Chapter: Our pride
📚 Vocabulary
ENGLISH FOR TODAY Class Six
⭐ Most Important Exam Words
independence — স্বাধীনতাliberation — মুক্তিvictory — বিজয়martyr — শহীদsacrifice — ত্যাগhomage — শ্রদ্ধাঞ্জলিcommemorate — স্মরণ করাdedicate — উৎসর্গ করাpatriotic — দেশপ্রেমিকinspiration — অনুপ্রেরণাmausoleum — সমাধিসৌধmonument — স্মৃতিস্তম্ভcemetery — কবরস্থানgraveyard — কবরস্থানmass grave — গণকবরsalute — সম্মান প্রদর্শনhoist — উত্তোলন করাwreath — পুষ্পস্তবকdignitary — গণ্যমান্য ব্যক্তিenthusiasm — উৎসাহfreedom fighter — মুক্তিযোদ্ধাnational pride — জাতীয় গৌরবpay homage — শ্রদ্ধা জানানোtake part in — অংশগ্রহণ করা
📃 Word Formation Rules
► nation + al = national: জাতি থেকে জাতীয়
► patriot + ic = patriotic: দেশপ্রেমিক-সংক্রান্ত
► patriot + ism = patriotism: দেশপ্রেম
► inspire + ation = inspiration: অনুপ্রেরণা
► commemorate + ion = commemoration: স্মরণ অনুষ্ঠান
► sacrifice can be used as both a noun and a verb: ত্যাগ / ত্যাগ করা
► honour + able = honourable: সম্মানিত বা মর্যাদাপূর্ণ
► blood + soaked = blood-soaked: রক্তে ভেজা
► sorrow + ful = sorrowful: দুঃখভারাক্রান্ত
► organize + ation = organization: সংগঠন বা আয়োজন
► participate + ion = participation: অংশগ্রহণ
► hero + ic = heroic: বীরোচিত
1. Liberation War and Independence (8 words)
independence[/ˌɪndɪˈpendəns/]nounmedium
Meaning: স্বাধীনতা
Alt: freedom from the control of another country
Example: Bangladesh achieved independence on 16 December 1971.
Syn: freedom, libertyAnt: dependence, slavery
💡 Exam tip: Remember: independence means the state of being free and self-governing.
liberation[/ˌlɪbəˈreɪʃən/]nounmedium
Meaning: মুক্তি
Alt: the act of freeing a country or people
Example: The Liberation War brought freedom to Bangladesh.
Syn: freedom, releaseAnt: captivity, oppression
💡 Exam tip: Liberation War is the common phrase used for Bangladesh's war of independence.
battle[/ˈbætəl/]nouneasy
Meaning: যুদ্ধ বা লড়াই
Alt: a fight between opposing groups or armies
Example: The freedom fighters fought bravely in the battle.
Syn: fight, combatAnt: peace, agreement
💡 Exam tip: Battle is countable: a battle, many battles.
blood-soaked[/ˈblʌd səʊkt/]adjhard
Meaning: রক্তে ভেজা
Alt: covered or soaked with blood
Example: The people remember the blood-soaked struggle for freedom.
Syn: bloody, bloodstainedAnt: peaceful, unbloody
💡 Exam tip: Blood-soaked is a compound adjective formed from blood + soaked.
army[/ˈɑːrmi/]nouneasy
Meaning: সেনাবাহিনী
Alt: an organized military force that fights on land
Example: The Pakistani army attacked innocent people.
Syn: military, troopsAnt: civilians
💡 Exam tip: The plural of army is armies.
freedom fighter[/ˈfriːdəm ˌfaɪtər/]nounmedium
Meaning: মুক্তিযোদ্ধা
Alt: a person who fights for the freedom of a country
Example: We respect every freedom fighter of Bangladesh.
Syn: liberator, war heroAnt: oppressor, invader
💡 Exam tip: Use freedom fighters when referring to more than one person.
martyr[/ˈmɑːrtər/]nounmedium
Meaning: শহীদ
Alt: a person who dies for a religious, political or noble cause
Example: We remember the martyrs of the Liberation War.
Syn: hero, sacrificeAnt: coward
💡 Exam tip: Martyr is a noun; the adjective is martyred.
sacrifice[/ˈsækrɪfaɪs/]nounmedium
Meaning: ত্যাগ
Alt: the act of giving up something valuable for a purpose
Example: The people made great sacrifices for the country.
Syn: self-denial, devotionAnt: selfishness, gain
💡 Exam tip: Sacrifice can be both a noun and a verb.
