CBSE Class 12 English HOTs The Last Lesson Set 04

EXTRACT BASED QUESTIONS

Read the extract given below and choose the correct option.

“Your parents were not anxious enough to have you learn. They preferred to put you to work on a farm or at the mills, so as to have a little more money. And I? I’ve been to blame also. Have I not often sent you to water my flowers instead of learning your lessons? And when I wanted to go fishing, did I not just give you a holiday?”

Question. Whose parents were not anxious enough for what?
(a) Franz's parents ........ to make him learn French
(b) Wachter's parents ........ to educate him
(c) Blacksmith's parents ........ to train him professionally
(d) Villager's parents ........ to pay attention to M Hamel
Answer: (a) Franz's parents ........ to make him learn French

Question. Why did Franz's parents put him to work?
(a) To make him realise the importance of work
(b) To earn a little more money
(c) To punish him for his callous attitude
(d) To pay his school fees
Answer: (b) To earn a little more money

Question. When did M Hamel give students a holiday?
(a) Whenever the students wished
(b) Whenever there was rain
(c) Whenever M Hamel had to water his plants
(d) Whenever M Hamel wanted to go fishing
Answer: (d) Whenever M Hamel wanted to go fishing

Question. ........ is the antonym of the word 'anxious' used in the extract.
(a) Concerned
(b) Apprehensive
(c) Inattentive
(d) Jittery
Answer: (c) Inattentive

Read the extract given below and choose the correct option.

After the grammar, we had a lesson in writing. That day M. Hamel had new copies for us, written in a beautiful round hand—France, Alsace, France, Alsace. They looked like little flags floating everywhere in the school-room, hung from the rod at the top of our desks. You ought to have seen how every one set to work, and how quiet it was! The only sound was the scratching of the pens over the paper. Once some beetles flew in; but nobody paid any attention to them, not even the littlest ones, who worked right on tracing their fish-hooks, as if that was French too.

Question. What looked like little flags floating everywhere in the school room?
(a) New copies
(b) Grammar notes
(c) Class desks
(d) School bags
Answer: (a) New copies

Question. To whom did nobody pay any attention?
(a) M. Hamel
(b) New copies
(c) Flying of beetles
(d) Pen and paper
Answer: (c) Flying of beetles

Question. How was the mood in the class?
(a) Full of fun and noise
(b) So quite that even scratching of pen over the paper could be heard
(c) Full of sadness and boredom
(d) Everyone wanted to have a glimpse of M Hamel
Answer: (b) So quite that even scratching of pen over the paper could be heard

Question. ........ in the extract means 'engrave'.
(a) Float
(b) Scratching
(c) Sing
(d) Coo
Answer: (b) Scratching

Read the extract given below and choose the correct option.

I started for school very late that morning and was in great dread of a scolding, especially because M Hamel had said that he would question us on participles, and I did not know that first word about them. For a moment I thought of running away and spending the day out of doors. It was so warm, so bright! The birds were chirping at the edge of the woods; and in the open field back of the sawmill the Prussian soldiers were drilling.

Question. Whom does 'I' refer to in the extract?
(a) Franz
(b) M Hamel
(c) Birmark
(d) The Narrator
Answer: (a) Franz

Question. Why was Franz afraid?
(a) Of being late for the school
(b) Of running away and spending the day outdoors
(c) Of questioning by M Hamel on participles
(d) Of waking up late that morning
Answer: (c) Of questioning by M Hamel on participles

Question. What made Franz think about spending the day out of doors for a moment?
(a) Boredom arising out of the participles
(b) Warm and bright weather besides chirping of birds
(c) War fight by the Prussian soldiers
(d) Walking up late in the morning
Answer: (b) Warm and bright weather besides chirping of birds

Question. ........ in the extract means 'discipline'.
(a) Scolding
(b) Chirping
(c) Drilling
(d) Tempting
Answer: (c) Drilling

Read the extract given below and choose the correct option.

When I passed the town hall there was a crowd in front of the bulletin board. For the last two years all our bad news had come from there—the lost battles, the draft, the orders of the commanding officer— and I thought to myself, without stopping. "What can be the matter. Now?"
Then, as I hurried by as fast as I could go, the blacksmith, Wachter, who was there, with his apprentice, reading the bulletin, called after me, “Don’t go so fast, bub: you’ll get to your school in plenty of time!”
I thought he was making fun of me, and reached M Hamel’s little garden all out of breath.

