Nelson Mandela Long Walk to Freedom
Oral Comprehension Check – Page 18
Q1. 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 amphitheatre formed by the Union Buildings in Pretoria. In India, famous sandstone buildings include the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, and Parliament House.
Q2. Can you say how 10 May is an ‘autumn day’ in South Africa?
Ans. 10 May is an ‘autumn day’ in South Africa because it falls during the autumn season there (Southern Hemisphere). It also symbolically represents the end of an era of oppression.
Q3. 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. The “extraordinary human disaster” refers to apartheid and decades of racial discrimination. The “glorious human achievement” is the establishment of a democratic and free society with equal rights.
Q4. What does Mandela thank the international leaders for?
Ans. Mandela thanks them for coming to witness the birth of a new nation and for showing solidarity with the anti-apartheid struggle.
Q5. What ideals does he set out for the future of South Africa?
Ans. Mandela aims for a nation free from discrimination, where all individuals enjoy equal rights and justice. He wants peace, unity, and human dignity for all.
Oral Comprehension Check – Page 21
Q1. What do the military generals do? How has their attitude changed, and why?
Ans. The military generals salute Mandela, showing respect. Earlier, they would have arrested or mistreated him. Their attitude changed because South Africa transitioned to a democratic nation and Mandela became President.
Q2. Why were two national anthems sung?
Ans. Two anthems were sung—one of the Whites and one of the Blacks—to symbolize equality and unity in the new South Africa.
Q3. How does Mandela describe the systems of government in his country (i) in the first decade, and (ii) in the final decade, of the twentieth century?
Ans.
- (i) In the first decade: A reign of racial oppression and injustice.
- (ii) In the final decade: The establishment of a democratic government ensuring justice and equality.
Q4. What does courage mean to Mandela?
Ans. To Mandela, courage means not the absence of fear, but the ability to overcome it.
Q5. Which does he think is natural, to love or to hate?
Ans. Mandela believes love comes more naturally to the human heart than hate.
Oral Comprehension Check – Page 24
Q1. What “twin obligations” does Mandela mention?
Ans. The two obligations are: (1) Duty to his family, (2) Duty to his community and country.
Q2. What did being free mean to Mandela as a boy, and as a student? How does he contrast these “transitory freedoms” with “the basic and honourable freedoms”?
Ans.
- As a boy: Playing and running freely.
- As a student: Staying out late, reading what he wanted.
These were temporary freedoms. In contrast, basic freedoms include living with dignity, earning a livelihood, and expressing oneself.
Q3. Does Mandela think the oppressor is free? Why/Why not?
Ans. No. Mandela believes both the oppressed and the oppressor are not free. The oppressor is a prisoner of hatred, prejudice, and fear.
MCQ
MCQs with Answers:
1. What is the name of the autobiography from which this chapter is taken?
A. Freedom is Life
B. Long Walk to Freedom
C. The Struggle for Equality
D. My Truth
Answer: B. Long Walk to Freedom
2. Who was sworn in as the first black President of South Africa?
A. Desmond Tutu
B. Jacob Zuma
C. Nelson Mandela
D. Thabo Mbeki
Answer: C. Nelson Mandela
3. On which date was the inauguration ceremony held?
A. 26 January 1990
B. 10 May 1994
C. 15 August 1991
D. 1 April 1993
Answer: B. 10 May 1994
4. What does Mandela refer to as “an extraordinary human disaster”?
A. World War II
B. Apartheid
C. Drought in Africa
D. The economic crisis
Answer: B. Apartheid
5. What do the two national anthems sung at the ceremony signify?
A. A tribute to African wildlife
B. End of racial discrimination
C. The importance of music
D. Cultural diversity only
Answer: B. End of racial discrimination
6. What does Mandela mean by “twin obligations”?
A. Duties towards friends and teachers
B. Duties towards government and opposition
C. Duties towards family and nation
D. Duties towards animals and nature
Answer: C. Duties towards family and nation
7. What according to Mandela is true freedom?
A. Right to eat and sleep
B. Right to play
C. Right to live with dignity and equality
D. Right to move abroad
Answer: C. Right to live with dignity and equality
8. What did the generals do to Mandela on the inauguration day?
A. Ignored him
B. Threatened him
C. Saluted him
D. Arrested him
Answer: C. Saluted him
9. What comes more naturally to the human heart according to Mandela?
A. Hatred
B. Fear
C. Love
D. Violence
Answer: C. Love
10. What type of government was established in South Africa after apartheid?
A. Monarchy
B. Communist
C. Democratic
D. Military
Answer: C. Democratic
11. What was the name of the amphitheatre where the ceremony was held?
A. National Assembly Hall
B. Cape Town Square
C. Union Buildings
D. Freedom Hall
Answer: C. Union Buildings
12. Which policy of the previous government did Mandela fight against?
A. Globalisation
B. Colonialism
C. Apartheid
D. Nationalisation
Answer: C. Apartheid
13. What emotion does Mandela feel on the day of his inauguration?
A. Fear and anxiety
B. Hatred and revenge
C. Deep gratitude and pride
D. Confusion and doubt
Answer: C. Deep gratitude and pride
14. According to Mandela, what is not the absence of fear?
A. Courage
B. Freedom
C. Equality
D. Struggle
Answer: A. Courage
15. What is apartheid?
A. Policy of economic growth
B. Policy of racial segregation
C. A type of election process
D. System of monarchy
Answer: B. Policy of racial segregation
16. What does Mandela say about his childhood freedoms?
A. They were complete
B. They were limitless
C. They were illusions
D. They were transitory
Answer: D. They were transitory
17. How long was Mandela imprisoned?
A. 10 years
B. 18 years
C. 27 years
D. 35 years
Answer: C. 27 years
18. What made Mandela’s inauguration historic?
A. His speech
B. The musical concert
C. First democratic non-racial government
D. Visit of world leaders
Answer: C. First democratic non-racial government
19. Who were considered "heroes" by Mandela?
A. Sportsmen
B. Political leaders
C. Freedom fighters who never returned
D. Foreign dignitaries
Answer: C. Freedom fighters who never returned
20. What does Mandela say about the oppressor?
A. He is more powerful
B. He is also not free
C. He is a hero
D. He is intelligent
Answer: B. He is also not free
Very Short Answer Questions (1 Mark Each)
Q1. Who is the author of the chapter “Long Walk to Freedom”?
Ans: Nelson Mandela
Q2. When did Nelson Mandela take the oath as the first black President of South Africa?
Ans: On 10th May 1994
Q3. Where did the inauguration ceremony take place?
Ans: At the Union Buildings in Pretoria
Q4. What was the policy of apartheid?
Ans: It was the policy of racial discrimination against non-whites in South Africa.
Q5. What does Mandela thank the international leaders for?
Ans: For coming to witness the birth of a new, democratic South Africa.
Q6. What do the two national anthems sung at the inauguration signify?
Ans: Unity and equality between Black and White South Africans.
Q7. How many years was Mandela imprisoned?
Ans: 27 years
Q8. According to Mandela, what is true freedom?
Ans: True freedom means living with dignity and equal rights.
Q9. What, according to Mandela, is courage?
Ans: Courage is not the absence of fear but the triumph over it.
Q10. What are the “twin obligations” mentioned by Mandela?
Ans: Obligation to family and to the nation/community.
Q11. What does Mandela say about the oppressor and the oppressed?
Ans: Both are not free; the oppressor is a prisoner of hatred, and the oppressed of injustice.
Q12. What emotion did Mandela feel on the day of the inauguration?
Ans: A deep sense of pride and gratitude.
Q13. What does Mandela say about people’s capacity to love and hate?
Ans: People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love.
Q14. What, according to Mandela, is the greatest wealth of a country?
Ans: Its people.
Q15. What does Mandela say about his childhood freedom?
Ans: It was limited to running in the fields and playing freely—simple, innocent freedoms.
Q16. What kind of freedom did Mandela want as a youth?
Ans: Freedom to stay out at night, to read what he liked, and to go where he chose.
Q17. How did Mandela’s definition of freedom change over time?
Ans: It evolved from personal freedom to the collective freedom of his people.
Q18. What did Mandela learn about courage from his comrades?
Ans: That courage is the triumph over fear, not its absence.
Q19. What does Mandela say about the obligation of a man in a country like South Africa?
Ans: He could not fulfill his obligations to his family and people under apartheid.
Q20. What is the title of Nelson Mandela’s autobiography?
Ans: Long Walk to Freedom
Q21. How did the generals of the South African defence force show respect to Mandela?
Ans: By saluting him and pledging loyalty.
Q22. What did Mandela pledge during his oath-taking?
Ans: To obey and uphold the Constitution and devote himself to the service of the Republic.
Q23. What type of government was formed in South Africa after the end of apartheid?
Ans: A democratic, non-racial government.
Q24. Name one country whose dignitary attended the inauguration.
Ans: India (or any country, as many dignitaries attended).
Q25. What is the greatest gift Mandela says he received from his people?
Ans: Their love and trust.
Q26. What is meant by "the birth of freedom" in Mandela’s speech?
Ans: The beginning of democracy and the end of racial oppression.
Q27. What did Mandela realise about his boyhood freedom?
Ans: It was an illusion as he wasn’t aware of the real oppression around him.
Q28. What does Mandela mean by “a rainbow nation at peace with itself”?
Ans: A united South Africa where all races live together in harmony.
Q29. Why was the inauguration ceremony historic?
Ans: It marked the end of apartheid and the beginning of a democratic era.
Q30. How does Mandela describe his comrades in prison?
Ans: As men of extraordinary courage, wisdom, and generosity.
