Traditional childhood pastimes of climbing trees and playing conkers are in decline, according to a survey by the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds). It's a charitable organization registered in England and Wales. The survey shows that people under 34 recall far fewer such childhood outdoor experiences than people over 55, according to a survey by RSPB.
People were asked which of the twelve childhood outdoor experiences they could remember. The answer included making dens, daisy chains, climbing trees, playing conkers and feeding birds. Four out of five boys climbed trees and the same number of girls made daisy chains. But the survey showed the numbers declining among the newer generations. Some 15% more of those aged over 55 had these outdoor experiences in their childhood, compared with those between 15-34 years old. Some 92% of the public agreed that experiences of nature were still important to children, and 82% agreed that schools should play a role in providing them to all children.
The survey has highlighted the positive impact of contact with nature on a child's education, health, wellbeing and social skills. At the same time, there has been a decline in these opportunities, with negative consequences for children, families and society a condition now known as nature deficit disorder.
Mike Clarke, chief executive of the RSPB, will meet parliament members to urge the government to join other organizations in providing children with first-hand experiences of the natural environment "We believe this guidance should include the many positive impacts to children of having contact with nature and learning outside the classroom."
(b) (i) Involve
(c) (i) recollect
(d) (iii) Climbing trees
(e) (iii) detached from
(f) (i) benevolent
(g) (iii) cave
(a) The full form of RSPB is the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. It works in England and Wales.
(b) The traditional childhood pastimes mentioned in the text are making dens, making daisy chains, climbing trees, playing conkers and feeding birds.
(c) The survey by RSPB showed that people under 34 recall far fewer childhood outdoor experiences than people over 55. It also showed that such activities are declining among newer generations.
(d) I think these pastime habits are declining among the newer generation because children now spend more time indoors with electronic devices and get fewer chances to play outside in nature.
(e) Nature deficit disorder means the harmful condition caused by children's lack of contact with nature. It can negatively affect their education, health, wellbeing and social skills.
| No. | Answer |
|---|---|
| (i) | 1985 |
| (ii) | Bangladesh |
| (iii) | the capital of Nepal |
| (iv) | Afghanistan |
| (v) | held |
(a) Facebook is an internet-based social network connecting people worldwide.
(b) Nowadays Facebook has become an important part of our daily life.
(c) It contributes much to maintain social and friendly relationship among people living anywhere.
(d) People are also using Facebook to facilitate the official works.
(e) Everybody having internet connection may gain access to Facebook.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| a | c | g | d | b | h | e | f |
(a) In the poem "O Me! O Life!", the poet refers by "useless years" to the years that seem meaningless because of disappointment, failure and lack of purpose.
(b) According to the poem "Books", fairies, elves, kings, queens and many wonderful things rise in our fancies and our eyes.
(c) In the poem "Two Mothers Remembered", the speaker's second mother was the woman who brought him up with love and care after his birth mother.
(d) In the poem "Time, You Old Gypsy Man", the poet will offer time bells to ring, birds to sing, flowers to bloom and songs to play if it stays just for a day.
(e) Robert Frost stopped by the woods because he was attracted by their beauty, silence and mystery on a snowy evening.
(f) By the verse "And miles to go before I sleep", the poet means that he has many duties and responsibilities to perform before he can rest or die.
(g) According to the poem "Solitude", friends stay with us when we are happy and successful, but they leave us when we are sad or in trouble.
(h) In "The Sands of Dee", the poet has described the western tide as wild, powerful and dangerous as it comes up from the sea.
(a) The milliner's shop was decorated with beautiful ribbons, laces, flowers, feathers and many attractive ornaments.
(b) Rosamond wanted to buy many pretty things from the shop, especially the colourful purple jar that fascinated her.
(c) Her mother tried to stop Rosamond by advising her to think carefully and choose only what was useful, not what merely looked attractive.
(d) Bassanio was constantly short of money because he lived a luxurious life and spent more than he could afford.
(e) Antonio met Shylock to borrow money for Bassanio so that Bassanio could go to Belmont and try to marry Portia.
(f) Three people tried to choose the right casket: the Prince of Morocco, the Prince of Arragon and Bassanio. Bassanio succeeded at last.
(g) In "The Wheel of Cyclone", the writer narrates the atmosphere before the storm as gloomy, tense and frightening, with signs of violent weather approaching.
(h) Ameen did not make any conversation during his breakfast because he was worried and thoughtful about the coming cyclone and the danger it might bring.
King Midas and the Golden Touch
Once upon a time there was a king called Midas. He was extremely fond of gold. Though he had a lot of it, he wanted more. One day a wise god came to him and asked what he wanted most. Midas quickly said that he wanted everything he touched to turn into gold.
The god granted his wish. Midas became very happy. He touched his chair, table and garden flowers, and all of them turned into gold. At first, he thought he was the happiest man in the world.
But soon he became hungry. When he touched his food, it turned into gold. When he tried to drink water, it also became gold. Then his beloved daughter came to him. He touched her, and she too turned into a golden statue.
Midas cried bitterly and understood his mistake. He prayed to the god to take away the golden touch. The god felt pity for him and told him how to remove the curse. Midas followed the instruction and got back his daughter. From that day he understood that greed brings misery and that love is more valuable than gold.
Nahid: Hello Shafin, our SSC examination is almost over. What do you plan to do after the exam?
Shafin: Hello Nahid. I have many plans. First, I want to take some rest because the exam preparation was very stressful.
Nahid: That sounds good. I also want to relax for a few days and spend time with my family.
Shafin: After that, I want to improve my English speaking and computer skills.
Nahid: Excellent idea. These skills will help us in higher studies and future life.
Shafin: What about you? Do you have any special plan?
Nahid: Yes, I want to read storybooks, learn basic computer work and join a short English course.
Shafin: I also want to visit my village. I have not met my grandparents for a long time.
Nahid: That will be wonderful. I am planning to help my younger brother with his studies too.
Shafin: We should also prepare ourselves for college admission.
Nahid: Of course. After getting the result, we have to choose a good college carefully.
Shafin: Let us make a routine so that we can enjoy the vacation and also learn useful things.
Nahid: I agree. A planned vacation will be both enjoyable and productive.
Shafin: Thank you for sharing your plan, Nahid.
Nahid: You are welcome, Shafin.