A Face in The Dark Questions and Answers ICSE Board

‘A Face in the Dark’ is a short story written by Ruskin Bond. It is often included in the ICSE (Indian Certificate of Secondary Education) curriculum for its gripping narrative and the unique way it blends the supernatural with everyday life. In this story, Mr. Oliver, an Anglo-Indian teacher, encounters a supernatural entity while walking through the Simla forest.

Questions and Answers for ‘A Face in the Dark’

English

Question: Who is the protagonist of the story ‘A Face in the Dark’?
Answer: The protagonist of the story is Mr. Oliver, an Anglo-Indian schoolteacher.

Question: Where does the story take place?
Answer: The story takes place in the Simla hills, specifically in a forest near Mr. Oliver’s school.

Question: Describe the encounter Mr. Oliver has in the forest.
Answer: Mr. Oliver encounters a boy who is sobbing in the forest. When he approaches the boy, he realizes that the boy has no face – it is completely smooth with no features.

Question: What is Mr. Oliver’s reaction to seeing the faceless boy?
Answer: Mr. Oliver is terrified and runs away towards the school.

Question: Who does Mr. Oliver meet after encountering the faceless boy?
Answer: After encountering the faceless boy, Mr. Oliver meets a watchman, who also has a faceless appearance.

Question: What is the significance of the faceless characters in the story?
Answer: The faceless characters symbolize the unknown and supernatural, creating a sense of fear and suspense.

Question: How does the story end?
Answer: The story ends with Mr. Oliver seeing the faceless watchman, leaving the story on a cliffhanger and the reader with a sense of mystery.

Question: What theme does Ruskin Bond explore in ‘A Face in the Dark’?
Answer: Ruskin Bond explores themes of fear, the supernatural, and the unknown.

Question: How does the setting contribute to the story’s atmosphere?
Answer: The dark, eerie forest setting enhances the story’s atmosphere of suspense and fear.

Question: Why is ‘A Face in the Dark’ an effective horror story?
Answer: ‘A Face in the Dark’ is effective due to its mysterious plot, the build-up of suspense, and the unsettling idea of faceless entities.

Mathematics

Question: If Mr. Oliver walked 3 km to the school and his average speed was 4 km/h, how long did it take him to reach the school?
Answer: Time = Distance / Speed = 3 km / 4 km/h = 0.75 hours or 45 minutes.

Question: If the school is 5 km away from Mr. Oliver’s starting point and he covers 60% of the distance before encountering the faceless boy, how far had he walked?
Answer: Distance covered = 60% of 5 km = 0.60 * 5 = 3 km.

Question: Mr. Oliver’s school has 500 students. If 60% are boys, how many boys are there in the school?
Answer: Number of boys = 60% of 500 = 0.60 * 500 = 300 boys.

Question: If Mr. Oliver’s route forms a right-angled triangle with one leg 3 km and the other leg 4 km, what is the hypotenuse of his route?
Answer: Hypotenuse = √(3² + 4²) = √(9 + 16) = √25 = 5 km.

Question: The faceless boy stood 2 meters away from Mr. Oliver. If Mr. Oliver takes steps of 0.5 meters each, how many steps will he take to reach the boy?
Answer: Number of steps = Distance / Step length = 2 meters / 0.5 meters = 4 steps.

Question: If Mr. Oliver teaches 5 classes a day and each class has 30 students, how many students does he teach in a day?
Answer: Number of students = 5 classes * 30 students = 150 students.

Question: If Mr. Oliver spends 20 minutes with each class and teaches 5 classes, how much total time does he spend teaching?
Answer: Total time = 20 minutes/class * 5 classes = 100 minutes.

Question: If the school operates for 6 hours a day and each class lasts for 40 minutes, how many classes can be scheduled in a day?
Answer: Number of classes = Total time / Class duration = 6 hours * 60 minutes/hour / 40 minutes = 9 classes.

Question: If Mr. Oliver’s school has 10 teachers and each teacher teaches 4 subjects, how many subjects are taught in the school?
Answer: Number of subjects = 10 teachers * 4 subjects = 40 subjects.

Question: If each student in the school needs 3 books and there are 500 students, how many books are required in total?
Answer: Total books = 3 books/student * 500 students = 1500 books.

Science

Question: What is the primary source of energy for plants?
Answer: The primary source of energy for plants is sunlight, which they use in the process of photosynthesis.

Question: What is the role of chlorophyll in photosynthesis?
Answer: Chlorophyll absorbs light energy, which is used to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.

Question: Name the process by which plants release oxygen.
Answer: The process by which plants release oxygen is photosynthesis.

Question: What is the basic unit of life?
Answer: The basic unit of life is the cell.

Question: What gas do humans exhale that plants use in photosynthesis?
Answer: Humans exhale carbon dioxide, which plants use in photosynthesis.

Question: What are the three states of matter?
Answer: The three states of matter are solid, liquid, and gas.

Question: What is the chemical formula for water?
Answer: The chemical formula for water is H₂O.

Question: What is the function of the heart in the human body?
Answer: The function of the heart is to pump blood throughout the body.

