Answering Questions | VIII: From Unit 5, Lesson 1 to Unit 6, Lesson 9

Unit 5, Lesson 1

1. Who was Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and what role did he play in the language movement?

Answer: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was a student leader who significantly turned the language movement into a mass movement. He organized mass gatherings, rallies, and strikes to raise awareness against the discriminatory language policy of Pakistan.

2. What was the discriminatory language policy of Pakistan and how did it spark the language movement?

Answer: The discriminatory language policy of Pakistan was the declaration by Governor General Muhammad Ali Jinnah that "Urdu and only Urdu shall be the state language of Pakistan." This sparked the language movement as it was perceived as an attack on the Bengali language and identity.

. 3. Why did Sheikh Mujibur Rahman organize mass gatherings, rallies, and strikes against the language policy of Pakistan?

Answer: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman organized mass gatherings, rallies, and strikes against the language policy of Pakistan to raise awareness and protest against the discrimination of the Bengali language and identity. He was proud of his Bengali identity and was very active in initiating strikes and protests.

4. Who declared "Urdu and only Urdu shall be the state language of Pakistan" and where was it declared?

Answer: Governor General Muhammad Ali Jinnah declared "Urdu and only Urdu shall be the state language of Pakistan" on 19 March 1948 at the Racecourse Maidan and again on 24 March 1948 at the University of Dhaka during his convocation speech.

5. Why did the students protest vehemently against the announcement made by the Governor General of Pakistan?

Answer: The students protested vehemently against the announcement made by the Governor General of Pakistan because it was seen as an attack on the Bengali language and identity. The Bengali language was widely spoken in East Pakistan, and the students felt that their language was being disregarded.

6. What was the student front of Muslim League in East Pakistan and who initiated it?

Answer: The student front of Muslim League in East Pakistan was initiated by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. It was a political organization aimed at advancing the interests of Bengali Muslims in East Pakistan.

7. What happened when the then Prime Minister of Pakistan Khwaja Nazimuddin echoed the statement of Mr. Jinnah?

Answer: When the then Prime Minister of Pakistan Khwaja Nazimuddin echoed the statement of Mr. Jinnah, it further fueled the language movement and led to widespread protests in East Pakistan.

8. What role did Sheikh Mujibur Rahman play in the language movement while he was in prison?

Answer: While he was in prison, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman stayed in constant touch with other leaders directly engaged in the movement to make Bangla the state language. His directions from prison led the movement to a success. On 14 February, he started a hunger strike there.

9. What happened during the general strike on 21 February 1952 and who were the students who were killed?

Answer: During the general strike on 21 February 1952, the protesting students tried to defy Section 144 imposed by the government. The police opened fire and killed a number of students, including Abdus Salam, Rafiq Uddin Ahmed, Abul Barkat, Abdul Jabbar, and others.

10. How did Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his colleagues respond to the tragic event and what did they decide to do?

Answer: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his colleagues responded to the tragic event by deciding to observe 21 February as State Language Day and to form a committee to conduct the movement to establish Bengali as the state language. This decision ultimately led to the recognition of the Bengali language as one of the state languages of Pakistan.

Unit 5, Lesson 2

1. What impact did Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's speech have on the people of Bangladesh?

Answer: Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's speech had a significant impact on the people of Bangladesh as it encouraged them to prepare for the liberation war and fight for independence. The speech inspired a million people who gathered to listen to their leader and is considered a crucial moment in the history of Bangladesh's struggle for independence.

2. What is the significance of UNESCO adding the speech to the Memory of the World Register?

Answer: The significance of UNESCO adding the speech to the Memory of the World Register is that it acknowledges the historical and cultural importance of the speech. It recognizes the speech as a crucial document that represents the aspirations and struggles of the Bangladeshi people and ensures its preservation for future generations.

3. How did the speech effectively declare the independence of Bangladesh?

Answer: The speech effectively declared the independence of Bangladesh by highlighting the aspirations of the people of Bengal for freedom and their willingness to fight for their rights. The speech inspired the Bangladeshi people to take up arms against the Pakistani government, leading to the liberation war and eventual independence of Bangladesh.

