CBSE Class 12 English Core Vistas Book Chapter 6 Memories of Childhood Question Answers from previous years question papers (2019-2024)
Memories of Childhood Previous Year Questions with Answers – Question Answers from Previous years Board Exam Question papers provide valuable insights into how chapters are typically presented in exams. They are essential for preparing for the CBSE Board Exams, serving as a valuable resource.They can reveal the types of questions commonly asked and highlight the key concepts that require more attention. In this post, we have shared Previous Year Questions for Class 12 English Core Chapter 6, “Memories of Childhood”.
Memories of Childhood Part 1 – The Cutting of My Long Hair Zitkala-Sa
Questions which came in 2024 Board Exam
Q1. Read the following extracts and answer the questions :
I did not open my mouth to answer. Then the steps were quickened and the voices became excited. The sounds came nearer and nearer. Women and girls entered the room. I held my breath and watched them open closet doors and peep behind large trunks. Someone threw up the curtains, and the room was filled with sudden light. What caused them to stoop and look under the bed. I do not know. I remember being dragged out, though I resisted by kicking and scratching wildly. In spite of myself, I was carried downstairs and tied fast in a chair. (Memories of Childhood)
(i) Select the appropriate option :
………..sounds came nearer and nearer…………….
(A) describes the increase in volume.
(B) adds suspense and anxiety to readers.
(C) reflects the thought of the speaker.
(D) is a factual narrative.
Ans. (B) adds suspense and anxiety to readers.
(ii) Complete the following sentence :
‘Inspite of myself’ suggests that the speaker was _________.
Ans. ‘Inspite of myself’ suggests that the speaker was resisting.
(iii) What do you infer from the first line of the extract?
(A) It was her first day in school.
(B) She did not want to get caught.
(C) She was unprepared for the lesson.
(D) She preferred to be by herself.
Ans. (B) She did not want to get caught.
(iv) State whether the statement given below is True or False :
The speaker hoodwinked the people looking for her.
Ans. False
Q2. Zitkala-Sa says, “Eating by formula wasn’t the hardest trial in that first day.” What does she mean by ‘Eating by formula’? [40-50 Words]
Ans. ‘Eating by formula’ refers to the strict and unfamiliar eating routines imposed at the boarding school. Zitkala-Sa found it difficult to adapt to these new rules, which were part of the broader challenge of adjusting to a new and oppressive environment.
Q3. “Then I lost my spirit.” What are the incidents that led Zitkala-Sa to feel this way? [40-50 Words]
Ans. Zitkala-Sa felt she lost her spirit due to the traumatic experiences she faced at the boarding school. She was forced to conform to the white man’s ways, including cutting her hair and adopting unfamiliar customs, which led to a deep sense of alienation and loss of her cultural identity.
Q4. “I had been tossed about in the air like a wooden puppet” and now my long hair was shingled like a coward’s…”
What inference about the life of Zitkala-Sa can be drawn from the above statement? [40-50 Words]
Ans. We can infer that she was treated as an object. Zitkala-Sa was a young girl and away from her family. She couldn’t help herself when she was overpowered by the school authorities who cut her hair although in her community, cut hair indicated a coward.
Q5. Justify the statement, ‘It may take a long time for oppression to be resisted but the seeds of rebellion are sowed early in life. [120-150 Words]
Ans. The statement reflects the notion that while the struggle against oppression might seem prolonged and challenging, the foundation for resistance is often laid early in life. This is evident in various historical and literary contexts where early experiences of injustice and inequality foster a sense of awareness and desire for change. In “Memories of Childhood,” Zitkala-Sa’s early experiences with cultural suppression plant the seeds of her rebellion against the imposed norms. Similarly, in other contexts, childhood experiences of inequality and resistance shape individuals’ later actions and attitudes towards oppression. The formative experiences of injustice and the initial stirrings of rebellion during youth provide the critical momentum necessary for a more significant and prolonged resistance against systemic oppression in adulthood.
