1. Read the passage and answer the questions following it
Mandela went on to play a prominent role on the world stage as an advocate of human dignity in the face of challenges ranging from political repression to AIDS. He formally left public life in June 2004 before his 86th birthday, telling his adoring countrymen: 'Don’t call me. I’ll call you.' But he remained one of the world’s most revered public figures, combining celebrity sparkle with an unwavering message of freedom, respect and human rights. 'He is at the epicenter of our time, ours in South Africa, and yours, wherever you are,' Nadine Gordimer, the South African writer and Nobel Laureate for literature, once remarked. The years Mandela spent behind bars made him the world's most celebrated political prisoner and a leader of mythic stature for millions of black South Africans and other oppressed people far beyond his country's borders. Charged with capital offences in the 1963 Rivonia Trial, his statement from the dock was his political testimony.
A. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives 5
a. What could be the closest meaning for 'mythic stature' in text?
i. Legendary figure ii. Hulk giant iii. Fabulous hero iv. Infamous
b. The word 'revered' in the text refers to —
i. well-regarded ii. depraved iii. tarnished iv. venerated
c. 'Repression' in the text could be replaced by —
i. suppression ii. botheration iii. modification iv. glorification
d. The range of actions of Mandela encompasses —.
i. from cultural aggression to AIDS ii. From social word to cultural repression
iii. from national to international problems iv. from political suppression to AIDS
e. The best synonym for 'sparkle' is —
i. gloomy ii. shine iii. shimmering iv. insipid
B. Answer the following questions 10
a. How do you differentiate Mandela from other political leaders?
b. How do you explain Mandela's lifelong struggle for humanity?
c. Why did Nadine Gordimer remark 'He Mandela. is at the epicenter of our time, ours in South Africa, and yours, wherever you are?'
d. What does the expression 'Don't call me, I'll call you' mean?
e. Do you find any leadership quality in Mandela? If any, mention.
Ans. to the Ques
A. Ans.: a.i. Legendary figure, b. i. well-regarded, c. i. suppression d. iv. from political suppression to AIDS, e. ii. shine.
B. Ans.:
a. Mandela was different from other political leaders. He had to pass a longer time in jail than almost all other leaders. He was firm to achieve his goals. b. He struggled all through his life.
Mandela is the synonym of struggle. Throughout his life he struggled to establish the rights of the black people of South Africa.
c. 'Nadine Gordimer's remark indicates that he Mandela. is a hero not only for the South Africans but also for the people of the whole globe. Through Nelson Mandela struggled for the black people of his country South Africa., it influenced the other oppressed people far beyond his country's borders. Thus, he became an icon of peace and reconciliation who came to embody the struggle for justice around the world.
d. The statement was delivered by Mandela when he left his public life at the age of 86. With this expression he meant that he was not leaving them totally. If it was needed, he would come forward for his black people.
e. Yes, I find a number of leadership qualities in Mandela. Firstly, he had the mentality to sacrifice himself for his beloved black people. The second quality is his firmness of character.
Bangla Translation
রাজনৈতিক দমন-পীড়ন থেকে শুরু করে এইডস পর্যন্ত বিভিন্ন চ্যালেঞ্জের মুখে মানবিক মর্যাদার সমর্থক হিসেবে ম্যান্ডেলা বিশ্ব মঞ্চে গুরুত্বপূর্ণ ভূমিকা পালন করেন। ২০০৪ সালের জুনে তাঁর ৮৬তম জন্মদিনের আগে তিনি আনুষ্ঠানিকভাবে জনজীবন ত্যাগ করেন এবং তাঁর প্রিয় দেশবাসীকে বলেন: 'আমাকে ফোন করো না। আমি তোমাদের ফোন করব।' কিন্তু তিনি বিশ্বের সবচেয়ে সম্মানিত জনসাধারণের একজন ব্যক্তিত্ব হিসেবে রয়ে গেছেন, স্বাধীনতা, সম্মান এবং মানবাধিকারের এক অটল বার্তার সাথে সেলিব্রিটিদের উজ্জ্বলতা মিশ্রিত করেছেন। 'তিনি আমাদের সময়ের কেন্দ্রবিন্দুতে, দক্ষিণ আফ্রিকায় আমাদের সময়ের এবং তোমাদের, তোমরা যেখানেই থাকো না কেন,' দক্ষিণ আফ্রিকার লেখিকা এবং সাহিত্যে নোবেল বিজয়ী নাদিন গর্ডিমার একবার মন্তব্য করেছিলেন। কারাগারে কাটানো বছরগুলি ম্যান্ডেলাকে বিশ্বের সবচেয়ে বিখ্যাত রাজনৈতিক বন্দী এবং লক্ষ লক্ষ কৃষ্ণাঙ্গ দক্ষিণ আফ্রিকান এবং তার দেশের সীমানা ছাড়িয়ে অন্যান্য নিপীড়িত মানুষের জন্য পৌরাণিক মর্যাদার নেতা করে তুলেছিল। ১৯৬৩ সালের রিভোনিয়া ট্রায়ালে মৃত্যুদণ্ডের অভিযোগে অভিযুক্ত, কাঠগড়া থেকে তার বিবৃতি ছিল তার রাজনৈতিক সাক্ষ্য।
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Passage-2
Part-I: Reading Test (60 Marks)
