NCERT Solution Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

NCERT Solution Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, which includes a summary in English, textual questions, and reading comprehension. NCERT Solution in its entirety Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom Class 10 English will cover all the questions in the CBSE exams for class 10 English language and literature. The literature section of CBSE exams will carry 40 marks, meaning the literature section covers 50% of the marks in class 10 English examinations. Thus, the students and teachers must keep in mind that they can’t ignore the literature section.

Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom is the 2nd chapter of First Flight, Prose, the autobiography of Nelson Mandela, the former nonwhite president of South Africa. The students must read this article seriously as you will definitely get questions in your CBSE class English examination.

नेल्सन रोलिहलाहला मंडेला ; जन्म रोलिहलाहला मंडेला; 18 जुलाई 1918 – 5 दिसंबर 2013) एक दक्षिण अफ़्रीकी रंगभेद विरोधी कार्यकर्ता, राजनीतिज्ञ और राजनेता थे, जिन्होंने 1994 से 1999 तक दक्षिण अफ़्रीका के पहले राष्ट्रपति के रूप में कार्य किया। वे देश के पहले अश्वेत राष्ट्राध्यक्ष थे और पूरी तरह से प्रतिनिधि लोकतांत्रिक चुनाव में चुने गए पहले व्यक्ति थे। उनकी सरकार ने नस्लीय मेल-मिलाप को बढ़ावा देकर रंगभेद की विरासत को खत्म करने पर ध्यान केंद्रित किया। वैचारिक रूप से एक अफ़्रीकी राष्ट्रवादी और समाजवादी, उन्होंने 1991 से 1997 तक अफ़्रीकी राष्ट्रीय कांग्रेस (ANC) पार्टी के अध्यक्ष के रूप में कार्य किया।

Summary: “Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom”

Chapter Overview: This chapter is an excerpt from Nelson Mandela’s autobiography “Long Walk to Freedom.” It focuses on the historic day when Mandela was inaugurated as the first black President of South Africa.

Key Points:

1. Historic Day:
   • The inauguration took place on May 10th, marking a new era for South Africa.
   • It was a bright and clear day filled with hope and optimism.
2. Notable Attendance:
   • Many dignitaries and world leaders came to celebrate the event.
   • This was the largest gathering of international leaders in South Africa.
3. Ceremony Details:
   • The ceremony was held at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, which had been a symbol of white supremacy.
   • Mandela’s daughter, Zenani, accompanied him.
4. Oath-Taking:
   • Vice Presidents Mr. de Klerk and Thabo Mbeki were sworn in first.
   • Mandela took an oath to respect and uphold the Constitution and work for the welfare of the country.
5. Mandela’s Speech:
   • Mandela emphasized the importance of freedom and equality.
   • He thanked the international community for their support.
6. Military Display:
   • A display of military aircraft symbolized the loyalty of the armed forces to the new democratic government.
   • The military generals, who once would have arrested Mandela, now saluted him.
7. National Unity:
   • Two national anthems were played to symbolize unity between blacks and whites.
   • Mandela was hopeful that both groups would soon embrace each other’s cultures.
8. Reflection on History:
   • Mandela reflected on the long history of racial discrimination and the struggle for freedom.
   • He acknowledged the painful past and celebrated the achievement of a democratic government.
9. Commitment to Change:
   • Mandela promised to end poverty, discrimination, and inequality.
   • He envisioned a country where freedom and justice would prevail.

Conclusion: This chapter highlights the significance of Mandela’s inauguration as a moment of triumph over apartheid. It captures his vision for a future of equality and unity in South Africa.

Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom Summary in English

Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom is the real story of the freedom struggle of South-Africa. Nelson Mandela became the first black president of South-Africa on May 10, 1994. The country became a democratic country. On this ocassion of oath of the President, Nelson Mandela, world dignitaries were present. Thus, Nelson Mandela became first black President of South-Africa. In his first speech, Nelson Mandela thanked all the world eminent personalities.He assured his countrymen that such suppression would never appeared in the country.

In this way, Democracy had been established in South Africa where there would be no colour discrimination. A long time ago, in the first decade of the 20th century, apartheid was established by white supremacy, which made life for people with dark complexion miserable. One of the most cruel societies in history was born from it. For fundamental human rights, many people have struggled and made sacrifices. The author want to thank all the freedom fighters who were unable to survive to see this autumnal day. The biggest asset of the nation, according to him, is its people. These are the folks he drew courage from.

