Read the following text and answer the questions that follow.
December 16 is a remarkable day for Bangladeshi people. On this day in 1971, Bangladesh got independence after a nine-month-long blood-soaked battle against the Pakistani army. It is a day of national pride as well as a day of commemorating the sacrifices of the millions of Bangladeshi people. Pakistani army killed three million people and raped thousands of women.
Victory Day is celebrated with great enthusiasm across the country. The day begins with a 31-gun salute at dawn, followed by the hoisting of the national flag at government buildings and private institutions. Different political, cultural and educational programs are organized to pay homage to the martyrs of the war. The entire nation celebrates the day with colorful flags, banners and parades.
The National Parade ground hosts a grand military parade where the president, the prime minister and dignitaries from government and non-government sectors join. The National Martyrs' Memorial in Savar, our monument dedicated to the soldiers and civilians who lost their lives during the war, becomes a focal point for citizens to pay their respects. People from all walks of life gather to offer flowers, recite patriotic songs, and recall the sacrifices made by the nation's heroes.

• (a) Read the above text again and answer the following questions.

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• (i)

  What is the significance of our Victory Day?

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• (ii)

  Why do we pay homage to our martyrs?

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• (iii)

  What is the name of the monument situated at Savar?

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• (iv)

  How many people have sacrificed their lives for our country's liberation?

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• (v)

  When and how does the nation celebrate the Victory Day?

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• (b) Fill in each gap with a suitable word based on the information of the text.

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• (i)

  We celebrate our (a) ______  Day on December 16. Bangladesh became an (b) ______ country on this day in 1971. We had to fight for nine long months to win this glorious victory. Millions of people (c) ______  in that war. The Victory Day is the day when we honour the (d) ______  of the people of Bangladesh. People from all walks of life visit the National Martyrs' Memorial to pay tribute to the martyrs by (e) ______  flowers.

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• (ii)

  In Bangladesh, the Victory Day is observed (a).______  A 31-gun salute marks the (b) ______ of the day. Various programs are organized to honor the (c) ______  of the war. A grand military parade takes place at the National Parade ground, which is attended by (d) ______ figures. The National Martyrs' Memorial at Savar becomes a central place for people to (e) ______tribute to those who died in the war.

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• (c) Read the passage again and then write the antonym or synonym of the words as directed.

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• (i)

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• (a) recall (synonym)

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• (b) private (antonym)

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• (c) homage (synonym)

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• (d) battle (synonym)

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• (e) focal (antonym)

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• (ii)

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• (a) independence (synonym)

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• (b) dawn (synonym)

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• (c) remarkable (antonym)

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• (d) nation (synonym)

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• (e) hoisting (antonym)

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