1. Where did the ceremonies take place? Can you name any public buildings in India that are made of sandstone?
Explanation:
Dignitaries and world leaders from many nations attended the celebrations, which were held in a stunning sandstone amphitheatre at Union Buildings in Pretoria. Rashtrapati Bhavan and Red Fort, two Indian government buildings, were built of red sand stone.
2. Can you say how 10 May is an ‘autumn day’ in South Africa?
2. Can you say how 10 May is an ‘autumn day’ in South Africa?
Explanation:
The Southern Hemisphere, or the area south of the equator, is where South Africa is situated. The seasons in the Southern Hemisphere occur at a different time from those in Europe and Asia, which are located in the Northern Hemisphere. Autumn in Southern Africa occurs between March and April, and winter there occurs between June and September. In South Africa, May 10 is referred to as a "beautiful fall day" in this way.
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?
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?
Explanation:
An amazing human calamity was the title of Mandela's speech, in which he sought to demonstrate his passionate opposition to the South African system of apartheid. The black population suffered the most due to racial discrimination on the part of the rest of the population under Apartheid. The right to freedom was inaccessible to them. Mandela spent 18 years in prison on the notorious "Robben Island," where he suffered abuse at the hands of the guards. His election as South Africa's first black president, in a country where black people were denied access to basic necessities, endured various forms of discrimination, and received poor treatment, was seen as a "great beautiful human triumph" by him.
4. What does Mandela thank the international leaders for?
4. What does Mandela thank the international leaders for?
Explanation:
At the swearing-in event, Mandela was incredibly honoured to receive the dignitaries and world leaders since, not so long ago, South Africans were regarded as outlaws. He consequently thanked everyone for travelling great distances to witness the historic oath-taking of the first Black President of South Africa. This was a fantastic act of support from the rest of the world for a young, free democratic country. A united triumph for justice, peace, and human dignity might be attributed to this incident.
5. What ideals does he set out for the future of South Africa?
5. What ideals does he set out for the future of South Africa?
Explanation:
The liberation of South Africans from the ongoing shackles of poverty, hardship, suffering, and discrimination based on gender and other factors was one of Mandela's key goals. The liberation from bigotry and all types of servitude was something he fought for the country's citizens.
6. What do the military generals do? How has their attitude changed and why?
6. What do the military generals do? How has their attitude changed and why?
Explanation:
The senior military generals of South Africa's defence forces and police hailed Mandela and vowed their allegiance to him. This was significant since, under the Apartheid era, he would have been arrested and imprisoned. Their attitudes about Blacks shifted as a result of the hardships and sacrifices made by several South African heroes. This battle for freedom was not only a struggle against Apartheid; it also resulted in a significant shift in the thinking of many individuals. Mandela thought that love could be taught and that humans are inherently predisposed towards love rather than hatred.
7. Why were two national anthems sung?
7. Why were two national anthems sung?
Explanation:
Two national songs were performed on the momentous occasion of the inauguration ceremony: the Whites sang 'Nkosi Sikelel -iAfrika,' while the Blacks chanted 'Die Stem,' the former hymn of the Republic. The singing of both anthems represented the equality of rights of Whites and Negroes.
8. How does Mandela describe the systems of government in his country –
In the first decade and
In the final decade, of the twentieth century?
8. How does Mandela describe the systems of government in his country –
In the first decade and
In the final decade, of the twentieth century?
Explanation:
The whites elevated themselves above blacks during the first decade of racial discrimination, which paved the way for some of the worst forms of discrimination the world had ever seen. In their own country, those with dark skin faced discrimination and were denied even the most fundamental human rights.
Racial prejudice was eliminated and was replaced with equal rights for all people, regardless of colour, in the last ten years of the twentieth century.
9. What does courage mean to Mandela?
9. What does courage mean to Mandela?
Explanation:
According to Mandela, courage wasn't the absence of fear but rather the ability to overcome it. A man shouldn't have no fear. He should face his fear head-on and muster the guts to confront it.
