CBSE Class 10 English The Necklace Assignment Set 02

Short Answer Type Questions
 

Question. What is the twist at the end of the story ‘The Necklace’?
Answer: The twist at the end of the story “The Necklace” is the fact that Mathilde borrowed the necklace to appear more beautiful but ended up losing her beauty completely. She borrows Madame Forestier’s necklace made with fake diamonds to give the appearance of being rich but lost both her money and looks.

Question. How does the writer’s use of the literary device a twist in the tale, towards the story’s end, impact the narrative of ‘The Necklace’?
Answer: It significantly impacts the narrative. The revelation that the lost necklace was a mere imitation rather than a valuable piece turns the story on its head. This twist adds irony, and highlights the story’s theme of materialism. The impact leaves a lasting impression on our understanding of the characters’ choices and the consequences of relentless desire. It transforms the narrative into a cautionary tale, and makes us reflect on the true worth of one’s aspirations.

Question. How does the story, ‘The Necklace’ teach a moral lesson on the importance of contentment?
Answer: The story teaches a powerful moral lesson on the importance of finding contentment in what one already has. Matilda’s desire for social status and material possessions led to her own downfall and a decade of hardship. Had Matilda simply been grateful and content with all that she had, she could have avoided a lot of pain.

Question. Madam Loisel now knew the horrible life of necessity. Do you think Madam Loisel accepted this change willingly? Give two reasons in support of your answer.
Answer: Madam Loisel accepted this change willingly because she agreed to shift to a smaller apartment. She laid off all the housemaids and did all the household work on her own and never complained about it.

Question. Mention two things you would have done, other than what M Loisel did, to help resolve the problem of the lost necklace.
Answer: If I were in place of M Loisel, I would have told Mme Forestier the truth and promised her that the necklace would be replaced. I would ask her the price of the necklace rather than making vague guesses.

Question. Mention one of the most pleasurable things, according to you, that money can’t buy and support your choice with an appropriate reason.
Answer: The most pleasurable thing, according to me, is the company and health of our loved ones. One can’t buy someone’s life with money. Satisfaction and peace of mind should be the utmost priority of a human being rather than a fake show-off.

Question. Imagine Matilda got to know that M Loisel had given her four hundred francs, which he had saved to buy a gun. How do you think she would have reacted?
Answer: I don’t think she would have reacted differently because she always thought of her own luxuries. Even if she would have come to know that M. Loisel had kept that money to buy that gun she would not have bothered as she wanted to look the best in the ball.

Question. What mademe Forestier exclaim in astonishment, when she saw Matilda, years after the Minister’s ball?
Answer: When Madame Forestier met Matilda after 10 years, she uttered a cry of astonishment, “Oh! my poor Matilda! How you have changed!” The change was in Matilda’s physical appearance (comparison from what she was at the time of the minister's ball, to current).

Question. Why do you think M. Loisel was a loving husband? Or How did M. Loisel try to make his wife happy?
Answer: M. Loisel tried to make his wife happy by offering to give her four hundred francs to buy a suitable costume, that he had saved that sum to buy a gun to join some hunting parties the next summer.

Question. Why did Matilda (Mme Loisel) leave the ball in a hurry? What does it show about her character ? Or Why was Matilda in a hurry to go to her house after the ball?
Answer: Matilda left the ball in a hurry because she did not want to be seen with the ordinary wrap that she carried, as its poverty contrasted with the elegance of the other ladies, who were wrapping themselves in rich furs.

Question. What was the main cause of Matilda’s unhappiness ? Or Why was Matilda Loisel always unhappy?
Answer: Matilda was a pretty young lady who had aspired to lead a luxurious life. But being married to a clerk, she could not do so. She had to live in a shabby apartment and wear simple dresses, which made her unhappy.

Question. What was Mme Loisel shocked to know at the end of the story?
Answer: Mme Loisel was shocked to know at the end of the story that the necklace, she had worked so hard to return was actually a low priced imitation necklace.

Question. Why was Matilda always unhappy after her marriage?
Answer: Matilda was always unhappy after her marriage because she felt that she was born for all delicacies and luxuries and in the absence of these she suffered again and again. Moreover, she was born into a family of clerks and she got married to a petty clerk in a government office. She longed for good dresses and jewels to adorn her body. She loved these things, so she suffered a lot due to their absence.

