The story of Lipi

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  • Read the passage carefully and answer to the questions 1-4:


    In the next class Ms Choudhury tells her students the story of Lipi. The year before last, Lipi, a 14-year old girl was in class 9 in a rural school in Rangpur. Lipi is the eldest of five children---three daughters and two sons. Their father is a day labourer working on other people's land and mother is a homemaker and a part-time worker at other people's homes. Theparents, particularly the mother, found it really difficult to raise five children on the small income the father could earn. Perhaps that is why Lipi's father wanted to marry her off. But Lipi was not ready to accept what her parents wanted to impose on her. She wanted to pursue her education. Her mother stood by her, though secret­ ly. When her father arranged her marriage with Tara Mia, the only son of a farmer in the same village, she became greatly upset. Tara Mia was a widower-il­ literate, but well off. His father had a few acres of arable land and was influential in the village. The marriage seemed to be inevitable.


    How many children do Lipi’s parents have?

  • What does Lipi’s father do?
  • Who was Tara Mia?
  • Who stood by Lipi secretly?

  • Read the passage carefully and answer to the questions 5-7:


    Lipi first talked with her classmates and then with the Headteacher, who was very sympathetic to her. He called a meeting of the teachers and students of the school. He also invited the school managing committee members and some respectable persons of the village to attend the meeting. The Headteacher explained in detail the serious consequences that would follow Lipi's marriage. She would be having children from very early age -15 or 16. It would create constant health hazards to her. Her education would stop. On top of all, her marriage against her will might shatter her future dream. At one stage, Tara Mia's father stood up and tried to argue, "You are all making mistakes. Lipi would be very happy if she got married with Tara Mia. She would have everything- money, clothes, home and status in the society. Why are you trying to deprive her of this opportunity?" But no, the big majority, who attended the meeting, supported the Headteacher. Lipi's marriage was called off. She is now studying at Carmichael College, Rangpur.


    What are the consequences that would follow Lipi’s marriage?

  • Where is Lipi studying now?
  • What does the phrase ‘call off’ mean?