Greta Thunberg is an environmental activist / The Greta Effect - Multiple Choice & Short Question for HSC English First Paper - English for Today for Class 11 and 12 / Seen Passage for HSC

Greta Thunberg is an environmental activist. She was born in Stockholm, Sweden, in 2003. When she was eight, she started learning about climate change. The more she learned, the more baffled she became as to why so little was being done about it. At the age of 11, Greta became so sad about climate change that she temporarily stopped speaking!

Greta has Asperger syndrome, a condition that affects how people socialise. But Greta views her condition as a positive, calling it her 'superpower'*! She says it helps her see the world in black and white, and that there are “no grey areas when it comes to climate change.'’

In August 2018, Greta decided to take action. Instead of going to school, she made a large sign that read ‘Skolstrejk for Klimatet”: SCHOOL STRIKE FOR CLIMATE', and calmly sat down outside the Swedish parliament. Her aim? To make politicians take notice and act to stop global warming.

Greta’s strike was picked up by the Swedish media, and the word started to spread. Soon enough, tens of thousands of students from around the world joined her #FndaysforFuture strikes - skipping school on Fridays to protest against climate change.

In March 2019. climate campaigners across the world, and inspired by Greta, came together to co-ordinate the first Global Strike for Climate. Over 1.6 million people from 125 countries took part!

Since her strike began. Greta’s life has become a whirlwind! She’s given rousing speeches to politicians, to the EU parliament, the UK parliament, to protesters and more. She's appeared in documentaries and had loads of books and articles written about her. She’s even been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize!

In August 2019, Greta travelled on a wind and solar-powered boat from Plymouth. UK. to New York. USA - the journey look 15 days. Her passionate speech “You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words...We tire in the beginning of a mass extinction, and all you can talk about is money, and fairy tales of eternal economic growth. How dare you!” has drawn much attention from all over the world. Thunberg was known for changing how some people think and act about climate change. Her impact is called ‘the Greta effect.”

Greta has named Rosa Parks, the civil rights activist, as one of her greatest inspirations. In the 1950s, Rosa sparked a civil rights movement that improved the lives and treatment of millions of African Americans.

B.       Write answers to the following questions.

a)       How has Great Thunberg dealt with her Asperger syndrome?

b)       Why did Greta stop attending her school?

c)       What did Greta’s travelling on a solar-powered boat symbolize?

d)       Has Greta’s activism created any impact on the society?

Answers:

a) How has Greta Thunberg dealt with her Asperger syndrome?

Greta Thunberg considers her Asperger syndrome a strength, calling it her "superpower." She believes it helps her see the world in black and white, allowing her to focus clearly on climate change without distractions.

b) Why did Greta stop attending her school?

In August 2018, Greta stopped attending school to protest against climate change. She started a school strike outside the Swedish parliament to urge politicians to take action against global warming.

c) What did Greta’s travelling on a solar-powered boat symbolize?

Greta’s journey on a wind and solar-powered boat symbolized her commitment to fighting climate change. It highlighted the importance of sustainable travel and reducing carbon emissions.

d) Has Greta’s activism created any impact on society?

Yes, Greta’s activism has had a significant impact on society. She has inspired millions of young people worldwide to join climate strikes, raised global awareness about climate change, and influenced political discussions. This influence is known as "the Greta effect."

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Where was Greta Thunberg born?

   • a) New York, USA

   • b) Stockholm, Sweden

   • c) London, UK

   • d) Paris, France

2. How old was Greta when she began learning about climate change?

   • a) 6

   • b) 8

   • c) 10

   • d) 11

3. What condition does Greta have that affects how she socialises?

   • a) Autism

   • b) Asperger syndrome

   • c) ADHD

   • d) Dyslexia

4. What did Greta do in August 2018 to protest climate change?

   • a) Went on a hunger strike

   • b) Went on a school strike

   • c) Gave a speech to politicians

   • d) Created a documentary

5. What was the name of the strike Greta started in 2018?

   • a) Fridays for Future

   • b) Climate Change Strike

   • c) Global Strike for Climate

   • d) School Strike for Climate

6. Which event brought together over 1.6 million people from 125 countries in March 2019?

   • a) The first Global Strike for Climate

   • b) Greta’s speech at the UN

   • c) The release of Greta’s book

   • d) A documentary about Greta

7. What kind of boat did Greta use to travel to New York in August 2019?

   • a) A sailboat

   • b) A motorboat

   • c) A wind and solar-powered boat

   • d) A cruise ship

8. What famous civil rights activist does Greta look up to as an inspiration?

   • a) Martin Luther King Jr.

