Mariam is a student of class six in a government school in Rajshahi. Her mother works in an office and her father is a businessman. Mariam is very fond of her aunt, her father’s sister, Suraiya Begum who lives in another part of the same town. On Fridays she often goes to her aunt’s place and spends time with her.

Suraiya Begum is a retired school teacher. She is a widow and lives alone. Her husband died three years ago. Her two daughters are married and live with their families abroad. They talk to her over telephone and come to visit her whenever they get time.

Suraiya Begum has a lot of free time. She spends her time in reading books, watching TV, visiting friends and relatives. Sometimes she writes letters to her old colleagues. But now a days she often gets bored of doing all these things. She wants to do something more meaningful, something that would do good to others. She is planning to establish an old people’s home in her locality. She knows some elderly people live all alone. They have no one to take care of them. They often feel helpless and miserable. They need care and support.

As part of her plan, Suraiya Begum starts to visit families. She talks to a number of people. She tries to find out the problems of elderly people in their families. She understands that old people are lonely and often they become sick. They have nobody to look after them.

On Fridays, she often takes Mariam with her on these visits. Mariam has already become very friendly with some of the old men and women. They all love Mariam very much. She tells them about her school and friends, her studies, her family. And they often tell her funny stories, fairy tales and ghost stories.

মারিয়াম রাজশাহীর একটি সরকারি স্কুলের ষষ্ঠ শ্রেণির ছাত্রী। তার মা একটি অফিসে কাজ করেন এবং বাবা একজন ব্যবসায়ী। মারিয়াম তার বাবার বোন সুরাইয়া বেগমকে খুব ভালোবাসে, যিনি শহরের অন্য একটি এলাকায় থাকেন। শুক্রবারে সে প্রায়ই তার খালার বাসায় যায় এবং তার সাথে সময় কাটায়।

সুরাইয়া বেগম একজন অবসরপ্রাপ্ত স্কুল শিক্ষিকা। তিনি বিধবা এবং একা থাকেন। তার স্বামী তিন বছর আগে মারা গেছেন। তার দুই মেয়ে বিয়ে করে বিদেশে তাদের পরিবারের সাথে থাকেন। তারা ফোনে তার সাথে কথা বলেন এবং সময় পেলে তাকে দেখতে আসেন।

সুরাইয়া বেগমের প্রচুর অবসর সময় থাকে। তিনি বই পড়া, টিভি দেখা, বন্ধুবান্ধব ও আত্মীয়স্বজনদের সাথে দেখা করা ইত্যাদি কাজে সময় কাটান। মাঝে মাঝে তিনি তার পুরনো সহকর্মীদের চিঠি লেখেন। কিন্তু আজকাল এসব কাজে তিনি ক্লান্তি বোধ করেন। তিনি আরও অর্থপূর্ণ কিছু করতে চান, এমন কিছু যা অন্যদের উপকার করবে। তিনি তার এলাকায় একটি বৃদ্ধাশ্রম প্রতিষ্ঠার পরিকল্পনা করছেন। তিনি জানেন কিছু বয়স্ক মানুষ একা থাকেন। তাদের দেখাশোনা করার কেউ নেই। তারা প্রায়ই অসহায় ও দুঃখ বোধ করেন। তাদের যত্ন ও সহযোগিতার প্রয়োজন।

তার পরিকল্পনার অংশ হিসেবে, সুরাইয়া বেগম পরিবারগুলোতে যাওয়া শুরু করেন। তিনি অনেক মানুষের সাথে কথা বলেন। তিনি তাদের পরিবারের বয়স্ক মানুষদের সমস্যা বোঝার চেষ্টা করেন। তিনি বুঝতে পারেন যে বয়স্ক মানুষরা একাকিত্ব বোধ করেন এবং প্রায়ই অসুস্থ হয়ে পড়েন। তাদের দেখাশোনা করার কেউ নেই।

শুক্রবারে, তিনি প্রায়ই মারিয়ামকে সাথে নিয়ে এইসব বাড়িতে যান। মারিয়াম ইতিমধ্যেই কিছু বয়স্ক নারী–পুরুষের সাথে খুব বন্ধুত্বপূর্ণ সম্পর্ক গড়ে তুলেছে। তারা সবাই মারিয়ামকে খুব ভালোবাসে। সে তাদেরকে তার স্কুল ও বন্ধুদের সম্পর্কে বলে, তার পড়াশোনা, তার পরিবার। আর তারা তাকে প্রায়ই মজার গল্প, রূপকথা ও ভূতের গল্প শোনায়।

 Here is a Vocabulary Box based on the passage about Mariam and her aunt Suraiya Begum:

