Synonym and Antonym (Textual) for Class 8

Passage 1: Communication and Paper

Reading Text:

Communication of ideas is at the centre of civilisation. It needs written records. Most of our records in the modern age are on paper. Though writing was invented very early, paper is a more modern invention. For long in history, people transferred ideas through speaking and listening. Then there came the art of writing. But to record thoughts in writing was difficult. Writing material was not available. People used surface of stone, metal, wood, bark, leaves, etc for writing. Those things were not easy to carry. Then for ages, people looked for easy writing materials. Finally, Paper was invented in china in 105 AD. Before paper age, knowledge was very restricted. Can you think of that time? There were very few books in the world. May be, they were written on stone or on heavy wood plunks or on metal sheets. Suppose, one page was a heavy stone block. So, think of a hundred page book! In our age, you can carry the entire world of knowledge in digital from in your laptop bag. You can even carry a huge volume of paper encyclopedia. But who could produce and carry tons of heavy stone books and documents in those paperless days? In fact, paper has made publication and the spread of knowledge and information easy. So, you can see how paper has changed our life.

Vocabulary Exercise:

No.	Given Word	Required Form	Answer	Bangla Meaning
a	Communication	Synonym	Talk	আলাপ / যোগাযোগ
b	Civilisation	Synonym	Society	সমাজ / সভ্যতা
c	Modern	Antonym	Ancient	প্রাচীন
d	Records	Synonym	Documents	নথিপত্র
e	Invented	Synonym	Created	সৃষ্ট / উদ্ভাবিত
f	Transfer	Synonym	Send	প্রেরণ করা
g	Difficult	Antonym	Simple	সহজ
h	Available	Antonym	Unavailable	দুষ্প্রাপ্য / অপ্রতুল
i	Easy	Antonym	Hard	কঠিন
j	Restricted	Antonym	Open	উন্মুক্ত
k	Heavy	Antonym	Light	হালকা
l	Produce	Synonym	Manufacture	তৈরি করা / উৎপাদন করা
m	Knowledge	Synonym	Learning	জ্ঞান / শিক্ষা
n	Information	Synonym	Data	তথ্য
o	Changed	Antonym	Unchanged	অপরিবর্তিত

Passage 2: Folk Music

Reading Text:

People’s music, also known as folk music, consists of tunes, lyrics, and knowledge passed down orally for generations. Over time, this music has evolved, closely tied to the way people live. Our agriculture, food, ecology, seasons, and rituals are all reflected in these songs. Palligiti, Bhatiwali, Jari, Sari, Gambhira, Lalon Giti, Paalagan, and the songs of Hason Raja all embody the self-expression of the people. As the landscape changes, the music shifts too. In the hill tracts, you encounter music with the same role but expressed in the diverse languages of the ethnic communities. The instruments used for folk music are crafted from materials found in the surroundings animal skin, bamboo, and calabash are common examples. The sounds they produce are deeply connected to the land they come from. As people migrate to cities and villages transform, these traditional tunes are slowly fading. However, folk music still finds its place in mainstream films and music albums.

Vocabulary Exercise:

No.	Given Word	Required Form	Answer	Bangla Meaning
a	Folk	Synonym	Traditional	ঐতিহ্যবাহী
b	Tunes	Synonym	Melodies	সুর
c	Lyrics	Synonym	Words	কথা / গীতি
d	Knowledge	Synonym	Learning	জ্ঞান
e	Generations	Synonym	Lineage	বংশানুক্রম / প্রজন্ম
f	Evolved	Antonym	Static	স্থির / অপরিবর্তিত
g	Agriculture	Synonym	Farming	কৃষিকাজ
h	Rituals	Synonym	Ceremonies	অনুষ্ঠান / প্রথা
i	Expression	Synonym	Communication	প্রকাশ / যোগাযোগ
j	Landscape	Synonym	Scenery	ভূদৃশ্য / প্রাকৃতিক দৃশ্য
k	Diverse	Antonym	Uniform	অভিন্ন / একই রকম
l	Instruments	Synonym	Tools	যন্ত্রপাতি / বাদ্যযন্ত্র
m	Traditional	Antonym	Modern	আধুনিক
n	Fading	Antonym	Flourishing	বিকাশমান / সমৃদ্ধিশীল
o	Mainstream	Antonym	Fringe	প্রান্তিক

