Questions from the Chapter in 2024 Board Exams

Q1. Read the following extracts and answer the questions: (vi) Which of the following headlines best suggests the central idea of the
For a moment I thought of running away and spending the day out of doors. It extract?
was so warm, so bright! The birds were chirping at the edge of the woods; and (A) The Drilling of Prussian Soldiers
in the open field back of the sawmill the Prussian soldiers were drilling. It was (B) The Rule of Participles
all much more tempting than the rule for participles, but I had the strength to (C) Strength to Resist
resist, and hurried off to school. (D) Out of Doors
Ans. (C) Strength to Resist
(i) List two sensory details present in the extract.
Ans. Warm and bright weather Q2. Read the following extracts and answer the questions :
Birds chirping at the edge of the woods I heard M. Hamel say to me, “I won’t scold you, little Franz : you must feel bad
enough, see how it is ! Everyday we have said to ourselves. Bah! I’ve plenty of
(ii) Why is the narrator tempted to spend the day out of doors? time I’ll learn it tomorrow. And now you see where we’ve come out. Ah, that’s
Ans. The narrator is tempted because of the pleasant weather, the chirping birds, the great trouble with Alsace; she puts off learning till tomorrow. Now those
and the sight of Prussian soldiers drilling in the open field. fellows out there will have the right to say to you. ‘How is it; you pretend to be
Frenchmen, and yet you can neither speak nor write your own language?’ But,
(iii) Complete the sentence appropriately. you are not the worst, poor little Franz. We’ve all a great deal to reproach
I hurried off to school resisting _______________. ourselves with”.
Ans. I hurried off to school resisting the temptation to skip the day and enjoy the
outdoors. (i) ‘And now you see where we’ve come out.’ The tone of M. Hamel in the
above line is that of :
(iv) Why does the narrator want to bunk school? (A) kindness
(A) He doesn’t like the teachers. (B) happiness
(B) He doesn’t like his classmates. (C) regret
(C) He wasn’t prepared for the test on participles. (D) enthusiasm
(D) He had forgotten to complete his homework. Ans. (C) regret
Ans. (C) He wasn’t prepared for the test on participles.
(ii) ‘We’ve all a great deal to reproach ourselves with.’
(v) Which trait of the protagonist is revealed in the sentence ‘I had the Select the option, which conveys the meaning of ‘reproach’ as reflected in
strength to resits’? the above line.
(A) sincerity (A) The player received a reprimand for breach of rules.
(B) determination (B) The students approached the management with a demand for new canteen.
(C) bravery (c) The clerk received a letter of appreciation for his innovative ideas
(D) kindness (D) She could not find a way to broach the subject with her boss.
Ans. (B) determination Ans. (A) The player received a reprimand for breach of rules.
 Q4. What was more tempting for Franz than the rule for participles? Did
(iii) State whether the following statement is true or false with reference to he get tempted? [40-50 Words]
the extract. Ans. The idea of running away and spending the day outdoors was tempting.
1. Hamel endorses the belief that there is plenty of time to learn their The birds were chirping and the open field behind which the Prussian soldiers
language. were drilling was tempting but Franz resisted the temptation and went to school.
Ans. False
Q5. Why were the villagers seated in the back benches? [40-50 Words]
(iv) Complete the sentence appropriately. Ans. The villagers were seated at the back bench of the classroom to pay respect
‘You must feel bad enough.’ Through these words M. Hamel urges the to M Hamel for forty years of service. They were there because it was his last
people _______. day in the school.
Ans. ‘You must feel bad enough.’ Through these words M. Hamel urges the
people to realize the consequences of their procrastination and neglect of their Q6. What was the ‘thunderclap’ the narrator received as Hamel began the
language. lesson? [40-50 Words]
Ans. The ‘thunderclap’ was the shock and realisation that this was the last
(v) Identify the line from the text that reinforces the theme of patriotism in French lesson he would ever attend, as he had not appreciated his education and
the story. now faced the loss due to the war.
Ans. “How is it; you pretend to be Frenchmen, and yet you can neither speak
nor write your own language?” Q7. Explain the inference that can be drawn from the line : “Will they
make them sing in German, even the pigeons?” [40-50 Words]
(vi) She puts off learning till tomorrow. The phrase ‘puts off” suggests Ans. The line suggests that the imposition of the German language on the
_____. French people is so complete that even the natural elements, like pigeons, would
Ans. She puts off learning till tomorrow. The phrase “puts off suggests be forced to conform. It highlights the oppressive nature of the conquerors in
procrastination. erasing the local culture and language.

