Class 10 English Chapter 1 Practice Question Answers - First Flight

Q1. The playwright’s intention in the given play is to
(a) throw light upon the weaknesses of the rich in any society.
(b) emphasise that family history is important in a marriage proposal.
(c) satirise the superficiality of the upper class in Russian society.
(d) send a message that ego is not healthy in any relationship.
Ans: (c)
The play "The Proposal" by Anton Chekhov satirizes the superficiality and absurdity of the upper class in Russian society. Through the humorous interactions and exaggerated arguments among the characters, the playwright criticizes the social norms, traditions, and pretentious behaviors of the wealthy. The play serves as a commentary on the shallow and trivial concerns of the upper class and highlights the contradictions and pettiness in their relationships.

Q2. If, according to Chubukov and Natalya, Lomovs are not “honourable people ”, why do they still consider Lomov’s proposal?
(a) Natalya can take care of her father if she marries close by.
(b) They were exaggerating in the argument and didn’t mean it.
(c) They understand that honour is superficial and overrated.
(d) Lomov’s status in society supersedes everything.
Ans: (d)
Chubukov and Natalya consider Lomov's proposal despite their negative view of the Lomov family because of Lomov's status and wealth. In the play, it becomes apparent that their primary concern is to maintain social status and wealth in their family, and Lomov's proposal seems advantageous in fulfilling these objectives. The play satirizes the materialistic nature of the characters, showing how their superficial values influence their decisions.

Q3. Which of the following options comes closest to the meaning of ‘tried’ as used in the extract?
(a) She mastered the game through a process of trial and error.
(b) He followed the trial closely and was seen in court every day.
(c) This had been a tried and tested formula for the organisation.
(d) They tried with all their might to repeat their earlier successes.
Ans: (b)
In the context of the extract, the word 'tried' means that no one from the Lomov family has ever been accused or put on trial for embezzlement. The word is used to assert that the Lomovs have a clean and honorable family history in contrast to the accusations made by Natalya and Chubukov.

Q4. “Choose the option that correctly identifies the tone of the characters in the given extract.”

LOMOV: Never mind about my people! The Lomovs have all been honourable people, and not one has ever been tried for embezzlement like your grandfather!
CHUBUKOV: You Lomovs have had lunacy in your family, all of you!
NATALYA: All, all, all!
CHUBUKOV: Your grandfather was a drunkard, and your younger aunt, Nastasya Mihailovna, ran away with an architect, and so on…
LOMOV: And your mother was hump-backed. [Clutches at his heart] Something pulling in my side… My head… Help! Water!
CHUBUKOV: Your father was a guzzling gambler!
(i) antagonism
(ii) humour
(iii) contempt
(iv) irony
(a) (i) and (ii)
(b) (ii) and (iv)
(c) (i) and (iii)
(d) (iii) and (iv)
Ans: (c)
In the given extract, the characters display antagonism and contempt towards each other through their sarcastic and biting remarks. There is a sense of hostility and bitterness in their exchange, which underscores the tense and argumentative nature of their conversation.

Q5. Which of the following titles of Shakespeare’s plays might best apply to the relationship of Lomov and Natalya?
(a) The Taming of the Shrew
(b) Romeo and Juliet
(c) As You Like It
(d) Two Gentlemen of Verona
Ans: (c)
The play "As You Like It" by Shakespeare is known for its exploration of romantic relationships and the complexities of love. Similarly, in "The Proposal," the relationship between Lomov and Natalya is portrayed humorously, highlighting the misunderstandings and conflicts that can arise in romantic connections.

Q6. How would you characterise Chubukov’s mood based on the given line?
“CHUBUKOV: Well, that’s a way to start your family bliss! Have some champagne! ”
(a) cautious and celebratory
(b) relieved and jubilant
(c) merry yet thoughtful
(d) grateful yet hurt
Ans: (b)
Chubukov's mood can be characterized as relieved and jubilant in the given line where he exclaims, "Well, that's a way to start your family bliss! Have some champagne!" Chubukov seems happy and content with the prospect of the marriage proposal and celebrates the occasion with champagne, indicating his joy and relief.

Q7. “LOMOV: He’s better!
NATALYA: Worse! Worse! Worse!”
Based on the extract, Lomov and Natalya’s closing lines can best be seen as
(a) a humorous and ironic take on typical marriage vows.
(b) a reflection of their affection for Guess and Squeezer.
(c) a sign of prospective instability in their marital bliss.
(d) the writer’s statement that disagreement is part of marriage.
Ans: (a)
Lomov and Natalya's closing lines can be interpreted as a humorous and ironic take on typical marriage vows. They playfully argue over the health condition of their dog, Guess, and cat, Squeezer, as if they were discussing their future responsibilities in a married life. The lines add a humorous touch to the ending, highlighting the absurdity of their arguments throughout the play.

