The Proposal

What does Chubukov at first suspect that Lomov has come for?

Answer explanation

Initially, Chubukov suspected that Lomov had come to borrow money from him as he was wearing an evening dress.

Is Chubukov sincere when he later says, “And I’ve always loved you, my angel, as if you were my own son”?

Answer explanation

Chubukov was not sincere at all when he told Lomov that he had always loved him and that he treated the young man like his own son. He had made up his mind that he would not give a single penny to Lomov, if he tried to borrow money from him. He also used all kinds of insults to ridicule Lomov during the argument by calling him ‘pettifogger’, ‘old rat’, ‘Jesuit’, etc. However, when Lomov asked for his daughter’s hand in marriage, his attitude changed immediately, and he rushed out and called his daughter, Natalya Stepanovna.

Chubukov says of Natalya: “… as if she won’t consent! She’s in love; egad, she’s like a lovesick cat…” Would you agree? Find reasons for your answer.

Answer explanation

Chubukov believes that Lomov is an ideal marriage prospect for his daughter, Natalya. He was indeed waiting for this proposal. However, when Lomov expresses his doubt about Natalya’s consent to the marriage proposal, Chubukov immediately affirms him, saying that his daughter is in love with him. In the play, we notice that Natalya constantly argues and disagrees with Lomov in every respect. When Lomov leaves after the argument, Chubukov tells her that he has actually come with a marriage proposal for her. On hearing this, Natalya started weeping and asked her father to bring back Lomov at once. The statements that show she was actually in love with him are, “Ah! she said, Bring him back! Back Ah! Bring him here. Quick, quick! Fetch him!”

You must have noticed that when we report someone’s exact words, we have to make some changes in the sentence structure. In the following sentence, fill in the blank to list the changes that have occurred.

• * To report a statement, we use the reporting verb ____________________________.

Answer explanation

To report a statement, we use the reporting verb said/declared.

You must have noticed that when we report someone’s exact words, we have to make some changes in the sentence structure. In the following sentence, fill in the blank to list the changes that have occurred.

• * The adverb of place here changes to _____________________________________.

Answer explanation

The adverb of place here changes to there.

You must have noticed that when we report someone’s exact words, we have to make some changes in the sentence structure. In the following sentence, fill in the blank to list the changes that have occurred.

• * When the verb in direct speech is in the present tense, the verb in reported speech is in the _____________________________________ tense

Answer explanation

When the verb in direct speech is in the present tense, the verb in reported speech is in the past tense.

Anger Management: As adults, one important thing to learn is how to manage our temper. Some of us tend to get angry quickly, while others remain calm.

Can you think of three ill effects that result from anger? Note them down. Suggest ways to avoid losing your temper in such situations. Are there any benefits from anger?

(Note: Students can write this answer as per their understanding and personal experiences.)

Answer explanation

There are various ill-effects of anger. Three ill-effects that result from anger are listed below:

1. 1. It causes headaches and health problems.

2. 2. It gives rise to anxiety and blood pressure.

3. 3. It ruins relationships with people.

You can avoid losing your temper by trying to stay calm in difficult situations. Take a step back and think carefully before you speak, and avoid taking things too personally.

Although it is advisable to stay calm and not get angry often. But here are some benefits of anger:

1. 1. It makes us aware of injustice and helps us voice our opinion against it.

2. 2. It motivates us to stay focused and helps in solving disputes and facilitating negotiations among people.

Here is an excerpt from an article from the Times of India dated 27 August 2006. Rewrite it, changing the sentences in direct speech into reported speech. Leave the other sentences unchanged.

“Why do you want to know my age? If people know I am so old, I won’t get work!” laughs 90-year-old A. K. Hangal, one of Hindi cinema’s most famous character actors. For his age, he is rather energetic. “What’s the secret?” we ask. “My intake of everything is in small quantities. And I walk a lot,” he replies. “I joined the industry when people retire. I was in my 40s. So I don’t miss being called a star. I am still respected and given work, when actors of my age are living in poverty and without work. I don’t have any complaints,” he says, adding, “but yes, I have always been underpaid.” Recipient of the Padma Bhushan, Hangal never hankered after money or materialistic gains. “No doubt I am content today, but money is important. I was a fool not to understand the value of money earlier,” he regrets.

Answer explanation

90-year-old A.K. Hangal, one of Hindi cinema’s most famous character actors, asked, laughing, why we wanted to know his age. He said that if people knew he was that old, he would not get work. For his age, he is rather energetic. We asked him about the secret. He replied that his intake of everything in small quantities was the secret and added that he walked a lot. He said that he had joined the industry when people usually retired. He was in his 40s, so he did not miss being called a star. He was still respected and given work, when actors of his age were living in poverty and without work. He said he had no complaints and added that he had always been underpaid. Being the recipient of the Padma Bhushan, Hangal never hankered after money or materialistic gains. He said that there was no doubt that he was content at present, but money was an important aspect. He said regretfully that he was a fool not to understand the value of money before.

You must have noticed that when we report someone’s exact words, we have to make some changes in the sentence structure. In the following sentence, fill in the blank to list the changes that have occurred.

• * If the verb in direct speech is in the present continuous tense, the verb in reported speech changes to _____________________ tense.

Answer explanation

If the verb in direct speech is in the present continuous tense, the verb in reported speech changes to past continuous tense.

The pronouns I, me, our and mine, which are used in the first person in direct speech, change according to the subject or object of the reporting verb such as , _________________, _____________________, __________________ or _______________ in reported speech.

Answer explanation

The pronouns I, me, our and mine, which are used in the first person in direct speech, change according to the subject or object of the reporting verb such as he/she, him/her, their or his/her’s in reported speech.