Read the text and answer the questions following it.

26 March, our Independence Day, is the biggest state festival. The day is celebrated every year in the country with great enthusiasm and favour. It is a national holiday. All offices, educational institutions, shops and factories remain closed on this day. The day begins with 31 gunshots.

Early in the morning the President and the Prime Minister on behalf of the nation place floral wreaths at the National Mausoleum at Savar. Then diplomats, political parties, social and cultural organizations and freedom fighters pay homage to the martyrs. People from all walks of life also come there with rallies and processions. There are several cultural programmes throughout the day highlighting the heroic struggle and sacrifice in 1971.
The country also witness a smartly dressed parade of defense forces, border guards, police, ansars and the VDP (Village Defense Party) at the National Parade Ground near the National Parliament. In Bangabandhu Stadium, school children, scouts and girl guides take part in various displays to entertain thousands of spectators. The educational institutions also organise their individual programmes. Sports meets and tournaments are also organised on the day including the exciting boat race in the river Buriganga.

In the evening, all major public buildings are illuminated with colorful lights. Bangla Academy, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and other socio-cultural organisations hold cultural functions. Similar functions are also arranged in other places in the country.

Bangla Translation: ২৬শে মার্চ, আমাদের স্বাধীনতা দিবস হল সবচেয়ে বড় রাষ্ট্রীয় উৎসব। এ দিনটি প্রতি বছর দেশে বিপুল উদ্দীপনা ও উৎসাহের সঙ্গে উদযাপন করা হয়। এটি একটি জাতীয় ছুটির দিন। এ দিনে সমস্ত অফিস, শিক্ষা প্রতিষ্ঠান, দোকানপাট ও কারখানা বন্ধ থাকে।

দিনটি ৩১টি তোপধ্বনির মাধ্যমে শুরু হয়। ভোরে রাষ্ট্রপতি ও প্রধানমন্ত্রী জাতির পক্ষ থেকে সাভারের জাতীয় স্মৃতিসৌধে পুষ্পস্তবক অর্পণ করেন। এরপর কূটনীতিকগণ, রাজনৈতিক দলসমূহ, সামাজিক ও সাংস্কৃতিক সংগঠন এবং মুক্তিযোদ্ধারা শহীদদের প্রতি শ্রদ্ধা নিবেদন করেন। জীবনের বিভিন্ন স্তরের মানুষও সেখানে সমবেত হয় র‍্যালি ও শোভাযাত্রা নিয়ে। সারাদিন জুড়ে বিভিন্ন সাংস্কৃতিক অনুষ্ঠান অনুষ্ঠিত হয়, যেখানে ১৯৭১ সালের বীরত্বপূর্ণ সংগ্রাম ও আত্মত্যাগ তুলে ধরা হয়।

দেশজুড়ে জাতীয় সংসদের কাছে জাতীয় প্যারেড গ্রাউন্ডে প্রতিরক্ষা বাহিনী, সীমান্ত রক্ষী বাহিনী, পুলিশ, আনসার ও গ্রাম প্রতিরক্ষা বাহিনীর একটি চৌকস কুচকাওয়াজ অনুষ্ঠিত হয়। বঙ্গবন্ধু স্টেডিয়ামে স্কুল শিক্ষার্থী, স্কাউট ও গার্ল গাইডরা বিভিন্ন প্রদর্শনীতে অংশগ্রহণ করে, যা হাজারো দর্শকদের বিনোদন দেয়। শিক্ষাপ্রতিষ্ঠানগুলো তাদের নিজস্ব কর্মসূচি আয়োজন করে। দিনটিতে বিভিন্ন খেলাধুলা ও প্রতিযোগিতা অনুষ্ঠিত হয়, যার মধ্যে বুড়িগঙ্গা নদীতে উত্তেজনাপূর্ণ নৌকাবাইচ অন্যতম।

সন্ধ্যায়, সকল প্রধান সরকারি ভবন বর্ণিল আলোকসজ্জায় সজ্জিত হয়। বাংলা একাডেমি, বাংলাদেশ শিল্পকলা একাডেমি এবং অন্যান্য সামাজিক–সাংস্কৃতিক প্রতিষ্ঠান বিভিন্ন সাংস্কৃতিক অনুষ্ঠান আয়োজন করে। দেশের অন্যান্য স্থানেও অনুরূপ অনুষ্ঠান অনুষ্ঠিত হয়।

1. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives.
2. When is the Independence Day of Bangladesh celebrated?
   (i) 21st February
   (ii) 16th December
   (iii) 26th March
   (iv) 14th April
   Ans: (iii) 26th March
3. What kind of festival is Independence Day in Bangladesh?
   (i) Religious festival
   (ii) State festival
   (iii) Cultural festival
   (iv) International festival
   Ans: (ii) State festival
4. How is the day celebrated every year?
   (i) With religious rituals
   (ii) With enthusiasm and favor
   (iii) With sadness and mourning
   (iv) Without any events
   Ans: (ii) With enthusiasm and favor
5. What type of holiday is observed on Independence Day?
   (i) Public holiday
   (ii) Optional holiday
   (iii) Bank holiday only
   (iv) No holiday at all
   Ans: (i) Public holiday
6. What happens to offices, schools, shops, and factories on this day?
   (i) They remain open
   (ii) They operate for half a day
   (iii) They remain closed
   (iv) They work extra hours
   Ans: (iii) They remain closed
7. How does the day begin?
   (i) With a special speech
   (ii) With a military parade
   (iii) With 31 gunshots
   (iv) With a flag-hoisting ceremony
   Ans: (iii) With 31 gunshots
8. Who places floral wreaths at the National Mausoleum?
   (i) The Chief Justice
   (ii) The Mayor of Dhaka
   (iii) The President and the Prime Minister
   (iv) The Speaker of Parliament
   Ans: (iii) The President and the Prime Minister
9. Where is the National Mausoleum located?
   (i) Dhaka University
   (ii) Bangabandhu Stadium
   (iii) Savar
   (iv) National Museum
   Ans: (iii) Savar
10. Who pays homage to the martyrs after the President and Prime Minister?
    (i) Only government officials
    (ii) Diplomats, political parties, social and cultural organizations, and freedom fighters
    (iii) Only the armed forces
    (iv) Only students
    Ans: (ii) Diplomats, political parties, social and cultural organizations, and freedom fighters
11. How do common people participate in paying respect?
    (i) By holding rallies and processions
    (ii) By staying at home
    (iii) By going to work early
    (iv) By organizing business fairs
    Ans: (i) By holding rallies and processions
12. What do cultural programs highlight?
    (i) The importance of business
    (ii) The heroic struggle and sacrifice of 1971
    (iii) The history of ancient Bengal
    (iv) The modern achievements of Bangladesh
    Ans: (ii) The heroic struggle and sacrifice of 1971
13. Where is the national parade held?
    (i) National Museum
    (ii) National Parade Ground
    (iii) Bangabandhu Stadium
    (iv) Dhaka University
    Ans: (ii) National Parade Ground
14. Who participates in the national parade?
    (i) Defense forces, border guards, police, ansars, and VDP
    (ii) Only army personnel
    (iii) Teachers and students
    (iv) Business leaders and bankers
    Ans: (i) Defense forces, border guards, police, ansars, and VDP
15. What performances take place at Bangabandhu Stadium?
    (i) Political debates
    (ii) Musical concerts
    (iii) School children, scouts, and girl guides perform displays
    (iv) Fireworks shows
    Ans: (iii) School children, scouts, and girl guides perform displays
16. Who are the main participants in school performances?
    (i) University students
    (ii) Government officials
    (iii) School children, scouts, and girl guides
    (iv) Only athletes
    Ans: (iii) School children, scouts, and girl guides
17. What sports events take place on Independence Day?
    (i) Cricket matches
    (ii) Chess tournaments
    (iii) Boat races on the Buriganga River
    (iv) Football tournaments
    Ans: (iii) Boat races on the Buriganga River
18. What happens to major public buildings in the evening?
    (i) They are closed for security reasons
    (ii) They are illuminated with colorful lights
    (iii) They are used for military meetings
    (iv) They are decorated with posters
    Ans: (ii) They are illuminated with colorful lights
19. Which institutions hold cultural programs on this day?
    (i) Bangla Academy and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy
    (ii) Private companies
    (iii) Shopping malls
    (iv) Political parties
    Ans: (i) Bangla Academy and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy
20. Who else organizes similar programs throughout the country?
    (i) Only the capital city of Dhaka
    (ii) Other socio-cultural organizations in different regions
    (iii) Only television channels
    (iv) Only Dhaka-based institutions
    Ans: (ii) Other socio-cultural organizations in different regions
21. What does Independence Day represent for Bangladesh?
    (i) The beginning of British rule
    (ii) The victory in the Liberation War
    (iii) The declaration of independence from Pakistan
    (iv) The establishment of democracy
    Ans: (iii) The declaration of independence from Pakistan
22. Why is the 26th of March significant in Bangladesh’s history?
    (i) It marks the signing of the Constitution
    (ii) It is the birthday of a national leader
    (iii) It is the day Bangladesh declared independence from Pakistan
    (iv) It was the first day of the Liberation War
    Ans: (iii) It is the day Bangladesh declared independence from Pakistan
23. What is the most remarkable feature of the Independence Day celebration?
    (i) Fireworks displays
    (ii) Cultural performances
    (iii) The tribute to the martyrs and the national parade
    (iv) Business promotions
    Ans: (iii) The tribute to the martyrs and the national parade
24. Who is primarily honored on this day?
    (i) Political leaders
    (ii) Business owners
    (iii) Martyrs and freedom fighters
    (iv) Foreign diplomats
    Ans: (iii) Martyrs and freedom fighters
25. What does the national parade showcase?
    (i) Military strength and national unity
    (ii) Political achievements
    (iii) Business success
    (iv) Agricultural progress
    Ans: (i) Military strength and national unity
26. What role do students play in Independence Day celebrations?
    (i) They organize strikes
    (ii) They perform displays and cultural programs
    (iii) They manage traffic control
    (iv) They conduct military drills
    Ans: (ii) They perform displays and cultural programs
