Read the following passage and answer the questions below:
Zahir Raihan was one of the most talented film makers in Bangladesh. He was born on 19 August 1935 in the village Majupur, in Feni district. He was an active worker of the Language Movement. He was one of the ten students to go out in a procession on 21 February 1952 despite a ban on such activities imposed by the authorities. As a result, he and many others were arrested and taken to prison. Raihan was also present at the historical meeting of Amtala on 21 February 1952. He also took part in the mass movement in 1969. In 1971, he joined the Liberation War.
All through his life, Zahir Raihan dreamt of a democratic society, a society that would ensure freedom of speech. He had many dreams about our film industry too. He made a legendary 'film "Jibon Theke Neya" based on the Language Movement of 1952. It was a protest against the autocratic government then ruling our country. The family portrayed in that film symbolically presented East Pakistan. The family was ruled by an autocrat who had to go to prison for her conspiracy (FTO). During the Liberation War in 1971, this film was shown outside Bangladesh.
Celebrated film makers like Satyajit Ray, Mrinal Sen, and Ritwik Ghatak appreciated the film. Raihan gave all money the film made to the Freedom Fighters' trust. Besides his great documentary on Pakistani atrocities, Stop Genocide, helped create world sentiment in favour of our liberation war.
On 30 December 1971. Someone informed Raihan about an address somewhere at Mirpur where might find his brother, the famous writer Shahidullah haiser who had gone missing from 14 December 1971. Kaiser was captured and killed by the Pakistani army and the local collaborators (57101P) during the last days of the war. Accordingly. Raihan left home to get his brother back but he never returned. Zahir Raihan's dream was fulfilled. He could see the emergence of independent Bangladesh though he did not get back his brother. And it's a pity that this dreamer could not live to see his dream came true.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives.
(a) Zahir was imprisoned because
(i) he depicted the atrocities of Pakistan
(ii) he took part in the freedom fight
(iii) he was an activities of Mass Movement
(iv) he took part in the Language Movement
Answer: (a) (iv) he took part in the Language Movement
(b) According to the passage the word "Sentiment" means
(i) sensibility
(ii) opinion
(iii) intuition
(iv) passion
Answer: (b) (ii) opinion
(c) In the passage the word inception means
(i) end
(ii) finish
(iii) beginning
(iv) conclusion
Answer: (c) (iii) beginning
(d) Zahir had dreams about our --
(i) Country
(ii) film industry
(iii) Liberation war
(iv) both (i) and (ii)
Answer: (d) (iv) both (i) and (ii)
(e) Zahir's dream was —
(i) neglected
(ii) incomplete
(iii) fulfilled
(iv) denied
Answer: (e) (iii) fulfilled
(f) 'What does the expression' 'a ban on such activities' mean in the passage?
(i) People were not allowed to get out on that day
(ii) Students were not permitted to attend the class
(iii) All kinds of public gatherings were prohibited
(iv) People were ordered to stay outside
Answer: (f) (iii) All kinds of public gatherings were prohibited
(g) Zahir wished for a -- Bangladesh..
(i) free
(ii) autocratic
(iii) imperious
(iv) communist
Answer: (g) (i) free
Extra Questions:
(1) What does the expression "Zahir dreamt for a democratic society, a society that will ensure freedom of speech and will" mean best?
(i) Zahir did a lot to ensure freedom of speech and will
(ii) Zahir dreamt of freedom fighting
(iii) Zahir dreamt of an independent country
(iv) Zahir was all against freedom of press
Answer: (1) (i) Zahir did a lot to ensure freedom of speech and will
(2) What does the word 'movement' mean?
(i) commotion
(ii) inaction
(iii) inactivity
(iv) interne
Answer: (2) (i) commotion
(3) Which one is synonymous to conspiracy?
(i) consistency
(ii) confusion
(iii) intrigue
(iv) infraction
Answer: (3) (iii) intrigue
(4) What does the word 'legendary' mean in this passage?
(i) renowned
(ii) ancient
(iii) top
(iv) legion
Answer: (4) (i) renowned
(5) What does the word 'autocratic' mean?
