CBSE Class 10 English The Proposal VBQs

Multiple Choice Questions

Question. What is the play about?
(a) Tendency of wealthy families to seek ties with other wealthy families
(b) Tendency of wealthy families to increase their estates
(c) Encouragement of marriages that make good economic sense
(d) All of the above
Answer. (d) 

Question. The word ‘proposal’ has several meanings can you guess what sort of proposal the play is about?
(a) A suggestion, plan or scheme for doing something
(b) An offer for a possible plan or action
(c) The act of asking someone’s hand in marriage
(d) None of the above
Answer. (c) 

Question. Chubukov (aside) He’s come to borrow money.
Shan’t give him any.
The given line reflects that Chubukov is ............ .
(a) selfish
(b) pretentious
(c) greedy
(d) hypocrite
Answer. (c) 

Question. What was Lomov wearing when he entered the scene?
(a) Dress-jacket and white gloves
(b) Evening coat with hat
(c) Waistcoat and trousers
(d) Shirt and trousers
Answer. (a) 

Question. Chubukov was blessing Lomov because he………… .
(a) gave Oxen Meadows to Chubukov
(b) gave his pet dog guess to Natalya
(c) asked Chubukov’s daughter’s hand in marriage
(d) None of the above
Answer. (c) 

Question. Identify the setting of the scene.
(a) Chubukov’s drawing room
(b) Lomov’s bedroom
(c) Natalya’s bedroom
(d) Oxen Meadows
Answer. (a) 

Question. What was the first point of disagreement between Natalya and Lomov?
(a) Pet dog
(b) Oxen Meadows
(c) House
(d) None of these
Answer. (b) 

Question. When does Natalya falls into the chair and demands to call Lomov back?
(a) When she gets to know that Lomov had come to propose her
(b) When she gets to know that Lomov suffers from excitement attacks
(c) When Natalya get to know that he has actually left the place
(d) None of the above
Answer. (a) 

Question. “Dear one, why yell like that? You won’t prove anything just by yelling.” Who said this to whom in the play?
(a) Chubukov to Natalya
(b) Chubukov to Lomov
(c) Lomov to Natalya
(d) Natalya to Lomov
Answer. (b) 

Question. Natalya’s pet dog Squuezer was a thoroughbred animal, the son of …………… .
(a) Harness and Chisles
(b) Harness and Volchantesky
(c) Chisles and Volchantesky
(d) Chisles and cab-horse
Answer. (a)

Question. What is the theme of the play?
(i) Human nature
(ii) Rich people
(iii) Physical weakness
(iv) Arguments and disputes
(v) Double faced people
(vi) Feelings for dogs
(a) (i), (iv), (v) and (vi)
(b) (ii), (iii) and (iv)
(c) (i), (ii), (iii) and (v)
(d) All of these
Answer. (d) 

Question.  Select the most appropriate option for (1) and (2).
1. Natalya and Lomov would not be a happily married couple.
2. Lomov does not Love Natalya.
(a) Both (1) and (2) are true
(b) (2) is the opposite of (1)
(c) (1) furthers the premise of (2)
(d) Both (1) and (2) are false
Answer. (a)

Extract Based MCQs

Read the extract to attempt the questions that follow.

1. ‘‘Natalya Stephenova is an excellent housekeeper, not bad looking, well-educated. What more do I want? But I’m getting noise in my ears from excitement. (Drinks) And it’s impossible for me not to marry. In the first place, I’m already 35–a critical age so to speak. In the second place, I ought to lead a quiet and regular life.’’

Question. Who is the speaker of the given lines?
(a) Chubukov
(b) Ivan
(c) Ivan’s brother
(d) Chubukov’s friend
Answer. (b) 

Question. When the speaker says, ‘What more do I want?’, he means that
(a) he wants to get married soon.
(b) Natalya is a good match for him.
(c) he and Natalya are both quarrelsome.
(d) Natalya would add to his glory.
Answer. (b)

Question. What does the given lines tell us about the speaker?
(a) He suffered from many illnesses.
(b) He lived a very social life.
(c) He wanted a beautiful wife.
(d) He wanted to lived a very quiet and regular life.
Answer. (d)

Question. The statement that is true about the speaker, according to the passage is
(a) he is an old man.
(b) he suffers from attacks of excitements.
(c) he wants to make Natalya his business partner.
(d) he wants to travel to the world.
Answer. (b) 

