Class X - English (SEBA) Lesson 2 - Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

                                                                         Lesson 2 

                                Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

1. Where did the ceremonies take place? Can you name any public buildings in India that are made of sandstone?

Ans:- The ceremonies took place in the campus of the Union Building of Pretoria, which were attended by dignitaries and leaders of many nations. In India Rasthrapati Bhavan and Red Fort are public buildings that are made of sandstone.

2. Can you say how 10 May is an ‘autumn day’ in South Africa?

Ans:- 10th May is an autumn day in Southern Africa because on that day there was the largest meeting of international leaders on Southern African Soil to establish the first democratic, non-racial government in south Africa.

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? 

Ans:- By mentioning “an extraordinary human disaster” at the beginning of his speech, Mandela refers to the cruel practice of apartheid, that is the racial injustice endured in south Africa by the whites. The blacks were not allowed to demand freedom or any right. 

       At the end of the speech, Mandela talks about the ‘glorious human achievement’ that a black person became the President of a country where the blacks were not even considered human beings and were treated badly.

4. What does Mandela thank the international leaders for? 

Ans:- In the Oath-talking ceremony of Mandela, he felt very privilege to welcome the international leaders that day, because the south Africans were considered as outlaws before they got independent. Thus, he thanks all of them for having coming to witness the historical ceremony. This was gesture of international recognition to a newly born free democratic nation and it could be considered as a common victory for justice, peace and human dignity.

5. What ideals does he set out for the future of South Africa?

Ans:- Nelson Mandela set the ideals of liberating people from bondage of poverty, deprivation and suffering. He also set the ideal for a society where there would be no discrimination on basic of colour or gender.

Oral Comprehension Check 

1. What do the military generals do? How has their attitude changed, and why? 

Ans:- The highest military generals of the south African defense force and police saluted Mandela and pledged their loyalty. Their attitude had changed towards the blacks. They started saluting them instead of arresting them.

2. Why were two national anthems sung? 

Ans:- Two national anthems were sung on the day of inauguration, one by the whites and the other by the blacks. It symbolized the equality of blacks and whites.

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? 

Ans:- The systems of government described by Mandela are given below---

(i) In the first decade of the twentieth century, the white – skinned people of south Africa patched up their differences and create a system free of racial domination.

(ii) In the last decade of twentieth century, the previous system had been overturned forever and replaced by one that recognized the rights and freedom of all people, regardless of their colour and skin.

4. What does courage mean to Mandela? 

Ans:- According to Mandela, courage does not mean the absence of fear but a victory over fear. He believes that brave men need not be fearless but should be able to conquer fear.

5. Which does he think is natural, to love or to hate?

Ans:- For Mandela, love comes more naturally to the human heart then hate.

Oral Comprehension Check 

1. What "twin obligations" does Mandela mention? 

Ans:- Mandela believes that every man has twin obligations. The first is to his family, parents, wife and children, the second obligation is to his people, his community and his country.

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"? 

Ans:- Like other kids, Mandala freedom mean to make merry and enjoy the blissful life. Once one becomes an adults, the memories of childhood looks like transitory because most of the childish activities are wasteful from an adult, you have to earn a livelihood to feed your family. Its only then when you get an honorable existence in the family and society.

3. Does Mandela think the oppressor is free? Why/Why not.

Ans:-  According to Mandela, an oppressor is a victim of hatred who is behind the bars of prejudice and narrow-mindedness. He realises that both the oppressor and the oppressed are robbed of their humanity and peace.

Thinking about the Text 

1. Why did such a large number of international leaders attend the inauguration? What did it signify the triumph of? 

Ans:-  By attending the inauguration ceremony the international leaders showed a gesture of solidarity from international community to the idea of end of apartheid. It was the significance of the victory of good over evil and triumph of a tolerant society without any discrimination.

2. What does Mandela mean when he says he is "simply the sum of all those African patriots" who had gone before him? 

Ans:- When Mandela says he is simply the sum of all those African patriots, he actually wants to pay tribute to all the people who have sacrificed their lives for the sake of freedom. He say that he is grateful to the patriots who had gone before him because they were the real heroes who paved the path of co-operation and unity for him.

