Worksheet Solutions: The Last Lesson
Fill in the Blanks
Q1: M. Hamel taught ________ in the French districts of Alsace and Lorraine.
Ans: French
M. Hamel taught French in the districts of Alsace and Lorraine, helping to preserve the region's cultural and linguistic heritage.
Q2: The Prussian rulers discontinued the teaching of ________ in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine.
Ans: French
The Prussian rulers discontinued the teaching of French in schools in order to replace it with German and reduce French cultural influence in the region.
Q3: Franz was afraid of going to school because he had not learned his lesson on ________.
Ans: participles
Franz was afraid of going to school because he had not learned his lesson on participles, and he feared being reprimanded by his teacher.
Q4: The old people of the village sat quietly on the ________ benches.
Ans: back
The old people of the village sat quietly on the back benches, showing their respect and sorrow during the last French lesson.
Q5: M. Hamel wrote on the blackboard, "Vive La ________."
Ans: France
M. Hamel wrote on the blackboard, "Vive La France," to express his patriotism and love for his language and country.
Q6: According to M. Hamel, the French language is the most ________, ________, and ________ language in the world.
Ans: beautiful, clear, logical
According to M. Hamel, French is the most beautiful, clear, and logical language in the world; he stresses its elegance and order to his pupils.
Q7: M. Hamel advised the students to keep their mother tongue close to their hearts as it is the key to the ________ of slavery.
Ans: prison
M. Hamel advised the students to keep their mother tongue close to their hearts because language is the key to the prison of slavery - it helps people resist cultural domination.
Q8: The narrative is set in the year ________.
Ans: 1870
The narrative is set in 1870, during the period when Alsace and Lorraine came under Prussian control.
Q9: Franz realized the importance of ________ on the day of his last French lesson.
Ans: French
Franz realised the importance of French on the day of his last lesson and regretted not valuing his language earlier.
Q10: M. Hamel was forced to teach the last lesson in French due to an order from ________.
Ans: Berlin
M. Hamel was forced to teach the last lesson in French because an order came from Berlin to teach only German in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine.
Assertion and Reason Based
Q1: Assertion: Franz dreaded going to school.
Reason: He had not learned his lesson on participles.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false, but Reason is true.
Ans: (a)
Explanation:
(i) Assertion: Franz dreaded going to school because he expected reproach for being late and unprepared.
(ii) Reason: He had not learned his lesson on participles and feared punishment from his teacher.
(iii) Justification: The reason directly explains the assertion - Franz's dread stems from his lack of preparation on participles and the resulting fear of punishment.
Q2: Assertion: M. Hamel wrote on the blackboard, "Vive La France."
Reason: He wanted to show his love for the French language and his country.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false, but Reason is true.
Ans: (a)
Explanation:
(i) Assertion: M. Hamel wrote "Vive La France" on the blackboard.
(ii) Reason: He wanted to express his love for the French language and his country, and to show pride in their culture.
(iii) Justification: The reason explains the assertion exactly - the phrase is a patriotic expression showing his devotion to language and homeland.
Q3: Assertion: The Prussian rulers discontinued the teaching of French in Alsace and Lorraine.
Reason: They wanted to suppress the cultural identity of the region.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false, but Reason is true.
Ans: (a)
Explanation:
(i) Assertion: The Prussian authorities discontinued the teaching of French in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine.
(ii) Reason: Their aim was to weaken and replace the region's French cultural identity by imposing German language and institutions.
(iii) Justification: The reason correctly explains the assertion - language policy was used to suppress local culture and encourage Germanisation.
Q4: Assertion: Franz regretted not taking his French lessons seriously earlier.
Reason: He realized the significance of the French language on the day of his last lesson.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false, but Reason is true.
Ans: (a)
Explanation:
(i) Assertion: Franz felt regret about his earlier attitude to French lessons.
(ii) Reason: He suddenly realised the significance of French when he learned that it would no longer be taught.
(iii) Justification: The realisation that his chance to learn had ended is the direct cause of his regret, so the reason explains the assertion correctly.
Q5: Assertion: M. Hamel believed that language is the key to the prison of slavery.
Reason: Language empowers people to express their thoughts and ideas freely, breaking the chains of oppression.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false, but Reason is true.
Ans: (a)
Explanation:
(i) Assertion: M. Hamel said that language is the key to the prison of slavery.
(ii) Reason: Language allows people to communicate ideas, remember their identity and resist cultural domination.
(iii) Justification: The reason explains the assertion: by preserving language, people preserve freedom of thought and cultural autonomy, thus resisting oppression.
Very Short Answer Type Questions
Q1: Why was Franz afraid of going to school?
Ans: Franz was afraid of going to school because he had not learned his lesson on participles and feared punishment.
Q2: What did Franz notice upon reaching school?
Ans: Franz noticed an unusual silence, villagers filling the back benches, and M. Hamel dressed in his best clothes.
