Chapter 2: Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

Important questions — the ones the board asked most (18)

1. Q1Short answer12 marksAsked: 2024

   Answer any four of the following five questions in 40 – 50 words each : 4x3=12 (i) Nelson Mandela in his inauguration speech says, "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." What is the significance of this statement with reference to the political system that prevailed before this ? (Nelson Mandela – Long Walk to Freedom) (ii) 'The Ball Poem' initially appears simple but it is actually quite impactful and intense. Comment upon the theme of 'The Ball Poem'. (iii) Coorg has been defined as a 'piece of heaven' by the writer. Justify. (Glimpses of India) (iv) What argument do Lomov and Natalya give over the superiority of their dogs, Guess and Squeezer ? (The Proposal) (v) In the poem 'Amanda', why does the poet use the famous fairy tale character, Rapunzel ? Explain. (Amanda)

   

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   Model answer · Short answers, prose and poetry

   1. 1.Under apartheid, black South Africans were denied their rights, and Mandela and his comrades were treated as outlaws, banned and imprisoned, while the country was shunned by the world. The statement shows the change: apartheid had ended, a democratic government had been formed, and those same 'outlaws' now hosted world leaders at the inauguration. It marks a triumph of freedom and justice.3 marks
   2. 2.'The Ball Poem' is about loss and growing up. The boy who loses his ball must learn what the poet calls the 'epistemology of loss'. He must understand that money is external, that what is lost cannot be bought back, and that loss is a part of life. Learning to bear it and stand up again is a step towards maturity.3 marks
   3. 3.Coorg lies midway between Mysore and Mangalore. It has rolling hills, evergreen rainforests, coffee and spice plantations and the river Kaveri. Elephants, birds and monkeys live there, the weather is perfect, with some showers, from September to March, and it offers adventure sports. With its brave and hospitable people, it truly seems 'a piece of heaven'.3 marks
   4. 4.(iv) Lomov claims that his dog Guess is better than Squeezer. He says that Squeezer is overshot, that is, his lower jaw is shorter than the upper. Natalya insists that Squeezer is far better and dismisses Guess as old and ugly. Neither gives in, and the quarrel grows. OR (v) Amanda imagines herself as Rapunzel, living alone in a tower: 'life in a tower is tranquil and rare', and she will never let down her bright hair. The poet uses this fairy tale character to show Amanda's longing for solitude and freedom from constant nagging. Ironically, she prefers lonely captivity to being scolded.3 marks

   Marks split from a structure derived from past papers (checked twice); not CBSE’s official scheme

2. Q2Long answer6 marksAsked: 2024

   Answer any one of the following two questions, in 100-120 words : (a) A desire is more personal whereas a vision has broader connotations. You have been asked to present an analysis of Valli’s desire and Mandela’s vision and how they are respectively fulfilled. Write this presentation draft including your insights, in about 120 words, comparing the approaches of both Valli and Mandela. You may begin like this : One acknowledges that both, Valli and Mandela _____ however, (Reference – Nelson Mandela – A Long Walk to Freedom & Madam Rides a Bus) OR (b) You have been chosen to address the student gathering from the nearby schools, to speak on “How to Deal with Loss – Personal or Material”. Prepare the speech draft in not more than 120 words, with reference to the commonality of themes in John Benyman’s ‘The Ball Poem’ and ‘A Sermon at Benaras’. You may begin this way. Good Morning everyone. Today, I’d like to discuss two pieces of literature that offer a powerful insight into how we can learn to deal with loss. You may end in this way – To conclude, I’d like to say that – Thank you.

   

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   Model answer · Valli's desire vs Mandela's vision

   One acknowledges that both, Valli and Mandela, pursued a dream with determination; however, Valli's was a personal desire, Mandela's a vision for a nation. Valli longed to ride the bus to the town. She quietly gathered details of the fare and time and saved sixty paise by giving up peppermints, toys and balloons. Her desire was fulfilled when she rode the bus alone. Mandela's vision was freedom and equality for all South Africans. He sacrificed his family life and freedom in the long struggle against apartheid. It was fulfilled when he became the first black President of democratic South Africa. Both showed patience, courage and sacrifice, but Valli's effort was individual, while Mandela's was a collective struggle for his nation.

