Important Questions for On The Face of It - CBSE Grade 12

 Q1. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow. (1x4=4)

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 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. State the relationship between the Assertion and the Reason.
Assertion: Derry avoids being in the company of people.
Reason:       Derry is antisocial in character.
    (a) The Assertion is correct and it is supported by the Reason.
    (b)  The Assertion is not correct but the Reason is valid.
    (c)  Both  Assertion and  Reason are correct but unsupported by the Reason.
    (d)  The Assertion is correct but the Reason is not correct.
ii. The expression, “Poor boy.” But I’m not. Not poor”, suggests that:
     (a) Derry is economically challenged.
     (b) Derry hungers for sympathy.
     (c) Derry doesn’t want to be pitied by others.
     (d) Derry doesn’t want people to look at him.
iii. The words “terrible thing” refer to:
     (a) The appearance of Derry
     (b) The ugly appearance of Derry
     (c) the acid scar on Derry’s face
     (d) The frightened appearance of Derry
iv. State whether the following statement is TRUE or FALSE.
     People’s remarks and statements about his appearance have made Derry scared of how he 
     looks!
Q2. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow. (1x4=4)
Mr. Lamb : [To himself] There my dears. That’s you seen to. Ah…you know. We all know. I’ll come back. They never do, though. Not them. Never do come back.

i. State whether the statement given below is TRUE of FALSE.
   This is perhaps the only instance in the whole play where Mr Lamb displays a sense of 
     loneliness.
ii. Whom is Mr. Lamb addressing as “dears”?
    (a) children in his garden
    (b) adults in the street
    (c) Derry
    (d) Bees

iii. State the relationship between the Assertion and the Reason.
Assertion: Mr Lamb is always disappointed and cynical.
Reason:     People neglect and avoid him at all costs.
     (a) The Assertion is correct, and it is supported by the Reason.
     (b) The Assertion is correct, but it is not supported by the Reason.
     (c)  Both the Assertion and the Reason are incorrect, and they don’t support each other.
     (d) The Assertion is incorrect while the Reason is correct.
iv. Fill in the blank with the correct reason.
     Mr. Lamb’s only lament in life is that______________

Q3. Short-answer type questions to be answered in forty to fifty words. (2 Marks each)

  (a) How are Derry’s parents and family members to blame for his negative outlook?
  (b) Why does Derry tell his mother with insistence that he has to go “back there” to the
        Garden?
  (c) What is it that draws Derry to Mr. Lamb despite himself?
  (d) Who is a ‘friend’ for Mr. Lamb?
  (e)  Do you think Derry’s transformation will persist after Mr. Lamb’s death?

Q4. Competency and Long answer-type questions to be answered in 120-150 words. (5 Marks 

       each)

(a) Write a speech about the importance of Mentorship and the Art of Living in life.

(b) You are Derry. Write a letter to your friend, Patrick, describing your encounter with Mr.Lamb and how it transformed you.

(c) Draft a diary entry describing your conversation with your mother and how you convinced her to let you return to the garden.

Comparative/Integrated Questions

1. How is the theme of meditation and introspection highlighted in the Prose lesson On The Face of It and the Poetry Lesson, Keeping Quiet?

2. How is the theme of transformation highlighted in the lessons, On The Face of It and Deep Water?

Mindmap headings for the characters of Derry and Mr. Lamb:

*Derry's Mind Map*

🌟 *Derry*

- *Physical*: Has a burnt face, limps

- *Emotional*: Bitter, angry, lonely, scared, wants to be loved and accepted

- *Actions*: Withdrawn, pushes people away, lashes out at others, forms a connection with Mr. Lamb

- *Quotes*: "You can’t hate people for what they do, can you?" "I’m not a boy, I’m a man."

- *Relationships*: Mr. Lamb (mentor, friend), Parents (distant, uncaring)

- *Themes*: Identity, loneliness, human connection

 

*Mr. Lamb's Mind Map*

🌟 *Mr. Lamb*

- *Physical*: Has a prosthetic leg, lives in a beautiful garden

- *Emotional*: Kind, wise, understanding, patient, optimistic

- *Actions*: Welcomes Derry, shares his wisdom, teaches Derry to see beauty

- *Quotes*: "You’re not a cripple, you’re just a bit...different." "Fear’s a funny thing."

