🌦️ Unit 1, Lesson 3: Children in School
Totto-chan at the Next Window
When she saw the gate of the new school, Totto-chan stopped. The gate of the school she used to go to had fine concrete pillars with the name of the school in large characters. But the gate of this new school simply consisted of two rather short posts that still had twigs and leaves on them.
"This gate's growing," said Totto-chan. "It'll probably go on growing till it's taller than the telephone poles!"
The two 'gates' were clearly trees with roots. When she got closer, she had to put her head to one side to read the name of the school because the wood had blown the sign askew. To-mo-e Ga-ku-en."
Totto-chan was about to ask Mother what 'Tomoe' meant, when she caught a glimpse of something that made her think she must be dreaming. She squatted down and peered through the shrubbery to get a better look.
The windows of the railroad cars sparkled in the morning sunlight.
A moment later, Totto-chan let out a whoop of joy and started running. Startled, Mother began to run after her.
... (Text continues similarly) ...
Totto-chan was awfully disappointed not to get on the "train" right away.
There were flower beds full of red and yellow flowers.
The headmaster's office wasn't in a railroad car.
Totto-chan let go of Mother's hand and raced up the steps, then turned around abruptly, almost causing Mother to run into her.
Totto-chan whispered to Mother in all seriousness.
The Headmaster
He was neatly dressed in a rather shabby black three-piece suit. With a hasty bow Totto-chan asked him spiritedly.
The headmaster drew over a chair.
It was all a bit higgledy-piggledy, but she talked for all she was worth. She told him about the swallows' nest; how she used to go snip-snip with the scissors.
Finally she ran out of things to say, racking her brains.
Some of the rips were quite bad. Even her white cotton panties were sometimes in shreds. She burrowed under the barbed wire. Her collar was embroidered with red flowers.
The headmaster hadn't yawned once. She would have been astonished to know he listened for four hours. Totto-chan had a naturally sunny disposition, but deep down she felt she was considered strange.
Necessary Words and Phrases
| Word | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| used to (Modal Verb Phrase) |
IPA: /ˈjuːst tuː/ Bengali: অভ্যস্ত ছিল; পূর্বে করত Synonyms: formerly did, habitually did (past) |
She used to visit the library every week. |
| large characters (Noun Phrase) |
IPA: /lɑːdʒ ˈkærəktəz/ Bengali: বড় অক্ষর; বৃহৎ প্রতীক Synonyms: big letters, bold type |
The building sign was displayed in large characters. |
| consisted of (Phrasal Verb) |
IPA: /kənˈsɪstɪd ɒv/ Bengali: গঠিত হয়েছিল; অন্তর্ভুক্ত ছিল Synonyms: was made up of, comprised, included |
The meal consisted of rice, fish, and vegetables. |
| twigs (Noun) |
IPA: /twɪɡz/ Bengali: ডালপালা; ছোট শাখা Synonyms: sprigs, small branches |
The bird collected twigs to build its nest. |
| put her head to one side (Verb Phrase) |
IPA: /pʊt hər hɛd tuː wʌn saɪd/ Bengali: মাথা একদিকে হেলানো Synonyms: tilted her head, inclined her head |
The puppy put its head to one side, listening curiously. |
| askew (Adverb/Adjective) |
IPA: /əˈskjuː/ Bengali: বাঁকা; তির্যক Synonyms: crooked, lopsided, slantwise |
The picture frame was hanging slightly askew. |
| 'Tomoe' (Proper Noun) |
IPA: /ˈtoʊmoʊ.eɪ/ Bengali: 'তোমোয়ে' (একটি নাম) Synonyms: (N/A, specific name) |
The name 'Tomoe' is often associated with nature. |
| glimpse (Noun) |
IPA: /ɡlɪmps/ Bengali: ক্ষণিকের ঝলক; এক পলক Synonyms: quick look, flash, brief sight |
She caught a glimpse of the celebrity as the car drove by. |
| squatted down (Phrasal Verb) |
IPA: /ˈskwɒtɪd daʊn/ Bengali: বসে পড়া; হাঁটু গেড়ে বসা Synonyms: crouched, knelt down, hunched down |
The gardener squatted down to inspect the plant. |
| peered through (Phrasal Verb) |
IPA: /pɪəd θruː/ Bengali: এর মধ্য দিয়ে উঁকি দেওয়া Synonyms: gazed through, looked intently through |
The child peered through the keyhole. |
| shrubbery (Noun) |