Here are 50 critical multiple-choice questions (MCQs) based on the passage about Mariam and Suraiya Begum:

Character Details

1. What grade is Mariam in?
   a) Class four
   b) Class five
   c) Class six
   d) Class seven
2. Where does Mariam study?
   a) A private school
   b) A government school
   c) A madrasa
   d) An international school
3. What is Mariam’s father’s occupation?
   a) Teacher
   b) Businessman
   c) Doctor
   d) Farmer
4. How is Suraiya Begum related to Mariam?
   a) Maternal aunt
   b) Paternal aunt
   c) Neighbor
   d) Family friend
5. What was Suraiya Begum’s profession?
   a) Doctor
   b) School teacher
   c) Businesswoman
   d) Government officer

Family Background

6. How long ago did Suraiya Begum’s husband die?
   a) 1 year
   b) 3 years
   c) 5 years
   d) 10 years
7. Where do Suraiya Begum’s daughters live?
   a) In the same city
   b) In another city in Bangladesh
   c) Abroad
   d) With their mother
8. How often do Suraiya Begum’s daughters visit her?
   a) Daily
   b) Weekly
   c) Whenever they get time
   d) Never
9. How does Suraiya Begum communicate with her daughters?
   a) Letters
   b) Telephone
   c) Email
   d) Social media
10. What is Suraiya Begum’s current marital status?
    a) Married
    b) Divorced
    c) Widow
    d) Single

Daily Life & Activities

11. When does Mariam usually visit her aunt?
    a) Mondays
    b) Fridays
    c) Sundays
    d) Every day
12. How does Suraiya Begum spend her free time?
    a) Reading books
    b) Watching TV
    c) Visiting friends
    d) All of the above
13. What new activity does Suraiya Begum want to start?
    a) Teaching again
    b) Writing a book
    c) Establishing an old people’s home
    d) Traveling abroad
14. Why does Suraiya Begum feel bored lately?
    a) She has no money
    b) Her routine activities don’t feel meaningful
    c) Nobody visits her
    d) She’s always sick
15. What does Suraiya Begum sometimes write?
    a) Poems
    b) Letters to old colleagues
    c) Short stories
    d) Diary entries

Social Work Plan

16. What problem does Suraiya Begum notice about elderly people?
    a) They have too much money
    b) They live alone without care
    c) They don’t like children
    d) They always travel
17. What does Suraiya Begum do as part of her plan?
    a) Visits families
    b) Starts fundraising
    c) Buys land
    d) Hires workers
18. What does Suraiya Begum learn from her visits?
    a) Old people are lonely
    b) Old people are always sick
    c) Old people have no caretakers
    d) All of the above
19. Who accompanies Suraiya Begum on her visits?
    a) Her daughters
    b) Mariam
    c) Neighbors
    d) No one
20. How have the elderly people reacted to Mariam?
    a) They ignore her
    b) They love her
    c) They scold her
    d) They fear her

Relationships & Interactions

21. What do the elderly people share with Mariam?
    a) Funny stories
    b) Fairy tales
    c) Ghost stories
    d) All of the above
22. What does Mariam share with the elderly people?
    a) Her school stories
    b) About her friends
    c) Her family news
    d) All of the above
23. Why does Suraiya Begum want to help elderly people?
    a) To earn money
    b) To do something meaningful
    c) To become famous
    d) To please her daughters
24. What emotion do lonely elderly people often feel?
    a) Happiness
    b) Helplessness
    c) Anger
    d) Excitement
25. What do elderly people need most according to the passage?
    a) Money
    b) Care and support
    c) New clothes
    d) Television

Comprehension & Analysis

26. What motivates Suraiya Begum to establish an old people’s home?
    a) Her daughters’ suggestion
    b) Seeing others’ suffering
    c) Having too much free time
    d) Government instructions
27. How does Mariam benefit from visiting elderly people?
    a) Gets money
    b) Learns from their stories
    c) Avoids schoolwork
    d) Gets gifts
28. What does Suraiya Begum’s routine lack that makes her bored?
    a) Money
    b) Meaningful purpose
    c) Entertainment
    d) Social media
29. What does the passage suggest about elderly care in society?
    a) It’s adequate
    b) It’s neglected
    c) It’s expensive
    d) It’s unnecessary
30. What quality does Suraiya Begum demonstrate through her actions?
    a) Selfishness
    b) Empathy
    c) Laziness
    d) Greed

