Exercises
Q1. I said the world is made of leaves, I have been very blind. (i) Why did the bird think the world was made of leaves? (ii) What does the set of words 'I said' mean? A. flew B. shouted C. spoke D. cried (iii) Fill in the blanks to complete the sentence. The bird felt that it had been very blind because it could not __ __ __ the leaves from __ n __ __ __ e the nest.
Answer:
(i) The bird thought the world was made of leaves because whenever it stepped out of its nest, it only saw leaves around it. (ii) The set of words 'I said' means 'spoke' (option C). (iii) The bird felt that it had been very blind because it could not 'see' the leaves from 'inside' the nest.
Q2. Why did the baby bird think that its first world was small, round and blue?
Answer:
The baby bird thought its first world was small, round and blue because it was inside an eggshell. The shell was small and round, and the world inside it appeared blue to the baby bird.
Q3. Where did the bird go when it fluttered from its straw nest?
Answer:
When the bird fluttered from its straw nest, it flew into the sky and explored the wider world, discovering the earth and sky as part of its new world.
Q4. What quality did the bird say it had, when it flew away?
Answer:
The bird said it had the quality of being brave or adventurous when it flew away. It explored the world beyond its nest.
Q5. Who do you think were the bird's neighbours? Why do you think so? Discuss.
Answer:
The bird's neighbours were likely other birds or small animals living in the same tree or nearby trees. This is because the bird lived in a nest in a tree, and birds often share trees with other birds and creatures.
Activities
Q1. A tree is useful to us in many ways. Mention some of these uses. Write them in the picture given below.
Answer:
Students should write uses such as: provides shade, gives fruits, gives wood, gives medicines, purifies air, etc., in the picture provided in the textbook.
Q2. Neem is a common tree in our country. Discuss in groups of four and fill Columns 1 and 2 with what you know about the neem tree and what you want to know. Column 1: What do you know? Column 2: What do you want to know?
Answer:
Column 1 examples: Neem leaves are used for medicines, neem twigs are used to clean teeth, neem oil is used in soaps. Column 2 examples: How does neem cure diseases? Where does neem grow? What are its scientific names?
Q3. Amber found many facts about the neem tree from Neem Baba. Fill up the fact sheet based on what Neem Baba told her. LET US KNOW OUR NEEM: Common name: _____; Given by: _____; Period of birth: _____; Born at: _____; Found in: _____; Common names: _____; Names given by scientists: 1. _____; 2. _____; Names given by others: 1. _____; 2. _____
Answer:
Common name: Neem; Given by: Iranians; Period of birth: Millions of years ago; Born at: North India or Myanmar; Found in: Many Asian and African countries, parts of America; Common names: Nim, Leemba, Nimori, Nimbamond, Nimbe, Nimo; Names given by scientists: 1. 'bitter grace of God' 2. 'nature's gift to man'; Names given by others: 1. 'magic tree' 2. 'tree of the twentieth century'
Q4. How is neem useful to farmers?
Answer:
Neem is useful to farmers in many ways: (i) Powder of neem seeds mixed in water and sprayed on plants protects them from locusts. (ii) In rice fields, it stops mosquito breeding and increases crop yield. (iii) It saves crops from termites that eat roots. (iv) It stops breeding of other insects that eat crops.
Q5. Mention some of the uses of the neem tree.
Answer:
Uses of neem tree: (i) Neem leaves are used for treating measles and making medicines. (ii) Neem twigs are used for cleaning teeth. (iii) Neem leaves protect clothes from insects. (iv) Neem bark is used to make medicines for cough. (v) Neem flowers are used to make kajal for eye itching. (vi) Neem seed powder protects stored grains from insects. (vii) Neem oil is used to make soaps and toothpaste. (viii) Neem wood furniture is not eaten by termites. (ix) Neem purifies the air.
Q6. You just read about the neem tree. Write any two facts that surprised you the most.
