The Last Lesson Important Extra Questions Class 12 English

Class 12 ‘The Last Lesson’ Important Questions given here would help a lot in grasping and understanding the different aspects of the lesson so that students could answer exam questions easily in a standard format of language. So, Enjoy Free Learning Here. 😊👍

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The Last Lesson Extra Important Questions

Questions Set – 1

1. What is the significance of the bulletin-board in the town square and how does it affect the protagonist’s perception of school?
2. How does the government’s decision to teach only German in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine impact the community?
3. How does the story convey the importance of education and learning?
4. How does the protagonist initially feel about going to school that day, and how does this change throughout the story?
5. How does the protagonist perceive M. Hamel at the beginning of the story, and how does his perception of the teacher change by the end?
6. How does the protagonist’s perception of his books and schoolwork change over the course of the story?
7. What does M. Hamel say about the French language?
8. Why did M. Hamel write “Vive La France!” on the blackboard?
9. What was the occasion in the story that caused M. Hamel to write “Vive La France!” on the blackboard?
10. What did M. Hamel mean when he made a gesture to the students with his hand?
11. What did the author think of M. Hamel’s last lesson?

Answers:

1. The bulletin-board in the town square serves as a symbol of the German occupation of Alsace and Lorraine. It announces the decree that French will no longer be taught in schools, and that only German will be taught. The bulletin-board affects the protagonist’s perception of school by making him realize that this is his last French lesson, and that he had taken it for granted. It makes him appreciate the French language and his education more, and he regrets not having paid more attention in school.
2. The government’s decision to teach only German in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine is a source of great distress and anger for the community. It is seen as an attack on their culture and identity, and it is a sign of the Germanization of the region. It leads to protests and resistance, as the people refuse to abandon their language and their heritage.
3. The story conveys the importance of education and learning in several ways. It shows how education can be taken for granted, and how we may not realize its value until it is threatened or taken away. It also shows how education is a powerful tool for preserving culture and identity, and how it can be used to resist oppression. Finally, it shows how teachers have a profound impact on their students, and how their dedication and passion for teaching can inspire and transform young minds.

4. The protagonist initially feels reluctant and uninterested in going to school that day, but as the story progresses, he realizes the importance of his education and becomes more engaged in the lesson.
5. At the beginning of the story, the protagonist perceives M. Hamel as a strict and demanding teacher, but as the story progresses, he realizes that the teacher is deeply committed to his students and his profession, and he respects him more.
6. The protagonist’s perception of his books and schoolwork changes from being boring and tedious to being precious and valuable, as he realizes that they are the key to his education and his future.
7. M. Hamel says that the French language is the most beautiful language in the world, the clearest, the most logical, and that people must guard it among themselves 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.
8. M. Hamel wrote “Vive La France!” on the blackboard to express his love and loyalty to France.
9. The occasion was the last lesson of M. Hamel, who was leaving because the Prussians had taken over the town.
10. When M. Hamel made a gesture to the students with his hand, he meant that the school was dismissed and they could go home.
11. The author was moved by M. Hamel’s last lesson and remembered it well.

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Question Set – 2

1. What is the significance of the old men sitting at the back of the room in the given text?

Ans. The old men of the village were sitting at the back of the room to honour the schoolmaster’s forty years of faithful service and to show their respect for their country, which they no longer possessed. They were sorry that they had not gone to school more and wished to pay tribute to the master who had dedicated his life to education.

2. How did M. Hamel express his disappointment to the students?

Ans. M. Hamel did not scold the students for their lack of effort in learning French. Instead, he expressed his disappointment in a sympathetic tone. He talked about how everyday people put off learning until tomorrow, and then they regret it when it is too late. He also mentioned that the parents were not anxious enough to have their children learn and preferred to have them work instead. He took partial responsibility for not being strict enough with the students and sometimes giving them holidays when he should have made them study.

3. According to M. Hamel, why is it important to guard the French language?

Ans. M. Hamel believed that the French language was the most beautiful and logical language in the world, and it was important to preserve it. He explained that language is like the key to one’s prison, and if people hold fast to their language, they can maintain their identity and culture even if they are enslaved. He wanted the students to appreciate the language and never forget it.

4. How did the students react to the writing lesson?

When M. Hamel gave them new copies of writing exercises with the words “France, Alsace, France, Alsace,” the students were very serious and quiet. They set to work diligently, and the only sound was the scratching of their pens over the paper. Even when some beetles flew in, no one paid attention to them. The students were determined to do their best and show respect for their language and country.

