The Bengali script is the writing system for the Bengali language. Like many South Asian scripts, it's an abugida. This means its writing system is based on consonants, and each consonant has an inherent vowel sound. We'll get to that in a moment.

One of the most striking features of the script is the horizontal line that runs along the top of the letters, connecting them. This line is called a 'matra' (মাত্রা).

The matra acts as a clothesline from which the letters hang, giving Bengali text its distinctive, flowing appearance. Not every letter connects to the matra, and some have only a partial matra. This visual feature helps group letters into words.

The script is divided into two main categories of letters: vowels, called 'swarabarna' (স্বরবর্ণ), and consonants, called 'byanjanbarna' (ব্যঞ্জনবর্ণ). There are 11 vowel graphemes and 39 consonant graphemes.

Consonants form the backbone of the script. When a consonant stands alone without any other vowel mark, it is assumed to include the sound of the inherent vowel, 'অ' (pronounced roughly like 'ô' in 'song').

The Bengali script also has its own set of digits for writing numbers. While Hindu-Arabic numerals (0, 1, 2, 3...) are sometimes used, these traditional digits are very common in Bengali texts.

For example, the number one hundred is written as ১০০.

Now, let's test what you've learned about the structure of the Bengali script.