Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom – Previous Years’ Questions, MCQs & Extract Based Questions: These questions would help students prepare the standard Questions with standard answers.
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Extract-Based Questions (4 marks)
Read the following extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the given two: [2024-25]
On the day of the inauguration, I was overwhelmed with a sense of history. In the first decade of the 20th century, a few years after the bitter Anglo–Boer war and before my own birth, the white-skinned people of South Africa patched up their differences and created a system of racial domination against the dark–skinned people of their own land. The structure they created formed the basis of one of the harshest, most inhumane societies the world has ever known. Now, in the last decade of the twentieth century and my own eighth decade as a man, that system has been overturned forever and replaced by one that recognised the rights and freedoms of all peoples, regardless of the colour of their skin.
(i) Explain the feelings of the narrator when he said, “I was overwhelmed with a sense of history.” (1 mark)
(ii) The system of racial domination has been replaced by a system that: (1 mark)
- (A) confirms the education of the Blacks.
- (B) recognises the rights and freedoms of all people.
- (C) recollects the bitter experiences.
- (D) focuses on personality development.
(iii) Comment on the kind of society apartheid had created. (2 marks)
(iv) Which phrase would correctly substitute ‘patched up’ in the given sentence from the extract: “…the white-skinned people of South Africa patched up their differences…” (1 mark)
Answers:
(i) Explain the feelings of the narrator when he said, “I was overwhelmed with a sense of history.” (1 mark)
The narrator, Nelson Mandela, felt a deep connection to the historical significance of the moment. He was acutely aware of the long struggle against apartheid and the importance of the transition from a regime of racial oppression to a democracy that upholds equal rights for all. This awareness evoked a powerful emotional response, as he recognized the monumental change and the sacrifices made to achieve it.
(ii) The system of racial domination has been replaced by a system that:
(B) recognises the rights and freedoms of all people.
(iii) Comment on the kind of society apartheid had created.
Apartheid created a society marked by extreme racial segregation and inequality. The system enforced racial discrimination, with white South Africans enjoying superior rights and privileges, while black South Africans faced systemic oppression and denial of basic human rights. It was one of the most oppressive and inhumane societies, characterized by violence, injustice, and profound social and economic disparities between races.
(iv) Which phrase would correctly substitute ‘patched up’ in the given sentence from the extract: “…the white-skinned people of South Africa patched up their differences…”
The phrase “resolved” would correctly substitute ‘patched up’ in the given sentence. So, the sentence would read: “…the white-skinned people of South Africa resolved their differences…”
Read the given extract to attempt the questions that follow: (2021-22)
But the decades of oppression and brutality had another unintended effect, and that was that it produced the Oliver Tambos, the Walter Sisulus, the Chief Luthulis, the Yusuf Dadoos, the Bram Fischers, the Robert Sobukwes of our times — men of such extraordinary courage, wisdom and generosity that their like may never be known again. 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 I have always known that its greatest wealth is its people, finer and truer than the purest diamonds. It is from these comrades in the struggle that I learned the meaning of courage. Time and again, I have seen men and women risk and give their lives for an idea.
(i) What was the unintended effect of the long oppression? Choose the correct option.
- (a) It made the people indifferent to injustice.
- (b) It made the people reject oppression.
- (c) It influenced a generation to fight against injustice.
- (d) It made people accept their oppression.
(ii) Men of such extraordinary courage refers to the people who ________ .
- (a) liberated and abolished the Apartheid system.
- (b) used their resources to spread awareness.
- (c) fought for their country’s freedom.
- (d) demonstrated utmost strength to oppose the system.
(iii) Nelson Mandela compares ________ to diamonds.
- (a) his countrymen
- (b) patriots
- (c) wise men
- (d) the oppressed
(iv) When Nelson Mandela says, “I have seen men and women risk and give their lives for an idea.”, he means that they are ________ .
- (a) stubborn.
- (b) committed.
- (c) intelligent.
- (d) proud.
(v) Select the suitable word from the extract to complete the following: depths : heights : : compassion : ________ .
- (a) wisdom
- (b) oppression
- (c) struggle
- (d) courage
Answers:
(i) What was the unintended effect of the long oppression? Choose the correct option.
(c) It influenced a generation to fight against injustice.
(ii) Men of such extraordinary courage refers to the people who ________.
(d) demonstrated utmost strength to oppose the system.
(iii) Nelson Mandela compares ________ to diamonds.
(a) his countrymen
(iv) When Nelson Mandela says, “I have seen men and women risk and give their lives for an idea.”, he means that they are ________.
(b) committed.
(v) Select the suitable word from the extract to complete the following: depths : heights : : compassion : ________.
(d) courage
English Literature Questions:
MCQ (1 mark)
1. ‘And now it was a gathering of different colours’. What does the author mean by the underlined phrase? (2021-22)
- (a) A multi-coloured rainbow in the sky
- (b) Decoration of different colours
- (c) Leaders of different nations gathered there
- (d) African people wearing different colours
Ans. (c)
2. Mandela refers to liberty as “newborn” because it (2021-22)
- (a) was dependent on others for growth and guidance.
- (b) had recently been attained with lots of struggle.
- (c) made people experience infant-like excitement.
- (d) arrived unexpectedly for everyone.
