The class comes up with different problems. One group leader says, “The scarcity of food will be a serious problem in the years ahead. It is true that our agriculturists have developed new varieties of rice and its per acre production has definitely increased. But the rate of increase in food production cannot keep pace with the rate of population growth. This is because our land is fixed, i.e. we cannot increase it, while our population is increasing rapidly.”

Another group leader comes up with the housing problem in the country, which he says adds much to the food problem. He says, “Families are growing larger in size and at the same time breaking into smaller families. Each smaller family needs a separate house to live in. Also, the arable fields are being divided by these smaller families among themselves. Mills and factories are being set up, which occupy a considerable portion of our land. So while we need more land to grow more food to feed more mouths, our land is shrinking day by day.

“No way,” another student argues. “Trees are being cut, hills are being cleared and water bodies are being filled up people.” all to meet the needs of too many

“Thank you students,” Ms Choudhury says. “You’re quite right. Let me tell you about this village where I was born and brought up. Things were not like this in the past. I remember as a child, the village was so beautiful! The green paddy fields and yellow mustard fields seemed to be unending. They used to wave and dance in the breeze. There used to be a wood in the northern side of the village. There was a tall tamarind tree in the middle of the wood. Also there was a big banyan tree which looked like a huge green umbrella, with its aerial roots hanging down. I often used to go there with my friends. We would often have picnic there. While the boys would climb the tamarind tree and pick some tamarinds, I and my best friend Rima used to swing from the hanging roots. But now, look, the wood is gone. The beauty of the crop fields is spoiled by the unplanned houses built here and there.”

Bangla Translation: ক্লাসের শিক্ষার্থীরা বিভিন্ন সমস্যা নিয়ে আলোচনা করে। একদল নেতা বলেন, “খাদ্যের অভাব আগামী বছরগুলোতে একটি গুরুতর সমস্যা হয়ে উঠবে। এটা সত্য যে আমাদের কৃষিবিজ্ঞানীরা ধানের নতুন নতুন জাত উদ্ভাবন করেছেন এবং এর একরপ্রতি উৎপাদনও নিশ্চিতভাবে বেড়েছে। কিন্তু খাদ্য উৎপাদনের বৃদ্ধির হার জনসংখ্যা বৃদ্ধির হারের সঙ্গে তাল মিলিয়ে চলতে পারছে না। এর কারণ হল আমাদের জমির পরিমাণ নির্দিষ্ট, অর্থাৎ আমরা তা বাড়াতে পারি না, অথচ আমাদের জনসংখ্যা দ্রুত বাড়ছে।“

অন্য একদল নেতা দেশের আবাসন সমস্যার কথা তুলে ধরেন, যা তিনি বলেন খাদ্য সমস্যাকে আরও প্রকট করে তুলছে। তিনি বলেন, “পরিবারগুলো একদিকে বড় হচ্ছে, আবার একই সঙ্গে ছোট ছোট পরিবারে বিভক্ত হচ্ছে। প্রতিটি ছোট পরিবারকে বসবাসের জন্য একটি আলাদা বাড়ির প্রয়োজন হয়। এছাড়াও, চাষযোগ্য জমি এই ছোট পরিবারগুলোর মধ্যে ভাগ হয়ে যাচ্ছে। কলকারখানা স্থাপন করা হচ্ছে, যা আমাদের বিশাল পরিমাণ জমি দখল করছে। সুতরাং, যেখানে আমাদের আরও বেশি মানুষের মুখে আহার জোগাতে বেশি জমি দরকার, সেখানে আমাদের চাষযোগ্য জমির পরিমাণ দিন দিন কমে যাচ্ছে।“

“এটা ঠিক না,” অন্য এক শিক্ষার্থী যুক্তি দেখায়। “বেশি মানুষের চাহিদা পূরণের জন্য গাছ কাটা হচ্ছে, পাহাড় কেটে সমতল করা হচ্ছে এবং জলাশয়গুলো ভরাট করা হচ্ছে।“