Question. Choose a word from the extract to complete the following.
Critical : Safe : : ……… : Indifference
(a) Excellent
(b) Educated
(c) Excitement
(d) Quiet
Answer. (c)

2. LOMOV : Never mind about my people! The Lomovs have all been honourable people, and not one has ever been tried for embezzlement, like your grandfather!
CHUBUKOV: You Lomovs have had lunacy in your family, all of you!
NATALYA: All, all, all!
CHUBUKOV: Your grandfather was a drunkard, and your younger aunt, Nastasya Mihailovna, ran away with an architect, and so on...
LOMOV: And your mother was hump-backed. [Clutches at his heart] Something pulling in my side... My head.... Help! Water!
CHUBUKOV: Your father was a guzzling gambler!

Question. If according to Chubukov and Natalya, Lomovs are not "honourable people", why do they still consider Lomov's proposal?
(a) Natalya can take care of her father if she marries close by.
(b) They were exaggerating in the argument and didn't mean it.
(c) They understand that honour is superficial and overrated.
(d) Lomov's status in society supersedes everything.
Answer. D

Question. Choose the option that correctly identifies the tone of the characters in the given extract.
(1) antagonism (2) humour
(3) contempt (4) irony
(a) (1)and (2)
(b) (2) and (4)
(c) (1)and (3)
(d) (3) and (4)
Answer. C

Question. Imagine you found the playwright's notes for each scene in the play and noticed that some of the words were missing.
Choose the option that fills the missing words most appropriately.
A conversation that starts pleasantly quickly turns into a (i) _______ argument. With (ii) ________ of Oxen Meadows at the heart of the matter, Lomov and Natalya quarrel and are later joined by Chubukov. Thus, begins a (iii) __________ of insults, accusations and name-calling. All (iv) __________ disappears. Eventually, Lomov leaves clutching at his heart, his foot numb.
(a) (i) petty ; (ii) history ; (iii) series; (iv) politeness
(b) (i) vicious ; (ii) ownership ; (iii) circus ; (iv) civility
(c) (i) curious ; (ii) land ; (iii) outpouring ; (iv) laughter
(d) (i) ugly ; (ii) neighbourhood ; (iii) barrage; (iv) goodness
Answer. B

Question. The playwright's intention in the given extract is to
(a) throw light upon the weaknesses of the rich in any society.
(b) emphasize that family history is important in a marriage proposal.
(c) satirise the superficiality of the upper class in Russian society.
(d) send a message that ego is not healthy in any relationship.
Answer. C

Question. Which of the following options comes closest to the meaning of 'tried' as used in the extract?
(a) She mastered the game through a process of trial and error.
(b) He followed the trial closely and was seen in court every day.
(c) This had been a tried and tested formula for the organisation.
(d) They tried with all their might to repeat their earlier successes.
Answer. B

3. CHUBUKOV: What a weight off my shoulders, ouf!
NATALYA: But, still you will admit now that Guess is worse than Squeezer.
LOMOV: Better!
NATALYA: Worse!
CHUBUKOV: Well, that's a way to start your family bliss! Have some champagne!
LOMOV: He's better!
NATALYA: Worse! Worse! Worse!
CHUBUKOV: [trying to shout her down] Champagne! Champagne! 

Question. Which of the following titles of Shakespeare's plays might best apply to the relationship of Lomov and Natalya's relationship?
(a) The Taming of the Shrew
(b) Romeo and Juliet
(c) As You Like It
(d) Two Gentlemen of Verona
Answer. C

Question. Choose the option that correctly uses the idioms to the fill in the blanks of the paragraph below.
In a team, it is important to (i) __________ . Otherwise, you would become (ii) __________ , and incur the displeasure of the others. When that happens, you might feel (iii) __________ . However, for the others, not having to carry you along would be a (iv) __________ .
(a) (i) pull your weight; (ii) dead weight; (iii) the weight of the world on your shoulders; (iv) weight off the shoulders.
(b) (i) weight yourself; (ii) the weight of the world on your shoulder; (iii) like dead weight; (iv) weight off their shoulders
(c) (i) throw weight around; (ii) worth your weight in gold; (iii) weight off your shoulders; (iv) dead weight
(d) (i) lend weight to someone; (ii) heavy weight; (iii) like pulling your weight; (iv) weight off their shoulders
Answer. A

