MCQs - Class 12 - Flamingo - Chapter 1 - The Last Lesson - by Alphonse Daudet

MCQs - "The Last Lesson" by Alphonse Daudet

1. Why was Franz afraid of going to school in the beginning? a) He didn’t finish his homework
   b) He was late
   c) He forgot about an exam
   d) He was sick

2. Which subject was Franz supposed to be tested on that day? a) Geography
   b) History
   c) French grammar
   d) Mathematics

3. What unusual thing did Franz notice on his way to school? a) The streets were crowded with people
   b) There was no sound of students practicing lessons
   c) The school bell was not ringing
   d) Soldiers were patrolling the streets

4. Who was M. Hamel? a) A baker
   b) The village postman
   c) The French teacher
   d) A Prussian soldier

5. What announcement did M. Hamel make at the beginning of the lesson? a) The school was closing down
   b) This was the last French lesson
   c) The exam was postponed
   d) A holiday was declared

6. Why was this the last French lesson? a) M. Hamel was retiring
   b) The school was shifting to another village
   c) German was to be taught instead of French
   d) The students had learned everything

7. What was the atmosphere in the classroom when Franz arrived? a) Chaotic and noisy
   b) Calm and serious
   c) Jubilant and festive
   d) Confused and anxious

8. What was written on the blackboard at the end of the class? a) "Vive la France"
   b) "Farewell"
   c) "Long live Prussia"
   d) "The last lesson"

9. How did the villagers react to the announcement of the last lesson? a) They protested outside the school
   b) Many of them attended the lesson
   c) They refused to send their children to school
   d) They celebrated the change

10. What did Franz realize about the time he had wasted in learning French? a) He was proud of his efforts
    b) He regretted not learning more
    c) He thought he had learned enough
    d) He wanted to quit school

11. What did M. Hamel wear on the day of the last lesson? a) His usual working clothes
    b) A new suit
    c) His special green coat and black silk cap
    d) A military uniform

12. Why did M. Hamel say that everyone, including parents, was to blame for not valuing French lessons? a) They were too busy with work
    b) They sent children to work on farms
    c) They wanted their children to learn German
    d) They believed learning French was unnecessary

13. How did Franz feel when M. Hamel asked him to recite the grammar lesson? a) Confident
    b) Ashamed
    c) Angry
    d) Happy

14. What did M. Hamel say about the French language? a) It was the easiest language to learn
    b) It was a key to unity and freedom
    c) It was outdated and should be replaced
    d) It was unimportant now

15. How did M. Hamel act during the lesson? a) Angry and impatient
    b) Gentle and patient
    c) Excited and loud
    d) Distracted and uninterested

16. What did the old villagers at the back of the classroom represent? a) Nostalgia for the past
    b) Resistance to the Prussians
    c) Their inability to learn French
    d) A silent tribute to M. Hamel

17. How did Franz’s feelings about school change during the lesson? a) He became eager to escape
    b) He realized the importance of learning
    c) He decided to drop out
    d) He became angry with M. Hamel

18. What did M. Hamel write on the board at the end of the class? a) The final grammar lesson
    b) His farewell message
    c) "Vive la France"
    d) The names of the students

19. Why did the Prussian government order that only German should be taught in schools? a) To promote cultural unity
    b) To suppress the French identity
    c) To simplify communication
    d) To improve education

20. What lesson did Franz learn by the end of the story? a) Learning is a lifelong process
    b) French grammar is easy
    c) School doesn’t matter
    d) He didn’t want to learn any more

21. What did Franz think of M. Hamel during the lesson? a) He hated him
    b) He felt sorry for him
    c) He thought M. Hamel was too harsh
    d) He found him boring

22. What did the phrase ‘Vive la France’ symbolize in the story? a) The importance of education
    b) Resistance to oppression
    c) Hatred for Prussians
    d) Celebration of school

23. What was the significance of the church bell in the story? a) It marked the end of the lesson
    b) It was a reminder of the approaching end of French rule
    c) It rang in celebration of the Prussian victory
    d) It had no special significance

