CBSE Class 12 English On The Face Of It Worksheet

CBSE Class 11 English On the face of it. Students can download these worksheets and practice them. This will help them to get better marks in examinations. Also refer to other worksheets for the same chapter and other subjects too. Use them for better understanding of the subjects.

Question. How did Mr Lamb relate Beauty and the Beast?
(a) They were relative to each other.
(b) They were indifferent to each other.
(c) They were God’s Grace.
(d) They were part of destiny.

Answer: A

Question. Derry was scared that if he didn’t go back to Mr Lamb, ______________________________________.
(a) Mr Lamb would not let him in.
(b) Mr Lamb would make other friends
(c) he wouldn’t be able to pick crab-apples
(d) he’d never go anywhere in the world again

Answer: D

Question. Based on the slogans and tag lines, for which of the following brands might Mr. Lamb be a suitable brand ambassador?
(a) Options (i), (ii), (iii)
(b) Options (ii), (iii), (iv)
(c) Options (iii), (iv), (v)
(d) Options (iv), (v), (i)

Answer: D

Question. Derry liked to be alone:
(a) because of burnt face.
(b) because he couldn’t bear with people’s comments.
(c) because of inferiority complex.
(d) All of these.

Answer: D

Question. Choose the option that best constitutes a message from the play: 
(a) People’s attitude should not stop one from experiencing life.
(b) What people say has no bearing upon how one feels about things.
(c) People cannot be changed. One can and should only change oneself.
(d) One’s opinions cannot be based on what people say behind one’s back.

Answer: A

Question. Mr. Lamb called Derry blessed:
(a) because he was young.
(b) because he had a mother.
(c) because he had friends.
(d) because except a burnt face, he had a perfectly healthy body.

Answer: D

Question. If Derry were in a library at the beginning of the play, which of the following sections of books would he NOT explore?
(i) Science fiction (ii) Fantasy
(iii) Self-help (iv) Non-fiction 
(a) Options (i) and (ii)
(b) Options (ii) and (iii)
(c) Options (iii) and (iv)
(d) Options (i) and (iv)

Answer: B

Question. What was Mr Lamb’s attitude towards life?
(a) He wanted to survive with the problems.
(b) He wanted to struggle with disability.
(c) He wanted to live life to the fullest.
(d) He wanted to look for sympathy.

Answer: C

Question. “Ah, but do you care if you never kiss them.” What does Mr. Lamb aim to do with such a statement?
(a) Empower Derry to take charge.
(b) Inspire Derry to have dreams.
(c) Comfort Derry by distracting him.
(d) Question Derry about his desires.

Answer: A

Question. Mr. Lamb kept the door of his garden open:
(a) to let the animals come in.
(b) to get fresh air.
(c) to avoid opening the door again and again.
(d) to have fine contact with the outer world and enjoy.

Answer: D

Extract Based MCQs

I. Read the given extracts and answer the questions that follow:
MR LAMB: Look, boy, look.... what do you see?
DERRY: 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 one green, growing plant is called a weed and another ‘flower’? Where’s the difference. It’s all life.... growing. Same as you and me.
DERRY: We’re not the same.
MR LAMB: I’m old. You’re young. You’ve got a burned face, I’ve got a tin leg. Not important. You’re standing there.... I’m sitting here. Where’s the difference? 

Question. Look at the given images of books. In which of the following are you NOT likely to find Mr. Lamb’s words as given in the extract?
(a) Options (i) and (iii)
(b) Options (i) and (iv)
(c) Options (ii) and (iv)
(d) Options (ii) and (iii)

Answer: B

Question. Which of the following represents Mr. Lamb’s analysis of flowers and weeds?
(a) Comparison is an act of violence against the self.
(b) If you have a garden in your library, everything will be complete.
(c) One man’s freedom fighter is another man’s terrorist.
(d) The cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff.

Answer: C

Question. Like the play, the given extract is a study in contrasts. What does Mr. Lamb seek to do by bringing up distinctions?
(a) To explain that weeds are important and should be valued and cared for as much as flowers.
(b) To emphasize that distinctions are made by man to serve specific purposes and uses.
(c) To highlight that labels are arbitrary and essentially reflect a common life experience.
(d) To remind Derry that the only difference that matters is that of attitude and experience.

Answer: C

Question. How would you describe Derry’s tone when he says – “We’re not the same”?
(a) Angry
(b) Perplexed
(c) Gloomy
(d) Practical

Answer: C

II. DERRY: 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.
DERRY: 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.
DERRY: Yes. I like that. When it’s raining, I like to hear it on the roof.
MR LAMB: So you’re not lost, are you? Not altogether? You do hear things. You listen.
DERRY: They talk about me. Downstairs, when I’m not there.

