THE LAST LESSON

- Alphonse Daudet

SHORTS QUESTION ANSWER:

1. Who is the narrator of the story?

ANS: Franz is the narrator of the story.

2. Why was Franz scared to go to school?

ANS: Franz was scared because he hadn’t learned his lesson on participles.

3. What did Franz notice on the way to school?

ANS: He saw people reading the news at the bulletin board.

4. What surprised Franz when he reached school?

ANS: The school was very quiet, and everyone was seated quietly.

5. Who was their teacher?

ANS: M. Hamel was their teacher.

6. Why were the villagers sitting in the classroom?

ANS: The villagers came to show respect for M. Hamel and the French language.

7. What was the news on the bulletin board?

ANS: The news was that German would be taught instead of French from the next day.

8. How did Franz feel when he heard it was his last French lesson?
ANS:He felt bad and regretted not learning his language properly.
9. Why did M. Hamel wear his special green coat?
ANS: He wore it because it was his last day of teaching French.

10. What did M. Hamel say about the French language?

ANS: He said it was the most beautiful language in the world and must be kept safe.

11. Why did M. Hamel blame himself?

ANS: He said he sometimes sent students to water his plants and didn’t teach properly.

12. What happened at the end of the lesson?

ANS: M. Hamel wrote "Vive La France" on the blackboard and dismissed the class.

13. How did Franz feel about M. Hamel by the end of the story?
ANS: Franz felt sad and respected him more.

14. What was Franz’s attitude toward learning French before the last lesson?
ANS: He was lazy and didn’t care much about learning.

15. Why did the Prussians want to teach German instead of French?
ANS: They wanted to make the people forget their language and culture.

16. How did M. Hamel react during the lesson?

ANS: He was very emotional and taught passionately.

17. What did Franz realize about his books?

ANS: He realized that they were his best friends, even though he thought they were a burden.
2 MARKS QUESTIONS & ANSWER:

18. Why did the villagers come to the school?

ANS: They wanted to show respect to M. Hamel and their language.

19. How did the children feel when M. Hamel said it was their last French lesson?
ANS: They were sad and serious, realizing they had lost something valuable.

20. What does the story "The Last Lesson" teach us?
ANS : It teaches us to value our language and culture before it’s too late.

2 MARKS QUESTIONS & ANSWER:

1. Why was Franz afraid of going to school that day?

ANS : Franz was afraid because he hadn’t learned his French lesson on participles, and he
thought M. Hamel would scold him.

2. What did Franz notice when he passed the town hall?

ANS: Franz saw a crowd in front of the bulletin board. It usually had important news, like war
updates.

3. How was the school atmosphere different that day?

 ANS: The school was very quiet and calm, unlike other days when there was noise. Even M.
Hamel was not angry.

4. Who were sitting in the back of the classroom, and why?

ANS: Some villagers, including the old mayor, were sitting in the back to show respect for M.
Hamel and the French language.

5. What news did M. Hamel share with the class that shocked Franz?
ANS: M. Hamel told the class that it was their last French lesson because German would be
taught from the next day.

6. How did Franz’s feelings toward school change during the last lesson?
ANS : Franz felt sorry for not paying attention in class earlier. He realized the importance of
learning French.

7. What did M. Hamel say about the French language?

ANS : M. Hamel said French was the most beautiful language and that they should never
forget it, as it was their identity.

8. Why did M. Hamel blame himself for the students’ poor learning?
ANS : M. Hamel said he was sometimes careless and sent students to water his plants or gave
them time off, instead of teaching properly.

9. What was Franz’s realization about his books?

ANS : Franz realized that his books, which he found boring earlier, were actually his best
friends.

10. How did M. Hamel behave during his last lesson?

ANS : M. Hamel was emotional, but he taught with great care and dedication. He wanted the
students to learn as much as possible.
11. What did M. Hamel write on the blackboard at the end of the lesson?
ANS : M. Hamel wrote "Vive La France!" on the blackboard, which means "Long live France!" It
showed his love for his country.

12. What did Franz understand about the importance of language?

ANS : Franz understood that language is a part of their identity, and it is important to learn and
protect it.

13. Why did the Prussians ban the teaching of French in schools?
ANS : The Prussians wanted to remove French culture and language from the region and
replace it with German.

