JAC Board Class 10th English Solutions First Flight Chapter 2 Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
JAC Class 10th English Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom Textbook Questions and Answers
Activity (Page – 17)
In Column A are some expressions you will find in the text. Make a guess and match each expression with an appropriate meaning from Column B.
| A | B |
| (i) A rainbow gathering of different colours and nations | – A great ability (almost unimaginable) to remain unchanged by suffering (not losing hope, goodness or courage) |
| (ii) The seat of white supremacy | – A half – secret life, like a life lived in the fading light between sunset and darkness |
| (iii) Be overwhelmed with a sense of history | – A sign of human feeling (goodness, kindness, pity, justice, etc.) |
| (iv) Resilience that defies the imagination | – A beautiful coming together of various peoples, like the colours in a rainbow |
| (v) A glimmer of humanity | – The centre of racial superiority |
| (vi) A twilight existence | – Feel deeply emotional, remembering and understanding all the past events that have led up to the moment |
Answer:
| A | B |
| (i) A rainbow gathering of different colours and nations | – A beautiful coming together of various peoples, like the colours in a rainbow |
| (ii) The seat of white supremacy | – The centre of racial superiority |
| (iii) Be overwhelmed with a sense of history | – Feel deeply emotional, remembering and understanding all the past events that have led up to the moment |
| (iv) Resilience that defies the imagination | – A great ability (almost unimaginable) to remain unchanged by suffering (not losing hope, goodness or courage) |
| (v) A glimmer of humanity | – A sign of human feeling (goodness, kindness, pity, justice, etc.) |
| (vi) A twilight existence | – A half – secret life, like a life lived in the fading light between sunset and darkness |
Oral Comprehension Check (Pages 18 – 19)
Question 1.
Where did the ceremonies take place? Can you name any public buildings in India that are made of sandstone?
Answer:
The ceremonies took place in the amphitheatre of the Union Buildings in Pretoria. The Rashtrapati Bhavan and the Supreme Court of India in New Delhi, the Red Fort of Delhi and Madras High Court in Chennai are some of the examples of Indian public buildings that are made of sandstone.
Question 2.
Can you say how 10 May is an ‘autumn day’ in South Africa?
Answer:
10 May is an ‘ autumn day ’ in South Africa because on this day there was the largest gathering of international leaders on the South African soil for the swearing in ceremony of South Africa’s first democratic, non – racial government.
Question 3.
At the beginning of his speech, Mandela mentions “an extraordinary human disaster”. What does he mean by this? What is the “glorious … human achievement” he speaks of at the end?
Answer:
The ‘extraordinary human disaster’ that Mandela mentioned at the beginning of his speech refers to the inhuman practice of apartheid, i.e., the racial discrimination suffered by the blacks at the hands of whites in South Africa. At the end, the ‘glorious human achievement’ that he spoke of refers to the establishment of South Africa’s first democratic, non-racial government.
Question 4.
What does Mandela thank the international leaders for?
Answer:
Mandela thanked all the international leaders for their support in establishing the first anti – racial government. Since this event could be considered as a common victory for justice, peace and human dignity to common people.
Question 5.
What ideals does he set out for the future of South Africa?
Answer:
Mandela had high hopes for the future of South Africa. He pledged to liberate all South Africans from the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discrimination. He also stressed that the beautiful land of South Africa would never ever experience racial discrimination again.
Oral Comprehension Check (Page – 21)
Question 1.
What do the military generals do? How has their attitude changed, and why?
Answer:
The military generals of the South Africa do their duties with loyalty and commitment to their nation. Now their attitude has completely changed. After taking oath as the President of South Africa, they salute and honour the President in a proper way.
Question 2.
Why were two national anthems sung?
Answer:
On the day of the swearing ceremony, two national anthems like ‘Nkosi Sikelel – iAfrika’ and ‘Die Stem’, were sung, by the whites, and the blacks respectively. This symbolized the equality of blacks and whites.
Question 3.
How does Mandela describe the systems of government in his country (i) in the first decade and (ii) in the final decade, of the twentieth century?
Answer:
- In the first decade of the twentieth century, the white – skinned people of South Africa erected a system of racial domination against the dark – skinned people of their own land.
- In the final decade of the twentieth century, the system of apartheid had been uprooted and recognized the rights and freedoms of all peoples, regardless of the colour of their skin.
Question 4.
What does courage mean to Mandela?
Answer:
According to Mandela, courage means not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.
Question 5.
What does he think is natural, to love or to hate?
Answer:
For Mandela, love comes more naturally to the human heart than hate.
Oral Comprehension Check (Page – 24)
Question 1.
What “twin obligations” does Mandela mention?
Answer:
According to Mandela, every man has twin obligations. The first obligation is to his family, parents, wife and children; the second obligation is to his people, his community and his country.
Question 2.
What did being free mean to Mandela as a boy, and as a student? How does he contrast these “transitory freedoms” with “the basic and honourable freedoms”?
Answer:
For Mandela, as a boy, freedom meant to run in the field near his mother’s hut, to swim freely in the stream, to roast mealies under the stars and ride the broad backs of slow moving bulls. As a student, freedom meant to stay out at nights and to do free things. Fie then talked about certain “basic honourable freedoms” such as achieving his potential of earning his living and of marrying and having a family. He built the contrast between these two freedoms by stating that the transitory freedoms he wanted were limited to him, whereas the honourable freedoms had to do more with his and his people’s position in the society.
Question 3.
Does Mandela think the oppressor is free? Why/Why not?
Answer:
Mandela does not feel that the oppressor is free because according to him, an oppressor is a prisoner of hatred, who is locked behind the bars of prejudice and narrow – mindedness. He feels that both the oppressor and the oppressed are robbed of their humanity.
Thinking about the Text
Question 1.
Why did such a large number of international leaders attend the inauguration? What did it signify the triumph of?
Answer:
South Africa was in the grip of apartheid for centuries. When Mandela became the President, a large number of International leaders attended the inauguration. They just attended because it was a historic moment in the history of South Africa because the non – racial government was established in the country.
Question 2.
