Wangari Maathai / We have a special responsibility - Multiple Choice & Short Question for HSC English First Paper - English for Today for Class 11 and 12 / Seen Passage for HSC
- Fakhruddin Babar
- Feb 13
- 10 min read
Updated: Feb 15
Wangari Maathai
Learn about the contribution of a great woman to our environment
“We have a special responsibility to the ecosystem of this planet. In making sure that other species survive we will be ensuring the survival of our own.”
The first African woman and first environmentalist awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, Wangari Maathai (1940-2011) received that honour in 2004 as the founder of the Green Belt Movement in Kenya, a nonprofit organization dedicated to planting trees, environmental conservation, and women's rights.
Maathai introduced the idea of planting trees with the people and developed it into a broad-based, grassroots organization designed to conserve the environment and improve women’s quality of life. In 1986 The Green Bell Movement established a Pan African Green Belt Network and has introduced over 40 individuals from other African countries to its approach.
The Movement set both short and long-term objectives. The overall aim has been to create public awareness of the need to protect the environment through free planting and sustainable management. More specifically, it has initiatives to promote and protect biodiversity, to protect the soil, to create jobs especially in the rural areas, to give women a positive image in the community and to assert their leadership qualities. Il promotes food security and assists people to make the link between environmental degradation and many of the problems they face, including poverty and livelihood insecurity;
Over its first 20 years, many of the Movement's objectives have been achieved. Environmental awareness has been greatly increased in the world, and many women's groups have sold millions of seedlings to the Movement, using the income to meet immediate domestic needs such as education of their children or investing it in other income-generating ventures. Tree planting has become an honourable activity and many people have adopted it.
In later years Maathai's own work had focused on the human rights situation in Kenya. Standing up for a democratic, multi-ethnic Kenya, she was subjected to defamation, persecution, detention and physical attacks.
Maathai received numerous awards and honorary degrees. Time Magazine identified her as one of 100 most influential people in the world in 2005, and Forbes Magazine as one of 100 most powerful women in the world. In 2007 she was awarded the Nelson Mandela Award for Health and Human Rights, in 2010 the Lions Humanitarian Award and the International Freedom Award.
She died from cancer in 2011, but her legacy continues in many projects worldwide, such as in ‘Plant for the Planet: The Billion Tree Campaign’.
Answer the following questions:
ii. What is ecosystem? Can you make an assessment of the Bangladeshi ecosystem?
iii. What does the word ‘multi-ethnic’ mean? Do you see multi-ethnicity in Bangladesh? If yes, where and how?
iv. Is biodiversity necessary for the environment? Why?
v. Apply the words ‘Broad-based’ and 'grassroots’ in separate sentences.
vi. Why do you think that the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Wangari Maathai is justified?
vii. What do you understand by food security?
Answer
ii. What is an ecosystem? Can you make an assessment of the Bangladeshi ecosystem?
An ecosystem is a natural system where living things like plants, animals, and microorganisms interact with each other and their surroundings, such as air, water, and soil. It is important because all the elements in an ecosystem depend on each other to survive.
The ecosystem in Bangladesh is rich and diverse, with forests, rivers, wetlands, and coastal areas. One of the most famous ecosystems in Bangladesh is the Sundarbans, which is home to the Royal Bengal Tiger and many other species. However, the ecosystem is facing serious challenges due to deforestation, pollution, and climate change. Many rivers are being polluted, and forests are being cut down for agriculture and urban development. To protect the Bangladeshi ecosystem, it is important to take action by planting trees, reducing pollution, and preserving biodiversity.
iii. What does the word ‘multi-ethnic’ mean? Do you see multi-ethnicity in Bangladesh? If yes, where and how?
The word "multi-ethnic" means having people from different ethnic or cultural backgrounds living together in the same place. A multi-ethnic society includes groups with different languages, traditions, and customs.
Bangladesh is a multi-ethnic country. While most of the population is Bengali, there are many indigenous communities, such as the Chakma, Marma, Garo, Santal, and Manipuri. These groups mainly live in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Sylhet, and Mymensingh regions. They have their own unique languages, clothing, festivals, and traditions. For example, the Chakma people celebrate Biju, which is their New Year festival, while the Santals have their own traditional dances and songs. The presence of these communities makes Bangladesh culturally diverse.
iv. Is biodiversity necessary for the environment? Why?
Biodiversity is very important for the environment because it keeps nature balanced. Different species depend on each other to survive. If one species disappears, it can affect the entire ecosystem. For example, if bees disappear, many plants will not be pollinated, which will reduce food production.
