Class 10 English Chapter 25 The Proposal

Class 10 English Chapter 25 The Proposal answer to each chapter is provided in the list so that you can easily browse throughout different chapters NCERT Class 10 English Chapter 25 The Proposal and select need one.

Class 10 English Chapter 25 The Proposal

Join Telegram channel

Also, you can read the SCERT book online in these sections Solutions by Expert Teachers as per SCERT (CBSE) Book guidelines. These solutions are part of SCERT All Subject Solutions. Here we have given Assam Board Class 10 English Chapter 25 The Proposal Solutions for All Subjects, You can practice these here.

The Proposal

Chapter – 25

ENGLISH

TEXTUAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Thinking about the play

1. What does Chubukov at first suspect that Lomov has come for? Is he sincere when he later says. “And l’ve always loved you, my angel, as if you were my own son”? Find reasons for your answers from the play. 

Ans: Chubukov’s first suspicion was that Lomov had come to borrow money from him. Chubukov was not at all sincere when he said he loved Lomov as his own son. If he truly meant what he had said, then he would not have thought of not giving him money. He said so only because Lomov had come with the proposal to marry his daughter. Because, after some time he started fighting with Lomov. 

2. Chubukov says of Natalya:”……as if she won’t consent! She’s in love; egad, she’s like a lovesick cat…… ” Would you agree? Find reasons for your answers. 

Ans: Yes, Natalya is in love. Her behaviour proves it. She quarrelled with Lomov because she was not aware that Lomov had actually come to propose to her. But soon after she came to know the matter of proposal she yelled at her father to bring him back. This proves that Natalya was really a love-sick cat.

3. (i) Find all the words and expressions in the play that the characters use to speak about each other. (For example, Lomov in the end calls Chubukov an intriguer; but earlier, Chubukov has himself called Lomov a “malicious, double faced intriguer. ” Again, Lomov begins by describing Natalya as’ ‘ an excellent housekeeper, not bad-looking, well-educated. “)

Ans: The words and expressions that have been used to describe each other by various characters of the play are:-

 Lomov calls Chubukov a grabber, an intriguing and old rat. He also says that Chubukov used to be beaten by his wife and his mother was hump-backed. 

Chubukov calls him the villain, the scarecrow, blind hen, turnip ghost, money-minded, double faced and a good neighbour. Chubukov also called Lomov ‘my angel’, ‘my precious’ etc. 

Natalya calls Lomov, Rascal and the monster. Lomov calls Natalya, ‘an excellent housekeeper, not bad looking, well-educated.’

(ii) Then think of five adjectives or adjectival expressions of your own to describe each character in the play. 

Ans: Lomov :- Money – minded, mean, insensible, suspicious, assertive, well – dressed and stupid.

Natalya:- a lovesick cat, an excellent house- keeper, not bad – looking and well educated.

Lomov:- a good neighbour, money – minded, double faced, mean, blind hen, scarecrow and a villain. 

(iii) Can you imagine what these characters will quarrel about next? 

Ans: The characters will go on quarrelling on tiniest matters. 

Before you read:

Activity: 

1. The word ‘proposal’ has several meanings. Can you guess what sort of proposal the play is about? 

i) A suggestion, plain or scheme for doing something. 

ii) An offer for a possible plan or action.

iii) The act of asking someone’s hand in marriage. 

Ans: iii) The act of asking someone’s hand in marriage. 

2. Do you think Indian and Russian weddings have any customs in common? With the help of a partner, fill in the table below. Wedding Ceremonies in Russia and India 

Customs similar to Indian onesCustoms different from Indian ones
1. Wedding procession1. Poster making, speech writing etc.
2. Groom’s coming to bride’s house2. Fighting
3. Honey moon3. Climbing stains
4. Reception party4. City tour
5. Groom’s paying5. Kissing the bride
6. Asking questions to groom6. Stealing the bride

Thinking about Language: 

I.1. This play has been translated into English from the Russian original. Are there any expressions or ways of speaking that strike you as more Russian than English? For example, would an adult man be addressed by an older man as my darling or my treasure  in an English play? Read through the play carefully ,and find expressions that you think are not used in contemporary English expressions that also occur in the play. 

