Comprehension Exercise 7

Keep Promise & Go Ahead

Masudur Rahman (ENG 045 06315)

Every man dreams about what one wants to be. In this world men are different from each other in terms of shape, cast, religion, culture, language, thinking, country and so on. Like this there are also lots of variations about men’s dreams.

Especially young generation has strong dream. Moreover, people who come from poor or middle class family have strongest dream. They always dream that they must do something, for themselves, for their family and relatives, and above all for their country. Like many others Mahin comes from a middle class family. His father is a teacher in their village school. His father is an ideal person for him because he saw his father’s way of living from his childhood, specially his regularity about prayers, his idealism, his hard work from dawn to dusk, his positive thinking, his strength - everything gives him courage to face life. Mahin always thinks how a man can lead such a simple life!!! His realization is that in his father’s life there is no presence of critical things, no guilt, no shame, no over smartness, no high expectation, in a word no need. He is happy with what is needed to lead a simple life. How simple a thought!!!

Though Mahin cannot talk with his father regularly, he always thinks about his father, specially his way of life, and gather energy, strength from that, and promises himself to do something for his own self, for others especially for his father. From this inspiration he tries to do many things besides his student life. He surfs the net and many websites for part time job, and drops his C.V. He always dreams that one day he will do big things. He thinks that he does not want to be a famous man, but he wants to be a happy man, a simple man like his father.

One day he gets an interview call from a multinational company for a part time job. He feels so happy, but on the day before the interview, he realizes that he has only one formal shirt. Mahin becomes frustrated. His roommate asks him what has happened after seeing his poor condition. Mahin shares the situation with him, then he shares with others. Half an hour later a surprising thing happens with Mahin. One elder brother helps him by giving him a pair of trousers, and a younger roommate gives him formal shoes and socks. They encourage him in various ways and finally next day Mahin starts his journey towards that company. When he is in bus he keeps thinking about his surroundings and what will happen. When he arrives and gets down from the bus, he finds that his mobile phone is stolen. The pick-pocketing and the ensuing interview make him feel pathetic.

At last he comes out from the interview, walks on the footpath, and thinks himself, it’s life!! From his heart he thanks his roommate for help, he thanks his father for courage, and he also thanks the thief who has given him a lesson that carefulness is also a part and parcel of our life. He thinks that life is a combination of happiness, courage, help, inspiration, carefulness, hope, ups and downs, smoothness etc. Above all he thinks, “I have a dream, I have a promise, so I have to walk, I have to fulfill my desire.”

Really life is so strange because this is life. He walks and walks and utters repeatedly,

                                   “I am not defeated,

                                             Just lagging behind from the track of life,

                                                                                                 That’s all”

Answer the following questions.

1. What is the synonym of ‘ensuing’?

(a) Next

(b) Happening after something

(c) Upcoming

(d) Worry

2. Which one of the following best describes the meaning of ‘lagging’?

(a) Suffer

(b) Happy

(c) Move slowly

(d) Speed

3. Where does Mahin go?

(a) A market

(b) Home

(c) School

(d) A multinational company

4. Why does Mahin borrow a shirt?

(a) to face viva voce

(b) to meet with his friend

(c) to go festival

(d) to go village

5. What is going to happen to Mahin at the end?                                                                                      

6. Could Mahin avoid pick- pocketing? Why or why not?

Question set prepared by Imarot Hossain Rocky (ENG 045 06345)

About the Author

Masudur Rahman Masud is a student of English Department at Stamford University Bangladesh. He completed SSC and HSC from Mymensing. He likes to travel a lot and to watch horror movies. Specially he likes to disturb his friends all the time. His hobby is to observe people and their character. He wants to be a perfect man whom everyone likes and loves.