According to Mandela, a man who has conquered fear is courageous, not a man who is fearless. He also talked about the two roles that each person has and how, in order to fulfil his obligation to the community, he neglected his duty to his family. When he realised that for him and many like him, the concept of freedom was a fiction, he transformed into a man of the people. At that point, he joined the African National Congress and continued to fight for his rights until he was elected the country’s first black president. He holds that both the oppressor and the oppressed are prisoners. When the former denies the downtrodden their freedom, he also loses his humanity. As a result, neither is the oppressor free.

The brave man is not the one who feels no fear; rather, he is the one who faces fear head-on and overcomes it. According to Mandela, every man has obligations to both his country and community.

Theme of Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

The main idea of the chapter “Nelson Mandela: The Long Walk to Freedom,” a chapter in the textbook for class 10, “First Flight,” is the struggle of the freedom movement in South Africa, which was fought for equality, freedom, and democracy.

Nelson Mandela. Nelson Mandela: The Long Walk to Freedom is an extract from the book “The Long Walk to Freedom.” Nelson Mandela: The Long Walk to Freedom describes the inauguration ceremony, highlights of the speech, and his journey to become a freedom fighter against the “apartheid” rules of the whites in Africa.

Apartheid was South Africa’s racial segregation under the all-white government, which mandated that non-white South Africans (the majority of the population) live in separate areas from whites and use separate public facilities, with contact between the two groups limited. The different racial groups were physically separated according to their location, public facilities, and social lives.

It made reference to prejudice against different people based on their race and skin tone. Dark-skinned individuals were denied their basic rights in one of the most violent nations.

 

Nelson Mandela Long Walk to Freedom Summary in Hindi

यह अध्याय दक्षिण अफ्रीका के पहले अश्वेत राष्ट्रपति नेल्सन मंडेला (जन्म- 18 जुलाई, 1918) की आत्मकथा का एक अंश है। यह उनके उद्घाटन समारोह के विवरण के साथ शुरू होता है जो 10 मई 1994 को हुआ था, जहां पूरे देश ने कई अंतरराष्ट्रीय नेताओं के साथ एक नई और निष्पक्ष रूप से चुनी गई सरकार की जीत को गले लगाया था। इसमें राष्ट्रपति और दो उप राष्ट्रपतियों के भाषणों के बाद लड़ाकू जेट और हेलीकॉप्टरों का एक प्रभावशाली एयर शो शामिल था।

बहुत पहले, बीसवीं शताब्दी के पहले दशक में, श्वेत वर्चस्व ने रंगभेद की व्यवस्था की शुरुआत की और जीवन को काली -चमड़ी वाली आबादी के लिए एक जीवित नरक बना दिया। इसने दुनिया के सबसे अमानवीय समाजों में से एक को जन्म दिया। कई लोगों ने बुनियादी मानवाधिकारों के लिए संघर्ष और बलिदान दिया है। लेखक ने उन सभी स्वतंत्रता सेनानियों को धन्यवाद देने की इच्छा व्यक्त की जो इस शरद दिवस को देखने के लिए जीवित नहीं रह सके। उन्होंने नागरिकों को देश की सबसे बड़ी संपत्ति बताया। इन्हीं लोगों से उसने हिम्मत जुटाई।

मंडेला का मानना ​​है कि साहसी वह व्यक्ति नहीं है जो निडर है, बल्कि वह व्यक्ति है जिसने भय पर विजय प्राप्त कर ली है। उन्होंने प्रत्येक मनुष्य की दो जिम्मेदारियों का भी उल्लेख किया और समाज के प्रति अपने दायित्व को पूरा करने के लिए अपने परिवार के प्रति अपने दायित्व की उपेक्षा कैसे की। वह लोगों का आदमी बन गया जब उसने महसूस किया कि स्वतंत्रता का विचार उसके और उसके जैसे लोगों के लिए एक भ्रम था। यह तब था जब वह अफ्रीकी राष्ट्रीय कांग्रेस में शामिल हो गए और देश के पहले अश्वेत राष्ट्रपति बनने तक अपने अधिकारों के लिए लड़े। उनके अनुसार, उत्पीड़क उतना ही कैदी है जितना कि उत्पीड़ित। जैसे पूर्व पीड़ितों की स्वतंत्रता को लूटता है, वह स्वयं अपनी मानवता को भी गँवा देता है। इस प्रकार, उत्पीड़क भी स्वतंत्र नहीं है।