Ans: Yes, there are some expressions that are more Russian than English. They are: Stephan honouritch, spit it out, my angel, she‘s like a lovesick cat, then smoke, five dessiatins, 300 roubles, I implore you, my foot has gone to sleep  malicious,double faced intrigued, the scarecrow, turnip _ghost, wizen _ faced frump etc. 

These expressions are not used in contemporary English. 

The abuses are considered with. 

Pumpkin  pig, seine, fool, villain etc. 

2. Look up the following words in a dictionary and find out how to pronounce them. Pay attention to how many syllables there are in each word, and find out which syllables is stressed, or said more forcefully. 

(palpitations    interfere             implore       thoroughbred   pedigree          principle            evidence     misfortune   malicious         embezzlement  architect      neighbours  accustomed     temporary         behaviour    documents)

Ans: 

3. Look up the following phrases in a dictionary to find out their meanings, and then use each in a sentence of four of your own. 

i) You may take it that.

ii) He seems to be coming round.

iii) My foot’s  gone to sleep.

Ans: i) You may understand that 

Take it that it’s your duty. 

ii) He seems to be recovering. 

The patient has come round. 

iii)  I have fallen I’ll. 

I can’t do anything because my foot’s gone to sleep. 

II. Reported Speech:

A sentence in reported speech consists of two parts : a reporting clause, Which contains the reporting verb, and the reporting clause. Look at the following sentences. 

a)  “I went to visit my grandma last week”,said Mamta. 

b)  Mamta said that she had gone to visit her grandma the previous week.In sentences 

(a) We have Mamata’s exact words. This is an example of direct speech. In sentences.

(b) Someone is reporting what Mamata said. This is called indirect speech or reported speech. A sentence in reported speech is made up of two parts – a reporting clause and a reported clause. 

Notice that in sentences (b)  we put the reporting clause first. This is done to show that we are not speaking directly, but reporting someone else’s words. The tense of the verb also changes; past tense (went)  becomes past perfect (had gone). 

Here are some pairs of sentences in direct and reported speech. Read them carefully, and do the task that follows:

1. (i) Lomov : Honoured Stepan Stepanovitch, do you think I may count on her consent? (Direct Speech) 

(ii) Lomov asked Stepan Stepanovitch respectfully if he thought he might count on her consent. (Reported Speech) 

2.(i)  Lomov : I’m getting a noise in my ears from excitement. (Direct Speech) 

(ii)  Lomov said that he was getting a noise in his ears from excitement. (Reported Speech) 

3. (i)  Natalya : Why haven’t you been here for such a long time? (Direct Speech) 

(ii) Natalya Stepanovna asked why he hadn’t been there for such a long time. (Reported Speech) 

4. (i)  Chubukov : What’s the matter? (Direct Speech) 

(ii)  Chubukov asked him what the matter was. (Reported Speech) 

5. (i)  Natalya : My mowers will be there this very day! (Direct Speech) 

(ii) Natalya Stepanovna declared that her mowers would be there that very day. (Reported Speech) 

You must have noticed that when we report someone’s exact words, we have to make some changes in the sentence structure. In the following sentences fill in the blanks to list the changes that have occurred in the above pairs of sentences. 

One has been done for you. 

1. To report a question we use the reporting verb asked (as in Sentence Set 1.)

2. To report a statement, we use the reporting verb ………………

3. The adverb here changes to………… 

4. When the verb in direct speech is in the present tense, the verb in reported speech is in the………….. tense. (as in Sentence Set 3).

5. If the verb in direct speech is in the present continuous tense, the verb in reported speech changes to………..  tense. For example,………changes to was getting. 

6. When the sentence in direct speech contains a word denoting respect, we add the adverb…….   in the reported speech. (as in sentences set 1.)

7. The pronouns I, me, our and mine, which are used in the first person in direct speech, change according to the subject or object of the reporting verb such as…..,…..,…..  or…… in reported speech. 

Ans: 2. declared or said.

3. there.

4. past.

5. past continuous, is getting. 

6. respectfully.

7. he/she, him/her, their or his. 

III. Here is an expert from an article from the Times of India dated 27 August 2006. Rewrite it, changing the sentences in direct speech into reported speech. Leave the other sentences unchanged. 