Passage 3: Nakshi Kantha

Reading Text:

Nakshi kantha is a kind of embroidered quilt. The name was taken from the Bangla word, ‘naksha’ which means artistic pattern. It is a kind of traditional craft and is said to be indigenous to Bangladesh and West Bengal in India. The art has been practised in rural Bengal for centuries. The name Nakshi Kantha became popular after the poet Jasimuddin’s poem ‘Nakshi Kanthar Math’ was published in 1929. Traditional kanthas are made for family use. Old or new cloth and thread are used to make these quilts. Mymensingh, Jamalpur, Rajshahi, Faridpur, Bogura and Jashore are most famous for this craft. Now it is produced commercially. You can find them in many expensive handicraft shops in cities. The quilts are now in great demand because of the colourful patterns and designs embroidered on them.

Vocabulary Exercise:

No.	Given Word	Required Form	Answer	Bangla Meaning
a	Nakshi Kantha	Synonym	Decorative quilt	নকশা করা কাঁথা
b	Embroidered	Synonym	Sewn	সেলাই করা / নকশা করা
c	Quilt	Synonym	Blanket	কম্বল / কাঁথা
d	Artistic	Synonym	Creative	সৃজনশীল
e	Traditional	Synonym	Customary	প্রথাগত / ঐতিহ্যবাহী
f	Indigenous	Antonym	Foreign	বিদেশি
g	Practised	Synonym	Performed	চর্চিত / অনুশীলিত
h	Rural	Antonym	Urban	শহুরে
i	Published	Synonym	Released	প্রকাশিত
j	Commercially	Antonym	Privately	ব্যক্তিগতভাবে
k	Famous	Synonym	Renowned	বিখ্যাত / স্বনামধন্য
l	Expensive	Antonym	Cheap	সস্তা
m	Colourful	Synonym	Vibrant	প্রাণবন্ত / রঙিন
n	Patterns	Synonym	Motifs	নকশা / বিন্যাস
o	Designs	Synonym	Layouts	নকশা / পরিকল্পনা

Passage 4: Indigenous Groups

Reading Text:

Bangladesh is home to more than 54 Indigenous groups, including the Chakma. Marma, and Tripura, with most living in the northern and southeastern flatlands, and the rest in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. They have distinct lifestyles, economic practices, and belief systems. These groups speak at least 35 distinct languages, adding to the country’s cultural richness. However, many of these languages are endangered, as the dominance of Bangla and modern societal pressures push them towards extinction, a global issue known as “language death.” The UN warns that many Indigenous languages are disappearing, with one dying every two weeks. During the British colonial rule, indigenous communities played a significant role in resisting oppression. Leaders like Sidhu and Kanu led uprisings, such as the Santhal Rebellion, highlighting their contributions to the anti-colonial struggle. Despite this legacy, Indigenous people in Bangladesh today face challenges in preserving their languages and culture. The government’s efforts to include Indigenous languages in preschool education face hurdles like a lack of trained teachers and resources for higher education. Additionally, the 1957 construction of the Kaptai Dam, funded by USAID and built by the Pakistani government, displaced thousands of people in the hill tracts, submerging their homes and farmlands under the Karnaphuli River, disrupting their livelihoods and cultural connections to the land. This history of displacement and ongoing marginalization continues to affect indigenous communities in Bangladesh.

Vocabulary Exercise:

No.	Given Word	Required Form	Answer	Bangla Meaning
a	Indigenous	Synonym	Native	আদিবাসী / দেশীয়
b	Distinct	Synonym	Unique	অনন্য / স্বতন্ত্র
c	Economic	Synonym	Financial	আর্থিক
d	Belief	Synonym	Faith	বিশ্বাস
e	Languages	Synonym	Dialects	উপভাষা / ভাষা
f	Endangered	Antonym	Safe	নিরাপদ
g	Extinction	Antonym	Survival	টিকে থাকা / অস্তিত্ব
h	Oppression	Antonym	Freedom	স্বাধীনতা
i	Rebellion	Synonym	Uprising	অভ্যুত্থান / বিদ্রোহ
j	Legacy	Synonym	Heritage	ঐতিহ্য / উত্তরাধিকার
k	Challenges	Antonym	Opportunities	সুযোগ-সুবিধা
l	Resources	Synonym	Assets	সম্পদ
m	Displaced	Antonym	Settled	স্থায়ীভাবে বসবাসকারী
n	Livelihoods	Synonym	Income	জীবিকা / আয়
o	Marginalization	Antonym	Inclusion	অন্তর্ভুক্তি

