ATHENA GLOBAL SCHOOL

GRADE: X UNIT – 2: NELSON MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM SUBJECT: ENGLISH

COMPETENCY BASED QUESTIONS
Short Questions (3 marks)
Answer the following questions in 40-50 words:
4. What was the significance of the inauguration ceremony taking place in the amphitheater formed by the Union Building in
Pretoria?
5. ”It is from these comrades in the struggle that I learned the meaning of courage.’’ Who is Nelson Mandela talking about?
6. Briefly state the meaning of “glorious human achievement” that Mandela speaks of at the end of his inaugural speech.
7. The speaker says, ‘at first as a student I wanted freedom only for myself.’ Why do you think he only thought about himself?
Long Questions (6 marks)
Answer the following questions in 100-120 words:
8. After having read the lesson on the oppression that communities faced in South Africa, you were deeply hurt. You could
also relate to the struggles and hardships of millions of Indians who fought against the oppressive British rule.
Write a diary entry expressing your feelings about oppression faced by people in their homeland.
You may begin like this:
24 August 20XX, Monday 9:00 pm
My heart is filled with sadness as I think of the oppressed and how they had to tolerate the inhuman attitude of the oppressors
in their own land ..............................
9. Describe the significance of freedom for individuals and its role in the growth of civilization and humanism, as portrayed in
the lesson "Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom."

NCERT & DIKSHA QUESTIONS

Short Questions (3 marks)
Answer the following questions in 40-50 words:
10. Why did such a large number of international leaders attend the inauguration? What did it signify the triumph of?
11. What does Mandela mean when he says he is “simply the sum of all those African patriots”, who had gone before him?
12. How did Mandela’s idea about freedom change as he was growing up?
Long Questions (6 marks)
Answer the following questions in 100-120 words:
13. 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?

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Objective Questions (1 mark)
14. ‘In life, every man has twin obligations', (Nelson Mandela). The 'twin obligations' are:
(a) first to his community and the second to his country. (b) first to his family and the second to his country.
(c) first to his country and the second to his parents. (d) first to his community and the second to his family.
15. Mandela refers to liberty as “newborn” because it:
(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.
Extract Based Questions (5 marks)
16. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
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!
(A) State any one inference about Nelson Mandela from the given context:
"We have, at last, achieved our political emancipation."
(B) 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.
(C) "Nelson Mandela's speech is full of optimism." Elaborate in about 40 words with reference to the extract.
(D) 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.”
Short Questions (3 marks)
Answer the following questions in 40-50 words:
17. State two ways in which the oppressor and the oppressed are similar, according to Mandela.
18. What ideals does Nelson Mandela set out for the future of South Africa?
19. What did Mandela think for oppressor and oppressed?
20. What did Mandela realize about his brothers and sisters?
Long Questions (6 marks)
Answer the following questions in 100-120 words:
21. You have been chosen to address a student gathering from the neighbourhood schools, to speak on the resilience of
human spirit required to transcend discrimination. Prepare the speech draft in not more than 120 words, with reference to the
commonality of themes in, Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, and, The Trees by Adrienne Rich,
You may begin this way:
Good morning, everyone. Today, I'd like to discuss two pieces of literature that offer a powerful insight into the resilience of
the human spirit required to transcend discrimination.
You may end this way. To conclude, I’d like to say that ... Thank you
High difficulty Questions (for self-assessment
Short Answer Type Questions

Answer the following questions in 40-50 words:

3. The story is a powerful example of resilience and the triumph of the human spirit. Explain.
4. What role does persistence play in Mandela's life?
5. How does the author's choice of descriptive language contribute to the overall tone and atmosphere of the story?
Long Answer Type Questions
Answer the following questions in 100-120 words:
6. In the story, 'A Letter to God' despite the loss, Lencho maintains hope in the help of God. Similarly, the theme of hope and
resilience is prevalent in Nelson Mandela's inauguration speech. You have been asked to present an evaluation of the theme
of both the stories. Write this presentation draft including your insights, in about 120 words.
You may begin like this:
In both "A Letter to God" and Nelson Mandela's inauguration speech, the theme of hope and resilience shines.......
7. Freedom is inconsequential if it is behind bars of prejudice and narrow mindedness. Comment and support your answer
with suitable examples from the real world.
Dust of Snow” by Robert Frost

Central Idea of “Dust of Snow” by Robert Frost

The central idea or theme of Robert Frost’s poem “Dust of Snow” is that small, seemingly insignificant moments or events in
nature can have a profound impact on one’s mood, perspective, and outlook on life.

