HSC Board Questions: English 1st Paper

Dhaka Board-2019

Part 1: Reading Test (60 marks)

1. Read the passage and answer the questions A and B:

When adolescent girls are pulled out of school, either for marriage or work, they often lose their mobility, their friends and social status. The lack of mobility among adolescent girls also curtails their economic and nonformal educational opportunities. Moreover, they lack information about health issues. According to a study, only about three in five adolescents have even heard of HIV. It is also reported that more than 50 percent of adolescent girls are undernourished and suffer from anaemia. Adolescent fertility rate increased from 20.3% in 1993 to 24.4% in 2007. Moreover, neonatal mortality is another concern for younger mothers. While the situation for adolescent boys is somewhat better, many are vulnerable and lack the power to make decisions about their own lives. Many boys who are unable to go to school, or are unemployed, remain unaware of social or health issues. They are at considerable risk of being drawn into criminal activities. They are likely to get exposed to drugs and alcohol causing irreparable damage to their health and life.

1. A. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives:

(a) The word ‘mobility’ means – (i) ability (ii) creativity (iii) movement (iv) activity

(b) The phrase ‘exposed to may best be replaced by

(i) to remove something (ii) make public (iii) experience something harmful (iv) shocking news

(c) The closest meaning of ‘study’ is –

(i) skipping (ii) omitting (iii) reporting (iv) learning

(d) The word ‘anaemia’ refers to —

(i) blood pressure (ii) blood sugar (iii) shortage of blood (iv) blood contamination

(e) The ‘neonatal’ is closely related to –

(i) a newborn baby (ii) a mother (iii) an adolescent(iv) a disease

B. Answer the following questions:

(a) Why are adolescent girls the worst sufferers?

(b) What happens to a girl when she loses mobility?

(c) Who do you think, are more vulnerable to adolescent health problems – boys or girls? Why?

(d) What major problems do boys face during adolescence?

(e) Why should all of us say ‘no’ to drugs?

2. Read the following text and make a flow-chart highlighting the different aspects of socio-cultural life as reflected in folk music. (No. 1 has been done for you):

In Bangladesh folk music has great variety, with songs being composed on culture, festivals, views of life, natural beauty, rivers and rural and riverine life. These songs are also about social inequality and poverty, about the material world and the supernatural. Mystical songs have been composed using the metaphors of rivers and boats. Since the country is basically riverine, the Bhatiyali forms an important genre of folk music, Folk music is formed and develops according to the environment. Differences in the natural environment are reflected in the people of different regions The dialects too vary across the different regions. Bangladeshi folk music therefore varies from region to region. Thus there are the northern Bhawaisa, the eastern Bhatiyali and the southwestern Baul songs.

1. songs reflecting rural and riverine life – 2 – 3 – 4 –

3. Summarize the following text.

10 The term diaspora’ is used to refer to people who have left their homelands and settled in other parts of the world, either because they were forced to do so or because they wanted to leave on their own. The word is increasingly used for such people as a collective group or a community. The world has seen many diasporas but scholars have been studying the phenomenon with great interest only in recent decades. Among the great diasporas of history is that of the Jewish people, who were forced to leave their lands in ancient times The movement of Aryans from Central Europe to the Indian sub-continent thousands of years ago is also noteworthy diaspora, although the causes of this diaspora is unclear. In twentieth century history, the Palestinian diaspora has attracted a lot of attention and been a cause of concem for world leaders because of the plight of Palestinians. There have been massive diasporas in Africa, too, over the centuries, either because of war or because of the ravages of nature. But the chief reason why the phenomenon of diaspora is attracting so much attention now is globalization.

4. Read the following text and fill in the blanks with suitable word from the box. There are more words than needed. You may change the form of the words if necessary:

Every year millions of people all over the world die unnecessarily as a result of pollution. These unfortunate and (a) — deaths are brought about by four specific factors. Firstly, air pollution from factories, burning trash, and vehicle (b) — cause pneumonia, bronchitis and other respiratory diseases. Then, water pollution from industrial discharge, the indiscriminate (c) — of toxic chemicals, and the (d) — of human waste into rivers and canals causes poisoning and (e) — diseases such as cholera and diarrhoea. The next factor is the noise pollution from vehicle horns and (f) — that might cause aggression and damage hearing. And finally, (g) — pollution from dumped or untreated human causes serious discomfort to our sense of smell, and attracts diseases bearing (h) — such as rats and flies. We should take (i) — action to control these problems and clean up the environment to (j) — these unnecessary disease.

5. Fill in the gaps using suitable words: what

We all know what a dream is. Generally we dream during our sleep. Some dreams are sweet or (a) —. When we dream something extremely bad, we call it a (b) —. Dreams have no (c) —. They are soft and (d) —. The dream we have during the day time is called (e) —. Dreams have fascinated philosophers for thousands of years, but none could (f) — specifically what dream actually is. Dreams can be extraordinarily (g) — or very vague. While many theories have been proposed, no consensus has emerged. It is important to consider that science is still (h) — the exact purpose and function of sleep itself. Some researchers suggest that dreams have no (i) — purpose, while others believe that (j) — is essential to mental, emotional and physical well-being

6 The sentences in the following text are jumbled. Rearrange them in a proper order:

(i) All the servants were called and interrogated.

(ii) In order to find out the thief, the judge chalked out an intelligent plan.

(iii) Once a gold necklace was lost from a rich man’s house.

(iv) The servants were summoned to the court but they denied having stolen the necklace.

(v) When the servants came to the court the next day, the thief had already cut off an inch of his stick. (vi) But nobody confessed their guilt.

(vii) So the owner of the house lodged a complaint in the court.

(viii) The judge found one of the sticks shorter than the others and in this way he could easily catch the thiet.

(ix) Naturally it was suspected that one of the servants had stolen the necklace.

(x) He gave each of the suspects a stick of equal length and said that one of the sticks would increase by an inch the next day.

Part II: Writing Test (40 marks)

7. Write a paragraph on ‘Food Adulteration in about 200 words based on the answers to the following questions:10

(a) What do you mean
by food adulteration? (b) How does food get adulterated? (c) Who are responsible for food adulteration? (d) What is the impact of adulterated food on our body? (e) What can be done to stop it?

8. Read the beginning of the following story and complete it in your own way. Give a title to the story:

Once upon a time, a crow was very thirsty. It flew from place to place in search of water but unfortunately it did not find any water. All on a sudden it saw ………..

9. Suppose, you are Ratul. Write an e-mail to your younger brother narrating the benefits of reading newspapers daily.

10. The chart below shows the number of mobile phone and internet users in Bangladesh from the year 2014 to 2018. Describe the chart in at least 80 words. You should highlight the information and report the main features:

11. Write down the theme of the following poem. (Not more than 50 words):

I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,

And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made;

Nine bean rows will I have there, a hive for the honey bee

And live alone in the bee loud glade.

 And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow

Dropping from the veils of the moing to where the cricket sings;

There midnight’s all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow,

And evening full of the linnet’s wings.

 I will arise and go now, for always night and day

I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;

While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey,

I hear it in the deep heart’s core.

Dhaka Board HSC English 1st Paper Question Solution
Question 01.
a. Mobility – iii. Movement
b. exposed to – ii. make public
c. study is – iii. reporting
d. anemia – iii. shortage of blood
e. neonatal- i. a newborn baby

Question 04: a. toxic b. odour  c. dump  d. disposal  e. waterborne  f. microphone  g. fume  h. creature  i. determined  j. avoid

Question 05: a. unpleasant  b. horror dream  c. shape  d. untouchable  e. lucid dream  f. say  g. clear  h. searching  i. practical j. it

Question 06: (iii) + (ix) + (i) + (vi) + (vii) + (iv) + (ii) + (x) + (v) + (viii)

Cumilla Board-2019

Kuakata is one of the unique spots which allow a visitor to watch both the sunrise and the sunset from the beach. That perhaps makes Kuakata one of the world’s most attractive beaches. The long and wide beach at Kuakata has a typical natural setting. This sandy beach slopes gently into the Bay and bathing there is as pleasant as is swimming or diving.

Kuakata is truly a virgin beach and a sanctuary for migratory winter birds. Fishing boats plying in the Bay of Bengal with colourful sails, surfing waves and the lines of coconut trees add to the vibrant colours Kuakata. The indigenous culture of the Rakhaine community and hundred year old Buddhist temples indicate the age – old tradition and cultural heritage of this area. Kuakata is also a holy land for the Hindus and Buddhists. Each year thousands of devotees come here to attend the festivals Rash Purnima and Maghi Purnima. On these two days, pilgrims take holy bath and enjoy going to the traditional fairs.

A. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives:

(a) What does the word ‘Known’ in the passage refer to?

(i) common (ii) obscure (iii) familiar (iv) general

(b) Where is Kuakata located?

(i) in Khulna (ii) in Patuakhali (iii) in Barishal (iv) in Bagerhat

(c) The word ‘Indigenous’ mentioned in the passage means –

(i) foreign (ii) native (iii) alien (iv) akin

(d) The word ‘heritage’ mentioned in the passage means

(i) usual (ii) common (iii) tradition (iv) formal

(e) The Rakhaines originally come from

(i) Arakan district (ii) Kuakata coast (iii) Latachapli Union  (iv) Barguna

B. Answer the following questions:

(a) Where does the name ‘Kuakata’ come from?

(b) What is the most unique feature of Kuakata beach?

(c) Why would one visit Kuakata?

(d) What are the things that add to the beauties of Kuakata?

(e) What, according to the text, makes Kuakata a much sought after tourist destination?

2. Read the following text and make a flow-chart showing role and activities of Gazipir (one is done for you)

According to some myths and legends, Gazi Pir was a Muslim saint who is said to have spread Islam in the parts of Bengal close to the Sunderbans. He was credited with many miracles. For example, he could supposedly calm dangerous animals and make them docile. He is usually depicted in paats or scroll paintings riding a fierce-looking Bengal tiger, a snake in his hand, but in no apparent danger. According to some stories, he also fought crocodiles who threatened the people of a region full of canals and creeks, indeed, a kind of watery jungle bordering the Bay of Bengal. Because of his alert and vigilant presence, all predatory animals were said to have been kept within bounds. It was also believed that he enabled villagers to live close to forests and jungles and cultivate their lands. Consequently, people of these regions would pray to him for protection. The story of Gazi Pir has been preserved in folk literature as well as art and has been performed in indigenous theatre. In fact, some Gazir paat scrolls are part of the collection of the British Museum.

Making dangerous animals docile

3. Write a summary of the following passage

Universities should never be made into mechanical organizations for collecting and distributing knowledge. Through them the people should offer their intellectual hospitality, their wealth of mind to others, and earn their proud right in return to receive gifts from the rest of the world. But in the whole length and breadth of India there is not a single University established in the modern time where a foreign or an Indian student can properly be acquainted with the best products of the Indian mind. For that we have to cross the sea, and knock at the doors of France and Germany. Educational institutions in our country are India’s alms-bowl of knowledge; they lower our intellectual self-respect; they encourage us to make a foolish display of decorations composed of borrowed feather.

4. Read the following text and fill in the blanks with suitable word from the box. There are more words than needed. Make any grammatical change if necessary :

Electronic mail or e-mail’ is the communication of textual messages via electronic means. Another mode on electronic (a) — is telex. Te
lex communication (b) — terminal to terminal. ‘E-mail (c) — from telex as it (d) — messages user to user (e) — using the computer. Destined (f) — are sent to the (g) —terminal where an operator (h) — it in a printed (i) — in telex. On the (j) — ‘e-mail delivers its messages directly in an individual’s electronic mail boxes based in computer.

5. Fill in the blanks with appropriate word in each gap.

In recent years there have been many alarming reports that world’s climate is undergoing a significant change. All these reports provide (a) — evidence (b) — world’s temperatures are increasing day by day. This increase in global (c) — is caused (d) increased amounts of carbon dioxide (e) — the earth. Most climatologists (f) — that greenhouse effect is the likely (g) — of this global warming. It may harm human (h) — seriously. This could catastrophically (i) — mankind’s (j) — to grow food.

6. The following sentences are jumbled. Re-arrange them in a proper sequence :

(1) He died on August 29, 1976 and was buried in the compound of Dhaka University

(ii) He wrote a lot of poems, songs, gazals, short stories, novels, etc.

(iii) He lost his father at the age of eight and at the age of eleven he showed his poetic genius.

(iv) At the age of nineteen, he joined the Army as an ordinary soldier to fight in the First World War. (V) On his return from the battle field, he gave up the sword for the pen.

(vi) It was tragic that he had been suffering from a cruel disease since 1942 and remained paralyzed for the rest of his life.

(vii) In 1924, he married Promila in Kolkata.

(vii) Bangladesh became independent in 1971 and he was brought to Bangladesh from Kolkata in 1972.

(ix) Kazi Nazrul Islam was born in 1899 in the district of Burdwan in West Bengal.

(x) Then he was declared our national poet by the Government of Bangladesh.

Part II: Writing Test (40 marks)

7. Write a paragraph on “The Victory Day” in about 200 words based on the answers to the following questions: (a) When is our Victory Day? (b) Why is it called so? (c) What is the brief history behind it? (d) How do we observe the day? (e) What is the significance of the day?

8. The following is the beginning of a story. Complete it in your own words:

One day a boy of class five was going to school. Suddenly, he saw a money bag on the road. He was at a loss… 9. Suppose, you are Sohana/Sohan. Write an e-mail to your father telling him about your progress of studies. 5 10. The graph below shows “The Internet Users” from 2000 to 2009. Describe, graph in at least 80 words.

10 You should highlight and summarize the information given in the graph:

11. Write down the theme of the following poem (Not more than 50 words) :

I died for beauty, but was scarce
Adjusted in the tomb,
When one who died for truth was lain
In an adjoining room.

He questioned softly why I failed?
“For beauty,” I replied.
“And I for truth, -the two are one;
We brethren are,” he said.

And so, as kinsmen met a night,
We talked between the rooms,
Until the moss had reached our lips,
And covered up our names. 

Rajshahi Board-2019

Part 1: Reading Test (60 marks)

1. Read the passage and answer the questions A and B :

As a child you must have been told to greet your elders and visitors to your home according to your culture and tradition. You must also have been taught to be polite in company and keep quiet while others, especially your elders, spoke. Possibly, you at times grudged such schooling. Possibly, at times you even protested such disciplining. Now, certainly you know that you can’t always behave the way you want specially in the presence of others. There are rules of behavior you have to follow in a company. We are social beings and have to consider the effect of our behaviour on others, even if we are at home and dealing with our family members. We have two terms to describe our social behaviour-‘etiquette’ and ‘manners.’ ‘Etiquette’ is a French word and it means the rules of correct behaviour in society. The word ‘manners’ means the behaviour that is considered to be polite in a particular society or culture. Manners can be good or bad. For example, it is a bad manner to speak with food in one’s mouth. No one likes a bad-mannered person. Remember that etiquette and manners vary from culture to culture and from society to society. We learn etiquette and manners from our parents, families and various institutions, such as schools, colleges or professional bodies. There are rules of behaviour for all kinds of social occasions and it is important to learn them and practise them in everyday life. The manners that are correct in a wedding reception will not do in a debating club. Therefore, we have to be careful about etiquette and manners. We know how important it is to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ in everyday life. A few more polite expressions such as ‘pardon me,’ ‘excuse me’, ‘may I,’ are bound to make your day smooth and pleasant.

A. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives:

(a) The word ‘possibly’ refers to

(i) really (ii) perhaps (iii) exactly (iv) eventually

(b) The best synonym of ‘smooth’ is –

(i) glossy (ii) uneven (iii) peaceful (iv) urbane

(c) Therefore, we have to be — about etiquette and manners.

(i) judicious (ii) liberal (iii) sensitive (iv) cautious

(d) The word ‘vary’ is a/an

(i) adverb (ii) verb (iii) adjective (iv) noun

(e) If there are elders or visitors at your home, the proper attitude towards them is to

(i) annoy them (ii) avoid them (iii) accost them (iv) rebuke them

B. Answer the following questions:–

(a) What is meant by ‘etiquette’ and ‘manners’?

(b) Who likes a bad mannered person? Give an example of a bad manner.

(c) Why is it important to learn and practise the rules of behaviour in everyday life?

(d) Where do we learn etiquette and manners from?

(e) Write a few polite expressions mentioned in the passage.

2. Read the following text and make a low-chart showing the names of some significant diasporas and cause mentioned in the passage. (No. 1 has been done for you):

The term ‘diaspora’ is used to refer to people who have left their homelands and settled in other parts of the world, either because they were forced to do so or because they wanted to leave on their own. The word is increasingly used for such people as a collective group and/or a community. The world has seen many diasporas but scholars have been studying the phenomenon with great interest only in recent decades. Among the great diasporas of history is that of the Jewish people, who were forced to leave their lands in ancient times. The movement of Aryans from Central Europe to the Indian sub-continent thousands of years ago is also a noteworthy diaspora, although the causes of this diaspora are unclear. In twentieth century history, the Palestinian diaspora has attracted a lot of attention and been a cause of concern for world leaders because of the plight of Palestinians. There have been massive diasporas in Africa, too, over the centuries, either because of war or because of the ravages of nature. But the chief reason why the phenomenon of diaspora is attracting so much attention now is globalization.

1. Diaspora of the Jewish people 2 3

3. Write a summary of the following text:

According to some myths and legends, Gazi Pir was a Muslim saint who is said to have spread Islam in the parts of Bengal close to the Sunderbans. He was credited with many miracles. For example, he could supposedly calm dangerous animals and make them docile. He is usually depicted in paats or sc
roll paintings riding a fierce-looking Bengal tiger, a snake in his hand, but in no apparent danger. According to some stories, he also fought crocodiles who threatened the people of a region full of canals and creeks, indeed, a kind of watery jungle bordering the Bay of Bengal. Because of his alert and vigilant presence, all predatory animals were said to have been kept within bounds. It was also believed that he enabled villagers to live close to forests and jungles and cultivate their lands. Consequently, people of these regions would pray to him for protection. The story of Gazi Pir has been preserved in folk literature as well as art and has been performed in indigenous theatre. In fact, some Gazir paat scrolls are part of the collection of the British Museum.

4. Read the following text and fill in the blanks with suitable words from the box. There are more words than needed. (Make any grammatical change if necessary)

To encourage female education, the government has taken some (a) — steps such as giving stipends to girl students, (b) — more female teachers, etc. (c) — girls cannot receive the full benefit of education mainly because of the following reasons. (d) — misinterpretation and social structures (e) — girls from going to schools. Even in urban schools girls are not (f) — by many parents to live in hostels for their daughters’ (g) — Early marriage and childbirth make women (h) — to home with no (i) of going back to school. Any expenditure for sending girls to school is considered a (j) — by many parents whereas it is regarded as an investment in case of boys.

5. Fill in the blanks with appropriate words in each gap:

The persona of a traffic policeman has always been a (a) — one. It has often found (b) — spice and close treatment in literature and other (c) —. Besides the many poems about this (d) — character, there is at least one (e) — where the central character is a traffic policeman. In 1963. Greek film maker Filippos Fylaktas made this film (f) —. My Brother, the Traffic Policeman. It featured a slightly (g) — traffic police, Antonis Pikrocholos who is utterly (h) — to service and duty and applies the traffic (i) — with unyielding (j) —.

6. Rearrange the following sentences to make a coherent order:

(a) He showed extraordinary credit in every examination of the school.

(b) He has made great contribution to the scientific research of Bangladesh

(C) Dr. Kudrat-e-Khuda was born on 8th May at Village Maragra in the district of Birbhum in West Bengal in 1900 AD.

(d) In 1925 getting star marks he passed M.Sc in Chemistry from Kolkata Varsity.

(e) He died on 3rd November in 1977.

(f) His father Hazrat Shah Abdul Mukit was a pious man.

(g) In 1929 he passed D.Sc from Imperial College in England.

(h) At the age of six, he was admitted into a Furkania Madrasa and then he was admitted into an English School.

(i) He made a great plan to give the new structure of education system.

(j) In 1953, he was appointed Chairman of Secondary Education Board.

Part II: Writing Test (40 marks)

7. Write a paragraph on ‘The Sundarbans’ on the basis of the answers to the following questions in about 200 words: (a) What type of forest is the Sundarbans? (b) What is the location of the Sundarbans? (c) Why is the Sundarbans famous? (d) What is the present condition of this forest? (e) What are the causes of destruction of the Sundarbans and what causes the extinction of tigers? (f) What role does the Sundarbans play in the national economy?

8. The following is the beginning of a story. Complete it in your own words:

Once there lived a poor farmer. He had a goose. It used to lay a golden egg every day. He sold the golden egg in the market. He was very greedy …..

9. Suppose you are Shamim, Rifat is your younger brother. Write an e-mail to your younger brother advising him to take part in games and sports regularly.

10. The pie-chart below shows the percentage of travellers in Bangladesh travelling in different transportation ways per day. Describe the pie-chart in at least 80 words:

11. Write down the theme of the following poem (not more than 50 words):

 I sit on one of the dives

On Fifty-second Street

Uncertain and afraid

As the clever hopes expire.

Of a low dishonest decade:

Waves of anger and fear

Circulate over the bright

And darkened lands of the earth,

Obsessing our private lives;

The unmentionable odour of death

Offends the September night. 

Dinajpur Board-2019

Part I: Reading Test (60 marks) I. Read the passage and answer the questions A and B:

Adolescents constitute a nation’s core resource for national renewal and growth. Adolescence is a period in life when transition from childhood to adulthood takes place and behaviours and life styles are shaped. According the World Health Organisation (WHO), adolescence is the period which shapes the future of girls and boys lives. There are 28 million adolescents in Bangladesh: 13.7 million of them are girls and 14.3 million boys. The situation of adolescent girls in Bangladesh is characterized by inequality and subordination within the family and society. This inequality leads to widespread practice of child marriage, marginalisation or exclusion from health, education and economic opportunities and vulnerability to violence and sexual abuse. Bangladesh, the legal age of marriage is 18 for girls and 21 for boys. However, 33 percent of adolescent girl are married off before the age of 15 and 60 percent become mothers by the age of 19. Research finds that adolescents with higher level of education and from more affluent families tend to marry at a later age. Bows however, become ready for marriage only after several years of adolescence and young adulthood.

A. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives:

(a) What could be the closest meaning of the word ‘core’ in the first sentence?

(i) alternative (ii) subsidiary (iii) central (iv) minor

(b) The phrase ‘leads to in the passage refers to

(i) results of (ii) results in (iii) results from (iv) results to

(c) Adolescence is a period from childhood to adulthood.

(i) constant (ii) transitional (iii) rigid (iv) fixed

(d) The synonym of ‘legal’ is

(i) illicit (ii) banned (iii) prohibited (iv) lawful

(e) The word ‘economic can be replaced by

(i) monetary (ii) economical (iii) cheap (iv) financed

B. Answer the following questions:

(a) How can you define adolescence?

(b) Why are the adolescents important?

(c) What is the condition of adolescent girls in Bangladesh?

(d) What are the consequences of gender inequality in Bangladesh?

(e) Which factors influence a girl’s marriage?

2. Read the following text and make a flow chart showing the iconic image of Nelson Mandela (No. 1 has been done for you).

Nelson Mandela played a prominent role on the world stage as an advocate of human dignity in the face of challenges ranging from political repression to AIDS. He formally left public life in June 2004 before his 86th birthday. But he remained one of the world’s most revered public figures, combining celebrity sparkle with an unwavering message of freedom, respect and human rights. The vears Mandela spent behind bars made him the world’s most celebrated political prisoner and
a leader of mythic stature for millions of black South Africans and other oppressed people far beyond his country’s borders Charged with capital offences in the 1963 Rivonia Trial, his statement from the dock was his political testimony “During my lifetime I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic society in which all persons live together in harmony and with our opportunities,” he told the court. Friends adored Mandela And people lauded his humanity, kindness and dignity.

1. an advocate of human dignity

3. Write a summary of the following passage:

Conflict can be defined in many ways but one of the simplest is that it pertains to the opposing ideas and actions of different entities, resulting in an antagonistic state. Conflict is an inevitable part of life. All of us possess our own opinions, ideas and sets of beliefs. We have our own ways of looking at things and we act according to what we think is proper. Hence, we often find ourselves in conflict in different scenarios; it may involve other individuals, groups of people, or a struggle within our own selves. Consequently, conflict influences our actions and decisions in one way or another. Conflict comes naturally; the clashing of thoughts and ideas is a part of the human experience. It is true that it can be destructive if left uncontrolled. However, it shouldn’t be seen as something that can only cause negative things to transpire. It is a way to come up with more meaningful realizations that can certainly be helpful to the individuals involved.

4. Read the following text and fill in the blanks with suitable words from the box. There are more words than needed. Make any grammatical changes if necessary:

All things that make up the environment are (a) —. The way in which people, animals and plants are

related to each other and to their surroundings is (b) — as ecology. The (c) — is a complex web that (d) — animals and plants and every other life form in the biosphere. All these things (e) — together. The system is in a steady state of dynamic (f) — which means that by (g) — any one part of the web you can affect all the other parts. For (h) —, the destruction of forests may have serious (i) — consequences on humans and animals. It is the (j) — of human beings to prevent the environment from being spoilt.

5 Fill in the blanks with an appropriate word in each gap:

Diaspora is an age-old (a) —. In recent times, Rohingya (b) — has attracted a lot of attention. More than one million Rohingyas have (c) — from Myanmar to Bangladesh. Their migration is (d) — to the adverse conditions in Rakhine State of Myanmar – the ancestral homeland of the Rohingyas. The government of Bangladesh has (e) — this huge number of refugees on humanitarian (f) —. But these people are a huge (g) — on our economy and on our (h) —. The world community should extend their full support to the (i) — Rohingyas so that they can (j) — return to their homeland.

6. The following sentences are jumbled. Rearrange them in a proper sentence:

(i) During his stay he received an unpaid letter from his friend, which contained nothing but some words.

(ii) With a great hope in mind, he opened the box.

(iii) He wanted to teach his friend a good lesson.

(iv) An English poet was staying in Italy for the benefit of his health.

(v) To his utter surprise, he found nothing but an ordinary stone.

(vi) Thus the poet taught his friend a good lesson.

(vii) So, he procured a heavy stone and packed it up in a fine box.

(viii) His friend thought that the contents of the parcel were valuable, so, he paid the heavy charge for carrying.

(ix) The poet had to pay double postage, so, he became very annoyed.

(x) Then he sent it to his friend with the words on it “Carriage to be paid on delivery.

Part II: Writing Test (40 marks)

7. Write a paragraph on ‘Pahela Baishakh’ in about 200 words based on the answers to the following questions:

(i) What is the importance of Pahela Baishakh to the people of Bangladesh? (ii) What do people do on Pahela Baishakh? (iii) What is the most impressive part of the celebration? (iv) How does the festival uphold our culture? (V) What benefits do we reap from this kind of festivals?

8. Read the beginning of the following story and complete it in your own way. Give a title to the story:

Parul was a school girl whose parents were landless. They were unable to bear her educational expenses. But Parul was determined. ……………

9. Suppose, your younger brother Kamal is an HSC Examinee. Now, write an e-mail telling him to study

seriously to be well prepared for the ensuing examiantion.

10. Look at the chart below. It shows the sources of environment pollution in a city. Now, analyse the chart in at least 80 words. You should highlight the information and the main features given in the chart:

11. Write down the theme of the following poem (Nor more than 50 words):

I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,

And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made;

Nine bean rows will I have there, a hive for the honey bee

And live alone in the bee loud glade.

 And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow

Dropping from the veils of the moing to where the cricket sings;

There midnight’s all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow,

And evening full of the linnet’s wings.

 I will arise and go now, for always night and day

I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;

While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey,

I hear it in the deep heart’s core.

Jashore Board-2019

Part I: Reading Test (60 marks)

1. Read the following text and answer the questions A and B:

Valentina Tereshkova was born in the village Maslennikovo. Tutayevsky District, in Central Russia Tereshkova’s father was a tractor driver and her mother worked in a textile plant. Tereshkova began school in 1945 at the age of eight but left school in 1953 and continued her education through distance learning. She became interested in parachuting from a young age, and trained in skydiving at the local Aeroclub, making her first jump at age 22 on 21 May 1959. At that time she was employed as a textile worker at a local factory. It was her expertise in skydiving that led to her selection as a cosmonaut. After the flight of Yuri Gagarin (The first human being to travel to outer space in 1961), the Soviet Union decided to send a woman in space. On 16 February 1962. ‘Proletaria’ Valentina Tereshkova was selected for this project from among more than four hundred applicants. Tereshkova had to undergo a series of training that included weightless flights, isolation tests, centrifuge tests, rocket theory, spacecraft engineering, 120 parachute jumps and pilot training in MiG 15 UTI jet fighters. Since the successful launch of the spacecraft Vostok-5 on 14 June 1963, Tereshkova began preparing for her own flight. On the morning of 15 June 1963, Tereshkova and her back-up cosmonaut Solovyova were dressed in space suits and taken to the space shuttle launch pad by a bus. After completing her communication and life support checks, sh
e was sealed inside Vostok-6. Finishing a two-hour count down. Vostok-6 launched faultlessly.

1.  Choose the correct answer from the alternatives:

(a) What does the word ‘expertise’ mean?

(i) proficiency (ii) ability (iii) knowledge (iv) expert opinion

(b) Who was Tereshkova’s back-up cosmonaut?

(i) Solovyova (ii) an ordinary pilot (iii) Nobody (iv) her cousin

(c) When Tereshkova made her first jump, she was an employee –

(i) in a local textile factory (ii) in a sewing factory (iii) in a kindergarten school

(iv) in an aerospace company

(d) How many applicants were there for the project?

(i) 300 (ii) 400 (iii) 450 (iv) 500

(e) What does the word ‘proletaria’ in the passage refer to?

(i) the working class people (ii) people with special needs (iii) common people (iv) people who are sick

B. Answer the following questions:

a) What do you know about Tereshkova’s early life?

b) What led to the selection of Tereshkova as a cosmonaut?

c) What can you say about the trainings Tereshkova took?

d) Who was the first human being to fly to outer space?

e) Briefly discuss Tereshkova’s experience in Vostok-6.

