ANIK’S ENGLISH TERRITORY

UNIT-6, LESSON-1
1. Read the passage and answer the questions A and B.
i. Children must pass through several stages in their lives to become adults. For most people, there are four or five
such stages of growth where they learn certain things: infancy (birth to age 2), early childhood (3 to 8 years), later
childhood (9 to 12 years) and adolescence (13 to 18 years). Persons 18 and over are considered adults in our society.
Of course, there are some who will try to act older than their years. But, for the most part, most individuals have to go
through these stages irrespective of their economic or social status.
ii. World Health Organisation (WHO) identifies adolescence as the period in human growth and development that
occurs after childhood and before adulthood. This phase represents one of the critical transitions in one’s lifespan and
is characterised by fast paced growth and change which are second only to those at infancy. Biological processes drive
many aspects of this growth and development with the onset of puberty marking the passage from childhood to
adolescence. The biological determinants of adolescence are fairly universal; however, the duration and defining
characteristics of this period may vary across time, cultures, and socio-economic situations. This period has seen many
changes over the past century-puberty for example, comes earlier than before, people marry late, and their sexual
attitudes and behaviours are different from their grandparents, or even parents. Among the factors responsible for the
change are education, urbanization and spread of global communication.
iii. The time of adolescence is a period of preparation for adulthood during which one experiences several key
developments. Besides physical and sexual maturation, these experiences include movement toward social and
economic independence, development identity, the acquisition of skills needed to carry out adult relationships and
roles and the capacity for abstract reasoning. While adolescence is a time of tremendous growth and potential, it is
also a time of considerable risks during which social contexts exert powerful influences.
iv. Many adolescents face pressure to use alcohol, cigarettes, or other drugs and to initiate sexual relationships putting
themselves at high risk for intentional and unintentional injuries, unintended pregnancies, and sexually transmitted
infections (STIs), including the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Many also experience a wide range of
adjustment, and mental health problems. Behaviour patterns that are established during this period such as the use or
avoidance of drugs and taking or abstaining from sexual risk can have long-lasting negative and positive effects on
future health and well-being. As a result, adults have unique opportunities to influence adolescents.
V. Adolescents are different both from young children and adults. Specifically, adolescents are not fully capable of
understanding complex concepts, or the relationship between behaviour and consequences, or the degree of control
they have or can have over health decision-making. including that related to sexual behaviour. This inability may
make them particularly vulnerable to sexual exploitation and high-risk behaviours. Laws, customs, and practices may
also affect adolescents differently than adults. For example, laws and policies often restrict adolescents access to
reproductive health information and services, especially when they are unmarried. In Faddition, even when services do
exist, provider attitudes about adolescents often pose a significant barrier to the use of those services.
vi. Adolescents depend on their families, their communities, schools, health services and their workplaces to learn a
wide range of skills that can help them to cope with the pressures they face and make a successful transition from
childhood to adulthood. Parents, members of the community, service providers, and social institutions have the
responsibility to both promote adolescent development and adjustment and to intervene effectively when problems
arise.
A. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives.
A. What could be the closest meaning for ‘transition’ in line 9?
a) translation b) occurrence c) stage d) change-over
B. The word ‘considered’ refers to_____.
a) consideration b) to consider c) treated d) treatment
C. ‘Individuals’ in line 5 could be best replaced by_____.
a. individuality b. individualize c. independent d. persons
D. Adolescence is_____ Preparation for adulthood.
a) a section of b) the time of c) a difficult thing d) an external time of
E. The best synonym of ‘phase’ is______.
a) phrase b) stage c) time d) situation
FOR MORE PRACTICE
F. To become adults children have_____.
a) to get proper education b) to have good intelligence c) to be social d) to pass several stages of life
G. Adolescence is______.
a) A stage of life b) Last stage for becoming an adult c) a grooming period of life d) last stage of life
H. The most complicated stage in human life is______
a) Infancy b) adolescence c) adulthood d) old age
I. Most of the growth and development occurs during_____.
a) infancy b) childhood c) Later childhood d) adolescence
J. ______is characterized by fast paced growth.
a) Adolescence b) Adulthood c) From 30-40 years d) Later childhood
K. Some key developments are experienced during______.
a) Childhood b) Later childhood c) adolescence d) adulthood
L. One experiences economic independence_____.
a) when one earns. b) when one inherits a vast property
c) when one gets married d) When one attains adulthood
M. Duration of each stage of human life_____.
a) Are static b) may vary c) is the same everywhere d) in universal
N. The most sensitive stage in human life is_____
a) Infancy b) childhood c) adolescence d) maturity
O. What does economic independence mean?
a) economic self-reliance b) When one inherits a property