   Marks split from a structure derived from past papers (checked twice); not CBSE’s official scheme

3. Q3Long answer6 marksAsked: 2024

   Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions in 100-120 words : (i) In the chapter ‘A Baker from Goa’ the narrator talks about his childhood in Goa and his fond memories. In about 120 words write a presentation draft comparing the childhood of the narrator in ‘A Baker from Goa’ to that of Nelson Mandela. You may begin this way : Childhood memories remind us of the days gone by..... Reference : A Baker from Goa and Nelson Mandela : Long Walk (ii) Amanda from the poem ‘Amanda’ is a teenager like Anne Frank and lives in her fantasy world whereas Anne is a chatter box. What conversation will Anne Frank have with Amanda about different perspectives of life ? Write your answer in about 120 words.

   

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   Model answer · Comparing childhood and freedom

   1. 1.Childhood memories remind us of the days gone by, and both the narrator of 'A Baker from Goa' and Nelson Mandela look back on a happy, carefree childhood. Both talk about the freedom of childhood and its innocence. The narrator remembers how, as children, they rushed every morning to greet the baker, who came with his jingling bamboo staff, and how they enjoyed the bread-bangles he gave them. Mandela, too, says, "I was not born with a hunger to be free. I was born free." As a boy, he was free to run in the fields and swim in the clear stream near his mother's hut. The difference lies in what that freedom really was. For the narrator, freedom was a reality. His happy memories of Goa were never taken away from him. For Mandela, freedom was an illusion. As he grew older, he saw that these were only "transitory freedoms". He and his people were not allowed the basic and honourable freedoms, such as earning his keep.3 marks
   2. 2.So, the two childhoods start in the same way, with joy, play and innocence, but they lead to very different lives. The narrator's childhood stayed a warm and lasting memory. Mandela's discovery that his freedom was only an illusion gave him a hunger for the freedom of his people, and that hunger changed his whole life.2 marks
   3. 3.To conclude, a carefree childhood is precious. The narrator could keep his, but Mandela had to fight so that every child in his country could be truly free.1 mark

   • Begin with the given line, "Childhood memories remind us of the days gone by", and write the answer as a presentation draft.
   • Write both sides of the difference: for the narrator, "freedom was a reality"; for Mandela, "freedom was an illusion".
   • Name the things both childhoods share: "freedom of childhood", a "carefree childhood" and its "innocence".

   Marks split as in the board’s published marking scheme

4. Q4Long answer6 marksAsked: 2024

   Answer any one of the following two questions, in 100-120 words : (a) A desire is more personal whereas a vision has broader connotations. You have been asked to present an analysis of Valli's desire and Mandela's vision and how they are respectively fulfilled. Write this presentation draft including your insights, in about 120 words, comparing the approaches of both Valli and Mandela. You may begin like this : One acknowledges that both, Valli and Mandela ____ however, (Reference - Nelson Mandela - A Long Walk to Freedom & Madam Rides a Bus) OR (b) You have been chosen to address the student gathering from the nearby schools, to speak on "How to Deal with Loss - Personal or Material". Prepare the speech draft in not more than 120 words, with reference to the commonality of themes in John Benyman's 'The Ball Poem' and 'A Sermon at Benaras'. You may begin this way. Good Morning everyone. Today, I'd like to discuss two pieces of literature that offer a powerful insight into how we can learn to deal with loss. You may end in this way - To conclude, I'd like to say that - Thank you.

   How the model answer begins

   1. The opening 'One acknowledges that both, Valli and Mandela, pursued a dream with determination; however, ...' uses the given beginning and contrasts her personal desire with his vision for a nation.