2. Read the following text and make a flow chart showing the objectives of peace movement. (One is done for you):

A peace movement is a social movement that seeks to achieve ideals such as the ending of a particular war for all wars), minimize inter-human violence in a particular place or type of situation including ban of guns, and is often linked to the goal of achieving world peace. Means to achieve these ends include advocacy of pacifism, noh, violent resistance, diplomacy, boycotts, demonstrations, peace camps; supporting anti-war political candidates and banning guns, creating open government, direct democracy, supporting people who expose war crimes conspiracies to create wars, and making laws. Different organizations involved in peace movements may have some diverse goals, but one common goal is sustainability of peace, Peace movement is basically an all-encompassing ‘anti-war movement. It is primarily characterized by a belief the human beings should not wage war on each other or engage in violent conflicts over language, race, natural resources, religion or ideology. It is believed that military power is not the equivalent of justice. The pare movement tends to oppose the proliferation of dangerous technologies and weapons of mass destruction, particular nuclear weapons and biological warfare. Moreover, many object to the ext of weapons including hand-held machine guns and grenades by leading economic nations to lesser developed nations.

1. Ending of a particular war

3. Write a summary of the following text:

Universities should never be made into mechanical organizations for collecting and distributing knowledge. Through them the people should offer their intellectual hospitality, their wealth of mind to others, and earn their proud right in return to receive gifts from the rest of the world. But in the whole length and breadth of India there is not a single University established in the modern time where a foreign or an Indian student can properly be acquainted with the best products of the Indian mind. For that we have to cross the sea, and knock at the doors of France and Germany. Educational institutions in our country are India’s alms-bowl of knowledge; they lower our intellectual self-respect; they encourage us to make a foolish display of decorations composed of borrowed feathers.

4. Fill in the blanks with appropriate word in each gap:

Education is the process by which our mind develops through formal (a) — at an institution like a school, college or university. It is mental and (b) — training which provides opportunities of growth and helps to meet challenges and (c) — obstacles to progress. Again, the purpose of education is to successfully (d) — the individual and develop his/her capacity to the limit. It is also the business of education to train individuals to make the right (e) — to go ahead. It ennobles our mind and refines our (f) —. It also broadens our outlook and removes (g) —. It helps us to be (h) — of our rights and responsibilities. Education furnishes us with an (i) — in expressing truth. Therefore, it is compared to light which dispels the (j) — of ignorance.

5. Fill in the blanks with appropriate word in each gap:

There goes a proverb that the child is the (a) — of the man. Today’s child is the (b) — of a nation. He will (c) — the country. The whole (d) — depends on their proper (e) —. It is our fundamental (f) — to rouse their (g) — talent. A sound environment is (h) — both in the family and the society so that a child (i) — up physically, mentally and spiritually. Only then it will be (j) — to build up a beautiful and developed country.

6. Rearrange the following sentences to make a coherent order:

(a) The king was fond of knowing his future from the astrologer.

(b) The king called him to the palace.

(c) At this the king got furious and condemned him to death.

(d) A good astrologer visited the capital of the king.

(e) Once there was a king.

(f) With ready wit he said, “The stars declare that I’ll die only a week before your death.”

(g) But another thought crossed his mind before the astrologer was removed for execution.

(h) The king then asked, “How long would you like to live?”

(i) The astrologer told something very unpleasant.

(j) He then thought for a while some ways of escape.

Part II: Writing Test (40 marks)

7. Write a paragraph on Climate Change’ in about 200 words based on the answers to the following questions: 10

(a) What is climate change? (b) What are the causes of climate change? (0) What are the impacts of climate change? (d) How is climate change a threat to Bangladesh? (e) How can climate change be minimized?

8. The following is the beginning of a story. Complete it in your own words: Once there lived a happy cobbler in a town. He passed his days in singing and dancing…

9. Suppose you have a pen friend living in Canada. Now write an e-mail inviting him to visit your country.

10. The graph chart shows the choice of profession by educated people in our country. Describe the graph chart in at least 80 words:

11. Write down the theme of the following poem (Not more than fifty words)

I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o’er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze,

Continuous as the stars that shine

And twinkle on the Milky Way,

They stretched in never-ending line

Along the margin of a bay:

Ten thousand saw I at a glance,

Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

Chattogram Board-2019

Part 1: Reading Test (60 marks)

1. Read the passage and answer the questions A and B

As a child you must have been told to greet your elders and visitors to your home according to your culture and tradition. You must also have been taught to be polite in company and keep quiet while others, especially your elders, spoke. Possibly, you at times grudged such schooling. Possibly, at times you even protested such disciplining. Now, certainly you know that you
can’t always behave the way you want specially in the presence of others. There are rules of behavior you have to follow in a company. We are social beings and have to consider the effect of our behaviour on others, even if we are at home and dealing with our family members.

We have two terms to describe our social behaviour-‘etiquette’ and ‘manners.’ ‘Etiquette’ is a French word and it means the rules of correct behaviour in society. The word ‘manners’ means the behaviour that is considered to be polite in a particular society or culture. Manners can be good or bad. For example, it is a bad manner to speak with food in one’s mouth. No one likes a bad-mannered person. Remember that etiquette and manners vary from culture to culture and from society to society.

We learn etiquette and manners from our parents, families and various institutions, such as schools, colleges or professional bodies. There are rules of behaviour for all kinds of social occasions and it is important to learn them and practise them in everyday life. The manners that are correct in a wedding reception will not do in a debating club. Therefore, we have to be careful about etiquette and manners. We know how important it is to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ in everyday life. A few more polite expressions such as ‘pardon me,’ ‘excuse me’, ‘may I,’ are bound to make your day smooth and pleasant.

A. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives:

(a) The word ‘Company in the passage refers to

(i) a group of industries (ii) a group of people (iii) social media (iv) social and formal behaviour

(b) The closest meaning for ‘grudge’ is

(i) to do or give something unwillingly (ii) to do or give something whole-heartedly (iii) to do or give something willingly (iv) to do or give something generously

(c) ‘Schooling’ means –

(i) to follow somebody in a school (ii) to establish a school (iii) to read in a school (iv) to train somebody to do something

(d) Bad manners cause

(i) nuisance (ii) complacency (iii) obedience (iv) disobedience

(e) From culture to culture, etiquette and manners are found

(i) unequivocal (ii) similar (iii) dissimilar (iv) annoying

B. Answer the following questions:

(a) Why should you observe etiquette and manners?

(b) What do you generally do when somebody comes to visit your family?

(c) How did you take the idea when your parents asked you to greet visitors to your home?

(d) Why should you be very conscious with your behaviour while dealing with others?

(e) What do ‘etiquette’ and ‘manners’ refer to?

2. Read the following text and make a flow-chart showing the factors causing the disappearance of the mangrove forest. (One is done for you.):

A vast mangrove forest shared by Bangladesh and India that is home to possibly 500 Bengal tigers is being a destroyed by erosion, rising sea levels and storm surges, according to a major study by researchers at the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and others. Natalie Pettorelli, one of the report’s authors, said, Coastline retreat is evident everywhere. A continuing rate of retreat would see these parts of the mangrove disappear within 30 years. On the Indian side of the Sundarbans island which extends most into the Bay of Bengal has receded by an average of 150 metres per maximum of just over 200 metres this would see the disappearance of the island in about 20 years The Sundarbans is known for Vanishing islands but the scientists said the current retreat of the mangrove forests the southern coastline is not normal. The causes for increasing coastline retreat other than anthrop increased frequency of storm surges and other extreme natural events, rises in seal-level and in your family?

1. Frequent storm surges –

3. Summarize the following text:

In Bangladesh folk music has great variety, with songs being composed on the culture, festivals, views of life, natural beauty, rivers and rural and riverine life. These songs are also about social inequality and poverty, about the material world and the supernatural. Mystical songs have been composed using the metaphors of rivers and boats. Since the country is basically riverine, the Bhatiyali forms an important genre of folk music. Folk music is formed and develops according to the environment. Differences in the natural environment are reflected in the people of the different regions. The dialects too vary across the different regions. Bangladeshi folk music therefore varies from region to region. Thus there are the northern Bhawaiya, the eastern Bhatiyali and the southwestern Baul songs.

4. Read the following text and fill in the blank with Suitable words from the box. There are more words than needed. Make any grammatical change if necessary extreme solid

Dear Mohua,

Heartiest (a) — on your grand (b) —. I became (c) — happy and (d) — on being (e) — that you won the prize in the 4th Asian Painting Exhibition. To be the first in an international (f) — is not the pride of the (g) — only but of the (h) — nation. By being so, you have (i) — laurels for the country. I wish your (j) — success in this field. Keep on trying. Have a nice day.

Yours ever.

Nabin

5. Fill in the blanks with appropriate word in each gap:

Adolescents (a) — on their (b) — their communities, schools, health services and their workplaces to (c) — a wide range of skills that can (d) — them to cope with the (e) — they face and make a successful transition from (f) — to adulthood. Parents, members (g) — the community service providers, and (h) — institutions have the (i) — to both promote adolescent development and adjustment and to intervene (j) — when problems arise.

6. The following sentences are jumbled. Re-arrange them in a proper sequence:

(i) Still challenge remained with the immortal one.

(ii) Strangely enough, whenever Hercules knocked off a head of Hydra, two new ones erupted in its place.

(iii) Hercules, a Greek mythical hero, was the son of Jupiter and Alemena.

(iv) These huge tasks in Greek myths are called “The Twelve Labours of Hercules.

(v) It had nine heads of which the middle one was said to be immortal.

(vi) One of the tasks was to slay a monster called Hydra that was ravaging the country of Argos.

(vii) His cousin Eurestheus, the king of Mycenae, made him undergo some difficult tasks.

(viii) Eventually, with the help of lolaus, his devoted servant, Hercules succeeded in burning all the heads except the ninth.

(ix) However, with much effort, he buried the immortal head under a huge rock and completed the task successfully.

(x) Initially Hercules started striking off its heads with his club. Part II: Writing Test (40 marks)

10 7. Write a paragraph on ‘Diaspora’ on the basis of the answers to the following questions in about 200 words

(a) What is diaspora? (b) What are the major causes of diaspora? (c) Who were the greatest displaced people in the history? (d) Do you find any diaspora in recent times? (e) What are the consequences of diaspora?

8. The following is the beginning of a story. Complete it in your own words:

In an afternoon, Grandmother was knitting a scarf under a mango tree in the yard. Romim, her grandson, suddenly came running to her with an old photograph in his hand …………..

9. Write an e-mail to your friend requesting him/her to send you the routine of the HSC Examination-2019.

10. The chart below shows the sources of air pollution in a city. Describe the chart in 150 words. You should highlight and summ
arize the information given in the chart:

11. Write down the theme of the following poem (in 50 words):

My heart leaps up when I behold

Or let me die!

The child is father of the Man:

A rainbow in the sky:

And I could wish my duys to be

So was it when my life began;

Bound each to each by natural piety.

So is it now I am a man;

So be it when I shall grow old,

Chittagong Board HSC English 1st Paper Question Solution 2019

Question 01.

a. social and formal behaviour
b. to do or give something unwillingly
c. to train somebody to do something
d. disobedience
e. dissimilar

Question 04: a. congratulations  b. success  c. extremely  d. delighted  e. informed  f. competition  g. performer  h. entire  i. earned  j. continuous

Question 06: Hercules, a Greek mythical hero, was the son of Jupiter and Alcmena. His cousin Eurestheus, the king of Mycenae, made him undergo some difficult tasks. These huge tasks in Greek myths are called ‘The Twelve Labors of Hercules’. One of the tasks was to slay a monster called Hydra that was ravaging the country of Argos.

Sylhet Board-2019

Part 1: Reading Test (60 marks) I. Read the passage and answer the questions A and B.

According to some myths and legends, Gazi Pir was a Muslim saint who is said to have spread Islam in the parts of Bengal close to the Sunderbans. He was credited with many miracles. For example, he could supposedly calm dangerous animals and make them docile. He is usually depicted in paats or

scroll paintings riding a fierce-looking Bengal tiger, a snake in his hand, but in no apparent danger. According to some stories, he also fought crocodiles who threatened the people of a region full of canals and creeks, indeed, a kind of watery jungle bordering the Bay of Bengal. Because of his alert and vigilant presence, all predatory animals were said to have been kept within bounds. It was also believed that he enabled villagers to live close to forests and jungles and cultivate their lands. Consequently, people of these regions would pray to him for protection. The story of Gazi Pir has been preserved in folk literature as well as art and has been performed in indigenous theatre. In fact, some Gazir paat scrolls are part of the collection of the British Museum.

A. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives:

(a) Gazi Pir is known to people through

(i) folk music (ii) painting (iii) literature (iv) museum

(b) What was Gazi Pir credited with?

i) Having extraordinary and mysterious power ii) Protecting people from danger iii) Calming dangerous animals iv) Knowing magic

(c) Whom did Gazi Pir enable to live close to the forests?

 i) Rural people ii) Rustic folk iii) Tigers iv) Crocodiles

(d) The word ‘docile’ is

i) an adjective ii) a noun iii) a verb iv) an adverb

(e) The best synonym of ‘predatory’ is –

i) precursory ii) arbitrary iii) restless iv) preying upon others

B. Answer the following questions:

(a) What kind of extraordinary power did Gazi Pir have?

(b) What was Gazi Pir famous for?

(c) Why did people seek help from Gazi Pir?

(d) What was the belief of the people about Gazi Pir?

(e) What are the different art forms in which the myth of Gazi Pir is kept alive?

2. Read the following text and make a flow-chart showing five names of the uses of personal computer. (One is done for you).

Today, we take for granted that we have one machine that allows us to access the Internet, do word processing, use a calculator, watch TV, play games and do a host of other things. But the personal computer only became available to consumers in 1974. Things really took off when Microsoft Windows was introduced in 1985 and its good that was since without the prevalence of personal computers, the Internet wouldn’t have had nearly as big an impact it has ever since.

1. Allowing us to do many things

3. Summarise the following text.

Accessibility to higher education implies that students get the opportunity to get university education and sufficient support from educational institutions. Increasing enrolment at the secondary and higher secondary level puts pressure on higher educational institutions. But due to limited capacity, only a small number of students may be enrolled in universities. Thus, each year a large number of students are denied access to higher education. Also, due to poverty and increase in educational expenses, students of the lower middle class do not get easy access to higher education.

Moreover, those who get places in the universities have limited access to avail all kinds of diversified educational facilities relating to their study fields. Only about 12 percent of graduates enter higher educational institutions. More than 80 percent of these students are admitted to NU affiliated colleges. Others are absorbed by the public and private universities. In the last two decades, there has been a substantial rise in the number of students in private universitis. According to the UGC Annual Report 2010, the number rose from 88,669 in 2005 to 2,00,752 in 2010.

4. Read the following text and fill in the blanks with suitable word from the table word from the box. There are more words needed. Make any grammatical change if necessary.

Hakaluki haor has both economic and non-economic (a) —.It (b) — a wide range of (c) — to the local people. People (d) — here can produce fish and rice, rear (e) — buffalo and duck. They can also (f) — reeds (g) — grass in the haor. This haor (h) — also provides (i) — place for the (j) — birds.

5. Fill in the blank with appropriate word in each gap.

We know that all species are (a) — for maintaining ecological balance. If one is (b) — the whole natural environment (c) —. In order to (d) — the environment from being spoilt, we should therefore protect (e) — wildlife. The good news is that many countries are now (f) — action to protect their (g) — wildlife. We should (h) — the earth’s wild (i) — to save ourselves. To be (j) — to animals is to be kind to mankind.

6 The following sentences are jumbled. Re-arrange them in proper sequence.

(i) Oneday he was very hungry.

(ii) The grapes were too high for him to reach.

(iii) Again and again he jumped.

(iv) At last he entered into a vineyard.

(v) Once upon a time, there lived a fox in a forest.

(vi) But each time, he failed to reach the grapes.

(vii) At last being tired, he went away saying that the grapes were sour.