Q8. M. Hamel in ‘The Last Lesson’ and Gandhiji in ‘Indigo’ were both
Q3. We miss a thing when we are in fear of losing it. Substantiate this concerned about the state of education in the face of oppression. Write a
statement with two examples from ‘The Last Lesson’, how the people in the speech to be shared with your peers on the importance of education. You
story suddenly realised how precious their language was to them. [40-50 may use cues from the two texts. [120-150 Words]
Words] Ans. Good morning to one and all present here. Today, I stand before you to
Ans. In ‘The Last Lesson,’ villagers regret not valuing their language when they throw light upon the topic – Importance of education.
learn it will no longer be taught. M. Hamel’s sorrowful farewell emphasizes the In the story titled ‘The Last Lesson’, we get to know about the importance of
significance of their native tongue, which they had taken for granted. one’s mother tongue which is the key to freedom from slavery. M Hamel points
out that if one is attached to one’s mother tongue, then he can escape the
clutches of slavery. He also praises his native language – French and calls it the
most logical and most beautiful language. The teacher is sad because now the
students will no longer study the language. Schools in the districts of Alsace and can be enslaved. The language of a country plays a major role in display of
Lorraine which were annexed by Prussia will now teach German language nationalism because it s binding factor which runs through the fabric of the
instead of French. country.
Even in the story ‘Indigo’ we see that Gandhiji wanted to uplift the peasants and
requested volunteer teachers Mahadev Desai and Narhari Parikh and others. Q11. Franz from ‘The Last Lesson’ and the peddler from ‘The Rattrap’
They opened primary schools in six villages. demonstrate the importance of learning from one’s mistakes and rising up
Thus, we can conclude that education is empowering and crucial for becoming to evolve as a better person. Write an article based on the two texts on how
self-reliant. a man evolves after learning from his mistakes. [120-150 Words]
Q9. Franz in “The Last Lesson” realizes the importance of going to school Ans. In order to achieve success, it is crucial that we learn from our mistakes
while Saheb in “Lost Spring” yearns to go to school. Write a paragraph and improvise ourselves. In the story ‘The Last Lesson’ we see the young boy
exploring the different perspectives of these two young boys on learning Franz who is shocked to know that it is his last lesson of French and that he will
and education. [120-150 Words] never get a chance to study it. This news transforms him and he develops a
Ans. Franz and Saheb offer contrasting perspectives on education that highlight liking for studies. He starts admiring his teacher and acknowledges his
the value and challenges of schooling. In “The Last Lesson,” Franz’s realization dedication. That day Franz is able to understand all that is taught in the class.
of the importance of school comes too late, as he is faced with the harsh reality Similarly, we see the character of the peddler in the story ‘The Rattrap’. The
of losing his opportunity to learn due to the German occupation. His regret peddler reacts to Edla’s selfless kindness and gets over his acts of petty thievery
underscores how education is often undervalued until it is threatened. to be an army captain in the true sense. He does not want her to feel humiliated
Conversely, Saheb in “Lost Spring” yearns for school as a means of escape from that she had considered him to be a gentleman. As a mark of acknowledgement
the harsh life of rag-picking. His desire for education represents hope and a of Edla’s kindness, the peddler returns the stolen money and requests her to
vision for a better future. Saheb’s longing illustrates how education is seen as a hand it over to the old crofter.
pathway to opportunity, reflecting its critical role in transforming lives. While Thus, we see that these two characters learnt precious lessons and incorporated
Franz’s experience is shaped by loss and missed chances, Saheb’s perspective is them to become better versions of themselves.
driven by a yearning for change and improvement. 12. While M. Hamel talks of language being the key to nationalism. Gandhi
tells the court it is a ‘conflict of duties’. On the one hand, not to set a bad
Q10. Imagine you are Mukund Padmanabhan (The Interview) and you example as a law breaker, on the other hand, to render the humanitarian
interviewed M. Hamel, after he had finished delivering the last lesson (The and national service. You get inspired and decide to write an article for a
Last Lesson). Write a paragraph on Hamel’s views on individual youth magazine urging the youth to dedicate themselves to the service, of
responsibility and nationalism. [120-150 Words] the nation.
