Class 10 English : The Proposal MCQs

`The Proposal’ is a one-act play. Actually, it is a farce written by Anton Chekhov in 1888-89. The play is about the tendency of wealthy families to seek matrimonial ties. The real purpose is to increase their estates and landed properties. Ivan Lomov was a wealthy neighbour of another wealthy farmer Stepan Chubukov. Lomov comes to seek the hand of Chubukov’s twenty-five-year-old daughter, Natalya. Tomov, Chubukov and Natalya’-all three are quarrelsome people.

They quarrel over petty or small issues. Each one of them has a claim over a particular piece of land. They also quarrel over their dogs. Amidst this quarrelling, they completely forget the real issue — the marriage proposal. But good sense prevails in the end. Economic good sense ensures that the proposal is made. Chubukov doesn’t want to miss the opportunity. He puts his daughter’s hand into Lomov’s hands. He doesn’t waste any time and blesses them. However, old habits die hard. The newly married couple starts their married life with a fresh quarrel.

Summary of The Proposal in English

The curtain rises with Lomov entering his neighbour Chubukov’s house in neatly dressed up attire. Chubukov in great curiosity to see him well-dressed and asks him the occasion. Lomov reveals that he had come for a desire. Chubukov assumes that he must have come to ask for money which he does not want to return.

After knowing that Lomov had come to invite Chubulov’s daughter, Natalya’s hand in marriage, Chubukov leaves to call Natalya. Lomov is a 35 years old gentleman who suffers from palpitations and gets upset very easily. He thinks it’s the right age for him to marry and is happy that he is choosing Natalya. He believes, Natalya is average-looking and an honest caretaker.

On Natalya’s arrival, Lomov initiates the conversation about the cordial terms of both the families. While continuing to speak about his land, he somehow mentions Oxen Meadows which earlier was a disputed property but is now his. Natalya is in the perception that Oxen Medows belong to her family. Both enter into a heated discussion and act childishly and Chubukov’s entry made it more heated.

They shout and scream while Lomov suffers from extreme palpitation and a numb foot. They throw Lomov out of the house and continue abusing him. While defaming him, Chubukov accidentally reveals that he had a wedding proposal for Natalya which surprises Natalya, and she suddenly regrets sending him out. She tells her father to bring him back and Chubukov banes himself for being the father of a young daughter.

When Lomov returns, Natalya tries to deviate the topic by talking about shooting. Little later they enter into a debate on their dogs. Natalya strongly believes that her dog Squeezer is better in comparison to Lomov’s Guess. They continue arguing when Chubukov enters the scene only to form things worse again.

Everyone gets hyper and Lomov finally falls because of palpitations. Even then, the cursing continues when suddenly Natalya notices that he’s unconscious. As they find him unable to drink water, declare him dead. After a while Lomov moves a bit, they give him some water to drink and Chubukov forcefully hands over Natalya’s hands to him, gives his blessings and asks them to kiss.

After regaining his senses, he expresses his excitement and kisses Natalya’s hands. Natalya again keeps convincing him that Squeezer is better than Guess but Lomov, being adamant refuses to accept this and the quarreling continues.

Conclusion of The Proposal

The drama displays the greed of rich families to marry their children into other wealthy families with the aim of enhancing their wealth.

Summary of The Proposal in Hindi

पर्दा तब उठता है जब लोमोव साफ-सुथरी पोशाक में अपने पड़ोसी चुबुकोव के घर में प्रवेश करता है। चुबुकोव उसे अच्छे कपड़े पहने हुए देखने के लिए बहुत उत्सुक था और उसने उससे इसका अवसर पूछा। लोमोव ने खुलासा किया कि वह एक इच्छा के लिए आया था। चुबुकोव का मानना है कि वह पैसे मांगने आया होगा जिसे वह वापस नहीं करना चाहता।

