MCQs on Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom – Class 10 English for SEBA / CBSE

MCQs on Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom – Class 10 English for SEBA / CBSE

In this article, we provide you with the most important MCQs from Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom for Class 10 SEBA and CBSE exams.
All questions are based on previous exam papers to help students practice and score full marks in the MCQ section.
Each question includes the correct answer in an expandable format, making it easier for you to revise quickly before exams.

1. Apartheid is a political system that separates people according to their— [HSLC 2023]

(A) religion
(B) language
(C) race
(D) gender
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2. In life, every man has twin obligations – what is another word for ‘obligations’? [HSLC 2023]

(A) duty
(B) hobbies
(C) wealth
(D) livelihood
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3. Mandela’s country is rich in ________. [HSLC 2023]

(A) forests and lakes
(B) agriculture
(C) gems and minerals
(D) hills and rivers
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See More: A Letter to God – MCQ Practice →

4. On that lovely autumn day, I was accompanied by my Zenani. [HSLC 2024]

(A) aunt
(B) mother
(C) wife
(D) daughter
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5. “The day was symbolised for me by the playing of our two national anthems.”
What was the occasion when two national anthems were being played? [HSLC 2024]

(A) It was the swearing-in ceremony of Mandela
(B) It was the opening of the World Peace Day
(C) It was the International Day of Games
(D) It was South Africa’s New Year’s Day
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6. Read the following statements with reference to “Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” and choose the correct option: [HSLC 2024]

Statement 1: On the day of the inauguration, Nelson Mandela was overwhelmed with a sense of history.
Statement 2: Mandela learned that courage is not the absence of fear but triumph over it.
(A) Statement 1 is true and Statement 2 is false
(B) Statement 1 is false and Statement 2 is true
(C) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are false
(D) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are true
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7. “The structure they created formed the basis of one of the harshest, most inhumane societies that the world has ever known.” What does ‘structure’ refer to? [HSLC 2025]

(A) the amphitheatre
(B) apartheid
(C) the city roads
(D) government and offices
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8. The ceremonies taking place in the sandstone amphitheatre of Pretoria refer to the celebration of South Africa’s first _____ and ______ Government. [HSLC 2025]

(A) autocratic and non-racial
(B) democratic and racial
(C) democratic and non-racial
(D) autocratic and racial
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9. “Man’s goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished.”
Provide a word with the same meaning as the underlined word. [HSLC 2025]

(A) put out
(B) suppose
(C) ignite
(D) start out
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10. My boyhood freedom was an illusion. (Find the correct meaning of the underlined word)

(A) Something that appears to be real but is not
(B) Something that is always real
(C) Something that is fake
(D) Something that is dreamt
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11. State the reason why other countries ended diplomatic relations with South Africa

(A) White rulers
(B) It is a poor country
(C) Other countries are non-racial
(D) Policy of apartheid
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Read More: A Tiger in the Zoo – MCQ Practice →

12. What does Nelson Mandela describe as the ‘glorious human achievement’?

(A) Ending of colonial rule
(B) Gaining international support
(C) Establishing supremacy of the blacks
(D) Liberation from oppression and discrimination
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13. Many prominent names contributed in the struggle against apartheid. Choose the correctly arranged option.

(A) Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, M.K. Gandhi, Robert Sobukwe
(B) Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, Chief Luthuli, Robert Sobukwe
(C) Oliver Tambo, Bhagat Singh, Chief Luthuli, Robert Sobukwe
(D) Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu, Chief Luthuli, Martin Luther King
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14. Read the following statements with reference to “Nelson Mandela Long walk to freedom”. 

Statement 1: Mandela and his African National Congress spend a lifetime fighting against apartheid,
Statement 2: On that lovely autumn day I was accompanied by my wife Zenani.

Choose the correct answer –

(A) Statement 1 is true and Statement 2 is false
(B) Statement 2 is true and Statement 1 is false
(C) Both the statements are true
(D) Both the statements are false
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15. What realization did Mandela have of his boyhood freedom?

(A) It is just an illusion
(B) He was born free
(C) Freedom was meant for kids
(D) He had no realization
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16. What do depths of oppression create?

(A) Oppressed
(B) Heights of character
(C) Poverty
(D) Lack of freedom
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17. The structure of new government was created based on—

(A) Communist code of conduct
(B) Recognition of rights of the black people
(C) Capitalist code of conduct
(D) Recognition of rights and freedom of all people
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Read More:Footprints Without Feet – MCQ Practice →

18. Which was the grimmest time for Mandela?

(A) When he had to face starvation
(B) When he and his comrades were pushed behind the bars
(C) When the nation was facing slavery
(D) When he became the President of South Africa
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19. What happened after the Anglo-Boer War?

