Chapter: Unit Twelve: Art and Craft
📚 Vocabulary
ENGLISH FOR TODAY Classes XI-XII & Alim
⭐ Most Important Exam Words
aestheticbeholdersereneeloquentimagerystanzakinsmanmysticaldialectrhythmtoleranceasceticismimaginationsculptureexpressionismfaminehauntingcontemporaryartisanembroiderymotiftactileanonymouslandmarkantiquityprosperousheritagesplendour
📃 Word Formation Rules
► beauty → beautiful → beautifully: add -ful to form an adjective and -ly to form an adverb.
► ugly → ugliness: change y to i and add -ness to form a noun.
► serene → serenity: change the adjective ending to form an abstract noun.
► eloquent → eloquence: replace -t with -ce to form a noun.
► ideal → idealize → idealization: add -ize and -ation to form related words.
► mystery → mystical: change the noun into an adjective with -ical.
► tolerate → tolerance → tolerant: form a noun with -ance and an adjective with -ant.
► ascetic → asceticism: add -ism to form the name of a practice or belief.
► imagine → imagination → imaginative: form a noun with -ation and an adjective with -ative.
► decorate → decoration → decorative: use -ation for the noun and -ive for the adjective.
► anonymous → anonymity: change -ous to -ity to form the noun.
► prosper → prosperous → prosperity: form an adjective with -ous and a noun with -ity.
► heritage is a noun; historic and historical are related adjectives with different uses.
► art → artist → artistic: add -ist for a person and -istic for an adjective.
► craft → craftsman/craftsperson → craftsmanship: form words for a worker and the quality of work.
1. Beauty, Art and Aesthetics (9 words)
beauty[/ˈbjuːti/]nouneasy
Meaning: সৌন্দর্য
Alt: the quality of being pleasing to the senses or mind
Example: Beauty can be found in nature and in human kindness.
Syn: loveliness, graceAnt: ugliness, hideousness
💡 Exam tip: Use beauty as an uncountable noun when referring to beauty in general.
aesthetic[/iːsˈθetɪk/]adjmedium
Meaning: নান্দনিক
Alt: related to beauty and the appreciation of art
Example: The painting has great aesthetic value.
Syn: artistic, beautifulAnt: unattractive, ugly
💡 Exam tip: Aesthetic is commonly used before nouns such as value, sense, quality and appeal.
beholder[/bɪˈhəʊldə(r)/]nounmedium
Meaning: দর্শক বা পর্যবেক্ষক
Alt: a person who looks at or notices something
Example: Beauty often lies in the eye of the beholder.
Syn: observer, viewer
💡 Exam tip: Remember the expression: beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
grace[/ɡreɪs/]nounmedium
Meaning: সৌন্দর্যপূর্ণ ভঙ্গি; সৌজন্য
Alt: elegance of movement or manner
Example: She walked with remarkable grace.
Syn: elegance, charmAnt: awkwardness, clumsiness
💡 Exam tip: Grace may mean both physical elegance and kind behaviour.
serene[/səˈriːn/]adjmedium
Meaning: শান্ত ও প্রশান্ত
Alt: calm, peaceful and untroubled
Example: The artist painted a serene landscape.
Syn: peaceful, calmAnt: agitated, disturbed
💡 Exam tip: The noun form is serenity.
eloquent[/ˈeləkwənt/]adjmedium
Meaning: সুস্পষ্ট ও প্রকাশক্ষম
Alt: expressing ideas or feelings effectively
Example: Her eloquent speech moved the audience.
Syn: expressive, persuasiveAnt: inarticulate, unclear
💡 Exam tip: Eloquent can describe speech, writing, gestures, eyes or silence.
idealize[/aɪˈdiːəlaɪz/]verbhard
Meaning: আদর্শায়িত করা
Alt: to represent someone or something as perfect
Example: The poet idealizes the beauty of the woman.
Syn: glorify, romanticizeAnt: criticize, devalue
💡 Exam tip: Use idealized as an adjective or past participle in literary answers.
truth[/truːθ/]nouneasy
Meaning: সত্য
Alt: the quality or state of being true
Example: The poem connects beauty with truth.
