JSC English First Paper | Unit: Five, Lesson: 2 | Making a difference

Keywords: stunned admiration adolescent heed

Shamima started to tell us her story. Listening to her, we were stunned and at the same time our hearts were filled with admiration for her. It was 1995. Shamima was 15 years old. She got promoted to class 8. Shamima had all the dreams of an adolescent. She wanted to bring about a change in her life. She wanted to see happiness in her family too. She knew she could fulfill her dream by completing her education and getting a good job.

Fifteen-year old Shamima’s dreams were nipped in the bud. Her father wanted to marry her off against her will. Marrying off a girl under 18 is against the law in Bangladesh. Shamima did not want to get married. But nobody paid any heed to her. They arranged her marriage with a man much older than her. All her tears and protests went in vain. Shamima was married off to Kamal Uddin Joardar.

1. Shamima’s story…….everyone.
a. fascinated
b. astonished
c. shocked
d. worried

2. Shamima thought about the welfare of her…….   
a. family
b. friends
c. cousins
d. neighbours

3. Shamima did not want to get married because she wanted to complete her education but nobody……her.
a. talked to
b. listened to
c. took care of
d. looked after

C. Read the text again and answer the following questions.
1. How long ago did Shamima begin to tell her story?
2. What did Shamima dream of?
3. Did Shamima’s dream come true? What happened?
4. How old is Shamima now?

5. As an adolescent, what are your dreams?

D. Write about a person who has suffered or struggled like Shamima. Use the following phrases :
    ■ pay heed to
    ■ nip in the bud
    ■ in vain

If you want to read the next lesson of this unit please click the link below: