The Last Lesson Important Questions Short Answer Type Questions (3-4 Marks)

Question 1.

What was the mood in the classroom when M. Hamel gave his last French lesson?
(Delhi 2009)

Answer:

When M.Hamel was giving his last French ; lesson, the mood in the classroom was
solemn and sombre. When he announced that this was their last French lesson
everyone present in the classroom suddenly developed patriotic feelings for their native
language and genuinely regretted ignoring their mother tongue.

Question 2.

What had the narrator counted on to enter the school, unnoticed? (Delhi 2010)

Answer:

The narrator (Franz) had counted on the hustle and bustle that was usual when the
school began in order to enter there unnoticed. He had thought he could depend on the
commotion to get to his desk without anybody noticing that he was late for the class.

Question 3.

“This is your last French lesson.” How did Franz react to this declaration of M.Hamel?
(Delhi 2010)

Answer:

When M.Hamel declared that it was their last French lesson a grim realisation dawned
on Franz that he had so much more yet to learn. He felt sorry for whiling away his time
and skipping his lessons. Now he did not want to part with his books, which he had
earlier consi¬dered a nuisance. He was also deeply pained at the thought that M.Hamel
was leaving.
Question 4.

“What a thunder clap these words were to me!” Which were the words that shocked and
surprised little Franz? (Delhi 2010)

Answer:

When M.Hamel mounted on the chair and announced that he was there to teach his last
French lesson that day, Franz was shocked and surprised. He felt very guilty for
deliberately ignoring to learn his native language and he suddenly developed a strange
fascination for his language and his school.

Question 5.

What changes came over little Franz after he heard M.Hamel’s announcement? (All India
2010)

Answer:

When M.Hamel announced that this was to be their last French class a grim realisation
dawned on Franz that he could hardly write his language and now he was being
deprived of the opportunity to learn it. He felt very guilty of neglecting his classes and
escaping school. The thought of losing his teacher, M. Hamel, also pained him.

Question 6.

What was tempting Franz to keep away from school That morning’? (Comptt. Delhi
2010)

Answer:

Franz was very late for school ‘that morning’. M. Hamel was to question the students on
participles and Franz knew nothing and feared a scolding. The bright weather, woods,
fields and chirping of birds tempted him to spend the day outdoors.

Question 7.
What was unusual about M. Hamel’s dress and behaviour on the day of his last French
lesson? (Comptt. Delhi 2010)

Answer:

On the day of his last French lesson M. Hamel was unexpectantly kind. He had put on
his beautiful green coat, frilled shirt and an embroidered black silk cap that he normally
wore only on inspection and prize days. In his last lesson he explains everything with
unusual patience as if he wants to teach them everything he has ever learned in their
last French class.

Question 8.

Why had the bulletin-board become a centre of attention during the last two years?
(Comptt. All India 2010)

Answer:

The bulletin-board had become a centre of attention because for the last two years all
the bad news had come from there. It was the source of all bad news-the lost battles,
the draft and the orders of the commanding officers.

Question 9.

What was Franz expected to be prepared with for the school that day? (Delhi 2011)

Answer:

Franz had started very late for school that morning. He feared facing his class-teacher,
M. Hamel. Because he was expected to be prepared with his grammar lesson on
participles and he did not know even the first word about them. So he feared a scolding.

Question 10.

What had been put up on the bulletin board? (Delhi 2011)

Answer:

A notice had been put up on the bulletin board informing the people about the order
from Berlin which declared that only German was to be taught in the schools of Alsace
and Lorraine. They had also been informed that the new German teacher was coming
on the following day.

Question 11.

Who did M.Hamel blame for the neglect of learning on the part of boys like Franz? (Delhi
2011)

Answer:

Mr. Hamel blamed various people for different reasons for neglect of learning on the
part of boys like Franz. First he blamed the parents for not being anxious to have their
children learn and rather engaging them into household work. He blamed the boys
themselves for preferring to work on mills and farms. He also blamed himself for
sending boys on errands for his convenience.

Question 12.

Franz thinks, “Will they make them sing in German, even the pigeons?” What does this
tell us about the attitude of the Frenchmen? (All India 2011)

Answer:

During his last French class Franz hears the pigeons cooing and wonders if the
Prussians would make them sing in German too. His thought reveals the Frenchmen’s
fear of complete domination by the Germans whereby they would try to enslave even
their minds.

Question 13.

