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.
Collects Synonym: gathers Antonym: scatters
Rubbish Synonym: garbage Antonym: treasure
Front Synonym: frontage Antonym: back
Dirty Synonym: filthy Antonym: clean
Smell Synonym: stink Antonym: fragrance
Mind (verb) Synonym: care Antonym: disregard
Important Synonym: significant Antonym: unimportant
Hard Synonym: diligently Antonym: lazily
Sick Synonym: ill Antonym: healthy
Great Synonym: big Antonym: small
Trouble Synonym: difficulty Antonym: ease
Whole Synonym: entire Antonym: partial
Unhygienic Synonym: unsanitary Antonym: hygienic
Well (adjective) Synonym: healthy Antonym: unwell
Turn into Synonym: become Antonym: remain
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.
Collects (Synonym: gathers | Antonym: scatters)
Rubbish (Synonym: garbage | Antonym: treasures)
Dirty (Synonym: filthy | Antonym: clean)
Smell (Synonym: stink | Antonym: fragrance)
Mind (Synonym: object | Antonym: accept)
Important (Synonym: significant | Antonym: unimportant)
Hard (Synonym: diligently | Antonym: lazily)
Sick (Synonym: ill | Antonym: healthy)
Great (Synonym: big | Antonym: small)
Trouble (Synonym: difficulty | Antonym: ease)
Whole (Synonym: entire | Antonym: partial)
Unhygienic (Synonym: unsanitary | Antonym: hygienic)
Well (Synonym: healthy | Antonym: unwell)
Front (Synonym: forefront | Antonym: back)
Turn into (Synonym: become | Antonym: remain)
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.
Attitude (Synonym: perspective) (Antonym: indifference)
Changing (Synonym: shifting) (Antonym: maintaining)
Natural (Synonym: organic) (Antonym: artificial)
Cures (Synonym: remedies) (Antonym: poisons)
Ancient (Synonym: old) (Antonym: modern)
Civilizations (Synonym: societies) (Antonym: barbarism)
Generations (Synonym: ages) (Antonym: moment)
Minor (Synonym: small) (Antonym: major)
Prescribe (Synonym: recommend) (Antonym: prohibit)
Ointment (Synonym: cream) (Antonym: —
Rural (Synonym: countryside) (Antonym: urban)
Experience (Synonym: knowledge) (Antonym: inexperience)
Cheap (Synonym: inexpensive) (Antonym: expensive)
Effects (Synonym: results) (Antonym: causes)
Problems (Synonym: issues) (Antonym: solutions)
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.
Here are 15 words from the passage with their synonyms and antonyms.
Gifted (Synonym: blessed) (Antonym: cursed)
Attractions (Synonym: draws) (Antonym: repulsions)
Remote (Synonym: distant) (Antonym: central)
Amazing (Synonym: stunning) (Antonym: ordinary)
Crystal clear (Synonym: transparent) (Antonym: murky)
Unfolded (Synonym: revealed) (Antonym: concealed)
Glory (Synonym: splendor) (Antonym: shame)
Modest (Synonym: gentle) (Antonym: violent)
Abandoned (Synonym: deserted) (Antonym: occupied)
Preserving (Synonym: conserving) (Antonym: destroying)
Promoting (Synonym: encouraging) (Antonym: hindering)
Charming (Synonym: enchanting) (Antonym: repulsive)
Diverse (Synonym: varied) (Antonym: homogeneous)
Main (Synonym: primary) (Antonym: minor)
Direct (Synonym: non-stop) (Antonym: indirect)
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.
Here are 15 words from the passage with their synonyms and antonyms.
Remarkable (Synonym: notable) (Antonym: ordinary)
Independence (Synonym: freedom) (Antonym: dependence)
Pride (Synonym: honor) (Antonym: shame)
Commemorating (Synonym: honoring) (Antonym: ignoring)
Sacrifices (Synonym: offerings) (Antonym: gains)
Enthusiasm (Synonym: eagerness) (Antonym: apathy)
Homage (Synonym: tribute) (Antonym: disrespect)
Martyrs (Synonym: heroes) (Antonym: traitors)
Grand (Synonym: magnificent) (Antonym: modest)
Dignitaries (Synonym: VIPs) (Antonym: commoners)
Dedicated (Synonym: consecrated) (Antonym: desecrated)
Focal (Synonym: central) (Antonym: peripheral)
Respects (Synonym: homage) (Antonym: insults)
Patriotic (Synonym: nationalistic) (Antonym: traitorous)
Heroes (Synonym: champions) (Antonym: villains)