Passage 5: Bangladeshi Cuisine

Reading Text:

Bangladeshi cuisine is rich and varied with the use of many spices. We have delicious and appetizing food, snacks and sweets. Boiled rice is our staple food. It is served with a variety of vegetables, curry, lentil soups, fish and meat. Fish is the main source of protein. Fish are now cultivated in ponds. Also we have fresh-water fish in the lakes and rivers. More than 40 types of fish are common. Some of them are carp, rui, katla, magur (catfish), chingri (prawn or shrimp). Shutki or dried fish are popular. Hilsha is very popular among the people of Bangladesh. Panta ilish is a traditional platter of Panta bhat. It is steamed rice soaked in water and served with a fried hilsha slice, often together with dried fish, pickles, lentil soup, green chilies and onion. It is a popular dish on the Pohela Boishakh. The people of Bangladesh are very fond of sweets. Almost all Bangladeshi women prepare some traditional sweets. Pitha, a type of sweets made from rice flour, sugar, syrup, molasses and sometimes milk, is a traditional food loved by the entire population. During winter Pitha Utsab, meaning pitha festival, is organized by different groups of people. Sweets are distributed among close relatives when there is good news like births, weddings, promotions, etc. Sweets of Bangladesh are mostly milk-based. The common ones are roshgolla, sandesh, rasamalai, gulap jamun, kalo jamun and chom-chom. There are hundreds of different varieties of sweet preparations. Sweets are therefore an important part of the day-to-day life of Bangladeshi people.

Vocabulary Exercise:

No.	Given Word	Required Form	Answer	Bangla Meaning
a	Cuisine	Synonym	Food	খাদ্য / রন্ধনপ্রণালী
b	Spices	Synonym	Seasonings	মসলা
c	Appetizing	Synonym	Tasty	সুস্বাদু
d	Staple	Synonym	Basic	প্রধান / মৌলিক
e	Vegetables	Synonym	Greens	শাকসবজি
f	Protein	Synonym	Nutrients	পুষ্টি / আমিষ
g	Cultivated	Antonym	Wild	বন্য / প্রাকৃতিকভাবে বেড়ে ওঠা
h	Traditional	Synonym	Customary	ঐতিহ্যবাহী / প্রথাগত
i	Popular	Synonym	Famous	জনপ্রিয় / বিখ্যাত
j	Fried	Antonym	Raw	কাঁচা
k	Sweets	Synonym	Desserts	মিষ্টান্ন
l	Festival	Synonym	Celebration	উৎসব / উদযাপন
m	Distributed	Synonym	Shared	বিতরণ করা / ভাগ করা
n	Common	Synonym	Usual	সাধারণ / পরিচিত
o	Important	Synonym	Significant	তাৎপর্যপূর্ণ / গুরুত্বপূর্ণ

Passage 6: Health and Wealth

Reading Text:

Health is the condition of our body and mind. It may be good or bad. Good health means healthy body free from diseases. It is essential for everyone to lead a happy life. If we are not in good health, we cannot concentrate on any activity in our life. A proverb goes, “Health is Wealth” It means health is equally valuable as gold or any other personal possessions. We may have vast wealth and property, but if we are not healthy we cannot enjoy them. To keep ourselves healthy, we have to do certain things. We have to take a balanced diet. We must exercise regularly to keep our body fit for work. There is an old saying: Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.’ So, we should not keep late hours. We should go to bed early at night and rise early in the morning. Peace of mind is another condition for good health. So we must not worry over small things of life.

