Read the text and answer the following questions.

River gypsies in Bangladesh face various problems. First, Bangladesh is getting urbanised very rapidly. Gypsy people are losing their customers among the urban population. Hence, their income is threatened. Secondly, 24.000 kilometres of previous waterways shrink to only 6,000 kilometres in the country in dry seasons.

Scientists believe that Bangladesh will be worst affected by global climate change. The unpredictable rain and drying out of rivers have made boat movement heavily restricted. Thirdly, many river gypsies are changing their lifestyle in the context of changed reality. They are thinking of living permanently on land. The state feels that river gypsies need help to survive in the mainstream population. Therefore, the government is offering voting rights, permanent housing and bank-loan facilities. However, changes do not come overnight.

Traditionally, river gypsies are used to water life. They have inherited from their forefathers necessary life skills to survive in water. They have no education and training to adapt to mainstream modern society. So the state feels the need to bring them under formal education network. But they have no permanent living place. Gypsy children are born and brought up on the boats. Therefore, they cannot go to conventional schools. And hence,

mobile boat-schools are being established for gypsy children. Some voluntary organisations are running special schools on boats to educate river gypsy children in some areas.

বাংলাদেশের নদী–যাযাবররা বিভিন্ন সমস্যার মুখোমুখি হয়। প্রথমত, বাংলাদেশ অত্যন্ত দ্রুত গতিতে নগরায়িত হচ্ছে। নগরীয় জনসংখ্যার মধ্যে যাযাবর মানুষ তাদের গ্রাহক হারাচ্ছে। ফলে, তাদের আয় হুমকির মুখে পড়েছে। দ্বিতীয়ত, শুষ্ক মৌসুমে দেশে পূর্বের ২৪,০০০ কিলোমিটার জলপথ সংকুচিত হয়ে মাত্র ৬,০০০ কিলোমিটারে পরিণত হয়।

বিজ্ঞানীদের ধারণা, বৈশ্বিক জলবায়ু পরিবর্তনে বাংলাদেশ সবচেয়ে বেশি ক্ষতিগ্রস্ত হবে। অপ্রত্যাশিত বৃষ্টিপাত ও নদী শুকিয়ে যাওয়ার কারণে নৌকা চলাচল মারাত্মকভাবে সীমাবদ্ধ হয়ে পড়েছে। তৃতীয়ত, অনেক নদী–যাযাবর পরিবর্তিত বাস্তবতার প্রেক্ষিতে তাদের জীবনধারা পরিবর্তন করছে। তারা স্থায়ীভাবে dry ভূখণ্ডে বসবাসের কথা ভাবছে। রাষ্ট্র মনে করে যে মূলধারার জনগোষ্ঠীর মধ্যে টিকে থাকতে নদী–যাযাবরদের সহায়তার প্রয়োজন। তাই সরকার তাদের ভোটাধিকার, স্থায়ী বাসস্থান এবং ব্যাংক–লোনের সুবিধা প্রদান করছে। তবে রাতারাতি পরিবর্তন আসে না।

প্রথাগতভাবে, নদী–যাযাবররা জলকেন্দ্রিক জীবনের সাথে অভ্যস্ত। তারা তাদের পূর্বপুরুষদের থেকে জলে বেঁচে থাকার প্রয়োজনীয় জীবন দক্ষতা উত্তরাধিকারসূত্রে পেয়েছে। মূলধারার আধুনিক সমাজে খাপ খাওয়ানোর জন্য তাদের কোনও শিক্ষা ও প্রশিক্ষণ নেই। তাই রাষ্ট্র তাদের প্রাতিষ্ঠানিক শিক্ষা ব্যবস্থার আওতায় আনার প্রয়োজনীয়তা অনুভব করে। কিন্তু তাদের স্থায়ী বসবাসের স্থান নেই। যাযাবর শিশুরা নৌকায় জন্মগ্রহণ করে ও বেড়ে ওঠে। তাই তারা প্রচলিত স্কুলে যেতে পারে না। এবং সেইজন্য,

যাযাবর শিশুদের জন্য মোবাইল বোট–স্কুল প্রতিষ্ঠা করা হচ্ছে। কিছু স্বেচ্ছাসেবী সংস্থা কিছু এলাকায় নদী–যাযাবর শিশুদের শিক্ষিত করতে নৌকার উপর বিশেষ স্কুল পরিচালনা করছে।

