26 March, our independence day, is one of the most important state festivals. The day is celebrated every year in the country with great enthusiasm and fervour. It is a national holiday. All offices, educational institutions, shops and factories remain closed on this day. The day begins with a 31 gun salute.
Early in the morning the President and the Prime Minister, on behalf of the nation place floral wreaths at the National Mausoleum at Savar. Then other leaders, political parties, diplomats, social and cultural organizations, educational institutions and freedom fighters pay homage to the martyrs. People from all walks of life also go there in rallies and processions. There are many cultural programmes throughout the day, highlighting the heroic struggle and sacrifice in 1971.
In Bangabandhu National Stadium, school children, scouts and girl guides take part in various displays to entertain thousands of spectators. Educational institutions also organize their individual programmes. Sports meets and tournaments are also organized on the day, including the exciting boat race in the river Buriganga. In the evening, all major public buildings are illuminated with colourful lights. Bangla Academy, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and other socio-cultural organizations hold cultural functions. Similar functions are also arranged other places in the country.
(a) The celebration of Independence Day starts with -----.
(i) processions (ii) gun salute
(iii) placing wreaths at the National Mausoleum (iv) parade by defence forces
(b) The National Mausoleum is situated -----.
(i) on Dhaka University campus (ii) at Ramna Park
(iii) at Savar (iv) near Dhaka Medical College
(c) On Independence Day various displays are held -----.
(i) at the National Parade Ground (ii) in the streets
(iii) in the decorated vehicles (iv) in Bangabandhu Stadium
(d) What does the expression "people from all walks of life" in the passage mean?
(i) All the ordinary people (ii) All the rich people
(iii) All the poor people (iv) All categories of people
(e) 'Illuminate' stands for -----.
(i) put out (ii) light on (iii) put on (iv) put off
(f) What is the meaning for 'homage'?
(i) modesty (ii) earnestness (iii) respect (iv) consecration
(g) Various displays are arranged to ----- the spectators.
(i) sadden (ii) irritate (iii) annoy (iv) amuse
(h) A diplomat is a person who -----.
(i) represents his/her own country
(ii) represents his/her own family in a foreign country
(iii) creates anarchy among the people of foreign countries
(iv) highlights their political and social interest to the world community
(i) "Freedom fighters pay homage to the martyrs" means that they -----.
(i) highlight the sacrifice of martyrs (ii) praise highly of the martyrs
(iii) show due respect and gratitude to the martyrs (iv) maintain silence of the programmes
(j) What is the main purpose of the author of the passage?
(i) To highlight the celebration of Independence Day
(ii) To show us the way of arranging programmes
(iii) To describe our tradition
(iv) To show our nationalism and Bangali culture
(b) (iii) at Savar
(c) (iv) in Bangabandhu Stadium
(d) (iv) All categories of people
(e) (ii) light on
(f) (iii) respect
(g) (iv) amuse
(h) (i) represents his/her own country
(i) (iii) show due respect and gratitude to the martyrs
(j) (i) To highlight the celebration of Independence Day