Question. How would you characterise Chubukov's mood based on the given extract?
(a) cautious and celebratory
(b) relieved and jubilant
(c) merry, yet thoughtful
(d) grateful, yet hurt
Answer. B

Question. The liberal use of exclamatory marks in the given extract indicate that the characters are expressing
(a) apologies in a solemn and heartfelt tone.
(b) good counsel and advice in a serious matter.
(c) reconciliation on matters leading to argument.
(d) strong feelings with a raised voice.
Answer. D

Question. Based on the extract, Lomov and Natalya's closing lines can best be seen as
(a) a humorous and ironic take on typical marriage vows.
(b) a reflection of their affections for Guess and Squeezer.
(c) a sign of the prospective instability in their marital bliss.
(d) the writer's statement that disagreement is part of marriage.
Answer. A

Read the extract to attempt the questions that follow.

LOMOV Never mind about my people! The Lomovs have all been honourable people, and not one has ever been tried for embezzlement, like your grandfather!
CHUBUKOV You Lomovs have had lunacy in your family, all of you!
NATALYA All, all, all!

CHUBUKOV Your grandfather was a drunkard, and your younger aunt, Nastasya Mihailovna, ran away with an architect, and so on...
LOMOV And your mother was hump-backed.
[Clutches at his heart] Something pulling in my side... My head.... Help! Water!
CHUBUKOV Your father was a guzzling gambler!

Question. Choose the option that correctly identifies the tone of the characters in the given extract.
(1) antagonism   (2) humour
(3) contempt      (4) irony
(a) (1) and (2)
(b) (2) and (4)
(c) (1) and (3)
(d) (3) and (4)
Answer. (c) 

Question. The playwright’s intention in the given extract is to
(a) throw light upon the weaknesses of the rich in any society.
(b) emphasise that family history is important in a marriage proposal.
(c) satirise the superficiality of the upper class in Russian society.
(d) send a message that ego is not healthy in any relationship.
Answer. (c)

Question. If according to Chubukov and Natalya, Lomovs are not ‘honourable people’, why do they still consider Lomov’s proposal?
(a) Natalya can take care of her father if she marries close by.
(b) They were exaggerating in the argument and didn’t mean it.
(c) They understand that honour is superficial and overrated.
(d) Lomov’s status in society supersedes everything.
Answer. (d) 

Question. Imagine you found the playwright’s notes for each scene in the play and noticed that some of the words were missing. Choose the option that fills the missing words most appropriately.
A conversation that starts pleasantly quickly turns into a (i) ............. argument. With (ii) ............. of Oxen Meadows at the heart of the matter, Lomov and Natalya quarrel and are later joined by Chubukov. Thus, begins a (iii) ............. of insults, accusations and name-calling. All (iv) ............. disappears. Eventually, Lomov leaves clutching at his heart, his foot numb.
(a) (i) petty ; (ii) history ; (iii) series; (iv) politeness
(b) (i) vicious ; (ii) ownership ; (iii) circus ; (iv) civility
(c) (i) curious ; (ii) land ; (iii) outpouring ; (iv) laughter
(d) (i) ugly ; (ii) neighbourhood ; (iii) barrage; (iv) goodness
Answer. (b)

Question. Which of the following options comes closest to the meaning of ‘tried’ as used in the extract?
(a) She mastered the game through a process of trial and error.
(b) He followed the trial closely and was seen in court every day.
(c) This had been a tried and tested formula for the organisation.
(d) They tried with all their might to repeat their earlier successes.
Answer. (b)

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question. Why do you think Natalya Stepanova asked her father to call Lomov back when she heard that he had come with a proposal?
Answer. Natalya is an ugly, middle aged woman. She knows that only a food like Lomov can marry her. So the moment she comes to know that Lomov had come to propose for her hand, she cries and shouts and forces her father to bring Lomov back.

Question. To what end does the playwright employ Lomov's palpitations in the play?
Answer. Ivan lomov is a pretentious, proud, self-serving, argumentative, hysterical hypochondriac. A wealthy landowner Lomov comes to his neighbour with the over intentions of marriage, but he really wishes to expand his own land boundaries and he himself is suffering due to a weak hearth and sleep-sickness.