1. Read the passage and answer the questions A and B.
Nelson Mandela guided South Africa from the shackles of apartheid to a multi-racial democracy, as an icon of peace and reconciliation who came to embody the struggle for justice around the world.
Imprisoned for nearly three decades for his fight against white minority rule, Mandela never lost his resolve to fight for his people's emancipation. He was determined to bring down apartheid while avoiding a civil war. His prestige and charisma helped him win the support of the world.
"I hate race discrimination most intensely and in all its manifestations. I have fought it all during my life; I will fight it now, and will do so until the end of my days," Mandela said in his acceptance speech on becoming South Africa's first black president in 1994, ......."The time for the healing of the wounds has come. The moment to bridge the chasms that divide us has come."
"We have, at last, achieved our political emancipation."
In 1993, Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, an honor he shared with F.W. de Klerk, the white African leader who had freed him from prison three years earlier and negotiated the end of apartheid.
Mandela went on to play a prominent role on the world stage as an advocate of human dignity in the face of challenges ranging from political repression to AIDS.
He formally left public life in June 2004 before his 86th birthday, telling his adoring countrymen: "Don't call me. I'll call you." But he remained one of the world's most revered public figures, combining celebrity sparkle with an unwavering message of freedom, respect and human rights.
"He is at the epicenter of our time, ours in South Africa, and yours, wherever you are," Nadine Gordimer, the South African writer and Nobel Laureate for Literature, once remarked.
The years Mandela spent behind bars made him the world's most celebrated political prisoner and a leader of mythic stature for millions of black South Africans and other oppressed people far beyond his country's borders...............................
A. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives. 1☓5 = 5
(a) What does 'justice' refer to in line 3?
(i) impartiality (ii) corruption (iii) fair (iv) satisfy
(b) Mandela shared the Nobel Peace Prize with —.
(i) Nadine Gordimer (ii) Einstein (iii) F.W. de Klerk (iv) Rontgen
(c) What is the closest meaning of the word 'advocate'?
(i) proposition (ii) pleader (iii) helper (iv) hater
(d) Mandela suffered imprisonment for -.
(i) nearly 15 years (ii) nearly 20 years (iii) nearly 25 years (iv) nearly 30 years
(e) "We have at last achieved our political emancipation."- What does it imply?
(i) South Africa was freed
(ii) Racial discrimination was abolished
(iii) Mandela became the President of South Africa
(iv) Mandela drove away the white minorities from South Africa
(f) Nelson Mandela is a/ an — of peace and reconciliation.
(i) embody (ii) maker (iii) thinker (iv) resolver
(g) South Africa is a Black — country.
(i) dominated (ii) free (iii) inhabited (iv) controlled
(h) Mandela — himself from civil war to bring down apartheid.
(i) avoided (ii) refrained (iii) escaped (iv) adopted
(i) Nelson Mandela vowed to remove —.
(i) white (ii) politicians (iii) discrimination (iv) oppresors
(j) Which one of the following sentences is false?
(i) Nelson Mandela is a peace maker (ii) Mandela won Nobel Prize after he became president
(iii) Mandela was in prison for nearly 30 years (iv) Nadine Gordimer is a literary figure
(k) South African white minority — the black majority.
