Question 1. Why did Franz not go to school that day? Answer: Franz had started very late for school on that day. He had also not learnt the rules for the participles and M.Hamel was going to ask questions on participles. He was dread of M.Hamel's scolding. Therefore Franz didn't want to go to school on that day. Scanned with CamScannerQuestion 2. What sights did Franz see on his way to school? Answer: On his way to school, Franz found that the day was and bright. The birds were chirping at the edge of woods; and in the open woods, the Prussian soldiers were drilling. When he passed the town hall there was a crowd in front of the bulletin board. Franz wondered what the matter could be. But he didn't stop to read it. ‘Scanned with CamScannerQuestion 3. What tempted Franz to stay away from school? Answer: The day was bright and warm. The Prussian soldiers were drilling in the woods. The birds were chirping and M.Hafnel was going to ask questions on participles and Franz had not learnt anything about it. Franz was dreaded of his scolding. All this tempted Franz to stay away from school. ‘Scanned with CamScannerQuestion 4. What had been put up on the bulletin board? Answer: A war was going on between France and Prussia. The French districts of Alsace and Lorraine had fallen into the hands of Prussia. The teaching and studying of French had been banned in these districts. The notice for the same had been put up on the bulletin board. ‘Scanned with CamScannerQuestion 5. What did Franz wonder about when he entered the class that day? Answer: On that day there was no noise outside the class. Then he saw that M.Hamel was wearing his beautiful green coat, his frilled shirt and the little black coat. He wore this dress on inspection and prize distribution days. Then he saw the elderly People sitting on the back desks. All| these sights wondered Franz. ‘Scanned with CamScannerQuestion 6. What usual noises could be heard in the street when the school began ? How was the scene in the school in the morning of the last lesson different from that on other days? Answer: Usually, when school began, there was a great bustle, which could be heard in the street. There would be noise of opening and closing of desks and the lessons repeated in a loud voice. But on that particular day it was all very quiet. It was as quiet as Sunday morning. ‘Scanned with CamScannerQuestion 7. Why were some elderly persons occupying the back benches that day? (2017 Delhi) Answer: The French districts of Alsace and Lorraine had-fallen into the hands of Prussians. The studying and teaching of French had been banned there. M.Hamel was a teacher of the French language. He had been teaching in that school for the last forty years. Next morning he was leaving the school for good. Therefore, the old men were sitting on the back benches. It was their way of thanking M.Hamel for his faithful service. ‘Scanned with CamScannerQuestion 8. Who were the elderly persons sitting at the back benches ? Answer: The elderly persons sitting at the back benches were the old Hauser who was wearing his three cornered hat, the former mayor, the former postmaster, and several others besides. Everybody was looking sad. Hauser had brought an old primer and he held it open on his knees with his spectacles lying across the pages. ‘Scanned with CamScannerQuestion 9. “What a thunderclap these words were to me!” What were those words and what was their effect on Franz? Answer: M.Hamel announced in the class that was his last class. The orders from Berlin had come to teach the German language in Alsace and Lorraine. These words came as a thunderclap to Franz. Now he started liking his books and M.Hamel in spite of his cranky nature. ‘Scanned with CamScannerQuestion 10. How did Franz react to the declaration that it was their last lesson? Answer: These words were like a thunderclap to Franz. He hardly knew reading and writing French. He used to waste his time on useless activities. He always considered his books a nuisance. Now he thought they were his best friends whom he couldn't leave. ‘Scanned with CamScannerquestion 11. What had the narrator counted on to enter the school? Answer: Usually, when the school began, there was a great bustle, which could be heard in the street. There would be noise of opening and closing of desks and the lessons repeated in a loud voice, the teacher's ruler would be rapping on the table. The narrator had counted on the commotion to get on his seat. ‘Scanned with CamScannerQuestion 12. What was the mood in the classroom when M.Hamel gave his last French lesson? Answer: The mood in the classroom was that of sadness. There was a pin drop silence in the class. Even the old people of the village had come to attend the class. They had come there to thank M.Hamel for his forty years of service. ‘Scanned with CamScannerQuestion 13. How were the Parents and M.Hamel responsible for the children’s neglect of the French language? Answer: Not only the children themselves but also their Par-ents and M.Hamel were to some extent responsible for the children’s neglect of the French language. The Parents would send their children to work on a farm or ata mill so that they could get some extra money. M. Hamel would often ask them to water his Plants instead of teachin Wanted to go fishin holiday, g them. And when he g, he would Give them a ‘Scanned with CamScannerQuestion 14. What did M.Hamel ask Franz to recite and how did Franz fare in it? Answer: M. Hamel asked Franz to recite the rules on participles. He wanted to recite it without any mistakes. But he mixed up on the very first words and stood there, holding on to his desk. His heart was beating and he didn't dare to look up. ‘Scanned with CamScannerQuestion 15. What happened when Franz heard his name Called? Answer: Franz heard his name Called. It was his turn to recite the rules for Participles. But Franz had not learnt those. But he wanted that he could recite it in a clear and loud voice. But he got mixed up on the first words and stood there, holding on to his desk, his heart was beating, and he dared not look up. ‘Scanned with CamScanner