14. What regret did Franz feel during the last lesson?
ANS : Franz regretted not paying attention to his lessons and taking his French learning for
granted.

15. How did the people in the village show their respect for M. Hamel?
ANS : The villagers came to the class to sit quietly and show their respect for M. Hamel and
the last French lesson.

LONG QUESTION ANSWER :

1. Describe the character of M. Hamel and his feelings on the last day of teaching.

ANSWER: M. Hamel was a strict but caring teacher. He had been teaching French for many
years in the same school. On his last day, he was sad and emotional because he had to stop
teaching French due to the orders from the Prussians. Even though he used to get angry when
students made mistakes, on this day, he was kind and patient. He wore his special green coat,
which he saved for important occasions, because he wanted to show respect for his last class.
 M. Hamel loved the French language very much and believed that it was important for the
people of the village to protect their language. He felt sorry that his students hadn’t learned
properly, and he even blamed himself a little for not always teaching well. At the end of the
lesson, he wrote “Vive La France” on the board, showing his deep love for his country and
language.

2. How did Franz’s attitude towards learning French change by the end of the story?

ANSWER : At the beginning of the story, Franz didn’t care much about school or learning
French. He thought it was boring and often didn’t pay attention. He was more interested in
playing and enjoying himself. But on the day of the last lesson, when M. Hamel told the class
that they would no longer learn French, Franz felt guilty. He realized how important his language
was and regretted not taking his lessons seriously.

During the class, Franz tried hard to understand what M. Hamel was teaching. He wished he
had learned better before, and he felt sad that he might never get the chance to study French
again. By the end of the story, Franz developed a new respect for M. Hamel and the French
language. He understood that it was important to protect his language because it was a part of
his identity.

3. Why was the last lesson of M. Hamel important for the people of the village?

ANSWER : The last lesson was important because it was the final time the villagers would be
taught in their own language, French. The Prussian government had taken control of their
region and ordered that only German would be taught in schools from the next day. This made
the last lesson a special and emotional moment for everyone.

The villagers, who usually didn’t come to school, were there to show respect for M. Hamel and
the French language. They realized that they had not valued their language enough, and now it
was being taken away from them. The last lesson was not just about learning grammar; it was
about protecting their culture and identity. M. Hamel told them that their language was a part of
who they were, and they should never forget it. This made the last lesson a moment of pride,
regret, and deep emotion for everyone in the village.

4. What message does the story “The Last Lesson” give us about language and culture?
 ANSWER : The story teaches us that language is an important part of our identity and culture.
When the Prussians took control of the village, they wanted to force everyone to learn German,
which was a way to remove French culture from the region. M. Hamel explained that losing their
language would mean losing a part of themselves.

The story shows us that we should never take our language and culture for granted. Franz
and the villagers only realized the importance of French when it was too late. The story also tells
us that education and learning are powerful tools. If people forget their language, it becomes
easier for others to control them. M. Hamel’s message was that people should be proud of their
language and work hard to protect it, no matter what.

5. How did the villagers show their respect for M. Hamel and the French language?

ANSWER : On the day of the last lesson, many villagers came to the school, which was
unusual. People like the old mayor and the former postmaster, who had never come to school
before, sat quietly at the back of the classroom. They were there to show their respect for M.
Hamel and for the French language. They felt sad that this would be the last time anyone in the
village would be taught in French.

The villagers realized that they had not given enough importance to their language, and now it
was being taken away. M. Hamel had been teaching them for many years, and they felt bad that
they didn’t appreciate his hard work earlier. Sitting in the classroom, they showed that they
cared for their language and their teacher. It was their way of saying goodbye to both M. Hamel
and their mother tongue.

QUESTION BANK SOLVED ( THE LAST LESSON ) :

H.S. EXAM. QUESTIONS:

Very Short Type Questions (Marks: 1)

1. Who is the 'I' here?

- 'I' is Franz.

2. What did M. Hamel do when he wanted to go fishing?

- M. Hamel wore his beautiful green coat and used a big fishing rod.
3. What did M. Hamel write at the end of the class?
- M. Hamel wrote "Vive La France!" on the blackboard.

4. What did Franz think for a moment?

- Franz thought that he didn’t know his lessons well.