Ans. It is an individual’s responsibility towards his nation, to protect its You may begin like this,
freedom. M hamel insists that an individual can retain his freedom and his Youth plays an important role in the progress of the nation ……… [120-
country’s sovereignty if he is attached to the mother tongue. Hamel lays stress 150 Words]
on the importance of one’s language which is a key to freedom from slavery. Ans. Youth plays an important role in the progress of the nation. Thus, it
When Germany annexes two districts of France, it orders that German instead of becomes their responsibility to ensure that they seek the progress of the nation
French be taught in the schools. This order shows the importance of language alongwith their personal progress. One must remain attached to one’s mother
and the enemy is trying to snatch the mother tongue from the people so that they tongue because it is the key to freedom from slavery. If we want to retain our
freedom, then we must guard our native language. Also, we must be watchful
that our acts are not against the law and also, we must try to help fellow citizens Moreover, the mention of the old men of the village sitting in the back of the
in their progress. As the saying goes, ‘United we stand, divided we fall’. All the room with regretful expressions indicates a collective sense of remorse. Their
people of the country must make a combined effort to shine and rise together in failure to prioritize education and language learning contributed to the
order to ensure the progress of the nation. vulnerability of the community when faced with the imposition of German as
Questions from the Chapter in 2023 Board Exams the sole language of instruction. Overall, the text suggests that personal
Q1. What were Franz’s feelings as he set out for school and why? [40-50 shortcomings, including procrastination and a lack of commitment to education,
Words] played a part in the cultural and linguistic crisis faced by the people of Alsace.
Ans. Franz was terrified of getting reprimanded since M. Hamel would demand Questions that appeared in 2020 Board Exams
that he prepare his lesson on participles. in addition, the pleasant, sunny weather, Q1. What was the mood in the classroom when M. Hamel gave his last
the sound of birds, and the presence of Prussian soldier made him want to skip lesson? [30-40 words]
class. Ans. The entire classroom was silent when M.Hamet began his final lecture,
Q2. Why was M. Hamel dressed in formal clothes in school? [40-50 Words] every single student was quiet and paying attention to Mr. Hamel’s words, even
Ans. M. Hamel was dressed in formal clothes in school because it was his last everyone was sitting quietly in their own seat without making a fuss. Everyone
lesson before leaving Alsace. He wore his beautiful green coat, frilled shirt, and was there that day and Mr. Hamel was completely absorbed in his thoughts.
a little black silk cap, all embroidered. This attire was reserved for special Q2. What was the importance of the bulletin-board near the town hall?
occasions like inspections and prize days. M. Hamel’s formal dressing on this [30-40 words]
particular day symbolized the significance and solemnity of the occasion, Ans. All the important news was put up on this bulletin board. News of lost
marking the end of his forty years of faithful service as a teacher in Alsace. battles, the draft, the order of the commanding officer – all the bad news came
Q3. When do the residents of Alsace realise how precious their language is from there.
to them? [40-50 Words] Q3. Why was the order from Berlin called a thunderclap by Franz? [30-40
Ans. When the people of Alsace learn that French will no longer be taught to words]
them, they discover how important their native tongue is to them. Mr. Hamel Ans. It was a shock for the young boy because now he could no longer learn
explains to them that “when people are enslaved, as long as they hold fast to french language.
their language, it is as if they have the key to their prison.” Q4. Why did M. Hamel blame the parents for their children’s poor
Q4. The last lesson reflects the flaws in human character that led to the sad performance at school? [30-40 words]
plight of people in Alsace. Substantiate your answer with evidences from Ans. He blamed the parents for sending the kids to earn money instead of
the text. [120-150 Words] sending them to school. They put them at work in farms and mills so that the
Ans. The text suggests the flaws in human character that contributed to the sad family could earn extra money.
plight of the people in Alsace. M. Hamel, in his final lesson, points out the Q5. Why did the narrator want to skip school on the day of the last lesson?
procrastination and neglect of learning among both the students and their [30-40 words]
parents. He mentions how everyone, including himself, had put off learning, Ans. He was scared of the teacher because he did not know the topic of
thinking they had plenty of time. The teacher acknowledges his own role in Participles which the teacher had ordered them to prepare. Thus, he wanted to
diverting students from studies, such as sending them to water flowers or giving skip school and spend the day outside.
holidays for fishing.
