বেসিক ইংলিশ (Basic English) – 201105, আল-কুরআন অ্যান্ড ইসলামিক স্টাডিজ – ফাজিল অনার্স ১ম বর্ষ পরীক্ষা ২০২৩

FAZIL SNATOK (HONS.) FIRST YEAR EXAMINATION, 2023
AL QURAN AND ISLAMIC STUDIES
BASIC ENGLISH
Subject Code: 2 0 1 1 0 5
Time—4 hours | Full marks—80

[N.B. The figures in the right margin indicate full marks.]

Part A—Grammar (Marks—40)

1. Identify the determiners, modifiers, head words, infinitives and appositives: (Marks: 5)

Given Sentence:
“Having foods properly, Arifur Rahman, an expert practitioner in teaching rides his bike taking one of his friends behind to attend the class.”

Answer:

2. Rewrite the following sentences using the right form of verbs (All ten solved): (Marks: 1 × 5 = 5)

Answer:

1. Question: I (see) her long since.
   Answer: I saw her long since. (Rule: ‘Since’ preceded by present tense takes simple past when referring to a past period).
2. Question: Last night I (have) a wonderful dream.
   Answer: Last night I had a wonderful dream. (Rule: Words like ‘last night’, ‘yesterday’, ‘ago’ require simple past tense).
3. Question: They (play) football since morning.
   Answer: They have been playing football since morning. (Rule: An action continuing from a point of time in the past until now takes present perfect continuous tense).
4. Question: He takes as though he (be) a teacher.
   Answer: He talks as though he were a teacher. (Rule: In unreal imaginary conditional sentences with ‘as though/as if’, the verb ‘be’ always becomes ‘were’).
5. Question: If he ran fast, he (get) the prize.
   Answer: If he ran fast, he would get the prize. (Rule: Second conditional: If + Past Simple → Subject + would + base verb).
6. Question: I (go) ten minutes ago.
   Answer: I went ten minutes ago. (Rule: ‘Ago’ indicates completed action in past simple tense).
7. Question: The children came to us (run).
   Answer: The children came to us running. (Rule: Present participle used as an adverbial modifier of manner).
8. Question: The door (open) by Salina.
   Answer: The door was opened by Salina. (Rule: Passive voice of past indefinite tense requires was/were + V3).
9. Question: Sumon just (get) his revenge.
   Answer: Sumon has just got (or gotten) his revenge. (Rule: ‘Just’, ‘already’, ‘recently’ take present perfect tense).
10. Question: Why (be) you not with her?
    Answer: Why were you not with her? (or: Why are you not with her?) (Rule: Interrogative sentence agreement with subject ‘you’).

3. Change the voice of the following sentences (All ten solved): (Marks: 1 × 5 = 5)

Answer:

1. Question: English is spoken all over the world.
   Active: People speak English all over the world.
2. Question: Moni has to do the work.
   Passive: The work has to be done by Moni.
3. Question: Do not disturb the child.
   Passive: Let not the child be disturbed.
4. Question: He has prepared his lessons.
   Passive: His lessons have been prepared by him.
5. Question: Let the voice be changed.
   Active: Change the voice.
6. Question: The culprit must be punished.
   Active: The authority (or judge) must punish the culprit.
7. Question: We elect him chairman.
   Passive: He is elected chairman by us.
8. Question: They are going to start a business.
   Passive: A business is going to be started by them.
9. Question: She fans herself.
   Passive: She is fanned by herself.
10. Question: Please open the door.
    Passive: You are requested to open the door. (or: Let the door be opened, please.)