(i) was dominated by (ii) destroyed (iii) struggled against (iv) dominated
(l) The word 'chasm' means —.
(i) breach (ii) discipline (iii) loose (iv) gap
(m) The word 'shackle' in the text refers to —.
(i) hamper (ii) bond (iii) iron (iv) rope
(n) What does the word 'reconciliation' mean?
(i) forgive (ii) separation (iii) appeasement (iv) allow
(o) The phrase 'bring down' in the text means —.
(i) abolish (ii) bring something close (iii) fight with (iv) cancel
(p) "We have, at last, achieved our political emancipation" — the line indicates —.
(i) end of a political conflict (ii) victory of a election
(iii) getting government power (iv) end of a long struggle for political rights
(q) "We have, at last, achieved our political emancipation" What is meant by the 'political emancipation'?
(a) Religious freedom (b) Geographical freedom
(c) Economic and social freedom (d) Political freedom
(r) The term "apartheid" means —
(a) anxiety (b) partition (c) preparation (d) discrimination
(s) The word "epicenter' in the text means —
(a) majestic (b) accusation (c) reunion (d) focal point
Answer (A):
(a) (i) impartiality (b) (iii) F.W.de Klerk (c) (ii) pleader (d) (iv) nearly 30 years (e) (ii) Racial discrimination was abolished (f) (i) embody (g) (iii) inhabited (h) (ii) refrained (i) (iii) discrimination (j) (ii) Mandela won Nobel Prize after he became president (k) (iv) dominated (l) (iv) gap (m) (ii) bond (n) (iii) appeasement (o) (i) abolish (p) (iv) end of a long struggle for political rights (q) (iv) Political freedom (r) (iv) discrimination (s) (iv) focal point (t) (iv) all of the above answers (u) (iv) autocracy
B. Answer the following questions. 2☓5 = 10
(a) What is apartheid? Do you support it? Why/ Why not?
(b) Which words by Mandela inspire you most?
(c) Why was Mandela awarded Nobel Peace Prize?
(d) What is democracy? How do the people of the democratic world remember Mandela?
(e) What is the significance and importance of 1993, 1994 & 2004?
(f) Who is Nelson Mandela? Why is he famous?
(g) When did he become the first Black President of South Africa? What did he say in his inaugural speech as President?
(h) What was Nelson Mandela's dream? For whom did he fight and how?
(i) Why does the author say Nelson Mandela an icon of peace?
(j) How many years was Mandela imprisoned? What was his determination?
(k) What do you mean by the sentence "The moment to bridge the chasms that divide us has come"?
(l) In which field did Mandela play a prominent role?
(m) How did Mandela won the support of the world?
(n) What does the sentence imply- "We have, at last, achieved our political emancipation"?
Answer (B):
(a) Apartheid is a political situation in which people of different races are separated. I don't support apartheid because apartheid destroys the unity and harmony of a society and brings out civil war.
(b) Mandela's words that inspire me most are that "I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal I hope to live for and to achieve. But if need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die."
(c) Mandela was awarded Nobel Peace Prize for keeping peace in South Africa as well as in the whole world by fighting against apartheid.
(d) Democracy is the belief in freedom and equality, between people, or a system of government based on this belief, in which power is either held by elected representatives or directly by the people themselves. The people of the democratic world remember Mandela with honour and respect.
(e) The significance and importance of 1993, 1994 & 2004 is that in 1993 Nelson Mandela was awarded The Nobel Peace Prize, in 1994 Mandela became the first black President of South Africa and in 2004 Mandela left public life.
(f) Nelson Mandela is the most celebrated and undisputed Black African leader. He is famous for his life long struggle against apartheid to free the black people from the racial discrimination of the white people.
(g) He became the first Black President of South Africa in 1994. In his inaugural speech after accepting Presidency he said, "The time for the healing of the wounds has come. The moment to bridge the chasms that divide us has come. We have, at last, achieved our political emancipation."
(h) Nelson Mandela's dream was to gain freedom for the Black Africans of South Africa and to achieve political emancipation for them. He fought for the Black South Africans to bring down racial discrimination by avoiding a civil war through a non-violent movement.
