CBSE-Class XII

English-Vistas
Exam Practice On the Face of it

Short Answer Type Questions (3 marks each)

Note: These questions must ideally be answered in your own words, in approximately 30-
40 words each.

1. Who is Mr. Lamb? How does Derry get into his garden?

2. How does Derry react when he finds Mr. Lamb in the garden?

3. What is Derrys opinion about himself?

4. Why does Derry choose that garden to spend some time?

5. Do you think that Derrys interaction with Mr. Lamb will change his attitude towards his
limitation?

6. What does Mr. Lamb wish to convey by talking about weeds and flowers? Do you agree?

7. What is it that draws Derry towards Mr. Lamb in spite of himself?

8. In which section of the play does Mr. Lamb display signs of loneliness and disappointment?
What are the ways in which he tries to overcome these feelings?

9. Will Derry get back to his old seclusion or will Mr. Lambs brief association effect a change in
the kind of life he will lead in the future?

10. What makes Derry say, People are afraid of me?

11. What peculiar things did Mr. Lamb say to Derry? How did these things change his attitude to
life?

12. Do you think Derrys mother is responsible for his attitude and behaviour?

13. How can you say that Derrys attitude to life has changed?
 Long Answer Type Questions (6 marks each)

Note:

i. This list takes care of extrapolatory, value-based and global comprehension questions,
as per the latest curriculum.
ii. These questions must ideally be answered in your own words, in approximately 120-
150 words each.

1. Comment on the title of this story.

2. The actual pain or inconvenience caused by a physical impairment is often much less than
the sense of alienation felt by a differently-abled person. What is the kind of behaviour that
such a person expects from others?

3. Comment on the contrast in approaches of Derry and Mr. Lamb to their disabilities.

4. Though the play ends with Mr. Lambs death, it holds an element of positivity. Comment.

5. If I chose.... What does Derry decide to choose? What enables him to take this decision?

6. Write a character sketch of Mr. Lamb.

7. Using your imagination, suggest another ending to the story.

8. Because if I dont go back there, Ill never go anywhere in this world again. How does line
summarise the theme of the story, On the Face of it?

9. As Derry, write your diary entry once you return home after the tragic turn of events.

Value Points for Short Answer Type Questions (3 marks)

Note:

The 3 marks for these questions are split as follows:

Content: 2 marks
Expression & Accuracy: 1 mark

1. Who is Mr. Lamb? How does Derry get into his garden?

Value Points
an old man; crippled in one leg
lives alone in a large house with a garden; enjoys company and yearns for it
Derry climbs over garden wall, though gate open

2. How does Derry react when he finds Mr. Lamb in the garden?

Value Points
is startled; had entered, thinking it was empty
panics; instantly wishes to retreat but is put to ease by Mr. Lamb

3. What is Derrys opinion about himself?

 Value Points
suffers from extremely low self-esteem
believes that his burnt face frightens people; does not like their pity; avoids all human
contact
his mother too afraid of looking at it

4. Why does Derry choose that garden to spend some time?

Value Points
Derry doesnt like people staring at him or pitying him
likes the garden; chooses it thinking that it is empty, will to able to stay there by himself

5. Do you think that Derrys interaction with Mr. Lamb will change his attitude
towards his limitation?

Value Points
Mr. Lamb attempts to convince Derry that having a disability like his must not deter him
in any way
Derry starts seeing things from a different perspective
gathers courage to assert himself and return to Mr. Lamb to help him pluck apples
begins to like and accept him

6. What does Mr. Lamb wish to convey by talking about weeds and flowers? Do you
agree?

Value Points
Mr. Lamb doesnt differentiate between weeds & flowers
regards both the same, as plants
wonders why people like one and weed out the other plant
symbolic of able bodied and disabled people; one shunned, the other appreciated

7. What is it that draws Derry towards Mr. Lamb in spite of himself?

Value Points
Mr. Lambs openness; hides nothing; not ashamed of his physical state
very different from others; neither pities Derry nor feels sorry for him
is wise, well-read; gets into an engrossing conversation
is honest, genuine; has positive approach to life
magnanimity of his heart; acceptance of destiny and preparedness for any eventuality

8. In which section of the play does Mr. Lamb display signs of loneliness and
disappointment? What are the ways in which he tries to overcome these feelings?

Value Points
Derry informs him that he needs to return home, Mr. Lamb tries to dissuade him, then
quietly turns to his bees; starts talking to them
Mr. Lambs statement, We all know. Ill come back. They never donever do come back
overcomes his loneliness by taking care of his bees, growing weeds, reading, making jelly
and toffees
keeps his gate open; windows without curtains, in the hope of a visitor
looks out for company; loves to talk when he finds it
9. Will Derry get back to his old seclusion or will Mr. Lambs brief association effect a
change in the kind of life he will lead in the future?

Value Points
brief interaction with Mr. Lamb effects a positive change
gathers courage to assert himself
is convinced by Mr. Lamb that a burnt, distorted face is no reason to brood; can do better
than many
realises that only he can choose to make his life meaningful
tells his mother that if he doesnt go then, he will never to able to gather courage

10. What makes Derry say, People are afraid of me?

Value Points
people avoid looking at him, never ask about his distorted face
avoid him; look away; even mother kisses him on other side of his face
overhears people talk about it as a horrendous and frightening thing
tells Mr. Lamb that he is afraid and therefore doesnt ask him about the burnt face

11. What peculiar things did Mr. Lamb say to Derry? How did these things change his
attitude to life?

Value Points
mentions open gate, open house and windows
states no difference between weed and flower; qualities within decide whether a beauty
or beast
difference in perspective: buzzing or singing of bees
talks about fearlessness: story of old man who locked himself in his room
Derrys mindset undergoes a positive change; decides to take charge of his life