Question. Choose the option that best describes the sequence of Derry’s emotions in the above extract:
(a) shyness – friendliness – reluctant acceptance
(b) inquisitiveness – nostalgia – mild sadness
(c) curiosity – measured delight – disappointment
(d) defiance – excitement – grouchy insecurity

Answer: C

Question. “You do hear things. You listen.” Choose the option that captures the difference between hearing and listening.
hear: listen :: _________: _________
(a) shut in: shut out
(b) smile: laugh
(c) act: reflect
(d) chance: attend

Answer: D

Question. According to Mr. Lamb, what does the idea of being ‘lost’ signify?
(a) He, who does not hear what other people say, is lost.
(b) He, who does not appreciate man and nature, is lost.
(c) He, who does not pause to reflect on wind and rain, is lost.
(d) He, who is closed off to nature and its wonders, is lost.

Answer: D

Question. Read the following analysis of Mr. Lamb’s character based on the given extract. Choose the option that fills in the given blanks most appropriately:
Mr. Lamb’s (i) ____________ and daily activities reflected the values he lived by and the
kind of person he was. His openness, inquisitiveness and his (ii) ____________ to nature
were embodied in his work and words. Being close to and experiencing (iii) __________ was
not only significant to him, but was at the heart of finding meaning and (iv) ________ in life.
(a) (i) preferences ; (ii) attainment ; (iii) nature ; (iv) direction
(b) (i) choices ; (ii) loyalty ; (iii) the world ; (iv) hope
(c) (i) words ; (ii) attitude ; (iii) gardening ; (iv) worthiness
(d) (i) sermons ; (ii) proximity ; (iii) life ; (iv) values

Answer: A

III. “I thought it was empty....an empty house”.

Question. Why does ‘I’ enter the house?
(a) To steal apples
(b) To get his ball back
(c) To greet the neighbours
(d) Out of curiosity

Answer: D

Question. How does ‘I’ feel when he sees the owner?
(a) Excited
(b) Pleasured
(c) Embarrassed
(d) Indifferent

Answer: C

Question. Who is ‘I’ here?
(a) Derry
(b) Mr. Lamb
(c) Susan Hill
(d) Jack

Answer: A

Question. Who is the owner of the house?
(a) Derry
(b) Mr. Lamb
(c) Susan Hill
(d) Jack

Answer: B

IV. “What have you changed the subject for? People always do that. Why don’t you ask me? Why do you do what they all do and pretend it isn’t true and isn’t there?”

Question. Who changed the subject and why?
(a) Derry
(b) Mr. Lamb
(c) Derry’s mother
(d) Mr. Lamb’s wife

Answer: B

Question. What did people do when they looked at Derry?
(a) Sympathised with him
(b) Loved him
(c) Afraid of him
(d) Did not notice him

Answer: C

Question. Who is the speaker?
(a) Derry
(b) Mr. Lamb
(c) Derry’s mother
(d) Mr. Lamb’s wife

Answer: A

Question. Which subject was being talked about?
(a) English
(b) Burnt and ugly face
(c) Tin leg
(d) Nature

Answer: B

V. “But you can put on trousers and cover it up and no one sees, they don’t have to notice and stare.”

Question. In what context does the speaker say these words?
(a) His burnt face
(b) His amputated hand
(c) His distorted head
(d) His large ears

Answer: A

Question. How does ‘you’ respond?
(a) Tries to keep the speaker quiet.
(b) Tries to alter the view of the speaker.
(c) Tries to alter the appearance of the speaker.
(d) None of these.

Answer: B

Question. Who is ‘you’ conversing with?
(a) Derry
(b) Mr. Lamb
(c) His wife
(d) Susan Hill

Answer: A

Question. Why do children call ‘you’ Lamey–Lamb?
(a) He could not walk.
(b) He had a golden leg.
(c) He had a tin leg.
(d) He had no legs.

Answer: C

VI. “So you will. But the world won’t. The world’s got a whole face, and the world’s there to be looked at.”

Question. What problem is ‘you‘ talking about?
(a) Amputation of leg due to an accident.
(b) Burning of face due to acid.
(c) Distortion of head due to a blow.
(d) None of these.

Answer: B

Question. Who gives this reply?
(a) Derry
(b) Mr. Lamb
(c) Jack
(d) Jo

Answer: B

Question. From which lesson have these lines been taken?
(a) The Enemy
(b) Should Wizard Hit Mommy
(c) On The Face of It
(d) Deep Water

Answer: C

Question. Who is ‘you’ here?
(a) Derry
(b) Mr. Lamb
(c) Jack
(d) Jo

Answer: A

VII. “And think of all those people worse off than you. Think, you might have been blinded, or born deaf, or have to live in a wheelchair, or be daft in your head and dribble.”