Short Question Answers

Nelson Mandela Long Walk to Freedom

1. Where did the ceremonies happen? Can you name any public buildings in India made of sandstone?The ceremonies happened at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. In India, some sandstone buildings are Rashtrapati Bhavan, Red Fort, and the Supreme Court in New Delhi.
2. Why is May 10 called an “autumn day” in South Africa?In South Africa, May is in the autumn season because it’s in the Southern Hemisphere.
3. What does Mandela mean by “an extraordinary human disaster”? What is the “glorious human achievement” he talks about?Mandela means the terrible system of apartheid when he says “an extraordinary human disaster.” The “glorious human achievement” is the victory over apartheid and the start of a fair, democratic government.
4. Why does Mandela thank the international leaders?Mandela thanks them for joining and supporting South Africa in its victory for freedom and human rights.
5. What goals does Mandela have for the future of South Africa?Mandela wants South Africa to be free from poverty, discrimination, and injustice.
6. What do the military generals do, and how has their attitude changed?The military generals salute Mandela and support the new government. Their attitude changed because they now support the democratic government instead of the old apartheid regime.
7. Why were two national anthems sung?Two anthems were sung to show respect and equality for both the black and white communities in South Africa.
8. How does Mandela describe the government systems in his country in the first and last decades of the 20th century?
   • In the first decade: It was a harsh system of racial domination.
   • In the last decade: It became a system recognizing all humans as equal.
9. What does courage mean to Mandela?For Mandela, courage is not the absence of fear but the ability to overcome it.
10. Which does Mandela think is natural: to love or to hate?Mandela thinks it is more natural for people to love than to hate.
11. What are the “twin obligations” Mandela talks about?Every person has obligations to their family and to their society.
12. What did being free mean to Mandela as a boy and as a student? How does he compare these to “basic and honorable freedoms”?
    • As a boy and student: Freedom meant staying out late, reading what he wanted, and going where he chose.
    • As a man: He realized these were small freedoms compared to the basic rights they lacked, like living a peaceful life.
13. Does Mandela think the oppressor is free? Why or why not?Mandela thinks the oppressor is also a prisoner because by denying others’ freedom, the oppressor loses their own humanity.
14. Why did so many international leaders attend the inauguration? What did it symbolize?Many leaders attended to celebrate the end of apartheid. It symbolized the triumph of justice over prejudice, courage over fear, and right over wrong.
15. What does Mandela mean when he says he is “simply the sum of all those African patriots” who came before him?Mandela means he is the result of all the efforts of the previous generations who fought for justice and equality.
16. Do you agree that “depths of oppression” create “heights of character”? How does Mandela show this? Can you give your own examples?Yes, Mandela shows this by explaining how great freedom fighters emerged from oppression. For example, India’s freedom fighters like Bhagat Singh and Nehru arose from British rule.
17. How did Mandela’s idea of freedom change as he grew older?As he grew older, Mandela realized that true freedom was more than just small personal freedoms; it was about having basic human rights and a life without oppression.
18. How did Mandela’s desire for freedom change his life?Mandela’s desire for freedom turned him from a family-man into a leader for his people. He became more selfless and dedicated to fighting for the rights of his community.

Simplified Explanation of Each Passage

Passage 1: On May 10, Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as the first black President of South Africa. The day was filled with hope and happiness. Dignitaries and world leaders came to pay their respects. The ceremony took place at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, which used to be a symbol of white supremacy but now symbolized unity and democracy.

Passage 2: On this important day, Mandela was accompanied by his daughter, Zenani. First, the two Vice-Presidents took their oaths. Then, Mandela took his oath, promising to respect the Constitution and work for the welfare of the country and its people.

Passage 3: In his speech, Mandela said that everyone’s presence brought glory and hope to the new freedom. He mentioned that out of a terrible past, a new society was born, one that everyone could be proud of. He thanked the international guests for joining them in celebrating their victory for justice, peace, and human dignity.

Passage 4: Mandela declared that they had finally achieved political freedom. He promised to free people from poverty, suffering, and discrimination. He vowed that no one would ever again oppress others in their beautiful land. He called for freedom to rule and blessed Africa.

