Sometimes a single mistake can change the course of an entire life.
NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Chapter 7, The Necklace, written by Guy de Maupassant, is a powerful story that highlights the dangers of pride, materialism, and dissatisfaction. The story revolves around Matilda Loisel, a woman whose desire for luxury leads her and her husband into years of hardship.
NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Chapter 7 – The Necklace
Q.
READ AND FIND OUT – 1
What kind of a person is Mme Loisel — why is she always unhappy?
Q.
READ AND FIND OUT – 1
What kind of a person is her husband?
Q.
READ AND FIND OUT - 2
What fresh problem now disturbs Mme Loisel?
Q.
READ AND FIND OUT - 2
How is the problem solved?
Q.
READ AND FIND OUT - 3
What do M. and Mme Loisel do next?
Q.
READ AND FIND OUT - 3
How do they replace the necklace?
Q.
Think about it
The course of the Loisels’ life changed due to the necklace. Comment.
Q.
Think about it
What was the cause of Matilda’s ruin? How could she have avoided it?
Q.
Think about it
What would have happened to Matilda if she had confessed to her friend that she had lost her necklace?
Q.
Think about it
If you were caught in a situation like this, how would you have dealt with it?
Q.
Talk about it
The characters in this story speak in English. Do you think this is their language? What clues are there in the story about the language its characters must be speaking in?
Q.
Talk about it
Honesty is the best policy.
Q.
Talk about it
We should be content with what life gives us.
The chapter explores themes such as pride, greed, appearance vs reality, contentment, and the consequences of dishonesty. It teaches students an important moral lesson about living within one’s means. This chapter is part of the Class 10 English Footprints Without Feet textbook.
The NCERT Solutions for Chapter 7 – The Necklace provided below are written in a clear, exam-oriented manner to help students understand the story deeply and prepare effectively for school and board examinations.
Class 10 English Footprints Without Feet
Chapter 7 Questions & Answers – The Necklace
Read and Find Out – 1
Q1. What kind of a person is Mme Loisel? Why is she always unhappy?
Solution: Mme Loisel is a pretty but dissatisfied woman. She dreams of wealth, luxury, and social status, but her modest living conditions make her unhappy. Her unrealistic expectations and constant comparison with the rich lead to her misery.
Q2. What kind of a person is her husband?
Solution: M. Loisel is a simple, honest, and caring man. He loves his wife deeply and tries his best to keep her happy, even sacrificing his own desires for her comfort.
Read and Find Out – 2
Q3. What fresh problem now disturbs Mme Loisel?
Solution: Mme Loisel becomes upset because she does not have any jewellery to wear to the minister’s ball. Though her dress is ready, she feels incomplete and inferior without ornaments.
Q4. How is the problem solved?
Solution: Since M. Loisel cannot afford jewellery, he suggests that Mme Loisel borrow some from her friend, Mme Forestier. She borrows a diamond necklace, which solves her problem temporarily.
Read and Find Out – 3
Q5. What do M. and Mme Loisel do when they realise the necklace is lost?
Solution: They search for the necklace everywhere. M. Loisel goes to the police, cab offices, and places advertisements in newspapers. When they fail to find it, Mme Loisel writes to her friend saying that the clasp has broken and they need time to repair it.
Q6. How do they replace the necklace?
Solution: They buy a new diamond necklace worth thirty-six thousand francs. M. Loisel uses his inheritance and borrows the remaining amount from moneylenders, which puts them under heavy debt.
Think About It
Q7. The course of the Loisels’ life changed due to the necklace. Comment.
Solution: After replacing the necklace, the Loisels live in extreme poverty for ten years to repay their debts. Mme Loisel does hard household labour, and M. Loisel works extra hours. Their comfortable life is replaced by suffering and hardship.
Q8. What was the cause of Matilda’s ruin? How could she have avoided it?
Solution: Matilda’s ruin was caused by her pride, greed, and dissatisfaction. She could have avoided it by being honest with her friend and living within her means.
Q9. What would have happened if Matilda had confessed the truth to her friend?
Solution: If Matilda had confessed the loss, Mme Forestier would have told her that the necklace was fake. This would have saved the Loisels from years of poverty and suffering.
Q10. If you were in a similar situation, how would you have dealt with it?
Solution: I would have immediately informed my friend about the loss and tried to resolve the issue honestly instead of hiding the truth.
Talk About It
Q11. The characters speak English in the story. Is this their real language?
Solution: No, the characters are French. The story was originally written in French, and clues such as names, currency (francs), and places confirm this.
Q12. “Honesty is the best policy.” Comment.
Solution: The story proves that dishonesty leads to suffering. If Matilda had been honest, she would have avoided years of hardship, proving that honesty brings peace and contentment.
Q13. “We should be content with what life gives us.” Discuss.
Solution: Contentment helps people live peacefully. Constant dissatisfaction leads to misery, as seen in Matilda’s life. Accepting one’s reality is essential for happiness.
NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Chapter 7 – FAQs
Q1. What is the central message of “The Necklace”?
Answer: The story teaches that pride, greed, and dishonesty can destroy lives, while honesty and contentment bring peace.
Q2. Why is the ending of the story ironic?
Answer: The irony lies in the fact that the necklace Matilda replaced at great cost was actually fake.
Q3. How is this chapter important for board exams?
Answer: This chapter is frequently asked in exams for questions on character sketch, theme, irony, and moral values.