Question 92

Read the given passage carefully to answer the following questions. Each question will have five alternatives as its answer. Choose the correct option as your answer. In the northeastern state of Assam, the annual floods of the Brahmaputra River have shaped both the landscape and the lives of its people. For generations, local communities have devised ingenious ways to adapt to this natural cycle. Stilt houses, known as chang ghars, are a common sight in flood-prone villages, elevating families and their livestock above rising waters. Farmers plant flood-resistant varieties of rice and use traditional fishing techniques during the monsoon months. Despite these adaptations, the scale of recent floods has increased due to deforestation in the river’s catchment area and rapid urbanization. The destruction of wetlands, which once absorbed excess water, has further intensified the impact on rural settlements. Government agencies and non-profits now collaborate to provide early warning systems, distribute relief materials, and construct embankments. However, challenges remain. Many villages become isolated during peak floods, making it difficult to deliver aid. Students often miss months of school, and the spread of waterborne diseases becomes a major threat. In recent years, a grassroots movement has emerged, empowering youth volunteers to organize boat libraries and mobile health camps. These initiatives not only address immediate needs but also ________ community resilience and hope. Experts believe that combining local knowledge with technological innovation is key to managing Assam’s flood crisis in the long term. What traditional structure is used in Assam to protect families from floods?

Answer

Chang ghars (stilt houses)

Why?

The correct answer is ' Option 2 '. Key Points Chang ghars (stilt houses) This is the correct answer . The passage states that stilt houses, known as chang ghars , are commonly found in flood-prone villages of Assam. They elevate families and their livestock above rising floodwaters, thereby protecting them from the impact of floods. Bamboo huts This is incorrect . Although bamboo may be used as a building material in Assam, the passage specifically identifies chang ghars as the traditional flood-adaptation structure. Stone cottages This is incorrect . Stone cottages are not mentioned in the passage as a traditional structure used to protect families from floods. Mud houses This is incorrect . Mud houses are not identified as a flood-protection structure in the passage. Floating rafts This is incorrect . The passage mentions traditional fishing techniques and boat-based initiatives, but not floating rafts as protective houses. Therefore, the correct answer is Chang ghars (stilt houses). Additional Information Chang ghars : Traditional stilt houses in Assam designed to elevate families and livestock above rising floodwaters. Bamboo huts : Not specifically identified as the flood-protection structure in the passage. Stone cottages : Not mentioned in the passage. Mud houses : Not mentioned as a flood-adaptation structure. Floating rafts : Not described as traditional protective housing in the passage.