NCERT Class 6 English Chapter 3 Nurturing Nature

NCERT Class 6 English Chapter 3 Nurturing Nature Solutions to each chapter is provided in the list so that you can easily browse through different chapters NCERT Class 6 English Chapter 3 Nurturing Nature Notes and select need one. NCERT Class 6 English Chapter 3 Nurturing Nature Question Answers Download PDF. NCERT Class 6 English Solutions.

NCERT Class 6 English Chapter 3 Nurturing Nature

Also, you can read the NCERT book online in these sections Solutions by Expert Teachers as per Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Book guidelines. CBSE Class 6 English Solutions are part of All Subject Solutions. Here we have given NCERT Class 6 English Chapter 3 Nurturing Nature Notes and Textbook for All Chapters, You can practice these here.

Nurturing Nature

Chapter: 3

Neem Baba

LET US DO THESE ACTIVITIES BEFORE WE READ

1. A tree is useful to us in many ways. Mention some of these uses. Write them in the picture given below.

Ans: Medicine: Some parts of trees are used in preparing medicines.

Provide Oxygen: Trees release oxygen, which we need to breathe.

Give Shade: Trees protect us from the heat of the sun.

Contribution: Trees control the atmospheric temperature and improve soil fertility. 

Absorb Carbon Dioxide: Trees help clean the air by taking in carbon dioxide.

2. Neem is a common tree in our country. Discuss in groups of four and fill Columns A and B with what you know about the neem tree and what you want to know.

Column A What do you know?	Column B What do you want to know?
(i)	(i)
(ii)	(ii)
(iii)	(iii)
(iv)	(iv)

Ans: 

Column A What do you know?	Column B What do you want to know?
(i) Indian tree	(i) Height
(ii) Bitter taste	(ii) How Large are their leaves
(iii) Fruits sweet	(iii) Why not use as vegetables
(iv) Medicine	(iv) More use in agriculture

LET US DISCUSS

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:
Period of birth:
Born at:
Found in:
Common names:
Names given by scientists:		2.
Names given by others:		2.

Ans: (i) Indian tree.

(ii) Leaves are used to protect clothes from termites. It lives for a long.

	LET US KNOW OUR NEEM
Common name:	Neem
Period of birth:	Millions of Years Ago
Born at:	North India Myanmar
Found in:	Asian, African Countries, and Parts of America
Common names:	Nimba, Nimbaca, Nimb, Nim, Leemba, Nimori, Nimo, Nimbe, Nimbamond
Names given by scientists:	1. ‘Bitter grace of God’ 2. ‘Nature’s gift to man, ‘Cleanliness Parting tree’	2. Scientists
Names given by others:	1. Magic tree 2. The tree of the twentieth century	2. Common People

LET US DISCUSS

1. How is neem useful to farmers?

Ans: Neem is useful to farmers as the seeds of the neem tree are powdered, mixed with water, and sprayed on crops to drive away termites, insects, and locusts. It also helps in controlling the breeding of mosquitoes.

2. Mention some of the uses of the neem tree.

Ans: Neem tree furniture is resistant to termites. Clothes and grains in storage are protected with neem leaves. The tree purifies the air, and people use its twigs to clean their teeth. All parts of the neem tree are used to make medicines. Neem leaves also help preserve stored grains.

LET US THINK AND REFLECT

1. You just read about the Neem tree. Write any two facts that surprised you the most. 

Ans: All parts of the tree are of medicinal value and furniture made of Neem wood cannot be attacked by termites.

2. Complete the following sentences.

(a) The old man asked Amber to call him Neem Baba because ___________.

Ans: He was very old.

(b) Neem seed powder protects crops from _____________. 

Ans: Termites, mosquitoes, insects and locusts.

(c) ____________ is a cost-effective method to stop mosquitoes from breeding in stagnant water. 

Ans: Powdered, neem seeds mixed with water spray is a cost-effective method to stop mosquitoes from breeding in stagnant water.

(d) One reason why doctors advise us to use neem leaves for someone suffering from measles is ______________.

Ans: To kill germs and stop it from breeding and give comfort to the patient.

3. Why can Neem Baba not remember the year when he was born?

Ans: Neem Baba does not remember his age as millions of years have passed since he was born.