24. Why did Franz find it difficult to pay attention to the lesson? a) He didn’t understand the grammar
    b) He was distracted by the noise outside
    c) He was overcome by emotions of regret and sadness
    d) He was tired and sleepy

25. How did the story of "The Last Lesson" end? a) The students cheered for M. Hamel
    b) Franz ran out of the school crying
    c) M. Hamel dismissed the class quietly and wrote ‘Vive la France’ on the board
    d) The Prussian soldiers stormed the school

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Answer Key:

1. a) He didn’t finish his homework
2. c) French grammar
3. b) There was no sound of students practicing lessons
4. c) The French teacher
5. b) This was the last French lesson
6. c) German was to be taught instead of French
7. b) Calm and serious
8. a) "Vive la France"
9. b) Many of them attended the lesson
10. b) He regretted not learning more
11. c) His special green coat and black silk cap
12. b) They sent children to work on farms
13. b) Ashamed
14. b) It was a key to unity and freedom
15. b) Gentle and patient
16. a) Nostalgia for the past
17. b) He realized the importance of learning
18. c) "Vive la France"
19. b) To suppress the French identity
20. a) Learning is a lifelong process
21. b) He felt sorry for him
22. b) Resistance to oppression
23. b) It was a reminder of the approaching end of French rule
24. c) He was overcome by emotions of regret and sadness
25. c) M. Hamel dismissed the class quietly and wrote ‘Vive la France’ on the board

Extract Based MCQs

I. Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow:

"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.'"

1. Who is M. Hamel?

   (A) A soldier

   (B) A student

   (C) A teacher

   (D) A mayor

2. What tone did M. Hamel use while speaking?

   (A) Harsh

   (B) Gentle

   (C) Angry

   (D) Indifferent

3. Why was this the last lesson?

   (A) M. Hamel was retiring

   (B) The order from Berlin

   (C) The school was closing

   (D) It was a holiday

4. What did M. Hamel's demeanour signify?

   (A) His indifference

   (B) His sadness

   (C) His joy

   (D) His anger

 Answer key :-

1. (C)

2. (B)

3. (B)

4. (B)

II. ...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...

1. Who is the 'I' in the above lines?

   (A) M. Hamel

   (B) Franz

   (C) The village elder

   (D) The Prussian soldier

2. What was the 'commotion' about?

   (A) A festival in the village

   (B) The order from Berlin

   (C) M. Hamel's farewell

   (D) A parade

3. What does the comparison to 'Sunday morning' imply?

   (A) It was noisy

   (B) It was silent

   (C) It was chaotic

   (D) It was festive

4. How did the narrator feel about being late?

   (A) Unconcerned

   (B) Relieved

   (C) Anxious

   (D) Indifferent

Answer key:-

1. (B)

2. (B)

3. (B)

4. (C)

III. ...he had the courage to hear every lesson to the very last. After the grammar, we had a lesson in writing...

1. Who is 'he' in the above lines?

   (A) Franz

   (B) M. Hamel

   (C) The Prussian soldier

   (D) The village elder

2. What lesson did they have after grammar?

   (A) History

   (B) Geography

   (C) Writing

   (D) Arithmetic

3. What does 'the courage to hear every lesson' suggest about M. Hamel?

   (A) He was strict

   (B) He was dedicated

   (C) He was indifferent

   (D) He was fearful

4. How did the students feel during the last lesson?

   (A) Happy

   (B) Indifferent

   (C) Emotional

   (D) Excited

Answer key:-

1. (B)

2. (C)

3. (B)

4. (C) 

A Question of Trust by VICTOR CANNING - Class 10 - NCERT - Q&A Solved

Table of Contents

• Summary of "A Question of Trust"
• Q&A - READ AND FIND OUT (Page 20)
• Q&A - READ AND FIND OUT (Page 22)
• Q&A - THINK ABOUT IT
• Q&A - TALK ABOUT IT
• 20 Multiple Choice Questions(MCQS) on the Story 'A Question of Trust'

Summary of "A Question of Trust"

Horace Danby is a seemingly respectable locksmith who harbours a secret passion for rare books. To fund this hobby, he resorts to burglary, meticulously planning one heist each year. This year, he targets Shotover Grange, believing it to be an easy mark while the owners are away. However, as he is about to crack the safe, he encounters a woman who claims to be the lady of the house. She convinces Horace to open the safe for her jewels, promising not to turn him in. After complying, Horace soon finds himself arrested, as the woman was actually a clever thief who tricked him. His fingerprints left at the scene seal his fate, and Horace ends up in prison, reflecting bitterly on the betrayal and the lack of honour among thieves.