Question. How did Loisel and Matilda arrange the money to buy the necklace?
Answer: The necklace that Loisel and Matilda was going to buy to replace the necklace, was valued at forty thousand francs. However, they could get it for thirty-six thousand francs. So, for them, it was a difficult task because they possessed only eighteen thousand francs. So, they borrowed money from the money lenders with high interest to buy the necklace.

Question. Why did Matilda not like to visit her rich friends ? Or Why did Matilda not want to see her rich friends ? Or Why did Matilda not like to visit her friend Mme Forestier
Answer: Some of Matilda’s schoolmates were rich and full of money power. She felt envious and small in front of these rich schoolmates. Moreover, she would weep from despair and disappointment after visiting them.

Question. What changes occurred in Mme Loisel after 10 years ?
Answer: Madam Loisel now knew the horrible life of necessity. She sent away her maid and learned the odious work of a kitchen. She washed the dishes, and the clothes on her own, she took down wastes to the street and brought up the water stopping at each landing to breath. They changed their lodging and rented some rooms in attic. She seemed old now and became a strong and hard woman. Her hair badly dressed her skirts awry, her hands red and spoke in a loud voice.
 

Long Answer Type Questions

Question. A character arc is the transformation or development of a character throughout a story and refers to the changes a character undergoes as a result of their experiences, challenges, and interactions with other characters. In the light of the above information, trace the character arc of Matilda in Guy De Maupassants ‘The Necklace’, in about 120 words.
Answer: Mathilde Loisel is the protagonist of Guy de Maupassant’s The Necklace, a short story that depicts her character arc from a dissatisfied and vain woman to a humble and hardworking one. Mathilde’s character arc is driven by the events and consequences of losing a borrowed diamond necklace, which she wears to a high-society party to impress others and escape her middle-class life.
At the beginning of the story, Mathilde is unhappy with her modest lifestyle and marriage. She believes that she deserves more wealth, luxury, and admiration, and she envies her rich friend Madame Forestier. She is obsessed with appearance and status, and she neglects the simple pleasures and comforts that her husband provides. She is also ungrateful and selfish, as she does not appreciate her husband’s efforts to please her and make her happy.

Question. Imagine that M. Loisel, from The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant, writes a diary entry, exploring the theme of class and social status, and the nature of social mobility, in the context of his own experience. Write this diary entry, as M. Loisel, in about 120 words.
Answer: November 19XX, Wednesday 9:00 pm
9 p.m.
Dear Diary
Today, I recall my experience of class and social status and the predicaments it brought to me and my wife Matilda. Both me and my wife were happy until one night we fell into this ugly trap of upward social mobility which leads to the destruction of houses.
This whole circle of social mobility, from end to top, is quite vicious. The rich gets richer while the poor gets poorer. The middle class gets entirely stuck in between and tries to make ends meet with his little bucks but pretends to be classy. Matilda was too a victim of this fake pretence and this gave us a very tough time for several years when she lost the borrowed necklace. Had she not tried to pretend the upper class that night, we would have been living a different life. People should never lose their happiness for such unattainable dreams.
M. Loisel

Question. Those who are satisfied with what they have are happy in life. Those who aspire more than what they can afford ruin their life. Matilda was one such person. If she were content with her life she would have led a happy life. Elaborate on the basis of the chapter ‘The Necklace.’
Answer: There is no doubt in the fact that acceptance of one’s reality leads to utmost peace. Pretence often ruin lives and it ruined that of Matilda’s. Matilda was such a beautiful girl who could have earned every luxe in her life due to her loving husband had she waited for her time to come. Sadly, she was full of pretence and always desired for more than she could afford.
When her husband brought her the party invitation, she desired to wear an expensive dress to it. After that, she desired to even wear a diamond necklace on top of it which she borrowed from her friend. She could have never afford any of these but could have spent her life with peace in a small house with her family. Instead, due to her greed, she lost everything to buy the necklace she lost at the party. Unfortunately, the necklace was not even real diamond but artificial.