2. Victory Day and National Pride (8 words)
remarkable[/rɪˈmɑːrkəbəl/]adjmedium
Meaning: উল্লেখযোগ্য বা অসাধারণ
Alt: worthy of attention because it is unusual or important
Example: Victory Day is a remarkable day for Bangladeshis.
Syn: extraordinary, notableAnt: ordinary, unimportant
💡 Exam tip: Remarkable means very special, not merely common.
victory[/ˈvɪktəri/]nouneasy
Meaning: বিজয়
Alt: success in a war, battle or competition
Example: We celebrate our victory every year on 16 December.
Syn: triumph, successAnt: defeat, failure
💡 Exam tip: The adjective form is victorious.
celebrate[/ˈseləbreɪt/]verbeasy
Meaning: উদযাপন করা
Alt: to observe a special day or event with joy
Example: People celebrate Victory Day with great enthusiasm.
Syn: observe, commemorateAnt: ignore, mourn
💡 Exam tip: Celebrate is followed by an object: celebrate Victory Day.
enthusiasm[/ɪnˈθuːziæzəm/]nounhard
Meaning: উৎসাহ
Alt: strong excitement and interest
Example: Students took part in the programme with enthusiasm.
Syn: eagerness, excitementAnt: apathy, disinterest
💡 Exam tip: The adjective form is enthusiastic.
national pride[/ˈnæʃənəl praɪd/]nounmedium
Meaning: জাতীয় গৌরব
Alt: a feeling of honour and love for one's country
Example: Victory Day is a day of national pride.
Syn: patriotism, national honourAnt: disloyalty, shame
💡 Exam tip: National pride is an important phrase for paragraph writing.
salute[/səˈluːt/]nounmedium
Meaning: সম্মান প্রদর্শন
Alt: a formal gesture or act of respect
Example: The day begins with a 31-gun salute at dawn.
Syn: honour, greetingAnt: disrespect, insult
💡 Exam tip: Salute can also be used as a verb: We salute the martyrs.
flag[/flæɡ/]nouneasy
Meaning: পতাকা
Alt: a piece of cloth representing a country or organization
Example: The national flag is hoisted at government buildings.
Syn: banner, ensign
💡 Exam tip: The phrase hoist the flag means to raise the flag.
parade[/pəˈreɪd/]nouneasy
Meaning: কুচকাওয়াজ বা শোভাযাত্রা
Alt: a public procession or display
Example: A grand military parade is held on Victory Day.
Syn: procession, marchAnt: retreat
💡 Exam tip: Parade may be a noun or a verb.
3. Honour, Memory and Respect (8 words)
homage[/ˈhɒmɪdʒ/]nounhard
Meaning: শ্রদ্ধাঞ্জলি
Alt: great respect shown publicly to someone
Example: People pay homage to the martyrs at the memorial.
Syn: tribute, respectAnt: disrespect, insult
💡 Exam tip: The correct phrase is pay homage to someone.
commemorate[/kəˈmeməreɪt/]verbhard
Meaning: স্মরণ করা
Alt: to honour the memory of an important person or event
Example: We commemorate the sacrifices of the martyrs.
Syn: remember, honourAnt: forget, ignore
💡 Exam tip: The noun form is commemoration.
dedicate[/ˈdedɪkeɪt/]verbmedium
Meaning: উৎসর্গ করা
Alt: to devote something to a person, cause or purpose
Example: The monument is dedicated to the martyrs.
Syn: devote, offerAnt: withdraw, take back
💡 Exam tip: Use dedicate something to someone.
patriotic[/ˌpeɪtriˈɒtɪk/]adjmedium
Meaning: দেশপ্রেমিক
Alt: showing love and loyalty to one's country
Example: The students sang patriotic songs.
Syn: nationalistic, loyalAnt: unpatriotic, disloyal
💡 Exam tip: The noun form is patriotism; the person is a patriot.
patriotism[/ˈpeɪtriətɪzəm/]nounmedium
Meaning: দেশপ্রেম
Alt: love and devotion to one's country
Example: The Liberation War inspired patriotism among the people.
Syn: nationalism, loyaltyAnt: disloyalty, treason
💡 Exam tip: Do not confuse patriotism with patriotic; one is a noun and the other an adjective.
respect[/rɪˈspekt/]nouneasy
Meaning: শ্রদ্ধা বা সম্মান
Alt: a feeling of admiration for someone
Example: We show respect to the freedom fighters.
