Find the Content and Exercises with Solution
Lesson Objectives
To help students understand the historical evolution, significance, and role of newspapers in human civilization and modern life, while enhancing their reading comprehension and vocabulary skills.
B. Read the text and answer the following questions.
Humans have a natural curiosity to know the unknown, to see the unseen and to conquer the unconquered. Every day so many things are happening around and human beings are eager to know them all. They not only like to know happenings in their own and other countries, but also what is happening in Antarctica or Mars, or Siberia. This curiosity to know and understand situations is not a contemporary phenomenon. It is true, the world wide web (www) has made our life easier and now we know anything that takes place at the farthest corners of the world with a single click. However, it was not that easy a few hundred years ago. Through a process of evolution, the newspaper has now become a part and parcel of human life. Modern people cannot think of a day when they don’t have a newspaper passed through the doors in the early morning. A fresh newspaper with a hot cup of tea or coffee has been the symbol of modern urban life. We peep at a newspaper for national, local, international or sports news. Is there a show of Nuruldiner Sarajibon, or Chitrangoda or Hamlet? Is there a suitable job offer? Are there any sales? Let us have a look at the newspaper. The newspaper is the ultimate destination for advertisements of products, classified advertisements for finding brides and bridegrooms, houses to-let, sales, and what not? It is said, in the modern world, information is power and a newspaper is an information hub. But how were the initial days of the newspapers? The first newspaper, Acta Diurna, was published in ancient Rome in 59 BC. Acta Diurna meaning ‘daily acts’ posted different types of announcements and social events. However, Acta Diurna was not a paper-based newspaper. It was a message board displayed in public places. Just imagine how old the history of the newspaper in human civilization is! Acta Diurna was published just 59 years before the birth of Jesus Christ!
Much later, at the beginning of the 16th century, printed ‘news books’ were published in England and they were based on stories such as battles, disasters or public celebrations. The London Gazette claims to be England’s oldest newspaper published in 1665. The 17th century also marks the regular publication of newspapers in Germany, Italy and the Netherlands. Johann Carolus published the first weekly newspaper, *Account of All Distinguished and Commemorable News*, from Germany in 1605. The newspapers that are delivered to your house each day started its journey from the 18th Century. The Pennsylvania Packet and The Daily Advertiser were the first daily newspapers from the US, which came out in 1784. Many independent newspapers ran before that on a weekly or monthly basis.
Vocabulary List
| Word | Word | Word |
|---|---|---|
| Curiosity | Unconquered | Phenomenon |
| Evolution | Parcel | Advertisements |
| Announcements | Civilization | Celebrations |
| Distinguished | Commemorable | Independent |
Multiple Choice Questions
- Why do humans feel curious about distant places like Antarctica or Mars?
- Because they want to live there
- Because they are planning to travel there
- Because they have a natural curiosity to know the unknown
- Because they dislike their own countries
- What is a symbol of modern urban life according to the passage?
- A fresh newspaper with tea or coffee
- Digital clocks and smart devices
- A hot breakfast with music
- Smartphones and coffee shops
- Why is the newspaper called an “information hub”?
- Because it contains stories for entertainment
- Because it shows pictures and advertisements only
- Because it connects people around the world
- Because it provides news, advertisements, and updates all in one place
- What was *Acta Diurna*?
- A printed newspaper in Rome
- A handwritten book of Roman history
- A public message board in ancient Rome
- A political announcement in Greece
- When was *Acta Diurna* first published?
- 59 AD
- 59 BC
- 1605
- 1784
- Who published the first weekly newspaper?
- William Caxton
- Johann Carolus
- Benjamin Franklin
- James Augustus Hickey
- Which was the first daily newspaper in the United States?
- The London Gazette
- The New York Times
- The Pennsylvania Packet and The Daily Advertiser
- The Washington Post
Short Questions
- Why do humans want to know what is happening in distant places like Mars or Antarctica?