(viii) He took a run and jumped to reach the bunch of grapes but could not reach it.

(ix) He searched food everywhere but he did not get any food.

(x) There were ripe grapes hanging up on the vine.

Part II: Writing Test (40 marks)

7. Write a paragraph on “Digital Bangladesh” on the basis of the answers to the following questions in about 200 words: (a) What is Digital Bangladesh? (b) How can we achieve it? (c) What steps should be taken by the government to execute it? (d) How can students take part in it? (e) Is the idea too ambitious?

8. The following is the beginning of a story. Complete it in your own words:

Rima is a girl of HSC 1st year at a renowned college. In the month of February, she was eagerly waiting to join a “Book Fair’ but her parents interrupted her…..

9. Suppose, y
ou have got an e-mail from your mother who is worried about your preparation for the upcoming HSC examination. Now reply her to make her relieved of her tension

10. The graph below shows an increase in the number of overseas students at the universities which usually takes place over a period of time. Describe the graph in 150 words:

11. Write down the theme of the following poem (not more than 50 words):

If you fail to see the person

But only see the disability.

Then who is blind?

If you cannot hear

Your brother’s Cry for justice,

Who is deaf?

If you do not communicate

With your sister

But separate her from you

Who is the mentally handicapped?

If you do not stand up

For the rights of all persons

Who is crippled

Your attitude

Towards persons with disabilities

May be our biggest handicap

Barishal Board-2019

Part I: Reading Test (60 marks)

1. Read the passage and answer the questions A and B:

Adolescents constitute a nation’s core resource for national renewal and growth. Adolescence is a period in when transition from childhood to adulthood takes place and behaviours and lifestyles are shaped. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), adolescence is the period which shapes the future of girls or boys There are 28 million adolescents in Bangladesh 13.7 million of them are girls and 14.3 million boys. The situation of adolescent girls in Bangladesh is characterised by inequality and subordination within family and society. This inequality leads to widespread practice of child marriage, marginalisation exclusion from health, education and economic opportunities and vulnerability to violence and sexual abuse In Bangladesh the legal age of marriage is 18 for girls and 21 for boys. However, 33 percent of adolescents are married before the age of 15 and 60 percent become mothers by the age of 19. Research finds the adolescents with higher level of education and from more affluent families tend to marry at a later age. Boys, however, become ready for marriage only after several years of adolescence and young adulthood.

A. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives:

(a) What could be the closest meaning of the word ‘constitute’ in the first sentence?

(i) take (ii) form (iii) add (iv) make

(b) The phrase ‘take place in the second sentence stands for

(i) occur (ii) recur (iii) go to a place (iv) all of them

(c) Adolescence is a period from childhood to adulthood.

(i) transition (ii) transitory (iii) transitional (iv) transient

(d) The synonym of ‘affluent’ is

(i) destitute (ii) poor (iii) poverty (iv) well off

(e) The word “economic’ can be replaced by

(i) economy (ii) economical (iii) monetary (iv) finance

B. Answer the following questions:

(a) What do you mean by the term ‘adolescence”?

(b) Why is adolescence an important period of life?

(c) What do the adolescent girls in Bangladesh usually face?

(d) What are the effects of female inequality in Bangladesh?

(e) How do wealth and education influence a girl’s marriage?

2. Read the following text and make a low-chart showing the famous diasporas and the causes of diasporas (one is done for you):

The term diaspora is used to refer to the people who have left their homelands and settled in other parts of the world either because they were forced to do so or because they wanted to leave on their own. The world is increasingly used for such people as a collective group and/or a community. The world has seen many diasporas hut scholars have been studying the phenomenon with great interest only in recent decades. Among the great diasporas of history is that the Jewish people who were forced to leave their lands in ancient times. The movement of Aryans from central Europe to the Indian sub-continent thousands of years ago is also a noteworthy diaspora although the causes of diaspora are unclear. In the twentieth century history the Palestinian diaspora has attracted a lot of attention and concern for world leaders because of the plight of Palestinians. There have been massive diasporas in A toe over the centuries, either because of war or because of the ravages of nature. But the chief reason why phenomenon of Diaspora is attracting so much attention now is globalization.

i. Jewish diaspora

3. Summarize the following text:

As a child you must have been told to greet your elders and visitors to your home according to your culture and tradition. You must also have been taught to be polite in company and keep quiet while others, especially your elders, spoke. Possibly, you at times grudged such schooling. Possibly, at times you even protested such disciplining. Now, certainly you know that you can’t always behave the way you want specially in the presence of others. There are rules of behavior you have to follow in a company. We are social beings and have to consider the effect of our behaviour on others, even if we are at home and dealing with our family members.

We have two terms to describe our social behaviour-‘etiquette’ and ‘manners.’ ‘Etiquette’ is a French word and it means the rules of correct behaviour in society. The word ‘manners’ means the behaviour that is considered to be polite in a particular society or culture. Manners can be good or bad. For example, it is a bad manner to speak with food in one’s mouth. No one likes a bad-mannered person. Remember that etiquette and manners vary from culture to culture and from society to society.

We learn etiquette and manners from our parents, families and various institutions, such as schools, colleges or professional bodies. There are rules of behaviour for all kinds of social occasions and it is important to learn them and practise them in everyday life.

4. Read the following text and fill in the banks with suitable word from the box. There are more words than needed. Make any grammatical change if necessary:

(a) — blind people cannot (b) — their sense of (c) — becomes for more (d) — than that of most sighted people. This ability was put to use by a brilliant man (e) — Louis Braille. In the early 19 century, he invented a (f) — of writing which (g) — his name. The Braille system reproduces the letters of the alphabet by a series (h) — in certain positions which are raised on the paper. The blind person runs the (i) — of his fingers across the pages of the Braille book and can work out the letters and numbers (j) — there.

5. Fill in the blanks with an appropriate word in each gap:

In Britain, road and transport rules are (a) — followed by the drivers. Consequently it has the best road (b) — record in Europe. All transports must strictly (c) — by the rules (d) — by the government. Coaches and minibuses (e) — carry children under 16 must be (f) — with seatbelts. There the law (g) — agencies are (h) —. So, the buses and coaches have become the (i) — form of road (j) —.

6. Rearrange the following sentences to make a proper sequence:

(i) The last words of the speech are: “Government of the people, by the people for the people shall not perish

from the earth.”

(ii) Abraham Lincoln was the President of the United States of America.

(iii) On the 10 November 1863, a railway train was carrying him to a place called Gettysburg.

(iv) It is one of the finest and shortest speeches in En
glish language.

(v) He was going there to speak at a meeting.

(vi) On the envelope, it was what he was going to say at the meeting.

(vii) These words tell us what the best possible way of ruling a country is.

(viii) He was not writing on a paper, but on the back of an envelope.

(ix) In the train, he was busy with writing something.

(x) In fact, the speech on the envelope is now famous as “Gettysburg Address”.

Part II: Writing Test (40 marks)

7. Write a paragraph on Folk Music’ by answering the following questions in about 200 words:

(a) What is folk music? (b) What are the components of folk music? (e) Why is folk music not sophisticated (d) Who are the contributors of folk music in Bangladesh? (e) What kind of role does folk music play in our social and cultural life?

8. The following is the beginning of a story. Complete it in your own words:

Once a crow was sitting on the branch of a tree. It had a piece of meat in its beak. Suddenly a fox came there

9. Suppose you are Aryan of 12 Quazi Nazrul Islam Avenue, Shahbag, Dhaka, Your friend Areeb of 13/1

Sholoshohor, Chattogram, is very afraid of English. Now, write a letter to him describing how to improve in English.

10. The graph below shows “The number of internet users in town and Village from 2010 to 2015”.  You should highlight and summarize the information given in the graph :

11. Write down the theme of the following poem (not more than 50 words): – Hold fast to dreams

Hold fast to dreams

For if dreams die

Life is a broken-winged bird

That cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreams

For when dreams go

Life is a barren field

Frozen with snow.

Dhaka, Dinajpur, Jashore, Sylhet Board 2018

When you are in the driving seat of a car, you have the steering and the horn in your hands, the brake and accelerator under your feet, eyes open looking ahead, left and right. The same can be said about a motorcycle rider, with some modifications. These are all very visible. But, behind all, there is something that keeps working unseen. And that is the Central Processing Unit (CPU), your brain. CPUs are artificially intelligent machines that are programmed to do specific jobs under fixed conditions and judgments. But the human brain is intelligent by nature. It is the most sophisticated machine that is able to operate on ever-changing conditions and standards of judgment. As conditions in the traffic keep invariably changing, this virtue of sophistication of your brain must be at work when you are driving. The difference between traffic in the roads and highways and racing circuit must not be blurring inside you. Never imagine yourself to be a Michael Schumacher driving an F-1 at 300 mph. leave no room for fantasy. You must always be ready to encounter unexpected behaviour from any vehicle or pedestrian. ‘Keep your cool’ is easy to advice but difficult to maintain. Still you must always restrain yourself because, at the end of the day, you don’t want to be regarded as a killer. Now you see, the last thing that differentiates you from a computer is your conscience.

A. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives.

a) What could be the closest meaning for ‘modification’

(i) Adjust (ii) To chance (iii) To make less extreme (iv) An alteration or adjustment to something

(b) The word ‘sophisticated’ refers to

(i) unrefined (ii) advancement (iii) gorgeous (iv) uncomplicated

(c) Invariably could be best replaced by

(i) regular (ii) inconsistent (iii) alterable (iv) always

(d) The human brain is called ‘Central Processing Unit’ (CPU) because

(i) it is the central part of the body (ii) it performs all important activities

(iii) it is the centre of all activities (iv) it is the central part of mind

(e) The best synonym of ‘encounter’ is—

(i) battle (ii) meeting (iii) face (iv) clash

B. Answer the following questions

(a) What kind of skill does car driving require?

(b) What is meant by ‘eyes open looking ahead, left and right’?

(c) Why is human brand called the most sophisticated machine?

(d) How do CPUs and brand differ?

(e) Do you support the idea that conscience is our best guide on the roads? Why? Why not?

2. Read the following text and make a flow chart showing the causes and aspects of conflict. (One is done for you)

Conflict can be described as a disagreement among groups or individuals characterized by antagonism and hostility. This is usually fueled by the opposition of one party to another in an attempt to reach an objective different from that of the other party. The elements involved in the conflict have varied sets of principles and values, thus allowing a conflict to arise. Conflict can be defined in many ways but one of the simplest is that it pertains to the opposing ideas and actions of different entities, resulting in an antagonistic state. Conflict is an inevitable part of life. All of us possess our own opinions, ideas and sets of beliefs. We have our own ways of looking at things and we act according to what we think is proper. Hence, we often find ourselves in conflict in different scenarios; it may involve other individuals, groups of people, or a struggle within our ownselves. Consequently, conflict influences our actions and decisions in one way or another.

1. Disagreement among groups or individuals

3. Summarize the following text.

Universities should never be made into mechanical organizations for collecting and distributing knowledge. Through them the people should offer their intellectual hospitality, their wealth of mind to others, and earn their proud right in return to receive gifts from the rest of the world. But in the whole length and breadth of India there is not a single university established in the modern time where a foreign or an Indian student can properly be acquainted with the best products of the Indian mind. For that we have to cross the sea, and knock at the doors of France and Germany. Educational institutions in our country are India’s alms-bowl of knowledge; they lower our intellectual self-respect; they encourage us to make a foolish display of decorations composed of borrowed feathers.

4. Read the following text and fill in the blanks with suitable word from the box. There are more words than needed. Make any grammatical change if necessary.

Man’s dignity depends upon his works. Man is a (a) — being on earth. He is to (b) — for others. He should not be (c) — if he is of (d) — blood. He should be (e) — to help any (f) — of man. The man whom he is helping may be (g) — to him by (h) — But after all, he is a man. He has the (i) — blood and flesh as the above (j) — man.

5. Fill in the blank with appropriate word in each gap.

Dream is a series of thoughts, images and sensations occurring in a person s mind during sleep. Dream is a (a) — of unconscious wishes, thoughts and imaginations. It (b) — be sweet or horrible. When we dream (c) — pleasant, we call it a sweet dream. (d) — when we dream something extremely bad, we (e) — it a nightmare. Dream is meaningless if (f) — is a day dream. But dream has also (g) — real purpose as it is related to our (h) — emotional and physical well-being. The main benefit (i) — dream is that it produces new thoughts (j) — ideas in brain and helps to clean
up clutter from mind.

6. The following sentences are jumbled. Rearrange them in a proper sequence.

(i)They were aliens in their own country and were subjected to all sorts of indignities.

(ii) The blacks were treated cruelly.

(iii) The great leader vowed to put an end to the inhuman practice.

(iv) They were denied all basic human rights.

(v) Even dogs received a much better treatment than the blacks.

(vi) Eventually, the great leader realised the goal of liberating his own people.

(vii) He was thrown behind the prison bar.

(viii) Nelson Mandela was the greatest leader of South Africa.

(ix) But the oppressive rulers could not break the spirit.

(x) In fact, he was one of the greatest leaders of the world who struggled against apartheid throughout his life.

Part-II : Writing (40 Marks)

7. Write a paragraph on “Food Adulteration” on the basis of the answers to the following questions in about 200 words.

(a) What is food adulteration? (b) How is food adulterated? (c) Who are responsible for food adulteration? (d) What is the impact of adulterated food on our body? (e) What can be done to stop it? 8. The following is the beginning of a story. Complete it in your own words.

Once upon a time, there lived a dove. It was passing its days happily. One day, while he was sitting on a tree beside a river, he saw an ant …..

9. Suppose, your friend got the first prize in a debate competition. Write an email congratulating him. 10. The graph below shows “The number of people living below the poverty line from 1990 to 2010.” Describe the graph in 150 words. You should highlight and summarize the information given in the graph.

The number of people living below the poverty line (%)

11. Write down the theme of the following poem (not more than 50 words).

Time, you old gipsy man,

Will you not stay?

Put up your caravan Just for one day?

All things I’ll give you,

Will you be my guest?

Bells for your jennet or silver the best.

Goldsmiths will beat you

A great golden ring.

Peacocks will bow to you,

Little boys sing,

Oh, and sweet girls will

Festoon you with may.

Time, you old gipsy. Why hasten away?

Rajshahi, Cumilla, Chattagram, Barishal Board 2018

Beauty is easy to appreciate but difficult to define. As we look around, we discover beauty in pleasurable objects and sights in nature, in the laughter of children, in the kindness of strangers. But asked to define, we run into difficulties. Does beauty have an independent objective identity? Is it universal, or is it dependent on our sense perceptions? Does it lie in the eye of the beholder? we ask ourselves. A further difficulty arises when beauty manifests itself not only by its presence, but by its absence as well, as when we are repulsed by ugliness and desire beauty. But then ugliness has as much a place in our lives as beauty, or may be more as when there is widespread hunger and injustice in a society. Philosophers have told us that beauty is an important part of life, but isn’t ugliness apart of life too? And if art has beauty as an important ingredient, can it confine itself only to a projection of beauty? Can art ignore what is not beautiful?

Poets and artists have provided an answer by incorporating both into their work. In doing so, they have often tied beauty to truth and justice, so that what is not beautiful assumes a tolerable proportion as something that represents some truth about life. John Keats, the romantic poet, wrote in his celebrated ‘Ode on a Grecian Urn’ ‘Beauty is truth, truth beauty,’ by which he means that truth, even if it’s not pleasant, becomes beautiful at a higher level. Similarly, what is beautiful forever remains true. Another meaning, in the context of the Grecian Urn an art object-is that truth is a condition of art.

A. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives.

(a) The word ‘appreciate’ means –

(i) praise (ii) choose (iii) select (iv) like

(b) The word “repulsed” stands for

(i) disguised (ii) ignored (iii) attracted (iv) regarded

(c) Beauty also prevails in

(i) truth (ii) pleasurable objects (iii) ugliness (iv) beautification

(d) The best synonym of “beholder” is

(i) runner (ii) sender (iii) watcher (iv) stopper

(e) We face difficulties –

(i) when we go through any poem (ii) when we are told to define beauty

(iii) when we appreciate beauty (iv) when we are told to define truth

B. Answer the following questions.

(a) When do we run into difficulties?

(b) Is ugliness a part of life? If so, how?

(c) What has John Keats written in “Ode on a Grecian Urn”?

(d) When does “ugliness” occupy a place in our life?

(e) How do poets and artists provide answer about the questions on how to define beauty?

2. Read the following text and make a flow chart showing the goal of peace movement. (No. 1 has been done for you)

A peace movement is a social movement that seeks to achieve ideals such as the ending of a particular war (or all wars), minimize inter-human violence in a particular place or type of situation, including ban of guns and is often linked to the goal of achieving world peace. Means to achieve these ends include advocacy of pacifism, non-violent resistance, diplomacy, boycotts, demonstrations, peace camps; supporting anti-war political candidates and banning guns, creating open government, direct democracy; supporting people who expose war-crimes or conspiracies to create wars and making laws. Different organizations involved in peace movements may have some diverse goals but one common goal is sustainability of peace. Peace movement is basically an all-encompassing “anti-war movement”. It is primarily characterized by a belief that human beings should not wage war on each other or engage in violent conflicts over language, race, natural resources, religion or ideology. It is believed that military power is not the equivalent of justice. The peace movement tends to oppose the proliferation of dangerous technologies and weapons of mass destruction, in particular, nuclear weapons and biological warfare. Moreover, many object to the export of weapons including hand-held machine guns and grenades by leading economic nations to lesser developed nations.

3. Summarize the following text.

Bangladesh is blessed with huge inland open water resources. It has numerous river canals, beels, lakes, and vast areas of floodplains. Hakaluki haor is one of the major wetlands of Bangladesh. With a land area of 18,386 hectares, it supports a rich biodiversity and provides direct and indirect livelihood benefits to nearly 190,000 people. This haor was declared an Ecologically Critical Area in April 1999 by the govement of Bangladesh.

Hakaluki Haor is bounded by the Kushiara river as well as a part of the Sonai-Bardal river to the north, by the Fenchuganj-Kulaura railway to the west and to the south, and by the Kulaura-Beanibazar road to the east. The haor falls under two administrative districts, Maulvibazar and Sylhet. Some 190,000 people live in the area surrounding the haor.

Hakaluki Haor is an important source of fisheries resources for Bangladesh. Kalibaus, Boal, Rui, Ghagot, Pabda and Chapila are the main fish species found here. From the Kushiara there are frequent upstream movement of fish towards the beels and tributaries of Hakaluki. The beels in Hakaluki haor provide winter shelter for the mother fisheries. In early monsoon these mother fisheries produce millions of fries for the entire downstream fishing communities. Floodplains are also an important source of fisheries resources within the area. However, many of the beels have lost their capacity to provi
de shelter for mother fisheries because of sand deposits from upstream rivers and canals, use of complete dewatering technique for fishing and lack of aquatic plants to provide feed and shelter for parent fish.

4. Read the following text and fill in the blanks with suitable word from the box. There are more words than needed. Make any grammatical change if necessary.

The destruction of forests and other (a) — is causing the (b) — of various plants and animals everyday. In the last 25 years alone the world has lost one-third of its natural wealth. Forests are being (c) — down. Moreover, they are being burnt (d) — resulting in an (e) — in carbon dioxide and ultimately the water level is (f) — as a consequence of global (g) —. It is (h) — that the new century will face an overwhelming environment (i) —. It is therefore (j) — to check the reckless pollution of the environment.

5. Fill in the blanks with appropriate words in each gap.

In our country, women are the worst sufferers at every stage of life. Social prejudices and customs tend to (a) — their position. When a female child is born, it is not regarded (b) — a happy event. She is not welcomed with the deep (c) — of heart. Instead of being delighted, most of the members of the family think that she has come to add to their (d) — Even the mother of the female child is not welcomed cordially for giving (e) — to a female child. Rather the mother of the female child is (f) — for this. In the most cases, women are the victim of gender (g) —. In fact, the life of our women is not smooth (h) —. If we want lasting development of the country, we have to (i) — the dignified status of (j) — women of our country. The government is conscious of this matter.

6. The following sentences are jumbled. Rearrange them in a proper sequence.

(i) In 1880, Rabindranath was called back to India.

(ii) He was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1913 for Gitanjali.

(ii) He returned home without any qualification of distinction.

(iv) He wrote Gitanjali, a collection of Bengali songs of superior quality.

(v) Rabindranath Tagore was born in 1861 into a respectable family at Jorasanko in Kolkata.

(vi) At the age of seventeen, in 1878, he reached London to attend school.

(vii) He went to school early and wrote his first verse at the age of eight.

(viii) The experience had a lasting effect on his later life.

(ix) However, he never gave up his habit of writing poetry.

(x) He gathered much experience from his stay in London.

Part-II : Writing (40 Marks)

7. Write a paragraph on “The Historic Speech of 7th March” in about 200 words based on the answers to the following questions.

(i) When was the speech delivered?

(ii) Where was the speech delivered?

(iii) Who were addressed in this speech?

(iv) How was the speech related to our national history?

(v) How is the speech evaluated internationally?

8. Read the beginning of the following story and complete it in your own way. Give a title to the story. One day, a girl of class five was going to school. Suddenly, she saw a money bag dropped by someone on the road. She was at a loss ….

9. Suppose, you are Rafa. Write an email to your foreign friend narrating the scenic beauty of Bangladesh.

10. The grap below shows the literacy rate of Bangladesh from 1995 to 2010. Describe the graph in at least 80 words. You should highlight the information and report the main features given in the graph.

11. Write down the theme of the following poem. (Not more than 50 words).

Blow, blow, thou winter wind,

Thou art not so unkind

As man’s ingratitude;

Thy tooth is not so keen,

Because thou art not seen,

Although thy breath be rude,

Heigh-ho! sing heigh-ho! unto the green holly:

Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly:

Then heigh-ho, the holly!

This life is most jolly.

Freeze, freeze, thou bitter sky,

That dost not bite so nigh

As benefits forgot:

Though thou the waters warp,

Thy sting is not so sharp

As friend remembered not.

Heigh-hol sing heigh-ho! unto the green holly…

Dhaka Board – 2017

[According to the Syllabus of 2017]

Subject Code: 107

Time––3 hours;                                                                                                       Full marks––100

[N. B. ––The figures in the right margin indicate full marks. Answer all the questions.]

Part I

1. Read the passage and answer the questions A and B :––

One of the sources of water in our country are the rivers. Rivers are everywhere in our life, literature, economy, and culture. But are the rivers in good shape? Unfortunately, they are not. A fer are already dead and several are going through the pangs of death. The river Buriganga is an example of a dying river. A report published in the Daily Sun describes what has happened to the river Buriganga and why. Its water is polluted and a perpetual strench fills the air around it. But that is not what it was like before.

The report says that the river has a glorious past. Once it was a tributary of the mighty Ganges and flowed into the Bay of Bengal through the river Dhaleswari. Gradually, it lost its link with the Ganges and got the name Buriganga. The Mughals marveled at the tide level of the Buriganga and founded their capital Jahangirnagar on its banks in 1610. The river supplied drinking water and supported trade and commerce. Jahangirnagar was renamed Dhaka which grew into a heavily populated city with a chronic shortage of space.

The city paid back the bounty of the river by sucking life out of it! According to newspaper report, the Buriganga is dying because of pollution. Huge quantities of toxic chemicals and wastes from mills and factories, hospitals and clinics and households and other establishments are dumped into the river everyday. The city of Dhaka discharges about 4500 tons of solid waste everyday and most of it is directly released into the Buriganga. According to the department of the Environment (DoE) 20,000 tons of tannery waste, including some highly toxic materials are released into the river everyday. Experts identified nine industrial areas in and around the capital city as the primary sources of river pollution: Tongi, Tejgaon, Hazaribagh, Tarabo, Narayanganj, Savar, Gazipur, Dhaka Export Processing Zone and Ghorashal.

A. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives:–                                                                   1×5=5

(a) The word ‘tributary’ refers to —

(i) fountain (ii) territory (iii) stream (iv) kingdom 

(b) The Buriganga water fills the air with —

(i) aroma (ii) fragrance (iii) stink (iv) scent

(c) — founded their capital on the bank of the Buriganga.

(i) The British (ii) The Mughals (iii) The Indians (iv) The Bangladeshi 

(d) Which of the following statement is false?

(i) Buriganga is a river (ii) Our rivers are not in good shape

(iii) Jahangirnagar was once called Dhaka (iv) Water is being contaminated

(e) The best synonym of ‘toxic’ is —

(i) Poisonous (ii) Hygienic (iii) Healthy (iv) Useful

B.
Answer the following questions:
(a) What do you think is the condition of the rivers of our country?

(b) What is the commercial value of the river Buriganga?

(c) Why is the Buriganga described as an example of a dying river? Give reasons for your answer.

(d) How is the Buriganga polluted?

(e) What did the Mughals marvel at? What was the outcome of it?

2. Read the following text and make a flow-chart showing the specialties of Gazi Pir (One is done for you)

According to some myths and legends, Gazi Pir was a Muslim saint who is said to have spread Islam in the parts of Bengal close to the Sundarbans. He was credited with many miracles. For example, he could supposedly calm dangerous animals and make them docile. He is usually depicted in paats or scroll paintings riding a fierce-looking Bengal tiger, a snake in his hand, but in no apparent danger. According to some stories, he also fought crocodiles who threatened the people of a region full of canals and creeks, indeed, a kind of watery jungle bordering the Bay of Bengal. Because of his alert and vigilant presence, all predatory animals were said to have been kept within bounds. It was also believed that he enabled villagers to live close to forests and jungles and cultivate their lands. Consequently, people of these regions would pray to him for protection. The story of Gazi Pir has been preserved in folk literature as well as art and has been performed in indigenous theatre. In fact, some Gazi paat scrolls are part of the collection of the British Museum.

3. Summarize the following text

Anne Frank is perhaps the most well-known victim of the Nazi Holocast of World War II. Anne, born on 12 June, was given a diary at the age of 13, in which she chronicled her life from 1942 to 1944. During this time, Anne spent two years in hiding with her family in Nazi-occupied Amsterdam in a secret annex with four other Jews. Betrayed and discovered in 1944, Anne was sent to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp where she died of typhus in 1945. Anne’s father, Otto frank, was the only occupant of the secret annex to survive the war. In 1947, he published Anne’s diary as The Diary of a Young Girl. Anne’s account of her internment, as well as her deep belief in humanity has become one of the world’s most widely read books.

4. Read the following text and fill in the blanks with suitable word from the box. There are more words than needed. Make any grammatical change if necessary

It’s a matter of great concern that Bangladesh (a) — in the active earthquake zone. Most of the Bangladeshis are fully (b) — of its severity. Experts are alarmed by the (c) — of quakes during recent years. But they give no (d) — answer to the question of (e) — about the buildings of Dhaka city. Since there is every (f) — of earthquakes in Bangladesh, experts call for taking adequate (g) — measures to (h) — losses. Rajuk (i) — that an earthquake resistant building code should be (j) —.

5. Fill in the gaps using suitable words

Rabindronath Tagore was a man of (a) — genius. He was (b) — a poet and a novelist (c) — a playwright, a painter and a philosopher. He was awarded the Noble Prize for (d) — ‘Gitanjali’ into English. Those translations earned him a great (e) — in the west. As a humanist, Tagore accused the British (f) — and pleaded for the (g) — of India from Britain. Tagore was highly influential in (h) — the best of Indian culture to the West and Vice-versa. He (i) — himself to literature at a very early age. After coming back from England, he began to write (j) — in all branches of literature.

6. Rearrange the following sentences to make a coherent order :–                                                      10
(a) Then he invited applicants.

(b) The applicants were asked to meet the Sultan one day.

(c) Long ago, there lived a Sultan in a country.

(d) Then he found the desired man.

(e) He wanted to appoint an honest man as his tax collector.

(f) A number of people applied for the job.

(g) All the applicants blushed and refused except one.

(h) So, he asked for the wise counselor’s advice.

(i) When they all arrived, the Sultan asked them to dance.

(j) They came through a passage where gold coins were kept.

Part II

7. Write a paragraph on “Food Adulteration” on the basis of the answers to the following questions in about 200 words :–                                                                                                                               10

(a) What is food adulteration?

(b) How is food adulterated?

(c) Who are responsible for food adulteration?

(d) What is the impact of adulterated food on our body?

(e) What can be done to stop it?

8. The following is the beginning of a story. Complete it in your own words:–                                     7
Once an ant was very thirsty. He went to a river to drink water. When he began to drink water, a wave

9. Suppose you are Alif/Adrita. You have just received a letter from your pen-friend Clara who lives at 17 Dawning Street, U.K. She wants to know about Bangladesh. Now write a reply to the letter.     

10. Look at the chart. It shows the sources of U.S.A. electricity in 1980. Now analyze, the chart focusing the main aspects (At least 80 words).                                                                                     

11. Write down the theme of the following poem (Not more than 50 words):                                      8
O father and mother if buds are nipped,

And blossoms blown away;

And if the tender plants are stripped

Of their joy in the springing day,

By sorrow and care’s dismay,How shall the summer arise in joy?

Or the summer fruits appear?

Or how shall we gather what griefs destroy,

Or bless the mellowing year,

When the blasts of winter appear?Answer of Part I;

1. A. (a) (iii) stream (b) (iii) sink (c) (ii) The Mughals (d) (iii) Jahangirnagar was once called Dhaka.

(e) (i) Poisonous

B. (a) The condition of the rivers of our country is not good at all. They are not in good shape. A few of the rivers are already dead and several are going to be dead.

(b) The commercial value of the river is that once it supplied drinking water and it supported trade and commerce.
(c) The river Buriganga is described as an ‘an example of dying river’ because its water is heavily polluted and a perpetual stench fills the air around it.

(d) The Buriganga is polluted by the dumping of huge quantities of toxic chemicals and wastes from mills and factories, hospitals and clinics and households and other establishments.

(e) The Mughals marveled at the tide level of the Buriganga. The outcome of it is the foundation of their capital Jahangirnagar on its banks in 1610.2.