   • b) Rosa Parks

   • c) Nelson Mandela

   • d) Malala Yousafzai

9. What was Greta’s famous quote in her speech at the UN in 2019?

   • a) "The earth is dying, and we are all responsible."

   • b) "You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words."

   • c) "We need to act now or it's too late."

   • d) "Save the planet, save the future."

10. How long did it take Greta to sail from Plymouth to New York?

    a) 10 days

    b) 12 days

    c) 15 days

    d) 20 days

    
    
    
    

    Here are the answers to the multiple-choice questions:

    
    

    Where was Greta Thunberg born?

    
    

    b) Stockholm, Sweden

    How old was Greta when she began learning about climate change?

    
    

    b) 8

    What condition does Greta have that affects how she socialises?

    
    

    b) Asperger syndrome

    What did Greta do in August 2018 to protest climate change?

    
    

    b) Went on a school strike

    What was the name of the strike Greta started in 2018?

    
    

    d) School Strike for Climate

    Which event brought together over 1.6 million people from 125 countries in March 2019?

    
    

    a) The first Global Strike for Climate

    What kind of boat did Greta use to travel to New York in August 2019?

    
    

    c) A wind and solar-powered boat

    What famous civil rights activist does Greta look up to as an inspiration?

    
    

    b) Rosa Parks

    What was Greta’s famous quote in her speech at the UN in 2019?

    
    

    b) "You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words."

    
    

    How long did it take Greta to sail from Plymouth to New York?

    
    

    c) 15 days

Short Answer Questions

1. What inspired Greta Thunberg to start her school strike for climate change?

   Greta was inspired by her growing frustration with the lack of action on climate change. At the age of 11, after learning more about the issue, she became deeply concerned and decided to take action by skipping school and sitting outside the Swedish parliament with a sign that read "School Strike for Climate."

2. What is Asperger syndrome, and how does Greta view it?

   Asperger syndrome is a condition that affects how people interact socially. Greta views it as a positive trait, calling it her "superpower." She believes it helps her focus on important issues like climate change, as she sees things in clear, black-and-white terms without grey areas.

3. How did Greta’s school strike become a global movement?

   Greta’s school strike, originally just her sitting outside the Swedish parliament, was picked up by the media and spread quickly. It inspired many other students around the world to join the #FridaysForFuture movement, skipping school on Fridays to protest against climate change.

4. What was the first Global Strike for Climate?

   The first Global Strike for Climate, coordinated by Greta and climate campaigners worldwide, took place in March 2019. It saw over 1.6 million people from 125 countries participating in the protest to demand action on climate change.

5. How has Greta’s life changed since starting her climate strike?

   Greta’s life has become very busy and filled with attention from media and world leaders. She has given speeches to major political bodies, appeared in documentaries, and even been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. Her efforts have made a global impact on climate awareness.

6. Why did Greta travel to New York in 2019, and how did she get there?

   Greta traveled to New York in August 2019 to attend a United Nations Climate Change Summit and speak about the urgency of climate action. She made the journey on a wind and solar-powered boat, which took 15 days, to minimize her carbon footprint.

7. What is “The Greta Effect”?

   The Greta Effect refers to the significant impact Greta Thunberg has had on how people think and act about climate change. Her powerful speeches and actions have inspired many to take climate action more seriously and join movements like Fridays for Future.

8. What was the message behind Greta’s speech, “You have stolen my dreams and my childhood”?

   In this speech, Greta expressed frustration with world leaders for not taking action on climate change, accusing them of stealing the future of young people like her by focusing on economic growth instead of the planet's survival. It was a powerful call for urgent action.

9. How does Greta's condition, Asperger syndrome, relate to her work on climate change?

   Greta's Asperger syndrome helps her stay focused on her goal of addressing climate change. She sees the issue in clear terms and is not distracted by what others may consider small details, which makes her more determined to make a difference.

