📘 NCERT Flamingo – English Core (Class 12)
Chapter 1: The Last Lesson – Alphonse Daudet
Page 3 – Comprehension Check
Q1. What was Franz expected to be prepared with for school that day?
Answer: Franz was expected to be prepared with his lesson on participles.
Q2. What did Franz notice that was unusual about the school that day?
Answer: He noticed unusual silence, the presence of villagers in the classroom, and the sad, solemn appearance of the teacher.
Q3. What had been put up on the bulletin board?
Answer: The notice that from now onwards only German would be taught in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine.
Page 4 – Comprehension Check
Q1. What changes did the order from Berlin cause in school that day?
Answer: The school atmosphere became solemn and emotional. It was the last French lesson. Villagers gathered to attend, and the teacher M. Hamel wore his best dress.
Q2. How did Franz’s feelings about M. Hamel and school change?
Answer: Franz, who once disliked school and avoided lessons, suddenly developed respect for M. Hamel and a love for the French language. He regretted wasting time earlier.
Page 7 – Understanding the Text
Q1. The people in this story suddenly realise how precious their language is to them. What shows you this? Why does this happen?
Answer: Villagers came to attend the last French class and sat quietly with sadness. M. Hamel spoke of the importance of French as the most beautiful language. This happened because they realised they were being deprived of their right to study their own language.
Q2. How does the teacher M. Hamel display his love for the French language?
Answer: He called French the most beautiful, clearest and logical language. He wore his best dress to honour the last lesson, expressed sorrow for the lost opportunity, and urged everyone to guard their language.
Q3. What shows M. Hamel’s deep love for school, especially on the last day?
Answer: He was emotional, dressed in his best green coat and frilled shirt, and taught with utmost dedication. At the end, he could not speak and only wrote “Vive La France” on the blackboard.
Q4. How did Franz’s feelings change towards M. Hamel and school?
Answer: Earlier Franz considered school boring and M. Hamel strict. But on the last day he felt deep respect for his teacher, regretted neglecting studies, and realised the value of his mother tongue.
Page 7 – Talking about the Text
Q1. “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 that support the view?
Answer: Yes. During India’s freedom struggle, Hindi, Urdu and regional languages were promoted as symbols of identity. Similarly, in Ireland, the Gaelic language became a mark of resistance against English domination. Language preserves culture and unity.
Q2. What happens to a linguistic minority in a state? How do you think they can keep their language alive?
Answer: Linguistic minorities often feel isolated. Their language may decline if ignored. They can keep it alive by teaching it at home, establishing cultural organisations, using media, and preserving literature and traditions.
Q3. Write a notice for your school bulletin board. Your notice could be about a forthcoming meeting to celebrate Hindi Diwas or about a literary gathering to be held in your school.
Answer (Sample Notice):
ABC School, Delhi
Notice
Literary Gathering
All students are invited to attend a Literary Gathering to celebrate Hindi Diwas on 14th September at 11:00 a.m. in the school auditorium. The event will include poetry recitation, essay writing and discussions on the importance of Hindi. Interested students should give their names to the undersigned by 10th September.
(Signed)
Secretary, Literary Club
Page 8 – Talking about the Text (contd.)
Q4. Write a paragraph of about 100 words arguing for or against the subject: ‘We should all be proud of our language’.
Answer:
We should all be proud of our language because it is the expression of our culture, history and identity. It connects generations and preserves traditions. Languages are like windows through which we see the world. Neglecting our mother tongue weakens our roots. At the same time, learning other languages broadens horizons, but pride in one’s own language fosters unity and self-respect.
Page 8 – Working with Words
Q1. English words from French.
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Kindergarten – German origin, meaning ‘children’s garden’.
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Vive La France – Long live France.
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Enseignement – Teaching.
(Students may find many such words in English dictionaries.)
Q2. Make a list of at least five words with prefix ‘un-’.
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Unhappy
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Uncertain
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Unfair
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Unwise
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Unnatural
Q3. Find out the meanings of the italicised words in the lesson.
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Cooed – soft murmuring sound.
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Chirping – the short sharp sound of small birds.
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Prussians – German soldiers from Prussia.
Page 9 – Noticing Form
Q1. Sentences in past perfect tense (from lesson).
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“For the last two years all our bad news had come from the bulletin board.”
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“I had counted on the commotion to get to my desk unnoticed.”
Q2. Rewrite sentences in passive voice (examples):
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Active: “They found the class already begun.”
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Passive: “The class was found already begun.”
Page 10 – Writing
Q1. Imagine you are Franz. Write a diary entry after the last lesson expressing your feelings.
Answer (Sample):
10th March, 1871
Today was the saddest day of my school life. I went unprepared for participles but instead of scolding me, M. Hamel taught us our last French lesson. I was filled with regret for wasting my time. I realised how beautiful my mother tongue is. Our teacher, dressed in his best clothes, was full of sorrow but proud of our language. I shall never forget his last words “Vive La France.”
Q2. Write a paragraph on the topic ‘Importance of mother tongue’.
Answer:
Mother tongue is the natural medium through which we first learn to think and communicate. It is closely tied to our cultural identity and heritage. Learning in one’s mother tongue strengthens understanding and self-expression. Nations that respect their mother tongue preserve their traditions and unity. Therefore, mother tongue should be valued and preserved.