Impact of Small Moments in Nature

In the poem, the simple act of a crow shaking snow from a hemlock tree onto the poet is enough to change his mood and
save a portion of a day that he had initially regretted. This suggests that even on our worst days, a brief interaction with nature
or a fleeting moment of beauty can shift our mindset and provide a glimmer of hope or positivity.

Challenging Preconceived Notions

The poem also challenges our preconceived notions and associations by using a crow and a hemlock tree, which are often
linked with negative symbolism, to represent a moment of unexpected joy or redemption. This implies that we should be open
to finding beauty and meaning in unlikely places and that even the darkest elements in life can have a positive impact.
Overall Message

Overall, the central idea of “Dust of Snow” is that we should be receptive to the small, surprising moments in life that can
change our perspective and that nature has the power to uplift and inspire us, even in the midst of difficult times.
Dust of Snow Solution

Q1. What is a “dust of snow”? What does the poet say has changed his mood? How has the poet’s mood changed?
A1. “Dust of snow” refers to the fine, powdery snow that the crow shakes off the hemlock tree and onto the poet. This small,
seemingly insignificant event is what the poet says has changed his mood. The poet’s mood has changed from one of regret
or sorrow (“a day I had rued”) to a more positive or hopeful one, as the crow’s action has “saved some part” of his day.

Q2. How does Frost present nature in this poem? The following questions may help you to think of an answer.
(i) What are the birds that are usually named in poems? Do you think a crow is often mentioned in poems? What images
come to your mind when you think of a crow?
(ii) Again, what is “a hemlock tree”? Why doesn’t the poet write about a more ‘beautiful’ tree such as a maple, or an oak, or a
pine?
(iii) What do the ‘crow’ and ‘hemlock’ represent — joy or sorrow? What does the dust of snow that the crow shakes off a
hemlock tree stand for?
A2. Frost presents nature in a unique and thought-provoking way in this poem:
(i) Crows are not typically the birds mentioned in poetry, which often focuses on more melodic or symbolically beautiful birds
like nightingales, doves, or swans. Crows are often associated with darker imagery, such as death, mystery, or ill omens. By
choosing a crow, Frost challenges traditional poetic conventions and symbolism.
(ii) A hemlock tree is an evergreen known for its poisonous properties. By not choosing a more conventionally “beautiful” tree,
Frost suggests that beauty and significance can be found in unexpected places, and that even seemingly dark or negative
elements in nature can have a positive impact.
(iii) The crow and hemlock tree, often associated with darker themes, ironically represent a moment of joy or hope in the
poem. The dust of snow that the crow shakes from the hemlock tree symbolizes a small, fleeting moment of beauty or grace
that has the power to change the poet’s perspective and mood.

Q3. Have there been times when you felt depressed or hopeless? Have you experienced a similar moment that changed your
mood that day?
A3. Personal experiences of feeling depressed or hopeless, and moments that have changed one’s mood, will vary from
individual to individual. However, the poem suggests that small, unexpected moments in nature or in daily life can have a
profound impact on our emotional state and can help us find hope or beauty in difficult times. Many people might relate to the
idea of a seemingly small event or interaction suddenly shifting their perspective and improving their mood, even on a day that
seemed bleak or regrettable.

Poetic Devices in “Dust of Snow” by Robert Frost

Robert Frost’s poem “Dust of Snow” employs several poetic devices that enhance its meaning and emotional impact. Here are
some of the key devices used:
1. Imagery
Imagery involves using descriptive language to create visual pictures in the reader’s mind. In this poem, Frost uses imagery to
describe the scene vividly:
“The way a crow / Shook down on me / The dust of snow / From a hemlock tree” creates a clear visual of a crow shaking
snow off a tree onto the speaker.

2. Symbolism
Symbolism is the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities. In this poem:
The “crow” and “hemlock tree” are often associated with negative connotations (crows with
bad omens and hemlock with poison). However, in this context, they bring about a positive
change, symbolizing unexpected sources of joy or transformation.

“Dust of snow” symbolizes a small, seemingly insignificant event that has a profound impact on the speaker’s mood.

3. Alliteration
Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words. It adds a musical quality to the poem:
“Shook down on me / The dust of snow” – the repetition of the ‘s’ sound creates a soft, soothing effect.

4. Assonance
Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds within words. It contributes to the poem’s rhythm and mood:
“Has given my heart / A change of mood” – the repetition of the ‘a’ sound in “has,” “heart,” and “change” creates a harmonious
effect.

