<p>Read the passage. Then answer the questions below (1-2)    [Unit-5; Lesson-1(A)]</p> <p> </p> <p>Meherjan lives in a slum on the Sirajganj Town Protection Embankment. Her polythene-roofed shelter looks like a cage. She is nearly 45 but looks more than her age. In front of her shelter, she is trying to make a fire to cook the day's only meal. Her weak hands tremble as she adds some fallen leaves and straw to the fire. The whispering wind from the river Jamuna makes the fire unsteady. The dancing flames remind Meherjan of the turmoil in her life. Not long ago Meherjan had everything — a family, cultivable land and cattle. The erosion of the Jamuna gradually consumed all her landed property. It finally claimed her only shelter during the last monsoon. It took the river only a day to devour Meher's house, trees, vegetable garden and the bamboo bush. She had a happy family once. Over the years, she lost her husband and her family to diseases that cruel hunger and poverty brought to the family. Now, she is the only one left to live on with the loss and the pain. The greedy Jamuna has shattered her dreams and happiness. There are thousand others waiting to share the same fate like Meherjan. Bangladesh is a land of rivers, some of whose banks overflow or erode during monsoon. Erosion is a harsh reality for the people living along the river banks. During each monsoon many more villages are threatened by the mighty rivers like the Jamuna, the Padma and the Meghna. It is estimated that river erosion makes at least 100,000 people homeless every year in Bangladesh. In fact, river erosion is one of the main dangers caused by climate change. If we can't take prompt actions to adapt to climate change, there will be thousands of more Meherjans in our towns and villages every year.</p> <p>1. Choose the correct answer from the following alternatives. 1×7=7</p> <p>(1) The word 'fate' in 3rd para could be best replaced by —.</p> <p>(i) destruction (ii) destiny</p> <p>(iii) disaster      (iv) death</p> <p>(2) The word 'poverty' to refers —.</p> <p>(i) deficiency   (ii) dominion</p> <p>(iii) prerogative      (iv) vigour</p> <p>(3) The word 'tremble' for stands —.</p> <p>(i) firmness      (ii) fixness</p> <p>(iii) careless     (iv) shake</p> <p>(4) The word 'shelter' in the line to second refers — .</p> <p>(i) ledge                       (ii) lodging</p> <p>(iii) terrace       (iv) platform</p> <p>(5) Bangladesh is a -- country.</p> <p>(i) riverine        (ii) flat</p> <p>(iii) eroded       (iv) climatic</p> <p>(6) What happened for the onslaught of the Jamuna?</p> <p>(i) Flood                       (ii) Drought</p> <p>(iii) Erosion      (iv) Cyclone</p> <p>(7) Meherjan is a —.</p> <p>(i) middle aged woman</p> <p>(ii) old woman      (iii) young woman (iv) teenaged woman</p> <p>(8) Meherjan is a victim of the greed of the river —.</p> <p>(i) Padma         (ii) Meghna</p> <p>(iii) Jamuna      (iv) Teesta</p> <p>(9) River erosion is the effect of —.</p> <p>(i) climate change</p> <p>(ii) environmental pollution</p> <p>(iii) natural disaster (iv) cyclone</p> <p>(10) Once upon a time Meherjan lived a very —.</p> <p>(i) happy life</p> <p>(ii) unhappy life</p> <p>(iii) difficult life</p> <p>(iv) harsh life</p> <p>(11) Meherjan is a victim of —.</p> <p>(i) drought        (ii) famine</p> <p>(iii) river erosion    (iv) cyclone</p> <p>(12) The 'greediness' is opposite word of —.</p> <p>(i) desire                      (ii) selfishness</p> <p>(iii) unselfishness   (iv) voracity</p> <p>(13) Roaring rivers mean —.</p> <p>(i) rivers come from a distant place</p> <p>(ii) rivers that flow strongly by making wild sounds</p> <p>(iii) rivers having branches</p> <p>(iv) rivers that mix with sea</p> <p>(14) She is the worst victim of a —.</p> <p>(i) earthquake (ii) ineffective weather</p> <p>(iii) man-made problem</p> <p>(iv) technological problem</p> <p>(15) Meherjan is a/an — woman.</p> <p>(i) auspicious   (ii) wretched</p> <p>(iii) advantageous   (iv) favoured</p> <p>(16) What is the purpose of the author of this passage?</p> <p>i) To depict the miserable condition of the victims like Meherjan due to river erosion.</p> <p>ii) To draw the pictures of all the roaring rivers in Bangladesh.</p> <p>iii) To portray the advantages and disadvantages of river erosion.</p> <p>iv) To highlight the joy and happiness of the people living along the riverbanks.</p> <p>(17) In paragraph 2, it is said, "It took the river only a day to demolish Meher's house, trees, vegetable garden and the bamboo bush."— What does it mean by this sentence?</p> <p>(i) The Mighty River Jamuna has expressed her kindness to Meherjan.</p> <p>(ii) Meherjan has exposed her gratitude to the roaring river, Jamuna.</p> <p>(iii) The all-consuming appearance of the Jamuna snatches away everything from Meherjan.