27. When did Bangladesh declare its independence from Pakistan?
    (i) 14th August 1947
    (ii) 26th March 1971
    (iii) 16th December 1971
    (iv) 21st February 1952
    Ans: (ii) 26th March 1971
28. What event led to the declaration of independence?
    (i) The Language Movement
    (ii) The Mass Uprising of 1969
    (iii) The Operation Searchlight crackdown by the Pakistani army
    (iv) The signing of the Constitution
    Ans: (iii) The Operation Searchlight crackdown by the Pakistani army
29. Who was the key leader behind Bangladesh’s independence movement?
    (i) Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
    (ii) Ziaur Rahman
    (iii) Mahatma Gandhi
    (iv) Subhash Chandra Bose
    Ans: (i) Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
30. How long did the Liberation War last?
    (i) 3 months
    (ii) 6 months
    (iii) 9 months
    (iv) 12 months
    Ans: (iii) 9 months
31. Which country helped Bangladesh achieve victory in the Liberation War?
    (i) Pakistan
    (ii) India
    (iii) China
    (iv) The USA
    Ans: (ii) India
32. What time do the 31 gunshots take place?
    (i) Midnight
    (ii) Early in the morning
    (iii) Afternoon
    (iv) Evening
    Ans: (ii) Early in the morning
33. Where do the President and Prime Minister place floral wreaths?
    (i) Suhrawardy Udyan
    (ii) National Mausoleum, Savar
    (iii) Central Shaheed Minar
    (iv) Bangabandhu Museum
    Ans: (ii) National Mausoleum, Savar
34. Why do people visit the National Mausoleum on this day?
    (i) To pay tribute to the martyrs of 1971
    (ii) To celebrate cultural heritage
    (iii) To attend a military parade
    (iv) To listen to political speeches
    Ans: (i) To pay tribute to the martyrs of 1971
35. What type of parade is held at the National Parade Ground?
    (i) Political parade
    (ii) Military parade
    (iii) Farmers’ rally
    (iv) Trade union procession
    Ans: (ii) Military parade
36. Who participates in the parade at the National Parade Ground?
    (i) Farmers and factory workers
    (ii) Students from universities
    (iii) Defense forces, border guards, police, ansars, and VDP
    (iv) Bank employees and businessmen
    Ans: (iii) Defense forces, border guards, police, ansars, and VDP
37. Where do school children, scouts, and girl guides perform displays?
    (i) Suhrawardy Udyan
    (ii) National Museum
    (iii) Bangabandhu Stadium
    (iv) Dhaka University
    Ans: (iii) Bangabandhu Stadium
38. Which river hosts a boat race on Independence Day?
    (i) Jamuna
    (ii) Buriganga
    (iii) Padma
    (iv) Teesta
    Ans: (ii) Buriganga
39. Which organizations hold cultural programs on this day?
    (i) Dhaka Stock Exchange
    (ii) Political parties only
    (iii) Bangla Academy and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy
    (iv) Private banks and companies
    Ans: (iii) Bangla Academy and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy
40. How are public buildings decorated in the evening?
    (i) With flower garlands
    (ii) With posters
    (iii) With colorful lights
    (iv) With banners of political leaders
    Ans: (iii) With colorful lights
41. Where do many people gather for cultural events?
    (i) National Stadium
    (ii) Bangla Academy
    (iii) Central Jail
    (iv) Airport
    Ans: (ii) Bangla Academy
42. Why is March 26th important in Bangladesh?
    (i) It marks the end of the Liberation War
    (ii) It is the day Bangladesh declared independence
    (iii) It is the anniversary of Bangabandhu’s birth
    (iv) It celebrates the signing of the constitution
    Ans: (ii) It is the day Bangladesh declared independence
43. What is the theme of most cultural programs on this day?
    (i) Science and technology development
    (ii) The heroic struggle and sacrifices of 1971
    (iii) Future business opportunities
    (iv) The importance of global trade
    Ans: (ii) The heroic struggle and sacrifices of 1971
44. Why do students participate in Independence Day events?
    (i) To express their support for political leaders
    (ii) To showcase their talent in sports
    (iii) To honor the martyrs and celebrate the nation’s freedom
    (iv) To earn extra credit in school
    Ans: (iii) To honor the martyrs and celebrate the nation’s freedom
45. What does the 31-gun salute symbolize?
    (i) The number of battles fought in 1971
    (ii) The honor and respect for the freedom fighters
    (iii) The 31 districts of Bangladesh
    (iv) The 31 days of March
    Ans: (ii) The honor and respect for the freedom fighters
46. What is the primary purpose of rallies and processions on this day?
    (i) To protest against the government
    (ii) To demand economic reforms
    (iii) To pay tribute to the martyrs and celebrate independence
    (iv) To promote new government policies
    Ans: (iii) To pay tribute to the martyrs and celebrate independence
47. What does Independence Day teach the younger generation?
    (i) The importance of economic progress
    (ii) The sacrifices made for freedom
    (iii) The role of modern technology in governance
    (iv) The impact of global trade policies
    Ans: (ii) The sacrifices made for freedom
48. Who are remembered on this day as national heroes?
    (i) Political leaders only
    (ii) Freedom fighters and martyrs
    (iii) Business entrepreneurs
    (iv) Foreign diplomats
    Ans: (ii) Freedom fighters and martyrs
49. Which of the following is NOT an activity on Independence Day?
    (i) Paying tribute at the National Mausoleum
    (ii) Organizing cultural programs
    (iii) Holding military parades
    (iv) Conducting business summits
    Ans: (iv) Conducting business summits
50. What is the most significant lesson of Independence Day?
    (i) The value of democracy and sovereignty
    (ii) The importance of economic growth
    (iii) The role of foreign investment
    (iv) The power of political parties
    Ans: (i) The value of democracy and sovereignty
51. What is the emotional impact of Independence Day on people?
    (i) It brings feelings of pride and patriotism
    (ii) It creates anxiety about the economy
    (iii) It promotes only entertainment
    (iv) It discourages national unity
    Ans: (i) It brings feelings of pride and patriotism

