CBSE Class 12 English Core Vistas Book Chapter 5 On the Face of It Question Answers from previous years question papers (2019-2024)
On the Face of It Previous Year Questions with Answers – Question Answers from Previous years Board Exam Question papers provide valuable insights into how chapters are typically presented in exams. They are essential for preparing for the CBSE Board Exams, serving as a valuable resource.They can reveal the types of questions commonly asked and highlight the key concepts that require more attention. In this post, we have shared Previous Year Questions for Class 12 English Core Chapter 5, “On the Face of It”.
Questions which came in 2024 Board Exam
Q1. Read the following extracts and answer the questions :
Derry : I….there….I thought this was an empty place. I didn’t know there was anybody here…
Mr. Lamb : That’s all right. I’m here. What are you afraid of, boy? That’s all right.
Derry : I thought it was empty…..an empty house.
Mr. Lamb : So it is. Since I’m out here in the garden. It is empty. Until I go back inside. In the meantime, I’m out here and likely to stop. A day like this. Beautiful day. Not a day to be indoors.
Derry : [Panic] I’ve got to go.
(i) Derry was stammering because of :
(A) a speech defect.
(B) excitement.
(C) anger.
(D) fear.
Ans. (D) fear.
(ii) Complete the sentence appropriately.
Derry insisted on going back because __________.
Ans. he was afraid of Mr. Lamb and unfamiliar surroundings.
(iii) Mr. Lamb was trying to tell Derry that :
(A) it was a matter of perception.
(B) Derry could stay with him.
(C) he spent all his days in the garden.
(D) he was fond of company.
Ans. (A) it was a matter of perception.
(iv) From the extract, one can infer that Mr. Lamb was a/an :
(A) compassionate man.
(B) mysterious character.
(C) new neighbour.
(D) unreasonable man.
Ans. (A) compassionate man
Q2. Read the following extracts and answer the questions :
Derry : I’d not come to steal anything.
Mr. Lamb : No, no. The young lads steal…… scrump the apples. You’re not so young.
Derry : I just……..wanted to come in. Into the garden.
Mr. Lamb : So you did. Here we are, then.
Derry : You don’t know who I am.
Mr. Lamb : A boy. Thirteen or so.
Derry : Fourteen. [Pause] But I’ve got to go now. Good-bye.
Mr. Lamb : Nothing to be afraid of. Just a garden. Just me.
Derry : But I’m not …. I’m not afraid. [Pause] People are afraid of me.
(i) Why does Mr. Lamb feel that Derry has not come to steal?
Ans. Mr. Lamb feels that Derry has not come to steal because Derry’s intent appears to be simply exploring the garden and talking to him, rather than stealing.
(ii) Cite instances from the extract which show that Mr. Lamb is trying to put Derry at ease.
Ans. Mr. Lamb addresses Derry kindly, says “Nothing to be afraid of,” and reassures him by calling the garden “Just a garden” and himself “Just me.”
(iii) Choose the correct statement :
(A) Derry entered the garden as he was fascinated by the bees.
(B) Derry came to meet Mr. Lamb.
(C) They were well acquainted with each other.
(D) Derry entered as he wanted to see the garden.
Ans. (D) Derry entered as he wanted to see the garden.
(iv) People are afraid of Derry because _________.
Ans. of his physical appearance, which makes him feel isolated and judged by others.
Q3. Why does Derry not like being with people? [40-50 Words]
Ans. Derry does not like being with people because he feels judged and pitied for his appearance. After an accident left him with severe facial scars, he experiences isolation and discrimination, making him self-conscious and reluctant to interact with others who often treat him differently because of his looks.
Q4. Physically impaired people have to suffer pain and a sense of alienation due to the behaviour of the people around them. It’s ironical that people who should be treated with empathy are either avoided or pitied. Discuss. [120-150 Words]
Ans. Physically impaired people often endure not only their disabilities but also the insensitivity and prejudice of those around them. This societal behaviour exacerbates their pain and sense of isolation. Instead of receiving empathy and support, they are often met with avoidance or pity, which only deepens their alienation. The irony lies in the fact that those who need understanding and acceptance are often marginalized. This is evident in the character of Derry from “On the Face Of It,” who experiences both direct and indirect forms of discrimination due to his appearance. Such treatment underscores a societal failure to recognize and respect the intrinsic value of individuals with disabilities. True empathy involves treating them with dignity and integrating them fully into the social fabric, rather than perpetuating their sense of otherness.
