INDIAN SCHOOL AL WADI AL KABIR

DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH (2024-25)

CLASS - X
QUESTION BANK – NELSON MANDELA “A LONG WALK TO FREEDOM”

SUMMARY: Nelson Mandela, the first black President of South Africa, fought for the freedom of
his people. This lesson is an extract from the autobiography of Nelson Mandela “Long Walk to
Freedom”. The lesson begins with the description of their inaugural ceremony which took place on
the 10th of May 1994, where the entire nation along with many international leaders embraced the
victory of a newly and fairly elected government. It involved speeches by the President and the two
Deputy Presidents followed by an impressive air show of fighter jets and helicopters. In the first
decade of the 20th century the system of apartheid was introduced. Apartheid refers to the
discrimination between people on the basis of their race. It was one of the most brutal societies where
dark-skinned people were deprived of their basic rights. The lesson gives us an overview as to how
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Mandela along with others, carved their way to a society where there shall be no discrimination on
the basis of their colour, caste, race, age or gender.

A) Extract- based questions. Read the given extract to attempt the questions that follow:
10th May dawned bright and clear. For the past few days, I 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 colors and nations for the installation of South Africa’s first
democratic, non-racial government.
1. When was the inauguration day in the story?
a. 20 March b. 10 May c. 10 March d. 20 May
2. It was a celebration of South Africa's first ______ government.
a. democratic and racial
b. autocratic and racial
c. monarch and non-racial
d. democratic and non-racial
3. Where did the ceremonies take place?
a. London b. Pretoria c. New York d. New Delhi
4. For decades South Africa had been the seat for:
a. White Supremacy b. Power of Politicians c. Equality d. Justice
5. What does “rainbow gathering” refer to:
a. People of all races, caste, color, national and international had come together to celebrate the
glory of democratic elections.
b. People of all colors
c. Seven rainbow colors
d. People of all communities and nations
2. Read the given extract to attempt 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. 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. 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.
2. "We have achieved our political emancipation." What is the meaning of emancipation?
a. freedom from restriction b. enslavement and slavery both c. enslavement d. slavery
3. "We thank all of our distinguished international guests for having come to take possession

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with the people of our country of what is, after all, a common victory for."
a. peace b. justice c. human dignity d. all of these
4. 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.
5. 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
3. Read the given extract to attempt the questions that follow: “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...”
1. What realizations did Mandela have of his boyhood freedom?
a. he was born free
b. it was just an illusion
c. he had no realizations
d. freedom was meant for kids
2. 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.
3. What began Mandela's hunger for freedom?
a. the fact that it had already been taken away from him
b. his obligation towards family
c. he was born to fight
d. his obligation towards people
4. 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.
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.
5. What is the meaning of the word ‘transitory’?
a. Momentary b. Transforming c. Transferring d. Moderating

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4. Read the given extract to attempt the questions that follow:
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. “The day” here refers to:
a. Republic Day of South Africa
b. Constitution Day of South Africa
c. Inauguration Day Ceremony after Independence
d. Annual Election Day
2 Why were two national anthems sung at the installation ceremony?
a. to symbolise the equality of blacks and whites and the termination of apartheid.
b. to impress the world with two national anthems.
c. to please the people of all races and colours.
d. the new government believed that two anthems would help in double the growth of the country.
3 Why did they despise the lyrics of the anthems?
a. the lyrics contained sensitive words.
b. both the groups hated each other due to the policy of apartheid and oppression of blacks.
c. they were demanding to keep one anthem for South Africa.
d. the lyrics of the anthems were not relevant for them.
4. Assertion: Two National anthems were sung on the Inauguration Day.
Reason: Because the Whites and the Blacks wanted to sing their own anthem only and
despised the other one.
a. Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
b. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
c. A is false but R is true.
d. A is true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
5 What is the Title of Nelson Mandela’s biography?
a. Freedom from Racialism
b. Long walk to Justice
c. Long Walk to Freedom
d. Long Walk to Love and Freedom
5. Read the given extract to attempt the questions that follow:
“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not
he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear. 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 I 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 did Mandela learn about courage?
a. it is the triumph over fear
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b. absence of fear and triumph over it
c. it is absence of fear
d. none of these

2. What comes more naturally to heart according to Mandela?

a. love b. racial discrimination c. unity d. hatred
3. Which flame can be hidden but never extinguished?
a. Man’s love b. Man’s natural way c. Man’s goodness d. None of the Above
4. The meaning of the phrase “pushed to our limits” here is………………
a. Were being put upon utmost physical pressure.
b. They were treated badly.
c. Were pushed towards the wall.
d. All limits were crossed.
5. Assertion: Bravery is not absence of fear. A brave man is not necessarily fearless.
Reason: A brave man becomes fearless after facing with the difficulties. He is brave because
he has conquered his fears.
a. Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
b. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
c. A is false but R is true.
d. Both A and R are false.

