21st February is a memorable day- 21 February observed as - International Mother Language Day- Seen Comprehension - Multiple Choice & Short Question for SSC English First Paper - English for Today

Passage -1

Read the following passage and answer the questions below:

21st February is a memorable day in our national history. We observe the day every year as International Mother Language Day. The day is a national holiday. On this day, we pay tribute ( t) to the martyrs who laid down their lives to establish Bangla as a state language in undivided Pakistan in ' 1952. The struggle to achieve our language rights is known as the Language Movement. The seed of the Language Movement was shown on 21 March 1948 when Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the Governor General of Pakistan, declared in a public meeting in Dhaka that Urdu would be the only official language of Pakistan, The declaration raised a storm of protest in the eastern part of the country. The protest continued nonstop, gathering momentum day by day. It turned into a movement and reached its climax  in 1952. The government outlawed all sorts of public meetings and rallies to stop it. The students of Dhaka University defied  the law and brought out a peaceful protest procession (1991) on 21 February 1952. When the procession reached near Dhaka Medical College, the police opened fire on the students, killing Salam, Rafiq, Barkat, Safiul and Jabbar. As a result, there were mass protests all over the country and the government had to declare Bangla as a state language. This kindled the sparks of independent movement of Bangladesh.

Multiple choice Questions

1.Choose the correct answer from the alternatives.

(a)The climax of something is its –

(i) final stage

(ii) downfall

(iii) reward

(iv)punishment

Answer: (i) final stage

(b) The Language Movement took place in

(i) 1971

(ii) 1952

(iii) 1970

(iv)1956

Answer: (ii) 1952

(c)The government outlawed all sorts of public

(i)to lock people's freedom of speech

(ii) to stop language Movement

(iii) as meetings were not safe at that time

(iv)as people wanted it

Answer:(ii) to stop Language Movement

(d) Which of the following has the closest meaning of the word memorable used in line1?

(i) impressive

(ii) brilliant

(iii) unforgettable

(iv) outstanding

Answer: (iii) unforgettable

(e) The phrase ‘as a result’ means--

(i) by dint of

(ii) as a consequence

(iii) as a preparation

(iv)as a bonus

Answer: (ii) as a consequence

(f) Our martyrs laid down their lives to--

(i)  achieve independence

(ii) establish Bangla as state languages

(iii) earn name and fame

(iv) to achieve people’s tribute

Answer: (ii) establish Bangla as a state language

(g)The day reminds us

(i)the movement for first language

(ii) freedom

(iii) suffrage

(iv) the movement for sovereignty

Answer: (i) the movement for first language

Extra Questions :

1)The government -- all types of public meeting and rallies.

(i) allowed

(ii) banned

(iii) permitted

(iv) inspired

Answer: (31) (ii) banned

(2)21 February is a memorable day for all the Bangladeshis because this is the day when –

(i) Urdu was declared as the only state language of Pakistan

(ii) We pay tribute to the martyrs of liberation war .

(iii) Some great people laid down their lives to establish Bangla as a state language

(iv) Students protested against Mohammad Ali Jinnah's declaration

Answer: (2) (iii) Some great people laid down their lives to establish Bangla as a state language

(3) Salam & Barkat were the citizens of

(i) Bangladesh

(ii) Nepal

(iii) India

(iv) the then Pakistan

Answer: (3) (iv) the then Pakistan

(4) Pakistan government declared Bangla as a  state language because they were –

(i) compelled to do that

(ii) requested to do that

(iii) urged to do that

(iv) advised to do that

Answer: (4) (i) compelled to do that

(5) The seed of the language movement was sown by —

(i) Salam

(ii) Martyrs.

(iii) Jinnah

(iv) Student's

Answer: (5) (iii) Jinnah

(6) The phrase "storm of protest" means —

(i) mild protest

(ii) strong protest

(iii) moderate protest

(iv) symbolic protest

Answer: (6) (ii) strong protest

(7) The gap between the beginning and the climax of language movement,

(i) 2 years

(ii) 3 years

(iii) 4 years

(iv) 5 years

Answer: (7) (iii) 4 years

(8) The greatest outcome of language movement is

(i) status of Bangla as a state language

(ii) independence of Bangladesh

(iii) International Mother Language Day

(iv) mass protest all over the country

Answer: (8) (i) status of Bangla as a state language

(9) Which of the words is most relevant to the word 'kindled' in the passage?

