CBSE Class 10 English Chapter 2 Nelson Mandela Long Walk to Freedom Question Answers (Important) from First Flight Book
Class 10 English Nelson Mandela Question Answers – Looking for Nelson Mandela Long Walk To Freedom important question answers for CBSE Class 10 English First Flight Book Chapter 2? Look no further! Our comprehensive compilation of important questions will help you brush up on your subject knowledge. Practising Class 10 English question answers can significantly improve your performance in the board exam. Our NCERT solutions provide a clear idea of how to write the answers effectively. Improve your chances of scoring high marks by exploring Chapter 2: Nelson Mandela – Long Walk To Freedom question answers now. The questions listed below are based on the latest CBSE exam pattern, wherein we have given NCERT solutions to the chapter’s extract based questions, multiple choice questions, short answer questions, and long answer questions.
Also, practicing with different kinds of questions can help students learn new ways to solve problems that they may not have seen before. This can ultimately lead to a deeper understanding of the subject matter and better performance on exams.
- Nelson Mandela: Long walk to Freedom NCERT Solutions
- Nelson Mandela: Long walk to Freedom Grammar Exercises
- Nelson Mandela: long walk to freedom Extract Based Questions
- Nelson Mandela Short Answer Questions
- Class 10 Chapter 2 Nelson Mandela Long Answer Questions
Related:
- Class 10 Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom Summary, Explanation
- Nelson Mandela: Long walk to Freedom Character sketches
- Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom MCQs
- See Video of Nelson Mandela – Long Walk to Freedom Important Questions
Nelson Mandela Class 10 NCERT Solutions
1. Where did the ceremonies take place? Can you name any public buildings in India that are made of sandstone?
A. The ceremonies took place in an amphitheatre which was formed by Union Buildings in Pretoria. In India, we have many public buildings made of sandstone, some of which are Rashtrapati Bhavan, Red Fort and the Supreme Court of India in New Delhi.
2. Can you say how 10 May is an ‘autumn day’ in South Africa?
A. Since South Africa lies in the Southern Hemisphere, we can say that May falls in the autumn season.
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?
A. By “an extraordinary human disaster”, Mandela is referring to the apartheid system that was prevalent in South Africa under the previous leadership. People of colour were treated unfairly and no human being deserves that. He stood against the unjust practices and finally won the democratic elections to become the first black President of South Africa. He refers to this win as “glorious human achievement”.
4. What does Mandela thank the international leaders for?
A. The author thanked the international leaders for joining and supporting them in their victory of freedom, justice and human dignity. Earlier, many nations had cut ties with South Africa because of their practice of apartheid.
5. What ideals does he set out for the future of South Africa?
A. As the newly elected President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela wanted to liberate the country of all the unjust practices. He set out ideals for a country which was free of poverty, discrimination and injustice.
6. What do the military generals do? How has their attitude changed, and why?
A. The military generals saluted Nelson Mandela and promised their support to the newly formed democratic government of South Africa. Their attitude has changed because earlier they were under the ruke of the white supremacy. During that rule, they would have arrested Mandela as he was considered to be a criminal. Now, with the abolition of Apartheid and the formation of a democratic government, their attitude has also changed.
7. Why were two national anthems sung?
A. The two national anthems, one of the Blacks and other of the Whites were sung symbolising equality and respect for the entire community irrespective of their colour.
8. 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?
A. (i) In the first decade of the twentieth century, white supremacy created a system of racial domination and made life a living hell for the dark-skinned people. Mandela referred it as one of the “harshest, inhumane societies” of the world.
(ii) In the final decade of the twentieth century, the system of apartheid has been changed into one that recognises all humans as equal regardless of their colour, race or gender.
9. What does courage mean to Mandela?
A. To Mandela, “courage” does not mean the absence of fear, but the victory over it. A man who is courageous is the one who has overcome his fear to fight all the odds.
10. Which does he think is natural, to love or to hate?
A. He believes love comes more naturally to humans as opposed to hate. No one is born with hatred in his heart for another.
11. What “twin obligations” does Mandela mention?
A. According to Mandela, every person has “twin obligations”, one towards his family and the other, towards his society.
12. 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”?
A. As a young boy, and a student, Mandela’s idea of freedom was to be able to stay out at night, read whatever he desired and go wherever he chose. On growing up as a man, he realised that these were “transitory freedoms” he was looking for because their “basic and honorable freedoms” had been taken away. There was no liberty to have a peaceful marriage, family and life. Dark-skinned people were deprived of their fundamental human rights. For them, freedom was an “illusion”.
