CBSE Class 12 English On The Face Of It Worksheet Set B

Type I. Reference to Context

Read the extracts given below and attempt the questions that follow:

1. 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 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.
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. 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: To highlight that labels are arbitrary and essentially reflect a common life experience.

Question. How would you describe Derry’s tone when he says—“We’re not the same?”
(a) calm
(b) perplexed
(c) bitter
(d) practical
Answer: bitter

Question. Why does Mr Lamb grow weeds?
Answer: For Mr Lamb, all plants have life and are growing: For him there is no difference between a flower garden and a weed garden.

Question. Describe Mr Lamb and Derry as represented in this extract.
Answer: Mr. Lamb is old and has a tin leg. He is sitting Derry is young, has a burned face and is standing. Mr. Lamb is positive and Derry in bitter.

2. Derry: 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.
Mr Lamb: No, Not the whole of you. Not of you.
Derry: Yes! [Pause]
Mr Lamb: Later on, when it’s a bit cooler, I’ll get the ladder and a stick, and pull down those crab apples. They’re ripe for it. I make jelly. It’s a good time of year, September. Look at them....orange and golden. That’s magic fruit. I often say. But it’s best picked and made into jelly. You could give me a hand.
Derry: 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? In case I see you looking and mind and get upset? I’ll tell....you don’t ask me because you’re afraid to.
Mr Lamb: You want me to ask....say so, then.
Derry: I don’t like being with people. Any people.
Mr Lamb: I should say....to look at it.... I should say, you got burned in a fire.
Derry: Not in a fire. I got acid all down that side of my face and it burned it all away. It ate my face up. It ate me up. And now it’s like this and it won’t ever be any different.

Questions

Question. What did Derry think about himself?
(a) He was very handsome.
(b) He was very smart.
(c) Everyone loved him a lot.
(d) He was very ugly and everyone was frightened of him.
Answer: He was very ugly and everyone was frightened of him.

Question. Why did Derry get angry when Mr Lamb changed the subject?
(a) People always did that.
(b) He wanted to talk to Mr Lamb.
(c) He wanted to yell at someone.
(d) He did not like Mr Lamb.
Answer:   People always did that.

Question. What did Derry not like doing?
(a) Making friends
(b) Talking to people
(c) Being with people
(d) Going out with people
Answer:  Being with people

Question. How did Derry get a burned face?
Answer: He got acid on his face and it burned it away.

3. 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.

Questions

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: He who is closed off to nature and its wonders is lost.

Question. What does Mr Lamb do all day?
(a) Sit in the sun read books
(b) shut things out
(c) open the curtains
(d) wait for people to come
Answer: Sit in the sun read books

Question. What does Derry like to hear?
Answer: Derry likes to hear the rain on the roof.

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

4. Mother: Listen to what?
Derry: Bees singing. Him talking.
Mother: And what’s he got to say to you?
Derry: Things that matter. Things nobody else
has ever said. Things I want to think about.
Mother: Then you stay here and do your thinking.
You’re best off here.
Derry: I hate it here.
Mother: You can’t help the things you say. I forgive you. It’s bound to make you feel bad things....and say them. I don’t blame you.
Derry: 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. And I’m going back there. Only to help him with the crab apples.
Only to look at things and listen. But I’m going.

Mother: You’ll stop here.
Derry: Oh no, oh no. Because if I don’t go back
there, I’ll never go anywhere in this world again.
Questions

Question. According to Mr Lamb, what do his bees do?
Answer: According to Mr. Lamb, his bees hum and sing.

Question. What are the things that Mr Lamb talks to Derry about?
(a) His friends and what they do.
(b) How he makes jelly.
(c) Things that matter and Derry wants to think about.
(d) Things Derry wants to forget.
Answer: Things that matter and Derry wants to think about.

Question. Why does Derry’s mother say ‘I forgive you’?
(a) Having a burnt face makes her say such things.
(b) She knows what is best for him.
(c) She does not want him to get hurt by talking to others.
(d) She is trying to protect him.
Answer: Having a burnt face makes her say such things.

Question. What is it that Derry does not care about anymore?
(a) his face and what he looks like.
(b) his friends
(c) Looking at things and listening
(d) bees singing
Answer: his face and what he looks like.

Very Short Answer type Questions

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. 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. 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.

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. 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. 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. 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.

Short Answer type Questions

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, yet each has a different attitude from the other. Comment.
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. Derry sneaked into Mr. Lamb’s garden and it became a turning point in his life. Comment.
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. 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. 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 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. The lesson, ‘On the Face of It’, is an apt depiction of the loneliness and sense of alienation experienced by people on account of a disability. Explain.
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. 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. How did Mr. Lamb’s meeting with Derry become a turning point in Derry’s life?
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. 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.