ENGLISH FOR TODAY Classes XI-XII & Alim - Unit Nine: Peace and Conflict - Vocabulary | Free Course

Chapter: Unit Nine: Peace and Conflict

📚 Vocabulary

ENGLISH FOR TODAY Classes XI-XII & Alim

⭐ Most Important Exam Words

conflictantagonismbrutalitycontentiousescalationhostilitymisunderstandingresolutioninterventionfrustrationeconomicresourcevalueideologypowerdominancerigidinevitablepreferenceassertinterpersonalintrapersonalintragroupintergroupdisagreementcompetitionharmonydisruptpsychologicalcrueltysufferingtogethernessdespairmoancureexpensiveodourbridgepontoonstaggerploddustyartilleryadvanceovercastdestinationpeasantoccupationherdsmanunquietdullyblanklyanxietyevacuationcompassionhelplesssymbolize

📃 Word Formation Rules

► antagonism → antagonistic: the suffix -ic forms an adjective from a noun.

► hostility → hostile: the noun ending -ity changes to the adjective form -ile.

► escalation → escalate: the noun ending -tion changes into the verb form.

► contentious → contention: the adjective ending -ious changes into the noun ending -ion.

► harmony → harmonize: the suffix -ize forms a verb meaning to make harmonious.

► intervention → intervene: the noun ending -tion changes into the verb form.

► ideology → ideological: the suffix -ical forms an adjective from a noun.

► disrupt → disruption: the suffix -ion forms a noun from a verb.

► resolution → resolute: the noun changes into an adjective meaning determined; resolve is its related verb.

► cruelty → cruel: the noun ending -ty changes into the adjective form.

► suffer → suffering: the suffix -ing forms a present participle or gerund.

► helpless → helpful: the suffix -less means without, while -ful means full of.

1. Conflict: Causes and Types (10 words)

conflict[/ˈkɒnflɪkt/]nouneasy

Meaning: দ্বন্দ্ব বা সংঘাত

Alt: বিরোধ; মতবিরোধ

Example: Conflict can arise from differences in opinions.

Syn: dispute, clashAnt: peace, agreement

💡 Exam tip: Remember: conflict may occur between people, groups, or within oneself.

antagonism[/ænˈtæɡənɪzəm/]nounhard

Meaning: শত্রুতা বা বিরোধিতা

Alt: তীব্র বৈরিতা

Example: Antagonism between the two groups increased gradually.

Syn: hostility, enmityAnt: friendship, harmony

💡 Exam tip: Adjective form: antagonistic, meaning শত্রুতাপূর্ণ.

brutality[/bruːˈtæləti/]nounmedium

Meaning: নিষ্ঠুরতা

Alt: সহিংস ও অমানবিক আচরণ

Example: The brutality of war causes immense suffering.

Syn: cruelty, savageryAnt: kindness, humanity

💡 Exam tip: Often used with war, conflict, and violence.

contentious[/kənˈtenʃəs/]adjhard

Meaning: বিতর্কিত

Alt: বিবাদসৃষ্টিকারী

Example: The committee discussed a contentious issue.

Syn: controversial, disputableAnt: uncontroversial, agreeable

💡 Exam tip: Noun form: contention, meaning বিতর্ক or disagreement.

escalation[/ˌeskəˈleɪʃən/]nounmedium

Meaning: বৃদ্ধি বা তীব্রতা বৃদ্ধি

Alt: সংঘাতের উত্তেজনা বেড়ে যাওয়া

Example: Poor communication may lead to an escalation of conflict.

Syn: increase, intensificationAnt: reduction, de-escalation

💡 Exam tip: Verb form: escalate; use it for rapidly growing tension.

hostility[/hɒˈstɪləti/]nounmedium

Meaning: শত্রুতা

Alt: বিরূপ বা আক্রমণাত্মক মনোভাব

Example: The leaders tried to reduce hostility between the communities.

Syn: hatred, antagonismAnt: friendliness, peace

💡 Exam tip: Adjective form: hostile, meaning শত্রুতাপূর্ণ.

misunderstanding[/ˌmɪsʌndəˈstændɪŋ/]nouneasy

Meaning: ভুল বোঝাবুঝি

Alt: ভুল ধারণা বা ব্যাখ্যা

Example: The conflict began because of a simple misunderstanding.