What does Mandela mean when he says he is “simply the sum of all those African patriots” who had gone before him?
Answer:
It implies that he could identify with the unimaginable sacrifices of all those noble and courageous men who fought for the collective freedom of the African people. He was pained that he could not thank them and that they could not see what their sacrifices had wrought.
Question 3.
Would you agree that the “depths of oppression” create “heights of character”? How does Mandela illustrate this? Can you add your own examples to this argument?
Answer:
Yes, I agree that the “depths of oppression” create “heights of character”. Mandela thought that the decades of brutality and oppression had an unintended effect of creating many African patriots with unimaginable heights of character. Thus, he felt that the greatest wealth of South Africa is its people. In similar manner, Bhagat Singh, Chandra Shekhar Azad, etc., were courageous while facing utmost cruelty at the hands of British.
Question 4.
How did Mandela’s understanding of freedom change with age and experience?
Answer:
Mandela’s understanding of freedom changed with age and experience in due course of time.
As a boy, Mandela did not have a hunger for freedom because he thought that he was bom free. He would run freely in the field, swim in the stream and enjoy roasted mealies under the stars. He believed that as long as he obeyed his father and abided by the customs of his tribe, he was free in every possible manner.
He had certain needs as a teenager as well as a young man. Gradually, he realized that he was selfish during his boyhood. He gradually understood that it was not just his freedom that was being curtailed, but the freedom of all blacks. It is after attaining this understanding that he developed a hunger for the freedom of his people.
Question uestion 5.
How did Mandela’s ‘hunger for freedom’ change his life?
Answer:
Mandela realized in his youth that it was not just his freedom that was being curtailed, but the freedom of all blacks. The hunger for his own freedom became the hunger for the freedom of his people. This desire of a non – racial society transformed him into a virtuous and self – sacrificing man. Thus, he joined the African National Congress and this changed him from a frightened young man into a bold man.
Thinking about Language
I. There are nouns in the text (formation, government) which are formed from the corresponding verbs (form, govern) by suffixing – (at)ion or ment. There may be change in the spelling of some verb – noun pairs: such as rebel, rebellion; constitute, constitution.
Question 1.
Make a list of such pairs of nouns and verbs in the text.
| Noun | Verb |
| rebellion | rebel |
| constitution | constitute |
| – | – |
| – | – |
| – | – |
| – | – |
Answer:
| Noun | Verb |
| rebellion | rebel |
| constitution | constitute |
| formation | form |
| inauguration | inaugurate |
| obligation | oblige |
| transformation | transform |
| discrimination | discriminate |
| deprivation | deprive |
| demonstration | demonstrate |
| oppression | oppress |
Question 2.
Read the paragraph below. Fill in the blanks with the noun forms of the verbs in brackets.
Martin Luther King’s …………. (contribute) to our history as an outstanding leader began when he came to the …………. (assist) of Rosa Parks, a seamstress who refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger. In those days American Blacks were confined to positions of second class citizenship by restrictive laws and customs. To break these laws would mean ……………. (subjugate) and (humiliate) by the police and the legal system. Beatings, …………… (imprison) and sometimes death awaited those who defied the System. Martin Luther King’s tactics of protest involved non – violent ………….. (resist) to racial injustice.
Answer:
Martin Luther King’s contribution to our history as an outstanding leader began when he came to the assistance of Rosa Parks, a seamstress who refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger. In those days American Blacks were confined to positions of second class citizenship by restrictive laws and customs. To break these laws would mean subjugation and humiliation by the police and the legal system. Beatings, imprisonment and sometimes death awaited those who defied the System. Martin Luther King’s tactics of protest involved non – violent resistance to racial injustice.
II. Using the Definite Article with Names
You know that the definite article ‘the’ is not normally used before proper nouns. Nor do proper nouns usually occur in the plural. (We do not say: *The Nelson Mandela, or *Nelson Mandelas.) But now look at this sentence from the text: … the decades of oppression and brutality … produced the Oliver Tambos, the Walter Sisulus, … of our time. Used in this way with the and/or in the plural, a proper noun carries a special meaning. For example, what do you think the names above mean?
Choose the right answer.
(a) for example Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, ………..
(b) many other men like Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu ………. many men of their type or kind, whose names may not be as well known.
Did you choose option (b)? Then you have the right answer!
Here are some more examples of ‘the’ used with proper names. Try to say what these sentences mean. (You may consult a dictionary if you wish. Look at the entry for ‘the’.)
1. Mr Singh regularly invites the Amitabh Bachchans and the Shah Rukh Khans to his parties.
2. Many people think that Madhuri Dixit is the Madhubala of our times.
3. History is not only the story of the Alexanders, the Napoleons and the Hitlers, but of ordinary people as well.
Answer:
- This means that Mr Singh regularly invites famous personalities like Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan to his parties.
- This means that Madhuri Dixit is compared to a landmark in acting in the form of legendary actress Madhubala.
- This means that history is not only the story of the great fighters and leaders such as Alexander, Napoleon and Hitler, but also of ordinary people.
III. Idiomatic Expressions
Question 1.
Match the italicised phrases in Column A with the phrase nearest in meaning in Column B. {Hint: First look for the sentence in the text in which the phrase in column A occurs.)
| A | B |
| 1. was nut unmindful uj the lad | (i) had nut forgotten; was aware of the fact
(ii) was not careful about the fact (iii) forgot or was not aware of the fact |
| 2. when my comrades and I were pushed to our limits | (i) pushed by the guards to the wall
(ii) took more than our share of beatings (iii) felt that we could not endure the suffering any longer |
| 3. to reassure me and keep me going | (i) make me go on walking
(ii) help me continue to live in hope in this very difficult situation (iii) make me remain without complaining |
| 4. the basic and honourable freedoms of.. .earning my keep,… | (i) earning enough money to live on
(ii) keeping what I earned (iii) getting a good salary |
Answer:
| A | B |
| (i) A rainbow gathering of different colours and nations | – A beautiful coming together of various peoples, like the colours in a rainbow |
| (ii) The seat of white supremacy | – The centre of racial superiority |
| (iii) Be overwhelmed with a sense of history | – Feel deeply emotional, remembering and understanding all the past events that have led up to the moment |
| (iv) Resilience that defies the imagination | – A great ability (almost unimaginable) to remain unchanged by suffering (not losing hope, goodness or courage) |
| (v) A glimmer of humanity | – A sign of human feeling (goodness, kindness, pity, justice, etc.) |
| (vi) A twilight existence | – A half – secret life, like a life lived in the fading light between sunset and darkness |
Speaking
Question 1.
