Please refer to NeckLace Class 10 English Exam Questions provided below. These questions and answers for Class 10 English have been designed based on the past trend of questions and important topics in your class 10 English books. You should go through all Class 10 English Important Questions provided by our teachers which will help you to get more marks in upcoming exams.
Class 10 English Exam Questions NeckLace
Class 10 English students should read and understand the important questions and answers provided below for NeckLace which will help them to understand all important and difficult topics.
Short Answer Type Questions :
Question. What did Matilda’s husband bring home one evening? Why was he so elated?
Ans. One evening, Matilda’s husband brought home an invitation for both of them to attend a party at a minister’s house. He was elated because he was one of the few clerks to get an invitation and also because he thought Matilda would be thrilled.
Question. Why did Matilda (Mme Loisel) leave the ball in a hurry? What does it show about her character?
Ans. Since no one noticed her shabby shawl, Matilda (Mme Loisel) left the ball in a hurry. Her character depicts her false pride and vanity in material things.
Question. Why did Matilda not want to see her rich friends?
Ans. Matilda had an inferiority complex and considered herself unlucky to be born in a lower-class family. Unlike her, her friends were extremely rich and full of power. Matilda also felt inferior because she was married to a simple clerk whereas her rich friends were married to high-class men.
Question. How did M. Loisel try to make his wife happy?
Ans. M. Loisel had saved four hundred francs to buy a gun to join some hunting parties the next summer. The gun was to be used when he and his friends went to shoot larks. However, he tried to make his wife happy by offering to give her the saved four hundred francs to buy a suitable costume.
Question. Why did Jeanne not recognise her friend?
Ans. Jeanne did not recognise Madame Loisel. It was because she had completely changed in appearance.
She looked like an old, hard and crude woman of the poor household. Her hair was dressed badly. Her skirt also way awry. She had lost all the charm of her youthful days.
Question. Why was Matilda always unhappy after her marriage?
Ans. Matilda was a discontented woman. She was born into a family of clerks. She had received no dowry and had no hopes of becoming famous. Matilda was married to a clerk but she wanted to enjoy a luxurious life just like her rich friends who had money and power.
Question. What did Mr. Loisel do to find the lost diamond necklace?
Ans. Loisel went to look for the lost diamond necklace everywhere they had walked. But he could not find it. He went to the police to file a complaint after his search returned futile. He also went to the cab offices. He enquired about the lost necklace everywhere. He also put an advertisement in the newspapers and offered a reward too.
Question. Why did Matilda not like to visit her rich friend?
Ans. Whenever Matilda visited her rich friend, she remained sad for many days thereafter. The contrast between her life and her friend’s in terms of the luxuries, pained her very much.
Question. How did Loisel and Matilda arrange the money to buy the necklace?
Ans. Matilda did all the work by herself. She tried to save every penny by washing the dishes herself. She sent her maid away and worked day and night to earn more money. Her husband also word equally hard to repay their debts.
Question. What did Matilda do to gain time for returning the lost diamond necklace to Madame Forestier?
Ans. Mr. Loisel failed to find the lost diamond necklace. He told his wife to tell Madame Forestier a thing. Lie that she had broken the clasp of the necklace and it had been sent for the repairs. Thus through this, they gained some more time to arrange money for buying the necklace.
Question. Why did Jeanne, Matilda’s friend not recognise her?
Ans. Over ten years, Matilda let go of all the little pleasures of her life, worked extremely hard in order to save money so as to repay the loan they had taken to buy the replacement necklace. All the hardships had given her a haggard look and that is why Jeanne could not recognise her.
Question. What was Mme Loisel shocked to know at the end of the story?
Ans. Madam Loisel was shocked to know that the necklace for which she worked so hard for 10 years to repay the loss of, was artificial. When MmeLoisel had lost the necklace she had borrowed from her friend she was terrified and thought that she should replace it. To replace it, she had to buy it on a loan and to repay that loan, her husband and she had to work hard for 10 years. In the end when she got to know that the necklace which she took so many troubles for was artificial she felt betrayed and heartbroken.
Question. Why was Matilda in a hurry to go to her house after the ball?