- How has the world wide web changed the way people access news?
- What role does a newspaper play in modern urban life?
- Why is the newspaper called an "information hub"?
- What kind of content do people commonly look for in a newspaper?
- What was *Acta Diurna* and how was it different from modern newspapers?
- Who published the first weekly newspaper and where?
- What types of stories were found in early English ‘news books’?
- Which is considered the oldest newspaper in England and when was it published?
- What is the significance of *The Pennsylvania Packet and The Daily Advertiser*?
Fill in the Blanks
Humans have a natural __________ to know the unknown and see the unseen.
The __________ has made it easier to know about events at the farthest corners of the world.
People read newspapers for national, international, or __________ news.
A newspaper is not just for news but also for __________ advertisements, job offers, and cultural events.
The first newspaper, __________, was published in ancient Rome in 59 BC.
Printed ‘news books’ were published in __________ in the 16th century.
The first daily newspaper in the US, __________, was published in 1784.
Suffix and Prefix Exercise
Human __________ (curious) has driven the evolution of newspapers.
Modern people are almost __________ (think) without newspapers.
A newspaper is a powerful source of __________ (inform).
The __________ (appear) of online news has changed the way we consume information.
Newspapers also play a role in __________ (social) events like finding jobs or renting houses.
The process of newspaper development has been truly __________ (history).
The __________ (nation) and __________ (interact) news are all available in a single paper.
Complete the Table
Complete the following table with the information given in the passage.
| Subject | Event/Action | What/Why |
|---|---|---|
| Humans | (i) showed curiosity | to know the unknown, see the unseen, and conquer the unconquered |
| Modern people | (ii) read newspapers daily | to stay informed about news and events |
| Acta Diurna | (iii) published announcements | as the first known form of a newspaper in 59 BC |
| Johann Carolus | (iv) published weekly newspaper | called "Account of All Distinguished and Commemorable News" in 1605 |
| The Pennsylvania Packet | (v) became first daily newspaper in US | published in 1784 to provide daily news |
Answers
Word Details
| Word | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Curiosity (Noun) | A strong desire to know or learn something | Bengali: কৌতূহল | IPA: /ˌkjʊəriˈɒsəti/ | Children have a natural curiosity about the world around them. |
| Unconquered (Adjective) | Not overcome or taken control of | Bengali: অপরাজিত | IPA: /ʌnˈkɒŋkərd/ | They set out to climb the last unconquered peak in the range. |
| Phenomenon (Noun) | A remarkable event or fact that can be observed | Bengali: ঘটনা বা প্রপঞ্চ | IPA: /fəˈnɒmɪnən/ | Global warming is a modern environmental phenomenon. |
| Evolution (Noun) | The gradual development of something over time | Bengali: বিবর্তন | IPA: /ˌiːvəˈluːʃən/ | The evolution of language is a fascinating subject of study. |
| Advertisements (Noun) | Public notices to promote products or services | Bengali: বিজ্ঞাপন | IPA: /ədˈvɜːtɪsmənts/ | There are many advertisements in today’s newspaper. |
| Commemorable (Adjective) | Worthy of remembrance or celebration | Bengali: স্মরণযোগ্য | IPA: /kəˈmemərəbəl/ | It was a commemorable event in the history of our nation. |
Multiple Choice Questions
- Why do humans feel curious about distant places like Antarctica or Mars?
- Because they want to live there
- Because they are planning to travel there
- Because they have a natural curiosity to know the unknown ✅
- Because they dislike their own countries
- What is a symbol of modern urban life according to the passage?
- A fresh newspaper with tea or coffee ✅
- Digital clocks and smart devices
- A hot breakfast with music
- Smartphones and coffee shops
- Why is the newspaper called an “information hub”?
- Because it contains stories for entertainment
- Because it shows pictures and advertisements only
- Because it connects people around the world
- Because it provides news, advertisements, and updates all in one place ✅
- What was *Acta Diurna*?