“Why do you want to know my age? If people know I am so old, I won’t get work! ” laughs 90-year-old A. K. Hangal, one of Hindi Cinema’s most famous character actors. For his age, He is rather energetic. “What’s the secret?”  We ask, “My intake of everything is in small quantities. And I walk a lot, “he replies. 

“I joined the industry when people retire. I was in my 40s. So I don’t miss being called a star. I am still respected and given work, when actors of my age are living in poverty and without work. I don’t have any complaints. ” he says, adding, “but yes, I have always been underpaid. ” Recipient of Padma Bhushan, Hangal never hankered after money or materialistic gains. “No doubt I am content today, but money is important. I was a fool not to understand the value of money earlier. “he regrets. 

Ans: 90-year-old A. K. Hangal, one of Hindi cinema’s most famous character actors laughs and asks why they want to know his age and adds if people know he is so old, he won’t get work. For his age, he is rather energetic. They ask what the secret is and he replies that his intake of everything is in small quantities, and he walks a lot. He joined the industry when people retired. He was in his 40s. So he doesn’t miss being called a star. He is still respected and given work, when actors of his age are living in poverty and without work. He doesn’t have any complaints. He says, adding in the affirmative that he has always been underpaid. Recipient of the Padma Bhushan Hangal never hankered after money or materialistic gains. He regrets that no doubt he is content today, but money is important. He was a fool not to understand the value of money earlier. 

Speaking and Writing: 

1. Anger Management : As adults, one important thing to learn how to manage our temper. Some of us tend to go angry quickly, while others remain clam. 

Can you think of three ill effects that result from anger? Note them down, suggest ways to avoid losing your temper in such situations. Are there any benefits from anger? 

Ans: i)  Anger brings jealousy. 

ii) When a man becomes angry his conscience does not work. 

iii) Anger increases blood-pressure. To avoid losing temper, a person should leave the place immediately. He may even stop talking. Silence is a good controller of anger. 

Yes, there are some benefits from anger. Order can be maintained with the help of anger. Evil force can be driven out. 

2. In pairs, prepare a script based on the given excerpt from The Home and The World by Rabindranath Tagore. You may write five exchanges between the characters with other directions such as movements on stage and way of speaking etc. 

One afternoon, when I happened to be specially busy, word came to my office room the Bimala had sent for me. I was started. 

“Who did you say had sent for me? ” I asked the messenger. 

         “The Rani Mother. “

         “The Bara Rani? “

         “No, sir, the Chota Rani Mother. “

          The Chota Rani

It seemed a century since I had been sent for by her. I kept them all waiting there, and went off into the inner apartments. When I stepped into our room l had another shock of surprises to find Bimala there with a distinct suggestion of being dressed up. The room, which from persistent neglect, had latterly acquired an air of having grown absent minded, had regained something of its old order this afternoon. I stood there silently, looking enquiringly at Bimala. 

She flushed a little and the fingers of her right hand toyed for a time with bangles on her left arm. Then she abruptly broke the silence, “Look here! Is it right that ours should be the only market in all Bengal which allows foregone goods? “

“What, then, would be the right thing to do? ” I asked. 

      “Order them to be cleared out! “

       “But the goods are not mine. “

       “Is not the market yours? “

       “It is much more theirs who use it for trade. “

       “Let them trade in Indian goods, then. “

        “Nothing would please me better. But suppose they do not? “

        “Nonsense! How dare they be so insolent? Are you not…… “

        ” I am very busy this afternoon and cannot stop to argue it out. But I must refuse tyrannise. “

         “It would not be tyranny for selfish gain, but for the sake of the country. “

         “To tyrannise for the country is to tyrannise over 

the country. But I am afraid you will never understand.” With this I came away. 

Ans: I (startled) : Who did you say had sent for me? 

The messenger : The Rani Mother. 

I (confused) : The Bara Rani? 

The messenger (respectfully) : No, sir, the Chota Rani Mother. 

The Chota Rani (enquiringly) : Look here! Is it right that ours should be the only market in all Bengal which allows foregone goods? 

I (with confidence) : What, then, would be the right thing to do? 

The Chota Rani (commandingly) : Order them to be cleared out, etc. 

