First Flight · Grammar Practice

Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom — Grammar Exercises

Two grammar exercises based on real NCERT sentences from this chapter. Practise the editing and gap-filling formats tested in CBSE Section B.

Exercise 1Editing / Error Correction

The sentence below has one grammatical error. Find the incorrect word and write the correction.

We, who were outlaws not so long ago, have today been gave the rare privilege to be host to the nations of the world.
Show Answer & Explanation
Errorgave
Correctiongiven
RulePassive Voice — have been + past participle
Explanation

The structure 'have been ___' requires the past participle, not the simple past. 'Gave' is the simple past of 'give'. The past participle is 'given'. So: 'have been given'. This is the standard passive voice pattern: have/has/had + been + V3. 'Gave' after 'been' is always wrong.

NCERT original: We, who were outlaws not so long ago, have today been given the rare privilege to be host to the nations of the world on our own soil.

Exercise 2Gap Filling

Choose the option that best fills the blank in the sentence below.

I am not truly free if I am _____ away someone else's freedom.
A.taking
B.giving
C.throwing
D.putting
Show Answer & Explanation
Answertaking
RuleVocabulary — Context Meaning
Explanation

Mandela's argument is about the interdependence of freedom: you cannot be free while you restrict another person's freedom. 'Taking away' means removing or denying. The other options (giving, throwing, putting) don't carry the meaning of removing freedom from another person. Only 'taking' completes the logical argument.

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