c) when one attains adulthood d) When one gets married
P. WHO stands for______.
a) World Humans Organisation b) World Humanity Organism
c) World Health Organisation d) World Higher Organisation
Guess the meaning from the above text.
Q. The word ‘critical’ means_____.
a) easy b) noticeable c) complex d) Common
R. ‘Social independence’ refers to____.
a) Marriage b) decisions in relation to socialization c) right to family d) adult relationships
S. The word ‘Infancy’ used in line 2 means.
a) Usually the period of first two years from birth b) The condition of being young
c) The period of life from puberty to the attainment of full growth d) the first or early period of anything
T. The word 'adolescence' used in line 3 means_____
a) far advanced in the course of b) appearing to be far advanced in years
c) having lived or existed for a specified time d) the transitional period between puberty and adulthood in
human life
U. The word 'identify' used in line 7 means_____.
a) to recognize or establish as being a particular person or thing b) to reach the highest point
c) to arrive at the final stage. d) to take part in a summit meeting
V. The word 'adulthood' used in line 8 means,
a) the state of being a boy b) the early stage the existence of something
c) the state of maturity d) the corresponding period in the existence of anything
W. The word 'represents' used in line 8 means_____
a) products b) shows c) imitates d) changes
X. Which word can be used instead of 'vary' used in line 13?
a) similarize b) differ c) aline d) culminate
Y. The word 'acquisition' used in line 20 means____.
a) the act of acquiring or gaining something b) the act or process of developing
c) something that is collected d) performance
Z. The word 'capacity' used in line 21 means______
a) the ability to do or act b) the possession of control or command over others
c) the ability to contain d) a document or written statement
B. Answer the following questions.
(a) How does World Health Organization (WHO) identify adolescence?
 World Health Organization (WHO) identifies adolescence as the period in human growth and development that
occurs after childhood and before adulthood.
(b) What things occur during the period of adolescence?
 In the period of adolescence a critical transition occurs. At this time adolescents experience first paced growth and
change. Biological processes drive many aspects of this growth and development with the beginning of puberty
marking the passage from childhood to adolescence.
(c) "The biological determinants of adolescence are fairly universal. sentences.”--- Explain it in 2/3 sentences.
 The expression, "The biological determinants of adolescence are fairly universal," means that almost all the
adolescents of the world are subject to certain biological determinants. These determinants control their physical
and mental characteristics greatly.
(d) Which significant developments do the adolescents experience?
 The adolescents experience several significant developments. Apart from physical and sexual maturation, these
experiences embrace movement towards social and economic independence, development of identity, the
acquisition of skills needed to carry out adult relationship and role and the capacity for abstract reasoning.
(e) What do most of the people do at the stages of growth?
 Most of the people learn certain things at every stage of growth.
(f) Who are treated adults in our country?
 People who are already 18 years old and above are treated as adults in our country.
(g) Which stage is called the period of rapid transition?
 Adolescence is the period of rapid transition. Things happen very fast at this stage.
(h) Why does the duration of adolescence differ in different places?
 Duration of adolescence differs in different places due to cultural and socio-economic situations.
(i) Why do people marry late now than before?
 People now marry late than before. This is due to the changes brought about by education, urbanization and their
cultural advancement.
(j) Why is adolescence the time of preparation?
 The time of adolescence is a period of preparation for facing the risks and responsibilities of adulthood.
(k) When does physical and sexual maturation happen?
 Physical and sexual maturation happens during adolescence.
(l) How is adolescence a period of considerable risks?
 Adolescence is a period of considerable risks because social contexts exert powerful influences at this stage.
(m) Which one is the shortest stage in life?
 Infancy is the shortest stage in life. It starts with birth and expires after two years.
(n) Why do some people try to act older than their years?
 In rare cases, some people try to act older than their ages..It is because their transition from one stage to the other
happens earlier.
3. Summary
World health organization………sprad of global communication.
World Health Organization identifies adolescence as the period in human growth occurring after childhood and before
adulthood. This is one of the critical transitions in one's lifespan. Biological processes drive many aspects of this
growth with the onset of puberty. Some variations take place because of education, urbanization and spread of global
communication.
The time of adolescence……………opportunities to influence adolescents.
Adolescents experience some basic developments like physical and sexual maturation, movement towards social and
economic independence, the acquisition of skills, etc. This period bears a lot of risks like uses of alcohol, cigarettes,
drugs and initiation of sexual relationship, leading to fatal injuries, pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.
Many, however, experience a wide range of adjustment having long-lasting effects on future health and mental
growth.
4. FLOWCHART
Read the above text and make a flow chart showing the the traits of adolescence.
1. The period in human gowth and development