1. Answer the following questions:
2. What is celebrated on March 26th in Bangladesh?
3. Why is March 26th important for Bangladesh?
4. When did Bangladesh officially declare its independence?
5. Who was the key leader behind Bangladesh’s independence movement?
6. Which war led to the independence of Bangladesh?
7. Where is the National Mausoleum located?
8. How did the Liberation War begin in 1971?
9. What event triggered the declaration of independence?
10. Why is the 31-gun salute performed in the morning?
11. Which country supported Bangladesh in the Liberation War?
12. Who places floral wreaths at the National Mausoleum?
13. Where does the military parade take place?
14. What activities take place at Bangabandhu Stadium on this day?
15. How do students participate in Independence Day celebrations?
16. Which organization hosts cultural events like music and drama performances?
17. Why do people gather at Suhrawardy Udyan on this day?
18. What kind of competitions are organized on Independence Day?
19. Where can one see a boat race on this occasion?
20. Who takes part in the parade at the National Parade Ground?
21. How are government buildings decorated in the evening?
22. What was the name of the military operation launched on March 25, 1971?
23. When did the Liberation War officially end?
24. Why did people of Bangladesh demand independence from Pakistan?
25. Who was the first President of independent Bangladesh?
26. Which significant event happened on December 16, 1971?
27. Where was the surrender of the Pakistani army signed?
28. What is the significance of the term “Muktibahini” in the Liberation War?
29. Who were the main opposition forces against the Pakistani army?
30. How did the international community react to the Bangladesh Liberation War?
31. Which factors contributed to the victory of Bangladesh in 1971?