NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 9

NCERT solutions for Class 10 English Chapter The Proposal – complete answers & explanations
Class 10 English students studying NCERT Chapter The Proposal will find this blog extremely helpful for clear and accurate answers. The Proposal is a humorous one-act play about marriage, misunderstandings, and constant quarrels between characters. This blog provides complete NCERT solutions strictly based on the given worksheet, without adding or modifying any content. All answers follow the exact worksheet order to help students prepare confidently for exams.
What this NCERT chapter covers?
1. The theme of marriage proposal and misunderstandings
2. Humour created through quarrels and exaggerated reactions
3. Character traits of Lomov, Natalya, and Chubukov
4. Reported speech and grammar concepts
5. Vocabulary development and pronunciation practice
6. Speaking and writing skills through discussions and activities
This chapter helps students understand dramatic literature, character analysis, grammar usage, and improves reading comprehension skills important for exams.
How to use these NCERT solutions?
1. First read the chapter carefully from your NCERT textbook.
2. Attempt all questions on your own before checking the answers.
3. Use these solutions to verify accuracy and improve presentation.
4. Pay attention to grammar and reported speech answers.
5. Parents and teachers can guide students by discussing character traits and themes.
6. The solutions follow the exact worksheet order for easy reference.
Important tips & tricks for students
1. Focus on understanding character behaviour rather than memorising blindly.
2. Write answers clearly and to the point as per NCERT expectations.
3. Avoid adding extra information not asked in the question.
4. For grammar sections, carefully notice tense and pronoun changes.
5. In activity-based and discussion questions, keep answers structured and relevant.
6. Practice pronunciation and vocabulary for better language skills.
NCERT solutions – complete answer key
Before You Read
Activity
1. (iii) the act of asking someone’s hand in marriage
Explanation:
The play revolves around Ivan Lomov coming to ask for Natalya’s hand in marriage, which clearly shows that the proposal is about marriage.
2. Wedding Ceremonies in Russia and India
Customs similar to Indian ones
Wedding procession
Reception with guests
Family involvement
Toasts/blessings
Celebration lasting more than one day
Customs different from Indian ones
Groom answering riddles to reach the bride
Bride being “stolen” during the ceremony
Groom paying money to get the bride’s shoe back
Registration before reception
City tour after marriage registration
Thinking about the Play
1. Chubukov at first suspects that Lomov has come to borrow money. He says aside, “He’s come to borrow money. Shan’t give him any!”
He is not completely sincere when he later claims he has always loved Lomov like his own son. During the quarrel, he insults Lomov and calls him names such as “pettifogger” and “intriguer.” This shows that his affection is superficial and influenced by self-interest.
2. Yes, Natalya seems eager to marry Lomov. When she learns that he had come to propose, she becomes extremely upset and hysterical and insists that he be brought back immediately. This reaction shows that she is interested in the proposal.
3. (i)
Insults and accusations:
landgrabber, pettifogger, lunacy in your family, drunkard, guzzling gambler, intriguer, malicious, doublefaced, boy, pup, milksop, fool, old rat, Jesuit, turnip-ghost, stuffed sausage, scarecrow
Positive expressions:
excellent housekeeper, not bad-looking, well-educated, my darling, my treasure, my angel
(ii)
Lomov:
• nervous
• quarrelsome
• hypochondriac
• stubborn
• emotional
Natalya:
• argumentative
• strong-willed
• impulsive
• emotional
• proud
Chubukov:
• short-tempered
• dramatic
• practical
• manipulative
• loud
(iii) They may quarrel about property, hunting dogs, household matters, or trivial daily issues.
Thinking About Language
I
1.
Russian-style expressions:
my darling
my treasure
my angel
honoured Stepan Stepanovitch
Modern idiomatic English expressions:
What’s the matter?
Shut up!
Take it to court
I don’t understand
2.
palpitations – pal-pi-TA-tions
interfere – in-ter-FEER
implore – im-PLORE
thoroughbred – THUR-uh-bred
pedigree – PED-i-gree
principle – PRIN-si-pul
evidence – EV-i-dens
misfortune – mis-FOR-chun
malicious – ma-LISH-us
embezzlement – em-BEZ-uhl-ment
architect – AR-ki-tect
neighbours – NAY-buhz
accustomed – uh-KUS-tumd
temporary – TEM-puh-ruh-ree
behaviour – bi-HAY-vyur
documents – DOK-yuh-ments
3.
(i) You may take it that
Sentence: You may take it that I will finish the assignment on time.
(ii) He seems to be coming round
Sentence: After fainting, he seems to be coming round slowly.
(iii) My foot’s gone to sleep
Sentence: My foot’s gone to sleep because I sat in one position for too long.
II. Reported Speech
1. asked
2. said
3. there
4. past
5. past continuous; is getting
6. respectfully
7. he; she; they; his
III. Rewrite the excerpt in reported speech.
Ninety-year-old A. K. Hangal laughed and asked why people wanted to know his age, adding that if people knew he was so old, he would not get work. When asked the secret of his energy, he replied that his intake of everything was in small quantities and that he walked a lot. He said that he had joined the industry in his forties when people usually retire. He added that he did not miss being called a star and that he was still respected and given work while many actors of his age were living in poverty. He said that he did not have any complaints but admitted that he had always been underpaid. He regretted that he had been a fool not to understand the value of money earlier.
Speaking And Writing
1.
Effects of anger:
• Damaged relationships
• Health problems
• Poor decision-making
Ways to avoid losing temper:
• Practice deep breathing
• Think before speaking
• Walk away from the situation
• Stay calm and listen
Benefits of anger:
• Helps express injustice
• Motivates positive change
2.
(i) Messenger: The Chota Rani Mother has sent for you, sir.
Nikhil: The Chota Rani? I am surprised.
(ii) Bimala: Is it right that ours should be the only market allowing foreign goods?
Nikhil: What do you suggest we do?
(iii) Bimala: Order them to be cleared out!
Nikhil: The goods are not mine to remove.
(iv) Bimala: It would be for the country.
Nikhil: To tyrannise for the country is to tyrannise over the country.
(v) Bimala: Then you refuse?
Nikhil: Yes, I cannot support injustice.
3. Suggested Answer:
• Good character
• Kindness and compassion
• Mutual respect
• Education and stability
• Sense of humour
• Shared values
4. Suggested Answer
The constant misunderstandings, exaggerated quarrels, fainting scene, and sudden agreement to marry resemble scenes from romantic comedy films. The humour comes from trivial arguments turning dramatic and then resolving suddenly.
In This Lesson What You Can Do
William Shakespeare
Homophones
1. too – two – to
2. close (near) – close (shut)
3. present (time) – present (gift) – present (to show)
Why NCERT solutions help students?
NCERT solutions help students prepare effectively for exams by providing accurate, syllabus-aligned answers. They improve clarity of concepts, strengthen grammar understanding, and build confidence. Following NCERT-based answers ensures students meet exam expectations properly.
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