4. What can we learn about Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's leadership from his speech?

Answer: From his speech, we can learn that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was a charismatic leader who could rally the masses and inspire them to fight for a just cause. He had a deep understanding of the aspirations and struggles of his people and was able to communicate their message effectively.

5. Why was it important for the speech to be extempore and have no written script?

Answer: The fact that the speech was extempore and had no written script is significant because it highlights the spontaneity and authenticity of the speech. It shows that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was able to connect with his audience on a deep level and convey his message in a powerful and effective way without relying on a prepared script.

Unit 5, Lesson 3

1. What was the content of Bangabandhu's speech on 7 March 1971?Answer: Bangabandhu narrated the long history of repression and struggle of Bangalees for self-rule. He described how the Pakistani rulers exploited them and tried to stop their voices at gunpoint. He urged everyone to be prepared with whatever they had and emphasized that their struggle was for liberty and independence.

2. How did Bangabandhu describe the history of repression and struggle of Bangalees for self-rule in his speech?

Answer: Bangabandhu narrated the long history of repression and struggle of Bangalees for self-rule in his speech. He described how they have been oppressed and exploited by the Pakistani rulers and how they have been struggling for their rights for a long time.

3. How did the Pakistani rulers try to stop the voices of Bangalees, according to Bangabandhu's speech?

Answer: According to Bangabandhu's speech, the Pakistani rulers tried to stop the voices of Bangalees by using force and violence. They tried suppressing their freedom movements and repressed their voices using guns and violence.

4. What did Bangabandhu urge everyone to do at the end of his speech?

Answer: At the end of his speech, Bangabandhu urged everyone to be prepared with whatever they had to fight for their liberty and independence.

5. When and how did the Declaration of Independence come from Bangabandhu?

Answer: The Declaration of Independence came from Bangabandhu in the first hours of 26 March 1971, when he passed on a voice message just before he was arrested by the Pakistani armies.

6. What happened to Bangabandhu after he passed on the voice message declaring independence?

Answer: After he passed on the voice message declaring independence, Bangabandhu was arrested by the Pakistani armies. He was kept in jail for several months before being transferred to a prison in West Pakistan, where he was imprisoned until his release in 1972.

Unit 5, Lesson 4

1. Who is Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and why is he called Bangabandhu?

· Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is a politician and the leader of the struggle for independence in Bangladesh.

· He is called Bangabandhu, meaning the friend of Bengal/Bangla, because of his popularity and leadership among the Bangalee people.

2. What is Osomapto Atmojiboni, and what does it contain?

· Osomapto Atmojiboni is a book written by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Bangla.

· It is an autobiography that reveals unknown aspects of his personal, political, and family life.

3. Why did people in the villages offer Sheikh Mujibur Rahman money and refreshments during his campaigns?

· People in the villages offered him money and refreshments to support his campaign for independence.

· They would be offended if he refused to take it.

4. Can you describe the encounter between Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the poor old woman in the excerpt?

· The poor old woman waited for Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for a few hours near her hut.

· She invited him into her hut and offered him a bowl of milk, a paan leaf, and some coins.

· Sheikh Mujibur Rahman drank the milk but returned the coins, along with some more money, saying that her blessings were more than sufficient.

· The woman refused to take the coins and instead told him that the prayers of the poor would be with him.

5. What promise did Sheikh Mujibur Rahman make to himself after his encounter with the poor old woman?

· Sheikh Mujibur Rahman promised himself that he would do nothing to betray his people.

Unit 6, Lesson 1

1. Who does Zara live with in London?

Zara lives with her parents in London.

2. Why have Zara and her parents come to Bangladesh?

They have come to Bangladesh to visit Zara's aunt and uncle.

3. Who is Mita?

Mita is Zara's cousin.

4. Have the two families visited any interesting places in Bangladesh?

Yes, both families have visited many interesting places together in Bangladesh.

5. Where did they decide to visit outside Bangladesh?

They decided to visit Thailand.

6. Why couldn't Mita's parents go to Thailand?

Mita's parents were too busy with their work, so they could not go.

7. Who is going to Thailand with Zara and her parents?

Mita is going to Thailand with Zara and her parents.