IPA: /ˈʃrʌbəri/ Bengali: গুল্মরাজি; ঝোপঝাড় Synonyms: bushes, foliage, dense growth |
A path led through the dense shrubbery. |
| sparkled (Verb) |
IPA: /ˈspɑːkld/ Bengali: ঝকমক করেছিল; চিকচিক করেছিল Synonyms: glittered, gleamed, shimmered |
The dew drops on the grass sparkled in the sun. |
| let out (Phrasal Verb) |
IPA: /lɛt aʊt/ Bengali: প্রকাশ করা; আওয়াজ করা Synonyms: emitted, uttered, gave a cry |
He let out a sigh of relief. |
| a whoop of joy (Noun Phrase) |
IPA: /ə huːp ɒv dʒɔɪ/ Bengali: আনন্দের চিৎকার Synonyms: a joyful shout, yell of delight, cheer |
The team let out a whoop of joy after scoring. |
| run after (Phrasal Verb) |
IPA: /rʌn ˈɑːftə/ Bengali: পিছু দৌড়ানো; ধাওয়া করা Synonyms: pursue, chase, follow |
The dog began to run after the squirrel. |
| get on (Phrasal Verb) |
IPA: /ɡɛt ɒn/ Bengali: আরোহণ করা; ওঠা Synonyms: board, step into, enter |
We need to hurry to get on the last bus. |
| call on (Phrasal Verb) |
IPA: /kɔːl ɒn/ Bengali: দেখা করতে যাওয়া; আহ্বান করা Synonyms: visit, pay a call to, stop by |
The politician decided to call on the local community leaders. |
| awfully disappointed (Adverb + Adjective) |
IPA: /ˈɔːfəli ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪntɪd/ Bengali: ভয়ানক হতাশ; অত্যন্ত নিরাশ Synonyms: greatly disheartened, profoundly saddened, extremely upset |
She was awfully disappointed when the trip was cancelled. |
| flower beds (Noun) |
IPA: /ˈflaʊə bɛdz/ Bengali: ফুলের বাগান; ফুলের টব Synonyms: borders, floral plots, flower gardens |
The park had beautiful flower beds full of tulips. |
| railroad car (Noun) |
IPA: /ˈreɪlrəʊd kɑː/ Bengali: রেলগাড়ি; রেলের বগি Synonyms: train carriage, railway wagon, coach |
The old railroad car was converted into a small cafe. |
| let go of (Phrasal Verb) |
IPA: /lɛt ɡəʊ ɒv/ Bengali: ছেড়ে দেওয়া; হাত ছেড়ে দেওয়া Synonyms: released, dropped, unclasped |
She decided to let go of her old worries. |
| raced up (Phrasal Verb) |
IPA: /reɪst ʌp/ Bengali: দ্রুত উপরে ওঠা; ছুটে যাওয়া Synonyms: hurried up, ran rapidly up, sprinted up |
The children raced up the stairs to their room. |
| turned around (Phrasal Verb) |
IPA: /tɜːnd əˈraʊnd/ Bengali: ঘুরে দাঁড়ানো; পিছে ফেরা Synonyms: spun around, pivoted, rotated |
He turned around to see who was calling his name. |
| run into (Phrasal Verb) |
IPA: /rʌn ˈɪntuː/ Bengali: ধাক্কা খাওয়া; অপ্রত্যাশিতভাবে দেখা হওয়া Synonyms: bump into, collide with, meet unexpectedly |
Be careful not to run into the railing. |
| whispered (Verb) |
IPA: /ˈwɪspəd/ Bengali: ফিসফিস করে কথা বলা Synonyms: murmured, spoke under her breath, breathed |
She whispered a secret in her friend's ear. |
| three-piece suit (Noun) |
IPA: /θriː piːs suːt/ Bengali: তিন-টুকরো স্যুট Synonyms: formal attire, vested suit, complete suit |
The groom wore a smart black three-piece suit. |
| hasty bow (Noun Phrase) |
IPA: /ˈheɪsti baʊ/ Bengali: দ্রুত প্রণাম; দ্রুত অভিবাদন Synonyms: quick nod, hurried inclination, rushed gesture |
He gave a hasty bow before leaving the stage. |
| drew over (Phrasal Verb) |
IPA: /druː ˈəʊvə/ Bengali: কাছে টেনে আনা Synonyms: pulled near, moved closer, dragged |
She drew over the blanket to keep warm. |
| higgledy-piggledy (Adjective/Adverb) |
IPA: /ˌhɪɡəldi ˈpɪɡəldi/ Bengali: বিশৃঙ্খলভাবে; এলোমেলোভাবে Synonyms: disorganized, messy, chaotic |
The toys were scattered higgledy-piggledy on the floor. |
| swallows' nest (Noun Phrase) |
IPA: /ˈswɒləʊz nɛst/ Bengali: আবাবিল পাখির বাসা Synonyms: bird's nest (specifically swallow's), avian home |
The swallows' nest was tucked under the eaves of the roof. |
| snip-snip (Onomatopoeia) |
IPA: /snɪp snɪp/ Bengali: কাঁচির আওয়াজ Synonyms: cutting sound, clicking noise, shearing sound |
The tailor worked, making a steady snip-snip with his scissors. |
| ran out of (Phrasal Verb) |
IPA: /ræn aʊt ɒv/ Bengali: ফুরিয়ে যাওয়া; শেষ হয়ে যাওয়া Synonyms: finished, depleted, used up |
We ran out of milk this morning. |
| racking (Verb) |
IPA: /rækɪŋ/ Bengali: তীব্রভাবে চেষ্টা করা; মগজ খাটানো Synonyms: straining, exhausting, torturing (as in 'racking one's brain') |