“What a thunderclap these words were to me!” – Which were the words that shocked
and surprised Franz? (All India 2011)
Answer:

When M.Hamel mounted on the chair and announced that he was there to teach his last
French lesson that day, Franz was shocked and surprised. He felt very guilty for
deliberately ignoring to learn his native language and he suddenly developed a strange
fascination for his language and his school.

Question 14.

“What announcement did M. Hamel make? What was the impact of this on Franz? (All
India 2011)

Answer:

When M.Hamel declared that it was their last French lesson a grim realisation dawned
on Franz that he had so much more yet to learn. He felt sorry for whiling away his time
and skipping his lessons. Now he did not want to part with his books, which he had
earlier consi¬dered a nuisance. He was also deeply pained at the thought that M.Hamel
was leaving.

Question 15.

What did M. Hamel tell the people in the class about French language? What did he ask
them to do and why? (Comptt. Delhi 2011)

Answer:

M. Hamel told the people in his class that French was the most beautiful, the clearest
and the most logical language in the world. He advised them to guard it among
themselves j and never to forget it because it would prove to be the key to their prison
when they were I enslaved.

Question 16.

What was the mood in the classroom when M.Hamel gave his last French lesson?
(Comptt. All India 2011)
Answer:

When M.Hamel was giving his last French; lesson, the mood in the classroom was
solemn and sombre. When he announced that this was their last French lesson
everyone present in the classroom suddenly developed patriotic feelings for their native
language and genuinely regretted ignoring their mother tongue.

Question 17.

What changes did the order from Berlin cause in the school? (Delhi 2012)

Answer:

The shocking order from Berlin that only German would be taught in the schools of
Alsace and Lorraine saddened and hurt the pride of the French people. So as a gesture
to express their solidarity for their language the village elders also attended school for
the last French lesson. The usual hustle and bustle was missing from school and it was
unusually quiet. M. Hamel was also dressed in his formal suit which he wore only on
special occasions.

Question 18.

How did M.Hamel say farewell to his students and the people of the town? (All India
2012)

Answer:

To bid farewell to his students and the people of the town M.Hamel wore his formal suit
on the day he gave his last French lesson. He assumed the role of a mentor and advised
the villagers to safeguard their language, which was the most beautiful and logical
language in the world. Being rimmed up with emotions, he wrote “Vive La France” which
mean Tong live France’ in order to inculcate a feeling of patriotism within everyone.

Question 19.
What were Franz’s regrets after M. Hamel’s announcement of his last lesson? (Comptt.
Delhi 2012)

Answer:

When M. Hamel announced that it was their last French lesson, Franz realised he had so
much more to learn. He felt sorry for whiling away his time and skipping his lessons. He
was also deeply pained at the thought of M. Hamel leaving the school.

Question 20.

What change was there in Franz’ attitude towards M. Hamel? (Comptt. All India 2012)

Answer:

Franz’s attitude towards M. Hamel underwent a complete change on the day of the last
French lesson. He developed a strange fascination for his school and the French
language. When M. Hamel read out a grammar lesson to the class, Franz was amazed
at how well he understood it. All M. Hamel said seemed so easy to Franz and he
genuinely regretted ignoring M. Hamel’s classes and lessons.

Question 21.

Why did M. Hamel not scold Franz when the latter fumbled with the rule for the
participle? (Comptt. All India 2012)

Answer:

Since it was M. Hamel’s last class in Alsace, he did not scold Franz when the latter
fumbled with the rule for the participle. He told Franz that he would not scold him as he
knew that Franz was already feeling terrible enough and reproaching himself a great
deal.

Question 22.

How did Franz react to the declaration that it was their last French lesson? (Delhi 2013)
Answer:

When M.Hamel declared that it was their last French lesson a grim realisation dawned
on Franz that he had so much more yet to learn. He felt sorry for whiling away his time
and skipping his lessons. Now he did not want to part with his books, which he had
earlier considered a nuisance. He was also deeply pained at the though that M.Hamel
was leaving.

Question 23.

“What a thunderclap these words were to me !” What were the words that shocked and
surprised the narrator? (Delhi, Comptt. All India 2013)

Answer:

When M.Hamel mounted on the chair and announced that he was there to teach his last
French lesson that day, Franz was shocked and surprised. He felt very guilty for
deliberately ignoring to learn his native language and he suddenly developed a strange
fascination for his language and his school.

Question 24.

What did M. Hamel tell them about the French language? What did he ask them to do
and why? (Delhi 2013)

Answer:

M. Hamel told the people in his class that French was the most beautiful, the clearest
and the most logical language in the world. He advised them to guard it among
themselves j and never to forget it because it would prove to be the key to their prison
when they were I enslaved.

