Class: X AB 184 - English Language and Ref.

Book: First Flight

Literature
Question Bank - 2 Topic: Long Walk to Freedom Type: (MCQ, SAQ, LAQ)

I MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

1. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
“We, who were outlaws not so long ago, have today been given the rare
privilege to be host to the nations of the world on our own soil. We thank all
of our distinguished international guests for having come to take possession
with the people of our country of what is, after all, a common victory for
justice, for peace, for human dignity.”

(i) The guests at the spectacular ceremony are being called distinguished
because
(a) they have been invited as guests to attend it.
(b) they are eminent world leaders witnessing it.
(c) they are visiting the country for this purpose.
(d) they have resumed diplomatic relations with the country.

(ii) It is a victory for ‘human dignity’. Pick the option that lists the correct
answer for what ‘human dignity’ would include.
(a) (i) equality, (ii) liberty, (iii) indecency
(b) (i) liberty, (ii) indecency, (iii) self-respect
(c) (i) immorality, (ii) self-respect, (iii) equality
(d) (i) equality, (ii) liberty, (iii) self-respect

(iii) Why does the speaker say that it is a ‘rare privilege’?

He says this as they have:
(a) been deprived of this honour.
(b) seldom been given this honour.
(c) experienced it for the first time.
(d) been chosen over other countries, for this honour.

(iv) How do you think the speaker feels? Choose the option that best fits his
state of mind.
(a) (i) emotional, ( ii) elated, (iii) unmindful
(b) (i) elated, ( ii) unmindful, (iii) overwhelmed

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 (c) (i) overwhelmed, (ii) elated, (iii) honoured
(d) (i) elated, ( ii) honoured, (iii) unmindful

(v) Pick the option that showcases the correct usage of ‘host’ as in the extract.
(a) He was praised for his hospitality as the host of the party.
(b) She was able to host the event without any hindrance.
(c) She met the host and apologised for her friend’s misbehaviour.
(d) He is the best host that one can ever come across.

Ans. (i) (b) they are eminent world leaders witnessing it.
(ii) (d) (i) equality, (ii) liberty, (iii) self-respect
(iii) (b) seldom been given this honour.
(iv) (c) (i) overwhelmed, (ii) elated, (iii) honoured
(v) (b) She was able to host the event without any hindrance.
2 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.
(i) ‘I’ in the given line refers to:
(a) Nelson Mandela
(b) Oliver Tambo
(c) Walter Sisulu
(d) Chief Luthuli

(ii) Choose the option that lists the set of statements that are
TRUE according to the given extract.
1. The narrator was mindful of what he was saying.
2. The narrator spoke about unrelated things.
3. The narrator believed that he could have been arrested.
4. The narrator got a salute from the people.
5. A jet never left a smoke trail behind.
6. The colours were of the Nigerian flag.
7. The colours were of the South African flag.
(a) 2, 7, 4
(b) 5, 6, 7
(c) 3, 4, 5
(d) 1, 3, 7

(iv) The fact that ‘I’ was not unmindful to ‘their’ arresting him
instead of saluting him shows that:
(a) the behaviour of Whites was bad.
(b) the behaviour of Whites was good.

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 (c) the Whites respected the Blacks.
(d) the Whites were nice.

(v) Where are the above lines taken from?

(a) Freedom Struggle
(b) Nelson Mandela
(c) Democracy
(d) A Letter to God

Ans. (i) (a) Nelson Mandela

(ii) (d) 1, 3, 7
(iii) (a) the behaviour of Whites was bad.
(iv) (b) Nelson Mandela
3 The policy of apartheid created a deep and lasting wound in my country and
my people. All of us will spend many years, if not generations, recovering from
that profound hurt. But the decades of oppression and brutality had another,
unintended effect, and that was that it produced the Oliver Tambos, the
Walter Sisulus, the Chief Luthulis, etc., —men of such extraordinary courage,
wisdom and generosity that their like may never be known again.

(i) What is the policy of Apartheid?

