ENGLISH FOR TODAY Classes XI-XII & Alim - Unit Thirteen: Myths and Literature - Vocabulary | Free Course

Chapter: Unit Thirteen: Myths and Literature

📚 Vocabulary

ENGLISH FOR TODAY Classes XI-XII & Alim

⭐ Most Important Exam Words

gazeroostdomehushhoneycombedwaningdesolatewailmythlegendincomparableimageryvegetationvividlyreperfectionwithstandcharmmortalsoftencrowddelightindigenousdocilevigilantpredatorymiraclecultivatescrollpreserveundergomenaceslaytacticimmensedevotedtriumphacquireconsequentlymoreoverindeedwhereasdespitedepictinterpretinspire

📃 Word Formation Rules

► Add the suffix ‘-ness’ to adjectives to form abstract nouns: vigilant → vigilance; kind → kindness.

► Add the suffix ‘-tion’ or ‘-ation’ to verbs to form nouns: preserve → preservation; interpret → interpretation.

► Add the suffix ‘-ment’ to verbs to form nouns: entertain → entertainment; achieve → achievement.

► Add the suffix ‘-ful’ to nouns to form adjectives meaning full of: charm → charming or charmful; beauty → beautiful.

► Add the prefix ‘in-’ to form a negative adjective: comparable → incomparable; visible → invisible.

► Add the prefix ‘un-’ to form the opposite of an adjective: happy → unhappy; known → unknown.

► Use the suffix ‘-ly’ to form adverbs: consequent → consequently; vivid → vividly.

► Use the suffix ‘-ous’ to form adjectives: danger → dangerous; courage → courageous.

► Use the suffix ‘-ive’ to form adjectives: attract → attractive; cultivate → cultivative.

► Irregular verb forms should be memorized: undergo → underwent → undergone; slay → slew → slain; withstand → withstood → withstood.

1. Lesson 1: Bengal's Face — Nature and Landscape (8 words)

gaze[/ɡeɪz/]verbmedium

Meaning: একদৃষ্টিতে তাকানো

Alt: মনোযোগ দিয়ে দেখা

Example: The poet gazes at the beautiful landscape of Bengal.

Syn: stare, look, observeAnt: ignore, overlook

💡 Exam tip: ‘Gaze at’ is the common collocation.

roost[/ruːst/]verbmedium

Meaning: পাখির রাতে বসবাস বা বিশ্রাম নেওয়া

Alt: উঁচু স্থানে বসে থাকা

Example: The swallows roost under the broad leaves of the fig tree.

Syn: settle, perch, restAnt: fly, depart

💡 Exam tip: A bird roosts in a place; a bird perches on a branch.

dome[/dəʊm/]nounmedium

Meaning: গম্বুজ

Alt: গম্বুজাকৃতির ছাদ বা আবরণ

Example: The trees formed a leafy dome over the path.

Syn: vault, canopy, archAnt: hollow, depression

💡 Exam tip: ‘Leafy dome’ means a dome-like cover made by leaves.

hush[/hʌʃ/]nouneasy

Meaning: নীরবতা

Alt: শান্ত ও শব্দহীন অবস্থা

Example: The forest remained in a deep hush at dawn.

Syn: silence, quiet, stillnessAnt: noise, uproar

💡 Exam tip: ‘In a hush’ means in silence.

honeycombed[/ˈhʌnɪkəʊmd/]adjhard

Meaning: মৌচাকের মতো ছিদ্রযুক্ত

Alt: অনেক ছোট ছোট গর্তে ভরা

Example: The honeycombed boat appeared in the old legend.

Syn: perforated, holed, cellularAnt: solid, unbroken

💡 Exam tip: It is formed from ‘honeycomb’ + ‘-ed’ and works as an adjective.

waning[/ˈweɪnɪŋ/]adjmedium

Meaning: ক্রমশ ক্ষয়িষ্ণু

Alt: আকার বা শক্তিতে কমতে থাকা

Example: The waning moon sank behind the riverbank.

Syn: decreasing, diminishing, fadingAnt: waxing, increasing

💡 Exam tip: ‘Waning’ is the opposite of ‘waxing’, especially for the moon.

desolate[/ˈdesələt/]adjhard

Meaning: বিষণ্ণ ও নিঃসঙ্গ

Alt: জনশূন্য বা পরিত্যক্ত

Example: The desolate heroine continued her difficult journey.