Syn: misinterpretation, confusionAnt: understanding, clarity

💡 Exam tip: A common cause of interpersonal conflict.

resolution[/ˌrezəˈluːʃən/]nounmedium

Meaning: সমাধান

Alt: কোনো সিদ্ধান্ত বা সংকল্প

Example: The parties searched for a peaceful resolution.

Syn: solution, settlementAnt: problem, deadlock

💡 Exam tip: Verb form: resolve; phrase: conflict resolution.

intervention[/ˌɪntəˈvenʃən/]nounmedium

Meaning: হস্তক্ষেপ

Alt: সমাধানের জন্য তৃতীয় পক্ষের অংশগ্রহণ

Example: A third-party intervention helped settle the dispute.

Syn: mediation, involvementAnt: noninterference, inaction

💡 Exam tip: Verb form: intervene; third-party intervention can resolve conflict.

frustration[/frʌˈstreɪʃən/]nouneasy

Meaning: হতাশা

Alt: আশা পূরণ না হওয়ার বিরক্তি

Example: Stress and frustration may increase hostility.

Syn: disappointment, irritationAnt: satisfaction, contentment

💡 Exam tip: Adjective form: frustrated or frustrating.

2. Causes of Conflict (10 words)

economic[/ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk/]adjeasy

Meaning: অর্থনৈতিক

Alt: সম্পদ বা অর্থসংক্রান্ত

Example: Economic conflict often results from limited resources.

Syn: financial, commercialAnt: nonfinancial

💡 Exam tip: Noun form: economy or economics.

resource[/rɪˈsɔːs/]nouneasy

Meaning: সম্পদ

Alt: কাজে ব্যবহারযোগ্য উপকরণ

Example: Natural resources are limited in many countries.

Syn: asset, supplyAnt: shortage

💡 Exam tip: Plural form resources is frequently used in the chapter.

value[/ˈvæljuː/]nouneasy

Meaning: মূল্যবোধ

Alt: গুরুত্ব বা নৈতিক নীতি

Example: People may conflict because they hold different values.

Syn: principle, beliefAnt: worthlessness

💡 Exam tip: Value conflict concerns beliefs, preferences, and ideologies.

ideology[/ˌaɪdiˈɒlədʒi/]nounhard

Meaning: মতাদর্শ

Alt: রাজনৈতিক বা সামাজিক বিশ্বাসের সমষ্টি

Example: Different ideologies can lead to wars.

Syn: doctrine, philosophyAnt: disbelief

💡 Exam tip: Plural: ideologies; adjective: ideological.

power[/ˈpaʊə/]nouneasy

Meaning: ক্ষমতা

Alt: প্রভাব বিস্তারের সামর্থ্য

Example: Power conflict occurs when groups seek dominance.

Syn: authority, controlAnt: powerlessness, submission

💡 Exam tip: Power conflict involves authority, influence, and dominance.

dominance[/ˈdɒmɪnəns/]nounmedium

Meaning: প্রাধান্য বা আধিপত্য

Alt: অন্যদের ওপর নিয়ন্ত্রণ

Example: The two nations competed for regional dominance.

Syn: supremacy, controlAnt: submission, inferiority

💡 Exam tip: Adjective form: dominant.

rigid[/ˈrɪdʒɪd/]adjmedium

Meaning: অনমনীয়

Alt: মত পরিবর্তনে অনিচ্ছুক

Example: A rigid attitude can make conflict inevitable.

Syn: inflexible, stubbornAnt: flexible, open-minded

💡 Exam tip: Use rigid about opinions, beliefs, or rules.

inevitable[/ɪnˈevɪtəbl/]adjmedium

Meaning: অনিবার্য

Alt: যা এড়ানো যায় না

Example: Some disagreement is inevitable in human life.