Question. How does Derry feel about this sermonising?
(a) Liked
(b) Disliked
(c) Indifferent
(d) Displeased

Answer: B

Question. Pick up a word from above lines which is similar in meaning as ‘fall slowly in drops or a thin stream’.
(a) Worse
(b) Deaf
(c) Daft
(d) Dribble

Answer: D

Question. Who is the speaker of these words?
(a) Jack
(b) Jo
(c) Derry
(d) Mr. Lamb

Answer: C

Question. How have people been sermonizing to Derry about his burnt face?
(a) To be brave
(b) To be sympathetic
(c) To be patient
(d) To be happy

Answer: A

VIII. “So you believe everything you hear, then”

Question. How did Derry feel about it?
(a) They were cruel.
(b) They were sympathetic.
(c) They were happy.
(d) They were indifferent.

Answer: A

Question. How does Mr. Lamb interpret the conversation?
(a) Sympathetic
(b) Casual
(c) Funny
(d) Serious

Answer: B

Question. Who is the speaker of the above lines?
(a) Derry
(b) Lamb
(c) Dr. Sadao
(d) Tom

Answer: B

Question. About which incident the listener is talking about he had heard?
(a) Two women talking about his face
(b) Two men talking about his leg
(c) Two children making fun of him
(d) Everyone around him

Answer: A

IX. “I am 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.”

Question. Why is ‘I’ not fond of curtains?
(a) They shut things in.
(b) They shut things out.
(c) They are useless.
(d) They are waste of money.

Answer: B

Question. What does the listener like to hear?
(a) Barking of dog
(b) Honking of vehicles
(c) Calmness of the nature
(d) Pitter patter of rain

Answer: D

Question. Whose house is being referred here?
(a) Dr. Sadao
(b) Humi
(c) Lamb
(d) Douglas

Answer: C

Question. What things the house is full of?
(a) Books
(b) Dust
(c) Garbage
(d) Paintings

Answer: A

X. “What’ll he ever do? What’s going to happen to him when we’ve gone? How ever will he get on in this world?”

Question. For whom is the concern being expressed?
(a) Lamb
(b) Derry
(c) Lamb’s wife
(d) Derry’s parents

Answer: B

Question. Who is the listener?
(a) Derry
(b) Mr. Lamb
(c) Dr. Humi
(d) Louisa

Answer: B

Question. Who is the author of this story?
(a) Colin Dexter
(b) Pearl S. Buck
(c) Susan Hill
(d) John Updike

Answer: C

Question. Who Questionspeaks these words?
(a) Lamb
(b) Lamb’s wife
(c) Derry
(d) Derry’s parents

Answer: D

XI. “It’s got nothing to do with my face and what I look like. I don’t care about that and it isn’t important. It’s what I think and feel and what I want to see and find out and hear.”

Question. Why does Derry want to return to Lamb’s garden?
(a) To get his ball
(b) To make fun of him
(c) To exchange books
(d) To keep his promise

Answer: D

Question. What does Derry see when he returns to Lamb’s garden?
(a) The flowers have been plucked.
(b) The apples have been plucked.
(c) Lamb is lying on the ground.
(d) Lamb is watering the plants.

Answer: C

Question. Who is the speaker?
(a) Derry
(b) Derry’s mother
(c) Derry’s father
(d) Lamb

Answer: A

Question. Where is he willing to go?
(a) School
(b) College
(c) Lamb’s house
(d) Playground

Answer: C

Short Answer Type Questions: l

Question. In what sense is the friendship between Mr. Lamb and Derry fruitful? 
Answer: Mr. Lamb helped Derry overcome his sense of inferiority. He advised him not to pay too much attention to what others thought about him; to celebrate life and its wonders. Mr. Lamb brought about a positive change in Derry’s attitude.

Question. Why did Mr. Lamb help Derry? 
Answer: Mr. Lamb helped Derry because he too was handicapped, therefore he understood how Derry felt. Also, he was concerned about Derry’s negative attitude towards life. Mr. Lamb wanted to save the little boy from the habit of self-pitying.

Question. If you were to give a different ending to the story, “On The Face of It” how would you end it? 
Answer: The play is quite sad and open ended. According to me, the play should have ended on a positive note, giving the reader a sense of hope. I feel, even if Mr. Lamb dies in the end, Derry would show some positive changes in his character. He would not remain his old withdrawn and defiant self. Instead, he would become as cheerful, open and friendly as Mr. Lamb.

Question.. How does Mr. Lamb keep himself busy when it is a bit cool?
Answer: When it is a bit cool, Mr. Lamb likes to keep himself busy by breaking crab apples and making jelly from them. He enjoys the humming of bees in his garden while he sat in the sun reading books.

Question. What peculiar things does Derry notice about the old man, Mr. Lamb? 
Answer: Derry notices that Mr. Lamb always leaves the gates open for anybody and everybody so as to welcome strangers. Derry is amazed that unlike others old Mr. Lamb treated him with utmost kindness, that he is not repulsed by Derry’s scarred face. Derry also finds it peculiar that Mr. Lamb lives in a huge house with a huge garden but without curtains.