(a) The racial discrimination by Whites against Blacks in South Africa.
(b) The gender discrimination in South Africa.
(c) Religious discrimination in South Africa.
(d) None of the above

(ii) The blacks were _______________.

(a) given full rights
(b) deprived of their rights
(c) content
(d) racists

(iii) Nelson Mandela defined the meaning of ‘courage’ as____________.

(a) the absence of fear
(b) the triumph of it over fear
(c) the absence of doubts
(d) None of the above

(iv) Synonym of the word ‘profound’ is:

(a) mild
(b) weak
(c) loose

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 (d) strong

(v) Antonym of the word ‘wisdom’ is:

(a) knowledge
(b) learning
(c) understanding
(d) stupidity

Ans. (i) (a) The racial discrimination by whites against blacks in South Africa
(ii) (b) deprived of their rights
(iii) (b) the triumph over it
(iv) (d) strong
(v) (d) stupidity
4 “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...”

(i) The title that best suits this extract is:

(a) Freedom for everything
(b) Knowledge about Freedom
(c) Significance of Freedom
(d) Realisation of Freedom

(ii) Why do you think the speaker mentions some freedoms as ‘transitory’?
(a) The freedoms are momentary and keep changing with time.
(b) The definition of freedom is constant but perspectives differ.
(c) Freedom means different things to different people.
(d) Freedom is not that important after a certain age.

(iii) Choose the option that best fits the usage of the word ‘illusion’ as used in
the extract.
(a) He was never able to get past the illusion.
(b) The illusion I experienced was quite intriguing.
(c) A large mirror in the room creates an illusion.
(d) I was living under the illusion that this is possible.

(iv) The speaker says, ‘at first as a student I wanted freedom only for myself.’
Why do you think he only thought about himself?
(a) He didn’t want to think about the freedom denied to others.

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 (b) He was being selfish and was only bothered about himself.
(c) He didn’t think that freedom denied to him was important for
others.
(d) He was too young to realise that freedom was denied to others
as well.

(v) A part of the extract has been paraphrased. Choose the option that
includes the most appropriate solution to the blanks in the given paraphrase
of the extract.
The speaker’s belief about freedom, since childhood, proved false. It was not
until the speaker grew up to be a young man when it (i) ________ on him that
he was (ii) _________ of freedom. Then he began (iii) __________ it.
(a) (i) desired, (ii) dawned, (iii) depriving
(b) (i) dawned, (ii) deprived, (iii) desiring
(c) (i) dawned, (ii) arrived, (iii) desiring
(d) (i) arrived, (ii) deprived, (iii) dawned

Ans. (i) (c) Significance of Freedom

(ii) (a) The freedoms are momentary and keep changing with time.
(iii) (d) I was living under the illusion that this is possible.
(iv) (d) He was too young to realise that freedom was denied to others as
well.
(v) (b) (i) dawned, (ii) deprived, (iii) desiring
5 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.

(i) ‘I’ here refers to:

(a) Mbeki
(b) Zenani
(c) Kierk
(d) Nelson Mandela

(ii) The freedom of the author, who was black was:

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 (a) curtailed
(b) sanctioned
(c) opposed
(d) supported

(iii) The author felt a greater hunger for:

(a) the freedom of his parents
(b) the freedom of his people
(c) the freedom of his friends
(d) the freedom of neighbours

(iv) The word ‘curtailed’ means:

(a) increased
(b) opposed
(c) reduced
(d) enlarged

(v) The desire for freedom of the people transformed:

(a) an animal into a man
(b) a frightened leader into a minister
(c) a frightened young man into a bold one
(d) a man into a woman

Ans. (i) (d) Nelson Mandela

(ii) (a) curtailed
(iii) (b) the freedom of his people
(iv) (c) reduced
(v) (c) a frightened young man into a bold one
II SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (3 MARKS)
1 Why was the site called "a rainbow gathering of different colours and
nations"?
Ans: The site was full of leaders and dignitaries from all around the world.
These leaders, irrespective of their colour, race and religion had gathered to
celebrate the victory over the apartheid regime and to support the cause of
peace, justice and human dignity. Hence, the site was called a rainbow
gathering of different colours and nations.
2 What promise does Mandela make at the beginning of his oath-taking
speech?
Ans. At the beginning of his oath-taking speech, Mandela promised to obey
and uphold the constitution and devote himself to the well-being of the
nation and its people. He also promised to make the nation free from poverty,

