… FACTUAL QUESTIONS …
(1) What efforts did Loisel make to find the necklace?
Ans. They looked in the folds of dress, in the folds of cloak, in pockets, everywhere. M. Loisel went to the police, to the newspapers to offer a reward, to the cab companies, everywhere the tiniest glimmer of hope led him.
(2) What is implied in – ‘a hollow’, ‘pale figure’ ?
Ans. A hollow and pale figure of M. Loisel implies loosing of all hopes of finding necklace.
(3) What was the arrangement with the jeweller? Do you think it was fair ?
Ans. The Loisel and the jeweller made an arrangement that the jeweller would take necklace back for thirty-four thousand francs if the other necklace was found before the end of February. I think that the deal was fair.
(4) Why did Madame Forestier speak coldly to Mathilde ?
Ans. Mathilde had returned the necklace late to Madame Forestier. Madame Forestier felt that she should have returned it sooner because Madame Forestier may have needed it. So Madame Forestier spoke coldly to her.
(5) What is meant by ‘the horrible life of the very poor’?
Ans. The horrible life of the very poor means the horrible and pitiful life of very poor who have to work very hard to make their life decent.
(6) What contrast is implied by the use of the word ‘still’ in still young, still beautiful, still charming ?
Ans. Mathilde had to live a life of poverty for ten years and face many hardships which results in her looking old. While Madame Forestier, who is still rich and lives luxurious life stays young, beautiful and charming. All these beauty were still with Madame Forestier because she is still rich.
(7) Why did Mathilde decide to speak to her friend?
Ans. Mathilde felt emotional. Also she had paid all past dreadful debts now. So she decided to speak to her friend so that she can tell her all the real story behind necklace.
(8) Who do you think was responsible for Mathilde’s misery ? Was it her friend, she herself, her husband or the circumstances?
Ans. I think Mathilde was herself responsible for her misery.
…ENGLISH WORKSHOP…
1. Complete the following table.
Ans.
2. Write what you think about the following thoughts and actions of Mathilde :
(a) Mathilde despaired over the loss of her necklace.
Ans. This was a natural reaction, as Mathilde had lost a valuable necklace and she would have to replace it.
(b) Mathilde wrote a note to her friend as dictated by her husband.
Ans. I think that after loosing necklace Mathilde had no other way but to listen her helpful husband.
(c) Mathilde and her husband decided to replace the necklace.
Ans. I think that this was the correct step which they had taken because Mathilde was the only responsible women for the lost of her friend’s necklace.
(d) Mathilde returned the diamond necklace to her friend.
Ans. I think Mathilde did the great job. She was honest.
(e) Mathilde did not tell her friend about the loss and replacement.
Ans. I think Mathilde did not wanted to show her carelessness to her generous friend.
(f) Mathilde worked very very hard to pay the debt.
Ans. Here, I think that Mathilde’s realised her mistake and anyhow she wanted to pay off the debt because of her foolishness.
(g) Mathilde and her husband paid off the debt in ten years.
Ans. I think that the compensation amount was very big and so it took both of them 10 years to paid off the debts.
(h) Mathilde told her friend about the lost necklace.
Ans. Mathilde felt emotional. Also she had paid all past dreadful debts. So she decided to speak to her friend so that she can tell her all the real story behind the lost necklace.
(h) Mathilde told her friend about the lost necklace.
Ans. Mathilde felt emotional. Also she had paid all past dreadful debts. So she decided to speak to her friend so that she can tell her all the real story behind the lost necklace.
3. Form pairs. Discuss how ‘Part II’ of the story could have been different. Write your storyline in the form of bullets showing the main events.
Ans.
- Mathilde and her husband find the necklace, but its clasp is broken.
- They went to jeweller to fix it.
- They asked the jeweller an approximate price of the necklace.
- They find that it was an imitation .
- Mathilde gets disappointed at her friend giving fake necklace.
4. Imagine what must have happened after Mathilde’s friend discovered that the diamonds were real. Do you think she would return the necklace to Mathilde ? Would that make Mathilde happy?
Ans. I think Mme. Forestier’s nature was kind as she helped Mathilde giving necklace too. Also Mme. Forestier was very rich. So she would have definitely returned the necklace. This would certainly make Mathilde happy.
5. Discuss the following and write about each in your own words in 5-6 lines.
(a) What would you do, if something like this happens to you?
Ans. I would quickly go to friend and explain everything in detail. I would assure my friend to give me some time either to return necklace if found or the amount equal to necklace. I think that my friend may have accepted the idea.
(b) What opinion do you form about Mathilde’s husband from her story?
Ans. Mathilde’s husband no doubt is a good person. He is very kind and supportive. Even in his hard time he was ready to give her wife happiness. He is a very nice human being.
(c) Which events in the story (Part I and Part II) changed Mathilde’s life?
Ans.
Part I – Mathilde’s life changed after getting an invitation to party. Also when she borrowed necklace from her friend was also a reason that had impact on Mathilde’s life. Loosing necklace drastically changed her life.
Part II – Replacing the necklace by borrowing money from those all sources changed Mathilde’s life. Working very hard for 10 years to clear debts was the main reason to change her life.
6. Read, recall and remember. Read the table of verb forms given below.
(a) Make a table of verb forms for your own reference. Try to arrange the verbs in alphabetical order. Keep adding new verbs to your table from time to time. When you write, check your work to see whether you have used the correct verb form.
Ans. Few verb forms are given, you can write more by your own
(b) List at least 10 verbs, the last letter of which is doubled in the present participle.
Example : put -putting
Ans.
1. cut – cutting
2. let – letting
3. chat – chatting
4. knit – knitting
5. plan – planning
6. rub – rubbing
7. dub – dubbing
8. slip – slipping
9. admit – admitting
10. stop – stopping
(c) List at least 10 verbs, the last letter of which is doubled in the past participle.
Example : write -written
Ans.
1. Stop- stopped
2. Plan- planned
3. Rub- rubbed
4. Pin- pinned
5. Rot- rotted
6. Slip- slipped
7. Flip- flipped
8. Step- stepped
9. Split- splitted
10. Drop- dropped
(d) List at least 10 verbs, the last letter of which is doubled in the past tense form.
Example : sob – sobbed.
Ans.
1. blur – blurred
2. chip – chipped
3. control – controlled
4. counsel – counselled
5. crib – cribbed
6. dim – dimmed
7. dip – dipped
8. drag – dragged
9. drop – dropped
10. grab – grabbed