First Read Extract Based MCQ Questions Long Walk to Freedom Class 10 then try to give answers and to check your answers head towards the solution at the bottom of this page.
Paragraph 1
TENTH May dawned bright and clear. For the past few days I had been pleasantly besieged by dignitaries and world leaders who were coming to pay their respects before the inauguration. The inauguration would be the largest gathering ever of international leaders on South African soil
1.What is the significance of TENTH May?
a) It is the beginning of a new month.
b) It is the date of a major event.
c) It is the day of a national holiday.
d) It is a day with no significance.
Answer: b) It is the date of a major event.
2.What can be inferred about the author’s position from the phrase “pleasantly besieged”?
a) The author was uncomfortable with the attention.
b) The author was overwhelmed by the attention.
c) The author was pleased with the attention.
d) The author was indifferent to the attention.
Answer: c) The author was pleased with the attention.
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3.Based on the paragraph, what can be assumed about the author’s reputation?
a) The author is a well-known figure in South Africa.
b) The author is a controversial political figure.
c) The author is a respected international leader.
d) The author is a lesser-known public figure.
Answer: c) The author is a respected international leader.
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4.What does the phrase “largest gathering ever of international leaders on South African soil” suggest?
a) This is the first time international leaders have visited South Africa.
b) South Africa has not had any important events in the past.
c) The event is significant for South Africa’s international relations.
d) The event is not important to South Africa’s international relations.
Answer: c) The event is significant for South Africa’s international relations.
5.What is the tone of the paragraph?
a) Excited
b) Sad
c) Worried
d) Frustrated
Answer: a) Excited
6.What do we understand about the author’s role in the event?
a) The author is a guest at the event.
b) The author is the host of the event.
c) The author is a speaker at the event.
d) The author is a performer at the event.
Answer: b) The author is the host of the event.
7.What can be assumed about the author’s relationship with the dignitaries and world leaders?
a) The author is familiar with all of them.
b) The author has never met them before.
c) The author has a good working relationship with them.
d) The author dislikes them.
Answer: c) The author has a good working relationship with them.
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8.What is the significance of the phrase “bright and clear”?
a) It sets the mood for the day.
b) It describes the author’s feelings.
c) It suggests that the weather is good.
d) It indicates that something important is about to happen.
Answer: a) It sets the mood for the day.
9.What can be inferred about the author’s leadership abilities?
a) The author is a capable leader.
b) The author lacks leadership skills.
c) The author is inexperienced.
d) The paragraph does not provide enough information to make an inference.
Answer: a) The author is a capable leader.
Paragraph 2
The ceremonies took place in the lovely sandstone amphitheatre formed by the Union Buildings in Pretoria. For decades this had been the seat of white supremacy, and now it was the site of a rainbow gathering of different colours and nations for the installation of South Africa’s first democratic, non-racial government.
1.What is the significance of the Union Buildings in Pretoria?
A) They were used as a prison for political prisoners.
B) They were the headquarters of the anti-apartheid movement.
C) They were a symbol of white supremacy.
D) They were the site of South Africa’s first democratic elections.
Answer: C) They were a symbol of white supremacy.
2.What do the “different colours and nations” mentioned in the paragraph refer to?
A) Different political parties
B) Different skin colours and ethnicities
C) Different religions
D) Different regions of South Africa
Answer: B) Different skin colours and ethnicities.
3.What kind of ceremony took place at the Union Buildings in Pretoria?
A) A religious ceremony
B) A protest march
C) A wedding
D) An installation ceremony
Answer: D) An installation ceremony.
4.What was the purpose of the installation ceremony?
A) To inaugurate South Africa’s first non-democratic government.
B) To celebrate the end of apartheid.
C) To protest against white supremacy.
D) To install a new president.
Answer: B) To celebrate the end of apartheid.
5.What is the meaning of “rainbow gathering” in the context of the paragraph?
A) A gathering of people who identify as LGBTQ+
B) A gathering of people from different religions
C) A gathering of people from different political parties
D) A gathering of people from different races and ethnicities
Answer: D) A gathering of people from different races and ethnicities.
6.What is the significance of the “sandstone amphitheatre” mentioned in the paragraph?
A) It was used as a stage for political speeches.
B) It was a natural rock formation.
C) It was a venue for concerts and cultural events.
D) It was the site of the installation ceremony.
Answer: D) It was the site of the installation ceremony.
7.What is meant by “non-racial government” in the paragraph?
A) A government that includes people of all races.
B) A government that discriminates against certain races.
C) A government that is not concerned with race.
D) A government that is controlled by one race.
Answer: A) A government that includes people of all races.
8.What is the contrast being made in the paragraph between the past and present use of the Union Buildings in Pretoria?
A) It was once a site of political oppression, now it is a site of political freedom.
B) It was once a site of cultural events, now it is a site of political events.
C) It was once a site of political demonstrations, now it is a site of political installation ceremonies.
D) It was once a site of white supremacy, now it is a site of rainbow gatherings.
Answer: D) It was once a site of white supremacy, now it is a site of rainbow gatherings.
Paragraph 3
The day was symbolised for me by the playing of our two national anthems, and the vision of whites singing ‘Nkosi Sikelel –iAfrika’ and blacks singing ‘Die Stem’, the old anthem of the Republic. Although that day neither group knew the lyrics of the anthem they once despised, they would soon know the words by heart.
1.What does the playing of the two national anthems symbolize?
a. The victory of the white community over the black community
b. The unity of different races in South Africa
c. The celebration of the country’s colonial past
d. The division between white and black communities
Answer: b. The unity of different races in South Africa
2.What is the significance of whites singing ‘Nkosi Sikelel-iAfrika’ and blacks singing ‘Die Stem’?
a. It shows that each group is trying to dominate the other
b. It highlights the cultural differences between different races in South Africa
c. It represents a new era of acceptance and unity in South Africa
d. It signifies a return to apartheid-era policies
Answer: c. It represents a new era of acceptance and unity in South Africa
3.What did the two groups feel towards their respective national anthems before the ceremony?
a. They both loved and respected their national anthems
b. They both despised and rejected their national anthems
c. Only the black community despised their national anthem
d. Only the white community despised their national anthem
Answer: b. They both despised and rejected their national anthems
4.What can be inferred about the white community in South Africa from their singing of ‘Nkosi Sikelel-iAfrika’?
a. They were trying to be politically correct
b. They were genuinely embracing the new era of democracy
c. They were forced to sing by the new government
d. They were mocking the black community
Answer: b. They were genuinely embracing the new era of democracy
5.What is the author’s opinion on the playing of the two national anthems?
a. He is critical of the decision to play both anthems
b. He is indifferent to the playing of both anthems
c. He sees it as a positive symbol of unity and acceptance
d. He sees it as a negative symbol of division and conflict
Answer: c. He sees it as a positive symbol of unity and acceptance
6.What does the phrase “they would soon know the words by heart” suggest?
a. The people of South Africa would soon forget the words of their old anthem
b. The people of South Africa would soon embrace both anthems equally
c. Nelson Mandela is confident to maintain the freedom.
d. The people of South Africa would soon reject the new anthem
Answer: c. Nelson Mandela is confident to maintain the freedom.
7.What message does the author convey through the description of the ceremony?
a. The importance of respecting cultural differences
b. The need for forgiveness and reconciliation
c. The power of unity and acceptance
d. The need for continued racial segregation
Answer: b. The need for forgiveness and reconciliation
Paragraph 4
It is from these comrades in the struggle that I learned the meaning of courage. Time and again, I have seen men and women risk and give their lives for an idea. I have seen men stand up to attacks and torture without breaking, showing a strength and resilience that defies the imagination. I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.
1.According to the author, what is courage?
A) The absence of fear
B) The ability to overcome fear
C) The ability to ignore fear
D) The ability to control fear
Answer: B) The ability to overcome fear
2.What does the author say about the brave man?
A) He never feels afraid
B) He conquers his fear
C) He is always successful
D) He never experiences fear
Answer: B
3.What does the author imply about his own experience with courage?
A) He has never experienced courage
B) He has always been courageous
C) He has witnessed courage in others
D) He has struggled with fear and learned to overcome it
Answer: D) He has struggled with fear and learned to overcome it
4.What is the author’s main purpose in sharing his experience of learning about courage in the struggle?
a) To express his admiration for the courage of his comrades
b) To criticize the lack of courage in society
c) To encourage readers to become activists themselves
d) To explain the concept of courage to readers
Answer: a) To express his admiration for the courage of his comrades
5.What does the author mean by “risk and give their lives for an idea”?
a) They died because they were careless
b) They were willing to put their lives on the line for something they believed in
c) They were forced into dangerous situations
d) They sacrificed their lives for no reason
Answer: b) They were willing to put their lives on the line for something they believed in
6.What does the author mean by “showing a strength and resilience that defies the imagination”?
a) The author is skeptical that such strength and resilience actually exist
b) The author is impressed by the strength and resilience of his comrades
c) The author is critical of the strength and resilience of his comrades
d) The author thinks that strength and resilience are unimportant
Answer: b) The author is impressed by the strength and resilience of his comrades
7.What is the author’s opinion of those who stand up to attacks and torture?
a) They are foolish for putting themselves in harm’s way
b) They are admirable for their strength and resilience
c) They are weak for allowing themselves to be tortured
d) They are careless for getting caught
Answer: b) They are admirable for their strength and resilience
8.What is the author’s attitude towards those who risk and give their lives for an idea?
a) Disapproving
b) Admiring
c) Apathetic
d) Cynical
Answer: b) Admiring
9.What does the author mean by “time and again”?
a) Once
b) A few times
c) Repeatedly
d) Never
Answer: c) Repeatedly
10.Which of the following words best describes the tone of the passage?
a) Hopeful
b) Critical
c) Admiring
d) Cynical
Answer: c) dmiring
11. Which of the following best describes the author’s view of courage?
a) Courage is rare and only possessed by a few individuals
b) Courage is common and can be found in many people
c) Courage is a trait that can be learned through experience
d) Courage is a trait that is innate and cannot be taught
Answer: c) Courage is a trait that can be learned through experience
12.What is the main idea of the passage?
a) The importance of courage in the struggle for justice
b) The power of fear to hold people back
c) The heroism of individuals who risk their lives for their beliefs
d) The meaning of resilience in the face of adversity
Answer: a) The importance of courage in the struggle for justice
Paragraph 5
I was not born with a hunger to be free. I was born free — free in every way that I could know. Free to run in the fields near my mother’s hut, free to swim in the clear stream that ran through my village, free to roast mealies under the stars and ride the broad backs of slow-moving bulls. As long as I obeyed my father and abided by the customs of my tribe, I was not troubled by the laws of man or God.
1.What is the author’s perspective on being born free?
a) It is a common feeling among people.
b) It is a natural state of being.
c) It is a rare privilege.
d) It is a cultural construct.
Answer: b) It is a natural state of being.
2.What does “hunger to be free” imply in the context?
a) The desire to break free from social conventions.
b) The desire for political freedom.
c) The desire for personal autonomy.
d) The desire for physical freedom.
Answer: d) The desire for physical freedom.
3.What did the author consider as the most important thing for maintaining his freedom?
a) Obeying his father’s commands.
b) Abiding by his tribe’s customs.
c) Respecting the laws of man.
d) Obeying the laws of God.
Answer: b) Abiding by his tribe’s customs.
4.What does the author mean by “roasting mealies under the stars”?
a) Preparing food in the open air.
b) Cooking over an open flame.
c) Grilling corn on a cob.
d) Stargazing while eating.
Answer: c) Grilling corn on a cob.
5.What does the phrase “broad backs of slow-moving bulls” suggest about the author’s upbringing?
a) The author’s tribe valued hard work and agriculture.
b) The author grew up in a rural environment.
c) The author had a close relationship with animals.
d) The author’s tribe used bulls for transportation.
Answer: b) The author grew up in a rural environment.
6.What is the author’s attitude towards the laws of man and God?
a) They are necessary for maintaining order in society.
b) They are unnecessary for maintaining personal freedom.
c) They are important for maintaining personal morality.
d) They are important for maintaining cultural traditions.
Answer: b) They are unnecessary for maintaining personal freedom.
7.What is the author’s view on the relationship between freedom and obedience?
a) They are incompatible with each other.
b) They are mutually exclusive concepts.
c) They are interdependent and complementary.
d) They are irrelevant to each other.
Answer: c) They are interdependent and complementary.
8.What is the main idea conveyed by the paragraph?
a) The importance of obeying social conventions.
b) The natural state of human freedom.
c) The relationship between freedom and cultural traditions.
d) The author’s childhood experiences of freedom.
Answer: d) The author’s childhood experiences of freedom.
Paragraph 6
A few moments later we all lifted our eyes in awe as a spectacular array of South African jets, helicopters and troop carriers roared in perfect formation over the Union Buildings. It was not only a display of pinpoint precision and military force, but a demonstration of the military’s loyalty to democracy, to a new government that had been freely and fairly elected.
1.What does the military display symbolize?
A) A threat to the newly elected government
B) A demonstration of the military’s loyalty to democracy
C) A warning to the international community
D) None of the above
Answer: B) A demonstration of the military’s loyalty to democracy
2.What does the word “awe” suggest in this paragraph?
A) Fear and terror
B) Disinterest and boredom
C) Respect and admiration
D) None of the above
Answer: C) Respect and admiration
3.What does the phrase “freely and fairly elected” suggest?
A) The election was rigged
B) The election was a farce
C) The election was legitimate
D) None of the above
Answer: C
4.What is the significance of the jets and helicopters flying in perfect formation?
A) It demonstrates the military’s lack of discipline
B) It shows the military’s impressive precision and skill
C) It signifies the military’s unwillingness to follow orders
D) Fear and terror
Answer: B) It shows the military’s impressive precision and skill
5.What is the tone of the paragraph?
A) Fearful
B) Threatening
C) Hopeful
D) All of the above
Answer: C) Hopeful
6.What is the main idea of the paragraph?
A) The military is preparing for a war
B) The new government is under threat
C) The military is loyal to the new government
D) A warning to the international community
Answer: C) The military is loyal to the new government
7.Select the option that correctly classifies the connotations for “South African jets, helicopters and troop carriers” as suggested in the passage.
- Power
- Beauty
- Destruction
- Innovation
- Discipline
- Loyalty
- Freedom
(a) 1, 2, 5
(b) 1, 3, 6
(c) 2, 4, 7
(d) 3, 5, 6
Answer: (b) 1, 3, 6 – The passage describes the display of South African military force as a demonstration of their loyalty to democracy and a new government, suggesting connotations of power, destruction, and loyalty.
Paragraph 7
Only moments before, the highest generals of the South African defence force and police, their chests bedecked with ribbons and medals from days gone by, saluted me and pledged their loyalty. I was not unmindful of the fact that not so many years before they would not have saluted but arrested me. Finally a chevron of Impala jets left a smoke trail of the black, red, green, blue and gold of the new South African flag.
1.What is the assumption behind the Impala jets leaving a trail of the new South African flag?
a) The pilots were showing their support for the new government
b) The jets were part of a military display and had to follow certain protocols
c) The pilots were trying to show off their flying skills
d) The jets were being used for surveillance purposes
Answer: a) The pilots were showing their support for the new government
2.What is the assumption behind the smoke trail left by the Impala jets?
a) It was a planned part of the military display
b) It was accidental and not intentional
c) It was a message to the old regime that they were no longer in power
d) It was a sign of respect to the new South African government.
Answer: d) It was a sign of respect to the new South African government.
