Ways with Words
A. Find the words in the text that have the same meanings as the following.
a. A system that completely separated Black people from white people
Answer: Apartheid
b. A formal objection
Answer: Protest
c. An ethnic group of people
Answer: Tribe
d. An organised action undertaken to achieve a particular goal
Answer: Campaign
e. The formal beginning of an institution, movement, or period
Answer: Inauguration
f. A strong feeling of excitement and happiness
Answer: Exhilaration
g. The state of being set free from legal, social, or political restrictions
Answer: Emancipation
B. Find the following words in a dictionary and write their meanings as they are used in the text.
a. Liberty
Meaning:
The state of being free from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one’s way of life, behaviour, or political views.
b. Conflict
Meaning:
A serious disagreement or argument, usually one that continues for a long time.
c. Ideology
Meaning:
A system of ideas and beliefs, especially one that forms the basis of an economic or political theory and policy.
d. Oppression
Meaning:
Prolonged cruel or unjust treatment or the unfair exercise of authority.
e. Privilege
Meaning:
A special right, advantage, or immunity granted only to a particular person or group.
f. Dignity
Meaning:
The state or quality of being worthy of honour and respect.
g. Surrender
Meaning:
To stop resisting an enemy or opponent and submit to their authority.
h. Reconciliation
Meaning:
The restoration of friendly relations after a disagreement or conflict.
C. Put the following verbs into the correct boxes according to the pronunciation of “-d” or “-ed”.
Words:
Asked, killed, missed, ended, decided, washed, visited, lasted, watched, picked, smiled, fixed, walked, blessed, brushed, stopped, wanted, reached, laughed, enjoyed
/t/
- Asked
- Missed
- Washed
- Watched
- Picked
- Fixed
- Walked
- Blessed, when used as a verb
- Brushed
- Stopped
- Reached
- Laughed
/d/
- Killed
- Smiled
- Enjoyed
/ɪd/
- Ended
- Decided
- Visited
- Lasted
- Blessed, when used as an adjective
- Wanted
D. Put the nouns into the correct boxes according to the pronunciation of the plural suffix “-s” or “-es”.
Words:
Cats, dogs, horses, houses, books, roofs, boys, rooms, girls, noises, shops, trees, pages, babies, benches, classes
/s/
- Cats
- Books
- Roofs
- Shops
/z/
- Dogs
- Boys
- Rooms
- Girls
- Trees
- Babies
/ɪz/
- Horses
- Houses
- Noises
- Pages
- Benches
- Classes
Comprehension
Answer the following questions.
a. What restrictions were imposed on Black people in South Africa?
Answer:
Black people in South Africa faced racial segregation and political, social, and economic discrimination. They were denied equal rights, freedom, opportunities, and access to many public services.
b. Why was Nelson Mandela arrested?
Answer:
Nelson Mandela was arrested because he was accused of organising and leading the armed wing of the African National Congress, or ANC, in its struggle against apartheid.
c. How did Mandela describe racism and racial oppression?
Answer:
Mandela described racism and racial oppression as a pernicious ideology and an inhuman practice that had caused great suffering and division in South Africa.
d. Why did Mandela thank all the international guests?
Answer:
Mandela thanked the international guests for attending the inauguration and sharing the historic moment of victory for peace, justice, freedom, and human dignity with the people of South Africa.
e. Why did Mandela think that the people of his country had achieved political emancipation?
Answer:
Mandela believed that the people of South Africa had achieved political emancipation because they had liberated themselves from apartheid and racial domination.
However, he also recognised that they still had to free themselves from poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender discrimination, and other forms of inequality.
f. What is the main message of Mandela’s speech?
Answer:
The main message of Mandela’s speech is that the people of South Africa should build a democratic society based on justice, peace, equality, freedom, and human dignity.
He calls upon all citizens, regardless of race or background, to work together and create a united and peaceful nation.
Critical Thinking
a. What does Mandela mean when he refers to South Africa as “a rainbow nation at peace with itself and the world”?
Answer:
When Mandela refers to South Africa as a “rainbow nation at peace with itself and the world,” he imagines a country where people of different races, cultures, languages, and ethnic groups live together peacefully.
A rainbow consists of different colours that come together to form one beautiful whole. In the same way, South Africa is made up of people from diverse racial and cultural backgrounds.
During the apartheid period, people were divided according to the colour of their skin. Black and white citizens were not treated equally, and racial segregation created hatred, fear, and violence.
Mandela wanted all South Africans to forget the brutal past and build a new society based on unity, justice, equality, and mutual respect. He wanted Black and white people to walk, work, and live together without fear.
The rainbow also symbolises hope and a bright future. Therefore, Mandela’s vision of a rainbow nation is a vision of diversity, unity, reconciliation, and lasting peace.
b. Mandela could have taken revenge on those who imprisoned him for many years. Instead, he followed the path of reconciliation. Why do you think he did so?
Answer:
Mandela chose reconciliation instead of revenge because he understood that revenge would create more hatred, violence, and division.
He had struggled for many years against apartheid and had spent a long time in prison. However, after his release, he did not try to punish everyone who had opposed or imprisoned him.
Mandela knew that South Africa could not become peaceful and democratic if its people continued fighting one another. Revenge would only repeat the cycle of oppression and conflict.