2. Occurrence after childhood and before adulthood

3. Critical transition in one’s lifespan

4. Fast paced growth and changed

5. Variation across time, cultures and socio-economic situations

6. Development on the onset of puberty
Read the above text and make a flow chart showing changes during adolescence.
1. Physical maturation

 2. Human growth and development

3. Critical transition in one’s lifespan

4. Biological processes

5. Transition from Childhood to adolescence

6. A period of preparation for adulthood
Read the above text and make a flow chart showing various stages of children.
1. Several stages

2. Infancy (birth to age 2)

3. Early childhood (3 to 8 years)


4. Later childhood (9 to 12 years)



5. Adolescence (12 to 18 years)



6. Acquires adulthood (18 and over)

UNIT-6, LESSON-2(B). Adolescents constitute……

1. Read the passage and answer the questions A and B
i. Adolescents constitute a nation's core resource for national renewal and growth. Adolescence is a period in life when
transition from childhood to adulthood takes place and behaviours and lifestyles are shaped. According to the World
Health Organisation (WHO), adolescence is the period which shapes the future of girls' and boys' lives. There are 28
million adolescents in Bangladesh; 13.7 million of them are girls and 14.3 million boys.La
ii. The situation of adolescent girls in Bangladesh is characterised by inequality and subordination within the family
and society. This inequality leads to widespread practice of child marriage, marginalisation or exclusion from health,
education and economic opportunities, and vulnerability to violence and sexual abuse.
iii. In Bangladesh, the legal age of marriage is 18 for girls and 21 for boys. However, 33 percent of adolescent girls are
married before the age of 15 and 60 percent become mothers by the age of 19. Research finds that adolescents with
higher level of education and from more affluent families tend to marry at a later age. Boys, however, become ready
for marriage only after several years of adolescence and young adulthood.
iv. When a girl gets married, she usually drops out of school and begins full-time work in her in laws' household. In
the in-laws' house, she is marginalized. She becomes vulnerable to all forms of abuse, including dowry-related
violence. In Bangladesh, it is still common for a bride's family to pay dowry, despite the practice being illegal. Dowry
demands can also continue after the wedding. For an adolescent bride, even if her in-laws are supportive, there are
significant health risks in terms of pregnancy and childbirth. The majority of adolescent brides and their families are
uninformed or insufficiently informed about reproductive health and contraception. The maternal mortality rate for
adolescents is double the national rate. [Barishal Board-2019; Dinajpur Board-2019 & 2017]
1. A. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives.
A. What could be the closest meaning of 'adolescent' ?
(i) elderly (ii) youthful (iii) infant (iv) mature
B. The word 'widespread' in line 7 refers to____.
(i) spread in a limited area (ii) unknown to the people
(iii) existing over a large area or among many people (iv) an ancient system not prevalent now
C. What could be the closest meaning of the word 'core' in line 1?
(i) alternative (ii) subsidiary (iii) central (iv) minor
D. Adolescence is_____of shaping lifestyles and behaviour.
(i) the barrier (ii) the time (iii) interruption (iv) block
E. The word 'economic' can be replaced by_____.
(i) monetary (ii) economical (iii) cheap (iv) financed
 FOR MORE PRACTICE
F. Adolescence is a_____period from childhood to adulthood. [B. B. 2019; Din. B. 2019 & 2017]
(i) transition (ii) transient (iii) transitional (iv) trnsient
G. The legal age of marriage for boys and girls______.
(i) 20 years and 18 years respectively (ii) 18 years and 16 years respectively
(iii) 21 years and 18 years respectively (iv) 20 years and 17 years respectively
H. _____percent of girls become mother by the age of 19.