Syn: lonely, forlorn, abandonedAnt: cheerful, populated

💡 Exam tip: Use ‘desolate’ for both emotional loneliness and deserted places.

wail[/weɪl/]verbmedium

Meaning: বিলাপ করে কাঁদা

Alt: দুঃখের সুরে শব্দ করা

Example: The rivers and fields seemed to wail for the suffering heroine.

Syn: lament, moan, sobAnt: rejoice, celebrate

💡 Exam tip: The noun form is ‘wail’; the related noun ‘wailing’ means বিলাপ.

2. Lesson 1: Bengal's Face — Myth and Literary Analysis (8 words)

myth[/mɪθ/]nouneasy

Meaning: পুরাণকাহিনি বা পৌরাণিক গল্প

Alt: প্রাচীন কল্পকাহিনি, যা কোনো বিশ্বাস ব্যাখ্যা করে

Example: The poem uses a myth from medieval Bengali literature.

Syn: legend, fable, taleAnt: fact, reality

💡 Exam tip: A myth is not always simply a false story; it may be a traditional sacred tale.

legend[/ˈledʒənd/]nouneasy

Meaning: কিংবদন্তি

Alt: ঐতিহ্যগতভাবে প্রচলিত ঐতিহাসিক বা কাল্পনিক কাহিনি

Example: Behula is a legendary heroine of Bengali folklore.

Syn: myth, tradition, folktaleAnt: truth, record

💡 Exam tip: ‘Legendary’ is the adjective form.

incomparable[/ɪnˈkɒmpərəbəl/]adjhard

Meaning: তুলনাহীন

Alt: যার সমকক্ষ নেই

Example: The poet praises Bengal's incomparable beauty.

Syn: matchless, unequalled, uniqueAnt: ordinary, inferior

💡 Exam tip: The prefix ‘in-’ gives the word a negative meaning: not comparable.

imagery[/ˈɪmɪdʒəri/]nounmedium

Meaning: চিত্রকল্প

Alt: শব্দের মাধ্যমে মনের মধ্যে ছবি সৃষ্টি

Example: The poem contains rich imagery of rivers, trees and birds.

Syn: 描写, description, word-pictureAnt: plainness, literalness

💡 Exam tip: Imagery may appeal to sight, sound, smell, taste or touch.

vegetation[/ˌvedʒəˈteɪʃən/]nounmedium

Meaning: উদ্ভিদরাজি

Alt: কোনো অঞ্চলের সব গাছপালা

Example: The poem presents the abundant vegetation of Bangladesh.

Syn: flora, greenery, plant lifeAnt: barrenness, desert

💡 Exam tip: ‘Vegetation’ is generally an uncountable noun.

vivid[/ˈvɪvɪd/]adjmedium

Meaning: জীবন্ত ও স্পষ্ট

Alt: উজ্জ্বলভাবে প্রকাশিত

Example: The poet gives a vivid description of rural Bengal.

Syn: graphic, clear, livelyAnt: dull, vague

💡 Exam tip: ‘Vivid description’ is a useful examination collocation.

desolate[/ˈdesələt/]adjhard

Meaning: বিষণ্ণ

Alt: নিরাশ ও নিঃসঙ্গ

Example: Behula danced like a desolate wagtail in the court of the gods.

Syn: sad, miserable, forlornAnt: joyful, hopeful

💡 Exam tip: Do not confuse ‘desolate’ with ‘desolate’ as a verb meaning ধ্বংস করা.

central[/ˈsentrəl/]adjeasy

Meaning: কেন্দ্রীয়

Alt: সবচেয়ে গুরুত্বপূর্ণ

Example: The central theme of the poem is love for Bengal.

Syn: main, principal, coreAnt: minor, secondary

💡 Exam tip: In literary answers, write ‘The central theme is…’.

3. Lesson 2: Orpheus — Music and Effects (8 words)

lyre[/laɪər/]nounhard

Meaning: প্রাচীন তারবাদ্য

Alt: গ্রিক যুগের বীণাসদৃশ বাদ্যযন্ত্র

Example: Apollo presented Orpheus with a lyre.

Syn: harp, stringed instrument, instrument

💡 Exam tip: Remember the spelling and pronunciation: lyre /laɪər/.

perfection[/pəˈfekʃən/]nounmedium

Meaning: পরিপূর্ণতা

Alt: ত্রুটিহীন উৎকর্ষ

Example: Orpheus played the lyre to such perfection that nature responded.

