স্বপন হালদার, প্রভাষক, নটর ডেম কলেজ ,ঢাকা
Read the following passage and answer questions (1-2):
Unsafe levels of pesticides are present in around half of the vegetables and more than a quarter of fruits sold in the capital's markets, a recent survey has found. A 15-member team of the National Food Safety Laboratory, with support from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), came up with the findings after collecting and testing food samples from the capital's Gulshan, Karwanbazar and Mohakhali markets……..
Using a sensitive High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) method developed by the Food Safety Lab, 66 samples were analysed for the presence of formaldehyde. Adulteration was thereby detected in samples of coriander, mango and fresh shrimps.
The tests indicated that poultry feed in the country had also been contaminated, as samples of chicken and fish contained traces of antibiotics. High microbial populations were found in several samples of pasteurised milk, indicating poor processing procedures by the manufacturers. Samples of cucumber and street foods also showed high microbial populations, suggesting widespread contamination in the water supply. The Director of Institute of Public Health (IPH), told the Dhaka Tribune that the survey report has been submitted to the Health Ministry. Further tests of different products were being carried out at the Food Safety Lab.
A former Director General of the Health Services and senior national adviser of the FAO, said the findings were shocking for the whole nation. He added that instead of focusing only on the end products, the issue should be addressed at the root level. Pointing out that there were four steps in the production process-farmer, transport, wholesale, and retail trader, -he said better monitoring and supervision were mandatory for stopping food adulteration.
1. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives: 5
i.What is the meaning of the word "traces" in the passage?
a ) remains b) effects c) affects d) symbol
ii.What is the meaning of the word "addressed" in the passage?
a) thought about dealing with a problem b) considered a problem c) looked into a problem d) saw into a problem
iii.What is the meaning of the word "wholesale " in the passage?
a) mass b) big c) altogether d) as a whole
iv.What is the meaning of the word "mandatory " in the passage?
a)binding b) supposed to be c) main d) require
iv.What is the meaning of the word "report " in the passage?
a) article b) column c) passage d) writing on any topic
2. Answer the following question: 10
a) What is High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) method?
b) What is pasteurized milk? Why it is responsible of adulteration?
c) What is end up product? Why this stage is responsible for adulteration?
d) What is adulteration? What are the negative bearing of it on our health?
e) What is microbial population? How it is responsible for adulteration?
3. Based on your reading of the passage, make short notes in each of the boxes in the flow-chart showing negative effects of traffic jam. (No.1 has been done for you): 10
The cost of Dhaka's traffic congestion is estimated at $3.8 billion a year, and that's just the delays and air pollution, not the less-tangible losses in quality of life. Paradoxically, the poor infrastructure is one of the reasons why the city is growing so fast. Without roads or trains to whisk them to the suburbs, Dhaka residents have no choice but to crowd into the middle, set up slums between high-rises, and walk to work.
4. Write the theme of the following poem. 10
Facing the traffic, stretching my hand.
I am seen on kids' books and as cartoons everywhere
Educating people and asking them to beware
Of the erratic traffic and the signboards
Seen on almost all the roads.
So that you're safe I see each one of you
But my sweat, my plight on the road sees who?
Be it sunny or rainy,
For your safety I must be
Vigil and agile, on the middle
Standing erect, as fit as a fiddle.
Oh! My ear hurts! Oh! My head aches!
Oh! Look at the weather...such unpredictable days!
But I cannot swerve; I must be on duty.
I care for your safety.
Be it noisy or dusty; Be it sunny or rainy;
I must be on duty. I care for your safety