Mandela believed that bravery was not the absence of fear but rather its victory over it. A brave man is one who faces his fears head-on rather than one who never experiences fear.
10. Which does he think is natural, to love or to hate?
10. Which does he think is natural, to love or to hate?
Explanation:
Mandela thought that people's hearts were more easily moved by love than by hatred.
According to Mandela, love is more natural for the human heart than hatred.
11. What “twin obligations” does Mandela mention?
11. What “twin obligations” does Mandela mention?
Mandela outlines two commitments that every man has in life: I obligations to his family, parents, wife, and children;
obligations to his people, community, and nation.
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”?
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”?
Explanation:
Mandela, like any other youngster, believed that freedom meant being joyful, having fun, and having a good time throughout his formative years. But, when a young man grows into an adult, his childhood antics appear fleeting since all infantile acts are meaningless in the eyes of an adult. As a person reaches adulthood, he learns to make a living and provides for himself. In such a setting, he recognises the fundamental and honourable freedom in his family and the community in which he lives.
13. Does Mandela think the oppressor is free? Why/Why not?
13. Does Mandela think the oppressor is free? Why/Why not?
Explanation:
Mandela does not believe that the oppressor is free because, in his perspective, an oppressor is like a victim of hatred who is imprisoned behind the chains of prejudice and narrow-mindedness. He believes that both the oppressor and the oppressed have been stripped of their humanity and peace of mind.
14. Why did such a large number of international leaders attend the inauguration? What did it signify the triumph of?
14. Why did such a large number of international leaders attend the inauguration? What did it signify the triumph of?
Explanation:
As part of the inauguration event, world leaders expressed sympathy with the end of Apartheid as a symbolic gesture from the international community. This represented the triumph of virtue over evil, as well as the triumph of a tolerant society free of prejudice and discrimination based on caste, colour, or faith.
15. What does Mandela mean when he says he is “simply the sum of all those African patriots” who had gone before him?
15. What does Mandela mean when he says he is “simply the sum of all those African patriots” who had gone before him?
Explanation:
By claiming to be "just the total of all those African patriots," Mandela pays respect to all those who have given their lives in the cause of freedom. He says he would always be grateful to those who came before him for paving the road for collaboration and harmony. As a result, Mandela believed that if he were elected, he could deliver equality to his people with their help and collaboration.
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?
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?
Explanation:
The idea that "heights of character" are indeed produced by "depths of oppression" is one that I do agree with. Nelson Mandela uses the lives of notable South African figures like Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, Chief Luthuli, Yusuf Dadoo, Bram Fischer, and Robert Sobukwe—among others—who inspired others by giving their lives in the protracted fight for freedom—to demonstrate this point.There were many brilliant leaders in India's Pre-Independence era who refused to submit to the persecution of the British, including Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Lala Lajpat Rai, Chandra Shekhar Ajad, Bhagat Singh, and many more. If we contrast them with the calibre of political leaders that followed, Nelson Mandela appears to have it just right.
There were many brilliant leaders in India's Pre-Independence era who refused to submit to the persecution of the British, including Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Lala Lajpat Rai, Chandra Shekhar Ajad, Bhagat Singh, and many more. If we contrast them with the calibre of political leaders that followed, Nelson Mandela appears to have it just right.
17. How did Mandela’s understanding of freedom change with age and experience?
17. How did Mandela’s understanding of freedom change with age and experience?
Explanation:
Mandela recognised the importance of freedom in everyone's life due to his advanced age and wealth of experience. He always believed as a young child that he was born free and that he could do whatever he pleased. He was adamant that he was free in every sense as long as he respected his father and followed the traditions of his tribe. As he became older, though, he began to believe that independence was necessary to support a family and make a living, and this sentiment gradually took over his thinking and beliefs. He eventually realised that he had been selfish and had been living a false life as a young lad. Slowly, he saw that the freedom of everyone was being restricted, not just his.
