The Cutting of My Long Hair Extract Based MCQ questions | Subjective | Objective| True / False  Class 12 Vistas

This page offers Extract Based Questions  from the Chapter The Cutting of My Long Hair for Class 12 from the book Vistas.  We’ve put together a bunch extracts which ask assumption based, creativity based and critical thinking-based questions. These types of questions are introduced after 2024 in CBSE Board. The types of questions are quick MCQs, true/false and Subjective questions. So, practice to understand The Cutting of My Long Hair Extracts to score great.

The Cutting of My Long Hair Extract Based MCQ questions Passage 1

The first day in the land of apples was a bitter-cold one; for the snow still covered the ground, and the trees were bare. A large bell rang for breakfast, its loud metallic voice crashing through the belfry overhead and into our sensitive ears. 

Question 1: How might the loud ringing of the bell symbolise the narrator’s experience in the new land? Answer in about 40 words.

Answer: The bell’s harsh sound might symbolise the strict and unkind environment of the new land. It reflects the narrator’s sense of being controlled and disconnected from the warmth and comfort of her familiar and peaceful life.

Question 2: None of the following terms can be applied to the statement — “The bell’s metallic voice crashed loudly.” Which options do NOT match?

(a) Imagery – descriptive words that make you imagine things
(b) Personification – giving human qualities to objects
(c) Hyperbole – exaggerating something
(d) Alliteration – repeating the same starting sound

Answer: False.
Reason: Both (a) and (b) fit the statement. (a) fits as it creates an image, and (b) fits as “metallic voice” personifies the bell. (c) and (d) do not apply.

Question 3: The extract suggests that the bell’s sound can be described as _____ based on the passage.

Answer: Harsh / Overwhelming / Disturbing / Metallic / Jarring or any other similar response.

Question 4: What emotions are evoked by the phrase “metallic voice”?
Answer: Fear, discomfort, and loss of peace.

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Extract from The Cutting of My Long Hair – 2

The constant clash of harsh noises, with an undercurrent of many voices murmuring an unknown tongue, made a bedlam within which I was securely tied. And though my spirit tore itself in struggling for its lost freedom, all was useless.

Question 1: How might the narrator’s struggle for freedom reflect her inner emotions, as described in the passage? (40 Words)
Answer: The struggle reflects her pain and helplessness. She feels trapped in a chaotic and unfamiliar world, longing for freedom and peace.

Question 2: None of the following terms can be applied to the statement — “The constant clash of harsh noises made a bedlam.”

(a) Imagery – uses descriptive words to create a picture
(b) Hyperbole – exaggerates something
(c) Personification – gives human qualities to things
 (d) Symbolism – uses something to stand for an idea

Answer: False.
Reason: (a) fits because the noises create sensory imagery. (d) fits because “bedlam” symbolises chaos. (b) and (c) do not apply.

3. Fill in the Blanks Question:
Question: The narrator’s description of “bedlam” in the passage symbolises ______.
Answer: Chaos / Confusion / Oppression / Unfamiliarity / Struggle / Control

4. Question: What could the “unknown tongue” in the passage signify? (10 words):
Answer: It signifies cultural disconnection and the narrator’s feeling of alienation.

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Class 12 The Cutting of My Long Hair Extract Based Questions- 3

A paleface woman, with white hair, came up after us. We were placed in a line of girls who were marching into the dining room. These were Indian girls, in stiff shoes and closely clinging dresses. The small girls wore sleeved aprons and shingled hair.

Question 1: How does the description of the girls’ appearance reflect their loss of cultural identity? (40 words)
Answer: The stiff shoes, clinging dresses, and shingled hair show how the girls were forced to abandon their native traditions, symbolising cultural oppression.

2. True/False Type Question:
Question: None of the terms (a)–(d) can be applied to the statement — “The small girls wore sleeved aprons and shingled hair.”
(a) Imagery – uses descriptive language to create sensory details
(b) Symbolism – using an object or action to represent an idea
(c) Metaphor – directly comparing two things without “like” or “as”
(d) Alliteration – repetition of initial consonant sounds

Answer: False.
Reason: (a) fits because the description creates a vivid image. (b) fits because shingled hair symbolises loss of identity.

3. Fill in the Blanks Question: (One Word)
Question: The “shingled hair” in the passage symbolises ______.
Answer: Loss / Control / Uniformity / Cultural suppression / Conformity or any other similar response

4. Question: What might the “stiff shoes and clinging dresses” signify? (10 words).
Answer: They signify the strict control and forced uniformity imposed on the girls.

The Cutting of My Long Hair Extract Based MCQ Questions- 4

As I walked noiselessly in my soft moccasins, I felt like sinking to the floor, for my blanket had been stripped from my shoulders. 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.

Question 1: Why might the narrator feel more exposed without her blanket, despite being dressed? (40 Words)
Answer: The blanket represents her cultural identity and security. Losing it makes her feel vulnerable and disconnected from her heritage, exposing her to the unfamiliar environment.

Question 2: None of the terms (a)–(d) can be applied to the statement — “I felt like sinking to the floor, for my blanket had been stripped.”

(a) Symbolism – using something to stand for an idea
(b) Contrast – showing how two things are different
(c) Personification – giving human qualities to things
(d) Emotional imagery – describing to make readers feel emotions

Answer: False.
Reason: (a) fits because the blanket symbolises cultural identity. (b) fits because the narrator’s discomfort contrasts with others’ indifference.

3. Question: The narrator’s loss of her blanket could symbolise ______.
Answer: Alienation / Oppression / Helplessness / Displacement / Subjugation / Stripping / Defencelessness / Marginalisation or any other similar response. 

4. Question: Why might the narrator notice the indifference of other Indian girls? (10 Words)
Answer: Their indifference contrasts her emotional pain, deepening her sense of isolation and cultural loss.

