Lesson 8: The Homemaker (2)

Key Words: favour, wildly, gratitude.

A. Read and Answer the Questions.

One day, Joynul looked for work in his village and in the next village. But his luck did not favour him. He was angry—angry with everybody.

When he was back home, Nazma failed to serve his meal. That made him shout at Nazma.

“I had a severe headache and a fever,” said Nazma.

Joynul was trembling with anger.

“The cooking is almost done. Wash your hands and feet. I’ll bring the food soon,” she said.

“Soon! It will take ages!” Joynul shouted wildly.

“What do you do the whole day at home? I work and earn money to run the family. You can’t even cook my meals in time!”

“I don’t earn money, but I also run the family. I do all the work at home—cooking, cleaning, washing, husking, taking care of the children—everything,” said Nazma. “Remember, you work for money, but my work in the home can make the family stick together and make it happy. So both types of work are equally important.”

Never before has Joynul thought about these things. He feels guilty. Never before has he looked at Nazma with so much admiration and gratitude.

Read the Text Again and Tick the Best Answer.

1. Joynul was angry with everybody because a) he was looking for work in his village and in the next village. b) he was hungry, and Nazma could not cook food at the proper time. c) he did not find any work in his village and in the next village.

2. Joynul shouted loudly at Nazma because a) she could not give him food in time. b) she had a bad headache. c) she forgot to cook food in time.

3. It will take ages. The underlined words mean a) Nazma is suffering from old age. b) a very long time will be needed. c) Joynul is willing to wait long.

4. Who should run the family? a) Joynul b) Nazma c) Joynul and Nazma

5. What can make a family happy? a) money and housework b) work that Nazma does at home c) work that Joynul does to earn money

6. All members in a family should a) do their individual work separately. b) live together and support each other. c) earn and spend money equally.

7. What do you think Joynul should do from now? He should a) work harder to earn more money. b) not waste any time doing housework. c) help Nazma with her work when he can.

8. Why does Joynul finally look at Nazma with deep admiration and gratitude? Because a) he is not sorry for what he has done to Nazma. b) he has understood the value of sharing work in the family. c) Nazma is willing to do all the housework in the family.

C. Project Work.

Think of a family you know in your neighborhood. Answer the following questions and write a short composition about the family.

1. How many members are there in the family?
2. Get each member’s name, age, and work.
3. Do the family members share each other’s work? Describe who shares what, where, and who with.