It was Zishan’s grandparents’ house in the village. The night sky was clear. The full moon was shining brightly. All the family members had a delicious supper and sat in the yard. Zishan’s cousins. Jahid and Shima, were very excited. They are the same age. They were also studying at a village school. Their grandparents gladly joined them. They were sitting on a bamboo mat. Everybody felt relaxed. They were talking, laughing and joking. The children’s voices were the loudest. Jahid described how he played for his school in the Upazila Inter-School Tournament.
“What sports do you take part in, Zishan?” asked Jahid. Zishan could not answer. There was no playground in his school and around his house. Shima also told them how she won the first prize for 100 metre sprint in her school annual sports. She sang a beautiful Bhawaiya. Everybody clapped their hands in delight.
Julie’s aunt Mrs Jahanara Khan told some funny jokes that made them laugh their heads off. The family gathering went on far into the night.
এটি ছিল জিশানের দাদু–দাদির বাড়ি গ্রামে। রাতের আকাশ পরিষ্কার ছিল। পূর্ণিমার চাঁদ উজ্জ্বলভাবে ঝলমল করছিল। সমস্ত পরিবারের সদস্যরা সুস্বাদু রাতের খাবার খেয়ে উঠোনে বসে ছিলেন। জিশানের চাচাতো ভাই–बहন জাহিদ এবং শিমা খুব উচ্ছ্বসিত ছিল। তারা একই বয়সের। তারা গ্রামেই স্কুলে পড়াশোনা করছে। তাদের দাদু–দাদি আনন্দের সঙ্গে তাদের সাথে ছিলেন। তারা বাঁশের মাদুরে বসেছিলেন। সবাই আরাম বোধ করছিল। তারা কথা বলছিল, হেসে খেলছিল এবং রসিকতা করছিল। শিশুদের কণ্ঠস্বর সবচেয়ে জোরে ছিল। জাহিদ বর্ণনা দিলো কিভাবে সে উপজেলা আন্তঃস্কুল টুর্নামেন্টে তার স্কুলের জন্য খেলেছিল।
“তুমি কোন খেলা খেলো, জিশান?” জাহিদ জিজ্ঞাসা করলো। জিশান উত্তর দিতে পারল না। তার স্কুল ও বাড়ির আশেপাশে কোনো খেলার মাঠ ছিল না। শিমাও তাদের বলল কিভাবে সে তার স্কুলের বার্ষিক ক্রীড়া প্রতিযোগিতায় ১০০ মিটার স্প্রিন্টে প্রথম পুরস্কার জিতেছে। সে সুন্দর একটি ভাওয়াইয়া গানও গাইল। সবাই আনন্দে হাততালি দিল।
জুলির মা জাহানারা খান কিছু মজার কৌতুক বললেন, যা সবাইকে হাসতে হাসতে পাগল করে দিল। পারিবারিক জমায়েত রাতভর চলতে থাকল।
Vocabulary Box: A Family Gathering in the Village
Words/Phrases | Meaning | Synonyms | Antonym |
Grandparents (noun) | দাদা–দাদী / নানা–নানী | grandmother and grandfather | grandchildren |
Clearly (adverb) | পরিষ্কারভাবে | brightly, vividly | dimly, darkly |
Shining (verb) | জ্বলজ্বল করছিল | glowing, beaming | darkening, dimming |
Delicious (adjective) | সুস্বাদু | tasty, delightful | tasteless, unpleasant |
Supper (noun) | রাতের খাবার | dinner, evening meal | breakfast |
Excited (adjective) | উত্তেজিত | thrilled, eager | bored, indifferent |
Gladly (adverb) | খুশি হয়ে | happily, willingly | reluctantly, unwillingly |
Bamboo mat (noun) | বাঁশের মাদুর | a mat made of bamboo strips | |
Relaxed (adjective) | আরামদায়ক | comfortable, at ease | tense, stressed |
Described (verb) | বর্ণনা করেছেন | explained, recounted | concealed, hid |
Tournament (noun) | টুর্নামেন্ট | championship, competition | |
Take part in (phrase) | অংশগ্রহণ করা | participate in, join | avoid, skip |
Playground (noun) | খেলার মাঠ | playing field, court | |
Sprint (noun) | দ্রুত দৌড় | dash, short race | marathon, long-distance run |
Clapped (verb) | হাততালি দিল | applauded, cheered | booed, hissed |
In delight (phrase) | আনন্দে | with joy, happily | in dismay, sadly |
Funny (adjective) | মজার | humorous, amusing | serious, sad |
Laughed their heads off (idiom) | খুব জোরে হাসল | laughed heartily, roared with laughter | cried, sobbed |
Gathering (noun) | জমায়েত | get-together, meeting | dispersal, scattering |
Far into the night (phrase) | রাত অনেক পর্যন্ত | late at night, until very late | early in the evening |
Here are 50 MCQ questions based on the passage
- Whose house was Zishan visiting?