(i) automatic
(ii) constitution
(iii) imperious
iv) essential
Answer: (5) (iii) imperious
(6) Zahir Raihan had a dream for a cu ensuring –
(i) freedom of speech and will
(ii) fundamental rights to all
(iii) equal opportunities
(iv) freedom of actions
Answer: (6) (i) freedom of speech and will
(7)He gave all his money to the Freedom Fighters' trust as he
(i) felt patriotic zeal
(ii) felt excitement after getting film award
(iii) felt confused with the money
(iv) got afraid of keeping money with him
Answer: (7) (i) felt patriotic zeal
(8) The nation owes to Zahir Raihan because of his —
(i) being rational to the country
(ii) nice painting and music
(iii) outstanding contribution to Bengali films and Liberation War
(iv) hatred towards the Pakistani ruler
Answer: (8) (iii) outstanding contribution to Bengali films and Liberation War
(9) 'Stop Genocide' helped create —
(i) World sentiment against our Liberation War
(ii) World wrath protesting the Liberation War
(iii) World sentiment in favour of our Liberation War
(iv) World clash discouraging our Liberation War
Answer: (9) (iii) World sentiment in favour of our Liberation War
(10) Which of the following has the closest meaning of the word 'atrocities' used in the passage?
(i) Geniality
(ii) Civility
(iii) Asperity
(iv) Cruelty
Answer: (10) (iv) Cruelty
(11) Zahir was the participant of
(i) Language Movement
(ii) Liberation War
(iii) Mass movement in 1969
(iv) All of these
Answer: (11) (iv) All of these
(12) Which of the following expression Zahir best?
(i) Language activities
(ii) Freedom
(iii) A talented film maker
(iv) A great patriot
Answer: (12) (iv) A great patriot
(13) Which is the closest meaning of the 'autocrat'?
(i) Liberal
(ii) Dictator
(iii) Democratic
(iv) Aristocratic
Answer: (13) (ii) Dictator
(14) On which basis did Zahir Rathan m film 'Jibon Theke Neya"?
(i) Local movement
(ii) Liberation War
(iii) Mass Movement in 1969
(iv) Language Movement
Answer: (14) (iv) Language Movement
(15) Several critics praised Zahir for
(i) Contribution to language movement
(ii) Documentary 'Stop Genocide
(iii) Famous movie 'Jibon Theke Neya'
(iv) Contribution to the war of liberation
Answer: (15) (iii) Famous movie ‘Jibon Theke Neya'
(16) The text is about –
(i) Zahir Raihan's contribution movement
(ii) Zahir Raihan's early life
(iii) Zahir Raihan and his patriotism
(iv) Zahirs contribution in film industry
Answer: (16) (iii) Zahir Raihan and his patriotism
(17) 'Stop Genocide' is about
(i) Language Movement
(ii) Mass Movement
(iii) Liberation War
(iv) Cruelty of the then government
Answer: (17) (iv) cruelty of the then government
(18) What does the expression for speech' mean in the passage?
(i) Right to speak against the go
(ii) Right to voice one's opinion publicly without fear
(iii) Right to speak the mother ton
(iv) Right to speak in the meeting
Answer: (18) (ii) Right to voice one's opinion publicly without fear
(19) What does the expression 'mass movement mean?
(i) Public upsurge
(ii) Military coup
(iii) Public interest
(iv) Fall of the government
Answer: (19) (i) Public upsurge
(20) 'Stop Genocide' is ------,
(i) A film on Liberation War
(ii) PA short film
(iii) A documentary
(iv) A feature
Answer: (20) (iii) A documentary
(21) The Mass Movement occurred in --
(i) 1952
(ii) 1971
(iii) 1948
(iv) 1969
Answer: (21) (iv) 1969
(22) What is the main theme of the passage?
(i) About Zahir's last days
(ii) About Zahir's activities
(iii) About Zahir's life
(iv) About Zahir's contribution
Answer: (22) (iv) About Zahir's contribution
(23) As a film maker Zahir Raihan was endowed with
(i) aesthetic talent
(ii) visual aptitude
(iii) artistic outlook
(iv) real stance
Answer: (23) (i) aesthetic talent
(24) Zahir Raihan might be killed by the
(i) Pakistani army
(ii) Pakistani collabotors
(iii) native hijacker
(iv) a group of robbers
Answer: (24) (i) Pakistani army
(25) Zahir Raihan disappeared ----
(i) after the liberation war
(ii) before the liberation war
(iii) during the liberation war
(iv) during the language movement
Answer: (25) (i) after the Liberation War
Short Question Answer
2. Answer the following questions.
(a) From your reading of the paragraph--2 of the passage, give an account of the legendary of film 'Jibon Theke Neya' in brief.
Answer: (a) Jibon Theke Neya' is a legendary film. Zahir Raihan made this film based on the Language Movement. The family in the movie was a symbol of East Pakistan. The family head, an autocrat, represented the head of East Pakistan. At last the family head had to go to jail. Zahir Raihan here expresses that no autocrat can rule for ever.
