The Last Lesson – All Important Questions and Answers (Short, Long, Very Long) | Class 12 Flamingo English

Are you preparing for your Class 12 English Flamingo exam and looking for all important Questions and Answers from Chapter 1 – “The Last Lesson”? Your search ends here!

This post provides a complete set of exam-ready questions and answers from “The Last Lesson” by Alphonse Daudet, specially crafted for AHSEC, CBSE, and other state board students.

The Last Lesson – All Important Questions and Answers (Short, Long, Very Long) | Class 12 Flamingo English

Here’s what you’ll find:

✅ All Short Answer Type Questions (2–3 marks)

✅ Important Long Answer Questions (4–6 marks)

✅ Fully explained Very Long/Essay Type Answers (6–8 marks)

✅ Easy, understandable language for quick learning

✅ Perfect for last-minute revision and scoring full marks

If you're serious about your board exam preparation, this guide will help you understand and write top-quality answers in your English paper.

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•15 short questions and answers ➡️

❓1. Who is the narrator of the story “The Last Lesson”?

Ans:

The narrator of the story is Franz, a young schoolboy from Alsace. He tells the story from his point of view and shares how he realized the importance of his language during the last French lesson.

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❓2. Why was Franz afraid of going to school that day?

Ans:

Franz was afraid because he had not prepared his French grammar lesson on participles. He expected that his teacher, M. Hamel, would scold him for being unprepared.

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❓3. What unusual things did Franz notice on his way to school?

Ans:

Franz noticed that the streets were quieter than usual, and people were gathered around the bulletin board, which usually gave bad news like war updates. Also, he saw no noise coming from the school, which was unusual.

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❓4. What was the bulletin board known for?

Ans:

The bulletin board in the town square was known for announcing important official news, especially related to the war — like new orders, battles lost, or military drafts.

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❓5. How was the classroom atmosphere different that day?

Ans:

The classroom was strangely silent and serious. It was filled with village elders sitting quietly at the back. M. Hamel was dressed formally, and the whole environment felt like a special event — very different from usual noisy days.

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❓6. Why were village elders present in the classroom?

Ans:

The village elders came to attend the last French lesson as a mark of respect for their language and for M. Hamel, who had taught in the village for 40 years. They regretted not learning French properly and came to honour the final lesson.

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❓7. What announcement did M. Hamel make?

Ans:

M. Hamel announced that this was the last French lesson, as the Prussian government had ordered that only German would be taught in schools of Alsace and Lorraine from the next day.

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❓8. How did Franz feel after hearing M. Hamel’s announcement?

Ans:

Franz was shocked and regretful. He realized that he had wasted his time and never valued his mother tongue (French). He suddenly felt a deep love and respect for the language.

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❓9. What did M. Hamel say about the French language?

Ans:

M. Hamel said that French is the most beautiful, clear, and logical language in the world. He urged everyone to hold on to their language, as it is the key to freedom under foreign rule.

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❓10. Why did M. Hamel wear special clothes that day?

Ans:

M. Hamel wore his green coat and frilled shirt, which he normally wore on special occasions like inspection or prize ceremonies, because it was the last day of teaching French — a day of great importance and emotion.

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❓11. What did M. Hamel write on the blackboard at the end?

Ans:

M. Hamel wrote “Vive La France!” on the blackboard, which means “Long Live France!” It showed his deep love and patriotism for his country and his language.

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❓12. What does the story teach us about language?

Ans:

The story teaches us that language is not just a tool for communication, but also a part of our identity and culture. Losing one’s language is like losing one’s freedom. We must respect and protect our mother tongue.

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❓13. What made Franz regret his attitude toward French?

Ans:

Franz regretted his attitude because he realized that he might never get to learn French again. He felt ashamed for wasting time, missing school, and not valuing what he had until it was gone.

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❓14. What role does war play in the story?

Ans:

The Franco-Prussian War is the backdrop of the story. Due to France losing Alsace and Lorraine, German rule forces French people to stop using their language in schools. The war represents the loss of freedom, identity, and culture.

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❓15. How did M. Hamel react at the end of the lesson?

Ans:

M. Hamel was too emotional to speak. He was heartbroken. Instea

d of saying goodbye, he wrote “Vive La France!” on the board and waved his hand silently to dismiss the class.

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•10 Long Questions and Answers➡️

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❓1. Why was Franz surprised when he reached school?

Answer:

Franz was surprised because everything at school felt very unusual that day. Normally, there would be noise of lessons, children talking, and teachers shouting, but on that day, there was complete silence. Even M. Hamel, who usually scolded students for being late, was calm and kind. Franz was also shocked to see the village elders sitting at the back of the classroom like students. All these things made him feel that something serious was going to happen. He had never seen his school like that before.