Critical Thinking Questions

31. If Suraiya Begum didn’t start this initiative, what might happen?
    a) Elderly would get government help
    b) The problem would continue
    c) Mariam would help them instead
    d) They would move abroad
32. Why is Mariam’s involvement important?
    a) Shows youth engagement
    b) Provides free labor
    c) Makes Suraiya famous
    d) Helps her get grades
33. What might be a challenge in establishing the old people’s home?
    a) Finding funding
    b) Lack of space
    c) Government rules
    d) All of the above
34. How does this story portray intergenerational relationships?
    a) As unimportant
    b) As mutually beneficial
    c) As one-sided
    d) As stressful
35. What lesson can readers learn from Suraiya Begum?
    a) Retirement means resting
    b) Everyone should help others
    c) Elderly are burdens
    d) Only family should help

Extension Questions

36. What might Suraiya Begum do next in her plan?
    a) Find a building
    b) Seek donations
    c) Register the home
    d) All are possible
37. How could Mariam’s school friends contribute?
    a) Visiting elderly
    b) Donating books
    c) Raising awareness
    d) All of the above
38. What government support could help this initiative?
    a) Funding
    b) Land allocation
    c) Training
    d) All are needed
39. Why might some elderly resist going to a home?
    a) Fear of institutions
    b) Want independence
    c) Family objections
    d) All are reasons
40. How could this model help other communities?
    a) As a replicable example
    b) By creating jobs
    c) Reducing loneliness
    d) All benefits

Inference Questions

41. What does Suraiya Begum’s past as a teacher suggest about her?
    a) Likes working with people
    b) Has leadership skills
    c) Understands education
    d) All are likely
42. Why might Fridays be chosen for visits?
    a) Weekend in Bangladesh
    b) Mariam’s free time
    c) Elderly availability
    d) All could be factors
43. What does Mariam’s friendship with elderly show?
    a) Youth can bridge generations
    b) Elderly need young energy
    c) Both learn from each other
    d) All are true
44. What might Suraiya Begum have learned from teaching?
    a) Organizational skills
    b) Patience
    c) Community needs
    d) All probable
45. Why is this story set in Rajshahi significant?
    a) Shows urban issues
    b) Represents Bangladeshi society
    c) Highlights local culture
    d) All relevant

Hypothetical Questions

46. If Mariam stopped visiting, how might elderly react?
    a) Feel sad
    b) Not notice
    c) Find another child
    d) Complain
47. What if Suraiya couldn’t establish the home?
    a) Continue visits
    b) Start smaller help
    c) Give up
    d) a or b
48. How might technology help Suraiya’s mission?
    a) Virtual visits
    b) Online fundraising
    c) Awareness campaigns
    d) All useful
49. What if more relatives helped Suraiya?
    a) Faster progress
    b) More ideas
    c) Shared burden
    d) All benefits
50. How could this story inspire readers?
    a) To value elderly
    b) To take action
    c) To mentor youth
    d) All positive impacts

Here are 50 “wh” questions based on the passage, followed by two-sentence answers:

Wh-Questions:

1. Who is Mariam?
2. Where does Mariam study?
3. What class is Mariam in?
4. What does Mariam’s mother do?
5. What is Mariam’s father’s profession?
6. Who is Suraiya Begum?
7. Where does Suraiya Begum live?
8. Why does Mariam like her aunt?
9. When does Mariam visit her aunt?
10. What does Mariam do at her aunt’s place?
11. What was Suraiya Begum’s profession before retirement?
12. Is Suraiya Begum married now?
13. When did Suraiya Begum’s husband die?
14. How many daughters does Suraiya Begum have?
15. Where do Suraiya Begum’s daughters live?
16. How do Suraiya Begum’s daughters communicate with her?
17. When do Suraiya Begum’s daughters visit her?
18. How does Suraiya Begum spend her free time?
19. What does Suraiya Begum sometimes write?
20. Why does Suraiya Begum feel bored these days?
21. What does Suraiya Begum want to do?
22. What is Suraiya Begum planning to establish?
23. Where does she want to set up the old people’s home?
24. Why does Suraiya Begum want to help elderly people?
25. What problems do elderly people face?
26. How does Suraiya Begum gather information about elderly people’s problems?
27. Whom does Suraiya Begum talk to about elderly people’s issues?
28. What does Suraiya Begum understand about old people?
29. Why are old people lonely?
30. What happens when old people get sick?
31. Who accompanies Suraiya Begum on her visits?
32. When does Mariam go with Suraiya Begum?
33. How do the elderly people feel about Mariam?
34. What does Mariam tell the elderly people?
35. What do the elderly people tell Mariam?
36. What kind of stories do they share with Mariam?
37. Why do elderly people need care and support?
38. How do Suraiya Begum’s daughters stay connected with her?
39. What makes Suraiya Begum unhappy about her current activities?
40. What does Suraiya Begum think is missing in her life?
41. How does Mariam help Suraiya Begum?
42. What is the relationship between Mariam and the elderly people?
43. Why do some elderly people feel miserable?
44. What does Suraiya Begum read in her free time?
45. What does Suraiya Begum watch on TV?
46. Who are Suraiya Begum’s old colleagues?
47. Why does Suraiya Begum visit friends and relatives?
48. How does Mariam benefit from visiting elderly people?
49. What social issue is Suraiya Begum trying to address?
50. How does Suraiya Begum plan to make a difference?