Question. Wherefrom had all the bad news come for last two years?
(a) School
(b) Bulletin-board
(c) Prussia
(d) Alsace
Answer: (b) Bulletin-board

Question. What did the blacksmith say to Franz?
(a) To read the bulletin-board
(b) To get his homework completed
(c) To hurry to the school
(d) To not go so fast
Answer: (d) To not go so fast

Question. What has M Hamel's little garden been referred to in the extract?
(a) His school
(b) His home
(c) His country
(d) His language, French
Answer: (a) His school

Question. The word 'apprentice' in the extract means ........ .
(a) mentor
(b) professional
(c) amateur
(d) expect
Answer: (c) amateur

Read the extract given below and choose the correct option.

Usually, when school began, there was a great bustle, which could be heard out in the street, the opening and closing of desks, lessons repeated in unison, very loud, with our hands over our ears to understand better, and the teacher’s great ruler rapping on the table. But now it was all so still! I had counted on the commotion to get to my desk without being seen; but, of course, that day everything had to be as quiet as Sunday morning. Through the window I saw my classmates, already in their places, and M. Hamel walking up and down with his terrible iron ruler under his arm.

Question. What was observed when the school began usually?
(a) A lot of activity leading to noise
(b) Cleanliness of the school premises
(c) Lessons of the patriotism
(d) Focus on the language
Answer: (a) A lot of activity leading to noise

Question. Why was Franz afraid to enter the class?
(a) Because he was not prepared
(b) Because the villagers had gathered over there
(c) Because he was late and saw M Hamel walking up and down
(d) Because he was not dressed properly
Answer: (c) Because he was late and saw M Hamel walking up and down

Question. What was M Hamel holding under his arms?
(a) His stick
(b) Iron ruler
(c) A book
(d) His spectacles
Answer: (b) Iron ruler

Question. ........ in the extract means 'clamour'.
(a) Commotion
(b) Unison
(c) Rapping
(d) Blushed
Answer: (a) Commotion

Read the extract given below and choose the correct option.

“My children, this is the last lesson I shall give you. The order has come from Berlin to teach only German in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. The new master comes tomorrow. This is your last French lesson. I want you to be very attentive.”
What a thunderclap these words were to me!
Oh, the wretches; that was what they had put up at the town hall!
My last French lesson ! Why, I hardly knew how to write! I should never learn any more! I must stop there, then! Oh, how sorry I was for not learning my lessons, for seeking birds’ eggs, or going sliding on the Saar! My books, that had seemed such a nuisance a while ago, so heavy to carry, my grammar, and my history of the saints, were old friends now that I couldn’t give up.

Question. What order has come from Berlin?
(a) Transfer to M Hamel
(b) Closure of school
(c) No French to be taught
(d) Rustication of Franz
Answer: (c) No French to be taught

Question. Why does M Hamel want the students to be attentive?
(a) Because it is his last French lesson
(b) Because the order has come from Berlin
(c) Because he is about to reveal the exam paper
(d) Because the government officer is on a visit
Answer: (a) Because it is his last French lesson

Question. What seemed old friends to Franz at that point?
(a) M Hamel
(b) His classmates
(c) The blackboard
(d) The books
Answer: (d) The books

Question. ........ in the extract means 'irritable'.
(a) Mounted
(b) Grave
(c) Wretches
(d) Cranky
Answer: (d) Cranky

Read the extract given below and choose the correct option.

While I was thinking of all this, I heard my name called. It was my turn to recite. What would I not have given to be able to say that dreadful rule for the participle all through. Very loud and clear, and without one mistake? But I got mixed up on the first words and stood there, holding on to my desk, my heart beating, and not daring to look up.
I heard M. Hamel say to me, “I won’t scold you, little Franz; you must feel bad enough. See how it is! Every day we have said to ourselves, ‘Bah! I’ve plenty of time. I’ll learn it tomorrow.’ And now you see where we’ve come out. Ah, that’s the great trouble with Alsace; she puts off learning till tomorrow.

