Find the Content and Exercises with Solution
Lesson Objectives
The objective of this lesson is to help students understand the unique lifestyle and culture of the river gypsies (bedey) in Bangladesh. Through reading and comprehension activities, students will learn about the nomadic way of life of these people, their seasonal movements, economic activities, and their social roles. The lesson also aims to enhance vocabulary related to the topic, develop skills in answering multiple-choice and short questions, and practice using suffixes and prefixes to form different word types. Overall, it fosters awareness of an ethnic group’s relationship with their environment and community.
Read the text and answer the following questions.
River gypsies are an ethnic group of people in Bangladesh. They are known as bedey to local people. The gypsies have their own lifestyle and culture. They live in groups and do not own any land. Therefore, they live a nomadic life, travelling from one place to another. These people roam across our rivers and waters from May to December in small country boats. These boats are their houses and these people are a part of our waters. In winter, many water bodies dry up. At that time they return to the mainland and live in make-shift tarpaulin tents on open river banks. You can see their men relaxing in the tents. Toddlers play with dogs or other pets in the dust. Women often idle away time by picking off lice in twos or threes sitting in a row.
Throughout the monsoon, they remain busy with fishing. They also dive for natural pearls in waters. Sometimes, they camp for a couple of weeks. Men catch snakes and entertain people with snake charming and sell herbal cures. Women go from door to door to selling bangles, cosmetics and other things. They also try to heal pains of old people by sucking out blood from their body.
Many villagers believe in the magical power of the gypsies. They can make an evil spirit leave someone's body by magic or special powers.
Vocabulary List
| Word | Word | Word |
|---|---|---|
| Nomadic | Tarpaulin | Charming |
| Entertain | Herbal | Cosmetics |
| Magical | Spirit | Sucking |
| Pearls | Villagers | Healing |
Multiple Choice Questions
- What aspect of the river gypsies' life best illustrates their adaptation to seasonal environmental changes?
- c) Returning to mainland and living in tarpaulin tents during dry seasons
- a) Performing snake charming in winter
- b) Selling cosmetics to rural women
- d) Playing with pets on riverbanks
- Which of the following most accurately describes the economic activities of river gypsy women?
- a) Catching snakes and diving for pearls
- b) Selling herbal cures and performing magic
- c) Going door to door to sell bangles, cosmetics, and healing through folk methods
- d) Entertaining people with dance and music
- How does the belief in the gypsies' magical powers influence local villagers’ behavior?
- a) They hire them to build tarpaulin shelters
- c) They seek their help to remove evil spirits using magic
- b) They avoid contact with them during the monsoon
- d) They train them to dive for pearls
- Which statement best explains why the river gypsies are considered an ethnic group?
- b) They follow a distinct lifestyle and cultural practices
- a) They are known for their traditional fishing skills
- c) They live in boats during the monsoon season
- d) They sell products door to door
- Why do river gypsies shift from boats to land-based shelters in winter?
- a) Because the rivers are too crowded in winter
- b) Because they perform rituals on the land
- c) Because many water bodies dry up during winter
- d) Because their boats need repairing
- What does the phrase “picking off lice in twos or threes” suggest about the women’s social behavior?
- a) They spend time alone due to cultural restrictions
- b) They engage in communal activities during leisure
- c) They practice hair care for religious reasons
- d) They avoid interaction with others in the group
- Which of the following best characterizes the river gypsies' relationship with nature?
- a) They fear natural water bodies and avoid living near them
- b) They consider rivers sacred and never leave them
- c) They are deeply dependent on rivers for housing, livelihood, and identity
- d) They seek to settle in forests away from rivers
Short Questions
- Who are referred to as "bedey" in Bangladesh?
- What kind of life do the river gypsies lead and why?
- How do river gypsies spend their time during the monsoon?
- Where do the river gypsies live when water bodies dry up in winter?
- What are some of the activities that river gypsy women are involved in?
- How do river gypsies try to heal old people?
- Why do some villagers believe in the magical powers of the river gypsies?
Fill in the Blanks
River gypsies are an __________ group of people in Bangladesh. They live a __________ life because they do not own any __________. From May to December, they travel by small __________ boats, which also serve as their __________. In the winter, when water bodies dry up, they return to the __________ and live in __________ tents. During the monsoon, they are busy with __________ and diving for natural __________. The men often charm __________ and sell __________ cures. The women go door to door selling __________, __________, and other items.
Suffix and Prefix Exercise
River gypsies live a __________ (nomad) life and follow a unique __________ (culture) tradition. Their lifestyle is often seen as __________ (usual) by people who live in cities. They are __________ (land) and travel across rivers for most of the year. Some villagers believe their healing powers are __________ (magic), while others consider them __________ (trust) and mysterious. The women’s role in trade and folk medicine shows their __________ (depend) and creativity.