(i) lit

(ii) kind

(iii) spindle

(iv) scandal

Answer: (9) (i) lit

(10) 'Pay tribute to' is a/an--,

(i) noun phrase

(ii) adjective

(iii) verbal phrase

(iv) adverbial phrase

Answer: (10) (iii) verbal phrase

(11) The UNESCO declared 21 February as the International Mother Language Day on--

, (i) 17 November 1990

(ii) 17 November 1999

(iii) 17 November 1991

(iv) 17 November 1998

Answer: (11) (ii) 17 November 1999

(12) The historic Language Movement reflects our –

(i) hatred towards alien culture

(ii) hatred towards foreign language

(iii) love for mother tongue

(iv) love for democracy

Answer: (12) (iii) love for mother tongue

(13) The word 'proclaim' means --

(i) reveal

(ii) design

(iii) announce

(iv) hide

Answer: (13) (iii) announce

(14) The students got martyrdom to

(i) be famous

(ii) establish rightful place of Bangla

(iii) get historical recognition

(iv) earn mass respect

Answer: (14) (ii) establish rightful place of Bangla

(15) The closet meaning of the word "Climax" is ,

(i)highlight

(ii) maximum

(iii) height

(iv) culmination

Answer:(15) (iv) culmination

(16) The whole world has been observing 21st February as the International Mother language day since the

(i) 21st century

(ii) 19th century

(iii) 18th century

(iv) 20th century

Answer: (16) (iv) 20th century

(17) Among the language fighters of 1952, the participation of the -- was significant.

(i) common people

(ii) labourers

(iii) students

(iv) teachers

Answer: (17) (iii) students

(18) What does the expression "this kindled the sparks of independence movement of Bangladesh in the last paragraph mean?

(i) The spirit of the language movement promoted the independence movement of Bangladesh

(ii) The language movement snatched the independence of Bangladesh.

(iii) The sacrifice of the language martyrs revived independence

(iv)The declaration of Bangla being the state language influenced the celebration of Independence.

Answer: (18) (i). The spirit of the language movement promoted the independence movement of Bangladesh

(19) We cannot but pay -- to the language martyrs.

(i) dishonour

(ii) disregard

(iii) disrespect

(iv) homage

Answer: (19) (iv) homage

(20) The students of Dhaka University ---- the law.

(i) ignored

(ii) obeyed

(iii) maintained

(iv) honoured

Answer: (20) (i) ignored

(21) The Language Movement inflamed the spark of--

(i) mass movement

(ii) six point launch movement

(iii) general election in 1970

(iv) independence movement

Answer: (21) (iv) independence movement

 (22) Which of the following word describes the best against Jinna's declaration? .

(i) gentle

(ii) peaceful

(iii) stormy

(iv) tranquil

Answer: (22) (iii) stormy

(23) The government declared public gathering unlawful to protect

(i) discipline

(ii) public opinion

(iii) law and order

(iv) human rights

Answer: (23) (iii) law and order

 (24) defy means --

(i) agree

(ii) falsify

(iii) connive

(iv) justify

Answer: (24) (iii) connive

(25) peaceful means --

(i) sober

 (ii) modest

(iii) remorseful

(iv) serene.

Answer: (25) (iv) serene

(26) Which of the following has the closest meaning of the word 'seed' used in the passage?

(i) The ending

(ii) The beginning

(iii) The plant her

(iv) The celebration

Answer: (26) (ii) The beginning

(27)Which of the following best describes the similarity between Salam and Jabbar?