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 deprivation, oppression and discrimination of all kinds.
3 What do you understand by 'apartheid'? Describe the effect of the policy of
apartheid on the people of South Africa.
Ans. 'Apartheid' is a political system that divides people according to their
race. The policy of apartheid created a deep and lasting wound in South Africa
and its people. This policy was full of terror, oppression and torture of the
blacks of Southern Africa. The wound created by this policy of racial
discrimination would take many years to recover.
4 What intended effect was produced by decades of oppression?
Ans. The decades of torture and oppression created an unintended effect on
the blacks. The black people who fought again the unjust policies of apartheid
were produced out of the oppression. These people had extraordinary
courage, wisdom and generosity. These people include many South African
patriots such as Walter Sisulu, Oliver Tambo, Bram, etc.
5 Does Mandela think that an African can fulfill the twin obligation? Give
reasons for your answer.
Ans. No, according to Mandela an African cannot fulfill the twin-personal and
social obligations. From his experience, Mandela believed that only white
people in South Africa could do so. The black South African were not free to
live like a human. If they tried to fulfill their obligations, they were punished
and isolated for being involved in the rebellions.
6 What did freedom mean to Mandela in childhood?
Ans. In childhood, freedom for Mandela meant being free to run in the fields,
swim in the clear stream, free to roast mealies and ride the broad backs of
slow-moving bulls.
7 What did Mandela realise about his brothers and sisters?
Ans. As Nelson Mandela grew up, he realised that his brothers and sisters in
his community including him and the nation were not free. As a result, his
hunger for freedom which he earlier wanted for himself became great. Now,
he desired for freedom of his entire community.
8 What according to Mandela is 'true freedom'?
Ans. According to Mandela, 'true freedom' is not being able to do what one
wants without any interference. True freedom means the freedom to realise
one's true potential while leading a life of respect, equality and dignity.
9 What did Mandela think about the oppressor and oppressed?
Ans. Mandela always thought that both the oppressor and the oppressed are
deprived of their humanity. According to him, the oppressor is a prisoner of
hatred and he is locked behind the bars of prejudice and narrow-mindedness.
So, both of them need to be liberated. He always desired people to live with
dignity and respect.

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10 What did the display of jets and military salute symbolise?
Ans. There was a spectacular show of South African jets and troop carriers
over the Union Buildings. The highest generals of the military and police
saluted President Mandela. It was a clear demonstration of the military's
loyalty to democracy as well as to a free and fairly elected government.
11 What does Mandela refer to as 'extraordinary human disaster'?
Ans. By mentioning an extraordinary human disaster', Mandela is referring to
the practice of apartheid followed in South Africa. This meant that there was
racial segregation based on colour, due to which the blacks suffered a lot.
They were not allowed to demand freedom and did not have any rights.
12 What was the significance of the inauguration ceremony taking place in the
Amphitheatre formed by the Union Building in Pretoria?
Ans. The inauguration ceremony took place in the Amphitheatre formed by
the Union Building in Pretoria as it was the largest gathering of international
leaders on South African soil for the installation of South Africa's first
democratic, non-racial government.
13 Briefly state the effects of the policy of 'apartheid' on the people of South
Africa.
Ans. The policy of apartheid left a deep and lasting wound in the people and
the country of South Africa. The brutality and oppression mod against the
blacks produced some great freedom fighters who will never be known again.
14 Mandela feels that courage is triumph over fear. How would you define
courage in this context?
Ans. According to Mandela, courage did not mean the absence of fear but
victory over it. I would define courage as the ability to get rid of your
insecurities and fight for our rights.
15 All the citizens of South Africa were not able to perform their twin obligations,
according to Mandela. Justify.
Ans. According to Mandela, the black people of his country were not allowed
to fulfil their twin obligations because of the colour of their skin. The
obligations were only fulfilled by the whites. If black people tried to fulfil their
obligations, they were punished and isolated for being a rebellion.
16 Mandela believed that the oppressor must be liberated just as surely as the
oppressed. Justify.
Ans. Mandela believed that both the oppressor and the oppressed are robbed
of their humanity. The oppressed have no freedom. He has to suffer the
atrocities carried out on him. But the oppressor is also a 'prisoner of hatred'
and to who is locked behind the bars of prejudice and narrow-mindedness.
So, he must be liberated just as surely as the oppressed.
17 Briefly state the meaning of "glorious human achievement" that Mandela