13. Does Mandela think the oppressor is free? Why/Why not?
A. According to Mandela, the oppressor is as much a prisoner as the oppressed. As soon as the former robs the oppressed of their freedom he, himself gets robbed of his humanity. Thus, he thinks that the oppressor too, is not free.
14. Why did such a large number of international leaders attend the inauguration? What did it signify the triumph of?
A. At the inauguration ceremony, there were a large number of international leaders to celebrate the end of apartheid system and to display their support for South Africa. It signified 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 had gone before him?
A. Mandela wanted to thank the generations before him who had fought for justice. He gathered his courage from these brave heroes and it is because of that, he fought fearlessly for what is right. Thus, he referred to himself as “simply the sum of all those African patriots” that had gone before him.
16. 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?
A. Yes, I agree that “depths of oppression” create “heights of character”. Mandela illustrated this idea by the example of all those who had emerged as great freedom fighters after years of oppression and brutality. Though unintended, effect of all this was men with extraordinary courage and strength. One of the greatest examples is of our own country, where our people were exploited under British rule for about 200 years. As a result of the oppression of such magnitude, India got freedom fighters like Bhagat Singh and Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru.
17. How did Mandela’s understanding of freedom change with age and experience?
A. As a young boy, and a student, Mandela’s idea of freedom was to be able to stay out at night, read whatever he desired and go wherever he chose. On growing up as a man, he realised that these were “transitory freedoms” he was looking for because their “basic and honourable freedoms” had been taken away. There was no liberty to have a peaceful marriage, family and life. Dark-skinned people were deprived of their fundamental human rights. For them, freedom was an “illusion”.
18. How did Mandela’s ‘hunger for freedom’ change his life?
A. Once Mandela realized his hunger for freedom, his life changed forever. It transformed him from a family-man to a man of his people and a frightened young man into a bold one. He built his entire life around fighting for the basic fundamental rights for his community. He was more selfless and virtuous than ever.
Nelson Mandela Long Walk to Freedom Grammar Exercises
Make a list of pairs of noun and verb.
| NOUN | VERB |
| Rebellion | Rebel |
| Constitution | Constitute |
Answer.
| NOUN | VERB |
|
Rebellion |
Rebel |
|
Constitution |
Constitute |
|
Formation |
Form |
|
Government |
Govern |
|
Obligation |
Oblige |
|
Transformation |
Transform |
|
Discrimination |
Discriminate |
|
Deprivation |
Deprive |
|
Demonstration |
Demonstrate |
|
Oppression |
Oppress |
|
Imagination |
Imagine |
Read the paragraph below. Fill in the blanks with the noun forms of the verbs in brackets.
Martin Luther King’s __________ (contribute) to our history as an outstanding leader began when he came to the __________ (assist) of Rosa Parks, a seamstress who refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger. In those days American Blacks were confined to positions of second class citizenship by restrictive laws and customs. To break these laws would mean __________ (subjugate) and __________ (humiliate) by the police and the legal system. Beatings, __________ (imprison) and sometimes death awaited those who defied the System. Martin Luther King’s tactics of protest involved non-violent __________ (resist) to racial injustice.
Answers-
Martin Luther King’s contribution (contribute) to our history as an outstanding leader began when he came to the assistance (assist) of Rosa Parks, a seamstress who refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger. In those days American Blacks were confined to positions of second class citizenship by restrictive laws and customs. To break these laws would mean subjugation (subjugate) and humiliation (humiliate) by the police and the legal system. Beatings, imprisonment (imprison) and sometimes death awaited those who defied the System. Martin Luther King’s tactics of protest involved non-violent resistance (resist) to racial injustice.
Here are some more examples of ‘the’ used with proper names. Try to say what these sentences mean. (You may consult a dictionary if you wish. Look at the entry for ‘the’.)
1. Mr Singh regularly invites the Amitabh Bachchans and the Shah Rukh Khans to his parties.
2. Many people think that Madhuri Dixit is the Madhubala of our times.
3. History is not only the story of the Alexanders, the Napoleons and the Hitlers, but of ordinary people as well.
Answers-
-
-
- This means that Mr. Singh regularly invites famous personalities like Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan to his parties.
- This means Madhuri Dixit is such a great actress that she is worthy of being called the legendary actress Madhubala of present times.
- This means that History not only consists of famous people like Alexanders, Napoleons and Hitler, but also of ordinary people.