(A) System of racial discrimination erected
(B) Private ownership was suspended
(C) Freedom of speech was limited
(D) Slavery was uprooted
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20. What was the significance of the Union Buildings in Pretoria before the inauguration?

(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
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21. How many seats were won by the opposition party in South Africa’s parliamentary election in 1994?

(A) 252 out of 400
(B) 262 out of 400
(C) 148 out of 400
(D) 248 out of 400
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22. Assertion: Mandela saw a glimmer of humanity in one of the guards.
Reason: Mandela knew that man’s goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished.

(A) Assertion and Reason both are true and they support each other
(B) Assertion and Reason both are true but they do not support each other
(C) Assertion is false, Reason is true
(D) Assertion and Reason both are false
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23. Assertion: Nelson Mandela was awarded Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 and many more awards he received in his life.
Reason: He was Gandhi-like figure in South Africa, who sacrificed his most valuable time for the sake of his people and country.

(A) A is true and R is false
(B) A is false and R is true
(C) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
(D) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
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24. “It was almost impossible for a man of my birth and colour to fulfil both of those obligations.” What do the underlined words mean?

(A) That the person was born in a poor and humble family
(B) Born in a literate family
(C) Born in an illiterate family
(D) Born in an aristocratic family
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25. The day was symbolised by blacks singing (i) ____ and whites singing (ii) ____.

(A) (i) Nkosi Sikelel-i Afrika, (ii) Die Stem
(B) (i) Die Stem, (ii) Nkosi Sikelel-i Afrika
(C) (i) Say, Can You See; (ii) Land We Love
(D) (i) La Congolaise; (ii) Nigeria, We Hail Thee
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26. On the day of the inauguration Mandela said he was pained because—

(A) He was a black man
(B) He could not thank former African patriots who fought apartheid
(C) Those patriots could not witness the moment
(D) Both B and C
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Read More: Animals – MCQ Practice →

27. Assertion (A): Mandela thinks it is natural to love.
Reason (R): Because love comes more naturally to the human heart than hatred.
(A) A true, R false
(B) A false, R true
(C) Both true
(D) Both true and R explains A
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28. “The day was symbolised for me by the playing of our national anthems.” What was the occasion?

(A) It was South Africa’s New Year Day
(B) It was International Day of Games
(C) It was the opening of the World Peace Day
(D) It was the swearing-in ceremony of Mandela
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29. As a young man in Johannesburg, Mandela yearned for the freedom —

(A) Transitory
(B) Permanent
(C) Basic and honourable
(D) Illusive
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30. The ceremonies were held at a place which was the seat of white supremacy. What place is this?

(A) White House
(B) Union Building
(C) Parliament House
(D) Rashtrapati Bhawan
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31. South Africa is rich in minerals and gems but Mandela says its greatest wealth is—

(A) its people
(B) its land
(C) its cities
(D) its rivers
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32. A man who takes away another man’s freedom is—

(A) a prisoner of hatred
(B) a prisoner of self-pity
(C) an outlaw
(D) fulfilling his duty
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33. On the day of the inauguration, Mandela was overwhelmed with—

(A) happy thoughts
(B) sad thoughts
(C) a sense of history
(D) a sense of humility
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34. “The day was symbolized for me by the playing of our two national anthems.” Who sang the anthem ‘Die Stem”?

(A) Whites
(B) Blacks
(C) Both
(D) None
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35. Read the following statements and choose the correct option:
Statement 1: On the podium, Mr. de Klerk was first sworn in as first deputy president.
Statement 2: Mandela became president of South Africa in 1994.

(A) Statement 1 true, Statement 2 false
(B) Statement 1 false, Statement 2 true
(C) Both false
(D) Both true
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36. What does the depths of oppression create?

(A) oppressed
(B) heights of character
(C) poverty
(D) lack of freedom
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37.Read the following statements and choose the correct option

Statement 1: Mandela was one of the patriots of South Africa.
Statement 2: The policy of apartheid created a lasting wound in South African people.