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 speaks of at the end of his inaugural speech. ...
Ans. At the end, when Mandela speaks of the "glorious ...human
achievement", he refers to the victory that he made by abolishing 'apartheid'
and becoming the first ever black president of South Africa. He unshackled
black people from poverty, oppression, discrimination, slavery, deprivation,
etc., and made South Africa, a non-racial democracy that now has equal rights
for all of its citizens.
18 How did Mandela transform from a frightened young man into a bold one?
Ans. It was this desire for the freedom of black people to live their lives with
dignity and self-respect that animated Mandela's life, transformed a
frightened young man into a bold one, drove a law-abiding attorney to
become a criminal, turned a family-loving husband into a man without a
home, and forced a life-loving man to live like a monk.
19 Who all took the oath of office along with Nelson Mandela?
Ans. Along with Nelson Mandela taking oath as the first Black President of
South Africa, Mr. de Klerk was sworn in as second deputy president and
Thabo Mbeki was sworn in as first deputy president.
20 What did the display of air power at the ceremony demonstrate?
Ans. The spectacular array of South African jets, helicopters and troop carriers
not only displayed pinpoint precision and military force but also
demonstrated the military’s loyalty to democracy, to a new government that
had been freely and fairly elected.
21 Which event symbolised the day for Nelson Mandela?
Ans. The day was symbolised for Mandela by playing the two
national anthems where the vision of whites was singing ‘Nkosi Sikelel–
iAfrika’ and blacks were singing ‘Die Stem’, the old anthem of the Republic.
22 Where did the inauguration ceremony of the first African President, Nelson
Mandela take place?
Ans. The inauguration ceremony of the first African President,
Nelson Mandela took place in the Union Buildings Amphitheatre in Pretoria.
For decades this had been the seat of White supremacy, and now it was the
gathering of different colours and nations for the installation of South Africa’s
first democratic, non-racial government.
23 What two symbols did the sandstone Amphitheatre stand for?
Ans: The sandstone amphitheatre stood as a symbol of white supremacy over
the people of the black race till the new democratic government came to
power on May 10, 1994. After the installation of the first non-racial
democratic government, it stood as a symbol of freedom, peace and harmony
for the human race.
24 'We have, at last, achieved our political emancipation.' Explain the significance

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 of this statement.
Ans: This statement means that the black people of South Africa had
eventually won their freedom from oppressive laws like apartheid. Now, their
political rights and opportunities were the same as that of the whites.
25 What did Mandela say about the spectacular array of South African jets?
Ans: Presenting his observations about the performance of the military at the
inauguration ceremony, Mandela records that it was not only a display of
pinpoint precision and military force but was also a demonstration of the
military's loyalty to democracy and to a new government that had been
elected freely and fairly.
26 Why does Mandela observe that the generals of the South African defence
force and police would have arrested him not so many years ago?
Ans: Mandela makes this observation because these generals abided by the
rules of the apartheid regime before the non-racial democratic government
came to power. As per the laws of apartheid Mandela was an outlaw who
protested their racist and discriminatory rules. So he would have been
arrested by the generals.
27 Why does Mandela observe that the generals of the South African defence
force and police would have arrested him not so many years ago?
Ans: Mandela makes this observation because these generals abided by the
rules of the apartheid regime before the non-racial democratic government
came to power. As per the laws of apartheid Mandela was an outlaw who
protested their racist and discriminatory rules. So he would have been
arrested by the generals.
28 How does Mandela associate oppression with character?
Ans: Mandela believes that the deeper the oppression, the greater the height
of the character. To him, the character is strengthened by the challenges and
sufferings encountered by a person. Tougher the challenges, the stronger the
character.
29 Freedom is indivisible'. What did Mandela mean by these words?
Ans: Mandela used this expression to convey that the chains and bondage,
that enslaved anyone of his people, were the chains on all of them including
him. Freedom had to be brought to every citizen as all had an equal right for
an honourable existence.
30 Why was Mandela labelled a 'criminal'?
Ans: The desire for freedom of his people to live their lives with dignity and
self-respect emboldened Mandela. Earlier he was a law-abiding attorney but
later he defied the oppressive laws of the white rulers and was labelled a
'criminal'
LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (6 MARKS)