Syn: excellence, mastery, flawlessnessAnt: imperfection, failure

💡 Exam tip: The adjective is ‘perfect’; the adverb is ‘perfectly’.

withstand[/wɪðˈstænd/]verbhard

Meaning: প্রতিরোধ করা

Alt: কোনো শক্তি বা প্রভাব সহ্য করা

Example: Nothing could withstand the charm of Orpheus's music.

Syn: resist, endure, opposeAnt: surrender, yield

💡 Exam tip: ‘Withstand’ is an irregular verb: withstand, withstood, withstood.

charm[/tʃɑːm/]nouneasy

Meaning: মোহনীয়তা

Alt: আকর্ষণ করার শক্তি

Example: The charm of his music softened both people and animals.

Syn: attraction, enchantment, appealAnt: repulsion, disgust

💡 Exam tip: As a verb, ‘charm’ means মুগ্ধ করা.

mortal[/ˈmɔːtəl/]nounmedium

Meaning: মরণশীল মানুষ

Alt: দেবতা নয় এমন মানুষ

Example: Orpheus's music delighted his fellow mortals.

Syn: human, person, manAnt: immortal, god

💡 Exam tip: ‘Mortal’ can be both a noun and an adjective.

soften[/ˈsɒfən/]verbeasy

Meaning: নরম করা

Alt: কঠোরতা বা তীব্রতা কমানো

Example: His gentle notes softened the hardness of the rocks.

Syn: melt, temper, alleviateAnt: harden, intensify

💡 Exam tip: The ‘t’ in ‘soften’ is silent.

crowd[/kraʊd/]verbeasy

Meaning: ভিড় করা

Alt: কাছাকাছি জড়ো হওয়া

Example: The trees crowded around the musician.

Syn: gather, throng, assembleAnt: scatter, disperse

💡 Exam tip: ‘Crowd around’ means gather closely around someone or something.

delight[/dɪˈlaɪt/]verbeasy

Meaning: আনন্দিত করা

Alt: অত্যন্ত খুশি করা

Example: The musician's song delighted every listener.

Syn: please, gladden, entertainAnt: sadden, disappoint

💡 Exam tip: Noun: delight; adjective: delightful; adverb: delightfully.

4. Lesson 3: The Legend of Gazi — Folk Culture (8 words)

indigenous[/ɪnˈdɪdʒənəs/]adjhard

Meaning: দেশীয় বা আদিবাসী

Alt: কোনো অঞ্চলের নিজস্ব

Example: Pata painting is an important form of indigenous art.

Syn: native, local, originalAnt: foreign, imported

💡 Exam tip: ‘Indigenous art’ means art that originates from a particular native culture.

docile[/ˈdəʊsaɪl/]adjhard

Meaning: শান্ত ও বাধ্য

Alt: সহজে নিয়ন্ত্রণ করা যায় এমন

Example: Gazi Pir could make dangerous animals docile.

Syn: tame, gentle, obedientAnt: wild, aggressive

💡 Exam tip: The opposite of ‘docile’ in this passage is ‘ferocious’ or ‘hostile’.

vigilant[/ˈvɪdʒɪlənt/]adjmedium

Meaning: সতর্ক

Alt: বিপদ সম্পর্কে সজাগ

Example: The vigilant saint protected villagers from wild animals.

Syn: alert, watchful, carefulAnt: careless, inattentive

💡 Exam tip: Noun: vigilance; adverb: vigilantly.

predatory[/ˈpredətəri/]adjhard

Meaning: শিকারী

Alt: অন্য প্রাণী শিকার করে এমন

Example: Gazi's presence kept predatory animals within bounds.

Syn: carnivorous, rapacious, huntingAnt: harmless, peaceful

💡 Exam tip: ‘Predatory animals’ is a common phrase in environmental writing.

miracle[/ˈmɪrəkəl/]nounmedium

Meaning: অলৌকিক ঘটনা

Alt: প্রাকৃতিক নিয়মের বাইরে ঘটেছে বলে বিশ্বাস করা ঘটনা

Example: People believed that Gazi Pir performed many miracles.