Answer:
(Accept any two surprising facts from the text) Example 1: Neem was born millions of years ago in North India or Myanmar. Example 2: Neem has so many names in different languages like Nim, Leemba, Nimori, Nimbamond, Nimbe and Nimo.
Q7. Complete the following sentences. 1. Amber played in the shade of ______________________. 2. Neem seed powder protects crops from ______________________. 3. ______________________ is a cost-effective method to stop mosquitoes from breeding in stagnant water. 4. One reason why doctors advise us to use neem leaves for someone suffering from measles is ______________________.
Answer:
1. Amber played in the shade of the neem tree. 2. Neem seed powder protects crops from locusts, termites and other insects. 3. Putting neem seed powder in stagnant water is a cost-effective method to stop mosquitoes from breeding. 4. One reason why doctors advise us to use neem leaves for someone suffering from measles is that neem leaves have chemical properties that destroy germs and give comfort.
Q8. Which parts of the neem tree are used to make medicines?
Answer:
The leaves, bark, flowers, fruits and even roots of the neem tree are used to make medicines.
Q9. Why is the story of neem tree thought-provoking?
Answer:
The story is thought-provoking because the name 'neem' was given by Iranians, while the tree was born in India and had many Sanskrit names like Arishta (the one who cures diseases), Nimba and Nimbaca. It shows how the tree traveled across countries and got different names, and how people across the world find it useful.
Q10. Study these words from the text: something, neem oil, cleanliness-parting, well known, grandmother, seed powder, childhood, well trained, thought-provoking. Put the compound words given above in their trees. (Open compound words, Closed compound words, Hyphenated compound words)
Answer:
Open compound words: neem oil, seed powder, well known, well trained; Closed compound words: something, grandmother, childhood; Hyphenated compound words: cleanliness-parting, thought-provoking
Q11. Words that tell us what a person is doing are called verbs. In the table given below, match the verbs in the first column showing action in the present to verbs in the second column showing action in the past. Make a sentence with any one form of the verb. One has been done for you. Present: 1. become, 2. find, 3. make, 4. discover, 5. tell, 6. give. Past: (i) made, (ii) gave, (iii) told, (iv) became, (v) found, (vi) discovered. Sentence: 1. I want to become a teacher when I grow up.
Answer:
Correct matching: 1. become - (iv) became; 2. find - (v) found; 3. make - (i) made; 4. discover - (vi) discovered; 5. tell - (iii) told; 6. give - (ii) gave. Example sentences: 2. I found a lost puppy yesterday. 3. She made a beautiful painting. 4. Scientists discovered a new planet. 5. My mother told me a story. 6. He gave me a gift.
Q12. You will now listen to a boy speaking to his mother. As you listen, select the correct statements. 1. The mother was surprised to know that Peepal Baba had planted trees all over the country. 2. The mother disliked the work being done by Peepal Baba. 3. The mother wanted to know more about Peepal Baba. 4. The boy decided to take care of trees by listening to Peepal Baba’s journey. 5. The boy was worried about what his teacher had told him.
Answer:
(Answers depend on listening to the audio transcript. Correct statements as per typical comprehension: 1. True, 2. False, 3. True, 4. True, 5. False)
Q13. Collect dry leaves of four different trees and plants around you. 1. Make one card as given below. On the top, draw the shape of the leaf looking at the dry leaf and colour it. Inside the card, write the name of the tree/plant the leaf is taken from and one of its uses. 2. Now, speak about the whole process of making the card in front of the class. 3. Ask your classmates to identify the leaf and tell them one of its uses. After they answer, open the card, and share what you have written.
Answer:
This is an activity. Students should collect dry leaves, draw their shapes on cards, colour them, write the tree/plant name and one use inside, then present the process and quiz classmates.
Q14. You have read about Neem Baba and learnt many things about the neem tree. Look at the trees in your neighbourhood and write a paragraph about any one tree that you like. Include: Where it is (roadside/park, etc.), How it looks (height, tree trunk, leaves, flowers, etc.), Why you like it (shade, medicinal properties, shelter, beauty, etc.), Give a title to your paragraph.
