Nakshi Kantha
Class Eight English Seen Passage: Nakshi Kantha
Set 1
Read the text and answer questions 1 and 2.
Nakshi kantha is a kind of embroidered quilt. The name was taken from the Bangla 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 practised in rural Bengal for centuries. The name 'Nakshi Kantha' became popular after the poet Jasimuddin's 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 Jashore 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. [Unit 1; Lesson 2]
[Barishal Board-2019 & 2014; Chattogram Board 2016; Sylhet Board 2015; Dhaka Board 2014; Cumilla Board 2014; Rajshahi Board 2014; Dinajpur Board 2014; Barishal Board 2014; Ideal School & College, Motijheel, Dhaka; Banglabazar Govt Girls' High School, Dhaka; Lalbagh Govt Model School & College, Dhaka; Rani Bilashmoni Govt Boys’ High School, Gazipur; Vidyamayee Govt. Girls’ High School, Mymensingh]
1. Choose the correct answer to each question from the alternatives given and write the corresponding number of the answers in your answer script:
a. The word 'kind' in the text means ____. [BB 2019]
i) sympathy
ii) benevolent
iii) sort
iv) short
b. The name 'Nakshi Kantha' became popular after the poet Jasimuddin ____ his poem 'Nakshi Kanthar Math' in 1929. [BB 2019]
i) was published
ii) had published
iii) been published
iv) was publishing
c. The word 'indigenous' in the text means ____.
i) originating or occurring naturally in a particular place
ii) a group of people doing the same thing
iii) something belonging to a particular place
iv) existing from ancient time
d. The word 'embroidered' in the text means ____.
i) embellished
ii) patterned
iii) coloured
iv) decorated
e. ____ are most famous for the craft. [BB-2014]
i) Mymensingh, Dhaka
ii) Rajshahi, Rangpur
iii) Mymensingh, Jashore
iv) Bogura, Pabna
f. 'Expensive' means ____. [SB 2015]
i) cheap
ii) costly
iii) economical
iv) low cost
g. 'Nakshi Kantha' is related to ____. [BB 2019]
i) rural people
ii) tribal people
iii) coastal people
iv) urban people
More Questions
1. The word 'demand' means ____. [SB-2015]
i) price
ii) need
iii) popularity
iv) familiarity
2. 'Nakshi Kantha' becomes popular for its ____.
i) beauty
ii) high price
iii) advertisement
iv) low price
3. Now people produce 'Nakshi Kantha' for ____ purpose. [BB 2019]
i) commercially
ii) commerce
iii) commercial
iv) without any
4. The word 'artistic' in the text means ____.
i) aesthetically pleasing
ii) showing imagination and skill
iii) something done by an artist
iv) that is shown in an art
5. What does the word 'pattern' mean? [CtgB-2016; BB-2014]
i) step by step
ii) series
iii) artistic design
iv) handmade work
6. 'Nakshi Kantha' was named ____ the Bengali word 'Naksha'. [BB 2019]
i) after
ii) from
iii) by
iv) about
7. 'Nakshi Kantha' is a kind of ____ craft. [BB 2019]
i) additional
ii) exceptional
iii) contemporary
iv) conventional
8. 'Nakshi Kantha' is a/an ____ kind of Kantha. [BB 2019]
i) general
ii) ordinary
iii) special
iv) normal
9. 'Old' means ____. [SB 2015]
i) aged
ii) former
iii) ancient
iv) used
10. Where has the art been practised? [CtgB 2016]
i) large cities
ii) urban area
iii) rural area
iv) rich family
11. 'Nakshi Kanthar Math' is written by ____. [CtgB 2016; DjB-2014]
i) Kazi Nazrul Islam
ii) Farrukh Ahmed
iii) Jasimuddin
iv) Rabindranath Tagore
12. 'Craft' means ____. [SB 2015]
i) device
ii) asset
iii) art
iv) property
13. Nowadays 'Nakshi Kantha' is produced ____. [CtgB. 2016; DjB-2014]
i) traditionally
ii) nationally
iii) commercially
iv) normally
14. What is 'Nakshi Kanthar Math'?
i) A quilt
ii) A Nakshi Kantha
iii) A literary work
iv) A poet
15. The word 'Nakshi Kantha' comes from a/an ____ word. [CtgB-2016; DB, DjB-2014]
i) English
ii) Bengali
iii) Hindi
iv) Burmese
2. Answer the following questions from your reading of the above text.
a. What kind of craft is Nakshi Kantha? [C.B., BB-2014]
b. What things are needed to make 'Nakshi Kantha'? [BB 2019; DB, CB 2014]
c. When does 'Nakshi Kantha' become famous? [CtgB 2016, SB 2015; CB 2014]
d. Why are the quilts now in great demand? [BB-2019, CtgB-2016, SB.2015, RB.-2014]
More Questions
1. What is 'Nakshi Kantha'? [BB 2019, CtgB 2016, SB 2015, DB, RB, DjB 2014]
2. What kind of craft is it? [CtgB 2016; DjB 2014]
3. What does 'naksha' mean? [CB, BB 2014]
4. What made the name 'Nakshi Kantha' popular? [BB 2019]
5. Where do we get Nakshi Kanthas in cities?
6. Why are the traditional Kanthas made?
7. Do you like a Nakshi Kantha or an ordinary kantha? Why?
8. Which districts are most popular for 'Nakshi Kantha'? [CtgB 2016; SB 2015; DB, DjB 2014]
Set 2
1. Choose the correct answer to each question from the alternatives given and write the corresponding number of the answers in your answer script: 1×7=7
a. The word 'indigenous' means ____.
i) originating or occurring naturally in a particular place
ii) a group of people doing the same thing
iii) something belonging to a particular place
iv) existing from ancient time
b. ____ are most famous for the craft.
i) Mymensingh, Dhaka
ii) Rajshahi, Rangpur
iii) Mymensingh, Jashore
iv) Bogura, Pabna
c. The word 'demand' means ____.
i) price
ii) need
iii) popularity
iv) familiarity
d. The word 'Nakshi Kantha' comes from a/an ____ word.
i) English
ii) Bengali
iii) Hindi
iv) Burmese
e. The word 'artistic' means ____.
i) aesthetically pleasing
ii) showing imagination and skill
iii) something done by an artist
iv) that is shown in an art
f. What does the word 'pattern' mean?
i) step by step
ii) series
iii) artistic design
iv) handmade work
g. 'Nakshi Kantha' becomes popular for its ____.
i) beauty
ii) high price
iii) advertisement
iv) low price
2. Answer the following questions from your reading of the above text. 2x4=8
a. What is 'Nakshi Kantha'?
b. Do you like a Nakshi Kantha or an ordinary kantha? Why?
c. Why are the quilts now in great demand?
d. Why are the traditional Kanthas made?