8. What airline are they flying with?

They are flying with Bangladesh Biman.

9. What are Mita and Zara doing while they wait at the airport?

Mita and Zara are planning what they would do once they reach Bangkok.

10. What does Mita's uncle give them to fill in?

Mita's uncle brings forms for all of them to fill in before going through immigration.

Unit 6, Lesson 2

1. What is Mita's full name?

Answer: Mita Sultana Ahmed.

2. When was Mita born?

Answer: Mita was born on 6 May 1998.

3. When did Mita get her passport and what is its validity period?

Answer: Mita got her passport on July 09, 2010. It is a five-year passport and will expire on 8 June 2015.

4. What is Mita's passport number?

Answer: Mita's passport number is AB 9842251.

5. How is Mita traveling to Thailand and on what date?

Answer: Mita is traveling to Thailand by Bangladesh Biman, flight number BG 88 on 14 July 2012.

6. Where did Mita get her visa for Thailand and what is the visa number?

Answer: Mita got her visa from the Royal Thai Embassy in Dhaka, and her visa number is T 9115138.

7. When was Mita's visa issued and what is its validity period?

Answer: Mita's visa was issued in Dhaka on 29 June 2012 and is valid for three months. It will expire on September 27, 2012.

8. What kind of visa does Mita have and what are the restrictions associated with it?

Answer: Mita has a tourist visa, and if traveling on a tourist visa, one is not allowed to study or work in the destination country.

Unit 6, Lesson 3

1. Who is filling in their departure cards and moving towards the immigration counter?

Answer: Zara's parents, Mrs Jhuma Islam, Mr Mazharul Islam, Zara and Mita.

2. What does Mita do when she stands in front of the immigration booth?

Answer: She hands in her passport and the departure card to the officer.

3. What does the immigration officer ask Mita?

Answer: The officer asks Mita if she is traveling alone.

4. Who is Mita going to Thailand with?

Answer: Mita is going to Thailand with her aunt, uncle and cousin.

5. What does the officer ask Mita about her visit to Thailand?

Answer: The officer asks Mita if this is her first visit to Thailand.

6. How long is Mita planning to stay in Thailand?

Answer: Mita is planning to stay in Thailand for seven to ten days.

7. Where is Mita planning to stay in Thailand?

Answer: Mita is planning to stay in a hotel in Thailand.

8. What does the officer do after going through Mita's papers?

Answer: The officer smiles, stamps her passport, and keeps the departure card while returning the passport to Mita.

9. What does the officer say to Mita before she leaves?

Answer: The officer wishes Mita a safe journey.

10. Who is Mita waiting for on the other side of immigration?

Answer: Mita is waiting for her aunt, uncle, and Zara on the other side of the immigration.

Unit 6, Lesson 4

1. What items are not allowed in hand luggage for security reasons?

Answer: Liquids, lotions, gels, or creams that are over 100ml are not allowed in hand luggage for security reasons.

2. What will happen to the items that are not allowed in hand luggage?

Answer: The officials who do the baggage checking will seize and throw away the items that are not allowed in hand luggage.

3. Who boards the plane after their row number is announced?

Answer: Mita, Zara, and her parents board the plane after announcing their row number.

4. What seat does Mita get on the plane?

Answer: Mita gets a window seat with seat number F23C on the plane.

5. Where do Zara's parents sit on the plane?

Answer: Zara's parents sit behind Mita and Zara on the plane.

Unit 6, Lesson 5

1. What items are not allowed in hand luggage for security reasons?

Answer: Liquids, lotions, gels, or creams that are over 100ml are not allowed in hand luggage for security reasons.

2. What will happen to the items that are not allowed in hand luggage?

Answer: The officials who do the baggage checking will seize and throw away the items that are not allowed in hand luggage.

3. Who boards the plane after their row number is announced?

Answer: Mita, Zara, and her parents board the plane after their row number is announced.

4. What seat does Mita get on the plane?

Answer: Mita gets a window seat with seat number F23C on the plane.

5. Where do Zara's parents sit on the plane?

Answer: Zara's parents sit behind Mita and Zara on the plane.