Answer:
Sample paragraph: Title: The Mighty Banyan Tree. In my neighbourhood park, there is a huge banyan tree. It is very tall with a thick trunk and many aerial roots hanging down. Its leaves are broad and green. I like it because it gives cool shade in summer. Many birds build nests in its branches. It is also home to squirrels. The tree looks beautiful and peaceful. I love sitting under it and reading books.
Q15. When people from Persia came to India and saw that a common tree of their country was freely growing here, they started calling the tree Azad Darakhte Hindi. So, the scientific name of Neem in Latin became Azadirachta indica. Neem has different names in the Indian languages. Discuss with your teacher and find out which Indian languages these names belong to. Names: Nimb, Nim, Leemba, Nimori, Nimbamond, Nimbe, Nimo.
Answer:
Nimb - Hindi; Nim - Marathi; Leemba - Telugu; Nimori - Gujarati; Nimbamond - Odia; Nimbe - Kannada; Nimo - Bengali (Students should verify with teacher as variations exist)
Q16. Look at the picture and discuss what you see in the picture with your teacher and classmates.
Answer:
Students should observe the picture (likely a bird or nature scene) and describe objects, colors, actions, and feelings. They discuss in groups.
Q17. Think of a time when you worked hard. What did you do then? How did it help you? How did it make you feel? Also, discuss in groups.
Answer:
Students share personal experiences of working hard (e.g., studying for exams, helping parents, completing a project), explain how it helped (e.g., got good marks, learned a skill), and describe feelings (e.g., proud, happy, satisfied).
Q18. Where do you see birds? What do you see the birds doing?
Answer:
Students answer based on observation: Birds are seen in trees, gardens, parks, on roofs, near water. They are seen flying, building nests, singing, searching for food, feeding their young, etc.
Q19. Do you want to fly like a bird? Why?
Answer:
Yes/No with reason. Example: Yes, I want to fly like a bird because I can see the world from high above, visit many places, and feel free.
Q20. What does a baby bird think about its world?
Answer:
A baby bird thinks its world is small, round, and made of pale blue shell (when inside the egg), then made of straw (in the nest), then made of leaves (when it first comes out). It discovers the world step by step.
Q21. Read the sentences and replace the underlined words with their correct meanings. 1. The colour of the feather was not dark but pale. 2. The butterfly moved lightly and quickly on to the flower. 3. Finally, I finished my bird painting after trying many times. 4. The pretty flowers were the prize for the gardener’s hard work. Meanings: at last, light, labour, fluttered.
Answer:
1. pale → light (light colour); 2. moved lightly and quickly → fluttered; 3. finally → at last; 4. hard work → labour
Q22. Read the poem again. Identify the main idea of each stanza. There are two extra sentences given. Sentences: 1. The bird steps out into the world. 2. The bird lived happily in a small world. 3. The bird becomes blind due to leaves. 4. The bird flies away as an adult. 5. The bird is unhappy with the straw nest. 6. The bird lived in a cosy nest with its mother.
Answer:
Stanza 1: The bird lived happily in a small world. (Sentence 2); Stanza 2: The bird lived in a cosy nest with its mother. (Sentence 6); Stanza 3: The bird steps out into the world. (Sentence 1); Stanza 4: The bird flies away as an adult. (Sentence 4). Extra sentences: 3 and 5.
Q23. Look at the pictures 1–4 and write the matching line from the poem for each.
Answer:
Students should match pictures: Picture 1 (egg/blue shell): 'I thought the world was small and round, And made of pale, blue shell.'; Picture 2 (nest with mother): 'I thought the world was made of straw, And nestled by my mother.'; Picture 3 (bird among leaves): 'I said the world is made of leaves, I have been very blind.'; Picture 4 (bird flying): 'At length I flew beyond the tree, Quite fit for grown-up labours.'