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1 Nelson Mandela was accompanied by his daughter Zenani to the
Amphitheatre of the Union Building for his oath-taking ceremony as the new
President of South Africa. Based on your understanding of the importance of
the ceremony, develop a conversation based on an imaginary event,
showcasing a conversation between Mandela and his daughter.
Ans.
Nelson Mandela: Zenani, it's such a big day for me and our nation. I am both
nervous and nostalgic at the same time.
Zenani: I can certainly understand dad. Today is the day we all have been
waiting for decades. We are proud to call you the 'first ever black President' of
the country who fought against cruel racial discrimination.
Nelson Mandela: Oh, dear Zenani! I can never forget the days that we all
spent in such harsh racial dominance.
Zenani: Dad! Today is the start of a new South Africa which is free of all
discrimination. Every citizen from now onwards will be getting equal rights.
So, don't let the dirty past ruin your beautiful present.
Nelson Mandela: You are right my child. But at the same time, we shall never
forget the sacrifices that our freedom fighters have done in the past. I am so
happy and proud to make their rebellion a victory.
Zenani: True dad. Cheers to the new South Africa!
2 Read the extracts given below and critically examine the difference in the
nature of the WOMEN governments of South Africa.
(A) 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.
(B) Now, in the last decade of the twentieth century, and my own eighth
decade as a man, that system had been overturned forever and replaced by
one that recognised the rights and freedoms of all peoples, regardless of the
colour of their skin.
Ans: In the first extract, the author talks about the racial government that
prevailed in the first decade of the twentieth century in South Africa while in
the other, he talks about the non-racial government that replaced the old
system of discriminating against people in the basis of the colour of their skin.
(A) In the first decade of the twentieth century, even before Mandela was
born, the racial government of the country used to discriminate against
people based on their skin tones. They harassed people with dark skin. Black
citizens were not equally treated as whites.
(B) In the last decade of the twentieth century, Mandela successfully changed
the racial to a non-racial democratic government that didn't discriminate

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 against people based on any ground. Every citizen was to be given an equal
right as the other, irrespective of his race or the colour of his skin.
Mandela compared the two governments of his nation where the former one
was based on racial discrimination and domination while the latter one was
totally democratic and just.
3 After having read the lesson on the oppression that communities faced in
South Africa, you were deeply hurt. You could also relate to the struggles and
hardships of millions of Indians who fought against the oppressive British rule.
Write a diary entry expressing your feelings about the oppression faced by
people in their homeland.
You may begin like this:
24 August 20XX, Monday 9:00 pm
My heart is filled with sadness as I think of the oppressed and how they
tolerate the inhuman attitude of the oppressors in their own land.
………………………
Ans. 24 August 20XX, Monday 9:00 pm
My heart is filled with sadness as I think of the oppressed and how they had
to tolerate the inhuman attitude of the oppressors in their own land. The
sufferings of people in South Africa reminded me of the same oppression that
the people of India faced when they were oppressed under British rule.
Indians were brutally deprived of all their riches, rights and freedom. They
weren't even allowed to raise a voice against that oppression. People were
treated like slaves in their own country. Due to that ill-treatment, people had
to suffer from drastic losses of physical and mental health. I wonder how
people fought against the oppressions and led to the freedom of their
respective countries. We should be grateful to them. It's because of those
freedom fighters that we live with utmost liberty in our homelands today.
Nelson Mandela
4 Mandela says "I learned that courage says was not the absence of fear, but
the triumph over it." Elaborate on the basis of your reading of 'Nelson
Mandela: Long walk to Freedom.' –
Ans. The decades of oppression and brutality by the white-skinned people of
South Africa against the blacks had an unintended effect on the lives of the
black people. It produced freedom fighters like Oliver Tambos, Walter Sisulus,
Chief Luthulis, Yusuf Dadoos, Bram Fischers and Robert Sobukwes. They were
men of great character but the cruelty turned them into ferocious freedom
fighters. They were extremely courageous people who took the lead to
eradicate racial discrimination from the country. Such 'extraordinary courage,
wisdom and generosity may never be known to the nation again. From those
men, Mandela learned that courage did not mean the absence of fear but the