Complete the Table
Complete the following table with the information given in the passage.
| Subject | Event/Action | What/Why |
|---|---|---|
| River gypsies | live in boats | (i) from May to December as part of their nomadic life |
| River gypsies | return to mainland | (ii) when water bodies dry up in winter |
| Women | (iii) sell bangles and herbal items | to earn a living and serve villagers |
| Men | perform snake charming | (iv) to entertain people and sell cures |
| Villagers | (v) believe in gypsies’ magical powers | to remove evil spirits from the body |
Answers
Word Details
| Word | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Nomadic (Adjective) | Moving from place to place without a permanent home | Bengali: ঘরছাড়া / যাযাবর | IPA: /nəʊˈmædɪk/ | The river gypsies lead a nomadic life on boats. |
| Tarpaulin (Noun) | Heavy-duty waterproof cloth used for covering things | Bengali: ত্রিপল | IPA: /ˈtɑːrpəlɪn/ | They lived in make-shift tarpaulin tents on the riverbank. |
| Charming (Adjective) | Pleasant or attractive; in this context, attracting snakes using music or movement | Bengali: মোহিতকর / সাপ খেলা | IPA: /ˈtʃɑːmɪŋ/ | He entertained the villagers by snake charming. |
| Entertain (Verb) | To amuse or interest people in a way that gives them pleasure | Bengali: আনন্দ দেওয়া | IPA: /ˌentəˈteɪn/ | They entertain villagers with songs and tricks. |
| Herbal (Adjective) | Relating to or made from plants used as medicine | Bengali: ভেষজ | IPA: /ˈhɜːbəl/ | They sell herbal medicines for common ailments. |
| Cosmetics (Noun) | Products applied to the body, especially the face, to enhance appearance | Bengali: প্রসাধনী | IPA: /kɒzˈmetɪks/ | The women sell bangles and cosmetics door to door. |
| Magical (Adjective) | Having special, mysterious, or supernatural powers | Bengali: জাদুকরী | IPA: /ˈmædʒɪkəl/ | The villagers believed in the gypsies’ magical powers. |
| Spirit (Noun) | A supernatural being, especially a ghost or soul | Bengali: আত্মা / ভূত | IPA: /ˈspɪrɪt/ | They believed a spirit possessed the sick person. |
| Sucking (Verb) | Drawing something in using the mouth | Bengali: চুষে নেওয়া | IPA: /ˈsʌkɪŋ/ | They heal pain by sucking out blood from the body. |
| Pearls (Noun) | Hard, round, shiny objects formed inside oysters | Bengali: মুক্তা | IPA: /pɜːrlz/ | She wore a necklace made of natural pearls. |
| Villagers (Noun) | People living in a village | Bengali: গ্রামের মানুষ | IPA: /ˈvɪlɪdʒərz/ | Many villagers came to watch the snake charmer. |
| Healing (Noun) | The process of making or becoming healthy again | Bengali: নিরাময় | IPA: /ˈhiːlɪŋ/ | They are believed to have powers of spiritual healing. |
Multiple Choice Questions
- What aspect of the river gypsies' life best illustrates their adaptation to seasonal environmental changes?
- c) Returning to mainland and living in tarpaulin tents during dry seasons ✅
- a) Performing snake charming in winter
- b) Selling cosmetics to rural women
- d) Playing with pets on riverbanks
- Which of the following most accurately describes the economic activities of river gypsy women?
- a) Catching snakes and diving for pearls
- b) Selling herbal cures and performing magic
- c) Going door to door to sell bangles, cosmetics, and healing through folk methods ✅
- d) Entertaining people with dance and music
- How does the belief in the gypsies' magical powers influence local villagers’ behavior?
- a) They hire them to build tarpaulin shelters
- c) They seek their help to remove evil spirits using magic ✅
- b) They avoid contact with them during the monsoon
- d) They train them to dive for pearls
- Which statement best explains why the river gypsies are considered an ethnic group?
- b) They follow a distinct lifestyle and cultural practices ✅
- a) They are known for their traditional fishing skills
- c) They live in boats during the monsoon season
- d) They sell products door to door
- Why do river gypsies shift from boats to land-based shelters in winter?
- a) Because the rivers are too crowded in winter
- b) Because they perform rituals on the land
- c) Because many water bodies dry up during winter ✅
- d) Because their boats need repairing
- What does the phrase “picking off lice in twos or threes” suggest about the women’s social behavior?