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. What does Mandela thank the international leaders for?

Mandela felt greatly privileged to welcome the international leaders at the swearing -in ceremony
because not too long ago, the South Africans were considered outlaws. He thus thanks all of them
for having come to witness the historical ceremony. This was a gesture of international recognition

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to a newly-born free democratic nation and it could be considered as a common victory for justice,
peace and human dignity.
2. What ideals does Nelson Mandela set for the future of South Africa?
Nelson Mandela set the ideals of liberating people from bondage of poverty, deprivation and
suffering. He also set the ideal for a society where there would be no discrimination based on gender
or racial origins.
3. Why were two National Anthems sung?
On the auspicious occasion of the inauguration, two national anthems, one by the whites and the other
by the non-whites symbolizing the equality of the two races were sung.
4. What does courage mean to Mandela?
The author believes that courage is not the absence of fear, but it is the triumph over it. A brave man
is not the one who does not feel fear of any kind but is the one who has the courage to conquer it.
5. Why did such a large number of international leaders attend the inauguration?
To be the part of the inauguration, international leaders showed a gesture of solidarity from
international community to the idea of the end of the apartheid. It was the significance of the victory
of good over evil and triumph of a tolerant society without any discrimination.
6. How can people be taught to love? Which comes naturally to human heart – love or hate?
No one is born hating another person because of his colour or race. People are taught to hate. And if
they learn to hate, they can be taught to love. Love comes more naturally to human heart than hatred.
7. What are twin obligations every man has in life?
Mandela thinks that every man has twin obligations in life. The first is his obligation to his family, to
his parents, to his wife and children. The second duty is duty to his people, to his community and his
country. Each man has to fulfill these obligations according to his position and abilities.
8. What did the display of jets and military salute symbolise?
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 the President Mandela. It was a clear demonstration
of the military’s loyalty to democracy, to a free and fairly elected government.
9. Why did the same generals salute Mandela who would have arrested him not so many years
ago?
In the apartheid regime, Nelson Mandela was a rebel and was in prison for many years. After the end
of apartheid, he was the head of the non- racial democratically elected government of South Africa.
10. What is the greatest wealth of a country according to Nelson Mandela?
South Africa is rich in minerals and gems. But they are not the greatest wealth of a nation. Mandela
thinks that the greatest and real wealth of a nation is its people. They are finer and truer than the purest
diamonds.