(b) From your reading of the last paragraph of the passage, what do you know about Shahidullah Kaiser?
Answer: (b) Shahidullah Kaiser was the elder brother of Zahir Raihan. He was a famous writer. He was killed by the Pakistani Army and the local collaborators.
(c) Besides being known as a talented film maker prominent writer and journalist, Zahir Raihan was a generous man. Do you support the opinion? If yes, explain in 2--3 sentences.
Answer: (c) Yes, I support the opinion. Zahir Raihan gave all the money of the film 'Jobon Theke Neya' to the freedom fighters' trust. Besides, he dreamt of a democratic society, a society that would ensure freedom of speech. So we can say that he was a generous man.
(d) What is your idea about Zahir's contribution to film?
Answer: (d) Zahir Raihan was one of the most talented film makers in Bangladesh. He made a good number of films. All the films got popularity among the viewers. Critics like Satyajit Ray, Mrinal Sen and Ritwik Ghatak appreciated his film "Jibon Theke Neya".
(e) From your reading paragraph--1, describe 21 February of 1952.
Answer: (e) Language Movement got momentum on 21 February 1952. Zahir Raihan was an active worker of this movement. Despite ban, he along with other students brought out a procession on this day. Many others including him were taken to prison. Some were shot dead.
Extra Questions:
(1) What was the background of the film 'Jibon Theke Neya'?
Answer: (1) Language Movement of 1952 was of the background of the film "Jibon Theke Neya".
(2) What is 'Stop Genocide'? How did it help our Liberation War?
Answer: (2) 'Stop Genocide' is a documentary on Pakistani atrocities made by Zahir Raihan. It helped create world sentiment in favour of our Liberation War.
(3) Who was Zahir Raihan?
Answer: (3) Zahir Raihan was one of the most talented film makers of Bangladesh. He was also an active participant in the Language Movement, Mass Movement and Liberation War.
(4) How did Zahir create world sentiment in favour of our Liberation War?
Answer: (4) Zahir created world sentiment in favour of our Liberation War by showing his legendary film 'Jibon Theke Neya' outside Bangladesh which earned much appreciation and concern of the foreigners for the people of Bangladesh,
(5) Why did Zahir leave home?
Answer: (5) On 30 December, 1971, someone informed Zahir that somewhere at Mirpur, he might find his brother Shahidullah Kaiser. That's why he left home to find his brother but never came back.
(6) Where did Zahir contribute to all his earning?
Answer: (6) Zahir contributed all his earned money that he got from his film shows to the Freedom Fighters' trust.
(7) How was Zahir Raihan's last life? What happened to him?
Answer: (7) Zahir Raihan's last life was very tragic because he demised after getting independence. On 30 December 1971 he left home to get his brother back and never returned.
(8) Do you think Zahir Raihan was a freedom fighter? Why/why not?
Answer: (8) I think Zahir Raihan was a freedom fighter. He joined the 'Liberation War by making films. His film Jibon Theke Neya' inspired the fighters against the Pakistani autocrat. During war, he travelled different parts of the country and made a documentary named 'Stop Genocide' on Pakistani atrocities. The documentary created world sentiment in favour of our Liberation War.
(9) What does Jibon Theke Neya' symbolize?
Answer: (9) "Jibon Theke Neya" symbolizes the revolutionary life during the Language Movement in 1952.
(10) What was the dream of Zahir Raihan?
Answer: (10) The dream of Zahir Raihan was to have a democratic society that will ensure freedom of speech and will.
(11) What do you think about the demise of Zahir Raihan?
Answer: (11) The demise of Zahir Raihan was very sad and unexpected. He became a victim of the conspirators.
(12) Explain the last sentence of the text.
Answer: (12) It was a great pity that Zahir Raihan could not be able to see his dream come true as he was killed by the conspirators.
(13) Why is Zahir Raihan regarded to be a golden son of Bangladesh according to the given text?
Answer: (13) According to the given text, Zahir Raihan is regarded to be a golden son of Bangladesh for his outstanding contribution to Bengali films and Liberation War.
(14) When was Zahir Raihan taken to prison and why?
Answer: (14) Zahir Raihan was taken to prison because he went out in a procession along with other students on 21st February 1952 despite the ban on such activities.