Passage 5: After his speech, there was a spectacular air show by South African jets, helicopters, and troop carriers, displaying military precision and loyalty to the new democratic government. Mandela noted that the military leaders who now saluted him would have arrested him under the previous regime. The air show ended with jets creating the new South African flag in the sky.

Passage 6: Mandela was moved by the playing of both national anthems, one for whites and one for blacks. Although the groups did not know each other’s anthems, Mandela was confident they would soon learn them, symbolizing unity.

Passage 7: Mandela reflected on the history of South Africa. In the early 1900s, white people created a system of racial domination that was extremely cruel. By the 1990s, this system had been replaced with one that recognized the rights and freedoms of all people, regardless of their skin color.

Word Meanings

1. Dawned – Began
2. Pleasantly – Satisfyingly
3. Besieged – Surrounded
4. Dignitaries – Important people
5. Sandstone – A type of rock
6. Amphitheater – Open-air theater
7. Supremacy – Superiority
8. Deputy – Second in command
9. Sworn – Given under oath
10. Pledged – Committed
11. Assembled – Gathered
12. Confer – Grant
13. Glory – Honor
14. Outlaws – People excluded by society
15. Possession – Ownership
16. Dignity – Respect
17. Emancipation – Freedom from restrictions
18. Liberate – Free
19. Bondage – Slavery
20. Discrimination – Unfair treatment
21. Deprivation – Lack of basic needs
22. Oppression – Cruel treatment
23. Glorious – Wonderful
24. Reign – Rule
25. Awe – Amazement
26. Spectacular – Impressive
27. Array – Display
28. Troop – Soldiers
29. Precision – Accuracy
30. Bedecked – Decorated
31. Unmindful – Unaware
32. Chevron – V-shaped pattern
33. Trail – Chain
34. Symbolized – Represented
35. Lyrics – Words of a song
36. Despised – Hated
37. Overwhelmed – Strongly affected
38. Erected – Built
39. Racial Domination – Power over another race
40. Inhumane – Cruel
41. Overturned – Reversed

