Novel FACE Reading Guide - B1 EFL

FACE
Benjamin Zephaniah
READING GUIDE – 8TH FORM
First Impressions
Take a few minutes to study the book. Analyze its name, front cover illustration and information on the back.
- What are your first impressions? What do you think this book will be about?
- Did you know that the word “face” has several meanings? These are some of them. How do you think they are
related to the story?
o (Noun) Your face is the front part of your head from your chin to the top of your forehead, where your
mouth, eyes, nose, and other features are.
o (Verb) If someone or something faces a particular thing, person, or direction, they are positioned
opposite them or are looking in that direction.
o (Verb) If you have to face a person or group, you have to stand or sit in front of them and talk to them,
although it may be difficult and unpleasant.
Introduction
The introduction has five quotes from characters from the book. Read them all and try to work out what each
character is talking about and what does it say about their personality. You can underline or highlight any words or
phrases which provide information about the topic they are talking about and their personality.
MARTIN: I always thought that these things happened to other people until it happened to me. The experience
really changed my life, but I found out who my friends were and I got to know me.
- What do you think has happened to Martin? Discuss with a partner and brainstorm some possibilities in your
notebook.
- What do you think Martin means by “I got to know me”?
NATALIE: I hate people who discriminate. I think we’re all equal. But I have ambition, I want to make it big, and,
let’s face it, I’m trying to sell an image. It’s nothing personal.
- What is discrimination? Who do you think may be discriminated against, and why?
Discrimination - the treatment of a person or particular group of people differently, in a
way that is worse than the way people are usually treated
- Natalie says “it’s nothing personal.” What might people mean when they say this?
MATTHEW: I’m no angel, I just try to keep out of trouble. It’s OK to have a bit of fun but I know that if you play
with fire you get burnt. That’s reality.
- What do you think “if you play with fire you get burnt” means?
- What kind of person do you think Matthew might be?
MARK: I was lucky, it’s as simple as that. I can’t keep looking back and feeling guilty. I’m not going to go around
blaming anyone or moaning. I’m just looking after number one.
- What is guilt, and why do you think people feel it?

- Why do you think Mark say “I can’t keep looking back.”?
DR OWENS: The priority in post-burn treatment is firstly to create a 100 percent skin cover and secondly, to
rectify any major facial or other abnormalities. Facial reconstruction is my area of expertise. I’ve worked on
many faces in my time and I can tell you that the characteristics of a person’s face have nothing to do with their
intelligence or their loveability.
- What does Dr Owens mean by “that the characteristics of a person’s face have nothing to do with their intelligence
or their loveability”?
CHAPTER 1 – THE GANG OF THREE
1. What is happening in the opening paragraphs of the book?

2. Who are the “Gang of Three”? Why are they called like that?
3. What is Martin’s attitude to school?
4. Complete the table: What words or phrases would you use to describe the following characters: Mr. Lincoln,
Martin, Natalie, Mark and Matthew?
CHARACTER WORDS AND PHRASES
Homework
Answer the following questions:
1. Who does Mark want to try and be like? (11/12)

2. What do Martin and Mark complain about Matthew? (12)
3. What did Matthew return to an old man? (12)
4. Why do many of the girls in school respect Natalie? (12)
5. What had Natalie once been in, and why? (12/13)
6. How long has Natalie been going out with Martin? (13)
7. Why do lots of girls find Martin good-looking? (13)
8. What is the name of the Year 9 girl who fancied Martin? (13)
9. What was Martin doing to this girl and Natalie? (13)
10. What did Natalie do to make Martin choose who he liked? (13)
11. What did Natalie do to punish Martin? (14)

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FACE

- What is guilt, and why do you think people feel it?

CHAPTER 1 – THE GANG OF THREE

1. What is happening in the opening paragraphs of the book?

CHARACTER WORDS AND PHRASES

Answer the following questions:

1. Who does Mark want to try and be like? (11/12)

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