Syn: unavoidable, certainAnt: avoidable, uncertain

💡 Exam tip: Noun form: inevitability; adverb: inevitably.

preference[/ˈprefərəns/]nouneasy

Meaning: পছন্দ

Alt: একটি বিষয়কে অন্যটির চেয়ে বেশি পছন্দ করা

Example: Varied preferences may create disagreement.

Syn: choice, likingAnt: dislike, aversion

💡 Exam tip: Often used with varied, personal, or individual.

assert[/əˈsɜːt/]verbhard

Meaning: দৃঢ়ভাবে দাবি করা

Alt: নিজের মত জোর দিয়ে প্রকাশ করা

Example: The parties assert their beliefs aggressively.

Syn: declare, affirmAnt: deny, withdraw

💡 Exam tip: Noun form: assertion; do not confuse with assess.

3. Types of Conflict (10 words)

interpersonal[/ˌɪntəˈpɜːsənəl/]adjmedium

Meaning: ব্যক্তিদের মধ্যকার

Alt: দুই বা ততোধিক ব্যক্তির সম্পর্কিত

Example: Interpersonal conflict occurs between two individuals.

Syn: relational, socialAnt: intrapersonal

💡 Exam tip: Interpersonal means between people.

intrapersonal[/ˌɪntrəˈpɜːsənəl/]adjhard

Meaning: ব্যক্তির অভ্যন্তরীণ

Alt: একজন মানুষের মনের ভেতরের

Example: Intrapersonal conflict involves thoughts and emotions.

Syn: internal, innerAnt: interpersonal

💡 Exam tip: Intra means within; inter means between.

intragroup[/ˌɪntrəˈɡruːp/]adjhard

Meaning: একটি দলের অভ্যন্তরীণ

Alt: একই দলের সদস্যদের মধ্যকার

Example: Intragroup conflict may arise from differences in ideas.

Syn: internal, within-groupAnt: intergroup

💡 Exam tip: Intragroup means within a team or group.

intergroup[/ˌɪntəˈɡruːp/]adjhard

Meaning: দলগুলোর মধ্যকার

Alt: বিভিন্ন দলের মধ্যে সংঘটিত

Example: Intergroup conflict is often caused by competition.

Syn: between-group, collectiveAnt: intragroup

💡 Exam tip: Intergroup involves different teams or organizations.

antagonism[/ænˈtæɡənɪzəm/]nounhard

Meaning: বিরোধিতা

Alt: দুই পক্ষের পারস্পরিক শত্রুতা

Example: Interpersonal antagonism can damage relationships.

Syn: opposition, enmityAnt: cooperation, harmony

💡 Exam tip: This word describes the hostile relationship behind conflict.

disagreement[/ˌdɪsəˈɡriːmənt/]nouneasy

Meaning: মতবিরোধ

Alt: একই মত না থাকা

Example: A disagreement within the team delayed the decision.

Syn: difference, disputeAnt: agreement, consensus

💡 Exam tip: Use disagreement for a less severe conflict.

competition[/ˌkɒmpəˈtɪʃən/]nouneasy

Meaning: প্রতিযোগিতা

Alt: জয়ী হওয়ার জন্য প্রতিদ্বন্দ্বিতা

Example: Competition between groups may cause conflict.

Syn: rivalry, contestAnt: cooperation, partnership

💡 Exam tip: Competition is a major cause of intergroup conflict.

harmony[/ˈhɑːməni/]nouneasy

Meaning: সম্প্রীতি

Alt: শান্তিপূর্ণ ঐক্য

Example: Mutual respect helps maintain harmony in a team.

Syn: peace, accordAnt: discord, conflict

💡 Exam tip: Verb form: harmonize; adjective: harmonious.

disrupt[/dɪˈsrʌpt/]verbmedium

Meaning: ব্যাহত করা

Alt: শান্তি বা কার্যক্রমে বিঘ্ন ঘটানো

Example: Serious conflict can disrupt team harmony.

Syn: disturb, interruptAnt: organize, support

💡 Exam tip: Noun form: disruption; adjective: disruptive.

psychological[/ˌsaɪkəˈlɒdʒɪkəl/]adjhard

Meaning: মানসিক

Alt: মন বা মানসিক অবস্থার সঙ্গে সম্পর্কিত

Example: Conflict may have serious psychological effects.