Bangla Translation
জহির রায়হান ছিলেন বাংলাদেশের অন্যতম প্রতিভাবান চলচ্চিত্র নির্মাতা। তিনি ১৯৩৫ সালের ১৯ আগস্ট ফেনী জেলার মজুপুর গ্রামে জন্মগ্রহণ করেন। তিনি ভাষা আন্দোলনের একজন সক্রিয় কর্মী ছিলেন। কর্তৃপক্ষ কর্তৃক নিষেধাজ্ঞা সত্ত্বেও ১৯৫২ সালের ২১ ফেব্রুয়ারি মিছিলে অংশ নেওয়া দশজন ছাত্রের মধ্যে তিনি একজন ছিলেন। ফলস্বরূপ, তাকে এবং আরও অনেককে গ্রেপ্তার করে কারাগারে পাঠানো হয়। রায়হান ১৯৫২ সালের ২১ ফেব্রুয়ারি আমতলার ঐতিহাসিক সভায়ও উপস্থিত ছিলেন। তিনি ১৯৬৯ সালের গণআন্দোলনেও অংশ নিয়েছিলেন। ১৯৭১ সালে তিনি মুক্তিযুদ্ধে যোগ দিয়েছিলেন। সারা জীবন জহির রায়হান একটি গণতান্ত্রিক সমাজের স্বপ্ন দেখেছিলেন, এমন একটি সমাজ যা বাক স্বাধীনতা নিশ্চিত করবে। আমাদের চলচ্চিত্র শিল্প নিয়েও তার অনেক স্বপ্ন ছিল। তিনি ১৯৫২ সালের ভাষা আন্দোলনের উপর ভিত্তি করে একটি কিংবদন্তি 'জীবন থেকে নেওয়া' চলচ্চিত্র তৈরি করেছিলেন। এটি ছিল তৎকালীন আমাদের দেশে শাসনকারী স্বৈরাচারী সরকারের বিরুদ্ধে একটি প্রতিবাদ। ওই ছবিতে যে পরিবারটি চিত্রিত হয়েছিল তা প্রতীকীভাবে পূর্ব পাকিস্তানকে চিত্রিত করেছিল। পরিবারটি একজন স্বৈরশাসকের অধীনে ছিল, যাকে তার ষড়যন্ত্রের (FTO) জন্য কারাগারে যেতে হয়েছিল। ১৯৭১ সালে মুক্তিযুদ্ধের সময়, এই ছবিটি বাংলাদেশের বাইরে দেখানো হয়েছিল। সত্যজিৎ রায়, মৃণাল সেন এবং ঋত্বিক ঘটকের মতো বিখ্যাত চলচ্চিত্র নির্মাতারা ছবিটির প্রশংসা করেছিলেন। রায়হান ছবিটির সমস্ত অর্থ মুক্তিযোদ্ধা ট্রাস্টে দান করেছিলেন। পাকিস্তানি নৃশংসতার উপর তার দুর্দান্ত তথ্যচিত্র "স্টপ জেনোসাইড" ছাড়াও, আমাদের মুক্তিযুদ্ধের পক্ষে বিশ্ব অনুভূতি তৈরি করতে সাহায্য করেছিল। ৩০ ডিসেম্বর ১৯৭১। কেউ রায়হানকে মিরপুরের কোথাও একটি ঠিকানা সম্পর্কে জানায় যেখানে তার ভাই, বিখ্যাত লেখক শহীদুল্লাহ হাইসারকে খুঁজে পাওয়া যেতে পারে, যিনি ১৪ ডিসেম্বর ১৯৭১ থেকে নিখোঁজ ছিলেন। যুদ্ধের শেষ দিনগুলিতে পাকিস্তানি সেনাবাহিনী এবং স্থানীয় সহযোগীরা (৫৭১০১P) কায়সারকে ধরে নিয়ে হত্যা করে। সেই অনুযায়ী। রায়হান তার ভাইকে ফিরিয়ে আনতে বাড়ি ছেড়ে চলে যান কিন্তু তিনি আর ফিরে আসেননি। জহির রায়হানের স্বপ্ন পূরণ হয়েছিল। তিনি স্বাধীন বাংলাদেশের অভ্যুদয় দেখতে পেলেন, যদিও তিনি তার ভাইকে ফিরে পাননি। আর দুঃখের বিষয় যে এই স্বপ্নদ্রষ্টা তার স্বপ্ন পূরণ হতে দেখে যেতে পারেননি।
Read the passage carefully and answer the questions following it.
