The Last Lesson || Summary || Important Questions and Answers || Question Bank

The Last Lesson - Study Guide

01: Summary and Questions

Summary Highlights:

• On the morning of 'The Last Lesson', Franz, the narrator, was running late for school. He was afraid of being scolded by M. Hamel, his French teacher, especially because he was expected to be prepared with the rule of participles, but he did not know the first word about them.
• That day, the weather was warm and bright. besides, Franz saw the Prussian soldiers were drilling in the open field, back of the sawmill. It was all much more tempting than the rule for participles. So, he thought, for a moment, to spend the day out of the doors, instead of going to school.
• Franz noticed a crowd in front of the bulletin board, as he passed the town hall. For the last two years all of their bad news had come from here —the lost battles, the draft, the orders of the commanding officer, etc.
• Wachter, the blacksmith, told Franz that he would reach school in plenty of time, because the school was unusually quiet and the usual morning commotion was missing.

1. "I started for school very late that morning" who is the "I" here? (1 Mark)

Answer : The "I" is Franz, the narrator of the story.

2. What did Franz think for a moment? (1 Mark)

Answer: Franz thought of spending the day outdoors instead of going to school.

3. What is the name of the blacksmith in "The Last Lesson"? (1 Mark)

Answer : The blacksmith’s name is Wachter.

4. What was Franz expected to be prepared with for school that day? (2 Marks)

Answer : Franz was expected to be prepared with the rule of participles for school that day. He was afraid of being scolded by M. Hamel, his French teacher, as he did not know the first word about them, which added to his anxiety about attending class.

5. What would Franz love to do on that sunny morning instead of going to school? (2 Marks)

Answer : Franz would love to spend the day outdoors instead of going to school. The warm, bright weather and the sight of Prussian soldiers drilling in the open field behind the sawmill were far more tempting than studying the rule of participles.

6. Why did little Franz want to spend his day out of doors? (2 Marks)

Answer : Franz wanted to spend his day outdoors because the weather was warm and bright, making it highly appealing. Additionally, the sight of Prussian soldiers drilling in the open field was more tempting than studying the rule of participles, which he had not prepared for.

7. Why did Wachter, the blacksmith, tell Franz that he would reach school in plenty of time? (2 Marks)

Wachter told Franz he would reach school in plenty of time because the school was unusually quiet that morning. The usual morning commotion, such as the bustle of students and lessons, was missing, indicating something different was happening, allowing Franz to arrive without being late.

02: Summary and Questions

Summary Highlights:

• When Franz reached school, he was surprised due to some unusual factors.
• Usually, when school began, there was a great bustle - the opening and closing of desks, lessons repeated in unison, very loud, and the teacher’s great ruler rapping on the table. That day, everything had to be as quiet as Sunday morning.
• Secondly, Franz saw that his teacher had on his beautiful green coat, his frilled shirt and the little black silk cap, that he never wore except on inspection and prize days.
• But the thing that surprised him most was to see, on the back benches, the village people were sitting quietly like themselves. Everybody looked sad. By attending the classroom that day, they paid their respects to M. Hamel and expressed their regret for not having learned their language when they had the chance.
• All these factors made the school's atmosphere different from usual on the day of "The Last Lesson".

8. Was Franz surprised by the scene at school that morning? (1 Mark)

Answer : Yes, Franz was surprised by the scene at school that morning.

9. What was the commotion that Franz anticipated in the classroom? (2 Marks)

Answer : Franz anticipated a great bustle in the classroom, including the opening and closing of desks, lessons repeated loudly in unison, and the teacher’s great ruler rapping on the table. This usual commotion was typical when school began, contrasting with the unusual quietness he found that day.

10. Why were the older villagers present in the class that day? (2 Marks)

Answer : The older villagers were present in the class to pay their respects to M. Hamel and express regret for not learning French when they had the chance. Their presence was a way to honor the teacher and acknowledge the importance of their language on his last day.