Ans. Mr. and Mrs. Loisel had gone to a ball that was attended only by the famous people of the society. Unlike the other rich ladies draped in their elegant wrap, Mr. Loisel covered Matilda with a modest wrap which was not befitting the upper class society. Matilda wished to hurry in order to go unnoticed by the other women who wrapped themselves in rich furs for the party.
Questions. Why did Jeanne not recognise her friend?
Ans. Jeanne did not recognise Madame Loisel. It was because she had completely changed in appearance.
She looked like an old, hard and crude woman of the poor household. Her hair was dressed badly. Her skirt also way awry. She had lost all the charm of her youthful days.
Questions. What did Mr. Loisel do to find the lost diamond necklace?
Ans. Loisel went to look for the lost diamond necklace everywhere they had walked. But he could not find it. He went to the police to file a complaint after his search returned futile. He also went to the cab offices. He enquired about the lost necklace everywhere. He also put an advertisement in the newspapers and offered a reward too.
Questions. Why did Matilda not like to visit her rich friend?
Ans. Whenever Matilda visited her rich friend, she remained sad for many days thereafter. The contrast between her life and her friend’s in terms of the
luxuries, pained her very much.
Questions. How would it have been if she had not lost the necklace? Who knows? How singular is life, and how full of changes! How small a thing will ruin or save one!
(a) How had a necklace changed her life?
(b) What all did she have to go through because of the necklace?
Ans. (a) The necklace, which she understood to be made of diamond, had changed her life forever. She had to go through a lot of hardships to repay for the loan.
(b) As Mrs. Loisel had lost the necklace, she and her husband had worked their fingers to the bone trying to payback the debt they had taken to replace the necklace. They changed homes, let go of the maid and the husband worked double shifts. She had aged ten years in a short time and had lost all her beauty and grace.
Questions. What was Mme Loisel shocked to know at the end of the story?
Ans. Madam Loisel was shocked to know that the necklace for which she worked so hard for 10 years to repay the loss of, was artificial. When MmeLoisel had lost the necklace she had borrowed from her friend she was terrified and thought that she should replace it. To replace it, she had to buy it on a loan and to repay that loan, her husband and she had to
work hard for 10 years. In the end when she got to know that the necklace which she took so many troubles for was artificial she felt betrayed and heartbroken.
Question. Why did Matilda leave the ball in a hurry ? What does it show about her character?
Ans. Matilda left the ball in a hurry because she did not want to be seen with the ordinary wrap that she carried. She believed that the poor looks of her wrap contrasted with the elegance of the other ladies, who were wrapping themselves in rich furs.
This shows that she only wanted to keep up the appearance just to flatter her pride without being in touch with the real truth of her life.
Question. What was the cause of Matilda’s ruin? How could she have avoided it?
Ans. The cause of Matilda’s ruin was her over ambitiousness and dissatisfaction from life. She expected too much from life. But unfortunately, she was married to an ordinary man who could not provide her with all the materialistic luxuries.
She could have avoided it if she had told the fact to her friend that she had lost the necklace. Moreover, she should have been satisfied with what she had instead of imitating rich people.
Question. Why do you think M. Loisel was a loving husband?
Ans. M. Loisel was a loving husband as he cared about his wife’s emotions. He looked after all needs and desires of his wife. He made her buy a new dress for the party. When his wife lost her diamond necklace, he did not lose his cool and helped her in returning the necklace by replacing it with a diamond necklace. He helped in repaying the debt by working in the evenings and night to earn extra money.
Question. What would have happened to Matilda if she had confessed to her friend that she had lost her necklace?
Ans. If Matilda had confessed to her friend that she had lost her necklace, she might have been in lesser trouble than what she faced after having replaced the necklace. Her friend would have been angry with her and most probably would have asked Matilda to replace it.
She would have given her the details from where she bought the necklace and how much it had cost her. Matilda would thus have known that the jewels in the necklace were not real diamonds. Matilda would thus have saved herself and her husband from all the trouble they went through.
Question. How do they replace the necklace?
Ans. After all other efforts fail, Loisel decided to buy a new identical necklace to replace the lost one. M Loisel gave eighteen thousand Francs that his father had left for him and took a loan for the rest.
Then the couple managed to buy the new necklace for thirty six thousand francs and returned it to Mme Forestier.
Question. Why did Matilda throw the invitation spitefully?
Ans. Matilda was simply displeased when her husband showed her the invitation. She felt humiliated and threw the invitation spitefully, as she had nothing beautiful enough to wear at the ball.
