NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 2 Nelson Mandela : Long Walk to Freedom
Question 1.
Where did the ceremonies take place ? Can you name any public buildings in India that are made of sandstones?
Answer:
The ceremonies took place in the campus of the Union Building of Pretoria, which were attended by dignitaries and leaders of many nations. In India; Rashtrapati Bhavan and Red Fort are buildings made of red sandstone
Question 2.
Can you say how 10th May is an autumn day in South Africa?
Answer:
As South Africa is in the Southern Hemisphere, may falls in the autumn season. Thus 10th May is an autumn day
Question 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?
Answer:
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 blacks suffered a lot. They were not allowed to demand freedom or any right. Mandela himself did spend many years on infamous Robben Island as a prisoner where he was beaten mercilessly. He considered it as great glorious human achievement that a black person became the President of a country where the blacks were not even considered human beings and were treated badly
Question 4.
What does Mandela thank the international leaders for ?
Answer:
Mandela felt very 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 to a newly born free democratic nation and it could be considered as a common victory for justice, peace and human dignity
Question 5.
What ideals does Nelson Mandela set for the future of South Africa?
Answer:
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
Page 21
Question 1.
What did the military generals do ? How did their attitude change and why?
Answer:
The highest military generals of South African defence force saluted Mandela and pledged their loyalty which was of great significance as during apartheid era they would have arrested him. The change in their attitude was because of struggle and sacrifices put in by many heroes of South Africa. This struggle not only ensured the freedom of a nation struggling with apartheid, bur brought a change in mindsets of many. He believed that love can also be taught and human being is naturally inclined towards love rather than hate
Question 2.
Why were two national anthems sung?
Answer:
One the auspicious occasion of the inauguration two national anthems: one by the Whites and the other by the Blacks symbolising the equality of the Blacks and the Whites were sung
Question 3.
How does Mandela describe the systems of government in his country?
In the first decade, and
In the final decade, of the twentieth century
Answer:
In the first decade of the century, the whites erected a system of racial domination against the blacks, thus creating the basis of one of the harshest and most inhumane societies the world had ever known
In the final decade of the 20th century, the . previous system had been overturned and replaced by one which recognised rights and freedom of all people regardless of color of their skin
Question 4.
What does courage mean to Mandela?
Answer:
For Mandela courage does not mean the absence of fear but a victory over fear. According to him brave men need not be fearless but should be able to conquer fear
Question 5.
Which does Mandela think is natural, to love or to hate?
Answer:
For Mandela, love comes more naturally to the human heart than hate
Page 4
Question 1.
What "twin obligations" does Mandela mention?
Answer:
Mandela mentions that every man has twin obligations. The first is to his family, parents, wife and children; the second obligation is to his people, his community and his country
Question 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"?
Answer:
Like any other kid, for Mandela freedom meant to make merry and enjoy the blissful life. Once one becomes an adult, antics of childhood looks like transitory because most of the childish activities are wasteful from an adult perspective. Once you are adult, you have to earn a livelihood to bring the bacon home. Its only then when you get an honourable existence in the family and in the society
Question 3.
Does Mandela think the oppressor is free? Why/why not?
Answer:
Mandela does not think that the oppressor is free because according to him an oppressor is a victim of hatred who is behind the bars of prejudice and narrow-mindedness. He realises that both the oppressor and the oppressed are robbed of their humanity and peace
Thinking about the Text
(Page 24)
Question 1.
Why did such a large number of international leaders attend the inauguration ? What did it signify the triumph of?
Answer:
To be the part of the inauguration, international leaders showed a gesture of solidarity from international community to the idea of end of apartheid. It was the significance of the victory of good over evil and triumph of a tolerant society without any discrimination
Question 2.
What does Mandela mean when he says he is "simply the sum of all those African patriots", who had gone before him ?
Answer:
By saying that he is simply the sum of all those African patriots, Mandela wants to pay his tribute to all the people who have sacrificed their lives for the sake of freedom. He says that he is grateful to those who had gone before him because those heroes of past had paved the path of co-operation and unity for him. Therefore, he could try to come to power to bring equality for his people with their support
Question 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 ?
Answer:
I agree with the statement that depths of oppression create heights of character. Nelson Mandela illustrates this by giving examples of great heroes of South Africa like Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu and others who were inspired to sacrifice their lives in the long freedom struggle.
India is full of such examples, during our freedom struggle there was a galaxy of leaders of great characters and the oppression of British rule created and encouraged people of noble characters like Mahatma Gandhi, Lala Lajpat Rai, JL Nehru, Chandra Shekhar Ajad, Sardar Bhagat Singh and many more. If we compare them with the quality of political leaders India is having today, then Nelson Mandela seems to be absolutely right
Question 4.
How did Mandela understanding of freedom change with age and experience?