The Cutting of My Long Hair Extract Based Questions MCQ with Answers- 5

A small bell was tapped, and each of the pupils drew a chair from under the table. Supposing this act meant they were to be seated, I pulled out mine and at once slipped into it from one side. But when I turned my head, I saw that I was the only one seated, and all the rest at our table remained standing.

1.Question: Why might the narrator feel embarrassed after sitting down before the others, as described in the passage? (40 Words)
Answer: The narrator’s embarrassment reflects her unfamiliarity with the rules. Sitting early makes her feel exposed and out of place.

2. True/False Type Question:
Question: None of the terms (a)–(d) can be applied to the statement — “I saw that I was the only one seated.”
(a) Contrast – highlighting the difference between two things
(b) Isolation – feeling separated or different from others
(c) Hyperbole – exaggerated statements not meant to be taken literally
(d) Imagery – creating vivid sensory details

Answer: False.
Reason: (a) fits because her actions contrast with others. (b) fits because she feels isolated by being different.

3.Question: The narrator’s feeling of being the only one seated could symbolise ______.
Answer: Misfit / Alienation / Exclusion / Awkwardness / Discomfort / Estrangement / Confusion / Unfamiliarity or any other similar response. 

4. Question: Why might the narrator notice that others remain standing, while she is seated? (10 Words)
Answer: The difference highlights her unfamiliarity with the rules, deepening her feeling of isolation and embarrassment.

The Cutting of My Long Hair Extracts- 6

All were seated at last, and I had to crawl back into my chair again. I heard a man’s voice at one end of the hall, and I looked around to see him. But all the others hung their heads over their plates. As I glanced at the long chain of tables, I caught the eyes of a paleface woman upon me. Immediately I dropped my eyes, wondering why I was so keenly watched by the strange woman. 

Question: 1.  Why might the narrator feel uncomfortable under the paleface woman’s gaze, as described in the passage? (40 words)
Answer: The narrator feels uncomfortable because the woman’s gaze makes her feel judged and out of place in the unfamiliar environment.

Question 2: None of the terms (a)–(d) can be applied to the statement — “I dropped my eyes, wondering why I was so keenly watched by the strange woman.”

(a) Surveillance – feeling observed
(b) Vulnerability – feeling exposed emotionally or physically
(c) Contrast – showing differences between two things
(d) Isolation – feeling separated from others

Answer: False.
Reason: (a) fits because the narrator feels watched. (b) fits because the gaze highlights her emotional vulnerability. (c) and (d) do not apply.

3.Question: The narrator’s reaction to the paleface woman’s gaze suggests she feels ______.
Answer: Exposed / Judged / Uncomfortable / Watched / Anxious / Insecure / Inferior / Inspected / Distrusted / Nervous / Misunderstood or any other similar response. 

4. Question: Why might the narrator notice others keeping their heads down, while she looks around? (10 Words)
Answer: The difference highlights her curiosity and unfamiliarity with the rules, deepening her feeling of being out of place.

The Cutting of My Long Hair Extract- 7

Judewin knew a few words of English; and she had overheard the paleface woman talk about cutting our long, heavy hair. Our mothers had taught us that only unskilled warriors who were captured had their hair shingled by the enemy. 

Question 1: Why might the idea of cutting their hair feel humiliating to the girls, as described in the passage? (40 Words)
Answer: Cutting their hair symbolises defeat and humiliation in their culture, as their mothers taught them it is done to captured warriors.

Question 2 : None of the terms (a)–(d) fit the statement — “Our mothers had taught us that only unskilled warriors who were captured had their hair shingled by the enemy.”
(a) Symbolism – using an action to represent an idea
(b) Cultural significance – deep meaning attached to traditions
(c) Contrast – showing the difference between cultural values and imposed actions
(d) Alliteration – repetition of consonant sounds

Answer: False.
Reason: (a) fits because shingling hair symbolises defeat. (b) fits as it highlights the cultural meaning of hair.

Question 3: The act of cutting their hair in the passage symbolises ______.
Answer: Defeat / Humiliation / Subjugation / Dehumanisation / Compliance / Submission / Domination / Assimilation / Powerlessness / Erasure or any other similar response. 

Question: 4. Why might Judewin’s knowledge of English make her more aware of the threat posed by the authorities? (10 Words)
Answer: Knowing English helps her understand the authorities’ plans, making her more conscious of their intent to suppress their culture.

Extract from The Cutting of My Long Hair – 8

The windows were covered with dark green curtains, which made the room very dim. Thankful that no one was there, I directed my steps toward the corner farthest from the door. On my hands and knees I crawled under the bed, and huddled myself in the dark corner.

Question 1: Why might the narrator choose to hide under the bed, as described in the passage? (40 Words)
Answer: The narrator hides under the bed to escape the authorities and protect her hair, symbolising her cultural identity and dignity.

Question 2: None of the following terms can be applied to the statement — “On my hands and knees I crawled under the bed, and huddled myself in the dark corner.”

(a) Imagery – the use of descriptive language to create mental pictures
(b) Vulnerability – the state of being exposed to harm or danger
(c) Survival instinct – the innate drive to protect oneself from harm
(d) Symbolism – using objects or actions to represent ideas or concepts

Answer: False.
Reason: (a) fits because the description creates vivid sensory details. (c) fits as her action reflects a drive for self-protection.

Question 3: The narrator’s decision to hide under the bed symbolises ______.
Answer: Defiance / Escape / Helplessness / Rebellion / Insecurity / Self-preservation / Anxiety / Shelter or any other similar response. 

4. Question: Why might the narrator feel relieved that no one else is in the room? (10 Words)
Answer: She feels safer and less exposed, knowing she can hide without being immediately discovered by the authorities.