Practice Questions: The Proposal

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)
Explanation: Anton Chekhov uses humour and exaggerated behaviour to expose the superficial habits and pretensions of the landed gentry. The characters argue over trivial matters, display petty jealousies and worry about social standing, so the play ridicules the upper class rather than giving a serious social lesson. The satire is gentle yet sharp, making the characters' absurdities clearly visible to the audience.

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)
Explanation: Despite their insults, Chubukov and Natalya treat Lomov's proposal as attractive because of his social position and the advantages it brings. Their acceptance shows that social status and material considerations matter more to them than family reputation. This underlines the play's theme that appearances and advantage often override personal feelings or past slights.
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)
Explanation: In this context, tried refers to being put on trial in court. The speaker insists that no one from the Lomov family has been accused or brought before a court for embezzlement. Thus option (b), which uses the sense of a legal trial, best matches the meaning here. The other options show different senses of tried (practice, tested method, or attempt) that do not fit this usage.

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)
Explanation: The extract shows sharp hostility and mutual insults, so antagonism and contempt are the dominant tones. The characters attack one another's family and character in a bitter manner. Although the scene is comic overall, the immediate tone of these lines is combative rather than merely humorous or ironic.
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)
Explanation: As You Like It is known for its light-hearted treatment of love, social manners and comic misunderstandings. Lomov and Natalya's relationship is presented in a comic and capricious way, with quarrels and reconciliations that underline the humour of courtship rather than tragic passion. For that reason, the tone and comic complications of As You Like It are the closest match.
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)
Explanation: Chubukov's invitation to celebrate with champagne shows clear joy and relief at the prospect of a marriage that seems advantageous. His tone is upbeat and celebratory, suggesting he feels liberated or satisfied now that the proposal appears to be successful.

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)
Explanation: The couple quarrel over the health of their animals as if making promises, which turns ordinary concerns into a comic version of marital vows. This ironic and humorous ending highlights how their petty disputes become part of their shared life, so the lines read like a playful take on marriage formalities rather than a serious statement about future stability.

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)
Explanation: (i) Pull your weight means to do your fair share of work. (ii) Dead weight refers to a person who is a burden to the team. (iii) The weight of the world on your shoulders describes feeling overwhelmed by responsibility. (iv) Weight off the shoulders means relief when a burden is removed. Option (a) fills all blanks with idioms that suit the sentence meanings.

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)
Explanation: The repeated exclamation marks show heightened emotion and a loud, excited tone. The characters are speaking with strong feeling and a raised voice rather than offering calm advice or solemn apologies. The punctuation underlines the intensity and comic energy of the scene.
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)
Explanation: Lomov is portrayed as anxious about his health and quick to complain of ailments, a classic hypochondriac trait. His eagerness to marry partly concerns social appearance and stability rather than deep romantic passion, which fits the description given in the question.
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)
Explanation: Chubukov, Natalya's father, repeatedly intervenes and becomes involved in the couple's petty disputes. His attempts to control or mediate the situation draw him into the same absurd quarrels, adding to the play's comic effect.

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)
Explanation: Chubukov utters this line to make clear that the visitor is not welcome to borrow money from him. It reflects his concern for property and finances and his readiness to defend his household's interests when Lomov arrives.
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)
Explanation: Lomov praises Natalya's qualities in order to persuade Chubukov that she would make a suitable wife. The line lists practical and respectable attributes-housekeeping, appearance and education-that Lomov uses as reasons for proposing.
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)
Explanation: Natalya reports her father's instruction to Lomov, telling him that a merchant has come to collect goods. The line shows her role in the household and conveys how family business and interruptions affect the scene.

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)
Explanation: Lomov makes this remark to emphasise the longstanding friendly ties between the two families and to strengthen his case for marriage. The line is meant to reassure Chubukov and to present the match as natural and proper.