Today is our topic of discussion Review and test

Review and test

 

 

Fill in each gap with a word from the list. There are more words in the list than there are gaps in the passage. One word may be used in more than one gap

was, be, so, from, campus, of. I, leaves, read, among, visiting, where, as, just, the, fast, in, can’t, to, conditions, not, economist, clear, which, very, many, me “I wanted to learn the people. Chittagong University_2__ is located among villages. 3 I had the advantages. 4 could just walk out 5 the campus and be 6 the people in a 7 Bangladeshi village.

I started 8 the very poor people __9_ the village because that’s 10 the problem is: Why 11 they improve their living___12_? I kept on talking 13 them not as an 14, not as a teacher, 15 as a researcher but 16 as a human being. 17 a neighbour. Among the18 things I learned and 19… people I talked to,_20 woman’s story led me 21 a series of events 22 finally culminated into a 23 special kind of bank.”

Read the passage and answer the following questions.

There are two sources of flooding in Bangladesh during monsoon. Water deposited in the upper watershed outside Bangladesh is brought by the rivers and we have floods- big or small in the country. This destroys the standing crops, but it also brings silt and nutrients to the soil. The second source of flooding is rainfall within Bangladesh.

This water (the rain water and the water coming from outside) is not a problem by itself. The big problem is how fast this water can be drained off the land. To solve this problem, our people have, over the centuries, dug thousands of canals and built thousands of embankments. These canals must be re- excavated and these embankments reconstructed every few years during the dry season.

 

 

Questions

1. Suggest a suitable title to the passage.

2. Describe the two sources of flooding.

3. What are the two things that usually happen as a result of flooding?

4. How can this problem of rain water and the water coming from outside the country be solved?

“Grameen Bank: Experiences and reflections” – a paper presented by Professor Muhammad Yunus at a seminar in Kuala Lumpur, September 1991.

“An Irrigation Programme for Bangladesh”- Robert H. Patten & Akhtar Hameed Khan, BARD Journal Vol IX No. 1 &2.

Look at the picture and read the description that follows.

 

Fig : A watering can

It is an irrigation implement. It is used to water gardens, lawns and small plots of land. A watering can is made of tin. It has a body that can contain 3 to 10 liters of water. It has a mouth with a cap. You can fill it up or put in it as much water as you wish. You carry it by its upper handle to the garden.

While you water the plants you hold the can by its side handle. The water comes through the supply tube as you lower its upper part. A rose is fitted to the upper part of the supply tube. It helps sprinkle water on the plants.

 

Today is our topic of discussion Reading descriptions 3

Reading descriptions 3

Look at the picture and read the passage.

 

Fig : A power tiller

A power tiller is a mechanised plough of 3 to 15 horsepower (HP). It has two wheels with a small supporting front wheel. It has two handles at the back. The clutch lever is fitted near a handle. A power tiller can use both rotating ploughs and tine ploughs. It can also be used to operate other agricultural implements like irrigation equipment.

Threshers, sprayers, etc. A trolley can be hooked to it to transport goods. With the help of a power tiller, the soil can be deeply ploughed and harrowed. Deep-rooted weeds can be destroyed by using tine ploughs. Power tillers are gaining popularity in Bangladesh. They are suitable especially for opening new lands and working in small areas.

It can plough more quickly than bullock-drawn wooden ploughs can. However, it has some disadvantages in our country, such as lack of repairing facilities, lack of skilled drivers, etc.

Study these words.

horsepower (n) – a measure of the power of an engine. It represents the force needed to pull 550 pounds one foot in one second.

clutch lever (n) – a pedal or shaft that you press before you change gear in a vehicle

tine (n) – the metal blade of a plough, also called a share

trolley (n) – a 2- or 4-wheeled carts, usually pushed by hand

 

 

Read the text and look at the picture again and answer these questions.