Question. Mme Forestier writes a diary entry after having met Matilda, knowing the truth and seeing the transformation in her friend. Write a short diary entry as Mme Forestier about your encounter and how you felt.
Answer: 20th July, Monday 9:00 pm
Dear diary,
I couldn’t recognise Matilda at all. I wish she had told me the truth about the necklace. She had to undergo a troubled life to repay the price of the necklace which was actually 400 francs only. She is no more a pretty woman now. I am surprised that despite being sharing good relations with each other she did not share the news about the accidental loss of the piece of jewellery.
I remember that she always criticised her status. But, the hard time has made her realise that one should value their possessions. That’s all for now.
Bye

Question. Imagine you’re one of the columnists in a magazine. People write to you about their issues, seeking your advice. Matilda writes to you about the guilt she feels for having lost a necklace and how it changed the course of her life and her husband’s. What would be your advice to her?
Answer: Hi Matilda,
I can understand that you are going through a difficult phase in life. You know, everything happening in our life is not controllable by us. Don’t feel guilty about it as whatever happens, happens for the best. I admit that you had to sacrifice your youth and your luxuries for the repayment of the lost necklace. But, it’s never too late. Make a fresh beginning and save even the smallest penny to secure your old age. Your struggle has made you laborious and hard working. Stop regretting about the past and try to enjoy your present life with your loving husband.

Question. Matilda goes home after meeting Mme Forestier after ten years and shares the fact with M Loisel that the necklace was a false one. Write the dialogue between Matilda and M Loisel.
Answer: Matilda : I don’t know how to tell you this but I met Mme Forestier today and she told me that her necklace was an artificial one.
M Loisel : What! I can’t believe my ears. That huge debt was for nothing!
Matilda : Ah! What a fool I was! Why it didn’t strike me that I should have checked it once with Mme Forestier.
M Loisel : Unbelievable! Did you ask her or did she tell it herself? I mean how the topic started.
Matilda : When I greeted her, she could not recognise me. And the story began from there. Meanwhile, she disclosed that the necklace was not of a real diamond.
M Loisel : We can do nothing now. It is gone.
Matilda : Why not? We can ask her to give back our real diamond. She is a genuine lady and a good friend of mine.
M Loisel : Do as you wish.

Question. Your teacher conducted Turn Tables in class, and asked you to put forth your views on ‘Frugality in Life is the Ideal Way to Live’. Write the debate script with points to supplement your stand, both for and against the motion and conclude with your own views.
Answer: Frugality in Life is the Ideal Way to Live
I have always heard from my parents that a penny saved is a penny earned. For many years, I did not like their idealism of spend thriftiness. If we have the resources we should use them fully because life is so uncertain. Moreover, a phase in life gone never comes back. So, one should have a big heart to enjoy life to the fullest. But, life taught me a lesson when Covid 19 hit the world and specifically my family badly. During that time the money that my parents saved miserly helped us to sustain. Now, I had understood that we should not waste our resources unnecessarily. If we adopt minimalism, we can help the poor and needy and hence the nation. Spending money on useless things does not serve any purpose. Money keeps changing hands. Life is so uncertain, today’s meagre savings can become a great reliever in times of need. So, I believe that ‘Frugality in Life is the ideal way to live’.

Question. One of your friends has to attend a class party at his / her school and wants to purchase the most expensive clothes and shoes. He/ She feels that this would make him/ her stand out in the crowd. You receive a call from your friend seeking advice on this matter. Write down that telephonic conversation between your friend and yourself.
Answer: Friend : Hey, I want an honest opinion from you. Will you please help me?
You : Anytime, We are true friends and you can always count on me.
Friend : So, there’s this class party I have to attend. It’s a big deal!
You : I know it’s your farewell party and you want to shine out amid the crowd…
Friend : You know me well. Now, I can easily convince my papa to buy me that blazer for 10000 rupees.
You : Hey, hold on! Let me finish. I want to say that you are already a gem whose shine pervades the whole school.
Friend : Hey, don’t move round and round, come straight.
You : I want to say that you have been a meritorious student of your school. All the teachers and students already know your calibre. You don’t need any fancy clothes or accessories for that. You have a decent reputation among all. The blazer that you purchased for your cousin’s marriage will suffice.
Besides, you can use this money to enrol for the Digital Marketing course that you were yearning for for the last six months.
Friend : You have suggested a great idea. I will definitely take it seriously. Good Bye!