Q&A - READ AND FIND OUT (Page 20)

• What does Horace Danby like to collect?
  Horace Danby likes to collect rare and expensive books.
  
  
• Why does he steal every year?
  He steals every year to fund his passion for collecting these rare books.

Q&A - READ AND FIND OUT (Page 22)

• Who is speaking to Horace Danby?
  A woman who pretends to be the lady of the house is speaking to Horace Danby.
  
  
• Who is the real culprit in the story?
  The real culprit is the woman who tricked Horace into opening the safe for her.

Q&A - THINK ABOUT IT

1. Did you begin to suspect, before the end of the story, that the lady was not the person Horace Danby took her to be? If so, at what point did you realize this, and how?

ANSWER:

Yes, suspicion might arise when the lady easily convinces Horace to open the safe and seems too calm and prepared for a burglar's presence.

2. What are the subtle ways in which the lady manages to deceive Horace Danby into thinking she is the lady of the house? Why doesn’t Horace suspect that something is wrong?

ANSWER:

The lady deceives Horace by confidently speaking about the house, handling the dog, and casually mentioning her supposed husband. Horace doesn’t suspect anything because she appears knowledgeable and calm, fitting his expectations of the homeowner.

3. “Horace Danby was good and respectable — but not completely honest”. Why do you think this description is apt for Horace? Why can’t he be categorized as a typical thief?

ANSWER:

This description fits Horace because, despite his respectable appearance and lifestyle, he commits theft to support his book collection. He can’t be categorized as a typical thief because he steals only once a year and targets only the wealthy to fulfil a specific passion.

4. Horace Danby was a meticulous planner but still he faltered. Where did he go wrong and why?

ANSWER:

Horace went wrong by letting his guard down and trusting the woman too easily without verifying her identity. His meticulous planning didn’t account for the possibility of being deceived by someone posing as the homeowner.

Q&A - TALK ABOUT IT

1. Do you think Horace Danby was unfairly punished, or that he deserved what he got?

ANSWER:

Horace Danby deserved his punishment because, despite his good intentions, he still committed a crime. Being tricked by another thief doesn’t absolve him of his wrongdoing.

2. Do intentions justify actions? Would you, like Horace Danby, do something wrong if you thought your ends justified the means? Do you think that there are situations in which it is excusable to act less than honestly?

ANSWER:

Intentions don’t always justify actions. Doing something wrong, even with good intentions, can have negative consequences and is usually not excusable. There might be rare situations where acting less than honestly seems necessary, but such actions should be carefully considered and justified only when no better options are available.

20 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) on the story 'A Question of Trust'

1. What is Horace Danby’s profession?

   • A) A banker
   • B) A locksmith
   • C) A librarian
   • D) A gardener

2. Why does Horace Danby commit a robbery each year?

   • A) To pay off his debts
   • B) To buy expensive books
   • C) To help his family
   • D) To travel the world

3. What is the value of the jewels in the safe at Shotover Grange?

   • A) Ten thousand pounds
   • B) Fifteen thousand pounds
   • C) Twenty thousand pounds
   • D) Five thousand pounds

4. How does Horace avoid leaving fingerprints?

   • A) By wiping surfaces clean
   • B) By wearing gloves
   • C) By using a special spray
   • D) By covering his hands with cloth

5. What causes Horace to sneeze while he is in the house?

   • A) Dust
   • B) Perfume
   • C) Flowers
   • D) A cold

6. How does Horace gain entry into the house?

   • A) Through a window
   • B) By breaking the lock
   • C) With a key from the hook outside
   • D) By forcing the door open