In groups, discuss the issues suggested in the box below. Then prepare a speech of about two minutes on the following topic. (First make notes for your speech in writing.)
True liberty is freedom from poverty, deprivation and all forms of discrimination.
- causes of poverty and means of overcoming it
- discrimination based on gender, religion, class, etc.
- constitutionally guaranteed human rights
Answer:
Hon’ble Director, Principal, teachers and my friends! Today we have been given a topic ‘True liberty is freedom from poverty, deprivation and all forms of discrimination’. Liberty does not merely mean the freedom from any bondage or dictatorial rule. But it should be in all spheres of life whether it is life, education, thought, action, etc.A number of people do not get two square meals a day. It is all due to poverty. They are not even able to fulfil the basic needs of their lives.
Casteism plays an important role in Indian society. There is a big hiatus between the rich and the poor. People are even discriminated on the basis of gender, religion, class, etc. This sort of practice should be stopped at all costs. They should enjoy the rights as enshrined in our constitution. If we get freedom from poverty, deprivation and discrimination then only can we enjoy true liberty. Thanks
Writing
I. Looking at Contrasts
Nelson Mandela’s writing is marked by balance: many sentences have two parts in balance. Use the following phrases to complete the sentences given below.
(i) they can be taught to love.
(ii) I was born free.
(iii) but the triumph over it.
(iv) hut lie u ho conquers that fear.
(v) to create such heights ol character.
It requires such depths of oppression …………………
Courage was not the absence of fear ………………
1. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid
2. If people can learn to hate …………….
3. I was not bom with a hunger to be free.
It requires such depths of oppression to create such heights of character. Courage was not the absence of fear but the triumph over it.
Answer:
- The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid but he who conquers that fear.
- If people can learn to hate they can be taught to love.
- I was not bom with a hunger to be free. I was born free.
II. This text repeatedly contrasts the past with the present or the future.
We can use coordinated clauses to contrast two views, for emphasis or effect. Given below are sentences carrying one part of the contrast. Find in the text the second part of the contrast, and complete each item. Identify the words which signal the contrast. This has been done for you in the first item.
1. For decades the Union Buildings had been the seat of white supremacy, and now ……..
2. Only moments before, the highest generals of the South African defence force and police ……. saluted me and pledged their loyalty………… not so many years before they would not have saluted……………….
3. Although that day neither group knew the lyrics of the anthem …, they would soon …………….
4. My country is rich in the minerals and gems that lie beneath its soil, ……………….
5. The Air Show was not only a display of pinpoint precision and military force, but ……………..
6. It was this desire for the freedom of my people …………. that transformed …………….. into a bold one, that drove …………….. to become a criminal, that turned ……….. into a man without a home.
Answer:
- it was the site of a rainbow gathering of different colours and nations for the installation of South Africa’s first democratic, non – racial government.
- officials, but arrested me.
- now, know the words by heart.
- but its greatest wealth is its people.
- a demonstration of the military’s loyalty to democracy.
- a frightened young man, a law-abiding attorney, a family – loving husband
III. Expressing Your Opinion
Do you think there is colour prejudice in our own country? Discuss this with your friend and write a paragraph of about 100 to 150 words about this. You have the option of making your paragraph a humorous one.
(Read the short verse given below.)
When you were bom you were pink
When you grew up you became white
When you are in the sun you are red
When you are sick you are yellow
When you are angry you are purple
When you are shocked you are grey
And you have the cheek to call me ‘coloured’.
Answer:
Absolutely not. There is no colour prejudice in our country. In Indian Constitution all people have been provided equal status. There is no discrimination on the basis of caste, colour and creed. We all are human beings. In our country, only one thing prevails, i.e., humanity. It binds us together. A few years ago, colour prejudice was prevalent in South Africa. The white people tortured the black people. They were also meted out barbarous treatment that was against the humanity.
The same was the case of India while the Britishers ruled over India. But after independence, this practice does not prevail with constitutional safeguards and in our country this sort of thing does not happen. All people enjoy equal rights and also equal opportunity as enshrined in our Constitution.
JAC Class 10th English Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom Important Questions and Answers
I. Short Answer Type Questions (20 – 30 words & 2 marks each)
Question 1.
What sort of impact was created on Nelson Mandela by the decades of oppression?
Answer:
The decades of oppression made Mandela a strong person. He aimed to liberate the South Africans from the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering and other kinds of discrimination. He decided to have freedom and justice for everyone.
Question 2.
What is the importance of 10th May 1994 for South Africa?
Answer:
On 10th May 1994, the first democratic non – racial government was formed in South Africa. Nelson Mandela became the first black president of the country.
Question 3.
What did Nelson Mandela pledge when he took oath of presidency of South Africa?
Answer:
Nelson Mandela pledged to uphold the constitution of his country and devote himself to
liberate his people from the bondage of poverty, suffering, gender and other discriminations. There would be freedom and justice for all.
Question 4.
What is the greatest wealth a country has, according to Nelson Mandela?
Answer:
South Africa is rich in mineral and gems but these are not the greatest wealth of a nation. According to Mandela, the greatest wealth of a nation is its people. They are purer and truer than any diamond or jewel.
Question 5.
What are the ideals which Mandela set for the future of South Africa in his swearing – in ceremony?
Answer:
Mandela emphasised to liberate all the people from poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discriminations in his swearing – in ceremony.
Question 6.
What did Mandela think for the oppressor and the oppressed?
Answer:
Mandela always thought that both the oppressor and the oppressed are deprived of their humanity. Oppressor is a prisoner of hatred while oppressed has no confidence in humanity. So both of them need to be liberated.