Being credited with miracles

1.Could supposedly calm dangerous animal

2.Make the dangerous animal docile

3.Usually depicted in paats or scroll paintings

4.Seen as riding a fierce – looking Bengal tiger and a snake in his hand

5.Fought crocodiles

3. Anne Frank is the teen who is perhaps the most well-known victim of the Nazi Holocaust of World War II. She was given a diary at the age of 13 and she chronicled her life in it from 1942 to 1944. Anne’s father, published Anne’s diary as The Diary of A Young Girl. Anne’s account of her confin
ement as well as her deep belief in humanity has become one of the world’s most widely read books.
4. (a) lies (b) unaware (c) recurrence (d) straight (e) safety (f) possibility (g) precautionary (h) minimize (i) opines (j)compulsory

5. (a) versatile (b) not only (c) but also (d) translating (e) popularity (f) rulers (g) freedom (h) transporting (i) turned (j) profusely

6. iii + v + viii + i + vi + ii + x + ix + vii + iv

Sylhet Board 2017

Coleridge’s poem a ballad, narrate the harrowing sea-voyage of an old mariner who at one point of his journey did not have any water to drink because of a cursed. Cursed or not, we know how importeant drinking water is in our life.We know we cannot survive without it. In fact two-thirds of our body is made up of water. Not for nothing is it said that the other name of water is life. Is there a crisis in our time with regard to access to clean drinking water? The United Nations in a meeting on the eve of the new millennium identified the drinking water problem as one of the challenges for the future. But do we need to worry about the problem as ours is a land of rivers and we have plenty of rainfall? Besides, we have a sea in our backyard too. One of the sources of water in our country is the rivers. Rivers are everywhere in our life, literature, economy and culture. But are the rivers in good shape? Unfortunately, they are not. A few are already dead and several are going through the pangs of death. The river Buriganga is an example of a dying river. A report published in the Daily Sun describes what has happened to the river Buriganga and why. It’s water is polluted and a perpetual stench fills the air around it. But that is not what it was like before.

A. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives.

(i) What could be the closest meaning for ‘ballad’ in the first paragraph?

(a) Epical poem (b) Mock-epical song (c) Parody (d) Simple narrative poem

(ii) The word ‘curse’ in the first paragraph refers to

(a) discharge (b) devilish act (c) divine decree of destruction (d) angel’s bounty

(iii) ‘Survive’ in the first paragraph could be best replaced by

(a) exist (b) attend (c) appear (d) revive

(iv) The old mariner had a very — sea-voyage.

(a) pleasant (b) agonizing (c) wonderful (d) memorable

(v) The best synonym of ‘perpetual’ is –

(a) continuous (b) stable (c) entire (d) temporary

B. Answer the following questions.

(a) What, according to you, are the significance of water?

(b) Why have the United Nations identified drinking water problem as a challenge?

(c) Narrate the conditions of the rivers in Bangladesh in your own words.

(d) What has been depicted in a report published in the Daily Sun?

(e) Do you think the Buriganga river is dying? If so, why?

2. Read the following text and make a flow-chart showing the specialties of Gazi Pir (One is done for you)

The time of adolescence is a period of preparation for adulthood during which one experiencs several key developments. Besides physical and sexual maturation, these experiences include movement toward social and economic independence, development of identity, the acquisition of skills needed to carry out adult relationships and roles and the capacity for abstract reasoning. While adolescence is a time of tremendous growth and potential, it is also a time of considerable risks during which social contexts exert powerful influences. Many adolescents face pressure to use alcohol, cigarettes, or other drugs and to initiate sexual relationships putting themselves at high risk for intentional and unintentional injuries, unintended pregnancies, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Many also experience a wide range of adjustment and mental health problems.

1. Physical and sexual maturation

3. Summarize the following text

Kuakata, locally known as Sagar Kannya (Daughter of the Sea) is a rare scenic spot located on the southernmost tip of Bangladesh. Kuakata in Latachapli union under Kalapara Police Station of Patuakhali district is about 30 km in length and 6 km in breadth. It is 70 km from Patuakhali district headquarters and 320 km from Dhaka. An excellent combination of the picturesque natural beauty, sandy beaches, blue sky and the shimmering expanse of water of the Bay of Bengal and the evergreen forest makes Kuakata a much sought after tourist destination. The name Kuakata takes its origin from the story of a ‘Kua’- or well-dug on the sea shore by the early Rakhaine settlers for collecting drinking water. The Rakhaines had landed on Kuakata coast after being expelled from Arakan by the Mughals. Following the first well, it became a tradition to dig wells in the neighborhood of Rakhaine homesteads for fresh water supply. Kuakata is one of the unique spots which allow a visitor to watch both the sunrise and the sunset from the beach. That perhaps makes Kuakata one of the world’s most attractive beaches. The long and wide beach at Kuakata has a typical natural setting. This sandy beach slopes gently into the Bay and bathing there is as pleasant as is swimming or diving.

4. Read the following text and fill in the blanks with suitable word from the box. There are more words than needed. Make any grammatical change if necessary.

Keeping promise given to anyone is a must though it takes much perseverance to keep promise honestly. Since keeping promise is a (a) — of remembrance, we should be (b) — whenever we make promises. While (c) — an unavoidable danger, people usually (d) — any promise only to be (e) — from the situation without perfect (f) —. After being rescued, most people (g) — forget the promise given. A (h) — about the pied piper of Germany (i) — how the piper was deliberately (j) — by the Mayor, who had made promises to give piper one thousand guilders for his work.

5. Fill in the blanks with appropriate word in each gap.

The proper (a) — of study involves regular and proper understanding. In order to (b) — the best benefit from study, we should read (c) — and intelligently. We should not study (d) — for the purpose of (e) — examination. We should take genuine (f) — in our studies sothat we can enjoy what we (g) —. This will give us knowledge and wisdom and (h) — horizon of our (i) —. We should, therefore, study not for immediate gains but for (j) — the wealth of our mind.

6. Rearrange the following sentences to make a coherent order.

(a) One prize is awarded in each field.

(b) The prize is instituted by a man who was the inventor of the science of destruction.

(c) Nobel Prize is the world’s most important prize.

(d) He is Alfred Bernard Nobel.

(e) Though he was a citizen of Sweden, he was educated in Russia.

(f) Nobel Prizes are awarded every one for outstanding achievements in the field of science, literature and for promoting world’s peace.

(g) The prize is given to persons with most outstanding contribution.

(h) If there are more than one recipient of the prize in one field, the prize money is equally distributed amongst all the winners.

(i) Economics was added in the list in 1969 for the first time.

(j) He was born in Stockholm on 21st October 1833 and he died on 10th December 1896.

Part-II: Writing (40 Marks)

7. Write a paragraph on “Modern Technolog
y” on the basis of the answers to the following questions in about 200 words.

(a) What do you understand by modern technology? (b) Where is it being used? (c) What are the impacts of technology in our life? (d) How has technology made the world a global village? (e) How can technology be used for the greater welfare of mankind?

8. The following is the beginning of a story. Complete it in your own words.

Once there lived a poor woodcutter. But he was very honest. He earned his livelihood by selling wood in the market. One day while he ………….

9. Suppose, you are Salim. Sahir is your best friend. You are going for a picnic. Now, write an email to your friend Sahir inviting him to join the picnic.

10. The pie chart below shows the percentages of transportation used by 800 students to come to college. Describe the chart in 150 words.

11. Write down the theme of the following poem (not more than 50 words).

Under the greenwood tree

Who loves to lie with me,

And turn his merry note

Unto the sweet bird’s throat

Come hither, come hither, come hither!

Here shall he see

No enemy

But winter and rough weather.

Who doth ambition shun

And loves to live i’ the sun

Seeking the food he eats

And pleased with what he gets

Come hither, come hither, come hither!

Here shall he see

No enemy

But winter and rough weather

Barisal Board – 2017

Sub Code 1 08 Time : 3 hours

Total Marks : 100 (N.B. Figure in the margin indicate full marks]

Part-A: Reading Test (60 Marks)

1. Read the passage and answer the questions A and B

The river Buriganga an example of a dying river. A report published in the Daily Sun describes what has happened to the river Buriganga and why. It’s water is polluted and a perpetual stench fills the air around it. But that is not what it was like before. The report says that the river had a glorious past. Once it was a tributary of the mighty Ganges and flowed into the Bay of Bengal through the river Dhaleshwari. Gradually, it lost its link with the Ganges and got the name Buriganga. The Mughals marveled at the tide level of the Buriganga and founded their capital Jahangirnagar on its banks in 1610. The river supplied drinking water and supported trade and commerce. Jahangirnagar was renamed Dhaka which grew into a heavily populated city with a chronic shortage of space. The city paid back the bounty of the river by sucking life out of it! According to newspaper report, the Buriganga is dying because of pollution. Huge quantities of toxic chemicals and wastes from mills and factories, hospitals and clinics and households and other establishments are duimped into the river every day. The city of Dhaka discharges about 4500 tons of solid waste every day and most of it is directly released into the Buriganga. According to the Department of the Environment (DoE), 20.000 tons of tannery waste, including some highly toxic materials, are released into the river every day. Experts identified nine industrial areas in and around the capital city as the primary sources of river pollution: Tongi. Tejgaon, Hazaribagh, Tarabo, Narayanganj. Savar, Gazipur, Dhaka Export Processing Zone and Ghorashal. The river would need a monster’s stomach to digest all the wastes mentioned above. There is a limit up to which it can put up its cruel and thoughtless treatment. We the humans have successfully killed one of our rivers. There are other rivers in the country that are being subjected to similar thoughtless treatment. Unless we take care of our rivers there may come a time when we will cry ‘water, water and find it nowhere.

A. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives.

(a) The word ‘tributary’ mentioned in the passage means.

(i) rivulet (ii) lake (iii) pond (iv) estuary

(b) The word ‘marvelled’ mentioned in the passage means.

(i) offended (ii) grief-stricken (iii) overwhelmed (iv) hurt

(c) The word ‘toxic’ mentioned in the passage means.

(i) tasty (ii) healthy (iii) moderate (iv) poisonous  

(d) How did Dhaka city pay back the bounty of the river?

(i) By cleaning the river (ii) By polluting the river (iii) By purifying its water (iv) By making it glorious

(e) The word ‘Identified in the passage means.

(i) excluded (ii) traced out (iii) carried out (iv) teased

B. Answer the following questions.

(a) According to the passage, what happened in the year 1610 ?

(b) What according to the experts, are the primary sources of river pollution in and around Dhaka city?

(c) What amount of solid waste is produced in Dhaka city and where does it go?

(d) What does DoE say?

(e) What may happen if we do not take care of our rivers?

2. Read the following text and complete the table below with the given information:

I declared that the Assembly would continue to meet. But suddenly on the Ist of March the Assembly was shut down. Mr Yahya Khan called the session of the Assembly in his capacity as the President and I declared I would be attending it. Mr. Bhutto said he wouldn’t be part of it. Thirty-five members of the Assembly came from West Pakistan to take part in its proceedings. But it was dissolved all of a sudden. The blame was put on the people of Bengal, the finger was pointed at me! After the Assembly’s session was prorogued, the people of this country protested. I told them, “Observe the General Strike we have called peacefully.” I told them” Shut down all mills and factories.” Our people responded to my call. They came to the streets spontaneously. They expressed their firm determination to carry out the struggle peacefully. What have we got in return? Those who brought arms with our money to defend us from external enemies.

3. Summarize the following text.

Accessibility to higher education implies that students get the opportunity to get university education and sufficient support from educational institutions. Increasing enrolment at the secondary and higher secondary level puts pressure on higher educational institutions. But due to limited capacity, only a small number of students may be enrolled in universities. Thus, each year a large number of students are denied access to higher education. Also, due to poverty and increase in educational expenses, students of the lower middle class do not get easy access to higher education. Moreover, those who get places in the universities have limited access to avail all kinds of diversified educational facilities relating to their study fields. Only about 12 percent of graduates enter higher educational institutions. More than 80 percent of these students are admitted to NU affiliated colleges. Others are absorbed by the public and private universities.

4. Read the following text and fill in the blanks with suitable word from the box. There are more words than needed. Make any grammatical change if necessary.

Students should be strategic about their examination. It is (a) for an examinee to (b) — some instructions. He should go (c) — the whole question before he (d) — to write. He must make a (e) — of his time so that he can (f) — enough time to answer (g) — questions. He must write his answer (h) —. He should be (i) — about his handwriting. He can (j) — double spacing in his handwriting is tiny or very large.

5. Fill in the blanks with appropriate word in each gap :

Many events of g
reat importance (a) — during the last century. Significant advances (b) — in the field of science and technology. Many European colonies gained independence. The movement (c) — democracy became (d) — in many parts of the world. Two World Wars (e) — in the century. It (f) — witnessed the misuse of atomic energy. Two cities of Japan were completely destroyed as a result of dropping of atom bombs. The Vietnam War and the Gulf War killed many innocent people. However, the (g) — of Bangladesh as an independent nation (h) — a momentous event. After a (i) — war of nine months, Bangladesh was born. Now, we (j) — our heads high as an independent country in the world.

6. Rearrange the following sentences to make a coherent order.

(a) A number of people applied for the job.

(b) Once there lived a Sultan in a country.

(c) They came through a passage where gold coins were kept.

(d) Then he found the desired man.

(e) When they all arrived, the Sultan asked them to dance.

(f) He wanted to appoint an honest man as his tax collector.

(g) All the applicants blushed and refused except one.

(h) The applicants were asked to meet the Sultan one by one.

(i) So he asked for the wise counsellor’s advice.

(j) Then he invited applications.

Part-II: Writing (40 Marks)

7. Write a paragraph on “The Uses and Abuses of Mobile Phone” in about 200 words based on the answers to the following questions :

(a) What is a mobile phone? (b) How does it function? (c) Who are the users of it2 di What are its uses? (e) What are its abuses?

8. The following is the beginning of a story. Complete it in your own words.

It was a hot summer day. There was scorching heat of the sun. On that day a crow became very thirsty. It wanted to drink but there was no water around it. So, it began to …

9. Write an email to one of your friends thanking him/her for a gift you received from him/her on your birthday.

10. The pie chart below shows the percentage of a family’s household income distributed different categories. Describe the pie chart in 150 words.

11. Write down the theme of the following poem (not more than 50 words).

Blow, blow, thou winter wind,

Thou art not so unkind

As man’s ingratitude:

Thy tooth is not so keen,

Because thou art not seen,

Although thy breath be rude.

Heigh-ho! sing heigh-ho! unto the green holly:

Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly:

Then heigh-ho, the holly!

This life is most jolly.

Freeze, freeze, thou bitter sky.

That dost not bite so nigh

As benefits forgot:

Though thou the waters warp.

Thy sting is not so sharp

As friend remembered not.

High-ho! sing heigh-ho! unto the green holly ……..

Jessore Board-2017

Sub Code 107 Time : 3 hours

Total Marks : 100 [N.B. Figure in the margin indicate full marks]

Part-A: Reading Test (60 Marks)

1. Read the passage and answer the questions A and B

One of the sources of water in our country are the rivers. Rivers are everywhere in our life, literature, economy and culture. But are the rivers in good shape? Unfortunately, they are not. A few are already dead and several are going through the pangs of death. The river Buriganga is an example of a dying river. A report published in the Daily Sun describes what has happened to the river Buriganga and why. It’s water is polluted and a perpetual stench fills the air around it. But that is not what it was like before. The report says that the river had a glorious past. Once it was a tributary of the mighty Ganges and flowed into the Bay of Bengal through the river Dhaleshwari. Gradually, it lost its link with the Ganges and got the name Buriganga. The Mughals marveled at the tide level of the Buriganga and founded their capital Jahangirnagar on its banks in 1610. The river supplied drinking water and supported trade and commerce. Jahangirnagar was renamed Dhaka which grew into a heavily populated city with a chronic shortage of space. The city paid back the bounty of the river by sucking life out of it! According to newspaper report, the Buriganga is dying because of pollution. Huge quantities of toxic chemicals and wastes from mills and factories, hospitals and clinics and households and other establishments are dumped into the river everyday. The city of Dhaka discharges about 4500 tons of solid waste everyday and most of it is directly released into the Buriganga. According to the Department of the Environment (DoE), 20.000 tons of tannery waste, including some highly toxic materials, are released into the river everyday. Experts identified nine industrial areas in and around the capital city as the primary sources of river pollution: Tongi, Tejgaon, Hazaribagh, Tarabo, Narayanganj, Savar, Gazipur, Dhaka Export Processing Zone and Ghorashal.

A. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives.

(a) What could be the closest meaning for ‘shape’?

(i) Condition (ii) Form (iii) Model (iv) Body

(b) Which one of the following statements is false?

(i) The rivers are the only sources of water in our country.

(ii) The tide-level of the Buriganga was surprising.

(iii) It was connected with the river Dhaleshwari.

(iv) The humans are responsible for pollution.

(c) How are the rivers related to ‘literature”?

(i) are being polluted (ii) are a very important water source

(iii) can inspire the poets, novelists, etc. (iv) constitute two-thirds of our country

(d) Buriganga is on deathbed due to –

(i) water vehicles (ii) pollutions (iii) the Mughals (iv) the report published in the newspaper

(e) The Buriganga – the Ganges.

(i) has a link with (ii) has nothing to do with (iii) was a branch of (iv) was once called

B. Answer the following questions.

(a) Do you think rivers attract people to urbanization? How?

(b) In what sense rivers are going through the pangs of death?

(c) What should we do to bring back the glorious past of the rivers?

(d) Do you think industrialization is responsible for river pollution?

(e) We, the people are responsible for the catastrophe of our rivers. Do you agree? Why/why not?

2. Read the following text and make a flow chart showing important aspects of craftwork. (No. 1 has been done for you)

A craftwork is an applied form of art, a social and cultural product reflecting the inclusive nature of folk imagination. A craftwork, which usually doesn’t bear the signature of its maker, retains a personal touch. When we look at a thirty year old nakshikantha we wonder at its motifs and designs that point to the artistic ingenuity and the presence of the maker in it. The fact that we don’t know her name or any other details about her doesn’t take anything away from our appreciation of the artist. Indeed, the intimate nature of the kantha and tactile feeling it generates animate the work and make it very inviting. A craftwork is shaped by the interaction of individual creativity and community aesthetics, utility functions and human values. It is distinguished by its maker’s desire to locate himself or herself in the wider and ever-changing cultural aspirations of the community and subsequently of the market. 1. An applied form of art

3. Summarize the following text.

“I’m not in the least hungry,” my guest sighed, “but if you insist I don’t mind having some asparagus.” I ordered them. “Aren’t you going to have any?” “No, I never eat asparagus.” “I know there are people who don’t like them. The fact is, you ruin your palate by all the meat you eat.” We waited for the asparagus to be cooked. Panic seized me. It was not a question now of how much money I should have left over the rest of the
month, but whether I had enough to pay the bill.

4. Read the following text and fill in the blanks with suitable words from the box. There are more words than needed. (Make any grammatical change if necessary).

Food adulteration is one of the (a) — problems in the recent time in our country. Different food and food products, vegetables, fruits and fishes are being (b) — (c) — profit monger businessmen and green grocers. However, we, the general people (d) — the unscrupulous and the victims (e) — all sorts of pangs and serious diseases. The businessmen use (f) — chemicals such as DDT, Aldrin, Heptachlor just to make their products (g) — attractive or to (h) — them for a long time. So it is time the authority concerned took (i) — steps to stop such food adulteration. Proper monitoring, supervision, and public awareness should be compulsory from (j) — level to consumers.

5. Fill in the blanks with appropriate word in each gap.

Beauty is easy to appreciate but difficult to define. If we look around, we will discover beauty in (a) — objects and sights in nature, in the (b) — of children, in kindness of strangers. But asked to define, we run into (c) —. Does beauty have an independent identity? Is it (d) — or relative? Is it dependent on our sense of (e) —? Does it lie in the (f) — of the beholder? Thus there will arise a number of (g) — in our mind. However, poets, artists, philosophers and thinkers (h) — always in search of beauty in their works and arts. But most of them have the common and undisputed opinion that where there is beauty, there is (i) — that is, a thing of beauty is a joy (j) —.

6. Rearrange the following sentences to make a coherent order.

(a) He asked him where God is.

(b) He praised him highly.

(c) Once a lad went to a famous teacher.

(d) The teacher thought highly of the boy’s understanding.

(e) The lad replied that he would answer is he would tell where He is not.

(f) The boy devoted himself in earning knowledge.

(g) He begged to instruct him to the arts and sciences.

(h) He agreed to teach the lad.

(i) He expressed his desire to acquire knowledge.

(j) The teacher wished to find out the ability of the boy.

Part-II: Writing (40 Marks)

7. Write a paragraph on “My Best Friend” in about 200 words based on the answers to the following questions.

(a) Who is your best friend? (b) Why do you like him? (c) Do you like to gossip with him? (d) What are the topics that you always discuss with him? (e) What is his aim in life and why?

8. The following is the beginning of a story. Complete it in your own words. Give a title to it.

One day a crow stole a piece of meat. It flew away and sat on the branch of a tree. Suddenly a fox.. Suppose, you are Tanzim.

9. Now, write an email to your friend telling him about how you have prepared yourself for the ensuing HSC Examination.

10. The graph below shows “The number of people living below the poverty line from 1995 to 2010”. Describe the graph in 150 words. You should highlight and summarize the information given in the graph.

The number of people living below the poverty line (%)

11. Write down the theme of the following poem (not more than 50 words).

Hold fast to dreams

For if dreams die

Life is a broken-winged bird

That cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreams

For when dreams go

Life is a barren field

Frozen with snow.

Rajshahi Board-2017

Sub Code [11017 Time : 3 hours

Total Marks : 100 [ N.B. Figure in the margin indicate full marks]

Part-A: Reading Test (60 Marks)

1. Read the passage and answer the questions A and B

Kuakata, locally known as Sagar Kannya (Daughter of the Sea) is a rare scenic spot located on the southern-most tip of Bangladesh. It is 70 km from Patuakhali district headquarters and 320 km from Dhaka. An excellent combination of the picturesque natural beauty, sandy beaches, blue sky and the shimmering expanse of water of the Bay of Bengal and the evergreen forest makes Kuakata a much sought after tourist destination. The name Kuakata takes its origin from the story of a ‘Kua’-or well-dug on the seashore by the early Rakhaine settlers for collecting drinking water. The Rakhaines had landed on Kuakata coast after being expelled from Arakan by the Mughals. Kuakata is one of the unique spots which allow a visitor to watch both the sunrise and the sunset from the beach. That perhaps makes Kuakata one of the world’s most attractive beaches. Kuakata is truly a virgin beach and a sanctuary for migratory winter birds. Fishing boats plying in the Bay of Bengal with colorful sails, surfing waves and the lines of coconut trees add to the vibrant colours of Kuakata. The indigenous cultures of the Rakhaine community and hundred year old Buddhist temples indicate the age-old tradition and cultural heritage of this area.

A. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives.

(a) ‘Scenic spot’ refers to

(i) a place having multiple scenes (ii) a place having a calm atmosphere

(iii) a place of unparalleled natural beauty (iv) a place having untidy spots

(b) The word ‘shimmering in the text could be best replaced by –

(i) shivering (ii) shining (iii) significant (iv) glaring

(c) The Rakhaines originally came from –

(i) Patuakhali district (ii) Latachapli union (iii) Kuakata coast (iv) Arakan district

(d) The best synonym of ‘vibrant’ is

(i) thrilling (ii) colourful (iii) gorgeous (iv) brilliant

(e) Kuakata is truly a virgin beach and a sanctuary for migratory winter bird’s – what does it imply? : (i) Kuakata is a beach in its original pure condition and a rare abode for guest birds.

(ii) Kuakata is a place of rare beauty and world’s longest beach.

(iii) Kuakata is untouched by human habitation

(iv) Kuakata is a natural habitat.

B. Answer the following questions.

(a) What does the expression ‘a much sought after tourist destination’ mean?

(b) Where does the name ‘Kuakata’ come from?

(c) What makes Kuakata an attractive tourist spot?

(d) Why would one visit Kuakata?

(e) ‘Kuakata’ upholds an ancient tradition how?

2. Read the following text and make a flow chart showing the situation of adolescent girls in Bangladesh. (No. 1 has been done for you)

In Bangladesh, the legal age of marriage for girls is 18. However, 33% of our girls get married before they are 15 and 60% of them become mothers by the time they reach 19. When an adolescent girl gets married. she usually drops out of school and thus loses her mobility. She gets confined to full-time work in her in-law’s household. She loses social status and all the opportunities of economic independence. In her in-law’s house, she gets marginalized. She becomes vulnerable to all sorts of abuse, including dowry-related violence. In our country, it is still a common practice for the bride’s family to pay dowry. Dowry demands can continue even after marriage. An adolescent bride, even if her in-laws are supportive, face enormous health risk during pregnancy a child birth. Majority of our people are uninformed or insufficiently informed about contraception and reproductive health. This leads to increased mortality rates among adolescent brides during childbirth.

1. Getting married early

3.
Summarize the following text.

My name is Amerigo. I am 13 years old and I live on the street, alone. My mother, who is separated from my father, doesn’t want me. She told me to go away. Now she is married to another man. My father lives far away. I want to go to him, but he won’t take me either. The streets are now my home. Sometimes I find work. I used to collect trash and sell it to a vendor. I stopped doing that after I had a serious infection and a doctor told me to stay away from the trash dump. Once worked for an ice cream shop owner and sold ice cream on the beach. But I got no money in return. The owner of the shop gave me something to eat, and let me sleep in his hut at night. The work was difficult and painful. The ice-cream box was quite heavy when it was full. I had to walk for hours, offering my ice-cream to whoever wanted o buy. There were days when I could not even sell one ice-cream.

4. Read the following text and fill in the blanks with suitable words from the box. There are more words than necessary. You may change the form of the words if necessary.

Conflict can be (a) — as clash of value and ideas among other things and the most serious form of conflict is (b) — clashes that results in lots of (c) — and casualties. There can be conflict (d) — us, which is (e) — intrapersonal conflict. The conflict between or (f) — persons is called (g) — conflict. Constraint of resources is also a (h) — of conflict and it is known as (i) — conflict. Conflict is a very common phenomenon, but sometimes it takes (j) — forms.

5. Fill in the gaps using suitable words.

Sincerity is the best way of achieving success. One can go a long way if one does anything with sincerity. People who are sincere in their work are (a) — of making anything success. The great men are also sincere because they (b) — that sincerity is the (c) — to success. Those who are not (d) — can never (e) — a long way in the world. The poor people are not always sincere because they do to know the (f) — of sincerity. If they knew it, they would (g) — a good use of it. Sincerity means not only to do work (h) — but also with dutifulness, honesty, modesty and good behaviour. If all of us (i) — sincere, our country will (j) — be prosperous.

6. Rearrange the following sentences to make a coherent order.

(i) As a result, he studied under a great thinker Plato.

(ii) He also wrote books on Biology, Literature, Economics and Comparative Politics

(iii) Plato taught Aristotle according to his own way.

(iv) Aristotle was born in Greece.

(v) His father wanted him to be a physician but he never cherished to be

(vi) Later on, Aristotle took the pen to write on topics suitable for human civilization.

(vii) He is called the father of Biology because of his creativity.

(viii) ‘Politics’ is one of his famous books which exposes fullest development of his wisdom.

(ix) He was the son of a royal physician.

(x) He wanted to be a free thinker.

Part-II : Writing (40 Marks)

7. Write a paragraph on ‘Environment Pollution’ on the basis of the answer to the following questions in about 200 words.

(a) What do you mean by pollution? (b) What happens to people when air is nolluted2 (c) What the present condition of our mighty rivers? (d) How do people pollute river water? (e) What precautionary measures can you suggest for preventing these pollution?

8. The following is the beginning of a story. Complete it in your own words.

It was late at night. I was taking preparation for my ensuing examination. All the members of my family were sleeping. All of a sudden, my phone rang and it was an unknown number. I got frightened…

9. Suppose, you are student of class XI. Now write a letter to your younger brother advising him to refrain from smoking.

10. The graph below shows the gradual rate of the internet in Bangladesh.

11. Write down the theme of the following poem that more than 50 words

I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree

And a small cabin build there, of clay and wants made

Nine bean rows will I have there a hive for the honey bee

And live alone in the bee loud glade

And I shall have some peace there for peace one dropping slow

Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings;

Chittagong Board-2017

Sub Code 107 Time : 3 hours

Total Marks : 100 [N.B. Figure in the margin indicate full marks)

Part-A: Reading Test (60 Marks)

1. Read the passage and answer the questions A and B

The term ‘diaspora’ is used to refer to people who have left their homelands and settled in other parts of the world either because they were forced to do so or because they wanted to leave their own. The word is increasingly used for such people as a collective group and/ or a community. The world has seen many diasporas but scholars have been studying the phenomenon with great interest only in recent decades. Among the great diasporas of history is that of the Jewish people, who were forced to leave their lands in ancient times. The movement of Aryans from Central Europe to the Indian sub-continent thousands of years ago is also a noteworthy diaspora, although the causes of this diaspora are unclear. In twentieth century history, the Palestinian diaspora has attracted a lot of attention and been a cause of concern for world leaders because of the plight of Palestinians. There have been massive diasporas in Africa, too, over the centuries, either because of war or because of the ravages of nature. But the chief reason why the phenomenon of diaspora is attracting so much attention now is globalization.

A. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives.

(a) The word ‘decade’ refers to –

(i) thirty year’s (ii) fifty years (iii) ten years (iv) five years

(b) What does diaspora mean?

(i) people live their own country (ii) people go abroad

(iii) people work in other countries (iv) people leave their own countries and settle in other parts of the world

(c) The synonym of ‘noteworthy’ is –

(i) insignificant (ii) noticeable (iii) invaluable (iv) appreciable

(d) The Aryans came to the Indian Sub Continent from –

(i) America (ii) Africa (iii) Central Europe (iv) Europe

(e) In Africa there have been —

(i) massive diasporas (ii) a little diasporas (iii) no diasporas (iv) very little diasporas

B. Answer the following questions :

(i) Why do people leave their own countries?

(ii) Do you think that there have been massive diasporas in Africa?

(iii) Why is diaspora attracting so much attention?

(iv) How do the twentieth century Palestinian diasporas draw the attention of the world leaders?

(v) Why have the scholars been studying about the diasporas with great interest?

2. Read the following text and make a flow chart showing role and activities of Gazi Pir. (No. 1 has been done for you)

According to some myths and legends, Gazi Pir was a Muslim saint who is said to have spread Islam in the parts of Bengal close to the Sundarbans. He was credited with many miracles. For example, he could supposedly calm dangerous animals and make them docile. He is usually depicted in paats or scroll paintings riding a fierce-looking Bengal tiger, a snake in his hand, but in no apparent danger. According to some stories, he also fought crocodiles who threatened
the people of a region full of canals and creeks, indeed, a kind of watery jungle bordering the Bay of Bengal, Because of his alert and vigilant presence, all predatory animals were said to have been kept within bounds. It was also believed that he enabled villagers to live close to forests and jungles and cultivate their lands.

1. Close to the Sundarbans

3. Summarize the following poem.

Because I have seen Bengal’s face I will seek no more;

The world has not anything more beautiful to show me.

Waking up in darkness, gazing at the fig tree,

I behold Dawn’s swallows roosting under huge umbrella — like leaves.

