The Greed of the Mighty Rivers
Read the following passage and answer the questions below:
Meherjan lives in a slum on the Sirajgonj 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 de turmoil in her life.Not long ago Meherjan had everything---------- a family, cultivable land and cattle. The erosion property. It finally claimed her last 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 s one left to live on with the loss and the pain. The greedy Jamuna has shattered of her dreams and happiness. There are thousand others waiting to share the same fate with 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 of 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.
1. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives.
(a) landed property means ------
(i) a rented price of land'
(ii) a piece of land on the bank of a river
(iii) property in the form a source of income to its owner
(iv) property used only as an agricultural farm
Answer: (a) (iii) property in the form of a source of income to its owner
(b) The word 'harsh could be replaced by
(i) indulgent
(ii) soft
(iii) hazy
(iv) grim
Answer: (b) (iv) grim
(c) dancing of the flame means ,
(i) traditional form of folk dance
(ii) a flame that makes people dance around it
(iii) a flame that is made unstable by the blast of air
(iv) a flame made by people to remember their pasts.
Answer: (c) (iii) a flame that is made unstable by the blast of air
(d) Meherjan is a/an — woman."
(i), auspicious
(ii) wretched
(iii) well off
(iv) solvent
Answer: (d) (ii) wretched
(e) The author's purpose behind writing the passage is
(i) to focus on the misery of the people living close to big rivers
(ii) to depict the mystery of the people living near the roaring rivers
(iii) to show the reasons behind climate change
(iv) to portray the life and living of flood affected people
Answer: (e) (i) to focus on the misery of the people living close to big rivers
(f) whispering wind means --
(i) wind that blows from across the river
(ii) wind that blows with a hissing sound,
(iii) wind that helps someone make a fire
(iv) wind that blows in summer
Answer: (f) (ii) wind that blows with a hissing sound
(g) roaring rivers means --
(i) rivers that flow strongly making wild sounds
(ii) rivers having many rowing boats in them
(iii) rivers that make people cry out!
(iv) rivers that have noisy fishes
Answer: (g) (i) rivers that flow strongly making wild sounds
Extra Questions :
(1) The dancing flames symbolizes ----
(i) ups and downs in Meher's life
(ii) dancing waves of the Jamuna
(iii) trembling hands of sickly Meheran
(iv) Meher's mind dancing with romantic feelings
Answer: (1) (i) ups and downs in Meher's life
(2) Meherjan is now as
(i) a well off woman
(ii) a city dweller
(iii) a destitute woman
(iv) a happy woman
Answer: (2) (iii) a destitute woman
(3) According to statistics — people becomes shelter less every year due to river erosion.
(i) one lac
(ii) two lacs
(iii) three lacs
(iv) four lacs
Answer: (3) (i) one lac
(4) What does the passage convey to us?
(i) Meherjan's pitiable condition or about by the hungry river Jamuna
(ii) Pitiable condition of the people river erosion
(iii) Miserable life of the beggars
(iv) The condition of the poverty
Answer: (4) (ii) Pitiable condition of the people due to river erosion
(5) Meherjan's living place is – the Sun Town Protection Embankment.
(i) close to
(ii) far away from
(iii) detached from
(iv) situated on
Answer: (5) (iv) situated on
(6) The economic condition of Meherjan is --
(i) sound
(ii) well--off
(iii) very miserable
(iv) solvent
Answer: (6) (iii) very miserable
(7) Her polythene roofed shelter seems like,
(i) a nice house
(ii) a cottage
(iii) a cage of a bird
(iv) an exceptional house
Answer: (7) (iii) a cage of a bird
(8) Meherjan is homeless because of
(i) the erosion of Jamuna
(ii) selling of her house
(iii) destructions of her house
(iv) flood
Answer: (8) (iii) destructions of her house
(9) The roof of her house is covered by
(i) wood
(ii) tin
(iii) leaves
(iv) polythene
Answer: (9) (iv) polythene
(10) What does the expression "the turmoil in her life" in the 1st paragraph mean?
(i) The pleasure of her life
(ii) The thunderstorm in her life
(iii) The pangs and pains of her life
(iv) The dreams of her life
Answer: (10), (iii) The pangs and pains of her life
(11) There is/are -- in Meherjan's family.
(i) many members.
(ii) a few members
(iii) one members.
(iv) some members
Answer: (11) (iii) one member
(12)— has made Meherjan's life miserable.