He spent hours racking his brain for the answer. |
| rips (Noun) |
IPA: /rɪps/ Bengali: ছেঁড়া স্থান; ফাটল Synonyms: tears, slits, snags, gashes |
The jeans had several small rips in the knees. |
| cotton panties (Noun) |
IPA: /ˈkɒtən ˈpæntiz/ Bengali: সুতির প্যান্টি Synonyms: cotton underpants, underwear, undergarments |
She packed several pairs of cotton panties for the trip. |
| in shreds (Prepositional Phrase) |
IPA: /ɪn ʃrɛdz/ Bengali: টুকরো টুকরো; ছিন্নভিন্ন Synonyms: torn to pieces, ragged, completely ruined |
After the accident, the tire was left in shreds. |
| burrowed (Verb) |
IPA: /ˈbʌrəʊd/ Bengali: গর্ত করা; সুড়ঙ্গ খোঁড়া; গুঁড়ি মেরে যাওয়া Synonyms: tunnelled, dug, squeezed through |
The mouse burrowed under the floorboards. |
| barbed wire (Noun) |
IPA: /bɑːbd waɪə/ Bengali: কাঁটাতার Synonyms: concertina wire, spiked wire, razor wire |
The field was secured by a fence made of barbed wire. |
| embroidered (Verb) |
IPA: /ɪmˈbrɔɪdəd/ Bengali: সূচিকর্ম করা; সেলাই করে নকশা করা Synonyms: stitched, patterned, ornamented |
The cushion cover was beautifully embroidered with flowers. |
| yawned (Verb) |
IPA: /jɔːnd/ Bengali: হাই তোলা Synonyms: gaped, stretched mouth, opened wide |
The speaker yawned, trying to stay awake. |
| astonished (Adjective) |
IPA: /əˈstɒnɪʃt/ Bengali: বিস্মিত; অবাক Synonyms: amazed, astounded, flabbergasted |
She was astonished by the unexpected gift. |
| sunny disposition (Noun Phrase) |
IPA: /ˈsʌni ˌdɪspəˈzɪʃən/ Bengali: প্রফুল্ল স্বভাব; হাসিখুশি প্রকৃতি Synonyms: cheerful nature, bright personality, happy outlook |
His sunny disposition made him popular among his colleagues. |
| Grange (Proper Noun) |
IPA: /ɡreɪndʒ/ Bengali: গ্রেঞ্জ (একটি নাম বা শব্দ) Synonyms: (N/A, specific term) |
The old Grange building stood alone on the hill. |
1. Multiple Choice Questions
- What was unusual about the gate of Totto-chan’s new school?
- It was made of tall concrete pillars.
- It was decorated with large characters and lanterns.
- It was completely covered with flower garlands.
- It consisted of two short tree posts with twigs and leaves.
- Why did Totto-chan tilt her head when reading the school name?
- The letters were too small to read.
- The sign was hanging askew on the wooden post.
- The sign was placed upside down.
- Sunlight was blocking her view.
- What surprising thing did Totto-chan see in the school grounds?
- A large playground with animals.
- A tiny wooden cottage used as a classroom.
- Six abandoned railroad cars used as classrooms.
- A moving train full of students.
- Why did Mother stop Totto-chan from entering the “train school” immediately?
- The classrooms were being cleaned.
- It was not visiting hours.
- Totto-chan had not been accepted into the school yet.
- The headmaster asked them to wait outside.
- Why did Totto-chan think the headmaster might be a stationmaster?
- Because the school used railroad cars and she assumed he owned them.
- Because he wore a train conductor’s uniform.
- Because she saw him holding a ticket puncher.
- Because he introduced himself as a stationmaster.
- What did the headmaster ask Totto-chan to do during their conversation?
- Answer a series of test questions.
- Write an application essay.
- Describe why she left her previous school.
- Tell him anything she wanted to talk about.
- Which of the following topics did Totto-chan NOT mention during her long talk?
- Her experience learning to play the violin.
- Her dog Rocky and his tricks.
- How fast the train traveled.
- The swallows’ nest she saw.
- Why were many of Totto-chan’s dresses torn?
- She often fell while playing sports.
- She crawled under fences and burrowed under barbed wire.
- Her dog used to pull on her clothes.
- She washed them too often.
- How long did the headmaster listen to Totto-chan talk?
- One hour.
- Two hours.
- Three hours.
- Four hours.
- Why did Totto-chan feel especially connected to the headmaster?
- He gave her gifts and treats.
- He let her play inside the train cars.
- He listened to her patiently without looking bored.
- He reminded her of her previous teacher.