Question. Who heard his / their name/s called by whom?
(a) Franz by M Hamel
(b) M Hamel by the villagers
(c) The villagers by the blacksmith
(d) The blacksmith by Franz
Answer: (a) Franz by M Hamel

Question. Why didn't Franz dare to look up?
(a) Because he was late
(b) Because the villagers were laughing
(c) Because he had mixed up his words and felt embarrassed
(d) Because M Hamel would scold him
Answer: (c) Because he had mixed up his words and felt embarrassed

Question. What is the great trouble with Alsace?
(a) The French is being banned
(b) Only German will be taught
(c) Alsace puts off learning till tomorrow
(d) M Hamel is being transferred
Answer: (c) Alsace puts off learning till tomorrow

Question. What does 'Bah'! in the extract mean?
(a) An expression of pride
(b) An exclamation of annoyance
(c) An exclamation of joy
(d) An expression of sorrow
Answer: (b) An exclamation of annoyance

Read the extract given below and choose the correct option.

Then, from one thing to another, M Hamel went on to talk of the French language, saying that it was the most beautiful language in the world—the clearest, the most logical; that we must guard it among us and never forget it, because when a people are enslaved, as long as they hold fast to their language it is as if they had the key to their prison. Then he opened a grammar and read us our lesson. I was amazed to see how well I understood it.

Question. Why did M Hamel claim 'French' to be the most beautiful language in the world ?
(a) Because it is the easiest to learn
(b) Because it is his mother tongue
(c) Because it is the most pleasing to hear
(d) Because it is the clearest and the most logical
Answer: (d) Because it is the clearest and the most logical

Question. Which role does a language play when people are enslaved?
(a) It provides them mental peace
(b) It acts as a sword to protect them
(c) It becomes a key to their prison for liberation
(d) It holds the slaves in firm position
Answer: (c) It becomes a key to their prison for liberation

Question. How did Franz feel during the last lesson?
(a) Boring as usual
(b) He understood it so well
(c) Least interesting as ever before
(d) He found it very critical and complicated
Answer: (b) He understood it so well

Question. ........ it the extract means 'rational'.
(a) Stroke
(b) Logical
(c) Guard
(d) Patience
Answer: (b) Logical

Read the extract given below and choose the correct option.

But he had the courage to hear every lesson to the very last. After the writing, we had a lesson in history, and then the babies chanted their ba, be bi, bo, bu. Down there at the back of the room old Hauser had put on his spectacles and, holding his primer in both hands, spelled the letters with them. You could see that he, too, was crying; his voice trembled with emotion, and it was so funny to hear him that we all wanted to laugh and cry. Ah, how well I remember it, that last lesson!

Question. Who had the courage to hear every lesson to the very last?
(a) Franz
(b) M Hamel
(c) Wachter
(d) Blacksmith
Answer: (b) M Hamel

Question. Which activity was performed after the lesson in history?
(a) The writing class
(b) The last lesson
(c) Participles teaching
(d) Chanting of ba, be, bi, bo, bu by babies
Answer: (d) Chanting of ba, be, bi, bo, bu by babies

Question. Which long cherished desire of Franz and the other students being fulfilled on the last day?
(a) Freedom From French
(b) Freedom From M Hamel
(c) Freedom from school
(d) To see M Hamel laugh and cry
Answer: (d) To see M Hamel laugh and cry

Question. ........ in the extract is the antonym of 'quiver'.
(a) Funny
(b) Pale
(c) Trembled
(d) Emotional
Answer: (c) Trembled

Read the extract given below and choose the correct option.

“My friends”, said he, “I — I —” But something choked him. He could not go on. Then he turned to the blackboard, took a piece of chalk, and, bearing on with all his might, he wrote as large as he could— “Vive La France!” Then he stopped and leaned his head against the wall, and without a word, he made a gesture to us with his hand— “School is dismissed—you may go”

Question. Whom does 'I — I' refer to in the extract?
(a) Franz
(b) M Hamel
(c) Wachter
(d) The Prussian soldier
Answer: (b) M Hamel

Question. Why couldn't he go on?
(a) The order had come from Berlin
(b) The transfer had been fixed
(c) The villagers had protested
(d) His voice had choked with flood of emotions
Answer: (d) His voice had choked with flood of emotions

Question. What did the gesture with his hands indicate?
(a) The school is dismissed
(b) To sit down
(c) To be quiet
(d) To stand upright
Answer: (a) The school is dismissed

Question. What does 'Vive La France' mean?
(a) May God bless France
(b) May France bless you all
(c) Long live France
(d) A final good-bye
Answer: (c) Long live France