Vocabulary Exercise:

No.	Given Word	Required Form	Answer	Bangla Meaning
a	Health	Synonym	Wellbeing	সুস্বাস্থ্য / কল্যাণ
b	Body	Synonym	Physique	দৈহিক গঠন / শরীর
c	Mind	Synonym	Intellect	মন / বুদ্ধি
d	Good	Antonym	Poor	খারাপ / দুর্বল
e	Bad	Antonym	Excellent	চমৎকার / খুব ভালো
f	Diseases	Antonym	Health	স্বাস্থ্য / নিরোগ অবস্থা
g	Essential	Synonym	Necessary	প্রয়োজনীয়
h	Happy	Synonym	Joyful	আনন্দময় / সুখী
i	Wealth	Synonym	Riches	ধনসম্পদ
j	Property	Synonym	Assets	সম্পত্তি / সম্পদ
k	Balanced	Synonym	Even	সুষম / সমতাযুক্ত
l	Exercise	Synonym	Workout	শরীরচর্চা / ব্যায়াম
m	Fit	Synonym	Healthy	সুস্থ / উপযুক্ত
n	Late	Antonym	Early	দ্রুত / ভোরে
o	Peace	Synonym	Tranquility	প্রশান্তি / শান্তি

Passage 7: Hygiene

Reading Text:

The word ‘hygiene’ means the practice of keeping ourselves clean. It also means to keep our home and work places clean. It is important for our good health. Hygiene is thought to be next to godliness. It is because we cannot achieve anything physically, mentally or spiritually if we are unclean in our body, mind and soul. Nobody likes an unclean person either. So we must follow the rules of hygiene. First, we must keep our body clean. We should have a bath everyday and wash our hair regularly. This will keep the body and hair free from dirt and bacteria. Secondly, we should wash our clothes regularly. Dirty clothes give off bad smell and invite germs. We should wear socks and shoes when we go out to protect our feet from dust and germs. It is also important to wash our hands before meals and after using the toilet. We should brush our teeth twice a day, after breakfast and supper. We must also cut our nails regularly. Our drinking water must be pure. We can get pure water by boiling and filtering. Finally, we should keep our surroundings and environment clean. If we do and follow all the above things properly, we will be able to lead a healthy and happy life.

Vocabulary Exercise:

No.	Given Word	Required Form	Answer	Bangla Meaning
a	Health	Synonym	Wellbeing	সুস্বাস্থ্য / ভালো থাকা
b	Hygiene	Synonym	Sanitation	স্বাস্থ্যবিধি / পরিষ্কার-পরিচ্ছন্নতা
c	Clean	Synonym	Neat	পরিচ্ছন্ন
d	Body	Synonym	Physique	শরীর / দেহ
e	Mind	Synonym	Intellect	মন / মেধা
f	Bath	Synonym	Wash	ধোয়া / গোসল করা
g	Hair	Synonym	Locks	চুল
h	Clothes	Synonym	Garments	পোশাক
i	Germs	Antonym	Bacteria	জীবাণু (Note: Bacteria is actually a synonym here, though requested as antonym in original text)
j	Feet	Synonym	Legs	পা
k	Teeth	Synonym	Molars	দাঁত (পেষণ দন্ত)
l	Nails	Synonym	Claws	নখ
m	Pure	Antonym	Contaminated	দূষিত
n	Environment	Synonym	Surroundings	পারিপার্শ্বিক অবস্থা / পরিবেশ
o	Happy	Synonym	Joyful	আনন্দময় / সুখী

Passage 8: Travelling to Thailand

Reading Text:

Zara lives with her parents in London. They have come to Bangladesh to visit Zara’s aunt and uncle. She is very close to her cousin Mita. Both the families have visited many interesting places together in Bangladesh. It was great fun. Then they decided that they would visit some places outside Bangladesh too. They decided to go to Thailand. But Mita’s parents were too busy with their work, so they could not go. However, Mita was going with them. Mita, Zara and her parents are at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. They are waiting in the lounge. Mita is very excited. This is the first time that she is travelling on a plane. They are flying by Bangladesh Biman. Mita is hoping to have a great time in Thailand. As they wait, the two cousins start planning what they would do once they reach Bangkok. Mita’s uncle brings forms for all of them to fill in before going through the immigration. He gives one to Mita and says, “You have to give some information about yourself in the form. The immigration officer will check your passport and stamp it. And then you are ready to travel.” Mita, Zara and her parents start filling in the forms.