- A printed newspaper in Rome
- A handwritten book of Roman history
- A public message board in ancient Rome ✅
- A political announcement in Greece
- When was *Acta Diurna* first published?
- 59 AD
- 59 BC ✅
- 1605
- 1784
- Who published the first weekly newspaper?
- William Caxton
- Johann Carolus ✅
- Benjamin Franklin
- James Augustus Hickey
- Which was the first daily newspaper in the United States?
- The London Gazette
- The New York Times
- The Pennsylvania Packet and The Daily Advertiser ✅
- The Washington Post
Short Questions with Answers
-
Why do humans want to know what is happening in distant places like Mars or Antarctica?
Because humans have a natural curiosity to know the unknown and understand situations beyond their surroundings. -
How has the world wide web changed the way people access news?
It has made it easier to know what is happening even in the farthest corners of the world with a single click. -
What role does a newspaper play in modern urban life?
It is an essential part of daily life, often read with tea or coffee, and provides news, advertisements, and updates. -
Why is the newspaper called an "information hub"?
Because it offers a wide range of information including news, advertisements, classifieds, and more. -
What kind of content do people commonly look for in a newspaper?
People look for national, local, international, and sports news, as well as job offers, shows, and advertisements. -
What was Acta Diurna and how was it different from modern newspapers?
Acta Diurna was a public message board in ancient Rome, not a paper-based newspaper like modern ones. -
Who published the first weekly newspaper and where?
Johann Carolus published the first weekly newspaper in Germany in 1605. -
What types of stories were found in early English ‘news books’?
They contained stories about battles, disasters, and public celebrations. -
Which is considered the oldest newspaper in England and when was it published?
The London Gazette, which was first published in 1665. -
What is the significance of The Pennsylvania Packet and The Daily Advertiser?
It was the first daily newspaper in the United States, published in 1784.
Fill in the Blanks – Answer Key
Humans have a natural curiosity to know the unknown and see the unseen.
The world wide web has made it easier to know about events at the farthest corners of the world.
People read newspapers for national, international, or sports news.
A newspaper is not just for news but also for classified advertisements, job offers, and cultural events.
The first newspaper, Acta Diurna, was published in ancient Rome in 59 BC.
Printed ‘news books’ were published in England in the 16th century.
The first daily newspaper in the US, The Pennsylvania Packet and The Daily Advertiser, was published in 1784.
Suffix and Prefix Answer
Human curiosity has driven the evolution of newspapers.
Modern people are almost unthinkable without newspapers.
A newspaper is a powerful source of information.
The disappearance of online news has changed the way we consume information.
Newspapers also play a role in social events like finding jobs or renting houses.
The process of newspaper development has been truly historical.
The national and international news are all available in a single paper.
Gap Filling Activity in Table
| Subject | Event/Action | What/Why |
|---|---|---|
| People | (i) eat rice and play cricket | because these are common, everyday events |
| News | (ii) is published | only when events are new, interesting, and unusual |
| Charles A. Dana | (iii) gave an example | to explain the nature of news using “man bites dog” |
| Media | (iv) share information | so that people stay informed about current events |
| News reports | (v) answer key questions | to explain what happened, when, where, who, why, and how |
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 | showed curiosity | to know the unknown, see the unseen, and conquer the unconquered |
| Modern people | read newspapers daily | to stay informed about national and global events |
| Acta Diurna | published announcements | as the first form of newspaper in ancient Rome in 59 BC |
| Johann Carolus | published a weekly newspaper | called "Account of All Distinguished and Commemorable News" in 1605 |
| The Pennsylvania Packet | became the first daily newspaper in the US | published in 1784 to provide daily news updates |
📖 Key Features
- 📌 Format: Reading Text with High Quality Graphics
- 📌Content: Class VIII – Unit Eight, Lesson 2: The First Newpaper (Page 96)
- 📌 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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