Question. Read the following quote. “We are too involved in materialistic things, and they don’t satisfy us. The loving relationships we have, the universe around us, we take these things for granted.” – Mitch Albom Matilda was never satisfied with her life and desired more. The given quote reflects her character. Justify.
Answer: Despite having a mediocre lifestyle, Matilda was always full of complaints. She always longed for luxuries in life. She wanted to look the most beautiful at the ball. For that, she insisted her husband buy her a pretty dress, which he somehow managed. Matilda was still dissatisfied and borrowed a necklace from her friend. She didn’t want to understand the fact that materialistic things create a vicious circle around us and do not let satisfaction come in. Coincidentally, the necklace was lost and Matilda and Loisel were forced to lead a life of hardships for years to repay for that necklace. Rather than focussing on fancy things people should try to understand the real love and beauty in relations that bring ultimate happiness forever.

Question. Supposing Mme Forestier comes to know that Matilda has returned real diamonds for the artificial ones she had lost. What do you think she would do? Why?
Answer: I think Madame Forestier would return the necklace to couple because she is a compassionate and understanding lady. She is good friend of Matilda. She was very rich. Despite this discrepancy in their wealth Madam Forestier does not hesitate to help Matilda. When Matilda wants jewels to wear to the ball. Madame Forestier shows her generosity by lending Matilda the jewellery without hesitation. When Madame Forestier reveals the truth about the necklace, she exhibits a great deal of pity toward Matilda as she realizes what the couple went through to restore her necklace back to her. This reveals Madame Forestier as compassionate and understanding.
 

Extract Based Questions

1. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follows :
She was not convinced. ‘No’, she replied, “there is nothing more humiliating than to have a shabby air in the midst of rich women.”
Then her husband cried out, “How stupid we are! Go and find your friend Madame Forestier and ask her to lend you her jewels.”
She uttered a cry of joy. ‘It is true!’ she said. “I had not thought of that.”

Question. Why did she need the jewels?
(a) To go to a party of rich people
(b) For a photoshoot
(c) To get a replica made
(d) For wearing them at home
Answer: (a) To go to a party of rich people

Question. What did Matilda’s husband suggest her?
Answer: Matilda’s husband suggested that she should borrow jewels from her rich friend.

Question. Read the following descriptions (a)-(c) and identify which one correctly corresponds to the extract.
(a) A debate is a formal discussion on a particular topic, usually with two or more people presenting different viewpoints and arguments.
(b) A soliloquy is a speech given by a character alone on stage, which reveals their innermost thoughts and feelings to the audience.
(c) A dialogue is a conversation between two or more people as a feature of a book, play, or film.
Answer: (c) A dialogue is a conversation between two or more people as a feature of a book, play, or film.

Question. What kind of a person is Mme Loisel and why is she always unhappy? Answer in about 40 words.
Answer: Mme Loisel was a pretty young lady but she belonged to a poor family. She was married to a clerk. She had great aspirations in life. Her poverty and lack of recognition made her angry and unhappy.

2. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follows :
‘No, I am Matilda Loisel’.
Her friend uttered a cry of astonishment, ‘Oh! My poor Matilda! How you have changed!’ “Yes, I have had some hard days since I saw you; and some miserable ones-and all because of you ...”.

Question. Why did Matilda have ‘some hard days’?
Answer: Matilda had some hard days because she and her husband had to pay back the loans they had taken.

Question. What change had come in Matilda?
Answer: Ten years of poverty and hardship had stolen away Matilda’s youth and beauty. She became a strong and hard woman, who is poorly dressed with untidy hair and red ragged hands.

Question. Why did Matilda say that her friend is responsible for the ‘hard days’?
Answer: Matilda said that her friends is responsible for her ‘hard days’ because they had to take loan to return her friend’s necklace.

Question. Which word would correctly replace ‘tough’, in the given sentence from the extract? Pranutan had a tough time after losing her job.
Answer: hard