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 at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa.Some public buildings in India made of sandstone include:
Red Fort in Delhi.Victoria Memorial in Kolkata.
Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi.
India Gate in Delhi.
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 it occurs in the autumn season in the Southern Hemisphere, which runs from March to May.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:
Mandela refers to the apartheid system as the "extraordinary human disaster", which caused suffering and injustice for black South Africans. The "glorious human achievement" he speaks of at the end refers to the overturning of apartheid and the establishment of a democratic, non-racial government in South Africa.4. What does Mandela thank the international leaders for?
Answer:
Mandela thanks the international leaders for their presence at the inauguration and for their support of South Africa's struggle for freedom. He also appreciates them for coming to witness the birth of a new democratic nation.5. What ideals does he set out for the future of South Africa?
Answer:
Mandela sets out the ideals of justice, peace, equality, and human dignity. He emphasizes that South Africa should be a country where all people, regardless of their race, enjoy freedom and equal rights.Here are the answers to the Oral Comprehension Check questions based on the passage:
1. What do the military generals do? How has their attitude changed, and why?
2. Why were two national anthems sung?
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?
4. What does courage mean to Mandela?
5. Which does he think is natural, to love or to hate?
Here are the answers to the Oral Comprehension Check questions:
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 at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa.Some public buildings in India made of sandstone include:
Red Fort in Delhi.Victoria Memorial in Kolkata.
Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi.
India Gate in Delhi.
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 it occurs in the autumn season in the Southern Hemisphere, which runs from March to May.
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:
Mandela refers to the apartheid system as the "extraordinary human disaster", which caused suffering and injustice for black South Africans. The "glorious human achievement" he speaks of at the end refers to the overturning of apartheid and the establishment of a democratic, non-racial government in South Africa.4. What does Mandela thank the international leaders for?
Answer:
Mandela thanks the international leaders for their presence at the inauguration and for their support of South Africa's struggle for freedom. He also appreciates them for coming to witness the birth of a new democratic nation.5. What ideals does he set out for the future of South Africa?
Answer:
Mandela sets out the ideals of justice, peace, equality, and human dignity. He emphasizes that South Africa should be a country where all people, regardless of their race, enjoy freedom and equal rights.Here are some important word meanings from the lesson "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela:
1. Besieged
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Meaning: Surrounded by a large number of people, often in a way that causes pressure or difficulty.
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Sentence: Mandela was "pleasantly besieged by dignitaries" before the inauguration.
2. Amphitheatre
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Meaning: A large, open, and often circular or oval arena, usually for public events or performances.
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Sentence: The ceremonies took place in the amphitheatre at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
3. Emancipation
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Meaning: The act of setting someone free from restrictions or control, especially from slavery or oppression.
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Sentence: Mandela speaks about the emancipation of South Africa and its people from apartheid.
4. Deprivation
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Meaning: The state of lacking or being denied something that is considered a basic necessity.
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Sentence: Mandela pledges to liberate people from deprivation, suffering, and discrimination.
5. Discrimination
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Meaning: Unfair treatment of a person or group based on certain characteristics, such as race, gender, or religion.
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Sentence: The apartheid system in South Africa was built on racial discrimination.
6. Chevron
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Meaning: A pattern resembling the shape of a "V" often used in military insignia or as a design.
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Sentence: A chevron of Impala jets left a colorful smoke trail during the inauguration ceremony.
7. Resilience
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Meaning: The ability to recover quickly from difficult conditions or adversity.
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Sentence: Mandela describes the resilience of people who continued to fight for freedom despite hardships.
8. Glimmer
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Meaning: A faint or brief sign of something, often used to refer to a glimpse of hope or humanity.
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Sentence: Despite the harsh conditions in prison, Mandela could see a "glimmer of humanity" in the guards.
9. Prejudice
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Meaning: A strong, often irrational, dislike or bias against someone or a group, typically based on their race, gender, or other characteristics.
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Sentence: Mandela believes that the oppressor is also imprisoned by prejudice.
10. Inclinations
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Meaning: Natural tendencies or preferences in behavior or actions.
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Sentence: Mandela mentions how in a civil society, people can fulfill their obligations according to their inclinations.
11. Twilight Existence
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Meaning: A state of life that is secret, uncertain, and often difficult, akin to living in the dim light of twilight.
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Sentence: Due to apartheid, Mandela and others were forced to live a "twilight existence" where they were isolated and lived in secrecy.
12. Transitory
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Meaning: Temporary or short-lived; something that doesn't last long.
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Sentence: As a student, Mandela's desire for freedom was initially for "transitory freedoms," like staying out at night or reading what he pleased.
Here are the common board exam questions along with sample answers based on the text "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela:
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 at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa.