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. 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?
By “an extraordinary human disaster” Mandela means to state the practice of apartheid in South
Africa. During this, there was a racial segregation based on colour and the nonwhites suffered a lot.
They were not allowed to demand freedom or any right. Mandela himself had to spend many years as
a prisoner where he was beaten mercilessly. He considered it as a glorious human achievement that a
non-white became the President of a country where the non-whites were not considered even human
beings and were treated badly.
2. Why was Nelson Mandela overwhelmed with a sense of history? Give the birth and finally
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the burial of the apartheid regime in South Africa.
On the day of the inauguration of the Republic, Nelson Mandela was overwhelmed with a sense of
history. It was quite natural for a man who fought against the hated regime for decades. After the Boer
war, the white groups patched up their differences. They imposed the domination of the whites over
the majority population of South Africa. The birth of the apartheid was the birth of one of the harshest
and inhumane regimes in the world. It was based on racial discrimination and oppression. Deep
oppression and atrocities produced thousands of black patriots who were ready to sacrifice their lives
for the freedom of their fellow men. The determined struggle of these black heroes ended in their
victory. A democratically elected government headed by President Nelson Mandela was installed on
the 10th of May, 1994.
3. Why does Mandela say that freedom is indivisible? How are the oppressed and the
oppressor alike are robbed of their humanity?
Nelson Mandela believes that freedom is indivisible. His hunger for his own freedom became the
greatest hunger for the freedom of his people. He couldn’t live his life with dignity and self-respect if
his own people were bound in chains. The chains on any one of his people were the chains on all of
them. The chains on all of his people were the chains on him. Mandela realized that the oppressor
must be liberated as surely as the oppressed. A man who takes away another man’s freedom is a
prisoner of hatred, prejudice and narrow mindedness. He is not truly free if he is taking away someone
else’s freedom. Thus the oppressed and the oppressor alike are robbed of their humanity.
4. Man is a social animal. He has some obligations to society. What twin obligations does
Mandela mention? How can one fulfill these obligations?
Man is a social animal and has some social obligations to society. Nelson Mandela understood the
importance of being social. Mandela talks about twin obligations – obligations to his family, to his
parents, to his wife and children. This is the first and the most important obligation that every man
has to fulfill in his life. Another obligation is to his people, to his community and to his nation. He
emphasises that in a civil society, each one of us should fulfill these obligations. It is the responsibility
of the government to provide an atmosphere where a person can fulfill these obligations. But in a
country like South Africa, it was not possible to fulfill these obligations because of discrimination. It
was an era of oppression and torture for the black Africans in their own country. They were not
allowed even the basic freedom of living a dignified life.
5. Describe the contributions of Nelson Mandela in the struggle for independence of blacks of
his country against the hated apartheid regime.
Nelson Mandela was the tallest of all the black heroes who waged a relentless fight against the racial-
regime in South Africa. He suffered untold suffering and tortures in prison but led the country to
install the first democratically elected government in South Africa. Nelson Mandela was not born
with a hunger to be free. Later on, he realized that his boyhood freedom was an illusion. He also
realized his concept of freedom in his youth was also transitory and was limited to his personal
freedom. Only when he joined the African National Congress, his own freedom became the greater
hunger for the freedom of his people. Only then, a frightened young lawyer was transformed into a
bold criminal. A family- loving husband was forced to lead the life of a monk in secrecy. Mandela is
grateful in acknowledging the unimaginable sacrifices of thousands of black heroes for the freedom
of their people. Modestly, he realizes that freedom is indivisible. He realized that he could not lead a
free and honourable life if his people were in chains. Nelson Mandela had a wider vision of humanity.
It shows his greatness that both the oppressor and the oppressed should be liberated since both of
them alike are robbed of their humanity.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS BASED ON AN EXTRACT

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(A) “We, who were outlaws not so long ago, have today been given the rare privilege to
be host to the nations if 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 .1. The guests at the spectacular ceremony are being called distinguished because they

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.

Answer: b) they are eminent world leaders witnessing it.

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

Answer: 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.

Answer: c) experienced it for the first time.

iv. How do you think the speaker feels? Choose the option that best fits his state of
mind.

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a) i) emotional ii) elated iii) unmindful

b) i) elated ii) unmindful iii) overwhelmed

c) i) overwhelmed ii) elated iii) honoured

d) i) elated ii) honoured iii) unmindful

Answer: c) i) overwhelmed ii) elated iii) honoured

v. Pick the option that showcases the 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.

Answer: b) She was able to host the event without any hindrance.

(B) “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

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Answer: c) Significance 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.

Answer: a) The freedoms are momentary and keep changing with time.

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.

Answer: 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.

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.

Answer: 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

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b) i) dawned ii) deprived iii) desiring

c) i) dawned ii) arrived iii) desiring

d) i) arrived ii) deprived iii) dawned

Answer: b) i) dawned ii) deprived iii) desiring

TEXTUAL AND EXTRA QUESTIONS:

1. 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?
“An extraordinary human disaster” meant that the native Africans and the coloured people had to
suffer a lot due to discrimination done by the British government. It was a glorious achievement, not
only for the Africans but also for the people around the world. A coloured person became the President
after the country was exploited for many years. In South Africa, the government ensured liberty not
only to the black citizens but also to the whites.

2. What does Mandela thank the international leaders for?

While addressing everyone in his speech, Mandela thanked all the international leaders who came to
witness this glorious moment. He felt privileged to gather international support for his country. It also
helped him bring to light the issues that Africans faced at the hands of the British. Mandela becoming
the President of Africa was not only their victory but the victory of justice, peace, and human rights
across the globe.

3. What ideals does he set out for the future of South Africa?
Mandela wanted to work for the upliftment of everyone. He tried to address the finer details that
would make Africa a progressing nation in the long run. He focused on the alleviation of poverty and
suffering. He also wanted his nation to be free from racial discrimination and a safe place for blacks,
white and coloured individuals.