Q6. How is the mother tongue important to a person? What does M. Hamel, Q2. Why were the old men of the village sitting in the classroom on the last
the teacher say about it? [30-40 words] day of the lesson? [30 – 40 words]
Ans. Mother tongue is a key to freedom from slavery. M Hamel says that one Ans. They were there to pay respect to M Hamel’s service of forty years as it
must remain attached to one’s mother tongue to remain free from oppression. was his last day in the school.
Q3. Who did M. Hamel blame for the neglect of learning on the part of
Q7. Why was there a crowd in front of the bulletin-board? [30-40 words] boys like Franz? [30 – 40 words]
Ans. There was a crowd in front of the bulletin board because a news had been Ans. M. Hamel blamed the parents for the neglect of learning on the part of
put up. It announced that as Prussia had annexed the French districts of Alsace boys like Franz because their parents wanted them to work on farm to earn some
and Lorraine, German instead of French would be taught in the schools there. money. Franz himself wanted to enjoy his time and thus, avoided going to
school. M. Hamel blamed himself too for the neglect as he made the boys work
Q8. Why did the elders of the village attend the last lesson? [30-40 words] in the garden which made them miss their lessons and whenever he wanted to go
Ans. The elders of the village attended the class that day as a mark of respect fishing, he gave them a holiday.
towards M Hamel who had taught there for forty years. Q4. Why did the village elders occupy the back benches in the classroom to
attend the last lesson delivered by M. Hamel? [30 – 40 words]
Q9. Educating children is the responsibility of society. Justify the statement Ans. The village elders occupied the back benches in the classroom to attend the
in view of ‘The Last Lesson’. [120-150 words] last lesson delivered by M. Hamel because they felt sorry for not attending the
Ans. Children are the future of a nation and so, educating them is the school ever. They wanted to show their sympathy and respect for the teachers.
responsibility of the society to ensure a better, brighter future. In the story, ‘The They thanked M. Hamel for his long and devoted service of forty years to teach
Last Lesson’ we see that the enemy country targets the schools of Alsace and the children of the school.
Lorraine. After defeating France, Prussia annexed the districts of Alsace and Q5. How did M. Hamel make his last lesson a special one? What did he
Lorraine and replaced French subject with German in the schools there. They emphasize in it? [30 – 40 words]
targeted school children to weaken the future of France. When the students Ans. M. Hamel made his last lesson special by wearing a special outfit and
would grow up, they would feel alienated from their motherland France and talking about the French language at length. He told that it was the most
would gradually get inclined towards Germany. Thus, this plan of Prussians beautiful language in the world the clearest and the most logical. He asked the
shows that children are the future of a nation and thus, their education has to be students that they must guard it because when people are enslaved, the language
ensured by the society. is the only key to their prison.
Q6. Everybody during the last lesson was filled with regret. Comment. [120
2019 Exam Question and Answers from the chapter – 150 words]
Q1. How and why was M. Hamel dressed differently that day? [30 – 40 Ans. According to the order from Berlin, only German was to be taught in the
words] schools of Alsace and Lorraine. This order left Mr. Hamel, the village people
Ans. It was in honour of the last lesson that M. Hamel had put on his fine and the Mr. Hamel’s students in deep regret. The villagers regretted not having
Sunday clothes. He was wearing his beautiful green coat, his frilled shirt and his made utmost use of the French lessons that they had been given by Mr Hamel.
little black silk embroidered cap that he wore only on inspection and prize days. They had engaged themselves in their profession to earn a living and had not
taken their French lessons seriously. The children and the villagers sitting in the
class had always thought that they had enough time to learn the language. But
now, during the last French lesson, everybody realised their mistake. They Q8. What was unusual in the market and in the classroom on the day of the
realised how little they knew their native language. They all attended the last last lesson? [120 – 150 words]
lesson to show their respect to their teacher and their country, which was no Ans. There was a huge crowd around the bulletin board which displayed all
longer theirs. news and announcements related to the war. It indicated that something new had
Q7. ‘The Last Lesson’ shows that people suddenly realised how precious been put up there. The school was unusually quiet like it used to be on a Sunday
their language was to them. Comment. [120 – 150 words] morning. There was no hustle bustle, no sound of desks creaking. M Hamel was
Ans. The story was written in the days of the Franco-Prussian war in which walking in one of the classrooms with his stick under his arm. He wore a solemn
France was defeated by Prussia. In this story the French districts of Alsace- expression and was gentle. Franz was scared of being reprimanded for coming
Lorraine have passed into Prussian hands. M. Hamel is the teacher of French late to school. However, M Hamel spoke gently and was unusually calm. All
and a boy, Franz who never serious in the class of M. Hamel. One day he was these changes made Franz wonder.
