Q1. [5]
Mme Loisel was a great success. She was the prettiest of all – elegant, gracious, smiling, and full of joy. All the men noticed her, asked her name and wanted to be presented. She danced with enthusiasm, intoxicated with pleasure, thinking of nothing but all this admiration, this victory so complete and sweet to her heart.
Read the given extract and answer any one of the following questions given below :
- (i) How is "success" perceived by Matilda ? [1]
- (ii) Fill in the blank with the correct word from the bracket.
'All the men noticed her, asked her name and wanted to be presented' indicates that the men wanted to be formally _______ (introduced / withholden) to her. [2]
- (iii) Which of the following best describe Matilda's state of mind in the context ? [1]
- (A) overwhelmed
- (B) anxious
- (C) confused
- (D) sad
- (iv) Explain the phrase "this victory so complete and sweet to her heart". [1]
Previously asked in CBSE board exam
2026 2/4/1 Q6 (b)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:14 · grounding stimulus+chapter
Model Answer
(i) Matilda perceives "success" as being admired and noticed by others, especially men. For her, success means being the prettiest, most elegant woman at the ball — it is about social recognition and external validation.
(ii) 'All the men noticed her, asked her name and wanted to be presented' indicates that the men wanted to be formally introduced to her.
(iii) (A) overwhelmed
(iv) The phrase means that all the admiration and attention Matilda received at the ball felt like a complete triumph to her. She had always craved appreciation and social glory, and that evening fulfilled her deepest desire, making her feel joyful and victorious in her heart.
Source: The Necklace, Guy de Maupassant
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Explanation
- (i) Focus on Matilda's character trait — her craving for admiration and social status. One line is enough for 1 mark.
- (ii) "Presented" in formal social contexts means "introduced." This is a vocabulary-in-context question; choose the word that fits the formal setting.
- (iii) The extract shows she is "intoxicated with pleasure, thinking of nothing but admiration" — she is overwhelmed (A), not anxious, confused, or sad.
- (iv) Examiners look for connection between "victory" and Matilda's lifelong longing for admiration — explain what the victory represents to her personally.
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