Syn: reality, factAnt: falsehood, lie
💡 Exam tip: The common phrase is “Beauty is truth, truth beauty.”
ugliness[/ˈʌɡlinəs/]nounmedium
Meaning: কদর্যতা
Alt: the quality of being unpleasant or unattractive
Example: Art may show ugliness to reveal social injustice.
Syn: hideousness, repulsivenessAnt: beauty, attractiveness
💡 Exam tip: Ugliness is formed from ugly by adding -ness.
2. Poetry and Literary Terms (9 words)
imagery[/ˈɪmɪdʒəri/]nounhard
Meaning: চিত্রকল্প
Alt: language that creates vivid pictures or sensations in the mind
Example: The poem uses imagery of night, stars and light.
Syn: word-picture, description
💡 Exam tip: In poetry questions, identify visual, auditory and natural imagery.
rhyme[/raɪm/]nouneasy
Meaning: অন্ত্যমিল
Alt: similarity of sound between words, especially at line endings
Example: The poem follows a regular rhyme scheme.
Syn: verse-rhyme, correspondence
💡 Exam tip: Rhyme scheme is usually written with letters such as ABAB or ABCB.
stanza[/ˈstænzə/]nouneasy
Meaning: স্তবক
Alt: a group of lines forming a unit in a poem
Example: The poem contains three stanzas.
Syn: verse, section
💡 Exam tip: Do not confuse stanza with sentence; a stanza is a poetic paragraph.
tomb[/tuːm/]nounmedium
Meaning: সমাধি
Alt: a large grave or structure for the dead
Example: The speaker lies in a tomb beside the person who died for truth.
Syn: grave, sepulchre
💡 Exam tip: The b in tomb is silent.
kinsman[/ˈkɪnzmən/]nounhard
Meaning: আত্মীয়
Alt: a relative, especially a male relative
Example: The two speakers become kinsmen through their shared ideals.
Syn: relative, relationAnt: stranger
💡 Exam tip: The plural form is kinsmen.
moss[/mɒs/]nounmedium
Meaning: শ্যাওলা
Alt: a small green plant growing in damp places
Example: Moss gradually covered the tombs.
Syn: bryophyte, greenery
💡 Exam tip: Moss is an important vocabulary item from “I Died for Beauty.”
scarce[/skeəs/]advmedium
Meaning: মাত্র; অল্পের জন্য
Alt: barely or hardly
Example: She had scarcely entered the tomb when another person arrived.
Syn: barely, hardlyAnt: abundantly, fully
💡 Exam tip: Scarcely is often followed by when in formal writing.
gaudy[/ˈɡɔːdi/]adjmedium
Meaning: জাঁকজমকপূর্ণ কিন্তু রুচিহীন
Alt: excessively bright, showy or flashy
Example: The soft light of the stars is better than gaudy daylight.
Syn: flashy, showyAnt: simple, subdued
💡 Exam tip: Gaudy usually has a negative meaning.
impair[/ɪmˈpeə(r)/]verbhard
Meaning: দুর্বল বা ক্ষতিগ্রস্ত করা
Alt: to damage or reduce the quality of something
Example: One shade more or one ray less would impair her beauty.
Syn: damage, weakenAnt: improve, strengthen
💡 Exam tip: The noun form is impairment.
3. Folk Music and Lalon Shah (9 words)
folk[/fəʊk/]adjeasy
Meaning: লোকজ
Alt: relating to the traditional culture of ordinary people
Example: Bangladesh has a rich heritage of folk music.
Syn: traditional, popularAnt: classical, elite
💡 Exam tip: Folk music is generally transmitted orally from generation to generation.
secular[/ˈsekjələ(r)/]adjmedium
Meaning: ধর্মনিরপেক্ষ
Alt: not connected with religious or spiritual matters
Example: Bangladeshi folk music includes both religious and secular songs.
Syn: non-religious, worldlyAnt: religious, sacred
💡 Exam tip: Learn the contrast: religious and secular.
mystical[/ˈmɪstɪkl/]adjmedium
Meaning: রহস্যময় ও আধ্যাত্মিক
Alt: relating to spiritual mysteries or divine experience
Example: Lalon’s songs contain profound mystical ideas.