4. Which parts of the neem tree are used to make medicines?

Ans: All parts of the neem tree are used for making medicine.

LET US LEARN

1. 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.

These words are known as compound words. There are three types of compound words, based on how the words are separated. • Open compound words: spaces between the words. • Closed compound words: no spaces between the words. • Hyphenated compound words: hyphens between the words.

You may add some more words:

Ans: Do yourself.

2. 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	Past	Answer	Sentence
1. Become	(a) Made	1. (d)	I want to become a teacher when I grow up.
2. Find	(b) Gave
3. Make	(c) Told
4. Discover	(d) Became
5. Tell	(e) Found
6. Give	(f) Discovered

Ans: 

Present	Past	Answer	Sentence
1. Become	(a) Made	1. (d)	I want to become a teacher when I grow up.
2. Find	(b) Gave	2. (e)	I can find my way home.
3. Make	(c) Told	3. (a)	Make a doll for me.
4. Discover	(d) Became	4. (f)	I can discover the way home.
5. Tell	(e) Found	5. (c)	Don’t tell lies.
6. Give	(f) Discovered	6. (b)	Give me my book.

3. Neem Baba speaks to Amber as if he is a person. This figure of speech is called personification. Let us look at some more examples.

(i) The leaves whispered in the wind.

(ii) The flowers danced merrily in the breeze.

Now, discuss it with your classmates and teacher.

Ans: Personification is a literary device where human characteristics are attributed to non-human entities. It helps create vivid imagery and emotional connections in writing. 

Let’s look at the examples provided:

The leaves whispered in the wind.

Here, the leaves are given the human action of whispering, which creates an image of gentle movement and a soft, rustling sound as the wind passes through them.

The flowers danced merrily in the breeze.

In this example, the flowers are described as dancing, which conveys the idea of them swaying joyfully with the gentle breeze, adding a sense of liveliness and cheerfulness to the scene.

Discussion:

Personification can make descriptions more engaging and relatable by giving life to inanimate objects or abstract concepts. It allows readers to visualize scenes more vividly and feel a stronger emotional connection to the elements of the story. When Neem Baba speaks to Amber as if he is a person, it not only makes the interaction more engaging but also imbues the neem tree with wisdom and personality, making the information shared more memorable and impactful. Personification is a powerful tool in storytelling and poetry, helping to create rich, imaginative experiences for readers.

LET US LISTEN

You will now listen to a boy speaking to his mother. As you listen, select the correct statements. (refer to page 101 for transcript)

(a) The mother was surprised to know that Peepal Baba had planted trees all over the country.

(b) The mother disliked the work being done by Peepal Baba. 

(c) The mother wanted to know more about Peepal Baba.

(d) The boy decided to take care of trees by listening to Peepal Baba’s Journey.

(e) The boy was worried about what his teacher had told him.

Ans: The following statements are the correct statements:

(a) The mother was surprised to know that Peepal Baba had planted trees all over the country.

(c) The mother wanted to know more about Peepal Baba.

(d) The boy decided to take care of trees by listening to Peepal Baba’s journey.

These statements reflect the positive and curious attitude of both the mother and the boy towards Peepal Baba’s work and their interest in learning more about it.

LET US SPEAK

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.

Ans: Do yourself.

2. Now, speak about the whole process of making the card in front of the Class.

Ans: Hello Everyone,

Today, I’m going to share with you the process of making a beautiful and informative card about a tree or plant leaf. I chose the neem tree for my example. Here’s how I did it:

Step 1: Collecting the Leaf:

First, I collected a dry leaf from the neem tree. It’s important to ensure the leaf is clean and dry before using it for our project.

Step 2: Drawing the Leaf:

Next, I took a blank card and drew the shape of the neem leaf on the front. I paid close attention to its details, like the serrated edges and the veins. After outlining, I colored it to make it look as realistic as possible.

Step 3: Writing the Information:

Inside the card, I wrote some important information about the neem tree. I included:

Name of the tree/plant: Neem One of its uses: Neem leaves have antibacterial properties and are used in traditional medicine to treat skin infections.

Step 4: Final Touches:

Finally, I reviewed the card to make sure everything was neat and legible. I added any additional details to enhance the presentation.