Question. What qualities of Mr. Lamb attracted Deny to him? 
Answer: Mr. Lamb seems to be a noble soul. He greets Derry in a humble manner and shows no shock or fear on seeing his burnt face. He welcomes him and offers to pluck apples from his garden. He says that things look outwardly different, but inwardly they are all the same. His positive attitude towards life and encouraging words attracted Derry towards Mr. Lamb.

Question. What did Derry’s mother think of Mr. Lamb?
Answer: Derry’s mother did not have a good impression of Mr. Lamb for she thought that he was not a good man. She did not want Derry to get acquainted with him or see him for any purpose.

Short Answer Type Questions: ll

Question. Why did Derry insist that he would go back to Mr. Lamb?
Answer: Derry insisted that he would go back to Mr. Lamb because it was for the first time that Derry felt comfortable and happy in someone’s presence. That someone was Mr. Lamb. While Derry was jovial with Mr. Lamb, Derry completely forgot about his burnt face. He felt that he too could live an independent life for he had all his faculty intact. Therefore, even though his mother forbade him from meeting Mr. Lamb, Derry insisted on going; he did not want to lose his new found companion.

Question. Why does Mr. Lamb leave the gate of his house always open?
Answer: Mr. Lamb always kept his gate open because he always wanted visitors to come to his house. Mr. Lamb resided alone in a big house and that is why he wanted a companion. He left the gates open so that visitors might not turn away watching the gates closed.

Question. Why does Derry stay away from people? 
Answer: Derry suffers from the complex that most of the physically impaired persons suffer from. He has become withdrawn and defiant. He has got a burnt face. He thinks that he is the ugliest person on the earth. People find his face very terrible. So, he is not afraid of the people but they are afraid of him.

Question. How do people console Derry when they look at his face? 
Answer: People often asked him to look at those people who were in pain, are brave, never cry, never complain and don’t feel sorry for themselves. They also asked him to think of those who were worse off. He was better off than those people who were blind, born deaf, confined to a wheel chair, or are crazy and dribble.

Question. ‘It is not merely age but experience that counts.’
With reference to any one example from the text, comment on how Derry found Mr. Lamb different from other adults he had encountered. 
Answer: Mr Lamb was a person full of life. Sadness or negativity found no place in his world. His physical impairment and people’s humiliating remarks had failed to dampen his spirit. His undying optimism and ever friendly attitude drew Derry towards him. For Derry, Mr Lamb was his source of inspiration.

Question. Why does Derry’s mother not want him to go back to visit Mr. Lamb?
Answer: Lamb was new to the place and she had not much personal information about him. She had also heard adverse remarks made by people about Mr. Lamb, who was leading a lonely life, with no contact with outside world. Earlier, children used to tease and chase him, so he would not be a healthy company for her son.

Question. “It ate my face up. It ate me up.” Who said these words? Why?
Answer: ‘It ate my face up. It ate me up’. These words are uttered by Derry. He said these words because his face was eaten by acid. He had one side of his face disfigured with acid and didn’t like it. That was the main reason why he always kept to himself and did not have any friends. He was withdrawn and pessimistic.

Question. Do you think Derry’s mother is protective of him? Justify your opinion with textual evidence. 
Answer: Derry’s mother is given little characterization in the play, but she seems simultaneously overprotective and not understanding of her son. She contributes to his isolation by keeping him home because of his facial injury, and treats him with a sense of pity that robs him of dignity and treating him like a perpetually helpless victim. In the play, Derry’s mother forbids him from returning to Mr. Lamb’s house, but Derry leaves anyway, finally asserting himself in a positive way.

Question. How is the Derry we meet at the beginning, different from the Derry at the end?
Answer: We find a positive change in Derry at the end. He is free from his old complexes. Lamb has given him a direction and purpose of life.

Question. What kind of garden does Mr. Lamb have? Why does he like it? 
Answer: Mr. Lamb is an old man with a tin leg. His real leg was blown off years ago during the war. He lives all alone in his house. There is a garden near the house. It has ripe crab apples looking orange and golden in colour. It is a place which welcomes different kinds of people and lets them do what they want. Mr. Lamb wanted kids and all to visit him as he couldn’t move much.

Question. In what sense is the friendship between Mr. Lamb and Derry fruitful? 
Answer: Mr. Lamb is optimistic, whereas Derry is pessimistic and has an inferiority complex. Mr. Lamb helps him overcome his inferiority complex and advises him not to pay much attention to what others thought about him.
He asked him to enjoy life and the beauty of nature. He brings about a positive change in Derry.

Question. Who was Derry? What problems did he have? 
Answer: Derry was a young boy who came to Mr. Lamb’s garden. One side of his face had been burnt by acid. He was reserved and did not like to mix with people. He would always think that he was the ugliest person on the earth.