Q24. Answer the following with a word from the poem and check the answers with your partner. 1. What was the shape of the bird’s first house? _ O _ _ _; 2. What was the bird’s second nest made of? _ _ R _ _; 3. What did the bird see when it came out of its nest? L _ _ _ E _; 4. What did the bird do at the end? _ _ _ W
Answer:
1. ROUND (from 'small and round'); 2. STRAW (from 'made of straw'); 3. LEAVES (from 'made of leaves'); 4. FLEW (from 'flew beyond the tree')
Q25. Now, recite the poem aloud along with your teacher and classmates.
Answer:
This is an activity. Students should recite the poem 'What a Bird Thought' aloud with proper rhythm and expression.
Q26. Write whether the following sentences are True or False. 1. The bird changed its house two times. 2. The neighbours tell the bird about the world.
Answer:
1. False (The bird changed its house three times: egg, nest, flying beyond tree); 2. False (The bird says 'I don’t know how the world is made, And neither do my neighbours' – neighbours do not tell the bird about the world.)
Q27. Read the following lines from the poem and answer the questions given below. 1. 'I thought the world was made of straw, And nestled by my mother.' (i) Who lived in the nest along with the baby bird? (ii) Complete the following by choosing the correct option. The bird thought the world was made of straw because __________. A. it lived in a straw hut B. its nest was made of straw C. its mother fed straw to it D. there was straw all around (iii) Which word tells us that the baby bird was warm and comfortable? 2. 'I said the world is made of leaves, I have been very blind.' (i) Why did the bird think the world was made of leaves? (ii) What does the set of words 'I said' mean? A. flew B. shouted C. spoke D. cried (iii) Fill in the blanks to complete the sentence. The bird felt that it had been very blind because it could not __ __ __ the leaves from __ n __ __ __ e the nest.
Answer:
1. (i) The mother bird lived in the nest along with the baby bird. (ii) B. its nest was made of straw (iii) 'nestled' tells us the baby bird was warm and comfortable. 2. (i) The bird thought the world was made of leaves because when it fluttered from its nest, it saw leaves all around. (ii) C. spoke (iii) The bird felt that it had been very blind because it could not see the leaves from inside the nest.
Q28. Why did the baby bird think that its first world was small, round and blue?
Answer:
The baby bird thought its first world was small, round and blue because it lived inside an egg which was small, round and had a pale blue shell. That was its entire world at that time.
Q29. Where did the bird go when it fluttered from its straw nest?
Answer:
When the bird fluttered from its straw nest, it went to see what it could find. It flew among the leaves and saw the world made of leaves.
Q30. What quality did the bird say it had, when it flew away?
Answer:
When the bird flew beyond the tree, it said it was 'quite fit for grown-up labours', meaning it had grown up and was ready for adult tasks and responsibilities.
Q31. Who do you think were the bird’s neighbours? Why do you think so? Discuss.
Answer:
The bird's neighbours were likely other birds or animals living nearby. The bird says 'neither do my neighbours (know how the world is made)', meaning even the other creatures around it do not fully understand the vastness of the world.
Q32. Let us write some rhyming words. One has been done for you. Words from the poem: Stanza 1: well, shell; Stanza 2: other, mother; Stanza 3: find, blind; Stanza 4: labours, neighbours. New rhyming words for each: (e.g., fell, brother, kind, flavours). Now, complete a new stanza with rhyming words at the end of each line: I fly high and I fly low, But one thing I surely k __ __ __, Whenever I wish to rest, My little nest is the __ __ __t.
Answer:
New rhyming words: fell (for well/shell), brother (for other/mother), kind (for find/blind), neighbours (for labours/neighbours). Fill in the stanza: I fly high and I fly low, But one thing I surely know, Whenever I wish to rest, My little nest is the best.
Q33. The poet uses words like ‘pale’, ‘blue’, ‘round’, ‘straw’ and ‘little’ to describe the bird’s nest. Read a few more describing words: pointed, green, thin, brown, small, wooden, hanging, round. Now, use the describing words given in the box to create six sentences based on the given picture.