Q3: What did M. Hamel write on the blackboard?
Ans: M. Hamel wrote, "Vive La France, " on the blackboard to show his patriotism.
Q4: Why did the Prussian rulers discontinue the teaching of French in Alsace and Lorraine?
Ans: The Prussian rulers discontinued French teaching to promote German and to weaken French culture in those regions.
Q5: According to M. Hamel, what is the French language?
Ans: According to M. Hamel, the French language is the most beautiful, clear, and logical language in the world.
Q6: Why did M. Hamel dress in his fine Sunday clothes?
Ans: M. Hamel wore his fine clothes because it was the last French lesson and he wished to honour the language and the occasion.
Q7: What did Franz realize on the day of his last French lesson?
Ans: Franz realised the importance of French and regretted not taking his lessons seriously earlier.
Q8: Why did M. Hamel advise the students to keep their mother tongue close to their hearts?
Ans: M. Hamel advised this because the mother tongue preserves identity and is essential to resist cultural domination.
Q9: What happened to the French districts of Alsace and Lorraine during the narrative?
Ans: The districts of Alsace and Lorraine passed into Prussian hands, and French instruction in schools was stopped.
Q10: Who issued the order to discontinue French teaching in Alsace and Lorraine?
Ans: The order to discontinue French teaching was issued from Berlin.
Short Answer Type Questions
Q1: Why was M. Hamel dressed in his fine Sunday clothes on that day?
Ans: M. Hamel was dressed in his fine Sunday clothes because it was the final French lesson; he wished to show respect for the language and for his pupils on that solemn occasion.
Q2: How did Franz react when he realised that the day's lesson would be the last lesson in French?
Ans: Franz felt deep regret and shame for not having taken his lessons seriously earlier; he suddenly became attentive and aware of the value of his native language.
Q3: What message did M. Hamel convey about the importance of language?
Ans: M. Hamel urged that language is central to a people's identity; he called French beautiful, clear and logical, and told the pupils to cherish their mother tongue as a defence against cultural subjugation.
Q4: How did the Prussian rulers suppress the cultural identity of Alsace and Lorraine?
Ans: The Prussian rulers suppressed cultural identity by ordering French teachers to leave, stopping French instruction in schools and replacing it with German, thus weakening local customs and language.
Q5: Why did Franz fear going to school that day?
Ans: Franz feared going to school because he had not learned his lesson on participles and expected to be scolded by M. Hamel.
Q6: What made Franz realise the importance of the French language?
Ans: Franz realised the importance when he heard that this would be his last opportunity to learn French; seeing M. Hamel's devotion and the villagers' sadness made him understand the loss.
Q7: How did the villagers react to the last French lesson?
Ans: The villagers sat quietly on the back benches, solemn and respectful; they had come to pay tribute to both the teacher and the language.
Q8: Why did M. Hamel write, "Vive La France," on the blackboard?
Ans: M. Hamel wrote "Vive La France" to affirm his patriotism and to remind his pupils of the value and dignity of their mother tongue in the face of suppression.
Long Answer Type Questions
Q1: Explain the impact of the Prussian rulers' decision to discontinue teaching French in Alsace and Lorraine on the cultural identity of the region.
Ans: The Prussian decision to stop French instruction had a deep and damaging effect on the region's cultural identity. French had been central to local life, customs and memory; removing it from schools severed a key channel for passing on traditions and thought. The policy aimed at replacing French with German, which gradually eroded the community's sense of belonging and cultural continuity. Over time, younger generations would lose fluency and confidence in their mother tongue, causing a silent, long-term loss of heritage and self-awareness.
Q2: Reflect on the transformation of Franz's understanding of the French language throughout the narrative.
Ans: Franz's understanding changes from indifference to appreciation. At first he regards lessons as a burden and neglects study. When he learns that French will no longer be taught, he feels shock and regret; the language becomes precious because it represents his identity and heritage. By the end he values French emotionally and intellectually, understanding that language carries memory, dignity and freedom.
Q3: Discuss the role of M. Hamel as a teacher in the narrative, emphasising his dedication and love for the French language.
Ans: M. Hamel embodies the ideal devoted teacher. He teaches with dignity and deep respect for language, even when his own future is uncertain. On his last day he dresses with care, speaks gently, and expresses the beauty and logic of French. He encourages pupils to cherish their mother tongue as a source of freedom and identity. His calm courage, patience and patriotic devotion make him a symbol of resistance and moral leadership.
Q4: How does 'The Last Lesson' highlight the universal importance of language in preserving cultural heritage and identity?
Ans: 'The Last Lesson' demonstrates that language is the carrier of a people's memory, values and identity. When language instruction is removed, cultural continuity weakens and people feel dispossessed. The episode shows how language binds generations, preserves customs and enables resistance to domination. It emphasises that protecting one's mother tongue is essential to retain dignity and to pass on collective history to future generations.
