Junior School Certificate Exam is the 2nd public examination conducted by Ministry of Education Banglades.

Study the following lesson at home. Answers are given at the end of this post.

Read the passage carefully and answer the following questions.

Nakshi kantha is a kind of embroidered quilt. The name was taken from the Bengali word 'Naksha' which means artistic pattern. It is a kind of traditional craft and is said to be indigenous of Bangladesh and West Bengal in India. The art has been practiced 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, Bogra and Jessore 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.

1. Choose the best answer from the alternatives.

(a) The name 'Nakshi kantha' ¾ from the word 'Naksha'.

(i) comes (ii) come (iii) will come (iv) was taken

(b) 'Naksha' ¾ artistic pattern.
(i) mean (ii) stands for (iii) stood for (iv) tell

(c) Nakshi kantha is a kind of quilt ¾ is embroidered.
(i) those (ii) these (iii) which (iv) it

(d) 'Nakshi kantha' is a kind of craft and it is ¾
(i) modern (ii) urban (iii) rural (iv) traditional

(e) 'Naksha' is a ___ word
(i) Sanskrit (ii) Bengali (iii) Hindi (iv) Urdu

(f) It is ___ of Bangaldesh and West Bengali
(i) known (ii) local (iii) indigenous (iv) said

(g) The art of 'Nakshi kantha' ___ practice in Bengal
(i) recent (ii) modern (iii) new (iv) traditional

(h) The practice has been going on in ___ areas of Bengal
(i) urban (ii) city (iii) town (iv) village

(i) 'Nakshi Kathar Math' is a ___
(i) art (ii) craft (iii) style (iv) poem

(j) After the ___ of 'Nakshi Kanthar Math', the name 'Nakshi kantha' gained popularity
(i) writing (ii) published (iii) publication (iv) written

Or, Guess the meaning of the following words and choose the correct meaning closest to the text.

i. embroidered@
(a) stitched (b) decorated (c) made (d) sewed

ii. traditional@
(a) latest (b) primitive (c) recent (d) customary

iii. craft@
(a) art (b) style (c) skill (d) way

iv. design__
(a) kind (b) thread (c) intention (d) drawing

v. popular__
(a) well-liked (b) like (c) public (d) modern

2. Give short answers to the following questions.

a. What is 'Nakshi kantha'?

b. Where does the name 'Nakshi kantha' come from?

c. What does 'Naksha' mean?

d. What is said about 'Nakshi kantha'?

e. How long has the art of 'Nakshi kantha' been practiced in rural Bengal?

f. When did the name 'Naksha kantha ' become popular?

g. Which year was the poem 'Nakshi Kanthar Math' published?

h. Why are traditional kanthas made?

i. What items/things are used to make 'Nakshi kantha'?

j. Which districts are famous for making 'Nakshi kantha'?

Extra questions :

a. How is Nakshi kantha produced now?

b. Where can we find Nakshi kanthas? c. How is the demand of Nakshi kantas now?

d. Why do people like 'Nakshi kanthas' very much?

e. Are 'Nakshi kanthas' now costly or cheap? How do you know that?

3. Read the text again.

Now, write the summary of it in around 50 words.

Answers :

1. (a) i, (b) ii, (c) iii, (d) iv, (e) ii, (f) iii, (g) iv, (h) iv, (i) iv, (j) iii Or, i. d, ii. d, iii. c, iv. d, v. a

2.

(a) Nakshi kantha is a kind of embroidered quilt

(b) the name Nakshi knatha comes from the Bengali word 'Naksha'.

(c) Naksha means artistic pattern.

(d) 'Nakshi kantha' is a kind of traditional craft and is said to be indigenous of Bangladesh and West Bengal of India.

(e) The art of 'Nakshi kantha' has been practiced in rural Bengali for centuries.

(f) The name 'Nakshi knatha' became popular after the publication of Jasimuddin's poem 'Nakshi Kanthar Math'.

(g) The poem 'Nakshi Kanther Math' was published in 1929.

(h) Traditional kanthas are made for family use.

(i) Old or new cloth and thread are used to make 'Natkshi Kanthas'.

(j) Mymensingh, Jamalpur, Rajshahi, Faridpur, Bogra and Jessore are famous for making 'Nakshi kanthas'.

Extra questions :

(a) Nakshi kantha is now produced commercially.

(b) We can find Nakshi kanthas in many expensive handicraft shops in cities.

(c) Nakshi kanthas are now in great demand.

(d) People like Nakshi kanthas very much because of their colourful patterns and embroidered designs.

(e) Nakshi kanthas are now costly as they are found in expensive handicraft shops in cities.

3. Nakshi kantha, a kind of embroidered quilt, has been made in rural Bengal for centuries. Nakshi kantha became popular after the publication of 'Nakshi Kanthar Math'. It is now a commercial product and is found in expensive handicraft shops in cities. Its colourful pattern and embroidered designs have increased its demand.