Memories of Childhood Extract Questions | English Class 12

Extract Questions

Passage with linked answers

Extract

Extract 1

Reading Set

Extract 1

Passage

I looked hard at the Indian girls, who seemed not to care that they were even more immodestly dressed than I, in their tightly fitting clothes. While we marched in, the boys entered at an opposite door. I watched for the three young braves who came in our party. I spied them in the rear ranks, looking as uncomfortable as I felt.

Zitkala-Sa felt that the tightly fitting clothes worn by the Indian girls made them look deeply __________.

immodest

She noticed that the three young __________ from her party looked just as uncomfortable as she did.

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Extract Questions

Passage with linked answers

Extract

Extract 2

Reading Set

Extract 2

Passage

I cried aloud, shaking my head all the while until I felt the cold blades of the scissors against my neck, and heard them gnaw off one of my thick braids. Then I lost my spirit. Since the day I was taken from my mother I had suffered extreme indignities.

Zitkala-Sa shook her head wildly until she felt the cold blades of the __________ against her neck.

scissors

After her thick braid was cut off, the author felt that she had completely lost her __________.

spirit

Why did the cutting of her hair cause her to lose her spirit?

Cutting her hair shattered her spirit because in her native culture, short hair symbolized cowardice or mourning. It was the ultimate indignity that physically stripped away her cherished cultural identity, leaving her feeling utterly defeated, powerless, and profoundly humiliated.

What kind of indignities had she suffered since leaving her mother?

Since leaving her mother, she was subjected to constant humiliation. People stared at her rudely, she was tossed about like a wooden puppet, her traditional blanket was forcibly removed, and she was treated like a mindless animal by her herders.

What does the phrase "gnaw off" suggest about the action?

The phrase "gnaw off" suggests a violent, animalistic, and crude action. It emphasizes the sheer cruelty and lack of empathy of the school authorities, making the physical act of cutting her hair feel deeply violating and intensely painful to her.

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Extract Questions

Passage with linked answers

Extract

Extract 3

Reading Set

Extract 3

Passage

The elder went straight up to the landlord, bowed low and extended the packet towards him, cupping the hand that held the string with his other hand. The landlord opened the parcel and began to eat the vadais.

The elder went straight up to the landlord and __________ low before handing over the packet.

bowed

The elder held the packet by its __________ to ensure he did not touch the wrapping paper.

string

Why did the elder hold the packet in such a peculiar manner?

The elder held the packet by the string because he belonged to a lower caste. According to the oppressive rules of untouchability, if he touched the parcel directly, the upper-caste landlord would consider the food polluted and unfit to eat.

What was the landlord's reaction upon receiving the packet?

The wealthy landlord showed absolutely no gratitude or basic human respect toward the elder. He simply accepted the reverently handed parcel, opened it immediately, and began eating the vadais, completely indifferent to the degrading submission of the marginalized man.

How did this specific incident impact Bama later?

Although Bama initially found the sight incredibly comical, learning the truth behind it shattered her innocence. This specific incident deeply infuriated her, awakened her to the cruel reality of untouchability, and sparked a strong desire to fight societal injustice.

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Extract Questions

Passage with linked answers

Extract

Extract 4

Reading Set

Extract 4

Passage

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.

Annan told Bama that their community is never given any honor, dignity, or __________ by the society.

respect

According to Annan, they can throw away these indignities only if they study hard and make __________.

progress

What harsh reality did Annan explain to Bama in these lines?

Annan explained the harsh reality of the caste system to Bama. He revealed that because they were born into a marginalized Dalit community, society inherently prejudiced against them, brutally stripping them of their basic human rights, honor, dignity, and respect.

What powerful solution did Annan offer to overcome this discrimination?

Annan powerfully advised Bama that education was their greatest weapon against oppression. He urged her to study diligently and excel academically, explaining that making significant progress in her studies would force society to respect her and overlook her caste entirely.

How did Bama respond to her brother's inspiring advice?

Deeply moved by Annan's words, Bama responded with immense determination. She channeled her fierce anger into her academics, studying in an absolute frenzy. She eventually stood first in her class, earning the profound respect and friendship of her peers.

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Chapter sections

Chapter memories-of-childhood: Memories of Childhood | Extract Questions

Extract 1

Zitkala-Sa felt that the tightly fitting clothes worn by the Indian girls made them look deeply __________.

She noticed that the three young __________ from her party looked just as uncomfortable as she did.

Why did Zitkala-Sa feel uncomfortable with her own clothing?

How did the other Indian girls react to their attire?

What does the presence of the "three young braves" signify?

Extract 2

Zitkala-Sa shook her head wildly until she felt the cold blades of the __________ against her neck.

After her thick braid was cut off, the author felt that she had completely lost her __________.

Why did the cutting of her hair cause her to lose her spirit?

What kind of indignities had she suffered since leaving her mother?

What does the phrase "gnaw off" suggest about the action?

Extract 3

The elder went straight up to the landlord and __________ low before handing over the packet.

The elder held the packet by its __________ to ensure he did not touch the wrapping paper.

Why did the elder hold the packet in such a peculiar manner?

What was the landlord's reaction upon receiving the packet?

How did this specific incident impact Bama later?

Extract 4

Annan told Bama that their community is never given any honor, dignity, or __________ by the society.

According to Annan, they can throw away these indignities only if they study hard and make __________.

What harsh reality did Annan explain to Bama in these lines?

What powerful solution did Annan offer to overcome this discrimination?

How did Bama respond to her brother's inspiring advice?