-
Match the italicised phrases in Column A with the phrase nearest in meaning in Column B. (Hint: First look for the sentence in the text in which the phrase in Column A occurs.)
| A | B |
| 1. I was not unmindful of the fact | (i) had not forgotten; was aware of the fact (ii) was not careful about the fact (iii) forgot or was not aware of the fact |
| 2. when my comrades and I were pushed to our limits | (i) pushed by the guards to the wall (ii) took more than our share of beatings (iii) felt that we could not endure the suffering any longer |
| 3. to reassure me and keep me going | (i) make me go on walking (ii) help me continue to live in hope in this very difficult situation (iii) make me remain without complaining |
| 4. the basic and honourable freedoms of…earning my keep,… | (i) earning enough money to live on (ii) keeping what I earned (iii) getting a good salary |
Answer
| A | B |
| 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 |
(iii) felt that we could not endure the suffering any longer |
| 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 honourable freedoms of…earning my keep,… |
(i) earning enough money to live on |
Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom – Extract Based Questions
Extract-based questions are of the multiple-choice variety, and students must select the correct option for each question by carefully reading the passage.
A. Read the given extract and answer the questions that follow:
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 Oliver Tambos, Walter Sisulus, Chief Luthulis, etc., men of such extraordinary courage, wisdom and generosity that their like may never be known again.
1. Whom does ‘my’ refer to in the passage?
A. Chief Luthulis
B. Nelson Mandela
C. Oliver Tambos
D. Walter Sisulus
Ans B. Nelson Mandela
2. Who were the people of extraordinary courage, wisdom and generosity?
A. Oliver Tambos
B. Walter Sisulus
C. Chief Luthulis
D. All of them
Ans D. All of them
3. From the passage, find one word which means ‘a period of ten years’.
A. apartheid
B. profound
C. unintended
D. decades
Ans D. decades
4. What created a lasting wound in Nelson’s country?
A. Unintended effect
B. Policy of apartheid
C. Oppression
D. Brutality
Ans B. Policy of apartheid
Class 10 Nelson Mandela Important Question Answers Video
B Read the given extract and answer the questions that follow:
Tenth May dawned bright and clear. For the past few days, had been pleasantly besieged by dignitaries and world leaders who were coming to pay their respects before the Inauguration. The inauguration would be the largest gathering ever of international leaders on South African soil. The ceremonies took place in the lovely sandstone amphitheatre formed by the Union Buildings in Pretoria. For decades this had been the seat of white supremacy, and now it was the site of a rainbow gathering of different colours and nations for the installation of South Africa’s first democratic, non-racial government.
1. When was the installation day of South Africa’s first democratic, non-racial government?
A. 10th June
B. 10th August
C. 10th April
D. 10th May
Ans D. 10th May
2. Which ceremony is referred to in the paragraph?
A. Prize distribution
B. Installation
C. Inauguration
D. Republic Day
Ans C. Inauguration
3. Which word in the passage means the same as ‘Placement of person in office with ceremony’?
A. installation
B. inauguration
C. gathering
D. None
Ans A. installation
4. Where did the ceremonies take place?
A. Open ground
B. President house
C. Sandstone amphitheatre
Ans C. Sandstone amphitheatre
C Read the given extract and answer the questions that follow:
No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin or his background or his religion.
People must learn to hate and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite. Even in the grimmest times in prison, when my comrades and were pushed to our limits, I would see a glimmer of humanity in one of the guards, perhaps just for a second, but it was enough to reassure me and keep me going. Man’s goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished.
1. What comes more naturally to the human heart than any other emotion?
A. hate
B. anxiety
C. love
D. anger
Ans C. love
2. According to Mandela, Man’s ________ is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished.
A. goodness
B. kindness
C. smartness
D. understanding
Ans A. goodness
3. Trace a word from the passage that means “Severe”.
A. comrades
B. humanity
C. grimmest
D. extinguished
Ans C. grimmest
4. In the passage, man’s goodness is compared to what?
A. hate
B. grimmest
C. humanity
D. flame
Ans D. flame
D Read the given extract and answer the questions that follow:
Perhaps it requires such depths of oppression to create such heights of character. My country is rich in the minerals and gems that lie beneath its soil, but have always known that its greatest wealth is its people, finer and truer than the purest diamonds.
1. Whose country is referred to here?|
A. Nelson Mandela
B. George Washington
C. Mahatma Gandhi
D. Martin Luther King
Ans A. Nelson Mandela
2. What is a country’s greatest wealth?
A. its economy
B. its infrastructure
C. its people
D. its resources
Ans C. its people
3. The minerals and gems are compared to whom?
A. Diamonds
B. Wealth
C. Resources
D. People
Ans D. People
4. Mention the synonym of ‘Valuable stones’ in the passage?
A. Minerals
B. Diamonds
C. Gems
D. Soil
Ans C. Gems
E Read the given extract and answer the questions that follow:
“We have at last, achieved our political emancipation”. We pledge ourselves to liberate all our people from the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discrimination.