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❓2. What made Franz regret not learning French earlier?

Answer:

Franz had never taken his French lessons seriously. He often wasted time in playing or roaming outside. But when he came to know that this was going to be the last French lesson, he felt a deep sense of guilt and regret. He realized that he had not valued his mother tongue. The thought that he might never be able to learn French again made him feel ashamed. He suddenly developed a love for the language and wished he had paid attention in class before it was too late.

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❓3. How did M. Hamel make the last lesson memorable?

Answer:

M. Hamel wore his best clothes — the green coat, frilled shirt, and black silk cap — which he wore only on special occasions. He spoke to the students and villagers with kindness and emotion, reminding them of the importance of their language. He did not scold anyone, even those who were unprepared. He taught the lesson with full dedication and patience. At the end, he wrote “Vive La France!” on the blackboard, unable to speak due to emotions. His calm, emotional behavior and powerful message made it a truly memorable lesson for everyone.

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❓4. Why were the village elders present in the classroom on the day of the last lesson?

Answer:

The village elders, including Hauser, the former mayor, and others, came to the classroom to show respect for the French language and M. Hamel, their long-serving teacher. They had not studied much when they were young, and now that the language was being taken away, they felt guilty. Their presence showed their patriotism, regret, and desire to be part of the final moment of their language. It was also a way of showing that language is everyone’s responsibility, not just of children.

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❓5. Describe how the story "The Last Lesson" highlights the importance of one's mother tongue.

Answer:

The story shows that language is a vital part of one's culture and identity. When the people of Alsace were told they could no longer learn French, they realized what they were losing. Franz, who never cared about learning, suddenly wanted to study and speak his language. M. Hamel reminded everyone that language is the key to freedom, and if people hold on to it, they can never be completely defeated. The chapter teaches that we must respect and protect our mother tongue, and not wait until it is taken from us to realize its value.

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❓6. What changes came in Franz’s attitude towards French and school?

Answer:

At the beginning of the story, Franz is shown as a careless boy who hates grammar and wants to stay away from school. But after hearing that it is the last French lesson, he goes through a deep transformation. He feels ashamed for not learning French earlier and wishes he had paid more attention. He starts to listen to the lesson carefully and realizes how beautiful his language is. He develops respect for his teacher and a new love for learning. This shows how people often value things only when they are about to lose them.

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❓7. Explain the emotional ending of the story “The Last Lesson”.

Answer:

The ending of the story is full of emotion and silence. After teaching the lesson, M. Hamel becomes too emotional to speak. He walks to the blackboard and writes in large letters: “Vive La France!” meaning “Long Live France!”. His eyes are filled with tears, and he waves his hand to signal that the class is over. No one in the classroom speaks. Everyone is filled with guilt, sorrow, and respect. It is not just the end of a lesson, but the end of freedom to speak their language, making the moment very powerful and moving.

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❓8. How did the war affect the education system in Alsace?

Answer:

The Franco-Prussian War resulted in the loss of Alsace and Lorraine to the Prussians. As a result, the new government ordered that German would be taught in schools instead of French. This decision had a deep impact on the people of Alsace. It meant that they could no longer use their own language freely, which is a major part of identity. The school was now under the control of a foreign power, and the freedom to learn their own language was taken away, showing how war affects not just land, but also culture and education.

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❓9. What did M. Hamel blame the people of Alsace for?

Answer:

M. Hamel blamed the people of Alsace for neglecting their own language. He said that parents often sent their children to work on farms or in businesses instead of school. Children, like Franz, also wasted time and did not take learning seriously. He admitted that he himself sometimes sent students to water his garden or gave holidays when he wanted to go fishing. Now, when it was too late, everyone regretted it. He believed that if people lose respect for their language, they lose their freedom too.

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❓10. What does “Vive La France” signify in the chapter?

Answer:

The phrase “Vive La France!” means “Long Live France!”. M. Hamel writes it on the blackboard at the end of the lesson because he is too emotional to speak. This phrase expresses his deep patriotism and love for his country. Even though the French had lost their land and the language was being banned, this statement showed that their spirit and identity could not be destroyed. It becomes a symbol of resistance, pride, and national unity, showing that love for one’s country and language lives on in people’s hearts.

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•📝 Very Long Answer Questions (6–8 Marks)➡️

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❓1. How does “The Last Lesson” show that language is not just a subject, but a symbol of identity, culture, and freedom?