He believed that forgiveness and reconciliation were necessary to unite Black and white citizens. By choosing peace, he gained the trust and support of people from different communities.
Mandela also understood that true leadership requires rising above personal pain and working for the larger interest of the nation.
Therefore, he followed reconciliation because he wanted to heal the country, prevent further violence, and build a democratic society based on equality and mutual respect.
c. Why and how have societies struggled with segregation around the world? Do you find any evidence of segregation in your society? Discuss.
Answer:
Segregation is the separation or isolation of people based on race, caste, ethnicity, religion, gender, class, or social background.
Throughout history, many societies have struggled with segregation. Powerful groups have often separated weaker groups through discriminatory laws, restricted residential areas, unequal educational institutions, and limited political rights.
Racial segregation is one of the most widely known forms of segregation. Apartheid in South Africa separated Black and white people and denied Black citizens equal political, social, and economic rights.
Caste-based segregation is another common form of discrimination, especially in South Asian societies. People belonging to so-called lower castes have historically been denied access to temples, water sources, education, and other public facilities.
Evidence of segregation can still be found in some parts of Nepali society. Although the Constitution of Nepal prohibits discrimination based on caste, ethnicity, religion, gender, and background, discriminatory practices have not completely disappeared.
Some people still experience caste-based untouchability, social exclusion, unequal treatment, and discrimination in marriage, housing, employment, and access to public places.
Indigenous communities, women, Dalits, people with disabilities, and economically disadvantaged groups may also face unequal opportunities.
Such segregation creates conflict, humiliation, violence, and social division. It can be reduced through education, strict implementation of laws, public awareness, equal opportunities, and respect for human dignity.
Writing
a. Nepal has a topsy-turvy political history. Many changes have occurred at different times. Write a short biography of a Nepali freedom fighter, including the changes brought under his or her leadership.
Ganesh Man Singh
Ganesh Man Singh was one of Nepal’s most respected freedom fighters and democratic leaders. He was born on November 9, 1915, in Kathmandu.
He strongly opposed the autocratic Rana regime and dedicated his life to the establishment of democracy and human rights in Nepal. He was one of the major leaders of the Nepali Congress movement of 1951, which helped end the Rana rule.
Ganesh Man Singh was fearless, straightforward, and committed to democratic principles. He faced imprisonment and hardship but never abandoned his struggle for freedom.
He also played a leading role in Nepal’s People’s Movement of 1990. As the supreme commander of the movement, he united various political forces against the Panchayat system.
The movement succeeded in restoring multiparty democracy and constitutional monarchy in Nepal. His leadership brought major political changes and expanded people’s democratic rights.
Ganesh Man Singh was known for his integrity and selflessness. After the success of the movement, he refused the position of prime minister and allowed another leader to take responsibility. This demonstrated that his struggle was for democracy rather than personal power.
In recognition of his contribution to democracy and human rights, he received the United Nations Human Rights Award in 1993. He was the first statesman from South Asia to receive this prestigious honour.
He also received the United States Peace Run Prize and the U Thant Peace Award for his contributions to peace and democracy.
Ganesh Man Singh is remembered as the “Iron Man of Nepal.” His courage, sacrifice, and dedication made him one of the greatest leaders in Nepal’s democratic history.
Grammar
B. Complete the sentences with “should” or “shouldn’t” using one of the given verbs.
Verbs:
Drink, visit, leave, roam, quit
a. You have done a wonderful job. I recommend that you __________ it.
Answer: Shouldn’t quit
Complete sentence:
You have done a wonderful job. I recommend that you shouldn’t quit it.
b. That is a very dangerous area. Tourists __________ there.
Answer: Shouldn’t visit
Complete sentence:
That is a very dangerous area. Tourists shouldn’t visit there.
c. I am going to be late. Do you think I __________ now?
Answer: Should leave
Complete sentence:
I am going to be late. Do you think I should leave now?
d. Children __________ sugary drinks. They are not very healthy.
Answer: Shouldn’t drink
Complete sentence:
Children shouldn’t drink sugary drinks. They are not very healthy.
e. I have a lot of homework. I __________ here and there today.
Answer: Shouldn’t roam
Complete sentence:
I have a lot of homework. I shouldn’t roam here and there today.
C. Complete the sentences using “had better” or “should”.
a. I think you __________ learn English to enrol in a university course.
Answer: Should
Complete sentence:
I think you should learn English to enrol in a university course.
b. It is a great film. You __________ go and see it.
Answer: Should
Complete sentence:
It is a great film. You should go and see it.
c. I have to meet my friend in ten minutes. I __________ go now, or I will be late.
Answer: Had better
Complete sentence:
I have to meet my friend in ten minutes. I had better go now, or I will be late.
d. These biscuits are delicious. You __________ try one.
Answer: Should
Complete sentence:
These biscuits are delicious. You should try one.
e. We __________ get to the airport by 2 p.m., or we may miss the flight.
Answer: Had better
Complete sentence:
We had better get to the airport by 2 p.m., or we may miss the flight.
f. When people are driving, they __________ keep their eyes on the road.
Answer: Should
Complete sentence:
When people are driving, they should keep their eyes on the road.
g. I __________ get up early tomorrow. I have a lot to do.
Answer: Should
Complete sentence:
I should get up early tomorrow. I have a lot to do.
Discussion
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