Hello my dear students, welcome back to another fresh content from Assamese Medium & today in this article we are going to discuss Class 10 English Chapter 2 Nelson Mandela. Here at Assamese Medium, we are going to discuss all the important questions and answers from chapter 2 of Nelson Mandela Class 10 English for your upcoming HSLC 2023 SEBA examination.
We have already discussed the first chapter A Letter To God from Class 10 English. If you have not read that chapter now then just click on the link given below.
All Oral Comprehension Class 10 English Chapter 2 Nelson Mandela
Contents
1. Where did the ceremonies take place? Can you name any public buildings in India that are made of sandstone?
Answer: The ceremonies took place on the campus of the Union Building of Pretoria, and were attended by dignitaries and leaders of many nations. In Indian Rashtrapati Bhavan and Red Fort are public buildings that are made of sandstone.
2. Can you say how 10 May is an ‘autumn day’ in South Africa?
Answer: 10th of May is an autumn day in Southern Africa because on that day there was the largest meeting of international leaders on Southern African Soil to establish the first democratic, non-racial government in South Africa.
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 mentioning “an extraordinary human disaster” at the beginning of his speech, Mandela refers to the cruel practice of apartheid, that is the racial injustice endured in South Africa by the whites. The blacks were not allowed to demand freedom or any right.
At the end of the speech, Mandela talks about the ‘glorious human achievement’ that a black person became the President of a country where blacks were not even considered human beings and were treated badly.
4. What does Mandela thank the international leaders for?
Answer: In the Oath-talking ceremony of Mandela, he felt very privileged to welcome the international leaders that day, because the South Africans were considered outlaws before they got independent. Thus, he thanked 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 a common victory for justice, peace, and human dignity.
5. What ideals does he set out for the future of South Africa?
Answer: Nelson Mandela set the ideals of liberating people from the bondage of poverty, deprivation, and suffering. He also set the ideal for a society where there would be no discrimination on basis of color or gender.
6. What do the military generals do? How has their attitude changed, and why?
Answer: The highest military generals of the South African defense force and police saluted Mandela and pledged their loyalty. Their attitude had changed towards the blacks. They started saluting them instead of arresting them.
7. Why were two national anthems sung?
Answer: Two national anthems were sung on the day of the inauguration, one by the whites and the other by the blacks. It symbolized the equality of blacks and whites.
8. 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?
Answer: The systems of government described by Mandela are given below-
- In the first decade of the twentieth century, the white-skinned people of South Africa patched up their differences and create a system free of racial domination.
- In the last decade of the twentieth century, the previous system had been overturned forever and replaced by one that recognized the rights and freedom of all people, regardless of their color and skin.
9. What does courage mean to Mandela?
Answer: According to Mandela, courage does not mean the absence of fear but a victory over fear. He believes that brave men need not be fearless but should be able to conquer fear.
10. Which does he think is natural, to love or to hate?
Answer: For Mandela, love comes more naturally to the human heart than hate.
11. What “twin obligations” does Mandela mention?
Answer: Mandela believes 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.
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 honorable freedoms”?
Answer: Like other kids, Mandala freedom means to make merry and enjoy a blissful life. Once one becomes an adult, the memories of childhood look transitory because most of the childish activities are wasteful for an adult, you have to earn a livelihood to feed your family. It’s only then that you get an honorable existence in the family and society.
13. Does Mandela think the oppressor is free? Why/Why not.
Answer: According to Mandela, an oppressor is a victim of hatred who is behind bars of prejudice and narrow-mindedness. He realizes that both the oppressor and the oppressed are robbed of their humanity and peace.
Thinking about the text Question Answers Class 10 English Chapter 2
1. Why did such a large number of international leaders attend the inauguration? What did it signify the triumph of?
Answer: By attending the inauguration ceremony the international leaders showed a gesture of solidarity from the international community to the idea of the end of apartheid. It was the significance of the victory of good over evil and the triumph of a tolerant society without any discrimination.
2. What does Mandela mean when he says he is “simply the sum of all those African patriots” who had gone before him?
Answer: When Mandela says he is simply the sum of all those African patriots, he actually wants to pay tribute to all the people who have sacrificed their lives for the sake of freedom. He says that he is grateful to the patriots who had gone before him because they were the real heroes who paved the path of cooperation and unity for him.
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 Tomb, 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, Jawahar Lal Nehru, and many more. If we compare them with the quality of political leaders India is having today, Nelson Mandela seems to be absolutely right.
4. How did Mandela’s understanding of freedom change with age and experience?
Answer: Mandela understood the real meaning of freedom with age and experience. 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 way. As he grew older, freedom’s meaning changed for him. Now he needs the freedom to raise a family, and the freedom to earn a livelihood. Gradually he realized that he was selfish during his boyhood. He slowly understood that it was not just his freedom that was being detailed, but the freedom of all blacks. It was freedom from fear and prejudice. Age and experience widened his perspective of freedom.
5. How did Mandela’s ‘hunger for freedom’ change his life?
Answer: Mandela realized that it was not only his freedom that was being curtailed but the freedom of all blacks. Then it changed fearful Mandela into a fearless rebel. He sacrificed the comforts of 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.
Class 10 English Chapter 2 Conclusion
As we are discussing in class 10 English chapter 2 question answers, we have added all the necessary questions from the chapter. Now we have just added the textual question answers from class 10 English chapter 2 & in the future, we will update this chapter with all-important question answers for the 2023 SEBA Final Exam.
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