10. How did Greta Thunberg’s activism influence young people around the world?

Greta’s activism sparked a global movement among young people. Many students began striking on Fridays to protest climate change, and her actions inspired millions to demand better environmental policies from their governments, highlighting the power of youth activism in global issues.

Bangla Translation

Greta Thunberg-এর বাংলা অনুবাদ:

গ্রেটা থানবার্গ একজন পরিবেশবাদী কর্মী। তিনি ২০০৩ সালে সুইডেনের স্টকহোমে জন্মগ্রহণ করেন। যখন তিনি আট বছর বয়সী ছিলেন, তখন তিনি জলবায়ু পরিবর্তন সম্পর্কে শেখা শুরু করেন। তিনি যত বেশি জানতেন, তত বেশি হতবাক হতেন যে কেন এ নিয়ে খুব কম পদক্ষেপ নেওয়া হচ্ছে। ১১ বছর বয়সে, গ্রেটা জলবায়ু পরিবর্তন নিয়ে এতটাই দুঃখিত হয়ে পড়েছিলেন যে তিনি সাময়িকভাবে কথা বলা বন্ধ করে দেন!

গ্রেটার অ্যাসপারগার সিনড্রোম রয়েছে, যা মানুষের সামাজিক আচরণকে প্রভাবিত করে। তবে গ্রেটা তার অবস্থাকে ইতিবাচকভাবে দেখেন এবং এটিকে তার ‘সুপারপাওয়ার’ বলে অভিহিত করেন! তিনি বলেন, এটি তাকে পৃথিবীকে কালো-সাদা দৃষ্টিতে দেখতে সাহায্য করে এবং জলবায়ু পরিবর্তনের ক্ষেত্রে কোনও ‘ধূসর এলাকা’ নেই।

অগাস্ট ২০১৮-তে, গ্রেটা ব্যবস্থা নেওয়ার সিদ্ধান্ত নেন। স্কুলে যাওয়ার পরিবর্তে, তিনি একটি বড় সাইনবোর্ড তৈরি করেন যেখানে লেখা ছিল ‘Skolstrejk för Klimatet’ অর্থাৎ ‘জলবায়ুর জন্য স্কুল ধর্মঘট’, এবং সুইডিশ পার্লামেন্টের সামনে শান্তভাবে বসে থাকেন। তার লক্ষ্য ছিল রাজনীতিবিদদের জলবায়ু পরিবর্তন সম্পর্কে সচেতন করা এবং পদক্ষেপ গ্রহণে বাধ্য করা।

গ্রেটার ধর্মঘট সুইডিশ সংবাদমাধ্যমে আলোচিত হয়, এবং এই খবর ছড়িয়ে পড়ে। খুব শীঘ্রই, বিশ্বজুড়ে হাজার হাজার শিক্ষার্থী #FridaysForFuture আন্দোলনে যোগ দেয়—তারা শুক্রবারে স্কুল বাদ দিয়ে জলবায়ু পরিবর্তনের বিরুদ্ধে প্রতিবাদ করতে থাকে।

মার্চ ২০১৯-এ, গ্রেটার অনুপ্রেরণায় জলবায়ু কর্মীরা প্রথম গ্লোবাল স্ট্রাইক ফর ক্লাইমেট সংগঠিত করেন। এতে ১২৫টি দেশের ১.৬ মিলিয়নেরও বেশি মানুষ অংশগ্রহণ করে!

গ্রেটার আন্দোলন শুরু হওয়ার পর তার জীবন এক বিশাল পরিবর্তনের মধ্য দিয়ে যায়। তিনি রাজনীতিবিদদের উদ্দেশে শক্তিশালী ভাষণ দিয়েছেন, ইউরোপীয় ইউনিয়ন ও ব্রিটিশ পার্লামেন্টে বক্তব্য রেখেছেন এবং প্রতিবাদকারীদের অনুপ্রাণিত করেছেন। তিনি বিভিন্ন তথ্যচিত্রে উপস্থিত হয়েছেন, তাকে নিয়ে অসংখ্য বই ও প্রবন্ধ লেখা হয়েছে এবং নোবেল শান্তি পুরস্কারের জন্য মনোনীতও হয়েছেন!