4. Fill in the blanks of the following sentences with appropriate prepositions (All ten solved): (Marks: 1 × 5 = 5)

Answer:

1. He has no belief in ghost. (‘Belief in’ = বিশ্বাস)
2. He was absent from the meeting. (‘Absent from’ = অনুপস্থিত)
3. You acted contrary to others. (‘Contrary to’ = বিপরীত)
4. I want to consult with a doctor. (‘Consult with’ = পরামর্শ করা)
5. The storm blew away the hut. (‘Blow away’ = উড়িয়ে নিয়ে যাওয়া)
6. Beware of the pickpockets on (or in) the bus. (‘On the bus’ = বাসে)
7. All should abstain from smoking. (‘Abstain from’ = বিরত থাকা)
8. He has distaste for publicity. (‘Distaste for’ = অরুচি)
9. It was closed at midnight. (‘At midnight’ = মধ্যরাতে)
10. He was debarred from voting. (‘Debar from’ = বঞ্চিত করা বা বারণ করা)

5. Change the following direct speech into indirect speech (All ten solved): (Marks: 1 × 5 = 5)

Answer:

1. Direct: He said to me, “Let us go there.”
   Indirect: He proposed to me that we should go there.
2. Direct: Father said to his son, “Don’t smoke.”
   Indirect: Father forbade his son to smoke. (or: Father advised his son not to smoke.)
3. Direct: The old man said to me, “May you live long.”
   Indirect: The old man prayed that I might live long. (or: wished that I might live long.)
4. Direct: The boy said, “What a nice bird it is!”
   Indirect: The boy exclaimed with joy that it was a very nice bird.
5. Direct: The general said to the soldiers, “March on.”
   Indirect: The general commanded the soldiers to march on.
6. Direct: He said to me, “Why do you go there?”
   Indirect: He asked me why I went there.
7. Direct: Adit said to Avik, “How did you do the work?”
   Indirect: Adit asked Avik how he had done the work.
8. Direct: The man said, “What a great pity!”
   Indirect: The man exclaimed with sorrow that it was a great pity.
9. Direct: He said, “Good night, my friend.”
   Indirect: He bade his friend good night.
10. Direct: They said, “We came, worked and left.”
    Indirect: They said that they had come, worked and left.

6. Make sentences with the following phrases and idioms (All ten solved): (Marks: 1 × 5 = 5)

Answer:

1. Pay back (পরিশোধ করা): If you lend me some money, I will pay back every penny next week.
2. See off (বিদায় জানানো): All our family members went to the airport to see off my elder brother.
3. Before long (অনতিবিলম্বে / শীঘ্রই): Don’t worry about the illness; you will recover before long.
4. Carry the day (জয়লাভ করা / সফল হওয়া): Despite stiff competition, our debating team carried the day.
5. Close dealing (গোপন বা অন্যায় লেনদেন): Honest businessmen never indulge in any close dealing.
6. Take to heart (মনে আঘাত নেওয়া / মর্মাহত হওয়া): You should not take his harsh words to heart as he was angry.
7. Head and ears (কণ্ঠ পর্যন্ত নিমজ্জিত / সম্পূর্ণভাবে): The poor merchant is over head and ears in debt.
8. Drop into (হঠাৎ পরিদর্শন করা): While passing by the town, he decided to drop into our home.
9. Calm down (শান্ত হওয়া): Please calm down and explain what really happened.
10. Cut a sorry figure (লজ্জাজনক বা খারাপ ফল করা): Because of his carelessness, he cut a sorry figure in the final examination.

7. Complete the following sentences with appropriate parts of speech (All ten solved): (Marks: 1 × 10 = 10)

Answer:

1. Books are men’s best companion in life. (Superlative adjective)
2. Computer is a fairly recent invention. (Adjective modifying invention)
3. Today’s child is the future (or father) of a nation. (Noun)
4. He knows how to swim. (Adverb of manner introducing infinitive)
5. The learners have to be attentive (or industrious). (Adjective)
6. Polluted water is harmful (or injurious) to health. (Adjective)
7. We knew the boy who stood first in the examination. (Relative pronoun)
8. Dhaka is one of the busiest (or biggest) cities in the world. (Superlative adjective)
9. He walked fast lest he should miss the class. (Conjunction ‘lest’ followed by should)
10. Would you mind opening the window? (Gerund / -ing verb after ‘would you mind’)

Part B—Translation (Marks—10)

8. (a) Translate the surah ‘al-Fil’ or ‘al-Maa’un’ into English: (Marks: 5)

(1) Translation of Surah Al-Fil (سورة الفيل):

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

1. Have you not seen how your Lord dealt with the companions of the Elephant?
2. Did He not make their treacherous plan go completely astray?
3. And He sent against them flights of birds (Ababil),
4. Striking them with stones of baked clay,
5. And thus He made them like an empty field of chewed straw.