(i) Old age
(ii) Sickness
(iii) Frustration
(iv) River erosion
Answer: (12) (iv) River erosion
(13) Meherjan looks older than her actual as owing to
(i) poverty and malnutrition
(ii) prosperity and luxury
(iii) unhappy conjugal life
(iv) social malpractices
Answer: (13) (i) poverty and malnutrition
(14) Meher's weak hands are trembling because
(i) she is frightened
(ii) she is feeble
(iii) she is tired
(iv) she is exhausted
Answer: (14) (ii) she is feeble
(15) The word 'shatter' means --
(i) to destroy something
(ii) to break something into pieces
(iii) to erect something
(iv) to complete something
Answer: (15) (ii) to break something into pieces
(16) 'Greedy Jamuna' is used here to describe
the –
claim of a consumer
(ii) demand of a consumer
(iii)supply of a consumer
(iv) help of a consumer
Answer: (16) (ii) demand of a consumer
(17) Over the years means --
(i) eventually
(ii) consequently
(iii) over the passage of time
(iv) slowly
Answer: (17) (iii) over the passage of time
(18) Finally claimed means —,
(i) won
(ii) gained
(iii) demolished
(iv) having right
Answer: (18) (iii) demolished
(19) There will be thousands of more Meherjans in our towns and villages every year means
(i) people will come and visit her every year
(ii) many people will be rendered homeless
(iii) Meherjan will have her siblings beside her
(iv) the population will be increased
Answer: (19) (ii) many people will be rendered homeless
(20) Once Meherjan was--,
(i) solvent,
(ii) insolvent
(iii) poor
(iv) impoverished
Answer: (20) (i) solvent
(21) Which has the closest meaning of 'erosion'?
(i) breaking
(ii) spoil
(iii) damage
(iv) wash away
Answer: (21) (i) breaking
(22) Meherjan is – years old.
(i) below 40
(ii) below 45
(iii) below 50
(iv) above 50
Answer: (22) (ii) below 45
(23) Before the erosion of the river, she was —
(i) poor
(ii) frustrated
(iii) unhappy
(iv) joyful
Answer: (23) (iv) joyful
(24) The health of Meherjan is very —
(i) strong
(ii) feeble
(iii) sound
(iv) stout
Answer: (24) (ii) feeble
(25) She is living in her house -- now.
(i) with her husband
(ii) with her relatives
(iii) with her family
(iv) alone
Answer: (25) (iv) alone
2. Answer the following questions.
(a) What happened to Meherjan after the erosion of Jamuna?
Answer: (a) The erosion of the mighty Jamuna has engulfed everything of Meherjan including her family, cultivable land and cattle and shattered her dreams of a happy life. Now she is living a miserable life loosing everything.
(b) How can we protect ourselves from this very natural disaster?
Answer: (b) We can protect ourselves from this very natural disaster by taking prompt actions to adapt ourselves to climate change
(c) What message do you get from the passage? Describe it in 2/3 sentences.
Answer: (c) The passage gives the message that river erosion is one of the main dangers caused by climate change. Bangladesh, being a riverine country, is likely to fall victim to river erosion unless we can adapt ourselves to climate change.
(d) What is the cause of river erosion? Are we responsible too? Explain in 3--4 lines.
Answer: (d) Climate change is the main cause of river erosion. River erosion occurs specially during the monsoon. We are also responsible. Because of our unwise activities, the climate is changing.
(e) Who is Meherjan?
Answer: (e) Meherjan is a typical homeless woman living in a slum on the Sirajgonj Town Protection GD Embankment.
Extra Questions :
(1) What property did Meherjan lose due to rive erosion?
Answer: (1) Meherjan lost everything which includes her house, cattle, cultivable land, vegetable garden, bamboo bush and her family as well.
(2) What do you know about Meherjan's present condition?
Answer: (2) At present Meherjan lives a lonely and desolate life in a polythene roofed slum on the Sirajgonj Town Protection Embankment
(3) Why is the phrase 'greedy Jamuna' used to describe the river?
Answer: (3) The phrase 'greedy Jamuna' is used to describe the river because the Jamuna took away everything from the people like Meherjan living on the bank of the river Jamuna
(4) What is the effect of climate change on our country
Answer: (4) Climate change is a global issue. It has a very serious effect on our country too. Various kinds of natural disasters like flood, cyclone, river erosion etc. often visit our country as a result of climate change
(5) How can you explain river erosion?