Unit 6, Lesson 6

1. What should you do if an oxygen mask automatically appears in front of you during a flight?

Answer: Pull the mask towards you, place it firmly over your nose and mouth, secure the elastic band behind your head, and breathe normally. If you are traveling with a child or someone who requires assistance, secure your mask on first, and then assist the other person. Keep your mask on until a uniformed crew member advises you to remove it.

2. What is the bracing position and when should you assume it during a flight?

Answer: The bracing position is when you lean forward with your hands on top of your head and your elbows against your thighs, and your feet are flat on the floor. You should assume this position during an emergency.

3. Where is the life vest located on a plane and how do you use it?

Answer: The life vest is located in a pouch under your seat or between the armrests. When instructed to do so, open the plastic pouch and remove the vest. Slip it over your head, pass the straps around your waist, and adjust at the front. To inflate the vest, pull firmly on the red cord before leaving the aircraft.

4. Where can you find safety information during a flight?

Answer: You can find safety information in the card located in the seat pocket in front of you.

Unit 6, Lesson 8

1. What did Mita see when she looked around in the garden?

Mita saw a garden of trees and flowers welcoming her.

2. What was in the middle of the garden?

There was a small fountain at the middle of the garden, bringing in a cool breeze.

3. How did Mita feel about the place?

Mita loved the place.

4. Which floor was Mita's uncle's apartment on?

Mita's uncle's apartment was on the 7th floor.

5. How many bedrooms did the apartment have?

The apartment had two bedrooms.

6. Who was going to share the same room?

Mita and Zara were going to share the same room.

7. What time was it when they got settled?

It was nearly 8 p.m. when they all got settled.

8. What did Mita read about on the internet?

Mita read about the floating market on the internet.

9. What time do they have to wake up to visit the floating market?

They have to wake up very early as the market starts early in the morning and is over before noon.

10. Which floating market are they going to visit?

They are going to visit the Tha Kha floating market.

11. How did Mita and Zara react when they found out about the floating market?

Mita and Zara cried out, "Wow!" together.

12. Who did Mita and Zara thank for the opportunity?

Mita thanked her uncle, and Zara thanked her dad.

Unit 6, Lesson 9

1. Who woke up early on Sunday to visit the Tha Kha floating market?

Mita, Zara, Jhuma Islam, and Mazharul Islam woke up early on Sunday.

2. Where did Mita, Zara, Jhuma Islam, and Mazharul Islam plan to go?

They planned to go to the Tha Kha floating market.

3. What time did they reach the market?

They reached the marketplace sharp at 7.

4. What surrounded the canals at the Tha Kha floating market?

The canals at the Tha Kha floating market were surrounded by coconut palm trees.

5. What did they do upon reaching the market?

They hired a boat, and the boatman started rowing slowly, taking them to the center of the market.

6. Who were the main sellers at the Tha Kha floating market?

The main sellers at the Tha Kha floating market were mainly elderly Thai women.

7. What items were the sellers' small boats laden with?

The sellers' small boats were laden with bundles of lotus flowers, farm-fresh coconuts, fruits, vegetables, local food, and delicious sweets.

8. How did the sellers and buyers move around at the market?

The sellers and buyers rowed their boats slowly.

9. How did the buying and selling take place at the Tha Kha floating market?

The sellers displayed their goods for sale, and the buyers chose what they wanted. They could also engage in casual conversations as buying and selling were going on.

10. How does the Tha Kha floating market compare to other floating markets?

The Tha Kha floating market is more traditional and attracts fewer tourists compared to other floating markets.

11. How often did the Tha Kha floating market used to operate in the past?

Originally, the Tha Kha floating market used to sit only six or seven days a month, depending on the phase of the moon.

12. On which days does the trade currently take place at the Tha Kha floating market?

Nowadays, the trade takes place on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays too.

13. Who are the main buyers at the Tha Kha floating market?

The main buyers at the Tha Kha floating market are the Tha Kha natives.

14. How did the people at the Tha Kha floating market interact with each other?

People at the market seemed to know each other very well. They were seen smiling and calling each other by name.

15. How did the locals at the market perceive Mita and the others?

The locals were busy with their buying and selling activities and did not notice Mita and the others much.