Question. When Natalya comes to meet Lomov, she quotes her father's words - "and papa said, "Go; there's a merchant come for his goods." What do you think Chubukov meant?
Answer. Lomov arrived in a formal evening dress. On seeing him, chubukov thinks that he has come to borrow mowey. So by saying so he meant that Lomov had come there to take some money from him.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question. "The Lomovs and the Chubukovs have always had the most friendly, and I might almost say the most affectionate, regard for each other." How would you evaluate Lomov and Chubukov's relationship as neighbours?
Ans. Lomov and chubukov are neighbor. They have a controversy on the issue of ownership of the Oxen meadows. They also have a difference of opinion on the superiority of the breed of their dogs, Lomov wants to resolve the issue and visits chubukov with a proposal is accepted by chubukov and both Lomov and Natalya got married.

Question. What does Chubukov at first suspect that Lomov has come for? Is he sincere when he later says “And
I’ve always loved you, my angel, as if you were my own son”? Find reasons for your answer from the play. 
Answer. At first, Chubukov suspected that Lomov had come to borrow money.
Chubukov was not sincere when he told Lomov that he had always loved him and that he was like his own son, because he had decided to not give any money to Lomov.
If he truly meant what he said he would not have thought of not giving him money. He said so only because Lomov had asked for his daughter’s hand in marriage.

Question. Do you think Chubukov is a good father? Justify your opinion based on your reading of the text.
Ans. Stephen Stepanokitch chubukov loves his daughter and plays the role of a good fathers. He is in search of a good match for his daughter. He is in search selector of words. He calls Lomov my angle, treasure etc. When he comes to know about his proposal. When chubukov finds Lomov fighting with Natalya, he immediately changes and starts to support his daughter.

Question. How does Lomov come to Chubukov’s house? For what does he come? How is he received?
Answer. Lomov came to Chubukov’s house in the evening dress with gloves on.
Lomov came to propose Chubukov’s daughter Natalya for marriage.
Lomov is treated with respect by Chubukov, who also felt happy.

Question. Read the statements given below:
Statement 1 - 'Lomov is looking to marry.'
Statement 2 - 'Lomov is looking to marry Natalya.'
Bring out the difference between the two statements and explain what it tells you about Lomov.
Ans. Indeed, Lomov is looking to marry but only Natalya because he considered her as a good home makes. Though he was not in love with Natalya, he wanted to marry her as he was suffering due to weak heart and sleep-sickness. He wanted a companion who could look after him.

Question. How does Chubukov react when Lomov to asked for the hand of his daughter in marriage?
Answer. When Lomov says that he has come to ask for the hand of his daughter in marriage, Chubukov gets excited with joy.
He hugs and kisses Lomov, sheds a tear of joy and calls for God’s blessing for Lomov and Natalya.

Question. Why did Natalya feel surprised when Lomov paid her a visit to her house?
Answer. Natalya felt surprised when Lomov paid a visit to her house because Lomov was wearing an evening dress-a-dress, jacket and white gloves. Usually one does not visit ones’ neighbours in a formal dress.

Question. Why did Lomov want to get married?
Answer. Lomov wanted to get married as he was already 35 years old. He felt that now he should lead quiet and peaceful life with a well educated, beautiful Natalya. Moreover, he was suffering from a weak heart and sleep-sickness and wanted company of someone to look after him.

Question. When Natalya comes to meet Lomov, she quotes her father’s words – “and papa said’’, “Go; there’s a merchant come for his goods.” What do you think
Chubukov meant? CBSE Question Bank 2021
Answer. When Natalya comes to meet Lomov, she quotes her father’s words – ‘and papa said’, “Go; there’s a merchant come for his goods.” These words of Chubukov represents that Lomov had come to propose marriage with Natalya.

Question. What happens to Lomov when he is in an excited state?
Answer. When Lomov is in an excited state, his heartbeat increases, his lips tremble and there is a twitch in his right eyebrow. When he goes to sleep in such a state,something pulls him from his left side and he jumps like a lunatic.

Question. “The Lomovs and the Chubukovs have always had the most friendly, and I might almost say the most affectionate, regard for each other.” How would you evaluate Lomov and Chubukov’s relationship as neighbours? 
Answer. The statement that “The Lomovs and the Chubukovs have always had the most friendly, and I might almost say the most affectionate, regard for each other” may seem true at first. Both Lomov and Chubukov have been neighbours for years and for this very reason, Lomov comes to Chubukov’s house with a proposal of marrying Natalya.
However, as one moves ahead, the relationship may not be as affectionate as it seems. They constantly quarrel with each other over trivial issues and do not trust each other even a bit. They insult each other, call each other names but still maintain a façade of happy relationship.