5. What was written in the new copies brought by M. Hamel for the students in beautiful
round hand?
- "France, Alsace, France, Alsace" was written on the new copies.

6. Who, in the name of the blacksmith in "The Last Lesson"?

- The name of the blacksmith was Wachter.

7. What is the 'great trouble with Alsace'?

- The great trouble with Alsace was that they did not care to learn their own language, French.

Short Type Questions (Marks: 2/3)

1. Why did little Franz want to spend his day out of doors?
- Franz wanted to play outdoors because it was warm and bright, and he thought of enjoying
nature.

2. What are M. Hamel's views about the French language?

- M. Hamel said that the French language is the most beautiful language in the world.

3. What was the commotion that Franz anticipated in the classroom?

- Franz thought there would be noise because the class would begin, but the room was quiet.

4. What did M. Hamel say about the French language?

- M. Hamel said that French is the clearest and most beautiful language.
5. Why was the lesson called the last lesson?
- It was the last French lesson because a new rule came from Berlin that only German would
be taught in schools.

6. What had been put up on the bulletin board?

- A notice came from Berlin saying that only German must be taught in the schools of Alsace
and Lorraine.

7. What was Franz expected to be prepared with for school that day?
- Franz was expected to be prepared with the lesson on "Participles."

8. Why did M. Hamel not blame Franz alone for his inability to learn?
- M. Hamel said that Franz's parents and even he himself were also at fault for not teaching
well.

9. ‘Will they make them sing in German, even the pigeons?' What does this sentence
suggest?
- This sentence shows Franz’s sadness and anger that the people of Alsace had to give up
their language.

Essay Type Questions (Marks: 5)

1. What was the order from Berlin? How did that order affect the people of Alsace,
particularly M. Hamel and his students?
- The order from Berlin said that only German should be taught in the schools of Alsace and
Lorraine. This made M. Hamel and his students very sad because it was their last French
lesson, and they felt they were losing their identity.

2. Describe the unusual things that Franz noticed on the day of the last lesson.
- Franz noticed that the classroom was unusually quiet, and the villagers were sitting at the
back of the room. M. Hamel wore his best clothes, and he was very gentle with the students.

3. Give a detailed account of the scene in the classroom on the day of the last lesson.
 - The classroom was very quiet, unlike usual. The villagers were sitting at the back, and M.
Hamel was wearing his special green coat. The students and even the older villagers listened
carefully to M. Hamel's last lesson.

4. Draw a character sketch of M. Hamel as it is shown in 'The Last Lesson.'

- M. Hamel was a strict but kind teacher who loved his language and his country. On the day
of the last lesson, he showed his deep sadness for not being able to teach French anymore and
encouraged everyone to respect their language.

Additional Important Questions:

1. Who is the writer of the story?

- The writer is Alphonse Daudet.

2. What is the topic on which M. Hamel would question?

- M. Hamel would question the students on "Participles."

3. Where were the Prussian soldiers drilling?

- The Prussian soldiers were drilling in the field behind the school.

4. What surprised or made Franz feel most sorry?

- Franz felt most sorry that he hadn't learned French well and would never be able to do so
again.

5. How was the hat of old Hauser?

- Old Hauser was wearing his Sunday best, a three-cornered hat.

6. From where has the order come to teach only German in the schools?
 - The order came from Berlin.

7. How many years did M. Hamel serve the country?

- M. Hamel had served the country for forty years.

8. What is the most beautiful language in the world, according to M. Hamel?

- According to M. Hamel, the French language is the most beautiful language in the world.

9. Who was M. Hamel?

- M. Hamel was a French teacher in the village school of Alsace.

10. What did M. Hamel say that he would ask his students that morning?
- M. Hamel said that he would ask the students to recite their lesson on "Participles."

11. What did Franz think 'for a moment'?

- Franz thought that he did not know his lessons well.

12. What is the name of the blacksmith in "The Last Lesson"?

- The name of the blacksmith is Wachter.

13. What did Franz find so unusual at school that morning?

- Franz found the quiet atmosphere, the presence of villagers, and M. Hamel’s special clothes
very unusual.

14. What is the name of the river mentioned in "The Last Lesson"?
- The name of the river is the Saar.
15. How long did M. Hamel teach in his school?
- M. Hamel taught for forty years in his school.

