The English Lesson 5 theme is NELSON MANDELA

Part One: Nelson Mandela's Life

Read the following text and answer the questions that follow:

Nelson Mandela is known all over the world as an example of courage.

When he was a young man, he realised that the policy of apartheid (the legal segregation of white and black people) had been created to oppress Black South Africans. His struggle against apartheid caused him to be jailed for almost 30 years. Despite his years in prison, Mandela is dedicated to equality and fairness.

As a prisoner, he inspired fellow prisoners to learn as much as possible, turning Robben Island into a kind of "university prison". Many prisoners attained degrees while still in jail!

Today he is famous for his brightly coloured shirts and the "Mandela Jive" (his style of dancing!).

His kind heart and wonderful sense of humour make Mandela unique in modern politics.

Although he has resigned as head of South Africa's government, Nelson Mandela remains an important moral leader in South African politics.

Your Turn

Why was Nelson Mandela imprisoned?
Is Mandela still the South African President?
Which word means to "reach a goal"?
Find a word in the text that means "people who are in jail".
Genius Question: What does "segregation" mean?

Part Two - Grammar Groans

"Across", "over" and "through"

Across, over and through are all prepositions with a similar meaning. Sometimes they can be used for the same meaning, but there are some differences. The easiest way to use them correctly is to remember the following rules.

Use "across" to describe movement from one point to another "across" a surface. "Across" is also always used for swimming.

For example: You can travel across the sea to Robben Island by boat. They swam across the river.
Use "over" to describe movement from one point to another "over" the top of an object that is in between.

For example: You can fly over the sea to Robben Island by helicopter.
Use "through" to describe movement from one point to another "through" something like a forest, a door or a crowd of people.

For example: No journalists were allowed through the gates of the Robben Island prison.

Your turn

Choose "across", "over" or "through":

After he was freed, Mandela walked _______ the crowd talking to his supporters.
When he became President, many aeroplanes flew _______ the ceremony.
A friend of mine saw Nelson Mandela walking _______ the forest.
Many South Africans drove _______ the country to hear Mandela speak after his release from prison.
Nelson Mandela travelled _______ Africa by aeroplane to London.

Part Three: Funnies

During the mad cow disease scare in England, Nelson Mandela and his former wife Winnie visited a London restaurant. After they had looked at the menu their waitress asked, "What will you have?"

Nelson replied, "I'll have the sirloin steak." "But what about the mad cow?" the waitress asked. "Oh", said Nelson, "my wife will have the fish."

Part Four: Famous Words

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. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die. - Nelson Mandela at his trial in 1964

I believe that South Africa is the most beautiful place on earth. Admittedly, I am biased, but when you combine the natural beauty of South Africa with the friendliness and cultural diversity of our people, and the fact that the region is a haven for Africa's most splendid wildlife, then I think even the most scrupulous critic would agree that we have been blessed with a truly wonderful land. - Nelson Mandela

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. - Nelson Mandela

Part Five: Links

Nelson Mandela

There is an attractive and informative web site about Nelson Mandela, with many links, at:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/mandela/

English Grammar

You can learn about English grammar from the easy to understand and well written explanations at this web site:

http://www.learnenglish.de/

Answers

Answers to Part One

Nelson Mandela was imprisoned because of his struggle against apartheid.
No, he has resigned as head of South Africa's government.
attained
prisoners
"Segregation" is the act of keeping people or things apart from the rest. In political history it means keeping different cultural groups apart from each other.