Answer: (5) River erosion is one of the most dangerous natural calamities. It means the breaking of the bank of a river. It is mainly caused during the monsoon.
(6) How is it possible to stop erosion?
Answer: (6) It is possible to stop erosion by taking some effective measures. First of all people must be very careful about the environment. Embankments for the protection of the rivers must be built and preserved.
(7) What do you know about the past life of Meherjan?
Answer: (7) The past life of Meherjan was very joyous. She had everything to form a happy family. House, trees, cattle, cultivable land, vegetable garden, bamboo bush after all a f family belonged to her.
(8) "The dancing of the flames reminds Meherjan of the turmoil in her life." Explain in 2 sentences.
Answer: (8) The dancing of the flames reminds the sorrowful events that happened to Meherjan's life because of erosion of the river Jamuna.
(9) What happens to the villages near rivers during the monsoon? Describe in brief.
Answer: (9) Bangladesh is a land of rivers. River erosion poses a great threat to the villages lying close to the rivers. River erosion takes a serious turn during the monsoon and harms people taking their living place and property.
(10)Do you agree with the view that we should fake prompt actions to adapt to climate change? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer: (10) Yes, I do agree. If we fail to adapt ourselves a se to climate change in our country, thousands of people living near the mighty rivers will be rendered homeless every year. I's
(11) From your reading of the first paragraph describe why Meherjan looks more than her age.
Answer: (11) Meherjan has been very weak due to extreme poverty. Her weak hands tremble when she adds some fallen leaves and straw to the fire for cooking. So, Meherjan looks more than her age.
(12) What reminds Meherjan of the turmoil in her me
Answer: (12) Meherjan makes fire for cooking but the wind from the river Jamuna makes the fire unsteady. The dancing of the flames reminds Meherjan of the turmoil in her life.
(13) What does Meherjan use to make fire to cooking her meals?
Answer: (13) Meherjan uses fallen leaves and straw to make fire for cooking her meals.
(14)Why do you think her hands trembling?
Answer: (14) Her hands are weak and trembling because of her physical weakness
(15) What crushed Meher's dreams and happiness and how?
Answer: (15) The erosion of the Jamuna consumed all of Meherjan's landed property including her shelter and crushed her dreams and happiness.
(16) What has happened to the other members of her family?
Answer: (16) The other members of her family died of diseases caused by hunger and poverty.
(17) Do you support the statement that river erosion has an inseparable relation to the global climate change? Show argument in favour of your answer.
Answer: (17) Yes, I support the statement. River erosion is one of the main dangers caused by climate change. It is estimated that river erosion makes at least 100,000 people homeless every year. So, it can be said that river erosion has an inseparable relation to . the global climate change.
Bangla Translation
Meherjan lives in a slum on the Sirajgonj Town Protection Embankment.মেহেরজান সিরাজগঞ্জ টাউন প্রোটেকশন এমব্যাংকমেন্টে একটি ঝুপড়ি বাড়িতে বাস করেন।
Her polythene roofed shelter looks like a cage.তার পলিথিনে ছাওয়া আশ্রয়টি একটি খাঁচার মতো দেখাচ্ছে।
She is nearly 45 but looks more than her age.তার বয়স প্রায় ৪৫ বছর, কিন্তু তিনি তার বয়সের চেয়ে বেশি বয়সী দেখাচ্ছেন।
In front of her shelter, she is trying to make a fire to cook the day's only meal.তার আশ্রয়ের সামনে, তিনি দিনের একমাত্র খাবার রান্না করতে আগুন জ্বালানোর চেষ্টা করছেন।
Her weak hands tremble as she adds some fallen leaves and straw to the fire.তার দুর্বল হাত কাঁপছে যখন তিনি আগুনে কিছু পড়া পাতা এবং তৃণ যোগ করছেন।