Syn: honour, esteemAnt: disrespect, contempt
💡 Exam tip: The common phrase is show respect to someone.
remember[/rɪˈmembər/]verbeasy
Meaning: মনে রাখা বা স্মরণ করা
Alt: to keep someone or something in one's memory
Example: We should always remember the martyrs.
Syn: recall, recollectAnt: forget, overlook
💡 Exam tip: Remember is followed by to + verb for a future action: remember to honour them.
inspiration[/ˌɪnspəˈreɪʃən/]nounmedium
Meaning: অনুপ্রেরণা
Alt: something that encourages people to act or feel positively
Example: The freedom fighters are a source of inspiration for us.
Syn: encouragement, motivationAnt: discouragement, deterrent
💡 Exam tip: The adjective form is inspirational or inspired.
4. Memorials and Places (8 words)
mausoleum[/ˌmɔːzəˈliːəm/]nounhard
Meaning: সমাধিসৌধ
Alt: a building where a dead person or group is buried
Example: The National Martyrs' Mausoleum is situated in Savar.
Syn: tomb, memorial
💡 Exam tip: National Martyrs' Mausoleum is the English name of Jatiyo Smriti Soudho.
monument[/ˈmɒnjəmənt/]nounmedium
Meaning: স্মৃতিস্তম্ভ
Alt: a structure built to remember a person or event
Example: The monument honours the heroes of the Liberation War.
Syn: memorial, memorial structure
💡 Exam tip: A monument is built to preserve memory and honour.
memorial[/məˈmɔːriəl/]nounmedium
Meaning: স্মৃতিসৌধ বা স্মারক
Alt: something built or done to remember a dead person or event
Example: People visit the national memorial on Victory Day.
Syn: monument, tributeAnt: forgetfulness
💡 Exam tip: Memorial can be a noun or an adjective.
cemetery[/ˈseməteri/]nounmedium
Meaning: কবরস্থান
Alt: a place where dead people are buried
Example: The soldiers were buried in a cemetery.
Syn: graveyard, burial ground
💡 Exam tip: Cemetery and graveyard are similar in meaning.
graveyard[/ˈɡreɪvjɑːrd/]nouneasy
Meaning: কবরস্থান
Alt: an area of ground where dead people are buried
Example: The visitors went to the mass graveyard.
Syn: cemetery, burial place
💡 Exam tip: Graveyard is written as one word.
mass grave[/mæs ɡreɪv/]nounmedium
Meaning: গণকবর
Alt: a grave where many dead people are buried together
Example: The teacher told the students about the mass graves.
Syn: common grave, collective grave
💡 Exam tip: The plural form is mass graves.
gather[/ˈɡæðər/]verbeasy
Meaning: সমবেত হওয়া
Alt: to come together in one place
Example: People from all walks of life gather at the memorial.
Syn: assemble, collectAnt: scatter, disperse
💡 Exam tip: Gather is a regular verb: gather, gathered, gathered.
situated[/ˈsɪtʃueɪtɪd/]adjmedium
Meaning: অবস্থিত
Alt: located in a particular place
Example: The National Martyrs' Mausoleum is situated at Savar.
Syn: located, placedAnt: displaced
💡 Exam tip: Use situated at for a specific place and situated in for a larger area.
5. Ceremonies and Activities (8 words)
hoist[/hɔɪst/]verbmedium
Meaning: উত্তোলন করা
Alt: to raise something, especially a flag
Example: The national flag is hoisted at dawn.
Syn: raise, liftAnt: lower, drop
💡 Exam tip: Hoist the national flag is a frequent exam phrase.
organize[/ˈɔːrɡənaɪz/]verbeasy
Meaning: আয়োজন করা
Alt: to arrange an event or activity
Example: Schools organize cultural programmes on Victory Day.
Syn: arrange, planAnt: cancel, disorganize
💡 Exam tip: British spelling is organise, while American spelling is organize.
programme[/ˈprəʊɡræm/]nouneasy
Meaning: অনুষ্ঠান বা কর্মসূচি
Alt: a planned event or series of activities
Example: The school arranged a cultural programme.
Syn: event, schedule
💡 Exam tip: Programme is the British spelling used in school textbooks.
wreath[/riːθ/]nounhard
Meaning: পুষ্পস্তবক
Alt: a circular arrangement of flowers or leaves
Example: The students placed a wreath before the mausoleum.