Q5. Mr. Lamb : Lord, boy, you’ve got two arms, two legs and eyes and ears ……..
You could get on better than all the rest. Optimism is the best tool to face challenges in life.
Imagine you are Mr. Lamb. You want to give a motivational speech to a group of differently abled students urging them to be positive in their approach to life. Write the speech on behalf of Mr. Lamb.
You may begin like this.
Hello ! Dear Students ! Believe in yourself. Nothing is impossible… (On the Face of it) [120-150 Words]
Ans. Hello! Dear Students!
Believe in yourself. Nothing is impossible if you set your mind to it. You have two arms, two legs, eyes, and ears – you can achieve so much more than you think. Life is full of challenges, but optimism is your best tool to overcome them.
Remember, everyone has their own battles to fight, and it’s your attitude that makes the difference. Stay positive, embrace your abilities, and never let anyone tell you that you can’t achieve your dreams. Use your strengths to your advantage, and always look for opportunities to grow.
Surround yourself with positive influences, set goals, and work hard to achieve them. Your determination and resilience will take you far. Believe in your potential and face life with a smile. You are capable of amazing things!
Thank you!
Q6. Mr. Lamb : Oh, there’s lot of things I’ve learned to do, and plenty of time for it. Years. I take it steady.” (On the Face of it)
Mr. Lamb, despite his handicap learnt to be independent and has proved where there is a will, there is a way. As a motivational speaker, write a speech to be delivered to school students, highlighting how one should develop resilience and determination to achieve one’s goal citing references from this story.
You may begin like this.
To remain resilient during difficult times, will help one move forward in life. [120-150 Words]
Ans. To remain resilient during difficult times, will help one move forward in life. We see a powerful character of Mr Lamb who is old and has lost a leg in the war. Despite these hurdles, he is energetic and lively. Mr Lamb keeps himself busy, welcomes everyone to his garden, reads books and has an optimistic approach towards life. Although he is alone, he does not feel lonely and makes friends with visitors. Mr Lamb considers weeds and plants to be same – it’s all life. Kids laugh at him and call him Lamey-Lamb due to the tim leg but he is indifferent. He accepts the fact and does not fret over it. He is not bothered by the hurt the tin leg causes him. He inspires Derry by saying that he should not be dejected if his half face is burnt. He has many other bounties with which he can achieve all that he wishes for. Mr. Lamb is a very strong character.
Q7. Derry : Oh no, because if I don’t go back there, I’ll never go anywhere in this world again. (On the Face of it)
Derry later realises that the decision taken at that moment helped him to come out of shell. As Derry, write a diary entry expressing your happiness and thanking your stars for the right decision taken.
You may begin like this.
I was so fortunate to be able to be decisive at the right moment…….. [120-150 Words]
Ans. Dear diary
I was so fortunate to be able to be decisive at the right moment. I had to put my foot down or else I would never be able to speak up for myself. I gathered a lot of courage to speak my mind. I wanted to go to Mr Lamb and I was able to fulfil my desire. Mr Lamb encouraged me and changed my perception. I felt that I was liberated and free from the burden of carrying a burned face. There is so much more to me and to life than just sulking over my burned face. I feel liberated and free to do whatever I feel like. I feel so light.
Bye dear diary.
Q8. Imagine you are Derry speaking at the funeral of Mr. Lamb highlighting Mr. Lamb’s optimism and the change he brought about in your attitude towards life.
You may begin like this.
Dear friends,
I will be eternally grateful to Mr. Lamb …… [120-150 Words]
Ans. Dear friends,
I will be eternally grateful to Mr. Lamb for the profound impact he had on my life. When I first met him, I was filled with anger and self-pity due to my scarred face. I saw the world as a hostile place and felt isolated. But Mr. Lamb, with his unwavering optimism and kindness, changed my perspective entirely.