यह जानने के बाद कि लोमोव चुबुलोव की बेटी, नताल्या की शादी के लिए आमंत्रित करने आया था, चुबुकोव नताल्या को बुलाने के लिए निकल जाता है। लोमोव 35 साल के एक सज्जन व्यक्ति हैं जो दिल की धड़कन बढ़ने की बीमारी से पीड़ित हैं और बहुत जल्दी परेशान हो जाते हैं। वह सोचता है कि यह उसके लिए शादी करने की सही उम्र है और वह खुश है कि वह नताल्या को चुन रहा है। उनका मानना है, नताल्या औसत दिखने वाली और एक ईमानदार केयरटेकर हैं।

नताल्या के आगमन पर, लोमोव दोनों परिवारों के सौहार्दपूर्ण संबंधों के बारे में बातचीत शुरू करता है। अपनी जमीन के बारे में बात जारी रखते हुए, वह किसी तरह ऑक्सन मीडोज का जिक्र करते हैं जो पहले एक विवादित संपत्ति थी लेकिन अब उनकी है। नताल्या को लगता है कि ऑक्सन मेडोज़ उसके परिवार से हैं। दोनों एक गर्म चर्चा में प्रवेश करते हैं और बचकानी हरकत करते हैं और चुबुकोव की प्रविष्टि ने इसे और अधिक गर्म कर दिया।

वे चिल्लाते और चिल्लाते हैं जबकि लोमोव अत्यधिक धड़कन और सुन्न पैर से पीड़ित है। उन्होंने लोमोव को घर से बाहर निकाल दिया और उसके साथ दुर्व्यवहार करना जारी रखा। उसे बदनाम करते हुए, चुबुकोव ने गलती से खुलासा किया कि उसके पास नताल्या के लिए शादी का प्रस्ताव था, जिससे नताल्या आश्चर्यचकित हो जाती है, और उसे अचानक उसे बाहर भेजने का पछतावा होता है। वह अपने पिता से उसे वापस लाने के लिए कहती है और चुबुकोव एक छोटी बेटी का पिता होने के कारण खुद पर प्रतिबंध लगाता है।

जब लोमोव वापस आता है, तो नताल्या शूटिंग के बारे में बात करके विषय को भटकाने की कोशिश करती है। थोड़ी देर बाद वे अपने कुत्तों पर बहस में पड़ जाते हैं। नताल्या का मानना है कि उनका कुत्ता स्क्वीज़र लोमोव गेस की तुलना में बेहतर है। जब चुबुकोव दृश्य में प्रवेश करता है तो वे बहस करना जारी रखते हैं और हालात फिर से बदतर हो जाते हैं।

हर कोई अति उत्साहित हो जाता है और लोमोव अंततः धड़कन के कारण गिर जाता है। फिर भी, कोसना जारी रहता है जब अचानक नताल्या को पता चलता है कि वह बेहोश है। जब उन्होंने पाया कि वह पानी पीने में असमर्थ है, तो उसे मृत घोषित कर दें। थोड़ी देर बाद लोमोव थोड़ा आगे बढ़ता है, वे उसे पीने के लिए पानी देते हैं और चुबुकोव जबरदस्ती नताल्या का हाथ उसके हाथ में सौंप देता है, आशीर्वाद देता है और उन्हें चूमने के लिए कहता है।

होश में आने के बाद वह अपना उत्साह जाहिर करता है और नताल्या के हाथों को चूमता है। नताल्या फिर से उसे समझाती रहती है कि स्क्वीज़र गेस से बेहतर है लेकिन लोमोव अपनी जिद पर अड़े रहते हुए इस बात को मानने से इनकार कर देता है और झगड़ा जारी रहता है।

The Proposal (प्रस्ताव) का निष्कर्ष

यह नाटक अपनी संपत्ति बढ़ाने के उद्देश्य से अमीर परिवारों द्वारा अपने बच्चों की शादी दूसरे अमीर परिवारों में करने के लालच को प्रदर्शित करता है।

