110 + Interview Questions in FIRST FLIGHT IN GENERAL AWARENESS Page 3 InterviewSolution

101.	What does Mandela mean when he says he is “simply the sum of all those African patriots” who had gone before him?
Answer» Mandela wants to pay his tribute to all the people who had sacrificed their lives for the sake of freedom. He feels that he is simply the sum of all those African patriots who had gone before him as he only was carrying forward the baton of the freedom struggle, the legacy of leaders of yesteryears who had paved the path of co-operation and unity for him. Therefore, he got the support of his people to be able to come to power to bring equality for his own people.

Discussion

102.	What did being free mean to Mandela as a boy, and as a student? How does he contrast these “transitory freedoms” with “the basic and honorable freedoms”?
Answer» Like any other kid, for Mandela also the freedom meant to make merry and enjoy the blissful life in every possible way. But once an adult, the antics of childhood look like transitory because in an adults perspective ,most of the childhood activities are waste of time.As a grown-up, you have to step out of your comfort zone to earn a livelihood to bring the bacon home.It is only then that you get an honorable existence in the family and in the society.

Discussion

103.	How does Mandela describe the systems of government in his country (i) in the first decade, and (ii) in the final decade, of the twentieth century?
Answer» (i) In the first decade of the twentieth century, the white-skinned people of South Africa patched up their differences and erected a system of racial domination against the darkskinned people of their own land, thus creating the basis of one of the harshest and most inhumane societies the world had ever known. (ii) In the last decade of the twentieth century, the previous system had been replaced by another more strong pattern ,the one that recognized the rights and freedom of all people, regardless of the color of their skin.

103.

How does Mandela describe the systems of government in his country (i) in the first decade, and (ii) in the final decade, of the twentieth century?

Answer»

(i) In the first decade of the twentieth century, the white-skinned people of South Africa patched up their differences and erected a system of racial domination against the darkskinned people of their own land, thus creating the basis of one of the harshest and most inhumane societies the world had ever known.

(ii) In the last decade of the twentieth century, the previous system had been replaced by another more strong pattern ,the one that recognized the rights and freedom of all people, regardless of the color of their skin.

Discussion

104.	You know that we can combine sentences using words like and, or, but, yet and then. But sometimes no such word seems appropriate. In such a case was can use a semicolon (;) or a dash (−) to combine two clauses.She has no interest in music; I doubt she will become a singer like her mother.The second clause here gives the speaker’s opinion on the first clause.Here is a sentence from the text that uses semicolons to combine clauses. Break up the sentence into three simple sentences. Can you then say which has a better rhythm when you read it, the single sentence using semicolons, or the three simple sentences?For there is not any means by which those who have been born can avoid dying; after reaching old age there is death; of such a nature are living beings.
Answer» The single sentence using semicolons has a better rhythm. This is because the three parts of the sentence are connected to each other in their meanings. The second clause gives further information on the first clause. The third clause is directly related to both the first and the second. Their meanings are better conveyed when they are joined by semicolons.

Discussion

105.	Why didn't Valli want to go to the stall and have a drink? What does this tell you about her?
Answer» Valli did not want to go to the stall and have a drink because she did not have any money for that. Even when the conductor offered her a cold drink free of charge, she refused firmly and said that she only wanted her ticket. This shows that Valli had a strong will power and self pride. Possibly, she did not want to take anything for free, particularly from a stranger.

Discussion

106.	What does Valli tell the elderly man when he calls her a child?
Answer» When the elderly man calls her a child, Valli tells him that there was nobody on the bus who was a child.Valli thinks she is a grown up and doesn't like to be called a child .She tells him that she too had paid her fare of thirty paise like everyone else.

Discussion

107.	How do you usually understand the idea of ‘selfishness’? Do you agree with Kisa Gotami that she was being ‘selfish in her grief’?
Answer» Selfishness is preoccupation with I, me, and myself. Kisa Gotami was not in a position to think about other people’s grief. It is natural to feel sad over death of near and dear ones. But most people carry on their next responsibility of performing proper last rites of the dead. People seldom carry a dead body in the hope of some miracle happening to that. The family and the society always come together in hour of grief and sorrow.But Kisa Gotami was being 'selfish in her grief' and engrossed in her sorrow that she forgot to think about live members of her family and society.

Discussion

108.	Why didn't Valli want to make friends with the elderly woman?
Answer» Valli found that elderly woman absolutely repulsive. She saw that the woman had big holes in her earlobes with ugly earrings in them. She was chewing betel nut and the betel juice was about to spill over her lips. That is why Valli did not want to make friends with her.

Discussion

109.	This text is written in an old-fashioned style, for it reports an incident more than two millennia old. Look for the following words and phrases in the text, and try to rephrase them in more current language, based on how you understand them.give thee medicine for thy childPray tell meKisa repaired to the Buddhathere was no house but someone had died in itkinsmenMark!
Answer» 1. Give you medicine for your child 2. Please tell me 3. Kisa went to the Buddha 4. There was no house where no one had died 5. Relatives 6. Listen

109.

This text is written in an old-fashioned style, for it reports an incident more than two millennia old. Look for the following words and phrases in the text, and try to rephrase them in more current language, based on how you understand them.give thee medicine for thy childPray tell meKisa repaired to the Buddhathere was no house but someone had died in itkinsmenMark!

Answer»

1. Give you medicine for your child

2. Please tell me

3. Kisa went to the Buddha

4. There was no house where no one had died

5. Relatives

6. Listen

Discussion

110.	What does Valli mean when she says, “I was just agreeing with what you said about things happening without our knowledge.”
Answer» Valli’s mother said that many things happen around us, but we are usually unaware of them. Valli had gone on a bus ride to town, all alone, and had come back without any harm. She did all this without the knowledge of her mother. Hence, she agreed with what her mother said.

Discussion

Explore topic-wise InterviewSolutions in .

What does Mandela mean when he says he is “simply the sum of all those African patriots” who had gone before him?

What did being free mean to Mandela as a boy, and as a student? How does he contrast these “transitory freedoms” with “the basic and honorable freedoms”?

How does Mandela describe the systems of government in his country (i) in the first decade, and (ii) in the final decade, of the twentieth century?

Why didn't Valli want to go to the stall and have a drink? What does this tell you about her?

What does Valli tell the elderly man when he calls her a child?

How do you usually understand the idea of ‘selfishness’? Do you agree with Kisa Gotami that she was being ‘selfish in her grief’?

Why didn't Valli want to make friends with the elderly woman?

What does Valli mean when she says, “I was just agreeing with what you said about things happening without our knowledge.”