Syn: mental, emotionalAnt: physical

💡 Exam tip: Noun form: psychology; adverb: psychologically.

4. Cruelties of Conflict and Poetry (10 words)

cruelty[/ˈkruːəlti/]nouneasy

Meaning: নিষ্ঠুরতা

Alt: কষ্ট দেওয়ার অমানবিক আচরণ

Example: The poem exposes the cruelty of war.

Syn: brutality, harshnessAnt: mercy, compassion

💡 Exam tip: Plural form: cruelties.

suffering[/ˈsʌfərɪŋ/]nouneasy

Meaning: দুর্ভোগ বা কষ্ট

Alt: শারীরিক বা মানসিক যন্ত্রণা

Example: War causes suffering among innocent people.

Syn: pain, distressAnt: comfort, relief

💡 Exam tip: Verb form: suffer; identify the cause with suffer from.

togetherness[/təˈɡeðənəs/]nounmedium

Meaning: একসঙ্গে থাকার অনুভূতি

Alt: ঐক্য ও পারস্পরিক সংযোগ

Example: Togetherness gives meaning to human life.

Syn: unity, companionshipAnt: isolation, separation

💡 Exam tip: The poem Alone emphasizes the necessity of togetherness.

despair[/dɪˈspeə/]nounmedium

Meaning: হতাশা

Alt: আশাহীনতা

Example: Despite the suffering, the poem is not entirely one of despair.

Syn: hopelessness, despondencyAnt: hope, optimism

💡 Exam tip: Adjective form: despairing or desperate, depending on context.

moan[/məʊn/]nouneasy

Meaning: গোঙানি বা বিলাপ

Alt: ব্যথা বা দুঃখের নিম্নস্বরে প্রকাশ

Example: The poet hears the moan of suffering humanity.

Syn: groan, lamentAnt: cheer, laughter

💡 Exam tip: As a verb, moan means to complain or make a sorrowful sound.

cure[/kjʊə/]verbeasy

Meaning: আরোগ্য করা

Alt: কোনো সমস্যা দূর করা

Example: Money cannot cure a heart of stone.

Syn: heal, remedyAnt: harm, worsen

💡 Exam tip: Noun form also means a treatment or remedy.

expensive[/ɪkˈspensɪv/]adjeasy

Meaning: ব্যয়বহুল

Alt: যার দাম বেশি

Example: The millionaire employed expensive doctors.

Syn: costly, high-pricedAnt: cheap, inexpensive

💡 Exam tip: Noun form: expense; adverb: expensively.

banshee[/ˈbænʃiː/]nounhard

Meaning: বিলাপকারী আত্মা

Alt: আইরিশ কিংবদন্তির এমন নারী আত্মা যার চিৎকার মৃত্যুর পূর্বাভাস দেয়

Example: The poet compares the wives’ cries to banshees.

Syn: wailing spirit, specterAnt: angel

💡 Exam tip: A literary and cultural reference from the poem Alone.

sociological[/ˌsəʊsiəˈlɒdʒɪkəl/]adjhard

Meaning: সমাজবিজ্ঞানসংক্রান্ত

Alt: সমাজ ও সামাজিক সম্পর্কের সঙ্গে সম্পর্কিত

Example: Conflict has important sociological impacts.

Syn: social, societalAnt: individual

💡 Exam tip: Noun form: sociology.

odour[/ˈəʊdə/]nounmedium

Meaning: দুর্গন্ধ বা গন্ধ

Alt: কোনো কিছুর বিশেষ গন্ধ

Example: The odour of death offends the peaceful night.

Syn: smell, scentAnt: fragrance, perfume

💡 Exam tip: British spelling is odour; American spelling is odor.

5. The Old Man at the Bridge: Setting and Movement (10 words)

bridge[/brɪdʒ/]nouneasy

Meaning: সেতু

Alt: নদী বা পথের ওপর নির্মিত চলাচলের কাঠামো

Example: People crossed the bridge to escape the advancing army.