- *Relationships*: Derry (mentee, friend)

- *Themes*: Acceptance, empathy, kindness, overcoming fears

#multiple_choice #prose_extract #integrated_questions #competency_based_questions

Questions for Going Places

 Going Places : A.R. Barton

Q1. Read the following extract and answer the questions with the best possible answer.
Sophie watched her back stooped over the sink and wondered at the incongruity of the delicate bow which fastened her apron strings. The delicate-seeming bow and the crooked back. The evening had already blacked in the windows, and the small room was steamy from the stove and cluttered with the heavy-breathing man in his vest at the table and the dirty washing piled up in the corner. Sophie felt a tightening in her throat. She went to look for her brother, Geoff.
i. What is the tone of the extract?
    a) Optimistic
    b) Defiant
    c) Melancholic
    d) Sombre
ii. State whether the statement below is TRUE or FALSE:
    '[T]he incongruity of the delicate bow' can also be related to the incongruity of Sophie's dreams and 
    aspirations.  
iii. State the relationship between the Statement and the Reason:
     Statement: 'Sophie felt a tightening in her throat.'
     Reason: Sophie is aware of the incongruity of her aspirations, and she feels bad about it.
   a) The Statement is valid and supported by the Reason.
   b) The Statement is invalid, but the Reason is correct.
   c) The Statement is valid but not supported by the Reason.
   d) Both the Statement and the Reason are incorrect.
iv.  The clutter and the dirty washing create a feeling of
   a) Living in cramped surroundings
   b) Living in poverty
   c) Overcrowded living space
   d) All of the above
v. The term 'crooked back' suggests:
   a) being overworked, being exhausted, and the toll of excess work
   b) a feeling of incongruity, being tired, and physical injury
   c) recovery from injury, helpless, rebellion
   d) None of the above is correct.
vi. The reason why Sophie goes off in search of Geoff was because:
    a) She had something important to tell him.
    b) She was trying to divert her mind from the need to be grounded.
    c) She was planning to travel with him.
    d) She wanted to tell him about Danny.

Q2. Read the following extract and answer the questions with the best possible answer.

Now I have become sad, she thought. And it is a hard burden to carry, this sadness. Sitting here 
waiting and knowing he will not come, I can see the future and how I will have to live with this burden.                   

She waited, measuring in this way the changes taking place in her. Resignation was no sudden thing.

 i. State the relationship between the Assertion and the Reason.

    

 Assertion: Changes were taking place in her.

 Reason:  Resignation and disappointment are driving these changes.

   

 a) The Assertion is valid, and it is supported by the Reason.

 b) The Assertion is not valid but the Reason is correct.

 c) Both the Assertion and the Reason are incorrect.

 d) Both Assertion and Reason are correct, but Reason doesn't support the Assertion.

ii. The statement, 'Resignation was no sudden thing.'

 a) Sophie is used to being snubbed by others.

 b) Sophie is a victim of bullying by others.

 c) Sophie is accustomed to disappointment.

 d) Sophie is a born cynic.

iii. State whether the statement given below is TRUE or FALSE

     Sophie is puzzled by the emotions she is going through after Danny did not turn up.

iv.  The 'burden' that she carries refers to:

 a) The burden of hard work.

 b) The burden of a guilty conscience.

 c) The burden of disappointment and disillusionment.

 d) The burden of planning for the biscuit factory.

v.   Fill in the blank with an appropriate reason.

      Sophie sees a future in which she is affected by_____________

  a) disappointment

  b) disillusionment

  c) dejection

  d) All of the above

vi.  Which of the following is correct about the location of Sophie in the extract?

  a) She is sitting in her living room.

  b) She is at a stadium in Liverpool.

  c) She is sitting on a bench beneath an Elm tree.

  d) She is sitting on a bench beneath an Oak tree.