He taught me to see beyond my physical appearance and to appreciate the beauty of life. He showed me that everyone has their own struggles and that it is our attitude that defines us, not our scars. Mr. Lamb’s garden was a sanctuary of hope and acceptance, where I learned to embrace life with courage and positivity.
His words and actions have left an indelible mark on my heart. He made me realize the importance of looking beyond the surface and finding joy in the simplest things. Mr. Lamb’s legacy will continue to inspire me and many others to live with hope and optimism, no matter the challenges we face.
Thank you
Q9. Things out, shutting things in.
The above statement speaks about Mr. Lamb’s open mindedness and large heartedness despite his disability. Inspired by his thought, you as a student leader, give a motivational speech to your class on how positive attitude and broad mindedness will help one succeed in life.
You may begin like this.
Good morning to one & all.
Being positive and open minded will definitely make you evolve and grow ……. [120-150 Words]
Ans. Good morning to one & all.
Being positive and open minded will definitely make you evolve and grow. The character of Mr Lamb projects these two qualities. He does not consider weeds as unwanted and says that it is all life and same as him and Derry. He got a tin leg and limped while walking, the kids teased him by calling him Lamey Lamb but he took it as a matter of fact. He lived all alone and kept the gates of the garden open to welcome everyone. He enjoyed talking to people and even heard the bees in the garden ‘sing’.
Mr Lamb tries to pass his positivity to Derry when he says that he had two arms, two legs,eyes and ears, a tongue and a brain and he could do better than the rest.
He has many friends who visit him and he shares the various home-made toffees with them. In all these years, he had learned plenty of things. Thus, we see Mr Lamb is positive and open-minded person.
Q10. Derry : It’s got nothing to do with my face and what I look like.
You do agree with Derry that appearance doesn’t define a person. Only one’s potential and innate qualities gain one respect and dignity in society.
As Derry, write a diary entry regretting how you wasted your time indulging in self-pity and frustration and how your encounter with Mr. Lamb transformed your personality.
You may begin like this.
I do really thank my stars for bringing Mr. Lamb into my life ………… [120-150 Words]
Ans. Dear Diary
I do really thank my stars for bringing Mr. Lamb into my life. All these years got wasted in frustration due to my burnt face. I was full of self-pity and bitterness towards anyone and everyone who came across me. I would look at people’s faces to judge their reaction on seeing me and then get bitter at them. I hated myself for this ugly appearance and felt that I could never achieve anything in my life.
However, my meeting with Mr Lamb has changed my perspective. He told me that despite being laughed at for a tin leg and limpy walk, he accepted the fact and did not mind the kids mocking at him. Mr Lamb told me that I am blessed with all four limbs, eyes, ears, brain and tongue and could achieve anything. No one had ever induced so much positivity and confidence in me. I had only received pity and hatred. When Mr Lamb showed acceptance for me, I felt so confident. I am full of joy and am thankful to him.
Bye dear diary
Questions from the Chapter in 2023 Board Exams
Q1. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow :
Deny : What do you do all day?
Mr. Lamb : Sit in the sun. Read books, Ah, you thought it was an empty house, but inside, it’s full. Books and other things.
Full. Deny : But there aren’t any curtains at the windows.
Mr. Lamb : I’m not fond of curtains, shutting things out, shutting things in. I like the light and the darkness, and the windows open, to hear the wind.
(i) The description of the house indicates that Mr. Lamb ___________.
Ans. loves nature
(ii) The expression ‘does not like shutting things out, shutting things in’ suggests Mr. Lamb’s
(a) welcoming nature.
(b) poverty-stricken existence.
(c) lack of resources.
(d) confused state of mind.
Ans. (a) welcoming nature.
(iii) Mr. Lamb spends his time ___________.
- reading books
- cooking meals
III. shutting things out
- enjoying beauties of nature
Which of the following options are appropriate?
(a) I and IV
(b) II, III and IV
(c) I and II
(d) I and III
Ans. (a) I and IV
(iv) On the basis of the extract, study the two statements, I and II given below :
- Mr. Lamb liked meeting people.
- Mr. Lamb accepted life as it came.
