Page 132 - SpringBoard_ELD_Grade7_Flipbook

Interpreting the Text Using Close Reading
Learning Targets
• Understand how informational text is structured. PII.7.1 • Read closely and annotate the text. PI.7.6
Read and annotate
Read the biography and annotate the text as you read.
■ Use the My Notes area to write questions or ideas you have about the story.
■ Underline the words and phrases that help you understand the time and place details from the biographical excerpt.
■ Put a star next to biographical information you consider important or most surprising.
■ Circle unknown words and phrases.
The Nobel Peace Prize 1993,
Biography of Nelson Mandela
1 Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born in Transkei, South Africa on July
18, 1918. His father was Chief Henry Mandela of the Tembu Tribe. Mandela himself was educated at University College of Fort Hare and the University of Witwatersrand and qualified in law in 1942. He joined the African National Congress in 1944 and was engaged in resistance against the ruling National Party’s apartheid policies after 1948. He went on trial for treason in 1956–1961 and was acquitted in 1961.
2 After the banning of the ANC in 1960, Nelson Mandela argued for the setting up of a military wing within the ANC. In June 1961, the ANC executive considered his proposal on the use of violent tactics and agreed that those members who wished to involve themselves in Mandela’s campaign would not be stopped from doing so by the ANC. This led to the formation of Umkhonto we Sizwe. Mandela was arrested in 1962 and sentenced to five years’ imprisonment with hard labour. In 1963, when many fellow leaders of the ANC and the Umkhonto we Sizwe were arrested, Mandela was brought to stand trial with them for plotting to overthrow the government by violence. His statement from the dock received considerable international publicity. On June 12, 1964, eight of the accused, including Mandela, were sentenced to life imprisonment. From 1964 to 1982, he was incarcerated
at Robben Island Prison, off Cape Town; thereafter, he was at Pollsmoor Prison, nearby on the mainland.
3 During his years in prison, Nelson Mandela’s reputation grew steadily. He was widely accepted as the most significant black leader in South Africa and became a potent symbol of resistance as the anti-apartheid movement gathered strength. He consistently refused to compromise his political position to obtain his freedom.
ACTIVITY 2.3
My Notes
Biography
Unit 3 • Choices and Consequences • Part 2: The Nobel Peace Prize 1993, Biography of Nelson Mandela 109
acquitted: declared innocent of a criminal charge by a jury’s verdict
dock: area where an accused person stands in a courtroom
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