(2) Translation of Surah Al-Maa’un (سورة الماعون):

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

1. Have you seen the one who denies the final Recompense (the Day of Judgment)?
2. For that is the one who harshly drives away the orphan,
3. And does not encourage the feeding of the poor.
4. So woe to those who pray,
5. Those who are heedless of their prayers,
6. Those who make a show of their deeds,
7. And withhold simple daily assistance (small kindnesses/Al-Maa’un).

8. (b) Translate the Ayats into English: (Marks: 5)

First Option:

يُؤْتِي الْحِكْمَةَ مَنْ يَشَاءُ ۚ وَمَنْ يُؤْتَ الْحِكْمَةَ فَقَدْ أُوتِيَ خَيْرًا كَثِيرًا ۗ وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ إِلَّا أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ (Surah Al-Baqarah: 269)

English Translation:
“He grants wisdom to whom He pleases; and whoever is granted wisdom has indeed been granted abundant good. But none will truly remember and take heed except people of understanding.”

Alternative Option:

وَالْعَصْرِ (1) إِنَّ الْإِنْسَانَ لَفِي خُسْرٍ (2) إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ (3) (Surah Al-Asr: 1-3)

English Translation:
“(1) By the declining time,
(2) Indeed, mankind is surely in profound loss,
(3) Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.”

Part C—Composition (Marks—30)

9. Write a paragraph on any one of the following topics: (Marks: 10)

(a) Gender Discrimination

Gender Discrimination refers to the unfair and unequal treatment of individuals based solely on their gender. In many developing societies, deeply rooted patriarchal norms, illiteracy, and cultural prejudices create severe disparities between men and women. From early childhood, female children frequently receive less nutritional food, inadequate healthcare, and limited educational opportunities compared to their male siblings. In professional life, women often face unequal wages for the same workload, glass ceilings in corporate leadership, and a lack of social safety. This discrimination severely hampers human development and national prosperity, because women constitute nearly half of the global population. Leaving half of the human potential marginalized prevents sustainable economic growth. Islam unequivocally honors women by granting them independent property ownership, dignity, the right to education, and spiritual equality. Eliminating gender discrimination requires comprehensive legal reforms, quality education, equal economic empowerment, and a conscious moral shift to ensure that every individual can contribute honorably to the nation.

(b) Price Hike

Price Hike or abnormal inflation has become one of the most pressing socio-economic challenges in contemporary times. It refers to the continuous and unreasonable escalation in the market prices of essential everyday commodities such as rice, edible oil, pulses, vegetables, fuel, and medicines. The root causes of price hikes include market manipulation by dishonest syndicates, artificial hoarding, disruptions in international supply chains, currency depreciation, and rapid increases in transportation costs. The consequences of soaring prices fall heaviest on fixed-income earners, low-income laborers, and middle-class families. When daily expenditure surpasses household income, families are forced to compromise on nutritious food, children’s education, and critical medical treatment. To stabilize commodity prices, the government must enforce strict vigilance against illegal hoarders, eliminate middlemen syndicates, expand Open Market Sale (OMS) programs, and ensure uninterrupted agricultural supply chains. Honest market governance and consumer awareness are imperative to overcome this distress.

10. Write an application to the Principal of your Madrasah for a seat in the Madrasah hostel. (Marks: 10)

Answer:

20 October 2023
The Principal,
Darussalam Kamil Madrasah, Dhaka.

Subject: Application for a seat in the Madrasah hostel.

Sir,
I beg most respectfully to state that I am a regular student of Fazil (Honours) First Year in the Department of Al-Quran and Islamic Studies at your reputed institution. My roll number is 105.

Recently, my father, who is a primary school teacher, has been transferred from Dhaka to a remote village in the Kurigram district. As a result, my entire family has shifted there, and I currently have no relatives or safe accommodation in this city. Commuting daily from our distant village is completely impossible and would severely disrupt my academic studies and attendance. Therefore, securing a seat in the Madrasah hostel is indispensable for continuing my education smoothly.