Choose the most appropriate option :
(a) I can be inferred from the extract, but II cannot.
(b) II can be inferred from the extract, but I cannot.
(c) Both I and II can be inferred from the extract.
(d) Neither I nor II can be inferred from the extract.
Ans. (c) Both I and II can be inferred from the extract.
Q2. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow :
Mr. Lamb : Look, boy, look … what do you see?
Deny : Just … grass and stuff. Weeds
Mr. Lamb : Some call them weeds. If you like, then … a weed garden, that. There’s fruit and there are flowers, and trees and herbs. All sorts. But over there … weeds. I grow weeds there. Why is one green, growing plant called a weed and another ‘flower’? Where’s the difference? It’s all life … growing. Same as you and me.
Deny : We’re not the same.
(i) In the above extract, what best summarizes Mr. Lamb’s attitude towards growing weeds?
(a) a celebration of life
(b) an acceptance of his poverty
(c) a manifestation of his loneliness
(d) an example of his gardening skills
Ans. (a) a celebration of life
(ii) Which of the following best describes Derry’s tone when he says “We’re not the same”?
(a) bitter
(b) confused
(c) defiant
(d) snobbish
Ans. (b) confused
(iii) Mr. Lamb brings out the contrast between flowers and weeds in order to
(a) explain weeds are important in a garden.
(b) demonstrate that weeds have medicinal values.
(c) emphasize the specific purpose of each.
(d) illustrate that there should be no distinction.
Ans. (d) illustrate that there should be no distinction.
(iv) What word from the above extract most nearly means the opposite of ‘difference’?
Ans. ‘specific’
Q3. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow :
Mr.Lamb : Well that needn’t stop you, you needn’t mind.
Derry : It’d stop them. They’d mind me. When they saw me here. They look at my face and run.
Mr.Lamb : They might. They might not. You’d have to take the risk. So would they.
Derry : No, you would, you might have me and lose all your other friends, because nobody wants to stay near me if they can help it.
Mr. Lamb : I’ve not moved.
Derry : No…….
Mr. Lamb : When I go down the street, the kids shout ‘Lamey-Lamb’. But they still come into the Garden, into my house; it’s a game. They’re not afraid of me. Why should they be? Because I’m not afraid of them, that’s why not.’
(i) The kids tease Mr. Lamb but still come into his garden. Why?
Ans. (i)The kids tease Mr. Lamb but still come into his garden because they loved him and were not afraid of him. They knew that Mr. Lamb won’t mind even if they tease him by calling ‘Lamey-Lamb’.
(ii) Choose the best option that describes Mr. Lamb.
(a) headstrong (b) pessimist
(c) negligent (d) positive
Ans. (d) positive
(iii) Choose the correct option with reference to the extract :
What makes Derry tell Mr. Lamb that if he comes, others would stop coming?
(a) Mr. Lamb would not let others come.
(b) They would be repulsed by Derry.
(c) Mr. Lamb will have to choose between him and others.
(d) Derry would flare up.
Ans. (b) They would be repulsed by Derry.
(iv) What does Mr. Lamb mean by ‘They might, they might not’?
Ans. Mr. Lamb means that it’s not necessary that if the people or the children will look at Derry’s face; they would mind coming close to him. It might be that they run away, or they might not run away. Mr. Lamb wants Derry to think optimistically and not be pessimistic.
Q4. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow :
You think …. ‘Here’s a boy.’ You look at me … and then you see my face and you think. ‘That’s bad. That’s a terrible thing. That’s the ugliest thing I ever saw.’ You think, ‘Poor boy.’ But I’m not. Not poor. Underneath, you are afraid. Anybody would be. I am. When I look in the mirror, and see it, I’m afraid of me.
(i) Who is the speaker and who is he speaking to?
(a) Derry; His mother
(b) Derry; Mr. Lamb
(c) Derry; Ladies at the bus stop
(d) Mother; Mr. Lamb
Ans. (b) Derry; Mr. Lamb
(ii) According to the speaker, what do people feel about him?
(a) People are empathetic towards him.
(b) People are repulsed by his appearance.
(c) People are annoyed by his presence.
(d) People are unhappy at his association with his neighbours.
