CBSE Class 12 English Vistas – Supplementary Reader

2025–2026 Active Syllabus • Previous Years Questions Trend • Important Questions & Keywords

Active Vistas Chapters – 2025–2026 Syllabus

Priority Ranking – Most Important Chapters (Based on 2021–2025 PYQs)

Priority Chapter Expected Marks Most Repeated Question Types
1 The Third Level 6–8 marks Extract-based (Charley's third level), theme of escapism & reality
2 The Enemy 6–8 marks Extract (Dr Sadao & POW), moral conflict (humanity vs patriotism)
3 On the Face of It 5–7 marks Extract (Derry & Mr Lamb), theme of disability & loneliness
4 The Tiger King 5–6 marks Extract (prophecy & tiger hunt), irony & superstition
5 Journey to the End of the Earth 4–6 marks Extract (Antarctica, Gondwana), global warming & human impact
6 Memories of Childhood 4–6 marks Extract (Zitkala-Sa hair cutting, Bama untouchability), discrimination & identity

Chapter-wise Important Questions & Keywords

1. The Third Level

  • Most Repeated 6-mark Extracts
  • "Charley found the third level at Grand Central… Galesburg 1894"
  • "I was walking along the streets of Galesburg… old-style currency"
  • Most Repeated Questions
  • What is the significance of the third level?
  • Why does Charley want to escape to Galesburg?
  • Central theme: escapism, reality vs fantasy
  • Important Keywords: third level, Grand Central, Charley, Sam, Galesburg 1894, stamp collection, first & second world war, psychiatric, escape

2. The Enemy

  • Most Repeated Questions (6–8 marks)
  • Describe the conflict in Dr Sadao's mind after saving the POW.
  • Extract: "The man lay still… Sadao knew he must operate"
  • What message does the story give about humanity vs patriotism?
  • Important Keywords: Dr Sadao, Hana, Tom, General Takima, POW, human vs patriotism, surgery, white man, loyalty, conscience

3. On the Face of It

  • Most Repeated Questions (5–7 marks)
  • Describe the relationship between Derry & Mr Lamb.
  • Extract: "Because if I don't go back… I'll never go back"
  • Central theme: disability, loneliness, acceptance, friendship
  • Important Keywords: Derry, Mr Lamb, tin leg, friendship, acceptance, beauty, ugliness, curiosity, courage

4. The Tiger King

  • Most Repeated Questions (5–6 marks)
  • What is the irony in the Tiger King's life and death?
  • Extract: "The Maharaja of Pratibandapuram… hundredth tiger"
  • Central theme: superstition, irony, power & fate
  • Important Keywords: Maharaja, prophecy, hundredth tiger, irony, superstition, British officer, wooden tiger, sliver, death

5. Journey to the End of the Earth

  • Most Repeated Questions (4–6 marks)
  • What is the significance of Antarctica in understanding Earth's past?
  • Extract: "Antarctica is the world's coldest… Gondwana"
  • Central theme: climate change, human impact, Gondwana
  • Important Keywords: Antarctica, Gondwana, carbon sink, ozone hole, phytoplankton, global warming, ice cores, simple ecosystem

6. Memories of Childhood

  • Most Repeated Questions (4–6 marks)
  • Describe Zitkala-Sa's experience of hair cutting.
  • Extract: "The first day in school… they cut my long hair"
  • Central theme: discrimination, identity, cultural suppression
  • Important Keywords: Zitkala-Sa, Bama, hair cutting, untouchability, discrimination, identity, cultural loss, prejudice

Exam Strategy – Vistas (2026 Boards)

  1. Most repeated 6-mark extracts: The Third Level, The Enemy, On the Face of It
  2. Always write structured answer: paraphrase (1–2), theme/message (2), 2–3 character sketches / incidents (2), conclusion (1–2)
  3. Time: 8–10 minutes per 6-mark extract question
  4. Quote 1–2 lines from extract in every answer
  5. Practice full 6-mark answers for at least 2 extracts from top 3 chapters

Links to Other Pages

This guide includes only the current syllabus Vistas chapters.
Best of luck for your CBSE Class 12 English Board Exam 2026!