1. Who is the speaker?
A. Sisulus
B. Chief Luthulis
C. Oliver Tambos
D. Nelson Mandela
Ans D. Nelson Mandela
2. What have they at last achieved?
A. political recognition
B.political name
C. political emancipation
D. political fame
Ans C. political emancipation
3. Trace a word from the passage that means “a formal promise”.
A. pledge
B. promise
C. swear
D. agree
Ans A. pledge
4. Where is the pledge taken by Nelson Mandela?
A. United States of America
B. South Africa
C. Africa
D. United Kingdom
Ans B. South Africa
F Read the given extract and answer the questions that follow:
In life, every man has twin obligations- obligations to his family, to his parents, to his wife and children; and he has an obligation to his people, his community, his country. In a civil and humane society, each man is able to fulfil those obligations according to his own inclinations and abilities. But in a country like South Africa, it was almost impossible for a man of my birth and colour to fulfil both of those obligations. In South Africa, a man of colour who attempted to live as a human being was punished and isolated.
1. What are the obligations that every man has in his life?
A. nature and his family.
B. family and friends.
C. his family and his country.
D. God and his family.
Ans B. family and friends.
2. Why was it impossible for a coloured man to discharge his obligations in South Africa?
A. he would be punished and isolated.
B. he would face many obstacles.
C. he would be killed.
D. his family members would be killed.
Ans A. he would be punished and isolated.
3. What does it mean by the phrase ‘a man of my birth’?
A. a person who is born in a royal family.
B. that the person was born in an educated family.
C. that the person was born in an uneducated family.
D. that the person was born in a poor and humble family.
Ans D. that the person was born in a poor and humble family.
4. What is the adjective form of ‘punished’?
A. punish
B. punishing
C. his family and his country
D. punishment
Ans D. punishment
G Read the given extract 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 town soil. We thank all 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. We have, at last, achieved our political emancipation. We pledge ourselves to liberate all our people from the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discrimination.
1. What does the phrase ‘rare privilege’ mean here?
A. the opportunity of winning the first Olympic gold medal.
B. the rare privilege to host the nations of the world.
C.the rare privilege where a black person become the president of South Africa.
D. the rare privilege to meet the important leaders of the world.
Ans B. the rare privilege to host the nations of the world.
2. Why does Mandela thank the gathering?
A. for helping him become the president of South Africa.
B. for gracing the occasion to celebrate his country’s victory of justice, peace and human dignity.
C.for voting for him in the elections and helping him win the elections.
D. for helping him in taking his country towards the path of progress.
Ans B. for gracing the occasion to celebrate his country’s victory of justice, peace and human dignity.
3. What have the people of this country achieved?
A. Happiness, joy and prosperity.
B. wisdom, good luck and richness of culture.
C. a common victory for justice, peace and human dignity.
D. success in educational, economic and political field.
Ans B. wisdom, good luck and richness of culture.
4. Give a word similar in meaning to ‘a special right’ from the passage.
A. Deprivation
B. Discrimination
C. bondage
D. privilege
Ans D. privilege
H A few moments later we all lifted our eyes in awe as a spectacular array of South African jets, helicopters and troop carriers roared in perfect formation over the Union Buildings. 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. Only moments before, the highest generals of the South African defence force and police, their chests bedecked with ribbons and medals from days gone by, saluted me and pledged their loyalty. I was not unmindful of the fact that not so many years before they would not have saluted but arrested me. Finally a chevron of Impala jets left a smoke trail of the black, red, green, blue and gold of the new South African flag.
1 Choose a word from the extract which is a synonym of “accurate”
Ans. Pinpoint / precision
2 Choose a word from the extract which is a synonym of “decorated”
Ans. Bedecked
3 Which of the following images best represents “chevron”?
Ans. C
4. Why did the Impala jets leave a smoke trail of black, red, green, blue and gold colours?
Ans. They left a smoke of these colours because these are the colours of the South African flag.
I The day was symbolised for me by the playing of our two national anthems, and the vision of whites singing ‘Nkosi Sikelel –iAfrika’ and blacks singing ‘Die Stem’, the old anthem of the Republic. Although that day neither group knew the lyrics of the anthem they once despised, they would soon know the words by heart.
1 Which of the following statement can be inferred from the extract –
a.‘Nkosi Sikelel –iAfrika’ was the anthem of the blacks
b.‘Die Stem’ was the old anthem established by the whites
c.Both a and b
d.None of these
Ans. c
2 Why does Mandela say that the two groups did not know the lyrics of the anthem they once despised but they would soon know the words by heart?