Vocabulary Exercise:

No.	Given Word	Required Form	Answer	Bangla Meaning
a	Lives	Synonym	Resides	বসবাস করে
b	Visit	Synonym	Tour	ভ্রমণ করা
c	Cousin	Synonym	Relative	আত্মীয় / চাচাতো ভাই-বোন
d	Families	Synonym	Households	পরিবার
e	Interesting	Synonym	Fascinating	চিত্তাকর্ষক / মজাদার
f	Outside	Antonym	Inside	ভেতরে / অভ্যন্তরে
g	Busy	Antonym	Free	অবসর / মুক্ত
h	Excited	Synonym	Thrilled	রোমাঞ্চিত / উত্তেজিত
i	Travelling	Synonym	Journeying	ভ্রমণ
j	Airport	Synonym	Airfield	বিমানবন্দর
k	Waiting	Antonym	Active	সক্রিয় / কর্মব্যস্ত
l	Forms	Synonym	Documents	ফরম / কাগজপত্র
m	Immigration	Synonym	Customs	ইমিগ্রেশন / শুল্ক বিভাগ
n	Passport	Synonym	ID	পরিচয়পত্র / পাসপোর্ট
o	Travel	Synonym	Journey	যাত্রা / ভ্রমণ

Passage 9: Flight Safety

Reading Text:

Oxygen and the air pressure are always being monitored. In the event of a lack of oxygen, an oxygen mask will automatically appear in front of you. Pull the mask towards you and place it firmly over your nose and mouth. Secure the elastic band behind your head, and breathe normally. If you are traveling with a child or someone who requires assistance, secure your mask on first and then assist the other person. Keep your mask on until a uniformed crew member advises you to remove it. In the event of an emergency, please assume the bracing position. That is, lean forward with your hands on top of your head and your elbows against your thighs. Ensure your feet are flat on the floor. A life vest is located in a pouch under your seat or between the armrests. When instructed to do so, open the plastic pouch and remove the vest. Slip it over your head. Pass the straps around your waist and adjust at the front. To inflate the vest, pull firmly on the red cord, before you leave the aircraft. We remind you that this is a non-smoking flight. You will find this and all the other safety information in the card located in the seat pocket in front of you. We strongly suggest you read it before take-off. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask one of our crew members. We wish you all an enjoyable flight.

Vocabulary Exercise:

No.	Given Word	Required Form	Answer	Bangla Meaning
a	Oxygen	Synonym	Air	বাতাস / অক্সিজেন
b	Pressure	Synonym	Force	চাপ
c	Monitored	Synonym	Supervised	পর্যবেক্ষণ করা / তদারকি করা
d	Mask	Synonym	Respirator	মুখোশ / শ্বাসযন্ত্র
e	Secure	Synonym	Fasten	আবদ্ধ করা / নিরাপদ করা
f	Emergency	Antonym	Normal	স্বাভাবিক অবস্থা
g	Bracing	Synonym	Preparing	প্রস্তুতিমূলক / আঁকড়ে থাকা
h	Life vest	Synonym	Floatation device	ভাসমান যন্ত্র (লাইফ জ্যাকেট)
i	Pouch	Synonym	Bag	থলে / ব্যাগ
j	Inflate	Synonym	Expand	ফোলানো / প্রসারিত করা
k	Remove	Antonym	Keep	রাখা / পরিধান করে থাকা
l	Flight	Synonym	Journey	বিমানযাত্রা / উড্ডয়ন
m	Crew	Synonym	Team	কর্মীদল
n	Safety	Synonym	Protection	নিরাপত্তা / সুরক্ষা
o	Enjoyable	Synonym	Pleasant	আনন্দদায়ক / উপভোগ্য

Passage 10: Polan Sarkar

Reading Text:

Ekushey Padak winner Polan Sarkar, affectionately called Alor Ferrywala, a torch bearer, was best known as a kind soul who distributed books for free among people, died on Friday 1st march 2019, but left a legacy that will be remembered for years to come. The 98-year-old had been suffering from old-age complications. He passed away surrounded by his loved ones at his home of Bausha village in Bagha upazila of Rajshahi. Born in August 1, 1921, Polan Sarkar’s real name is Harez Uddin. He was born in Bagatipara, Natore. Financial troubles of his family could not hamper his passion for reading and learning. He loved books. As a boy, Polan borrowed books from wherever he could, and voraciously read them. He established a school in his village in 1965 after receiving some inheritance from his grandfather. In 1990, he decided a yearly award for students of the school who would top the merit list. The prize was, of course, books. Other students expressed their desire to read as well. He gave them the condition that the students must return the books to him upon finishing, so he could lend the books to other students as well. Eventually, local adults started borrowing books from his collection as well. Polan Sarkar started a social movement of distributing books free of charge. When he was diagnosed with diabetes in 1992, he decided he would distribute books during his daily walks. He would go around on his own two feet, sharing his love for books. He had been admired in Rajshahi for a long time, but gained nationwide recognition after being featured in Bangladesh Television’s popular show Ittadi in December 29, 2006. He won the Ekushey Padak in 2011. Bangladesh’s second-highest civilian award, for his contribution to society.

Vocabulary Exercise:

No.	Given Word	Required Form	Answer	Bangla Meaning
a	Winner	Synonym	Champion	বিজয়ী
b	Torch bearer	Synonym	Leader	পথপ্রদর্শক / মশালবাহী
c	Kind	Synonym	Compassionate	দয়ালু / সহানুভূতিশীল
d	Distributed	Synonym	Shared	বিতরণ করা / ভাগ করা
e	Legacy	Synonym	Heritage	ঐতিহ্য / কীর্তি
f	Old-age	Antonym	Youth	যৌবন / অল্পবয়স
g	Complications	Antonym	Simplicity	সরলতা / জটিলতাহীনতা
h	Passion	Synonym	Enthusiasm	প্রবল আগ্রহ / উদ্দীপনা
i	Voraciously	Synonym	Eagerly	আগ্রহভরে / প্রচণ্ডভাবে
j	Inheritance	Synonym	Heritage	উত্তরাধিকার
k	Merit	Synonym	Excellence	মেধা / উৎকর্ষ
l	Condition	Synonym	Requirement	শর্ত
m	Social	Synonym	Community	সামাজিক / সম্প্রদায়গত
n	Recognition	Synonym	Fame	স্বীকৃতি / খ্যাতি
o	Contribution	Synonym	Donation	অবদান

Passage 11: River Gypsies (Part 1)

Reading Text:

River gypsies are an ethnic group of people in Bangladesh. They are known as bedey to local people. The gypsies have their own lifestyle and culture. They live in groups and do not own any land. Therefore, they live a nomadic life, travelling from one place to another. These people roam across our rivers and waters from May to December in small country boats. These boats are their houses and these people are a part of our waters. In winter, many water bodies dry up. At that time they return to the mainland and live in make-shift tarpaulin tents on open river banks. You can see their men relaxing in the tents. Toddlers play with dogs or other pets in the dust. Women often idle away time by picking off lice in twos or threes sitting in a row. Throughout the monsoon, they remain busy with fishing. They also dive for natural pearls in waters. Sometimes, they camp for a couple of weeks. Men catch snakes and entertain people with snake charming and sell herbal cures. Women go from door to door to selling bangles, cosmetics and other things. They also try to heal pains of old people by sucking out blood from their body. Many villagers believe in the magical power of the gypsies. They can make an evil spirit leave someone’s body by magic or special powers.

Vocabulary Exercise:

No.	Given Word	Required Form	Answer	Bangla Meaning
a	Ethnic	Synonym	Tribal	নৃগোষ্ঠী / উপজাতীয়
b	Lifestyle	Synonym	Way of life	জীবনযাপন প্রণালী
c	Culture	Synonym	Traditions	সংস্কৃতি / ঐতিহ্য
d	Nomadic	Antonym	Settled	স্থায়ী
e	Travel	Synonym	Journey	ভ্রমণ করা
f	Boats	Synonym	Vessels	নৌকা / জলযান
g	Mainland	Antonym	Island	দ্বীপ (মূল ভূখণ্ডের বিপরীত)
h	Relaxing	Antonym	Busy	ব্যস্ত
i	Monsoon	Synonym	Rainy season	বর্ষাকাল
j	Fishing	Synonym	Angling	মাছ ধরা
k	Snake charming	Synonym	Serpent handling	সাপ খেলা / সাপুড়ে বিদ্যা
l	Sell	Synonym	Trade	বিক্রি করা / ব্যবসা করা
m	Heal	Synonym	Cure	নিরাময় করা
n	Magical	Synonym	Enchanted	জাদুকরী
o	Powers	Synonym	Abilities	ক্ষমতা / সামর্থ্য

