First Year English Notes Sindh Board THE NECKLACE

                     The Necklace

 

S. NO.	Words	Meaning	Meaning	Sentences
1	Modest	having or showing a moderate estimation of one's own abilities	معمولی،	She was a modest woman who never boasted about her achievements.
2	Daydreamed	to indulge in pleasant, wishful thinking	خیالی پلاو،	As she daydreamed, she imagined herself as a famous actress.
3	Elite	a group of people considered to be the best in a particular society	بہترین، ممتاز	The elite athletes trained tirelessly for years to reach the pinnacle of success.
4	Tossed	to move something up and down	ہلانا	The storm tossed the boat around on the rough sea.
5	Thrilled	to feel intense excitement or pleasure	پرجوش،	She was thrilled to receive a surprise gift from her best friend.
6	Willpower	the ability to control oneself and make oneself do things	ارادہ، عزم، استقامت	With sheer willpower, he overcame his addiction to cigarettes.
7	Saddened	to cause or feel sorrow or grief	اداس	The news of his grandfather's passing left him feeling saddened and lost.
8	Embarrassed	feeling ashamed, uncomfortable	شرمسار	She was embarrassed when she realized she had worn her shirt inside out.
9	Hugged	to hold tightly with the arms	بغل گیری کرنا	She hugged her best friend tightly when they reunited after many years.
10	Shabby	in poor condition or disrepair	خستہ حال، بد حال	The old, shabby house had seen better days.
11	Inherited	to receive something from a previous generation or predecessor	وراثت میں موصول	She inherited her grandmother's antique jewellery collection.
12	Moneylenders	a person or business that lends money to others	قم دینے والا	The moneylenders charged exorbitant interest rates, taking advantage of the poor.
13	Scrubbed	to clean or rub something hard with a brush or rough material	صاف کرنا	She scrubbed the kitchen floor until it was sparkling clean.
14	Bargained	to negotiate or discuss the terms of a deal	مذاکرات کرنا	He bargained with the salesman to get a lower price on the car.
15	Overcome	to succeed in dealing with a problem or difficulty	کامیاب ہونا	She had to overcome her fear of public speaking to give a presentation in front of a large audience.
16	Clasped	to hold tightly with the hand or arms	ہاتھ جوڑنا	He clasped his hands together and bowed his head in prayer.
17	Retrace	to go back over the steps of a journey	پیچھے جانا	He retraced his steps to find the phone he had dropped on the street.
18	Horrified	to feel extreme fear	خوفزدہ	She was horrified by the graphic images she saw in the horror movie.
19	Strolling	to walk leisurely and without a hurry	سیر کرنا، آرام سے چہل قدمی کرنا	They enjoyed strolling through the park on a sunny afternoon.

 

MCQs

1. What is the main theme of the given text?

a. The beauty and charm of women.

b. The importance of wealth and distinction in society.

c. The limitations imposed by social class on women.

d. The struggles of being married to a clerk.

2. Why was the protagonist unhappy despite her simple tastes?

a. She wanted to be wealthy and famous.                                

b. She was married to a clerk.

c. She had no marriage portion.                                                                 

d. She had no clothes or jewels.

3. How did the protagonist imagine her dream home?

a. With worn furniture and mean walls.

b. With vast saloons hung with antique silks.

c. With heavy torches and bronze sockets.

d. With folk of a past age and strange birds in faery forests.

4. What did the protagonist long for?

a. Wealth and fame.                                                                                       

b. Clothes and jewels.

c. Delicate meals and silver.                                                                         

d. All of the above.

5. Why did the protagonist refuse to visit her rich friend?

a. She did not like her old school friend.                                 

b. She was too busy with her own life.

c. She suffered when she returned home.                             

d. Her friend did not have enough money.

6. What did the husband bring home one evening?

a) A printed card               

b) A gift                                

c) A letter                            

d) A package

7. What was written on the printed card?

a) An invitation from the Minister of Education

b) An announcement from the Ministry of Education

c) A letter from the couple's friend

d) An advertisement for a select event

8. How did Madame Loisel react to the invitation?

a) She was delighted                                                                      

b) She was indifferent

c) She was excited                                                                          

d) She was petulant

9. Why did Madame Loisel throw the invitation across the table?

a) She didn't want to attend the event                   

b) She was upset with her husband

c) She was confused about the invitation              

d) She wanted her husband to open the invitation

10. What did the husband say about the event?

a) It was a big gathering of the Ministry of Education 

b) It was very select and few people go

c) It was a party hosted by Madame Rampo.        

