The Proposal Class 10 English Exam Questions

Please refer to The Proposal Class 10 English Exam Questions provided below. These questions and answers for Class 10 English have been designed based on the past trend of questions and important topics in your class 10 English books. You should go through all Class 10 English Important Questions provided by our teachers which will help you to get more marks in upcoming exams.

Class 10 English Exam Questions The Proposal

Class 10 English students should read and understand the important questions and answers provided below for The Proposal which will help them to understand all important and difficult topics.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question. Why did Chubukov thank Lomov for proposing to his daughter?
Ans. Chubukov danced with joy when he came to know that Lomov wanted to propose to his daughter Natalya. he thanked him for taking this decision. He was happy as Natalya had passed the marriage age, and he wanted to get her married.

Question. Why did Natalya feel surprised when Lomov paid her a visit to her house?
Ans. 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. What happens to Lomov when he is in an excited state?
Ans. 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. 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.
Ans. 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. Why do you think Natalya Stepanova asked her father to call Lomov back when she heard that he had come with a proposal?
Ans. 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. Why did Lomov want to get married?
Ans. 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. How does Lomov come to Chubukov’s house? For what does he come? How is he received?
Ans. 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. How does Natalya react when she comes to know that Lomov had come to propose her?
Ans. 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. Describe Oxen Meadows. How were they a source of quarrel between Lomov’s and Natalya’s family?
Ans. 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. 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?
Ans. 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. To what end does the playwright employ Lomov’s palpitations in the play?
Ans. 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. How does Chubukov react when Lomov to asked for the hand of his daughter in marriage?
Ans. 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. “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. 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. How is the quarrel over Oxen Meadows settled at last?
Ans. When Natalya realises that Lomov had come to propose to her, she agrees that the Oxen Meadows were indeed Lomov’s property and that is how the Oxen Meadow’s matter is settled. 3. Why does Chubukov go and call Lomov back? Ans. Natalya quarrels with Lomov and throws him out of the house. But when she learns that he had come to propose to her, she sends her father to go and call Lomov back.

Question. Why does Chubukov suspect Lomov’s arrival?
Ans. Chubukov thought that Lomov was stringy and always asking for money. He disliked him and thought that he was about to ask for money every time he came to meet him. That is why when Lomov came to Chubukov’s house, he thought that Lomov was here for loan again. When Lomov revealed that he wanted to propose to Natalya, Chubukov stopped suspecting him and hugged him in joy.

Question. How does Natalya excite Lomov to the point of verbal fighting?
Ans. Natalya doesn’t agree to the point that Oxen Meadows did not belong to them. She says that she had always thought Lomov was a good neighbour. They had lent him their threshing machine last year. They had to postpone their threshing till November because of that. This made Lomov quite angry.

Question. How is ‘the proposal’ a great comedy?
Ans. The Proposal is a great comedy. It is because of the characters, the subject matter and how they behave. Natalya, Lomov and Chubukov fight over foolish things. All of these actions create a lot of laughter. The verbal fights over Oxen Meadows and dogs are really full of humour.

Question. How is the quarrel over Oxen Meadows settled at last?
Ans. When Natalya realises that Lomov had come to propose to her, she agrees that the Oxen Meadows were indeed Lomov’s property and that is how the Oxen Meadow’s matter is settled.

Question. How does Natalya excite Lomov to the point of verbal fighting?
Ans. Natalya doesn’t agree to the point that Oxen Meadows did not belong to them. She says that she had always thought Lomov was a good neighbour. They had lent him their threshing machine last year. They had to postpone their threshing till November because of that. This made Lomov quite angry.

Question. Why did Natalya ask her father Chubukov to fetch Lomov in at once after they had fought verbally? How did she accuse her father?
Ans. Chubukov reveals that Lomov had come to propose to Natalya for marriage. Natalya did not know it. So she changed her behaviour immediately and asks her father to fetch Lomov in at once. She also accused Chubukov that he threw Lomov out of the house.

Question. Who is Lomov and why does he go to Chubukov’s house?
Ans. Lomov is a wealthy land owner. he is thirty five years old and is Chubukov’s neighbour. Lomov goes to Chubukov’s house to ask for his daughter Natalya’s hand in marriage.