Passage Based Questions
1. Read the given extract and answer the following question"When I passed the town hall there was a crowd in front of the bulletin-board. For the last two years all our bad news had come from there - the lost battles, the draft, the orders of the commanding officer - and I thought to myself, without stopping, 'What can be the matter now?' Then, as I hurried by as fast as I could go, the blacksmith, Wachter, who was there with his apprentice, reading the bulletin, called after me, 'Don't go so fast, bub; you'll get to your school in plenty of time!' I thought he was making fun of me, and reached M. Hamel's little garden all out of breath."
Q1: What was the narrator's reaction to seeing the crowd in front of the bulletin-board?A. He stopped to read the news
B. He felt relieved
C. He ignored it completely
D. He was curious but kept walking
Ans: (D)
Explanation: The narrator felt curious about what had been posted but did not stop. He wondered what the news could be and hurried on to school.
Q2: Why did the narrator think Wachter was making fun of him?
Ans: The narrator thought Wachter was making fun of him because Wachter's casual remark - telling him not to hurry - sounded teasing to a boy already anxious about being late. Given his own embarrassment, the narrator misinterpreted the tone as mockery.
Q3: Fill in the blank with the correct word from the bracket.
Wachter told the narrator that he would get to school in ______________(plenty / short) time.
Ans: plenty
Q4: What significance did the bulletin-board have for the townspeople?
Ans: The bulletin-board was the official source of news about the war - defeats, the draft and commands from the commanding officer - so its notices brought anxiety and shaped townspeople's lives.
2. Read the given extract and answer the following question
"But nothing happened. M. Hamel saw me and said very kindly, 'Go to your place quickly, little Franz. We were beginning without you.' I jumped over the bench and sat down at my desk. Not till then, when I had got a little over my fright, did I see that our teacher had on his beautiful green coat, his frilled shirt, and the little black silk cap, all embroidered, that he never wore except on inspection and prize days. Besides, the whole school seemed so strange and solemn. But the thing that surprised me most was to see, on the back benches that were always empty, the village people sitting quietly like ourselves."
Q1: What surprised the narrator most about the school on that day?A. The noise in the classroom
B. The absence of the teacher
C. The presence of village people in the back benches
D. The decorations in the classroom
Ans: (C)
Explanation: The narrator was most surprised to see the back benches - usually empty - filled with village people. Their presence made the classroom feel solemn and unusual.
Q2: How did M. Hamel react when the narrator arrived late to class?
Ans: M. Hamel received the narrator kindly and gently told him to take his place quickly. His calm and kind tone was different from the strict reproach the boy expected.
Q3: Fill in the blank with the correct word from the bracket.
M. Hamel was wearing a ______________(simple / beautiful) green coat, his frilled shirt, and a little black silk cap.
Ans: beautiful
Q4: Why did the narrator feel a sense of fear and embarrassment when he entered the classroom?
Ans: The narrator felt fear and embarrassment because he was late and expected to be scolded. The unusually solemn atmosphere and the presence of village elders also increased his anxiety.
3. Read the given extract and answer the following question
"While I was wondering about it all, M. Hamel mounted his chair, and, in the same grave and gentle tone which he had used to me, said, 'My children, this is the last lesson I shall give you. The order has come from Berlin to teach only German in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. The new master comes tomorrow. This is your last French lesson. I want you to be very attentive.' What a thunderclap these words were to me! Oh, the wretches; that was what they had put up at the town-hall! My last French lesson! Why, I hardly knew how to write! I should never learn any more!"
Q1: What shocking news did M. Hamel deliver to the class?A. The school was closing permanently
B. He was resigning from his position
C. This was their last French lesson
D. There would be no more exams
Ans: (C)
Explanation: M. Hamel announced that Berlin had ordered German to be taught exclusively in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine, so this would be the pupils' last French lesson.
Q2: How did the narrator feel when he realised this was the last French lesson?
Ans: The narrator felt shock, regret and sorrow. He suddenly understood how little he knew and lamented the loss of further instruction in his mother tongue.
Q3: Fill in the blank with the correct word from the bracket.
M. Hamel's announcement felt like a ______________(thunderclap / whisper) to the narrator.
Ans: thunderclap
Q4: Why did the narrator suddenly feel a strong attachment to his French lessons and books?
Ans: The narrator felt a strong attachment because he realised this might be his final chance to learn French. The certainty that lessons in his mother tongue would end made him value his books and learning as a vital part of his identity.
FAQs on Worksheet Solutions: The Last Lesson
| 1. What is the main theme of "The Last Lesson"? |  |
| 2. How does the character of Franz change throughout the story? | |
| 3. What role does the teacher, M. Hamel, play in the story? | |
| 4. How does the setting contribute to the overall mood of the story? | |
| 5. What message does "The Last Lesson" convey about the importance of education? | |