d) It was an event to celebrate a wedding anniversary

11. What did the husband bring home in the large envelope?

a. A letter from a friend                                                 

b. An invitation card

c. A gift for his wife                                                         

d. money for his wife's dress

12. How did the wife react when she received the invitation card?

a. She was delighted                                                       

b. She was angry

c. She was sad                                                                   

d. She was surprised

13. What did the husband think about the invitation?

a. It was not important                                                  

b. It was a great occasion

c. It was a waste of time                                               

d. It was only for clerks

14. What made the wife cry?

a. Her husband's reaction to the invitation

b. She did not have a suitable dress to wear to the party

c. She was unhappy with her life

d. She was feeling unwell

15. How did the husband react when his wife said she did not have a dress?

a. He offered to buy her a dress                                 

b. He ignored her and left the room

c. He laughed at her                                                       

d. He scolded her for not having a dress

16. What was the cost of the dress that the wife wanted?

a. 100 francs                      b. 200 francs                      c. 300 francs                       d. 400 francs

17. What did the husband plan to use the money he was saving for?

a. To buy his wife a dress                                              

b. To buy a gun for shooting

c. To go on a vacation                                                     

d. To pay off his debt

18. What was Madame Loisel's problem before the party?

a) She didn't have a dress to wear                             

b) She didn't have any jewellery to wear

c) She didn't have any flowers to wear                    

d) She didn't want to go to the party

19. What suggestion did Madame Loisel's husband make about what she should wear to the party?

a) A dress with jewels                                                    

b) A dress with flowers

c) A simple dress                                                              

d) No dress at all

20. Why was Madame Loisel hesitant to wear flowers to the party?

a) She didn't like flowers                                               

b) She thought it was too expensive

c) She thought it was too cheap                                 

d) She thought it was too common

21. Who did Madame Loisel ask to lend her some jewels?

a) Madame Forestier                                                      

b) Madame Ramponneau

c) The Minister of Education                                        

d) The clerk at her husband's office

22. What is Madame Loisel's main concern before the party?

a) Not having a dress to wear                                      

b) Not having any jewelry to wear

c) Not having any flowers to wear                             

d) Not knowing anyone at the party

 23. How does Madame Loisel feel when she sees the diamond necklace?

a) Indifferent                                     

b) Envious                           

c) Uninterested                

d) Nostalgic

24. Who does Madame Loisel borrow the diamond necklace from?

a) Her mother                                   

b) Her sister        

c) Her friend Madame Forestier 

d) Her husband

25. What did the couple do after they left the ball?

a) Went straight home                                                   

b) Tried to find a cab

c) Went to a nearby restaurant                                 

d) Went for a walk by the river

26. What kind of carriage did the couple finally find?

a) An old taxi                                                                      

b) A horse-drawn carriage

c) A luxury limousine                                                      

d) An old night prowling carriage

27. What was the reason they could only find such a carriage in Paris after dark?

a) They were ashamed of their shabbiness in the daylight             

b) They were only used for special occasions

c) They were expensive to rent

d) They were only allowed to operate at night

28. What did the woman realize was missing when she got home?

a) Her coat                         

b) Her hat                            

c) Her gloves      

d) Madame Forestier's necklace

29. Why did the couple think they might have heard the necklace fall if she had lost it in the street?

a) Because it was very loud                                          

b) Because it was a heavy necklace

c) Because it was a long necklace                             

d) Because it was made of diamonds

30. What did Loisel do after he came home from searching for the necklace?

a) Went to bed                                                                  

b) Went to the police station

c) Went to the jewellers                                                

d) Went to the newspapers

31. What did they finally find in a shop at the Palais-Royal?

a) The exact same necklace they lost                       

b) A necklace that was similar to the one they lost

c) A cheaper necklace                                                    

d) A more expensive necklace

32. How much did they pay for the replacement necklace?

a) 30,000 francs                

b) 32,000 francs                                

c) 34,000 francs               

d) 36,000 francs

33. How does Madame Loisel feel at the party?

a) Miserable and anxious                                                              

b) Energetic and active

c) Ecstatic and proud                                                                      

d) Indifferent and bored

34. Why does Madame Loisel want to leave the party quickly?

a) Because she is tired                    

b) Because she wants to go home

c) Because she is feeling sick        

d) Because she doesn't want to be seen in her modest clothes.

 

QUESTIONS - ANSWERS

 

Q.1 Why did Mr. Loisel expect his wife to be pleased to receive the invitation in reference to the text "The Necklace"?