Question. What does Chubukov suggest Lomov to do when he ‘revives’ and sees ‘stars… mist’ etc.
Ans. When Natalya realises the truth of marriage, she asks her father to bring him back. Chubukov suggests Lomov to hurry up and get married. He asks him to do so since Natalya was willing. He gives them his blessings and wants then to leave him in peace.

Question. Why does Chubukov go and call Lomov back?
Ans. Natalya quarrels with Lomov and throws him out of the house. But when she learns that he had come to propose to her, she sends her father to go and call Lomov back.

Question. Chubukov says to Lomov, “And I’ve always loved you, my angel, as if you were my own son.” Is he sincere in saying so?
Ans. Chubukov says to Lomov, “And I’ve always loved you, muy angel, as if you were my own son.” But he is not sincere in saying so. Chubukov didn’t have a good opinion about Lomov. He thought that he had come there to ask for some money. He changed his stand only when he came to know that Lomov wanted to marry Natalya, his daughter. It was something that Chubukov always wanted.

Question. Why did Chubukov thank Lomov for proposing to his daughter?
Ans. Chubukov danced with joy when he came to know that Lomov wanted to propose to his daughter Natalya. he thanked him for taking this decision. He was happy as Natalya had passed the marriage age, and he wanted to get her married.

Question. Why does Natalya quarrel with Lomov? What is the result?
Ans. Lomov fought with natalya for a piece of land. Both of them wanted to have the same piece of land, i.e., Oxen Meadows. The second time they fought was to establish their dog’s superiority over the other. Lomov and Natalya were not able to decide whose dog was superior as Natalya was proud of her dog.
Squeezer who was young and belonged to a pedigree, whereas Lomov consider it to be upper shoted and boasted of his own pet ‘Guess’ who he thought was first rate dog. But Natalya considers ‘Guess’ to be old and ugly as a worn out cab horse.

Question. How does the argument about Oxen Meadows start?
Ans. Lomov was very nervous to propose to Natalya, so instead of proposing to her, he starts talking about the harvest and how his Oxen Meadows touch Natalya’s Birchwoods. Hearing him claim the ownership of Oxen meadows, Natalya gets enraged and says that they only belong to their family. She claims that his aunt’s grandmother gave them these Meadows to use for free in return of some favour. She further says that they have had them for nearly 300 years even though they are worth 300 roubles.

Question. How does Chubukov assert that the Oxen Meadows belonged to them?
Ans. Chubukov says that he doesn’t want anything that belongs to Lomov. However, he won’t give up what belonged to him at any cost. Chubukov says that the peasants didn’t pay Lomov’s grandmother. It was because the Meadows were a land of dispute. Everybody knew then that they belonged to him. Moreover, Lomov hasn’t seen the plan.

Question. How did Chubukov react when Lomov asked for the hand of his daughter in marriage?
Ans. Chubukov was extremely cheerful and excited when Lomov asked for the hand of his daughter in marriage. he embraced and kissed Lomov on his forehead and shed tears of joy. He exclaimed with happiness that it was his heartfelt desire. he was of the opinion that Lomov would turn out to be the perfect match for his daughter, so he showered his blessings upon Lomov after hearing this.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question. Chubukov was thinking of refusing Lomov’s proposal without even knowing of later’s intentions. When he came to know that Lomov had come to ask for the hand of his daughter, he showered love and blessings on Lomov. Was he really sincere or was it just an example of his dual personality? Do you like such kind of people?
Ans. Chubukov is a very diplomatic person. He thought that Lomov had come to borrow some money. He posed himself to be very sweet and wanted to refuse him somehow. But when Lomov disclosed his real intention of marrying his daughter, he changed colours and started showing exaggerated love. He was not sincere but possessed very dual personality. Such selfish persons, can do anything to fulfil their interests. In fact, we can say that they are opportunists. These persons can even go to the extent of harming others in their interest. Most often they become successful in deceiving others but they end up being hated by all.

