Question Before You Read Activity 1
Which meaning of “proposal” best fits the play’s title?
Steps only
Match the word with Lomov’s reason for visiting.
Answer
It means a request to marry.
CLASS 10 · FIRST FLIGHT · CHAPTER 9
The Proposal
Original, student-friendly concise answers and guided explanations for Chekhov’s one-act comedy and its language and writing activities.
25 worked answersOriginal sample responses
25 worked answers · short steps first, explanations when you need them
The Proposal
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Question Before You Read Activity 2
Give examples of wedding customs that Indian and Russian weddings may share and customs that may differ.
Steps only
Compare the celebration’s purpose and give examples from the passage.
Answer
Both bring people together; the passage mentions Russian processions and toasts, while Indian customs vary by community.
Question Thinking about the Play 1
Why has Lomov come to Chubukov’s house, and why does he seem so nervous?
Steps only
Identify his purpose and the signs of nervousness.
Answer
He has come to ask Natalya to marry him and is anxious and excitable.
Question Thinking about the Play 2
What reasons does Lomov give himself for deciding to marry?
Steps only
List Natalya’s qualities and Lomov’s reasons for settling down.
Answer
He sees her as a suitable housekeeper and educated match, and wants a settled life at thirty-five.
Question Thinking about the Play 3
What starts the first quarrel between Natalya and Lomov?
Steps only
Name the disputed land and each person’s claim.
Answer
They quarrel over whether Oxen Meadows belong to Lomov or Natalya’s family.
Question Thinking about the Play 4
What explanation does Lomov give for claiming Oxen Meadows?
Steps only
Summarise the temporary use and Lomov’s claim.
Answer
He says his family lent the meadows to the peasants, but did not give up ownership.
Question Thinking about the Play 5
How does Chubukov react when Natalya and Lomov argue over the meadows?
Steps only
Describe the side he takes and what he does next.
Answer
He supports Natalya and joins the quarrel, showing his own bad temper.
Question Thinking about the Play 6
How does Natalya react when she learns why Lomov had visited?
Steps only
State her reaction and what it shows.
Answer
She becomes distressed and begs them to bring Lomov back because she wants to marry him.
Question Thinking about the Play 7
What causes the second quarrel after Lomov returns?
Steps only
Name the dogs and their owners’ disagreement.
Answer
They argue about whether Lomov’s Guess or Natalya’s Squeezer is the better dog.
Question Thinking about the Play 8
Why does Lomov collapse, and how do Chubukov and Natalya respond?
Steps only
Connect the argument to Lomov’s poor health and describe the reaction.
Answer
He collapses from excitement; Natalya panics and Chubukov quickly arranges the engagement.
Question Thinking about the Play 9
Why is the ending of the play funny?
Steps only
Compare the engagement with what the couple does next.
Answer
They get engaged but immediately resume arguing, making the celebration absurd.
Question Thinking about the Play 10
Do you agree with Chubukov that Natalya is deeply in love with Lomov? Give a reason.
Steps only
Give an opinion and support it with Natalya’s reaction.
Answer
Partly: she urgently wants Lomov back, though their constant quarrelling makes her love seem comic.
Question Thinking about the Play 11(i)
What kinds of words do the characters use to praise or insult one another? Give examples and explain what this reveals.
Steps only
Give one affectionate phrase, one insult, and their effect.
Answer
Their speech jumps from “my darling” to insults such as “grabber,” showing their comic quick temper.
Question Thinking about the Play 11(ii)
Choose adjectives to describe Lomov, Natalya, and Chubukov.
Steps only
Choose traits supported by the characters’ actions.
Answer
Lomov: anxious and stubborn; Natalya: hardworking and outspoken; Chubukov: practical and quick-tempered.
Question Thinking about the Play 11(iii)
Imagine a small matter Lomov and Natalya might quarrel about next.
Steps only
Invent a small disagreement that suits their stubborn nature.
Answer
They might argue about which route is shorter or safer.
Question Language Work I.1
Which expressions sound unusual in present-day English, and what more natural expressions could replace them?
Steps only
Compare one unusual form of address with a modern alternative.
Answer
Repeated “my treasure” sounds unusual; “my friend” or the person’s name is more natural today.
Question Language Work I.2
Give a simple pronunciation guide, syllable count, and main stress for the listed words.
Steps only
Say each word in beats and stress the capitalised syllable.
Answer
Examples: pal-pi-TAY-shunz; in-ter-FEER; im-PLORE; THUR-uh-bred; PED-i-gree; PRIN-si-pul; EV-i-dens; mis-FOR-chun; muh-LISH-us; em-BEZ-ul-ment; AR-ki-tekt; NAY-burz; uh-KUS-tumd; TEM-puh-rer-ee; bi-HAYV-yur; DOK-yuh-ments.
Question Language Work I.3
Explain the three phrases and use each in a sentence.
Steps only
Give each meaning and a sentence that shows it.
Answer
“Take it that” = assume; “coming round” = recovering or agreeing; “foot’s gone to sleep” = foot is numb.
Question Language Work II.1–7
Complete the notes about changes made when direct speech is reported.
Steps only
Use the examples to fill the usual reporting changes.
Answer
asked; said; there; past; past continuous; respectfully; he, she, they (as required by context).
Question Language Work III
Rewrite the quoted statements in the short report about actor A. K. Hangal as reported speech, leaving the other sentences unchanged.
Steps only
Change pronouns and tenses, then report each statement with said, asked, or replied.
Answer
Hangal asks why people want to know his age and says he takes small quantities, walks a lot, joined the industry in his forties, remains respected, and had earlier failed to understand money’s value.
Question Speaking and Writing 1
Name three harmful effects of anger, suggest ways to manage it, and say whether anger can ever be useful.
Steps only
Give three effects, two calming methods, and one balanced point.
Answer
Anger can hurt feelings, relationships, and judgement. Pause, breathe, or step away; anger can signal a problem if handled calmly.
Question Speaking and Writing 2
Write a short stage scene based on Bimala asking her husband to remove foreign goods from the market.
Steps only
Write a few exchanges that show both viewpoints.
Answer
Bimala urges a boycott of foreign goods; Nikhil says traders should choose freely. Use stage directions to show their disagreement.
Question Speaking and Writing 3
What qualities should someone consider in a marriage partner?
Steps only
Name qualities that help people build a respectful life together.
Answer
Kindness, honesty, respect, communication, tolerance, shared goals, and sensible money habits.
Question Speaking and Writing 4
Which parts of the play resemble scenes from a romantic comedy?
Steps only
Name the misunderstanding and the comic ending.
Answer
Natalya sends Lomov away before learning he came to propose, then begs for him back; they argue again after getting engaged.
Question Homophones
Explain how the repeated words in the two sample sentences have different meanings or pronunciations.
Steps only
Use context to tell what each repeated word means.
Answer
“Close” means near, then shut. “Present” means now, then give, then a gift.