The Proposal – important questions for Boards 2027

CBSE Class 10 English

1. MCQ · 1 mark

   What tendency among wealthy families does The Proposal satirise? A. Marrying outside their social class to reduce their estates B. Seeking marriages that make economic sense and increase their estates C. Avoiding marriage to preserve family wealth D. Dividing estates equally among all neighbours

   Answer

   (B) Seeking marriages that make economic sense and increase their estates — wealthy families encourage marriages that strengthen their economic position.

2. SA · 2 marks

   Name the author and genre of The Proposal, and state when it was written.

   Answer

   The Proposal is a one-act farce by the Russian short story writer and dramatist Anton Chekhov. He wrote it in 1888–89. The play satirises wealthy families seeking financially advantageous marriages.

3. LA · 5 marks

   Explain the two parts of a reported-speech sentence and the role of the reporting verb. Why might the reporting clause be placed first?

   Answer

   A reported-speech sentence conveys another speaker’s words through a reporting clause and a reported clause. 1. The reporting clause contains the reporting verb and identifies who is reporting the words. In “Lomov asked respectfully,” “asked” is the reporting verb. 2. The reported clause gives the words or message being reported. In “if he thought he might count on her consent,” the clause reports Lomov’s question. 3. The reporting verb shows how the original words are conveyed, while the reported clause supplies their content. A reporting verb such as “said” can introduce a statement, and “asked” can introduce a question. 4. The reporting clause may be placed first to show that the speaker is reporting someone else’s words rather than speaking directly. Together, the two clauses make clear both who reported the words and what was reported.

4. MCQ · 8 marks

   Which option best gives Lomov’s reasons for thinking he should marry? A. He is thirty-five, wants a quiet and regular life, and considers Natalya suitable; he also describes his palpitations and sleep troubles. B. He is twenty-five, wants to leave the countryside, and has no health concerns. C. He wants to settle the Oxen Meadows dispute and believes marriage will win a court case. D. He wants to avoid a quiet life and considers himself calm and healthy.

   Answer

   (A) He is thirty-five, wants a quiet and regular life, and considers Natalya suitable; he also describes his palpitations and sleep troubles — Lomov believes he should marry and settle down.

5. VVLA · 12 marks

   Write a detailed account of the Russian wedding customs described in the text. Include the families’ preparations and sharing of expenses, the usual length of the celebrations, and the reception custom in which the bride may be ‘stolen’ and the groom asked to pay a fee.

   Answer

   Russian wedding preparations are simple and focus on arranging rings, the bride’s dress, cars and a reception. In earlier times, the bride’s family paid for the reception. Nowadays, the bride’s and groom’s families usually share the expenses. A Russian wedding generally lasts for two days, although some celebrations continue for as long as a week. The occasion can become a memorable event for the families and guests for years. A wedding procession of several cars is a necessary part of the ceremony. The couple’s best friends meet a few times before the wedding to prepare posters, write speeches and organise contests. The groom’s journey to fetch the bride includes playful challenges. Russians often live in apartments in tall buildings, so the groom may have to climb several flights of stairs to reach the bride. At each landing, he must answer a question before he is allowed to continue. The bride’s friends may ask questions about her or pose difficult riddles, and the groom’s friends help him answer. For example, the groom might have to identify his bride among photographs of baby girls. If he guesses incorrectly, he must pay cash to move ahead. After marriage registration, the newly married couple leaves the guests for a tour of the city sights. The couple returns to the reception after two or three hours. At the reception, the couple sits at a specially arranged table with family, friends and invited guests. The reception begins with toasts to the couple. A close friend or relative of the bride or groom says a few words to wish the couple well. Everyone then raises a glass of wine and drinks at the same moment. The groom is asked to kiss the bride, after which the guests begin eating and drinking and enjoy the celebration. The festivities also include playful acts of stealing. After some time, the bride disappears, usually taken by the groom’s friends. When the groom looks for her, he is asked to pay a fee before she is returned. The bride’s friends may also steal her shoe, and the groom must pay money to get the shoe back. Guests watch these tussles and continue partying. The mock demands for payment make the reception lively and entertaining, while the procession, registration, city tour, toasts, food and playful contests give the wedding its different stages.

6. VVLA · 15 marks

   Write a detailed account of the central situation in The Proposal. Identify the relationship between Lomov, Chubukov and Natalya, and explain how their quarrels over petty matters threaten to distract from the marriage proposal even though economic sense ultimately ensures it is made.

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7. MCQ · 1 mark

   Before learning why Lomov has visited, what does Chubukov suspect? A. Lomov has come to borrow money B. Lomov has come to buy his land C. Lomov has come to challenge him to a duel D. Lomov has come to arrange a wedding reception

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8. SA · 2 marks

   What does Lomov come to ask of Chubukov, and how does Chubukov react when he hears the proposal?

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9. LA · 5 marks

   Convert the following into reported speech and explain the changes you make: Lomov said, “I am getting a noise in my ears from excitement.” Natalya asked, “Why haven’t you been here for such a long time?” In your explanation, refer to changes in tense, pronouns, word order, and time or place expressions where appropriate.

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10. VVLA · 15 marks

    Write a detailed account of the dispute over Oxen Meadows. Explain where the land lies, present Lomov’s account of the arrangement and Natalya’s family’s claim, and trace how the argument escalates. Discuss how their insistence on principle and fairness, despite the land’s low value, and Chubukov’s challenge to Lomov’s account intensify the quarrel.

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