Word Meanings, Synonyms, and Antonyms

1. Dawned
   • Meaning: Began
   • Synonyms: Started, Commenced
   • Antonyms: Ended, Finished
2. Pleasantly
   • Meaning: Satisfyingly
   • Synonyms: Enjoyably, Delightfully
   • Antonyms: Unpleasantly, Disagreeably
3. Besieged
   • Meaning: Surrounded
   • Synonyms: Encircled, Blockaded
   • Antonyms: Freed, Released
4. Dignitaries
   • Meaning: Important people
   • Synonyms: Notables, VIPs
   • Antonyms: Commoners, Ordinary people
5. Sandstone
   • Meaning: A type of rock
   • Synonyms: Sedimentary rock, Quartzite
   • Antonyms: N/A
6. Amphitheater
   • Meaning: Open-air theater
   • Synonyms: Arena, Stadium
   • Antonyms: N/A
7. Supremacy
   • Meaning: Superiority
   • Synonyms: Dominance, Primacy
   • Antonyms: Inferiority, Subordination
8. Deputy
   • Meaning: Second in command
   • Synonyms: Assistant, Vice
   • Antonyms: Leader, Chief
9. Sworn
   • Meaning: Given under oath
   • Synonyms: Vowed, Pledged
   • Antonyms: Renounced, Rejected
10. Pledged
    • Meaning: Committed
    • Synonyms: Promised, Sworn
    • Antonyms: Broke, Reneged
11. Assembled
    • Meaning: Gathered
    • Synonyms: Collected, Congregated
    • Antonyms: Dispersed, Scattered
12. Confer
    • Meaning: Grant
    • Synonyms: Bestow, Award
    • Antonyms: Withhold, Revoke
13. Glory
    • Meaning: Honor
    • Synonyms: Fame, Renown
    • Antonyms: Disgrace, Dishonor
14. Outlaws
    • Meaning: People excluded by society
    • Synonyms: Fugitives, Exiles
    • Antonyms: Citizens, Insiders
15. Possession
    • Meaning: Ownership
    • Synonyms: Control, Custody
    • Antonyms: Loss, Absence
16. Dignity
    • Meaning: Respect
    • Synonyms: Honor, Esteem
    • Antonyms: Disrespect, Humiliation
17. Emancipation
    • Meaning: Freedom from restrictions
    • Synonyms: Liberation, Release
    • Antonyms: Enslavement, Captivity
18. Liberate
    • Meaning: Free
    • Synonyms: Release, Unshackle
    • Antonyms: Enslave, Imprison
19. Bondage
    • Meaning: Slavery
    • Synonyms: Servitude, Captivity
    • Antonyms: Freedom, Liberty
20. Discrimination
    • Meaning: Unfair treatment
    • Synonyms: Prejudice, Bias
    • Antonyms: Fairness, Equality
21. Deprivation
    • Meaning: Lack of basic needs
    • Synonyms: Hardship, Poverty
    • Antonyms: Wealth, Abundance
22. Oppression
    • Meaning: Cruel treatment
    • Synonyms: Tyranny, Persecution
    • Antonyms: Liberation, Freedom
23. Glorious
    • Meaning: Wonderful
    • Synonyms: Magnificent, Splendid
    • Antonyms: Ordinary, Dull
24. Reign
    • Meaning: Rule
    • Synonyms: Govern, Dominate
    • Antonyms: Follow, Submit
25. Awe
    • Meaning: Amazement
    • Synonyms: Wonder, Astonishment
    • Antonyms: Indifference, Disinterest
26. Spectacular
    • Meaning: Impressive
    • Synonyms: Magnificent, Stunning
    • Antonyms: Ordinary, Unimpressive
27. Array
    • Meaning: Display
    • Synonyms: Arrangement, Collection
    • Antonyms: Individual, Single item
28. Troop
    • Meaning: Soldiers
    • Synonyms: Unit, Squad
    • Antonyms: Civilian, Individual
29. Precision
    • Meaning: Accuracy
    • Synonyms: Exactness, Correctness
    • Antonyms: Inaccuracy, Carelessness
30. Bedecked
    • Meaning: Decorated
    • Synonyms: Adorned, Embellished
    • Antonyms: Stripped, Unadorned
31. Unmindful
    • Meaning: Unaware
    • Synonyms: Oblivious, Heedless
    • Antonyms: Aware, Mindful
32. Chevron
    • Meaning: V-shaped pattern
    • Synonyms: Stripe, Insignia
    • Antonyms: N/A
33. Trail
    • Meaning: Chain
    • Synonyms: Series, Sequence
    • Antonyms: Disconnection, Interruption
34. Symbolized
    • Meaning: Represented
    • Synonyms: Signified, Denoted
    • Antonyms: Obscured, Concealed
35. Lyrics
    • Meaning: Words of a song
    • Synonyms: Verses, Words
    • Antonyms: Music, Instrumental
36. Despised
    • Meaning: Hated
    • Synonyms: Loathed, Detested
    • Antonyms: Loved, Adored
37. Overwhelmed
    • Meaning: Strongly affected
    • Synonyms: Overcome, Overpowered
    • Antonyms: Unaffected, Unmoved
38. Erected
    • Meaning: Built
    • Synonyms: Constructed, Raised
    • Antonyms: Demolished, Dismantled
39. Racial Domination
    • Meaning: Power over another race
    • Synonyms: Racial superiority, Racial control
    • Antonyms: Racial equality, Racial harmony
40. Inhumane
    • Meaning: Cruel
    • Synonyms: Brutal, Heartless
    • Antonyms: Compassionate, Kind
41. Overturned
    • Meaning: Reversed
    • Synonyms: Repealed, Abolished
    • Antonyms: Upheld, Maintained

CBSE Class 10 English Examination : Long Answer Question 

In the chapter, “A Baker from Goa” the narrator talks about his childhood in Goa and his fond memories. In about 120 words, write a presentation draft comparing the childhood of the narrator in “A Baker from Goa” to that of Nelson Mandela. You may begin this way: Childhood memories remind us of the days gone by…..Reference: “A Baker from Goa” and Nelson Mandela’s “Long Walk to Freedom.” 2023-24 CBSE 

Presentation Draft:

Childhood memories remind us of the days gone by, filled with joy, innocence, and simplicity. In “A Baker from Goa,” the narrator reminisces about his childhood in Goa, where the arrival of the village baker was a daily delight. The aroma of freshly baked bread and the sound of the baker’s bamboo staff tapping on the ground evoke a sense of nostalgia and community warmth.