  In "The Necklace," Mr Loisel expects his wife to be pleased to receive the invitation to the fancy party because he believes that attending such an event would fulfil her desire for luxury and extravagance. Madame Loisel had always dreamed of a life of wealth and glamour, and Mr Loisel thought that the invitation to the party would provide her with the opportunity to experience that lifestyle, even if only for one night. Mr. Loisel saw the invitation as a chance to make his wife happy and to show her that he cared about her desires and aspirations. He was unaware of the fact that the invitation would ultimately lead to their financial ruin and Madame Loisel's descent into despair. He only saw the immediate joy that the invitation would bring to his wife and believed that it was worth the expense and effort to make her happy.

 

Q.2 What was Mrs Loisel's reaction to reading the invitation?

When Madame Loisel received the invitation to the fancy party in "The Necklace," she was initially thrilled and excited. She had always dreamed of attending such events and believed that it was her chance to experience the luxurious lifestyle that she had always desired. Madame Loisel's initial reaction to the invitation was one of delight and anticipation. She spent hours planning and preparing for the event, borrowing a beautiful dress from a friend and spending money on jewellery and accessories to complete her outfit. She was so excited about the party that she even asked her husband to buy her a new dress, but he gave her the money he had been saving for a hunting trip instead.

However, Madame Loisel's excitement was short-lived. After the party, she realized that she had lost the expensive necklace that she had borrowed from her friend, and she and her husband were forced to replace it by going into debt and working for years to repay the loan. Her reaction to losing the necklace and the subsequent consequences of her actions were much more negative and devastating than her initial excitement upon receiving the invitation.

OR

Madame Loisel's initial reaction to the invitation was one of delight and anticipation. She spent hours preparing for the party, borrowing a beautiful dress and spending money on jewellery. However, her excitement was short-lived when she lost the expensive necklace she had borrowed and had to go into debt to replace it, causing great despair and misery.

 

Q. 3 How was the life of Madame Loisel before the loss of the necklace?

Before the loss of the necklace in "The Necklace," Madame Loisel's life was one of constant dissatisfaction and yearning for something more. She was born into a family of modest means and married a clerk, which she considered to be beneath her social aspirations.

Madame Loisel dreamed of a life of luxury and wealth, desiring fine clothes, expensive jewels, and grand social events. She felt unhappy and out of place in her simple home and longed for a more glamorous existence. However, her husband's salary was not enough to fulfil her desires, and she was forced to live a modest and frugal lifestyle.

Despite her circumstances, Madame Loisel remained proud and convinced that she deserved a better life. She would often daydream about the life she could have had if she had been born into a wealthy family, and she felt resentful towards her husband for not being able to provide her with the life she believed she deserved.

Overall, Madame Loisel's life before the loss of the necklace was one of discontent and dissatisfaction, as she longed for a life of luxury and extravagance that was beyond her means.

OR

Before losing the necklace in "The Necklace," Madame Loisel was dissatisfied with her modest life and dreamed of a more luxurious and extravagant existence. She was unhappy with her simple home and longed for expensive clothes, jewels, and grand social events that were beyond her means. Her husband's salary was not enough to fulfil her desires, and she remained proud and resentful, believing that she deserved more.

Q.4 What efforts were made to find Mme. Forestier's necklace?

In "The Necklace," after Madame Loisel loses the necklace borrowed from Madame Forestier, she and her husband make every effort to find it. They retraced their steps, searched the cab they had taken, and visited the police station to report the loss. They put up posters offering a reward for its return and went to various jewellery stores to see if anyone had tried to sell it. Despite their best efforts, they were unable to find the necklace, and eventually, they decided to replace it by purchasing a new one. The replacement cost them a significant amount of money, and they were forced to go into debt to pay for it. The efforts made to find the necklace demonstrate the lengths to which Madame Loisel and her husband were willing to go to make amends for their mistake. However, their search was ultimately unsuccessful, and they suffered the consequences of their actions for many years to come.

OR

After losing Madame Forestier's necklace in "The Necklace," Madame Loisel and her husband make every effort to find it, including retracing their steps, searching the cab, reporting the loss to the police, offering a reward, and visiting jewellery stores. However, they were unable to find the necklace, and they eventually decided to replace it, going into debt to pay for it.

 

Q.5 Describe how Loisel's life had changed after they had paid for the new necklace?

After paying for the replacement necklace in "The Necklace," the Loisel's life changed dramatically. They had to go into debt to pay for the new necklace, and as a result, their financial situation became dire. They had to move to a smaller apartment in a less desirable neighbourhood, and they had to work long hours to repay their debt. Madame Loisel lost her beauty and charm as a result of her hard work and long hours, and her husband aged prematurely. They both became resigned to their new life of poverty and struggled to make ends meet. Madame Loisel was forced to do her own household chores and to haggle with shopkeepers over the price of groceries, which was a stark contrast to her previous life of luxury and ease. The experience of losing the necklace and replacing it with a new one had a profound impact on Loisel's life, causing them to lose their social status and their dreams of a better life. The story illustrates the consequences of a single mistake and the power of material possessions to shape our perceptions of ourselves and our place in society.

