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The entire classroom, M. Hamel as well as those present in the class, is full of regret. For what and why? - English Core

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Question

The entire classroom, M. Hamel as well as those present in the class, is full of regret. For what and why?

Solution

The entire classroom, M.Hamel as well as those present in the class are full of regrets on their faces. Mr. Hamel expresses his disappointment at the lack of interest in learning French among the villagers and the students. In his last lesson, Mr. Hamel tells his students about the beauty of their language, French. He says that it is the most beautiful language in the world. He describes it as the clearest and the most logical of all the languages. He says that during colonial rule, when the colonial power tries to enforce political and cultural dominance by imposing their own language, if the natives are attached to their native language, their identity remain intact. They could said to have the key to their prison as long as they are hold fast with their language. These words of the professor makes the villagers feel regretful for not valuing the importance of their language. They feel sorry for notsending their children to study in school instead they sent them to the farms and mills to earn extra money. The professor too share the blame for not giving the task of teaching the language due importance.

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The Last Lesson
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2015-2016 (March) Foreign Set 1

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  1. in great dread of
  2. counted on
  3. thumbed at the edges
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Usually, when school began, there was a great bustle, which could be heard out in the street, the opening and closing of desks, lessons repeated in unison, very loud, with our hands over our ears to understand better, and the teacher’s great ruler rapping on the table. But now it was all so still! 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. Through the window I saw my classmates, already in their places, and M. Hamel walking up and down with his terrible iron ruler under his arm. I had to open the door and go in before everybody. You can imagine how I blushed and how frightened I was.
  1. List any two sensory details present in this extract.     (1)
  2. Why does the protagonist feel anxious about entering the classroom on this particular day?      (1)
    1. The classmates have started the lesson
    2. The teacher is in a bad mood
    3. The classroom is too quiet
    4. The protagonist is running late
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  5. What does the term 'terrible iron ruler' indicate about M. Hamel?      (1)
  6. Which of the following headlines best suggests the central idea of the extract?     (1)
    1. The Fears of a Latecomer
    2. The Importance of Punctuality
    3. The Rigidity of the School System
    4. The Anxiety of a Young Student

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