Butterfly Forever / IT IS RAINING - Multiple Choice & Short Question for HSC English First Paper - English for Today for Class 11 and 12 / Seen Passage for HSC
- Fakhruddin Babar
- Feb 14
- 9 min read
Butterfly Forever
Chen Qiyou
IT IS RAINING. The asphalt road looks cold and wet. It glitters with reflections of green, yellow, and red lights. We are talking shelter under the balcony. The green mailbox stands alone across (he street. Inside the big pocket of my white windbreaker is a letter for my mother in the South.
Yingzi says she can mail the letter for me with the umbrella. I nod quietly and hand her the letter.
"Who told us to bring only one small umbrella?" She smiles, opens up die umbrella, and is ready to walk across the road to mail die letter for me. A few tiny raindrops from an umbrella rib fall onto my glasses.
With the piercing sound of a vehicle screeching to a halt, Yingzi’s life flics in the air gently, and then slowly falls back on the cold and wet road, like a butterfly at night.
Although it is spring, it feels like deep autumn.
All she did was cross the road to mail a letter for me. A very simple act. yet I will never forget it as long as T live.
I open my eyes and remain standing under the balcony, blankly, my eyes filled with hot tears. All the cars in the entire world have stopped. People rush to the middle of the road. Nobody knows the one that lies on the road there is mine, my butterfly. Al this moment she is only five meters away from me, yet it is so far away. Bigger raindrops fall onto my glasses, splashing into my life.
Why? Why did we bring only one umbrella?
Then I see Yingzi again, in her white windbreaker, the umbrella above her head, crossing the road quietly. She is mailing the letter for me. The letter 1 wrote to my mother in the South. I stand blankly under the balcony and see. once again. Yingzi walking toward the middle of the road.
The rain wasn't that big, yet it was the biggest rain in my entire life. Below is the content of the letter. Did Yingzi know?
"Ma, I am going to many Yingzi next month."
Summary:
The story is set on a rainy day, with the protagonist and Yingzi seeking shelter under a balcony. The protagonist hands Yingzi a letter to mail to her mother in the South. Yingzi, in an attempt to help, takes the letter and steps out with only one small umbrella, crossing the street to post the letter. As she crosses, a vehicle screeches to a halt, and Yingzi is struck by the vehicle. In an instant, her life ends, and she falls gently onto the wet road, likened to a butterfly.
The protagonist, standing helplessly under the balcony, watches as Yingzi falls, feeling a deep sense of loss and guilt, questioning why they only had one umbrella. As the protagonist sees a vision of Yingzi crossing the road again, they realize the irreplaceable value of her simple act of kindness and are left with the emotional weight of this loss. The story concludes with the content of the letter, which reads, “Ma, I am going to many Yingzi next month.” This final line adds emotional depth to the story, showing the bond between the protagonist and Yingzi, and the deep sorrow that will follow the tragic event.
MCQs with Answers:
What is the setting of the story?
a) A sunny beach
b) A rainy day
c) A snowstorm
d) A cold winter night
Answer: b) A rainy day
Where are the two characters sheltering from the rain?
a) In a car
b) Under a balcony
c) In a shop
d) In a park
Answer: b) Under a balcony
What is the protagonist's letter intended for?
a) To a friend
b) To a teacher
c) To their mother in the South
d) To the post office
Answer: c) To their mother in the South
What did Yingzi agree to do for the protagonist?
a) Help with homework
b) Mail the letter
c) Bring an umbrella
d) Carry groceries
Answer: b) Mail the letter
What happens to Yingzi when she crosses the road?
a) She gets caught in the rain
b) She trips and falls
c) She is hit by a vehicle
d) She reaches the mailbox safely
Answer: c) She is hit by a vehicle
How does the protagonist feel when Yingzi is hit?
a) Happy
b) Helpless and regretful
c) Angry
d) Indifferent
Answer: b) Helpless and regretful
What symbolizes Yingzi’s fragile life in the story?
a) A car
b) A butterfly
c) A mailbox
d) The road
Answer: b) A butterfly
What is the protagonist's main regret after Yingzi’s death?
a) Not helping Yingzi
b) Not bringing a second umbrella
c) Not writing the letter earlier
d) Not saying goodbye
Answer: b) Not bringing a second umbrella
How does the protagonist view the rain after Yingzi’s death?
a) As a beautiful sight
b) As a mild inconvenience
c) As the biggest rain in their life
d) As a sign of relief
Answer: c) As the biggest rain in their life
What is the final content of the letter?
a) "I am coming home soon"
b) "Ma, I am going to many Yingzi next month"
c) "I miss you"
d) "Please take care of yourself"
Answer: b) "Ma, I am going to many Yingzi next month"
Short Questions with Elaborate Answers:
What happens when Yingzi steps out into the rain?
Yingzi steps out with an umbrella to mail a letter for the protagonist. As she crosses the road, a vehicle screeches to a halt, and Yingzi is hit. The protagonist watches helplessly, filled with regret and sorrow. Yingzi falls gently onto the road, symbolized as a butterfly, fragile and fleeting.