Ans. (a) People are empathetic towards him.
(iii) Complete the following statement with reference to the extract :
When I look in the mirror, and see it, I’m afraid of me _________.
Ans. because it reminds me of my ugliness and makes me feel depressed and scared.
(iv) Explain the following statement with reference to the given extract :
You think, ‘Poor boy.’ But I’m not.
Ans. Mr. Lamb, according to Derry, will pity him like everyone else, but he will also be afraid of him.
Q5. How does Mr. Lamb try to put Derek at ease when he entered Mr. Lamb’s garden? [40-50 Words]
Ans. Mr. Lamb attempted to put Derek at ease with his reassuring and kind words when Derek entered his garden. Mr. Lamb realised that his presence in the garden had alarmed Derry. He informed Derry that he did not object to visitors entering his garden, so Derry had nothing to fear.
Q6. Why does Derry enter Mr. Lamb’s garden? [40-50 Words]
Ans. Because of his scarred face, Derry avoided other people and preferred to be in isolated areas. Because he believed that Mr. Lamb’s garden was deserted, he scaled a wall and entered the property. When he saw Mr. Lamb, he was taken aback and surprised.
Q7. Derek wants to go back to Mr. Lamb’s house against his mother’s will. What does this tell you about Mr. Lamb? [40-50 Words]
Ans. Derek wants to go back to Mr. Lamb’s house, even though his mother doesn’t want him to. This is because Mr. Lamb has taught Derek a new way to look at life. He has given Derry hope that he can get over his disability by having a positive view of life. Derry likes what he teaches and what he tells him, so he goes back to Mr. Lamb.
Q8. What were the apprehensions of Derry’s mother about his visit to Mr. Lamb? [40-50 Words]
Ans. She tells Derry that she had been warned to stay away from him. Although they had been there recently, she had heard things about him.
Q9. What gave Derry the courage to go back to Mr. Lamb’s house despite his mother’s refusal? [40-50 Words]
Ans. Mr. Lamb’s encouraging words and acceptance for Derry’s burnt face gave him confidence. Now the boy felt that he could do whatever he wanted to. He wanted to think and decide on his goal and this gave him the courage to go back despite the mother’s refusal.
Q10. How does Mr. Lamb react when children call him Lamey-Lamb? [40-50 Words]
Ans. Mr Lamb accepts that he has a tin leg. He does not fear the children nor does he fright them.
Q11. Why does Derry not like being with people? [40-50 Words]
Ans. Derry dislikes being with people because of the manner in which they react on seeing his burnt face. They feel pity for him or get scared of him. Even his mother does not love him truly.
Q12. Why was Derry startled as soon as he entered the garden? [40-50 Words]
Ans. Derry had entered the garden thinking that it was empty. However, Mr Lamb’s voice startled him. He felt guilty of intruding into a private territory.
Q13. Mr. Lamb stands as a symbol of optimism and hope. Support your answer with examples from the text. [120-150 Words]
Ans. Yes, Mr Lamb is truly a symbol of optimism and hope. He lives alone, lost a leg in the war, but still, he lives a fulfilling life. He welcomes everyone into his garden, he reads books, grows apples, rears honey bees and makes jelly and toffee. He even shares these with the visitors. When children call him ‘Lamey Lamb’ he remains unaffected because he accepts the fact that he has a tin leg which cause a limp while walking. He is not scared of the children and does not scare them either. He does not differentiate between a weed and a flower. For him both represent life.
When he comes across the dejected young boy, Derry, he instils positivism and confidence in him. Mr Lamb motivates Derry to get over the burnt face and realize that he has been blessed with a healthy body, a working brain, eyes, ears and tongue. He can do whatever he desires. Mr Lamb’s words are full of optimism, they are so powerful, that they young lad becomes lively and starts realizing his capabilities. Thus, we see the transformative power of Mr Lamb’s words.
Questions that appeared in 2022 Board Exams
Q1. How did Derry’s handicap affect his life? [40 Words]
Ans. Derry’s half face was burned due to acid. He appeared ugly and people looked at him with pity. He felt that he could do nothing in life. All this reduced his self-confidence and he became repulsive.
