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Read the given… (Class 10 English SQP 2026-27, Q6A)

questionbuddy.in/q/cbse-10-english-2026-27-sqp-q6a-extracts-natalya-but-evening-dress

EnglishCBSE Class 10 · Sample paper, session 2026-27 · 5 marks · Case-based

CBSE Class 10 English sample paper 2026-27: question 6(A)

From the official CBSE sample question paper for 2026-27, section C, question 6(A), for 5 marks. Try it first; the hints and our step-by-step solution are below.

Q6(A) · 5 marks · Case-basedCompetency-basedThe Proposal

Read the given extracts A and B and answer ANY ONE of the two.

A. Natalya: But what’s this? Why, you’re in evening dress! Well, I never! Are you going to a ball or what? Though I must say you look better…Tell me, why are you got up like that?
Lomov: [excited] You see, honoured Natalya Stepanova…the fact is, I’ve made up my mind to ask you to hear me out…Of course you’ll be surprised and perhaps even angry, but a…[aside] It’s awfully cold!
Natalya: What’s the matter? [pause] Well?
Lomov: I shall try to be brief: You must know, honoured Natalya Stepanova, that I have long, since my childhood, in fact, had the privilege of knowing your family. My late aunt and her husband, from whom, as you know, I inherited my land, always had the greatest respect for your father and your late mother. (The Proposal)

  1. I

    Which of the following statements best explains Natalya’s attitude in the opening lines of the extract?

    1. (a)She is genuinely surprised by his formal attire and expresses sincere admiration while seeking an explanation.
    2. (b)She mocks his formal dress with sarcasm to conceal her anxiety about his unexpected and unusual appearance.
    1 mark
  2. II

    What do the ellipses (…) in Lomov’s speech highlight?

    1. (A)reveals his struggle to articulate his prepared thoughts
    2. (B)shows his overconfidence and casual attitude
    3. (C)demonstrates his anxiety and emotional turmoil
    4. (D)indicates a lack of intelligence and education
    1 mark
  3. III

    Complete the following suitably.
    Lomov is quite formal in his conversation with Natalya and prepares lengthy justifications because he ____________.

    1 mark
  4. IV

    How does the author's use of stage directions such as [excited] and [aside] enhance the dramatic tension in this extract?

    2 marks

Source: official sample paper from cbseacademic.nic.in (PDF). See it in the full Sample paper 2026-27.

Hints

Open one hint at a time and try again before the next.

Hint 1

Read Natalya's words for any sign of sarcasm.

Hint 2

Ask what broken speech suggests about Lomov's feelings.

Hint 3

Think about what an audience learns from stage directions that characters do not say aloud.

Step-by-step solution

Each step shows the marks it earns, as an examiner would award them. Checked by an independent re-solve from the question paper.

  1. (I) (a). Natalya is genuinely surprised and curious. Her words 'you look better' are sincere, and her questions are direct, not mocking.

    1 mark

  2. (II) (C). The ellipses show Lomov's anxiety and emotional turmoil as he speaks haltingly.

    1 mark

  3. (III) he is nervous about proposing and wants to establish his worthiness and family credentials, impressing her with formal respect.

    1 mark

  4. (IV) [excited] shows Lomov's inner agitation behind his formal speech, which creates dramatic irony. [aside] lets the audience hear his private thought that it is cold. This makes his nervousness visible and builds tension.

    2 marks

Answer: (I) a; (II) C; (III) he is nervous about proposing and wants to impress her with his family connections; (IV) stage directions reveal his inner agitation and private thoughts

Where the marks are

  • Chooses (a) (1 mark)
  • Chooses C (1 mark)
  • Gives the nervousness or wish-to-impress reason (1 mark)
  • Explains [excited] revealing inner state (1 mark)
  • Explains [aside] revealing private thoughts and raising tension (1 mark)

Revise the chapter

  • Chapter: The Proposal (notes, formulas, where marks are lost and every past question)
Practise this chapterBoard-style questions from The Proposal, one at a time, marked against the answer key and marking points.Back to the full paperSample paper 2026-27: every question, by section.

The question is transcribed from the official paper; figures are described in words. The solution, hints and chapter tag are ours. Spotted an error? Write tosupport@questionbuddy.in.