(i) Throughout his life, Nelson Mandela struggled for the emancipation of black people. But during this time he was non-violent and avoided civil war. So the author says Nelson Mandela an icon of peace.
(j) Mandela was imprisoned for nearly 30 years. His determination was to bring down apartheid and the emancipation of black people from the domination of white minority.
(k) This sentence clarifies the bringing down of apartheid. Apartheid had created a big chasm between the black and the white in South Africa. But with the struggle of Mandela and his becoming President of South Africa there's created a bridge to unite the South Africans.
(l) Mandela played a prominent role on the world stage as an advocate of human dignity in the face of challenges ranging from political repression to AIDS.
(m) Mandela was imprisoned for nearly three decades. But undergoing such a suffering, he never lost his resolve to fight for his people's emancipation and to bring down apartheid. Thus for his sacrifice, patience and non-violent attitude, he won the support of the world.
(n) The sentence indicates the successful end of a long struggle for achieving political rights of the black people of South Africa.
1. Read the passage and answer the questions following it
Nelson Mandela guided South Africa from the shackles of apartheid to a multi-racial democracy, as an icon of peace and reconciliation who came to embody the struggle for justice around the world. Imprisoned for nearly three decades for his fight against white minority rule, Mandela never lost his resolve to fight for his people’s emancipation. He was determined to bring down apartheid while avoiding a civil war. His prestige and charisma helped him win the support of the world. ‘I hate race discrimination most intensely and in all its manifestation. I have fought it all during my life; I will fight it now, and will do so until the end of my days,’ Mandela said in his acceptance speech on becoming South Africa’s first black president in 1994,… ‘The time for the healing of the wounds has come. The moment to bridge the chasms that divide us has come.’ ‘We have, at last, achieved our political emancipation.’ In 1993, Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, an honor he shared with F.W, de Klerk, the white African leader who had freed him from prison three years earlier and negotiated the end of apartheid.
A. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives 5
a) What could be the closest meaning for ‘shackles of apartheid’ in the first paragraph?
i. Tentacles of domination ii. Bondages of slavery
iii. Manacles of racial discrimination iv. Chains of exploitation
b) The word ‘reconciliation’ in the first paragraph refers to
i. memorization ii. recall iii. reuniting iv. Change
c) ‘Resolve’ in the second paragraph could be replaced by
i. dissolve ii. determination iii. hesitation iv. Solution
d) Mandela spent around years behind the bars.
i. twenty ii. thirty iii. forty iv. Fifty
e) The best synonym of ‘chasm’ is
i. exposition ii. rift iii. harmony iv. union.
B. Answer the following questions 10
a) What, according to text, is apartheid?
b) Mention three great achievements in Mandela's life.
c) Why did Mandela want to break the manacles of apartheid?
d) What does the expression ‘I have fought it all during my life; I will fight it now, and I will do so until
the end of my days’ mean?
e) Do you find any similarity between Mandela and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman? If any, mention. Ans. to the Ques. No. Set-1
1A. Ans.:
a. iii. Manacles of racial discrimination, b. iii. reuniting, c. ii.determination, d. ii. thirty, e. ii. rift,
1B. Ans.:
a. According to text apartheid means the racial segregation prevailing in South Africa. It means the domination of the white over the black people of South Africa. Nelson Mandela is famous for breaking the manacles of apartheid from South Africa.
b. Though Mandela had to suffer a lot, his achievements were noteworthy. His frist achievement was to break the manacles of apartheid. His second achievement was to become the first black president of South Africa. His third achievement was to win the Nobel Prize.
c. Mandela wanted to break the manacles of apartheid because this very evil practice was responsible for the racial bigotry in South Africa. The manacles of apartheid confined the black people of South Africa inside the four walls of oppression.
d. This very statement is the expression of Mandela's firm resolution to fight against racial bigotry. Mandela had an absolute abhorrence towards race discrimination. He fought against it and was ready to fight against till his last breath.
e. I see some similarities between Nelson Mandela and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman fought respective countries. Finally, Mandela fought against the white rulers of his country. In the same way, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman fought against the Pakistani rulers. Then both of them were undisputable a presidents in their respective countries. Finally, both of them were would famous leaders.