Q6. In the two stories of Bama and Zitkala-Sa in the lesson of “Memories of Childhood” there are certain similarities of strength in the face of social challenges. Write a diary entry sharing your observations. [120-150 Words]
Ans. Diary Entry:
29th July 2024
Dear Diary,
Today, I reflected on the stories of Bama and Zitkala-Sa from “Memories of Childhood,” and I was struck by their remarkable strength in confronting social challenges. Both faced severe discrimination—Bama due to her caste and Zitkala-Sa due to her ethnicity. Despite their young ages, they exhibited resilience and a deep sense of justice. Bama channelled her anger and frustration into academic excellence, using education as a tool to fight oppression. Zitkala-Sa, on the other hand, resisted the cultural erasure imposed by her boarding school, holding steadfast to her identity and heritage. Their stories highlight the power of inner strength and the importance of self respect in the face of adversity. It’s inspiring to see how both girls, though from different backgrounds, shared a common determination to overcome the injustices they faced and to carve out their own paths. These narratives remind me of the importance of standing up against discrimination and valuing one’s cultural identity.
Goodnight, Diary.
XYZ
Questions from the Chapter in 2023 Board Exams
Q1. What did Judewin tell the narrator? What was the effect? [40-50 Words]
Ans. Judewin told Zitkala-Sa, the narrator, that she overheard a white woman suggesting that Zitkala’s long hair will be cut. The narrator, Zitkala-Sa, became scared and apprehensive about her fate as a result of Judewin’s warning. She was especially concerned about having her hair chopped, which was an important part of her identity.
Q2. How did Zitkala-Sa try to save her long hair? [40-50 Words]
Ans. When Zitkala-Sa heard that her hair was going to be cut, she ran away to a big room with three white beds and curtains. She got under a bed and hid in a dark spot. Even though she was called, she wouldn’t come out. Even though Zitkala-Sa cried and tried to stop her mother and the other women from cutting her hair, they did it anyway.
Q3. What warning did Judewin give to Zitkala-Sa? [40-50 Words]
Ans. Judewin knew a few words of English and had overheard the paleface woman talk about cutting their long, heavy hair. Judewin shared this warning with Zitkala-Sa because in their custom, only unskilled warriors who had been captured, mourners and cowards wore shingled hair.
Q4. What does Zitkala-Sa mean by “eating by formula”? [40-50 Words]
Ans. By ‘eating by formula,’ Zitkala-Sa refers to the rigid and mechanical way in which she was forced to eat at the boarding school. The prescribed rules and lack of freedom in their daily routines made the act of eating feel unnatural and devoid of any personal choice or cultural significance.
Q5. Both Bama and Zitkala-Sa were from marginalised communities. They challenged the system to bring dignity into their lives. Justify. [120-150 Words]
Ans. Due to their backgrounds in underprivileged communities, Zitkala-Sa and Bama experienced social discrimination. As a Native American, Zitkala-Sa experienced humiliation and thought her independence had been taken from her. She had been ogled, tossed around like a puppet, had her blanket and moccasins removed from her, had to wear form-fitting clothing, and had ultimately had her hair sheared. Bama, a member of a Dalit community, experienced similar pain upon witnessing the humiliation they had to go through.
They each experienced many obstacles, yet they never gave up on their aspirations. Instead, they worked tirelessly to attain their objectives and make a positive impact on the world. As a result, they became role models who demonstrated that even those from marginalised communities could overcome adversity and achieve success. Their childhood experiences demonstrate the importance of having self-esteem and standing up for what we believe in, even in the face of adversity and opposition.
Questions from the Chapter in 2020 Board Exams
Q1. “I felt like sinking to the floor”, said Zitkala-Sa. When did she feel so and why? [30-40 words]
Ans. Zitkala’s blanket had been stripped off her shoulders which made her feel like sinking to the floor. This happened on the first day of school.
Q2. ‘‘I felt like sinking to the floor’. Why did Zitkala-Sa say so? [30-40 words]
Ans. Zitkala-Sa spent her first day at school, and she “felt like sinking to the floor.” She was marching into the dining room in a line with the other students. Her sleek and silky moccasins made no noise as she walked. She noticed she was dressed differently after a while, since the blanket had been withdrawn from her shoulders. She was in a foul mood.