Question 7.
How is courage related to the brave man, according to the author of the lesson?
Answer:
The author believes that courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not the one who does not feel fear of any kind but is the one who has the courage to conquer it.
II. Short Answer Type Question uestion uestions (40 – 50 words & 3 marks each)
Question 1.
What thought pestered Nelson Mandela on becoming the president of South Africa?
Answer:
After becoming the president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela was sad as he found himself
unable to thank all those African patriots who had fought and sacrificed their lives for independence. The thought that they were no more to see what their sacrifices had brought, pained him a lot.
Question 2.
Why is the gathering of various leaders and dignitaries said to be a gathering of different colours and nations?
Answer:
The end of apartheid regime was a common victory for peace, justice and human dignity. Leaders and dignitaries of nations across the world, irrespective of their colour, race and religion had gathered to celebrate that victory. And such a site presented a rainbow gathering of different colours and nations.
Question 3.
What resulted from the experience of an extraordinary human disaster and why should humanity be proud of it?
Answer:
The apartheid regime was an absolute human disaster for the blacks of South Africa. End of the apartheid led to the foundation of a democratic non – racial regime in the country. This government based on human equality and dignity would be an ideal one which all humanity would be proud of.
Question 4.
What did the display of jets and military salute represent?
Answer:
It was a splendid show of South African jets and troop carriers over the Union Buildings. The top brass of the military and the police saluted President Mandela. It was a vivid demonstration of the allegiance of the military and the police to a free and fairly elected government.
Question 5.
How did Mandela describe ‘true freedom’?
Answer:
When Mandela was a kid, running freely in the fields and swimming in the streams were freedom to him. As a young man, he wanted basic and honourable freedom, i.e., to earn his living and nourish a family. According to him, true freedom is something that allows a person to lead a lawful life without any obstruction.
Question 6.
What promise does Mandela make in the beginning of his oath-taking speech?
Answer:
In his oath – taking speech, Mandela at first, thanks all the international leaders and guests as he calls it an occasion of joy and victory for justice. He promises that the country shall not again experience the oppression of one by another.
Question 7.
Why did inauguration ceremony take place in the amphitheatre formed by the Union Building in Pretoria?
Answer:
It was the first democratic, non – racial government that took oath in South Africa. The ceremony was attended by the dignitaries from more than 140 countries around the world and thousands of the people of South Africa of all the races to make the day memorable. So, it took place in the amphitheatre formed by the Union Building in Pretoria.
Question 8.
What do you understand by ‘Apartheid’ in the context of South Africa?
Answer:
‘Apartheid’ is a political system that divides people according to their race. In this system, black-coloured people in South Africa were not free even to discharge their personal and social obligations of being parents, sons and husbands, etc. This system of racial segregation existed in South Africa till the 1990s.
Question 9.
Describe the effect of the policy of apartheid on the people of South Africa.
Answer:
The policy of apartheid could not be considered fortunate for the people of South Africa. It created distance and a deep wound in the country and the people. Many great men like Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, Yusuf Dadoo, Bram Fischer, etc., were produced due to the brutality and oppression. They were men of great character.
Question 10.
What did Mandela realise about his brothers and sisters?
Answer:
Mandela realised that his brothers and sisters were not free even in their own country due to their colour. The freedom of everyone in his society was curtailed. He joined the African National Congress and fought for the freedom of the people of his country.
III. Long Answer Type Questions (100 – 120 words & 5 marks each)
Question 1.
Why was Mandela overwhelmed with a sense of history? Elucidate the onset of apartheid regime and its end.
Answer:
Nelson Mandela was overwhelmed with a sense of history’ on the day of the inauguration of the Republic as it was natural for a person who had taught against the hated regime for decades. The white groups patched up their differences after the Anglo – Boer war and constituted a system of racial domination against the black peoples of their own land.
The birth of the apartheid was the birth of one of the harshest and the most inhuman regimes in the world. It was based on racial discrimination and oppression. This disparity in treatment produced thousands of black patriots who were ready to sacrifice their lives for the freedom of their fellow people. The determined struggle of these black heroes resulted in their victory. A democratically elected government by President Nelson Mandela was installed on 10th May, 1994.
Question 2.
What does Nelson Mandela refer to as “an extraordinary human disaster”?
Answer:
Nelson Mandela refers to the apartheid policy of the white race against the black people as “an extraordinary human disaster”. White people snatched freedom from the coloured people of South Africa to whom the country belonged. The black people were subjected to oppression for long. They were not even allowed to discharge their obligations to their own families, community and their country. White people had no compassion for them and oppressed their own people and put them in prison. If they had some freedom, it was curtailed. The black people lived the life of a slave.
Question 3.
Describe the views of Mandela for the black people who fought and sacrificed their lives for the country’s political independence.
Answer:
Mandela always said that the political freedom was the result of sacrifices of thousands of the black people who fought for that. He said that it could not be repaid. He thought himself as the sum of all of those African patriots. He regretted that he could not thank them. He cursed the policy of apartheid that wounded the people of his country, which would take centuries to heal. He also said that the oppression and brutality of the white people produced great freedom fighters like Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, Luthuli, Dadoo, Fischer, Sobukwe and many more. They were the men of courage, wisdom and large heartedness. They really suffered a lot for the political freedom of the country.
Question 4.
What does Mandela mean to say that the oppressor and the oppressed alike are robbed of their humanity?
Answer:
Mandela is right in saying that the oppressor and the oppressed alike are robbed of their humanity. Both of them are actually the victims of hatred. Everyone is obliged to discharge their duties whether personal or social but without freedom a man cannot do so. The person who snatches this freedom of a man is really an oppressor and a prisoner of hatred. He lacks humanity. But this is the same with a person who is oppressed by the other.
Question 5.
Describe the obligations which the author is talking about and also his feelings for them.