Vocabulary Box: Challenges of the River Gypsies

1. What major problem do river gypsies face due to urbanisation?
   a) Increased income
   b) Loss of customers
   c) Better education
   d) Improved transport
2. Why are gypsy incomes threatened?
   a) They are getting land
   b) They are moving abroad
   c) They are losing customers
   d) They are selling fewer boats
3. How many kilometres of waterways shrink in the dry season?
   a) 12,000
   b) 24,000
   c) 6,000
   d) 18,000
4. What is the present length of waterways in dry seasons?
   a) 24,000 km
   b) 12,000 km
   c) 6,000 km
   d) 10,000 km
5. Who believes Bangladesh will be worst affected by climate change?
   a) Teachers
   b) Doctors
   c) Scientists
   d) Farmers
6. What restricts boat movement?
   a) Strong winds
   b) Drying rivers and irregular rain
   c) More boats
   d) Bigger rivers
7. What lifestyle change are many river gypsies considering?
   a) Staying abroad
   b) Living permanently on land
   c) Moving to cities
   d) Building large ships
8. Who feels that river gypsies need help?
   a) Farmers
   b) Teachers
   c) The state
   d) Traders
9. What is the government offering to river gypsies?
   a) More boats
   b) Voting rights
   c) Free fish
   d) Free travel
10. Which facility is included in the government’s support?
    a) Bank-loan facilities
    b) Free water
    c) Free electricity
    d) Free food
11. What else is provided besides voting rights?
    a) Better rivers
    b) Permanent housing
    c) More schools
    d) Free bridges
12. What is said about changes in gypsy life?
    a) They come quickly
    b) They come slowly
    c) They never come
    d) They are easy
13. What kind of life are river gypsies used to?
    a) Land life
    b) City life
    c) Water life
    d) Forest life
14. From whom did they inherit water skills?
    a) Teachers
    b) Traders
    c) Forefathers
    d) Scientists
15. What do gypsies lack to adapt to modern society?
    a) Land
    b) Education and training
    c) Boats
    d) Food
16. What does the state want to include gypsies in?
    a) Formal education network
    b) River management
    c) Political parties
    d) Farming
17. Why can’t gypsy children go to conventional schools?
    a) They are too far
    b) They live on boats
    c) They are too costly
    d) They lack teachers
18. Where are gypsy children born and raised?
    a) On land
    b) On boats
    c) In schools
    d) In hospitals
19. What kind of schools are being built for gypsies?
    a) Brick schools
    b) Mobile boat-schools
    c) City schools
    d) Evening schools
20. Who runs some of these special boat-schools?
    a) Villagers
    b) Teachers only
    c) Voluntary organisations
    d) Doctors
21. What is the purpose of mobile boat-schools?
    a) To sell fish
    b) To teach gypsy children
    c) To catch snakes
    d) To provide housing
22. Why are voluntary organisations important for gypsies?
    a) They run schools
    b) They provide houses
    c) They give loans
    d) They buy boats
23. When do waterways shrink most?
    a) During winter
    b) During summer
    c) During rainy season
    d) During spring
24. What is one direct impact of climate change on gypsies?
    a) More fish
    b) Restricted boat movement
    c) More houses
    d) Better schools
25. What is threatened due to urbanisation?
    a) Gypsies’ food
    b) Gypsies’ income
    c) Gypsies’ housing
    d) Gypsies’ transport
26. How many kilometres of waterways exist in wet seasons?
    a) 6,000
    b) 12,000
    c) 24,000
    d) 18,000
27. Which season causes rivers to dry?
    a) Monsoon
    b) Winter
    c) Autumn
    d) Rainy
28. Why are changes difficult for gypsies?
    a) They are rich
    b) They lack education
    c) They own land
    d) They prefer cities
29. What basic right is now given to gypsies?
    a) Driving license
    b) Voting rights
    c) Free jobs
    d) Free fish
30. Which new facility ensures permanent settlement?
    a) Loan
    b) Housing
    c) Farming
    d) Electricity
31. Who will be worst affected by climate change?
    a) Bangladesh
    b) India
    c) Nepal
    d) Bhutan
32. What makes boat movement heavily restricted?
    a) Storms
    b) Drought
    c) Drying rivers and rain changes
    d) High waves
33. Which generation passed water survival skills?
    a) Elders
    b) Teachers
    c) Forefathers
    d) Friends
34. What are gypsy children deprived of?
    a) Fishing
    b) Formal schooling
    c) Snake charming
    d) Selling goods
35. What is the government’s main concern for gypsy survival?
    a) Education
    b) Fishing
    c) Farming
    d) Business
36. Where are makeshift tarpaulin tents built?
    a) Roads
    b) Forests
    c) River banks
    d) Villages
37. Who is establishing mobile boat-schools?
    a) Government only
    b) NGOs only
    c) Both government and voluntary groups
    d) Farmers
38. Why is formal education necessary?
    a) To adapt to modern society
    b) To catch fish
    c) To sell goods
    d) To build houses
39. What makes it hard for gypsy children to attend schools?
    a) Poverty
    b) Distance
    c) Life on boats
    d) Teachers’ absence
40. Which group tries to educate gypsy children?
    a) Voluntary organisations
    b) Politicians
    c) Farmers
    d) Scientists
41. What do gypsies need for survival in mainstream society?
    a) Housing and education
    b) More rivers
    c) More boats
    d) Better fish
42. Which group feels gypsies need help?
    a) Villagers
    b) Government
    c) Farmers
    d) Students
43. What is one cultural inheritance of gypsies?
    a) Farming
    b) Water life skills
    c) Snake catching
    d) Schooling
44. What prevents gypsies from living permanently?
    a) No land
    b) No rivers
    c) No boats
    d) No food
45. Which area of life is most unstable for gypsy children?
    a) Housing
    b) Education
    c) Health
    d) Food
46. What is the government trying to integrate gypsies into?
    a) Farming
    b) Political system
    c) Mainstream population
    d) Business
47. Which natural factor limits waterways?
    a) Earthquake
    b) Dry season
    c) Flood
    d) Tsunami
48. Who is most affected when rivers dry?
    a) Farmers
    b) River gypsies
    c) Teachers
    d) Shopkeepers
49. What is one way the state supports gypsies?
    a) Free nets
    b) Bank loans
    c) Free rice
    d) Free fish
50. What is the overall aim of boat-schools?
    a) To keep gypsies on water
    b) To give education to children
    c) To stop urbanisation
    d) To sell school items