Q3. How did Zitkala – Sa feel when her hair was shingled? [30-40 words]
Ans. She cried aloud, shook her head to avoid her hair from being cut. When her hair was cut, she lost all her spirit. She felt like a coward and cried for her mother. She felt like she was an animal being driven by a herder.
Q4. Why did the landlord’s man ask Bama’s brother on which street he lived? [30-40 words]
Ans. The landlord’s man wanted to determine Bama’s brother’s caste. So, when he would know his address, he could identify the caste because people of certain castes lived in certain localities.
Q5. Describe the scene at the threshing floor observed by Bama on her way back from school. [30-40 words]
Ans. Bama observed an elder man of her community was carrying a packet of vadai from the string. He bowed to a landlord and handed the packet to him. The landlord opened the pack and started eating the vadais.
Q6. When did Bama first come to know of the social discrimination faced by the people of her community? [30-40 words]
Ans. Bama was in the third standard when she came to know about untouchability and the social discrimination faced by the people of her community.
Q7. What objects/activities in the marketplace attracted Bama on her way back from school? [30-40 words]
Ans. On the way back, she would see the performing monkey, snake, the cyclist, the huge bell at the Mariyata temple, the pongal offerings being cooked outside the temple, the dired fish stall by Gandhiji’s statue, the sweet stall, the stall of fried snacks, etc.
2019 Exam Question and Answers from the Chapter
Q1. Why did Zitkala-Sa oppose tooth and nail the shingling of her long hair? [30 – 40 words]
Ans. Zitkala-Sa opposed tooth and nail the shingling of her long hair because she remembered her mother’s words. Her mother told her that shingling of the hair was done to the prisoners of the war. In their culture, only mourners and cowards kept short hair.
Q2. Why did Zitkala-Sa resist the shingling of her hair? [30 – 40 words]
Ans. Zitkala-Sa had learned from her mother that hair shingling was done only to unskilled captured warriors by the enemy. In her family, short hair was considered to be a sign of mourning and cowardice.
Q3. What light does Zitkala-Sa’s resistance to the shingling of her hair throw on her character? [30 – 40 words]
Ans. This shows her confidence and courage. Zitkala-sa was not a coward and would not accept things lying down.
Q4. What frantic efforts did Zitkala-Sa make to save her hair from being cut? [30 – 40 words]
Ans. She had been taught by her mother that cowards and unskilled warriors caught by the enemy got their hair cut. Thus, cut hair was a symbol of cowardice and thus, she rebelled. She his in a dark corner under the bed. When dragged out, she resisted by kicking and scratching. She cried and shook her head while her hair was being cut.
Q5. Why did Zitkala-Sa resist the cutting of her hair? [30 – 40 words]
Ans. Zitkala-Sa resisted the cutting of her hair because her mother had taught her that only unskilled warriors who were captured had their hair shingled by the enemy. Among their people, short hair was worn by mourners and shingled hair by cowards.
Q6. “Since the day I was taken from my mother I had suffered extreme indignities.” Elaborate with the help of the account written by Zitkala-Sa in ‘Memories of Childhood’. [120 – 150 words]
Ans. Zitkala-Sa was taken from her family and forcibly shifted to a residential school. At the dining room she saw other Indian girls wearing stiff shoes and closely clinging dresses. While eating by formula was already overwhelming for little Zitkala, her hardest trial came later on when her friend Judewin, who knew some English words, told her that their long, heavy hair was to be shingled. Her mother had told her that only the unskilled warriors who were captured by the enemy tribe or the mourners had their hair shingled. To Zitkala, this was unacceptable. But when she tried to hide from the authorities and was later found out, she was dragged out by her hair and despite the resistance her hair, the symbol of her free spirit, was gnawed off. Ever since she was taken from her mother, the little girl was stared at, tossed around like a puppet and now her long hair was shingled like a coward.