Question 25.

What was the order from Berlin and what changes did it cause in the school? (All India
2013)
Answer:

The shocking order from Berlin that only German would be taught in the schools of
Alsace and Lorraine saddened and hurt the pride of the French people. So as a gesture
to express their solidarity for their language the village elders also attended school for
the last French lesson. The usual hustle and bustle was missing from school and it was
unusually quiet. M. Hamel was also dressed in his formal suit which he wore only on
special occasions.

Question 26.

Why did Franz think of running away from the school that morning? (Comptt. Delhi
2013)

Answer:

Franz was tempted to run away and spend the day outside instead of attending school
as it was a warm and bright day and he wanted to watch the Prussian soldiers’ drill.
Moreover he had not done his lesson on participles from which his teacher, M. Hamel
was going to question and feared a scolding from his teacher.

Question 27.

What did Franz see when he passed the town hall? (Comptt. Delhi 2013)

Answer:

When Franz passed the town hall he saw there was a crowd in front of the bulletin
board. For the last two years all the bad news of lost battles, the draft etc. had come
from there and Franz thought to himself what the matter was then and what bad news
awaited them.

Question 28.

When Franz reached his school, what unusual situation did he observe? (Comptt. Delhi
2013)
Answer:

The usual hustle and bustle of the morning hours could not be seen on the day of the
last lesson. It was all very still and quiet as it used to be on a Sunday morning. The din
of opening and closing of desks and the rapping of the teacher’s ruler on the table could
not be heard. The students had already taken their places and even the village elders
had gathered there.

Question 29.

After sitting down at his desk what unusual things did Franz observe about M. Hamel?
(Comptt. All India)

Answer:

Franz realised that M. Hamel was not his usual cranky self and said nothing to him even
though he was late for the class. Moreover their teacher was wearing his beautiful green
coat, his frilled shirt and the little black silk cap, all embroidered, that he wore only on
special days in school.

Question 30.

“But the thing that surprised me most was to see ” What surprised Franz most in the
class? (Comptt. All India 2013)

Answer:

The thing that surprised Franz the most when he entered the classroom was to see the
village people sitting as quietly as the students on the back benches of the class that
were always empty. This included old Hauser, the former mayor, the former postmaster
and several others.

Question 31.

What tempted Franz to stay away from school? (Delhi 2014)

Answer:

Little Franz was tempted to run away and spend the day outside instead of attending
school as it was a warm and bright day with the birds chirping merrily. Moreover, he was
tempted to watch the Prussian soldiers’ drill. All these things appeared rather tempting
considering he did not know his participles and feared the French teacher M. Hamel’s
scolding on that day.

Question 32.

Why were the elders of the village sitting in the classroom? (All India 2014)

Answer:

The elders of the village were sitting in the classroom as a mark of respect which they
wanted to show for their language and their country. They felt sorry for not having learnt
their language and wanted to thank M. Hamel for his forty years of faithful service.

Question 33.

What words did M. Hamel write on the black¬board before dismissing the last class?
What did they mean? (Comptt. Delhi 2014)

Answer:

Before dismissing the last French class, M. Hamel turned to the blackboard, took a
piece of chalk and wrote as large as he could -“Vive la France!” These words meant
“Long Live France”. He then made a gesture with his hand that the class was dismissed.

Question 34.

Who were sitting on the back benches during M. Hamel’s last lesson? Why? (Comptt.
Delhi 2014)

Answer:
The village elders were sitting on the back benches during M. Hamel’s last lesson. They
included old Hauser, the former mayor, the former postmaster and several others. They
were there to show their respect for their language and their country.

Question 35.

Why is the order from Berlin called a thunderclap by Franz? (Comptt. Delhi 2014)

Answer:

The order from Berlin is called a thunderclap by Franz, because it was a complete shock
for him. He had never thought that he would be deprived of the right of learning his
native language. He realised he had so much more yet to learn and was going to lose
the opportunity.

Question 36.

Why does M. Hamel reproach himself for his students’ unsatisfactory progress in
studies? (Comptt. All India 2014)

Answer:

M. Hamel reproaches himself for his students’ unsatisfactory progress in studies. He

had often sent them to water his flowers instead of learning their lessons. And when he
wanted to go fishing, he gave them a holiday.

Question 37.

