Read the extract and answer the following questions.
Extract:
While I was wondering about it all, M. Hamel mounted his chair, and, in the same grave and gentle tone which he had used to me, said, “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.”
(The last lesson)
Question (i)
List any two sensory details present in this extract.
Answer:
Answer as written by the student:
Two sensory details present in this extract are:
- The grave and gentle tone of M. Hamel (sound)
- The formal and elegant dress of M. Hamel (sight)
Step-by-Step explanation of the answer:
- 🌱To answer this question, we need to identify two details in the extract that appeal to one or more of the five senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. We can use nouns and adjectives to describe them.
- 🗣️We can say that one sensory detail present in this extract is the grave and gentle tone of M. Hamel. This detail appeals to the sense of sound, and it creates a serious and respectful atmosphere.
- 🎩We can also say that another sensory detail present in this extract is the formal and elegant dress of M. Hamel. This detail appeals to the sense of sight, and it makes him look dignified and honorable.
Question (ii)
Complete the sentence appropriately.
This is your last ___________ lesson.
Answer:
Answer as written by the student:
This is your last French lesson.
Step-by-Step explanation of the answer:
- 📚To answer this question, we need to recall what M. Hamel said in the extract. He said that this is your last French lesson.
- ✅Therefore, the sentence can be completed appropriately with French.
Question (iii)
Explain any one possible inference that can be drawn from the line "The new master comes tomorrow."
Answer:
Answer as written by the student:
One possible inference that can be drawn from this line is that the new master will be a German teacher who will teach only German in the school.
Step-by-Step explanation of the answer:
- 🧐To answer this question, we need to explain what we can understand or conclude from this line based on our prior knowledge and the context of the story. We can use words like because, since, or as to show the evidence and the reasoning.
- We can say that one possible inference that can be drawn from this line is that the new master will be a German teacher who will teach only German in the school . This is because the order has come from Berlin to teach only German in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine, and M. Hamel is giving his last lesson in French.
Question (iv)
What was the order that came from Berlin?
A) To teach only French in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine
B) To teach only German in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine
C) To teach both French and German in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine
D) To teach neither French nor German in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine
Answer:
Answer as written by the student:
B) To teach only German in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine
Step-by-Step explanation of the answer:
- 📚To answer this question, we need to recall what M. Hamel said in the extract. He said that the order has come from Berlin to teach only German in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine.
- 🤔Let's look at the other options and see why they are wrong.
- A) To teach only French in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. This is not what M. Hamel said, and it is not what the Prussians wanted. They wanted to erase the French identity and culture of the people of Alsace and Lorraine.
- C) To teach both French and German in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine . This is also not what M. Hamel said, and it is not what the Prussians allowed. They wanted to impose their language and culture on the people of Alsace and Lorraine, and to forbid them from speaking or learning French.
- D) To teach neither French nor German in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. This is also not what M. Hamel said, and it is not what the Prussians did. They wanted to make the people of Alsace and Lorraine learn their language and become their subjects.
- ✅Therefore, the correct answer is B) To teach only German in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine.
Question (v)
What was the name of the tone that M. Hamel used to address his students?
Answer:
Answer as written by the student:
Grave and gentle
Step-by-Step explanation of the answer:
- 🗣️To answer this question, we need to recall what the narrator said in the extract. He said that M. Hamel mounted his chair, and, in the same grave and gentle tone which he had used to me, said...
- ✅Therefore, the answer is Grave and gentle.
Question (vi)
How did the narrator feel when he heard M. Hamel's announcement?
Answer:
Answer as written by the student:
The narrator felt shocked and sad when he heard M. Hamel's announcement. He realized that it was his last lesson in French, and that he would never hear or speak his language again.
Step-by-Step explanation of the answer:
- 😱To answer this question, we need to describe how the narrator's emotions and thoughts changed when he heard M. Hamel's announcement. We can use adjectives and verbs to show his feelings and actions.
- 😢We can say that the narrator felt shocked and sad when he heard M. Hamel's announcement. These words show that he was surprised and unhappy by the news, and that he did not expect or want it to happen.
- We can also say that he realized that it was his last lesson in French, and that he would never hear or speak his language again. These words show that he understood the significance and the consequence of the announcement, and that he felt a sense of loss and betrayal.