Passage 12: River Gypsies (Part 2)

Reading Text:

River gypsies in Bangladesh face various problems. First, Bangladesh is getting urbanised very rapidly. Gypsy people are losing their customers among the urban population. Hence, their income is threatened. Secondly, 24,000 kilometres of previous waterways shrink to only 6,000 kilometres in the country in dry seasons. Scientists believe that Bangladesh will be worst affected by global climate change. The unpredictable rain and drying out of rivers have made boat movement heavily restricted. Thirdly, many river gypsies are changing their lifestyle in the context of changed reality. They are thinking of living permanently on land. The state feels that river gypsies need help to survive in the mainstream population. Therefore, the government is offering voting rights, permanent housing and bank-loan facilities. However, changes do not come overnight. Traditionally, river gypsies are used to water life. They have inherited from their forefathers necessary life skills to survive in water. They have no education and training to adapt to mainstream modern society. So the state feels the need to bring them under formal education network. But they have no permanent living place. Gypsy children are born and brought up on the boats. Therefore, they cannot go to conventional schools. And hence, mobile boat-schools are being established for gypsy children. Some voluntary organisations are running special schools on boats to educate river gypsy children in some areas.

Vocabulary Exercise:

No.	Given Word	Required Form	Answer	Bangla Meaning
a	Urbanised	Antonym	Rural	গ্রামীণ
b	Customers	Synonym	Clients	গ্রাহক / খদ্দের
c	Income	Synonym	Earnings	আয় / উপার্জন
d	Waterways	Synonym	Canals	জলপথ / খাল
e	Restricted	Antonym	Open	উন্মুক্ত / অবাধ
f	Lifestyle	Synonym	Way of life	জীবনযাপন প্রণালী
g	Permanent	Synonym	Lasting	স্থায়ী / টেকসই
h	Government	Synonym	Authority	সরকার / কর্তৃপক্ষ
i	Voting	Synonym	Elections	ভোটদান / নির্বাচন
j	Facilities	Synonym	Services	সুযোগ-সুবিধা
k	Education	Synonym	Schooling	শিক্ষা / বিদ্যালয়ে পড়াশোনা
l	Modern	Synonym	Contemporary	আধুনিক / সমসাময়িক
m	Adapt	Synonym	Adjust	মানিয়ে নেওয়া / খাপ খাওয়ানো
n	Mobile	Synonym	Portable	ভ্রাম্যমাণ
o	Voluntary	Synonym	Optional	স্বেচ্ছাসেবক / ঐচ্ছিক

Passage 13: Falcon HTV-2

Reading Text:

The Falcon Hypersonic Technology Vehicle-2 (Falcon HTV-2) is the fastest plane ever built by human beings. It would fly from London to Sydney in less than an hour. Supersonic Concorde, by the way, could not fly at such a great speed. At the same time it would withstand temperatures of almost 2,000 degree C. This temperature is hotter than the melting point of steel. The US Defense Agency will launch the Falcon HTV-2. First, they will set it on the back of a rocket. Then they will launch both into the space from an Air Force Base. The plan goes like this: engineers will launch the Falcon HTV-2 into the space on the back of a rocket; then they will detach the plane from the rocket; the plane Falcon will fly towards the Earth; engineers will guide and monitor its flight. The plane would fly at hypersonic speed of 13,000 mp/h. This speed is about 20 times the speed of sound. The Falcon was born in 2003. It was born as part of a US military project. The project researched and built a special type of plane. The researchers wanted that the plane could reach any part of the world in less than an hour. They also wanted to use it for both military and civil purposes. The plane had already been tested in computer models. The Falcon Hypersonic Technology Vehicle-2 would be mankind’s dream aircraft in the days to come.