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5. Q5Case-based5 marksAsked: 2026

   Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two given : (A) 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. Never, never, and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another. The sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement. (Nelson Mandela – Long Walk to Freedom) I. What is the tone Nelson Mandela is UNLIKELY to have used in his speech ? II. According to Mandela, emancipation is not merely political. Elaborate. III. Fill in the blank with the correct word from the bracket : Mandela's speech swings between references to the past and a ________ (bleak/promising) future. IV. With reference to the extract explain the sentence, "The sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement." OR (B) [passage] I. "Elementary, my dear Omega." What is Think-Tank's tone in the sentence ? (A) patronising (B) admonishing (C) ironic (D) sarcastic II. Why does Omega call Think-Tank great and mighty ? III. Fill in the blank with the correct word from the bracket : After viewing the book closely, Think-Tank concludes that Earth creatures ________ (enjoy/dislike) eating food. IV. Why does Oop open the book and put it on his head ?

   How the model answer begins

   1. I. The tone Nelson Mandela is unlikely to have used is (C) conflicted. His speech is firm, confident and hopeful. He has no doubts as he celebrates freedom and makes pledges for his people.

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6. Q6Case-based5 marksAsked: 2026

   Read the following extracts and answer the questions for any one of the given two, (a) or (b) : (a) Out of the experience of an extraordinary human disaster that lasted too long, must be born a society of which all humanity will be proud. 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. (i) Which of the following options justifies the statement made by Mandela, "We, who were outlaws ..." ? (A) The international leaders who came to attend the ceremony (B) Due to Apartheid, many countries broke diplomatic relations with South Africa (C) The Commonwealth countries and their people (D) The people who fought in the Anglo-Boer War (ii) Complete the sentence appropriately : Mandela thanked all the distinguished international guests because __________. (iii) In the above lines, Mandela mentions 'extraordinary human disaster'. What is the significance of this phrase in his speech ? (iv) The tone of Mandela in the above excerpt is : 1. unifying 2. determined 3. aggressive 4. pessimistic 5. hopeless Select the correct option : (A) 1, 2 and 4 (B) 2 and 4 (C) 1 and 2 (D) 4 and 5 OR (b) [passage] (i) In light of the excerpt, what can we infer about Richard from Mr. Weiherer's statement, "Richard was competitive, but not in a bad sense" ? (ii) Mention the 'ingredients' which are necessarily required in the making of a scientist. (iii) Fill in the blank with the correct word from the brackets : Mr. Weiherer suggests that Richard was __________. (lethargic/persistent) (iv) As per the above excerpt, what is not true about Ebright ? Select the correct option. (A) strongly curious (B) bright minded (C) competitive spirit (D) irrational

   How the model answer begins

   1. (i) (B) Due to Apartheid, many countries broke diplomatic relations with South Africa. Mandela calls his people "outlaws" because, under its policy of apartheid, South Africa had been cut off by many nations of the…

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7. Q7Case-based5 marksAsked: 2024

   Read the following extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the given two : (A) 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 (i) Explain the feelings of the narrator when he said ; “I was overwhelmed with a sense of history.” (ii) The system of racial domination has been replaced by a system that : (A) confirms the education of the Blacks. (B) recognises the rights and freedoms of all people. (C) recollects the bitter experiences. (D) focuses on the personality development. (iii) Comment on the kind of society apartheid had created ? (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...” OR (B) [passage] (i) “In the summer of 1941, Grandma fell ill and had to have an operation, so my birthday passed with little celebration.” State any one inference about Anne from the above context. (ii) The first education of Anne started at ________ . (A) some Kindergarten School (B) a Nursery School (C) Montessori Nursery School (D) Elementary School (iii) Who was Mrs. Kuperus? What kind of relationship did Anne share with her? (iv) Substitute the word ‘heartbreaking’ with a word similar in meaning in the following sentence : “At the end of the year we were both in tears as we said a heartbreaking farewell.”

   How the model answer begins

   1. (i) When Nelson Mandela said, "I was overwhelmed with a sense of history," he meant that on the day of his inauguration as South Africa's first black President, he felt deeply emotional. He was happy and proud that he…

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8. Q8Case-based5 marksAsked: 2024

   Read the following extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the given two : (A) 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.” (ii) The system of racial domination has been replaced by a system that : (A) confirms the education of the Blacks. (B) recognises the rights and freedoms of all people. (C) recollects the bitter experiences. (D) focuses on the personality development. (iii) Comment on the kind of society apartheid had created ? (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...”

