Unit-1, Lesson-2 (C)
Read the text and answer questions 1 and 2.
Nakshi kantha is a kind of embroidered quilt. The name was taken from the Bengali word, ‘Naksha’ which means artistic pattern. It is a kind of traditional craft and is said to be indigenous to Bangladesh and West Bengal in India. The art has been practiced in rural Bengal for centuries. The name ‘Nakshi kantha’ became popular after the poet Jashimuddins poem ‘Nakshi Kanthar Math’ was published in 1929.
Traditional kanthas are made for family use. Old or new cloth and thread are used to make these quilts. Mymensingh, Jamalpur, Rajshahi, Faridpur, Bogura and Jessore are most famous for this craft. Now it is produced commercially. You can find them in many expensive handicraft shops in cities. The quilts are now in great demand because of the colourful patterns and designs embroidered on them.
1. Choose the correct answer to each question from the alternatives given and write the corresponding number of the answers in your answer script. 1x7=7
(a) The word ‘indigenous’ in line 3 of the text means ---.
(i) foreign (ii) native
(iii) hand-made (iv) all the above
(b) The word ‘thread’ in line 7 of the text means ---.
(i) threat (ii) yarn
(iii) field (iv) yard
(c) The word ‘pattern’ in line 2 of the text means ---.
(i) mark (ii) decoration
(iii) design (iv) embellishment
(d) What does the word ‘craft’ mean in line 3 of the text?
(i) asset (ii) art
(iii) property (iv) device
(e) The word ‘demand’ in the closing line of the text means---.
(i) need (ii) familiarity
(iii) price (iv) popularity
(f) The name ‘Nakshi Kantha’ was derived from the word---.
(i) English (ii) Bengali
(iii) Hindi (iv) French
(h) This art has been continuing for ---.
(i) generations (ii) centuries
(iii) years (iv) ages
2. Give short answers to the following questions. 2x5=10
(a) What does ‘Naksha’ mean?
(b) What materials are required to prepare Nakshi Kanthas?
(c) Is Nakshi Kantha a traditional craft of Bangladesh and India? If yes, how?
(d) Why are ‘Nakshi Kanthas’ in great demand?
(e) Where has the art of ‘Nakshi Kantha’ been practiced for ages?
Answer: 1. a) ii) native, b) ii) yarn, c) iii) design, d) ii) art, e) i) need, f) ii) Bengali, g) (ii) centuries.
2. a) ‘Naksha’ means artistic pattern.
b) Old or new cloth and thread are required to prepare Nakshi Kanthas.
c) Yes, it is. The art of Nakshi Kantha has been practiced in rural areas of Bangladesh and West Bengal in India for centuries.
d) ‘Nakshi Kanthas’ are in great demand because of the colourful patterns and designs embroidered on them.
e) The art of ‘Nakshi Kantha’ has been practiced in rural Bengal for ages.
লেখক : সিনিয়র শিক্ষক, ইংরেজি
লেক সার্কাস গার্লস হাই স্কুল, কলাবাগান, ঢাকা
কবীর