Here is the answer key only (1–50) for the River Gypsies Problems MCQs:

1. b
2. c
3. b
4. c
5. c
6. b
7. b
8. c
9. b
10. a
11. b
12. b
13. c
14. c
15. b
16. a
17. b
18. b
19. b
20. c
21. b
22. a
23. a
24. b
25. b
26. c
27. b
28. b
29. b
30. b
31. a
32. c
33. c
34. b
35. a
36. c
37. c
38. a
39. c
40. a
41. a
42. b
43. b
44. a
45. b
46. c
47. b
48. b
49. b
50. b

50 WH questions based on the passage about Problems of River Gypsies in Bangladesh:

1. What major problem do river gypsies face due to urbanisation?
2. Why is the income of river gypsies threatened?
3. How much did the waterways shrink in the dry season?
4. What is the present length of waterways in dry seasons?
5. Who believes Bangladesh will be worst affected by climate change?
6. What natural factors restrict boat movement for gypsies?
7. What lifestyle change are many river gypsies considering?
8. Who feels that river gypsies need help to survive?
9. What is the government offering to river gypsies?
10. Which facilities are provided to help river gypsies?
11. Besides voting rights, what else does the government offer?
12. How quickly do changes in gypsy life occur?
13. What kind of life are river gypsies traditionally used to?
14. From whom did they inherit water survival skills?
15. What do river gypsies lack to adapt to modern society?
16. What does the state want to include gypsies in?
17. Why can’t gypsy children attend conventional schools?
18. Where are gypsy children born and brought up?
19. What type of schools are being built for gypsy children?
20. Who runs some of the special boat-schools?
21. What is the purpose of mobile boat-schools?
22. Why are voluntary organisations important for gypsy children?
23. When do waterways shrink the most?
24. What is a direct impact of climate change on gypsies?
25. What is threatened due to urbanisation for gypsies?
26. How many kilometres of waterways exist in wet seasons?
27. Which season causes rivers to dry up?
28. Why are changes difficult for river gypsies?
29. What basic right is now given to river gypsies?
30. Which facility ensures permanent settlement for gypsies?
31. Which country is most affected by climate change according to scientists?
32. What makes boat movement heavily restricted?
33. Which generation passed water survival skills to gypsies?
34. What are gypsy children deprived of due to their lifestyle?
35. What is the government’s main concern for gypsy survival?
36. Where are makeshift tarpaulin tents built in winter?
37. Who is establishing mobile boat-schools for gypsy children?
38. Why is formal education necessary for river gypsies?
39. What prevents gypsy children from attending conventional schools?
40. Which group tries to educate gypsy children through schools?
41. What do gypsies need for survival in mainstream society?
42. Which group feels river gypsies need help to survive?
43. What cultural inheritance do river gypsies have from forefathers?
44. What prevents river gypsies from living permanently on land?
45. Which area of life is most unstable for gypsy children?
46. What is the government trying to integrate gypsies into?
47. Which natural factor limits waterways in dry seasons?
48. Who is most affected when rivers dry up?
49. What is one way the state supports river gypsies financially?
50. What is the overall aim of mobile boat-schools?