“ধন্যবাদ, শিক্ষার্থীরা,” মিসেস চৌধুরী বলেন। “তোমরা একদম ঠিক বলেছ। এবার আমি তোমাদের আমার জন্মগ্রামের কথা বলি, যেখানে আমি বড় হয়েছি। আগের দিনে পরিস্থিতি এমন ছিল না। আমি ছোটবেলায় দেখেছি, গ্রামটি কত সুন্দর ছিল! সবুজ ধানক্ষেত আর হলুদ সরিষার ক্ষেতগুলো যেন দিগন্তজোড়া বিস্তৃত ছিল। বাতাসে দুলে দুলে তারা যেন নাচত। গ্রামের উত্তর দিকে একটা বন ছিল। বনটির মাঝখানে একটা উঁচু তেঁতুল গাছ ছিল। আর একটি বিশাল বটগাছ ছিল, যা অনেকটা সবুজ ছাতার মতো দেখাতো, এর ঝুলন্ত শিকড়গুলো মাটির দিকে নেমে আসত। আমি প্রায়ই আমার বন্ধুদের সঙ্গে সেখানে যেতাম। আমরা সেখানে মাঝে মাঝে বনভোজন করতাম। ছেলেরা তেঁতুল গাছে উঠে তেঁতুল পাড়ত, আর আমি ও আমার প্রিয় বন্ধু রিমা সেই ঝুলন্ত শিকড়ে দোল খেতাম। কিন্তু এখন দেখো, বনটি নেই। অপরিকল্পিত বাড়িঘর গড়ে ওঠায় ক্ষেতের সৌন্দর্য নষ্ট হয়ে গেছে।“

1. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives.
2. Who says the scarcity of food will be a serious problem?
   The first group leader
   ii. The second group leader
   iii. The third student
   iv. Ms Choudhury
   Answer: i. The first group leader
3. What is the reason the rate of food production cannot keep pace with population growth?
   Lack of technology
   ii. Fixed land area
   iii. Poor agricultural practices
   iv. Shortage of farmers
   Answer: ii. Fixed land area
4. What does the second group leader say is contributing to the food problem?
   Industrialization
   ii. Land division due to smaller families
   iii. Lack of technological advancement
   iv. Overpopulation
   Answer: ii. Land division due to smaller families
5. What is being set up that takes up considerable land?
   Schools
   ii. Residential areas
   iii. Mills and factories
   iv. Parks
   Answer: iii. Mills and factories
6. What is one way land is being taken away according to the third student?
   Deforestation
   ii. Urbanization
   iii. Large-scale farming
   iv. Landfills
   Answer: i. Deforestation
7. What was the narrator’s village like in the past?
   Industrialized
   ii. Urbanized
   iii. Beautiful with green fields
   iv. Deserted
   Answer: iii. Beautiful with green fields
8. Where was the wood located in the narrator’s village?
   To the south
   ii. To the east
   iii. To the northern side
   iv. In the center
   Answer: iii. To the northern side
9. What tree was in the middle of the wood?
   Mango tree
   ii. Banyan tree
   iii. Tamarind tree
   iv. Oak tree
   Answer: iii. Tamarind tree
10. What did the narrator and her friends do at the banyan tree?
    Play soccer
    ii. Swing from the hanging roots
    iii. Pick flowers
    iv. Build a treehouse
    Answer: ii. Swing from the hanging roots
11. How does Ms Choudhury describe the changes in the village?
    The village has become more beautiful.
    ii. The village has become industrialized.
    iii. The village is unrecognizable now.
    iv. The village has remained the same.
    Answer: iii. The village is unrecognizable now.
12. What has replaced the wood in the narrator’s village?
    A new school
    ii. Unplanned houses
    iii. A shopping mall
    iv. Agricultural land
    Answer: ii. Unplanned houses
13. What does the narrator miss about the past?
    The food
    ii. The unending fields
    iii. The wood
    iv. The factory
    Answer: ii. The unending fields
14. What type of tree was used for climbing in the narrator’s childhood?
    Banyan tree
    ii. Tamarind tree
    iii. Oak tree
    iv. Mango tree
    Answer: ii. Tamarind tree
15. Who did the narrator play with near the tamarind tree?
    Her mother
    ii. Rima
    iii. The boys
    iv. Her siblings
    Answer: ii. Rima
16. Why were the houses in the narrator’s village described as unplanned?
    They were poorly built.
    ii. They were built in various locations without a clear layout.
    iii. They were abandoned.
    iv. They were made of substandard materials.
    Answer: ii. They were built in various locations without a clear layout.
17. What problem does the first group leader highlight regarding population growth?
    Housing shortage
    ii. Increased food production
    iii. Increased land scarcity
    iv. Technology failure
    Answer: iii. Increased land scarcity
18. What does the second group leader mention as a cause for land scarcity?
    The shrinking agricultural lands
    ii. Population growth
    iii. Family size increase and division
    iv. Urban expansion
    Answer: iii. Family size increase and division
19. What did the narrator and her friends do with the tamarind tree?
    Picked flowers
    ii. Played hide and seek
    iii. Picked tamarinds
    iv. Painted it
    Answer: iii. Picked tamarinds
20. What happened to the wood in the narrator’s village?
    It was preserved for future generations.
    ii. It was cleared for houses.
    iii. It was used for construction.
    iv. It was converted into a park.
    Answer: ii. It was cleared for houses
21. What does Ms Choudhury say about the fields in the village now?
    They are more fertile than before.
    ii. They have been replaced by factories.
    iii. The beauty of the crop fields is spoiled.
    iv. The fields are being expanded.
    Answer: iii. The beauty of the crop fields is spoiled
22. Which tree is described as a huge green umbrella?
    Banyan tree
    ii. Oak tree
    iii. Mango tree
    iv. Tamarind tree
    Answer: i. Banyan tree
23. What is the first group leader’s main concern?
    Lack of housing
    ii. Food scarcity
    iii. Overpopulation
    iv. Land use
    Answer: ii. Food scarcity
24. What problem does the second group leader address?
    Water shortages
    ii. Housing and land division
    iii. Education access
    iv. Air pollution
    Answer: ii. Housing and land division
25. What caused the narrator to reflect on the changes in her village?
    A recent visit
    ii. The discussions with her students
    iii. A school trip
    iv. A conversation with her family
    Answer: ii. The discussions with her students
26. What did the narrator reminisce about from her childhood?
    The games she played
    ii. The beauty of the village
    iii. Her school experiences
    iv. The food
    Answer: ii. The beauty of the village
27. What is the significance of the tamarind tree in the narrator’s memory?
    It was used for making furniture.
    ii. It was a place for play and memories.
    iii. It provided shelter.
    iv. It was a source of food.
    Answer: ii. It was a place for play and memories
28. What is Ms Choudhury’s tone when describing the changes in her village?
    Optimistic
    ii. Nostalgic
    iii. Angry
    iv. Indifferent
    Answer: ii. Nostalgic
29. What does the third student argue about land use?
    Land is being used properly.
    ii. Land is being reclaimed for urbanization.
    iii. Trees are being cut, and natural resources are being destroyed.
    iv. Land is being conserved.
    Answer: iii. Trees are being cut, and natural resources are being destroyed
30. What are the changes that affect food production in the village?
    Increased agricultural practices
    ii. Expansion of industrial areas and housing
    iii. Deforestation for new fields
    iv. Introduction of new technology
    Answer: ii. Expansion of industrial areas and housing
31. What problem does the third student raise regarding population growth?
    Overpopulation causing famine
    ii. Scarcity of food and natural resources
    iii. Decline in education quality
    iv. High rates of urbanization
    Answer: ii. Scarcity of food and natural resources
32. What was the narrator’s favorite activity with her friend Rima?
    Playing in the fields
    ii. Swinging from the banyan tree roots
    iii. Climbing the tamarind tree
    iv. Picking flowers
    Answer: ii. Swinging from the banyan tree roots
33. Which of the following is not mentioned as an issue contributing to food scarcity?
    Population growth
    ii. Land being used for industrial purposes
    iii. Lack of food storage facilities
    iv. Dividing of agricultural lands
    Answer: iii. Lack of food storage facilities
34. What aspect of the village does Ms Choudhury miss the most?
    The mills
    ii. The crops
    iii. The green fields and wood
    iv. The factories
    Answer: iii. The green fields and wood
35. Why does Ms Choudhury mention the tamarind tree?
    To show the beauty of nature
    ii. To emphasize childhood memories
    iii. To highlight the economic value of trees
    iv. To suggest deforestation
    Answer: ii. To emphasize childhood memories
36. What problem does Ms Choudhury think has worsened?
    Housing shortage
    ii. Land scarcity due to urbanization
    iii. Unemployment
    iv. Food availability
    Answer: ii. Land scarcity due to urbanization
37. What is Ms Choudhury’s view on the changes in her village?
    She is happy about them.
    ii. She regrets the loss of the old beauty.
    iii. She thinks they are necessary for progress.
    iv. She finds them irrelevant.
    Answer: ii. She regrets the loss of the old beauty
38. What is one reason the second group leader says there is less land for food production?
    The land is being used for industrial development.
    ii. There is not enough technology for farming.
    iii. People are not farming enough.
    iv. There are too many farmers.
    Answer: i. The land is being used for industrial development
39. What does Ms Choudhury use her village memories to illustrate?
    The benefits of industrialization
    ii. The consequences of overpopulation
    iii. The loss of natural beauty due to urbanization
    iv. The improvement of agricultural practices
    Answer: iii. The loss of natural beauty due to urbanization
40. What does Ms Choudhury say about the changes in housing?
    Housing is more organized now.
    ii. Houses are being built without planning.
    iii. There is a lack of housing.
    iv. Housing has improved the village’s layout.
    Answer: ii. Houses are being built without planning
41. Why does the first group leader feel food production cannot meet demand?
    The soil quality is decreasing.
    ii. The population is growing too fast.
    iii. Farmers are not skilled enough.
    iv. There is not enough water for irrigation.
    Answer: ii. The population is growing too fast
42. Which problem does the third student bring up?
    Overuse of water
    ii. Pollution
    iii. Deforestation and land reclamation
    iv. Industrial growth
    Answer: iii. Deforestation and land reclamation
43. What does Ms Choudhury miss from her childhood?
    The industrialized buildings
    ii. The peaceful nature
    iii. The absence of trees
    iv. The agricultural techniques
    Answer: ii. The peaceful nature
44. What does the second group leader imply about land in the village?
    There is an excess of land
    ii. The land is decreasing due to industrialization and housing
    iii. Land use has improved over time
    iv. Land has remained the same
    Answer: ii. The land is decreasing due to industrialization and housing
45. What does the narrator say about the beauty of the village?
    It is untouched by time.
    ii. It has become ugly due to industrialization.
    iii. It has evolved into a modern city.
    iv. It is unchanged.
    Answer: ii. It has become ugly due to industrialization
46. What change did the narrator observe in the village’s housing?
    More organized
    ii. Larger houses
    iii. Unplanned houses
    iv. Higher buildings
    Answer: iii. Unplanned houses
47. What is the narrator’s childhood memory of the banyan tree?
    It was used for climbing.
    ii. It was a picnic spot.
    iii. It was a meeting point for elders.
    iv. It was where the village gathered for prayers.
    Answer: i. It was used for climbing
48. What did the first group leader stress regarding food scarcity?
    The need for new technology
    ii. Increased land availability
    iii. Population control
    iv. The fixed area of land
    Answer: iv. The fixed area of land
49. Why is the second group leader concerned about the land?
    There is too much land left.
    ii. The land is being used for houses.
    iii. The land is fertile for farming.
    iv. The land has been preserved for farming.
    Answer: ii. The land is being used for houses
50. What does the narrator’s village look like now?
    It is a peaceful village.
    ii. It has modern housing and industries.
    iii. It is mostly abandoned.
    iv. It is still green and beautiful.
    Answer: ii. It has modern housing and industries
51. What is the main topic discussed in the passage?
    The importance of agriculture
    ii. The impact of urbanization on food production and environment
    iii. The need for technology in farming
    iv. The effects of overpopulation on society
    Answer: ii. The impact of urbanization on food production and environment

