Past board exam questions
CBSE 2026 board paper · 3 marks
Explain the contention of the families of Lomovs and Chubukov’s over the ownership of Oxen Meadows.
(The Proposal)
(Answer in about 40-50 words.)
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(Content 2 – any two points; Expression 1)
Both families claimed ownership of the Oxen Meadows. Lomov insisted that the meadows belonged to his family – his aunt’s grandmother had only given Chubukov’s grandfather’s peasants their free use, and he could prove it with documents. Natalya and Chubukov insisted that the meadows had always been theirs. The trivial dispute, born of pride and stubbornness, turned into a heated quarrel, exposing the characters’ pettiness and foolishness.
CBSE 2026 board paper · 3 marks
What was the cause of conflict between Natalya and Lomov ? (The Proposal)
(Answer in about 40-50 words.)
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(Content 2 – the cause with textual evidence; Expression 1)
Natalya and Lomov quarrel first over the ownership of the Oxen Meadows, each claiming the land belongs to their family, and later over whose dog is better – Lomov’s Guess or Natalya’s Squeezer. These petty disputes, fuelled by pride and short tempers, keep Lomov from making his proposal.
CBSE 2026 board paper · 3 marks
While arguing with Lomov, Natalya always emerged the winner. Justify.
(The Proposal)
(Answer in about 40-50 words.)
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(Content 2 – any two points; Expression 1)
Natalya dominated both quarrels. Over the Oxen Meadows she firmly asserted that the land between the Birchwoods and the Burnt Marsh belonged to the Chubukovs and refused to give in. Later she stubbornly insisted that her dog Squeezer was better than Lomov’s Guess. She stayed in control throughout, while Lomov, unable to take the pressure, suffered palpitations and numbness and finally collapsed.
CBSE 2026 board paper · 3 marks
How is Oxen Meadows a bone of contention between Lomov’s and Natalya’s family ?
(The Proposal)
(Answer in about 40-50 words.)
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(Content 2 – at least two value points; Expression 1)
Both families claim ownership of the Oxen Meadows. Lomov says his aunt’s grandmother gave the free use of the Meadows to the peasants of Natalya’s father’s grandfather, so they belong to him. Natalya insists that their land extends up to the Burnt Marsh, so the Meadows are theirs. The dispute ends in a fierce quarrel.
CBSE 2026 board paper · 3 marks
Besides Oxen Meadows, what is the other important cause of quarrel between Lomov and Natalya ?
(The Proposal)
(Answer in about 40-50 words.)
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(Content 2 – at least two value points; Expression 1)
Their second quarrel is over the pedigree of their dogs. Lomov claims that his dog, Guess, is far better than Natalya’s dog, Squeezer. Natalya calls Guess old and worthless, ‘as good as dead’, and insists that Squeezer is a finer breed. Each refuses to give in, and the argument becomes as bitter as the one over the Meadows.
CBSE 2026 board paper · 3 marks
What reasons did Lomov put forward to assert his ownership of Oxen Meadows, despite facing strong opposition from Natalya and her father ?
(The Proposal)
(Answer in about 40-50 words.)
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(Content 2 – at least two value points; Expression 1)
Lomov claimed that the Oxen Meadows had always belonged to his family. He explained that his aunt’s grandmother had given the free use of the Meadows to the peasants of Natalya’s father’s grandfather in return for their making bricks for her. Having used the land freely for about forty years, the peasants began to regard it as their own. Lomov insisted that he had the documents to prove his ownership, and he argued stubbornly to protect his property and his standing.
CBSE 2026 board paper · 3 marks
How does Natalya’s behaviour in ‘The Proposal’ reflect her stubbornness and insecurity ?
(Answer in about 40-50 words.)
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(Content 2 – at least two value points; Expression 1)
Natalya is stubborn: she engages in petty arguments and refuses to give up her claim to the Oxen Meadows, disputing Lomov’s ownership. Yet her behaviour shifts abruptly when she learns he had come to propose – she becomes hysterical and demands that he be brought back, revealing her insecurity about getting married. Even after accepting him, she stubbornly quarrels over whose dog, Guess or Squeezer, is better.
CBSE 2026 board paper · 3 marks
Natalya tells Lomov, “You can shout yourself hoarse in your own house but here I must ask you to restrain yourself!” What is the cause of conflict between the two ?
(The Proposal)
(Answer in about 40-50 words.)
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(Content 2 – at least two value points; Expression 1)
Natalya and Lomov quarrel over the ownership of the Oxen Meadows. Lomov believes the meadows belong to the Lomovs, whereas Natalya insists that everything between Burnt Marsh and Birchwoods belongs to the Chubukovs. Neither is willing to give in, and the argument grows so heated that both shout at each other; later they also quarrel over whose dog, Guess or Squeezer, is better.