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 victory over it. He believed that to be a brave man, one does not have to be
fearless but should have the capability of conquering fear by fighting against
injustice.
5 'It was not only a display of pinpoint precision and military force but a
demonstration of the military's loyalty to democracy, to a new government
that had been freely and fairly elected.' Evaluate how the military attitude
changed and why.
Ans. On the day of Mandela's inauguration ceremony, an impressive display of
South African jets, helicopters and troop carriers was seen after he took oath
as the first-ever black President of the nation. The highest of the military
generals saluted Mandela. This shows the change in the attitude of the
military generals as earlier in the reign of the 'apartheid' system, these
military officials arrested several 'outlaws' who fought against the oppressive
policies and domination of the whites in the country. However, when the
African National Congress came into power, the military officials showed
military loyalty to the new democratic government. The display of integrity
reflects the knowledge of the military about the power holders of the nation
had changed. They had to fulfil their constitutional responsibilities toward the
new government.
6 What do you think about the obligations which the author is talking about?
Also, describe his feelings for them.
Ans. In the chapter, the author has talked about two obligations for every
man. The first obligation is towards his family, parents, wife and children. The
second is towards his community and his country. Being a social person, one
has to fulfill these obligations. But being black in South Africa, a man was not
free to perform his obligations. He got punished if he tried to live as a human
being. When Mandela was a child, the author never thought of such an
obligation. But as he grew older and started thinking about them in his
oppressive society, he realised that he cannot fulfill them. In his attempt to
fulfill his duty to his people, community and nation, he was taken away from
his family and home. He had to live in secrecy. He could never fulfill his duty
towards his family as a son, a brother, a husband and a father. Mandela
couldn't enjoy the fulfillment of his twin obligations. However, he fought for
his people so that they could enjoy their freedom of performing their
personal as well as social duties.
7 Describe the value of freedom for 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'.
Ans. The value of freedom is better known to that human being who has not
enjoyed it till he gets it. A person, who is bounded within limits and not