Vocabulary Exercise:

No.	Given Word	Required Form	Answer	Bangla Meaning
a	Falcon	Synonym	Bird	বাজপাখি / পাখি (বিমানের নাম হিসেবে)
b	Hypersonic	Synonym	Supersonic	শব্দের চেয়েও অতি দ্রুতগামী
c	Technology	Synonym	Science	প্রযুক্তি / বিজ্ঞান
d	Vehicle	Synonym	Machine	যানবাহন / যন্ত্র
e	Fastest	Synonym	Quickest	সবচেয়ে দ্রুত
f	Speed	Synonym	Velocity	গতি / বেগ
g	Temperature	Synonym	Heat	তাপমাত্রা / তাপ
h	Defense	Synonym	Protection	প্রতিরক্ষা
i	Launch	Synonym	Send off	উৎক্ষেপণ করা / পাঠানো
j	Rocket	Synonym	Missile	রকেট / ক্ষেপণাস্ত্র
k	Detach	Antonym	Attach	যুক্ত করা
l	Monitor	Synonym	Observe	পর্যবেক্ষণ করা
m	Military	Synonym	Armed	সামরিক / সশস্ত্র
n	Civil	Antonym	Public	বেসামরিক / জনসাধারণের
o	Aircraft	Synonym	Plane	উড়োজাহাজ / বিমান

Passage 14: Kaptai Dam Displacement

Reading Text:

Hakkonchandra village was situated to the east of Kaptai dam, in the Rangamati district of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT). A family in that village who belonged to the Boro Hambe clan had a son who was an ivory craftsman and was later recognized and appreciated as one of the very first craftsmen among the Jumma population in the CHT region. His niece is the mother whose story is given here. It is difficult to say exactly when she was born, but she thinks she is over eighty years old now. She is my grandmother and one of the eyewitnesses of the discussed episode in the history of CHT. Her family was relatively affluent. She had six siblings-three brothers and three sisters. Their family was well-respected in the neighborhood since their father was a schoolteacher. Sushama Chakma was not acquainted with paucity and poverty in the early years of her life. When the northern parts of CHT were submerged permanently due to Kaptai dam, not just the Chakma population but some Hajong, Marma and adi-Bangali residents who had lived for long among us also lost all their possessions. The wealthiest families became displaced people. They had to constantly move from one place to the other. About 50,000 Chakma, Hajong, and Tripuri people had to leave the country and migrate permanently. Like many others, she lost a secure life and her homeland with her relatives. Her husband had to leave his public service to live like a refugee. Her only possessions were memories of better times and the determination to survive. While moving from one location to another for resettlement in the reserve forest, they spent countless sleepless nights thinking about their uncertain future. Despite the constant struggle to find happiness in pain, the sun never shone for her family.

Vocabulary Exercise:

No.	Given Word	Required Form	Answer	Bangla Meaning
a	Village	Synonym	Hamlet	গ্রাম / পল্লী
b	Craftsman	Synonym	Artisans	কারিগর
c	Recognized	Synonym	Acknowledged	স্বীকৃত
d	Eyewitness	Synonym	Observer	প্রত্যক্ষদর্শী / পর্যবেক্ষক
e	Affluent	Antonym	Poor	দরিদ্র
f	Respected	Synonym	Esteemed	সম্মানিত
g	Poverty	Antonym	Wealth	সম্পদ / প্রাচুর্য
h	Displaced	Antonym	Settled	স্থায়ীভাবে বসবাসকারী
i	Migrate	Synonym	Relocate	দেশান্তরিত হওয়া / স্থানান্তর করা
j	Secure	Antonym	Vulnerable	অনিরাপদ / ঝুঁকিপূর্ণ
k	Homeland	Synonym	Native land	মাতৃভূমি / স্বদেশ
l	Possessions	Synonym	Belongings	সম্পত্তি / জিনিসপত্র
m	Determination	Synonym	Resolve	দৃঢ় সংকল্প
n	Resettlement	Synonym	Relocation	পুনর্বাসন / স্থানান্তর
o	Struggle	Antonym	Ease	স্বস্তি / স্বাচ্ছন্দ্য