The whispering wind from the river Jamuna makes the fire unsteady.যমুনা নদী থেকে আসা মৃদু বাতাস আগুনকে অস্থির করে তোলে।
The dancing flames remind Meherjan of the turmoil in her life.নাচতে থাকা শিখাগুলি মেহেরজানকে তার জীবনের বিশৃঙ্খলা স্মরণ করিয়ে দেয়।
Not long ago Meherjan had everything— a family, cultivable land, and cattle.একসময় মেহেরজানের কাছে সব কিছু ছিল— একটি পরিবার, চাষযোগ্য জমি এবং গবাদি পশু।
The erosion property. It finally claimed her last shelter during the last monsoon.পানি ভাঙন। এটি শেষ মেঘলা মৌসুমে তার শেষ আশ্রয়টিও কেড়ে নিয়েছে।
It took the river only a day to devour Meherjan's house, trees, vegetable garden, and the bamboo bush.নদীটি মেহেরজানের বাড়ি, গাছ, শাকসবজি বাগান এবং বাঁশ ঝাড় কেড়ে নিতে মাত্র একদিন সময় নিয়েছিল।
She had a happy family once.তার একসময় একটি সুখী পরিবার ছিল।
Over the years, she lost her husband and her family to diseases that cruel hunger and poverty brought to the family.বছরের পর বছর ধরে, সে তার স্বামী এবং পরিবারের সদস্যদের হারিয়েছে, যারা রোগে ভুগে মারা গেছেন, রোগগুলো ছিল অত্যন্ত তীব্র ক্ষুধা এবং দরিদ্রতা দ্বারা উত্পন্ন।
Now, she is the only one left to live on with the loss and the pain.এখন, সে একমাত্র বেঁচে আছে, যেটি তাকে ক্ষতি এবং যন্ত্রণার সঙ্গে বাঁচতে হচ্ছে।
The greedy Jamuna has shattered all of her dreams and happiness.লোভী যমুনা তার সমস্ত স্বপ্ন এবং সুখ ধ্বংস করে দিয়েছে।
There are thousands of others waiting to share the same fate with Meherjan.আরও হাজার হাজার মানুষ আছেন যারা মেহেরজানের সঙ্গে একই দুঃখজনক পরিণতি ভাগ করতে প্রস্তুত।
Bangladesh is a land of rivers, some of whose banks overflow or erode during monsoon.বাংলাদেশ নদীর দেশ, যেখানে কিছু নদীর তীর মৌসুমি বৃষ্টির সময় প্লাবিত বা ভেঙে পড়ে।
Erosion is a harsh reality for the people living along the river banks.নদী ভাঙন নদীর তীরবর্তী মানুষদের জন্য একটি কঠোর বাস্তবতা।
During each monsoon, many more villages are threatened by the might of rivers like the Jamuna, the Padma, and the Meghna.প্রতিটি মেঘলা মৌসুমে আরও অনেক গ্রাম যমুনা, পদ্মা এবং মেঘনার মতো নদীগুলির ক্ষমতার দ্বারা বিপন্ন হয়।
It is estimated that river erosion makes at least 100,000 people homeless every year in Bangladesh.আনুমানিকভাবে, নদী ভাঙন প্রতি বছর বাংলাদেশে কমপক্ষে ১০০,০০০ মানুষকে গৃহহীন করে দেয়।
In fact, river erosion is one of the main dangers caused by climate change.বাস্তবে, নদী ভাঙন হলো জলবায়ু পরিবর্তনের কারণে সৃষ্ট প্রধান বিপদগুলির মধ্যে একটি।
If we can't take prompt actions to adapt to climate change, there will be thousands more Meherjans in our towns and villages every year.যদি আমরা জলবায়ু পরিবর্তনের সঙ্গে মানিয়ে নিতে দ্রুত পদক্ষেপ নিতে না পারি, তবে প্রতি বছর আমাদের শহর ও গ্রামে আরও হাজার হাজার মেহেরজান থাকবে।
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Read the passage carefully and answer the questions following it.
Meherjan lives in a slum on the Sirajgonj 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 gradually all her landed property. It finally claimed her last 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 with Meherjan. Bangladesh is a land of rivers that affect its people. Erosion is a harsh reality for the people living along the river banks. During each monsoon many more villages are threatened by the roaring of 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.
1. Choose the best answer from the alternatives. 1×7=7
a) Meherjan’s dreams and happiness are ----- by the greedy river Jamuna.
(i) destroyed (ii) boosted (iii) flourished (iv) mixed
b) Bangladesh is a land of -----.
(i) forests (ii) rivers (iii) the poor (iv) mosques
c) Every year river erosion makes people -----.
(i) poor (ii) rich (iii) homeless (iv) happy
d) Meherjan lives in a slum _ to Sirajgonj Town Protection Embankment.
(i) belongs (ii) belonging (iii) situated (iv) closed
e) Due to river erosion in Bangladesh, each year about ----- people become homeless.
