NCERT Class 12 English Vistas: Chapter 5 — On the face of It
This chapter, "On The Face Of It" by Susan Hill, is a play featuring an encounter between an old man, Mr. Lamb, and a young boy, Derry, in Mr. Lamb's garden. Derry, initially fearful and defiant, enters the garden believing it to be empty. Mr. Lamb, a kind and observant man, reassures Derry, who is self-conscious about his disfigurement and the fear he perceives in others. The dialogue reveals Derry's isolation and his belief that people are afraid of him due to his appearance. Mr. Lamb attempts to foster a connection, suggesting that appearances can be deceiving and that true understanding lies beyond the surface. The chapter sets the stage for exploring themes of alienation, prejudice, and the possibility of human connection.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 12 |
| Subject | English |
| Book | Vistas |
| Chapter | Chapter 5 — On the face of It |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 3 minutes |
| Word count | 552 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the initial encounter between Mr. Lamb and Derry.
- Identify Derry's feelings of alienation and fear.
- Recognize Mr. Lamb's welcoming and reassuring nature.
- Analyze the theme of prejudice based on appearance.
- Appreciate the potential for human connection despite differences.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| withdrawn | not wanting to communicate with other people |
| defiant | openly resisting or challenging authority |
| tentatively | in a hesitant or uncertain way |
| startled | feeling or showing sudden shock or alarm |
| windfalls | fruit blown down from a tree by the wind |
| scrump | to steal fruit from a garden or orchard |
| disfigurement | a spoiling or marring of the appearance or beauty of something |
| pretend | talk or behave as if something is true when it is not |
The complete chapter text is read in the official NCERT PDF viewer below (streamed from ncert.nic.in). This page provides NCERT Help study material — summary, vocabulary, practice questions, and FAQs — not a full reproduction of the textbook.
Read chapter online
This PDF is loaded from the official NCERT website (ncert.nic.in). Use the page buttons below to read — download is disabled on NCERT Help.
Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.
Practice questions
- Who is Mr. Lamb? Answer: Mr. Lamb is an old man who lives in a house with a garden. He is kind and welcoming.
- How does Derry get into Mr. Lamb's garden? Answer: Derry climbs over the garden wall because he thought the place was empty.
- What does Derry initially think of Mr. Lamb's garden? Answer: Derry thought it was an empty place and an empty house.
- What is Derry afraid of? Answer: Derry is afraid of people's reactions to his disfigured face, believing they are afraid of him and think he is ugly or pitiable.
- What does Mr. Lamb mean by 'Mind the apples!'? Answer: He is warning Derry to be careful of the crab apples that have fallen on the ground, as he could trip over them.
Practice MCQs
Q1. What is the setting of the first scene of the play?
Explanation: The text explicitly states 'Mr Lamb's garden' as the setting for Scene One.
Q2. What sound is occasionally heard in the garden?
Explanation: The text mentions 'the occasional sound of birdsong and of tree leaves rustling'.
Q3. What does Mr. Lamb warn Derry about?
Explanation: Mr. Lamb warns Derry to 'Mind the apples!' because they are 'Windfalls in the long grass. You could trip.'
Q4. How old is Derry?
Explanation: Derry corrects Mr. Lamb, stating he is 'Fourteen'.
Q5. According to Derry, why are people afraid of him?
Explanation: Derry explains that people look at his face and think 'That's bad. That's a terrible thing. That's the ugliest thing I ever saw.'
Frequently asked questions
What is the play 'On The Face Of It' about?
It's a play about the meeting between an old man, Mr. Lamb, and a young boy, Derry, who is self-conscious about his disfigured face.
Why does Derry enter Mr. Lamb's garden?
Derry enters the garden because he thought it was an empty place and he wanted to be there.
What is Mr. Lamb's attitude towards visitors?
Mr. Lamb is welcoming and believes the gate is always open, stating 'All welcome'.
What bothers Derry the most about his appearance?
Derry is bothered by how people react to his face, believing they think he is ugly and pitiable, and are afraid of him.
What does Mr. Lamb do in his garden?
He sits there, enjoys the beautiful day, and tends to his garden, including minding the crab apples.
What does Derry mean when he says, 'People are afraid of me'?
He means that people are afraid of his disfigured face and react with pity or fear when they see him.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 12 English — Vistas — Chapter 5 — On the face of It. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.