Zahir Raihan was one of the most talented film makers in Bangladesh. He was born on 19 August 1935 in the village Majupur, in Feni district. He was an active worker of the Language Movement. He was one of the ten students to go out in a procession on 21 February 1952 despite a ban on such activities. As a result, he and many others were arrested and taken to prison. Zahir was also present at the historical meeting of Amtala on February 21, 1952. He also took part in the mass movement in 1969. In 1971, he joined the Liberation War.
All through his life, Zahir dreamt for a democratic society, a society that will ensure freedom of speech and will. He had many dreams about our film industry too. He made a legendary film Jibon Theke Neya based on the Language Movement of 1952. It was a revolt against the then autocratic Government. The family presented in that film was a miniature East Pakistan ruled by an autocrat who had to go to the prison for her conspiracy. During the liberation war this film was shown outside Bangladesh. Critics like Satyajit Ray, Mrinal Sen, and Ritwik Ghatak appreciated this film. Zahir gave all his money to the Freedom Fighters’ trust that he got from his film show. Besides his great documentary on Pakistani atrocities, Stop Genocide, helped create world sentiment in favour of our liberation war.
On 30 December 1971, someone informed Zahir about an address somewhere at Mirpur, where he might find his brother, the famous writer Shahidullah Kaiser. Shahidulla was captured and killed by the Pakistani army and the local collaborators during the last days of the war. Accordingly Zahir left home to get his brother back and he never returned. This day is observed as Zahir’s Disappearance Day. Zahir’s dream was fulfilled. He could see the inception of a free independent Bangladesh though he did not get back his brother. And it’s a pity that this dreamer was missing at such a time when his dream came true.
Choose the best answer from the alternatives. 1×7=7
Zahir Raihan engaged himself in the mass movement in —.
i) 1969 ii) 1959 iii) 1996 iv). 1952
Zahir Raihan was a —.
i) soldier tv ii) patriot iii) professor iv) photographer
He was taken to — for procession on 21 February.
i) hospital ii) medical college iii) clinic iv) jail
Shahidullah Kaiser was Zahir Raihan’s —.
i) uncle ii) cousin iii) friend iv) brother
Zahir dreamt for a democratic society —.
i) all through his life ii) in his college life
iii) in his school days iv) in his varsity life
Zahir Raihan was born in —.
i) Faridpur ii) rural area iii) district area iv) Mirpur
He had many dreams about our—.
i) country ii) flim industry iii) education iv) garment industry
Extra Practices
The film was shown —.
i) outside Pakistan ii) outside our country
iii) inside Bangladesh iv) outside the world
The critics — the film.
i) chose ii) praised iii) disliked iv) liked
Zahir got disappeared on —.
i) 30 December 1971 ii) 16 December 1971
iii) 26 March 1971 iv) 16 August 1975
Zahir Raihan was a renowned ——.
(i) film director (ii) film maker (iii) professor (iv) film hero
The famous writer Shahidullah Kaiser was Zahir Raihan’s ——.
(i) brother (ii) cousin (iii) uncle (iv) teacher
Zahir took part in the mass movement in ——.
(i) 1958 (ii) 1969 (iii) 1952 (iv) 1971
Zahir Raihan was a —.
(i) film maker (ii) reader (iii) player (iv) speaker
He was born on — August 1935.
(i) 20 (ii) 15 (iii) 19 (iv) 25
2. Answer the following questions. 2×5 = 10
a) What did Zahir Raihan dream all through his life?
b) Who was Zahir?
c) What was the role of his documentary’Stop Genocide’?
d) What did he do for the freedom fighters?
e) Why was he taken to prison?
Extra Practices
1. When was Zahir Raihan born?
2. Did he join the Liberation War?
3. What was the fate of Shahidullah Kaiser?
4. When is Zahir’s Disappearance Day observed?
5. Who appreciated the film’Jibon Theke Neya’?
Ad
1. a. i) 1969; b. ii) patriot; c. iv) jail; d. iv) brother; e. i) all through his life; f. ii) rural area; g. ii) film industry; h. ii) outside our country; i. ii) praised; j. i) 30 December 1971; j. (ii); k. (i); l. (ii); m. (i) film maker; n. (iii) 19.
2. a. Zahir Raihan dreamt for a democratic society that will ensure freedom of speech and will, all through his life.
Zahir was one of the most talented film makers in Bangladesh.
The documentary ‘Stop Genocide’ played a great role in creating world sentiment in favour of our liberation war.
He gave all his money to the freedom fighters trust that he got from his film show.
He was taken to prison .as he went out in a procession on 21 February despite a ban on such activities.
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