(i) one lakh (ii) one thousand (iii) one million (iv) ten thousand
f) Mejerjan looks aged because of -----.
(i) maltreatment (ii) deprivation (iii) her age (iv) illness
g) People ----- near the river banks are the victims of river erosion.
(i) living (ii) live (iii) stay (iv) migrating
Extra Practices
h) The greedy Jamuna took only ----- to demolish everything of Meherjan.
(i) a week (ii) a day (iii) a month (iv) an hour
i) The shelter of Meherjan is ----- roofed.
(i) wood (ii) polythene (iii) tin (iv) iron and cement
j) The fire is made unsteady by the wind from the -----.
(i) Padma (ii) Meghna (iii) Jamuna (iv) Buriganga
k) Meherjan lives in ——.
(i) a town (ii) a village (iii) a slum (iv) a footpath
l) Her dreams and happiness are shattered by ——.
(i) Padma (ii) Meghna (iii) Jamuna (iv) Surma
m) Dancing of the flame means ——.
(i) a traditional form of folk dance
(ii) a flame that makes people dance around it
(iii) a flame that is made unstable by the blast of air
(iv) a flame made by people to remember their pasts
n) Each year about —— became homeless due to river erosion in Bangladesh.
(i) (i) one lakh people (ii) ten thousand people
(iii) ten million people (iv) one crore people
o) Landed property means ——.
(i) a rented piece of land (ii) a piece of land on the bank of a river.
(iii) property in the form a source of income to its owner
(iv) property used only an agricultural farm
p) What does the dancing of the flames remind Meherjan?
(i) happiness (ii) sadness (iii) discipline (iv) turinoil in her life
q) Who did consume all her land property?
(i) the dancing of the flames (ii) the whispering wind
(iii) the last monsoon (iv) the erosion of the Jamuna
2.Answer the following questions. 2×5 = 10
a) Where does Meherjan live?
b) What is river erosion?
c) What things did Meherjan have not long ago?
d) What makes her homeless?
e) How many people become homeless annually due to river erosion?
Extra Practices
1. Why does she look more than her age?
2. How does her shelter look like?
3. What was she doing in front of her shelter?
4. What does the dancing of the flames remind Meherjan?
5. What should we do to save our Meherjans?
6. What does happen in front of her slum?
1. What had Meherjan had one day?
2. How many people become homeless every year?
3. Who has shattered Meherjan’s dreams and happiness?
Answer:
1. Choose the best answer from the alternatives.
a) (i) destroyed
b) (ii) rivers
c) (iii) homeless
d) (iii) situated
e) (i) one lakh
f) (ii) deprivation
g) (i) living
Extra Practices
h) (ii) a day
i) (ii) polythene
j) (iii) Jamuna
k) (iii) a slum
l) (iii) Jamuna
m) (iii) a flame that is made unstable by the blast of air
n) (i) one lakh people
o) (iii) property in the form of a source of income to its owner
p) (iv) turmoil in her life
q) (iv) the erosion of the Jamuna
2. Answer the following questions
a) Where does Meherjan live?
Meherjan lives in a small slum near the Sirajgonj Town Protection Embankment. Her home is made of polythene sheets, and it looks like a small cage.
b) What is river erosion?
River erosion happens when a river slowly washes away land. Over time, houses, trees, and farms disappear into the water. It is a big problem in Bangladesh, making many people homeless every year.
c) What things did Meherjan have not long ago?
Meherjan once had a happy family, a house, cultivable land, and cattle. She lived peacefully and had everything she needed.
d) What makes her homeless?
The Jamuna River slowly took away her land and home. During the last monsoon, the river destroyed her last shelter, leaving her with nothing.
e) How many people become homeless annually due to river erosion?
Every year, about one lakh (100,000) people in Bangladesh lose their homes because of river erosion. It is one of the biggest problems caused by climate change.
Extra Practices
Why does she look more than her age?
Meherjan looks older than her real age because she has suffered a lot. She has faced hunger, poverty, and sadness, which made her weak and tired.
How does her shelter look like?
Her shelter is very small and made of polythene sheets. It looks like a cage and is not strong enough to protect her from rain or storms.
What was she doing in front of her shelter?
She was trying to make a fire using dried leaves and straw. She needed the fire to cook the only meal she would have that day.
What does the dancing of the flames remind Meherjan?
The moving flames remind her of the troubles in her life. Just like the fire is unsteady because of the wind, her life is full of problems and struggles.
