English For Today chapter 24: Our Wage Earners

Lesson 24 Our Wage Earners

After completing the lesson students will be able to

• ask and answer questions
• read and understand texts
• participate in short dialogues and conversations on familiar topics

A. Look at the pictures and the words in the following box. Discuss and say which words are related with the pictures.

Figure

Description: Two photographs side by side. The left shows a crowd of people with bags and luggage in a busy hall. The right shows a pile of US dollar banknotes.

wage earner, skilled worker, economy, job, tourists, pleasure, abroad, foreign

B. Answer the following questions in pairs, then read the text below:

• Do you know anyone who has gone abroad to earn a living?
• Which countries do Bangladeshi workers go to?
• How much money do you think they earn?

A large number of Bangladeshis go abroad for work. There is always a high demand for workers in countries like the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, etc. These countries prefer Bangladeshi workers because they are hard-working. However, it is unfortunate that many of our workers are forced to do "odd" jobs in those countries, and as a result, they are not paid well. One reason for this is that Bangladeshi workers are often not good at English, Arabic or other languages which are required abroad. Therefore, it is important for workers to develop their language skills before going to other countries for work. This will help them secure better jobs and receive the pay and benefits they deserve. In this way, they will be able to support their families better, as well as contribute more effectively to the development of our economy.

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B1. Complete column B of the table below with information from the text you have read.

C. Sohan had a conversation with a Bangladeshi doctor, Mr Arman who works in a hospital in Cairo, Egypt. Read and practise the dialogue in pairs.

Sohan Can you tell me a little about Cairo?

Dr. Arman Sure. What would you like to know?

Sohan Well, what's a good time to visit there?

Dr. Arman I think you can visit any time. The weather is more or less the same.

Sohan Good! And what should I see there?

Dr. Arman Well, you can visit the Cairo Museum and you should see the mummies. And you mustn't leave Cairo without visiting the Pyramids.

Sohan Anything else?

Dr. Arman Oh yes. If you have time, you may visit Port Suez. You could have an excellent night view of the Red Sea.

Sohan It all sounds exciting! Thank you very much.

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Language Focus

D. Complete the sentences about what a tourist can do and see in Dhaka. Use the verbs from the box.

can see, may spend, can go, could (even) taste, shouldn't miss, should visit, should go for, mustn't drink, may try

Figure

Description: Three black-and-white photographs. The first, at upper left, shows a pinkish building with arched openings and palm trees beside a water body. The second, at upper right, shows a large white multi-storey building with a central dome, columns and a lawn with shrubs in front. The third, below them and centred, shows a ruined brick building with arched doorways and two domed towers.

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1 . You ……………… to Sonargaon.

2 . You……………… the capital of ancient Bengal there.

3 . You……………… the Lalbagh Fort in the old part of Dhaka.

4 . You……………… a couple of hours at the Baldha Garden.

5 . You……………… the Ahsan Manzil too.

6 . You……………… a boat ride on the Buriganga river.

7 . You……………… the taste of Mughlai Khana once you're in Dhaka.

8 . You……………… a Tom Tom ride from Sadarghat to Gulistan.

9 . You……………… Chatpati or Fuchka on the footpath.

10. But you ……… tap water in a restaurant.

E. Read the sentences in Section D (1-10) again. Suppose, a foreign traveller wants to visit Dhaka. He wants some information from you, such as, when to visit, what to see, where to eat, what to do in Dhaka, etc. Complete the following dialogue taking the cue from D.

Foreign traveller Can you tell me a little about Dhaka?

You Sure. What ……………………………... to know?

Foreign traveller Well, what's ………………………………………………?

You I think you can visit in winter. The weather is ………. .

Foreign traveller Good! And what ……………………. there?

You Well, you can visit Sonargaon Folk Art Museum and you ………… the handicrafts. But you ………… Dhaka without visiting the Lalbagh Fort.

Foreign traveller ……………………...?

You Oh yes. If you have time, you ………………Ahsan Manzil. You ……….. have an excellent experience of the Mughal and the British architecture by visiting it.