   How the model answer begins

   1. (i) When Nelson Mandela said he was "overwhelmed with a sense of history", he meant that he felt deeply emotional on the day of his inauguration as South Africa's first black President. He was happy and proud because…

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9. Q9Case-based5 marksAsked: 2024

   Read the following extracts and answer the questions for any one of the given two, (a) or (b) : (a) 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. Never, never, and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another. The sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement. Let freedom reign. God bless Africa! (Nelson Mandela – Long Walk to Freedom) (i) State any one inference about Nelson Mandela from the given context : (ii) State True or False : When Mandela says, “God bless Africa”, he intends to mean well-being and welfare of only black people in South Africa. (iii) “Nelson Mandela’s speech is full of optimism.” Elaborate in about 40 words with reference to the extract. (iv) Which phrase would correctly substitute ‘so glorious’, in the given sentence from the extract. “The sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement.” OR (b) [passage] (i) Which of the following is not a reason why Mr. Herriot thinks Tricki needs to be taken out of the house for a period ? (A) He wanted to keep Tricki away from Mrs. Pumphrey. (B) He wanted to keep Tricki under observation. (C) He wanted to do an experiment on Tricki. (D) He wanted to improve Tricki’s health. (ii) What was the main reason for Mrs. Pumphrey to be distraught ? Answer in about 40 words. (iii) State True or False : When Mr. Herriot says, “I had made my plans in advance” – what he actually means is, he had already seen this trauma coming for Tricki. (iv) Which of the following best describes Mrs. Pumphrey ? (A) unkind and inconsiderate (B) impractical but compassionate (C) anxious and ambitious (D) fearful but confident

   How the model answer begins

   1. (i) Nelson Mandela felt a deep sense of achievement and fulfilment. He saw it as a collective achievement of all his people, and he felt that their long struggles and sufferings had been worth it.

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10. Q10Case-based5 marksAsked: 2023

    Attempt any one from (A) and (B) given below : (A) Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow : 5x1=5 To the assembled guests and the watching world, I said : Today, all of us do, by our presence here ..... confer glory and hope to newborn liberty. Out of the experience of an extraordinary human disaster that lasted too long, must be born a society of which all humanity will be proud. 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 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) A society that _________ was born out of human disaster. (a) all humanity would be proud of (b) was full of extraordinary human disaster (c) was full of outlaws and fighters (d) hosts nations on their soil (ii) The former outlaws were given the privilege of _________. (a) getting citizenship of their country (b) participating in a trade conclave (c) finalizing the foreign policy (d) hosting the nations of the world on their soil (iii) The speaker was overwhelmed with the sense of _________. (a) gratitude (b) achievement (c) happiness (d) charity (iv) State whether the following statement is True or False : The common victory was when South Africa did not become an independent nation. (v) The noun form of the word 'confer' is (a) conferring (b) confident (c) conference (d) configuring OR (B) Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow : 5x1=5 [passage] (i) Think-Tank wants to communicate with the _________ . (a) People of Earth (b) Scientists on Earth (c) Environmentalists on Earth (d) Martians on Earth (ii) Complete the analogy by selecting the suitable word from the passage. read : learn : : explore : _________ (iii) Your Intelligence refers to (a) Earth (b) Noodle (c) Little Planet (d) Think-Tank (iv) What does Think-Tank want to do ? (v) Fill in the blank with one word only. Think-Tank is a _________ of the Martian team.

    How the model answer begins

    1. (i) (a) all humanity would be proud of. The speaker says that out of the experience of an extraordinary human disaster that lasted too long, there must be born a society of which all humanity will be proud.

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11. Q11Case-based5 marksAsked: 2024

    Read the following extracts and answer the questions for any ONE of the given two. (a) [passage] (Nelson Mandela – Long Walk to Freedom) (i) What do you infer from the following statement ? "The inauguration would be the largest gathering ever of international leaders on South African Soil." (ii) Explain in about 40 words the effective shift from white supremacy to a rainbow gathering. (iii) Which phrase would correctly substitute 'pleasantly besieged' in the given sentence from that extract ? (iv) State true or false with reference to the given extract. In the past the 'amphitheatre' had been a seat for theatrical performances. OR (b) [passage] (From the Diary of Annie Frank) (i) State any one inference about Anne from the given context. "Anyone could ramble on and leave big spaces between the words, but the trick was to come up with convincing arguments to prove the necessity of talking." (ii) In about 40 words, elaborate on the justification Anne gives for her talkative nature. (iii) Which one of the following best describes the tone of the given extract ? (A) derogatory (B) persuasive (C) nostalgic (D) cautionary (iv) Which phrase would correctly substitute 'ramble on' in the given sentence from the extract ?

