Important Questions Class 8 Chapter 3.3 Balbharati English Maharashtra Board

The Last Leaf

Short Questions

1. Who were Sue and Johnsy?

• Sue and Johnsy were two young artists who lived together in a small flat in New York.

2. Why did Johnsy believe she would die?

• She believed that when the last leaf of the ivy vine fell, she too would die.

3. What did the doctor say about Johnsy’s condition?

• The doctor said that Johnsy had a chance to live only if she had the will to survive.

4. Who was Behrman?

• Behrman was an old painter who lived in the same building as Sue and Johnsy.

5. What did Behrman do on the stormy night?

• He painted a realistic ivy leaf on the wall to give Johnsy hope.

6. Why did Johnsy change her mind about dying?

• She saw that the last leaf never fell and realized she had been foolish.

7. What happened to Behrman after painting the leaf?

• He caught pneumonia and died two days later.

8. What was Behrman’s masterpiece?

• His masterpiece was the painted ivy leaf, which saved Johnsy’s life.

9. How did Johnsy react when she found out about Behrman’s sacrifice?

• She was deeply moved and regretted her foolish thoughts about dying.

10. What is the main message of the story?

• The story highlights the power of hope, sacrifice, and the importance of a will to live.

Long Questions

1. Describe the relationship between Sue and Johnsy.

• Sue and Johnsy were close friends who lived together and shared a deep bond. Sue took care of Johnsy when she was sick and did everything she could to save her.

2. Why did the doctor say that medicines alone would not cure Johnsy?

• The doctor believed that Johnsy had lost her will to live, and without hope, no medicine could help. He emphasized that she needed a reason to fight her illness.

3. How did Sue try to distract Johnsy from looking at the ivy vine?

• Sue asked Johnsy to close her eyes and rest while she worked on her painting. She also tried to convince Johnsy that her belief about the falling leaves was silly.

4. What was Behrman’s dream, and was it ever fulfilled?

• Behrman always dreamed of painting a masterpiece but never achieved it in his life. However, his painted ivy leaf became his true masterpiece as it saved Johnsy’s life.

5. Describe the setting of the story and its significance.

• The story takes place in a poor artists’ colony in New York during autumn. The gloomy and cold environment reflects Johnsy’s hopelessness, while Behrman’s leaf symbolizes hope.

6. What is the irony in the story?

• The irony is that Behrman, who always wanted to paint a masterpiece, unknowingly created one by sacrificing his life. The leaf he painted gave Johnsy the strength to live.

7. How does the last leaf become a symbol of hope?

• Johnsy believed that she would die when the last leaf fell, but when it remained, she regained hope. It symbolized strength, survival, and the power of belief.

8. What message does the story give about art and life?

• The story shows that art has the power to inspire and save lives. Behrman’s painting was not just a piece of art but a life-giving force for Johnsy.

9. How did Sue react when she learned about Behrman’s sacrifice?

• Sue was heartbroken but grateful. She realized the depth of Behrman’s kindness and the extent of his sacrifice for Johnsy.

10. What lessons can we learn from the story?

• The story teaches us about hope, friendship, sacrifice, and the importance of a positive mindset in overcoming challenges.