Biodiversity also helps in fighting climate change because trees and plants absorb carbon dioxide and keep the air clean. Many medicines come from plants and animals, so if biodiversity is lost, we might lose important medical discoveries. When biodiversity is protected, it helps improve soil fertility, ensures food security, and makes the environment healthier for all living beings. Without biodiversity, ecosystems would collapse, and life on Earth would become more difficult.
v. Apply the words ‘Broad-based’ and 'grassroots’ in separate sentences.
The government introduced a broad-based education program that included students, teachers, and parents to improve the school system.
The villagers started a grassroots movement to clean the local river and protect it from pollution.
vi. Why do you think that the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Wangari Maathai is justified?
Wangari Maathai truly deserved the Nobel Peace Prize because she worked for both environmental conservation and human rights. She started the Green Belt Movement, which encouraged people to plant trees to stop deforestation and soil erosion. This movement not only helped the environment but also created jobs for rural women, giving them financial independence and a stronger role in society.
Her efforts were not limited to tree planting; she also fought for democracy and justice in Kenya. Even though she faced persecution and attacks, she continued her work with courage. She showed the world that protecting nature and empowering people are closely connected. Her contributions made a long-lasting impact, and even after her death, her ideas continue to inspire environmental movements worldwide. This is why her Nobel Peace Prize was completely justified.
vii. What do you understand by food security?
Food security means that every person has enough food to eat at all times and that the food is safe, nutritious, and available. It is not just about having food but also about having access to healthy and balanced meals that support a good life.
For food security to exist, there must be a stable food supply, and people should be able to afford it. If there is food shortage, high prices, or poor-quality food, then people suffer from hunger and malnutrition. In many countries, food security is a major issue because of climate change, wars, and economic problems. In Bangladesh, floods and cyclones sometimes damage crops, making it harder for people to get food. To ensure food security, governments and communities must work together to improve farming, reduce food waste, and provide support to people in need.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) with Answers:
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) with Answers:
1. What was Wangari Maathai the first African woman to achieve?
a) Winning the Nobel Prize in Literature
b) Becoming a president
c) Winning the Nobel Peace Prize
d) Becoming a UN Secretary-General
Answer: c) Winning the Nobel Peace Prize
2. What was the main goal of the Green Belt Movement?
a) Providing education for all children
b) Planting trees and promoting environmental conservation
c) Developing new industries in Kenya
d) Encouraging people to move to cities
Answer: b) Planting trees and promoting environmental conservation
3. In which year was Wangari Maathai awarded the Nobel Peace Prize?
a) 1999
b) 2004
c) 2010
d) 2011
Answer: b) 2004
4. What did the Green Belt Movement achieve in its first 20 years?
a) It built schools across Kenya
b) It introduced tree planting as a global business
c) It increased environmental awareness and empowered women
d) It focused only on reducing pollution in Kenya
Answer: c) It increased environmental awareness and empowered women
5. How did the Green Belt Movement help rural women?
a) It provided them with scholarships
b) It helped them earn income by selling tree seedlings
c) It trained them to work in factories
d) It offered free health services
Answer: b) It helped them earn income by selling tree seedlings
6. What challenges did Wangari Maathai face for her activism?
a) She received national awards
b) She was given land for her efforts
c) She faced persecution, detention, and attacks
d) She was promoted to a government position
Answer: c) She faced persecution, detention, and attacks
7. What is the meaning of ‘multi-ethnic’ in the passage?
a) A country where people speak one language
b) A society made up of different ethnic groups
c) A movement supporting women’s rights
d) A type of environmental protection method
Answer: b) A society made up of different ethnic groups
8. What major issue did the Green Belt Movement address apart from the environment?
a) Economic policies
b) Women’s rights and leadership
c) International trade agreements
d) Tourism development
Answer: b) Women’s rights and leadership
9. What international recognition did Wangari Maathai receive in 2007?
a) The International Freedom Award
b) The Nelson Mandela Award for Health and Human Rights
c) The Lions Humanitarian Award
d) The Time Magazine Award
Answer: b) The Nelson Mandela Award for Health and Human Rights
10. What project continued Maathai’s legacy after her death?
a) The Billion Tree Campaign
b) The Nobel Peace Program
c) The African Women’s Leadership Group
d) The Kenya Climate Change Project
Answer: a) The Billion Tree Campaign
Short Questions with Elaborate Answers:
1. What was the main vision behind Wangari Maathai’s Green Belt Movement?
The Green Belt Movement was founded to promote environmental conservation and improve women’s lives. Maathai believed that planting trees could help fight deforestation, soil erosion, and climate change while also providing economic opportunities for rural women. Through this movement, she aimed to empower women by involving them in tree planting and creating a grassroots effort to restore the environment.
2. How did the Green Belt Movement benefit women in Kenya?
The movement allowed women to earn money by selling tree seedlings, helping them become financially independent. It also gave them leadership roles in their communities, improving their social status. Additionally, it raised awareness about environmental issues and their connection to poverty, showing women how they could take an active role in solving these problems.