(i) 50 (ii) 90 (iii) 75 (iv) 60
I. The situation of adolescent girls in Bangladesh is characterized by_____.
(i) equality and supremacy within the family and society
(ii) Inequality and subordination within the family and society
(iii) freedom in movement (iv) enjoying freedom in decision-making
J. Transition from childhood to adulthood takes place
(i) in infancy (ii) in adolescence (iii) in old age (iv) after birth
K. We can know from_____ that adolescence is the period which shapes the future of girls' and boys' lives.
(i) ICRC (ii) ILO (iii) UNICEF (iv) WHO
L. The number of adolescents in Bangladesh is____.
(i) 20 billion (ii) 10 billion (iii) 28 million (iv) 20 million
M. Dowry demands can also continue_____.
(i) after birth (ii) after marriage (iii) upto death (iv) both (ii) and (iii)
N. What is the gateway between childhood and adulthood?
(i) adolescent (ii) adolescence (iii) society (iv) family
O. What does the expression "Adolescence is the period which shapes the future of girls' and boys' lives" mean
(in line 3)?
(i) Adolescence is the forming period of the juveniles.
(ii) Adolescence hardly affects the lives of the youngsters.
(iii) Adolescence help the teenagers stay young. (iv) both i & ii (p)
P. In which time the shapes of future of boys and girls lives are developed?
(i) in the period of childhood (ii) in the period of adolescence
(iii) in the period of old age (iv) both i & ii
Q. When does a girl begin full-time work in her husband's family?
(i) when she drops out of school (ii) when she feels comfortable
(iii) when she gets married off (iv) when she is marginalised
R. WHO works for_____.
(i) mass education (ii) public health (iii) accommodation (iv) housing
Guess the meaning from the above text.
S. What could be the closest meaning for the word 'constitute' in line 1? [B. B. 2019; Din. B. 2017]
(i) take (ii) form (iii) add (iv) make
T. The phrase 'take place' in line 2 stands for____. [B. B. 2019; Din. B. 2017]
(i) occur (ii) recur (iii) go to a place (iv) all of them
U. The synonym of 'affluen t' is____. [B. B. 2019; Din. B. 2017]
(i) destitute (ii) poor (iii) poverty (iv) well off
V. The word 'economic' can be replaced by – . [B. B. 2019; Din. B. 2017]
(i) economy (ii) economical (iii) monetary (iv) finance
W. The word 'supportive' can be best replaced by
i. helpful ii. Envious iii. Desirous iv. meritorious
X. The synonym of 'legal' is____. [Din. B. 2019]
(i) illicit (ii) banned (iii) prohibited (iv) lawful
Y. 'Dowry' stands for___.
(i) collection of girls for a marriage (ii) wedding gift given by the groom to the bride
(iii) wedding gift given by the groorn to the bridegroom
(iv) the money or property demanded by the bridegroom from the bride's family
Z. The word 'transition' used in line 2 means____.
(i) the act of obtaining equivalent value (ii) a substitution of one component for another
(iii) a period of change from one state to another (iv) spiritual change from sinfulness to righteousness
Z₁. The phrase 'leads to' in the passage refers to____. [Din. B. 2019]
(i) results of (ii) results in (iii) results from (iv) results to
Z₂. Which could be the closest meaning of the word 'inequality used in line 6?
 (i) disparity (ii) communication (iii) similarity (iv) caution
Z3. What could be the closest meaning of the word 'exclusion' used in line 8?
(i) Inclusion (ii) addition (iii) expulsion (iv) Incorporation
Z4. What could be the closest meaning of the word 'vulnerability' used in line 8?
(i) exposure (ii) refutation (iii) defense (iv) criticism
Z5. The word 'abuse' used in line 17 means_____.
(i) maltreatment (ii) good manner (iii) conduct (iv) subjugation
Z6. The synonym of the word 'indigenous' is_____.
(i) foreign (ii) own (iii) rural (iv) native
Z7. The word 'marginalization' refers to_____.
(i) holding a lot of power (ii) holding no power
(iii) boldness In decision-making (iv) having sympathy for the others
Z8. The best antonym of the word 'vulnerable' is.
(i) weak (ii) powerful (iii) sensitive (iv) secured

