English For Today chapter 12: An Unseen Beauty of Bangladesh

Lesson 12 An Unseen Beauty of Bangladesh

After completing the lesson students will be able to

• ask and answer questions
• read and understand texts
• write short paragraphs

A. Discuss the following questions in pairs.

1. Have you ever visited any interesting tourist spot in Bangladesh?

If you have, what was that place. What special attractions did you see there?

If you haven't, what places do you wish to visit? What special attractions will you see there?

2. Which of the following activities would you like to do while visiting a tourist spot?

sight-seeing, taking photos, having picnic, shopping, collecting souvenirs, others ………………

B. Now, read the text on Birishiri, a quiet and less known tourist spot located in the north-eastern border of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh is a small country but it is gifted with unlimited natural attractions. Only some of these eye-catching destinations are known to us. But there are many other areas lying in the green, remote countryside that are less-known to us. Shusong Durgapur of Birishiri is one such place.

Shusong Durgapur has an amazing landscape. It is located on the bank of crystal clear Someshwari river and is close to the Garo Hills. You can see the hills of Indian state of Meghalaya from here. The nature has unfolded its glory in this small, rural landscape. Here you can see the ceramic mountain leaning against the sky, the blue water of the pictorial

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mountain-valley, the modest movement of the river Someshwari, and the abandoned coal mines. There is another river here called Kangsa which is also known as old Someshwari.

Shusong Durgapur is located under Netrokona district about 170 km north from Dhaka. Along with its scenic beauty this place is home to diverse indigenous groups: Hajong, Garo, Achik and Mandi. The cultural academy in Durgapur is responsible for preserving and promoting the culture and traditions of these indigenous groups.

The main attraction of Birishiri is the ceramic hill of Durgapur and the charming landscape along the Shomeshwari River. The river changes its colour as the seasons change. Among other attractions are the palace of the Susang king, the Dasha Busha Temple, Orange Gardens, Shal forests and the Ramkrisna and Loknath Baba Temples.

The best way to get to Birishiri is by road from Dhaka. You can find direct bus to Birishiri from Mohakhali bus stand, Dhaka. It usually takes 5 to 6 hours to get there. When you are there, you can go around the town by rickshaws. The rickshaw-pullers know all the places very well.

B1. Complete the dialogue below and act it out in pairs.

A : Are there any rivers in Birishiri?

B : Yes, there are. There are two rivers, the Shomeshwari and Kangsa.

A : Are there any hills in Birishiri?

B : Yes, ……. is. It's called ….

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A : Can I see any other hills from there?

B : Yes, you ……. You can see the hills of ……state from there.

A : Are there any temples there?

B : Yes, there …… You can see the Dasha Busha Temple and the ……. temples there.

B2. Discuss the following questions in pairs.

1. In which district is Shusong Durgapur located?
2. How far is Shusong Durgapur from Dhaka?
3. What is the function of the cultural academy of Durgapur?
4. How can you get to Shusong Durgapur from Dhaka?
5. Why is Shusong Durgapur called 'an unseen beauty of Bangladesh?'

C. Match the phrases with the meanings.

D. Write a passage on a place of tourist attraction that you know.