NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 9

NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 9
Last Updated At: 11 Mar 2026
6 min read

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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