18. How did Mandela's hunger for freedom change his life?
18. How did Mandela's hunger for freedom change his life?
Explanation:
The desire for his own liberation evolved into a desire for the freedom of all of his fellow siblings. The timid man was transformed into a brash rebel as a result of this. Mandela gave up the conveniences of a stable household to fight for his countrymen's independence. He joined the African National Congress, which helped him go from being a scared young man to a bold fighter against racial and racialized injustice.
19. Thinking about Language:
There are nouns in the text (formation, government) which are formed from the corresponding verbs (form, govern) by suffixing -(ation or ment. There may be a change in the spelling of some verb – noun pairs: such as rebel, rebellion; constitute, constitution.
Question:
Make a list of such pairs of nouns and verbs in the text.
Thinking about Language:
There are nouns in the text (formation, government) which are formed from the corresponding verbs (form, govern) by suffixing -(ation or ment. There may be a change in the spelling of some verb – noun pairs: such as rebel, rebellion; constitute, constitution.
Question:
Make a list of such pairs of nouns and verbs in the text.
Explanation:
20. 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.
20. 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.
Explanation:
When he helped Rosa Parks, a seamstress who wouldn't give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger, Martin Luther King made his first lasting mark on our history as a great leader. Restrictive laws and traditions at the time kept American Blacks in second-class citizenship status. Breaking these laws would subject one to the wrath of the law and the legal system. For anyone who disobeyed the System, beatings, imprisonment, and even death were in store. Martin Luther King advocated for racial injustice via nonviolent protest.
21.
Using the Definite Article with Names
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.
21.
Using the Definite Article with Names
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.
Explanation:
This suggests that Mr. Singh frequently invites eminent individuals of calibre to his gatherings, such as Mr. Amitabh Bachchan and Mr. Shah Rukh Khan.
This suggests that Madhuri Dixit is likened to the legendary actress Madhubala in the contemporary age.
This implies that history is not just the tale of famous people like Alexander, Napoleon, or Hitler, but also other common people.
22. Idiomatic Expressions
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.)
22. Idiomatic Expressions
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.)
Explanation:
23. Speaking:
In groups, discuss the issues suggested in the box below. Then prepare a speech of about two minutes on the following topic. (First make notes for your speech in writing.)
True liberty is freedom from poverty, deprivation and all forms of discrimination.
23. Speaking:
In groups, discuss the issues suggested in the box below. Then prepare a speech of about two minutes on the following topic. (First make notes for your speech in writing.)
True liberty is freedom from poverty, deprivation and all forms of discrimination.
Explanation:
Real freedom is the absence of squalor, hardship, and all sorts of prejudice. Freedom from foreign colonial control does not always imply independence from all social restraints and mental restrictions. Being in a situation of extreme poverty, where you cannot support yourself, is the definition of poverty. The advent of capitalism and the poor's lack of knowledge of their rights due to a lack of education are two main factors contributing to the increase in the poverty rate. The government should implement plans to offer poor people free, mandatory, and vocational training.
People in our society are treated unfairly depending on factors including caste, class, gender, and religion. As a secular nation, we should learn to live in harmony and prevent these trivial conflicts that arise.
24.
Looking at Contrasts
Nelson Mandela’s writing is marked by balance: many sentences have two parts in balance.
Use the following phrases to complete the sentences given below.
1. It requires such depths of oppression _________________________________________
2. Courage was not the absence of fear __________________________________________
3. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid __________________________________
4. If people can learn to hate _________________________________________________
5. I was not born with a hunger to be free. ______________________________________
24.
Looking at Contrasts
Nelson Mandela’s writing is marked by balance: many sentences have two parts in balance.
Use the following phrases to complete the sentences given below.
1. It requires such depths of oppression _________________________________________
2. Courage was not the absence of fear __________________________________________
3. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid __________________________________
4. If people can learn to hate _________________________________________________
5. I was not born with a hunger to be free. ______________________________________
Explanation:
1. It requires such depths of oppression (v) to create such heights of character.
2. Courage was not the absence of fear (iii) but the triumph over it.
3. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid (iv) but he who conquers that fear.