Question. Write a character sketch of Natalya.
Ans. Natalya is a young girl of twenty-five years. She lives in the neighbourhood of Lomov. She is very smart for her age. She has a cunning mind and uses her presence of mind to go with the flow of situations and turn things in her benefits. She is a good house keeper and is not bad looking. She is still unmarried and is thirsting for love. Her father calls her a lovesick cat. She is educated but doesn’t seem so. She is very quarrelsome and abusive. She is also very amitious. When she learns Lomov had come to propose to her she back tracks on her stand and agrees to Lomov’s argument.

Question. Natalya and her father both accused Lomov of telling a lie regarding the Oxen Meadows but when Natalya came to know that Lomov had come to propose her, she at once wanted him back. This shows her selfishness. What traits of Natalya’s character are revealed here?
Ans. Both Chubukov and her daughter Natalya have a dual personality. Natalya welcomed him warmly and talked with him pleasantly. But when Lomov referred to the Oxen Meadows, a disputed piece of land, as ‘My Oxen Meadows’, she objected strongly saying that the land belonged to them. The argument went on for some time. When she came to know that Lomov wanted to marry her, she at once changed her tactics and hysterically told her father to bring Lomov back. Like her father, she also turns out to be very selfish. As she was about to pass the marriage age, she was desperate to get married. In spite of the differences in their thoughts and opinions, she agreed to marry him. Natalya is too self-centered, short tempered and eccentric. Just to settle down in her life, she agreed to marry Lomov, with whom she had much differences. One should always be honest in one’s behaviour without compromising on the values.

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 ?
Ans. 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. Neighbours must have a cordial relationship which Lomov and Natalya do not have. Describe the first fight between them.
Ans. 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. Among neighbours we should have cordial relations and not lose our temper. How do Natalya and Lomov lose their temper on trivial issues ?
Ans. 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. Describe how Lomov, Natalya and Chubukov insist that their dogs are better.
Ans. After the verbal fight Lomov goes out in anger. Chubukov repeats that Lomov had come to propose her. At this point, Natalya asked her father to fetch Lomov in. When he comes, Natalya asks politely when he is going hunting. Lomov says that his dog Guess has gone lame. Natalya says it is a great pity. Lomov confess that his dog Guess is the best but Natalya says that their dog Squeezer costed 85 roubles. Natalya replies that Squeezer has a pure breed. But Lomov says that Squeezer’s lower jaw is shorter than the upper one. Natalya calls Squeezer a better dog. Lomov contradicts that Guess is better. Even Chubukov says that Guess is old. Lomov says that on the Marusinsky hunt, other dogs ran after a fox. But Squeezer runs after a sheep which shows he is weak.

Question. Natalya and Ivan argued about the ownership of Oxen Meadows and the superiority of their respective dogs in the play, The Proposal.
Imagine yourself as the playwright of the play. Based on your understanding of the personality traits of Natalya and Ivan, write a dialogue based on an imaginary event, show casing another argument between them.
Ans. LOMOV: I’m thinking of calling an expert to assess my garden of roses for the Annual St. Petersburg Best Roses Contest. Honoured Natalya Stepanovna, you do know that we have the best roses in town.
NATALYA: I don’t think so, Ivan Vassilevitch as the entire town knows that OUR roses are the most fragrant and beautiful in Russia.
LOMOV: Er….I don’t know. [sighs] I have never heard anything of the sort, but I have heard of the praises heaped on my garden. I pay my gardener 125 roubles every month to tend to my garden.
NATALYA: It is too much, Ivan Vassilevitch. Papa gives 85 roubles for his garden, and our garden heaps better than yours.
LOMOV: Yours better than Mine? What a claim!
[laughs] NATALYA: Of course ours is better! Our garden is newer than yours but in terms of fragrance and quality of roses, our flowers are infinity better. LOMOV: I have seen those roses. And they do not stand a chance in winning the contest. It is all about originality you see?
NATALYA: There’s some demon of contradiction in you today, Ivan Vassilevitch. You should get your facts right and then try to pass off your lies as truth.