Question: What is the process by which water vapor turns into liquid water?
Answer: The process by which water vapor turns into liquid water is condensation.

Question: Name the organ in the human body responsible for removing waste products from the blood.
Answer: The kidneys are responsible for removing waste products from the blood.

Social Studies

Question: What is the capital of India?
Answer: The capital of India is New Delhi.

Question: Who was the first Prime Minister of India?
Answer: The first Prime Minister of India was Jawaharlal Nehru.

Question: Name the longest river in the world.
Answer: The longest river in the world is the Nile River.

Question: What is the significance of the Taj Mahal?
Answer: The Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a symbol of love, built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal.

Question: What is the main function of the United Nations?
Answer: The main function of the United Nations is to promote peace and cooperation among countries.

Question: Who is known as the ‘Father of the Nation’ in India?
Answer: Mahatma Gandhi is known as the ‘Father of the Nation’ in India.

Question: Name the three branches of the United States government.
Answer: The three branches of the United States government are the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches.

Question: What is the primary purpose of the Indian Constitution?
Answer: The primary purpose of the Indian Constitution is to define the political principles, establish the structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions, and set out fundamental rights, directive principles, and the duties of citizens.

Question: Who discovered America?
Answer: Christopher Columbus is credited with discovering America in 1492.

Question: What is the significance of the Great Wall of China?
Answer: The Great Wall of China was built to protect Chinese states and empires from invasions and raids by nomadic groups.

Summary of ‘A Face in the Dark’

The story revolves around Mr. Oliver, a schoolteacher at an English public school in Simla. One evening, while returning to school through a forest path, he encounters a boy who is sobbing. On questioning, he finds that the boy has no face – it is smooth with no eyes, nose, or mouth. Terrified, Mr. Oliver runs to the school, only to encounter a watchman with a similar faceless appearance. The story ends on an eerie note, leaving the reader with a sense of unease and curiosity.

Themes and Analysis

The story explores several themes that are crucial for understanding its depth and significance.

Supernatural and Mystery

The central theme of the story is the supernatural. The faceless boy and watchman create an atmosphere of mystery and fear. The story leaves readers questioning the reality of these apparitions, playing on the human fear of the unknown.

Fear and Human Psychology

‘A Face in the Dark’ delves into human psychology, particularly the emotion of fear. Mr. Oliver’s reactions to the faceless boy and the watchman highlight the instinctual fear humans experience when confronted with the inexplicable.

Isolation

The setting in a dark, lonely forest path amplifies the sense of isolation. Mr. Oliver’s encounter with the supernatural beings in such a setting underscores the theme of isolation, making the experience more terrifying.

Character Analysis

Mr. Oliver

Mr. Oliver is an Anglo-Indian teacher at a public school in Simla. He is depicted as a curious and somewhat courageous individual, initially approaching the crying boy out of concern. However, his encounter with the faceless boy and the subsequent flight to the school reveal his vulnerability and fear.

The Faceless Boy and Watchman

These characters symbolize the supernatural elements of the story. Their faceless appearances are central to the story’s eerie and mysterious atmosphere. They represent the unknown and the inexplicable, challenging Mr. Oliver’s sense of reality.

Information in Tabular Format

To provide a clearer understanding, here’s a summary of the key elements of the story in a tabular format:

Element	Description
Setting	Simla hills, forest path
Protagonist	Mr. Oliver, Anglo-Indian teacher
Supernatural Entities	Faceless boy, faceless watchman
Themes	Supernatural, fear, isolation
Main Plot	Mr. Oliver encounters a faceless boy and watchman
Ending	Story ends with an eerie, unresolved encounter

Exam Pattern Information

For students studying ‘A Face in the Dark’ under the ICSE curriculum, it is essential to understand the exam pattern. The questions typically revolve around comprehension, analysis, and interpretation. Here’s a breakdown of the exam pattern:

• Section A: This section usually consists of short answer questions. Students are expected to provide concise answers, focusing on specific details from the text.
• Section B: This section involves longer, descriptive answers. Questions may require students to analyze themes, characters, and the overall plot.
• Section C: This section might include essay-type questions where students need to discuss broader themes, the author’s intent, and the impact of the story.

Types of Questions That Can Be Asked

Understanding the types of questions that can be asked is crucial for effective preparation. Here are some examples:

Comprehension Questions

1. Describe Mr. Oliver’s encounter with the boy in the forest.
2. What is Mr. Oliver’s reaction to the faceless boy and the watchman?

Analytical Questions

1. Discuss the theme of fear in ‘A Face in the Dark’.
2. How does Ruskin Bond create a sense of mystery in the story?

Descriptive Questions

1. Analyze the character of Mr. Oliver and his role in the story.
2. Describe the setting of the story and its significance to the plot.

Essay-Type Questions

1. Explore the supernatural elements in ‘A Face in the Dark’ and their impact on the reader.
2. Discuss the use of isolation as a theme in the story and how it enhances the sense of fear.

By focusing on these areas, students can gain a comprehensive understanding of the story and be well-prepared for their exams.