Answer:
With age and experience, Mandela understood the real meaning of freedom. As a young boy, he thought that he was born free and believed that as long as he obeyed his father and abided by the customs of his tribe, he was free in every possible manner. As he grew older, freedom to raise a family and freedom to earn livelihood started dominating his thoughts. Gradually he realised that he was selfish during his boyhood. He slowly understood that it was not just his freedom that was being curtailed, but the freedom of all blacks. It was the freedom from fear and prejudice. Age and experience widened his perspective of freedom
Question 5.
How did Mandela hunger for freedom change his life?
Answer:
Mandela realised in his youth that it was not just his freedom that was being curtailed, but the freedom of all blacks. This changed the fearfulman to a fearless rebel.
He sacrificed the comforts of a settled family life to fight for a greater cause. He joined the African National Congress and this changed him from a frightened young man into a bold one who fought against racial prejudice
Thinking about Language
Question 1.
There are nouns in the text (formation, government) which are formed from the corresponding verbs (form, govern) by suffixing - (at)ion or ment. There may be change in the spelling of some verb - noun pairs ; such as rebel, rebellion; constitute, constitution.
Make a list of such pairs of nouns and verbs in the text?
| Noun |
Verb |
| Rebellion |
Rebel |
| Constitution |
Constitute |
Question 2.
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)?
- Mr Singh regularly invites the Amitabh Bachchans and the Shah Rukh Khans to his parties
- Many people think that Madhuri Dixit is the Madhubala of our times
- History is not only the story of the Alexanders, the Napoleons and the Hitlers, but of ordinary people as well
Question 3.
Match, the italicised phrases in Column A with the phrase nearest meaning in Column B.
(Hint: First look for the sentence in the text 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 |
1.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 |
2.Answer:
This means that Mr Singh regularly invites famous personalities as of the calibre of Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan to his parties
This means that Madhuri Dixit is compared to a landmark in acting in the form of legendary actress Madhubala
This means that history is not only the story of the great fighters and leaders such as Alexander, Napoleon and Hitler, but also of ordinary people
3.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 |
Important Question
NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 2 Nelson Mandela : Long Walk to Freedom Important Questions
Extract Based Questions (4 marks each)
Read the extract given below carefully and answer the questions that follow :
Question 1.
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 the Oliver Tambos, the Walter Sisulus, the Chief Luthulis, etc., men of such extraordinary courage, wisdom and generosity that their like may never be known again. (1×4=4)
[Board Term I, 2012; Set-EL2 - 063] [NCERT]
(a) Whom does ‘my’ refer to in the passage ?
(b) Name two persons of extraordinary courage, wisdom and generosity mentioned in the passage ?
(c) Trace a word from the passage which means the same as ‘a period of ten years’.
(d) What created a lasting wound in Nelson’s country ?
Answer:
(a) ‘My’ refers to the narrator i.e., Nelson Mandela.
(b) Oliver Tambos and Lithulis are the two people of extraordinary courage, wisdom and generosity in the passage.
(c) The word ‘Decade’ means ‘a period of ten years’.
(d) The policy of apartheid.
Question 2.
(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 1 were pushed to our limits, 1 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.) (1×4=4)
[Board Term I, 2012; Set-EL2 - 063] [NCERT]
(a) Why is it easy to learn to love ?
(b) What was the opinion of Mandela about the man’s goodness ?
(c) Trace a word from the passage that means "severe".
(d) What is a flame in the passage.
Answer:
(a) It is easy to learn to love because love comes more naturally to human heart than any other emotion.
(b) Mandela opinioned that Man’s goodness is a flame that can be hidden, but never extinguished.
(c) ‘Grimmest’ means ‘severe’.
(d) Man’s goodness
Question 3.
"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. (1×4=4)
[Board Term I, 2012; Set-EL2 - 063] [NCERT]
(a) Who is the speaker ?
(b) What pledge does he take ?
(c) Which word is the noun form of ’emancipate’ ?
(d) What has the speaker achieved ?
Answer:
(a) Nelson Mandela is the speaker.
(b) He takes a pledge to liberate all his people from exploitation, suffering and discrimination.
(c) The noun form of ’emancipate’ is ’emancipation’.
(d) Political emancipation.
Question 4.
Tenth 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 colours and nations for the installation of South Africa’s first democratic, non-ihcial government. (1×4=4)
[Board Term I, 2012; Set-EL2 - 063] [NCERT]
(a) What is the significance of tenth May ?
(b) What are the ceremonies referred to here ?
(c) Which word in the passage means the same as ‘placement of person in office with ceremony’ ?
(d) Where did the ceremonies take place ?
Answer:
(a) The tenth of May was the day for the installation of South Africa’s first democratic, non-racial government.
(b) The ceremonies’ refer to the inauguration ceremony of the first democratic, non-racial government in South Africa.
(c) ‘Installation’ means the ‘placement of a person in office with ceremony’.