</p> <p>(iv) Meherjan regains everything — house, trees, vegetable garden and the bamboo bush from the Jamuna.</p> <p>(18) Which of the following statement(s) is true about the victims of river erosion in Bangladesh?</p> <p>(i) According to the estimation, at least 1,00,000 people are rendered homeless every year.</p> <p>(ii) Erosion is not a hard reality for the people living along the river banks.</p> <p>(iii) The roaring rivers like the Jamuna, the Padma and the Meghna don't play any role to cause havoc to the people.</p> <p>(iv) The greedy Jamuna has accelerated the dreams and happiness of the people living by it.</p> <p>(19) Meherjan tries to make a fire to cook —.</p> <p>(i) the night's only meal</p> <p>(ii) the night and day's meal</p> <p>(iii) day's meal</p> <p>(iv) the day's only meal</p> <p>(20) 'Greedy Jamuna' is used here to describe the —.</p> <p>(i) claim of a consumer</p> <p>(ii) demand of a consumer</p> <p>(iii) supply of a consumer</p> <p>(iv) help of a consumer</p> <p>(21) The word 'shatter' means —.</p> <p>(i) to destroy something</p> <p>(ii) to break something into pieces</p> <p>(iii) to erect something</p> <p>(iv) to complete something</p> <p>(22) River erosion has —.</p> <p>(i) governed her life to disaster</p> <p>(ii) governed her life to prosperity</p> <p>(iii) governed her life to triumph</p> <p>(iv) governed her life to hit</p> <p>(23) Meher's weak hands are trembling because —.</p> <p>(i) she is frightened  (ii) she is feeble (iii) she is tired</p> <p>(iv) she is exhausted</p> <p>(24) Meher's life was very happy before —.</p> <p>(i) the liberation (ii) the destruction of the river Jamuna</p> <p>(iii) the victory (iv) the independence</p> <p>(25) We can control the destruction of nature —.</p> <p>(i) if we are careful and true to our word</p> <p>(ii) if we depend on the force of nature</p> <p>(iii) if we make the rescue team</p> <p>(iv) if we use technology.</p> <p>(26) Which of the following best describes the reason behind Meherjan's losing everything?</p> <p>(i) Once Meherjan had a family, cultivable land and cattle.</p> <p>(ii) The erosion of the Jamuna consumed all her landed property gradually.</p> <p>(iii) Meherjan is nearly 45 but she looks more than her age.</p> <p>(iv) The whispering wind from the river Jamuna makes the fire unsteady.</p> <p>(27) What does the expression 'dancing of the flame' in lines 4 & 5 mean?</p> <p>(i) A flame that is made unstable by the blast of fire.</p> <p>(ii) A traditional form of folk dance.</p> <p>(iii) A flame that makes people dance around it.</p> <p>(iv) A flame made by people to remind their past.</p> <p>(28) Meherjan looks older than her actual age owing to —.</p> <p>(i) poverty and malnutrition</p> <p>(ii) prosperity and luxury</p> <p>(iii) unhappy conjugal life</p> <p>(iv) social malpractices</p> <p>(29) Meherjan is now —.</p> <p>(i) a well off woman   </p> <p>(ii) a city dweller</p> <p>(iii) a destitute woman</p> <p>(iv) a happy woman</p> <p>(30) The phrase 'whispering wind' means —.</p> <p>(i) wind that blows from across the river</p> <p>(ii) wind that blows with a hissing sound</p> <p>(iii) wind that helps someone make a fire (iv) wind that blows in summer.</p> <p>2. Answer the following questions.                                                                            </p> <p>            2×5=10</p> <p>(1) Her weak hands tremble. — Who says this? Why does she say this? Explain in 2/3 sentences.</p> <p>(2) How can the increase of Meherjans be stopped?</p> <p>(3) What sufferings did Meherjan get in her past life?</p> <p>(4) Do you agree with the view that we should take prompt actions to adapt to climate change? Give reasons for your answer.</p> <p>(5) Briefly describe how the erosion of the Jamuna gradually consumed all her property?</p> <p>(6) The dancing of the flames reminds Meherjan of the turmoil in her life. What does the writer mean here?</p> <p>(7) What is the purpose of this text?</p> <p>(8) What is our responsibility to stop climate change?</p> <p>(9) Can you identify the consequences of climate change? If yes, what are these?</p> <p>(10) Do you believe that we can control the force of nature if we are careful and true to our word? Why? Why not?</p> <p>(11) What should we do to save people like Meherjan?</p> <p>(12) What do you suggest to stop river erosion?</p> <p>(13) What will happen if we cannot control river erosion?</p> <p>(14) What do you think about the main cause of river erosion?</p> <p>(15) Who are the worst sufferers of climate change?</p> <p>(16) Why does Meherjan look aged more than her age?