Answer:
In the chapter, the author has talked about two obligations for every man. The first obligation is towards his family, parents, his wife and children. The second is towards his community and his country. Being a social person one has to fulfil both these obligations. But, being a black coloured person in South Africa, a man was not free to perform his obligations and got punished if he had tried to do that. Being a child, the author never thought of such obligations but after he did so, he fought for the people and the country to be free and enjoy the freedom of performing their duties; personal and social.
Question 6.
Describe the value of freedom for the human beings and how it is important for the growth of civilisation and humanism as described in the lesson ‘Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom’.
Answer:
Everybody wants to live free, because freedom is natural to all living beings. The value of freedom is better known to that human being who has not tasted it till he gets it. A person who is chained with the limits and not allowed to perform his duties freely, values freedom more than anyone else.
For instance, the value of freedom is known better to Mandela who remained behind the bars most of his life. Think about birds or animals who are caged as they have the habit of living with full freedom but in the cage they are not free and their conditions are very pitiable. Similarly, life becomes a hell if we are deprived of freedom. There is no growth of civilisation as it grows only when one has freedom. Similarly, humanism grows in the atmosphere of freedom.
Question 7.
“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” Discuss it with reference to the context and also how courage is related to the brave man.
Answer:
In this chapter, the author has defined the brave as the one who has the courage to conquer fear. Say that if you are courageous you can achieve whatever you want. Fear should not come in your way. As in the case of Mandela, although he belonged to the black community and faced a lot of problems even then he achieved the feat of freedom. Fie was brave in real sense of the term.
It was also his thought that the brave man does not feel fear but he conquers that fear. If you feel afraid then you can’t overcome fear. He had not adequate resources. So, we can say that through this, he became such an acclaimed and popular leader at international level. But it was his courage, determination and willpower that he led the Apartheid Movement at such a large scale and led the country to freedom.
Question 8.
“No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin or his backgraound or his religion people must learn to hate and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”
How does Mandela defined hatred? Explain it with reference to the lesson.
Answer:
According to Mandela, every one is bom free, whether the black or the white. It does not matter which race, skin, colour, background, or religion he belongs to. So far in the case of Nelson Mandela, he was also born free. Initially he was quite ignorant about the complexities of life or freedom. He also swam into the river, played in the open sky and enjoyed his childhood days well. But in due course of time, as he grew up, the scenario completely changed. It was also his thinking that people must leam to hate.
If they leam to hate, they can also be taught to love, only hatred, grudge or ill – will is not good for a person. All these traits may be good to certain extent, but not always. People must leam to love and also leam how to inculcate and spread love among the people. Love comes more naturally to the human heart. It comes from within. It is not a thing to be taught or leam. It is a spontaneous overflow. Nelson Mandela was also an embodiment of love. He also told the white people to love the blacks and vice versa. Through his love and sense of sacrifice, he achieved freedom and led the country towards it.
Reference To Context
Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow:
Question 1.
Tenth May dawned bright and clear. For the past few days I had been pleasantly besieged by dignitaries and world leaders who were coming to pay their respects before the inauguration. The inauguration would be the largest gathering ever of international leaders on South African soil. The ceremonies took place in the lovely sandstone amphitheatre formed by the Union Buildings in Pretoria. For decades this had been the seat of white supremacy, and now it was the site of a rainbow gathering of different colours and nations for the installation of South Africa’s first democratic, non – racial government.
Choose the correct option:
(a) Where did the ceremonies take place?
(i) The Castle of Good Hope, Cape Town
(ii) Robben Island, Cape Town
(iii) Union Buildings, Pretoria
(iv) None of these
Answer:
(iii) Union Buildings, Pretoria
(b) How did Pretoria look like at the time of installation of South Africa’s first democratic government?
(i) It looked like a rainbow gathering of different colours and nations.
(ii) It was not very beautiful.
(iii) Both (i) and (ii)
(iv) None of these
Answer:
(i) It looked like a rainbow gathering of different colours and nations.
(c) A non – racial government was installed in South Africa on .
(i) 8th of May
(ii) 9th of May
(iii) 10th of May
(iv) 12th of June
Answer:
(iii) 10th of May
(d) What happened in the inauguration ceremony?
(i) The national leaders gathered on the African soil.
(ii) The international leaders gathered on the African soil.
(iii) No body turned up on the occasion.
(iv) Only a few police officials were present on the occasion.
Answer:
(ii) The international leaders gathered on the African soil.
(e) Find out a word from the passage similar in meaning to ‘surrounded.’
(i) unenclosed
(ii) unfenced
(iii) freed
(iv) besieged
Answer:
(iv) besieged
Question 2.
On that lovely autumn day I was accompanied by my daughter Zenani. On the podium, Mr de Klerk was first sworn in as second deputy president. Then Thabo Mbeki was sworn in as first deputy president. When it was my turn, I pledged to obey and uphold the Constitution and to devote myself to the well – being of the republic and its people.
Choose the correct option:
(a) Who pledged to devote himself to the well-being of the republic and its people?
(i) Nelson Mandela
(ii) F.W. de Klerk
(iii) Zenani
(iv) None of these
Answer:
(i) Nelson Mandela
(b) What did Mandela pledge for?
(i) Not to do anything
(ii) To disobey the constitution
(iii) To obey and uphold the constitution
(iv) All of these
Answer:
(iii) To obey and uphold the constitution
(c) On that day, Mandela was accompanied by his.
(i) daughter
(ii) wife
(iii) brother
(iv) mother
Answer:
(i) daughter
(d) Mandela devoted himself to the well – being of the
(i) family and friends only
(ii) republic and its people
(iii) villages and its people only
(iv) none of these
Answer:
(ii) republic and its people
(e) Find out a word from the passage similar in meaning to ‘taken oath.’
(i) obey
(ii) sworn in
(iii) gathering
(iv) uphold
Answer:
(ii) sworn in
Question 3.
It was not only a display of pinpoint precision and military force, but a demonstration of military’s loyalty to democracy, to a new government that had been freely and fairly elected. Only moments before, the highest generals of South African defence force and police, their chests bedecked with ribbons and medals from days gone by, saluted me and pledged their loyalty. I was not unmindful of the fact that not so many years before they would not have saluted but arrested me. Finally a chevron of Impala jets left a smoke trail of the black, red, green, blue and gold of the new South African flag.