Syn: wonder, marvel, supernatural eventAnt: ordinary event, fact

💡 Exam tip: Adjective: miraculous; adverb: miraculously.

cultivate[/ˈkʌltɪveɪt/]verbmedium

Meaning: চাষ করা

Alt: উন্নত বা বিকশিত করা

Example: Gazi enabled villagers to cultivate land near the forest.

Syn: farm, grow, developAnt: neglect, abandon

💡 Exam tip: ‘Cultivate land’ means চাষের জন্য জমি ব্যবহার করা.

scroll[/skrəʊl/]nounmedium

Meaning: জড়ানো চিত্রপট

Alt: লম্বা কাগজ বা কাপড়ে আঁকা ধারাবাহিক ছবি

Example: The story of Gazi Pir is shown in painted scrolls.

Syn: roll, manuscript, picture-strip

💡 Exam tip: A ‘scroll painting’ is a traditional folk-art form.

preserve[/prɪˈzɜːv/]verbeasy

Meaning: সংরক্ষণ করা

Alt: নষ্ট হওয়া থেকে রক্ষা করা

Example: Folk literature preserves the legend of Gazi Pir.

Syn: protect, conserve, maintainAnt: destroy, discard

💡 Exam tip: Noun: preservation; adjective: preserved or preservable.

5. Lesson 4: Hercules — Strength and Heroism (8 words)

undergo[/ˌʌndəˈɡəʊ/]verbmedium

Meaning: মধ্য দিয়ে যাওয়া

Alt: কঠিন অভিজ্ঞতা বা কাজ সহ্য করা

Example: Hercules had to undergo twelve difficult labours.

Syn: experience, endure, faceAnt: avoid, escape

💡 Exam tip: Irregular forms: undergo, underwent, undergone.

menace[/ˈmenəs/]verbmedium

Meaning: বিপন্ন করা

Alt: হুমকি সৃষ্টি করা

Example: A terrible lion was menacing the people of Nemea.

Syn: threaten, endanger, alarmAnt: protect, defend

💡 Exam tip: As a noun, ‘menace’ means a threat or danger.

slay[/sleɪ/]verbmedium

Meaning: হত্যা করা

Alt: বিশেষত কোনো ভয়ংকর প্রাণীকে মেরে ফেলা

Example: Hercules was ordered to slay the Nemean lion.

Syn: kill, murder, destroyAnt: save, spare

💡 Exam tip: Irregular forms: slay, slew, slain.

tactic[/ˈtæktɪk/]nounmedium

Meaning: কৌশল

Alt: লক্ষ্য অর্জনের নির্দিষ্ট পদ্ধতি

Example: Hercules used a different tactic when his weapons failed.

Syn: strategy, method, planAnt: inactivity, improvisation

💡 Exam tip: ‘Tactic’ is usually a specific method; ‘strategy’ is a broader plan.

immense[/ɪˈmens/]adjeasy

Meaning: অত্যন্ত বিশাল

Alt: অসীম বা অপরিমেয়

Example: Hercules relied on his immense strength.

Syn: enormous, vast, hugeAnt: tiny, slight

💡 Exam tip: ‘Immense strength’ is a useful phrase for describing Hercules.

devoted[/dɪˈvəʊtɪd/]adjmedium

Meaning: নিবেদিতপ্রাণ

Alt: অনুগত ও উৎসর্গীকৃত

Example: His devoted servant helped him defeat the Hydra.

Syn: loyal, dedicated, faithfulAnt: disloyal, indifferent

💡 Exam tip: Noun: devotion; verb: devote.

triumph[/ˈtraɪʌmf/]verbeasy

Meaning: জয়লাভ করা

Alt: কঠিন বাধা অতিক্রম করে সফল হওয়া

Example: Hercules triumphed over the monster Hydra.

Syn: succeed, prevail, conquerAnt: fail, lose

💡 Exam tip: The phrase ‘triumph over’ means defeat successfully.

acquire[/əˈkwaɪər/]verbmedium

Meaning: অর্জন করা

Alt: ধীরে ধীরে লাভ করা

Example: Hercules acquired a reputation as a powerful hero.

Syn: gain, obtain, attainAnt: lose, forfeit

💡 Exam tip: Use ‘acquire a reputation’, ‘acquire knowledge’ and ‘acquire skills’.

6. Common Exam Vocabulary: Connectors and Literary Description (8 words)

consequently[/ˈkɒnsɪkwəntli/]advmedium

Meaning: ফলস্বরূপ

Alt: তাই বা এর কারণে

Example: Gazi protected the villagers; consequently, they prayed to him.