Syn: spiritual, esotericAnt: ordinary, worldly
💡 Exam tip: Mystical is formed from mystery with the suffix -ical.
dialect[/ˈdaɪəlekt/]nounmedium
Meaning: আঞ্চলিক ভাষারূপ
Alt: a form of a language used in a particular region
Example: Folk songs often use the local dialect of a region.
Syn: vernacular, regional speechAnt: standard language
💡 Exam tip: Mention dialect when explaining the regional variety of folk music.
rhythm[/ˈrɪðəm/]nouneasy
Meaning: ছন্দ
Alt: a regular pattern of beats or sounds
Example: Natural rhythms are common in folk songs.
Syn: beat, tempoAnt: irregularity
💡 Exam tip: Rhythm refers to beat pattern, while tempo refers to speed.
tempo[/ˈtempəʊ/]nounmedium
Meaning: গতি বা লয়
Alt: the speed at which music is performed
Example: The singer changed the tempo of the song.
Syn: pace, speedAnt: slowness
💡 Exam tip: Tempo is a musical noun and is usually not pluralized.
separation[/ˌsepəˈreɪʃn/]nouneasy
Meaning: বিচ্ছেদ
Alt: the state of being apart from someone or something
Example: Many Bhatiyali songs express love and separation.
Syn: parting, distanceAnt: union, reunion
💡 Exam tip: Use separation with emotional contexts in composition writing.
asceticism[/əˈsetɪsɪzəm/]nounhard
Meaning: তপস্যাময় জীবনযাপন
Alt: the practice of strict self-discipline and avoiding pleasure
Example: Lalon adopted a life of devotion and asceticism.
Syn: self-denial, austerityAnt: indulgence, luxury
💡 Exam tip: The related adjective is ascetic.
tolerance[/ˈtɒlərəns/]nounmedium
Meaning: সহনশীলতা
Alt: respect for opinions, beliefs or practices different from one’s own
Example: Lalon preached religious tolerance.
Syn: acceptance, open-mindednessAnt: intolerance, bigotry
💡 Exam tip: Religious tolerance is a frequent theme in paragraph and comprehension answers.
4. Art, Modern Art and Artists (9 words)
imagination[/ɪˌmædʒɪˈneɪʃn/]nouneasy
Meaning: কল্পনাশক্তি
Alt: the ability to form ideas or images in the mind
Example: Art is an expression of human imagination.
Syn: creativity, fantasyAnt: reality, fact
💡 Exam tip: The adjective is imaginative.
sculpture[/ˈskʌlptʃə(r)/]nounmedium
Meaning: ভাস্কর্য
Alt: art made by shaping materials such as stone, wood or clay
Example: The museum contains traditional sculpture.
Syn: statue, carving
💡 Exam tip: Sculpture can be both a countable artwork and an uncountable art form.
architecture[/ˈɑːkɪtektʃə(r)/]nounmedium
Meaning: স্থাপত্য
Alt: the art and design of buildings
Example: Panam Nagar is famous for its historical architecture.
Syn: building design, construction
💡 Exam tip: Use architectural as the adjective form.
expressionism[/ɪkˈspreʃənɪzəm/]nounhard
Meaning: অভিব্যক্তিবাদ
Alt: an artistic style emphasizing emotional experience rather than realistic appearance
Example: Some Bangladeshi artists experimented with expressionism.
Syn: emotional art, expressive styleAnt: realism
💡 Exam tip: Expressionism is a modern artistic movement.
abstract[/ˈæbstrækt/]adjmedium
Meaning: বিমূর্ত
Alt: not representing objects realistically; based on ideas
Example: Abstract art uses shapes, colours and forms freely.
Syn: non-representational, conceptualAnt: realistic, concrete
💡 Exam tip: Abstract can also be a noun referring to a summary.
famine[/ˈfæmɪn/]nouneasy
Meaning: দুর্ভিক্ষ
Alt: an extreme scarcity of food affecting many people
Example: Zainul Abedin became famous for his Famine Sketches.
