1. Read the passage and answer the questions A and B:
In a traditional society like ours, little boys and girls are given separate sets of toys. While toys for boys include cars, guns or footballs, girls have to be satisfied with dolls (often Barbie dolls) and doll-houses or miniature cooking utensils. The underlying assumption is that boys are active and full of vigor, but girls are naïve and lack the intelligence or energy to match their male counterparts.
This false assumption has been shattered plenty of times in the recent decades as girls began to show their power and women began competing with men in almost all areas of life. It has been conclusively proved wrong most recently by the girls of Kalsindur, a village in a remote area in Dhobaura upazila in Mymensingh district. The villagers are mostly low-income but hardworking people. Even a few years ago, there was no electricity in the village. But some girls have illuminated the village – both literally and metaphorically – with their belief in themselves and their skill in the game of football. The village has emerged now as a footballer factory and symbol of girl power. And in recognition of their success, the village was provided electricity by the government.
Sabina Akhter, Sanjida Akhter (7th under 16 promising female player of Asia in 2014), Shiuli Azim, Mariya Manda (Captain, Under 15 Female Football Team 2017), Shamsunnahar senior (who scored the solitary goal against India which ensured SAFF Under 15 Women Championship on 2017), Shamshunnahar junior (Captain of Under 15 National Football Team 2019), Tahura Khatun (who scored 40 goals in international matches till 2021). Marzia Khatun, Mahmuda Khatun, Nazma Akhter, Sajeda Akhter, Rozina Khatun, Taniya Akhter, Rupa Akhter, Kalpana Akhter, Purnima Vaskar are names of some bright star in Bangladesh Women’s National Football Team. They all are from Kalsindur village. Their talent and determination have brought them to where they are now.
A. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives.
1. What societal assumption about boys and girls is challenged in the text?
(i) Boys are more responsible than girls. (ii) Boys are active, and girls are naïve.(iii) Boys and girls are equally talented. (iv) Girls are more intelligent than boys.
2. What type of toys are traditionally given to boys, according to the text?
(i) Dolls and cooking sets. (ii) Cars, guns, and footballs.(iii) Educational toys. (iv) Puzzles and board games.
3. Which village is recognized for producing talented female football players?
(i) Kalsindur (ii) Dhobaura(iii) Mymensingh (iv) Savar
4. What was one of the reasons for the lack of development in Kalsindur?
(i) Poor education system (ii) Lack of electricity(iii) No access to clean water (iv) Lack of healthcare facilities
5. How has Kalsindur village been metaphorically illuminated?
(i) Through solar energy (ii) By the success of its female footballers(iii) By government initiatives (iv) By building new schools
6. What sport brought Kalsindur into the limelight?
(i) Cricket (ii) Football (iii) Hockey (iv) Volleyball
7. What has the success of Kalsindur’s girls challenged?
(i) Educational barriers (ii) Gender stereotypes(iii) Economic struggles (iv) Political systems
8. Who is Mariya Manda, as mentioned in the text?(i) A famous cricketer (ii) Captain of the Under-15 Women’s Football Team 2017(iii) A government official (iv) A motivational speaker
9. What major contribution did Shamsunnahar Senior make?
(i) Leading the team to victory in the SAFF Championship (ii) Scoring the solitary goal against India(iii) Becoming a national coach (iv) Winning international awards
10. What recognition did Kalsindur village receive from the government?
(i) Free education for all (ii) A new sports complex(iii) Electricity supply (iv) Scholarships for students
11. What does the success of Kalsindur’s girls symbolize?
(i) Economic empowerment (ii) Gender equality(iii) Technological advancement (iv) Environmental sustainability
12. Which player was named one of Asia’s promising under-16 footballers in 2014?
(i) Mariya Manda (ii) Sabina Akhter(iii) Sanjida Akhter (iv) Shamsunnahar Junior
13. What inspired the development of football in Kalsindur?
(i) Government funding (ii) Natural talent and determination(iii) International coaches (iv) School sports programs
14. What is the role of Tahura Khatun in the football team?
(i) Defender (ii) Goalkeeper(iii) Leading goal-scorer (iv) Coach
15. What is the main barrier Kalsindur overcame to achieve success?
(i) Lack of natural talent (ii) Gender-based discrimination(iii) Political unrest (iv) Lack of motivation
Correct answer from the alternatives.
(ii) Boys are active, and girls are naïve.
(ii) Cars, guns, and footballs.