What should we do to save our Meherjans?
We should take quick action to stop river erosion by building embankments and planting more trees. The government should help poor people who lose their homes.
What does happen in front of her slum?
The wind from the Jamuna River makes her fire unsteady while she is trying to cook her meal.
What had Meherjan had one day?
Meherjan once had a family, land, a house, trees, and cattle. She lived a happy life before the river took everything away.
How many people become homeless every year?
Every year, one lakh (100,000) people in Bangladesh lose their homes because of river erosion.
Who has shattered Meherjan’s dreams and happiness?
The Jamuna River destroyed her home, land, and family, leaving her alone and hopeless.
Lessons from English For Today
Lesson 1: The Greed of the Mighty Rivers
A Read the following text and answer the questions.
Meherjan lives in a slum on the Sirajgonj Town Protection Embankment. The whispering wind from the river Jamuna makes the lire unsteady. The dancing flames remind Meherjan of the turmoil in her life.
Not long ago Meherjan had everything- a family, arable land and cattle. The erosion of the Jamuna gradually consumed all her land 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 wailing to share the same fate like Meheijan. 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, rivet- 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.
Bangla Translation
Meherjan lives in a slum on the Sirajgonj Town Protection Embankment. মেহেরজান সিরাজগঞ্জ টাউন প্রোটেকশন বাঁধের একটি বস্তিতে বাস করেন।
The whispering wind from the river Jamuna makes the fire unsteady. যমুনা নদী থেকে আসা ফিসফিসে বাতাস আগুনকে অস্থির করে তোলে।
The dancing flames remind Meherjan of the turmoil in her life. নাচতে থাকা আগুনের শিখা মেহেরজানকে তার জীবনের অশান্তির কথা মনে করিয়ে দেয়।
Not long ago Meherjan had everything— a family, arable land, and cattle. কিছুদিন আগেও মেহেরজানের সবকিছু ছিল—একটি পরিবার, চাষযোগ্য জমি এবং গবাদি পশু।
The erosion of the Jamuna gradually consumed all her land property. যমুনার ভাঙনে ধীরে ধীরে তার সমস্ত জমি গ্রাস করে ফেলে।
It finally claimed her only shelter during the last monsoon. সর্বশেষ বর্ষায় নদী তার একমাত্র আশ্রয়ও নিয়ে নিয়েছে।
It took the river only a day to devour Meher’s house, trees, vegetable garden, and the bamboo bush. নদী মাত্র একদিনেই মেহেরজানের বাড়ি, গাছ, সবজির বাগান এবং বাঁশঝাড় ধ্বংস করে দিয়েছে।
She had a happy family once. এক সময় তার একটি সুখী পরিবার ছিল।
Over the years, she lost her husband and her family to diseases that cruel hunger and poverty brought to the family. বছরের পর বছর ধরে, দারিদ্র্য ও অনাহারের কারণে হওয়া রোগে তিনি তার স্বামী ও পরিবারকে হারিয়েছেন।
Now, she is the only one left to live on with the loss and the pain. এখন, তিনি একা রয়ে গেছেন, কেবল ক্ষতি ও কষ্ট নিয়ে বেঁচে থাকার জন্য।
The greedy Jamuna has shattered her dreams and happiness. লোভী যমুনা তার স্বপ্ন ও সুখ চূর্ণ করে দিয়েছে।
There are thousands of others waiting to share the same fate like Meherjan. মেহেরজানের মতো একই পরিণতির জন্য অপেক্ষা করছে আরও হাজারো মানুষ।
Bangladesh is a land of rivers, some of whose banks overflow or erode during monsoon. বাংলাদেশ নদীমাতৃক দেশ, যার অনেক নদীর তীর বর্ষায় প্লাবিত বা ভেঙে যায়।
Erosion is a harsh reality for the people living along the river banks. নদীর তীরবর্তী মানুষের জন্য নদী ভাঙন একটি কঠিন বাস্তবতা।
During each monsoon, many more villages are threatened by the mighty rivers like the Jamuna, the Padma, and the Meghna. প্রতিটি বর্ষায় যমুনা, পদ্মা ও মেঘনার মতো শক্তিশালী নদীগুলোর কারণে আরও অনেক গ্রাম হুমকির মুখে পড়ে।
It is estimated that river erosion makes at least 100,000 people homeless every year in Bangladesh. প্রতিবছর বাংলাদেশে নদী ভাঙনে কমপক্ষে এক লাখ মানুষ গৃহহীন হয়ে পড়ে বলে ধারণা করা হয়।
In fact, river erosion is one of the main dangers caused by climate change. প্রকৃতপক্ষে, নদী ভাঙন জলবায়ু পরিবর্তনের কারণে সৃষ্ট প্রধান বিপদগুলোর মধ্যে একটি।
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. যদি আমরা জলবায়ু পরিবর্তনের সাথে খাপ খাইয়ে নেওয়ার জন্য দ্রুত পদক্ষেপ না নিই, তাহলে প্রতি বছর আমাদের শহর ও গ্রামে আরও হাজার হাজার মেহেরজান তৈরি হবে।
B For each phrase below choose the meaning that is closest to the meaning used in the text above.