How does the protagonist feel when Yingzi is hit by the vehicle?
The protagonist feels a deep sense of helplessness and guilt. They regret bringing only one umbrella and feel that they should have done more to protect Yingzi. The protagonist is overwhelmed with emotion and tears, realizing that they have lost Yingzi in such a sudden and tragic way.
Why is Yingzi’s fall described as "like a butterfly"?
Yingzi’s fall is described as “like a butterfly” to emphasize her fragility and the suddenness of her death. A butterfly is delicate and can be easily harmed, symbolizing how Yingzi’s life was lost in a brief moment, just like a butterfly’s short life.
What is the protagonist’s main regret in the story?
The protagonist’s main regret is that they only brought one small umbrella, which led to Yingzi crossing the road without proper protection. The protagonist wishes they could have done something to prevent Yingzi’s tragic death, feeling that if they had been more prepared, maybe Yingzi would have been safe.
What is the significance of the letter in the story?
The letter represents the protagonist’s connection to their mother in the South. It’s a simple but meaningful gesture that Yingzi is willing to help with. After Yingzi’s death, the letter becomes a symbol of the lost potential and the unfulfilled plans the protagonist had. It also highlights how small, kind acts can have a lasting impact.
Why does the protagonist stand “blankly” under the balcony after the accident?
The protagonist stands “blankly” under the balcony because they are in shock and overwhelmed by the suddenness of the tragedy. They are struggling to comprehend what has just happened and are frozen in disbelief as they process the loss of Yingzi.
What does the protagonist mean by "the biggest rain in my entire life"?
The protagonist refers to the rain as "the biggest rain" to show the emotional weight of the moment. While the rain itself is not particularly heavy, it becomes a symbol of the overwhelming sadness and grief the protagonist feels after Yingzi’s death. The rain mirrors their inner turmoil and sorrow.
How does the protagonist describe the road after Yingzi’s death?
After Yingzi’s death, the protagonist describes the road as a place where everything has stopped, symbolizing their emotional paralysis. It becomes a place of reflection, where the protagonist is left alone to deal with the consequences of the accident, feeling disconnected from the world around them.
What is the significance of the protagonist’s vision of Yingzi walking again?
The protagonist’s vision of Yingzi walking again with the umbrella symbolizes a moment of denial or a desperate wish to bring Yingzi back. It represents their yearning for the simple, kind act of Yingzi mailing the letter, even though they know she is gone. This vision underscores the protagonist’s grief and inability to let go.
How does the story explore the theme of loss and regret?
The story explores the theme of loss through the protagonist’s reaction to Yingzi’s death. The protagonist regrets not bringing a second umbrella and not doing more to protect Yingzi, leading to a deep emotional response. The story highlights how a single moment of loss can change everything and leave a person with unanswered questions and lingering feelings of guilt.
Bangla Translation
বাংলা অনুবাদঃ
1,890 / 5,000
প্রজাপতি চিরকাল
চেন কিয়ু
বৃষ্টি হচ্ছে। ডামার রাস্তাটি ঠান্ডা এবং ভেজা দেখাচ্ছে। সবুজ, হলুদ এবং লাল আলোর প্রতিফলনে এটি ঝলমল করছে। আমরা বারান্দার নীচে আশ্রয়ের কথা বলছি। সবুজ ডাকবাক্সটা রাস্তার ওপারে একা দাঁড়িয়ে আছে। আমার সাদা বাতাস চলাচলের যন্ত্রের বড় পকেটে দক্ষিণে আমার মায়ের জন্য একটা চিঠি।
ইংজি বলে ছাতা দিয়ে সে আমার জন্য চিঠিটা ডাকতে পারে। আমি চুপচাপ মাথা নাড়ি এবং চিঠিটা তার হাতে তুলে দেই।
"কে আমাদের কেবল একটা ছোট ছাতা আনতে বলেছে?" সে হেসে ছাতাটা খুলে রাস্তা পার হয়ে আমার জন্য চিঠি পাঠাতে প্রস্তুত। ছাতার পাঁজর থেকে কয়েকটা ছোট বৃষ্টির ফোঁটা আমার চশমার উপর পড়ে।
গাড়ি থামার তীক্ষ্ণ শব্দে, ইংজির জীবন মৃদু বাতাসে উড়ে যায়, এবং তারপর ধীরে ধীরে ঠান্ডা ও ভেজা রাস্তায় ফিরে আসে, রাতের প্রজাপতির মতো।
যদিও বসন্তকাল, এটা গভীর শরতের মতো মনে হয়।
সে শুধু রাস্তা পার হয়ে আমার জন্য চিঠি পাঠায়। খুবই সাধারণ একটা কাজ। তবুও যতদিন বেঁচে থাকবো, আমি এটা কখনো ভুলবো না।
আমি চোখ খুলে বারান্দার নিচে দাঁড়িয়ে থাকি, শূন্য দৃষ্টিতে, আমার চোখ গরম অশ্রুতে ভরে যায়। সারা পৃথিবীর সব গাড়ি থেমে গেছে। মানুষ ছুটে আসে রাস্তার মাঝখানে। কেউ জানে না যে রাস্তার উপর যেটা আছে সেটা আমার, আমার প্রজাপতি। এই মুহূর্তে সে আমার থেকে মাত্র পাঁচ মিটার দূরে, তবুও এটা অনেক দূরে। বৃষ্টির বড় ফোঁটা আমার চশমার উপর পড়ে, আমার জীবনে ছিটকে পড়ে।
কেন? আমরা কেন কেবল একটি ছাতা এনেছিলাম?