(i) Kalsindur
(ii) Lack of electricity
(ii) By the success of its female footballers
(ii) Football
(ii) Gender stereotypes
(ii) Captain of the Under-15 Women’s Football Team 2017
(ii) Scoring the solitary goal against India
(iii) Electricity supply
(ii) Gender equality
(iii) Sanjida Akhter
(ii) Natural talent and determination
(iii) Leading goal-scorer
(ii) Gender-based discrimination
B. Answer the following questions:
1. What types of toys are traditionally given to boys in the text?
2. What underlying assumption is made about girls and boys in traditional societies?
3. Why are girls traditionally given dolls and dollhouses as toys?
4. What false assumption about girls has been shattered in recent decades?
5. Which village in Bangladesh has become a symbol of girl power through football?
6. What were the living conditions in Kalsindur village a few years ago?
7. How did the government recognize the achievements of Kalsindur’s footballers?
8. Who is Mariya Manda, and why is she significant in the text?
9. How did Shamsunnahar Senior contribute to Bangladesh’s victory in the SAFF Under-15 Women Championship in 2017?
10. What is the primary reason behind the transformation of Kalsindur into a footballer-producing village?
11. Who is Sanjida Akhter, and what recognition did she receive in 2014?
12. What does the text imply about the potential of girls when given opportunities?
13. Why does the text refer to Kalsindur as a “footballer factory”?
14. What message does the success of Kalsindur’s girls send about gender equality?
15. How does the story of Kalsindur challenge traditional gender roles?
Answer of the questions:
What types of toys are traditionally given to boys in the text?According to the text, boys are traditionally given toys like cars, guns, and footballs. These toys encourage physical activity and competitiveness.
What underlying assumption is made about girls and boys in traditional societies?Traditional societies assume that boys are active, strong, and full of energy, while girls are naïve, delicate, and lack intelligence or energy.
Why are girls traditionally given dolls and dollhouses as toys?Girls are traditionally given dolls and dollhouses because society expects them to be caring, nurturing, and interested in household activities from a young age.
What false assumption about girls has been shattered in recent decades?The assumption that girls are weak and incapable of competing with boys has been proven wrong as women have excelled in various fields, including sports.
Which village in Bangladesh has become a symbol of girl power through football?Kalsindur, a village in Dhobaura upazila in Mymensingh district, has become a symbol of girl power due to the success of its female footballers.
What were the living conditions in Kalsindur village a few years ago?A few years ago, Kalsindur had poor living conditions, including a lack of electricity. The villagers were mostly low-income but hardworking people.
How did the government recognize the achievements of Kalsindur’s footballers?In recognition of their success, the government provided electricity to Kalsindur village.
Who is Mariya Manda, and why is she significant in the text?Mariya Manda was the captain of the Under-15 Women’s Football Team in 2017. She is significant because she represents the success of Kalsindur’s female footballers.
How did Shamsunnahar Senior contribute to Bangladesh’s victory in the SAFF Under-15 Women Championship in 2017?Shamsunnahar Senior scored the only goal against India, which secured Bangladesh’s victory in the SAFF Under-15 Women Championship in 2017.
What is the primary reason behind the transformation of Kalsindur into a footballer-producing village?The transformation of Kalsindur into a footballer-producing village is due to the dedication, talent, and determination of the girls who pursued football despite societal barriers.
Who is Sanjida Akhter, and what recognition did she receive in 2014?Sanjida Akhter was named the 7th most promising Under-16 female football player in Asia in 2014.
What does the text imply about the potential of girls when given opportunities?The text implies that when girls are given the same opportunities as boys, they can excel and achieve great success in any field, including sports.
Why does the text refer to Kalsindur as a “footballer factory”?The text refers to Kalsindur as a “footballer factory” because it has produced many talented female football players who have represented Bangladesh at national and international levels.
What message does the success of Kalsindur’s girls send about gender equality?The success of Kalsindur’s girls proves that talent is not limited by gender and that women can achieve great things when given equal opportunities.
How does the story of Kalsindur challenge traditional gender roles?The story of Kalsindur challenges traditional gender roles by proving that girls can excel in sports, which is often considered a male-dominated field, and break societal stereotypes.
