Q1. [5]
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.
Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two given:
- I What is the tone Nelson Mandela is UNLIKELY to have used in his speech? [1]
- A inspirational
- B assertive
- C conflicted
- D direct
- II According to Mandela, emancipation is not merely political. Elaborate. [2]
- 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. [1]
- IV With reference to the extract explain the sentence, "The sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement." [1]
Previously asked in CBSE board exam
2026 2/1/1 Q6(A)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:14 · grounding stimulus+chapter
Model Answer
I. C — conflicted
II. Mandela says that political emancipation alone is not enough. True freedom means liberating people from poverty, deprivation, suffering, and gender discrimination. He pledges to fight these social and economic injustices so that every citizen enjoys complete freedom and dignity, not just political rights.
III. promising
IV. This sentence means that the achievement of freedom and democracy in South Africa is so magnificent that its glory will last forever. Just as the sun's setting signals an end, Mandela asserts this great human triumph — ending oppression and establishing equality — will never fade or be forgotten.
Source: Nelson Mandela – Long Walk to Freedom, Inauguration Speech extract
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Explanation
- Sub-question I: "Conflicted" is the odd one out — the speech is confident, assertive, and inspirational, not hesitant or torn.
- Sub-question II: Pull the key terms directly from the extract: poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender discrimination. Examiners want you to show emancipation extends beyond politics.
- Sub-question III: Despite past oppression, the speech looks forward to freedom and equality — clearly a "promising" future.
- Sub-question IV: It's a metaphorical statement. Explain the metaphor (sun setting = something ending/fading) and connect it to the permanence of this achievement. One focused sentence or two short ones is enough for 1 mark.
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