Question. Describe Oxen Meadows. How were they a source of quarrel between Lomov’s and Natalya’s family?
Answer. Oxen Meadows is a land wedged between Birchwoods and the Burnt Marsh. It becomes the source of quarrel between Lomov’s and Natalya’s family as both of them lay claim over it. Lomov tries to prove that the Oxen Meadows were given to Natalya’s great grandfather’s peasants for free use. Because of using it for 40 years, they had started thinking that the Meadows belonged to them while Chubukov’s contest (contradict) Lomov’s claims.

Question. How does Natalya react when she comes to know that Lomov had come to propose her?
Answer. When Natalya comes to know that Lomov had come there to propose her, she was shocked. She cries, changes her stance and asks her father to bring Lomov back.When he proposed her, she became very happy as she also wanted to marry him.

Question. Why do you think Natalya Stepanova asked her father to call Lomov back when she heard that he had come with a proposal? 
Answer. Natalya Stepanova asked her father to call Lomov back when she heard that he had come with a proposal because she had secretly loved Lomov. She may have always hoped that Lomov would love her and propose her.

Question. To what end does the playwright employ Lomov’s palpitations in the play? CBSE Question Bank 2021
Answer. The play ‘The proposal’ as the name suggests is about Lomov proposing to Natalya for marriage. However, all the characters in the play engage in trivial arguments which delays the purpose of Lomov. Lomov’s palpitations, then has been employed by the playwright to meet the purpose of proposal. It is only after Lomov gets unconscious due to his palpitations, that the proposal is made and accepted.

Question. Why did Lomov go to the house of Chubukov ?
Answer : Lomov, a rich bachelor, went to the house of Chubukov to propose Natalya, the daughter of Chubukov, for marriage. Though Lomov was not in love with her but he felt that she was a good housekeeper, beautiful and well educated. He also felt it was time he should settle down.

Question. What is the ailment that Lomov is suffering from ?
Answer : Lomov is hypochondriac and nervous. He thinks he is cold, he has a roaring in his ears, he complains of a weak heart, insomnia, strange aches and palpitation. He also suffers from numbness of limbs. He gets nervous very often. His heart collapses twice. He considers himself weak and helpless, needs sympathy.

Question. What do you learn about Natalya from the play, ‘The Proposal’ ?
Answer : Natalya is the only daughter of the landowner Chubukov. She was very possessive about her land and was very determined not to part with it. She was a short tempered lady who used to quarrel with anyone very often. She always pinpointed the amount of help she had offered to her neighbours. Though well educated, she did not use her education wisely and thoughtfully.

Question. Who is Lomov and why does he visit Chubukov ?
Answer : Lomov is a rich landowner. He is neighbour of chubukov. He is a thirty-five year old rich bachelor who wanted to marry Natalya (Chubukov’s daughter). So he came very well dressed in evening, dressed in a jacket and white gloves, to ask for Natalya’s hand.

Long Answer Type Questions 

Question. Among neighbours we should have cordial relations and not lose our temper. How do Natalya and Lomov lose their temper on trivial issues ? 
Answer. Neighbours must have a cordial relationship which Lomov and Natalya lacked. When Lomov came to Chubukov‘s house to ask for Natalya‘s hand in marriage, Chubukov became extremely happy.
When Natalya entered the house, she also talked politely with Lomov. At the moment, when they started talking about a stretch of land called ‘Oxen Meadows’, they started arguing over its ownership claiming the land to be theirs. Chubukov also started arguing in favour of Natalya and cursed Lomov.
As soon as this argument got over, Lomov and Natalya again started arguing over whose dog was better. These arguments show that they both lost their tempers on trivial issues and forgot about the marriage proposal.
They should have followed the principle of forgive and forget. They should have been courteous to each other. They should not complaint and blame each other for trivial things. They should develop mutual understanding and help each other.