What made M. Hamel cry towards the end of his last lesson? (Comptt. All India 2014)

Answer:

Towards the end of his last French lesson, as the church clock struck twelve and the
trumpets of the Prussians sounded under the window, M. Hamel was completely
overwhelmed with emotions. Feeling choked, he was unable to talk further and
dismissed the class by making a gesture with his hand.
Question 38.

What was unusual about M. Hamel’s dress on his last day in the school? (Comptt. All
India 2014)

Answer:

In honour of his last French lesson in the school, M. Hamel had put on his fine Sunday
clothes. He had on his green coat, his frilled shirt and the little black, all embroidered
silk cap that he never wore except on inspection and prize days.

Question 39.

Who occupied the back benches in the classroom on the day of the last lesson? Why?
(Delhi 2015)

Answer:

The village people occupied the backbenches in the classroom on the day of the last
lesson. They included the old hauser, the former mayor, the former postmaster and
several others. They had come there to thank their master for his valuable service and to
show their respect for their language and country which was no longer theirs.

Question 40.

Why did M. Hamel write ‘Vive La France’ on the blackboard? (Delhi 2015 )

Answer:

Before dismissing the class, M. Hamel writes ‘Vive La France’ (Long Live France) on the
blackboard. He was extremely patriotic and he does this to make the Alsacians
conscious that they had to safeguard their language and identity among themselves as
this was the key to their prison.

Question 41.
“We’ve all a great deal to reproach ourselves with”, said M. Hamel. Comment. (Delhi
2015)

Answer:

M. Hamel blamed everyone for putting off learning till the next time and thus losing out
on the opportunity to learn their native language, French. The parents preferred to put
their children to work on a farm or at the mills so that they could earn more money. M.
Hamel too sent them to water his flowers and gave them a holiday when he wanted to
go for fishing.

Question 42.

How did the order from Berlin change the situation in the school? (All India 2015)

Answer:

The shocking order from Berlin after the defeat of France shocked the French people. It
declared that all the schools in the two French districts of Alsace and Lorraine would
now teach only German. This not only saddened but also hurt the pride of the people of
France. On the day of the French teacher M.Hamel’s last lesson, even the village elders
came to show their respect to him for serving the community faithfully for forty years.
The usual hustle and bustle too was missing from school and Franz found it unusually
quiet as it used to be on a Sunday morning. M.Hamel was dressed in his formal suit.
Even though Franz reached late M.Hamel did not scold him. He then went on to praising
the French language at length by referring to it as the most beautiful language. He called
upon the French people to safeguard their language among themselves and not to
forget it ever.

Question 43.

Whom did M.Hamel blame for Franz’s inabil¬ity to answer his questions? (Comptt. Delhi
2015)

Answer:
Hamel blamed the parents who sent the children to work instead of sending them to
school. He blamed himself for making them water the plants and giving them a holiday
when he wanted to go fishing. He also blamed the students themselves for delaying the
learning of their lessons thinking that there was plenty of time.

Question 44.

How did M.Hamel display his love for the French language? (Comptt. Delhi 2015)

Answer:

M. Hamel had great love for the French language which he had been teaching for forty
years. For him it was the most beautiful, most logical and clearest language. He wanted
the French people to preserve it among themselves and this would enable them to be
free from foreign rule.

Question 45.

What was the bulletin board news that caused a change in the school? (Comptt. All
India 2015)

Answer:

The bulletin board news that caused a change in the school was that, that day was
going to be the last French lesson for the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. The order had
come from Berlin to teach only German in the schools and their new German teachers
would come the next day.

Question 46.

Who were sitting on the backbenches on the day of the last lesson? Why? (Comptt. All
India 2016)

Answer:
The village people occupied the backbenches in the classroom on the day of the last
lesson. They included the old hauser, the former mayor, the former postmaster and
several others. They had come there to thank their master for his valuable service and to
show their respect for their language and country which was no longer theirs.

Question 47.

Why were people standing in front of the bulletin board in ‘The Last Lesson’? Why did
Franz not join the crowd? (Comptt. All India 2016)

Answer:

For the past two years the bulletin board had been the bearer of all bad news—the lost
battles, drafts, orders from the commanding officer. That day an order had come from
Berlin that from the next day a new teacher would teach German instead of French in
the school. Franz could not join the crowd as he was already late for his class and could
not afford further delay.

Question 48.

Why did Franz not want to go to school that day? (Delhi 2016)

Answer:

Franz was tempted to run away and spend the day outside instead of attending school
as it was a warm and bright day and he wanted to watch the Prussian soldiers’ drill.
Moreover he had not done his lesson on participles from which his teacher, M. Hamel
was going to question and feared a scolding from his teacher.