11. How did the people of Alsace and Lorraine pay their respect to M. Hamel on his last day at school? (2 Marks)

Answer : The people of Alsace and Lorraine paid their respect to M. Hamel by attending his last lesson, sitting quietly on the back benches. Their presence showed gratitude for his forty years of service and regret for not valuing their French language earlier.

12. How did M. Hamel dress on his last day in the classroom? (2 Marks)

Answer : On his last day, M. Hamel wore his beautiful green coat, frilled shirt, and little black silk cap, attire he reserved for special occasions like inspection and prize days. This formal dressing highlighted the significance of the day.

13. How different from usual was the atmosphere at school on the day of "The Last Lesson"? (5 Marks)

Answer : The atmosphere at school on the day of "The Last Lesson" was strikingly different from usual, marked by an unusual quietness akin to a Sunday morning. Typically, the school buzzed with the commotion of opening and closing desks, loud lesson recitations, and the teacher’s ruler rapping on the table. However, that day, the classroom was eerily silent, reflecting the gravity of the occasion. M. Hamel, dressed in his formal green coat, frilled shirt, and black silk cap, reserved for special days, added to the solemnity. The presence of village elders sitting quietly on the back benches, looking sad, was unprecedented, as they came to honor M. Hamel and regret their neglect of the French language. This somber and respectful atmosphere underscored the emotional weight of the final French lesson before German was imposed.

03: Summary and Questions

Summary Highlights:

• The lesson is called "The Last Lesson" because, M. Hamel announced in the story that, it was their last lesson in French. The order had come from Berlin to teach only German in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine and had been put up on the bulletin board.
• Hearing M. Hamel’s announcement, Franz was shocked. He suddenly regretted not learning his lessons, for seeking birds' eggs, or going sliding on the Saar! He also realized how precious his mother tongue was and wished he had learned it better.
• ["Will they make them sing in German, even the pigeons?" This sentence, from 'The Last Lesson, suggests that Franz thinks the new German rulers want to control the language so much that even pigeons would have to coo in German. It also implies that during the last lesson, little Franz understood the importance of his own language.]
• The old men of the village were sitting in the back of the room, because they were regretted that they had not gone to school more. It was their way of thanking the teacher for his forty years of faithful service and of showing their respect for the country that was theirs no more.
• The order from Berline to teach only German deeply affected M. Hamel, who had been teaching French in the school for forty years. He did not blame only Franz for his inability to learn; because he recognized that Franz's parents and he himself were responsible for it. To him, it was the great trouble with Alsace and Lorraine that, people put off learning till tomorrow. He criticized parents, because they preferred to put their children to work on a farm or at the mills, instead of sending them to school. He admitted that, even he had sometimes given students holidays when he wanted to go fishing or sent them to water his flowers instead of teaching.
• Thus, M. Hamel made the people realize how they, the students and he had been responsible for not learning their language well.

14. How long did M. Hamel teach in his school? (1 Mark)

Answer : M. Hamel taught in his school for forty years.

15. What is the great trouble with Alsace? (1 Mark)

Answer : The great trouble with Alsace is that people put off learning till tomorrow.

16. What is the name of the river mentioned in "The Last Lesson"? (1 Mark)

Answer : The river mentioned is the Saar.

17. What did M. Hamel do when he wanted to go fishing? (1 Mark)

Answer : M. Hamel gave students holidays when he wanted to go fishing.

18. Why was the lesson called "The Last Lesson"? (2 Marks)

Answer : The lesson was called "The Last Lesson" because M. Hamel announced it was their final French lesson. An order from Berlin mandated teaching only German in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine, ending French instruction.

19. What had been put up in the bulletin board? (2 Marks)

Answer : The bulletin board displayed an order from Berlin to teach only German in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. This announcement marked the end of French lessons, deeply affecting the community and M. Hamel.

20. What changes came over Franz after he heard M. Hamel’s announcement? (2 Marks)

Answer : After M. Hamel’s announcement, Franz was shocked and regretted not learning his French lessons, neglecting them for activities like seeking birds’ eggs or sliding on the Saar. He suddenly realized the preciousness of his mother tongue and wished he had learned it better.