Ans. Earlier, the blacks and whites were enemies, so, they despised the anthem of the other. However, that day, the first democratic government was formad and apartheid was abolished. So, now they would know the anthems of the other race and would gradually learn the words by heart.
Class 10 English Nelson Mandela Short Question Answers (including questions from Previous Years Question Papers)
In this post we are also providing important short answer questions from the chapter Nelson Mandela for CBSE Class 10 Boards in the coming session. These questions have been taken from previous years class 10 Board exams and the year is mentioned in the bracket along with the question.
Q1. What did Mandela realise?
Ans: Mandela realised that there was no freedom in South Africa for anyone who looked like him. He realized that his boyhood freedom was an illusion and he was not free to fulfil his obligations towards his family and his people.
Q2. Why was Mandela pained?
Ans: Mandela was pained when he thought about all the courageous men who had struggled and fought for this day. They were not present on the occasion but it was their effort which had gained freedom for the people.
Q3. What ideals did Mandela set out for the future of South Africa in his speech?
Ans: Mandela set out ideals for the future of South Africa because he had deep feelings for his country and countrymen. He pledged to liberate all the people from poverty, deprivation and discrimination.
Q4. How according to Mandela had apartheid policy affected South Africa?
Ans: Apartheid policy had affected South Africa deeply. It had created a deep and lasting wound in the country and its people. It will take a long time to heal this wound.
Q5. What did Mandela think about the oppressor and the oppressed?
Ans: Mandela thought about the oppressor and the oppressed that both are robbed equally. A mail who takes away another man’s freedom is a prisoner of hatred. In the same way, if his freedom is taken away, they both are without freedom. So both of them must be liberated.
Q6. What, according to Mandela, is true-freedom?
Ans: According to Mandela, true freedom means freedom not to be obstructed in leading a lawful life.
Q7. How did hunger for freedom change Mandela’s life?
Ans: In the beginning of his life, Mandela was not aware about freedom Later, Mandela found that his freedom had been taken away from him. As a student, he wanted freedom only for himself but slowly his own freedom became the greater hunger for the freedom of his people. This changed him completely.
Q8. What are the ‘twin obligations’ referred to by Nelson Mandela?
OR
Nelson Mandela speaks of ‘twin obligations’. Elucidate. (CBSE SQP 2019-20)
Ans: According to Nelson Mandela, every man has two obligations in life. The first obligation is to his family, to his parents, wife and children. Secondly, he has an obligation to his country, people, and community.
Q9. Could a man, according to Mandela, fulfil these twin obligations in a country like South Africa?
Ans: No, these twin obligations could not be fulfilled by a man, in a country like South Africa, according to Mandela it was because a man of dark colour who attempted just to live as a human being was punished and isolated in the country.
Q10. What is the meaning of courage to Mandela?
OR
Who, according to Nelson Mandela, is a courageous man? (CBSE SQP 2020-21)
OR
Mandela feels that courage is triumph over fear. How would you define courage in this context? (CBSE QUESTION BANK)
Ans: According to Mandela, courage was not the absence of fear, but triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear. Mandela learned the true meaning of courage from his comrades in the struggle.
Q11. What was unique in the inauguration ceremony?
Ans: The inauguration ceremony took place in the amphitheatre formed by the Union Buildings in Pretoria. For decades, this had been the seat of white supremacy. Now it was the oath taking ceremony day for South Africa’s first democratic, non racial government. It was really a unique occasion.
Q12. Describe the inauguration ceremony in simple words?
Ans: It was the day of 10th May, 1994. The first democratic/non-racial government was to be installed. Dignitaries from different countries participated in the ceremony South African men women and children of all races were present there.
Q13. What promises did Mandela make to his people in the gath-taking speech?
Ans: In the oath-taking speech, Mandela promised that the country shall not again experience the oppression of one by another.
Q14. What did Mandela say about the future of the country in his speech?
Ans: In his speech, Nelson Mandela said. “I see a bright future for the country. Now no one will experience oppression by another, it will make much progress. All people shall be free to do what they like.
Q15. How did South African jets, helicopters and troops demonstrate?
Ans: It was a very special day for all South African jets, helicopters and troop carriers roared in perfect formation. They flew over the Linion Buildings. It was a show of the military’s loyalty to the country and its democracy.
Q16. What did the generals and police officers do on that day?
Ans: The generals and police officers were also there. They were in their uniform. They had ribbons and medals: on their chests. They saluted Mandela with great respect. Mandela was the first black President of South Africa Although many years ago, they might have arrested him.
Q17. What were the two anthems sung on the day of the oath-taking ceremony?
