My friend Sajjad and I were sitting at the railway station. I came to see him off. Sajjad was going to Dhaka to his elder sister’s house. It was very crowded in the station. There was a long line of people at the ticket counter. A woman was standing in the queue. She was holding her child’s hand tightly. A group of young people was talking loudly and drinking tea in front of a tea stall. An old couple was trying to find a quiet place to sit down and rest. The waiting room was crowded, too. I saw a man who was trying to carry three heavy suitcases. A young lady was sitting on a bench with her luggage at one corner. She was reading a magazine.
My friend and I stood near a newspaper stall talking and watching the crowd around. Soon my friend’s train started to leave. As the train whistled, he picked up his suitcase and we said goodbye to each other.
- Sajjad and his friend were sitting at the (a) __________ station. The narrator came to (b) __________ him off. Sajjad was going to Dhaka to his (c) __________ sister’s house. The station was very (d) __________ with people. There was a long (e) __________ at the ticket counter.
- A woman was standing in the (a) __________ holding her child’s hand (b) __________. Some young people were talking (c) __________ and drinking tea at a (d) __________ stall. An old (e) __________ was looking for a quiet place to sit.
- The waiting room was very (a) __________. A man was carrying three heavy (b) __________. A young lady was sitting on a (c) __________ with her luggage. She was reading a (d) __________ to pass the (e) __________.
- The narrator and his friend stood near a (a) __________ stall. They were talking and watching the (b) __________ around them. Soon Sajjad’s (c) __________ arrived. The train gave a loud (d) __________ before leaving.
- When the train started to move, Sajjad picked up his (a) __________. The two friends said (b) __________ to each other. The narrator watched the train as it (c) __________ the station and felt (d) __________ for his friend’s (e) __________.
Answer:
1. railway, see, elder, crowded, line
2. queue, tightly, loudly, tea, couple
3. crowded, suitcases, bench, magazine, time
4. newspaper, crowd, train, whistle
5. suitcase, goodbye, left, sad, departure
Bulbul collects rubbish from the Sankar area in Dhaka. Every morning, he wakes up at 5 o’clock and walks along the streets of Sankar to collect rubbish. People of Sankar put their rubbish in plastic bins and leave them in front of their houses. Bulbul walks from door to door to collect them. Sometimes the bins are very dirty and they smell bad. But Bulbul does not mind. He takes out everything from the bins and puts them in his van. He believes that all jobs are important. He works hard every day to keep this area clean.
Last month Bulbul was sick for two days. So, he could not come to collect the rubbish. The people of Sankar were in great trouble. They got piles of rubbish waiting in front of their houses. The whole area became dirty and unhygienic. When Bulbul got well, he came back to Sanker. He collected everything from all the bins. Bulbul does not want to fall sick again. He realises, if he stops working even for a few days only, the whole area will turn into a big dustbin.
1. Bulbul __________ from the Sankar area in Dhaka. Every morning, he __________ at 5 o’clock and __________ along the streets to collect __________. People of Sankar put their __________ in plastic bins.
2. Bulbul goes from __________ to __________ to collect rubbish. Sometimes the bins are very __________ and they __________ bad. But Bulbul does not __________. He puts everything in his __________.
3. Bulbul believes that all __________ are important. He works __________ every day to keep the area __________. His hard work helps maintain __________ and cleanliness in Sankar.
4. Last month Bulbul was __________ for two days. So, he could not __________ the rubbish. The people of Sankar faced great __________. Piles of rubbish were __________ in front of their houses.
5. When Bulbul got __________, he came back to Sankar. He collected everything from all the __________. Bulbul does not want to fall __________ again. If he stops working, the whole area will turn into a big __________.
Answer:
1. Bulbul collects, wakes up, walks, rubbish, bins
2. door, door, dirty, smell, mind, van
3. jobs, hard, clean, hygiene
4. sick, collect, trouble, waiting
5. well, bins, sick, dustbin
People around the world are slowly changing their attitude towards medicine. More and more they are turning to natural cures. Natural cures are made of natural things, most often herbs and plants. History says that natural or herbal remedies are nothing new. People used them all along in different ages. Herbal medicines were used in ancient civilizations like India, China, Greece, Egypt, and Rome. Some ancient treatment systems are still in practice today. They have come down through generations.
For a minor burn injury the doctor may prescribe you a tube of ointment. But for the same, your grandma may put some aloe vera or use cold water. If children have cold in our country, grandmas give them honey and tulsi leaves to eat. And it works too. If you have a minor cut or wound, grown-ups may put some turmeric, marigold or aloe vera on it. Rural people usually use garlic, neem or turmeric to cure skin problems. With experience they have seen that these remedies work. Moreover, they are easy to get, are cheap and most often are without any side effects.
1. People around the world are slowly changing their __________, turning to natural __________ made of herbs and __________. History shows that herbal __________ have been used since ancient __________.
2. Ancient civilizations like India, China, Greece, Egypt, and Rome used __________ medicines. Some treatment __________ are still in __________ today and have come down through __________.
3. For minor __________, doctors may give __________, but grandmas may use __________ or cold __________ instead.
4. For children with __________, grandmas give __________ and tulsi __________ to eat, which often __________.
5. Rural people use __________, neem, or __________ for skin problems. These remedies are __________, cheap, easy to get, and usually without __________.
