Agreeing and Disagreeing (Sushila's Determination)

Chapter: Sushila's Determination

Vocabulary in use

Find the words from the drama which have the meanings given below.

a. feeling fear and uncertainty = anxiety
b. catching the breath in surprise = gasping
c. thoughtfulness (for the feelings of other) = consideration
d. lucky = fortunate
e. chart showing the position of the stars at birth, used for fortune telling = horoscope

Read the drama again, and tick (✓) the best answer.

a. Sushila’s parents are concerned about her:
i. career (✓)
ii. marriage
iii. higher studies

b. Sushila wants to be:
i. a nurse (✓)
ii. a doctor
iii. a teacher

c. Sushila seems as she was brought up in:
i. India
ii. Nepal
iii. an overseas country (✓)

d. According to Sushila, who is lucky?
i. Mrs. Ojha (✓)
ii. Sushila’s brother
iii. Sushila

e. At the end Sushila’s parents decided to:
i. get her to marry
ii. let her join the nursing course (✓)
iii. compel her to stay at home

Read the drama again, and answer the following questions.

a. Why don’t Sushila’s parents want to send her to university?

Sushila's parents do not want to send her to university because they are not rich and cannot afford it.

b. Was her parents’ marriage a love marriage? How do you know?

Her parents marriage wasn't a love marriage. Mrs. Ojha mentions that she agreed to marry Mr. Ojha without having seen him before or even knowing his name, which suggests that it was not a love marriage.

c. Why does Sushila say that her mother was ‘lucky’?

Sushila says that her mother was lucky because she had a happy marriage with Mr. Ojha, who treated her and her brother well.

d. What’s Sushila’s suggestion about money to pay for her studies?

Sushila suggests that instead of saving money for her marriage, her parents should spend it on her education so that she can become a nurse and find a good husband for herself.

e. If you were Sushila’s parents, what would you do?

If I were Sushila's parents, I would support her in pursuing her education and career as a nurse, rather than forcing her to get married at this time. I would also try to find ways to financially support her studies, such as through scholarships or loans.

Pretend that you are Sushila. Write a letter to one of your friends describing how you were able to persuade your parents to allow you to go to university.

Dear Nisha,

I am very happy today and want to share my happiness with you. My parents have agreed to let me go to university, but it was not easy. Actually, they wanted me to get married. They had already chosen a suitable man for me, but I strongly opposed the idea. I told them that I wanted to pursue a career as a nurse and that I believed I could have a secure and fulfilling future in this profession.

I argued that getting married at this point in my life would not give me the same opportunities and independence as having a career would. I also pointed out that if I were able to support myself financially, I would be able to choose my own husband and have more control over my future.

My parents were initially resistant to my ideas, but I didn't give up. I reminded them that they had always encouraged me to be independent and to follow my dreams. I also promised to work hard and make them proud. In the end, they saw that I was determined and agreed to support me in my studies.

I am so grateful to them for understanding and for believing in me. I am excited to start my nursing course and to see what the future holds.

Thank you for listening to my story. I hope you are doing well and that we can catch up soon.

Best regards,
Sushila

Grammar

Complete the following dialogues with the correct expressions that indicate agreeing or disagreeing.

a. Jack: Julia, what do you think about the new classroom?
Julia: For me, the classroom is quite good. It has enough space for us to move around.
John: I disagree. The furniture is not well managed. Moreover, there is no sufficient light.

b. Dipa: Hey, Look at my new T-shirt. It's quite suitable for me, isn't it?
Uddhav: Yeah, I agree. It is quite beautiful. You look really smart in it.

c. Silpa: I think we should cancel the whole project right now.
Monika: I disagree. I think cancelling the project is not good for our organisation.

d. Simran: Kiran, what do you think about the new constitution?
Kiran: I think it's quite good. It is the constitution made by the people.
Simran: I agree. It declares ending all forms of discriminations and oppression created by the feudal, autocratic, centralised and unitary system of government in the past.

Writing

Look at the beginning of the dialogue below, and complete it with what may or will happen in 10 years time if woodcutters continue cutting down the trees.

A: In ten years time there won’t be any tree left in the forest.
B: You’re probably right. Woodcutters are cutting down trees indiscriminately.
A: And without trees, we will lose the natural beauty of the forest and the benefits they provide, such as oxygen and carbon sequestration.
B: It's important that we find ways to stop the woodcutters and protect the forests. Maybe we can educate them on the importance of forests and provide alternative sources of income.
A: We could also increase penalties for illegal logging and enforce stricter regulations on logging companies.
B: Yes, that would definitely help. We could also plant more trees and support reforestation efforts.
A: And we can all do our part by using less paper and products made from wood, and supporting companies that practice sustainable forestry.
B: Definitely. Every little bit helps.

Fun corner

Answer the following riddles.

a. What comes down but never goes up? → Rain
b. I’m tall when I’m young and I’m short when I’m old. What am I? → A candle
c. How can a pants pocket be empty and still have something in it? → A hole in the pocket
d. What goes up when rain comes down? → An umbrella
e. What is the longest word in the dictionary? → Floccinaucinihilipilification (a noun that refers to the act of estimating something as worthless)