Bangla Translation
বাংলা অনুবাদঃ
একটি প্রথাগত সমাজে, যেমন আমাদের, ছোট ছেলেমেয়েদের জন্য আলাদা ধরনের খেলনা প্রদান করা হয়। যেখানে ছেলেদের খেলনায় থাকে গাড়ি, বন্দুক বা ফুটবল, সেখানে মেয়েদের সন্তুষ্ট থাকতে হয় পুতুল (বার্বি পুতুল) ও পুতুলের ঘর বা ক্ষুদ্র রান্নার সামগ্রী দিয়ে। এর পেছনের ধারণাটি হলো যে ছেলেরা সক্রিয় এবং শক্তিশালী, কিন্তু মেয়েরা সরল এবং তাদের বুদ্ধি বা শক্তি ছেলেদের সমান নয়।
এই ভুল ধারণা গত কয়েক দশকে অসংখ্যবার ভেঙে পড়েছে, কারণ মেয়েরা তাদের শক্তি প্রদর্শন করতে শুরু করেছে এবং নারীরা জীবনের প্রায় সব ক্ষেত্রে পুরুষদের সঙ্গে প্রতিযোগিতা করছে। এটি সর্বশেষ প্রমাণিত হয়েছে ময়মনসিংহ জেলার ধোবাউড়া উপজেলার একটি প্রত্যন্ত গ্রামের, কলসিন্দুরের মেয়েদের দ্বারা। গ্রামবাসীরা মূলত নিম্ন আয়ের, কিন্তু পরিশ্রমী মানুষ। কয়েক বছর আগেও গ্রামে বিদ্যুৎ ছিল না। তবে কিছু মেয়ে তাদের আত্মবিশ্বাস এবং ফুটবল খেলার দক্ষতা দিয়ে গ্রামকে আলোকিত করেছে – আক্ষরিক এবং রূপক অর্থে। এখন এই গ্রামটি ফুটবলারের কারখানা এবং নারী শক্তির প্রতীক হয়ে উঠেছে। তাদের সাফল্যের স্বীকৃতিস্বরূপ, সরকার গ্রামটিতে বিদ্যুৎ সরবরাহ করেছে।
সাবিনা আখতার, সানজিদা আখতার (২০১৪ সালে এশিয়ার সপ্তম অনূর্ধ্ব–১৬ প্রতিশ্রুতিশীল মহিলা খেলোয়াড়), শিউলি আজিম, মারিয়া মান্দা (ক্যাপ্টেন, অনূর্ধ্ব–১৫ মহিলা ফুটবল দল ২০১৭), শামসুন্নাহার সিনিয়র (যিনি ভারতের বিপক্ষে একমাত্র গোলটি করে ২০১৭ সালের সাফ অনূর্ধ্ব–১৫ মহিলা চ্যাম্পিয়নশিপ নিশ্চিত করেছিলেন), শামসুন্নাহার জুনিয়র (২০১৯ সালে অনূর্ধ্ব–১৫ জাতীয় ফুটবল দলের অধিনায়ক), তাহুরা খাতুন (যিনি ২০২১ সাল পর্যন্ত আন্তর্জাতিক ম্যাচে ৪০টি গোল করেছেন)। এছাড়াও মার্জিয়া খাতুন, মাহমুদা খাতুন, নাজমা আখতার, সাজেদা আখতার, রোজিনা খাতুন, তানিয়া আখতার, রূপা আখতার, কল্যাণ আখতার, পূর্ণিমা ভাস্কর – এদের নাম বাংলাদেশের মহিলা জাতীয় ফুটবল দলের উজ্জ্বল তারকা হিসেবে চিহ্নিত। এরা সবাই কলসিন্দুর গ্রামের। তাদের প্রতিভা ও দৃঢ় সংকল্প তাদের আজকের অবস্থানে নিয়ে এসেছে।
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vocabulary words from the text with their Bangla meanings:
Traditional - প্রচলিত
Society - সমাজ
Toys - খেলনা
Assumption - অনুমান
Vigor - উদ্যম
Naïve - সহজ-সরল
Intelligence - বুদ্ধিমত্তা
Counterparts - প্রতিপক্ষ
Shattered - চূর্ণবিচূর্ণ
Decades - দশক
Competing - প্রতিযোগিতা করা
Conclusively - সিদ্ধান্তমূলকভাবে
Proved - প্রমাণিত
Remote - দূরবর্তী
District - জেলা
Low-income - নিম্ন আয়ের
Hardworking - পরিশ্রমী
Electricity - বিদ্যুৎ
Illuminated - আলোকিত
Metaphorically - রূপকভাবে
Skill - দক্ষতা
Recognition - স্বীকৃতি
Success - সাফল্য
Government - সরকার
Achievement - অর্জন
Footballer - ফুটবলার
Symbol - প্রতীক
Determination - দৃঢ় সংকল্প
Transformation - রূপান্তর
Opportunities - সুযোগ
Excel - দক্ষতা প্রদর্শন করা
Represented - প্রতিনিধিত্ব করা
Barrier - বাধা
Potential - সম্ভাবনা
Stereotypes - প্রচলিত ধারণা
Encourage - উৎসাহিত করা
Recognition - স্বীকৃতি
Talented - প্রতিভাবান
Victory - বিজয়
Equality - সমতা
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