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 of the flames reminds Meherjan of the turmoil in her life. Not long ago Meherjan had everything a family, cultivable land and cattle. The erosion of the Jamuna consumed all her landed property gradually. It finally claimed her only shelter during the last monsoon. It took the river only a day to demolish 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 that affect its people. Erosion is a harsh reality for the people living along the riverbanks. During each monsoon, many more villages are threatened by the roaring rivers like the Jamuna, the Padma and the Meghna. It is estimated that river erosion makes at least 1,00,000 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 action to adapt to climate change, there will be thousands of more Meherjans in our towns and villages every year.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
* Where does Meherjan live?
a) In a mansion
b) In a village house
c) In a slum
d) In a rented apartment
* What is the condition of Meherjan's shelter?
a) Luxurious
b) Comfortable
c) Flimsy
d) Modern
* What is Meherjan trying to do in front of her shelter?
a) Cook a meal
b) Play with children
c) Gather firewood
d) Talk to her neighbors
* What makes Meherjan's fire unsteady?
a) Strong wind
b) Rain
c) Lack of dry wood
d) Her trembling hands
* What does the dancing of the flames remind Meherjan of?
a) Her childhood
b) Her happy memories
c) The turmoil in her life
d) The beauty of nature
* What happened to Meherjan's land and property?
a) They were sold
b) They were destroyed by a flood
c) They were consumed by river erosion
d) They were inherited by her family
* How long did it take the river to demolish Meherjan's house?
a) A few days
b) A week
c) A month
d) A year
* What were the consequences of poverty and hunger for Meherjan's family?
a) They became wealthy
b) They migrated to the city
c) They suffered from diseases
d) They enjoyed a better life
* What is the main cause of Meherjan's current situation?
a) Lack of education
b) Natural disasters
c) Lack of government support
d) Her own negligence
* How many people are estimated to become homeless due to river erosion in Bangladesh every year?
a) 10,000
b) 1,00,000
c) 10,00,000
d) 1,00,00,000
* Which rivers are mentioned in the passage as major threats?
a) Ganges, Brahmaputra, Indus
b) Jamuna, Padma, Meghna
c) Nile, Amazon, Mississippi
d) Yangtze, Yellow, Mekong
* What is the main danger caused by climate change mentioned in the passage?
a) Global warming
b) Sea-level rise
c) Extreme weather events
d) River erosion
* What is the significance of Meherjan's story in the passage?
a) To entertain readers
b) To highlight the impact of river erosion
c) To criticize the government
d) To promote tourism in Bangladesh
* What is the tone of the passage?
a) Humorous
b) Optimistic
c) Tragic
d) Neutral
* What is the primary purpose of the passage?
a) To describe the beauty of Bangladesh
b) To promote sustainable development
c) To raise awareness about river erosion
d) To criticize the government's inaction
* What does the word "turmoil" in the passage most likely mean?
a) Peace
b) Happiness
c) Confusion
d) Prosperity
* What does the word "consumed" in the passage most likely mean?
a) Created
b) Protected
c) Destroyed
d) Nourished
* What does the word "shattered" in the passage most likely mean?
a) Fulfilled
b) Broken
c) Strengthened
d) Ignored
* What does the word "prompt" in the passage most likely mean?
a) Delayed
b) Slow
c) Quick
d) Unnecessary
* What is the main message of the passage?
a) River erosion is a natural phenomenon
b) People living near rivers should relocate
c) Urgent action is needed to adapt to climate change
d) Bangladesh is a beautiful country despite its problems
* Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a consequence of river erosion?
a) Loss of homes
b) Displacement of people
c) Economic hardship
d) Increased rainfall
* According to the passage, what is the impact of river erosion on Meherjan's life?
a) It improved her living conditions
b) It brought her wealth and prosperity
c) It had no significant impact on her life
d) It destroyed her home and livelihood
* What is the author's attitude towards the situation of people like Meherjan?
a) Indifferent
b) Sympathetic
c) Critical of the victims
d) Blaming the victims
* What is the significance of the word "thousand others" in the passage?
a) To emphasize the scale of the problem
b) To exaggerate the situation
c) To blame the government
d) To criticize the victims
* What is the main purpose of using Meherjan's story as an example?
a) To personalize the impact of river erosion
b) To criticize the government's policies
c) To entertain the readers
d) To highlight the resilience of the people
* What is the overall tone of the passage regarding the future?
a) Hopeful
b) Pessimistic
c) Indifferent
d) Optimistic
* What is the main argument presented in the passage?
a) Climate change is not a serious threat
b) River erosion is a natural phenomenon that cannot be prevented
c) Urgent action is needed to adapt to climate change
d) People living near rivers should be relocated
* Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of Meherjan's current life?
a) Poverty
b) Loneliness
c) Happiness
d) Hardship
* What is the most significant impact of river erosion on Bangladesh?
a) Loss of biodiversity
b) Economic growth
c) Displacement of a large population
d) Increased tourism
* What is the primary message conveyed by the passage?
a) The importance of environmental protection
b) The resilience of human spirit
c) The need for government intervention
d) The dangers of climate change
Short Answer Questions:
* Describe Meherjan's living conditions.
* What were the consequences of river erosion for Meherjan?
* How does the passage describe the impact of river erosion on Bangladesh?
* What are the main causes of river erosion in Bangladesh?
* What are the potential consequences of inaction regarding climate change?
* How does the passage describe the impact of river erosion on the environment?
* What are the potential long-term consequences of continued river erosion in Bangladesh?
* What can be done to mitigate the effects of river erosion?
* How does the passage connect the issue of river erosion to broader environmental concerns?
* What is the author's call to action based on the information presented in the passage?
I apologize for the previous issue. I hope this corrected version is helpful!
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