Final answer:
Option 2.
In the context of a river, 'cataract' means a large waterfall that disrupts the river's flow. This makes option 2, a large waterfall, the correct meaning of 'cataract' for the given statement about not being able to put a canoe in the water due to a cataract.
Step-by-step explanation:
The word 'cataract' in the context of a river typically refers to a large, powerful waterfall or a set of rapids.
The statement 'Because of the cataract in that part of the river, you can't put a canoe in the water' suggests that there is a section of the river where the flow of water is disrupted, either by a waterfall, rapids, or possibly rocks and boulders that make it impassable or dangerous for boats, including canoes.
In a historical context, cataracts served as natural barriers in rivers, limiting the movement and expansion of civilizations, such as the Ancient Egyptians along the Nile River.
In the medical field, however, 'cataract' has a completely different meaning; it refers to the clouding of the lens in the eye, which can impair vision.
Given the context of a river in the question, the correct meaning of 'cataract' is a large waterfall that disrupts the river's flow and impedes navigation.
Hence, the correct option for the word 'cataract' in this context is number 2, a large waterfall.