Choose the correct option:
(a) Who saluted Mandela and pledged their loyalty?
(i) The white people
(ii) The students
(iii) The generals of South African defence force and police
(iv) None of these
Answer:
(iii) The generals of South African defence force and police
(b) What was he not unmindful of?
(i) That they would have told him nothing.
(ii) That they would have saluted him.
(iii) That they would not have saluted but arrested him.
(iv) Both (ii) and (iii)
Answer:
(iii) That they would not have saluted but arrested him.
(c) The display by African jets was the demonstration of military’s .
(i) royalty
(ii) peace
(iii) confidence
(iv) loyalty
Answer:
(iv) loyalty
(d) What was the specialty of the occasion?
(i) No government had been elected.
(ii) A new government had been freely and fairly elected.
(iii) It was the occasion of get together of a few people.
(iv) None of these
Answer:
(ii) A new government had been freely and fairly elected.
(e) Find out a word from the passage opposite in meaning to ‘initially.’
(i) beginning
(ii) finally
(iii) starting
(iv) limited
Answer:
(ii) finally
Question 4.
On the day of the inauguration, I was overwhelmed with a sense of history. In the first decade of the twentieth century, a few years after the bitter Anglo-Boer war and before my own birth, the white-skinned peoples of South Africa patched up their differences and erected a system of racial domination against the dark-skinned peoples of their own land. The structure they created formed the basis of one of the harshest, most inhumane societies the world has ever known. Now, in the last decade of the twentieth century, and my own eighth decade as a man, that system had been overturned for ever and replaced by one that recognised the rights and freedoms of all peoples, regardless of the colour of their skin.
Choose the correct option:
(a) When was the old system overturned for ever?
(i) In the first decade of 20th century
(ii) In the last decade of 20th century
(iii) In the beginning of 19th century
(iv) None of these
Answer:
(ii) In the last decade of 20th century
(b) What did the new system recognise?
(i) Rights and freedoms of limited people
(ii) Rights and freedoms of all peoples
(iii) Both (i) and (ii)
(iv) None of these
Answer:
(ii) Rights and freedoms of all peoples
(c) On the day of the inauguration, Mandela was overwhelmed with a sense of …………
(i) history
(ii) literature
(iii) polity
(iv) economy
Answer:
(i) history
(d) After which war did the white-skinned peoples of South Africa patched up their differences?
(i) Algerian War
(ii) Anglo – Boer War
(iii) Belgian Revolution
(iv) Palestine War
Answer:
(ii) Anglo – Boer War
(e) Find out a word from the passage similar in meaning to ‘established.’
(i) erected
(ii) dissimilar
(iii) crumbled
(iv) unstable
Answer:
(i) erected
Question 5.
That day had come about through the unimaginable sacrifices of thousands of my people, people whose suffering and courage can never be counted or repaid. I felt that day, as I have on so many other days, that I was simply the sum of all those African patriots who had gone before me. That long and noble line ended and now began again with me. I was pained that I was not able to thank them and that they were not able to see what their sacrifices had wrought.
Choose the correct option:
(a) How did the special day come?
(i) Through the tremendous efforts of a few people
(ii) Through the tremendous efforts and unimaginable sacrifices of a lot of people
(iii) Through the efforts and sacrifices of the police officials
(iv) All of these
Answer:
(ii) Through the tremendous efforts and unimaginable sacrifices of a lot of people
(b) Whose suffering and courage can never be counted or repaid?
(i) The courage and suffering of a lot of people
(ii) The courage and suffering of a few people
(iii) The courage and suffering of women and children only
(iv) None of these
Answer:
(i) The courage and suffering of a lot of people
(c) The author was pained because he was not able to thank the African ………. who had gone before him.
(i) police
(ii) officials
(iii) patriots
(iv) students
Answer:
(iii) patriots
(d) Who does ‘I’ refer to in the given extract?
(i) Walter Sisulu
(ii) Nelson Mandela
(iii) Zenani
(iv) Bram Fischer
Answer:
(ii) Nelson Mandela
(e) Find out a word from the passage opposite in meaning to ‘imaginable’.
(i) tremendous
(ii) effort
(iii) unimaginable
(iv) perseverance
Answer:
(iii) unimaginable
Question 6.
I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear. No one is bom hating another person because of the colour of his skin or his background or his religion. People must leam to hate and if they can leam to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite. Even in the grimmest . times in prison, when my comrades and I were pushed to our limits, I would see a glimmer of humanity in one of the guards, – perhaps just for a second, but it was enough to reassure me and keep me going. Man’s goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished.
Choose the correct option:
(a) Whose goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished?
(i) Animal
(ii) Man
(iii) Both (i) and (ii)
(iv) None of these
Answer:
(ii) Man
(b) How did Mandela define the brave?
(i) One who have courage to conquer fear.
(ii) One who have no courage to conquer fear.
(iii) One who have courage to beat the people.
(iv) One who have courage to beat and humiliate the people.
Answer:
(i) One who have courage to conquer fear.
(c) Love comes more naturally to the than its opposite.
(i) animal heart
(ii) human heart
(iii) both (i) and (ii)
(iv) none of these
Answer:
(ii) human heart
(d) In whom did Mandela see a glimmer of humanity?
(ii) human heart
(ii) One of the friends
(iii) One of the govt, employees
(iv) None of these
Answer:
(ii) human heart
(e) Find out a word from the passage similar in meaning to ‘sufficient.’
(i) scanty
(ii) enough
(iii) fruitful
(iv) worthless
Answer:
(ii) enough
Question 7.
I was not bom with a hunger to be free. I was bom free – free in every way that I could know. Free to ran in the fields near my mother’s hut, free to swim in the clear stream that ran through my village, free to roast mealies under the stars and ride the broad backs of slow – moving bulls. As long as I obeyed my father and abided by the customs of my tribe, I was not troubled by the laws of man or God.
Choose the correct option:
(a) Who was not born with a hunger to be free?
