Humans can neither change the sun's radiation nor the earth's orbit around the sun. But they can control the increase in the amount of greenhouse gases and its effect on the atmosphere. Only during the last hundred years the carbon dioxide concentration has been raised alarmingly in the atmosphere and we humans can be held responsible for this.
The main cause of the increase in carbon dioxide level in the atmosphere is the burning of fossil fuels. Since the end of the 19th century, industrial activities increased rapidly giving rise to many factories. These factories required energy, which was produced through the combustion of coal. Besides coal, other sources of energy, such as mineral oil and natural gas were also burned to heat our houses, run cars and airplanes or to produce electricity. Nowadays, about 85 million barrels of crude oil are burned daily. Every time a fossil raw material is burned, it releases carbon dioxide into the air.
Therefore, it is clear that more and more greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide are being generated worldwide by humans. Moreover, we are also strengthening the greenhouse effect by deforestation, which means cutting down trees. Every year enormous areas of forests are destroyed by people to obtain wood and to clear regions for mining and to create pasture. This loss of the forest causes dual problems. Trees that are burned up release large volumes of carbon dioxide gas into the air. On the other hand, as forests absorb a lot of carbon dioxide from the air and deliver oxygen instead, we also destroy an important storehouse of carbon dioxide when we clear forests.
(b) (iii) unpurified oil
(c) (ii) double
(d) (ii) Burning
(e) (i) Controlling the emission of greenhouse gases
(f) (iii) dangerous
(g) (ii) Strengthening of the greenhouse effect
(a) Fossil fuels are non-renewable raw materials such as coal, mineral oil and natural gas. We need them to produce energy, heat houses, run vehicles and generate electricity.
(b) Trees are important because they absorb carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen. Thus they help to reduce the greenhouse effect and protect the environment.
(c) We can reduce the rise of greenhouse gases by burning fewer fossil fuels, using cleaner sources of energy and stopping deforestation. We should also plant more trees and protect forests.
(d) We are strengthening the greenhouse effect by burning fossil fuels and cutting down forests. These activities release more carbon dioxide into the air and destroy the natural storehouse of carbon dioxide.
(e) Yes, I agree that humans are responsible for the greenhouse effect. Industrial activities, burning coal, oil and gas, running vehicles and destroying forests are all human activities that increase greenhouse gases.
(b) houses
(c) carbon dioxide
(d) around
(e) balance
Walt Whitman was a poet, essayist, journalist and humanist. He was born on 31 May 1819 in West Hills, Long Island, New York. He grew up in a large family and attended public school until the age of eleven. After leaving school, he worked as a printer's apprentice and later as a teacher and journalist.
In 1855, Whitman published the first edition of his most famous poetry collection, 'Leaves of Grass'. Though it received mixed reviews at first, the book became highly influential and was expanded many times throughout his life. During the American Civil War in 1861 Whitman served as a volunteer in Washington DC caring for wounded soldiers. His wartime experiences deeply influenced his later writings. Whitman received widespread recognition during his lifetime and is now considered one of America's greatest poets. In 1873, he suffered a stroke, after which he moved to Camden, New Jersey, where he lived for the rest of his life. Walt Whitman died on 26 March 1892 in Camden and was buried in Harleigh Cemetery.
| No. | Answer |
|---|---|
| (i) | West Hills, Long Island, New York |
| (ii) | Leaves of Grass |
| (iii) | during the American Civil War in 1861 |
| (iv) | Camden, New Jersey |
| (v) | died |
(a) The ground shakes when an earthquake happens.
(b) Tall buildings can fall in a big shake.
(c) Bangladesh sits on moving tectonic plates.
(d) Earthquake resistant building codes must be followed by every builder.
(e) People need to know what to do during an earthquake.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| e | c | h | a | f | d | b | g |
(a) In Whitman's poem, the phrase 'useless years' means the years of life that seem wasted, empty or without meaningful achievement.