Conclusion:

This project not only helped me learn more about the neem tree but also gave me the chance to practice my drawing and writing skills. It’s a fun and educational activity that I recommend to all of you. Thank you for listening!

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.

Ans: It is a classroom activity, so do it in your class under your teacher’s guidance.

LET US WRITE

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. 

(i) Where it is (roadside/park, etc.)

(ii) How it looks (height, tree trunk, leaves, flowers, etc.)

(iii) Why you like it (shade, medicinal properties, shelter, beauty, etc.)

(iv) Give a title to your paragraph.

Ans: The Majestic Banyan Tree: In the bustling park near my home, there stands a majestic banyan tree. It is a colossal presence with its towering height and expansive canopy. The tree trunk is thick and gnarled, with roots that cascade down from the branches, creating a natural curtain. The leaves are broad and glossy, providing a dense cover that offers cool shade on hot days. During certain seasons, the tree blooms with small, red flowers that attract birds and insects, adding to its vibrant beauty.

I particularly like the banyan tree for its shade and the sense of tranquility it brings to the park. On many afternoons, I find solace sitting beneath its vast canopy, reading a book, or simply enjoying the peace. The tree also serves as a natural playground for children, who swing from its aerial roots and play hide-and-seek around its massive trunk. Its presence in the park is not just a source of beauty but also a testament to nature’s resilience and grandeur. The banyan tree is a symbol of shelter and comfort, offering a haven for both people and wildlife. Its timeless beauty and serene presence make it my favorite tree in the neighborhood.

LET US EXPLORE

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.

Name	Indian
Nimb
Nim
Leemba
Nimori
Nimbamond
Nimbe
Nimo

Ans: 

Name	Indian
Nimb	Hindi
Nim	Punjabi
Leemba	Marathi
Nimori	Gujarati
Nimbamond	Bengali
Nimbe	Kannada
Nimo	Tamil

What a Bird Thought

LET US DO THESE ACTIVITIES BEFORE WE READ

1. Look at the picture and discuss what you see in the picture with your teacher and classmates.

Think of a time when you worked hard. What did you do then?

(i) How did it help you?

(ii) How did it make you feel?

Also, discuss in groups.

Ans: I worked hard in my studies.

I got good results.

I was delighted.

2. Where are the places you see birds? What do you see the birds doing?

Ans: I see birds in gardens, parks trees and buildings. The birds are seen moving and flying from one place to another. They pick up food grains, and worms for themselves for food.

3. Do you want to fly like a bird? Why?

Ans: I want to fly like a bird to explore the world freely.

4. What does a baby bird think about its world?

Ans: At first, the baby bird thought its world was the blue shell. Then, after hatching, it believed the nest was its world. Finally, as it learned to fly, it discovered the vast, wide world beyond the nest.

5. Read the sentences and replace the  underlined words with their correct  meanings.

S.No.	Sentences	Meanings
(a)	The colour of the feather was not dark but pale.	at last
(b)	The butterfly moved lightly and quickly on to the flower.	light
(c)	Finally, I finished my bird painting after trying many times.	labour
(d)	The pretty flowers were the prize for the gardener’s hard work.	fluttered

Ans: (a) Pale – Light.

(b) Moved Lightly and Quickly – Fluttered.

(c) Finally – At Last.

(d) Hard Work – Labour.

LET US DISCUSS

1. Read the poem again. Identify the main idea of each stanza. There are two extra given.

(a) The bird steps out into the world. _____________.

(b) The bird lived happily in a small world ___________.

(c) The bird becomes blind due to leaves ____________.

(d) The bird flies away as an adult _______________.

(e) The bird is unhappy with the straw nest _____________.

(f) The bird lived in a cosy nest with its mother ______________.

Ans. (b) Stanza 1.

(f) Stanza 2.

(a) Stanza 3.

(d) Stanza 4.

2. Look at the pictures (a)–(d) and write the matching line from the poem for each.

Ans: Do yourself.

3. Answer the following with a word from the poem and check the answers with your partner.

(a) What was the shape of the bird’s first house?  _ O _ _ _

Ans: ROUND.

(b) What was the bird’s second nest made of? _ _ R _ _

Ans: STRAW.

(c) What did the bird see when it came out of its nest? L _ _ _ E _

Ans: LEAVES.

(d) What did the bird do at the end? _ _ _ W

Ans: FLEW.