Here are the answers to all 50 “wh” questions in two-sentence format:

1. Mariam is a class six student in a government school in Rajshahi.She is fond of her aunt, Suraiya Begum.
2. Mariam studies in a government school in Rajshahi.Her school is located in the same town where her aunt lives.
3. Mariam is in class six.She is a young student who enjoys visiting her aunt.
4. Mariam’s mother works in an office.She has a busy job but supports her family.
5. Mariam’s father is a businessman.He runs his own business while managing family responsibilities.
6. Suraiya Begum is Mariam’s aunt (her father’s sister).She is a retired school teacher.
7. Suraiya Begum lives in another part of the same town.She stays alone after her husband’s death.
8. Mariam likes her aunt because she is kind and spends time with her.She enjoys visiting her on Fridays.
9. Mariam visits her aunt on Fridays.She spends time talking and bonding with her.
10. At her aunt’s place, Mariam talks and shares stories.Sometimes, she accompanies her aunt to visit elderly people.
11. Suraiya Begum was a school teacher before retirement.She taught in a school for many years.
12. No, Suraiya Begum is a widow now.Her husband passed away three years ago.
13. Suraiya Begum’s husband died three years ago.Since then, she has been living alone.
14. Suraiya Begum has two daughters.Both are married and live abroad.
15. Her daughters live abroad with their families.They occasionally visit her when possible.
16. They communicate with her over the phone.They stay in touch despite living far away.
17. They visit her whenever they get time.Their visits bring her happiness.
18. She spends time reading books, watching TV, and visiting friends.Sometimes, she writes letters to old colleagues.
19. She sometimes writes letters to her old colleagues.This helps her stay connected with her past.
20. She feels bored because her routine activities no longer feel meaningful.She wants to do something more impactful.
21. She wants to do something meaningful that helps others.Her goal is to support elderly people.
22. She is planning to establish an old people’s home.This will provide care for lonely elderly people.
23. She wants to set it up in her locality.Many elderly people there need assistance.
24. She knows elderly people suffer from loneliness and neglect.She wants to give them care and support.
25. They feel lonely, sick, and helpless.Many have no one to look after them.
26. She visits families and talks to people.This helps her understand elderly people’s struggles.
27. She talks to families with elderly members.She listens to their problems and concerns.
28. She understands that old people are often lonely and sick.They lack proper care and companionship.
29. They are lonely because their families are busy or far away.Some have lost their spouses.
30. When they get sick, they have no one to help them.They suffer without proper medical care.
31. Mariam accompanies Suraiya Begum on her visits.She enjoys interacting with the elderly.
32. Mariam goes with her on Fridays.It has become a regular routine for them.
33. The elderly people love Mariam very much.They enjoy her company and stories.
34. Mariam tells them about her school, friends, and family.She shares her daily life experiences.
35. They tell her funny stories, fairy tales, and ghost stories.She listens with great interest.
36. They share humorous, fictional, and spooky stories.Mariam finds them entertaining.
37. They need care because they are weak and lonely.Without support, they feel miserable.
38. Her daughters call her on the phone.They visit when they can.
39. She feels her current activities lack purpose.She wants to contribute more to society.
40. She thinks her life needs a meaningful cause.Helping elderly people gives her fulfillment.
41. Mariam keeps the elderly people engaged with her stories.Her presence brings them joy.
42. Mariam is like a granddaughter to them.They share a warm and friendly bond.
43. They feel miserable because they have no companionship.Many are neglected by their families.
44. She reads books in her free time.This keeps her mind active.
45. She watches TV for entertainment.It helps pass the time.
46. Her old colleagues are former co-teachers.She writes letters to stay in touch.
47. She visits them to maintain social connections.It prevents her from feeling isolated.
48. Mariam learns from their experiences and stories.She also develops empathy for the elderly.
49. She is addressing the neglect of elderly people.Many suffer without proper care.
50. She plans to open an old age home. This will provide shelter and care for the needy.