Memoir
Nelson Mandela
Early Life and Background
Word Splash
100

What is a memoir mostly about?

The author’s personal experiences or memories

100

How many years did Mandela spend in prison?

27 years

100

Where was Nelson Mandela born?

South Africa

100

What does apartheid mean?

A system in South Africa that kept people of different races separate

200

What type of details help the reader imagine the scene?

Sensory or descriptive details

200

What daily habit did Nelson Mandela always do, even in fancy hotels?

A. Make his own bed
B. Cook his own food
C. Clean the whole room
D. Read the newspaper  

A. Make his own bed

200

What job did Mandela train for when he was young?

He studied law to become a lawyer

200

Mandela joined groups, gave speeches, and organized events to fight unfair laws. What is this kind of action called?

A. Authority
B. Activism
C. Oppressed
D. Protest  

B. Activism

300

True or False: A memoir tells the story of someone else’s life.

False  

300

What was the first story we read about Nelson Mandela? What happened in it?

In the first story, Nelson Mandela was on a small airplane when one of the propellers stopped working. Everyone was scared, but Mandela stayed calm. He told his friend to tell the pilot. This story shows that Mandela was brave and stayed calm even in scary situations.  

300

How many wives did Nelson Mandela have in his lifetime?

Three

300

Which of these is an example of authority in a school? 

A. Students deciding class rules.

B. The principal giving instructions

 C. Friends playing a game 

D. Children talking quietly

The principal giving instructions

400

How is a memoir different from an autobiography?

A memoir focuses on specific memories or moments; an autobiography tells the whole life story

400

What type of education did he begin at the age of 7?

Began British Education at 7

400

How old was Nelson Mandela when he became president of South Africa?

75

400

Some freedom fighters used surprise attacks and small, hidden groups to fight the government. What type of fighting is this called?

Guerrilla warfare

500

What point of view is a memoir usually written in?
A. First person
B. Second person
C. Third person
D. It changes every chapter

A. First person

500

Why did Mandela later believe peaceful protest was not enough?

Mandela saw that peaceful protests did not work because the government was very violent. In one protest, 67 people were killed. This showed him that sometimes stronger actions were needed to fight unfair laws.

500

What do Mandela’s stories about the airplane and bed-making show about his character?

He was humble, kind, brave, and respected everyone, no matter their status

500

How did the ANC help change South Africa?

A. By creating a new government without elections 

B. By peacefully working and fighting for equal rights 

C. By forcing people to move 

D. By encouraging segregation  

B. By peacefully working and fighting for equal rights