Bangla Translation:
বাংলা অনুবাদঃ নেলসন ম্যান্ডেলা দক্ষিণ আফ্রিকাকে বর্ণবাদের শৃগুখল থেকে বহু-জাতিক গণতন্ত্রের দিকে পরিচালনা করেছেন, যিনি বিশ্ব জুড়ে শান্তি, মীমাংসা এবং ন্যায়ের পক্ষে সংগ্রামের প্রতীক হিসেবে পরিচিত।
সংখ্যালঘু শ্বেতাঙ্গদের বিরুদ্ধে সংগ্রামের কারণে প্রায় তিন দশক কারারুদ্ধ থাকার পরও ম্যান্ডেলা কখনো তাঁর লোকজনের মুক্তির জন্য সংগ্রাম করার সিদ্ধান্ত থেকে বিচ্যুত হননি। তিনি গৃহযুদ্ধ এড়িয়ে বর্ণবাদ প্রথা বিলুপ্ত করার পক্ষে সংকল্পবদ্ধ ছিলেন। তাঁর সম্মান এবং নৈপূণ্য তাকে বিশ্বের সমর্থন জয় করতে সাহায্য করেছিল।
“আমি জাতিগত বিভেদ এবং এর সমস্ত ইঙ্গিতসমূহকে ব্যাপকভাবে ঘৃণা করি। আমি আমার জীবনের সব সময় এর বিরুদ্ধে সংগ্রাম করেছি; আমি এখন সংগ্রাম করব এবং আমার জীবনের শেষ দিন পর্যন্ত তা করব,” ম্যান্ডেলা ১৯৯৪ সালে দক্ষিণ আফ্রিকার প্রথম কৃষ্ণাঙ্গ রাষ্ট্রপতি হিসেবে তার বক্তৃতায় বলেছিলেন,...... “ক্ষত উপশম করার সময় এসেছে। যে গভীর ফাটল আমাদের বিভক্ত করে রেখেছে তা সংস্কার করার সময় এসেছে।”
“অবশেষে, আমরা আমাদের রাজনৈতিক মুক্তি অর্জন করেছি।”
১৯৯৩ সালে ম্যান্ডেলা আফ্রিকান শ্বেতাঙ্গ নেতা এফ.ডব্লিউ.ডি. ক্লার্ক এর সাথে যৌথভাবে নোবেল শান্তি পুরস্কার লাভ করেন যিনি তাকে তিন বছর পূর্বে জেল থেকে মুক্ত করেন এবং বর্ণবাদ বৈষম্যের বিলুপ্তি ঘটাতে সাহায্য করেন।
ম্যান্ডেলা পৃথিবীর মঞ্চে রাজনৈতিক নির্যাতন থেকে এইডস মোকাবিলার ক্ষেত্রে মানুষের মর্যাদা রক্ষার সমর্থক হিসাবে অগ্রণী ভূমিকা পালন করেছেন।
তিনি আনুষ্ঠানিকভাবে ২০০৪ সালে জুন মাসে ৮৬ তম জন্মবার্ষিকীর পূর্বে জনজীবন থেকে সরে দাঁড়ান, এবং তার দেশপ্রেমিক জনসাধারণের উদ্দেশ্যে বলেন: “আমাকে আহবান করো না। আমি তোমাদের আহবান করব।” কিন্তু তিনি বিশ্বের সবচেয়ে শ্রদ্ধাভাজন ব্যক্তিদের মধ্যে অন্যতম, যিনি স্বাধীনতা, শ্রদ্ধা এবং মানবাধিকারের বার্তা প্রেরণে খ্যাতিমান।
দক্ষিণ আফ্রিকার লেখক এবং সাহিত্যে নোবেল পুরস্কার বিজয়ী নাদিন গোর্ডিমার একদা মন্তব্য করেছিলেন, “তিনি অবস্থান করেন আমাদের সময়, আমাদের দক্ষিণ আফ্রিকা এবং পৃথিবীর যেখানেই তুমি থাক না কেন তার কেন্দ্রবিন্দুতে।”
ম্যান্ডেলার কারাজীবন তাঁকে পৃথিবীর সবচেয়ে খ্যাতিমান রাজনৈতিক কারাবন্দীর মর্যাদা এনে দিয়েছে এবং দক্ষিণ আফ্রিকার লক্ষ লক্ষ কৃষ্ণাঙ্গ আফ্রিকান এবং তাঁর দেশের বাইরের অন্যান্য নির্যাতিত লোকজন তাঁকে কিংবদন্তী হিসাবে মনে করে।..................