(i) fighters

(ii) protestors

(iii) martyrs

(iv) none

Answer: (27) (iii) martyrs

(28) 'The declaration raised a storm of protest in the eastern part of the country." The eastern part of the country refers to

(i) East Bengal

(ii) Indian subcontinent

(iii) The then East Pakistan

(iv) West Bengal

Answer: (28) (iii) The then East Pakistan

(29) Guess the meaning of the word "procession" and choose the correct meaning closest to the text--

(i) agitation

(ii) meeting

(iii) movement

(iv) march

Answer: (29) (iv) march

(30) Bangla as a mother tongue was established

through –

(i)mass movement

(ii)caprice

(iii) politics

(iv) sentiment

Answer: (30) (i) mass movement

(31) movement means --

(i) war

(ii) fight

(iii) agitation

(iv) demonstration

Answer: (31), (iv) demonstration

(32) The killing of students -- the movement.

(i) frustrated

(ii) sharpened

(iv) stopped

(iii) slowed down

(iv) boom

Answer: (32) (ii) sharpened

(33) In the passage the word 'outlawed' means

(i) banned

(ii) forbidden

(iii) illegal

(iv)all of the three

Answer: (33) (iv) all of the three

(34) The world 'enkindle' refers to --

(i) inspiring an emotion

(ii) killing the enemies

(iii) gaining independence

(iv) initiating a war

Answer: (34) (i) inspiring an emotion

(35) Everybody -- 21 February as International Mother Language Day.

(i) refused

(ii) opposed

(iii) accepted

(iv) denied

Answer: (35) (iii) accepted

 (36) tribute means

(i) sincerity

(ii) earnestness

(iii) homage

(iv) supplication

Answer: (36) (iii) homage

(37) lay down means

(i) slaughter

(ii) sacrifice

(iii) kill

(iv) exterminate

Answer: (37) (ii) sacrifice

(38) declaration means --

(1) revulsion

(ii) proclamation

(iii) revelation

(iv) acceleration

Answer: (38) (ii) proclamation

Short Answer Question

2. Answer the following questions.

(a) Why were the Pakistani rulers forced to By accept Bangla as one of the state language?

Answer: (a) The Pakistani rulers were forced to accent Bangla as one of the state languages due to the strong protest of the people of East Pakistan.

(b) How do you feel about our Language Movement?

Answer: (b) I feel proud of our Language Movement. It is rare in the history that the people of a sacrificed their lives for their mother nation sacrificed their tongue.

(c) How is our language day recognized as International Mother Language Day? How do the world people observe the day?

Answer: (c) UNESCO declared our language day as International Mother Language Day by a declaration. The people of the world observe this day with due honour and solemnity,

(d) From your reading of the passage write about our language movement in 2/3 sentences.

Answer: (d) Language Movement is one of memorable events in our national life took place in 1952. Some of our heroic sacrificed their lives to establish Bangla one of the state languages of undivided  Pakistan.

(e) What has the sacrifice of the martyrs ensured?

Answer: (e) The sacrifice of the martyrs has ensure Bangla as a state language of undivided Pakistan.

Extra Questions''

(1) Why did the students defy the law?

Answer: (1) The students defied the law to protest the declaration of Jinnah. They brought out a procession demanding Bangla as a state language.

(2) From your reading of the first paragraph tell which day is a red--letter day in our national history. Why?

Answer: (2) 21 February, 1952 is a red letter day in our national history. Because on this day, Salam, Rafiq, Barkat, Safiur and Jabbar sacrificed their valuable lives to establish Bangla as state language

(3)What did the government ban and why?

Answer: (13)The government banned all kinds of public meetings and rallies to suppress the movement of establishing Bangla as the state language.

(4) What happened when the procession brought out by the students reached near Dhaka Medical College?

Answer: (4) When the students of Dhaka University brought out a peaceful procession and reached near Dhaka Medical College, police opened fire on them and killed Salam, Rafiq,

Barkat, Safiur and Jabbar.

(5) What thing raised a storm of protest in the eastern part of the country?

Answer: (5) The declaration of Urdu being the only state language of Pakistan raised a storm of protest in the eastern part of the country

(6) What did enkindle the sparks of independent movement of Bangladesh?

Answer: (6) The Language Movement of 21 February 1952 enkindled the sparks of independence movement of Bangladesh.

(7) Describe the events of 21 February?