B. Answer the following questions.

(e) What are the consequences of gender inequality in Bangladesh? [Din. B. 2019]
 The consequences of gender inequality in Bangladesh are very serious. Girls of Bangladesh are victims of gender
inequality. This inequality results in widespread practice of child marriage, marginalization or exclusion from
health, education and economic opportunities and vulnerability to violence and sexual abuse.
FOR MORE PRACTICE
(f) How will you define adolescence? [B. B. 2019; Din. B. 2019 & 2017]
 Adolescence is a period in life when transition from childhood to adulthood takes place and behaviours and
lifestyles are shaped.
(g) Why is adolescence important? [B. B. 2019; Din. B. 2019 & 2017]
 Adolescence is important because this period shapes the future of girls' or boys' lives.
(h) What do the adolescent girls in Bangladesh usually face? [B. B. 2019; Din. B. 2017]
 The adolescent girls in Bangladesh usually face inequality and subordination within the family and society.
(i) What are the effects of female inequality in Bangladesh? [B. B. 2019; Din. B. 2017]
 The effects of female inequality in Bangladesh are widespread practice of child marriage. marginalization or
exclusion from health, education and economic opportunities, vulnerability to violence and sexual abuse, etc.
(j) How do wealth and education influence a girl's marriage? [B. B. 2019; Din. B. 2017]
 A girl with higher level of education and from a more affluent family tends to marry at a later age. Thus wealth
and education influence a girl's marriage.
(k) Where is a girl marginalized?
 A girl is marginalized in her in-laws' house.
(1) Which factors influence a girl's marriage? [Din. B. 2019]
 Wealth and education greatly influence a girl's marriage. A girl with higher level of education and from a wealthy
family tends to marry at a later age.
(o) How are the married girls treated in their in-laws' houses?
 The married girls are marginalized in their in-laws' houses. They become vulnerable to all forms of abuse,
including dowry-related violence.
(p) Why are the adolescent girls at high risk in term of pregnancy?
 The adolescent girls are at high risk in terms of pregnancy and childbirth because they are not physically fit for
this risk. On the other hand, most of them suffer from mental torture like dowry demand from in-laws' house.
Most of them are unaware of reproductive health and contraception. This is why, the maternal mortality rate for
adolescent girls is double the national rate.
(q) "Adolescents constitute a nation's core resource for national renewal and growth." - Do you agree?
Why/Why not?
 Yes, I agree. Because, according to WHO, adolescence is the period which shapes the future of girls and boys'
lives. There are 28 million adolescents in Bangladesh. So, adolescents constitute a nation's core resource for
national renewal and growth.
(r) Can you guess the reasons of Inequality and subordination of adolescent girls in the family and society?
 Yes, I can guess the reasons. The reasons are physical, mental and psychological. The family and society think
girls are physically infirm and feeble. Many poor families consider the girls to be a burden and they (g) are
brought up for their in-laws' family. Moreover, the birth of a female baby means a lot of liabilities to them.
(s) Describe the plight of adolescent girls in their in-laws' houses in 2/3 sentences.
 The plight of adolescent girls in their in-laws' houses beggars description. They have to do full-time work in their
in-laws house. Dowry demand continues even after wedding. They fall in greater health risk in terms of early
pregnancy and childbirth.
(Z1) What is the condition of adolescent girls in Bangladesh?
 The condition of adolescent girls in Bangladesh is very miserable. They are victims of inequality and
subordination within the family and society. This inequality results in widespread practice of child marriage,
marginalization or exclusion from health, education and economic opportunities and vulnerability to violence and
sexual abuse.
(Z2) Who usually marry at a later age?
 Adolescents with higher level of education and from more affluent families tend to marry ut a later age.
(Z3) What is the real condition of marriage of adolescent girls in Bangladesh?
 The real condition of marriage of adolescent girls is pitiable in Bangladesh. Although the legal age of marriage is
18 for girls, the irony is that 33 percent of adolescent girls are married before the age of 15 and after marriage, 60
percent of them become mothers by the age of 19.
(Z4) What is the particular period of life discussed in the passage?
 In the passage, adolescence, the prime portion of human life, aging from 13 to 18 years is discussed.
SUMMERY
In Bangladesh, 33 percent of adolescent girls are married before 15 and 60 percent of them become mothers by 19.
After marriage, an adolescent girl drops out of school and is vulnerable to all types of abuse. Moreover, she has to take
the risk of early pregnancy and childbirth. The majority of adolescent brides and their families are ignorant of
reproductive health and Contraception.
U-6, L-4(B) Shilpi was only 15…..
Shilpi was only 15 years old when she married Rashid in 2008. Marrying off daughters at an early age is a standard
practice for many families living in rural Bangladesh. After her wedding. Shilpi joined a local empowerment group
that provides adolescent girls with the tools needed to gradually change cultural practices, particularly those pertaining
to early marriage and pregnancy. The group's activities include discussions on how to most effectively change
behaviour related to health as well as one-on-one counselling. It also offers peer-to-peer support and life skills training
reproductive that help adolescents say no to early marriage. The empowerment group is one of more than 10,000
groups supported by some local Non Government Organizations (NGOs) working all over Bangladesh. These NGOs
work through Canada's Adolescent Reproductive Health Project which also aims to increase access to quality health
services for adolescents. During one of the group sessions, Shilpi came to understand the potentially harmful effects of
early marriage and pregnancy.
While maternal mortality in Bangladesh has declined by more than 50 percent since 2001, the rate remains high with
173 maternal deaths per 100,000, live births in 2017-dropping from 322 in 2001. Girls who get pregnant are at risk of
serious health complications. These include dangerous hemorrhage and fistula, a painful internal injury caused by
obstructed childbirth that commonly leads to serious maternal morbidities and social exclusion.
When Shilpi heard about those risks, she invited her husband, Rashid, to discuss pregnancy with a counsellor. After
hearing about the risks, Rashid agreed to delay having children for five years despite pressures from his parents and
neighbours to produce an offspring. Together, the couple met with a female health care provider, who informed them
about the various family planning options available. Shilpi's mother-in-law and neighbours continued to pressurize the
newlyweds. Deeply rooted cultural practices and traditions caused a rift between Shilpi and Rashid and their extended
family, some of whose members insulted and criticized the couple. Unable to convince their close relatives of the
risks, Shilpi and Rashid returned to the counsellor. They took the help of a parent peer who had been trained to speak
to other parents about adolescent issues. Shilpi's mother-in-law and neighbours eventually came to understand the
harmful effects of early pregnancy on mother and child.
After that, the villagers no longer pressurized the couple; their parents and neighbours began to support them and
speak out against early marriage and pregnancy.
Choose the correct answer from the alternatives.