Syn: starvation, food shortageAnt: abundance, plenty
💡 Exam tip: Famine Sketches should be capitalized as the title of Zainul Abedin’s series.
haunting[/ˈhɔːntɪŋ/]adjhard
Meaning: মর্মস্পর্শী ও দীর্ঘস্থায়ী প্রভাবসৃষ্টিকারী
Alt: deeply moving, disturbing or unforgettable
Example: His haunting sketches depicted the suffering of famine victims.
Syn: poignant, memorableAnt: cheerful, forgettable
💡 Exam tip: Haunting is useful in descriptive answers about serious artwork.
installation[/ˌɪnstəˈleɪʃn/]nounhard
Meaning: স্থাপনাশিল্প
Alt: a modern artwork arranged in a particular space
Example: Installation art often transforms an entire room into an artwork.
Syn: art display, art arrangement
💡 Exam tip: Installation art is a major example of contemporary artistic experimentation.
contemporary[/kənˈtempərəri/]adjmedium
Meaning: সমকালীন
Alt: belonging to the present time
Example: The gallery displays contemporary Bangladeshi art.
Syn: modern, currentAnt: ancient, traditional
💡 Exam tip: Contemporary art does not always mean abstract art.
5. Crafts and Handicrafts (9 words)
craft[/krɑːft/]nouneasy
Meaning: কারুশিল্প
Alt: an activity requiring practical skill to make useful or beautiful objects
Example: Craft is the practical application of artistic skills.
Syn: handiwork, workmanship
💡 Exam tip: Distinguish art, which is often intuitive, from craft, which is practical and skill-based.
artisan[/ˌɑːtɪˈzæn/]nounmedium
Meaning: কারুশিল্পী
Alt: a skilled craft worker who makes objects by hand
Example: The artisan made a beautiful bamboo basket.
Syn: craftsperson, craftsmanAnt: amateur
💡 Exam tip: The plural is artisans; crafts person is also acceptable.
pottery[/ˈpɒtəri/]nouneasy
Meaning: মৃৎশিল্প
Alt: objects made from baked clay
Example: Pottery is a traditional form of folk art in Bangladesh.
Syn: earthenware, ceramics
💡 Exam tip: Pottery is usually an uncountable noun when referring to the craft.
decorative[/ˈdekərətɪv/]adjeasy
Meaning: সাজসজ্জামূলক
Alt: intended to make something more attractive
Example: The decorative design made the clay pot more attractive.
Syn: ornamental, embellishingAnt: plain, functional
💡 Exam tip: The noun form is decoration.
embroidery[/ɪmˈbrɔɪdəri/]nounmedium
Meaning: সূচিকর্ম
Alt: decorative designs sewn on cloth
Example: Nakshi kantha is a famous form of Bengali embroidery.
Syn: needlework, stitchwork
💡 Exam tip: Embroidery is generally uncountable; an embroidered quilt is countable.
motif[/məʊˈtiːf/]nounhard
Meaning: নকশার পুনরাবৃত্ত নকশা বা প্রতীক
Alt: a repeated design, image or idea in an artwork
Example: Floral motifs are common in nakshi kantha.
Syn: pattern, design
💡 Exam tip: Use motif when discussing repeated designs in handicrafts.
textile[/ˈtekstaɪl/]nounmedium
Meaning: বস্ত্র বা কাপড়জাত সামগ্রী
Alt: cloth or material produced by weaving or knitting
Example: Textile items are important products of rural craftspeople.
Syn: fabric, cloth
💡 Exam tip: Textile may function as both a noun and an adjective.
tactile[/ˈtæktaɪl/]adjhard
Meaning: স্পর্শানুভূতিসংক্রান্ত
Alt: related to the sense of touch
Example: The tactile quality of the quilt makes it inviting.
Syn: touchable, sensoryAnt: untouchable
💡 Exam tip: Tactile is often used to describe the physical appeal of handicrafts.
anonymous[/əˈnɒnɪməs/]adjmedium
Meaning: নাম-পরিচয়হীন
Alt: having an unknown or undisclosed name
Example: The maker of the old terracotta doll remains anonymous.
Syn: unnamed, unknownAnt: identified, known
💡 Exam tip: The noun form is anonymity.