Question. Mention two things you would have done, other than what M Loisel did, to help resolve the problem of the lost necklace.
Ans. The two things I would done, other than M Loisel did, to help resolve the problem of the lost necklace are
(i) I would have told Mme Forestier the truth about what happened and asked for her forgiveness.
(ii) I would also have promised her to replace the necklace as soon as possible.
Question. What do M. and Mme Loisel do when Matilda lost the necklace?
Ans. Loisel did everything to find the necklace. M. Loisel went back and searched for the lost necklace. Then, he went to the police and to the cab offices. Also, they put out an advertisement in the newspapers and offered a reward to anyone who finds the necklace. But, all their efforts went in vain.
Question. Why was Mme Loisel always unhappy?
Ans. Mme Loisel was always unhappy because she felt that she was, by mistake, born in the family of clerks. She felt that she was born for all the delicacies and luxuries in life. She remain disappointed as she was married to a clerk.
She always dreamt of a luxurious life filled with elegant dresses, jewellery, exquisite foods served in silver dining. She felt tortured and angered with her present living conditions and suffered incessantly.
Question. What excuse did Loisels put up to explain the delay in returning the necklace?
Ans. Loisels had lost the necklace and needed time to find an identical one. Thus, Mme Loisel wrote a letter to Mme Forestier with an excuse that the clasp of the necklace had got broken and she needed time to get it repaired.
Question. Describe Mme Loisel after ten years.
Ans. Ten years of poverty and hardship stole away Matilda’s youth and beauty. She became a strong and hard woman, who was poorly dressed with untidy hair and red ragged hands. Her skirts were awry (uneven) and she spoke in a loud voice. She had become a commoner who had to do all things by herself.
Question. How is the problem of jewel solved?
Ans. Matilda Loisel’s husband, M Loisel came to solve Matilda’s problem. First, he suggests her to wear fresh flowers. Then, he advises her to borrow jewels from her rich friend, Mme Forestier. Thus, the problem is solved as Mme Forestier lends her a beautiful diamond necklace.
Question. Mme Loisel now knew the horrible life of necessity. Do you think Mme Loisel accepted this change willingly? Give two reasons in support of your answer.
Ans. Yes, I think Mme Loisel accepted this change willingly due to the following reasons
(i) She understood that in order to pay the debt, she would have to cut down on her luxuries.
(ii) She learned the work of kitchen, washed the clothes, brought up the water from the street and sent away the maid to help save money to pay off the debt.
Question. Do you think Mme Loisel had an enjoyable evening at the ball? Give reasons for your answer.
Ans. Mme Loisel was the centre of attention at the ball. Her beauty, her grace, her joy and the gorgeous smile attracted all. She danced happily. Hence, she had a successful enjoyable evening at the ball.
Question. The course of the Loisel’s life changed due to the necklace. Comment.
Ans. It is true that the necklace changed the course of the Loisel’s life. It took the Loisels ten years to pay back the money they had borrowed to buy the necklace. It changed everything for them.
They had to move to the poorest quarters of the city. With no maids or assistance, Matilda had to cook, clean, mend, sew and bargain with the grocer and butcher to save every sou (a french coin of low value) just for their mere survival.
The husband had to work in the evening and night to pay their debt.
Question. Why was Matilda’s friend astonished to see her at the end of the story?
Or
Why did Jeanne not recognise her friend, Matilda?
Ans. Jeanne Forestier, Matilda’s friend, could not recognise her at the end of the story as she seemed an old and worn out poor woman. Matilda was no longer her former beautiful and joyous self. She had lost her charm and was living an unfortunate life.
Long Answer Type Questions :
Question. What kind of person is Matilda Loisel? Support your answer giving examples from the story ‘The Necklace’
Ans. Matilda Loisel is a kind of woman who aspired beyond her means and was never satisfied with what she had. She was born into a family of clerks. Things went worst when she married a clerk herself and became a part of the same lifestyle that she wanted to get out of. Once, to make up for her aspirations, she spent way too much on a ball that her husband got an invitation for. She spent a lot on her dress and borrowed a necklace which she lost. She paid for the lost necklace by repaying the debt with her husband for over 10 years. In this process, she lost all her inheritance and had to live life poorly. Her obsession with the rich culture also brought her husband down
with her. This shows that Matilda Loisel was an unhappy person who was never satisfied with what she had.
