Let South Africa Show the World How to Forgive

Which of the following words most accurately captures the meaning of “ghastly” as used in the passage?

• Macabre
  

• Unnerving
  

• Appalling

• Dismal

Answer explanation

• Macabre implies a morbid, death-related quality — close, but narrower and often used for eerie or grotesque imagery rather than catastrophe on a large social scale.

• Unnerving means disturbing or anxiety-inducing, but lacks the intensity and horror suggested by “ghastly.”

• Appalling best fits the context of a large-scale, horrifying disaster.

• Dismal suggests bleakness or gloom but doesn’t rise to the level of horror implied by “ghastly.”

Which of the following words or phrases is the most precise synonym for “befall” in this context?

• Afflict

• Confront

• Overwhelm

• Ensue

Answer explanation

• Afflict means to cause suffering or hardship to someone, which aligns well with the idea of a catastrophe “befalling” a people.

• Confront implies direct engagement, not the passive happening to that “befall” implies.

• Overwhelm suggests intensity but is more about the effect than the event occurring itself.

• Ensue means to follow as a result, which doesn’t capture the personal, adverse targeting implied by “befall.”

Which of the following best expresses the main idea of the paragraph?

• The violence predicted by respected analysts illustrates how difficult it is to forecast the trajectory of deeply divided nations.

• The global narrative around South Africa’s future was shaped more by fear and sensationalism than by informed analysis.

• Widespread predictions of disaster, even among measured experts, reveal how unlikely a peaceful South African future once seemed.

• Although many feared the worst, the actual outcome of South Africa’s transition defied even the most reasoned expectations.

Which of the following ideas is least relevant to the main focus of the paragraph?

• “It did not happen.”

• "The world watched with amazement, indeed awe."

• “Nelson Mandela being inaugurated as the first democratically elected president.”

• “The long lines of South Africans of all races, snaking their way to their polling booths.”

Which of the following best expresses the main idea of the passage?

• Some predicted that a black-led government would lead to widespread revenge against white South Africans.

• The failure of disaster to occur surprised many observers who expected racial violence.

• The passage reflects fears about the consequences of past oppression and how it might shape future actions.

• Black South Africans were expected to take power and immediately begin punishing whites for historical injustices.

Which choice best describes the author’s purpose in highlighting the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in this passage?

• To illustrate how the commission’s approach subverted expectations by prioritizing healing over punishment.

• To argue that justice was compromised by granting amnesty to perpetrators of atrocities.

• To emphasize that full disclosure of crimes is necessary to prevent future violence.

• To suggest that the process of confession and forgiveness is an easier alternative to revenge and retribution.

Which of the following ideas is least relevant to the main focus of the paragraph?

• “We have already had a fairly uneventful second general election.”

• “We South Africans have not done too badly.”

• “You have prayed for us and, if miracles had to happen anywhere, South Africa was a prime site for a miracle.”

• “From a charismatic, first democratically elected president, Nelson Mandela, to the more pragmatic, pipe-smoking Thabo Mbeki.”

Which of the following ideas is least relevant to the main focus of the passage?

• “Most expected that when he emerged, he would be riddled with a lust for retribution.”

• “He was imprisoned for 27 years.”

• “He urged his own people to work for reconciliation.”

• “Invited his former jailer to attend his presidential inauguration as a VIP guest.”

What is the significance of the figurative language in the phrase “riddled with a lust for retribution” in the passage?

• It implies that Mandela was physically harmed by his desire for justice.

• It suggests Mandela’s emotions were confusing and unclear after imprisonment.

• It emphasizes the expectation that Mandela would be deeply consumed by a desire for revenge.

What is the primary purpose of the author’s statement in the last sentence of the paragraph?

• To suggest that recognizing everyone’s divine image elevates the status of ordinary people to that of notable leaders.

• To imply that true heroism in the struggle for forgiveness is found in collective action rather than in the deeds of famous individuals alone.

• To argue that the most meaningful contributions to reconciliation come from individuals who are often overlooked or uncelebrated.

• To emphasize that religious beliefs are essential to understanding and appreciating the contributions of lesser-known participants.