1. Describe the parts of a power tiller.

2. What does a power tiller do?

3. Why is a power tiller getting popularity in Bangladesh?

4. What are the disadvantages of a power tiller in Bangladesh?

Rewrite the following passage in the passive form where possible.

A country plough is a traditional agricultural implement. Every village carpenter can make it. And you can buy a ploughshare from any village blacksmith. The carpenter first makes its body by shaping it out of a log. Then he shapes the upper end of the curved wood into a handle.

He then fixes a share to the top of the lower end of the body. Finally, he fixes a wooden beam to the body. Now it is ready for use in the field. A pair of bullocks draw the plough while the farmer holds the handle firmly. He can use the plough to break up and loosen the soil.

 

 

“A country plough has some advantages. You can easily carry it from one place to another. It is simple to make, easy to operate and is not expensive. But if you want to do some deep plouging and control deep-rooted weeds the country plough is not the right tool.

 

Today is our topic of discussion Reading descriptions 2

Reading descriptions 2

Look at the picture and write your answer to the question:

What can you see in the picture and where is it?

 

Fig : A homestead

Example I can see some banana trees on the west of the east-facing house.

Read the passage and answer the questions given after each paragraph.

A homestead is a home and the surrounding land occupied by a family. There is usually no space in a homestead for growing crops. However, the little space here and there, round or behind a house, at the back or on the corner of the yard.

around the edges or boundary of the homestead is used for the production of various crops, trees, plants, livestock and poultry. This production work is usually done by the women in the family.

Question:

Where can you find space in a homestead for growing crops?

Women generally grow vegetable crops like beans, pumpkins, snake gourds, sweet gourds, cucumber, puishak, etc and pan (betel) which are creepers and climb up roofs and trees. Sometimes a bamboo structure

 

Fig : Vegetables

is made in the yard or behind a house for these crops to climb up. Also vegetable crops like chilli, lalshak, lady’s finger, eggplants, etc. are grown here and there in the homestead.

Question:

Where do the creepers climb up?

A homestead forest is another example of homestead farming which every family, especially in the rural areas, is interested in. This includes planting or transplanting of trees which last much longer than the vegetable crops.

They also become large when fully grown. These are mango, jackfruit, coconut, lichi and similar other trees at various places on the homestead. They provide fuel, fodder, poles and fruits to the family.

Question:

Why are our rural people interested in homestead forestry?

Women also raise, and take care of, livestock and poultry in the homestead. They take special care of cows, goats, chickens, ducks and pigeons. They feed and vaccinate the animals and birds and often treat them like humans.

Question:

What role does a family play in raising livestock and poultry?

 

 

Study these words.

surrounding (adj) – adjoining; around and near by. There was a great circus at the thana headquarters. People were coming from the surrounding villages to see the show.

occupied (v-passive) – held; taken. A house/a bed/a seat is occupied……..

edge (n) – the outer limit of an area. Don’t stand on the edge of the table.

creeper (n) – a plant with long stems that wind themselves around trees, bamboos, etc.

forestry (n) – skill of growing and taking care of trees

fuel (n) – material used for producing heat or power by burning. Wood, bamboos, coal, oil and gas are different
kinds of fuel.

fodder (n) – rough food for cattle or horses

livestock (n) – animals like cattle and sheep

poultry (n) – chickens, ducks and other birds kept for their meat and eggs

 

Today is our topic of discussion Reading descriptions 1

Reading descriptions 1

Look at the picture and read the passage.

 

Fig : A plant

A plant is a living body. It has different parts and cach part has a definite function. If one part is sick and cannot function properly, the whole plant is affected. However, you can cut off flowers and sick leaves or branches and the damage is temporary.

There are two basic parts of a plant: the root system and the shoot system. The main function of the root is to absorb water and minerals from the soil. The other main function of the root is to hold the plant firmly in the soil.
The shoot system has the stem, leaves, flowers and fruit. The stem supports the plant.