Difficult Words and their Meanings

Hearty = large-hearted (बड़े दिल वाला); suspicious = doubtful (शक्की); gloves = gloves (दस्ताने); squeezes = wrings (निचोड़ना/दबानाl); get-up = dress (पोशाक); my treasure = term of endearment (प्यार का संबोधन); my precious = term of endearment (प्यार का संबोधन); privilege = special right (विशेषाधिकार); awfully = greatly (बहुत अधिक); deserve = able (काबिल होना); Interrupting = interfering (दखल देना); embraces = hugs (अर्लिगन करना); sheds = drops (गिराना); off my balance = excited (उत्तेजित); consent = agreement (सहमति); lovesick = in search of love (प्यार की खोज में); Excellent = very good (शानदार); palpitations = beating of the heart (दिल का धड़कना); twitch =. pull with a jerk (फड़कना); lunatic = mad (पागल); apron = apron (एप्रन); neglige = gown (गाऊन);

shelling = removing shells (छिलके उतारना); splendid = beautiful (सुंदर); stacked = stored (संग्रह किया); hay = straw (भूसा); ball = a kind of dance (नाच); pause = stop (रुकना); Inherited = received as heir (विरासत में मिलना); affectionate = loving (प्रिय); wedged = lying in between (के बीच में); dispute = quarrel (झगड़ा) ; in perpetuity = in continuation (लगातार); reckoned = understood (समझा); Dessiatins = a currency (एक मुद्रा); unfairness = injustice (अन्याय); implore = request (प्रार्थना करनाr); bake = heat (पकाना); make head and tail = understand (समझना); threshing = separating grain and chaff (अनाज और भूसा अलग करना); gipsies = nomadic (खानाबदोश); impudent = rude (अभद्र); landgrabber = one who grabs others’ land (दूसरे की जमीन हड़पने वाला ); carafe = a water container (पानी का पात्र);

Mowers = crop cutters (फसल काटने वाला); meadows = grasslands (घास के मैदान); clutches = holds (पकड़ना); restrain = control (नियंत्रित करना); excruciating = strong (मजबूत); Accustomed = habitual (आदी); yelling = shouting (चिल्लाना); give up = renounce (त्याग देना); right = claim (दावा); agitating = becoming exciting (उत्तेजित होना) ; calmly = peacefully (शांति से ); Pettifogger = a clever person (चालाक आदमी ); tried = sued (मुकद्दमा चलाया) ; embezzlement = financial misappropriation (गबन); lunacy = madness (पागलपन); drunkard = one who drinks too much wine (बहुत शराब पीने वाला ); hump-backed = with curved back (कुबड़ा); guzzling = drinking (पीना); gambler = one who gambles (जुआरी); backbiters = criticizing others behind their backs (चुगलखोर); intriguer = planner (षड्यंत्रकारी);

malicious = full of ill-will (दुर्भावनापूर्ण); numb = senseless (सुन्न); staggers = falls (गिरना); rascal = rogue (धूर्त); villain = scoundrel (बदमाश) ; scarecrow = figure in the field to scare birds (डरेबा); monster = devil (शैतान); impudence = arrogance (घमण्ड); blind hen = an abuse (गाली); turnip-ghost = an abuse (गाली); confounded=confused (घबराया हुआ); stuffed sausage = an abuse (गाली); wizen-faced frump = an abuse (गाली); Wails = weeps (रोना); hysterics = mad cries (पागलों जैसी चीखें); exhausted = tired (थका हुआ); heated =angry (नाराज); evidence = proof (सबूत /प्रमाण);

Twisted = bent (मुड़ा हुआ ); heaps better = much better (अधिक बेहतर); pedigree = race (जाति); overshot = when the lower jaw is shorter than the upper (जब निचला जबड़ा ऊपर वाले भाग से छोटा हो ); thoroughbred = pure hied (शुद्ध जाति); cab = carriage (बग्गी); contradiction = disagreement (असहमति); Acknowledge = admit (प्रवेश करने देना); implore = request (प्रार्थना करना); muzzle = nose and mouth of an animal (थूथन); a whole verst = much behind (बहुत पीछे); whip = cane with a string(चाबुक); Beetles = insects (कीड़े); tracking = following (पीछा करना); pup = small dog (छोटा कुत्ता); Partridge ,. a bird (तितर); sparks = tiny glowing hits of fire (चिंगारियाँ); milksop = an abuse (गाली); screams = cries (चीखें); Tumbler = glass (गिलास); mist = fog (धुन्ध): be damned = an abuse (गाली); champagne = a kind of liquor (एक प्रकार का मादक पेय)

MCQs

1: What aspect of Ivan Vassilevitch’s physical condition initially causes him distress in Anton Chekhov’s play “The Proposal”?