Syn: overpass, viaductAnt: barrier

💡 Exam tip: The bridge symbolizes a temporary passage between danger and safety.

pontoon[/pɒnˈtuːn/]nounhard

Meaning: ভাসমান সেতু বা প্ল্যাটফর্ম

Alt: জলের ওপর স্থাপিত ভাসমান কাঠামো

Example: A pontoon bridge was built across the river.

Syn: floating platform, raftAnt: land bridge

💡 Exam tip: Contextual meaning: a floating platform used as a bridge or dock.

stagger[/ˈstæɡə/]verbmedium

Meaning: টলতে টলতে হাঁটা

Alt: ভারসাম্যহীনভাবে চলা

Example: The old man staggered and sat down in the dust.

Syn: totter, reelAnt: steady, balance

💡 Exam tip: Past form: staggered; often used with tired or injured people.

plod[/plɒd/]verbmedium

Meaning: ধীরে ও ভারীভাবে হাঁটা

Alt: কষ্ট করে এগিয়ে চলা

Example: The peasants plodded along the dusty road.

Syn: trudge, marchAnt: run, dash

💡 Exam tip: Past form: plodded; shows slow, tiring movement.

dusty[/ˈdʌsti/]adjeasy

Meaning: ধুলোময়

Alt: ধুলায় আচ্ছাদিত

Example: The old man had a dusty face and dusty clothes.

Syn: dirty, powderyAnt: clean, polished

💡 Exam tip: Noun form: dust; adjective suffix -y means full of.

artillery[/ɑːˈtɪləri/]nounhard

Meaning: গোলন্দাজ বাহিনী বা ভারী কামান

Alt: বড় আগ্নেয়াস্ত্র ও তার গোলাবারুদ

Example: The captain ordered the old man to leave because of the artillery.

Syn: heavy guns, cannonryAnt: peacekeeping

💡 Exam tip: Usually treated as an uncountable noun in this context.

advance[/ədˈvɑːns/]verbeasy

Meaning: এগিয়ে আসা

Alt: সামনের দিকে অগ্রসর হওয়া

Example: The Fascists were advancing toward the Ebro.

Syn: progress, approachAnt: retreat, withdraw

💡 Exam tip: Noun form: advance; opposite: retreat.

overcast[/ˈəʊvəkɑːst/]adjmedium

Meaning: মেঘাচ্ছন্ন

Alt: আকাশ সম্পূর্ণ মেঘে ঢাকা

Example: It was an overcast Easter Sunday.

Syn: cloudy, grayAnt: sunny, clear

💡 Exam tip: An overcast sky may prevent planes from flying.

destination[/ˌdestɪˈneɪʃən/]nouneasy

Meaning: গন্তব্য

Alt: যে স্থানে কেউ যেতে চায়

Example: The old man did not know his destination.

Syn: goal, endpointAnt: origin, departure

💡 Exam tip: Distinguish destination from direction: destination is the final place.

peasant[/ˈpezənt/]nounmedium

Meaning: কৃষক

Alt: গ্রামের দরিদ্র কৃষিশ্রমিক

Example: The peasants left the town during the evacuation.

Syn: farmer, villagerAnt: aristocrat, noble

💡 Exam tip: A key social class word in war literature.

6. The Old Man at the Bridge: Character and Theme (10 words)

occupation[/ˌɒkjʊˈpeɪʃən/]nouneasy

Meaning: পেশা

Alt: জীবিকা বা কাজ

Example: The old man’s occupation was taking care of animals.

Syn: profession, jobAnt: unemployment

💡 Exam tip: Do not confuse occupation with military occupation.

herdsman[/ˈhɜːdzmən/]nounmedium

Meaning: পশুপালক

Alt: পশুর পাল দেখাশোনা করে যে ব্যক্তি

Example: The old man looked like neither a shepherd nor a herdsman.

Syn: shepherd, stockmanAnt: city dweller

💡 Exam tip: Herdsman is formed from herd plus man.

unquiet[/ʌnˈkwaɪət/]adjmedium

Meaning: অশান্ত বা উদ্বিগ্ন

Alt: শান্তিহীন; উৎকণ্ঠিত

Example: The old man was unquiet about his animals.

