SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
Q1. What would Matilda often dream of?
Answer:
Matilda would often dream of all the delicacies, luxuries, elegant dinners,
marvelous dishes, rich silver, beautiful dresses, jewels, adoration and a life of
glory. She would escape into her dreams from the dullness of her very humble
existence.
Q2.Why did Matilda throw the invitation spitefully?
Answer:
Matilda was simply displeased when her husband showed the invitation. She
felt humiliated and threw the invitation spitefully as she had nothing beautiful
enough to wear to such a grand gathering.
Q3.Describe Mme Loisel’s success at the ball.
Or
Do you think M Loisel had an enjoyable evening at the ball? Give reasons for your
answer.
Answer:
Mme Loisel was the centre of attention at the ball. Her beauty, her grace, her
joy and the gorgeous smile captivated all. Men sought to be presented to her. She
danced happily at her conquest of all.
Q4. What excuse did Loisels put up to explain the delay in returning the necklace?
Answer:
Loisels had lost the necklace and needed time to find an identical one. Thus,
Loisels wrote a letter to Mme Forestier with an excuse that the clasp of the
necklace was broken and they needed time to get it repaired.
Q5.How did Loisels manage to pay for the necklace?
Answer:
The necklace cost Loisels thirty six thousand francs. Loisel had to chip in his
entire inheritance of eighteen thousand francs and the rest he had to borrow from
the usurers.
Q6.How did Mme Loisel now know the life of necessity? [CBSE 2016]
Answer:
To pay the debt of eighteen thousand francs, Loisels let go of their decent
living. They lived in impoverished neighbourhood. Matilda had to cook, clean,
wash, mend, bring water and bargain with the butcher and grocer. Her husband
worked day and night to save every sou.
Q7.Describe Mme Loisel after ten years.
Answer:
Ten years of poverty and hardship steal away Matilda’s youth and beauty.
She becomes a strong and hard woman, who is poorly dressed with untidy hair and
red ragged hands.
Q8.What do you think of M Loisel as a husband? Cite instances from the text to
support your answer.
Answer:
M Loisel was a caring and supportive husband. Fie sacrificed his wishes and the
money he inherited from his father for his wife.
Q9.Why was Matilda’s friend astonished to see her at the end of the story?
or
Why did Jeanne not recognise her friend, Matilda?
Answer:
Jeanne, Matilda’s friend, could not recognise her as she seemed an old and
worn out poor woman. Matilda was no longer her former beautiful and Joyous self.
10.Comment on the use of irony in the text.
or
How had sacrifice of Mme Loisel’s been in vain?
Answer:
The irony in the story is based on the fact that the Loisels spend 10 years of
toil and frugality paying for a necklace which turns out to be a cheap imitation.