late for school. He feared that his teacher would scold as he was not very sure
about participles which the teacher, M. Hamel, is going to test that day. But Q9. How was M. Hamel different in his last lesson? Who did he scold and
finally he decided to go to school. As he entered he saw the crowd has gathered for what? [120 – 150 words]
round the bulletin board. He did not stop there. On arriving at school, he noted Ans. M Hamel had taught in the school for the last forty years. However, an
an unusual silence. He entered into the class and was greeted with a strange order from Prussia, made it his last lesson that day because now, French would
sight. The last benches which were always empty were occupied by the village no longer be taught in schools of the French districts of Alsace and Lorraine.
elders who look grim and solemn. Franz noticed M. Hamel was dressed nicely This announcement had a deep impact on the teacher. He was solemn and
and asked Franz to sit so that he could start his lesson. The teacher made a gentle. He walked up and down the rows of the classroom with his stick placed
startling announcement that this would be their last lesson in French as the new under his arm. However, his behaviour was unusual. He was gentle and calm in
teacher would be arriving the following day. He said, “The order has come from opposition to his strict demeanour. He did not scold Franz for being late that
Berlin to teach only German in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. The new day. That day, M Hamel was dressed in his formal attire which he would wear
teacher comes tomorrow. This is your last French lesson. I want you to be very only on special occasions. He sat motionless, gazing at things, perhaps to fix the
attentive.” There came a sudden change in the minds of the people and they setting of the classroom in his mind.
developed a new profound love French. Franz was overcome with a feeling of That day, he did not scold Franz for being late or for not preparing the topic of
remorse and regretted for wasting his time in trivial pursuits. He decided to pay Participles. He rued that the French did not take studies seriously and put it off
attention to the lesson since school had become very important for him. The for another day. The parents and teachers were to be blamed for not taking
people and Franz himself realized how precious their language is to them. M. academics seriously. M Hamel blamed himself also for going fishing and
Hamel had been teaching in that school for last forty years. His dedication, sending students to water the plants instead of teaching them. Thus, he made
devotion, discipline impressed them. He realizes the real worth of his school and confessions and tried to amend by conveying the importance of the mother
the teacher whom they have all taken for granted all these years. M. Hamel in tongue to the students.
his last address told about the importance of French. He called that it was the Q10. ‘The order from Berlin banning teaching of French stunned
most beautiful language in the world. It is the clearest and the most logical one. everyone. Comment. [120 – 150 words]
M.Hamel was overcome by strong emotions and in large letter he wrote on the Ans. As Berlin annexed the French districts of Alsace and Lorraine, Prussia
board ‘Viva La France’ — long live France! announced that instead of French language, German would be taught in the
schools there. This order came as a thunderclap for the students, especially
Franz. Now he wanted to study and that day he was able to understand the entire
lesson that was taught in the class. He even developed a liking for M Hamel (v) Which trait of the protagonist is revealed in the sentence ‘I had the
whom he had found to be strict earlier. Franz lamented for not being serious strength to resits’?
towards studying his mother tongue. Now he would not get a chance to study it. (A) sincerity
His dejection and anguish is evident from his insight when he questions whether (B) determination
they would teach the pigeons cooing on the roof of the class to coo in German (C) bravery
language. By this, Franz displayed his protest against the order that snatched (D) kindness
away their mother tongue from them. Ans. (B) determination
Questions which came in 2024 Board Exam
Q1. Read the following extracts and answer the questions : (vi) Which of the following headlines best suggests the central idea of the
For a moment I thought of running away and spending the day out of doors. It extract?
was so warm, so bright! The birds were chirping at the edge of the woods; and (A) The Drilling of Prussian Soldiers
in the open field back of the sawmill the Prussian soldiers were drilling. It was (B) The Rule of Participles
all much more tempting than the rule for participles, but I had the strength to (C) Strength to Resist
resist, and hurried off to school. (D) Out of Doors
Ans. (C) Strength to Resist
(i) List two sensory details present in the extract.