16. What is the 'great trouble with Alsace'?

- The people of Alsace didn’t care to learn their own language.

17. What did M. Hamel do when he wanted to go fishing?

- M. Hamel wore his special clothes and went fishing with a rod.

Here are the answers to the questions shown in the picture, written simply:

Short Type Questions (Marks: 2/3)

1. Why did M. Hamel not scold Franz for his inability to recite the rules for the participles
correctly?
- M. Hamel didn’t scold Franz because he knew it was Franz's last French lesson and he felt
sorry for the boy.

2. What was much more tempting for Franz than going to school? Why?
- Playing outdoors in the warm, sunny weather was more tempting because Franz loved
nature and didn’t like studying.

3. Why did M. Hamel write 'Vive La France' before dismissing his class?
- M. Hamel wrote 'Vive La France' to show his love for France and to encourage his students
to love their country.

4. What was the opinion of Hamel about the mother-tongue of a people?

 - M. Hamel believed that people should take pride in their mother-tongue because it is their
identity.

5. Why was Franz afraid when he was going to school that day?
- Franz was afraid because he hadn’t learned his lesson on participles.

6. What did M. Hamel write on the blackboard before dismissing his class?
- M. Hamel wrote 'Vive La France' on the blackboard.

7. What tempted little Franz to stay outside instead of attending school?

- The warm weather, birds chirping, and Prussian soldiers drilling tempted Franz to stay
outside.

8. What, according to M. Hamel, was the trouble with Alsace?

- M. Hamel said the trouble with Alsace was that people didn’t care enough to learn their
language.

9. How did M. Hamel dismiss the school on the last lesson?

- M. Hamel said, "School is dismissed. You may go," in a very soft and sad voice.

10. 'School is dismissed. You may go.' — Who said this and when?
- M. Hamel said this at the end of his last lesson.

11. What lesson do you learn from the prescribed text?

- We learn that we should value our language and education before it’s too late.

12. What are the participles?

- Participles are verb forms that can function as adjectives or parts of verb tenses .
13. What was M. Hamel’s opinion of the French language?
- M. Hamel said that French is the most beautiful and clear language in the world.

14. What were the subjects taken up by M. Hamel in the last lesson?
- M. Hamel taught grammar, history, and writing in the last lesson.

15. What, according to M. Hamel, was the great fault of Alsace? Whom did he blame for
this?
- M. Hamel said the people of Alsace did not take pride in their language. He blamed parents
and also teachers like himself for not caring enough.

16. Why was it a last lesson as per by M. Hamel?

- It was the last French lesson because the new rule from Berlin said that only German would
be taught in schools.

17. Why is the lesson "The Last Lesson" so called?

- It’s called "The Last Lesson" because it was the last time French would be taught in the
school.

18. How was M. Hamel's class different that day when Franz went late to school?
- The class was quiet and serious, and M. Hamel was very gentle and calm, which was
different from usual.

19. Why did M. Hamel call the lesson 'The Last Lesson'?
- M. Hamel called it the last lesson because it was the final French lesson in the school.
20. How was the scene in the school in the morning of the last lesson different from that
on other days?
- The school was very quiet and there were older villagers sitting at the back, which was not
usual.

21. What is the significance of the last lesson?

- The last lesson shows the importance of language in keeping one’s identity and culture.

22. What did Franz see on the back benches of his classroom?
- Franz saw the village elders sitting quietly on the back benches.

23. What did Franz think about the Bulletin Board near the town hall?
- Franz thought the Bulletin Board only brought bad news, and this time it had the order about
only German being taught.

24. Describe the significance of the bulletin board in 'The Last Lesson'.
- The bulletin board was important because it was where important news, like the order to
stop teaching French, was posted.

25. What change did Franz notice in his French teacher while giving his last lesson?
- Franz noticed that M. Hamel was much kinder and sadder than usual during his last lesson.

26. Cite the reason why did Franz scare of M. Hamel.

- Franz was scared of M. Hamel because he hadn’t learned his lesson on participles.

27. 'The importance of the bulletin board in the town.' Give a reasoned answer.
- The bulletin board was important because it was the place where all major announcements
were made, including the new rules about language.
28. Why did Wachter, the blacksmith, tell Franz not to hurry to school?
- Wachter told Franz not to hurry because he knew it was the last French lesson, and it
wouldn’t make much difference if Franz was late.

