Vocabulary Voyage | IBA High-Frequency Word List #1

In the bustling streets of Dhaka, where rickshaws were omnipresent (present everywhere at once; সর্বব্যাপী) and the aroma of street food was ubiquitous (found everywhere; সর্বত্র বিদ্যমান), lived a bright student named Farhan. His English vocabulary exam was approaching, but instead of studying, he remained complacent (showing smug satisfaction with oneself; আত্মতুষ্ট), believing his natural intelligence would be enough.

"You cannot continue to be so careless about your studies," warned his grandfather, a man of great erudition (extensive knowledge acquired from books; পাণ্ডিত্য) who had once been a professor at Dhaka University. "Your grades will dwindle (gradually decrease in size or amount; কমে যাওয়া) if you don't prepare properly."

Farhan nodded, appearing acquiescent (accepting something without protest; নতিস্বীকারকারী) to his grandfather's advice, but as soon as the elderly man left, he returned to playing cricket in the neighborhood lanes.

The night before the exam, panic began to burgeon (grow or increase rapidly; দ্রুত বৃদ্ধি পাওয়া) within Farhan. He became despondent (in low spirits from loss of hope; হতাশাগ্রস্ত) as he realized how unprepared he was. "I cannot possibly learn all these words in one night!" he cried, starting to flounder (struggle mentally; to move clumsily; হোঁচট খাওয়া; মানসিকভাবে হাবুডুবু খাওয়া) through his textbook.

Just then, a peculiar rickshaw pulled up outside his window. The vehicle seemed to camouflage (hide by blending with surroundings; আত্মগোপন করা) itself against the colorful Dhaka night, shifting colors like a chameleon. Its driver, a small man with an enormous mustache, beckoned to Farhan.

"I hear you need to emulate (match or surpass a person or achievement; অনুকরণ করা) a good student tonight," the driver said with a mysterious smile. "Partake (join in an activity; অংশগ্রহণ করা) in this magical rickshaw ride, and I promise your vocabulary worries will abate (become less intense; কমে যাওয়া)."

The driver was extremely complaisant (eager to please others; অতিশয় বিনয়ী) as he helped Farhan aboard, ensuring his comfort with cushions and offering him cha from a thermos. Skeptical but desperate, Farhan climbed aboard. The rickshaw lifted off the ground and soared above Dhaka's skyline! Below them, the lights of Hatirjheel Lake sparkled like stars.

"First stop, the National Parliament House," announced the driver. As they landed, a group of politicians emerged, arguing loudly.

"We must curtail (reduce or restrict; সংক্ষিপ্ত করা) government spending!" shouted one.

"I will not capitulate (surrender or give in; আত্মসমর্পণ করা) to these demands!" responded another.

Another official, more magnanimous (generous or forgiving, especially toward a rival; উদার) than the rest, stepped between them. "Let's find a solution that benefits all Bangladeshis," he suggested.

The rickshaw took off again, this time landing at the bustling New Market. A shopkeeper was trying to assuage (make an unpleasant feeling less intense; উপশম করা) an angry customer.

"I'll pacify (bring peace to; calm someone down; শান্ত করা) him by offering a discount," the shopkeeper whispered to his assistant. "Sometimes you must placate (make someone less angry by doing what they want; তুষ্ট করা) difficult customers to maintain your business."

Their next stop was University of Dhaka, where industrious (hardworking and persistent; পরিশ্রমী) students were studying late into the night. In the botanical garden, plants seemed to proliferate (increase rapidly in number; দ্রুতগতিতে বৃদ্ধি পাওয়া) before Farhan's eyes, growing at an incredible rate.

"Our final stop," said the driver, landing at Cox's Bazar Beach. There, a wise old fisherman was telling stories to tourists.

"Words are not innocuous (harmless, having no adverse effect; অহানিকর) things," the fisherman said. "They have power. Use them wisely, and they can mollify (appease the anger of someone; soothe; প্রশমিত করা) even the angriest person or appease (pacify by giving in to demands; সন্তুষ্ট করা) the most difficult situation."

As dawn approached, the magical rickshaw returned Farhan home. He awoke at his desk, textbook open, wondering if it had all been a dream. But when he took his exam that morning, the words flowed easily. Each one reminded him of a different scene from his nighttime adventure through Bangladesh.

Farhan aced his vocabulary test, learning that with proper preparation, nothing is impossible - not even mastering 25 challenging English words in a single night!