Ans: On the day of the oath taking ceremony, the two anthems were sung: Nkosi Sikelel–Afrika was for the whites and Die steny was for the blacks. Die stem was the old anthem of the country.
Q18. Whose names were particularly taken by Mandela in the inauguration ceremony?
Ans: In the inauguration ceremony, Mandela announced the names of Oliver Tamboo, Walter Sisulus, Chief Luthuli, Yusuf Dadoo, Bram Fisher and Robert Sobukwes. These men were of extraordinary courage and wisdom.
Q19. Describe Mandela’s life journey from a prisoner to the first black President of South Africa.
Ans: Nelson Mandela did a life-long struggle against the racial discrimination in South Africa. He had to spend many years of his life as a prisoner in the jail. At last the first democratic elections were held in South Africa His party won 252 seats out of 400 and he became the first black President of South Africa.
Q20. What is the greatest wealth of a nation in Mandela’s opinion?
OR
Mandela says that his country’s greatest wealth is its people and not the purest diamonds. Justify his statement. (CBSE QUESTION BANK)
Ans: In Mandela’s opinion, the greatest wealth of a nation is not minerals and gems but its good and honest people.
Q21. What difficulties did Mandela face in his life?
Ans: Mandela had to face many difficulties in his life: He had to leave his house to fulfil his duty to his people. In the prison, he was treated very badly.
Q22. Why were two national anthems sung?
Ans: It was an occasion of installing the first democratic non-racial government which was formed by both the whites and the blacks. Both had their different anthems In order to give equal honour and recognition both the national anthems were sung.
Q23. 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 Union Buildings amphitheatre in Pretoria. Hawa Mahal in Jaipur and Fatehpur Sikri are the buildings in India made of sandstone.
Q24. Can you say how 10 May is an autumn day in South Africa?
Ans: Tenth May, being an autumn day, in South Africa has a symbolic meaning. In the season of autumn, all the old leaves fall from the tree and give birth to new ones in the same way, old racial government had given way to the new anti-racial democratic government in South Africa. It was the beginning of a new era.
Q25. 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: At the beginning of his speech, Mandela mentions an extraordinary human disaster: it was the policy of apartheid in South Africa. People were the victims of racial discrimination. Now they have achieved freedom. They will never be oppressed. It was the end of the most inhuman system of the government. He calls it a glorious human achievement.
Q26. What ideals does he set out for the future of South Africa?
Ans: Nelson Mandela sets out many ideals for the future of South Africa. He says that all the people will be free from poverty, deprivation and discrimination. They will never experience oppression by others.
Q27. What do the military generals do? How has their attitude changed, and why?
Ans: They obey their masters. They acted under the orders of the whites so far. Today they had shown their loyalty to democracy. Earlier they arrested Mandela. Today they showed their loyalty to him by saluting him. There was a change in the system. The newly elected non-racial democratic government had changed their (military generals) attitude. Now they were not the servants of the whites. They were now in the service of their own people.
Q28. What does Mandela mean when he says “he is simply the sum of all those African patriots” who had gone before him?
Ans: Mandela’s hunger for freedom forced him to join the African National Congress to eradicate the system of apartheid. Before him thousands of the patriots had sacrificed their lives. Mandela does not take the entire credit. He calls himself simply the sum of all those African patriots who had laid the path towards the achievement of success He continued the movement started by them. He was only a part of that movement.
Q29. Based on your reading of the lesson, what can you infer about Mandela as a father and as a leader? (CBSE QUESTION BANK)
Ans. Mandela was a devoted parent. He wanted to give his family everything. Also, he was a superb leader. He felt for every citizen of his country. He therefore sacrificed his family in order to advance the cause of his countrymen’s liberation.
Q30. If you were in Mandela’s position, would you have given preference to your family or your country? Why? (CBSE QUESTION BANK)
Ans. Family matters just as much as one’s nation. I’d have made an effort to strike a balance between the two. I don’t believe that leaving one’s family is a noble deed.
Class 10 Nelson Mandela Long Answer Questions Lesson 2
Q1. Discuss the scene of the inauguration ceremony? Who took the oath in the ceremony? Why is the inauguration called a historic occasion for South Africa?
Ans: It was the bright and clear day of 10th May, 1994. The inauguration ceremony took place in the Union Buildings amphitheatre in Pretoria. The most famous world leaders and representatives gathered there. The generals and police officers were also there. They had medals and ribbons on their chests. South African jets, helicopters and troop carriers roared in perfect formation over the Union Buildings. First of all Mr. de Klerk, then Thabo Mbeki and then Nelson Mandela took the oath.
The inauguration can be called a historic occasion for South Africa as on this day the first democratic government was installed. At the end of more than three centuries of the white rule Nelson Mandela became the first Black President of South Africa.
