Indian Rivers: India's Natural Assets

The provided passage highlights the immense value and beauty of Indian rivers, describing them as crucial natural assets. These rivers nourish the land, making it fertile and green. They also serve as natural pathways connecting different areas. The passage notes the diversity among these rivers, including characteristics like navigability in regions such as Bengal and Kerala, and their powerful flow from mountains.

Understanding the Question Context

The question asks us to identify the most suitable word from the passage to complete the sentence: "Why do Indians hold their rivers __________?". This requires us to carefully read the passage and find the specific reason mentioned for the reverence shown towards rivers.

Analyzing the Passage for the Answer

The passage explicitly states the reason for the high regard Indians have for their rivers. It says:

"And in tribute to their strength and beauty, we have always held them sacred."

This sentence directly provides the answer. The phrase "held them sacred" clearly indicates that the reason behind this reverence is the sacredness attributed to the rivers, stemming from their strength and beauty.

Evaluating the Provided Options

Let's look at the given options to see which one best fits the blank, based on the passage:

Option 1: tribute

The word 'tribute' is mentioned in the passage ("in tribute to their strength and beauty"). However, it refers to an act of honoring the rivers' qualities, not the state or reason *why* they are held. It doesn't fit the blank "hold their rivers __________".

Option 2: sacred

The passage directly states, "...we have always held them sacred." This word perfectly fills the blank and accurately reflects the reason given in the text for why Indians hold their rivers in high esteem.

Option 3: navigable

The term 'navigable' describes a specific characteristic of some rivers, as mentioned in the passage ("navigable rivers, especially in Bengal and Kerala"). It is a descriptive feature, not the reason for reverence.

Option 4: variety

The word 'variety' is used in the passage to describe the diversity among rivers ("most eye-catching variety of these rivers"). This refers to the different types of rivers, not the reason for holding them sacred.

Conclusion: The Most Appropriate Word

Based on the direct evidence from the passage, the word that completes the sentence "Why do Indians hold their rivers __________?" is sacred. The text clearly links the rivers' strength and beauty to the reason they are held sacred by the people of India.