12. Do you think Derrys mother is responsible for his attitude and behaviour?

Value Points
yes, she is the major reason behind Derrys lack of self-esteem
doesnt encourage Derry to interact with people or to ignore his limitation
harps on the fact that with such a face there is little that he could do in life
kisses him on other side of face
talks about the disfigured face as if it was the worst thing that could have happened

13. How can you say that Derrys attitude to life has changed?

Value Points
promises Mr. Lamb that he will return and he does
tells mother he hates being at home, wants to listen to the old man
Informs mother he doesnt care about that and it isnt important and later I want the
worldI want it
 Value Points for Long Answer Type Questions (6 marks)

Note:

The 6 marks for these questions are split as follows:

Content: 4 marks
Expression & Accuracy: 2 marks

1. Comment on the significance of the title of this story.

Value Points
title of the play sums up the theme
literal meaning of the title: what is apparent
Mr. Lamb appears mysterious due to his seclusion; actually not; hes open, trustworthy,
kind, generous and altruistic
Mr. Lamb seems happy with his seclusion; reality being he yearns for company
Derry appears ugly, monstrous but actually a fine fourteen-year lad, longing for love and
acceptance
on the face of it, Mr. Lamb and Derek have a problem; actually problem lies with those
around them
there appears to be diversity and categorisation; essentially there is similarity and
oneness among all creations of God
on the face of it mother works in the interest of Derry but is actually the reason behind
his isolation

2. The actual pain or inconvenience caused by a physical impairment is often much

less than the sense of alienation felt by a differently-abled person. What is the kind
of behaviour that such a person expects from others?

Value Points
one comes to terms with disability but constant sense of alienation painful and difficult to
ignore
peoples attitude, behaviour enhances mental agony; does not allow person to lead
normal life
they expect inclusion in the mainstream
acceptance and empathy sought, not sympathy
disability abhorred by the able-bodied: old man called old Lamey-Lamb; Derry avoided
like a plague; mothers afraid of sending children near him because of the tin leg.
Derry made to feel low; compelled to isolate himself due to pity and inappropriate
comments

3. Comment on the contrast in approaches of Derry and Mr. Lamb to their disabilities.

Value Points
Derry: shies away from people; thinks they pity him; he scares them; has isolated
himself completely
makes burnt face the reason to surrender completely to circumstances; makes it the
cause of his pent up anger
believes that things can never improve
conscious of peoples averted glares; is disturbed by their behaviour
convinced his parents pity and not love him
 Mr. Lamb: accepts his handicap and moves on with life; is independent
accepts his handicap bravely; keeps himself busy in spite of it
least bothered about peoples stares or what they say about his handicap; focuses on
more important things in life
lonely, sad, yet does not wallow in self-pity
likes company; welcomes all to his house and garden; makes toffee and jelly for children
self reliant; does not wait for Derrys assistance in plucking apples
has a very strong positive approach to life

4. Though the play ends with Mr. Lambs death, it holds an element of positivity.
Comment.

Value Points
play upholds right perspective to life
more important than disability is how one accepts it and moves on with life
succeeds in transforming Derrys perspective to his handicap
acceptance of disability; not to surrender before it
unique approach: example of weeds and flowers, beauty and beast
talks about counting ones blessings; Derry is fit physically and mentally
isolation not the solution to a problem; must be dealt with courageously
condemns unfounded fears; example man who locks himself up

5. If I chose.... What does Derry decide to choose? What enables him to take this
decision?

Value Points
chooses to lead a life of learning, listening, seeing
decides to give up bitterness and self-pity
undergoes a complete change of perception; states that he is young and capable of
running; begins to count his blessings
realises that if he has the will, he will get the strength of determination
totally influenced by Mr. Lambs positive approach to life in general and in particular to
disability

6. Write a character sketch of Mr. Lamb.

Value Points
old lonely man; lost one leg in war, has a prosthesis
lonely; lives alone in big house with garden; spends time reading, tending his garden and
bees, learning
nature lover; leaves windows open to feel the breeze and hear soft sounds of nature
friendly and outgoing with positive attitudehelps Derry realise the value of life
has come to terms with his disability; positive attitude
persuasive and convincing

7. Using your imagination, suggest another ending to the story.

Value Points
various conclusions possible
Derry help doesnt go home; stays on to help Mr. Lamb; Mr. Lamb doesnt fall and die
the two work together on the garden
establish a centre to motivate differently-abled people to find meaning in life
acceptance of Derry and Mr. Lamb in the society
 Derrys parents realise their mistake; become proud of him
Derry very successful in his life

8. Because if I dont go back there, Ill never go anywhere in this world again. How
does line summarise the theme of the story, On the Face of it?

Value Points
theme is positivity; courage to accept reality and face the world full of the insensitive,
staring lot
going back to Mr. Lamb indicative of accepting the challenge; taking responsibility of a
situation and not shying away
hints at the positive attitudinal change brought about in Derry
indicates the courage that he imbibes in just one meeting with Mr. Lamb; to revolt
against his mother and fight for himself
marks the movement in Derrys static life of withdrawal from the world

9. As Derry, write your diary entry once you return home after the tragic turn of
events.

Value Points
extremely sad at Mr. Lambs demise; at having lost a friend
guilt-ridden: thinks that if he had not left him behind, Mr. Lamb would be alive
annoyed with restrictions imposed on him by his mother, despite being fourteen years old
resolve to move on the direction shown by Mr. Lamb; to spend time in his house looking
after the garden and being by himself and plan how to spread Mr. Lambs message