Q2. What were Mandela’s opinions about the first and last decades of the twentieth century? Why does he say on the day of the inauguration that he was overwhelmed with a sense of history?
Ans: On the day of the inauguration, the speaker’s mind went back to history. He remembered the first decade, when the whites ruled over South Africa and they made a discrimination against the blacks. They built a system of racial discrimination against the blacks. Their behaviour was full of cruelty. They meted out inhuman treatment to the blacks.
But now in the last decade of this century, this cruel system was overturned. Now a new system replaced it. It was the first democratic government of South Africa. Now there will be no discrimination on the basis of colour. On the day of the inauguration Mandela was overwhelmed with a sense of history because in the first decade of the twentieth century and before his 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. 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 one that recognised the rights and freedoms of all peoples, regardless of the colour of their skin.
Q3. What does Mandela think about the patriots? Can they be repaid?
Ans: Nelson Mandela thinks that freedom and democratic government have all come only due to the great sacrifices of thousands of patriots. They were those men who did not care about their lives and died for their people and country. They can’t be repaid. He thinks of himself as the sum of all those who had sacrificed their lives. Now he regrets that he was not able to thank them. According to Mandela, the policy of apartheid greatly wounded the people. It was hard to recover. It would take much time. These great patriots were Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, Luthuli, Dadoo, Fischer, Sobukwe, etc.
Q4. What ideas does Mandela have about courage, love and hate?
Ans: According to Mandela, he learnt the meaning of courage from his comrades. They struggled very hard for the freedom of the country. They did not care for their lives. They sacrificed everything for their people and country. They did not break before the brutality of the oppressors. They showed their full strength So Mandela learned courage from them. To him, courage means not the absence of fear but the victory over it. The brave man is one who conquers fear. No man is born hating another man due to colour or religion. Love comes more naturally to the human heart than hate. According to Mandela, both the oppressor and the oppressed are the prisoners of hatred. No one can become happy after taking away another’s freedom.
Q5. What ideas did we get about freedom, the oppressor and the oppressed from this lesson? How did Nelson Mandela get hunger for freedom?
Ans: According to Mandela, both the oppressor and the oppressed need freedom. Not only the oppressed are without freedom, but also the oppressor. He is the prisoner of hatred, only his level of thinking encourages him to snatch others freedom. It is all due to his narrow mindedness. It is an obvious idea that the oppressed have no freedom Nelson Mandela had hunger for freedom, when he knew that his freedom had been snatched. His idea for freedom was an illusion. He saw that his brothers and sisters were without freedom. His hunger for freedom encouraged him to join the African National Congress.
Q6. What differences came in Mandela’s opinion about the meaning of freedom, when he was a little boy and when he became young?
Ans: There were many differences in Mandela’s opinion about the meaning of freedom, when he was a little boy and when he became young. While he was a little boy, the meaning of freedom was to run in the fields and to swim in the streams.
When he became young, he realized that his freedom was an illusion. When he was a child, he measured freedom only on limited parameters such as, roasting meals, riding on the backs of slow moving bull as a little child, reading whatever he wanted and staying up late at night as a teenager, but later on, he realized that he was being selfish. He came to know that he and everybody who looked like him were not free and their freedom was being curtailed, they were facing discrimination and brutality by the whites. It was then that he realized that his boyhood freedom was just an illusion and that he had to fight for the collective freedom of his community and his country.
Now he had realised that not only his freedom, but also others’ freedom had been seized. So he felt a hunger for freedom now. He wanted all the people of his country to live with self-respect. They must do what they liked
Q7. What are two obligations that Mandela described in this lesson? What was the reason that he was not able to fulfil those obligations?
OR
Nelson Mandela described twin obligations for a man. Do you agree with these obligations? Do you think that every person should fulfil these obligations in real life?
OR
Nelson Mandela speaks of ‘twin obligations’. Elucidate. (CBSE SQP 2020-21)
Ans: In the lesson, Mandela described two obligations that everyone had to perform. One obligation is for the family, children and wife and second obligation is for the country and community But due to apartheid policy in South Africa, Mandela was not able to fulfil his obligation. Although men could fulfil these obligations according to their capacities and abilities. But in South Africa it was impossible for the blacks. When Mandela tried to fulfil them for his family, he was cut off from his family. He was forced to live the life of separation. When he tried to serve his country, he was put into prison. Thus, Mandela was not able to fulfil his obligations.
Q8. Create a questionnaire of two most important questions that you would have liked to ask Nelson Mandela during an interview. Give your reasons for choosing those questions.
