English (Vistas) Important Questions for Chapter 6 Memories of Childhood Class 12 - FREE PDF Download
FAQs on Memories of Childhood Class 12 Important Questions: CBSE English (Vistas) Chapter 6
1. What are the most important questions from "Memories of Childhood" Class 12 for CBSE 2025–26 board exams?
- Explain the significance of the title ‘The Cutting of My Long Hair’ in the context of cultural identity loss. (5 marks)
- Discuss how Bama’s childhood experiences reflect the impact of caste discrimination in India. (5 marks)
- How do Zitkala-Sa’s actions represent resistance to forced assimilation? Give examples. (4 marks)
- Why does education emerge as a tool for empowerment in both stories? Illustrate briefly. (4 marks)
- Analyse the psychological and emotional effects of oppression on children based on both narratives. (5 marks)
2. Why is the act of cutting Zitkala-Sa’s hair considered an important question for exam discussion in Class 12 English?
- The act symbolizes the forced erasure of Native American identity and culture, a key theme in the chapter.
- It leads to emotional trauma and humiliation for Zitkala-Sa, making it a core incident to analyze for long-answer questions.
3. How does Bama’s realization of untouchability trigger her transformation in the chapter 'Memories of Childhood'?
Bama’s innocent observations and subsequent shock at caste discrimination motivate her to seek respect through academic excellence. Her growth from innocence to awareness is a common HOTS-type question and is relevant for important questions in CBSE Class 12 English, 2025–26.
4. Compare and contrast the struggles faced by Zitkala-Sa and Bama as depicted in "Memories of Childhood". (CBSE expected 5-mark question)
- Zitkala-Sa faces racial discrimination and forced cultural assimilation in America.
- Bama experiences caste-based untouchability in India.
- Both struggle to assert their identity and resist systemic oppression, but their contexts and forms of resistance differ.
5. What is the exam-relevant significance of Bama’s brother’s advice in the story?
Bama’s brother guides her to use education as a means to gain dignity and break the cycle of caste oppression. This message often appears in value-based or analytical board questions for CBSE Class 12 English.
6. How does the theme of identity loss in ‘The Cutting of My Long Hair’ connect to broader socio-cultural issues? (Frequently asked for HOTS)
- It highlights the trauma of assimilation policies targeting indigenous peoples worldwide.
- The forced haircut represents a deliberate attempt to eradicate ethnic identity, a concept often probed in exam HOTS.
7. What High Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) questions can be derived from the chapter "Memories of Childhood" for Class 12 English?
- If Bama had not heeded her brother’s advice, how might her life have differed? (Speculate using evidence from the story.)
- Why is resistance, as shown by Zitkala-Sa, critical in the face of systemic oppression? Support your answer with examples.
- How do small acts of defiance contribute to larger social changes? Discuss with reference to both stories.
8. What mistakes should students avoid when answering important questions from this chapter in board exams?
- Avoid generalizations; support all answers with direct references from the text.
- Don’t ignore emotional and psychological impacts—these are central to most long-answer questions.
- Do not mix up the cultural contexts of Zitkala-Sa and Bama.
9. Explain how the two narratives in "Memories of Childhood" use personal experiences to highlight social issues. (CBSE application-based question)
Both authors use autobiographical experiences to present systemic discrimination: Zitkala-Sa’s forced haircut symbolizes American colonial aggression against Native culture, while Bama’s childhood observations reveal deeply-rooted casteism in India. The personal lens makes social commentary more impactful—a frequent CBSE exam focus.
10. What is the relevance of the title "Memories of Childhood" in the CBSE Class 12 Important Questions context?
The title encapsulates how formative childhood experiences shape identity, resilience, and the urge to challenge injustice. Linking personal memory to broader societal patterns is a key exam expectation for important questions as per the Class 12 CBSE English curriculum, 2025–26.
11. As per CBSE 2025–26 English guidelines, what marking criteria should students follow when attempting long-answer questions from this chapter?
- Answers should be text-based, analytical, and structured as per marking scheme: Introduction, Analysis, Evidence, Conclusion.
- Incorporate key themes (identity, discrimination, resistance, empowerment).
- Use direct references and avoid repetition.
12. How do the authors of both parts use their childhood voices to appeal to the emotions of readers and examiners?
By recounting their earliest encounters with prejudice, Zitkala-Sa and Bama draw empathy and underline the innocence lost through societal injustice. This emotional appeal is often rewarded in CBSE answer evaluations for important questions.
13. Suggest strategies for effectively answering 'application-based important questions' from Memories of Childhood in board exams.
- Identify the core concept or theme in the question (e.g., resistance, identity loss).
- Relate the theme to specific incidents from the stories.
- Connect your answer to current social contexts or other real-life examples as appropriate.

