অগাস্ট ২০১৯-এ, গ্রেটা যুক্তরাজ্যের প্লাইমাউথ থেকে উইন্ড ও সোলার-পাওয়ারড নৌকায় চড়ে ১৫ দিনে নিউ ইয়র্কে পৌঁছান। সেখানে জাতিসংঘে তার আগ্রহী ভাষণ, “তোমরা আমার স্বপ্ন ও শৈশব চুরি করেছ তোমাদের ফাঁকা কথাবার্তায়... আমরা গণবিলুপ্তির শুরুতে রয়েছি, আর তোমরা শুধু অর্থনীতি ও অনন্ত প্রবৃদ্ধির রূপকথার গল্প বলছ। তোমাদের সাহস কীভাবে হয়!”—বিশ্বব্যাপী ব্যাপক আলোড়ন তোলে।

গ্রেটা বিশ্বজুড়ে মানুষকে জলবায়ু পরিবর্তন সম্পর্কে ভাবতে এবং পদক্ষেপ নিতে উদ্বুদ্ধ করেছেন। তার প্রভাবকে ‘গ্রেটা এফেক্ট’ বলা হয়।

গ্রেটা রোসা পার্কসকে তার অন্যতম বড় অনুপ্রেরণা হিসেবে উল্লেখ করেছেন। রোসা ১৯৫০-এর দশকে নাগরিক অধিকার আন্দোলনের সূচনা করেছিলেন, যা লক্ষ লক্ষ আফ্রিকান-আমেরিকানের জীবন ও অধিকার উন্নত করেছিল।

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40 vocabulary words, their meanings in Bangla, and short English examples.

Word	Meaning (Bangla)	Example Sentence
Activist	কর্মী, আন্দোলনকারী	Greta is a well-known climate activist.
Climate	জলবায়ু	The climate is changing rapidly.
Strike	ধর্মঘট	The workers went on strike for better wages.
Protest	প্রতিবাদ	Many students joined the protest against pollution.
Global	বিশ্বব্যাপী	Climate change is a global issue.
Awareness	সচেতনতা	People need more awareness about environmental issues.
Sustainable	টেকসই	We must use sustainable energy sources.
Pollution	দূষণ	Air pollution is increasing in cities.
Renewable	পুনর্নবীকরণযোগ্য	Solar energy is a renewable resource.
Inspire	অনুপ্রাণিত করা	Greta inspires young people to fight for the planet.
Parliament	সংসদ	She gave a speech in the European Parliament.
Generation	প্রজন্ম	The younger generation is concerned about climate change.
Impact	প্রভাব	The new law had a huge impact on society.
Extinction	বিলুপ্তি	Many species are at risk of extinction.
Economy	অর্থনীতি	The country's economy depends on agriculture.
Privilege	বিশেষ সুবিধা	Clean water should not be a privilege.
Dignity	মর্যাদা	Everyone deserves to live with dignity.
Equality	সমতা	The movement fights for gender equality.
Disadvantage	অসুবিধা	Poor people suffer the most disadvantages.
Fairness	ন্যায্যতা	The teacher ensured fairness in grading.
Reckless	বেপরোয়া	Reckless driving can cause accidents.
Hazard	বিপদ	Smoking is a serious health hazard.
Resources	সম্পদ	Natural resources should be used wisely.
Commitment	প্রতিশ্রুতি	She showed great commitment to her cause.
Inspire	অনুপ্রাণিত করা	His speech inspired many young activists.
Advocate	সমর্থক	She is a strong advocate for human rights.
Consumption	ব্যবহার	The consumption of plastic should be reduced.
Toxicity	বিষাক্ততা	The toxicity of chemicals harms the environment.
Awareness	সচেতনতা	Public awareness is necessary to stop pollution.
Devastation	ধ্বংস	The flood caused massive devastation.
Hazardous	বিপজ্জনক	This factory produces hazardous waste.
Elites	অভিজাত শ্রেণি	The elites enjoy more privileges in society.
Justice	ন্যায়বিচার	People demand justice for environmental damage.
Corporation	বৃহৎ কোম্পানি	Big corporations must take responsibility for pollution.