Q8. Choose the option that correctly uses the idioms to fill in the blanks of the paragraph below.
In a team, it is important to (i) __________. Otherwise, you would become (ii) _______ and incur the displeasure of others. When that happens, you might feel (iii) ___________. However, for the others, not having to carry you along would be a (iv) ___________.
(a) (i) pull your weight, (ii) dead weight, (iii) the weight of the world on your shoulders, (iv) weight off the shoulders.
(b) (i) weight yourself, (ii) the weight of the world on your shoulder, (iii) like dead weight, (iv) weight off their shoulders
(c) (i) throw weight around, (ii) worth your weight in gold, (iii) weight off your shoulders, (iv) dead weight
(d) (i) lend weight to someone, (ii) heavyweight (iii) like pulling your weight, (iv) weight off their shoulders
Ans: (a)
 (i) "pull your weight" means to do your fair share of work or contribute equally in a team. (ii) "dead weight" refers to someone or something that is unproductive or burdensome. (iii) "the weight of the world on your shoulders" signifies feeling overwhelmed or carrying heavy responsibilities. (iv) "weight off the shoulders" means to feel relieved or free from stress.

Q9. “LOMOV: He’s better!
NATALYA: Worse! Worse! Worse!
CHUBUKOV: [trying to shout her down] Champagne! Champagne!”
The liberal use of exclamation marks in the given extract indicate that the characters are expressing ___________
(a) apologies in a solemn and heartfelt tone.
(b) good counsel and advice in a serious matter.
(c) reconciliation on matters leading to an argument.
(d) strong feelings with a raised voice.
Ans: (d)
The liberal use of exclamation marks indicates that the characters are expressing their emotions and opinions with strong feelings, often accompanied by a raised voice. The exclamation marks add emphasis and intensity to their words, suggesting heightened emotions in the conversation.

Q10. In the play “The Proposal” , __________ is a hypochondriac who wants to get married for the sake of appearances.
(a) Lomov
(b) Natalya
(c) Chubukov
(d) Squeezer
Ans: (a)
In "The Proposal," Lomov is portrayed as a hypochondriac, a person excessively anxious about their health, and he wants to get married for the sake of appearances and societal norms rather than genuine affection.

Q11. In the play “The Proposal” , who gets embroiled in the inane arguments between the couple about to get married.
(a) Lomov
(b) Natalya
(c) Chubukov
(d) Squeezer
Ans: (c)
In the play "The Proposal," Chubukov, Natalya's father, gets embroiled in the inane arguments between Lomov and Natalya about to get married. He tries to mediate and influence the situation, adding to the comic nature of the play.

Q12. Who speaks the following lines in the play “The Proposal”?
“If he’s come to borrow money, he’ll be sorely disappointed!”
(a) Lomov
(b) Natalya
(c) Chubukov
(d) Squeezer
Ans: (c)
The lines "If he's come to borrow money, he'll be sorely disappointed!" are spoken by Chubukov in the play "The Proposal." He says this line after Lomov arrives at his house to propose to Natalya.

Q13. Who speaks the following lines in the play “The Proposal”?
“ Natalya Stepanovna is an excellent housekeeper. She’s not bad-looking … and she went to school! … What more do I want? ”
(a) Lomov
(b) Natalya
(c) Chubukov
(d) Squeezer
Ans: (a)
The lines "Natalya Stepanovna is an excellent housekeeper. She's not bad-looking ... and she went to school! ... What more do I want?" are spoken by Lomov in the play "The Proposal." He is trying to convince Chubukov about Natalya's positive qualities as a potential wife.

Q14. Who speaks the following lines in the play ”The Proposal”?
“Papa said, ‘Go inside there’s a merchant come by to collect his goods.”
(a) Lomov
(b) Natalya
(c) Chubukov
(d) Squeezer
Ans: (b)
The lines "Papa said, 'Go inside there's a merchant come by to collect his goods." are spoken by Natalya in the play "The Proposal." She conveys her father's message to Lomov when he arrives at their house.

Q15. Who speaks the following lines in the play ”The Proposal”?
“The Lomovs and the Chubukovs have always had the friendliest, and I might almost say the most affectionate, regard for each other. ”
(a) Lomov
(b) Natalya
(c) Chubukov
(d) Squeezer
Ans: (a)
The lines "The Lomovs and the Chubukovs have always had the friendliest, and I might almost say the most affectionate, regard for each other." are spoken by Lomov in the play "The Proposal." He expresses the historical relationship between the Lomov and Chubukov families before proposing to Natalya.