Answer: (7) On 21 February in 1952, the students of  Dhaka University brought out a peaceful protest procession defying the law. When they reached near Dhaka Medical College Hospital, the police opened fire on the students. Salam, Rafiq, Barkat, Safiur and Jabbar were killed

(8) How did the movement reach its climax?

Answer: (8) The protest against this declaration continued non-stop, gathered momentum day by day and the movement reached its climax in 1952.

(9) What is the significance of the movement in our national history?

Answer: (9) The significance of the movement in our national history is the kindling of sparks of independence movement of Bangladesh.

(10) Do you support the view that declaration of 21st February as International Mother Language Day is rightful recognition to the  martyrs? Give reasons for your answer.

Answer: (10) Yes, I support the view that the declaration of 21st February as the International Mother Language Day is rightful recognition to the language martyrs. With this declaration the martyrs of language movement got an international recognition.

(11) From your reading of the passage, describe why we celebrate 21 February.

Answer:  (ii) We celebrate. 21 February as our Mother Language Day as well as International Mother Language Day. On this day in 1952, our heroic sons laid down their lives and established Bangla ,as our state language. So, to show honour to the martyrs, we observe the day nationwide

(12) "The seed of the Language Movement was shown on 21 March 1948." Explain it in your own words.

Answer: (12) The seed of the Language Movement was sown on 21 March 1948. On this day Mohammad Ali Jinnah declared that only Urdu would be the state language. This declaration hurt the Bengali people and a storm of protest arose in the heart of Bengalis. This storm grew violent day by day and turned into Language Movement."

(13) Why did Jinnah give the declaration?

Answer: (13) Jinnah gave the declaration with a negative motive. He wanted to perish the Bengali language from the undivided Pakistan. He wanted to make Bengalis weak in their  culture and heritage.

(14) How did the people of the then East Pakistan react to Jinnah's declaration?

Answer: (14) The people of the then East Pakistan reacted badly to Jinnah's declaration. A storm of protest arose in the then East Pakistan.

(15)Why did Pakistan Government outlaw, meetings & rallies in 1952?

Answer: (15) After the declaration of Jinnah, there arose a storm of protest in East Pakistan. The protest continued non-stop, gathering F momentum day by day. It turned into a movement and reached its climax in 1952. That's why, Pakistan Government outlawed meetings and rallies in 1952.

(16) How is Language Movement related to the independence of Bangladesh?

Answer: (16) Language Movement is indeed the root of the independence of Bangladesh. This kindled the sparks of independence movement of Bangladesh. Thus Language Movement is related to the independence of Bangladesh..

(17) Why is 21 February a national holiday?

Answer: (17)21 February is a national holiday because the people of Bangladesh observed the day previously in the name of Shaheed Dibosh' to pay tribute to the martyrs who laid down their lives to establish Bangla as one of the state languages in undivided Pakistan. So the govt. of Bangladesh has declared the day as a national holiday so that we can show honour to the martyrs going to the Shaheed Minar and offering flowers to the Minar,

(18) How have we got Bengali as our mother tongue?

Answer: (18) We have got Bengali as our mother tongue by shedding the blood of martyrs during the Language Movement.

(19) Why did our martyrs give away their lives?

Answer: (19) Our martyrs gave away their lives to establish Bangla as a state language in undivided Pakistan in 1952

(20) What did Mohammad All Zinnah declare in 1948?

Answer: (1) Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the then Governor General of Pakistan declared in a public meeting in Dhaka in 1948 that Urdu shall be the state language of Pakistan. 10

(21) When did the police fire?

Answer: (21) As soon as the procession reached near Dhaka Medical College, the police opened fire on the students killing Salam, Rafiq ,Barkat, Safiul and Jabbar on the spot.

(22) Who are our language martyrs?

Answer: (22) Salam, Rafiq, Barkat, Safiul, Jabbar and many others all over the country are our language martyrs. 

(23) How are the martyrs of the Language Movement remembered?

Answer: (23) The martyrs of the Language Movement are remembered by observing 21 February every year. On this day people of Bangladesh go to the Shaheed Minar to pay tribute to the martyrs who laid down their lives for our mother tongue.

(24) From your reading of the text describe how we observe 21 February.

