Story: IBA High-Frequency Word List #3

It was a humid afternoon at GreenLeaf College in Chattogram, and everyone was talking about one thing - the disappearance of the inter-college cricket trophy, which had mysteriously become as elusive (hard to find - অধরা) as a mosquito during winter.

The principal, Mr. Faruq, was known for his obscure (not well-known or unclear - অস্পষ্ট) speeches that no one understood, but this time, his announcement was loud and clear:
“Whoever stole the trophy will face severe punishment!”

Rahim, the all-rounder who was adept (skillful - দক্ষ) at both cricket and lying, whispered to his friend, “Let’s instigate (start or provoke - উস্কে দেওয়া) a rumor that the guard sold it for scrap!”

Meanwhile, the English teacher, Ms. Rehana, decided to profess (declare openly - ঘোষণা করা) her innocence even though no one had accused her. The normally reticent (quiet - স্বল্পভাষী) librarian, on the other hand, said nothing but smiled suspiciously.

The rumor spread faster than free Wi-Fi at a coaching center. Within an hour, students were arguing in the corridor about who the real thief might be. Some blamed the cricket captain, others pointed fingers at the peon.

Soon, the debate turned contentious (argument-causing - বিতর্কিত) - voices rose, tempers flared, and even the canteen auntie joined in, declaring that “boys these days have no morals.”

Some students tried to defend their friends, but their reasoning was tenuous (weak or flimsy - দুর্বল) at best, based more on emotion than evidence. The whole corridor sounded like a courtroom without a judge.

As the investigation began, the clues seemed disparate (very different - ভিন্নধর্মী) - one glove, a samosa wrapper, and a cricket bat signed by Tamim Iqbal.

The next morning, the head boy gave a fulsome (excessively flattering - অতিরিক্ত প্রশংসাসূচক) speech praising the principal’s “detective skills,” which made everyone roll their eyes.

Over time, the students’ enthusiasm began to erode (gradually weaken - ক্ষয় হওয়া) as no progress was made. Their meager (small or poor - অপ্রতুল) lunch portions at the canteen didn’t help either. Even the crowd at the field grew sparse (thinly scattered - বিরল) during practice.

Then one day, something conspicuous (easily noticed - সহজে দেখা যায় এমন) caught Rahim’s eye - a golden shine under the chemistry lab shelf. It was the trophy!

But before he could celebrate, the shelf began to wobble. The trophy was in a precarious (unsafe - অনিরাপদ) position - it was on top of some old acid bottles.

Later, during the concurrent (happening at the same time - একইসাথে ঘটিত) parents’ meeting, everyone was talking about the incident. The principal thanked Rahim for his “bravery,” but Rahim knew his act was more inadvertent (unintentional - অনিচ্ছাকৃত) than heroic.

When asked for pertinent (relevant - প্রাসঙ্গিক) information, Rahim began describing how he “heroically faced acid vapors,” until Mr. Faruq interrupted, “Don’t be impertinent (disrespectful - উদ্ধত), young man!”

The investigation revealed that water leakage had impeded (blocked - বাধা দেওয়া) the cleaner’s access to the lab, which made the trophy’s disappearance seem insidious (secretly harmful - ধূর্তভাবে ক্ষতিকর) at first.

Finally, the truth emerged: the trophy had been moved to avoid damage during renovation, but the label “Danger: Acids” had been placed on the wrong door - a specious (false but seeming true - আপাত সত্য) warning that confused everyone.

At the end of the term, the college organized an award ceremony in the spacious (large and open - প্রশস্ত) auditorium. The winners received copious (abundant - প্রচুর) applause, though the jokes about the “vanishing trophy” never stopped.

As for Rahim, he wrote an essay claiming he had “single-handedly saved school honor.” It was spurious (false - মিথ্যা) claim, of course, but his teacher gave him an A for “creativity.”