29. What did Franz note on his way to school?

- Franz noticed that it was quiet and there was a crowd at the bulletin board near the town
hall.

30. What did Franz’s teacher tell him?

- M. Hamel told Franz that this was his last French lesson.

31. Count the reaction of the commotion. Explain the statement with reference to the
prose.
- There was shock and sadness because people realized that French lessons would stop and
they hadn't valued their language earlier.

32. What was the reaction of M. Hamel on Franz’s arrival to school?

- M. Hamel did not scold Franz for being late. Instead, he spoke kindly to him.

33. What was so special of M. Hamel's apparel on that day?

- M. Hamel was wearing his special green coat and frilled shirt, which he wore only on special
occasions like inspections.

34. Give a brief description of M. Hamel.

- M. Hamel was strict but cared deeply about his students and the French language. He was
proud of his country and upset that the language was being replaced.

35. Which words of M. Hamel were like a blow to Franz?

 - The words "This is your last French lesson" were shocking to Franz.

36. Why did Franz repent?

- Franz regretted not paying attention in his French lessons and wasting time earlier.

37. Why did M. Hamel give rise to a thought that the Alsacians had plenty to reproach
themselves with?
- M. Hamel thought that the people of Alsace were to blame for not valuing their language and
education sooner.

38. Why did M. Hamel not blame Franz alone for his inability to learn?
- M. Hamel said that everyone in the village, including parents and teachers, was to blame for
not encouraging learning.

39. Did that last grammar lesson bear any significance for Franz? If yes, why?
- Yes, because it was the last chance for Franz to learn French, and he realized the
importance of his lessons.

40. Which action of M. Hamel makes the last lesson so memorable?

- M. Hamel’s deep sadness and the way he taught passionately in the last lesson made it
unforgettable.

41. Describe briefly the reaction of Franz to the statement, 'This is your last French
lesson.'
- Franz was shocked and upset because he realized how much he had taken French lessons
for granted.

42. What was Franz expected to be prepared with for school that day?
- Franz was supposed to be ready to answer questions about participles.
43. What had been put up on the bulletin board?
- A notice had been put up stating that only German would be taught in the schools of Alsace
and Lorraine.

44. Franz thinks, 'Will they make them sing in German, even the pigeons?' What does this
German language rule suggest about the attitude of the Frenchmen?
- It shows that the people of Alsace were upset and angry that their language was being taken
away from them.

45. What was the 'thunderclap' that came to Franz?

- The 'thunderclap' was the news that it was the last French lesson and that only German
would be taught in the future.

46. How did Franz's feelings about M. Hamel and the school change?
- Franz, who didn’t like school before, suddenly felt sad about losing his teacher and wished
he had learned more from him.

47. What feelings and experiences did Franz have on the day of the last lesson?
- Franz felt regret, sadness, and fear of losing his language and education forever.

48. 'This is your last French lesson.' How did Franz react to this declaration of M. Hamel?
- Franz was shocked, upset, and filled with regret for not paying more attention in his lessons.

49. 'What a thunderclap these words were to me!' — Which were the words that shocked
and surprised little Franz?
- The words "This is your last French lesson" shocked Franz.

50. What changes came over little Franz after he heard M. Hamel’s announcement?
 - Franz suddenly realized the importance of school and learning, and he felt regret for wasting
time.

51. Why had the bulletin-board become a centre of attention during the last two years?
- The bulletin board was where all the important and usually bad news was posted, like losing
battles and new rules.

52. What was the mood in the classroom when M. Hamel gave his last French lesson?
- The mood was sad and serious. The students and even the village elders were quiet and
focused.

53. Why did M. Hamel not scold Franz when he fumbled with the rule of the participle?
- M. Hamel didn’t scold Franz because it was the last lesson, and he knew Franz was trying
hard.

54. How did Franz react to the declaration that it was their last French lesson?
- Franz was filled with regret and sadness. He wished he had learned better earlier.

55. When Franz reached his school, what unusual situation did he observe?
- Franz noticed that the school was unusually quiet, and the village elders were sitting in the
classroom, which never happened before.