Answer

1. River gypsies face problems due to rapid urbanisation. They are losing their customers among city people.
2. Their income is threatened because fewer people buy goods from them. This makes life difficult for their families.
3. Waterways in Bangladesh shrink from 24,000 kilometres to only 6,000 kilometres in dry seasons. This limits their movement.
4. The present length of waterways in dry seasons is 6,000 kilometres. This is much less than before.
5. Scientists believe Bangladesh will be worst affected by global climate change. Their predictions show serious environmental impacts.
6. Unpredictable rain and drying rivers restrict boat movement. This affects fishing and transport for gypsies.
7. Many river gypsies are considering living permanently on land. They are adapting to changing realities.
8. The state feels that river gypsies need help to survive. Government intervention is planned to support them.
9. The government is offering voting rights to river gypsies. They are also providing permanent housing.
10. Bank-loan facilities are included in the government’s support. This helps them start small businesses or improve livelihoods.
11. Besides voting rights, gypsies are provided with permanent houses. These measures aim to secure their future.
12. Changes in gypsy life do not happen overnight. Adaptation takes time and effort.
13. River gypsies are traditionally used to water life. They are skilled in navigating and surviving on rivers.
14. They inherited life skills from their forefathers. These skills help them live on water.
15. River gypsies lack education and training to adapt to modern society. This limits their opportunities on land.
16. The state wants to include gypsies in the formal education network. Education will help them integrate into society.
17. Gypsy children cannot attend conventional schools. They are born and raised on boats.
18. Most gypsy children live their early life on boats. This is part of their nomadic lifestyle.
19. Mobile boat-schools are being established for gypsy children. These schools travel with them on rivers.
20. Some voluntary organisations run special schools on boats. They provide education in remote areas.
21. Mobile boat-schools aim to teach gypsy children. Education helps them gain knowledge and skills.
22. Voluntary organisations are important because they support education. They fill gaps where government resources are limited.
23. Waterways shrink most during dry seasons. This makes navigation and travel difficult for gypsies.
24. Climate change restricts boat movement. Unpredictable weather creates uncertainty for their livelihood.
25. Gypsies’ income is threatened due to urbanisation. Fewer people buy goods from traditional river trades.
26. In wet seasons, waterways extend up to 24,000 kilometres. This allows freer movement for gypsies.
27. Rivers dry up mainly in the dry season. This affects fishing and transport.
28. Changes are difficult for gypsies because they lack education and land. Adapting to land-based life is challenging.
29. Voting rights are now given to river gypsies. This helps them participate in governance.
30. Permanent housing ensures gypsies can settle safely on land. It provides security and stability.
31. Bangladesh is predicted to be highly affected by climate change. Rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns are concerns.
32. Boat movement is restricted due to drying rivers and irregular rainfall. This reduces their mobility.
33. Water survival skills are passed down from forefathers. These skills are essential for nomadic life.
34. Gypsy children are deprived of formal education due to life on boats. They cannot attend conventional schools.
35. The government is concerned about their survival in mainstream society. Education and housing are key priorities.
36. Makeshift tarpaulin tents are built on riverbanks in winter. This is their temporary settlement.
37. Mobile boat-schools are established by both government and voluntary organisations. They provide educational access.
38. Formal education is necessary for gypsies to adapt to modern society. It helps them learn new skills.
39. Life on boats prevents children from attending conventional schools. Mobility and lack of permanent structures are reasons.
40. Voluntary organisations run educational programs for gypsy children. They ensure continuity of learning.
41. Gypsies need housing and education to survive in mainstream society. These provide stability and future opportunities.
42. The government feels river gypsies need help to integrate. Policies are made for their welfare.
43. River gypsies inherited water life skills from forefathers. These include fishing, navigation, and boat handling.
44. They cannot live permanently on land because they do not own land. Boats are their traditional homes.
45. Education is the most unstable area for gypsy children. Traditional life prevents regular schooling.
46. The government is trying to integrate gypsies into mainstream population. Policies focus on education, housing, and rights.
47. Dry season limits the waterways. Less water makes navigation harder.
48. River gypsies are most affected when rivers dry. Their livelihood and mobility are severely impacted.
49. Bank loans support river gypsies financially. These loans help them start businesses or improve income.
50. The overall aim of mobile boat-schools is to provide education to gypsy children. It helps them adapt to modern society.