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NCERT Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 3: Journey to the End of the Earth PDF Download & Summary Explained

Journey to the End of the Earth is Chapter 3 in the Class 12 English Vistas textbook by NCERT. Written by Tishani Doshi, this chapter is based on her actual trip to Antarctica as part of the ‘Students on Ice’ programme. The chapter mixes travel writing with serious topics like climate change, environmental science, and

NCERT Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 3: Journey to the End of the Earth

Journey to the End of the Earth is Chapter 3 in the Class 12 English Vistas textbook by NCERT. Written by Tishani Doshi, this chapter is based on her actual trip to Antarctica as part of the ‘Students on Ice’ programme. The chapter mixes travel writing with serious topics like climate change, environmental science, and how human life is connected to the health of our planet. For students preparing for CBSE board exams, this chapter is often used to test understanding, interpretation, and awareness about global issues. In this post, you’ll find the NCERT PDF link, chapter summary, key themes, and exam tips.

I chose to write about this chapter because it’s one of the few in the Class 12 English syllabus that connects literature with real-world scientific problems. When I first read it, I felt like I had travelled to Antarctica myself, but what stayed with me more was how the author explains climate change in such a personal way. This chapter may seem a bit technical in places, especially with geographical and scientific references, but it’s one of the most meaningful in the textbook. It helps students build environmental awareness, which is more important than ever in today’s time.

Chapter Overview: What is “Journey to the End of the Earth” About?

This chapter is a first-person account of Tishani Doshi’s journey to Antarctica on a Russian research ship called Akademik Shokalskiy. She travels with a group of high school students as part of a climate education programme. The chapter explores Antarctica’s unique landscape, its importance in Earth’s climate system, and how it helps scientists study global warming and evolution.

What makes the story special is how Doshi blends personal experiences with environmental science. From crossing the rough Drake Passage to standing among penguins, she shows how untouched and fragile Antarctica really is.

Main Points:

  • The Earth was once a single landmass—Gondwana—and Antarctica was in the centre of it.
  • Antarctica is a living record of Earth’s geological and climatic history.
  • The continent’s isolation makes it the best place to study climate change.
  • The visit makes the author (and the students) reflect on human impact on the planet.
  • The sight of melting glaciers and collapsing ice shelves leaves a lasting impression.

Key Themes in the Chapter

  • Climate Change: The author explains how Antarctica helps in studying changes in global temperatures and ice patterns.
  • Human-Nature Relationship: It shows how far removed we have become from nature and what that means for the future.
  • Education Through Experience: The ‘Students on Ice’ programme is used to stress the value of experiential learning.
  • History of the Earth: The mention of Gondwana and continental drift gives the chapter a historical and scientific base.

Why This Chapter is Important for Students

  • Frequently Asked in Boards: Both MCQs and 6-mark questions are commonly picked from this chapter
  • Builds Environmental Awareness: Helps students think about climate change and their role in the future
  • Vocabulary & Expression: Introduces new terms and scientific ideas in simple language
  • Interdisciplinary Learning: Combines literature, geography, and science—perfect for general awareness

This chapter can also help in writing essays or giving presentations on climate change in school activities.

Download PDF

You can easily download the official NCERT PDF for Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 3 from here:

NCERT Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 3: Journey to the End of the Earth

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NCERT Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 6: Memories of Childhood PDF Download & Complete Summary

Memories of Childhood is Chapter 6 in the Class 12 English Vistas textbook by NCERT. What makes this chapter special is that it’s not a single story—it’s made up of two autobiographical excerpts written by two women, Zitkala-Sa and Bama. Both narrate incidents from their early lives that reflect the discrimination they faced because of

NCERT Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 6: Memories of Childhood

Memories of Childhood is Chapter 6 in the Class 12 English Vistas textbook by NCERT. What makes this chapter special is that it’s not a single story—it’s made up of two autobiographical excerpts written by two women, Zitkala-Sa and Bama. Both narrate incidents from their early lives that reflect the discrimination they faced because of their identity. While Zitkala-Sa was a Native American who suffered cultural oppression, Bama grew up as a Dalit in South India, dealing with caste-based discrimination. These two stories are placed together in the chapter to show that such issues exist in many parts of the world.

I decided to write about this chapter because it’s different from the others in the book. It’s not fiction, but a real account of how young children feel when they are treated unfairly just because of their background. When I first read Bama’s story, I couldn’t stop thinking about how common such behaviour still is in many Indian towns. These stories make us more aware and sensitive. As students, we need to understand not just grammar and vocabulary but also social realities. This chapter is an important step towards building that understanding.

What is “Memories of Childhood” About?

This chapter includes two short autobiographical narratives that focus on childhood memories shaped by discrimination and injustice.

Part One: The Cutting of My Long Hair by Zitkala-Sa

This section is written by a Native American woman who was taken to a missionary school where they tried to make her behave like a “white” child. She describes how humiliating it was when her long hair was forcibly cut, which in her culture was a sign of defeat. She feels powerless, angry, and alien in a place that tries to erase her identity.

Part Two: We Too Are Human Beings by Bama

Bama’s story takes place in a village in Tamil Nadu. She is a young Dalit girl who notices how upper-caste people treat her community with disrespect. She sees a man carrying food for his master without touching it, just because of his caste. When she narrates this incident to her brother, he tells her about caste discrimination and advises her to study hard to earn respect and equality.

Main Characters:

  • Zitkala-Sa – A Native American girl forced to give up her culture at a white-run school
  • Bama – A young Dalit girl who slowly becomes aware of social injustice

Key Themes:

  • Discrimination based on race and caste
  • Childhood trauma and awareness
  • Loss of identity
  • Education as a tool for change

Why This Chapter Matters for Students

  • Real stories: It helps students connect emotionally to real-life problems faced by children
  • Relevant to society: Topics like caste and cultural identity are still important in today’s India
  • CBSE exam favourite: Frequently asked in long and value-based questions
  • Builds empathy: Helps students look beyond textbooks and understand people around them better
  • Teaches resilience: Both writers turned their pain into power through education and awareness

Download PDF

You can download the official NCERT Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 6 PDF from here:

NCERT Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 6: Memories of Childhood

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