Find the Content and Exercises with Solution
Lesson Objectives
Students will develop their speaking, comprehension, and vocabulary skills by analyzing a real-life incident report, answering comprehension questions, practicing new vocabulary in context, participating in roleplay activities, and engaging in problem–solution discussions and opinion sharing to enhance fluency, critical thinking, and confidence in spoken English.
Highway Hijacking Rampant in N. Districts
Hijacking of merchandise-laden trucks and microbuses is rampant on the highways of the northern districts.
At least 30 trucks loaded with goods were hijacked last December.
During the same period, five microbus drivers were killed and 20 truck helpers were stabbed.
An armed gang of hijackers hijacked a microbus with license plate No. Siraj-Chha-11-0012 near Laxmi Cinema in Sirajganj town on Friday. The miscreants stabbed the driver, Fazlu, and left him on the Sirajganj-Pabna road near Bera.
On Friday night, a Bogra-bound, iron rod-laden truck was hijacked from the eastern side of the approach road of the Bangabandhu Jamuna Multipurpose Bridge. Another microbus was hijacked from Rangpur, and the driver's body was recovered from Gabtali in Bogra.
Seven rice-laden trucks were hijacked from Naogaon, Dinajpur, and Bogra in December. Police recovered four of the hijacked trucks from Chandaikona, Bhuyaganti in Sirajganj, and Fatullah of Narayanganj.
1. Vocabulary List
| Word | Word | Word |
|---|---|---|
| rampant | merchandise-laden | stabbed |
| miscreants | recovered | hijacked |
2. Comprehension Questions (Pair Work)
Question prompts:
- What is the main problem described in the article?
- How many trucks and buses were hijacked in December?
- What happened to the microbus driver named Fazlu?
- Where was the Bogra-bound iron rod-laden truck hijacked from?
- What did the police manage to do after the incidents?
3. Roleplay: Police Investigation
Assign roles and create a 2–3 minute conversation where the police officer gathers details about the hijacking incident.
- Role A: Police officer
- Role B: A truck driver who was attacked
- Role C: A witness who saw the aftermath
4. Problem–Solution Discussion
Question prompts:
- What security measures could have prevented these hijackings?
- How could truck drivers and their helpers better protect themselves?
- How can the police improve their response time and effectiveness on the highways?
5. Opinion Sharing (Whole Class)
Question prompts:
- Do you think the punishments for hijackers are strong enough? Why or why not?
- How do you think the local communities are affected by these crimes?
6. "Hot Seat" Speaking Challenge
One student sits in the “Hot Seat” and takes on the role of either:
- A journalist reporting on the latest hijacking incident
- A police spokesperson updating the public on the investigation
- An affected truck driver explaining the dangers of his job
Others ask questions and the student must answer spontaneously.
Answers
1. Word Details
| Word | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| rampant (Adjective) | (Especially of something unwelcome or unpleasant) flourishing or spreading unchecked | Bengali: প্রচণ্ড | IPA: /ˈræmpənt/ | The disease was rampant in the overcrowded city. |
| merchandise-laden (Adjective) | Loaded or burdened with goods for sale | Bengali: পণ্য বোঝাই | IPA: /ˈmɜːrtʃəndaɪz ˈleɪdn/ | The merchandise-laden trucks were ready for the long journey. |
| stabbed (Verb) | To wound or pierce with a pointed weapon | Bengali: ছুরিকাঘাত করা | IPA: /stæbd/ | He was stabbed in a street fight. |
| miscreants (Noun) | People who behave badly or commit crimes | Bengali: দুষ্কৃতিকারী | IPA: /ˈmɪskriənts/ | The police are looking for the miscreants who vandalized the park. |
| recovered (Verb) | To get back or regain possession of something | Bengali: পুনরুদ্ধার করা | IPA: /rɪˈkʌvərd/ | The police recovered the stolen jewelry. |
| hijacked (Verb) | To illegally seize an aircraft, vehicle, or ship while in transit | Bengali: ছিনতাই করা | IPA: /ˈhaɪdʒækt/ | The terrorists hijacked the bus and took the passengers hostage. |
2. Comprehension Questions (Pair Work) — Suggested Answers
-
What is the main problem described in the article?