Q2. Why was Mr. Lamb’s gate always open? [40 Words]
Ans. Mr. Lamb always left his gate open since he welcomed guests to his home. Because Mr. Lamb lived alone in a large mansion, he desired a companion. So that tourists wouldn’t leave when the gates closed, he left them open.
Q3. How does Mr. Lamb overcome his feelings of loneliness? [40 Words]
Ans. Mr. Lamb lives alone but does not feel lonely. He welcomes visitors to his garden and shares the home-made toffees and jelly with them. He spends time with the bees whose humming sound sounds to Mr Lamb as if they are singing. He reads books, plucks crab apples planted in his garden, makes toffees with the honey and makes jelly with the apples. Thus, he remains busy to overcome loneliness.
Q4. When Mr. Lamb tells Derry that, while some describe the sound that the bees make as ‘buzzing’, to him it seems they are singing. What character trait of Mr. Lamb is brought to light? Why? [40 Words]
Ans. Mr. Lamb’s observation reveals his poetic and perceptive nature. He sees beauty and meaning in simple things, indicating his imaginative and positive outlook on life.
Q5. How did Mr. Lamb’s conversation and company change Derry’s desire to isolate himself from the world? [40 Words]
Ans. Mr. Lamb had a tin leg and was physically challenged. Although he was alone, he never displayed signs of loneliness. Derry did not disgust Mr. Lamb. He never felt sorry for Derry because he was who he was. He didn’t respond to Derry’s nastiness either. Derry was not coerced into staying and listening to him. But when he happened to talk to Derry, he helped him see that disabilities are not barriers. He gave him access to the globe. He also emphasised Derry’s advantages. He talked about his own life experiences and inspired him with the Beauty and the Beast tale. Never expecting him to go against his wishes, he instructed him to wait, watch, and listen.
Q6. Derry says “I’m not afraid … people are afraid of me.” Why does he make this comment about himself? [40 Words]
Ans. Derry says, “People are terrified of me, but I’m not afraid.” People were gaping at him when they saw Derry’s charred face, so he made this remark about himself. They frequently responded as though they were scared of him. Some of them felt sorry for him and comforted him with kind words.
Q7. How did Derry’s chance meeting with Mr. Lamb prove meaningful for them? [40 Words]
Ans. Derry walked into the garden considering that it was empty. By chance, he met the owner who was Mr Lamb, a welcoming old man. Both of them shared a commonality of physical handicap but their attitude towards life was poles apart. Mr Lamb infused positivity and confidence in Derry who was physically fit and could accomplish all that he desired. After meeting Mr Lamb, the half burnt face was not a matter of concern for him anymore.
Q8. What made Derry extremely self-conscious? [40 Words]
Ans. Derry, a fourteen-year-old boy with complexes, was troubled. After acid accidently spilled and burned one side of his face, he became a victim of rejection, an intense lack of self-regard, and an inferiority complex. Derry suffered more as a result of his disability making him resentful, which made him believe that everyone despised him. He avoided others because they continuously made him think about how ugly he was, making him dislike being around them. He turned into a loner because he believed he was too unattractive to be appreciated and loved by anyone.
Q9. Who is Mr. Lamb? How does Deny get into his garden? [40 Words]
Ans. Mr. Lamb is an old man who lived in a big house with a huge and beautiful garden. He had lost one of his legs due to a bomb explosion and it had now been replaced with a tin leg. He liked to talk to people and make them his friends, and so, he kept the gates of his garden always open.
Derry was a fourteen-year-old boy who was low on self esteem and liked to stay alone. Considering the garden to be empty, he jumped over the wall to hide away from the rest of the world.
Q10. Why does Derry steal into Mr. Lamb’s garden? What is Mr. Lamb’s reaction? [40 Words]
Ans. Derry dislikes meeting people because he does not approve of their reaction of sympathy and dislike when they see his half burnt face. He steals into the garden to explore it, thinking that it is empty. Mr Lamb is welcoming just like he welcomes every stranger.