In contrast, Nelson Mandela’s childhood, as depicted in “Long Walk to Freedom,” was shaped by the traditional customs and rites of his Xhosa heritage. Growing up in the rural village of Qunu, Mandela experienced the hardships and inequalities imposed by the apartheid regime. His childhood was marked by a strong sense of responsibility and the early seeds of his lifelong struggle for freedom and justice.

Both narratives highlight the impact of their environments on their formative years, with the Goan narrator finding comfort in simple pleasures and Mandela drawing strength from his early experiences of injustice.

30 multiple-choice questions (MCQs)

30 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) based on the provided text along with their answers:

1. What political system did South Africa have until recently?
   • (a) Communism
   • (b) Democracy
   • (c) Apartheid
   • (d) Monarchy
   • Answer: (c) Apartheid
2. Who became South Africa’s first black president in 1994?
   • (a) Nelson Mandela
   • (b) Thabo Mbeki
   • (c) Jacob Zuma
   • (d) Desmond Tutu
   • Answer: (a) Nelson Mandela
3. Which party did Nelson Mandela belong to?
   • (a) Democratic Alliance
   • (b) Inkatha Freedom Party
   • (c) African National Congress
   • (d) National Party
   • Answer: (c) African National Congress
4. Where did Mandela’s inauguration ceremony take place?
   • (a) Cape Town
   • (b) Johannesburg
   • (c) Durban
   • (d) Pretoria
   • Answer: (d) Pretoria
5. Who was sworn in as the second deputy president at Mandela’s inauguration?
   • (a) Thabo Mbeki
   • (b) F.W. de Klerk
   • (c) Oliver Tambo
   • (d) Yusuf Dadoo
   • Answer: (b) F.W. de Klerk
6. What did Mandela pledge to uphold at his inauguration?
   • (a) The new economic policy
   • (b) The Constitution
   • (c) The military rule
   • (d) The apartheid system
   • Answer: (b) The Constitution
7. What is referred to as an “extraordinary human disaster” by Mandela?
   • (a) World War II
   • (b) The apartheid system
   • (c) The Great Depression
   • (d) The Cold War
   • Answer: (b) The apartheid system
8. What does Mandela thank the international leaders for?
   • (a) Their financial aid
   • (b) Their diplomatic ties
   • (c) Their support in the struggle against apartheid
   • (d) Their cultural exchange programs
   • Answer: (c) Their support in the struggle against apartheid
9. What does Mandela promise for the future of South Africa?
   • (a) Economic prosperity
   • (b) Military expansion
   • (c) Liberation from poverty, deprivation, suffering, and discrimination
   • (d) International dominance
   • Answer: (c) Liberation from poverty, deprivation, suffering, and discrimination
10. What significant change does Mandela note in the attitude of military generals?
    • (a) They showed disinterest in politics.
    • (b) They displayed loyalty to the new democratic government.
    • (c) They planned a coup.
    • (d) They retired from service.
    • Answer: (b) They displayed loyalty to the new democratic government
11. Why were two national anthems sung at the inauguration?
    • (a) To show unity between blacks and whites
    • (b) To respect the traditions of the past
    • (c) To honor Mandela’s family
    • (d) To confuse the audience
    • Answer: (a) To show unity between blacks and whites
12. What does Mandela say about the creation of the apartheid system?
    • (a) It was established for economic reasons.
    • (b) It was formed as a result of racial domination.
    • (c) It was a temporary measure.
    • (d) It was universally supported.
    • Answer: (b) It was formed as a result of racial domination
13. Who does Mandela credit for the end of apartheid?
    • (a) International allies
    • (b) The military
    • (c) The sacrifices of thousands of his people
    • (d) Economic changes
    • Answer: (c) The sacrifices of thousands of his people
14. What does Mandela mean by “political emancipation”?
    • (a) Economic independence
    • (b) Freedom from political oppression
    • (c) International recognition
    • (d) Cultural liberation
    • Answer: (b) Freedom from political oppression
15. What does Mandela consider as South Africa’s greatest wealth?
    • (a) Minerals and gems
    • (b) Natural resources
    • (c) Its people
    • (d) Historical landmarks
    • Answer: (c) Its people
16. What does Mandela say about courage?
    • (a) It is the absence of fear.
    • (b) It is the triumph over fear.
    • (c) It is not necessary for freedom.
    • (d) It is a sign of weakness.
    • Answer: (b) It is the triumph over fear
