Summary
A. In a conversation between Shanta and her friend Jenny, Shanta expresses her dream of being a good human being and working for her country, regardless of her profession. She is inspired by great personalities and aspires to learn from their biographies.
B. Pritilata Waddedar, born on 5 May 1911 in Chattogram, was an activist in the anti-British movement and graduated in philosophy from Bethune College. She aimed for gender equality and freedom from British colonial rule. Pritilata became the head teacher of a school and participated in Surja Sen's resistance movement. She led an attack on the Pahartali European Club but was captured and committed suicide to avoid arrest. Her sacrifices demonstrated women's capability and commitment to fighting for freedom. The end of British rule in 1947 realized her dream, although she did not live to see it.
C. Matching words from Column A with meanings in Column B includes:
- Graduated: Took a university degree
- Activist: A member of a certain social or political group
- Movement: Activities
- Gender discrimination: Inequality between male and female
- Colonial rule: Rule by a powerful country over a weaker country
- Combat: Fight
- Gradually: Slowly
- Resistance: Battle
- Notorious: Dishonourable
- Assign: Give responsibilities
D. Questions about Pritilata's life include:
- Where did Pritilata fight? At the Pahartali European Club.
- When did she fight? In 1932.
- Why did she fight? To fight against the British rule.
- What was Pritilata's profession? She was a head teacher.
- What do you learn from Pritilata's life? Women's capability and bravery in the fight for freedom.
E. Questions formed from the substitution table matched with answers include:
- When: When was Pritilata born? On 5 May 1911.
- Where: Where did she fight? In Chattogram.
- What did she graduate in? Philosophy.
- Why did she fight? To fight against the British rule.
- What was the Pahartali European Club famous for? For its notorious sign - Dogs and Indians not allowed.
- Who assigned Pritilata to attack the Club? Surja Sen.
- How did Pritilata die? She committed suicide by taking potassium cyanide.
A. Shanta was chatting with one of her foreign friends Jenny. Read the dialogue and tell what the subject of their conversation is.
Jenny: Shanta, what's your dream for the future?
Shanta: To be a good human being first and then work for my country-no matter whether I become a social worker, an artist, or a professional.
Jenny :Wow! I really appreciate your thought! By the way, Shanta, does anyone inspire you in your dreams?
Shanta: Certainly. I'm always influenced by the great personalities in our coun- try and abroad. Whenever I read the biography of great people, I try to understand how their dreams helped them to be what they have been.
Jenny : Would you please tell me about some of your favourite dreamers?
Shanta: Sure! Read the following texts to know about some dreamers in my country. They are my icons as well.
B. Read the text and complete the tasks C and D.
Pritilata Waddedar was born in Chattogram on 5 May 1911. She was a meritorious student at Dr Khastagir Government Girls' School in Chattogram and Eden College, Dhaka. She graduated in philosophy with distinction from Bethune College in Kolkata, In her college days, Pritilata was an activist in the anti-British movement. All through her life, she dreamt of two things: a society without gender discrimination, and her motherland free from British colonial rule. So she decided to fight against the British rule. Soon after, Pritilata became the head teacher of Nandankanon Aparna Charan School in Chattogram. Gradually she involved herself in Surja Sen's armed resistance movement. Surja Sen was a famous anti-British movement organiser and revolutionary activist in Chattogram area at that time. In 1932, Surja Sen planned an attack on the Pahartali European Club. The club was well-known for its notorious sign at its entrance: Dogs and Indians not allowed. Surja Sen assigned Pritilata to lead a team of 10-12 men to attack the Club. The raid was successful but Pritilata, dressed as a man, failed to get out of the Club. She committed suicide by taking potassium cyanide to avoid arrest. She proved that women can work like men. She also proved that women too needed to be prepared to sacrifice their lives for freedom from the British colonial rule. Her dream finally came true. The British rule came to an end in 1947 though she couldn't see it during her lifetime.
C. Read the words in Column A and match them with the meanings in Column B.
| Column A | Column B |
|
graduated gradually |
a member of a certain social or political group fight took a university degree rule by a powerful country over a weaker country battle inequality between male and female slowly give responsibilities activities dishonourable |
D. Now answer the questions.
1. Where did Pritilata fight?
2. When did she fight?
3. Why did she fight?
4. What was Pritilata's profession?
5. What do you learn from Pritilata's life?
E. Now make questions from the substitution table and match the answers. One is done for you.
|
When Where What What Who How |
was did |
she graduate in? Pritilata born? assigned Pritilata to attack the Club? Pritilata die? the Pahartali European Club famous for? she born? |
On 5 May 1911. In Chattogram Philosophy. To fight against the British rule. For its notorious sign-Dogs and Indians not allowed. Surja Sen. She committed suicide by taking potassium cyanide. |