Passage-3
1. Read the passage and answer the questions following it :
The years Mandela spent behind bars made him the world’s most celebrated political prisoner and a leader of mythic stature for millions of black South Africans and other oppressed people far beyond his country’s borders. Charged with capital offences in the 1963 Rivonia Trial, his statement from the dock was his political testimony. ‘During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people.’ I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. ‘I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities,’ he told the court. ‘It is an ideal I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.’ Friends adored Mandela and fondly called him ‘Madiba’, the clan name by which he was known. People lauded his humanity, kindness and dignity.
A. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives 5
'Behind bars' refers to—
i. at the back of the courts ii. in the prisons
iii. under impediments iv. in small rooms
a) The word 'stature' stands for—
i. intellectual or moral greatness ii. the height of something
iii. physical structure iv. good reputation
b) How did Mandela win the support of the world?
i. By dint of magic ii. By virtue of imprisonment
iii. With his personality and stature iv. With is honesty and simplicity
c) '... it is an ideal I hope to live for and to achieve.' What does it imply?
i. Mandela’s belief in attaining his ideal ii. Mandela’s life is for ideology
iii. Mandela’s sacrifice for democracy iv. All of the above answers
d) The word 'advocate' in the text stands for—
i. backer ii. supporter iii. uphold iv. recommend.
B. Answer the following questions 10
a) How do you differentiate the life Mandela from the life of other people?
b) For what ideal do you think Mandela was ready to die?
c) Why did his friends call him ‘Madiba’?
d) How do you explain a leader of mythic stature for millions of black South African and other oppressed people for behind his country's borders?
e) ‘The white are superior to the black.’ Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give reasons.
Ans. to the Ques.
• Ans.: a. ii. in the prisons b. i. intellectual or moral greatness c. iii. With his personality and stature d.
iv. All of the above answers e. ii. supporter.
• Ans.:
a) Mandela was different from other people. Very few people have struggled like him. Very few people can be compared with him due to his sacrifice.
b) I think that Mandela was ready to die to establish an oppression free democratic society. He wanted to establish such an ideal society where all people will live harmoniously and peacefully.
c) Mandela was fondly called ‘Madiba’. It was his clan name by which people used to call him so out of love.
d) I mean Mandela had a great fame all over the world. He was a legendary leader not only to the black people of South Africa but also to the oppressed people around the world.
e) I don't agree with this statement. I think all are equal. So the white are not superior to the black.
1. Read the passage and answer the questions A and B.
In 1993, Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, an honor he shared with F.W. de Klerk, the white African leader who had freed him from prison three years earlier and negotiated the end of apartheid.
Mandela went on to play a prominent role on the world stage as an advocate of human dignity in the face of challenges ranging from political repression to AIDS.
He formally left public life in June 2004 before his 86th birthday, telling his adoring countrymen: "Don't call me. I'll call you." But he remained one of the world's most revered public figures, combining celebrity sparkle with an unwavering message of freedom, respect and human rights.
"He is at the epicenter of our time, ours in South Africa, and yours, wherever you are," Nadine Gordimer, the South African writer and Nobel Laureate for Literature, once remarked.
The years Mandela spent behind bars made him the world's most celebrated political prisoner and a leader of mythic stature for millions of black South Africans and other oppressed people far beyond his country's borders.
Charged with capital offences in the 1963 Rivonia Trial, his statement from the dock was his political testimony.
"During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination."
"I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities," he told the court.
"It is an ideal I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die."
Friends adored Mandela and fondly called him "Madiba," the clan name by which he was known. People lauded his humanity, kindness and dignity.