56. 'But the thing that surprised me most was to see....' What surprised Franz most in the
class?
- Franz was most surprised to see the village elders sitting in the classroom, showing respect
for M. Hamel and the French language.

LONG QUESTION ANSWER

1. What words did M. Hamel write on the blackboard before dismissing the last class?
What did they mean?
- M. Hamel wrote "Vive La France" which means "Long Live France." It showed his love and
pride for his country and its language, French.

2. Sketch the character of M. Hamel.

- M. Hamel was a dedicated and kind-hearted teacher who loved the French language. He
was strict but cared deeply for his students. He felt sad when he had to leave teaching.

3. What, according to M. Hamel, was the great fault of Alsace, and whom did he blame for
it?
- M. Hamel said the people of Alsace were too lazy about learning their own language,
French. He blamed the parents and even himself for not encouraging the children enough.

4. Who was Franz? What was his opinion about M. Hamel? Elucidate in your own words
about the changes came in Franz towards M. Hamel and his mother tongue, French.
- Franz was a student who didn't like studying French. He thought M. Hamel was strict. But
when he learned that this was his last French lesson, he felt sad. He realized how important
French was and started to respect M. Hamel.

5. What were the subjects and topics taken up on that day by M. Hamel? How did Franz
find the topics?
- On that day, M. Hamel taught grammar, history, and writing. Franz found the lessons difficult
at first but started to pay attention because he wanted to learn before it was too late.

6. Who, according to M. Hamel, were responsible for Franz’s inability to read and write
his own language?
- M. Hamel said both Franz's parents and himself were responsible. His parents made Franz
work on the farm instead of letting him go to school, and M. Hamel sometimes gave Franz too
many breaks from learning.

7. Enumerate the cause responsible for Franz's inability to learn his own language?
 - Franz didn’t learn his language because he didn’t take school seriously, his parents didn’t
support his learning, and M. Hamel sometimes gave him too much free time instead of focusing
on studies.

8. What was the parting message of M. Hamel to his students and village elders? What
was the effect of his message on them? Cite two examples from the text to support your
answer.
- M. Hamel’s parting message was that people should love and protect their language
because it’s a part of their identity. His message made the villagers regret not learning more,
and Franz realized how precious French was to him.

9. Do you agree with the view that Franz’s attitude towards school as well as towards M.
Hamel changes when he comes to know about the Prussians taking over his village?
Give reasons.
- Yes, Franz’s attitude changed because he realized this was his last chance to learn French.
He felt guilty for not paying attention earlier and started to respect M. Hamel and school more.

10. Describe M. Hamel's last day at school. Describe the effect, at school, produced by
the passing of Alsace and Lorraine into Prussian hands.
- M. Hamel was sad and emotional on his last day. The whole class was quiet, and everyone
felt regretful. Alsace and Lorraine were now under Prussian rule, and the people felt the loss of
their culture and language.

11. How was M. Hamel a different teacher while giving his last lesson?
- M. Hamel was kinder and more patient during his last lesson. He didn’t scold anyone and
seemed very sad about leaving. He wanted his students to learn as much as possible.

12. What did M. Hamel tell in his last French lesson to his students? What effect did it
have on them? Cite the reasons.
- M. Hamel told the students to always remember and love their language because it was part
of who they were. This made the students regret not learning more, and they started paying
close attention.
13. What was M. Hamel's advice on the importance of the French language? What effect
did it have on Franz?
- M. Hamel said that language is key to freedom and that people should hold onto it. Franz
felt ashamed for not learning French earlier and realized how important it was to him.

14. How did the people of Alsace pay their regards to M. Hamel on his last day at school?
- The people showed respect by sitting in the classroom quietly and seriously. They came to
listen to his last lesson as a way of showing their love and respect for him.

15. Franz's attitude towards school as well as towards M. Hamel changes when he comes
to know about the takeover of his village by Prussians. Do you agree? Discuss with
reference to 'The Last Lesson.'
- Yes, Franz’s attitude changed when he realized this was his last chance to learn French. He
regretted not taking school seriously before and started to appreciate M. Hamel and the lessons
more.

16. What did the French teacher tell his students in his last lesson? What impact did it
have on them? Why?
- M. Hamel told the students to love and protect their language because it was part of their
identity. This made the students and villagers regret not learning more, and they felt proud of
their language.