Answer:
Sample sentences: 1. The bird has a small, round nest. 2. The nest is made of brown straw. 3. The tree has green leaves. 4. The branch is thin and hanging. 5. The wooden trunk is thick. 6. The bird has a pointed beak.
Q34. You will listen to a short poem. As you listen, fill in the missing words. I’m a parrot, my name is Paro, My feathers are __ __ __ g __ __ and they glow. In the morning, I spread my wings, ___ ___ ___ around and see wonderful things. Come with me through the skies so ___ l ___ ___, To places old and places new. Among the ___ ___ e ___ ___, where the breeze is light, Many new s t __ __ __ ___ s, oh, what a sight!
Answer:
I’m a parrot, my name is Paro, My feathers are bright and they glow. In the morning, I spread my wings, Fly around and see wonderful things. Come with me through the skies so blue, To places old and places new. Among the trees, where the breeze is light, Many new sights, oh, what a sight!
Q35. Speak about which bird you would like to be. Include the following points: Which bird are you? (I am ….......…….)
Answer:
Sample answer: I am a peacock. I have beautiful colourful feathers. I can dance in the rain. I love to spread my feathers and show my beauty. I feel proud and happy.
Let us learn
QI. Let us write some rhyming words. One has been done for you. Words from the poem: Stanza 1: well, shell; New rhyming words: fell. Now, complete a new stanza with rhyming words at the end of each line.
Answer:
The new stanza with rhyming words: I fly high and I fly low, But one thing I surely know, Whenever I wish to rest, My little nest is the best.
QII. The poet uses words like 'pale', 'blue', 'round', 'straw' and 'little' to describe the bird's nest. Read a few more describing words: pointed, green, thin, brown, small, wooden, hanging, round. Now, use the describing words given in the box to create six sentences based on the given picture.
Answer:
Sample sentences using describing words: 1. The bird has a pointed beak. 2. The leaves are green in colour. 3. The tree trunk is thin. 4. The branch is brown. 5. The nest is small. 6. The nest is hanging from a wooden branch.
QIII. Complete the following table with the help of your teacher. You may use the words from the box given below. Spice Name, Part of the plant, Colour, Texture, Taste for: Turmeric, Fenugreek, Cinnamon, Clove, Black pepper, Cardamom.
Answer:
Turmeric: Part of the plant - root, Colour - yellow/orange, Texture - rough, Taste - bitter. Fenugreek: Part of the plant - seeds, Colour - brown, Texture - rough, Taste - bitter. Cinnamon: Part of the plant - bark, Colour - brown, Texture - rough, Taste - sweet/spicy. Clove: Part of the plant - flower buds, Colour - brown/dark, Texture - rough, Taste - spicy. Black pepper: Part of the plant - fruit/seeds, Colour - black, Texture - rough, Taste - spicy. Cardamom: Part of the plant - fruit/seeds, Colour - green, Texture - soft, Taste - sweet/spicy.
Q1. Match the helping verbs in Column A with their functions in Column B. Column A: (i) may, (ii) should, (iii) can, (iv) must, (v) need to, (vi) used to. Column B: a. past habit, b. suggestion, c. compulsion, d. advice, e. ability, f. necessity.
Answer:
(i) may - e. ability, (ii) should - d. advice, (iii) can - b. suggestion, (iv) must - c. compulsion, (v) need to - f. necessity, (vi) used to - a. past habit
Q2. Complete the following dialogues with any four modals from the table given above. Ajay: Anand had fever last week. He (i) _____________ take good rest. Suman: Yes, he (ii) _____________ or he will fall ill again. Ajay: He (iii) _____________ take grandmother's natural cures. Suman: Yes, we (iv) _____________ remember how effective they are.