3. Why was Wangari Maathai awarded the Nobel Peace Prize?
Wangari Maathai was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 for her work in environmental conservation, human rights, and democracy. Her Green Belt Movement not only helped restore Kenya’s forests but also empowered women and fought for democratic rights. She stood against government corruption and was a symbol of courage and leadership.
4. What are the short-term and long-term objectives of the Green Belt Movement?
In the short term, the movement focused on raising awareness about environmental conservation and encouraging tree planting. It also aimed to create jobs, especially for women, and improve food security. In the long term, the movement sought to protect biodiversity, prevent land degradation, and inspire similar efforts in other countries.
5. How did Wangari Maathai contribute to democracy and human rights in Kenya?
Besides her environmental work, Maathai fought for political freedom and social justice. She stood against government corruption and worked to establish a democratic, multi-ethnic society. Her activism led to persecution, detention, and even physical attacks, but she remained committed to her cause.
6. What impact did the Green Belt Movement have on global environmental efforts?
The movement inspired many other countries to adopt similar conservation strategies. It helped create a global awareness of the importance of afforestation and sustainable environmental management. Projects like the Pan African Green Belt Network and the Billion Tree Campaign were influenced by Maathai’s work.
7. What challenges did Wangari Maathai face while leading her movement?
She faced strong opposition from the government, including defamation, imprisonment, and violence. Some people resisted her efforts because they did not understand the importance of environmental conservation. Despite these challenges, she continued her work with determination.
8. What was the significance of the Billion Tree Campaign?
The Billion Tree Campaign, inspired by Maathai’s work, encouraged people around the world to plant trees to combat deforestation and climate change. It showed that individuals and communities could take direct action to improve the environment.
9. What role did education play in Wangari Maathai’s achievements?
Education played a crucial role in her success. She was the first East African woman to earn a PhD and used her knowledge to educate people about the environment. Her education helped her develop effective strategies for conservation and women’s empowerment.
10. How can people today continue Wangari Maathai’s legacy?
People can continue her legacy by planting trees, protecting biodiversity, reducing pollution, and advocating for environmental policies. Supporting women's leadership in conservation and spreading awareness about the connection between environmental health and social justice are also important ways to honor her work.
Bangla Translation
বাংলা অনুবাদঃ
ওয়াঙ্গারি মাথাই
আমাদের পরিবেশে একজন মহান নারীর অবদান সম্পর্কে জানুন
"এই গ্রহের বাস্তুতন্ত্রের প্রতি আমাদের একটি বিশেষ দায়িত্ব রয়েছে। অন্যান্য প্রজাতির বেঁচে থাকা নিশ্চিত করার মাধ্যমে আমরা আমাদের নিজস্ব বেঁচে থাকা নিশ্চিত করব।"