A) His persistent affliction with an excruciating headache that refuses to abate.
B) The sudden and alarming onset of a debilitating bout of fever accompanied by chills.
C) The unexpected appearance of a worrisome rash spreading across his arms and neck.
D) The distressing sensation of acute pain radiating from his lower back down to his legs.

2: Which of the following emotions best characterizes Natalya Stepanovna’s initial response to Ivan Vassilevitch’s marriage proposal in Anton Chekhov’s play “The Proposal”?

A) Consternation, as her heart wrestles with unexpected romantic sentiments.
B) Indignation, fueled by the audacity of the proposal coming from Ivan.
C) Jubilation, a result of her secret longing for such a proposition.
D) Desperation, stemming from her dire financial situation.

3: What literary technique does Anton Chekhov employ to highlight the absurdity of the trivial argument between Ivan Vassilevitch and Natalya Stepanovna in “The Proposal”?

A) Hyperbole, magnifying their disagreement into a gargantuan conflict.
B) Irony, accentuating the inconsequentiality of their dispute.
C) Onomatopoeia, employing sound words to intensify their quarrel.
D) Alliteration, repeating initial consonant sounds to underscore their disagreement.

4: What sentiment does Ivan Vassilevitch’s father-in-law, Stepan Stepanovitch, express regarding his own marriage in “The Proposal”?

A) Resentment, regretting his decision to marry.
B) Nostalgia, fondly recalling the early days of his marriage.
C) Bitterness, lamenting the loss of his freedom due to marriage.
D) Elation, considering marriage to be his greatest achievement.

5: Which emotion primarily drives Ivan Vassilevitch’s transition from vehement disagreement to an eventual acceptance of Natalya Stepanovna’s terms in “The Proposal”?

A) Surrender, due to his realization of the futility of their argument.
B) Defeat, arising from the emotional exhaustion of their quarrel.
C) Euphoria, triggered by a sudden surge of affection for Natalya.
D) Gratitude, emanating from the prospect of escaping the dispute unscathed.

6: In “The Proposal,” what term best describes Ivan Vassilevitch’s reaction to Natalya Stepanovna’s mention of the Oxen Meadows?

A) Apprehension, dreading the topic due to its complexity.
B) Disinterest, considering the topic irrelevant to their argument.
C) Awe, struck by the unexpected beauty of the meadows.
D) Surprise, as the mention of the meadows derails their argument.

7: What figurative language does Chekhov utilize to convey the absurdity of Ivan Vassilevitch’s declaration that he would “eat you with as much pleasure as if you were a piece of cheese”?

A) Simile, comparing Ivan’s appetite to his fondness for cheese.
B) Metaphor, equating Ivan’s desire to devour Natalya to consuming cheese.
C) Hyperbole, exaggerating Ivan’s eagerness to an extreme level.
D) Personification, attributing human traits to Ivan’s appetite.

8: Which underlying theme does the play “The Proposal” primarily explore through the interactions between the characters?

A) The role of societal conventions in shaping relationships.
B) The transformative power of love in overcoming disagreements.
C) The fleeting nature of human existence and its impact on decisions.
D) The complexities of familial bonds and their influence on marriage.

9: What literary device does Chekhov employ when Natalya Stepanovna refers to Ivan Vassilevitch’s proposal as “utterly immoral”?

A) Hyperbole, exaggerating the extent of Ivan’s proposal.
B) Irony, highlighting the contrast between the proposal and morality.
C) Alliteration, emphasizing the repetition of the “m” sound in “immoral.”
D) Personification, attributing human qualities to the concept of morality.

10: In “The Proposal,” which emotion does Ivan Vassilevitch’s repeated groaning primarily reflect during his disagreement with Natalya Stepanovna?

A) Annoyance, expressing his frustration with the ongoing argument.
B) Sorrow, symbolizing his regret for engaging in the quarrel.
C) Amusement, indicating his perception of the argument’s absurdity.
D) Anger, signifying his genuine disagreement and resentment.

more at https://School.Gyankatta.Org