Answer: (24) We observe 21 February as the Language Martyrs' Day and the International Mother Language Day. We pay tribute to the language martyrs on this day.

(25) To whom do we pay tribute on 21 February? Describe it.

Answer: (25) We pay tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for establishing the glory of our mother tongue. Martyrs named Salam, Rafiq, Barkat, Safiur and Jabbar were killed by the Pakistani police brutally on this day. We pay tribute to them.

Passage -2

Read the following passage and answer the questions below :

21 February is observed  as Shaheed Dibosh every year throughout the country in remembrance of the martyrs of Language Movement of 1952. The commemoration begins at the early hours of the day with mourning songs that recall the supreme sacrifices of our language martyrs. People wear black badges and go to the Shaheed Minar in barefoot processions, singing mourning songs. They place wreaths at the Minar. Many of them visit the graves of the martyrs at Azimpur graveyard and pray, for them. They also attend various programmes organized in remembrance of the language martyrs.

The UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) on 17 November in 1999 proclaimed  February 21 as the International Mother Language Day in recognition of the sacrifice of the martyrs for the rightful place of Bangla. The day is now annually observed worldwide to promote  Awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.

1. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives.

(a) On 21 February different organizations arrange programmes –

(i) to make promotion of their organization

(ii) to uphold the highest regard of our language martyrs

(iii) to describe the history of Bangla

(iv) to mourn for their late brothers

Answer: (a) (ii) to uphold the highest regard of our language martyrs.

(b) Which of the following is not true about the celebration of the Shaheed Dibosh?

(i) On this day, people go to Shaheed Minar  without shoes

(ii) They wear colorful and gorgeous dresses.

(iii) They offer flowers on the pavement of the Shaheed Minar.

(iv) People pray for the departed soul of the martyrs.

Answer: (b) (ii) They wear colourful and gorgeous dresses

(c)Which of the following statements is correct?

(i) The day symbolizes our bravery in the E liberation war.

(ii) The celebration of 21 February begins at the break of the day.

(iii) Presently 21 February is observed only in our country,

(iv) The day is celebrated to uphold the uniformity of common people.

Answer: (c) (iv) The day is celebrated to uphold the uniformity of common people.

(d) Which of the following has the closest meaning of the word 'remembrance' used in the text?

(i) celebration

(ii) acknowledgement

(iii) commemoration

(iv) appreciation

Answer: (d) (iii) commemoration

(e)Mourning songs have been sung to -- the martyrs..

(i) recollect

(ii) demolish

(iii) call off

(iv) call again

Answer: (e) (i). recollect

(f) The text is about

(i)Language movement of 1952

(ii) Historical background of 21 February

(iii) Celebration of Shaheed Dibosh

(iv) Recognition of 21 February as International Mother Language Day

Answer: .(f) (iii) Celebration of Shaheed Dibosh 

(g) The word 'Linguistic' is synonymous with the word

(i) Scholastic

(ii) Sublingual

(iii) Philological

(iv) Philosophical

Answer: (g) (iii) Philological

Extra Questions :

(1) What does the expression 'the proposal was passed unanimously' mean?

(i) the proposal was passed with the consent of all

(ii) the proposal received incomplete support

(iii) the proposal was rejected

(iv) the proposal received only Canadian support

Answer: (1) (i) the proposal was passed with the consent of all

(2) The day reminds us of

(i) the movement for first language

(ii) freedom

(iii) suffrage

(iv) the movement for sovereignty

Answer: (2) (i) the movement for first language

(3) The 'noun' form of the word 'Unanimously

(i) unanimous

(ii) unanimously

(iii) unanimity

(iv) animity

Answer: (3) (iii) unanimity

(4) The observance of 21 February worldwide can bring cultural —

(i) similarity

(ii) variety

(iii) sameness

(iv) identical thing

Answer: (4) (iii) sameness

(5) The whole world has been observing 21stFebruary as "The International

mother languages Day” since--

(i) 21st century ? (ii) 19th century

(iii) 18th century  (iv) 20th century

Answer: (5) (iv) 20th century

(6) Which of the following has the closest meaning of the word 'observed'?.

