he wore only on special occasions.

Hamel was a true French man. Teaching at Alsace for forty years, he had become a part of its people. He was an honest teacher. According to him the French language was the most beautiful, the clearest and the most logical language in the world.