Syn: therefore, thus, as a resultAnt: nevertheless, despite

💡 Exam tip: It introduces a result and is usually followed by a comma.

moreover[/mɔːrˈəʊvə/]advmedium

Meaning: তদুপরি

Alt: এর পাশাপাশি

Example: The poem is beautiful; moreover, it reflects Bengali culture.

Syn: besides, furthermore, additionallyAnt: instead, otherwise

💡 Exam tip: Use ‘moreover’ to add a stronger supporting point.

indeed[/ɪnˈdiːd/]adveasy

Meaning: সত্যিই

Alt: জোর দিয়ে কোনো কথা নিশ্চিত করা

Example: Indeed, the legend remains popular in rural Bangladesh.

Syn: certainly, truly, actuallyAnt: hardly, doubtfully

💡 Exam tip: ‘Indeed’ can emphasize a statement or confirm a previous point.

whereas[/weərˈæz/]advmedium

Meaning: যেখানে বা পক্ষান্তরে

Alt: দুটি ভিন্ন বিষয়ের তুলনা করতে ব্যবহৃত

Example: The lion had one head, whereas the Hydra had nine.

Syn: while, but, in contrastAnt: similarly, likewise

💡 Exam tip: ‘Whereas’ connects contrasting clauses.

despite[/dɪˈspaɪt/]nounmedium

Meaning: সত্ত্বেও

Alt: বাধা থাকা সত্ত্বেও

Example: Despite the dangers, Behula continued her journey.

Syn: notwithstanding, regardless of, althoughAnt: because of, due to

💡 Exam tip: ‘Despite’ is followed by a noun or gerund, not a finite clause.

depict[/dɪˈpɪkt/]verbmedium

Meaning: চিত্রিত করা

Alt: ছবি বা ভাষায় উপস্থাপন করা

Example: Folk paintings depict Gazi riding a Bengal tiger.

Syn: portray, represent, illustrateAnt: conceal, misrepresent

💡 Exam tip: ‘Depict’ is common in questions about paintings, poems and characters.

interpret[/ɪnˈtɜːprɪt/]verbhard

Meaning: ব্যাখ্যা করা

Alt: অর্থ বা তাৎপর্য বিশ্লেষণ করা

Example: Students should interpret the mythical references in the poem.

Syn: explain, analyze, clarifyAnt: confuse, misunderstand

💡 Exam tip: Noun: interpretation; person: interpreter.

inspire[/ɪnˈspaɪər/]verbeasy

Meaning: অনুপ্রাণিত করা

Alt: কোনো কাজের আগ্রহ বা সাহস জাগানো

Example: The courage of Behula continues to inspire readers.

Syn: motivate, encourage, stimulateAnt: discourage, depress

💡 Exam tip: Use ‘inspire someone to do something’ and ‘be inspired by’.

💡 Exam Tips

• For synonym questions, identify the context before selecting a similar word.

• For antonym questions, check whether the word is being used literally or figuratively.

• Remember the collocations ‘acquire a reputation’, ‘undergo difficult tasks’, ‘rely on strength’ and ‘triumph over difficulties’.

• In literary answers, use terms such as imagery, central theme, myth, legend, symbolism and attitude.

• Use ‘despite’ before a noun or gerund: Despite the danger, Behula continued her journey.

• Use ‘although’ or ‘though’ before a complete clause: Although the journey was dangerous, Behula continued.

• Use ‘consequently’, ‘therefore’ and ‘as a result’ to show cause and effect.

• Use ‘moreover’, ‘furthermore’ and ‘in addition’ to add information.

• Distinguish ‘myth’ from ‘legend’: a myth is usually a traditional supernatural story, while a legend may be associated with a historical or cultural figure.

• When describing Hercules, include strength, courage, determination, intelligence and perseverance.

• When answering vocabulary questions, write the Bengali meaning first and then use the word in an English sentence.

• Learn word families together, such as miracle–miraculous, preserve–preservation, inspire–inspiration and interpret–interpretation.

ENGLISH FOR TODAY Classes XI-XII & Alim - Unit Thirteen: Myths and Literature - Vocabulary

Chapter: Unit Thirteen: Myths and Literature

Similar word lists

AlphaGenEdu-তে ফ্রি অ্যাকাউন্ট খুলুন