A) His friend’s house
B) His uncle’s house
C) His grandparents’ house
D) His cousin’s house - Where was Zishan’s grandparents’ house located?
A) In the city
B) In the village
C) Near the river
D) On a hill - How was the night sky described?
A) Cloudy
B) Stormy
C) Clear
D) Foggy - What was shining brightly in the sky?
A) The sun
B) The stars
C) The full moon
D) A lantern - What did the family do after supper?
A) Went to bed
B) Sat in the yard
C) Watched TV
D) Played games - Who were very excited during the gathering?
A) Zishan’s cousins
B) The grandparents
C) Zishan’s parents
D) The neighbors - What are the names of Zishan’s cousins?
A) Rafi and Mina
B) Jahid and Shima
C) Rahim and Laila
D) Sami and Rina - How old were Jahid and Shima compared to Zishan?
A) Younger
B) Older
C) Same age
D) Much older - Where did Jahid and Shima study?
A) In the city school
B) In a village school
C) At home
D) Abroad - Who gladly joined the children?
A) Their parents
B) Their grandparents
C) Their neighbors
D) Their teacher - On what were they sitting in the yard?
A) Chairs
B) Bamboo mat
C) Blanket
D) Floor - How did everyone feel during the gathering?
A) Tired
B) Relaxed
C) Angry
D) Nervous - What were they doing in the yard?
A) Sleeping
B) Talking, laughing, and joking
C) Reading
D) Watching TV - Whose voices were the loudest?
A) Grandparents
B) Children
C) Aunt
D) Parents - What did Jahid describe to everyone?
A) His trip to the city
B) How he played in the Upazila Inter-School Tournament
C) His new book
D) His homework - What question did Jahid ask Zishan?
A) “Do you like singing?”
B) “What sports do you take part in?”
C) “Do you study well?”
D) “Do you play at home?” - Why couldn’t Zishan answer Jahid?
A) He was shy
B) He did not know sports
C) There was no playground in his school and around his house
D) He was tired - What achievement did Shima share with everyone?
A) First prize in painting
B) First prize for 100 metre sprint
C) Won a singing competition
D) Won a chess tournament - Which song did Shima sing?
A) A modern pop song
B) A bhawaiya
C) A lullaby
D) A national anthem - How did everyone react to Shima’s singing?
A) They ignored her
B) They clapped hands in delight
C) They frowned
D) They sang along - Who told some funny jokes?
A) Zishan
B) Mrs Jahanara Khan
C) Jahid
D) Shima - What effect did the jokes have on everyone?
A) Made them sleepy
B) Made them laugh their heads off
C) Made them confused
D) Made them angry - How late did the family gathering go on?
A) Until sunset
B) Far into the night
C) Until noon
D) Until morning - What type of house did Zishan visit?
A) Apartment
B) Cottage
C) Grandparents’ house
D) School building - What was the weather like during the night?
A) Rainy
B) Stormy
C) Clear and calm
D) Cloudy - How did the family feel after supper?
A) Relaxed
B) Angry
C) Hungry
D) Tired - What kind of mat were they sitting on?
A) Carpet
B) Bamboo mat
C) Wooden bench
D) Plastic sheet - Who shared their school sports experience first?