Q11. Justify the title of the lesson ‘On The Face Of It’. [120-150 Words]
Ans. On the face of it looks to be a pretty fitting title for the story. The phrase “On the Face of It” refers to something that appears to be or seems to be. Due to how people treat him, Derry experiences frustration and a loss of self-esteem in the play. Everyone believed he was disabled and had a nasty scorched face. Mr. Lamb’s situation was comparable. In a bomb explosion, he had lost one of his legs. Evidently, Derry and Mr. Lamb both had physical flaws. However, Mr. Lamb helped Derry learn to accept his deformity, have confidence in himself, see the positive side of things, and look on the bright side of things. Their physical impairment was obvious to both them and the rest of the world. But the strength of one’s soul is what matters most. Mr. Lamb had a sharp mind and dealt with his disability and loneliness quite well. He played a crucial role in helping Derry start to view himself and his deformity more favourably. The play is about accepting that things are not always what they seem to be, ie., that a physical disability has nothing to do with a person’s mental fortitude and positive outlook on life.
Questions from the Chapter in 2020 Board Exams
Q1. What is common between Derry and Mr. Lamb? [30-40 words]
Ans. Both Derry and Mr Lamb are physically disabled. While Mr Lamb lost a leg in the war and got a tin leg, Derry got half him face burnt with acid.
Q2. How has Mr. Lamb kept himself open to everyone? [30-40 words]
Ans. Mr Lamb kept the gate of the garden open to welcome everyone. He shared toffee and jelly with the visitors. He did not have curtains in his house because he did not like to shut things in and out.
Q3. Why does Mr. Lamb leave the gate of his house always open? [30-40 words]
Ans. Mr Lamb lived alone but in order to get rid of the loneliness, he welcomed strangers into his garden by keeping the gates open.
Q4. The play ‘On The Face of It’ depicts the unusual behaviour of the people towards the physically disabled which makes them feel lonely. Comment. [120-150 words]
Ans. In the play, the young boy named Derry and the old man named Mr Lamb suffer from physical disabilities. Derry got half his face burnt with acid which made him appear ugly. People disliked his appearance and even pitied Derry. Thus, Derry disliked being with people. Even his mother kissed on the other side of the face. She too disliked his appearance and just did that because she had to. Derry disliked it because he did not want pity from others. Thus, he did not like to be with anyone, he hated people. Mr. Lamb had lost his one leg in the war and had a tin leg. He lived alone but he desired company and so, welcomed everyone to his garden. He even shared homemade toffee and jelly with them. However, young buys laughed at him and called him names like ‘Lamey Lamb’ when he walked with a limp. Mr Lamb did not mind this but he did feel lonely and craved companionship.
Thus, we see that disabled people are lonely because the society excludes them.
Q5. How did Derry benefit from his interaction with Mr. Lamb? [120-150 words]
Ans. At the start of the story, we see Derry as a dejected boy who dislikes everyone because he is pitied upon. He is gloomy because half his face got burnt by acid. He cannot think beyond this disability.
Derry has a chance encounter with Mr Lamb when he enters the apparently empty garden. Mr Lamb enthuses positivism and confidence into Derry. He motivates Derry to listen to his heart and to look beyond the ugly face of his. Hatred can do more harm than a bottle of acid did to his face, it can burn him up from inside. He says that Derry has a fit and healthy body with which he can accomplish anything that he desires. Mr Lamb suggests Derry to listen to his inner voice and find his aim in life.
Derry heard such positive words for the first time and they changed his outlook towards life.
Q6. Mr. Lamb died just as soon as Derek was beginning to feel positive about life. Do you think that this would bring about a setback in his life? Give reasons for your answer. [120-150 words]
Ans. Mr Lamb was the source of inspiration for Derek. Derek who was full of gloom and hatred had just embarked on a journey of self-discovery. Surely Mr Lamb’s sudden death would once again throw Derek into the sadness and dejection. Derek wanted to listen to his heart and discover his goal in life but now, this would be next to impossible for him.
Perhaps during his moment of sadness, Derek would be reminded of Mr Lamb’s positive words and he would take a stand to set his life on the path shown by his friend.
2019 Exam Question and Answers from the Chapter
Q1. “It ate my face up. It ate me up.” Who said these words? Why? [30 – 40 words]
Ans. Derry said these words. He wanted to talk about his burned face which led to a low self esteem in him.