Question. Write a note on the appropriateness of the title ‘The Necklace’.
Ans. The title of the story, ‘The Necklace’ is very appropriate. The whole story revolves around this necklace. If the ‘necklace’ is taken away, the story falls to pieces. It is the very link, connected with the dream of Matilda. Matilda wants to be known and admired by people. She borrows the necklace from her rich Mme Frostier for the minister’s party who gave her a diamond necklace which is artificial but she doesn’t know this fact. She has to pay its price because the necklace is lost. She decides to replace it by a real diamond necklace. It costs her 36,000 francs. It takes them ten years to repay the money for the loan that they take for purchasing the necklace. But during this period, Matilda sees the miseries of her over-ambitious aspirations.
Question. Describe the kind of life that Mrs. Loisel dreamt of.
Ans. Matilda Loisel was quite pretty and charming woman. She was born in a poor family. Yet she had a very dreamy nature. She always kept dreaming of good things in life. She used to feel that she was born for all the luxuries of life. When she sat for dinner she would dream of dainty dinners, in shining silverware. She would dream of beautiful palaces, of rich ladies, of showy dresses and jewels. She felt that she was made for all the richest things of life. But she was married to a clerk. So, she suffered endlessly from poverty.
Question. What is the twist at the end of the story ‘The Necklace’?
Ans. Matilda and her husband incur big debts in order to buy a replacement necklace for her friend. They cut down on all expenses, she works hard at the household chores, he does extra jobs etc., in order to earn more money. All this was for a necklace which they thought was of real diamonds. However, at the end of the story. Matilda meets her friend who tells her after ten years that the necklace they had lost was a fake, worth not even one-tenth of the price they thought it had. They worked so hard to repay the loan because they felt they had lost the real necklace. It they knew the truth and had worked so hard for their own benefit, it must have tremendously upgraded their standard of living. This was the twist at the end of the tale.
Question. Mme Forestier proved to be a true friend of the Loisels. Elaborate.
Ans. Mme Forestier proved to be a true friend of Loisels. Mme Forestier played a crucial role in the story. She helped Mathilde when Mathilde needed her genuinely. Mathilde was blessed with a beautiful physique but she lacked the lavish lifestyle she yearned for. Therefore, she was discontented with her life. Although Mme Forestier treated her kindly, Mathilde was jealous of Mme Forestier because of her wealth. Once, Mathilde had to attend a fancy party so she borrowed a diamond necklace from Mme Forestier. Forestier was immediately ready to lend Mathilde the necklace. In fact, she displayed the entire array of her jewels in front of her and asked her to choose from them. She didn’t show any urgency to get back the necklace and when Mathilde returned the necklace, Mme Forestier didn’t even inspect it and instead, honestly revealed that the necklace that she gave to Mathilde was fake. It shows her honest nature. She also felt bad when Mathilde suffered unnecessarily to pay for a replacement necklace. Thus, she proved to be her genuine friend.
Question. Compare Matilda’s life before and after the fateful dinner party.
Ans. Before the dinner, Matilda led a frugal life as they did not have too much money and hence, had no luxuries. However, they did have a maid and other basic facilities. She dreamt of all the extravagances of life and was unhappy as she did not lead a luxurious life. After the dinner, Matilda and her husband had to borrow large amounts of money to repay the loans they had taken. This meant letting go of the maid, doing all chores herself and having no savings to fall back on. She then, led a hard and harsh life that made her look much older than she was.
Questions. What kind of person is Matilda Loisel? Support your answer giving examples from the story ‘The Necklace’
Ans. Matilda Loisel is a kind of woman who aspired beyond her means and was never satisfied with what she had. She was born into a family of clerks. Things went worst when she married a clerk herself and became a part of the same lifestyle that she wanted to get out of. Once, to make up for her aspirations, she spent way too much on a ball that her husband got an invitation for. She spent a lot on her dress and borrowed a necklace which she lost. She paid for thel ost necklace by repaying the debt with her husband for over 10 years. In this process, she lost all her inheritance and had to live life poorly. Her obsession with the rich culture also brought her husband downwi th her. This shows that Matilda Loisel was an
unhappy person who was never satisfied with what she had.