বাংলা অনুবাদঃ .............১৯৯৩ সালে ম্যান্ডেলা আফ্রিকান শ্বেতাঙ্গ নেতা এফ.ডব্লিউ.ডি. ক্লার্ক এর সাথে যৌথভাবে নোবেল শান্তি পুরস্কার লাভ করেন যিনি তাকে তিন বছর পূর্বে জেল থেকে মুক্ত করেন এবং বর্ণবাদ বৈষম্যের বিলুপ্তি ঘটাতে সাহায্য করেন।
ম্যান্ডেলা পৃথিবীর মঞ্চে রাজনৈতিক নির্যাতন থেকে এইডস মোকাবিলার ক্ষেত্রে মানুষের মর্যাদা রক্ষার সমর্থক হিসাবে অগ্রণী ভূমিকা পালন করেছেন।
তিনি আনুষ্ঠানিকভাবে ২০০৪ সালে জুন মাসে ৮৬ তম জন্মবার্ষিকীর পূর্বে জনজীবন থেকে সরে দাঁড়ান, এবং তার দেশপ্রেমিক জনসাধারণের উদ্দেশ্যে বলেন: “আমাকে আহবান করো না। আমি তোমাদের আহবান করব।” কিন্তু তিনি বিশ্বের সবচেয়ে শ্রদ্ধাভাজন ব্যক্তিদের মধ্যে অন্যতম, যিনি স্বাধীনতা, শ্রদ্ধা এবং মানবাধিকারের বার্তা প্রেরণে খ্যাতিমান।
দক্ষিণ আফ্রিকার লেখক এবং সাহিত্যে নোবেল পুরস্কার বিজয়ী নাদিন গোর্ডিমার একদা মন্তব্য করেছিলেন, “তিনি অবস্থান করেন আমাদের সময়, আমাদের দক্ষিণ আফ্রিকা এবং পৃথিবীর যেখানেই তুমি থাক না কেন তার কেন্দ্রবিন্দুতে।”
ম্যান্ডেলার কারাজীবন তাঁকে পৃথিবীর সবচেয়ে খ্যাতিমান রাজনৈতিক কারাবন্দীর মর্যাদা এনে দিয়েছে এবং দক্ষিণ আফ্রিকার লক্ষ লক্ষ কৃষ্ণাঙ্গ আফ্রিকান এবং তাঁর দেশের বাইরের অন্যান্য নির্যাতিত লোকজন তাঁকে কিংবদন্তী হিসাবে মনে করে।
১৯৬৩ সালে গুরুতর অপরাধের অভিযোগে তাঁকে রিভনিয়া ট্রায়ালে হাজির করা হয়, সেখানে কাঠগড়ায় দাঁড়িয়ে তিনি যে বক্তৃতা দেন তা রাজনৈতিক প্রশংসার দাবীদার।
“আমার জীবনকাল আমি আফ্রিকান লোকদের এই সংগ্রামী জীবনের জন্য উৎসর্গ করেছি। আমি সংগ্রাম করেছি শ্বেতাঙ্গদের কর্তৃত্বের বিরুদ্ধে, আমি সংগ্রাম করেছি কৃষ্ণাঙ্গদের কর্তৃত্বের বিরুদ্ধে।”
তিনি আদালতকে বলেন “আমি একটি গণতান্ত্রিক এবং মুক্ত সমাজের স্বপ্ন দেখেছি যেখানে সকল লোকজন একত্রে মিলেমিশে বাস করবে এবং সমভাবে সুবিধা ভোগ করবে।”
“এটি একটি আদর্শ যা অর্জন করার জন্য আমি বেঁচে থাকার আশা করি। কিন্তু যদি প্রয়োজন হয়, এটি এমন আদর্শ যার জন্য আমি মরতেও প্রস্তুত।”
বন্ধুরা ম্যান্ডেলাকে প্রশংসা করে এবং পছন্দ করে তাঁকে তাঁর ডাক নাম “মাদিবা” বলে ডাকে। লোকজন তাঁর মানবতা, দয়া এবং সম্মানকে প্রশংসা করে।
A. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives. 1☓5 = 5
(a) The word 'prominent' means —.
(i) invisible (ii) outstanding (iii) simple (iv) courageous
(b) The text is about —.
(i) Mandela and his struggle (ii) Mandela's political career
(iii) Mandela's peace loving attitude (iv) Mandela's activity
(c) The word 'repression' means —.
(i) activity (ii) justice (iii) control (iv) oppression
(d) 'He formally left public life' indicates —.