Syn: garland, floral tribute
💡 Exam tip: The plural of wreath is wreaths; its pronunciation is /riːðz/.
offer[/ˈɒfər/]verbeasy
Meaning: অর্পণ করা
Alt: to present or give something formally
Example: People offer flowers to the martyrs.
Syn: present, giveAnt: refuse, withhold
💡 Exam tip: Offer flowers is a useful phrase for dialogue and paragraph answers.
recite[/rɪˈsaɪt/]verbmedium
Meaning: আবৃত্তি করা
Alt: to say a poem, prayer or passage aloud
Example: The children recited patriotic poems.
Syn: rehearse, repeat aloudAnt: silence
💡 Exam tip: Recite is pronounced /rɪˈsaɪt/, but receipt is pronounced /rɪˈsiːt/.
dignitary[/ˈdɪɡnɪteri/]nounhard
Meaning: গণ্যমান্য ব্যক্তি
Alt: an important official or person
Example: Many dignitaries attended the military parade.
Syn: official, VIPAnt: commoner
💡 Exam tip: The plural is dignitaries.
participate[/pɑːrˈtɪsɪpeɪt/]verbmedium
Meaning: অংশগ্রহণ করা
Alt: to take part in an activity
Example: Students participate in national day celebrations.
Syn: join, take partAnt: avoid, withdraw
💡 Exam tip: Use participate in, not participate on.
6. People and Feelings (8 words)
citizen[/ˈsɪtɪzən/]nouneasy
Meaning: নাগরিক
Alt: a legally recognized member of a country
Example: Every citizen should respect the national flag.
Syn: national, inhabitantAnt: foreigner, alien
💡 Exam tip: The plural of citizen is citizens.
nation[/ˈneɪʃən/]nouneasy
Meaning: জাতি বা দেশ
Alt: a country and its people
Example: The entire nation celebrates Victory Day.
Syn: country, state
💡 Exam tip: National is the adjective form of nation.
dawn[/dɔːn/]nouneasy
Meaning: ভোর
Alt: the first light of day
Example: The 31-gun salute is fired at dawn.
Syn: daybreak, sunriseAnt: dusk, night
💡 Exam tip: At dawn means early in the morning.
excited[/ɪkˈsaɪtɪd/]adjeasy
Meaning: উত্তেজিত বা আনন্দিত
Alt: feeling very happy and enthusiastic about something
Example: Shanta felt excited during the celebration.
Syn: enthusiastic, thrilledAnt: calm, bored
💡 Exam tip: Use excited for a person's feeling; exciting for something that causes it.
proud[/praʊd/]adjeasy
Meaning: গর্বিত
Alt: feeling honour and satisfaction
Example: We are proud of our heroic freedom fighters.
Syn: honoured, pleasedAnt: ashamed, humble
💡 Exam tip: The noun form is pride: Our pride is our independence.
grateful[/ˈɡreɪtfəl/]adjmedium
Meaning: কৃতজ্ঞ
Alt: feeling thankful to someone
Example: We are grateful to the freedom fighters.
Syn: thankful, appreciativeAnt: ungrateful, thankless
💡 Exam tip: Use grateful to someone for something.
sorrowful[/ˈsɒrəfəl/]adjmedium
Meaning: দুঃখভারাক্রান্ত
Alt: feeling or showing great sadness
Example: The story of the martyrs made the students sorrowful.
Syn: sad, mournfulAnt: joyful, cheerful
💡 Exam tip: Sorrowful is formed from sorrow + ful.
inspired[/ɪnˈspaɪərd/]adjmedium
Meaning: অনুপ্রাণিত
Alt: filled with the desire to do something good
Example: The students felt inspired by the courage of the martyrs.
Syn: motivated, encouragedAnt: discouraged, uninspired
💡 Exam tip: Inspired describes a person; inspiring describes the thing that causes the feeling.
💡 Exam Tips
• Victory Day is observed on 16 December, while Independence Day is observed on 26 March.
• Use the phrase pay homage to the martyrs in sentences and paragraphs.
• The National Martyrs' Mausoleum is situated at Savar.
• Remember the spelling difference between cemetery and ceremony.
• Use patriotic as an adjective before a noun: patriotic songs.
• Use dedicated to in passive sentences: The monument is dedicated to the martyrs.
• For paragraph writing, include the date, activities, participants and feelings.
• The common collocations are hoist the national flag, fire a gun salute, organize a programme and offer flowers.
• Use because to give a reason: We pay homage to the martyrs because they sacrificed their lives for our country.
• In matching questions, martyr means a person who dies for a cause, while sacrifice means giving up something valuable for a purpose.