Question. Though the play revolves around three people, Russian society emerges as an important character through the on goings of the play and the thoughts and interactions of its characters.
Imagine yourself to be a historian who has been invited to speak about nineteenth century upper class Russian society.
Based on your reading of the play, how might you describe it? Support your evaluation with instances from the text.
Ans. Noble titles and land ownership were the main determinants of precise leauge in 19th century upper class Russian society. Protective of their wealth and precise leauge, Russian’s landed aristocracy was arguably the most conservative force.
As the story ‘the proposal’, belongs to the Russian characters so through the dialogues of the characters, we come to know a lot about Russian man. According to the story the Russians are very particular about their dress and have particular dresses for a special occasion. Secondly they are hypocrites. They show off two be sweet but the
very next moment, they start fighting. As in the story, chobukov call Lomov ‘my angel’ but later fought with him. They pretend to be good neighbors but within their heart, they have so many grades. They love to have dogs as a pet and consider their pets better than the other one. All of them are stubborn, short-tempered, quarrelsome and rigid. Such behavior and thought is clearly visible through the interactions of its characters in the story.

Question. The proposal of the marriage was forgotten amidst the arguments over petty things. Which right approach should have been followed by Lomov and Natalya ?
Answer. Lomov came to Chubukovs to ask Natalya’s (his daughter’s) hand for marriage. They were neighbours since long and at the right age to marry. When Lomov was about to propose Natalya; they started arguing over a piece of land called Oxen Meadows claiming it to be theirs. Her father also got into the argument and cursed Lomov.
All this while they forgot about the proposal. But when Lomov left, Chubukovs remembered about the proposal and told Natalya about it.
She immediately called Lomov back and then they again started to argue over their dogs. All three of them claimed their dog to be better than others. Again they forgot about the proposal amidst fighting over trivial things.
This would not have happened if they had followed a right approach to talk calmly to each other. Natalya and Lomov should have understood that Oxen Meadows would have belonged to both if they got married to each other.
They should have been polite and patient to each other instead of being rude and stubborn. Oxen Meadows and dogs are pity things to argue over in front of a marriage proposal.

Question. Look at the given matrimonial advertisement published in the Morning Post (newspaper) in December 1822. It was fairly common practice in the nineteenth century for gentlemen and ladies to seek courtship and matrimony by placing a suitable advertisement.
MATRIMONY - A Middle-aged Gentleman, of a respectable rank in life, who enjoys an income of Two
Hundred Pounds a Year, with fair expectations, and who might otherwise. Offer a favourable account of himself, wishes lo MARRY. The  intimations of any Lady, of unbelievable character, of an age not less than thirty, nor more than thirty-seven, and of an income at least equal to his own (as his rank requires such), having; a similar wish, and condescending to favour him, will be received with due respect, and attended to with strict honour and inevitable secrecy. Letters to be addressed, poet paid, S. H., No. 8, Park-place, Ken- ningtoit.
(a) Based on your reading of the play and an understanding of the characters, what details would Lomov provide (and specifically leave out) in a matrimonial advertisement to find a bride like Natalya?
(b) Think of what might make Chubukov shortlist Lomov's advertisement if he were scanning the matrimonial section of the newspaper.
Ans. (a) Lomov was a rich landowner. He was thirty five years old. He knew it very well that it was high time that he should settle for a quite and regular life. he suffered from sleep-sickness and a weak heart. He was well aware of his ailments but would never like to discuss them. On the contrary, he also knew that he was an eligible, assertive, rich bachelor, who would be liked by any girl. He also like to boost about the Lomov he owned and this rich forefathers.
(b) Chubukov is quite practical. He knows that Lomov is a good match for his daughter Natalya. He himself was a landholder. So he couldn’t resist his hunger for land. Hence, Lomov, being a such land owner, was an eligible groom for chubukov. He might have short listed the respectable rank, high income. And the good amount of lands that Lomov possessed.

Question. Neighbours must have a cordial relationship which Lomov and Natalya do not have. Describe the first fight between them.
Answer. Neighbours must have a cordial relationship which Lomov and Natalya lack. Lomov comes to his neighbour Chubukov house to ask for his daughter, Natalya’s hand in marriage.
When he meets Natalya, it seems that they do share a cordial relationship as both of themtalk about Natalya’s fields. However, they both soon start quarrelling over the ownership of a piece of land called Oxen Meadows.
The quarrel starts when Lomov calls the Oxen Meadows his own. On hearing this, Natalya objected and claimed that the Oxen Meadows belongs to her family. Lomov even claimed to have the documents that proved that the land was his property.
He also tells Natalya that his aunt’s grandmother gave those meadows to her father’s grandfather for free use. Now, because the peasants had used the land for forty years, they started thinking it and their own. But Natalya refuses to believe it and insists that they belonged to her family.
This quarrel is even joined by Chubukov, Natalya’s father. However, instead of resolving the issue he gets into an argument with Lomov. They even started abusing each other and after some time, Lomov leaves their house. All of these show that they do not share a cordial relations with each other and fight over small issues.