Question 49.

Why was Franz not scolded for reaching the school late that day? (Delhi 2016)

Answer:
It was to be their last French lesson that day. The order from Berlin allowed only German
language to be taught in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. Hence their teacher, M.
Hamel, was in a sad and sombre mood. So he did not scold Franz for reaching school
late that day.

Question 50.

What did Franz wonder about when he entered the class that day? (Delhi 2016)

Answer:

Franz wondered about a number of things when he entered the class that day. He
wondered as to why he was not given a scolding by his teacher, M. Hamel for being late,
why his teacher was wearing his formal clothes which he wore only on inspections and
prize days and why the village elders were sitting on the backbenches in the classroom.

Question 51.

Why were some elderly persons occupying the backbenches that day? (All India 2016)

Answer:

The elders of the village were sitting in the classroom as a mark of respect which they
wanted to show for their language and their country. They felt sorry for not having learnt
their language and wanted to thank M. Hamel for his forty years of faithful service.

Question 52.

“What a thunderclap these words were to me!” (Franz). What were those words and
what was their effect on Franz? (All India 2016)

Answer:

When M.Hamel mounted on the chair and announced that he was there to teach his last
French lesson that day, Franz was shocked and surprised. He felt very guilty for
deliberately ignoring to learn his native language and he suddenly developed a strange
fascination for his language and his school.

Question 53.

How were the parents and M. Hamel respon¬sible for the children’s neglect of the
French language? (All India 2016)

Answer:

M. Hamel blamed everyone for putting off learning till the next time and thus losing out
on the opportunity to learn their native language, French. The parents preferred to put
their children to work on a farm or at the mills so that they could earn more money. M.
Hamel too sent them to water his flowers and gave them a holiday when he wanted to
go for fishing.

Question 54.

How is the title ‘The Last Lesson’ appropriate? (Comptt. Delhi 2016)

Answer:

The title ‘The Last Lesson’ is appropriate because it was M. Hamel’s last lesson and
also the last French lesson in the school. During the last lesson, the teacher, as well as
all those who were attending it, were feeling nostalgic and repentant.

Question 55.

What changes did the order from Berlin cause on the day of the last lesson? (Comptt.
Delhi 2016)

Answer:

The shocking order from Berlin that only German would be taught in the schools of
Alsace and Lorraine saddened and hurt the pride of the French people. So as a gesture
to express their solidarity for their language the village elders also attended school for
the last French lesson. The usual hustle and bustle was missing from school and it was
unusually quiet. M. Hamel was also dressed in his formal suit which he wore only on
special occasions.

Question 56.

How different did M.Hamel look that particu¬lar morning in ‘The Last Lesson’? (Comptt.
All India)

Answer:

In honour of his last French lesson in the school, M. Hamel had put on his fine Sunday
clothes. He had on his green coat, his frilled shirt and the little black, all embroidered
silk cap that he never wore except on inspection and prize days.

Question 57.

What was M.Hamel’s regret on the day of the last lesson? (Comptt. All India 2016)

Answer:

M. Hamel’s regret on the last day of the French lesson was that they all had put off
learning their language till the next day and now most of them who claimed to be
Frenchmen could neither speak nor write their language. For this they all, including M.
Hamel himself, had a great deal to reproach themselves with.

Question 58.

How different was the scene in the classroom on the day of the last lesson? (Comptt.
All India 2016)

Answer:

The usual hustle and bustle of the morning hours could not be seen on the day of the
last lesson. It was all very still and quiet as it used to be on a Sunday morning. The din
of opening and closing of desks and the rapping of the teacher’s ruler on the table could
not be heard. The students had already taken their places and even the village elders
had gathered there.

The Last Lesson Important Questions Long Answer Type Questions (5-6 marks)

Question 59.

What did the French teacher tell his students in his last French lesson? What impact did
it have on them? Why? (All India 2009)

Answer:

M. Hamel told his students that a new order from Berlin has declared that all schools of
Alsace and Lorraine would teach only German so this was going to be their last French
lesson. This new order aroused patriotic feelings in him and he, in turn, wanted to
arouse similar patriotism in his students and the village elders. He made them
conscious of the glory and value of the French language and told them to safeguard it
among themselves and keep it alive at all costs as it was the key to their unity and
liberation. Everyone listened to him sadly but with rapt attention and respect. Even little
Franz listened to his teacher’s words with a new-found interest. He felt sorry that he had
neglected learning French. Everyone from the village assembled in the class to thank
Mr. Hamel for his forty years of faithful service to the community.