I look around me And discover a leafy dome-Jam, Kanthal, Bat, Hijol and Aswatha, trees –

All in a hush, shadowing clumps of cactus and zedoary bushes.

When long, long ago. Chand came in his honey combed boat

To a blue Hijol, Bat and Tamal shade near the Champa, he too sighted

Bengal’s in comparable beauty. One day, alas.

In the Ganguri, on a raft, as the waning moon sank on the rivers sandbanks.

5. Fill in the gaps with appropriate words.

There goes a saying that child is (a) — of the man. Today’s child is the (b) — of a nation. Не will (c) — the country. The whole (d) — depends on their proper (e) —. It is our fundamental (f) — to rouse their (g) — talent. A sound environment is (h) — both in the family and society so that a child (i) — up physically, mentally and spiritually. Only then it will be (j) — to build up a beautiful and developed country.

6. The sentences are jumbled. Rearrange them in a proper sequence.

(i) He was one of the most renowned linguists of Bangladesh.

(ii) He died in 1969 and we remember him with respect.

(iii) He was second to none in Bengali Language and Literature.

(iv) Dr. Mohammad Shahidullah was born in 24 Porgonas, West Bengal in 1885.

(v) He joined Jashore Zilla School in 1910.

(vi) He passed the Entrance and FA exam in 1904 and 1906.

(vii) He received some awards and contributed much to Bengali Literature.

(viii) He passed Hons. and MA in 1910 and 1912.

(ix) He joined Dhaka University as a Lecturer of Bengali in 1921.

(x) He got his PhD in 1928.

Part-II: Writing (40 Marks)

7. Write a paragraph on ‘Food Adulteration’ in about 200 words based on the following questions.

(a) What do you mean by food adulteration? (b) How does food get adulterated? (c) Why is it being done so? (d) Who are responsible for food adulteration? (e) Do you think that food adulteration should be continued or it should be controlled immediately?

8. The following is the beginning of a story. Complete it within 80 words of your own.

There was a naughty cowboy who grazed his cows beside a forest. He used to make fun with people crying Tiger! Tiger! ………..

9. Suppose, your friend got first prize in debate competition. Write an email congratulating him.

10. The graph chart shows the choice of profession by educated people in our country. Describe the graph in at least 80 words.

The choice of profession by educated people in recent times

11. Write down the theme of the following story (not more than 50 words).

There were two brothers in a village. One was Karim by name and the other was Bashir. Karim was elder brother of Bashir. They began to grow up gradually. Suddenly their father died. They fell in problem to some extent. Karim was cleverer than Bashir. The younger was very simple and honest. Karim always made his brother difficult work and himself did not do any work. They had two things. One was a cow and the other was a palm tree. One day the two brothers divided their properties. Karim took the back part of the cow and gave the front to his brother. In the same way. Karim himself took the top of the palm tree and gave the bottom to his brother. Karim began to enioy the benefit of the properties. But Bashir was deprived of getting any advantage. Karim began to drink milk and juice of the palm tree. One day a clever man in the village, advised Bashir to cut down the palm tree of his own portion and stopped feeding the cow. Then the problem was solved.

Comilla Board-2017

Sub Code 107 Time : 3 hours

Total Marks : 100 (N.B. Figure in the margin indicate full marks]

Part-A: Reading Test (60 Marks)

1. Read the passage and answer the questions A and B

Folk music consists of songs and music of a community that are uninfluenced by any sophisticated musical rules or any standard music styles. Bangladesh has a heritage of rich folk music which includes both religious and secular songs. Folk music may be described as that type of ancient music which springs from the heart of a community, based on their natural style of expression uninfluenced by the rules of classical music and modern popular songs. Any mode or form created by the combination of tune, voice and dance may be described as music. Thus, the combination of folk song: folk dance and folk tune may be called folk music. For example, Baul songs are a combination of tune, music and dance. In Bangladesh folk music has great variety with songs being composed on the culture, festivals, views of life, natural beauty, rivers and rural and riverine life. These songs are also about social inequality and poverty, about the material world and the supernatural. Mystical songs have been composed metaphors of rivers and boats. Since the country is basically riverine, the Bhatiyali forms an important e or folk music. Folk music is formed and develops according to the environment. Differences in the natural environment are reflected in the people of the different regions. The dialects too vary across the different regions. Bangladeshi folk music therefore varies from region to region.

A. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives.

(a) What could be the closest meaning for ‘sophisticated’?

(i) Latest (ii) Old (iii) Last (iv) Past

(b) The word ‘heritage’ refers to –

(i) heir (ii) tradition (iii) legitimacy (iv) intimacy

(c) The word ‘natural’ could be replaced by –

(i) artificial (ii) spontaneous (iii) deliberate (iv) wanton

(d) Folk music emanates from- of a community.

(i) background (ii) heart (iii) core (iv) inside

(e) The synonym of ‘mystical’ is –

(i) dull (ii) material (iii) classical (iv) spiritual

B. Answer the following questions.

(a) What do you mean by folk music according to the text?

(b) What does folk music reflect?

(c) How are mystical songs composed of?

(d) What makes the Bhatiyali an important genre?

(e) What are the reasons of great variety in folk music?

2. Read the following text and make a flow chart showing the painful experiences a street child has to suffer to survive. (No. 1 has been done for you)

The streets are now my home. Sometimes I find work. I used to collect trash and sell it to a vendor. I stopped doing that after I had a serious infection and a doctor told me to stay away from the trash dump. Once I worked for an ice-cream shop owner and sold ice-cream on the beach. But I got no money in return. The owner of the shop gave me something to eat, and let me sleep in his hut at night. The work was difficult and painful. The ice-cream box is quite heavy when it is full. I had to walk for hours, offering my ice-cream to whoever wanted to buy. There were days when I could not even sell one ice-cream.

1. Homeless

3. Summarize the following text.

Beauty is easy to appreciate but difficult to define. As we look around, we discover beauty in pleasurable objects and sights – in nature, in the laughter of children, in the kindness of strangers. But asked to define, we run into difficulties. Does beauty have an independent obje
ctive identity? Is it universal. or is it dependent on our sense perceptions? Does it lie in the eye of the beholder? We ask ourselves. A further difficulty arises when beauty manifests itself not only by its presence, but by its absence as well, as when we are repulsed by ugliness and desire beauty. But then ugliness has as much a place in our lives as beauty, or may be more – as when there is widespread hunger and injustice in a society. Philosophers have told us that beauty is an important part of life, but isn’t ugliness a part of life too. And if art has beauty as an important ingredient, can it confine itself only to a projection of beauty? Can art ignore what is not beautiful.

4. Read the following text and fill in the blanks with suitable words from the box. There are more words than necessary. You may change the form of the words if necessary.

Education is the process by which our mind develops through formal (a) — at an institution. It is mental and (b) — training. It provides opportunities of growth and helps to meet challenges to (c) — success. Moreover, the purpose of education is to (d) — an individual. The aim of education is also to train individuals to make right (e) —. It ennobles our mind and refines our (f) —. It broadens our outlook and removes (g) —. It helps us to be (h) — of rights and responsibilities. Education furnishes us with an (i) — in expressing truth. Therefore, it is compared to light which dispels the (j) — of ignorance.

5. Fill in the gaps with suitable words.

Bangladesh is a land of (a) — beauty. Its beauty is so captivating that a stranger cannot but be (b) — looking at this endless variety. Nature has (c) — showered its blessings on this country. The rivers, hills and forests are rich in natural (d) —. The people of this country feel a strong (e) — for their motherland. They love their motherland from the (f) — of heart. They work hard to (g) — its economic condition and to remove poverty. Most of them toil hard from dawn to dusk to accelerate the pace of (h) —. The progress of this country lies in the (i) — of common people. They are the (j) — of a beautiful and prosperous Bangladesh.

6. The following sentences are jumbled. Rearrange them in a proper sequence.

(i) As Bagerhat is near the Bay of Bengal, the water is usually saline.

(ii) Khan Jahan Ali was a philanthropic man.

(iii) He, therefore, excavated many tanks to provide fresh water to the people.

(iv) He came to Bagerhat to preach Islam and to promote the plight of common people.

(v) He found Bagerhat beset with many problems.

(vi) His memory will never be sunk into oblivion.

(vii) Thus he solved the problem of drinking water.

(viii) The scarcity of drinking water is one of them.

(ix) The people of Bagerhat remember him with great respect.

(x) Ghora Dighi is one of them.

Part-II: Writing (40 Marks)

7. Write a paragraph on “An Ideal Student” in about 200 words based on the answers to the following questions.

(a) Who is an ideal student? (b) What are the characteristics of an ideal student? (c) What responsibilities does an ideal student perform? (d) How does everyone treat an ideal student? (e) Why do you want to be an ideal student?

8. The following is the beginning of a story. Complete it in your own words. There was a boy who hailed from an obscure background. But he was brilliant, diligent and innovative. He ….

9. Write an email to the Graduate Admissions, International Service, 353 South Road, Portico, Sydney 2067, Australia asking them about admission procedure for overseas students.

10. The pie chart below shows the time allocation of students, daily activities. Analyse the chart focussing the main preoccupations. (At least in 80 words.)

Play 5%

Others 8%

Sleep 30%

Recreation 12%

School and house 25%

Study 20%

11. Write down the theme of the following poem (not more than 50 words).

I love to rise in a summer morn,

When the birds sing on every tree;

The distant huntsman winds his horn,

And the skylark sings with me:

O what sweet company!

But to go to school in a summer morn,

O it drives all joy away!

Under a cruel eye outworn,

The little ones spend the day

In sighing and dismay.

Ah then at times I drooping sit,

And spend many an anxious hour;

Nor in my book can I take delight,

Nor sit in learning’s bower,

Worn through with the dreary shower,

How can the bird that is born for joy

Sit in a cage and sing?

How can a child, when fears annoy,

But drehis tender wing.

And forget the youthful spring!

Dinajpur Board-2017

Sub Code 107 Time : 3 hours

Total Marks : 100 [N.B. Figure in the margin indicate full marks]

Part-A: Reading Test (60 Marks)

1. Read the passage and answer the questions A and B

Adolescents constitute a nation’s core resource for national renewal and growth. Adolescence is a period in life when transition from childhood to adulthood takes place and behaviours and life styles are shaped. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), adolescence is the period which shapes the future of girls and boys lives. There are 28 million adolescents in Bangladesh: 13.7 million of them are girls and 14.3 million boys. The situation of adolescent girls in Bangladesh is characterised by inequality and subordination within the family and society. This inequality leads to widespread practice of child marriage, marginalisation or exclusion from health, education and economic opportunities, and vulnerability to violence and sexual abuse. In Bangladesh, the legal age of marriage is 18 for girls and 21 for boys. However, 33 percent of adolescent girls are married before the age of 15 and 60 percent become mothers by the age of 19. Research finds that adolescents with higher level of education and from more affluent families tend to marry at a later age. Boys, however, become ready for marriage only after several years of adolescence and young adulthood.

A. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives.

(a), What could be the closest meaning for the word “constitute” in the first sentence?

(i) take (ii) form (iii) add (iv) make

(b) The phrase “take place” in the second sentence stands for

(i) occur (ii) recur (iii) go to a place (iv) all of them

(c) Adolescence is a – period from childhood to adulthood.

(i) transition (ii) transitory (iii) transitional (iv) transient

(d) The synonym of affluent is

(i) destitute (ii) poor (iii) poverty (iv) well off

(e) The word “economic” can be replaced by –

(i) economy (ii) economical (iii) monetary (iv) finance

B. Answer the following questions.

(a) How will you define adolescen
ce?

(b) Why is adolescence important?

(c) What do the adolescent girls in Bangladesh usually face?

(d) What are the effects of female inequality in Bangladesh?

(e) How do wealth and education influence a girl’s marriage?

2. Read the following text and make a flow chart showing the activities of peace movement. (No. 1 has been done for you)

A peace movement is a social movement that seeks to achieve ideals such as the ending of a particular war (or all wars), minimize inter-human violence in a particular place or type of situation, including ban of guns, and is often linked to the goal of achieving world peace. Means to achieve these ends include advocacy of pacifism, non-violent resistance, diplomacy, boycotts, demonstrations, peace camps; supporting anti-war political candidates and banning guns, creating open government, direct democracy: supporting people who expose war-crimes or conspiracies to create wars, and making laws. Different organizations involved in peace movements may have some diverse goals, but one common goal is sustainability of peace.

1. Ending of War

3. Summarize the following text.

Universities should never be made into mechanical organizations for collecting and distributing knowledge. Through them the people should offer their intellectual hospitality, their wealth of mind to others, and earn their proud right in return to receive gifts from the rest of the world. But in the whole length and breadth of India there is not a single university established in the modern time where a foreign or an Indian student can properly be acquainted with the best products of the Indian mind. For that we have to cross the sea, and knock at the doors of France and Germany. Educational institutions in our country are India’s alms-bowl of knowledge: they lower our intellectual self respect: they encourage us to make a foolish display of decorations composed of borrowed feathers.

4. Read the following text and fill in the blanks with suitable words from the box. There are mor words than needed. Make any grammatical change if necessary.

Education is one of the basic needs of a human being. It is (a) — for the (b) — of mind. Many illiterate people do not have any (c) — of health. If they (d) — educated, they could live a (e) — and planned life. Education teaches us how to live well. It (f) — us to make the right (g) — in life. It enhances our (h) — to perform our duties properly and (i) — our everyday problems. In fact, it is education (j) — brings positive changes in our life.

5. Fill in the gaps using suitable words.

Sports are a popular form of entertainment. Many international sporting events are (a) — from time to time. Most of these events are (b) — by multinational manufacturing (c) — and business firms. They pay for the sports events in (d) — for the right to (e) — their products during those events. These events are (f) — worldwide by satellite and people all over the world watch them g) —. As a (h) — the sponsors’ products receive maximum media (i) —. Thus sports help the (j) — of trade and commerce.

6. Rearrange the following sentences to make a coherent order.

(i) “Please let me go to my country.”

(ii) An English boy was making a small boat.

(iii) “I shall cross the sea and go to my country by this boat.”

(iv) He made all arrangements to send him to his country.

(v) Suddenly he noticed a wonderful thing.

(vi) Napoleon was charmed by the words of the small boy.

(vii) “I haven’t seen my mother for a long time.”

(viii) The boy said, “My country is on the other side of the sea.”

(ix) One day Napoleon, the king of France, was walking along the seashore.

(x) The boy was brought before him and he asked him what he would do with such a small boat.

Part-II : Writing (40 Marks)

7. Write a paragraph on “Drug Addiction” in about 200 words on the basis of the answers to the following questions.

(a) What is drug addiction? (b) Why do people get addicted to drugs? (c) What are the consequences of drug addiction? (d) What should be done to remove the curse of drug addiction from society? (e) How can you play a role in the fight against drug addiction?

8. The following is the beginning of a story. Complete it in your own words.

It was a bright sunny morning I was going to college with some of my friends. We were in a hilarious mood as we were talking about our plan to go on a picnic. Suddenly….

9. Suppose. You are Anik/Anika. You received a letter from your father yesterday. In the letter, he warned you not to spend much time in Facebook. Now, write a reply to his letter.

10. Look at the chart below. It shows the sources of air pollution in a city. Now, analyze the chart in at least 80 words focusing the main aspects.

11. Write down the theme of the following poem (not more than 50 words).

Time, you old gipsyman,

Will you not stay,

Put up your caravan

Just for one day?

All things I’ll give you,

Will you be my guest?

Bells for your jennet of silver the best.