Questions. Compare Matilda’s life before and after the fateful dinner party.
Ans. Before the dinner, Matilda led a frugal life as they did not have too much money and hence, had no luxuries. However, they did have a maid and other basic facilities. She dreamt of all the extravagances of life and was unhappy as she did not lead a luxurious life.
After the dinner, Matilda and her husband had to borrow large amounts of money to repay the loans they had taken. This meant letting go of the maid, doing all chores herself and having no savings to fall back on. She then, led a hard and harsh life that made her look much older than she was.
Question. Mme Forestier proved to be a true friend. Elucidate.
Ans. Mme Forestier is a true friend of Mme Loisel. She plays a very vital role in the story. As a friend to Matilda, we find her to be really genuine.
She helps Matilda in the hour of her need. When Mme Loisel needed to borrow jewels, she turned to Mme Forestier. Mme Forestier does not refuse. Displaying her generosity, she opens up the entire case of her jewels for Matilda to choose from. Also, she was considerate when the Loisels delayed the return of the necklace. At the end of the story, she concludes the entire narrative. Mme Forestier reveals to Matilda that her necklace was just a fake. She is not at all worried in the light of the fact that she may have to return the necklace. It shows her honesty. She was a true friend who, feels bad for Matilda at her unnecessary suffering.
Question. What changes occurred in Matilda’s lifestyle after she had lost the necklace?
Ans. When Matilda lost the necklace she borrowed from Mme Forestier, she bought a new diamond necklace on loan. The repayment of debt changed Matilda’s life drastically. The Loisels became poor, they had to send away their maid and changed their lodgings to room in an attic. Matilda learnt the household chores. She learned to do the dishes, wash the soiled linens, clothes and dishcloths. She had to walk to the street to bring up the water. She had to dress like an ordinary woman and had to go to grocerer, butcher and fruit seller all by herself keeping in mind to save each and every penny she could. Her husband also worked in the evenings. He used to put the books of some merchants in order and at night, he did copying at five sous a page. This miserable life lasted for ten years to repay the debt.
Question. Do you think the story is aptly titled? Justify your answer.
Ans. The whole narrative of the story ‘The Necklace’ revolves around a young woman Matilda, who in her foolish pride borrows a necklace inviting misery and sorrow for herself as well as for her husband. The ‘necklace’ has lost and the Loisels fall into a tremendous debt. They spend the next ten years of their life in paying debt for the replacement of the lost necklace. Their entire life moves around impoverished everyday saga of misery and hunger and the necklace, in fact, changes the very course of their life. Also, it is against the back drop of the necklace that Matilda’s pride and dishonesty are highlighted. At the ame time, the necklace serves a twist at the end as it turns out to be a fake one. The story is, hence, most aptly titled as the necklace is, in fact, the leading character of this ironic tale of desire, the doom and the tragedy.
Question. Mme Loisel’s disposition invites her doom.
Comment in the context of the text you’ve read.
Or
Matilda wanted to live a life above her status. How did this desire of her’s led to her sufferings?
Ans. Mme Loisel belonged to a family of clerks but wanted to live a life above her status. They lived on small income, enough for meeting the basic needs but not to fulfil aspirations. She got married to a clerk and was so caught up with her dreams of wealth and pleasure that she was out of touch with the truths of her real life.
In order to keep up appearances and just to flatter her pride, she blowed up four hundred francs on a gorgeous dress. She also went on borrowing a necklace from her friend. All of this was just to impress the wealthy and the rich with her beauty and glamour (even if on loan). No doubt, her pride was flattered and her wish of fine dining and wearing expensive dresses and jewels was satisfied. But it came at a great price.
Unfortunately, the necklace was lost and the couple had to cough up their entire inheritance and borrow as well to replace it. Repayment of the debt ate away the next ten years of their youth. They lived in utter poverty and had to work very hard to repay the loan.
If she had accepted her reality and remained happy with what she had, she would not have suffered so badly. Therefore, one can say that it was her disposition that led her to doom.
Question. Read the following quote.
“We are too involved in materialistic things, and they don’t satisfy us. The loving relationships we have, the universe around us, we take these things for granted.”
– Mitch Albom
Matilda was never satisfied with her life and desired more. The given quote reflects her character. Justify.