Ans. Warm and bright weather Q2. Read the following extracts and answer the questions :
Birds chirping at the edge of the woods I heard M. Hamel say to me, “I won’t scold you, little Franz : you must feel bad
enough, see how it is ! Everyday we have said to ourselves. Bah! I’ve plenty of
(ii) Why is the narrator tempted to spend the day out of doors? time I’ll learn it tomorrow. And now you see where we’ve come out. Ah, that’s
Ans. The narrator is tempted because of the pleasant weather, the chirping birds, the great trouble with Alsace; she puts off learning till tomorrow. Now those
and the sight of Prussian soldiers drilling in the open field. fellows out there will have the right to say to you. ‘How is it; you pretend to be
Frenchmen, and yet you can neither speak nor write your own language?’ But,
(iii) Complete the sentence appropriately. you are not the worst, poor little Franz. We’ve all a great deal to reproach
I hurried off to school resisting _______________. ourselves with”.
Ans. I hurried off to school resisting the temptation to skip the day and enjoy the
outdoors. (i) ‘And now you see where we’ve come out.’ The tone of M. Hamel in the
above line is that of :
(iv) Why does the narrator want to bunk school? (A) kindness
(A) He doesn’t like the teachers. (B) happiness
(B) He doesn’t like his classmates. (C) regret
(C) He wasn’t prepared for the test on participles. (D) enthusiasm
(D) He had forgotten to complete his homework. Ans. (C) regret
Ans. (C) He wasn’t prepared for the test on participles.
(ii) ‘We’ve all a great deal to reproach ourselves with.’ Q3. We miss a thing when we are in fear of losing it. Substantiate this
Select the option, which conveys the meaning of ‘reproach’ as reflected in statement with two examples from ‘The Last Lesson’, how the people in the
the above line. story suddenly realised how precious their language was to them. [40-50
(A) The player received a reprimand for breach of rules. Words]
(B) The students approached the management with a demand for new canteen. Ans. In ‘The Last Lesson,’ villagers regret not valuing their language when they
(c) The clerk received a letter of appreciation for his innovative ideas learn it will no longer be taught. M. Hamel’s sorrowful farewell emphasizes the
(D) She could not find a way to broach the subject with her boss. significance of their native tongue, which they had taken for granted.
Ans. (A) The player received a reprimand for breach of rules.
Q4. What was more tempting for Franz than the rule for participles? Did
(iii) State whether the following statement is true or false with reference to he get tempted? [40-50 Words]
the extract. Ans. The idea of running away and spending the day outdoors was tempting.
2. Hamel endorses the belief that there is plenty of time to learn their The birds were chirping and the open field behind which the Prussian soldiers
language. were drilling was tempting but Franz resisted the temptation and went to school.
Ans. False
Q5. Why were the villagers seated in the back benches? [40-50 Words]
(iv) Complete the sentence appropriately. Ans. The villagers were seated at the back bench of the classroom to pay respect
‘You must feel bad enough.’ Through these words M. Hamel urges the to M Hamel for forty years of service. They were there because it was his last
people _______. day in the school.
Ans. ‘You must feel bad enough.’ Through these words M. Hamel urges the Q6. What was the ‘thunderclap’ the narrator received as Hamel began the
people to realize the consequences of their procrastination and neglect of their lesson? [40-50 Words]
language. Ans. The ‘thunderclap’ was the shock and realisation that this was the last
French lesson he would ever attend, as he had not appreciated his education and
(v) Identify the line from the text that reinforces the theme of patriotism in now faced the loss due to the war.
the story. Q7. Explain the inference that can be drawn from the line : “Will they
Ans. “How is it; you pretend to be Frenchmen, and yet you can neither speak make them sing in German, even the pigeons?” [40-50 Words]
nor write your own language?” Ans. The line suggests that the imposition of the German language on the
French people is so complete that even the natural elements, like pigeons, would
(vi) She puts off learning till tomorrow. The phrase ‘puts off” suggests be forced to conform. It highlights the oppressive nature of the conquerors in
_____. erasing the local culture and language.
Ans. She puts off learning till tomorrow. The phrase “puts off suggests
procrastination.