3. In groups, discuss the qualities one should look for in a marriage partner. You might consider the following points. 

1.Personal qualities 

– Appearance or looks.

– Attitudes and beliefs.

– Sense of humour.

2. Value system 

– Compassion and kindness.

– Tolerance, ambition. 

– Attitude to money and wealth.

3. Education and professional background 

Ans: Do yourself. 

4. Are there parts of the play that remind you of film scenes from romantic comedies? Discuss this in groups, and recount to the rest of the class episodes similar to those in the play. 

Ans: Do yourself. 

Additional Questions & Answers

1. What did Chubukov think of Lomov coming for?

Ans:-  Chubukov assumes that he must have come to ask for money which he does not want to return.When Natalya got to know that Lomov came to propose to her, her being a love sick cat got extremely annoyed and asked her father to call him back.

2. What does Lomav think when he is alone?

Ans:- Lomov thinks that Natalaya is an excellent housekeeper, not bad looking, well educated. She would hence be a good wife.

3. Who is Lomov? Why does he visit Chubukov?

Ans:- Lomov was a young wealthy landowner and an unmarried man of thirty-five. He was anxious to get married as he had already reached a critical age. He thinks it’s the right age for him to marry and is happy that he is choosing Natalya. He believes Natalya is average-looking and an honest caretaker.

Lomov comes to Chubukov’s house to ask for his daughter, Natalya’s hand in marriage.

4. What was Natalya’s reaction when she came to know that Lomov had come to propose to her?

Ans:- She suddenly regrets sending him out. She tells her father to bring him back and Chubukov banes himself for being the father of a young daughter.

5. Is Natalya really a lovesick cat as called by her dad?

Ans:- Yes, Natalya is in love. This is clear by the way she behaves when she gets to know that Lomov came to propose to her.  she starts weeping. She presses her father to bring Lomov back. Even in the end, she wastes no time in giving her hand in the hand of Lomov.

6. How did Lomov behave in excitement?

Ans:- When Lomov is in an excited state his heartbeat increases, lips start to 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.

A. Choose the correct options for the following:

1. Who is the author of the lesson “The proposal”?

(i) Walt Whitman

(ii) Robert Williams

(iii) Anlon Chekov

(iv) None of the above 

Ans:- (iii) Anlon Chekov.

2. This story is ____.

(i) Drama

(ii) One – act

(iii) Story

(iv) Horror story

Ans:- (ii) One – act.

3. Lomov is ___ years old.

(i) 30 

(ii) 35

(iii) 40

(iv) 45

Ans:- (ii) 35.

4. Lomov reveals that he had come for a ___

(i) Money 

(ii) Shelter 

(iii) Desire 

(iv) Food

Ans:- (iii) Desire.

5. Who does Chubukov call a “lovesick cat”?

(i) No one

(ii) Natalya

(iii) Himself 

(iv) Lomov 

Ans:- (ii) Natalya.

6. Who threatened to take the matter to court?

(i) All

(ii) Natalya

(iii) Lomov

(iv) None

Ans:- (iii) Lomov.

7. What did Natalya offer Lomov?

(i) Tea

(ii) Breakfast 

(iii) Fruits 

(iv) Chocolate 

Ans:- (i) Tea.

8. What topic did they discuss in the first discussion?

(i) About their marriage 

(ii) About the money 

(iii) About the land 

(iv) About their dress

Ans:- (iii) About the land.

9. What is the name of Lomov’s dog?

(i) Tommy

(ii) Toto

(iii) Guess

(iv) Guard

Ans:- (iii) Guess.

10. He gave __ roubles for his squeezer, and squeezer is heaps better than Guess.

(i) 40

(ii) 55

(iii) 85

(iv) 125

Ans:- (iii) 85. 

11. According to Lomov, what defect does squeezer have?

(i) Old

(ii) Naughty 

(iii) Lazy 

(iv) Overshot

Ans:- (iv) Overshot.

12. Palpitations means:-

(i) Beat

(ii) Vibration 

(iii) Pulse

(iv) A noticeably rapid, strong or irregular heartbeat due to agitation exertion or illness.

Ans:- (iv) A noticeably rapid, strong or irregular heartbeat due to agitation exertion or illness.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top