(i) Nelson Mandela
(ii) The African Police
(iii) The African officials
(iv) None of these
Answer:
(i) Nelson Mandela
(b) What did Mandela do in his childhood?
(i) Only ran in the field
(ii) Only swam in the clear stream
(iii) Only roasted mealies in the fields
(iv) All of these
Answer:
(iv) All of these
(c) Mandela was born in every way that he could know.
(i) handicapped
(ii) free
(iii) both (i) and (ii)
(iv) none of these
Answer:
(ii) free
(d) Till what time did Mandela not feel troubled by the laws of man or God?
(i) As long as he obeyed his father and abided by the customs of his tribe.
(ii) As long as he did not obey his father.
(iii) As long as he obeyed his mother.
(iv) As long as he obeyed his relatives.
Answer:
(i) As long as he obeyed his father and abided by the customs of his tribe.
(e) Find out a word from the passage similar in meaning to ‘starvation’.
(i) thirst
(ii) hunger
(iii) freedom
(iv) slavery
Answer:
(ii) hunger
Question 8.
It was only when I began to learn that my boyhood freedom was an illusion, when I discovered as a young man that my freedom had already been taken from me, that I began to hunger for it. At first, as a student, I wanted freedom only for myself, the transitory freedoms of being able to stay out at night, read what I pleased and go where I chose. Later, as a young man in Johannesburg, I yearned for the basic and honourable freedoms of achieving my potential, of earning my keep, of marrying and having a family the freedom not to be obstructed in a lawful life.
Choose the correct option:
(a) What type of freedom did Mandela want for himself when he was a student?
(i) Permanent freedom
(ii) Transitory freedom
(iii) No freedom at all
(iv) All of these
Answer:
(i) Permanent freedom
(b) What type of freedom did Mandela want for himself when he was a young man?
(i) Basic and honourable freedom
(ii) Transitory freedom
(iii) Freedom of all types
(iv) None of these
Answer:
(iv) None of these
(c) Mandela’s boyhood freedom was a/an …………
(i) honour
(ii) illusion
(iii) dishonour
(iv) none of these
Answer:
(ii) illusion
(d) From which lesson has this extract been taken?
(i) A Letter to God
(ii) First Flight
(iii) Nelson Mandela : A Long walk to Freedom
(iv) The Glimpses of India
Answer:
(i) A Letter to God
(e) Find out a word from the passage opposite in meaning to ‘bondage’.
(i) slavery
(ii) illusion
(iii) freedom
(iv) dejection
Answer:
(ii) illusion
Question 9.
But then I slowly saw that not only was I not free, but my brothers and sisters were not free. I saw that it was not just my freedom that was curtailed, but the freedom of everyone who looked like I did. That is when I joined the African National Congress, and that is when the hunger for my own freedom became the greater hunger for the freedom of my people. It was this desire for the freedom of my people to live their lives with dignity and self – respect that animated my life, that transformed a frightened young man into a bold one, that drove a law – abiding attorney to become a criminal, that turned a family – loving husband into a man without a home, that forced a life – loving man to live like a monk.
Choose the correct option:
(a) Whose freedom was curtailed?
(i) The freedom of Mandela
(ii) The freedom of his brothers and sisters
(iii) The freedom of his father and mother
(iv) The freedom of everyone
Answer:
(iv) The freedom of everyone
(b) Where did Nelson Mandela join?
(i) The Indian National Congress
(ii) The African National Congress
(iii) The League of Nations
(iv) None of these
Answer:
(ii) The African National Congress
(c) What was the desire of the African people?
(i) To live their lives with dignity and self – respect
(ii) To live their lives with indignity and disrespect
(iii) To live their lives with more enthusiasm
(iv) None of these
Answer:
(i) To live their lives with dignity and self – respect
(d) The desire for freedom transformed a frightened young man into a one.
(i) mean
(ii) bold
(iii) literate
(iv) none of these
Answer:
(ii) bold
(e) Find out a word from the passage similar in meaning to ‘changed’. v
(i) transformed
(ii) unchanged
(iii) unvaried
(iv) permanent
Answer:
(i) transformed
Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom Summary
Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom About the Author
- Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (July 18, 1918 to December 5,2013) was a non – violent, anti-apartheid activist, politician and philanthropist.
- Mandela joined the African National Congress in 1942 when he was in his 20s.
- He campaigned against the South African government and its racist policies.
- Mandela spent 27 years in prison for political offenses.
- Mandela became South Africa’s first Black President from 1994 to 1999
- In 1993, Mandela and South African President F.W. de Klerk were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to dismantle the country’s apartheid system.
- ‘Long Walk to Freedom ’ is an autobiography of Nelson Mandela.
- Nelson Mandela died on December 5, 2013 at the age of 95 in Johannesburg.
Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom Gist of the Lesson
This lesson has been taken from the autobiography of Nelson Mandela’s ‘Long Walk to Freedom’. Nelson Mandela, the first Black President of South Africa, after more than 3 centuries of white rule, celebrated the grand ceremony of the first democratic non-racial government. The African National Congress won 252 out of 400 seats in the first democratic election in South Africa. Such type of victory was really a glorious moment for the people of this country. In his swearing ceremony, he said, “Never, never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another.”
It was the largest gathering on African soil. He pays homage to the freedom fighters like Oliver Tambo, Luthuli, Yusuf Dadoo, Walter Sisuleu, etc. They were men of courage, wisdom and generosity. He regards those people who sacrificed their lives for the cause of courage. It was not the absence of fear but the victory over it. The important leaders from the world gathered in the oath ceremony on the morning of 10th May, 1994. Two national anthems ‘Die-Stem’ and ‘NKOSi Sikelel-iAfrika’ were sung by the black and the white respectively. He says that every man has his duties to his family, to the community and the country to perform honestly.
Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom Summary
1. The view of the inauguration ceremony: On May 10th, 1994, the inauguration ceremony of the first non-racial government was held at the lovely amphitheatre in the Union Buildings in Pretoria. Politicians and dignitaries from more than 140 countries attended the ceremony.