17. According to Mandela, what must be taught if people can learn to hate?
    • (a) To be indifferent
    • (b) To love
    • (c) To be neutral
    • (d) To be fearful
    • Answer: (b) To love
18. What twin obligations does Mandela mention?
    • (a) Obligations to family and to the community/country
    • (b) Obligations to work and to religion
    • (c) Obligations to friends and to hobbies
    • (d) Obligations to wealth and to power
    • Answer: (a) Obligations to family and to the community/country
19. What did apartheid force Mandela to choose between?
    • (a) Wealth and power
    • (b) Family and serving his people
    • (c) Education and freedom
    • (d) Health and happiness
    • Answer: (b) Family and serving his people
20. How does Mandela describe his childhood freedom?
    • (a) It was real and limitless.
    • (b) It was an illusion.
    • (c) It was restricted by law.
    • (d) It was granted by the government.
    • Answer: (b) It was an illusion
21. What did Mandela yearn for as a young man in Johannesburg?
    • (a) Wealth and luxury
    • (b) Basic and honorable freedoms
    • (c) Political power
    • (d) International travel
    • Answer: (b) Basic and honorable freedoms
22. What was Mandela’s greater hunger after joining the African National Congress?
    • (a) Personal freedom
    • (b) Wealth
    • (c) Freedom for his people
    • (d) Political power
    • Answer: (c) Freedom for his people
23. How does Mandela describe his transformation through his desire for freedom?
    • (a) From a frightened young man to a bold one
    • (b) From a law-abiding attorney to a criminal
    • (c) From a family-loving husband to a man without a home
    • (d) All of the above
    • Answer: (d) All of the above
24. What is Mandela’s view on the oppressor’s liberation?
    • (a) The oppressor must be liberated just as surely as the oppressed.
    • (b) The oppressor does not need liberation.
    • (c) The oppressor is always right.
    • (d) The oppressor is inherently evil.
    • Answer: (a) The oppressor must be liberated just as surely as the oppressed
25. What does Mandela say about man’s goodness?
    • (a) It can be extinguished easily.
    • (b) It is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished.
    • (c) It is rare and unusual.
    • (d) It is often overshadowed by hatred.
    • Answer: (b) It is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished
26. What event is described as the “inauguration”?
    • (a) Nelson Mandela’s wedding
    • (b) Nelson Mandela becoming South Africa’s first black president
    • (c) The end of apartheid
    • (d) The start of the Anglo-Boer war
    • Answer: (b) Nelson Mandela becoming South Africa’s first black president
27. What symbolizes the new era for Mandela on the day of the inauguration?
    • (a) A parade
    • (b) A display of military jets
    • (c) Singing of two national anthems
    • (d) The presence of international leaders
    • Answer: (c) Singing of two national anthems
28. What does Mandela refer to as “profound hurt” caused by apartheid?
    • (a) Economic downturn
    • (b) Loss of cultural heritage
    • (c) Deep and lasting wound in the country and its people
    • (d) Decline in education
    • Answer: (c) Deep and lasting wound in the country and its people
29. What did Mandela and his people receive from the world on the day of the inauguration?
    • (a) A Nobel Prize
    • (b) Congratulatory messages
    • (c) Foreign aid
    • (d) Trade agreements
    • Answer: (b) Congratulatory messages
30. How does Mandela describe his state of mind before and after joining the ANC?
    • (a) Always fearful
    • (b) Initially fearful, later courageous
    • (c) Always indifferent
    • (d) Initially indifferent, later passionate
    • Answer: (d) Initially indifferent, later passionate

NCERT Textual Solution Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

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

International leaders attended Mandela’s inauguration to celebrate the end of apartheid and the establishment of a democratic South Africa. Their presence signified the triumph of justice, equality, and human dignity over racial discrimination and oppression.

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

Mandela means that his achievements and the position he attained are not solely his own but are the result of the collective struggles, sacrifices, and efforts of countless African patriots who fought against apartheid. He acknowledges that his leadership is built upon their legacy and contributions.

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?