Question. Chekov has used humour and exaggeration in the play to comment on courtship in his time. Illustrate with examples from the lesson, ‘The Proposal’. Also mention the values, you think, any healthy relationship requires.
Ans. The Proposal is one of Anton Chekov’s famous plays where he uses humour and exaggeration in the play to provide a commentary on courtship in his times. Chekov has used several stereotypes that help play the character’s part beautifully in the play. Lomov, Natalya ‘the shrew’, Chubukov ‘the hypocrite father’ all help in adding humour to the play. Lomov uses exaggerated actions that, sometimes exceeds the limits of common sense like, Lomov gulping down water, putting his hand to the heart or running to the door and staggering out. Another interesting aspect of this story telling is how the story progresses from cordiality to the hurling of insults which is seen when Lomov called Chubukov ‘a swindle’ and Chubukov promptly called Lomov an ‘intriguer.’ The elements of exaggeration and absurdity set the tone of ridicule, which mars the elements of love and romance that is intended in the play. The playwright, through this play, ironically emphasizes that courtesy, sincerity, love and mutual understanding are the keys to a healthy relationship.

Question. Chubukov was thinking of refusing Lomov’s proposal without even knowing of later’s intentions. When he came to know that Lomov had come to ask for the hand of his daughter, he showered love and blessings on Lomov. Was he really sincere or was it just an example of his dual personality? Do you like such kind of people?
Ans. Chubukov is a very diplomatic person. He thought that Lomov had come to borrow some money. He posed himself to be very sweet and wanted to refuse him somehow. But when Lomov disclosed his real intention of marrying his daughter, he changed colours and started showing exaggerated love. He was not sincere but possessed very dual personality. Such selfish persons, can do anything to fulfil their interests. In fact, we can say that they are opportunists. These persons can even go to the extent of harming others in their interest. Most often they become successful in deceiving others but they end up being hated by all.

Question. Among neighbours we should have cordial relations and not lose our temper. How do Natalya and Lomov lose their temper on trivial issues?
Ans. Among neighbours, we should have cordial relations and not lose tempers over trivial things. Both Natalya and Lomov have no patience and fight for minor things like the ownership of Oxen Meadows and the supremacy of their dogs over each other. This shows how disconnected they were as neighbours because each wants to prove themselves right without considering the other important subjects like their proposal at hand. They are not ready to listen and accept their errors or shortcomings and are ready to fight for the rest of the time. Even when Lomov walks out in anger, Natalya calls him in and again indulges in a verbal sparring match with him. This shows how intolerant they are of each other as neighbours.

Question. Why did Lomov go to Chubukov’s house? How does he go and behave? How is he received by Chubukov? How does Chubukov react?
Ans. Lomov went to Chubukov’s house to propose to Natalya. He wore his evening dress and his white gloves. Chubukov received him warmly. It was because Lomov was the most suitable son-in-law for his daughter. So Chubukov showed his extreme love and joy at him coming to his house. He called him ‘my angel’, ‘my treasure’, ‘my precious.’ However, before it, Chubukov thought that Lomov had come for borroing money and he won’t give him any. Chubukov asks him to speak the purpose. He then says that he has come to ask for Natalya’s hand.
Chubukov is extremely pleased to hear it. He embraces Lomov and kisses him.

Extract Based Questions :

Question. 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 …….
(i) Who is the speaker of the above lines ?
(ii) Why did his aunt’s grandmother give the meadows ?
(iii) Why did the peasants treat the land as their own ?
(iv) What light do these lines throw on the speaker’s character ?
(v) How does the listener react to the speaker?
Ans. (i) Lomov is the speaker of these lines.
(ii) 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.
(iii) 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.
(iv) These lines tell that speaker is logical, rational and polite.
(v) The listener, Chubukov politely refutes the speakers assertion.

Question. 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!
(i) Why were Natalya and Lomov arguing?
(ii) Find the exact word from the extract which means ‘to beg someone desperately to do something’.
(iii) What did the peasants of Natalya’s father’s grandfather do?
(iv) Find out the idiom given in the extract and write its meaning also.
(v) What did Lomov forget in the midst of the argument?
Ans. (i) Natalya and Lomov were arguing over the ownership of Oxen Meadows.
(ii) ‘Implore’ from the extract means ‘to beg someone desperately to do something’.
(iii) The peasants of Natalya’s father’s grandfather used to bake bricks for Lomov’s aunt’s grandmother.
(iv) The given idiom is ‘can’t make head or tails’ which means unable to understand anything.
(v) Lomov forgot about marriage proposal for Natalya in the midst of the argument.