Answer:
(i) should, (ii) must, (iii) can, (iv) need to
Let us listen
Q1. You will listen to a short poem. As you listen, fill in the missing words. I'm a parrot, my name is Paro, My feathers are __ __ __ g __ __ and they glow. In the morning, I spread my wings, ___ ___ ___ around and see wonderful things. Come with me through the skies so ___ l ___ ___, To places old and places new. Among the ___ ___ e ___ ___, where the breeze is light, Many new s t __ __ __ ___ s, oh, what a sight!
Answer:
I'm a parrot, my name is Paro, My feathers are 'bright' and they glow. In the morning, I spread my wings, 'Fly' around and see wonderful things. Come with me through the skies so 'blue', To places old and places new. Among the 'trees', where the breeze is light, Many new 'sights', oh, what a sight!
Q2. You will listen to the benefits of Tulsi (Holy Basil), a common herb. As you listen, complete the fact sheet given below. 1. Name: Tulsi, Family: _____________, 2. First found in _____________, 3. Now found everywhere in India, 4. Known as The _____________ of herbs, 5. Can decrease levels of _____________ and cholesterol, 6. Used to treat disorders of breathing and _____________, 7. Is used to make mouth wash and _____________, 8. We can have Tulsi leaves by eating them _____________ or adding them while making _____________.
Answer:
1. Family: Lamiaceae, 2. First found in: India, 4. Known as: The queen of herbs, 5. Can decrease levels of: sugar and cholesterol, 6. Used to treat disorders of breathing and: digestion, 7. Is used to make mouth wash and: tea, 8. We can have Tulsi leaves by eating them: raw or adding them while making: tea
Q3. You will listen to the audio or narration once again about Peepal Baba. As you listen, check your answers.
Answer:
Students should listen to the audio and verify their answers about Peepal Baba - who planted trees, started a movement, was given the idea by his English teacher at age 11, born to an army officer's family in Chandigarh, and called Peepal Baba because he planted Peepal and Neem trees.
Let us speak
Q1. Speak about which bird you would like to be. Include the following points: Which bird are you? What do you look like? Where do you live? What do you do during the day? Do you have any message for humans?
Answer:
Sample answer: I am a parrot. I am green in colour. I am a small bird. I have a curved beak and colourful feathers. I live in a tree hollow or nest. It is in the forest or near human homes. During the day, I fly around, eat fruits and seeds, and talk with other parrots. I also mimic sounds I hear. I want to tell humans: Please protect our forests and plant more trees so we can have homes.
Q2. Daadi told Vikram and Vaibhavi about many spices. Choose one spice and introduce yourself as that spice to the class.
Answer:
Sample introduction: Hello everyone! I am Turmeric, also known as Haldi. I come from the root of a plant. I am bright yellow-orange in colour. My texture is rough on the outside. I taste bitter but add wonderful colour to food. I help in improving energy levels and digestion, and reduce body pain.
Q3. Before you speak, make a spicy headband for the spice you chose. Follow the steps given: Cut out strips of a paper 2 inches wide. Join two ends to make a band that can fit your head. Make a small card with a picture of a spice. Colour it. Attach the card on your headband.
Answer:
Students should follow the steps to create a paper headband. Cut paper strips 2 inches wide, join ends to fit head size, draw and colour a picture of the chosen spice on a small card, and attach the card to the headband. Wear the headband while speaking.
Let us write
QI. Read how the bird perceived its world. Now, discuss with your teacher and classmates how you think the world would look to a baby and a fish. Now write five sentences each for both.
Answer:
For a baby: 1. My world is warm and soft, like a blanket. 2. I see big faces smiling at me. 3. Everything is bright and colourful. 4. I hear gentle sounds and songs. 5. My world is safe with my mother's arms around me. For a fish: 1. My world is blue and wet all around. 2. I see plants waving in the water. 3. There are bubbles and light dancing above. 4. I swim through caves and coral. 5. My world is full of other fishes and shells.
QII. Vikram's grandmother shared two natural cures to cure his cough. Some words got washed away by rain. Complete the natural cures using phrases from the box: some leaves of basil, for cough, amount of honey, the mixture, for high fever, a piece of fresh ginger, you can have it, grind to get, home remedy.