(A) Both true
(B) Both false
(C) S1 true, S2 false
(D) S1 false, S2 true
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38. The unintended effect of apartheid was the birth of—

(A) cowards
(B) freedom fighters
(C) oppressors
(D) daydreamers
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39. Courage is to valour as oppression is to—

(A) timid
(B) scourge
(C) depression
(D) valour
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40. Read the following statements and choose the correct option:

Statement 1: Mandela’s yearn for the freedom of his countrymen transformed him into a man without a home.
Statement 2: According to Mandela, an oppressor is likely a prisoner of hatred.

(A) Statement 1 is true and statement 2 is false.
(B) Statement 1 is false and statement 2 is true.
(C) Both statement 1 and statement 2 are true.
(D) Both statement 1 and statement 2 are false.
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41. Whom did Mandela want to thank but couldn’t?

(A) His family
(B) White rulers
(C) African patriots who no longer existed
(D) Military
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42. What was the national anthem sung for the white people?

(A) Sikele-Afrika
(B) Kosi-Sikelel-iAfrika
(C) Nkosi Sikelel-iAfrica
(D) Ngosi Sikelel-Afrika
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43. How old was Mandela at the time of inauguration?

(A) Eighty-two
(B) Eighty-five
(C) Eighty-one
(D) Eighties
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44. Assertion: The highest military generals of the South African Defence force saluted Mandela.
Reason: A new, non racial government was elected and Mandela was then the prime minister of South Africa. [Jorhat 2024-25] (A) Assertion is true and reason is false.
(B) Assertion is false. Reason is true.
(C) Both Assertion and reason are false.
(D) Both Assertion and reason are true.

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45. What does “White Supremacy” mean?

(A) White amphitheatre
(B) Domination of white people in society
(C) Domination of white people in politics
(D) Treating all equally
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46. Depths of oppression create__________

(A) poverty
(B) revolution
(C) freedom
(D) heights of character
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47. Read the following statements and choose the correct option:
Assertion: The black heroes were men of extraordinary courage, wisdom and generosity.
Reason: These comrades were ready to risk and sacrifice their lives for an idea – the idea of freedom and equality.

(A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(B) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(C) A is true but R is false.
(D) A is false but R is true.

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48. What did the nation need to be liberated from?

(A) Poverty
(B) Gender discrimination
(C) Deprivation
(D) All of the above
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49. Assertion (A): 10th May 1994 was a Red Letter Day in the annals of South African History.
Reason (R): It was on this day the first democratic non-racial government elections were held and Nelson Mandela became the first black president of the country.

(A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(B) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(C) A is true but R is false.
(D) A is false but R is true.
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50. When Nelson Mandela says, “I have seen men and women risk and give their lives for an idea,” he means that they are—

(A) stubborn
(B) committed
(C) intelligent
(D) proud
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51. The inauguration took place on—

(A) 10 May 1949
(B) 10 May 1994
(C) 10 May 1944
(D) 10 May 1999
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52. Mandela considered his _______ the greatest wealth of the nation.

(A) Mineral resources
(B) Diamond
(C) Black people
(D) People
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53. Read the following statements and choose the correct option.

Statement 1: No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin or his background or his religion.
Statement 2: People must learn to hate and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love.
(A) Statement 1 is true and statement 2 is false.
(B) Statement 1 is false and statement 2 is true.
(C) Both statement 1 and statement 2 are true.
(D) Both statement 1 and statement 2 are false.
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54. Pretoria is—

(A) Mandela’s daughter
(B) The legislative capital of South Africa
(C) Mandela’s wife
(D) The administrative capital
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55. Who was sworn in as ‘the Second Deputy President’ of South Africa?

(A) Nelson Mandela
(B) Mr. de Klerk
(C) Thabo Mbeki
(D) Zenani
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56. Mandela learnt the meaning of courage from—

(A) His parents
(B) His teachers
(C) His fellow comrades
(D) His oppressors
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57. Mandela refers to liberty as “new born” because—

(A) It needed guidance
(B) It was newly attained through struggle
(C) It made people excited
(D) It arrived unexpectedly
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58. Assertion (A): On the oath-taking day of Nelson Mandela, two national anthems were sung by the African people.
Reason (R): They wanted to pay respect to the white and the black-skinned people equally.
(A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(B) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
(C) A is true but R is false
(D) A is false but R is true

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59. When Mandela says people risk lives for an idea, he means—

(A) Stubborn
(B) Committed
(C) Intelligent
(D) Proud
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60. “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……….” Complete the sentence.

(A) For justice, for poverty, for human dignity
(B) For justice, for human dignity, for liberty
(C) For peace, for justice, for liberty
(D) For peace, for justice, for human dignity
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61. Read the statements from “Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” and choose the correct option.