Ans. Matilda always wished for more than what she had She wanted exquisite food, shining silver, frocks and jewels. She only loved and longed for these rich things. She cared much less for her husband’s happiness. He got an invitation from the minister hoping it would make her happy. Instead, she only cared about lack of clothes and jewels.
Her husband gave her the money he had saved just to make her happy but even after spending it in buying a dress, she yearned for jewels. This yearning led to troubles in her and husband’s life and they spent 10 years in poverty. While she did all her household tasks. M. Loisel worked day and night.
In the end, she looked old and troubled, and discovered that the necklace didn’t even cost so much and that all their troubles and debt was for nothing.
If she had accepted and been happy with what they have, none of her troubles would have occured. She could have chosen to see her husband’s love and care for her instead of what they didn’t have and been truly happy.
Question. Was Matilda’s dream fulfilled at the ball? Why did all men notice and wanted them to be presented to her?
Ans. Yes, Matilda’s dream was fulifilled at the ball. Matilda always dreamt of grandeur, luxuries and delicacies in her life. She had prepared for the ball so thoroughly as befitted a grand occasion. She didn’t want to present a poverty-stricken image of her, amidst rich ladies and gentlemen.
She made her husband buy a new dress for the party. She borrowed a necklace from Madame Forestier to adorn herself like a graceful and distinguished lady. She proved to be a grand success at the ball and her dream was fulfilled. She was the centre of attraction for all ladies as well as men who were present there.
Matilda danced with enthusiasm. She was intoxicated with pleasure as she loved to be admired and appreciated. At the party, Matilda was the prettiest of all and that is why all the men noticed her. They couldn’t avoid the temptation of noticing her and wanted to be presented to her.
Extract Based Questions :
Question. Read the extract to attempt the questions that follow.
She learned the odious work of a kitchen. She washed the dishes. She washed the soiled linen, their clothes and dishcloths, which she hung on the line to dry; she took down the refuse to the street each morning and brought up the water, stopping at each landing to catch her breath. And, clothed like a woman of the people, she went to the grocer’s, the butcher’s and the fruiterer’s, with her basket on her arm, shopping, haggling to the last sou of her miserable money. The husband worked evenings, putting the books of some merchants in order, and nights he often did copying at five sous a page. And this life lasted for ten years. At the end of ten years, they had restored all.
(i) How does she live?
(ii) Why did she have to learn the household work?
(iii) What changes took place in ‘she’?
(iv) What is the meaning of the word ‘haggling’?
(v) How did the husband manage to work?
Ans. (i) ‘She’ lives in extreme poverty and misery.
(ii) She had to learn the household chores because she and her husband had to repay the loan borrowed to replace Mme Foretsier’s diamond necklace.
(iii) She, Matilda, became a crude owman, she used to dress simply and do all the work herself. She started looking old.
(iv) Haggling means bargaining persistently over the cost of something.
(v) The husband, M Loisel worked day and night to repay the loan, after office he used to manage the books of a merchant and then he used to copying work during nights.
Question. Read the extract to attempt the questions that follow.
He threw around her shoulders the modest wraps they had carried whose poverty clashed with the elegance of the ball costume. She wished to hurry away in order not to be noticed by the other women who were wrapping themselves in rich furs. Loisel detained her, “Wait,” said he. “I am going to call a cab.” But she would not listen and descended the steps rapidly. When they were in the street, they found no carriage; and they began to seek for one, hailing the coachmen whom they saw at a distance.
(i) ‘She’ wished to hurry away. Why?
(ii) Why did Loisel detain Matilda?
(iii) Why did Matilda did not stop?
(iv) Which figure of speech is used in ‘rich furs’?
(v) Find the word in the extract which is opposite in meaning to the word ‘grandiose’?
Ans. (i) ‘Matilda’ did not wish to shatter the illusion of her grandeur that she had so successfully managed to convey others by putting on such a shabby wrap. So, she wished to hurry away to escape the notice of the rich women.
(ii) Loisel asked Matilda to wait so that he could call a cab as it was four o’clock in the morning.
(iii) Matilda did not stop in order to avoid getting noticed by the rich ladies.
(iv) Synecdoche is used in ‘rich furs’. They mean expensive coats or cloak worn by British women.
(v) Modest is opposite in meaning to grandiose.