Ans. 1. How did you get involved in the fight for freedom?
2. Did you feel bad about leaving your family behind to serve your nation?
I want to know the thought that hit Mandela and gave him tremendous strength, therefore I’m asking these questions. Also, I believe that leaving his family was a bad choice.
Q9. India is a country of unity in diversity-there are different languages, traditions, dresses, castes and cultures. Do you find any sort of discrimination in India?
Ans: India is a very big country. It has different languages, traditions, dresses, castes and cultures. Even then India has unity in diversity. Its Constitution gives equality to every citizen. There is no place for colour prejudice in it. In India everyone has a right to get education, to appear in competitions and to live at any place. There is no discrimination among Indians on the basis of caste, creed and colour. Indians can live in any state and they can marry in any caste. There is no colour discrimination in India.
Q10. How did Mandela’s hunger for freedom change his life?
Ans: Nelson Mandela was not born with a hunger to be free. With time and experience he discovered that boyhood freedom was only an illusion. He found that as a young mem his freedom had already been taken away from him. His people and community were denied the fundamental right of living a dignified life.
This made him hungry for freedom. He joined the African National Congress. This desire for freedom transformed him from a frightened young man into a bold one, a law-abiding person to a criminal, a family- loving person to a man without a home. This desire forced a life-loving man to live the life of a monk.
Q11. “One was not born with a hunger to be free.” What was the result of his hunger for freedom?
Ans: When Nelson Mandela was a young boy, he didn’t know anything about freedom. His hunger for freedom began when he saw his people being punished under the policy of apartheid. It was clear to him that his boyhood freedom was just an illusion. Then he had come to know that he and his countrymen had no freedom.
They could not say anything freely, Now Mandela’s hunger for freedom had increased. Although, as a student, he wanted freedom only for himself but after growing up, he started to think maturely about freedom. He saw that in South Africa everybody’s freedom was curtailed. Thus the result of his hunger for freedom was the freedom of the country.
Q12. What does courage mean to Mandela? How did he learn the meaning of courage? What do you get about courage, love and hate from this chapter?
Ans: In this chapter, Nelson Mandela says that he learnt the meaning of courage from the comrades. They were freedom fighters. They did not care about their lives: He had seen those people who had sacrificed their life for the country.
He learnt that courage was not the absence of fear, but triumph over it. In other words, the brave man is one who conquers fear. In Mandela’s opinion, no man is born to hate another man on the basis of skin, colour or religion: Love comes more naturally to the human heart than from its opposite Both the oppressor and the oppressed are the prisoners of hatred. They take away each other’s freedom.
Q13. Why did such a large number of international leaders attend the inauguration? What did it signify the triumph of?
Ans: A large number of international leaders attended the Installation ceremony of the first democratic non-racial government in South Africa. By being a part of the inauguration, international leaders showed a gesture of solidarity and support to the idea of the end of apartheid in South Africa. It was a common victory for justice, for peace and for human dignity. The international community supported the cause of South Africa.
They had come to witness the formation of the first ever democratic. non-racial government in South Africa, after almost three centuries of the white skinned rule. It signified the triumph of humanity and democracy against oppression, fear and discrimination. Both the oppressor and the oppressed were liberated.
Q14. 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: Yes, it is true that the depths of oppression create heights of character. Nelson Mandela illustrated this argument by giving examples of some people of extraordinary courage and wisdom. This period of struggle to end apartheid produced people like Oliver Tambos, the Walter Sisulus, Bram Fischers and so on in the soil of South Africa. Nelson Mandela himself was a product of the same conditions. The hunger for freedom changed his life.
The history of India is full of such characters. Mangal Pandey, Bhagat Singh, Chandra Shekhar Azad, Mahatma Gandhi, Lala Lajpat Rai and so on were the people of extraordinary courage produced by the depth of oppression in India.
Q15. Nelson Mandela was the hero of South Africa’s freedom movement. Comment.
Ans: Nelson Mandela was a true hero of South Africa’s freedom movement. His conscience encouraged him to demand a respectful and unique life for all. His soul cleared him about the twin obligations for everyone. He was always determined to fulfil them. He performed his obligations for his family as well as for his community. Although he was prevented from doing so, he did not stop and got discouraged.
He became homeless. In spite of all these difficulties he could not change his decision. He had a soul power to challenge the racial system of the white. He did not care about the apartheid policy and announced that this policy had created a lasting wound in the country. He fought against it. At last he got success. He became the first black President of South Africa.
Also See:
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CBSE Class 10 English Lesson Explanation, Summary
CBSE Class 10 English Question Answers (Important)
CBSE Class 10 English MCQs
Class 10 English Complete Study Guide
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