4. If people can learn to hate (i) they can be taught to love.
5. I was not born with a hunger to be free. (ii) I was born free.
25.This text repeatedly contrasts the past with the present or the future. We can use coordinated clauses to contrast two views, for emphasis or effect. Given below are sentences carrying one part of the contrast. Find in the text the second part of the contrast, and complete each item. Identify the words which signal the contrast. This has been done for you in the first item.
1. For decades the Union Buildings had been the seat of white supremacy, and now …
2. Only moments before, the highest generals of the South African defence force and police … saluted me and pledged their loyalty. … not so many years before they would not have saluted _______________
3. Although that day neither group knew the lyrics of the anthem …, they would soon ______________
4. My country is rich in the minerals and gems that lie beneath its soil, _______________________
5. The Air Show was not only a display of pinpoint precision and military force, but _______________
6. It was this desire for the freedom of my people … that transformed _______________ into a bold one, that drove _______________ to become a criminal, that turned ________________into a man without a home.
25.This text repeatedly contrasts the past with the present or the future. We can use coordinated clauses to contrast two views, for emphasis or effect. Given below are sentences carrying one part of the contrast. Find in the text the second part of the contrast, and complete each item. Identify the words which signal the contrast. This has been done for you in the first item.
1. For decades the Union Buildings had been the seat of white supremacy, and now …
2. Only moments before, the highest generals of the South African defence force and police … saluted me and pledged their loyalty. … not so many years before they would not have saluted _______________
3. Although that day neither group knew the lyrics of the anthem …, they would soon ______________
4. My country is rich in the minerals and gems that lie beneath its soil, _______________________
5. The Air Show was not only a display of pinpoint precision and military force, but _______________
6. It was this desire for the freedom of my people … that transformed _______________ into a bold one, that drove _______________ to become a criminal, that turned ________________into a man without a home.
Explanation:
1. The Union Buildings, which had long been the centre of white dominance, was now the scene of a rainbow assembly of ethnic groups and nations as South Africa's first democratic, non-racial government was being installed there.
2. Only a short while ago, the top generals of the South African police and military saluted me and swore allegiance. … Before, they would have arrested me instead of saluting me.
3. While on that particular day neither group was familiar with the anthem's lyrics, they would soon memorise it.
4. My nation has a richness of diamonds and minerals in its subsoil, but I have always understood that its greatest wealth is its people, who are better and truer than any of those things.
5. The Air Show was not just a display of military prowess and force, but it was also a sign of the military's commitment to democracy and a newly elected government that had been chosen honestly and openly.
6. It was this yearning for my people to be free that... It made a timid young guy brave, a lawyer who followed the law become criminal, and a husband who loved his family become a man without a home.
26. Expressing Your Opinion
Do you think there is colour prejudice in our own country? Discuss this with your friend and write a paragraph of about 100 to 150 words about this. You have the option of making your paragraph a humorous one. (Read the short verse given below.)
When you were born you were pink
When you grew up you became white
When you are in the sun you are red
When you are sick you are yellow
When you are angry you are purple
When you are shocked you are grey
And you have the cheek to call me ‘coloured’.
26. Expressing Your Opinion
Do you think there is colour prejudice in our own country? Discuss this with your friend and write a paragraph of about 100 to 150 words about this. You have the option of making your paragraph a humorous one. (Read the short verse given below.)
When you were born you were pink
When you grew up you became white
When you are in the sun you are red
When you are sick you are yellow
When you are angry you are purple
When you are shocked you are grey
And you have the cheek to call me ‘coloured’.
Explanation:
Yeah, there is discrimination based on race in my nation. I'm from an Asian nation where having fair complexion isn't very prevalent. Yet I've witnessed many individuals make assumptions about and stereotype others based on their skin tone. Those with lighter skin tones are viewed as being more beautiful and better looking. The younger generation is socialised to believe that those with complexion tones that lean towards brown should be embarrassed of themselves. They receive informal ridicule and teasing about it from their family and friends, along with their recommendation to utilise skin whitening creams. An individual's self-confidence is damaged as a result, and they begin to feel unlovable and undeserving of any kind of human attachment. I think this.