5. Rhyme Scheme
The poem follows a simple ABAB rhyme scheme, which gives it a rhythmic and structured flow:
“The way a crow (A) / Shook down on me (B) / The dust of snow (A) / From a hemlock tree (B).”

6. Enjambment
Enjambment is the continuation of a sentence or clause across a line break. It helps maintain the flow of thought and can
create a sense of movement:
“The way a crow / Shook down on me / The dust of snow” – the thought continues across multiple lines, creating a seamless
flow.

7. Contrast
The poem contrasts the initial negative mood with the positive change brought about by the simple act of snow falling:
“Has given my heart / A change of mood / And saved some part / Of a day I had rued.” The contrast between the speaker’s
initial regret and the subsequent upliftment highlights the transformative power of small moments.

8. Metaphor
While not overtly present, the entire poem can be seen as a metaphor for how small, seemingly insignificant events can have
a significant impact on our lives.

By employing these poetic devices, Robert Frost effectively conveys the theme of finding beauty and positivity in unexpected
places, and how small moments can have a profound impact on our emotions and outlook.
Rhyme Scheme of “Dust of Snow” by Robert Frost

The rhyme scheme of Robert Frost’s poem “Dust of Snow” is ABAB CDCD. This means that the first and third lines of each
stanza rhyme with each other, and the second and fourth lines rhyme with each other. Here’s a breakdown:

FIRE AND ICE

Fire and Ice – Poem Summary
Summary of the poem ‘Fire and Ice’:
The poem “Fire and Ice” by Robert Frost explores two different ideas about how the world might end. Some
people believe the world will be engulfed in flames, while others think it will freeze over completely.

The speaker focuses on their own experiences with strong feelings and desires. They’ve seen how powerful
these emotions can be, and because of that, they tend to agree with the idea of a fiery destruction.
However, the poem takes a turn. The speaker acknowledges that if the world had to end twice, another powerful
force could be responsible: hate. They’ve seen the coldness and harshness of hatred, and they believe it’s
strong enough to bring about an icy destruction of the world.

In the end, the poem doesn’t tell us which way the world will actually end, fire or ice. It simply suggests that both
intense desire and intense hatred are powerful enough to destroy everything.

Key points from the poem:

 The poem talks about the potential destruction of the world.
 There are two ways this destruction might happen: by fire (desire) or by ice (hate).
 The speaker believes desire is a more likely cause for destruction.
 Hate is also considered a powerful force that could destroy the world.
Literary Devices in ‘Fire and Ice’
Alliteration – Repetition of same consonant sound in consecutive or nearby words.
I hold with those who favour fire. – ‘f’sound is repeated.
Some say in ice.- ‘s’ sound is repeated
Anaphora– the repetition of a word or expression at the start of two or more consecutive lines
Some say – lines one and two begin with ‘Some say’

Assonance – Repetition of vowel sound in consecutive or nearby words.

I hold with those who favour fire.
Enjambment – continuation of a sentence to the next line.
“A Tiger in the Zoo”

Summary:
The poem “A Tiger in the Zoo” by Leslie Norris describes the difficult situation of a tiger kept in a cage within a
zoo. The poet starts by showing the tiger walking back and forth in its cage, its colourful stripes standing out
against the dullness of its captivity. The tiger’s movements are described as quiet yet filled with pent-up anger,
showing its frustration at being confined.

The poet then compares the tiger’s current situation with what its life should be like in the wild. Instead of being
locked in a cage, the tiger should be moving stealthily in the shadows of the jungle, hunting prey near a water
hole where chubby deer roam freely. The poet vividly imagines the tiger growling and scaring a village at the
edge of the jungle, highlighting its natural abilities and power.

However, the reality is very different. The tiger is trapped in a concrete cell, its strength rendered useless behind
bars. It walks around its cage, ignoring the visitors who come to look at it. Despite being admired, the tiger
remains isolated and confined.

At night, the tiger listens to the sounds of patrolling cars, a clear reminder of the human world outside its
enclosure. Yet, amidst this captivity, the tiger looks at the stars with its shining eyes, perhaps longing for the
freedom it once had in the wild.

Overall, the poem evokes a sense of sympathy for the captive tiger, highlighting the cruelty of confining wild animals for
human entertainment. It serves as a strong reminder of the importance of preserving the natural habitats of these magnificent
creatures, allowing them to move freely and live according to their natural behaviour.