(i) imposed

(ii) noticed

(iii) celebrated

(iv) watched

Answer: (6) (iii) celebrated

 (7) Among the language fighters of 1952 participation of the were significant. (i) common people

(ii) labourers

(iii) students

(iv) teachers

Answer: (7) (iii) students

2. Answer the following questions.

(a) How can we pay homage to our language martyrs?

Answer: (a) We pay homage to our language martyrs placing floral wreaths at the Shaheed Minar.

(b) What do the people do in the morning of 21 February?

Answer: (b) In the morning of 21 February, people go to the Shaheed Minar barefooted to show respect to the language martyrs

(c) How can you clarify the phrase 'the rightful place of Bangla'?

Answer: (c) The phrase "the rightful place of Bangla ‘means the status of state language that Bangla deserved

(d) What is your idea about the significance of wearing black badges in Shaheed Dibosh?

Answer: (d) Black badges signify the symbol of mourning. On 21 February, people wear black badges to express their sorrow for the martyrs.

(e)What do you think the spirit of the International Mother Language Day is?

Answer: (e) The spirit of the International Mother Language Day is patriotism accompanied with nationalism that inspires the people to make self-sacrifices in any national crisis

Extra Questions :

(1) Why were the Pakistani rulers forced to accept Bangla as one of the state languages?

Answer: (1) The Pakistani rulers were forced to accept Bangla as one of the state languages in the face of strong support in favour of Bangla from the people of then East Pakistan

(2) What has the sacrifice of the martyrs achieved?

Answer: (2) The sacrifice of the martyrs has achieved recognition with the recognition of Bangla as one of the state languages of then East Pakistan.

(3) What is International Mother Language Day?

Answer: (3) 21st February is called International Mother Language Day

(4) What do you understand by 'world recognition?

Answer: (4) By 'world recognition' we understand that the world supports our demand of Bangla as our state language.

(5) From your reading of the passage, write about our Language Movement in 2/3 sentences.

Answer: (5) Our Language Movement took place in 1952. We are the only nation that fought for their mother tongue. Many of our golden sons sacrificed their lives for the mother tongue

Bangla Translation

২১শে ফেব্রুয়ারি আমাদের জাতীয় ইতিহাসের এক স্মরণীয় দিন। আমরা প্রতি বছর এই দিনটিকে আন্তর্জাতিক মাতৃভাষা দিবস হিসেবে পালন করি। এই দিনটি একটি জাতীয় ছুটির দিন। এই দিনে আমরা সেইসব শহীদদের প্রতি শ্রদ্ধা জানাই যারা ১৯৫২ সালে অবিভক্ত পাকিস্তানে বাংলাকে রাষ্ট্রভাষা হিসেবে প্রতিষ্ঠার জন্য নিজেদের জীবন উৎসর্গ করেছিলেন। আমাদের ভাষার অধিকার অর্জনের সংগ্রাম ভাষা আন্দোলন নামে পরিচিত। ভাষা আন্দোলনের বীজ বপন করা হয় ১৯৪৮ সালের ২১শে মার্চ, যখন পাকিস্তানের গভর্নর জেনারেল মোহাম্মদ আলী জিন্নাহ ঢাকায় এক জনসভায় ঘোষণা করেন যে উর্দুই পাকিস্তানের একমাত্র রাষ্ট্রভাষা হবে। এই ঘোষণা দেশের পূর্বাঞ্চলে প্রতিবাদের ঝড় তোলে। প্রতিবাদ অবিরাম চলতে থাকে, দিনে দিনে গতি সঞ্চার করে। এটি একটি আন্দোলনে পরিণত হয় এবং ১৯৫২ সালে চূড়ান্ত পর্যায়ে পৌঁছায়। সরকার এটি বন্ধ করার জন্য সকল ধরণের জনসভা এবং সমাবেশ নিষিদ্ধ করে। ঢাকা বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ের ছাত্ররা আইন অমান্য করে ১৯৫২ সালের ২১শে ফেব্রুয়ারী একটি শান্তিপূর্ণ প্রতিবাদ মিছিল বের করে (১৯৯১)। মিছিলটি ঢাকা মেডিকেল কলেজের কাছে পৌঁছালে পুলিশ ছাত্রদের উপর গুলি চালায়, যার ফলে সালাম, রফিক, বরকত, সফিউল এবং জব্বার নিহত হন। ফলস্বরূপ, সারা দেশে ব্যাপক বিক্ষোভ শুরু হয় এবং সরকারকে বাংলাকে রাষ্ট্রভাষা হিসেবে ঘোষণা করতে বাধ্য হয়। এর ফলে বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা আন্দোলনের স্ফুলিঙ্গ জ্বলে ওঠে।