Question. How do people react to Derry’s face?
Answer: When people looked at Derry’s burnt face, they kept staring at him. They often reacted as if they were afraid of him. Some of them pitied him and consoled him by saying sympathetic words.

Question. What is common between Derry and Mr. Lamb? 
Answer: Both of them had their own disabilities, Mr. Lamb was a man who owned a tin leg and Derry was a victim of acid attack. Both of them had physical deformities which made them stay away from society. The callousness of society affected them adversely.

Question. How does Mr. Lamb react when Derry enters his garden? 
Answer: Unlike Derry’s thought that Mr. Lamb would be angry at him if he saw him entering stealthily into the garden. Mr. Lamb treated Derry very gently and welcomed him to his garden. In fact, he was happy to get someone to talk to him in his loneliness. Like a father, he even gave Derry advice to be careful while fetching apples as he might slip and get hurt physically.

Question. Why did Derry go back to Mr. Lamb’s garden even after opposition? 
Answer: Derry developed a new vision of life under Mr Lamb’s guidance. He became positive and looked happy. Derry no longer cared about his face and looks. He was more concerned with himself, what he thought and felt, what he wanted to see and find out and hear. He knew that if he did not go back to Mr Lamb’s garden then, he would never go anywhere in that world again. He wanted the world. He no longer wanted to shun it or avoid the people.

Question. How did Derry’s handicap damage his life?
Answer: Fourteen years old Derry had half a burnt face, which resulted in poor self image. He became conscious of people’s stares and their comments hurt him. This made him avoid people. Eventually, he become introvert. Thus, Derry’s handicap damaged his life.

Long Answer Type Questions:  

Question. What benefits did Derry reap from his association with Mr. Lamb? 
Answer: Derry is a withdrawn and defiant boy. He does not like to be around people because they look at his face and pass uncharitable remarks. Once, one side of his face got burnt by acid, which left a scar on his face. This created a complex in his mind. He thinks that people are afraid of him. Mr. Lamb is a physically challenged man, one of whose leg is made of tin.
Mr. Lamb is a complete contrast to Derry when it comes to his attitude and outlook towards life. He is an optimist who does not allow trivial teasing and name calling do not bother him. In fact, he likes having company. Mr. Lamb is not repulsed by Derry’s scarred face. Neither he is angry nor put off by the boy’s rudeness. Instead, Mr. Lamb understands Derry’s anguish and tries to make him realise that being handicapped is not a drawback. His meeting with Mr. Lamb becomes a turning point in Derry’s life because Derry is ready to overcome his obstacles and face the world. He finds courage and strength to get what he wants.

Question. Both Derry and Lamb are physically impaired and lonely. It is the responsibility of society to understand and support people with infirmities so that they do not suffer from a sense of alienation. As a responsible citizen, write in about 100 words what you would do to bring about a change in the lives of such people.
Answer: In the story, both Derry and Lamb are physically impaired and lonely. To bring about a change in the lives of such people, as a responsible citizen, I shall treat them with respect and honour and not punish them with heartless ridicule and pity. People like Derry and Mr. Lamb expect empathy, rather than sympathy from others. Therefore, instead of looking down upon them with a pessimistic approach, I shall be supportive and considerate. They must be treated as equals. That is why I shall encourage them to take part in all activities. They deserve to study in regular educational institutions and get regular jobs. Therefore, advocation of this idea is very important. Only proper awareness and empowerment can make the world view them as equals and at same time make the ‘differently abled’ people feel socially accepted.

Question. Both Derry and Lamb are victims of physical impairment, but much more painful for them is the feeling of loneliness. Comment.
Answer: Mr. Lamb and Derry have different sorts of physical disability. While Mr. Lamb has a tin leg, one side of Derry’s face was burnt by acid and now is scarred. Both Derry and Mr. Lamb are victims of physical impairment, but much more painful for them is the feeling of loneliness. Both suffer alienation from the society. Derry feels that he is feared rather than accepted by the society because of his scarred face. Mr. Lamb also has to face name calling-‘Lamey-Lamb’ although it does not bother him much. Loneliness has caused constant pain for both Derry and Mr. Lamb. They both crave for friends, but neither of them have it. However, while his isolation makes Derry a bitter person, Mr. Lamb has a positive outlook and believes that being a handicap is not a drawback. Both expect that the society would neither treat them differently, as freaks, nor with pity. They want to be treated with empathy as equals.