(d) Sandstone amphitheatre
Question 5.
‘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’. (1×4=4)
[Board Term I, 2012; Set-EL2 - 063] [NCERT]
(a) Whose country is referred here ?
(b) What is a country’s greatest wealth ?
(c) Mention the figure of speech used in the above extract.
(d) Mention the valuable stone in the passage ?
Answer:
(a) Nelson Mandela’s country is referred here
(b) The country’s greatest wealth is its people.
(c) Simile.
(d) Gems
Short Answer Type Questions (30-40 words & 2 marks each)
Question 1.
What did ‘being free’ men to Mandela as a boy and as a student ?
[Board Term-1 2016-17 Set-B09VSNP] [NCERT]
Answer:
As a boy ‘being free, meant to Nelson Mandela to wander free in fields, to swim freely, to run through the village. As a student to stay out night, to read what he pleased and to go where he chose.
Question 2.
Why is 10th May, 1994 important for South Africa ?
[Board Term I, DDE-2014, 2012; Set-EL2 - 043] [NCERT]
Answer:
10th May, 1994 is important for South Africa as the inaugural oath taking ceremony of Nelson Mandela and his colleagues took place on this day. Nelson Mandela became the first black President of South Africa after three centuries of white rule.
Question 3.
What are the twin obligations Nelson Mandela talks about in his speech ?
[Board Term I, 2012; Set-EL2 - 070] [NCERT]
Answer:
According to Nelson Mandela every man has twin obligations-one is towards his family and the other is towards his people and his country.
Question 4.
What is the dream of Nelson Mandela for the future of South Africa ?
[Board Term I, 2012; Set-EL2 - 018]
Answer:
Mandela dreamt that his country should be free from poverty and discrimination. No country man should be oppressed on the basis of colour and creed.
Question 5.
What pained Nelson Mandela on becoming the President of South Africa ?
[Board Term I, 2012; Set-EL2 - 031]
Answer:
Mandela was pained by his inability to thank his comrades who were unable to see what their sacrifices had brought.
Question 6.
Why did Nelson Mandela said, "The oppressed and the oppressor alike are robbed of their humanity."
[Board Term I, 2012; Set-EL2 - 063] [NCERT]
Answer:
Nelson Mandela said so because the oppressed were robbed, when they suffered all that was against humanity and the oppressor had to kill the good human being within himself before doing anything cruel to the other person.
Question 7.
How does Nelson Mandela define the meaning of ‘courage’ and ‘the brave man’ ?
[Board Term I, 2012; Set-EL2 - 022] [NCERT]
Answer:
According to Nelson Mandela, courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. In the same way, the brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.
Question 8.
What Mandela meant when he is simply the sum of all those African patriots who had gone before him?
[Board Term I, 2012; Set-EL2 - 022] [NCERT]
Answer:
Nelson Mandela was a patriot. Like all other patriots, he felt the need of political independence and also underwent tortures by the whites of his own country. He included three persons in his list who were role model for him.
Long Answer Type Questions (100-120 words & 8 marks each)
Question 1.
How did the desire for the freedom of his people change Nelson Mandela’s life ?
[Board Term I, 2012; Set-EL2 - 063] [NCERT]
Answer:
The desire for the freedom of his people totally animated Nelson Mandela’s life. He was transformed from a frightened young man to a bold one. The desire turned a law abiding attorney to a criminal. A family- loving husband was turned into a man without a home, changed a life-loving man into a monk. Mandela was no more virtuous as self sacrificing, but he could not even enjoy poor and limited freedom. He felt himself robbed when he came to know that his people were not free. He felt that the slavery of his people was slavery of his own.
Question 2.
How did Nelson Mandela describe the scene of the inauguration ?
[Board Term I, 2012; Set-EL2 - 063] [NCERT]
Answer:
Nelson Mandela described the scene of inauguration jubilantly. It took place on the bright and clear day, the 10th of May in Sandstone amphitheatre. Many world leaders and great personalities were present there. He had gone there with his daughter Zenani. At first Mr. De Klerk was sworn in as second deputy president on the podium, then the Thabo Mbeki as first deputy president and after that Mandela was sworn in. This ceremony was held to declare Nelson Mandela as the first black president of South Africa: Finally the jets left off smoke of different colours of the new South African flag. The day was symbolised by the playing of two national anthems. Nelson Mandela was over-whelmed.
Value Based Question
Question 1.
What is the policy of Apartheid ? What was its impact on the blacks ?
[Board Term I, 2012; Set-EL2 - 063] [NCERT]
Answer:
The racial discrimination by whites against blacks in South Africa was termed as the policy of Apartheid. The blacks were deprived of their rights. They had no freedom for education or entertainment of their choice. The blacks were tortured and so suffered badly at the hands of the whites. They faced oppression and brutality. It created a deep and lasting wound in his country and its people. It would take generations to recover from that profound wound.