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? 

Ans:- I agree with the statement that depths of oppression create heights of character. Nelson Mandela illustrates this by giving examples of great heroes of South Africa like Oliver Tomb, Walter Sisulu and others who were inspired to sacrifice their lives in the long freedom struggle. India is full of such examples, during our freedom struggle there was a galaxy of leaders of great characters and the oppression of British rule created and encouraged people of noble characters like Mahatma Gandhi, Lala Lajpat Rai, Jawahar Lal Nehru and many more. If we compare them with the quality of political leaders India is having today, them Nelson Mandela seems to be absolutely right.

4. How did Mandela's understanding of freedom change with age and experience? 

Ans:- Mandela understood the real meaning of freedom with age and experience. As a young boy. He thought that he was born free and believed that as long as he obeyed his father and abided by the customs of his tribe, he was free in every possible way. As he grew older, freedom meaning has changed for him. Now he needs freedom to raise a family, freedom to earn livelihood. Gradually he realized that he was selfish during his boyhood. He slowly understood that it was not just his freedom that was being wrtailed, but the freedom of all blacks. It was the freedom from fear and prejudice. Age and experience widened his perspective of freedom.

5. How did Mandela's 'hunger for freedom' change his life?

Ans:- Mandela realized that it was not only his freedom that was being curtailed, but the freedom of all blacks. Then it changed fearful Mandela to a fearless rebel. He sacrificed the comforts of a settled family life to fight for a greater cause. He joined the African National Congrees and this changed him from a frightened young man into a bold one who fought against racial prejudice.

1. What realizations did Mandela have of his boyhood freedom?

(a) Freedom was meant for kins

(b) It is just an illusion

(c) He had no realisations

(d) He was born free

Ans: (b) It is just an illusion

2. Thabo Mbeki was sworn in as ______.

(a) First Deputy President

(b) Prime Minister

(c) President

(d) Second Deputy President

Ans: (a) First Deputy President 

3. Nelson Mandela joined______.

(a) Johannesburg National Congress

(b) South American National Congress

(c) North American National Congress

(d) African National Congress

Ans: (d) African National Congress

4. ______dawned bright and clear.

(a) Tenth June

(b) Tenth April

(c) Tenth May

(d) Tenth July

Ans: (c) Tenth May

5. On that lovely autumn day, Nelson Mandela was accompanied by his daughter______.

(a) Stephanie 

(b) Zenani

(c) Felani

(d) Renani

Ans: (b) Zenani 

6. In life, every man has______.

(a) no obligation

(b) many obligations

(c) four obligation

(d) twin obligation

Ans: (d) twin obligation

7. Why Did Nelson Mandela say that it is a 'rare privilege'? He said This as____

(a) They have been deprived of his honour .

(b) They have experienced it for the first time

(c) They have been chosen over other countries, for this honour

(d) They have seldom been given this honour 

Ans: (b) They have experienced it for the first time

8. What does depths of oppression create ?

(a) heights of character

(b) poverty

(c) lack of freedom

(d) oppressed

Ans: (a) heights of character

9. What is the meaning of 'emancipation' here in this chapter?

(a) State of one's not having one's rightful benefits

(b) Freedom from restrictions

(c) Had a very low opinion of

(d) Being treated differently or

Ans: (b) Freedom from restrictions

10. The inauguration ceremony took place in the Union Buildings amphitheatre in

(a) Capetown

(b) Durban

(c) Johannesburg

(d) Pretoria

Ans: (d) Pretoria

11.  ______was sworn in as second deputy President.