(a) The word 'morbidity' refers to ____.

(i) the state of being diseased (ii) wholesomeness. (iii) arrogance (iv) the state of being subject
to death
(b) The word 'eventually' stands for_____.
(i) initially (ii) ultimately (iii) undoubtedly (iv) fortunately
(c) What is the main idea of the passage?
(i) to focus on social change (ii) to highlight the change of cultural practices.
(iii) to put emphasis on the harmful effects of early marriage and pregnancy
(iv) to stress on maternal mortality in Bangladesh
(d) Girls who get pregnant are____.
(a) free from any risk (ii) Intelligent
(iii) fortunate enough (iv) at risk of serious health complications.
(e) "Marrying off daughter at an early age is a standard practice for many families living in rural Bangladesh."
What does it imply?
(i) Early marriage is forbidden there. (ii) The concerning parents are penalized.
(iii) Early marriage is a common phenomenon. (iv) No early marriage is available there.

FOR MORE PRACTICE

(f) What does the sentence 'peer-to-peer support' refer to?

(i) giving assistance to the persons belonging to the same age group or social group
(ii) discussions among the members of one group
(iii) arranging the training on the empowerment of women
(iv) making people aware of serious health complications
(g) "Shilpi was only 15 years old when she married Rashid in 2008,"What does it indicate?
(a) Shilpi was born in 1992. (ii) Shilpi was born in 1993.
(iii) Shilpi was born in 1994. (iv) Shilp! was born in 1995,
(h) The aim of the NGOs is____.
(i) to extend the right to entry to quality services for adolescents.
(ii) to extend the right to entry to quality services for adults
(iii) to reduce the right to entry to quality services for adolescents
(iv) to reduce the right to entry to quality services for adults in 2001?
(i) How was the maternal mortality rate of Bangladesh in 2001?
(i) 10% (ii) 60% (iii) 20% (iv) more than 50%
(j) "Shilpi's mother-in-law and neighbours continued to pressurize the newlyweds." What does it imply?
(i) They hate baby. (ii) They do not want baby. (iii) They do not like baby. (iv) They are fond of baby..
(k) Shilpi is a____of local empowerment group. a
(i) teacher (ii) victim (iii) handler (iv) learner
(l) Early marriage is very common in____Bangladesh.
(i) rustic (ii) urban (iii) modern (iv) village
(m) Early marriage has many____effects on a girl's body and mind.
(i) good (ii) hopeful (iii) positive (iv) harmful
(n) Adolescents should respond to early marriage___.
(i) positively (ii) affirmatively (iii) negatively (iv) none above
(o) It is true that the rate of maternal mortality___in Bangladesh recently.
(i) has gone up (ii) has come down (iii) has remained static (iv) has remained still
(p) The adolescent mothers are particularly more___to serious diseases.
(i) addicted (ii) vulnerable (iii) devoted (iv) delayed
(q) What is the passage about?
(i) the life cycle of Shilpi (ii) the conjugal life of Shilpi
(iii) the harmful effects of early marriage and pregnancy
(iv) the empowerment of rural women
(r) One of the causes of maternal deaths is___.
(i) late marriage (ii) early marriage (iii) no marriage (iv) adult marriage
(s) How old is Shilpi now in 2022?
(i) 29 (ii) 24 (iii) 23 (iv) 22
(t) Shilpi was a___of early marriage.
(i) girl (ii) victim (iii) culprit (iv) pioneer
(u) One-on-one counseling means___.
(i) giving suggestions by individual meeting (ii) giving only one suggestion
(iii) giving suggestions to only one person (iv) one suggestion for one person system
(v) Health complications in the passage are related to
(i) women (ii) girls (iii) teenage bridegroom (iv) adolescents bride.
(w) Peer-to-peer support gives___.
(i) support of family (ii) support of friend (iii) support of NGOs (iv) support of parents
(x) In Bangladesh many people have a tendency to marry their daughter off____.
(i) when they are adult (ii) prematurely (iii) timely (iv) when they reach maturity
 Guess the meaning from the above text.
(y) The word 'empowerment' denotes-.
(i) the act of exercising power (ii) the system of reducing power of an individual
(iii) the act of giving power to somebody to do something (iv) the act of depriving people of their rights
(z) The word 'complications' means___.
(i) confessions (ii) indications (iii) compliances (iv) difficulties
(z₁) Which of the following best describes 'potentially'?
(i) impossibly (ii) possibly (iii) concurrently (iv) consequently
(z2) Which of the following best describes 'pertain'?
(i) provide (ii) prolong (iii) persist (iv) belong
(z3) What do you understand by 'social exclusion ?
(i) attachment to society (ii) detachment from society (iii) social barriers (iv) social bonding
(z4) In the passage, 'cultural practices' refer to
(i) rules sustaining in the community (ii) customs prevailing is the culture of a society