The other important function of the stem is to help water and minerals pass from the roots up to the leaves and flowers. The leaves make food for the plant by a process called photosynthesis. Sunlight falls on the leaves and as a result, water from the soil and carbon dioxide from the air are converted into sugars which give energy to the plant.

 

 

Study these words.

affected (adj) – attacked by a disease/pests

damage (n) – harm; loss

absorb (v) – soak; suck in

minerals (n) – A mineral is a substance such as salt, tin, coal, etc that is formed naturally in the soil.

photosynthesis (n) – This is a process by which green matter (chlorophyll) in leaves makes food for the plant) with the help of sunlight.

convert (v) – to change something into a different form

Read the passage again and answer these questions.

1. What are the main two functions of the root of a plant?

 

 

2. Describe the functions of the stem of a plant?

3. How is food produced in the leaves of a plant?

 

Today is our topic of discussion Reading narrations

Reading narrations

 

 

Read the story to write answers to the following questions.

When my husband Halim died from a snakebite, my heart broke. I asked myself, “What am I going to do now?” I just could not think of anything. My neighbour Kalim did not waste any time. He came to express his condolences to me and advised me to sell my land.

“How can you irrigate your field yourself?” said he. “Also people are not good. They will steal your standing crop. However, I can help you. I can buy your land for a good price.”

I knew he wanted to grab my land. So I told him politely, “I have to think about it. Please give me some time.”
I thought and thought. I thought for a whole week. Then I went to the Grameen Bank and talked to a Grameen worker for quite a long time. And when I came out of the Bank, I was very happy.

Next day I talked to some of my neighbours who like me had little or no land but big problems. I told them how we could get loans from the Grameen Bank. “And the good news is,” I said, “we can get the loans without any collateral.”
“What’s that?” asked Kariman.

“Collateral is jamanat”, I explained. “It’s money or property which is used as a guarantee that a loan will be repayed. That is why only a person who has money or assets can take a loan from other banks. But we the poor – we don’t need any money or asset as a guarantee to take a loan from the Grameen Bank.”

The women were all smiles to hear that. So we formed a group of five and I was made chairperson. Then I told them how we all should immediately apply for loans. On a Friday we went to a Grameen Centre. There, a Grameen worker explained how we would have to utilise our loans in productive activities and how we should work as a team.

Our loans were granted. Kariman got the loan money first for raising some goats. Then Sharifa got the money for running her puffed- rice business. And I got my loan to buy a treadle pump.

 

 

Questions

1. How did Majeda Begum feel when her husband died?

2. How did Kalim try to grab her land?

3. Majeda Begum was very happy after her meeting with a Grameen worker. Write the dialogue that you think was held between Majeda and the worker.

4. ‘We can get a loan from a Grameen Bank without collateral’. What does this statement mean?

5. Mention 10 productive activities including the 3 that have been mentioned in the text.

Study these words.

snakebite (n) – the bite of a poisonous snake

condolences (n) – expression of sympathy for someone whose friend or relative has died recently. We also send/ receive a message/ letter of condolence.

standing crop – crop that is in the field, not yet cut or harvested

grab (v) – to get something quickly, especially unfairly and for a selfish reason

collateral (n) – If you want to take a loan from a commercial bank you have to sign an agreement with the bank. And in that agreement you have to show proof that you have assets such as landed property, a factory or firm or money which is now invested in some business. And in case you fail to repay the loan the bank will have the right to claim your assets. Collateral means these assets.

all smiles (phrase) – puffed-rice If someone is all smiles, he or she looks very happy. muri or khoi which is prepared by frying rice or paddy on hot sand

Use v+how+n/pron and make a sentence with each of the following groups of words. Use past tenses.

1. He/tell her/he miss her while away from home. He told her how he had missed her while he was away from home.

2. They see the culprit/beat/by the mob

3. I/ask/Dr. Khan/he invent/the solar cooker

4. I not know/my land/make free from pests

 

 

5. You know/my brother study in England?

6. Rabeya narrate/her marriage a source of strength for her