Question. Justify the title ‘The Proposal’.
Answer : The title of the play ‘The Proposal’ is very appropriate. A young man, Lomov wants to propose Natalya for marriage. He goes to her house for the same. Being confused, he doesn’t propose at once. He beats about the bush. He speaks irrelevantly. As Natalya doesn’t know that he has come to propose her, she thinks that he has come to Claim Oxen meadows as his own, she starts quarrelling. This results in one after another quarrel. After her father Chubukov reconciles; Natalya comes to know that he has come to propose her. Then at once she forgets the issue of fighting. Then the proposal is made and accepted. Finally, they get engaged. The major theme that revolves is the cold approach of marriage in the nineteenth century in Russia which was very common. Also such an approach was common in wealthy families like Lomov and Natalya. They both are money driven and wanted to get married desperately for their economic security.

Question. Give a character sketch of Lomov.
Answer : Lomov was a funny man. Physically he was weak but financially he was sound. He was a rich bachelor who wanted to marry Natalya. He was not really in love with Natalya but wanted to marry her because he thought that she was a good-housekeeper and beautiful. He said if he desired for an ideal or real love, he would never get married. He felt that he was 35, now he must lead a quiet and regular life. When he went to propose her, he got diverted. Actually, Natalya thought that he had come to Claim Oxen meadows as his own, quarrel took place between them. One more time they quarrelled over petty issues. Before finally proposing to her, he fainted and after that shouted a lot but finally succeeded to get acceptance.

Question. Among neighbours we should have cordial relations and not lose our temper. How do Natalya and Lomov lose their temper on trivial issues?
Answer : Marking : Content : 4 marks
Fluency : 2 marks
Grammatical Accuracy : 2 marks
(Minimum four points)
Hints :
l ownership of Oxen Meadows, both claimed to be the owner.
l Argued over whose dog was better.
l follow the principle – forgive and forget/ being courteous/ should not complain and blame/ should develop
mutual understanding and help each other.
                                OR
Neighbours must have a cordial relationship which Lomov and Natalya do not have. Describe the first fight between them.
Answer : Value Points :
l Lomov and Natalya are next-door neighbours.
- Moreover the former came to Natalya to propose to her.
l The very first meeting had in itself seeds of things to be expected in their married life.
- In spite of being very rich landlords they quarrel over a very tiny piece of land called, “Oxen Meadows”
l Lomov said that they were given to the peasants of Natalya’s great grandfather in return for making bricks.
So it happened to be considered to be Natalya’s property.
l Natalya does not need the explanation. Instead offers to make a present of it to Lomov who in turn rejects the suggestion. The quarrel continues endlessly.
l The would-be couple were very materialistic. Their mask of hypocrisy fell off sooner than expected.
- They did not have qualities which go to make a successful marriage : tolerance, compassion and consideration for the other person’s feelings.

Question. ‘Arguments and disputes seldom solve a problem’. ‘Describe the dispute between Natalya and Lomov over the dogs and their superiority.
Answer : Value Points :
• Natalya and Lomov fought over superiority of their dogs-Squeezer and Guess –
• Guess –lame, good hunter
• Squeezer –high pedigree, over shot, bad hunter
• Silly argument should never come in the way of matrimony
• Tolerance, acceptance paves the way to good relationship.

Extract Based Questions

1. Read the extract to attempt questions that follow.

LOMOV Hear me out, I implore you! The peasants of your father’s grandfather, as I have already had the honour of explaining to you, used to bake bricks for my aunt’s grandmother. Now my aunt’s grandmother, wishing to make them a present.
NATALYA I can’tmake head or tail of all this about aunts and grandfathers and grandmothers. The Meadows are ours, that’s all.
LOMOV Mine.
NATALYA Ours! You can go on proving it for two days on end, you can go and put on fifteen dress jackets, but I tell you they’re ours, ours, ours! I don’t want anything of yours and I don’t want to give anything of mine. So there!