3.What is the assumption behind the loyalty pledged by the generals?
a) They believed that the new government was legitimate\
b) They were only pretending to be loyal
c) They were afraid of retribution if they didn’t pledge their loyalty
d) They were secretly plotting to overthrow the new government
Answer: a) They believed that the new government was legitimate
4.What do we understand with the ribbon and medals worn by the generals?
a) They were proud of their military service
b) They were trying to impress Mandela with their military accomplishments
c) They were trying to remind Mandela of their past power
d) They were required to wear their ribbons and medals as part of the ceremony
Answer: a) They were proud of their military service
5.What do the Impala jets’ smoke trail colors represent?
a. The colors of the old South African flag
b. The colors of the rainbow
c. The colors of the new South African flag
d. The colors of the political parties in the government
Answer: c. The colors of the new South African flag.
6.Why did the generals not arrest the author?
A) The author was being honored for his achievements
B) The author had become too powerful to be arrested
C) The generals were afraid of the author’s supporters
D) The political situation had changed
Answer: D) The political situation had changed
7. What is the implication of the author’s acknowledgement that the generals would have arrested him in the past?
A) The author was previously considered a criminal by the government
B) The author was a former military leader who had been removed from power
C) The author has a history of opposition to the South African government
D) The author had a close relationship with the generals in the past
Answer: C) The author has a history of opposition to the South African government
Paragraph 8
On the day of the inauguration, I was overwhelmed with a sense of history. In the first decade of the twentieth century, a few years after the bitter Anglo-Boer war and before my own birth, the white-skinned peoples of South Africa patched up their differences and erected a system of racial domination against the dark-skinned peoples of their own land.
1.What is the author’s perspective on the system of racial domination established in South Africa?
a) The author believes it was necessary for peace and stability.
b) The author is indifferent towards the system.
c) The author believes it was unjust and oppressive.
d) The author believes it was a fair and just system.
Answer: c) The author believes it was unjust and oppressive.
2.How does the author feel about the inauguration of the new government?
a) The author is indifferent towards it.
b) The author is optimistic about it.
c) The author is pessimistic about it.
d) The author is hostile towards it.
Answer: b) The author is optimistic about it.
3.What is the significance of the author’s birth in relation to the system of racial domination in South Africa?
a) The author’s birth occurred during the system’s establishment.
b) The author’s birth occurred before the system’s establishment.
c) The author’s birth occurred after the system’s establishment.
d) The author’s birth had no relation to the system’s establishment.
Answer: b) The author’s birth occurred before the system’s establishment.
4.What does the author mean when he says he was overwhelmed with a sense of history?
a) The author was bored with the inauguration ceremony.
b) The author felt a deep connection to the historical significance of the event.
c) The author felt disconnected from the historical significance of the event.
d) The author did not attend the inauguration ceremony.
Answer: b) The author felt a deep connection to the historical significance of the event.
5.What is the author’s opinion on the white-skinned peoples of South Africa?
a) The author is prejudiced against them.
b) The author is indifferent towards them.
c) The author sympathizes with them.
d) The author dislikes them.
Answer: a) The author is prejudiced against them.
6.What is the author’s opinion on the Anglo-Boer war?
a) The author believes it was a just and necessary war.
b) The author believes it was an unjust war.
c) The author is indifferent towards the war.
d) The author dislikes the war.
Answer: b) The author believes it was an unjust war.
7.What did the system of racial domination erected by white-skinned people of South Africa entail?
a) (1) equality among all people (2) respect for diversity (3) promotion of cultural expression
b) (1) suppression of dark-skinned people (2) mutual understanding among all people (3) promotion of cultural
expression
c) (1) equality among all people (2) promotion of cultural expression (3) mutual understanding among all people
d) (1) suppression of dark-skinned people (2) intolerance of differences (3) Self-centered.
Answer: d) (1) suppression of dark-skinned people (2) intolerance of differences (3) Self centered.
8.Which of the following is a characteristic of ‘effective leadership’?
a) (1) micromanagement (2) lack of accountability (3) delegation of responsibilities
b) (1) micromanagement (2) lack of communication (3) delegation of responsibilities
c) (1) delegation of responsibilities (2) lack of communication (3) lack of accountability
d) (1) delegation of responsibilities (2) effective communication (3) accountability
Answer: d) (1) delegation of responsibilities (2) effective communication (3) accountability
Paragraph 9
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 had been overturned forever and replaced by one that recognised the rights and freedoms of all peoples, regardless of the colour of their skin.
