Nelson Mandela:Long Walk to Freedom (Chapter-2)

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.)

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.

How did Mandela's 'hunger for freedom' change his life?

How did Mandela's understanding of freedom change with age and experience?

  Does Mandela think the oppressor is free? Why/why not?

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?

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"?

What does Mandela mean when he says he is "simply the sum of all those African patriots" who had gone before him?

What "twin obligations" does Mandela mention?

 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 _______

There are nouns in the text (formation, government) which are formed from the corresponding verbs (form, govern) by suffixing - (at)ionor ment. There may be change in the spelling of some verb - noun pairs: such as rebel, rebellion; constitute,constitution.

1. Make a list of such pairs of nouns and verbs in the text.

Noun	Verb
rebellion	rebel
constitution	constitute

Why did such a large number of international leaders attend the inauguration

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

What does courage mean to Mandela?

  How does Mandela describe the systems of government in his country (i) in the first deca

Why were two national anthems sung?

What do the military generals do? How has their attitude changed, and why?

What ideals does he set out for the future of South Africa?

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?

Can you say how 10 May is an 'autumn day' in South Africa?

Where did the ceremonies take place? Can you name any public buildings in India that are made of sandstone?