1. In paragraph 3 'mighty rivers' mean
a rivers that have huge volumes of waler and very strong currents
b rivers having many rowing boats in them
c rivers that make people cry out
d rivers that have strong banks
2. landed properly
a a rented piece of land
b a piece of land on the bank of a river
c property in the form of a source of income to its owner
d property used only as an agricultural farm
3. whispering wind
a wind that blows from across the river
b wind dial blows with a hissing sound
c wind that helps someone make a fire
d wind that blows in summer
4. dancing flames
a a traditional form of folk dance
b flames dial make people dance around them
c Hames that are made unstable by the blast of air
d flames made by people to remember their past
Answer:
B. Choosing the closest meaning:
In paragraph 3 'mighty rivers' meana. rivers that have huge volumes of water and very strong currents
landed propertyc. property in the form of a source of income to its owner
whispering windb. wind that blows with a hissing sound
dancing flamesc. flames that are made unstable by the blast of air
C Ask and answer the following questions in pairs.
a What does Meherjan use to make fire for cooking her meals?
b What property did Mehetjan lose due to river erosion?
c What do you know about Mehe-rjan’s family?
d In which season is river erosion most likely to occur?
e Why is die phrase ‘greedy Jamuna’ used to describe die river?
What greed do you notice in the description?
C. Answers :
a) What does Meherjan use to make fire for cooking her meals?→ Meherjan uses fallen leaves and straw to make fire for cooking her meals.
b) What property did Meherjan lose due to river erosion?→ Meherjan lost her house, land, vegetable garden, trees, and bamboo bush because of river erosion.
c) What do you know about Meherjan’s family?→ Meherjan had a happy family before. But she lost her husband and family members because of diseases caused by poverty and hunger. Now, she is alone.
d) In which season is river erosion most likely to occur?→ River erosion happens mostly during the monsoon season when the rivers become full and strong.
e) Why is the phrase ‘greedy Jamuna’ used to describe the river? What greed do you notice in the description?→ The river is called "greedy Jamuna" because it keeps taking land, houses, and people’s belongings without giving anything back. The greed is shown in how the river destroys homes and makes people homeless every year.
D Complete (he summary of Meherjan’s life with words/phrases from the box.
Meheijan is a typical (1) ................................... woman who lives in a slum. She
lost her shelter and properties (2)..................................... the erosion of the river
Jamuna. She also lost her family. Her husband had died of diseases caused by poverty and (3) Now, she is only a (4)............................................................
Like Meher jan there are many people who have become the (5) .................................
of river erosion. River erosion is still posing (6)......................................... to the lives
and properties of thousands of people. People living (7) ......................................... die
rivers are the most likely victims of river erosion. Each year about (8) people become homeless due to river erosion in
Bangladesh. Meherjan’s life is just one (9)......................................... of how climate
change (10)................................ (he lives of thousands of people
victims | affects | close to | slum dweller | homeless |
threats | example | due to | shortage of food | one lakh |
Meherjan is a typical (1) slum dweller who lives in a slum. She lost her shelter and properties (2) due to the erosion of the river Jamuna. She also lost her family. Her husband had died of diseases caused by poverty and (3) shortage of food. Now, she is only a (4) homeless. Like Meherjan, there are many people who have become the (5) victims of river erosion. River erosion is still posing (6) threats to the lives and properties of thousands of people. People living (7) close to rivers are the most likely victims of river erosion. Each year about (8) one lakh people become homeless due to river erosion in Bangladesh. Meherjan’s life is just one (9) example of how climate change (10) affects the lives of thousands of people.
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