A) Zishan
B) Jahid
C) Shima
D) Mrs Jahanara Khan - What type of tournament did Jahid play in?
A) District Chess Tournament
B) Upazila Inter-School Tournament
C) Village Singing Competition
D) Annual Art Contest - What question showed Jahid’s interest in Zishan?
A) “Do you like music?”
B) “What sports do you take part in?”
C) “Can you sing?”
D) “Do you study well?” - Why was there no playground for Zishan?
A) His school had no playground
B) His house had no garden
C) Both A and B
D) He didn’t like playing - How did Shima perform in the school sports?
A) She did not participate
B) She won the first prize
C) She came second
D) She watched others play - What kind of music did Shima sing?
A) Classical
B) Bhawaiya
C) Pop
D) Folk rock - How did the family respond to Shima’s singing?
A) Clapped hands in delight
B) Covered their ears
C) Left the yard
D) Ignored her - How did Mrs Jahanara Khan entertain everyone?
A) Told stories
B) Told funny jokes
C) Sang songs
D) Played music - Who were the most excited during the gathering?
A) Parents
B) Children
C) Grandparents
D) Neighbors - Where did Zishan study?
A) City school
B) Village school
C) Online school
D) No school - What did Jahid share about his sports?
A) He played in local matches
B) He played in Upazila Inter-School Tournament
C) He won national championship
D) He didn’t play sports - How did Zishan feel when asked about sports?
A) Excited
B) Could not answer
C) Angry
D) Confident - How did the children spend time after supper?
A) Sleeping
B) Sitting, talking, laughing, and joking
C) Playing football
D) Watching TV - What made the night enjoyable for everyone?
A) Watching TV
B) Stories, singing, and jokes
C) Reading books
D) Playing indoor games - Who was Mrs Jahanara Khan?
A) Zishan’s mother
B) Julie’s aunt
C) Zishan’s teacher
D) Neighbor - What kind of gathering was it?
A) School meeting
B) Family gathering
C) Village festival
D) Sports event - How did the cousins relate to each other?
A) Same age
B) Siblings
C) Friends from school
D) Neighbors - Which game or sport was mentioned in the passage?
A) Cricket
B) Sprinting / running
C) Football
D) Chess - How did the children show excitement during the gathering?
A) By playing games
B) By talking loudly and sharing stories
C) By sleeping
D) By reading books - What did everyone feel sitting on the bamboo mat?
A) Bored
B) Relaxed
C) Angry
D) Hungry - How was the night sky when the family gathered?
A) Cloudy
B) Clear
C) Rainy
D) Foggy - How did the family react to Shima’s singing?
A) Ignored her
B) Clapped hands
C) Left the yard
D) Criticized her - How long did the family gathering continue?
A) Until sunset
B) Far into the night
C) Until noon
D) Until morning
Here are the answers to the 50 MCQs based on the passage:
- C) His grandparents’ house
- B) In the village
- C) Clear
- C) The full moon
- B) Sat in the yard
- A) Zishan’s cousins
- B) Jahid and Shima
- C) Same age
- B) In a village school
- B) Their grandparents
- B) Bamboo mat
- B) Relaxed
- B) Talking, laughing, and joking
- B) Children
- B) How he played in the Upazila Inter-School Tournament
- B) “What sports do you take part in?”
- C) There was no playground in his school and around his house
- B) First prize for 100 metre sprint
- B) A bhawaiya
- B) They clapped hands in delight
- B) Mrs Jahanara Khan
- B) Made them laugh their heads off
- B) Far into the night
- C) Grandparents’ house
- C) Clear and calm
- A) Relaxed
- B) Bamboo mat
- B) Jahid
- B) Upazila Inter-School Tournament
- B) “What sports do you take part in?”
- C) Both A and B
- B) She won the first prize
- B) Bhawaiya
- A) Clapped hands in delight
- B) Told funny jokes
- B) Children
- B) Village school
- B) He played in Upazila Inter-School Tournament
- B) Could not answer
- B) Sitting, talking, laughing, and joking
- B) Stories, singing, and jokes
- B) Julie’s aunt
- B) Family gathering
- A) Same age
- B) Sprinting / running
- B) By talking loudly and sharing stories
- B) Relaxed
- B) Clear
- B) Clapped hands
- B) Far into the night
Here are 30 WH questions based on the passage about Zishan’s family gathering:
- Whose house did Zishan visit in the village?