Q7. Both Hama and Zitkala-Sa face difficult situations in their lives. Describe how they face these situations. [120 – 150 words]
Ans. Bama’s experience is based on the evil ridden caste-system in India. Where the poor are exploited and the low caste people are forced to face the racial discriminations by the hands of the upper class people. The girl is deeply shocked, troubled, tensed and provoked on seeing untouchability by the people of high caste. The people of low caste bow and work for their masters. They have to carry a food packet by the thread without touching it. Her brother Annan inspires and advises her to work hard to attain quality. She acts upon his advice and people start coming to her of their own accord.
The old woman Zitkala. So faces humiliation and discrimination through the writes since they force her to follow their own culture, tradition and rituals, etc. She is overpowered to single out her hair. She severely resists and wants to maintain the dignify of her community but she is made a little animal driven by a harder. This is a very shameless act of racial discrimination, untouchability and oppression of marginalised communities. They fight and raise their voice against this social evil and get triumph.
Also see:
Memories of Childhood (Part 1) Important Questions, NCERT Solutions, Extra Questions
Memories of Childhood (Part 1) Summary, Explanation
Memories of Childhood (Part 1) MCQs
Memories of Childhood (Part 1) Character Sketches
Memories of childhood Part 2 – We Too Are Human Beings
Questions which came in 2024 Board Exam
Q1. ‘The words that Annan spoke to me that day made a deep impression on me’.
What inference do you draw about the bond between Annan and Bama? [40-50 Words]
Ans. The bond between Annan and Bama is strong and influential. Annan’s words have a profound impact on Bama, suggesting that she deeply respects and values his guidance and wisdom.
Q2. “The words that Annan spoke to me that day made a deep impression on me.” How was Annan able to inspire Bama? [40-50 Words]
Ans. Annan told Bama that they were born into a low caste and so, they were humiliated by the upper caste people. The only way to overcome this challenge was education. He guided Bama to study with care and learn all that she could. These words made a deep impact on Bama.
Q3. In the two stories of Bama and Zitkala-Sa in the lesson of “Memories of Childhood” there are certain similarities of strength in the face of social challenges. Write a diary entry sharing your observations. [120-150 Words]
Ans. Diary Entry:
29th July 2024
Dear Diary,
Today, I reflected on the stories of Bama and Zitkala-Sa from “Memories of Childhood,” and I was struck by their remarkable strength in confronting social challenges. Both faced severe discrimination—Bama due to her caste and Zitkala-Sa due to her ethnicity. Despite their young ages, they exhibited resilience and a deep sense of justice. Bama channelled her anger and frustration into academic excellence, using education as a tool to fight oppression. Zitkala-Sa, on the other hand, resisted the cultural erasure imposed by her boarding school, holding steadfast to her identity and heritage. Their stories highlight the power of inner strength and the importance of self respect in the face of adversity. It’s inspiring to see how both girls, though from different backgrounds, shared a common determination to overcome the injustices they faced and to carve out their own paths. These narratives remind me of the importance of standing up against discrimination and valuing one’s cultural identity.
Goodnight, Diary.
XYZ
Questions from the Chapter in 2023 Board Exams
Q1. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow:
When I was studying in the third class, I hadn’t yet heard people speak openly of untouchability. But I had already seen, felt, experienced and been humiliated by what it is.
I was walking home from school one day, an old bag hanging from my shoulder. It was actually possible to walk the distance in ten minutes. But usually it would take me from half an hour to an hour to dawdle along watching all the fun and games that were going on, all the entertaining novelties and oddities in the streets, the shops and the bazaar.
(i) The narrator was humiliated because
Ans. The narrator was humiliated because they were teased, called names, and physically assaulted by a group of children from a higher caste while walking home from school. The humiliation was due to their lower caste status, which was stigmatized in the society.
(ii) The narrator ‘dawdled along’ as she _____.
(a) enjoyed looking at the various sights
(b) was getting late for school
(c) she didn’t like going home
(d) she enjoyed haggling and shopping
Ans. (a) enjoyed looking at the various sights
(iii) On the basis of the extract, choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given below :
(I) The distance from school to home was very short.
(II) She was feeling upset and so dawdling her way home.