Answer:
Natural Cure 1: First, take 'a piece of fresh ginger', grate it and take the juice. Warm 'the mixture' slightly. Then 'you can have it' about three to four times a day. Natural cures 'for cough' with ginger and honey might take some time. Natural Cure 2: To prepare the second 'home remedy' for cough, take about 10 grams of each— long pepper, dried ginger and basil leaves. Add four to six small cardamoms and 'grind to get' a fine powder. If you take this powder with an equal 'amount of honey', it will give you relief.
QIII. Now, write a short paragraph on Tulsi based on the completed fact sheet in 'Let us listen'.
Answer:
Tulsi, also known as Holy Basil, is called the queen of herbs. It was first found in India and is now found everywhere in India. It belongs to the Lamiaceae family. Tulsi can decrease levels of sugar and cholesterol in our body. It is used to treat disorders of breathing and digestion. Tulsi is used to make mouth wash and tea. We can have Tulsi leaves by eating them raw or adding them while making tea. Tulsi is truly a wonder herb with many healing properties.
Let us explore
QI. The bird's first home was made of a shell. Later its home was among leaves and made of straw. Look at your home carefully and make a list of all the materials it is made of. Why do you think our homes are not made of straw? If you had to own a home of your choice, what would it look like and what materials would you like to use? How is a home different from a house? Discuss with your classmates and teacher.
Answer:
Materials list: bricks, cement, wood, glass, iron rods, paint, tiles, etc. Our homes are not made of straw because straw is not strong enough to protect us from rain, wind, and cold; it can easily catch fire and does not last long. My dream home would be made of eco-friendly materials like bamboo and recycled bricks, with lots of windows for sunlight and a garden. A house is a building made of materials, while a home is a place where people live with love, care, and family feelings.
QII. Look at the different kinds of nests and homes the birds make. Have you seen any? Discuss these types of nests with your teacher and classmates. Look at the list of some workers who build houses: painter, electrician, plumber, carpenter, architect. Find out the work they do and write.
Answer:
Different bird nests: cup-shaped nests (sparrows), hanging nests (weaver birds), holes in trees (woodpeckers), platform nests (eagles), mud nests (swallows). Workers: 1. Painter - paints walls and surfaces, 2. Electrician - installs and repairs electrical wiring, 3. Plumber - installs and repairs water pipes and fixtures, 4. Carpenter - makes and repairs wooden furniture and structures, 5. Architect - designs buildings and houses, 6. Mason - lays bricks and stones, 7. Labourer - helps in carrying materials and other construction work.
QIII. Now that you have read about many spices, can you guess the spices based on the riddles? Riddle 1: When your tummy felt funny, I was used by your granny, I made you fit and fine, And brought back your smile. Who am I? Riddle 2: I come from under the ground, Thousands of years, I've been around. For cooking you use me daily, From cold I can cure you surely. Who am I?
Answer:
Riddle 1: Asafoetida (Heeng). Asafoetida is commonly used by grandmothers for stomach aches and gas problems. Riddle 2: Ginger (Adrak). Ginger grows underground as a root, has been used for thousands of years, is used daily in cooking, and helps cure cold and cough.
QIV. Fill in the blanks to complete the riddle: Brownish- _________ in colour, and _________ to taste, I help everyone, to _________ their weight. Who am I? Ans: Fenugreek (methi).
Answer:
Brownish-yellow in colour, and bitter to taste, I help everyone, to control their weight. Who am I? Ans: Fenugreek (methi)
QV. Write another riddle of your own and ask your family members to guess the spice.
Answer:
Sample riddle: I am small and round and green, In every kitchen I am seen. I make your breath fresh and sweet, And help your digestion complete. Who am I? Ans: Cardamom (Elaichi)
QVI. Close your eyes and learn about spices by smelling and feeling them. The teacher may also provide a few different spices to try.
