Read the given passage carefully and answer the following questions.

Benda lives in the wilds of the Abujh Maad area of central India. His village consists of three huts deep in the wilds. Wearing a small loin cloth and armed with his axe he slowly surveys the penda (forest) where his tribe practices a primitive form of agriculture called shifting cultivation. Benda and his friends burn small patches of forest to clear them for cultivation. The ash is used for making the soil fertile. How lucky I am to be a part of this beautiful universe, he thinks, looking up to see the Mahua, Palash and Sal trees that have sheltered him since childhood. Crossing the penda in a gliding motion, Benda makes his way to a stream. As he bends down to scoop up a palmful of water, he remembers to thank Loi-Lugi, the spirit of the forest, for allowing him to quench his thrist. Moving on with his friends, Benda chews on succulent leaves and roots. The boys have been trying to collect Gajjhara and Kuchla, from the forest. These are special plants that Benda and his people use. These are needed to barter in the madhai or tribal fair coming up the next full moon.

Which of the following is NOT the characteristic of shifting agriculture?

It is the recent technique of cultivation.

The correct answer is Option (1) → It is the recent technique of cultivation.

Shifting agriculture is described in the passage as a primitive form of cultivation, practiced by tribal communities like Benda’s. It involves burning patches of forest and using the ash to fertilize the soil. Therefore, calling it a “recent technique” is incorrect, making it the right answer to the question.