In India, a notable public building made of sandstone is the Red Fort in Delhi, which is constructed from red sandstone.
2. Can you say how 10 May is an 'autumn day' in South Africa?
Answer: In South Africa, 10 May falls in the autumn season. The climate in the southern hemisphere is opposite to that in the northern hemisphere, so while May marks the beginning of autumn in South Africa, in the northern hemisphere, it is spring.
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" refers to the apartheid system in South Africa, which was a period of racial discrimination and injustice against the black population. The "glorious human achievement" Mandela speaks of at the end is the triumph of democracy and the establishment of a non-racial government, where all people, regardless of race, have equal rights.
4. What does Mandela thank the international leaders for?
Answer: Mandela thanks the international leaders for attending the inauguration and for standing in solidarity with the people of South Africa. He acknowledges their support in the struggle for justice, peace, and human dignity, and for taking part in the common victory for the liberation of South Africa.
5. What ideals does he set out for the future of South Africa?
Answer: Mandela sets out the ideals of equality, justice, peace, and human dignity for the future of South Africa. He emphasizes that the country must never again experience the oppression of one group by another and that all people, regardless of their race or background, should live in freedom and equality.
6. Explain the phrase "the seat of white supremacy" in the context of South Africa.
Answer: The "seat of white supremacy" refers to the Union Buildings in Pretoria, which had been the center of political power in South Africa under apartheid, a system where the white minority ruled and oppressed the black majority. Under apartheid, the government was dominated by white leaders who enforced racial segregation and discrimination.
7. What is the "glorious human achievement" Mandela speaks about at the end of his speech?
Answer: The "glorious human achievement" Mandela refers to is the end of apartheid and the beginning of a new democratic South Africa, where all citizens, regardless of race, are free and equal. It marks the triumph of justice, peace, and human dignity.
8. Describe the role of the military generals during the inauguration. What does their change in attitude symbolize?
Answer: During the inauguration, the military generals, who had once been part of the oppressive apartheid regime, saluted Mandela and pledged their loyalty to the new democratic government. This change in attitude symbolizes the peaceful transition of power, where even those who were once part of the oppressive system now support democracy and equality.
9. 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, Mandela describes the government as one that established a system of racial domination, creating one of the harshest, most inhumane societies known to history. In the final decade of the twentieth century, this system of apartheid was overthrown, and South Africa transitioned to a democratic government that recognized the rights and freedoms of all its people.
10. What does courage mean to Mandela?
Answer: To Mandela, courage is not the absence of fear but the ability to overcome fear. He believes that the true brave person is one who faces fear and still acts to do what is right, even in the face of danger or suffering.
11. Which does he think is natural, to love or to hate?
Answer: Mandela believes that love is more natural than hate. He argues that no one is born hating another person based on race, background, or religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can also be taught to love, as love comes more naturally to the human heart.
12. Why did such a large number of international leaders attend the Inauguration? What did it signify the triumph of?
Answer: A large number of international leaders attended the inauguration to show their support for South Africa’s peaceful transition to democracy and to celebrate the end of apartheid. It signified the triumph of justice, peace, and the universal values of equality and human dignity.
13. What does Mandela mean when he says he is "simply the sum of all those African patriots who had gone before me"?
Answer: Mandela means that he is not an individual hero but the product of the collective sacrifices, struggles, and efforts of all the freedom fighters and patriots who fought against apartheid before him. Their courage and sacrifices paved the way for his leadership.
14. 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, Mandela argues that the extreme oppression faced by the South African people helped to create extraordinary leaders with remarkable character. The suffering endured by individuals like Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, and others helped them develop the strength, wisdom, and resilience to fight for freedom. Similarly, in other parts of the world, oppressive conditions have often led to the emergence of strong leaders and movements for justice, like Mahatma Gandhi in India.
15. How did Mandela's understanding of freedom change with age and experience?
Answer: As a boy, Mandela understood freedom as the ability to do as he pleased in the fields and with his family. As a young man, his idea of freedom grew to include the basic rights to earn a living, marry, and live without hindrance. However, as he experienced the reality of apartheid and saw the oppression of his people, his understanding of freedom expanded to a broader, collective vision, where freedom was indivisible and all people had the right to live with dignity.
16. How did Mandela's 'hunger for freedom' change his life?
Answer: Mandela’s "hunger for freedom" transformed him from a law-abiding attorney to a freedom fighter. It drove him to join the African National Congress and fight for the liberation of his people, even though it meant sacrificing his family life, his freedom, and enduring imprisonment. His deep desire for the freedom of all people shaped his character, turning him into a bold and resilient leader.
THANK YOU
Author-Rumi deka