(i) Mandela's death (ii) Mandela's retirement from politics
(iii) Mandela's retirement from the ministry (iv) Mandela's cessation of struggle
(e) 'The word 'stature' refers to —.
(i) structure (ii) ability (iii) size (iv) attitude
(f) What is the closest meaning of the word 'negotiate'?
(i) signify (ii) converse (iii) bargain (iv) broker
(g) What does the word 'revered' mean?
(i) respected (ii) hated (iii) highly respected (iv) pious
(h) What does the phrase 'in harmony' mean?
(i) unanimity (ii) conflict (iii) peace (iv) discord
(i) What does the phrase 'charged with' mean?
(i) demanded (ii) attacked (iii) blamed (iv) accused of
(j) 'I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities.' - What does it mean?
(i) a democratic and free society (ii) all people live together in harmony
(iii) all people should have equal opportunities (iv) all of the above
(k) According to Gordimer, Mandela is for —.
(i) the Africans (ii) the blacks (iii) the deprived (iv) the whole world
(l) Mandela inspired people — his country's borders.
(i) across (ii) within (iii) inside (iv) around
(m) Which of the following has the closest meaning of the word 'testimony'?
(i) clarification (ii) certificate (iii) evidence (iv) information
(n) Mandela's fighting was against —.
(i) white people (ii) black people (iii) white domination (iv) both white and black domination
Answer (A):
(a) (ii) outstanding (b) (i) Mandela and his struggle (c) (iv) oppression (d) (ii) Mandela's retirement from politics (e) (ii) ability (f) (ii) converse (g) (iii) highly respected (h) (i) unanimity (i) (iv) accused of (j) (iv) all of the above (k) (iv) the whole world (l) (i) across (m) (iii) evidence (n) (iv) both white and black domination
B. Answer the following questions. 2☓5 = 10
(a) Who was Nadine Gordimer and what did he remark about Mandela?
(b) What made Mandela the world's most revered and celebrated public figure?
(c) How did friends adore Mandela? Why did people praise him?
(d) What did he say in the court of Rivonia Trial?
(e) What is the ideal that Mandela was talking about?
(f) Who was F.W. de Klerk? What did he do?
(g) How did Nelson Mandela become the world's most revered public figures?
(h) "He is the epicenter of our time, ours in South Africa, and yours, wherever you are."- What is the significance of this line.
(i) What does the author mean to say "He formally left public life in 2004......."?
(j) How will you evaluate Nadine Gordimer's remark about Mandela?
Answer (B):
(a) Nadine Gordimer was a South African writer and Nobel Laureate for Literature, who remarked, "Nelson Mandela is at the epicenter of our time, ours in South Africa, and yours, wherever you are."
(b) Nelson Mandela's imprisoned life for nearly three decades and his non-violent attitude made him the world's most revered political prisoner and a celebrated public figure of mythic stature for millions of Black South Africans and other oppressed people far beyond his country's borders.
(c) Mandela's friends adored him and fondly called him by his clan name 'Madiba'. People praised him for his humanity, kindness, dignity and strong determination.
(d) Charged with capital offences in the 1963 Rivonia Trial, his statement from the dock bore his political testimony. He said, "During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination as well. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities."
(e) The ideal that Mandela was talking about is peace and harmony among the African people. He said, "It is an ideal I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die."
(f) F.W. de Klerk was a white African leader who freed Nelson Mandela from prison three years earlier and negotiated the end of apartheid. He also shared the Nobel Peace Prize with Mandela in 1993.
(g) Nelson Mandela through his sacrifice, patience and non-violent attitude brought down apartheid from South Africa and turned his country to a nation of multi-racial democracy. Thus he became the world's most revered public figures.
(h) By this line, its speaker Nadine Gordimer signifies that Nelson Mandela is not for a particular nation. He is for the whole world. He is an inspiration for those people of the world who are deprived of their rights, who are dominated and discriminated.
(i) By this line the author means to say that Nelson Mandela retired from his job of public service in 2004. It indicates that on this day he announced his retirement from his political life.
(j) Nadine Gordimer expressed the importance of Nelson Mandela in his remark. He meant to say that Nelson Mandela is not only for the South Africans but also for the people of the whole world.
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