The Necklace
ENGLISH WORKSHOP
PART – I
1. Read each of the following sentences aloud. Write who said it and to whom.
(a) “Look, here’s something for you.”
Who said it: Mathilde’s husband (M. Loisel)
To whom: Mathilde Loisel
(b) “Why, the dress you go to the theatre in!”
Who said it: Mathilde’s husband (M. Loisel)
To whom: Mathilde Loisel
(c) “I would rather not go to the party.”
Who said it: Mathilde Loisel
To whom: Mathilde’s husband (M. Loisel)
(d) “Choose, my dear.”
Who said it: Madame Forestier
To whom: Mathilde Loisel
(e) “You have nothing else?”
Who said it: Mathilde Loisel
To whom: Madame Forestier
(f) “Would you lend me this, just this?”
Who said it: Mathilde Loisel
To whom: Madame Forestier
(g) “What ! … how ! … That’s impossible!”
Who said it: Mathilde’s husband (M. Loisel)
To whom: Mathilde Loisel
2. Write a few lines about what Mathilde had and what she dreamt about.
What Mathilde had:
- She was a pretty and charming girl.
- She was married to a minor official at the Ministry of Education.
- She lived in a shabby, poorly furnished house.
- She had plain clothes and no jewels or rich dresses.
What Mathilde dreamt about:
- She dreamt of being rich, known, and loved by an aristocrat.
- She wanted a grand, palatial mansion with vast rooms.
- She longed for rich dresses, jewels, and luxuries.
- She desired to charm others and be envied by them.
3. Write what you think about the following thoughts and actions of Mathilde.
(a) Mathilde was beautiful, and so she wanted to marry an aristocrat.
- I think this shows her vanity and unrealistic expectations, as beauty alone doesn’t guarantee a wealthy life.
(b) Mathilde was sad because she did not get any luxuries.
- This reflects her dissatisfaction and inability to appreciate what she had.
(c) Mathilde felt that her house was shabby and poorly furnished.
- It shows she was ashamed of her simple life and compared it to richer people.
(d) Mathilde wanted other people to envy her.
- This reveals her desire for attention and status, which made her unhappy.
(e) Mathilde was not happy to see the invitation.
- I think she felt insecure because she didn’t have fancy clothes or jewels to wear.
(f) Mathilde wanted a new dress for herself.
- This shows her focus on appearances rather than being content with what she had.
(g) Mathilde borrowed a diamond necklace from her friend and wore it to the party.
- It was a risky decision, but it shows how much she wanted to look rich and elegant.
(h) Mathilde lost the necklace.
- This was careless of her and led to all her troubles, showing her lack of responsibility.
4. Prepare a formal invitation using the following format:
Mr and Mrs M. Loisel solicit the pleasure of your company on the occasion of the celebration of their anniversary on Monday, 18th January.
Venue: Ministry of Education Hall Time: 7:00 PM
RSVP: Kindly confirm your presence by 15th January. No presents please.
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