READ THE FOLLOWING STORY!
The Necklace ( By Guy de Maupassant ) Mathilde Loisel was a pretty and charming girl who seemed to have been born through some mistake of fortune into the wrong family. She was married to lowly-paid clerk, Frau Loisel, who worked at the Department of Education in Paris. She was unhappy because of the poor flat in which she lived, with its shabby furniture. All day long she would think of the beautiful houses of wealthy people. One evening, her husband came home and gave her invitation to a ball. Instead of being delighted, she threw down the invitation and said with an angry look, “What use is this to me? What do you expect me to wear to a party of that kind?” He was very upset and said, “Look, Mathilde. How much would a nice dress cost?” she thought for a moment, and then replied, “I guess I could get one for 400 francs.” So he gave her what she asked, money to buy a nice dress. The day of the party was getting near, but Mathilde seemed sad, worried and nervous. She complained, “I haven’t any jewelry to wear with my dress. I shall look shabby. I’d rather not go. “Then her husband told her to go and see her friend, Mrs Forestier, to borrow some jewelry. She borrowed a beautiful diamond necklace. At the party was getting near, but mathilde seemed sad, worried and nervous. She complained, “ I haven’t any jewellery to wear with my dress. I shall look shabby. I’d rather not go. “Then her husband told her to go and see her friend, Mrs Forestier, to borrow some jewellery. She borrowed a beautiful diamond necklace. At the party, see looked pretty and charming. Every man in the party admired her and every woman in the party was jealous of her beauty.
Finally, it was time to go home. Returning home tired, she took off her coat and stood in front of the mirror. Suddenly, she gave a cry. The diamond necklace was no longer there. Mathilde and her husband panicked. They looked everywhere but the diamond was lost. The diamond cost 36.000 francs. Mr Loisel had to get 18.000 francs his father left for him and borrowed another 18.000 francs. Only then was their first problem overcme. Ever since that day, the couple had to live a dreadful life, even more so than they did before. Dhe had to work hard. Her husband had extra work at night to pay for the 18.000 francs debt. Mathilde looked old now and dressed untidily. She never thought about happiness anymore. Her life was work , work and work. One Sunday, as she was walking along the road to get fresh air, Mrs, Forestier passed by. Mrs Forestier hardly recoqnized her. “Is that you, Mathilde? What happened to you? Where is my beautiful Mathilde that I envied?” So, Mathilde told her about the lost diamond. Mrs Forestier, terribly upset, took her friend’s hands in her own. “Oh, My poor Mathilde! My diamond necklace was imitation! It was worth 500 francs at the most! I’m not a stupid woman who would lend my real diamond necklace.” (Taken from The Return of the Native)
1. Read the story again. Answer the following questions. 1. Where did Mathilde and her husband live? 2. Why did she feel that she was the unluckiest woman in Paris? 3. Where do you think she lostthe diamond necklace? 4. What was Mathilde’s Husband’s effort to return the diamond? 5. Give your opinion about Mathilde Loisel? 2. Complete the following sentences based on the story. 1. “. . . with is shabby furniture . . .” the word “its” refers to __________________. 2. “ . . . was the first problem overcome. “The phrase “the first problem” refers to __________________. 3. She was married to a lowly-paid clerk.this means that Mr Loisel worked as a _______________ with a small__________________. 4. Mrs Forestier hardly recognized her. This sentence mean Mrs Forestier____________________ could not___________________. 5. The story had a_____________________ ending.