Answer:
Students should participate in the sensory activity, identifying spices by smell and touch. For example: Turmeric has a earthy smell and powdery texture, Cinnamon has a sweet woody smell, Cloves have a strong pungent smell, Cumin seeds have a distinct earthy aroma.
Think and reflect
QI. Read the given lines and answer the following questions. 'When I was a child, I learnt them from my grandmother. She used to find cures for most of the weather-related common illnesses in the kitchen.' 1. Where exactly in the kitchen did her grandmother find the cures? 2. Give one example of weather-related common illnesses. 3. What kind of relationship did the speaker have with her grandmother?
Answer:
1. Her grandmother found the cures in the spices and herbs kept in the kitchen. 2. One example of weather-related common illness is cough and cold (or fever). 3. The speaker had a loving and close relationship with her grandmother, as she learned valuable knowledge from her and remembers her with affection.
QII. Fill in the blanks to complete the sentence. Daadi soaked methi seeds overnight and drank the water in the morning to manage _____________________ and _____________________.
Answer:
Daadi soaked methi seeds overnight and drank the water in the morning to manage 'sugar level' and 'body weight'.
QIII. Circle the spice that is not useful for body pain according to Daadi's letter. 1. Turmeric 2. Fennel seeds 3. Ginger 4. Black pepper
Answer:
Fennel seeds (option 2) are not mentioned as useful for body pain in Daadi's letter. Turmeric, Ginger, and Black pepper are mentioned as helpful for body pain.
QIV. Why did Daadi ask Vikram and Vaibhavi to share the natural cures with their friends?
Answer:
Daadi asked Vikram and Vaibhavi to share the natural cures with their friends so that they could also benefit from these simple and effective home remedies and help others when needed.
QV. What was Daadi's final advice to Vikram and Vaibhavi?
Answer:
Daadi's final advice was to go into the kitchen and try to identify these herbs and spices, and remember to consult an elder before using them.
QVI. How do we know that natural cures are passed from one generation to another?
Answer:
We know that natural cures are passed from one generation to another because Daadi mentions that she learned them from her grandmother when she was a child, showing the knowledge was passed down.
QVII. Why do you think we should know about the healing properties of spices?
Answer:
We should know about the healing properties of spices because they can help us treat common illnesses naturally without chemicals, they are easily available in our kitchen, and this knowledge helps us stay healthy and can be shared with others.
Let us do these activities before we read
QI. A spice is any seed, fruit, root, bark, leaf or any other part of a plant used to give taste and colour to our food. Try to recall the names of three spices that are used for cooking in your home. Write them below and share your answers with your teacher.
Answer:
Sample answer: 1. Turmeric (Haldi), 2. Cumin seeds (Jeera), 3. Red chilli powder (Lal Mirch)
QII. Given below are pictures of some spices. Work in pairs and write what you call them in your language. Their names in English are given in the last column. Spices: Turmeric, Fenugreek, Cumin seeds, Asafoetida, Cinnamon, Clove, Ginger, Black pepper, Fennel seeds, Cardamom.
Answer:
Students should work in pairs and write the names in their local language. For example: Turmeric = Haldi (Hindi), Fenugreek = Methi, Cumin seeds = Jeera, Asafoetida = Heeng, Cinnamon = Dalchini, Clove = Laung, Ginger = Adrak, Black pepper = Kali Mirch, Fennel seeds = Saunf, Cardamom = Elaichi.
QIII. Do you know if these spices can be used for something else other than cooking? Let us find out by reading the letter given below.
Answer:
Yes, the spices can be used for medicinal purposes. For example: Turmeric helps in digestion and body pain, Fenugreek controls sugar level and weight, Cumin improves digestion and helps cure sleeplessness, Asafoetida relieves gas and controls cough/cold, Cinnamon and Clove give relief from toothache, Ginger helps with cough/cold and pain, Black pepper helps in digestion and body pain, Fennel seeds help in digestion, Cardamom helps with digestion and respiratory troubles.