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 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 bars for most of his life. Think about a bird or animal which is caged, as
it has the habit of living with full freedom, but in the cage, it is not free and its
condition is very pitiable. Similarly, life becomes 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. If a man
is free to do his duties, he can produce better results. An oppressed person
always commits mistakes and is unable to perform well, so freedom is
important for the growth of civilisation.
8 Why was Nelson Mandela overwhelmed with a sense of history? How did he
succeed in ending the apartheid regime in South Africa?
Ans. On the day of the inauguration, Mandela was overwhelmed with a sense
of history. After looking at the loyalty displayed by the armed force to the new
non-racial government, Mandela remembered how the same officers used to
imprison him. He remembered that in the first decade of the 20th century and
before his birth, the white-skinned people of South Africa came together and
created a system of racial discrimination against the dark-skinned people of
their own land. This system was one of the most inhumane and violent
systems that the world had ever seen. When Nelson realised that the black
people of his nation were not free, he joined African National Congress to
work for their freedom. Freedom for him became the freedom of the people
of his community to live with respect and dignity. To get it, he became a bold
criminal who had to spend 30 years in prison. To work for his country, he
could not do anything for his family. In the fight for freedom, he fights along
with many other courageous freedom fighters who even sacrificed their lives
for the cause. As a result, after long years of struggles, the black African
people became free and a non-racial government was set up in South Africa.
9 Why was Nelson Mandela overwhelmed with a sense of history? How did he
succeed in ending the apartheid regime in South Africa?
Ans. Mandela was overwhelmed with a sense of history because, in the first
decade of the twentieth century which was even before his own birth, the
white-skinned people of South Africa patched up their differences and
erected a system of racial domination against the dark-skinned people of their
own land. But now, in the last decade of the twentieth century, and his own
eighth decade as a man, that system had been overturned forever and
replaced by the one that recognised the rights and freedoms of all people,
regardless of the colour of their skin. Nelson Mandela set the ideals of
liberating people from the bondage of poverty, deprivation and suffering. He
had also set the ideal for a society where there would be no discrimination

Prepared by: Mr. Remin Paulson & Ms. Rajasry Viswanathan H.O.D.: Mr. Deepak D. Hariharan
 based on the gender or racial origin of the person.
10 Do you think there is discrimination based on caste and colour of skin in our
country? If yes, suggest ways to eradicate it.
Ans. Yes, there is discrimination in our country based not only on caste and
colour of the skin but also on gender. The caste system is an age-old practice
put in place in ancient society demarcating the people based on the work they
did. For ages, people of lower caste have been treated without dignity and
compassion. Often, the treatment meted out to low caste humans was worse
than the treatment of animals. Though in modern times, this has decreased
considerably, people still harbour feelings of caste supremacy. Gender
discrimination is also prevalent and so is the difference in treatment based on
our skin colour. All these can be eradicated by education. Higher rates of
literacy will ensure no discrimination in our society. There will be the dignity
of labours and all people will be treated equally as our constitution has
prescribed.
11 ‘The oppressed and the oppressor alike are robbed of their humanity.’ Discuss
in the context of the essay ‘Long Walk to Freedom’.
Ans. Nelson Mandela in his essay, writes that according to him, like the
oppressed, the oppressor too is not free. He says that the oppressed don’t
have basic rights; there is no dignity of life, only subjugation, cruelty and
slavery. However, even the oppressor is not free. He says that the oppressor
is also a slave of his hatred. When a person does something, he himself does
not want to do but is pressurised due to his beliefs, he is a slave to those
beliefs. He is not free as well. A man who takes away another man’s freedom
is a prisoner of hatred; he is locked behind the bars of prejudice and
narrowmindedness. He says that one is not truly free if one takes away
someone else’s freedom, just as surely as one is not free when one’s freedom
is taken away.
12 "Man's goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished"? Why
does Mandela say this? During his time in prison, what reassured Mandela
that man's goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished?
Ans: Nelson Mandela had unflinching faith in the goodness of man. He
believed that it was like a glowing flame that could perhaps be kept hidden
but could never be extinguished. He understood and acknowledged this value
of man when he was kept confined as a political prisoner along with his
comrades. He observed that even in the grimmest times in prison when he
and his fellow freedom fighters were pushed to their limits, a glimmer of
humanity would flicker momentarily in one of the guards. This was enough to
assure Mandela that the goodness of man could not be extinguished and he
continued to fight for his rights. He admired this 'flame' and kept going on to

Prepared by: Mr. Remin Paulson & Ms. Rajasry Viswanathan H.O.D.: Mr. Deepak D. Hariharan
 face adversities, overcome suppression and eventually win liberation for his
brothers. He knew that love comes more naturally to the human heart than
hate. Therefore, man's goodness could never be wiped off. Sooner or later, it
would glow like a flame and spread its brightness in human lives.

Prepared by: Mr. Remin Paulson & Ms. Rajasry Viswanathan H.O.D.: Mr. Deepak D. Hariharan