1. Answer the following questions.
2. Who raises concerns about the scarcity of food in the future?
3. What does the first group leader suggest is the main reason food production cannot keep up with population growth?
4. Why does the second group leader say the housing problem is linked to the food problem?
5. How does the second group leader explain the impact of smaller families on land use?
6. Where was the wood located in the narrator’s village?
7. What memories does Ms Choudhury have about her childhood in the village?
8. Who did the narrator play with at the tamarind tree when she was a child?
9. What role does the tamarind tree play in the narrator’s childhood memories?
10. Why does Ms Choudhury feel nostalgic when talking about her childhood village?
11. How has the landscape of the village changed, according to Ms Choudhury?
12. What happened to the green paddy fields and mustard fields in the narrator’s village?
13. Why does the first group leader believe food production can’t meet the needs of the growing population?
14. What does the third student argue is happening to the land as a result of population growth?
15. How are mills and factories contributing to the shrinking land available for agriculture?
16. Why is deforestation and land reclamation a significant issue in the passage?
17. What does Ms Choudhury describe as the “unplanned houses” in the village?
18. Why does the second group leader believe that family size and land division contribute to food scarcity?
19. What was the narrator’s favorite activity to do with her friend Rima at the banyan tree?
20. How does Ms Choudhury contrast the past and present of her village?
21. What does the narrator miss most about the natural beauty of the village?
22. Why is the banyan tree significant in the narrator’s childhood memories?
23. What impact did industrialization and housing have on the landscape of the village?
24. Who does Ms Choudhury attribute the changes in the village to?
25. What do the students in the discussion believe about the rate of population growth and its effect on food supply?
26. How does the first group leader’s argument about food production contrast with the second group leader’s argument about housing?
27. Why does Ms Choudhury mention the tamarind tree in her conversation with the students?
28. What were the consequences of families breaking into smaller units in terms of land usage?
29. How does Ms Choudhury react to the transformation of her childhood village?
30. Why does the first group leader believe that the increase in population is a major factor affecting food production?

What do the students suggest as the causes of the land scarcity in the village?