(a) (I) can be inferred from the extract but (II) cannot
(b) (II) can be inferred from the extract but (I) cannot
(c) Both (I) and (II) cannot be inferred from the extract
(d) Both (I) and (II) can be inferred from the extract
Ans. (c) Both (I) and (II) cannot be inferred from the extract
(iv) The word ‘novelties’ in the passage most nearly means
(a) colourful trinkets
(b) wooden toys
(c) unique and interesting items
(d) expensive souvenirs
Ans. (c) unique and interesting items
Q2. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow:
“Because we are born into this community, we are never given any honour or dignity or respect; we are stripped of all that. But if we study and make progress, we can throw away these indignities. So study with care, learn all you can. If you are always ahead in your lessons, people will come to you of their own accord and attach themselves to you. Work hard and learn.”
(i) Who is the speaker? Who is he speaking to?
(a) Appa; Bama
(b) Bama; Amma
(c) Bama; The Zamindar
(d) Annan; Bama
Ans. (d) Annan; Bama
(ii) Select the option that best describes the speaker in the above extract :
- marginalized
- practical
III. idealistic
- curious
- aggressive
Select the most appropriate option :
(a) I and II
(b) III and IV
(c) II and IV
(d) IV and V
Ans. (a) I and II
(iii) Complete the following statement with reference to the community :
The treatment meted out to the community was _____________.
Ans. devoid of honour, dignity or respect.
(iv) Which of the following summarizes the author’s opinion about study?
(a) Childhood should be spent in experiential learning.
(b) Studying is better than playing.
(c) Studying is essential to the nation’s development.
(d) Studying leads to social reforms and progress.
Ans. (d) Studying leads to social reforms and progress.
Q3. Both Bama and Zitkala-Sa were from marginalised communities. They challenged the system to bring dignity into their lives. Justify. [120-150 Words]
Ans. Due to their backgrounds in underprivileged communities, Zitkala-Sa and Bama experienced social discrimination. As a Native American, Zitkala-Sa experienced humiliation and thought her independence had been taken from her. She had been ogled, tossed around like a puppet, had her blanket and moccasins removed from her, had to wear form-fitting clothing, and had ultimately had her hair sheared. Bama, a member of a Dalit community, experienced similar pain upon witnessing the humiliation they had to go through.
They each experienced many obstacles, yet they never gave up on their aspirations. Instead, they worked tirelessly to attain their objectives and make a positive impact on the world. As a result, they became role models who demonstrated that even those from marginalised communities could overcome adversity and achieve success. Their childhood experiences demonstrate the importance of having self-esteem and standing up for what we believe in, even in the face of adversity and opposition.
2019 Exam Question and Answers from the Chapter
Q1. How did Annan’s advice to his sister Bama impact her? [30 – 40 words]
Ans. The bond between Annan and Bama is strong and influential. Annan’s words have a profound impact on Bama, suggesting that she deeply respects and values his guidance and wisdom.
Q2. Why did Bama stroll in the market place instead of hurrying back home? Describe the sights she enjoyed seeing there. [120 – 150 words]
Ans. Bama stopped at the market place because she was surprised and excited to watch all the fun and games that were going on, different exhibitions, entertaining novelties and oddities in the streets, the shops and the bazaar. She took thirty minutes walking home from her school when she could have covered the distance in just ten minutes. The performance by the monkey and the snake charmer; the cyclist who had not got off his bike for three days, and who kept pedaling as hard as he could from break day; the rupee notes that were pinned on to his shirt to spur him on; the spinning wheels; the Maariyaata temple, the huge bell hanging there; the Pongal offerings being cooked in front of the temple; the dried fish stall by the statue of Gandhi; the sweet stall, the stall selling fried snacks, and all the other shops next to each other; the changing colour of street lights from blue to violet, clay beads, instruments for cleaning ears-all these things attracted her and kept her standing still for long.
Also see:
Memories of Childhood (Part 2) Important Questions, NCERT Solutions, Extra Questions
Memories of Childhood (Part 2) Summary, Explanation
Memories of Childhood (Part 2) MCQs
Memories of Childhood (Part 2) Character Sketches