</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Answer</strong></p> <p>1. Multiple Choice</p> <p>(1)=(ii) destiny; </p> <p>(2)=(i) deficiency;</p> <p>(3)=(iv) shake;             (4)=(ii) lodging; (5)=(i) riverine; </p> <p>(6)=(iii) Erosion;</p> <p>(7)=(i) middle aged woman;</p> <p>(8)=(iii) Jamuna;</p> <p>(9)=(i) climate change;</p> <p>(10)=(i) happy life;</p> <p>(11)= (iii) river erosion;</p> <p>(12)= (iii) unselfishness;</p> <p>(13)=4 (ii) rivers that flow strongly by making wild sounds;</p> <p>(14)=(iii) man-made problem;</p> <p>(15)=(ii) wretched;</p> <p>(16)=(i) To depict the miserable condition of the victims like Meherjan due to river erosion;</p> <p>(17)=(iii) The all-consuming appearance of the Jamuna snatches away everything from Meherjan;</p> <p>(18)=(i) According to the estimation, at least 1,00,000 people are rendered homeless every year;</p> <p>(19)=(iv) the day's only meal;</p> <p>(20)=(i) claim of a consumer;</p> <p>(21)=(ii) to break something into pieces;</p> <p>(22)=(i) governed her life to disaster;</p> <p>(23)=(ii) she is feeble;</p> <p>(24)=(ii) the destruction of the river Jamuna.</p> <p>(25)=(i) if we are careful and true to our word;</p> <p>(26)=(ii) The erosion of the Jamuna consumed all her landed property gradually;</p> <p>(27)=(i) a flame that is made unstable by the blast of fire;</p> <p>(28)=(i) poverty and malnutrition;</p> <p>(29)=(iii) a destitute woman;</p> <p>(30)=(ii) wind that blows with a hissing sound;</p> <p> </p> <p>2. Open-ended</p> <p>(1) The author of the passage says this. He says so because actually Meherjan is not a very aged woman but due to river erosion she has lost everything and has become very weak.</p> <p>(2) To stop the increase of Meherjans we should take massive steps to control river erosion. We have to build embankment. The victims of river erosion should be rehabilitated properly and on priority basis.</p> <p>(3) Meherjan is nearly 45 but looks more than her age. She lives in a slum on Sirajgonj Town Protection Embankment. She had everything—her husband, property, living accommodation—overall a happy family. But due to river erosion, she lost her cultivable land, cattle, trees, house, bamboo bush, husband everything.</p> <p>(4) I altogether agree with the view because it is known to all that the climate of the country is quite uncertain, and it is rather worsening day by day. If we don't take prompt action to adapt to climate change, we are bound to face a very critical time.</p> <p>(5) Like many others, Meherjan lost her family and her belongings to the hungry Jamuna. Her living home was adjacent to the cruel Jamuna and it took only one day to consume everything she had.</p> <p>(6) The writer means here the pains and sufferings of Meherjan as a victim of rifler erosion.</p> <p>(7) The purpose of this text is to raise awareness to protect the environment and save people from destruction.</p> <p>(8) We can play a great role to stop climate change. We should raise awareness to protect the environment and reduce the bad impact of climate change.</p> <p>(9) The consequences of climate change are very dangerous. The serious consequences of climate change are rising of temperature, greenhouse effect, floods, cyclones, drought, river erosion, storms and earthquakes and so on.</p> <p>(10) Yes, I think we can control the force of nature if we are very sincere and careful and true to our word. Because by taking care of our nature, planting more and more trees, avoiding intentional destructions of trees, we can stop the rise of the sea level which plays a significant role in the field of river erosion.</p> <p>(11) We should be careful to save our environment and our planet. If we take care of our environment, we can control the curse of nature and adapt with the climate change and can save people like Meherjan.</p> <p>(12) If we are careful about global warming then we can save our planet from tsunami, hurricane, flood etc. If we can save our country from flood, we can stop never erosion.</p> <p>(13) If we cannot control river erosion, the number of homeless people may increase day by day. Statistics shows that at least 1,00,000 people are becoming homeless every year in Bangladesh due to that river erosion.</p> <p>(14) I think the main cause of river erosion is the climate change. During monsoon, the river turns into a giant snake that eats up everything. In fact, this catastrophe e is the result of climate change.</p> <p>(15) People living in poorer countries like Bangladesh, Maldives etc. are the worst sufferers. The dangers of climate change which affect these countries include the rising of the sea level peoples being homeless etc.</p> <p>(16) Losing everything—shelter, cultivable land, trees, vegetable garden etc. Meherjan is physically, weak and mentally upset. She is suffering from want, anxiety etc. These negative phenomena have made her lite abnormal and as such she looks more than her age.</p>