- How was the night sky described?
- What was shining brightly in the sky?
- What did the family do after having supper?
- Who were very excited during the gathering?
- What are the names of Zishan’s cousins?
- How old were Jahid and Shima compared to Zishan?
- Where did Jahid and Shima study?
- Who joined the children gladly in the yard?
- On what were the family members sitting?
- How did everyone feel while sitting in the yard?
- What were the family members doing in the yard?
- Whose voices were the loudest during the gathering?
- What did Jahid describe about his school activities?
- What question did Jahid ask Zishan?
- Why could Zishan not answer Jahid’s question?
- What achievement did Shima share with the family?
- What kind of song did Shima sing?
- How did everyone react to Shima’s singing?
- Who told some funny jokes during the gathering?
- What was the effect of the jokes on everyone?
- How long did the family gathering continue?
- Why were the children excited at the gathering?
- What did the cousins talk about during the night?
- How did the family feel while listening to the children?
- What did the full moon add to the scene?
- How did Jahid describe his experience in the tournament?
- What did Shima win in her school annual sports?
- How did Mrs Jahanara Khan entertain everyone?
- How did the gathering reflect family bonding?
Here are answers to the 30 WH questions based on the passage about Zishan’s family gathering:
- Zishan visited his grandparents’ house in the village. He went there to spend time with his family.
- The night sky was described as clear. It added a peaceful atmosphere to the gathering.
- The full moon was shining brightly. It lit up the yard beautifully.
- After having supper, the family sat in the yard. They enjoyed each other’s company.
- Zishan’s cousins, Jahid and Shima, were very excited. They were happy to meet and play together.
- Zishan’s cousins’ names are Jahid and Shima. They are of the same age as each other.
- Jahid and Shima were the same age as Zishan. They could relate well and play together.
- Jahid and Shima studied at a village school. They shared experiences from their school life.
- Their grandparents joined the children gladly in the yard. They enjoyed the lively family gathering.
- The family members were sitting on a bamboo mat. It made the seating comfortable for everyone.
- Everyone felt relaxed while sitting in the yard. They enjoyed the peaceful and joyful atmosphere.
- The family members were talking, laughing, and joking. They shared stories and fun moments.
- The children’s voices were the loudest during the gathering. Their excitement made the yard lively.
- Jahid described how he played for his school in the Upazila Inter-School Tournament. He was proud of his achievements.
- Jahid asked Zishan what sports he took part in. He wanted to know about Zishan’s activities.
- Zishan could not answer because there was no playground in his school or around his house. He had no opportunity to play sports.
- Shima shared that she won the first prize for the 100-metre sprint in her school’s annual sports. She was proud of her accomplishment.
- Shima sang a beautiful Bhawaiya song. Her singing entertained everyone in the yard.
- Everyone clapped their hands in delight after Shima’s singing. They appreciated her talent.
- Mrs Jahanara Khan told some funny jokes during the gathering. Her jokes made everyone laugh heartily.
- The jokes made everyone laugh their heads off. They enjoyed the humor and fun.
- The family gathering continued far into the night. They spent a long and joyful time together.
- The children were excited because they could share their school achievements and play with cousins. They were happy to be together.
- The cousins talked about their school experiences and fun activities. They shared stories and enjoyed each other’s company.
- The family felt happy and relaxed while listening to the children. The lively atmosphere made everyone joyful.
- The full moon added beauty and brightness to the yard. It made the night more magical.
- Jahid described his experience in the tournament as exciting and proud. He shared his success with the family.
- Shima won first prize in the 100-metre sprint at her school’s annual sports. It made her very proud and happy.
- Mrs Jahanara Khan entertained everyone by telling funny jokes. She made the gathering lively and cheerful.
- The gathering reflected strong family bonding. Everyone enjoyed each other’s company, laughter, and stories.