6. History, Heritage and Travel (9 words)
ancient[/ˈeɪnʃənt/]adjeasy
Meaning: প্রাচীন
Alt: belonging to a very old period of history
Example: Sonargaon is an ancient township of Bangladesh.
Syn: old, antiqueAnt: modern, recent
💡 Exam tip: Ancient is commonly followed by historical sites, civilization and buildings.
landmark[/ˈlændmɑːk/]nouneasy
Meaning: ঐতিহাসিক বা উল্লেখযোগ্য স্থাপনা
Alt: a famous building or place that is easy to recognize
Example: Panam Nagar is an important historical landmark.
Syn: monument, site
💡 Exam tip: Landmark can also mean an important stage or event.
antiquity[/ænˈtɪkwəti/]nounhard
Meaning: প্রাচীনত্ব
Alt: great age or the ancient past
Example: Visitors are attracted by the antiquity of Sonargaon.
Syn: oldness, ancientnessAnt: modernity, newness
💡 Exam tip: Do not confuse antiquity with antique, which is usually an adjective or noun.
prosperous[/ˈprɒspərəs/]adjeasy
Meaning: সমৃদ্ধিশালী
Alt: successful and wealthy
Example: Sonargaon was once a prosperous trading post.
Syn: thriving, wealthyAnt: poor, deprived
💡 Exam tip: The noun form is prosperity.
splendid[/ˈsplendɪd/]adjeasy
Meaning: জাঁকজমকপূর্ণ; চমৎকার
Alt: very impressive, beautiful or magnificent
Example: Ibn Battuta was amazed by the splendid river port.
Syn: magnificent, brilliantAnt: poor, ordinary
💡 Exam tip: Splendid is a strong adjective suitable for descriptive compositions.
heritage[/ˈherɪtɪdʒ/]nouneasy
Meaning: ঐতিহ্য
Alt: the cultural and historical legacy passed down through generations
Example: Panam Nagar is an important part of our national heritage.
Syn: legacy, inheritance
💡 Exam tip: Cultural heritage and national heritage are common collocations.
residential[/ˌrezɪˈdenʃl/]adjmedium
Meaning: আবাসিক
Alt: related to places where people live
Example: Panam Nagar was developed as a residential quarter for governors.
Syn: housing, domesticAnt: commercial, industrial
💡 Exam tip: The noun form is residence; the person is a resident.
architecture[/ˈɑːkɪtektʃə(r)/]nounmedium
Meaning: স্থাপত্যশিল্প
Alt: the style and design of buildings
Example: The old buildings display remarkable colonial architecture.
Syn: building design, structure
💡 Exam tip: Architectural heritage is a useful phrase in travel emails.
splendour[/ˈsplendə(r)/]nounhard
Meaning: জাঁকজমক ও মহিমা
Alt: great beauty, grandeur or magnificence
Example: The traveller admired the splendour of the historic city.
Syn: grandeur, magnificenceAnt: dullness, plainness
💡 Exam tip: Splendour is the British spelling used in the textbook.
💡 Exam Tips
• For definition questions, mention both the traditional and practical aspects of folk music.
• In poetry answers, support interpretations with images such as night, stars, light, tomb and moss.
• Distinguish beauty from ugliness: the text argues that art may represent both to reveal truth and injustice.
• Use linking words such as moreover, however, therefore, consequently and in addition in compositions.
• For a folk-music email, include Baul, Bhatiyali, Bhawaiya, Murshidi, Marfati, Gambhira and wedding songs with their features.
• In answers about Lalon Shah, mention religious tolerance, rejection of social discrimination and shahajiya philosophy.
• In art-and-craft comparisons, explain that art is mainly imaginative and expressive, while craft applies practical skills to useful objects.
• Remember that artisans usually learn through on-the-job training under older and more experienced craftspeople.
• For chart descriptions, begin with the overall trend, mention the highest and lowest values, and compare changes year by year.
• For travel writing about Sonargaon or Panam Nagar, include location, historical importance, attractions and reasons for visiting.
• Use formal email structure: greeting, purpose, supporting details, invitation or request, closing and sender’s name.
• Revise silent letters and spelling carefully: tomb, rhythm, scenery, architecture, embroidery and splendour.