Question. What change took place in Derry when he met Mr. Lamb? 
Answer: Derry a young boy, angry withdrawn and defiant. One side of his face was burnt because of which he lacked self-confidence. He was lonely because he had no friends. People either feared him, found him disgusting to look at, treated him with pity or made fun of him. Derry had alienated himself from the society completely. One day, Derry sneaked into Mr. Lamb’s garden and it became a turning point in his life.
One of Mr. Lamb’s leg was made out of tin. Due to his physical impairment, he could not move around much. As a result, Mr. Lamb too was isolated from the rest; children called him lamey- Lamb. However, it did not affect him. Instead, he always kept the gates of his garden open.
Seeing Derry suffer so much at such a young age Mr. Lamb struck up a conversation with him, spending time with Mr. Lamb made Derry look at the world and love and admire everything he saw and heard. Mr. Lamb encouraged Derry to make friends and not be bothered by their comments. He told the boy not to hate people.
Mr. Lamb’s life and attitude inspired Derry quite a lot. In spite of his handicap, Mr. Lamb lived an independent and happy life seeing his positive approach to life, Derry decides to get rid of the habit of self-pity and face the world boldly with his newly gained self-confidence.

Question. What is the bond that unites the two- the old Mr. Lamb and Derry, the small boy? How does the old man inspire the small boy?
Answer: Mr. Lamb turned Derry into a confident boy from a complex one. Both were physically handicapped but with different perspectives towards life. In the beginning Derry was a defiant and withdrawn boy who hated meeting people. Their stares, jibes and pity made him frustrated. He suffered a lot due to his burnt face and had a pessimistic approach to life. Mr. Lamb transformed his vision of life and suggested to live it on his own terms. Mr. Lamb discussed his own situation with Derry to make him understand that he should be open-minded. He told him that God has made all the things and one should not keep oneself in a room forever. He also kept his garden gate open and welcomed all.
Moreover, Derry could open up the layers of his heart and complexes in front of Mr. Lamb, which unburdened his heart. He got a new ray of hope in his life. He also taught Derry to use whatever God had given to him. The lesson of Mr. Lamb could not be ignored by Derry. He was disheartened to find about his death.
To meet Mr. Lamb, defying his mother and his return to Lamb’s garden shows his appreciation for living life as shown by Lamb. He learnt the lesson of optimism.

Question. Compare and contrast the characters of Mr. Lamb and Derry.
Answer: Both Mr. Lamb and Derry suffer from problems. Mr. Lamb had a tin leg, whereas Derry had a burnt face. But both of them differ in their attitude towards handling their problems.
Mr. Lamb is very positive in his outlook. He sees the beauty in everything, including weeds. He doesn’t let physical handicap prevent him from living life to the fullest. He is very friendly, opened his doors to the world as he thinks that the world and people are important. Moreover, he is strong and doesn’t let people’s negative comments hurt him. Besides, being very practical, he knows one’s life is in one’s own hands. He also shows understanding of Derry’s problems.
On the contrary, Derry is scared of meeting people as he hates seeing their fear of him and facing their rejection. He is too sensitive and people’s comment hurt him deeply. He becomes upset due to his parents’ overprotectiveness and mother’s repulsion for his burnt face. He is defiant and rude and does not talk to people. He sees everything in a bad light and is pessimistic about everything. He not only hates himself but the world and remains away from all. He indulges in self-pity over his face but he has inner deep desire to be accepted which he hides under an abrasive exterior. However, he changes at the end after listening to Mr. Lamb and becomes ready to face the world and overcome obstacles to do so. Eventually he finds courage and strength to get what he wants.

Question. Optimism in one’s attitude helps deal with all the challenges in life. Prove the statement by referring to the character Mr. Lamb from the chapter “On the Face of It”.
Answer: Derry was a fourteen year old young boy who suffered from a sense of inferiority complex due to his acid-burnt face. He never accepted himself like that and therefore, he was never able to reconcile himself with his physical disability. He had a poor self-esteem and felt victimized. But there was a positive change in him when he came in association with Mr. Lamb. He was surprised to notice that Mr. Lamb, despite his physical impairment, was an optimistic and cheerful man. He had a positive bent of mind. He never felt miserable or pitiable. He played with children and always kept the doors and windows of his house open so as to welcome everybody. He was very warm and friendly towards Derry. He told him that he had a weed garden because he felt weeds are also green living plants like others. Why should, then, they be called weeds. He also said that children called him `Lamey lamb’ whenever he went out into the streets, but he didn’t feel bad about it. He, on the other hand, made toffees to give them to the children whenever they met him. Derry was quite
impressed with his attitude of ‘waiting, watching, listening’. This provided confidence to Derry and he was a changed personality after meeting Mr. Lamb. Thus, we can say that optimism in one’s attitude helps deal with all the changes in life.

Question. Derry and Mr. Lamb both are victims of physical impairment, but their attitudes towards life are completely different. Elaborate.
Answer: Derry is a fourteen year old boy whose main problem is his burnt face. One side of his face had been burnt by acid. He suffers from a tremendous sense of inferiority complex. He is always conscious of the fact 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. On the other hand, Mr. Lamb doesn’t allow his physical disability to come in his way. He 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 to his best. He enjoys sitting in the sun, reading books and growing weeds and flowers.
Derry is withdrawn and defiant. He doesn’t trust people. He thinks that no one will ever love and kiss him except his own mother. He can’t stand people staring at him or passing uncharitable remarks. He is touchy and hyper sensitive. Mr. Lamb is open-minded and open-hearted. All are welcome. He loves everybody and everything. He teaches Derry how to handle people and things.