(b) Eleanor Farjeon calls each book 'a magic box' because a book can open a wonderful world of imagination, knowledge and adventure to the reader.
(c) The two mothers in the poem are the poet's own mother and her mother-in-law, who are remembered with love and respect.
(d) Charles Kingsley calls the river 'cruel' and 'hungry' because it swallowed Mary and took her life without mercy.
(e) Time is called an 'old gipsy man' because it is always moving and never stays in one place.
(f) Robert Frost stopped beside dark, lovely and deep woods on a snowy evening. The place was quiet, lonely and covered with falling snow.
(g) In the line 'And miles to go before I sleep', the word 'sleep' means death or final rest after completing life's duties.
(h) The final message of 'Solitude' is that people usually share our joy but avoid us in sorrow. So one must learn to face grief alone.
(a) Ameen was a simple, honest and poor boy. He was obedient and respectful, and his character showed sincerity and goodness.
(b) The milliner's shop was beautifully decorated with colourful ribbons, flowers, feathers and attractive articles. Everything looked bright and charming to Rosamond.
(c) Rosamond did not examine the purple jar well because she was charmed by its beautiful colour. She was too eager to buy it and did not think about its real use.
(d) Rosamond's father said this. He said so because he wanted Rosamond to judge things by their usefulness, not only by their outward beauty.
(e) Bassanio was Antonio's close friend and a young Venetian gentleman. He was short of money all the time because he lived beyond his means and spent more than he earned.
(f) Shylock was a cruel, greedy and revengeful moneylender. He hated Antonio and wanted to take revenge on him.
(g) Portia's father made three caskets of gold, silver and lead. The lead casket contained the portrait of Portia.
(h) Portia was the wise lawyer who saved Antonio's life. She was intelligent, courageous and resourceful.
Honesty Is the Best Policy
Motin is a poor farmer living in a village. His wife Dilara is an honest and pious woman. They have old parents and two school-going children living with them. So, they had to maintain the family with great difficulty. One day Dilara bought a lottery ticket and kept it in her bag. When the draw took place, she found that she had won the first prize of ten lakh taka.
At first, Dilara could hardly believe it. She showed the ticket to her husband. Motin was also surprised and happy. Their neighbours advised them to spend the money on a new house, land and ornaments. But Dilara said, "We should use this money wisely and honestly. Allah has given us a chance to change our life."
Motin agreed with his wife. They went to the lottery office and received the prize money legally. Then they repaid their old debts and admitted their children to a better school. They also repaired their small house and bought two cows so that the family could earn regularly.
One day Dilara found that the shopkeeper had returned five thousand taka extra by mistake. Motin wanted to keep silent, but Dilara immediately returned the money. The shopkeeper was moved by her honesty and blessed the family.
From then on, Motin and Dilara lived a modest but happy life. They understood that sudden money can bring comfort, but honesty brings real peace and honour.
Abir: Hello, Bablu. How are you?
Bablu: I am fine, Abir. What about you?
Abir: I am fine too. But I am worried about you.
Bablu: Why are you worried?
Abir: You were a good student, but now you are very inattentive to your studies. You spend too much time playing online games on your smartphone.
Bablu: I know, but online games are very entertaining.
Abir: Entertainment is necessary, but too much gaming wastes time and harms concentration. It can also affect your eyes, sleep and studies.
Bablu: You are right. But a smartphone has many good uses too.
Abir: Of course. We can use it for online classes, educational videos, dictionaries, news, communication and learning new skills.
Bablu: I also use it to collect notes and contact teachers sometimes.
Abir: That is good. But you should make a routine. Use the smartphone for study first, and play games only for a short time after finishing your lessons.
Bablu: I understand. I will reduce gaming and use my phone properly.
Abir: That is a wise decision. A smartphone is helpful when we control it, but harmful when it controls us.
Bablu: Thank you, Abir. I will be more careful from today.
Abir: You are welcome, my friend.