Statement 1 – Mandela pledged to fight against poverty and discrimination.
Statement 2 – Mandela’s inauguration marked the end of one of the most oppressive systems in human history.
(A) Statement 1 true, Statement 2 false
(B) Statement 1 false, Statement 2 true
(C) Both are true
(D) Both are false
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62. Read the following sentences and choose the correct option.
Assertion: “Long Walk to Freedom” portrays Nelson Mandela’s view of leadership as a collaborative effort rather than an individual pursuit.
Reason: Mandela highlights the contributions of other leaders and activists.

(A) Both A and R are correct, and R correctly explains A.
(B) Both A and R are correct, but R doesn’t explain A.
(C) A is correct but R is incorrect.
(D) A is incorrect but R is correct.
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63. A ‘V’ shaped pattern in the lesson refers to—

(A) Victory
(B) Chevron
(C) Vast
(D) Champion
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64. What was the unintended effect of the long oppression according to Mandela?

(A) Made people indifferent
(B) Made people reject oppression
(C) Inspired a generation to fight injustice
(D) Made people accept oppression
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65. Match Column A and B:

(A) 1-(ii), 2-(iv), 3-(i), 4-(iii)
(B) 1-(ii), 2-(iv), 3-(iii), 4-(i)
(C) 1-(i), 2-(ii), 3-(iii), 4-(iv)
(D) 1-(iv), 2-(i), 3-(iii), 4-(ii)
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66. “Man’s goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished.” What quality of Mandela does this line not show?

(A) Pessimism
(B) Fortitude
(C) Optimism
(D) Perseverance
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67. Mandela’s vision for South Africa’s future was—

(A) Divided nation
(B) United non-racial democratic society
(C) United racial society
(D) Non-racial non-secular
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68. Which of the following is required to create heights of character according to Mandela?

(A) Extraordinary courage
(B) Glimmer of humanity
(C) Twin obligations
(D) Depths of oppression
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69.  Statement I: The full form of BBC is Bharat Broadcasting Corporation.
Statement II: According to Mandela, the victory they achieved is a common victory for justice, peace, and human dignity.

(A) Both statement I and statement II are true
(B) Statement I is true but statement II is false
(C) Statement I is false but statement II is true
(D) Both statements are false
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70. Oliver Tambo and Yusuf Dadoo are—

(A) Military officers
(B) Deputy presidents
(C) Ministers
(D) African patriots
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71. What was the unintended effect of the decades of oppression and brutality on the people of South Africa?

(A) It created patriots of extraordinary courage, wisdom and generosity.
(B) It brought the army officers among the people.
(C) The people of South Africa became politically aware.
(D) The people of South Africa became braver and stronger.
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72. ……….. I had been pleasantly besieged by dignitaries and ….. What does the underlined words mean? 

(A) Controlled by
(B) Cheated by
(C) Surrounded by
(D) Called by
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73. Why does the speaker say that it is ‘a rare privilege’? He says this as they have —

(A) Been deprived of the honour.
(B) Seldom been given this honour.
(C) Experienced it for the first time.
(D) Been chosen over other countries for this honour.
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74. What did Mandela say he learned from his comrades in the struggle?

(A) Hatred towards the oppressors.
(B) The importance of education.
(C) Courage and value of sacrifice.
(D) The significance of isolation.
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75. In life every man has—

(A) Three obligations
(B) One obligation
(C) Twin obligations
(D) No obligations
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76. Apartheid is a political system that separates people according to—

(A) Religion
(B) Language
(C) Race
(D) Gender
View Answer......Hide Answer

77. Nelson Mandela became—

(A) USA’s first Black President
(B) South Africa’s first Black President
(C) Zimbabwe’s first Black President
(D) None
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78. “He is locked behind the bars of prejudice and narrow-mindedness.” Prejudice means—

(A) Strong dislike without good reason
(B) State of lack of benefits
(C) Freedom from restrictions
(D) Low opinion of oneself
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79. How many years did Mandela spend in prison?

(A) 20
(B) 27
(C) 25
(D) 35
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80. Match the columns:

(A) (i)-(2), (ii)-(3), (iii)-(1), (iv)-(4)
(B) (i)-(4), (ii)-(3), (iii)-(1), (iv)-(2)
(C) (i)-(4), (ii)-(2), (iii)-(1), (iv)-(3)
(D) (i)-(4), (ii)-(1), (iii)-(2), (iv)-(3)
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