Question. Mr. Lamb calls Derry his friend while Derry refuses his affirmation. Would you consider their relationship with each other as friendship? Support your answer with the reference to the instance(s) from the text. 
Answer: Derry was a small boy who had a burnt face due to acid. He was very withdrawn and defiant. He used to run away from the world as he hated others staring at him. He thought people are afraid of his infirmity. Similarly, Mr. Lamb too was a handicapped person. He had lost his one leg in a bomb explosion during war years ago. He lived alone in this world.
The two of them have infirmity and are rejected by the people. Both have a vacuum in their hearts for not having company. Mr. Lamb is a man full of positive energy. When Derry met him, he found himself drawn towards Mr. Lamb. Mr. Lamb happened to be the only one who give him a new line of thought about his physical infirmity.
Thus, they both shared a bond that united the two of them.

Question. The play ‘On The Face of It’ depicts the unusual behaviour of the people towards the physically disabled, which makes them feel lonely. Comment. 
Answer: The lesson ‘On The Face of It’ aptly depicts the loneliness and sense of alienation experienced by Derry and Mr. Lamb on account of a disability. The actual pain and inconvenience caused by the disabilities is often much less than the sense of alienation felt by the disabled person. Derry suffered from severe negative complexes because of his burnt face. He became a pessimistic loner who indulged in self-pity and was always suspicious of the intention of others. His anger and frustration made him withdrawn and an introvert. Mr. Lamb, on the other hand, was inwardly a loner who craved for company and acceptance. Though outwardly he was always jovial, outgoing and optimistic; he was an extremely sensitive person. Derry and Mr. Lamb’s physical disabilities caused pain and suffering, not only to their body, but also to their mind and soul.

Question. Both Derry and Lamb are physically impaired and lonely. It is the responsibility of the society to understand and support people with infirmities so that they do not suffer from a sense of alienation.
As a responsible citizen, write in about 100 words, what you would do to bring about a change in the lives of such people. 
Answer: Like Derry and Lamb, there are so many people in this world who are impaired and lonely. They suffer from an inferiority complex and a sense of alienation. They remain aloof and turn themselves into a recluse. It is our duty to accept them and make them realise that this world belongs to them as well. We should treat them in a kind and sympathetic way. We should not look down upon them with pity in our eyes as they will feel bad and disheartened with such treatment. We should accept them with open arms and make them realise that their disability is not their fault. We should fill their hearts with hope and optimism and allow them to feel equal with the rest of the world.

Question. Derry sneaked into Mr. Lamb’s garden and it became a turning point in his life. Comment.
OR
Who was Mr. Lamb? How did he make Derry gain confidence and come out of his shell?
Answer: Derry is a fourteen-year-old boy with a face burnt by acid. Mr. Lamb serves as an ideal for Derry. Mr. Lamb has a tin leg. But he never allows his disability to sour the joys of life. Derry, on the other hand, makes himself quite pitiable and miserable. His hyper sensitivity is like an open wound. He can’t stand people staring at him. Even cruel and uncharitable remarks upset him. He can’t keep his ears shut. Nor does he possess a large and generous heart like that of Mr. Lamb, whom children called ‘Lamey-Lamb’, but Mr. Lamb does not mind it. He plays with them and gives them jelly and toffees. Derry, on the other hand, has developed a perverted mindset. The worst is that Derry distrusts the world and its people. We find a change in Derry towards the end. Mr. Lamb’s ideas leave their imprint on him. He is free from that complex now. He doesn’t care about his burnt face and it no more seems important to him.

Question. How is the Derry we meet at the beginning different from the Derry at the end?
Answer: Derry was a fourteen-year-old young boy who suffered from a sense of inferiority complex due to his acid–burnt face. He never accepted himself like that and therefore, he was never able to reconcile himself with his physical disability. But there was a positive change in him when he came into association with Mr. Lamb. He was surprised to notice that Mr. Lamb, despite his physical impairment, was an optimistic and cheerful man. He never felt miserable or pitiable. He played with children and always kept the doors and windows of his house open so as to welcome everybody at all times. This left a deep impression on Derry’s mind. He liked the way Mr. Lamb took his disability and learnt how to deal with people and things that come in the path as hurdles. His attitude towards life took a turning point and he became a different man who wanted to meet the world with open arms like Mr. Lamb who gave him a direction and purpose of life.