21. Why did M. Hamel not blame Franz alone for his inability to learn? (2 Marks)

Answer : M. Hamel did not blame Franz alone because he recognized shared responsibility. Parents preferred children work on farms or mills, and he himself gave holidays for fishing or sent students to water flowers instead of teaching, contributing to their neglect of French.

22. How does M. Hamel make the people realize how they, the students and he have been responsible for not learning their language well? (5 Marks)

Answer : M. Hamel makes the people of Alsace and Lorraine realize their collective responsibility for not learning French well by openly addressing their shortcomings during "The Last Lesson." He highlights the great trouble with Alsace: the tendency to put off learning till tomorrow. He does not solely blame Franz for his inability to learn, acknowledging that parents prioritized work on farms or mills over education, thus neglecting French studies. M. Hamel also admits his own faults, confessing to giving students holidays when he wanted to go fishing or sending them to water his flowers instead of teaching. By reflecting on these shared failures, he emphasizes the importance of valuing their mother tongue, urging everyone to guard it as a key to freedom, especially as the order from Berlin to teach only German underscores the loss of their language and identity.

04: Summary and Questions

Summary Highlights:

• M. Hamel was a dedicated and patriotic teacher. He conducted his last lesson with deep sincerity, teaching grammar, writing and reading.
• He had brought new copies for the students, written in a beautiful round hand with the words 'France, Alsace, France, Alsace.'
• During the lesson, he went on to talk of the French language, saying that it was the most beautiful language in the world—the clearest, the most logical. He urged everyone to guard it and never forget it, as a language is the key to freedom.
• That day, he taught every lessons with patience and sincerity, making sure everyone understood. The villagers also attended, realizing their mistake.
• At the end of the lesson, he was too emotional to speak. He wrote "Vive La France!", which means 'Live long France' on the blackboard before dismissing the class, to express his love for his country and language.
• His dedication and patriotism made him a great teacher and his last lesson was unforgettable.

23. What was written in the new copies brought by M. Hamel for the students in a beautiful round hand? (1 Mark)

Answer : The new copies had “France, Alsace, France, Alsace” written in a beautiful round hand.

24. What did M. Hamel write at the end of the class? (1 Mark)

Answer : M. Hamel wrote “Vive La France!” on the blackboard.

25. What are M. Hamel’s views about the French language? (2 Marks)

Answer : M. Hamel views the French language as the most beautiful, clearest, and most logical language in the world. He urges everyone to guard it and never forget it, emphasizing that it is the key to freedom, especially vital as German replaces it.

26. Why did M. Hamel write ‘Vive La France’ before dismissing the class? (2 Marks)

Answer : M. Hamel wrote “Vive La France!” to express his deep patriotism and love for his country and language. Too emotional to speak at the lesson’s end, this gesture was his final tribute to France, reflecting his dedication amidst the loss of French instruction.

27. Describe how M. Hamel conducted The Last Lesson. (5 Marks)

Answer : M. Hamel conducted "The Last Lesson" with profound dedication and patriotism, making it unforgettable. He taught grammar, writing, and reading with utmost patience, ensuring every student understood, despite the emotional weight of it being his final French lesson. He brought new copies inscribed with “France, Alsace, France, Alsace” in a beautiful round hand, symbolizing his love for his homeland. M. Hamel spoke passionately about the French language, calling it the most beautiful, clearest, and most logical, urging everyone to guard it as a key to freedom. The presence of villagers, including elders, highlighted the lesson’s significance. At the end, too emotional to speak, he wrote “Vive La France!” on the blackboard, a poignant expression of his patriotism before dismissing the class, leaving a lasting impact on all present.