OR

After paying for the replacement necklace in "The Necklace," the Loisel's life changed drastically. They had to go into debt to purchase the new necklace, which plunged them into poverty. They were forced to move to a smaller apartment in a less desirable neighbourhood and to work long hours to repay their debt. Madame Loisel lost her youthful beauty and charm as a result of her hard work and stress, and her husband aged prematurely from the strain. They both became resigned to their new life of struggle and hardship, with Madame Loisel having to do her own household chores and haggle with shopkeepers over the price of groceries. The experience of losing the necklace and the subsequent financial strain destroyed their hopes of a better life, leaving them bitter and resentful towards each other. Overall, the story illustrates the devastating impact that material possessions and a single mistake can have on a person's life.

 

Q.6 What was Mme. Forestier's reaction when seeing Mme. Loisel before she figured out who was she?

In "The Necklace," when Madame Loisel runs into Madame Forestier in the street, she does not recognize her former friend because of the drastic change in her appearance after years of poverty and hardship. Madame Forestier's initial reaction to Madame Loisel was one of surprise and confusion, as she struggled to recognize the woman who had once been her friend. However, after Madame Loisel explained who she was and the circumstances that had led to her impoverished state, Madame Forestier's attitude towards her changed. She showed compassion and understanding towards Madame Loisel, acknowledging that she had suffered greatly and offering her assistance in any way she could.

Madame Forestier's reaction to Madame Loisel demonstrates her capacity for empathy and her willingness to help a friend in need, despite the vast difference in their social and financial status. It also highlights the importance of treating others with kindness and compassion, regardless of their circumstances.

Q.7 How did Mr. Loisel contribute to the cost of the new necklace?

In "The Necklace," Mr. Loisel contributed to the cost of the new necklace by using the 18,000 francs that he had saved up for a hunting trip. When Madame Loisel lost the borrowed necklace, he sold some of his investments and used the rest of his savings to cover the cost of the replacement necklace. Even though it was Madame Loisel's mistake that caused them to have to replace the necklace, Mr. Loisel willingly sacrificed his own desires and goals to help his wife make amends for her error. His willingness to give up something he had worked hard for demonstrates his deep love and commitment to his wife, and his selflessness is a key theme in the story. Ultimately, their joint efforts to pay for the necklace plunged them into poverty and led to significant changes in their lives.

 

Q.8 How had Mme. Loisel's sacrifice been in vain?

In "The Necklace," Madame Loisel's sacrifice is ultimately in vain because the necklace that she had worked so hard to replace turns out to be a fake. She and her husband had gone into debt to buy a new necklace that was identical to the one they had lost, and Madame Loisel had spent years paying off the debt from the purchase. However, when Madame Loisel finally revealed to Madame Forestier that the necklace had been lost and replaced with a fake, Madame Forestier admitted that the original necklace had been a cheap imitation and was only worth a few hundred francs. Madame Loisel's sacrifice, therefore, had been for nothing, as she had spent years of her life in poverty and misery to repay a debt for a necklace that was ultimately of little value. The story illustrates the folly of placing too much importance on material possessions and the danger of chasing after an illusion of wealth and status. It also shows the importance of being honest and upfront about mistakes and the value of true friendship and compassion in difficult times.

 

Give a brief description of the character of  Mathilde in the text "The Necklace"

Mathilde Loisel is the main character in "The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant. She is a beautiful and charming young woman who is deeply dissatisfied with her middle-class life. She dreams of a life of luxury and wealth, believing that she is destined for greater things. She is envious of those who are better off than her and feels a sense of entitlement to a better life.

Mathilde is also proud and vain, with a tendency to focus on the superficial aspects of life. She is obsessed with her appearance and clothing, believing that they are the key to her happiness and social status. She is not content with the simple pleasures of life and cannot find happiness in the present moment, always looking to the future for something better.

Despite her flaws, Mathilde is a sympathetic character who is trapped in a society that values wealth and status over personal qualities and character. Her desire for a better life leads her down a path of deceit and betrayal, but ultimately she pays a heavy price for her mistake. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed and the importance of being content with what one has.

 

Give a brief description of the character of Loisel in the text "The Necklace"

Monsieur Loisel is a minor character in "The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant. He is the husband of Mathilde Loisel and a clerk at the Ministry of Education. He is described as a simple man who is content with his life, despite its modest means.