I, therefore, earnestly pray and hope that your honor would be kind and benevolent enough to allot me a seat in the Madrasah hostel and oblige thereby.

I remain,
Sir,
Your most obedient pupil,
Mohammad Abdullah
Fazil (Honours) 1st Year
Roll No: 105
Department of Al-Quran and Islamic Studies

Or, Write a letter to your elder brother telling him about your progress of studies. (Marks: 10)

Answer:

Dhaka, Bangladesh
22 October 2023

My dear Brother,

Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah. I hope this letter finds you in the best of health and highest spirits by the immense grace of Almighty Allah. I received your affectionate letter yesterday and felt deeply grateful for your continuous care and guidance regarding my higher studies.

You will be delighted to know that my preparations for the upcoming Fazil First Year Final Examination are progressing exceptionally well. I have completed the comprehensive syllabus for all core subjects, including Ulumul Quran, Tajweed, Applied Arabic, and Basic English. I have paid special attention to English grammar and essay composition, as well as classical Arabic syntax. Our respected professors have completed the model examinations, and I secured top marks in both Arabic and English mock assessments. In addition, I have formed a regular study group with two serious classmates to revise past five years’ university question papers systematically.

Please convey my profound regards to our beloved parents and warmest affection to our younger sister. Please pray to Almighty Allah for my brilliant success in the examinations.

Your loving brother,
Abdur Rahman

11. Write a dialogue between two friends on ‘Climate Change’. (Marks: 10)

Answer:

• Hasan: Assalamu Alaikum, Tanvir! How are you doing?
• Tanvir: Wa Alaikumus Salaam, Hasan! I am fine, but honestly quite worried about this extreme and unseasonal heatwave.
• Hasan: You are absolutely right, Tanvir. The weather pattern across Bangladesh and the entire globe has become completely erratic due to rapid climate change.
• Tanvir: Exactly! What do you think are the primary causes behind this global environmental catastrophe?
• Hasan: The massive burning of fossil fuels, rampant industrialization, widespread deforestation, and excessive emission of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide are the chief culprits.
• Tanvir: Yes, and as a low-lying deltaic country, Bangladesh is among the worst victims. Sea levels are rising, and cyclones and flash floods are becoming more frequent.
• Hasan: Indeed. Millions of coastal inhabitants are at risk of becoming climate refugees due to salinity intrusion and erosion.
• Tanvir: What concrete measures should we adopt to combat this impending crisis?
• Hasan: Globally, industrialized nations must reduce carbon emissions drastically. Locally, we must plant millions of trees, switch to solar and renewable energy, and stop cutting down our forests.
• Tanvir: Well said. Public awareness is vital. Thank you for this insightful discussion.
• Hasan: You are most welcome, Tanvir. Take care!

Or, Write a dialogue between You and the Physician about your illness. (Marks: 10)

Answer:

• Patient: May I come in, Doctor?
• Physician: Yes, please come in and take a seat. What brings you here today?
• Patient: Doctor, I have been suffering from a persistent high fever and severe headache for the past three days.
• Physician: I see. Do you also experience shivering, body aches, or any nausea?
• Patient: Yes, doctor. Especially at night, my temperature shoots up with shivering, and I have completely lost my appetite.
• Physician: Let me check your temperature and blood pressure first… Your temperature is 102 degrees Fahrenheit. Please open your mouth and let me inspect your throat.
• Patient: Is it something serious, doctor?
• Physician: Don’t panic. There is a slight throat infection, but since seasonal dengue and viral fevers are spreading, I am writing a CBC and NS1 antigen blood test to be safe.
• Patient: What medication should I take in the meantime?
• Physician: Take Paracetamol 500mg after meals three times a day, drink plenty of fluids, oral saline, and fresh fruit juice. Make sure you get absolute bed rest.
• Patient: Thank you very much, Doctor. I will get the blood test done immediately.
• Physician: You are welcome. Show me the report tomorrow. Wishing you a speedy recovery!

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