Answer:
- attitude, cures, plants, remedies, ages
- herbal, systems, practice, generations, medicines
- burns, ointment, aloe vera, water, cuts
- cold, honey, leaves, works, children
- garlic, turmeric, effective, safe, problems
Bangladesh is a small country but it is gifted with unlimited natural attractions. Only some of these eye-catching destinations are known to us. But there are many other areas lying in the green, remote countryside that are less-known to us. Shusong Durgapur of Birishiri is one of such places. Shusong Durgapur has an amazing landscape. It is located on the bank of crystal clear Someshwari river and is close to the Garo hills. You can see the hills of Indian state of Meghalaya from here. The nature has unfolded its glory in this small, rural landscape. Here you can see the ceramic mountain leaning against the sky, the blue water of the pictorial mountain-valley, the modest movement of the river Someshwari, and the abandoned coal mines. There is another river here called Kangsa which is also known as old Someshwari. Shusong Durgapur is located under Netrokona district about 170 km north from Dhaka. Along with its scenic beauty this place is home to diverse indigenous groups: Hajong, Garo, Achik and Mandi. The cultural academy in Durgapur is responsible for preserving and promoting the culture and traditions of these indigenous groups. The main attraction of Birishiri is the ceramic hill of Durgapur and the charming landscape along the Shomeshwari River. The river changes its color as the seasons change. Among other attractions are the palace of the Susang king, the Dasha Busha Temple, Orange Gardens, Shal forests and the Ramkrisna and Loknath Baba Temples. The best way to get to Birishiri is by road from Dhaka. You can find direct bus to Birishiri from Mohakhali bus stand, Dhaka. It usually takes 5 to 6 hours to get there. When you are there you can go around the town by rickshaws. The rickshaw pullers know all the places very well.
1. Shusong Durgapur is a (a) __________ place in Birishiri. It is known for its (b) __________ beauty and lies along the (c) __________ river. Visitors can see the (d) __________ hills of Meghalaya from here. The area also has (e) __________ coal mines.
2. The region is home to (a) __________ indigenous groups such as Hajong, Garo, Achik, and Mandi. The (b) __________ academy in Durgapur preserves their (c) __________ and traditions. Shusong Durgapur is located in (d) __________ district, about (e) __________ km north of Dhaka.
3. The main attractions of Birishiri include the (a) __________ hill of Durgapur, the scenic (b) __________ River, and the changing (c) __________ of the river. Other sites are the (d) __________ of the Susang king and the (e) __________ Gardens.
4. Tourists can also visit (a) __________ forests, the Dasha Busha (b) __________, and the Ramkrisna and Loknath (c) __________. The area offers a (d) __________ rural landscape with (e) __________ natural scenery.
5. To reach Birishiri, one can take a (a) __________ bus from Mohakhali bus stand in Dhaka. The journey usually takes (b) __________ hours. Visitors can move around the town using (c) __________. The (d) __________ know all the local attractions. It is an (e) __________ experience for tourists.
Answer:
- (a) scenic, (b) natural, (c) Someshwari, (d) Garo, (e) abandoned
- (a) diverse, (b) cultural, (c) culture, (d) Netrokona, (e) 170
- (a) ceramic, (b) Shomeshwari, (c) color, (d) palace, (e) Orange
- (a) Shal, (b) Temple, (c) Temples, (d) beautiful, (e) picturesque
- (a) direct, (b) 5-6, (c) rickshaws, (d) pullers, (e) enjoyable
December 16 is a remarkable day for Bangladeshi people. On this day in 1971, Bangladesh got independence after a nine-month-long blood-soaked battle against the Pakistani army. It is a day of national pride as well as a day of commemorating the sacrifices of the millions of Bangladeshi people. Pakistani army killed three million people and raped thousands of women. Victory Day is celebrated with great enthusiasm across the country. The day begins with a 31-gun salute at dawn, followed by the hoisting of the national flag at government buildings and private institutions. Different political, cultural and educational programs are organized to pay homage to the martyrs of the war. The entire nation celebrates the day with colorful flags, banners and parades. The National Parade ground hosts a grand military parade where the president, the prime minister and dignitaries from government and non-government sectors join. The National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar, our monument dedicated to the soldiers and civilians who lost their lives during the war, becomes a focal point for citizens to pay their respects. People from all walks of life gather to offer flowers, recite patriotic songs, and recall the sacrifices made by the nation’s heroes.
- The people of Bangladesh celebrate (a) __________ with great enthusiasm. The day marks the (b) __________ of the country in 1971. It is a day of (c) __________ and remembering the (d) __________ of martyrs. Citizens raise the (e) __________ on government and private buildings.
- The day begins with a (a) __________ at dawn. After that, the (b) __________ is hoisted. Various (c) __________, cultural and educational events are held. People pay (d) __________ to the heroes of the war. Flags and (e) __________ decorate the streets.
- A (a) __________ parade is held at the National Parade Ground. The (b) __________, prime minister and dignitaries join the event. Citizens gather to (c) __________ flowers and offer respects. Patriotic (d) __________ are recited. The day creates (e) __________ among people.
- The National Martyrs’ Memorial in (a) __________ becomes the center for tribute. People from (b) __________ of life come to honor the fallen. They remember the (c) __________ of soldiers and civilians. Citizens pay homage by (d) __________ and singing patriotic songs. The nation feels (e) __________ for its heroes.
- Victory Day reflects the (a) __________ of Bangladesh. It reminds people of the (b) __________ struggle against the Pakistani army. Millions sacrificed their (c) __________ and thousands of women were affected. The day strengthens (d) __________ among citizens. Colorful (e) __________ fill the streets in celebration.
Answer
- Victory Day, independence, pride, sacrifices, national flag
- 31-gun salute, flag, programs, homage, banners
- grand military, president, offer, songs, unity
- Savar, all walks, sacrifices, flowers, respect
- bravery, nine-month, lives, patriotism, flags