NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Chapter 9 The Proposal
NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Chapter 9 The Proposal
NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Chapter The Proposal
This worksheet provides complete and accurate NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Chapter The Proposal from the First Flight textbook. This chapter is a one-act humorous play about a marriage proposal that turns into a series of funny arguments between Ivan Lomov, Natalya Stepanovna, and her father, Chubukov. The chapter is important because it helps students understand dramatic elements like dialogue, characterisation, humour, and conflict. This worksheet strictly follows the NCERT pattern and includes all answers as per the chapter.
Chapter summary: stories, poems & themes
The Proposal is a one-act play by Anton Chekhov. It revolves around Ivan Lomov visiting his neighbour Chubukov to ask for Natalya’s hand in marriage. Instead of a smooth proposal, they begin arguing about Oxen Meadows and later about their hunting dogs, Guess and Squeezer. The play highlights how trivial issues and ego clashes can overshadow important life decisions. The main theme focuses on human foolishness, pride, property disputes, and exaggerated quarrels in relationships. The chapter is dialogue-based and dramatic in structure.
What this NCERT chapter covers?
• Understanding a one-act play and its dramatic structure
• Character analysis and personality traits
• Use of humour and exaggeration
• Vocabulary development and pronunciation practice
• Reported speech rules and transformation
• Speaking and writing activities
• Value-based discussions like anger management and marriage qualities
How to use these NCERT solutions?
Students should first attempt all questions on their own before checking the answers in this worksheet. Parents and teachers can use these solutions to guide students in understanding the correct NCERT format and answering style. The solutions follow the exact NCERT order and structure, making revision easy and organised. This helps students improve comprehension, grammar accuracy, and answer presentation.
Student tips & learning tricks
• Read the dialogues carefully to understand tone and humour.
• Focus on character traits while answering thinking questions.
• In reported speech, pay attention to tense changes and pronoun shifts.
• Avoid writing long unnecessary explanations in literature answers.
• Stick closely to what is given in the chapter while answering.
Why NCERT solutions are important?
NCERT Solutions ensure that students learn concepts exactly as prescribed in the syllabus. They help build strong fundamentals in literature and grammar. By practising correct NCERT-based answers, students gain confidence in school exams and board assessments. Structured solutions also improve writing clarity and exam readiness.
Complete answer key – NCERT solutions
Before You Read
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
1. Wedding procession
2. Reception with guests
3. Family involvement
4. Toasts/blessings
5. Celebration lasting more than one day
Customs different from Indian ones
1. Groom answering riddles to reach the bride
2. Bride being “stolen” during the ceremony
3. Groom paying money to get the bride’s shoe back
4. Registration before reception
5. 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:
1. landgrabber
2. pettifogger
3. lunacy in your family
4. drunkard
5. guzzling gambler
6. intriguer
7. malicious
8. doublefaced
9. boy
10. pup
11. milksop
12. fool
13. old rat
14. Jesuit
15. turnip-ghost
16. stuffed sausage
17. scarecrow
Positive expressions:
1. excellent housekeeper
2. not bad-looking
3. well-educated
4. my darling
5. my treasure
6. my angel
(ii)
Lomov:
1. nervous
2. quarrelsome
3. hypochondriac
4. stubborn
5. emotional
Natalya:
1. argumentative
2. strong-willed
3. impulsive
4. emotional
5. proud
Chubukov:
1. short-tempered
2. dramatic
3. practical
4. manipulative
5. loud
(iii) They may quarrel about property, hunting dogs, household matters, or trivial daily issues.
Thinking About Language
I. 1.
Russian-style expressions:
1. my darling
2. my treasure
3. my angel
4. honoured Stepan Stepanovitch
Modern idiomatic English expressions:
1. What’s the matter?
2. Shut up!
3. Take it to court
4. I don’t understand
2.
1. palpitations – pal-pi-TA-tions
2. interfere – in-ter-FEER
3. implore – im-PLORE
4. thoroughbred – THUR-uh-bred
5. pedigree – PED-i-gree
6. principle – PRIN-si-pul
7. evidence – EV-i-dens
8. misfortune – mis-FOR-chun
9. malicious – ma-LISH-us
10. embezzlement – em-BEZ-uhl-ment
11. architect – AR-ki-tect
12. neighbours – NAY-buhz
13. accustomed – uh-KUS-tumd
14. temporary – TEM-puh-ruh-ree
15. behaviour – bi-HAY-vyur
16. 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:
1. Damaged relationships
2. Health problems
3. Poor decision-making
Ways to avoid losing temper:
1. Practice deep breathing
2. Think before speaking
3. Walk away from the situation
4. Stay calm and listen
Benefits of anger:
1. Helps express injustice
2. 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:
1. Good character
2. Kindness and compassion
3. Mutual respect
4. Education and stability
5. Sense of humour
6. 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
William Shakespeare
Homophones
1. too – two – to
2. close (near) – close (shut)
3. present (time) – present (gift) – present (to show)
Master Class 10 English Chapter The Proposal with accurate and structured NCERT Solutions to strengthen literature understanding and exam preparation.