(iii) celebrations existing in the society (iv) regulations existing in the community
(z5) In the passage, 'life skills training’ refers to___.
(i) training on reproduction health (ii) training to get good jobs and good salaries
(iii) training to improve skills (iv) training on how to lead a better life
(z6) The word 'support' means___
(i) invitation (ii) negligence (iii) help (iv) binding
(z7) According to the text, what is the synonym of 'standard'?
(i) relevant (ii) regular (iii) sophisticated (iv) rare
(z8) The word 'offspring' means___.
(i) heir (ii) successor (iii) children (iv) sibling
(z9) Which of the following has the closest meaning to the word 'gradually’?
(i) suddenly (ii) slowly (iii) accidently (iv) urgently
(z10) What does the word 'counselling' used in the passage mean?
(i) warning (ii) cautioning (iii) visiting (iv) advising
(z11) The phrase 'peer-to-peer support' used in the context has the closest meaning to___.
(i) support from within the family (ii) support from the people of same age group
(iii) support from the society (iv) support from the government
(z12) The word 'rural' means___.
(i) pastoral (ii) metropolitan (iii) suburban (iv) urban
(z13) The word 'adolescent' means____.
(i) adult (ii) Infant (iii) pubescent (iv) mature
(z14) The word 'reproductive' stands for____.
(i) dealt (ii) disgusted (iii) immense (iv) generative
(z15) The word 'access' means___.
(i) egress (ii) outlet (iii) conclusion (iv) entry
(z16) The word 'declined' means___.
(i) slowed (ii) increased (iii) strengthened (iv) abated
(z17) The word 'exclusion' stands for___.
(i) addition (ii) ratification (iii) expulsion (iv) sanction
(z18) The word 'mortality in the second paragraph refers to____.
(i) the ratio of deaths (ii) mankind (iii) death (iv) humanity
(z19) What is the meaning of the word 'effect'?
(i) affect (ii) result (iii) eventual (iv) effective
(z20) Hemorrhage and fistula' refers to___.
(i) a serious health problem of girls (ii) a complexity of early pregnancy
(iii) a project of the girls' empowerment (iv) a life saving medicine of early pregnancy
(z21) The word 'effectively in this passage means___.
(i) affectively (ii) fruitfully (iii) essentially (iv) ultimately
B. Answer the following questions.
(a) What is the usual custom of families in rural Bangladesh?
 Marrying off daughters at an early age is the usual custom of families in rural Bangladesh.
(b) How old was Shilpi when she got married and what was her post-marriage occupation?
 When Shilpi got married, she was only 15 years old. Her post-marriage occupation was to work in a local
empowerment group.
 (c) What are the functions of a local empowerment group as mentioned in the passage?
 A local empowerment group as mentioned in the passage provides adolescent girls with the tools needed to
gradually change cultural practices such as early marriage and pregnancy. It arranges discussions on how to
most effectively change behavior related to reproductive health ass well as one-on-one counseling. It also offers
peer-to-peer support, life skills training.

 After her marriage, Shilpi joined a local empowerment group run by local Non-governmental Organzations
(NGO). These NGOs with the assistance of Canada's Adolescent Reproductive Health Project arranged some
group sessions. And during one of the group sessions, Shilpi came to learn about the adverse effects of early
marriage and pregnancy.
(e) Today the village no longer pressurizes the couple; their parents and neighbours now support them and
speak out against early marriage and pregnancy. Why do they do so now?
 Being informed of the risks of early marriage and pregnancy Shilpi and her husband Rashid decided to delay
having children. Being unaware of these risks, their parents and neighbours pressurized the couple to have a
child. Later being convinced of the harmful effects of early marriage and pregnancy, they supported the couple
and spoke against early marriage and pregnancy.
(h) What are the health complications that contribute to serious maternal morbidities and social exclusion?
 The health complications that commonly lead to serious maternal morbidities and social exclusion are
hemorrhage and fistula, a painful internal injury caused by obstructed childbirth.
(j) Where did Shilpi join after her wedding? Why? Explain in brief.
 Shilpi joined a local empowerment group after her wedding. She joined the group to provide adolescent girls
with the knowledge of health risks of early marriage and pregnancy.
(k) Describe the aim/activities of the local empowerment group.
 The local empowerment group does a lot of things. Its activities include discussion on how to. most effectively
change behaviour related to reproductive health as well as one-on-one counselling. It also offers peer-to-peer
support and lifeskill training that encourages adolescents to say 'no' to early marriage.