Yes, I agree that the “depths of oppression” create “heights of character.” Mandela illustrates this by showing how the oppression faced by him and his people under apartheid forged resilience, courage, and determination. Mandela himself emerged as a symbol of strength and moral leadership. Similarly, historical figures like Mahatma Gandhi, who faced colonial oppression, developed profound leadership qualities and principles of non-violent resistance.

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

As a child, Mandela saw freedom as the ability to run and play freely, without adult interference. As he grew older, his understanding of freedom evolved to include basic and honorable freedoms such as the right to education, to live with dignity, and to participate in shaping his country’s future. His experience of racial oppression broadened his perspective to recognize the collective freedom of his people from apartheid.

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

Mandela’s hunger for freedom transformed him from a young man seeking personal liberation to a dedicated freedom fighter for his people. It led him to join the African National Congress, engage in political activism, and endure imprisonment. This commitment not only changed his personal life but also significantly impacted the course of South Africa’s history, leading to the end of apartheid and the establishment of a democratic nation.

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Noun-Verb Pairs in the Text:

1. Formation – Form
2. Government – Govern
3. Liberation – Liberate
4. Recognition – Recognize
5. Election – Elect
6. Dedication – Dedicate
7. Participation – Participate
8. Education – Educate
9. Transformation – Transform
10. Constitution – Constitute

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Oral Comprehension Check:

1. What “twin obligations” does Mandela mention?

Mandela mentions the twin obligations of people: the obligation to their family and the obligation to their country and community.

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 honorable freedoms”?

As a boy, being free meant having the freedom to run in the fields, swim in the streams, and roast mealies under the stars. As a student, it meant the freedom to stay out at night, read what he pleased, and go where he chose. He contrasts these transitory freedoms with the basic and honorable freedoms of living with dignity, participating in society, and enjoying equality, which are more profound and essential for a fulfilling life.

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

Mandela does not think the oppressor is free. He believes that while the oppressor might have power and privilege, they are imprisoned by hatred and prejudice. True freedom includes liberating oneself from these negative traits and emotions.

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Fill in the Blanks:

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.

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Using the Definite Article with Names:

1. Mr. Singh regularly invites the Amitabh Bachchans and the Shah Rukh Khans to his parties.
   • This means Mr. Singh invites many famous actors like Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan to his parties.
2. Many people think that Madhuri Dixit is the Madhubala of our times.
   • This means many people think Madhuri Dixit is a modern-day actress similar to the legendary Madhubala.
3. History is not only the story of the Alexanders, the Napoleons, and the Hitlers, but of ordinary people as well.
   • This means history includes not only famous conquerors and leaders like Alexander, Napoleon, and Hitler but also the lives and stories of ordinary people.

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Expressions and Their Meanings:

A

1. I was not unmindful of the fact
   • (i) had not forgotten; was aware of the fact
2. when my comrades and I were pushed to our limits
   • (ii) took more than our share of beatings
3. to reassure me and keep me going
   • (ii) help me continue to live in hope in this very difficult situation
4. the basic and honorable freedoms of… earning my keep,…
   • (i) earning enough money to live on

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Using Phrases to Complete Sentences:

1. It requires such depths of oppression to create such heights of character.
2. Courage was not the absence of fear but the triumph over it.
3. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid but he who conquers that fear.
4. If people can learn to hate they can be taught to love.
5. I was not born with a hunger to be free. I was born free.

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Coordinated Clauses to Contrast Views:

1. For decades the Union Buildings had been the seat of white supremacy, and now it was the site of a rainbow gathering of different races to celebrate a democratic South Africa.
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 me.
3. Although that day neither group knew the lyrics of the anthem, they would soon learn them.
4. My country is rich in the minerals and gems that lie beneath its soil, but I have always known that its greatest wealth is its people.
5. The Air Show was not only a display of pinpoint precision and military force but a demonstration of the loyalty and patriotism of the armed forces.
6. It was this desire for the freedom of my people that transformed a 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.

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Expressing Your Opinion:

Do you think there is color prejudice in our own country?

Yes, there is color prejudice in our country, manifesting in various forms. People with darker skin tones often face discrimination in social and professional settings. For instance, fair skin is often considered more attractive, leading to biases in the media and beauty industries. Additionally, there are regional biases where certain communities are stereotyped based on skin color. This prejudice can affect opportunities in education and employment, and perpetuate societal divisions. To combat this, it’s essential to promote inclusivity and educate people about the beauty of diversity and equality.