Q.3 Short Answer Type Questions to be answered in 40-50 words. (2 Marks each)

  i) How is Jansie a contrast to Sophie?

  ii)Why does Sophie look up to Geoff?

 iii)Did Geoff and her father believe Sophie's story about meeting Danny Casey?

  iv)Where did  Sophie, her father, and her brothers go for their weekly pilgrimage?

Q. 4, Long Answer Type Questions to be answered in 120-150 words.  ( 5 Marks each)

 i)Prepare a dialogue between Mr. Lamb and Sophie in which the former counsels the latter regarding 

   her habit of daydreaming.

 ii)You are Jansie, write a letter to your friend Anne describing your friend, Sophie, and her habit of 

     fantasising and day-dreaming.

 iii) Why do you think Sophie tends to fantasise and daydream?

 iv) Draw a character sketch for one of the following:

 a) Sophie's father

 b) Sophie's brother Geoff

     

   

What are First Day Covers? Let's Delve into the Amazing World of Philately

Very few people (mainly grade 12 students) would not even know what First Day Covers are, since they have probably never come across any! However, India and many other countries continue to have Philatelic Bureaus and departments. Among the many items provided by these Philatelic Bureaus are stamps, Day Covers, Commemorative Stamps, Contact Sheets, and so on. Some stamps indeed fetch a lot of money in the market because they are rare. Still, it is not just the value of the stamps that matters to the stamp collector, but also the knowledge one gains through collecting stamps, the pride of owning a valuable, rare stamp, and the network that is created with fellow stamp collectors. The photograph below presents a visual historical representation of the history of the means of transport through the years.

First-day covers are also issued to commemorate a new stamp on its official release date. A First-day cover also has historical significance because the postmark records the day and date of its release. First-day covers are collectors' items, and they are preserved in pristine condition by collectors. Many First-day covers are a thematic representation of a historical event, a person, or a piece of art. They can also be in the form of a cachet or a series of stamps based on a specific theme. The first image of the Philippines' First-day cover is a cachet that provides a visual representation of Dragonflies.

The picture of the First Day cover from India above is a cachet. It provides a visual representation of various kinds of headgear in India. Contact sheets, unlike cachets in First-day covers, contain sets of similar stamps or variations of stamps of the same theme on a single sheet of paper. I am sharing a few interesting examples of contact sheets below in one photograph. All three of the contact sheets from the Philippines represent the Year of the Monkey, the year of Year of the Pig, and the Year of the Ox.

Stamps are capsules of time; they are repositories of the past and there is much to learn from them, whether it is about the great recession of the 1920s, or the rise of Fascism, the rise of the empire of Japan, the invasion of China when the Japanese had to use Chinese stamps that were overwritten with Japanese symbols because the Japanese army had advanced too quickly for the printing presses to catch up. We notice that quite a few of the Sun Yat Sen stamps were used by the Japanese while they were advancing into China. I am sharing a few rare stamps that are much sought after by philatelists all over the world below.

This Chinese Stamp was overwritten by the Japanese during World War II

The value of the stamp has been overwritten due to the recession.

Celebrating Sunday School Sunday at The Church of The Epiphany

The second of November, 2025, was a very special Sunday, as it was designated Sunday School Sunday. It was amazing to see the tiny tots reading verses from the Bible and even leading the congregation in Prayer. A loud shout out to Pastor Prateek Pillai, Mrs. Sabrina Benjamin,  Mrs. Jyoti Sannoo, Mrs. Neelima Thomas, Mrs. Shamita Kumar, Mrs. Nikita Franklin, and all those unsung heroes who made the Sunday worship a memorable event.

The congregation was mesmerized by the confidence and verve these children showed, a testament to the effort their teachers put into training them. Mrs Neelima Thomas talked about the revival of Sunday school by Robert Raikes and Samuel Slater. She went on to describe how smaller groups of students make it easier to have a more conducive environment for learning. Mrs. Shamita Kumar also talked at length about how important it is to send children to Sunday School. She lamented the fact that the moment children reach their early tweens, they tend to drop out.

