Chapter 1
Comprehension Questions
1. What kind of family was Mathilde born into?
Mathilde was born into a poor family of clerks.
2. What did Mathilde often dream about?
She often dreamed of a life of luxury, beautiful dresses, grand parties, golden decorations, and being admired by everyone.
3. Why did visiting Madame Forestier make Mathilde unhappy?
Seeing her friend’s rich clothes and lovely home made Mathilde feel poor, small, and deeply unsatisfied with her own life.
4. Why was Monsieur Loisel excited about the invitation?
He thought his wife would be happy to go, as it was a rare chance and a very exclusive event that everyone wanted to attend.
5. What was Monsieur Loisel’s job?
He worked as a simple clerk in the Ministry of Education.
6. How did Mathilde feel about her apartment?
She felt sad and angry about her poor home, its old furniture, and faded curtains.
7. What special thing did Monsieur Loisel bring home?
He brought home a large envelope containing an invitation to a grand party at the palace of the Ministry.
8. What was Mathilde’s first concern after reading the invitation?
Her first concern was that she had nothing suitable to wear to such a fancy event.
Grammar Exercises
1. Mathilde B) was born into a poor family.
2. Monsieur Loisel C) worked as a clerk in the Ministry.
3. The invitation B) was brought by her husband.
4. Her husband C) was excited about the invitation.
5. She A) dreamed of a luxurious life every day.
6. Mathilde A) wasn’t satisfied with her life.
7. Mathilde C) visits her rich friend sometimes.
8. What B) was Mathilde worried about?
Chapter 2
Comprehension Questions
1. Why was Monsieur Loisel shocked?
He was shocked by Mathilde’s angry and sad reaction to the invitation instead of being happy.
2. How much money did Mathilde ask for?
She asked for 400 francs to buy a suitable dress.
3. Why did he agree to give Mathilde the money?
He agreed because he wanted Mathilde to be happy, even though it was the exact amount he had saved to buy a hunting gun.
4. What idea did Monsieur Loisel suggest?
He suggested that Mathilde visit her rich friend, Madame Forestier, and ask to borrow some jewelry.
5. Why did Mathilde begin to cry?
She began to cry because she had no dress for a party like this and felt she couldn’t go.
6. What had Monsieur Loisel planned to buy with his savings?
He had planned to buy a gun for a summer hunting trip with his friends.
7. What problem did Mathilde have after buying the dress?
She was annoyed and sad because she had no jewelry, not even one piece, to wear with her new dress.
8. Which piece of jewelry did Mathilde choose?
She chose a stunning diamond necklace in a black satin box.
Grammar Exercises
• 1. Mathilde B) cried when she thought about the party.
• 2. Monsieur Loisel C) gave her 400 francs.
• 3. The money A) was saved for a hunting trip.
• 4. Mathilde B) bought a beautiful dress.
• 5. Madame Forestier C) opened her jewelry box.
• 6. Mathilde C) tried on several pieces of jewelry.
• 7. Her eyes B) sparkled with excitement.
• 8. She C) chose the diamond necklace.
Chapter 3
Comprehension Questions
1. How did Mathilde look on the night of the party?
She was more beautiful than ever, elegant, graceful, charming, and smiling with joy.
2. Why did many people pay attention to Mathilde?
Because she was the most elegant woman in the room, making everyone turn to look at her, whisper, and admire her charm.
3. Where was Monsieur Loisel while his wife was dancing?
He sat in a small room next to the ballroom, waiting patiently since midnight along with other husbands.
4. What did Mathilde and her husband do when they could not find a taxi?
They walked along the river, shivering from the cold, and searched for a taxi, calling out to drivers until they finally found an old cab.
5. What happened when Mathilde entered the grand hall?
Everyone turned to look at her, people whispered and stared, and men asked to be introduced to her to dance.
6. How did Mathilde feel during the party?
She felt like a queen, completely happy, and forgot her real life as she lived her dream.
7. Why did Mathilde feel ashamed after the party?
She felt ashamed because her husband put an old, simple coat on her shoulders, while other women wore expensive fur wraps.
8. What terrible discovery did Mathilde make when she arrived home?
She discovered that the borrowed diamond necklace was gone from her neck.
Grammar Exercises
• 1. Everyone B) looked at Mathilde when she entered the hall.
• 2. Many men A) wanted to dance with her.
• 3. They B) searched for a taxi after the party.
• 4. Monsieur Loisel A) walked through the streets all night.
• 5. She B) felt like a queen that night.
• 6. Monsieur Loisel A) waited patiently in another room.
• 7. The necklace B) became missing.
• 8. The necklace B) was nowhere to be found.
Chapter 4
Comprehension Questions
1. What decision did Monsieur Loisel make after the necklace was lost?
He decided that they must replace the lost necklace.
2. Where did the Loisels finally find a necklace that looked the same?
They found it at a jewelry shop near the Palais Royal.
3. How did Monsieur Loisel get enough money to buy the necklace?
He used 18,000 francs from his father’s savings and borrowed the rest from friends, strangers, and loan sharks, signing papers and agreeing to high interest.
4. How did the Loisels’ lives change after they bought the replacement necklace?
They dismissed their servant, moved into a small attic apartment, and spent ten years working day and night to pay off their massive debts.
5. Why did the jeweler say he could not help them find the necklace?
The jeweler explained that he didn’t sell the original necklace itself; he had only provided the box.
6. How much did the replacement necklace cost?
It cost them thirty-six thousand (36,000) francs in full.
7. Why was Mathilde filled with fear and guilt?
She was terrified that Madame Forestier would open the box, discover the switch, and think she was a thief.
8. How long did it take them to pay back all their debts?
It took them ten long years.
Grammar Exercises
• 1. The Loisels B) decided to replace the necklace.
• 2. The necklace A) cost thirty-six thousand francs.
• 3. Many loan papers B) were signed by him.
• 4. Her husband A) worked day and night.
• 5. They B) found a similar necklace.
• 6. Monsieur Loisel B) borrowed money from many people.
• 7. Mathilde C) did all the housework herself.
• 8. They A) paid off their debts after ten years.
Chapter 5
Comprehension Questions
1. How had Mathilde’s life changed after ten years of hard work?
She became poor, old, and tired, with rough red hands and tangled hair, no longer caring about fashion or luxury.
2. Why did Madame Forestier not recognize Mathilde at first?
Because Mathilde had changed so much from the hard life and labor that she looked like a completely different, poor woman.
3. What did Mathilde say happened to the borrowed necklace?
She confessed that she had lost it and bought an identical one to replace it.
4. What surprising truth did Madame Forestier reveal?
She revealed that her original necklace was a fake made of glass and was worth no more than 500 francs.
5. Where did Mathilde meet Madame Forestier again?
She met her on the Champs-Élysées, a beautiful street in Paris, during a Sunday walk.
6. What did Mathilde decide to tell Madame Forestier?
She decided it was finally time to tell her the whole truth about losing the necklace and replacing it.
7. How long had the Loisels worked to pay for the replacement necklace?
They worked for ten long years.
8. How much was the original necklace actually worth?
It was worth no more than 500 francs.
Grammar Exercises
• 1. Ten years A) has passed.
• 2. She B) met Madame Forestier on the street.
• 3. Mathilde B) told the truth about the necklace.
• 4. It B) was made of glass.
• 5. Mathilde A) looked much older.
• 6. Madame Forestier A) didn’t recognize Mathilde at first.
• 7. The necklace B) was not real.
• 8. Mathilde B) was shocked by the truth.
