The Last Lesson Question Answer Chapter 1 Solved PDF

1. What was Franz expected to be prepared with for school that day?
Answer: Franz was expected to be prepared with the rules of participles for school that day. He had not learnt them and was afraid that M. Hamel would question him.

2. What did Franz notice that was unusual about the school that day?
Answer: Franz noticed that the school was unusually quiet and solemn. M. Hamel was wearing his special clothes, which he normally wore on inspection and prize days. The village elders were also sitting on the back benches.

3. What had been put up on the bulletin-board?
Answer: An order from Berlin had been put up on the bulletin-board. It stated that only German would be taught in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine from the next day.

1. The people in this story suddenly realise how precious their language is to them. What shows you this? Why does this happen?
Answer: The people realise the value of French when they learn that it will no longer be taught in their schools. Franz suddenly regrets not learning French properly. His books, grammar and history lessons become precious to him. The village elders also attend the last lesson to show their respect for M. Hamel and their language.

2. Franz thinks, "Will they make them sing in German, even the pigeons?" What could this mean?
Answer: Franz's thought shows his fear and sadness about the forced use of German. The pigeons naturally coo in their own way, so he wonders whether even they will be forced to "speak" German. It also shows the strong emotional connection people have with their own language.

1. "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." Can you think of examples in history where a conquered people had their language taken away from them or had a language imposed on them?
Answer: Yes. In different periods of history, rulers have tried to impose their own language on conquered or controlled populations. Such policies can weaken the cultural identity of the people. The story shows this through the order that German should replace French in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine.

2. What happens to a linguistic minority in a state? How do you think they can keep their language alive? For example: Punjabis in Bangalore, Tamilians in Mumbai, Kannadigas in Delhi, Gujaratis in Kolkata.
Answer: A linguistic minority may have difficulty using its language in daily public life when another language is dominant. They can keep their language alive by speaking it at home, teaching it to children, reading books and newspapers in it, celebrating cultural occasions and maintaining community schools and activities.

3. Is it possible to carry pride in one's language too far? Do you know what 'linguistic chauvinism' means?
Answer: Yes, pride in one's language can go too far when a person considers their language superior and refuses to respect other languages. Linguistic chauvinism means an extreme and unreasonable belief that one's own language is superior to other languages.

(a) "What a thunderclap these words were to me!"
Answer: (ii) startling and unexpected.

(b) "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."
Answer: (ii) are attached to their language.

(c) Don't go so fast, you will get to your school in plenty of time.
Answer: (iii) early enough.

(d) I never saw him look so tall.
Answer: (b) seemed very confident.

1. Write a notice for your school bulletin board. Your notice could be an announcement of a forthcoming event, or a requirement to be fulfilled, or a rule to be followed.

Answer:

NOTICE
ENGLISH SPEECH COMPETITION

All students of Classes XI and XII are informed that an English Speech Competition will be held in the school auditorium on 15 September at 10:00 a.m. Interested students should give their names to the English teacher by 10 September.

English Department

2. Write a paragraph of about 100 words arguing for or against having to study three languages at school.

Answer: I am in favour of studying three languages at school. Learning more than one language improves communication and helps students understand different cultures. It also develops vocabulary and makes students more confident when communicating with people from different regions. A student can learn the mother tongue, English and another Indian or foreign language. However, the language subjects should be taught in a balanced way so that students do not feel overburdened. Learning languages is not only useful for examinations but also helps students understand people and cultures better. Therefore, studying three languages can be beneficial when the learning process is practical and interesting.

3. Have you ever changed your opinion about someone or something that you had earlier liked or disliked? Narrate what led you to change your mind.

Answer: Yes, I once disliked a teacher because I thought the teacher was very strict. Later, I realised that the teacher was strict because he wanted us to study regularly and improve our performance. He always helped students when they faced difficulties and appreciated sincere efforts. Gradually, I understood that my first impression was wrong. I started respecting the teacher and realised that a person's actions should be understood before forming an opinion.

(a) Linguistic human rights
Answer: Linguistic human rights refer to the right of people to use, learn and maintain their own language without discrimination. They are connected with cultural identity, education and freedom of expression.

(b) Constitutional guarantees for linguistic minorities in India.
Answer: The Constitution of India provides protections for linguistic and cultural minorities. It protects the right of groups to conserve their language, script and culture and provides safeguards related to education and minority interests.