Question Bank - The Last Lesson

Instructions for Students

This Question Bank is designed to assist students in preparing for the chapter The Last Lesson. Follow the guidelines below to maximize your preparation:

• Prioritize Target-01: Focus on mastering the questions in Target-01 first, as they cover the core concepts and are essential for understanding the chapter.
• Move to Target-02: After completing Target-01, proceed to Target-02 questions to deepen your understanding and explore additional perspectives.
• Explore Target-03: Finally, attempt questions from Target-03, which include supplementary questions from other sources to enhance your knowledge.
• Practice Regularly: Write answers in your own words to improve retention and clarity. Time yourself while answering to simulate exam conditions.
• Review and Revise: Revisit incorrect or weak answers and revise the chapter content to strengthen your grasp of the material.
• Seek Guidance: If you face difficulty with any question, consult your teacher or refer to the textbook for clarification.

Target-01

1-Mark Questions

1. Who is the "I" in "I started for school very late that morning"?
2. What did Franz think for a moment?
3. What is the name of the blacksmith in "The Last Lesson"?
4. Was Franz surprised by the scene at school that morning?
5. How long did M. Hamel teach in his school?
6. What is the great trouble with Alsace?
7. What is the name of the river mentioned in "The Last Lesson"?
8. What did M. Hamel do when he wanted to go fishing?
9. What was written in the new copies brought by M. Hamel for the students in a beautiful round hand?
10. What did M. Hamel write on the blackboard before dismissing "The Last Lesson"?

2-Mark Questions

11. What was Franz expected to be prepared with for school that day?
12. What would Franz love to do on that sunny morning instead of going to school?
13. Why did little Franz want to spend his day out of doors?
14. Why did Watcher, the blacksmith, tell Franz that he would reach school in plenty of time?
15. What was the commotion that Franz anticipated in the classroom?
16. Why were the older villagers present in the class that day?
17. How did the people of Alsace and Lorraine pay their respect to M. Hamel on his last day at school?
18. How did M. Hamel dress on his last day in the classroom?
19. Why was the lesson called "The Last Lesson"?
20. What had been put up on the bulletin board?
21. What changes came over Franz after he heard M. Hamel's announcement?
22. Why did M. Hamel not blame Franz alone for his inability to learn?
23. What did M. Hamel say about the French language?
24. Why did M. Hamel write 'Vive La France' before dismissing the class?

5-Mark Questions

25. How different from usual was the atmosphere at school on the day of "The Last Lesson"?
    Or. Describe the unusual things that Franz noticed on the day of The Last Lesson.
    Or. Give a detailed account of the scene in the classroom on the day of The Last Lesson.
26. How does M. Hamel make the people realize how they, the students and he, have been responsible for not learning their language well?
27. Describe how M. Hamel conducted The Last Lesson.
    Or. Describe M. Hamel’s last day at school.
    Or. Draw a character sketch of M. Hamel as he is shown in The Last Lesson.

Target-02

1-Mark Questions

1. Who is the author of the story 'The Last Lesson'?
2. What did M. Hamel say he would ask his student that morning?
3. Why was Franz afraid of going to school that day?
4. What did Franz see when he passed the town-hall?
5. What news has been displayed on the bulletin board since the last two years in "The Last Lesson"?
6. Why was he (Franz) unhappy that the school was quiet?
7. What did M. Hamel tell the students mounting his chair?
8. What did Franz love to do instead of learning his lesson?
9. What did Hauser bring? (HS-2025)
10. For last two years, where did all bad news come from? (HS-2025)

2-Mark Questions

11. How did Franz’s feelings about M. Hamel and school change?
12. What lesson do you learn from the story 'The Last Lesson'?
13. Franz thinks, 'Will they make them sing in German, even the pigeons?' What could this mean? (HS-2025)

5-Mark Questions

9. Describe the impact of the notice on Franz, M. Hamel, and senior villagers.
10. What was the order from Berlin? How did that order affect the people of Alsace, particularly M. Hamel and his students?

Target-03

Additional questions from other sources will be included here to supplement your preparation. Currently, no specific questions are provided for Target-03. Students are encouraged to refer to past question papers, reference books, or consult teachers for extra practice questions related to The Last Lesson.