Q2. Why did Derry refuse to believe what his mother said against Mr. Lamb? [30 – 40 words]
Ans. Derry refused to believe his mother because his experience with Mr Lamb had been different.
Q3. Why does Mr. Lamb say to Derry, “So you are not lost, are you? Not altogether? ” [30 – 40 words]
Ans. He tries to awaken Derry and convey to him that there are many other aspects of his life other than the burned face.
Q4. Why did Derry’s mother not want him to visit Mr. Lamb? [30 – 40 words]
Ans. She is protective about Derry and so, does not want him to meet strangers.
Q5. Mr. Lamb and Derry were both suffering from similar problems. Comment. [30 – 40 words]
Ans. Both of them suffered from physical disabilities which could lead to a lack pof self esteem. Derry’s half face got burned with acid while Mr Lamb lost a leg in the war.
Q6. How is the Derry we meet at the beginning different from the Derry at the end? [30 – 40 words]
Ans. Derry at the beginning of the story is a very negative person and because of his ugly appearance, hides away from the crowds. He believes that the acid has eaten his skin and him alive. He feels that he doesn’t need any second chance to live. However, Derry at the end of the story is more optimistic and practical. He decides to live happily by being friendlier with people.
Q7. Derry and Mr. Lamb both are victims of physical impairment, but their attitudes towards life are completely different. Elaborate. [120 – 150 words]
Ans. Derry suffers from a tremendous sense of inferiority complex. He is always conscious that his face is ‘bad’, ‘terrible’ and ‘the ugliest thing’. People are ‘afraid’ of him. He tries to escape people. He allows himself to be alienated from the world. He is withdrawn and defiant. He thinks that no one will ever love and kiss him except his own mother.
On the other hand, Lamb accepts life as it comes. He has a positive attitude towards life, things and people. He doesn’t find solace in escapism. Children tease him by calling him ‘Lamey-Lamb’ but he doesn’t mind it. One of his legs was blown off in the war. But he is full of life and enjoys it. He enjoys sitting in the sun, reading books and growing weeds and flowers. Yet Lamb despite his brave front does feel lonely at times. While Derry openly talks about his alienation, Lamb has schooled himself to remain positive.
Q8. “Things that matter. Things nobody else has ever said. Things I want to think about.” What are the ‘things’ that Derry is referring to? How did Derry’s chance meeting with Mr. Lamb prove meaningful for him? [120 – 150 words]
Ans. A remarkable change is seen in Derry’s perception and attitude towards life after meeting Mr. Lamb. He says to his mother that Mr. Lamb had spoken to him about things that no one else had talked to him about. The ‘things’ that Derry refers to are Mr. Lamb’s words of wisdom and his healing touch which inspire him (Derry) to shed his inferiority complex.
Mr. Lamb is an elderly gentleman who suffers from a physical handicap. He has a tin leg because his leg had been blown off in the war. The children tease him by calling him “Lamey Lamb” but he does not mind it.
Derry suffers from an acute sense of self-hatred and rejection because of his burnt face. He feels he is very ugly and so no one will love him. Mr. Lamb too has heard Derry only complain and bemoan about himself. He feels very sad to see a fourteen year old boy giving up on life just because of his physical disability. Mr. Lamb at first startles Derry with his strange talk. He tells Derry he is interested in everything created by God. His encouraging words have a magical effect on Derry. Mr. Lamb’s conversation that everyone and everything is essentially the same, the notion of beauty is relative and his concept of the world and friendship baffle but appeal to Derry and he is fascinated by the old man.
Mr. Lamb inspires Derry by telling him not to focus on the shortcomings of life and his handicap and instead he should try to enjoy the blessings of life. He tells him to be thankful to God for two arms, two legs, two eyes and ears, a tongue and a brain and advises him to be friendly with everyone around him. Derry’s long conversation with Mr. Lamb helps him overcome his inferiority complex and poor self-esteem.
Also see:
On the Face of It Important Questions, NCERT Solutions, Extra Questions
On the Face of It Summary, Explanation
On the Face of It Character Sketches