(a) Mr de Klerk

(b) Robert Sobukwe

(c) Thabo Mbeki

(d) Oliver Tambo

Ans: (a) Mr de Klerk

12. Nelson Mandela became

(a) Zimbabwe's First Black President

(d) The United States of America's First Black President

(c) South Africa's First Black President

(d) None of them

Ans: (c) South Africa's First Black President

13.  The inauguration took place on ____.

(a) 10th May, 1995

(b) 10th May, 1992 

(c) 10th May, 1993

(d) 10th May, 1994

Ans: (d) 10th May, 1994

14.  What does the depths of oppression create?

(a) poverty

(b) oppressed

(c) heights of character

(d) lack of freedom

Ans: (c) heights of character

15. State of one's not having one's is the old anthem Republic of South Africa

(a)  Amhrán na bhFiann

(d) Deutschlandlied

(c) Nkosi Sikelel- iAfrica

(d)  Die Stem

Ans: (d)  Die Stem

16. How did Nelson Mandela define the meaning of courage?

(a) Triumph over selfishness

(b) Triumph over fear

(c) Triumph over greed  

(d) Triumph over hatred

Ans: (b) Triumph over fear

17. Who, according to Mandela is not free?

(a) both oppressor and oppressed

(b) oppressor

(c) oppressed

(d) none of these

Ans: (a) both oppressor and oppressed

18.  ".... Continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discrimination." What is the meaning of 'deprivation' here in this chapter?

(a) Being treated differently or

(b) Freedom from restrictions

(c) Had a very low opinion of

(d) State of one's not having one's rightful benefits

Ans: (d) State of one's not having one's rightful benefits

19. ".... Continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discrimination." What is the meaning of 'discrimination here in this chapter?

(a) State of one's not having one's rightful benefits

(b) Freedom from restrictions

(c) Had a very low opinion of

(d) Being treated differently or unfavourably

Ans: (d) Being treated differently or unfavourably

20. The spectacular array of South African jets was a display of -

(a) The military's loyalty to democracy

(b) The military's precision

(c) both (a) and (b)

(d) None of the above

Ans: (c) both (a) and (b)

21. Why were two National Anthems sung?

(a) To mark the end of gender discrimination

(b) To mark the unity

(c) To mark the end of racial discrimination

(d) Both (b) and (c)

Ans: (d) Both (b) and (c)

22. What unintended effect did the decades of oppression and brutality had?

(a) created men of extraordinary courage, wisdom and generosity 

(b)  boycot from foreign nations

(c) Poverty and suffering

(d) None of these

Ans: (a) created men of extraordinary courage, wisdom and generosity 

23. The inauguration ceremony was dignitaries of more than 

(a) 150 countries

(b) 140 countries

(c) 130 countries 

(d) 120 countries

Ans: (b)  140 countries

24.  "The structure they created formed the basis of one of the harshest, most inhumane, societies the world has ever known." What structure is Mandela talking about?

(a) Racial domination against the black people

(b) oppression of women and girl child 

(c) Poverty and suffering 

(d) Discrimination against the poor and lower caste.

Ans: (a) Racial domination against the black people

25.  "....he is locked behind the bars of prejudice and narrow-mindedness...." What is the meaning of 'prejudice' here in this chapter?

(a) Freedom from restrictions

(b) Had a very low opinion of

(c) A strong dislike without any good reason

(d) State of one's not having one's rightful benefits

Ans: (c) A strong dislike without any good reason

26. Who wrote the prose-piece " Long Walk to freedom"?

(a) two Centuries

(b) Three Centuries

(c) four Centuries 

(d) Five Centuries

Ans: (b) Three Centuries

27. What is a country's greatest wealth?

(a) Its flora and fauna

(b) Its minerals

(c) Its people

(d) None of these

Ans: (c) Its people

28. How many seats won by Mandela's African National Congress in the first democratic elections of South Africa's history ?

(a) 250 out of 400 seats

(b) 252 out of 400 seats

(c) 260 out of 400 seats

(d) 262 out of 400 seats

Ans: (b) 252 out of 400 seats

29. Who wrote the prose-piece "Long walk to Freedom"?

(a) Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela

(b) Arup Kumar Datta

(c) G.L Fuentes 

(d) Lucio RodriGues

Ans: (a) Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela

30. How many years Nelson Mandela spent in prison?

(a) Thirty years

(b) Twenty Seven years

(c) Twenty five years

(d) Thirty Five years

Ans: (a) Thirty years