1.What is the author’s assumption about the previous system of racial domination in South Africa?
A. It was fair and just.
B. It was oppressive and inhumane.
C. It was successful in promoting equality.
D. It was supported by all races equally.
Answer: B
2. What is the author’s assumption about the new system in South Africa?
A. It is worse than the previous system.
B. It is the same as the previous system.
C. It recognises the rights of all people regardless of race.
D. It is not successful in promoting equality.
Answer: C
3. What is the author’s assumption about the importance of the end of the previous system in South Africa?
A. It was not important.
B. It was only important to certain groups of people.
C. It was important for the progress of human rights and equality.
D. It had no impact on the country or its people.
Answer: C
4.What is the author’s assumption about the role of the new system in South Africa?
A. It will lead to increased inequality.
B. It will have no impact on the country.
C. It will promote human rights and equality.
D. It will be worse than the previous system.
Answer: C
5.How would you describe the society that existed before the change described in the passage?
A. tolerant
B. humane
C. oppressive
D. democratic
Answer: A. oppressive
6.How did the speaker feel about the change that occurred?
A.ambivalent
B. sceptical
C. enthusiastic
D. indifferent
Answer: C. enthusiastic
7. What does the new system recognise?
- the superiority of white-skinned peoples
- the rights and freedoms of all peoples
- the need for racial segregation
- the importance of preserving the old system
Answer: C. The rights and freedoms of all peoples
Paragraph 10
I knew that the oppressor must be liberated just as surely as the oppressed. A man who takes away another man’s freedom is a prisoner of hatred; he is locked behind the bars of prejudice and narrowmindedness. I am not truly free if I am taking away someone else’s freedom, just as surely as I am not free when my freedom is taken from me. The oppressed and the oppressor alike are robbed of their humanity
1.What assumption can be made about the speaker’s belief regarding the oppressor?
A) The oppressor is free from the prison of hatred.
B) The oppressor is imprisoned by their own prejudice and narrow-mindedness.
C) The oppressor is not capable of being liberated.
D) The oppressor’s freedom is not important.
Answer: B
2.What assumption can be made about the speaker’s opinion of freedom?
A) Freedom is not important.
B) Freedom must be taken from others to be truly free.
C) One’s freedom is connected to the freedom of others.
D) Freedom is a privilege, not a right.
Answer: C
3.What assumption can be made about the speaker’s perspective on humanity?
A) Only the oppressed are robbed of their humanity.
B) Only the oppressor is robbed of their humanity.
C) Both the oppressed and the oppressor are robbed of their humanity.
D) Neither the oppressed nor the oppressor are robbed of their humanity.
Answer: C
4.What do we understand about the speaker’s perspective on prejudice?
A) Prejudice is a necessary part of society.
B) Prejudice is a form of freedom.
C) Prejudice is a form of imprisonment.
D) Prejudice is a way to liberate oneself.
Answer: C
5.Which of the following is correct as per the above passage?
A) Oppression is a necessary evil.
B) Oppression is a form of liberation.
C) Oppression is always wrong.
D) Oppression is a form of freedom.
Answer: C
6.What assumption can be made about the speaker’s belief regarding the importance of one’s own freedom?
A) One’s own freedom is more important than the freedom of others.
B) One’s own freedom is not important.
C) One’s own freedom is connected to the freedom of others.
D) One’s own freedom is a privilege, not a right.
Answer: C
7.What assumption can be made about the speaker’s perspective on the relationship between freedom and responsibility?
A) Freedom and responsibility are not connected.
B) Freedom always requires responsibility.
C) Responsibility always requires a loss of freedom.
D) Responsibility is not important for freedom.
Answer: B
8.What do we learn from the speaker’s belief regarding the importance of recognizing the rights of others?
A) Recognizing the rights of others is not important.
B) Recognizing the rights of others is a form of oppression.
C) Recognizing the rights of others is necessary for true freedom.
D) Recognizing the rights of others is only necessary for the oppressed.
Answer: C