তারপর আমি আবার ইংজিকে দেখি, তার সাদা বাতাস চলাচলকারী যন্ত্রে, তার মাথার উপরে ছাতা, চুপচাপ রাস্তা পার হচ্ছে। সে আমার জন্য চিঠিটি ডাকছে। চিঠি ১ দক্ষিণে আমার মাকে লেখা। আমি বারান্দার নীচে খালি দাঁড়িয়ে দেখি। আবারও। ইংজি রাস্তার মাঝখানে হেঁটে যাচ্ছে।
বৃষ্টি খুব বেশি ছিল না, তবুও এটি আমার জীবনের সবচেয়ে বড় বৃষ্টি ছিল। নীচে চিঠির বিষয়বস্তু দেওয়া হল। ইংজি কি জানতেন?
"মা, আমি আগামী মাসে অনেক ইংজিতে যাচ্ছি।"
Ad
vocabulary words from the text along with their meanings in both English and Bangla:
Asphalt
English: A black, sticky substance used for paving roads.
Bangla: পিচ, রাস্তার ঢালাই করার জন্য ব্যবহৃত কালো পদার্থ।
Glitters
English: To shine with a shimmering or sparkling light.
Bangla: ঝলকানো, চমকানো।
Intimidation
English: The act of frightening or making someone feel afraid.
Bangla: ভীতি, আতঙ্কিত করা।
Humiliate
English: To make someone feel ashamed or embarrassed.
Bangla: লজ্জিত করা, অপমানিত করা।
Vulnerable
English: Capable of being easily hurt or harmed.
Bangla: স্পর্শকাতর, নিরাপত্তাহীন।
Regretful
English: Feeling sorrow or disappointment about something.
Bangla: অনুশোচনাপূর্ণ, দুঃখিত।
Screeching
English: A high-pitched, piercing sound.
Bangla: চিৎকার করা, কেঁদে ওঠা।
Piercing
English: Sharp, intense, and penetrating.
Bangla: তীক্ষ্ণ, ক্ষুরধার।
Symbolize
English: To represent something through symbols.
Bangla: প্রতীক হিসাবে ব্যবহার করা।
Fragile
English: Easily broken, delicate.
Bangla: ভঙ্গুর, নাজুক।
Regret
English: A feeling of sadness or disappointment about something.
Bangla: আফসোস, দুঃখ।
Blame
English: To assign responsibility for a mistake or problem.
Bangla: দোষারোপ করা।
Disbelief
English: The inability to accept that something is true.
Bangla: অবিশ্বাস, বিশ্বাসহীনতা।
Denial
English: Refusal to acknowledge or accept the reality of something.
Bangla: অস্বীকার, না মানা।
Overwhelmed
English: To be emotionally affected by something in a strong way.
Bangla: আবেগপ্রবণ, অতি প্রভাবিত।
Regretful
English: Feeling sorry for something that happened.
Bangla: অনুশোচনা।
Tears
English: Drops of clear salty liquid produced by eyes, usually from emotion.
Bangla: অশ্রু।
Shimmering
English: To shine with a flickering or wavering light.
Bangla: ঝিলমিল করা, ঝলকানো।
Vision
English: The ability to see or a mental image of something.
Bangla: দৃষ্টি, চিত্র।
Inconvenience
English: A state of discomfort or difficulty caused by something.
Bangla: অস্বস্তি, অসুবিধা।
Sorrow
English: A feeling of deep sadness or grief.
Bangla: দুঃখ, শোক।
Symbolism
English: The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.
Bangla: প্রতীকী রূপে ব্যবহার।
Helpless
English: Unable to do anything to improve a situation.
Bangla: অসহায়, সাহায্যহীন।
Impact
English: The strong effect something has on someone or something.
Bangla: প্রভাব, প্রভাবিত করা।
Unfulfilled
English: Not completed or not achieved.
Bangla: অপূর্ণ, বাস্তবায়িত না হওয়া।
Shocked
English: Feeling surprised and disturbed due to an unexpected event.
Bangla: চমকিত, হতবাক।
Linger
English: To stay longer than expected or necessary.
Bangla: রয়ে যাওয়া, বিলম্ব করা।
Unanswered
English: Not responded to or addressed.
Bangla: উত্তরহীন, অপ্রতিক্রিয়া।
Desperate
English: Feeling a great need or desire to do something.
Bangla: হতাশ, তীব্র প্রয়োজন।
Fleeting
English: Lasting for a very short time.
Bangla: ক্ষণস্থায়ী, অস্থায়ী।
Comentarios