7. What does Horace find in the drawing-room?

   • A) A painting that hides a safe
   • B) A dog guarding the safe
   • C) An alarm system
   • D) A hidden camera

8. How does Horace react when he first hears the woman's voice?

   • A) He tries to run
   • B) He freezes in place
   • C) He sneezes and responds automatically
   • D) He threatens her

9. What does the woman claim to have forgotten?

   • A) The combination to the safe
   • B) The location of the safe
   • C) Her husband's phone number
   • D) The alarm code

10. What ultimately leads to Horace’s arrest?

    • A) The woman's phone call to the police
    • B) The discovery of his tools
    • C) His fingerprints left on the safe
    • D) A witness identifying him

11. What is ironic about the woman's role in the story?

    • A) She is actually a police officer
    • B) She is the real thief
    • C) She is Horace's old friend
    • D) She is not related to the family at all

12. What does Horace enjoy collecting?

    • A) Rare stamps
    • B) Antique coins
    • C) Rare, expensive books
    • D) Vintage cars

13. What does Horace plan to buy with the money from the robbery?

    • A) A new house
    • B) A vacation
    • C) Rare books
    • D) Jewelry

14. What precaution does Horace take before entering the house?

    • A) He disables the alarm system
    • B) He feeds the dog
    • C) He waits for the servants to leave
    • D) He checks for security cameras

15. Why does the woman come to the house unexpectedly?

    • A) She forgot her jewellery
    • B) She missed her train
    • C) She wanted to check on the servants
    • D) She planned to meet Horace

16. What mistake does Horace make that leads to his capture?

    • A) Leaving the tools behind
    • B) Forgetting to wear gloves while opening the safe
    • C) Not checking the woman's identity
    • D) Underestimating the police response time

17. What does Horace realize about the woman after his arrest?

    • A) She was an undercover detective
    • B) She was in the same profession as him
    • C) She was the owner of the house
    • D) She was a neighbor

18. What is Horace’s sentence after he is caught?

    • A) Five years in prison
    • B) Ten years in prison
    • C) He becomes the assistant librarian in the prison
    • D) He is released with a warning

19. What does the story suggest about 'honor among thieves'?

    • A) Thieves always support each other
    • B) Thieves have their own code of conduct
    • C) Thieves often betray each other
    • D) Thieves are always honest with each other

20. What lesson does Horace learn by the end of the story?

    • A) Trust no one
    • B) Crime never pays
    • C) Always verify identities
    • D) Be careful with fingerprints

Answer Key:

1. What is Horace Danby’s profession?

   • B) A locksmith

2. Why does Horace Danby commit a robbery each year?

   • B) To buy expensive books

3. What is the value of the jewels in the safe at Shotover Grange?

   • B) Fifteen thousand pounds

4. How does Horace avoid leaving fingerprints?

   • B) By wearing gloves

5. What causes Horace to sneeze while he is in the house?

   • C) Flowers

6. How does Horace gain entry into the house?

   • C) With a key from the hook outside

7. What does Horace find in the drawing room?

   • A) A painting that hides a safe

8. How does Horace react when he first hears the woman's voice?

   • C) He sneezes and responds automatically

9. What does the woman claim to have forgotten?

   • A) The combination to the safe

10. What ultimately leads to Horace’s arrest?

    • C) His fingerprints left on the safe

11. What is ironic about the woman's role in the story?

    • B) She is the real thief

12. What does Horace enjoy collecting?

    • C) Rare, expensive books

13. What does Horace plan to buy with the money from the robbery?

    • C) Rare books

14. What precaution does Horace take before entering the house?

    • C) He waits for the servants to leave

15. Why does the woman come to the house unexpectedly?

    • A) She forgot her jewellery

16. What mistake does Horace make that leads to his capture?

    • B) Forgetting to wear gloves while opening the safe

17. What does Horace realize about the woman after his arrest?

    • B) She was in the same profession as him

18. What is Horace’s sentence after he is caught?

    • C) He becomes the assistant librarian in the prison

19. What does the story suggest about 'honour among thieves'?

    • C) Thieves often betray each other

20. What lesson does Horace learn by the end of the story?

    • A) Trust no one