Ans. (b)
Short Answer Type Questions (2 marks)
- Mandela said, “People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love.” Discuss. (2023)
- ‘No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background or his religion’. Do you agree? Elaborate on the basis of the chapter “Nelson Mandela – Long Walk to Freedom”. (2023)
- What did Nelson Mandela remember on the day of the inaugural ceremony? (2020)
- What does Mandela refer to as ‘so glorious a human achievement’? (2020C)
- Who, according to Nelson Mandela, is a courageous man? (2020-21)
- Which two obligations, according to Nelson Mandela, does every man have in life? How could a man not fulfil these obligations in a country like South Africa? (2019C)
Answers:
- Nelson Mandela emphasized that hatred is a learned behavior, not innate. He believed that just as people are taught to hate, they can also be taught to love. This idea promotes the possibility of fostering understanding and compassion through education and positive influences, transforming society for the better.
- I agree with Mandela’s statement. In “Long Walk to Freedom,” Mandela argues that hatred is not natural but learned. He points out that children are not born with prejudices and that such attitudes are acquired through socialization. By teaching love and acceptance, society can overcome discrimination based on race, background, or religion.
- On the day of the inaugural ceremony, Nelson Mandela remembered the countless individuals who sacrificed their lives for freedom and justice in South Africa. He reflected on the long struggle against apartheid and the contributions of those who could not live to see the victory.
- Mandela referred to the establishment of a democratic, non-racial government in South Africa as “so glorious a human achievement.” This milestone represented the triumph over years of oppression and the realization of equality and freedom for all citizens.
- According to Nelson Mandela, a courageous man is not someone who is fearless but someone who conquers his fears. True courage involves facing and overcoming fear, demonstrating resilience and bravery in challenging situations.
- Nelson Mandela stated that every man has two obligations: to his family and to his community. In apartheid South Africa, fulfilling these obligations was difficult for black people because oppressive laws and systemic racism often forced them to choose between supporting their families and fighting for their community’s rights.
Long Answers:
- Nelson Mandela’s statement reflects his profound understanding of human nature and the potential for societal transformation. He recognized that hatred is not an inherent trait but a behavior learned through social conditioning, prejudice, and historical injustices. This insight carries significant implications: if hatred can be taught, it can be unlearned. By promoting education, empathy, and understanding, society can teach individuals to love and accept one another. Mandela’s own life exemplified this belief. Despite enduring years of imprisonment and witnessing the brutality of apartheid, he emerged as a symbol of reconciliation and forgiveness. His leadership in fostering unity in post-apartheid South Africa was grounded in the belief that love and compassion can be cultivated, leading to a more just and peaceful society.
- I agree with Mandela’s assertion that hatred is not an innate characteristic but a learned behavior. In “Long Walk to Freedom,” Mandela illustrates that individuals are born without prejudice. Children, regardless of their backgrounds, do not instinctively harbor biases against others based on race, religion, or ethnicity. These prejudices are acquired through societal influences, upbringing, and historical contexts. Mandela’s own experiences in South Africa highlight how systemic racism and segregation were ingrained in society, teaching individuals to hate based on superficial differences. However, he also believed in the power of education and personal transformation. His life story is a testament to the belief that by fostering understanding, tolerance, and love, society can overcome the learned behaviors of hatred and prejudice, paving the way for a more inclusive and harmonious world.
- On the day of his inauguration, Nelson Mandela reflected on the arduous journey toward freedom and the sacrifices made by countless individuals in the fight against apartheid. He remembered the pain and suffering endured by his people, the many who had lost their lives, and those who had been imprisoned or exiled. Mandela thought about his own experiences, including the 27 years he spent in prison, which were a microcosm of the broader struggle for justice and equality in South Africa. He acknowledged that his presence at the ceremony was not just a personal victory but a collective achievement representing the resilience and determination of the oppressed majority. Mandela felt a deep sense of responsibility to honor their sacrifices by fostering a government that would uphold democratic values and work towards healing and reconciliation.
- Nelson Mandela referred to the establishment of a democratic, non-racial government in South Africa as ‘so glorious a human achievement’. This milestone was the culmination of decades of struggle against the oppressive apartheid regime, symbolizing the triumph of justice, equality, and human dignity over discrimination and tyranny. For Mandela, this achievement was not just a political victory but a profound moral and ethical success. It represented the ability of a society to overcome deeply entrenched divisions and prejudices through perseverance, courage, and a commitment to universal human rights. This new government was a beacon of hope, demonstrating that it is possible to transform a society through inclusive governance and the recognition of shared humanity.
- According to Nelson Mandela, a courageous man is not one who lacks fear but one who conquers it. True courage, in his view, is the ability to confront and overcome fear, rather than the absence of fear itself. This perspective stems from Mandela’s own experiences as an anti-apartheid activist and political prisoner. Throughout his life, Mandela faced numerous dangers, including the constant threat of violence and the hardships of imprisonment. Despite these fears, he remained steadfast in his commitment to justice and equality. For Mandela, courage involved making difficult decisions and standing up for one’s beliefs, even in the face of overwhelming adversity. This understanding of courage highlights the importance of resilience, determination, and moral integrity in the pursuit of noble causes.
- Nelson Mandela believed that every man has two fundamental obligations: the duty to his family and the duty to his community or nation. The obligation to one’s family involves providing for and nurturing them, ensuring their well-being and happiness. The obligation to the community involves working towards the betterment of society, contributing to social justice, and striving for the common good. In apartheid-era South Africa, fulfilling these obligations was particularly challenging for black individuals. The oppressive laws and systemic discrimination enforced by the apartheid regime often forced individuals to choose between their familial responsibilities and their duty to fight for freedom and justice. Activists who stood up against apartheid risked imprisonment, exile, or even death, which could separate them from their families. This harsh reality made it nearly impossible to balance both obligations, as the struggle for political and social rights demanded sacrifices that impacted personal and familial lives. Mandela himself experienced this conflict, spending years away from his family while imprisoned, underscoring the profound personal costs of fighting against an unjust system.
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