(w) "Shilpi and Rashid were able to overcome the pressure for having children." --How did they manage it?
 Amid pressure for having children. Shilpi and her husband Rashid met a counsellor and learnt about the risks of
early marriage and pregnancy. They also came to know about various family planning options from a female
healthcare provider. After that, they took the help bride usually faces after getting married?
 After getting married. an adolescent bride usually faces the risk of serious health: complications because of early
pregnancy such as hemorrhage and fistula, maternal morbidities and social exclusion. Besides, she has to face
mental pressure for having children from her in-laws' family and society.
(z3) Marrying off daughter at an early age is a standard practice of many families in rural Bangladesh." Do
you support it? Why/Why not?
 No. I don't support, it. Because marrying off daughters at an early age makes them suffer from various health
complications, which may result in death. These complications include dangerous hemorrhage and fistula, a
painful internal injury caused by obstructed childbirth that commonly leads to serious maternal morbidities and
social exclusion.
(z4) How did the empowerment group influence Shilpi's life?
 The empowerment group influences Shilpi's life greatly. From them. Shilpi came to know about the potentially
harmful effects of early marriage and pregnancy. As a result, she consulted her husband and delayed having
children for five years despite pressure from their parents, relatives and neighbours. Thus, she could avoid a
dangerous time in her life.
(z6) What does the local empowerment group provide adolescent girls with?
 The local empowerment group provides adolescent girls with the tools needed to gradually change cultural
practices such as early marriage and pregnancy. It arranges discussions on how to most effectively change
behaviour related to reproductive health as well as one-on-one counselling. It also offers peer-to-peer support,
life skills training, etc.
(i) Read the above text and make a flow chart showing the activities of the empowerment group. (one is done
for you)
1. To provide tools to change cultural practiceas

2. To provide one-on-one counseling

3. To offer peer-to-peer support
 
4. To dissuade adolescents from early marriage

5. To increase access to quality health services

6. To take the help of a parent peer
(ii) Read the above text and make a flow chart showing what problems Shilpi faced and how she overcome
them.
1. Became married early

2. Joined a local empowerment group

3. Realized harmful effects of early marriage

4. Invited her husband to discuss pregnancy

5. Took the help o a parent peer

6. Convinced mother-in-law about effects of early pregnancy
(iii) Read the above text and make a flow chart showing the leading events of Shilpi’s life.
1. Got marrid in 2008

2. Joined a local empowerment group

3. Realized effects of early pregnancy

4. Gradually changed traditional cultural practice

5. Persuaded Rashid to delay having children

6. Convinced in-laws about effects of early pregnancy
(iv) Read the above text and make a flow chart showing what Shilpi did after her marriage and what she
learned.
1. Joined a local empowerment group

2. Became introduced to cultural practices

3. Joined group activities including discussions

4. Received peer-to-peer support and life skill training

5. Learned to say ‘no’ to early marriage

6. Realizd harmful effects of early marrige

SUMMARY
Shilpi was only 15………effects of early marriage and pregnancy.
Shilpi was married off at the age of 1 following the prevalent practice in rural areas. Then she joined a local
empowerment group that provides adolescent girls with necessary suggestions pertaining to early marriage and
pregnancy. It also offers the support and life skill training that help adolescents say ‘no’ to early marriage. Shilpi came
to understand the potentially harmful effects of early marriage and pregnancy.
While maternal mortality……… against early marriage and pregnancy.
Being apprised of serious health complications of early pregnancy , Shilpi took a decision to go to a counselor with
her husband. Rashid agreed to delay having children for five years. But Shilpi’s mother-in-law and neighbours
continued to pressurize the newly weds. And deeply rooted cultural practices and traditions caused a rift between
Shilpi and Rashid and their extended family. At last, Shilpi and her husband took the help of a parent peer who
became successful to make Shilpi’s mother-in-law and neighbours understand the harmful effects of early pregnancy
on moter and child.