It is difficult to reach out to the people inhabiting the areas across the river. Here, to reach out to means:

Ato communicate with

Bto get in touch with

Cto interact with

Dall the above

Answer:

The phrase 'to reach out to' is an idiomatic expression with multiple meanings depending on the context.
In the given sentence, the context implies difficulty in establishing contact or communication with people across the river.

To contact or communicate with someone: This is the most common meaning, especially when there are barriers to communication, like geographical distance or lack of access. In the context of the river, it means making an effort to establish communication or get in touch.
To try to help or offer assistance to someone: 'Reaching out' can also imply offering support, aid, or help, particularly to those in need or those who are isolated.
To make an effort to connect or build a relationship with someone: This meaning emphasizes establishing a connection or rapport, often by engaging with people and understanding their needs or perspectives.

Idiomatic Expressions: Understanding the nuances of idiomatic phrases is crucial for vocabulary and comprehension sections in competitive exams. Questions often test the ability to infer the meaning of such phrases from context.
Contextual Understanding: This question emphasizes the importance of analyzing the surrounding words and the overall situation to decipher the intended meaning of a phrase.
Synonym/Antonym Questions: Knowing the various meanings of a common phrase can help in answering questions related to synonyms and antonyms.
Sentence Completion: Understanding these meanings can also aid in sentence completion exercises where appropriate vocabulary needs to be inserted.

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