Special numbers were sung by students of Sunday School, and readings were done by them. Moreover, Sunday School students helped in collections and other duties.

Last but not least, a very special thanks to Mrs. Jyoti Sannoo, who has been mentoring and guiding the Sunday School teachers and students. She has indeed put in a lot of effort to ensure that the Sunday School of the Church of the Epiphany continues to be viable, vibrant, and lively.

The congregation was in awe as the children displayed leadership skills beyond their years and exemplified the fact that even children can display immense initiative and versatility in the Church.

There is more to the Ranthambore National Park than just Tigers!

In the company of Ganesha

Perhaps, the most evocative photograph that I took at the Ranthambore Temple area on the way to the Jain temple was a mother Langoor looking pensive and contemplative. This time I used one of my older cameras, a Canon 1300D, and the 18-55mm kit lens. Sawai Madhopur is not just about Tigers, but also about the Ranthambore Fort and the temples in it. Incidentally, the Ranthambore fort was an important strategic location.

Ascending the stairs to the Ranthambore Fort might be a bit tiring, but the effort is worth taking. The architecture and the placement of the buildings speak a lot about ancient and medieval methods of construction. The very fact that these buildings stand tall even today is a testimony to the capabilities of the builders in the past!

The thirty-two-pillared Chattri or Pavilion is supported by 32 pillars. It is a marvel of architectural engineering.

Battis Khamba Chattri

Stretching across the horizon are these threads, scarves, and handkerchiefs tied to the railings leading to the temple complexes. Meant to ask for a wish, by the hopeful, the threads are often untied once a wish comes true. Any thread can be untied. Another interesting thing that I spotted above the Fort were piles of stones dotting the rampart walls. Later, I came to know that these piles of stones marked people's desire to buy a house. The piles of stones symbolized a future home.

But then, it is also the Macroscopic world that makes Sawai Madhopur a place ot visit.

The Queen of Ranthambore might not be a Tiger but a common Toad!

When I visited the Ranthambore National Park recently and was offered zone nine, it was a huge disappointment! All we spotted were a few wild boars rooting around and of dear there were a bare few. The lesson is that while visiting the Ranthambore National Park, don't ever book a safari in the buffer zones if you can help it! The admin has opened buffer zones merely to accommodate increasing numbers of visitors and that too in the form of a rip-off! Disappointed by the safari at zone nine, I turned inwards towards the generous number of insects and amphibians that were available at the resort that I was staying in. I could have got better photographs at the Sultanpur National Park close to my home in Gurgaon!

A Spittle Bug offers food for Ants while the latter offer security.

Moreover, I was able to capture a few amazing Macro photographs at the resort, namely the Clark Inn. One of the best photographs that I was able to take was that of the common Indian Toad. Besides this, I was able to photograph a few insects that seemed to be larger than those found in Gurgaon. Sawai Madhopur can come up with some surprises in the form of unique insects like stink bugs.

 

One of the must-visit places while in Sawai Madhopore is the Ranthambore Fort. The fort complex features several temples, including both Jain and Hindu ones. Situated at a height above the town, the fort has a commanding position.

Unfortunately, spotting a tiger in any of the zones is not guaranteed irrespective of the zone you might be visiting. I visited zone 9 which was bereft of wildlife except for a few wild pigs, the odd Sambur deer and the ubiquitous Asian Antelope, known locally as Nil Gai.

A visit to the Ranthambore fort can spring some surprises, like a Langur Monkey playing with a rubber band, or perhaps the ancient architecture of the temples and fort structures. Like human babies, baby Langurs are equally playful, curious, and sometimes rather mischievous. After a few moments, the mother of the baby Langoor snatched the rubber band from her baby and cuffed the latter.

Langoor Monkeys are highly communal, and they work together grooming each other, gossiping, and playing! Some of the Langoor monkeys had flour all over their faces, which made them look rather funny! Actually, these monkeys gain access to offerings made in the temples by devotees, and that's how many of them get white flour all over their faces.