Question 60.

How different from usual was the atmosphere at school on the day of the last lesson?
(All India 2015)

Answer:

Acquiring power over the Alsacians made the Prussians so dominating that they even
imposed their language on them. This way the Prussians intended to dominate the
hearts and minds of the Alsacians and wanted them to even think in their language and
thereby lose their complete identity. An order had been received from Berlin that only
German would be taught in schools of Alsace and Lorraine. So there was something
unusual about the school on the last day of the French lesson. The usual hustle and
bustle was missing. Everything was ‘strange and solemn’ as on a Sunday morning. The
village elders were seated on the back desks.

M.Hamel, who had been teaching French at the school for the last forty years, was
wearing his formal suit in honour of the last French lesson. While delivering the last
lesson, he called upon his students and the village elders to guard the French language
among themselves and never forget it, declaring French to be the most beautiful
language in the world. Franz developed a sudden fascination for school and the French
language and a sudden respect for M.Hamel. He wanted his teacher to stay and felt very
guilty for having neglected his French lessons as now he was being deprived of the
opportunity of learning his language.

Question 61.

Everybody during the last lesson is filled with regret. Comment. (All India 2015)

Answer:

The one common feeling that fills each and every person who is present in the last
French lesson is an acute sense of regret. M. Hamel reproaches himself for putting off
his students’ learning till the next day and sending them to water his flowers instead of
learning their lessons. He also gave his students a holiday when he wanted to go
fishing. Franz felt sorry for not learning his lessons and escaping school. He wished he
had attended his classes more often and even the thought of losing his teacher
saddened him. The village elders occupied the back benches of the class to atone for
their guilt and express their regret for not having attended school regularly. They were
now showing their respect for the country that was theirs no more.

Question 62.

Our language is part of our culture and we are proud of it. Describe how regretful
M.Hamel and the village elders are for having neglected their native language, French.
(Delhi 2016)

Answer:
The feeling of regretfulness for having neglected their native language, French comes
quite late to M. Hamel and the village elders. They realise rather late that their language
is part of their culture and they should be proud of it. It is only after they have been
deprived of learning their language that they understand its value. The imposition of
German language made them suddenly realise the authority of their captors and they
felt a loss of freedom. So on the day of the last French lesson the village elders are
seated on the back desks and M. Hamel, who had been teaching French at the school
for the last forty years, was wearing his formal suit as a mark of respect for the last
French lesson. M. Hamel expressed how they all had a great deal to reproach
themselves for as most of the people of Alsace could neither speak nor write French.
Parents preferred to put their children to work on farms or mills.

M. Hamel regretfully said how he himself sometimes sent his students to water his
flowers instead of learning their language lessons. While delivering the last lesson M.
Hamel called upon his students and the village elders to guard the French language
among themselves, declaring it to be the most beautiful language tn the world. Each
one of them felt guilty for having ignored the French lessons.

Question 63.

Our native language is part of our culture and we are proud of it. How does the presence
of village elders in the classroom and M.Hamel’s last lesson show their love for French?
(All India 2016)

Answer:

Acquiring power over the French made the Prussians so dominating that they decided
to impose even their language on them. So on the day of the last French lesson the
village elders were seated on the back seats of the classroom. They felt sad and sorry
for not having gone to school more often. Their presence was also their way of thanking
their master, M.Hamel for his forty years of faithful service. M.Hamel himself had put on
his fine Sunday clothes in honour of the last French lesson. Assuming the role of mentor
he advised the class to safeguard and preserve their language among themselves and
never forget it. He called French the most beautiful and logical language in the world. By
the end of the class M.Hamel was so choked with emotion and could not speak so he
took a piece of chalk and wrote on the blackboard “Vive la France!” (Long Live France)
and then dismissed the class.
Question 64.

Describe the atmosphere in the class on the day of the last lesson. (Comptt. Delhi 2016)

Answer:

On the day of the last French lesson the atmosphere in the class was strange and
solemn. The school was as quiet as if it was a Sunday morning. The teacher (M.FIamel)
moving in the class with his ruler under his arm was wearing his special dress for the
last class. The elders of the village were sitting on the backbenches of the classroom.
All the students were studying with complete attention and the teacher was teaching
with full dedication. All this was due to an order from Berlin that from the next day
German would be taught instead of French by a new teacher. While delivering the last
lesson, the teacher called upon his students and the village elders to guard the French
language among themselves and never forget it, declaring French to be the most
beautiful language in the world.