- a) They spend time alone due to cultural restrictions
- b) They engage in communal activities during leisure ✅
- c) They practice hair care for religious reasons
- d) They avoid interaction with others in the group
- Which of the following best characterizes the river gypsies' relationship with nature?
- a) They fear natural water bodies and avoid living near them
- b) They consider rivers sacred and never leave them
- c) They are deeply dependent on rivers for housing, livelihood, and identity ✅
- d) They seek to settle in forests away from rivers
Short Questions with Answers
-
Who are referred to as "bedey" in Bangladesh?
River gypsies are referred to as "bedey" by the local people in Bangladesh. -
What kind of life do the river gypsies lead and why?
They lead a nomadic life because they do not own any land and travel from one place to another by boat. -
How do river gypsies spend their time during the monsoon?
During the monsoon, they remain busy fishing, diving for pearls, catching snakes, and entertaining people. -
Where do the river gypsies live when water bodies dry up in winter?
They return to the mainland and live in make-shift tarpaulin tents on open riverbanks. -
What are some of the activities that river gypsy women are involved in?
The women sell bangles, cosmetics, and herbal medicines, and try to heal pains by sucking blood. -
How do river gypsies try to heal old people?
They try to heal them by sucking out blood from the body to relieve pain. -
Why do some villagers believe in the magical powers of the river gypsies?
Because they believe the gypsies can remove evil spirits using magic or special powers.
Fill in the Blanks – Answer Key
River gypsies are an ethnic group of people in Bangladesh. They live a nomadic life because they do not own any land. From May to December, they travel by small country boats, which also serve as their houses. In the winter, when water bodies dry up, they return to the mainland and live in tarpaulin tents. During the monsoon, they are busy with fishing and diving for natural pearls. The men often charm snakes and sell herbal cures. The women go door to door selling bangles, cosmetics, and other items.
Fill in the Blanks - Answer Key
Thousands of years ago, the first pearl was probably discovered while human beings were searching for food at the sea shore. Throughout history, the pearl with its beauty has been highly valued. Pearls have been mentioned in religious texts and mythologies. The ancient Egyptians valued pearls so much that they were buried with them. Cleopatra dissolved a pearl in a glass and drank it. The Greeks saw pearls as a sign of wealth and social position. In ancient Rome, pearls showed great social status. Brave knights wore them for good luck in battles.
Suffix and Prefix Answer
River gypsies live a nomadic life and follow a unique cultural tradition. Their lifestyle is often seen as unusual by people who live in cities. They are landless and travel across rivers for most of the year. Some villagers believe their healing powers are magical, while others consider them untrustworthy and mysterious. The women’s role in trade and folk medicine shows their dependability and creativity.
Gap Filling Activity in Table
| Subject | Event/Action | What/Why |
|---|---|---|
| River gypsies | live in boats | (i) from May to December as part of their nomadic life |
| River gypsies | return to mainland | (ii) when water bodies dry up in winter |
| Women | (iii) sell bangles and herbal items | to earn a living and serve villagers |
| Men | perform snake charming | (iv) to entertain people and sell cures |
| Villagers | (v) believe in gypsies’ magical powers | to remove evil spirits from the body |
Suffix and Prefix Answer
The pearl is a natural gem that has been valued for thousands of years. Its shiny beauty makes it a symbol of purity and elegance. Many people show great admiration for pearls. Cleopatra’s act was a national expression of pride. In ancient Rome, pearls were signs of wealthy and powerful status.
Gap Filling Activity in Table
| Subject | Event/Action | What/Why |
|---|---|---|
| Humans | discovered pearls | while searching for food at the sea shore |
| Cleopatra | dissolved a pearl and drank it | to show love and respect for her nation |
| The ancient Egyptians | were buried with pearls | to express the value of pearls |
| The Greeks | associated pearls | with love and marriage |
| Brave knights | wore pearls | for good luck in battles |
📖 Key Features
- 📌 Format: Reading Text
- 📌Content: Class VIII – Unit Seven, Lesson 2: River Gypsies in Bangladesh (1) (Page 81)
- 📌 Cmposition Number: 1
- 📌 Clarity and Concise: Class VIII
- 📌 Visual Appeal:High Quality Graphics
- 📌Content: Class VIII – Unit Seven, Lesson 3: River Gypsies in Bangladesh (1) (Page 81) Fill in the Form
- 📌 Exercise: Multiple Choice Questions, Short Questions, Fill-in-the-Blanks, suffix and prefix, information transfer, and 10 words with IPA transcription, word class, Bengali and English meanings, and example sentences
- 📌 Ideal for: IT-Assisted Classrooms
- 📌 Perfect for: Presentation Purposes and Personal Learning too
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