2. Swearing – in ceremony: Mr de Klerk was sworn in as second deputy president, Thabo Mbeki as first deputy president and Nelson Mandela was sworn in as the President of South Africa.
3. Mandela’s ceremonial speech: On the podium, Mandela said that the presence of people from different nations confer glory and hope to liberty. The blacks were organising the ceremony for the world leaders on their soil. Their victory over apartheid was a common victory for justice, peace and human dignity. They would work to liberate all the people from poverty and diseases.
4. Display of military power: After a few moment, South African jets, helicopters and troop carriers displayed a spectacular show of pinpont precision and military prowess. It was a demonstration of military’s loyalty to the fairly elected government. Later, two national anthems were also played.
5. Overwhelmed with a sense of history: Nelson Mandela felt a sense of history on the inauguration day. Apartheid was introduced after a few years of Anglo – Boer war. Segregation of people according to their races was the most inhumane and the harshest. Now the system of equality had replaced the apartheid.
6. Apartheid regime: The apartheid regime created an indelible mark of horror on South Africa and its people. The years of oppression and brutality created the men of outstanding courage, wisdom and generosity, namely, Oliver Tambos, the Walter Sisulus, the Chief Luthulis, the Yusuf Dadoos, the Bram Fischers and the Robert Sobukwes.
7. People are greatest wealth: Nelson Mandela said that South Africa is rich in minerals and gems but then its greatest wealth is its people who are worth more than the purest diamonds.
8. Learning the meaning of courage: Nelson Mandela learnt the meaning of courage from his comrades during struggling times. He said that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it and the man who conquers his fear was a brave man.
9. Twin obligations in life: Nelson Mandela said that every man had two obligations in his life. One obligation to his family, parents, wife and children and second, to his people, community and country. A South African person was never able to fulfil these obligations.
10. Nelson Mandela joined the African National Congress: Nelson Mandela realised that he along with his brothers and sisters were also deprived of freedom. So, he joined the African National Congress. His desire for freedom of everyone changed him from a weak person to a strong one. He realised that the freedom is indivisible and both the oppressed and the oppressor must be liberated.
Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to FreedomLesson at a Glance
1. The inauguration ceremony of the first non – racial government in South Africa took place at the lovely sandstone amphitheatre in the Union Buildings in Pretoria on May 10, 1994.
2. Nelson Mandela was sworn-in as the first black’President of South Africa along with Thabo Mbeki and Mr de Klerk as the first and second deputy presidents respectively, in the presence of politicians and dignitaries from more than 140 countries.
3. Mandela delivered the speech on South Africa’s history that how white supremacy prevailed in the past when blacks were considered outlaws.
4. Victory over ‘apartheid’ was a common victory for justice, peace and human dignity. After the win of political freedom, people of South Africa would work to liberate their people from the bondage of poverty, deprivation and diseases.
5. Military showed its loyalty to democracy and the new government by presenting a spectacular display of South African jets and helicopters in the sky. Two national anthems were also played.
6. Apartheid was introduced in South Africa after a few years of Anglo-Boer war. It was a society based on racial – discrimination, considered to be the harshest and the most inhuman society in the world.
7. Apartheid created a deep and indelible scar in people’s lives. Moreover, the men of extraordinary courage, wisdom and generosity like Oliver Tambos and Sisulus were shaped by this society.
8. The greatest wealth of South Africa lied in such great men and not in its minerals and diamonds.
9. Nelson Mandela learned the meaning of courage from such brave patriots. He said that courage is the victory over fear. These people were ready to risk their lives for the idea of freedom and equality.
10. He thought that every man has twin obligations, viz., to his wife and children and to his people and country.
11. Any black who tried to live a free life, was either punished or forced to live an isolated life.
12. Nelson Mandela joined the African National Congress as he realised that he along with his brothers and sisters was deprived of freedom.
13. His desire for freedom of his people and their self-respect transformed him from a weak person to a bold one.
14. He realised that the freedom is indivisible and the oppressed must be liberated.
Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom Character Sketch
Nelson Mandela: Nelson Mandela was the first president of South Africa. He played an instrumental role in fight against the racial regime in South Africa and also installing the first democratically elected government. He never wavered in his devotion to democracy, equality and learning. His life is an inspiration to those who are oppressed and deprived. He changed the socio – political scenario of South Africa. Even after facing sufferings and tortures in prison, he led the country to the path of democracy.
Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom Word – Meanings
| Word | Meaning | Word | Meaning |
| apartheid | a political system that separates people according to their race | recently | very soon |
| century | a period of hundred years | autobiography | history of one’s life written by oneself |
| occasion | Meaning | took place | Meaning |
| inauguration | chance | amphitheatre | happened |
| dignitaries | an act of commencing formally | oppression | a circular or oval building with space |
| jubilant | men of excellence, high rank | unimaginable | cruelty |
| ceremony | rejoicing | decade | that which can’t be imagined |
| supremacy | a formal public occasion | installation | a period of ten years |
| accompanied by | higher authority of power | uphold | act of placing in an office |
| symbolised | helped by, supported by | despised | sustain, support |
| overwhelmed | have a typical resemblance | profound | hated, disliked |
| rebellion | submerged | prevented from | deep |
| illusion | revolt | ripped | prohibited |
| monk | a false idea or belief | virtuous | cut of, separate |
| yearned | holy man | obligations | full of qualities |
| inclinations | longed, desired | abided by | moral binding, responsibility |
| attorney | natural tendencies of behaviour, urge to act | array | obeyed |
| chevom | legal representative | emancipation | arrangement |
| generosity | pattern in the shape of a ‘V’ | narrow – mindedness | freedom from restriction |
| prejudice | openness, liberality | discrimination | narrow in thoughts |
| regardless | preconceived notion | deprivation | being treated differently |
| besieged by | nevertheless | assembled | dispossession |
| extraordinary | surrounded closely by | disaster | gathered |
| confer | amazing, exceptional | outlaws | calamity, tragedy |
| emancipation | to give | bedecked | law breakers |
| precision | release, liberation | resilience | decorated, adorned |