Answer:

“The Last Lesson” beautifully explains that language is much more than just a school subject. It is a powerful symbol of identity, unity, and freedom. When the French people of Alsace are forced to stop learning their language and switch to German, they suddenly feel like they are losing a part of themselves.

Franz, who never cared about French earlier, feels heartbroken to know he might never learn it again. The villagers, who had ignored learning in their youth, now come to the classroom to show respect for their language. Their presence shows regret and patriotism.

M. Hamel, the teacher, explains that as long as a people hold on to their language, they cannot be truly enslaved. He calls French the most beautiful and logical language. His final words “Vive La France!” show that language and country are closely connected.

Thus, the story shows how language is the soul of a nation, and losing it feels like losing freedom, pride, and culture.

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❓2. Explain the character of Franz. How does he change during the course of the story?

Answer:

Franz is a young schoolboy and the narrator of the story. In the beginning, he is shown as careless and lazy. He dislikes French and is afraid of being scolded for not preparing his grammar lesson on participles. He even thinks of skipping school.

But when he reaches school and learns that this is the last French lesson, his attitude completely changes. He feels shocked, sad, and guilty. He regrets wasting his time, missing classes, and not taking his language seriously.

Throughout the lesson, he becomes thoughtful and emotional. For the first time, he listens with attention and realizes the beauty of the French language. He begins to respect his teacher M. Hamel and wishes he could keep learning.

Franz’s transformation from an irresponsible boy to a sensitive and patriotic student shows how sudden loss can make people realize the value of what they had.

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❓3. “We don’t realize the value of something until it is taken away from us.” How is this idea shown in “The Last Lesson”?

Answer:

This idea is the central theme of “The Last Lesson.” The people of Alsace, including Franz and the villagers, never gave importance to the French language and education when it was freely available. Children avoided homework, parents preferred sending kids to work, and the teacher himself gave holidays sometimes.

But when the Prussian order came, announcing that German would replace French in schools, everyone felt a deep loss. The same language that they had ignored now became precious. Franz regretted not learning. The elders, like Hauser, felt ashamed and sat silently in the classroom.

M. Hamel also expressed pain that people wake up only when it’s too late. His emotional farewell and the words “Vive La France!” prove how painful it is to lose one’s language, freedom, and identity.

So, the story teaches that we must value and respect what we have today, especially our culture, education, and mother tongue, before it is gone forever.

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❓4. Describe the emotional farewell of M. Hamel and its impact on the people.

Answer:

M. Hamel’s last lesson is not just a class but a deeply emotional farewell. After 40 years of service as a French teacher, he is forced to stop teaching his language because the German government has banned it in Alsace. Knowing this is his final class, he wears his best clothes, as if attending a special event.

During the lesson, M. Hamel does not scold anyone. Instead, he teaches with patience and love, sharing the beauty of the French language and expressing sadness and pride. He tells the villagers and students that they all are responsible for ignoring their language.

The villagers, who were once students, now sit quietly with tears in their eyes. Franz too feels emotional and regrets not learning earlier. At the end of the class, M. Hamel is too choked up to say goodbye. He writes “Vive La France!” on the blackboard and waves his hand.

This emotional farewell touches everyone’s heart and leaves a lasting impact. It becomes a moment of realization, loss, and national pride.

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❓5. What role does M. Hamel play in spreading the message of patriotism and love for one’s language?

Answer:

M. Hamel is not just a teacher but a symbol of dedication, patriotism, and cultural pride. For 40 years, he taught French in the same school with sincerity. On the day of the last lesson, he speaks from his heart, making everyone realize the value of their language.

He wears his best clothes to honor the language, not himself. He reminds everyone that French is the most beautiful and logical language, and that people should never have taken it for granted. He admits his own faults but also makes it clear that people ignored their responsibility toward education.

By writing “Vive La France!” at the end, he gives a strong message — even if they are ruled by foreigners, their language and love for the country must not die. Through his actions, he becomes the voice of national pride, making students and villagers emotionally connect with their identity and culture.

M. Hamel proves that teachers are not just guides for knowledge, but also protectors of values and patriotism.

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✅ Conclusion:

We hope these carefully selected Short, Long, and Very Long Questions and Answers from “The Last Lesson” help you gain a clear understanding of the chapter and prepare well for your Class 12 English board exam. All answers are written in simple, exam-friendly language, making them easy to remember and revise.

Whether you're studying at the last minute or building your notes in advance, this Q&A collection will guide you toward confident writing and full marks.

📌 Tip: Don’t just memorize—try to understand the emotions, themes, and deeper meanings behind each answer. That’s the key to writing impressive answers in your exam.

Stay focused, revise smart, and all the best for your English paper!

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