Unlike his wife, Monsieur Loisel is not concerned with social status or material possessions. He is a hardworking and practical man who is devoted to his wife, and he strives to make her happy in any way he can. He is willing to sacrifice his own needs and desires for the sake of his wife's happiness, as evidenced by his decision to sell his hunting rifle to help her purchase an expensive dress for a ball.

Monsieur Loisel is also portrayed as patient and forgiving, even in the face of his wife's deception and the financial struggles that follow. He works tirelessly to repay the debt they incur after replacing the lost necklace, and he remains loyal to his wife throughout their years of poverty and hardship.

 

Overall, Monsieur Loisel is a sympathetic and likeable character who serves as a foil to his wife's selfishness and discontent. He embodies the values of hard work, honesty, and devotion, and his selflessness and patience are crucial to the story's message about the importance of contentment and humility.

 

Give a brief description of the character of Mme. Forestier in the text "The Necklace"

Madame Forestier is a minor character in "The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant. She is an old school friend of Mathilde Loisel, and the owner of the diamond necklace that Mathilde borrows and subsequently loses.

Madame Forestier is described as a wealthy and elegant woman, with a refined taste in fashion and jewelry. She is gracious and generous to Mathilde when she first borrows the necklace, and she does not seem to hold a grudge against Mathilde when the necklace is lost. She is initially unaware that the necklace has been replaced with a fake, and when Mathilde finally confesses to her, Madame Forestier is sympathetic and understanding.

Despite her generosity and kindness, Madame Forestier represents the social class that Mathilde longs to join. Her wealth and status are symbols of the glamorous lifestyle that Mathilde covets, and her effortless elegance and charm make her seem all the more desirable in Mathilde's eyes. However, Madame Forestier's final revelation that the necklace was a fake serves as a reminder that appearances can be deceiving and that true value lies in character and integrity rather than material possessions.

 

Write the summary of the text "The Necklace"

"The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant is a short story about a young woman named Mathilde Loisel who is unhappy with her middle-class life and dreams of a more luxurious lifestyle. When her husband secures an invitation to a high-society event, Mathilde borrows a diamond necklace from her wealthy friend Madame Forestier to wear to the ball. However, after the event, she discovers that the necklace has been lost, and she and her husband are forced to borrow money to replace it.

The couple spends the next ten years struggling to repay the debt, living in poverty and working hard to make ends meet. When they finally pay off the loan, Mathilde sees Madame Forestier in the street and tells her the truth about the lost necklace. Madame Forestier reveals that the necklace was actually a fake and that Mathilde and her husband had spent years in poverty and hardship for nothing.

"The Necklace" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed and envy, and the importance of being content with one's lot in life. Mathilde's desire for wealth and social status leads her down a path of deception and betrayal, ultimately resulting in her ruin. The story also highlights the importance of honesty and integrity, as the truth about the necklace's value is only revealed at the end of the story when it is too late to make a difference.

 

Imagine yourself in the same situation as described in the text "The Necklace" What strategy would you adopt to get out of this problem?

If I were in the same situation as Mathilde Loisel, I would consider the following strategies to get out of the problem:

Be honest: The first and foremost thing to do is to confess the truth to the friend who lent the necklace. This could help in finding a solution that might not be as bad as the imagined consequences.

Negotiate: If paying for the lost necklace is not possible, one could negotiate with the friend who lent the necklace or with the jeweller to find a way to pay the debt in instalments.

Seek help: Friends and family members could be approached for help in paying the debt. It is always better to seek help than to suffer in silence.

Find additional sources of income: Taking up additional work or finding ways to earn extra money could be helpful in paying off the debt faster.

 

Downsize: In order to free up some funds for the repayment of the debt, one could consider downsizing and cutting down on expenses until the debt is paid off.

Overall, the key is to face the situation head-on and be proactive in finding a solution to the problem. With perseverance and the willingness to work hard, it is possible to overcome even the most difficult situations.

 

Why did innovation information remain scarce at the time of World War II?

During World War II, the sharing of information was limited due to concerns about national security. Governments and militaries closely guarded information about military strategies, weapons, and other critical technologies. This was particularly true of innovations related to cryptography, radar technology, and nuclear energy, which played a critical role in the war. Additionally, the lack of advanced communication technologies at the time meant that information was slower to travel and less widely available. The lack of advanced computing systems also limited the ability to process and analyze data quickly. Moreover, the war had a significant impact on the economy and society, with many resources diverted to the war effort. This resulted in limited funding and resources for research and development in other areas, including civilian technologies. Overall, the combination of national security concerns, limited communication technologies, and the diversion of resources to the war effort resulted in limited innovation and information sharing during World War II.