The Last Leaf
English Workshop
1. Read the story and choose the appropriate meanings.
(a) Struggling artists ……………………………………….
(i) artists fighting with one another
(ii) artists trying hard to earn a living
(iii) artists painting war scenes
Answer: (ii) artists trying hard to earn a living
(b) Skeleton branches ……………………………………….
(i) bones branching out from joints
(ii) leafy branches
(iii) bare branches
Answer: (iii) bare branches
(c) Wielded the brush ……………………………………….
(i) painted skillfully
(ii) broke the brush
(iii) joined the broken brush
Answer: (i) painted skillfully
(d) Palette ……………………………………….
(i) the tip of the brush
(ii) a board used by artists to mix colours
(iii) a fancy dinner plate
Answer: (ii) a board used by artists to mix colours
(e) Masterpiece ……………………………………….
(i) a master who promotes peace
(ii) the very first creation of an artist
(iii) an exceptionally beautiful work of art
Answer: (iii) an exceptionally beautiful work of art
2. Make pairs of sentences to show the difference between the meanings of the following Homographs from the story.
(a) interest
Answer:
- I have a great interest in painting, just like Sue and Johnsy.
- The bank offers a high interest rate on savings accounts.
(b) well
Answer:
- Johnsy was not getting well despite Sue’s care.
- The well in the backyard provided water for the artists.
(c) left
Answer:
- Only a few leaves were left on the ivy vine.
- Sue left the room to call Behrman for help.
(d) just
- Johnsy just lay in bed, staring out the window.
- It was just a painting, but it saved Johnsy’s life.
(e) mind
Answer:
- Johnsy’s mind was filled with fancies due to her illness.
- “Do you mind if I close the window?” Sue asked politely.
3. State the facts about the story.
Answer:
Main characters: Sue, Johnsy, and Old Behrman.
Problem: Johnsy was seriously ill with pneumonia and had lost the will to live, believing she would die when the last leaf fell from the ivy vine.
Attempts made to solve it: Sue took care of Johnsy, encouraged her to eat and stay positive, and sought help from Old Behrman. Behrman painted a leaf on the wall to trick Johnsy into thinking the last leaf was still there.
Climax / Turning point: The discovery that the last ivy leaf remained on the vine even after a stormy night, which made Johnsy realize her mistake in wanting to die.
Problem solved: Johnsy regained her will to live after seeing the last leaf and understanding its significance, which led to her recovery.
End: Behrman died of pneumonia after painting the leaf, but his masterpiece saved Johnsy’s life. The last leaf on the wall never moved, revealing it was Behrman’s painting.
4. Say whether the following statements are right or wrong.
(a) Sue and Johnsy were very close friends.
(b) Sue was a rich girl.
(c) Johnsy was hopeful that she will live.
(d) Behrman was a hard – hearted person.
(e) The last leaf fell off during the rain.
(f) Johnsy realised that her thinking was wrong.
(g) Behrman did not know anything about the last leaf on the ivy.
Answer:
(a) Sue and Johnsy were very close friends. Right
(b) Sue was a rich girl. Wrong
(c) Johnsy was hopeful that she will live. Wrong
(d) Behrman was a hard-hearted person. Wrong
(e) The last leaf fell off during the rain. Wrong
(f) Johnsy realised that her thinking was wrong. Right
(g) Behrman did not know anything about the last leaf on the ivy. Wrong
5. Correct the following statements.
(a) Sue and Johnsy were good neighbours.
Answer: Correction: Sue and Johnsy were very close friends who shared a flat.
(b) Johnsy was eager to recover from her illness.
Answer: Correction: Johnsy had given up hope and believed she would die when the last leaf fell.
(c) Sue ignored Johnsy completely.
Answer: Correction: Sue took good care of Johnsy and tried her best to help her recover.
(d) Behrman was a very heartless person.
Answer: Correction: Behrman was kind and selfless, as he risked his life to paint the last leaf for Johnsy.
(e) The real ivy leaf did not fall off at all.
Answer: Correction: The real ivy leaf fell off, and Behrman painted a new leaf on the wall.
(f) The last leaf was a real leaf that survived.
Answer: Correction: The last leaf was a painting by Behrman, not a real leaf.
6. Read the descriptions of the following from the story and describe any one of them using your own words.
• The ivy vine
• Behrman
• The last leaf that Johnsy saw
Answer:
The last leaf that Johnsy saw:
The last leaf Johnsy saw was a striking sight against the old brick wall. It was a single, brave ivy leaf, painted in vivid dark green near its stem, with edges tinged yellow, as if clinging to life despite the harsh weather. Unlike the real leaves that had fallen in the storm, this one stood firm, a symbol of hope and resilience. It was Behrman’s creation, a perfect imitation that tricked Johnsy into believing life was worth holding onto.
7. You have learnt that a Clause is a group of words that has a Subject and a Verb, and is a part of a larger sentence.
In the sentence, ‘We returned home, when school was over’ there are two clauses
(i) ‘We returned home and
(ii) ‘When school was over’
The first one makes complete sense, so it is called Main / Principal Clause. The second one is not complete by itself. It depends on the Main Clause to convey proper sense. So it is called Dependant or Subordinate Clause. ‘When’ is the joining word, and it is called a Subordinator.
• In the following sentences, point out the Main Clause and Subordinate Clause. Encircle the Subordinator.
Answer:
(a) There was a colony, (where) many struggling artists lived.
- Main Clause: There was a colony
- Subordinate Clause: many struggling artists lived
- Subordinator: (where)
(b) (Though) Sue looked after her well, Johnsy showed no signs of improvement.
- Main Clause: Johnsy showed no signs of improvement
- Subordinate Clause: Sue looked after her well
- Subordinator: (Though)
(c) Sue thought (that) she had fallen asleep.
- Main Clause: Sue thought
- Subordinate Clause: she had fallen asleep
- Subordinator: (that)
(d) Old Behrman was a painter, (who) lived on the ground floor.
- Main Clause: Old Behrman was a painter
- Subordinate Clause: lived on the ground floor
- Subordinator: (who)
(e) Johnsy was sleeping, (when) the two went upstairs.
- Main Clause: Johnsy was sleeping
- Subordinate Clause: the two went upstairs
- Subordinator: (when)
(f) I want to see the last one (before) it falls.
- Main Clause: I want to see the last one
- Subordinate Clause: it falls
- Subordinator: (before)
8. Compose an imaginary dialogue between Sue and Johnsy, when they realise about what Behrman had done for Johnsy.
Answer:
Sue: Johnsy, do you see it now? That last leaf-it wasn’t real. Behrman painted it for you.
Johnsy: Painted it? You mean… he went out in that storm? For me?
Sue: Yes, dear. The sweeper found him soaked and sick, with his brushes and paint. He must’ve done it that night to keep you going.
Johnsy: Oh, Sue, I was so foolish. He gave me hope… and I didn’t even know it cost him his life.
Sue: He loved you in his own way, Johnsy. That leaf was his masterpiece-he always said he’d paint one someday.
Johnsy: I’ll never forget him, Sue. I want to live now, for him too.
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