Lesson 5: A Letter

Key Words: nicotine, tragedy, broke, puff

A. Read the letter silently to know what happened to Zahir Ali.

10/E Purana Paltan Dhaka 1000 9 June 2013

Dear Sohel

I am sorry I could not reply to your letter earlier. This is because last week there was a tragedy in our family. My father died of lung cancer.

He used to smoke heavily. He got the bad habit from his college days. Recently, my mother and I were very worried about Father’s worsening health condition. He was having continuous chest pain. The doctor showed him his chest X-ray plates. There were dark marks on his lungs. The doctor explained to him that the marks were the signs of lung cancer. He also explained that a poisonous substance called nicotine is in tobacco leaves; and cigarettes are made from tobacco leaves. When a person smokes cigarettes, this nicotine enters into his lungs with every puff. If anybody smokes cigarettes for years, this deadly nicotine causes lung cancer. Both Mother and I tried to stop Father from smoking. He never listened to our requests and warnings. He died an untimely death.

Let me tell you the truth. My father’s death is a great shock for us. You know, we are a big family of seven. My father was the only earning member in the family. We are now broke and we don’t know how we are going to survive. Anyway, God is merciful and we are trying to recover from the shock. Write me when you have the time. Give my regards to your parents.

Love Rabi

B. Tick the best answer.

1. "My father's death is a great tragedy." The underlined word means:

• a) a very sad event.
• b) a very strong warning.
• c) smoking heavily.
• d) lung cancer.

2. Rabi’s family is now completely broke because:

• a) his father had lung cancer.
• b) they have now no source of income.
• c) his father’s death was heartbreaking.
• d) there was a tragedy in the family.

C. Answer the questions. First say, then write.

1. What could be the relationship between the sender and the receiver of the letter?
2. What causes lung cancer?
3. Who do you think are the members of Rabi’s family? Why do you think so?
4. Imagine you are Sohel. Now, write a reply to Rabi’s letter.