 Q8. M. Hamel in ‘The Last Lesson’ and Gandhiji in ‘Indigo’ were both
concerned about the state of education in the face of oppression. Write a Q10. Imagine you are Mukund Padmanabhan (The Interview) and you
speech to be shared with your peers on the importance of education. You interviewed M. Hamel, after he had finished delivering the last lesson (The
may use cues from the two texts. [120-150 Words] Last Lesson). Write a paragraph on Hamel’s views on individual
Ans. Good morning to one and all present here. Today, I stand before you to responsibility and nationalism. [120-150 Words]
throw light upon the topic – Importance of education. Ans. It is an individual’s responsibility towards his nation, to protect its
In the story titled ‘The Last Lesson’, we get to know about the importance of freedom. M Hamel insists that an individual can retain his freedom and his
one’s mother tongue which is the key to freedom from slavery. M Hamel points country’s sovereignty if he is attached to the mother tongue. Hamel lays stress
out that if one is attached to one’s mother tongue, then he can escape the on the importance of one’s language which is a key to freedom from slavery.
clutches of slavery. He also praises his native language – French and calls it the When Germany annexes two districts of France, it orders that German instead of
most logical and most beautiful language. The teacher is sad because now the French be taught in the schools. This order shows the importance of language
students will no longer study the language. Schools in the districts of Alsace and and the enemy is trying to snatch the mother tongue from the people so that they
Lorraine which were annexed by Prussia will now teach German language can be enslaved. The language of a country plays a major role in display of
instead of French. nationalism because it s binding factor which runs through the fabric of the
Even in the story ‘Indigo’ we see that Gandhiji wanted to uplift the peasants and country.
requested volunteer teachers Mahadev Desai and Narhari Parikh and others.
They opened primary schools in six villages. Q11. Franz from ‘The Last Lesson’ and the peddler from ‘The Rattrap’
Thus, we can conclude that education is empowering and crucial for becoming demonstrate the importance of learning from one’s mistakes and rising up
self-reliant. to evolve as a better person. Write an article based on the two texts on how
Q9. Franz in “The Last Lesson” realizes the importance of going to school a man evolves after learning from his mistakes. [120-150 Words]
while Saheb in “Lost Spring” yearns to go to school. Write a paragraph Ans. In order to achieve success, it is crucial that we learn from our mistakes
exploring the different perspectives of these two young boys on learning and improvise ourselves. In the story ‘The Last Lesson’ we see the young boy
and education. [120-150 Words] Franz who is shocked to know that it is his last lesson of French and that he will
Ans. Franz and Saheb offer contrasting perspectives on education that highlight never get a chance to study it. This news transforms him and he develops a
the value and challenges of schooling. In “The Last Lesson,” Franz’s realization liking for studies. He starts admiring his teacher and acknowledges his
of the importance of school comes too late, as he is faced with the harsh reality dedication. That day Franz is able to understand all that is taught in the class.
of losing his opportunity to learn due to the German occupation. His regret Similarly, we see the character of the peddler in the story ‘The Rattrap’. The
underscores how education is often undervalued until it is threatened. peddler reacts to Edla’s selfless kindness and gets over his acts of petty thievery
Conversely, Saheb in “Lost Spring” yearns for school as a means of escape from to be an army captain in the true sense. He does not want her to feel humiliated
the harsh life of rag-picking. His desire for education represents hope and a that she had considered him to be a gentleman. As a mark of acknowledgement
vision for a better future. Saheb’s longing illustrates how education is seen as a of Edla’s kindness, the peddler returns the stolen money and requests her to
pathway to opportunity, reflecting its critical role in transforming lives. While hand it over to the old crofter.
Franz’s experience is shaped by loss and missed chances, Saheb’s perspective is Thus, we see that these two characters learnt precious lessons and incorporated
driven by a yearning for change and improvement. them to become better versions of themselves.
12. While M. Hamel talks of language being the key to nationalism. Gandhi
tells the court it is a ‘conflict of duties’. On the one hand, not to set a bad
example as a law breaker, on the other hand, to render the humanitarian
and national service. You get inspired and decide to write an article for a
youth magazine urging the youth to dedicate themselves to the service, of
the nation.
You may begin like this,
Youth plays an important role in the progress of the nation ……… [120-
150 Words]
Ans. Youth plays an important role in the progress of the nation. Thus, it
becomes their responsibility to ensure that they seek the progress of the nation
alongwith their personal progress. One must remain attached to one’s mother
tongue because it is the key to freedom from slavery. If we want to retain our
freedom, then we must guard our native language. Also, we must be watchful
that our acts are not against the law and also, we must try to help fellow citizens
in their progress. As the saying goes, ‘United we stand, divided we fall’. All the
people of the country must make a combined effort to shine and rise together in
order to ensure the progress of the nation.