Syn: anxious, restlessAnt: calm, peaceful

💡 Exam tip: Prefix un- changes quiet into its opposite.

dully[/ˈdʌlli/]advmedium

Meaning: নিস্তেজভাবে

Alt: উৎসাহ বা আবেগহীনভাবে

Example: He repeated the words dully after sitting down.

Syn: lifelessly, listlesslyAnt: brightly, energetically

💡 Exam tip: Adverb of manner; adjective form: dull.

blankly[/ˈblæŋkli/]advmedium

Meaning: অনুভূতিহীনভাবে

Alt: শূন্য বা নির্বিকার দৃষ্টিতে

Example: He looked blankly at the waiting soldier.

Syn: vacantly, expressionlesslyAnt: expressively, cheerfully

💡 Exam tip: Contextual meaning in the story: without any interest or expression.

anxiety[/æŋˈzaɪəti/]nouneasy

Meaning: উদ্বেগ

Alt: ভয় বা দুশ্চিন্তার অনুভূতি

Example: His greatest anxiety was for the goats and pigeons.

Syn: worry, apprehensionAnt: calmness, confidence

💡 Exam tip: Adjective form: anxious; phrase: anxiety about.

evacuation[/ɪˌvækjuˈeɪʃən/]nounhard

Meaning: নিরাপদ স্থানে সরিয়ে নেওয়া

Alt: বিপদপূর্ণ স্থান থেকে লোকজনকে বের করে দেওয়া

Example: The evacuation of the town began before the attack.

Syn: withdrawal, removalAnt: arrival, occupation

💡 Exam tip: Verb form: evacuate; common in war-related passages.

compassion[/kəmˈpæʃən/]nounmedium

Meaning: সহানুভূতি

Alt: অন্যের দুঃখে সহমর্মিতা

Example: The narrator shows compassion for the helpless old man.

Syn: sympathy, pityAnt: cruelty, indifference

💡 Exam tip: Compassion is an important human value opposing war cruelty.

helpless[/ˈhelpləs/]adjeasy

Meaning: অসহায়

Alt: নিজেকে রক্ষা বা সাহায্য করার ক্ষমতাহীন

Example: The old man was too helpless to continue walking.

Syn: powerless, defencelessAnt: powerful, capable

💡 Exam tip: Suffix -less means without; helpless means without help.

symbolize[/ˈsɪmbəlaɪz/]verbhard

Meaning: প্রতীকী অর্থ প্রকাশ করা

Alt: কোনো ধারণার প্রতীক হওয়া

Example: The abandoned animals symbolize the innocent victims of war.

Syn: represent, signifyAnt: conceal, disguise

💡 Exam tip: In literary answers, explain what an object or character symbolizes.

💡 Exam Tips

• Conflict is an inevitable part of life, but it can often be resolved through communication, compromise, and peaceful intervention.

• Learn the difference between economic, value, and power conflict: resources, beliefs, and authority respectively.

• Remember the prefixes: inter- means between, while intra- means within.

• For comparison questions, interpersonal conflict occurs between individuals, whereas intrapersonal conflict occurs within one individual.

• Intergroup conflict occurs between different teams; intragroup conflict occurs among members of the same team.

• In the poem Alone, the repeated words alone and nobody emphasize that human beings need relationships and cooperation.

• The poem Alone is ultimately hopeful because it encourages togetherness despite suffering.

• In The Old Man at the Bridge, the old man represents innocent civilians who become helpless victims of war.

• The animals symbolize the old man’s responsibilities, attachments, and concern for vulnerable living beings.

• For literary answers, support the theme with details such as setting, character, repeated words, symbols, and the ending.

• Use contextual meanings: stagger means to move unsteadily, plod means to walk heavily, blankly means without expression, and pontoon means a floating platform.

• For vocabulary questions, write the part of speech, Bengali meaning, a synonym, an antonym, and an original sentence.

• In summary writing, preserve the logical order: definition of conflict, causes, inevitability, and classification of conflicts.

ENGLISH FOR TODAY Classes XI-XII & Alim - Unit Nine: Peace and Conflict - Vocabulary

Chapter: Unit Nine: Peace and Conflict

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