Question. Both Derry and Lamb are victims of physical impairment but much more painful for them is the loneliness. Comment. 
Answer: Derry’s main problem is his burnt face. One side of his face had been burnt by acid. He suffers from a tremendous sense of inferiority complex. He is always conscious of the fact that his face is “bad”, “terrible” and “the ugliest thing”. People are “afraid” of him. He tries to escape from people. He allows himself to be alienated from the world. On the other hand, Mr. Lamb doesn’t allow his physical disability to come in his way. He 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 to his best. He enjoys sitting in the sun, reading books and growing weeds and flowers.
Derry is withdrawn and defiant. He doesn’t trust people. He thinks that no one will ever love and kiss him except his own mother. He can’t stand people staring at him or passing uncharitable remarks. He is touchy and hyper sensitive. Mr. Lamb is open-minded and open-hearted. All are welcome. He loves everybody and everything. He teaches Derry how to handle people and things.

Question. What benefits did Derry reap from his association with Mr. 
Answer: Derry was a fourteen-year-old young boy who suffered from a sense of inferiority complex due to his acidburnt face. He never accepted himself like that and therefore, he was never able to reconcile himself with his physical disability. But there was a positive change in him when he came into association with Mr. Lamb. He was surprised to notice that Mr. Lamb, despite his physical impairment, was an optimistic and cheerful man. He never felt miserable or pitiable. He played with children and always kept the doors and windows of his house open so as to welcome everybody at all times. This left a deep impression on Derry’s mind. He liked the way Mr. Lamb took his disability and learnt how to deal with people and things that come in the path as hurdles. His attitude towards life took a turning point and he became a different man who wanted to meet the world with open arms like Mr. Lamb.

Question. How did Mr. Lamb try to give courage and confidence to Derry?
Answer: When Mr. Lamb found Derry in his garden, he did not make him go away. Instead, Mr. Lamb welcomed Derry in a cheerful way accepting him as he was. Although Derry behaved rudely with him, he remained calm and cordial as if Derry’s bad temper and defiance did not bother him at all. Derry was always angry and bitter because one side of his face was burnt. His face seemed to scare everybody. He withdrew himself from the society because of which he lacked courage and self confidence. Mr. Lamb’s behaviour towards Derry was completely different from others. He told Derry that it’s important to see how one is inside than how one looks on the outside. He inspired Derry with love for life and told him one cannot go through life being scared and alienated. Mr. Lamb asked Derry to enjoy simple joys of everyday living with people around and nature, ignoring the unpleasant. He initiated courage and confidence in Derry by telling him not to brood over limitations but count his blessings.

Q1.MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

Choose the most appropriate answer form the given options:

1. Derry entered into the garden of Mr. Lamb thinking _____________ .
(a) People occasionally visit the place.
(b) It is empty
(c) It is crowded
(d) It is noisy

2. Derry thinks that Mr. Lamb is in a better position because _______ .
(a) He could cover up his tin leg
(b) People don’t notice his legs
(c) He need not have to cover his face
(d) All the above

3. The moral of the fairy tale ‘Beauty and the Beast’ is ____________ .
(a) A kiss of a princess can change any devil
(b) We should not hate monsters
(c) Outward look is less important than the inside beauty
(d) None of the above

4. Derry hated that _______________________ .
(a) People don’t kiss his face
(b) People got afraid of looking at his face
(c) People don’t get afraid of his face
(d) None of the above

5. Mr. Lamb lost one of his legs in _____________ .
(a) An accident
(b) War
(c) Playing
(d) Falling from a tree

6. Derry believes that his mother loves him because _______ .
(a) She is his mother
(b) She really loves him
(c) People will criticize her
(d) All the above

7. According to Mr. Lamb Derry could get on better than all the rest because he has _______________________ .
(a) Two arms
(b) Two ears
(c) Two eyes
(d) All the above

8. Derry informs his mother that he likes Mr. Lamb because __________ 
(a) He is cripple
(b) He keeps his door always open
(c) He talks about things nobody else ever has said
(d) He is lonely

Q2.Fill In The Blanks:

Fill in the blanks with suitable words/ phrases from the lesson ‘On the face of it

1. Derry wanted the kind of a world where _____________ his face.
2. Derry’s house was ____________ away from the garden of Mr. Lamb.
3. Derry had ________________ face.
4. Mr. Lamb convinced Derry to overcome ____________ .
5. Children used to call Mr. Lamb _____________________ .
6. According to Derry Mr. Lamb was better of because ______________ .

Q3 CLOZE TEST:

Complete the passage with one suitable word in each blank:

1. Derry was a teenager, highly _______(i)_______ and withdrawn from main stream society. He developed this _______(ii)________ after one side of his face was disfigured by acid. He _______(iii)______ company of others and remained lonely. He believed that no one _____(iv)_____ him and his mother loved him because she was supposed to. Derry had this pessimistic and ______(v)______ attitude because once he heard two women ______(vi)_____about his ugly face. He heard his parents’ ____(vii)______ about him.