The main problem is that hijacking of merchandise-laden trucks and microbuses is rampant on the highways of the northern districts.
-
How many trucks and buses were hijacked in December?
At least 30 trucks were hijacked in December. The article also mentions that five microbus drivers were killed and an unspecified number of microbuses were also hijacked.
-
What happened to the microbus driver named Fazlu?
Fazlu was **stabbed** by **miscreants** who **hijacked** his microbus. He was left on the Sirajganj-Pabna road near Bera.
-
Where was the Bogra-bound iron rod-laden truck hijacked from?
It was hijacked from the eastern side of the approach road of the Bangabandhu Jamuna Multipurpose Bridge.
-
What did the police manage to do after the incidents?
Police **recovered** four of the hijacked trucks from Chandaikona, Bhuyaganti in Sirajganj, and Fatullah of Narayanganj.
3. Roleplay: Police Investigation
Roles: A — Police officer, B — Witness, C — Truck driver (victim).
A (Officer): "Good afternoon. I'm Officer Rahman. Thank you for coming in. Can you tell me what you saw?"
B (Witness): "I was in my shop when I heard a commotion. I looked out and saw a truck stopped on the side of the road."
A: "And what did you see next?"
B: "There were some people running away, and a man was lying on the ground. I ran outside to help him."
C (Driver): "I was driving with my helper when a car cut us off. The men from the car were armed and they **hijacked** the truck. They **stabbed** me and left me for dead."
A: "Did anyone follow them or notice a vehicle?"
B: "I glimpsed a motorbike parked near the alley. One man jumped on the back and they sped off."
A: "Thank you. We will work to find these **miscreants** and hopefully get your truck **recovered**."
4. Problem–Solution Discussion
What security measures could have prevented these hijackings?
- Increasing police patrols on major highways.
- Installing more surveillance cameras.
- Requiring all commercial vehicles to have GPS trackers.
How could truck drivers and their helpers better protect themselves?
- Avoiding driving alone or late at night in known high-risk areas.
- Driving in convoys with other trucks.
- Having an emergency communication system.
How can the police improve their response time and effectiveness on the highways?
- Establishing more highway patrol stations.
- Using helicopters or drones for aerial surveillance.
- Creating a special task force dedicated to highway robbery.
5. Opinion Sharing (Whole Class)
Do you think the punishments for hijackers are strong enough? Why or why not?
Yes, punishments should be strict to act as a deterrent. However, a multifaceted approach including community outreach and addressing the root causes of crime can be more effective in the long term.
How do you think the local communities are affected by these crimes?
These crimes can lead to increased fear and a sense of insecurity. Local businesses might suffer from stolen goods, and residents may be hesitant to travel. A proactive police response could help rebuild trust and confidence.
6. "Hot Seat" Speaking Challenge
Here are some sample prompts and responses to help with this activity:
Q: As a journalist, what is the main fact you would report first?
A: I would report that highway hijacking has become rampant in the northern districts, with at least 30 merchandise-laden trucks being taken in December alone.
Q: As a **police spokesperson**, what reassurance will you give to the public?
A: We will investigate the case urgently, review all leads, and increase patrols in the area to find the miscreants and get the stolen goods **recovered**.
Q: As an affected truck driver, how do you feel about the situation?
A: I feel scared and angry. It's not fair that we have to risk our lives just to do our jobs. We need better protection on the highways.
📖 Key Features
- 📌 Format: News Article
- 📌Article Tittle: Highway Hijacking Rampant in N. Districts
- 📌 Exercise: Short question answer, Discussion, Roleplay, Problem-solving, Opinion Sharing, Extended Speaking, and 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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