Question. Why were Natalya and Lomov arguing?
Answer. Natalya and Lomov were arguing over the ownership of Oxen Meadows.

Question. Find the exact word from the extract which means ‘to beg someone desperately to do something’.
Answer. ‘Implore’ from the extract means ‘to beg someone desperately to do something’.

Question. What did the peasants of Natalya’s father’s grandfather do?
Answer. The peasants of Natalya’s father’s grandfather used to bake bricks for Lomov’s aunt’s grandmother.

Question. Find out the idiom given in the extract and write its meaning also.
Answer. The given idiom is ‘can’t make head or tails’ which means unable to understand anything.

Question. What did Lomov forget in the midst of the argument?
Answer. Lomov forgot about marriage proposal for Natalya in the midst of the argument.

2. Read the extract to attempt questions that follow.

‘‘But, please, Stephen Stepanovitch, how can they be yours ? Do be a reasonable man ! My aunt's grandmother gave the Meadows for the temporary and free use of your grandfather’s peasants. The peasants used the land for forty years and got accustomed to it as if it was their own, when it happened that .......

Question. Who is the speaker of the above lines ?
Answer. Lomov is the speaker of these lines.

Question. Why did his aunt’s grandmother give the meadows ?
Answer. His aunt’s grandmother gave the meadows for the temporary and free use of the peasants employed by Stephan Chubukov’s grandfather in return for which they were to make bricks for her.

Question. Why did the peasants treat the land as their own ?
Answer. The peasants treated the land as their own because they used the land for forty years and got accustomed to using it as their own land.

Question. What light do these lines throw on the speaker's character ?
Answer. These lines tell that speaker is logical, rational and polite.

Question. How does the listener react to the speaker?
Answer.The listener, Chubukov politely refutes the speakers assertion.

Extract Based Questions 

1 “No, you’re simply joking, or making fun of me. What a surprise! We’ve had the land for nearly three hundred years, and then we’re suddenly told that it isn’t ours! Ivan Vassilevitch, I can hardly believe my own ears. These Meadows aren’t worth much to me. They only come to five dessiatins, and are worth perhaps 300 roubles, but I can’t stand unfairness. Say what you will, I can’t stand unfairness.”

Question. Who is the speaker? Who is being addressed?
Answer. Natalaya is the speaker. She is speaking to Lomov.

Question. Which meadow is mentioned here by the speaker?
Answer. Oxen Meadows

Question. How much are the Meadows worth?
Answer. The Meadows are worth 300 roubles.

Question. What does she find ‘unfair’?
Answer. Lomov’s claim that Oxen Meadows belongs to him.

Question. Pick out the word from the passage that means opposite to ‘gradually’.
Answer. Suddenly.

2 “There’s some demon of contradiction in you today, Ivan Vassilevitch. First you pretend that the Meadows are yours; now, that Guess is better than Squeezer. I don’t like people who don’t say what they mean, because you know perfectly well that Squeezer is a hundred times better than your silly Guess. Why do you want to say he isn’t?”

Question. Name the speaker.
Answer. Natalya is the speaker.

Question. What does Natalaya blame Lomov for?
Answer. Natalaya blames Lomov for opposing whatever she says.

Question. What do Natalaya and Lomov first argue about?
Answer. Natalaya and Lomov first argue about the ownership of Oxen Meadows.

Question. Who are Guess and Squeezer?
Answer. Guess and Squeezer are the names of their dogs.

Question. Pick out the word from the passage that means the same as “opposition”.
Answer. Contradiction.

3 You may take it that I know whether I have the right or not. Because, young man, I'm not used to being spoken to in that tone of voice, and so on. I, young man, am twice your age, and ask you to speak to me without agitating yourself, and all that

Question. Who is the speaker here?
Answer. Chubukov is the speaker here.

Question. What does the speaker claim to have the right to?
Answer. The speaker claims to have the right to give the Oxen Meadows to the peasants.

Question. Who is addressed as 'young man' here?
Answer. Lomov is addressed as 'young man' here.

Question. How does the speaker want the other person to talk to him?
Answer. The speaker wants Lomov to talk to him without getting agitated.

Question. Find out the word from the extract which means the same as 'double
Answer. Twice