অনুচ্ছেদ -২

১৯৫২ সালের ভাষা আন্দোলনের শহীদদের স্মরণে প্রতি বছর ২১শে ফেব্রুয়ারি সারা দেশে শহীদ দিবস হিসেবে পালিত হয়। দিনের প্রথম প্রহরে ভাষা শহীদদের সর্বোচ্চ আত্মত্যাগের স্মরণে শোকগানের মাধ্যমে এই স্মরণসভা শুরু হয়। মানুষ কালো ব্যাজ পরে খালি পায়ে মিছিল করে শহীদ মিনারে যায়, শোকের গান গায়। তারা মিনারে পুষ্পস্তবক অর্পণ করে। তাদের অনেকেই আজিমপুর কবরস্থানে শহীদদের সমাধিতে যান এবং তাদের জন্য প্রার্থনা করেন। তারা ভাষা শহীদদের স্মরণে আয়োজিত বিভিন্ন অনুষ্ঠানেও যোগ দেন। ইউনেস্কো (জাতিসংঘের শিক্ষা, বৈজ্ঞানিক ও সাংস্কৃতিক সংস্থা) ১৯৯৯ সালের ১৭ নভেম্বর বাংলা ভাষার অধিকারের জন্য শহীদদের আত্মত্যাগের স্বীকৃতিস্বরূপ ২১শে ফেব্রুয়ারিকে আন্তর্জাতিক মাতৃভাষা দিবস হিসেবে ঘোষণা করে। ভাষাগত ও সাংস্কৃতিক বৈচিত্র্য এবং বহুভাষিকতার সচেতনতা বৃদ্ধির জন্য এখন প্রতি বছর বিশ্বব্যাপী এই দিনটি পালিত হয়।

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Passage -3

Read the passage carefully and answer the questions following it.   

21 February is a memorable day in our national history. We observe the day every year as International Mother Language Day. The day is a national holiday.

On this day, we pay tribute to the martyrs who laid down their lives to establish Bangla as a state language in undivided Pakistan in 1952.

On 21 March 1948 Mohammad Ali Zinnah, the then Governor General of Pakistan, at a public meeting in Dhaka declared that Urdu would be the only official language of Pakistan. The declaration raised a storm of protest in the eastern part of the country. The protest continued non-stop, gathering momentum day by day. It turned into a movement and reached its climax in 1952. The government outlawed all sorts of public meetings and rallies to prevent it.

The students of Dhaka University defied the law and they brought out a peaceful protest procession on 21 February 1952. When the procession reached near Dhaka Medical College the police opened fire on the students, killing Salam, Rafiq, Barkat and Jabbar. This enkindled the sparks of independent movement of Bangladesh.

1.         Choose the best answer from the alternatives. 1×7=7

a)         The police opened fire on the students of ―.

(i) Dhaka Medical College                           (ii) Dhaka University

(iii) Dhaka Dental College                           (iv) Dhaka College

b)         The declaration about the only state language of Pakistan came on ―.

(i) March 26, 1971   (ii) February 21, 1952  (iii) March 21, 1948     (iv) December 16, 1971

c)         Mr Zinnah was the ―.

(i) President of India                                     (ii) Prime Minister of Pakistan

(iii) then President of Bangladesh                (iv) then Governor General of Pakistan

d)         The students sacrificed their lives to establish ― as a state language in undivided Pakistan.

(i) Bangla                 (ii) English                   (iii) Arabic                   (iv) Urdu

e)         The students of Dhaka ― brought out a peaceful protest procession.