5. What was the significance of M. Hamel writing “Vive La France” on the blackboard?

Ans. M. Hamel wrote “Vive La France” on the blackboard as a gesture of his love and loyalty to his country. It was significant because it was the last day of his teaching career, and he knew he would have to leave his beloved school and town. By writing those words, he wanted to remind the students of the importance of their identity and language. It was a poignant moment that reflected the strong emotions that were felt in the classroom that day.

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Question Set – 3

1. What lesson did the narrator learn from M. Hamel’s last class?

Ans. The narrator learned the importance of not putting off learning till tomorrow and the value of their French language and culture. The lesson was to appreciate and preserve their language and culture, as it is a key to their freedom, and not to take education for granted.

2. How did M. Hamel express his love for the French language during his last class?

Ans. M. Hamel expressed his love for the French language by emphasizing its beauty, clarity, and logic. He also talked about the importance of preserving it among the people and never forgetting it. He explained that it is like having a key to their prison, as long as they hold fast to their language even when they are enslaved.

3. What was the significance of the new copies of the writing lesson provided by M. Hamel?

Ans. The new copies of the writing lesson provided by M. Hamel were significant because they had the words “France” and “Alsace” written in beautiful round hand. It was symbolic of their identity and their struggle to hold onto their French culture and language in the face of German occupation. The copies looked like little flags floating everywhere in the school-room, showing their allegiance to France and Alsace.

4. What emotions did M. Hamel and the students feel during the last lesson?

Ans. M. Hamel and the students felt a range of emotions during the last lesson, including sadness, regret, and a deep sense of loss. M. Hamel was sad to leave his job and the place where he had spent forty years of his life. The students were also sad because they realized the value of education too late. They regretted not having paid attention to their lessons earlier. They also felt a deep sense of loss because they were losing their language, culture, and identity to the German occupation.

5. What was the message conveyed by M. Hamel when he wrote “Vive La France!” on the blackboard?

Ans. The message conveyed by M. Hamel when he wrote “Vive La France!” on the blackboard was a powerful expression of his love for his country and his desire to preserve its culture and language. It was a symbol of resistance against the German occupation and a call to the students to continue to hold onto their French identity. It also served as a reminder that they should never forget their roots, even when they are forced to leave their country.

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Question Set – 4

1. What does the last lesson taught by M. Hamel signify, and how does it reflect on the attitudes of the villagers towards education?
2. What is the significance of the French language, according to M. Hamel, and why is it important to guard it?
3. How does the description of M. Hamel’s classroom and his reactions to leaving it add to the emotional impact of the story?
4. How does the use of symbolism, such as the writing on the blackboard, contribute to the message of the story?
5. What do you think the author is trying to convey about the effects of war on individuals and their communities through this story?

Answers:

1. The last lesson taught by M. Hamel signifies the importance of education and its value to the society. It reflects on the attitudes of the villagers towards education, which were previously apathetic and indifferent. However, the realization that it was their last chance to learn their language and culture due to the annexation of Alsace and Lorraine by Germany made them value education. The lesson also signifies that it is never too late to learn and that education should not be taken for granted.
2. According to M. Hamel, the French language is the most beautiful language and is the foundation of their culture and identity. It is important to guard it because it is a symbol of their freedom and unity as a nation. M. Hamel also believes that language is a part of a people’s soul, and if they lose it, they will lose their identity and heritage.
3. The description of M. Hamel’s classroom and his reactions to leaving it add to the emotional impact of the story. The classroom is described as being filled with old books, maps, and pictures of famous people. The walls are decorated with copies of Napoleon’s proclamation to the soldiers and the code of the French Revolution. M. Hamel’s reactions to leaving the classroom, such as his emotional farewell speech and the tears in his eyes, show the attachment he had to his profession and his love for teaching.
4. The use of symbolism, such as the writing on the blackboard, contributes to the message of the story. The words “Vive La France!” written on the blackboard symbolize the love for their country and their desire for freedom. It also represents the importance of preserving their language and culture, as it is a symbol of their identity and unity as a nation.
5. The author is trying to convey that war has a profound effect on individuals and their communities. It disrupts their way of life, their culture, and their identity. The annexation of Alsace and Lorraine by Germany led to the loss of the French language and culture, which deeply affected the people. The story also shows that education and language are essential to preserving a nation’s identity and heritage. The author emphasizes the importance of valuing education and culture before it is too late.

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