4. What do the military generals do? How has their attitude changed, and why?
The military earlier arrested and disrespected the Blacks. But after Mandela became the President of
South Africa, the highest military generals of South Africa saluted Mandela and pledged their loyalty
towards the new emerging Africa.

5. How does Mandela describe the systems of government in his country

(i) in the first decade
In the first decade the racial discrimination between the blacks and white, the whites set themselves
on higher pedestal and created grounds for one of the gravest racial discrimination the world had
ever known. The dark skinned were treated as inferior in their own land and were denied even basic
human rights.

(ii) in the final decade of the twentieth century?

In the final decade of twentieth century the racial discrimination was eradicated and was replaced by
equal rights for all, irrespective of their colour.

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6. What does courage mean to Mandela?
Mandela’s definition of courage did not mean absence of fear but victory over fear. A man should
not be fearless. He should acknowledge the fear and gather courage to fight against it.

7. Which does he think is natural, to love or to hate?

Ans: It is natural for the human heart to love than to hate, according to Mandela.

Oral Comprehension Check (pg. 24)

1. What “twin obligations” does Mandela mention?
Mandela mentions that every man shoulders responsibility first towards his family, wife, children,
and parents and towards his nation and community.

2. What did being free mean to Mandela as a boy, and as a student? How does he contrast
these “transitory freedoms” with “the basic and honourable freedoms”?
Like any other kid for Mandela also the freedom meant the freedom to make merry and enjoy a
blissful life. He was allowed everything till the time he followed the rules laid out by his father and
the tribe. After growing up he realized freedom had a deeper meaning and value than he actually
thought. It meant equality and honour for all. As an adult you will have to make sure there is food for
the family and honour of the family is held high.

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

An oppressor, according to Mandela, is not free because he becomes a prisoner of hatred, imprisoned
by prejudice and narrow-mindedness. They are stripped of their humanity, and the privilege of being
human is taken away from them.

Thinking about the Text 24

1. Why did such a large number of international leaders attend the inauguration? What did it
signify the triumph of?
The Britishers ruled over various countries around the world and exploited them for their own gains.
Nelson Mandela became the President of South Africa, after so many years of oppression, signified
their win against the oppressors. The presence of international leaders at an important event signifies
their appreciation of the struggle that Africa went through. It showed that all the nations around the
world were standing in unity with Africa.

2. What does Mandela mean when he says he is “simply the sum of all those African patriots”
who had gone before him?
Mandela was inspired by the passion of individuals and freedom fighters, who had in their hearts a
desire to free their country from the shackles of British oppression. He believed that those patriots
who died before him paved this path for him and without their sacrifice, this would not have been
possible. He held their sacrifice as well as the other citizens who sacrificed themselves for the nation
at a pedestal. He wanted to pay his tribe for all the lives that were a part of this freedom struggle and
work towards what they imagined future Africa to be.

3. Would you agree that the “depths of oppression” create “heights of character? How does
Mandela illustrate this? Can you add your own examples to this argument?
Yes, I believe that “depths of oppression” create “heights of character.” It is when we face adverse
situations, we realize the potential we hold. Adverse situations help us to come out of our bubble and
discover the strength that lies deep within us. Nelson Mandela never thought as a child that he would
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fight for the freedom of the citizens and nations. He was ready to sacrifice himself for the freedom of
his nation. He served around 27 years in prison and then became the first President of independent
South Africa.

4. How did Mandela’s understanding of freedom change with age and experience?
Since Mandela was a part of an African tribe, he was shouldered with responsibilities from a
noticeably early age. As a young boy, Mandela was concerned about his own freedom. He considered
himself to be free since he wasn't imposed with any restrictions. He was just asked to abide by his
father’s and communities' rules. As he grew up and developed a better understanding of the world, he
realized how selfish his view of freedom was. He understood that it's not only his freedom that matters
but also other fellow black members and the residents of the country. It was after this realized he
stepped into politics, to achieve this aim.

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

Realization about the importance of the freedom of the country hit Mandela when he was young. He
valued his freedom but eventually realized that if the citizens of his country aren't free then his
freedom holds no importance. He held in his heart a desire for non-racial society and wanted everyone
to have equal rights, irrespective of them being black or white. His own hunger for freedom soon
grew into hunger for the freedom of his own people and he joined the African National Congress
which acted as a stepping stone into his political career.

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