(i) Medical College  (ii) University              (iii) Dental College      (iv) College

f)          The protest reached its climax in ―.

(i) 1952                    (ii) 1948                      (iii) 1971                     (iv) 1947

g)         The procession reached near ― College.

(i) Dhaka Medical    (ii) Dhaka Detal           (iii) Dhaka                   (iv) Agriculture

2.Answer the following questions.                                                             2×5 = 10

a)         What was the result of the language movement?

b)         What was the effect of Zinnah’s speech?

c)         What do you know regarding Mohammad Ali Zinnah?

d)         Why did the students sacrifice their lives?

e)         Who were killed in the movement?

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Answer

1.      a. (ii) Dhaka University; b. (iii) March 21, 1948; c. (iv) then Governor General of Pakistan; d. (i) Bangla; e. (ii) University; f. (i) 1952; g. (i) Dhaka Medical

2.      a. The language movement enkindled the sparks of independent movement of Bangladesh.

b When Urdu was declared by Zinnah as the state language of Pakistan our heroic sons came forward, protested and sacrificed their valuable lives.

c.Mohammad Ali Zinnah was the then Governor General of Pakistan. He tried to impose Urdu as a state language of East Pakistan, at present, Bangladesh.

d. The students sacrificed their lives to establish Bangla as a state language in undivided Pakistan in 1952.

e.Salam, Rafiq, Barkat, Jabbar and many others were killed in the movement.

Read the passage carefully and answer the questions following it.                 

21 February has been observed as Shaheed Dibosh every year throughout the country in remembrance of the martyrs of language movement of 1952. The occasion begins at the early hours of the day with mourning songs that recall the supreme sacrifices of our language martyrs. People wear black badges and go to the Shaheed Minar barefoot in procession, singing mourning songs. They place wreaths at the Minar. Many of them visit the graves of the martyrs at Azimpur graveyard and pray for them. They also attend various programmes organised in remembrance of the language martyrs.

The UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) on 17 November in 1999 proclaimed February 21 as the International Mother Language Day in recognition of the sacrifices of the martyrs for the rightful place of Bangla. The day is now annually observed worldwide to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.

1.         Choose the best answer from the alternatives. 1×7=7

a)         Shaheed Dibosh is observed every year all over the country on ----- .

(i) 16 December       (ii) 21 November         (iii) 26 March               (iv) 21 February

b)         International Mother Language Day is proclaimed by -----.

(i) UNICEF              (ii) UNDP                    (iii) UNESCO              (iv) UNO

c)         The occasion begins at an early hour of the day with ----- songs.

(i) mourning             (ii) melodious              (iii) modern                 (iv) morning

d)         On this day, people put on ----- and go to the Shaheed Minar bare-footed.

(i) new dress            (ii) new clothes            (iii) black dress            (iv) black badges

e)         21 st February was proclaimed as The International Mother Language Day on -----.

(i) November 7, 1998                                   (ii) November 17, 1999

(iii) February 17, 1998                                 (iv) March 25, 1999

f)          February 21 is observed as ----- Dibosh.

(i) Shaheed              (ii) Bijoy                      (iii) Shadhinata            (iv) Sromik

g)         What is the synonym of ‘mourn’?

(i) grieve                  (ii) morning                 (iii) evening                 (iv) day

2.Answer the following questions. 2×5 = 10

a)         Why is 21 st February observed?

b)         What do people do on this day?

c)         Why did the UNESCO proclaim February 21 as the International Mother Language Day?

d)         Why is the day celebrated today worldwide?

e)         When does the occasion begin?

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Answer

1.      a. (iv) 21 February; b. (iii) UNESCO; c. (i) mourning; d. (iv) black badges; e. (ii) November 17, 1999; f. (i) Shaheed; g. (i) grieve;

2.      a. 21 st February is observed to recall the supreme sacrifices of our language martyrs.

b. On the day, pwople wear black badges, go to the Shaheed Minar singing mourning songs and place floral wreaths there.

c.The UNESCO proclaimed February 21 as The International Mother Language Day on 17 November 1999.

d.Today the day is celebrated worldwide to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.

e.The occasion begins at the early hours of the day.