Name Date

Mandela Is Free - Answer Key

Use the text to answer each question below.

1. Apartheid was a system of separating or segregating races from one another in the country of South
Africa. It was an institution that existed for many years, since it was backed by laws. To provide
some ________ context, it started in the year 1948, and it was finally dissolved in the year 1994 when
the South African government held its first truly democratic elections.

Choose the word that best fills in the blank.

A. B. diligent
chronological
“Chronological” means according to the
order in which things happen. The mention
of the year “1948” followed by “1994”
shows that the context being provided is
chronological.

C. possessive D. remote

2. Prior to 1994, the system prevented black people from having the opportunity to vote in all
elections. It was a system based on prejudice, in which the white minority tried to control the black
majority. Blacks were only allowed to vote in remote regions called Bantustans. Many black people
lived and worked in the “white” regions in the country, which had better land for farming. Still, they
were still not able to vote there. Black citizens could only vote in the “black” regions.

Which of the following best describes the voting system in South Africa prior to 1994?
A. It treated everyone equally. B. It was based on logic and reason.

C. D. It united the country into one voting

It treated black people unfairly.
region.
The voting system prior to 1994 “was a
system based on prejudice.” “Prejudice” is
hatred or bad treatment of a person or
group without reason. Because “the system
prevented black people from having the
opportunity to vote in all elections,” it
treated black people unfairly.

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3. There were other obstacles for blacks in South Africa as well. The education provided in all “black”
schools was worse than the education provided in all “white” schools. Without a voice in the
government or the right to vote, black South Africans could not transform the system of Apartheid
into something fair for everyone. If they spoke up against Apartheid then they would be breaking
the law and would be ________ for it.

Choose the word that best fills in the blank.

A. possessed B. negotiated

C. prejudiced D.
prosecuted
“Prosecute” means to begin or carry on a
court action against in order to enforce the
law. The phrase “breaking the law” gives a
clue that people who spoke up against
Apartheid “would be prosecuted for it.”

4. Breaking the law is exactly what Nelson Mandela did in an attempt to bring about change. At first he
tried to end Apartheid through peaceful negotiations, but when that failed, violence erupted. He was
prosecuted and sentenced to 27 years in prison for his actions. He did not give up, however, on his
dream to end Apartheid in South Africa. After his release in the year 1990, he again took on a
peaceful approach for ending this unfair system. After three long years of peaceful negotiations,
Nelson Mandela finally achieved his goal and Apartheid ended. Now all South Africans, regardless of
their race, could pledge their allegiance to a new integrated country and its first democratically
elected President, Nelson Mandela.

Nelson Mandela most likely

A. paid people in the government to
accomplish his goal of becoming
president.
B.
worked with many people to reach an
agreement on ending Apartheid.
According to the passage, “After three long
years of peaceful negotiations, Nelson
Mandela finally achieved his goal and
Apartheid ended.” “Negotiate” means to
bargain or come to an agreement with
another person. Nelson Mandela most likely
worked with many people to reach an
agreement on ending Apartheid.

C. violently overthrew the Apartheid system D. gave up on his goal to end Apartheid

by attacking the white government. after being prosecuted and imprisoned.