Question Bank — On the Face of It

Section A — MCQs (10 questions, 1 mark each)

1. What does Mr Lamb mean when he says, “It’s all relative. Beauty and the beast”? (a) Derry should read fairy tales
   (b) Appearances are deceptive and relative
   (c) Derry looks like a beast
   (d) Mr Lamb dislikes beauty

2. Assertion (A): Derry believes people are afraid of him because of his burned face.
   Reason (R): Derry has heard a woman say his face is “a face only a mother could love.”
   (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
   (b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
   (c) A is true but R is false
   (d) A is false but R is true

3. Which of the following best describes Mr Lamb’s attitude towards Derry? (a) Pitying and condescending
   (b) Indifferent and cold
   (c) Accepting and non-judgmental
   (d) Fearful and distant

4. Assertion (A): Mr Lamb keeps his garden gate open for everyone.
   Reason (R): He does not want to shut anything or anyone out.
   (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
   (b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
   (c) A is true but R is false
   (d) A is false but R is true

5. Derry says, “I don’t like being with people. Any people.” This reveals his (a) desire for friendship
   (b) fear of rejection and stares
   (c) love for nature
   (d) respect for elders

6. What does Mr Lamb grow in one part of his garden that others call “weeds”? (a) Crab apples
   (b) Sunflowers
   (c) Weeds
   (d) Toffee

7. Derry’s mother warns him against returning to Mr Lamb’s house because (a) she fears the old man
   (b) she has heard rumours about him
   (c) she wants Derry to study
   (d) the house has no curtains

8. The story of the man who locked himself in a room illustrates (a) Mr Lamb’s fear of the outside world
   (b) the futility of trying to avoid all risks in life
   (c) Derry’s desire for solitude
   (d) the safety of staying indoors

9. Mr Lamb’s tin leg was the result of (a) an accident in the garden
   (b) a war injury
   (c) a childhood illness
   (d) a fall from a ladder

10. The central theme of the play is (a) the importance of physical beauty
    (b) overcoming physical impairment through inner strength and acceptance
    (c) the dangers of trespassing
    (d) the generation gap between old and young

Section B — Reference to Context (3 extracts, 4 marks each)

Extract 1

“MR LAMB: Mind the apples!
DERRY: What? Who’s that? Who’s there?
MR LAMB: Lamb’s my name. Mind the apples. Crab apples those are. Windfalls in the long grass. You could trip.”

(i) Who is the speaker of the first line and what is the situation?
(ii) Why is Derry startled?
(iii) Identify the literary device in “Windfalls in the long grass.”
(iv) What does the word “windfalls” suggest about the apples?

Extract 2

“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.”

(i) Who is speaking and to whom?
(ii) What point is Mr Lamb making about the weeds?
(iii) Name the literary device used in comparing plants to human beings.
(iv) What inference can be drawn about Mr Lamb’s philosophy of life?

Extract 3

“DERRY: I came back. Lamey-Lamb. I did…..come back.
[Derry begins to weep.]”

(i) Who is Derry addressing and in what condition does he find him?
(ii) Why does Derry weep?
(iii) What does the repetition of “I came back” emphasise?
(iv) What does this moment reveal about Derry’s change in attitude?

Section C — Short Answer (5 questions, 3 marks each)

1. Why does Derry enter Mr Lamb’s garden and what is his initial reaction on meeting the old man?
2. How does Mr Lamb respond when Derry accuses him of being afraid to look at his face?
3. What does Mr Lamb mean when he tells Derry, “You could lock yourself up in a room and never leave it”?
4. Why does Derry’s mother forbid him from returning to Mr Lamb’s house?
5. What does Mr Lamb’s remark “They never do, though. Not them. Never do come back” reveal about his loneliness?

Section D — Long Answer (2 questions, 6 marks each)

1. Draw a character sketch of Mr Lamb in 100–120 words, highlighting his attitude towards life, physical disability and other people.
2. “Physical impairment is not as painful as the feeling of isolation and rejection.” Discuss this statement with reference to Derry’s experiences in the play.

Section E — Language and Writing (2 questions, 4 marks each)

1. Vocabulary/Grammar task:
   From the play, pick out two words/phrases that show Mr Lamb’s positive outlook and two that show Derry’s negative self-image. Use each in a sentence of your own.

2. Writing task:
   Imagine you are Derry. After your first meeting with Mr Lamb, write a diary entry (80–100 words) expressing your thoughts and feelings about the old man and the possibility of returning to the garden.