    How the model answer begins

    1. (a) (i) The statement shows that South Africa had never been allowed to hold an international gathering before. Because of its policy of apartheid, many countries had broken off diplomatic relations with it, and its…

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12. Q12Short answer3 marksAsked: 2026

    Although Mandela cherished the illusion of freedom during his boyhood, when he realized the harsh reality, it ignited the spark for a broader and more meaningful freedom for his people. Justify. (Nelson Mandela : Long Walk to Freedom)

    How the model answer begins

    1. As a boy, Mandela ran in the fields and swam in the village stream, but this carefree boyhood freedom was an illusion. As a student, he wanted only transitory freedoms for himself. As a young man, he wanted the basic…

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13. Q13Short answer3 marksAsked: 2026

    After achieving political emancipation, what does Mandela want to do in South Africa ? (Nelson Mandela : Long Walk to Freedom)

    How the model answer begins

    1. After achieving political emancipation, Mandela pledges himself to liberate all his people from the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering and other discrimination.

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14. Q14Short answer3 marksAsked: 2025

    Why does the author use the phrase "that drove a law-abiding citizen to become a criminal" to describe Mandela ? (Nelson Mandela - Long Walk to Freedom)

    How the model answer begins

    1. The phrase shows that Mandela did not become a criminal out of choice. He was a law-abiding attorney. He was driven by one purpose: to gain freedom for his people so that they could live their lives with dignity and…

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15. Q15Short answer3 marksAsked: 2025

    How did Mandela learn the meaning of courage? (Nelson Mandela - Long Walk to Freedom)

    How the model answer begins

    1. Mandela learned the meaning of courage from his comrades in the struggle against apartheid, men like Oliver Tambo and Walter Sisulu. Time and again, he saw men and women risk and give their lives for an idea, the…

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16. Q16Short answer3 marksAsked: 2025

    The transition from the apartheid system in South Africa to a new era of equality reflects broader historical trends in the struggle for human rights and social justice. Elaborate. (Nelson Mandela - Long Walk to Freedom)

    How the model answer begins

    1. South Africa's move from apartheid to a new era of equality reflects the wider struggle for human rights and social justice, in which oppression gives way to freedom. Apartheid was a system of racial domination by the…

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17. Q17Short answer3 marksAsked: 2025

    Why does Nelson Mandela feel very strongly about 'an extraordinary human disaster' ? (Nelson Mandela : Long Walk to Freedom)

    How the model answer begins

    1. Nelson Mandela feels very strongly about 'an extraordinary human disaster' because it means apartheid, which his own people suffered for decades. Under the policy of apartheid, black-skinned people faced severe…

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18. Q18Short answer3 marksAsked: 2024

    Nelson Mandela in his inauguration speech says "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." What is the significance of this statement with reference to the political system that prevailed before this ?

    How the model answer begins

    1. The statement shows how South Africa changed from a country run on apartheid to a democracy. Before this, the white-skinned peoples had set up a system of racial domination over the dark-skinned peoples, and it was one…

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Questions parents and students ask

How many marks does "Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom" carry in CBSE Class 10 English?

In the CBSE papers of 2023–2026, this chapter carried about 3 marks and about 1 questions a year; by marks it ranks 7 in English.

Which are the most important (VVI) questions of "Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom"?

The 18 questions above are from the board’s real papers, each with the years it was asked; the most-asked come first with their full model answers. All 18 written questions of this chapter, with answers, are in the Ask Medha app.

Do the answers follow the board’s marking scheme?

Yes. CBSE publishes its marking schemes; every model answer here is written point by point to the marks the board’s own scheme gives, and checked by a second, independent model.