নোবেল শান্তি পুরষ্কার প্রাপ্ত প্রথম আফ্রিকান মহিলা এবং প্রথম পরিবেশবিদ, ওয়াঙ্গারি মাথাই (১৯৪০-২০১১) ২০০৪ সালে কেনিয়ার গ্রিন বেল্ট আন্দোলনের প্রতিষ্ঠাতা হিসেবে এই সম্মান পেয়েছিলেন, যা গাছ লাগানো, পরিবেশ সংরক্ষণ এবং নারী অধিকারের জন্য নিবেদিত একটি অলাভজনক সংস্থা।
মাথাই মানুষের সাথে গাছ লাগানোর ধারণাটি চালু করেছিলেন এবং এটিকে পরিবেশ সংরক্ষণ এবং নারীর জীবনযাত্রার মান উন্নত করার জন্য ডিজাইন করা একটি বিস্তৃত-ভিত্তিক, তৃণমূল সংগঠনে রূপান্তরিত করেছিলেন। ১৯৮৬ সালে গ্রিন বেল আন্দোলন একটি প্যান আফ্রিকান গ্রিন বেল্ট নেটওয়ার্ক প্রতিষ্ঠা করে এবং অন্যান্য আফ্রিকান দেশ থেকে ৪০ জনেরও বেশি ব্যক্তিকে এর পদ্ধতির সাথে পরিচয় করিয়ে দেয়।
এই আন্দোলন স্বল্পমেয়াদী এবং দীর্ঘমেয়াদী উভয় লক্ষ্য নির্ধারণ করেছিল। সামগ্রিক লক্ষ্য ছিল বিনামূল্যে বৃক্ষরোপণ এবং টেকসই ব্যবস্থাপনার মাধ্যমে পরিবেশ রক্ষার প্রয়োজনীয়তা সম্পর্কে জনসচেতনতা তৈরি করা। আরও স্পষ্ট করে বলতে গেলে, জীববৈচিত্র্যের প্রচার ও সুরক্ষা, মাটি রক্ষা, বিশেষ করে গ্রামীণ এলাকায় কর্মসংস্থান সৃষ্টি, সমাজে নারীদের একটি ইতিবাচক ভাবমূর্তি প্রদান এবং তাদের নেতৃত্বের গুণাবলী প্রতিষ্ঠার জন্য এর উদ্যোগ রয়েছে। Il খাদ্য নিরাপত্তা প্রচার করে এবং পরিবেশগত অবক্ষয় এবং দারিদ্র্য ও জীবিকার নিরাপত্তাহীনতা সহ তাদের সম্মুখীন হওয়া অনেক সমস্যার মধ্যে সংযোগ স্থাপনে মানুষকে সহায়তা করে;
প্রথম ২০ বছরে, আন্দোলনের অনেক লক্ষ্য অর্জন করা হয়েছে। বিশ্বে পরিবেশ সচেতনতা ব্যাপকভাবে বৃদ্ধি পেয়েছে এবং অনেক নারী গোষ্ঠী আন্দোলনে লক্ষ লক্ষ চারা বিক্রি করেছে, আয় ব্যবহার করে তাদের সন্তানদের শিক্ষার মতো তাৎক্ষণিক পারিবারিক চাহিদা মেটাতে বা অন্যান্য আয়-উৎপাদনমূলক উদ্যোগে বিনিয়োগ করতে। বৃক্ষরোপণ একটি সম্মানজনক কার্যকলাপে পরিণত হয়েছে এবং অনেকেই এটি গ্রহণ করেছে।
পরবর্তী বছরগুলিতে মাথাইয়ের নিজস্ব কাজ কেনিয়ার মানবাধিকার পরিস্থিতির উপর দৃষ্টি নিবদ্ধ করেছিল। একটি গণতান্ত্রিক, বহুজাতিক কেনিয়ার পক্ষে দাঁড়ানোর সময়, তিনি মানহানি, নির্যাতন, আটক এবং শারীরিক আক্রমণের শিকার হন।
মাথাই অসংখ্য পুরষ্কার এবং সম্মানসূচক ডিগ্রি অর্জন করেছিলেন। ২০০৫ সালে টাইম ম্যাগাজিন তাকে বিশ্বের ১০০ জন প্রভাবশালী ব্যক্তির একজন হিসেবে এবং ফোর্বস ম্যাগাজিন তাকে বিশ্বের ১০০ জন সবচেয়ে ক্ষমতাশালী নারীর একজন হিসেবে চিহ্নিত করে। ২০০৭ সালে তিনি স্বাস্থ্য ও মানবাধিকারের জন্য নেলসন ম্যান্ডেলা পুরস্কার, ২০১০ সালে লায়ন্স হিউম্যানিটেরিয়ান পুরস্কার এবং আন্তর্জাতিক স্বাধীনতা পুরস্কারে ভূষিত হন।
২০১১ সালে তিনি ক্যান্সারে আক্রান্ত হয়ে মারা যান, কিন্তু বিশ্বব্যাপী অনেক প্রকল্পে তার উত্তরাধিকার অব্যাহত রয়েছে, যেমন 'প্ল্যান্ট ফর দ্য প্ল্যানেট: দ্য বিলিয়ন ট্রি ক্যাম্পেইন'।
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vocabulary words from the text with their Bangla meanings:
Responsibility - দায়িত্ব
Ecosystem - পরিবেশতন্ত্র
Species - প্রজাতি
Survival - বেঁচে থাকা
Environmental - পরিবেশগত
Conservation - সংরক্ষণ
Founder - প্রতিষ্ঠাতা
Nonprofit - অলাভজনক
Grassroots - মূলভিত্তি
Organization - সংগঠন
Quality - গুণমান
Objective - উদ্দেশ্য
Awareness - সচেতনতা
Sustainable - টেকসই
Biodiversity - জীববৈচিত্র্য
Initiative - উদ্যোগ
Leadership - নেতৃত্ব
Degradation - অবক্ষয়
Poverty - দারিদ্র্য
Livelihood - জীবিকা
Rural - গ্রামীণ
Persecution - নির্যাতন
Defamation - মানহানি
Detention - আটক
Democratic - গণতান্ত্রিক
Multi-ethnic - বহুজাতিক
Recognition - স্বীকৃতি
Influential - প্রভাবশালী
Honour - সম্মান
Legacy - উত্তরাধিকার
Campaign - অভিযান
Empowerment - ক্ষমতায়ন
Participation - অংশগ্রহণ
Plantation - বাগান
Humanitarian - মানবিক
Suffering - দুর্ভোগ
Corruption - দুর্নীতি
Freedom - স্বাধীনতা
Securities - নিরাপত্তা
Ethnic - জাতিগত
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