4. Now, recite the poem aloud along with your teacher and classmates.

Ans: Do yourself.

LET US THINK AND REFLECT

1. Write whether the following sentences are True or False.

(a) The bird changed its house two times _________.

Ans: True.

(b) The neighbours tell the bird about the world __________.

Ans: False.

2. Read the following lines from the poem and answer the questions given below.

(a) I thought the world was made of straw, And nestled by my mother.

(i) Who lived in the nest along with the baby bird?

Ans: The bird’s mother lived in the nest with her 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.

Ans: (b) Its nest was made of straw.

(iii) Which word tells us that the baby bird was warm and Comfortable?

Ans: Nestled by the mother.

(b) 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?

Ans: The bird thought that the world was made of leaves because she saw leaves all around her.

(ii) What does the set of words ‘I said’ mean?

(a) Flew. 

(b) Shouted. 

(c) Spoke.  

(d) Cried.

Ans: (c) Spoke.

(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.

Ans: The bird felt that it had been very blind because it could not see the leaves from inside the nest.

3. Why did the baby bird think that its first world was small, round and blue?

Ans: The baby was in the shell which was small, round and blue.

4. Where did the bird go when it fluttered from its straw nest?

Ans: It flew into the world to discover things about the world herself.

5. What quality did the bird say it had, when it flew away?

Ans: The bird had grown up and had all the energy of an adult when it flew away.

6. Who do you think were the bird’s neighbours? Why do you think so? Discuss.

Ans: All the creatures around her were her neighbors. The bird had to live in their company forever so they were her neighbours.

LET US LEARN

1. Let us write some rhyming words. One has been done for you.

Words from the poem
Stanza 1	Stanza 2	Stanza 3	Stanza 4
well
shell
New rhyming words
fell

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.

Ans: 

Words from the poem
Stanza 1	Stanza 2	Stanza 3	Stanza 4
well	Other	Find	Labors
shell	Mother	Blind	Neighbors
New rhyming words
fell	Father	Mind	Tailor

I fly high and I fly low,

But one thing I surely know,

Whenever I wish to rest,

My little nest is the best.

2. The poet uses words like ‘pale’, ‘blue’, ‘round’, ‘straw’ and ‘little’ to describe the bird’s nest.

pointed, green, thin, brown small, wooden, hanging, round

Read a few more describing words.

Now, use the describing words given in the box to create six sentences based on the given picture.

(a) …………………………………… .

(b) …………………………………… .

(c) …………………………………… .

(d) …………………………………… .

(e) …………………………………… .

(f) …………………………………… .

Ans: Six sentences to describe the picture:

(a) A bird built a small nest on a tree.

(b) The tree is full of green leaves.

(c) It is a hanging nest.

(d) The entrance to the nest has a round hollow shape.

(e) The bird sitting near the entrance with her pointed beak.

(f) The roof of the nest is made of wood and is brown.

LET US LISTEN

You will listen to a short poem. As you listen, fill in the missing words. You can listen to the poem more than once. (refer to page 102 for transcript)

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!

Ans: 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 stories, oh, what a sight!

LET US SPEAK

Speak with your classmates about which bird you would like to be. Include the following points.

(i) Which bird are you? [I am ……….…….]

Ans: A peacock.

(ii) What do you look like? [I am ……….……. in colour. I am a big/small bird. I have ……….…….].

Ans: A combination of beauty, a slender body.

(iii) Where do you live? [I live in ……….……. It is (where) ……….…….]

Ans: I live in beautiful green surroundings. It is (where) what I enjoy most.

(iv) What do you do during the day? [I ……….……. I also ……….…….]

Ans: I play with my mate. I also dance in the cloudy weather.

(v) Do you have any message for humans? [I want to tell the humans ……….…….]

Ans: I want to tell the humans should take care of me and not demolish our homes.

LET US WRITE

1. Read how the bird perceived its world.

My world was small, round and light blue at first. After that my world was warm and comfortable. It was made of straw. In this world I could only see leaves whenever I stepped out. In the end, my world became big. It had the sky and the earth as a part of it.

Ans: When the bird was a baby, she thought her nest was the world, where she was secure with her mother. Later when she grew the thought about the world changed to green leaves. She flew as an adult and found the world very, very big.

2. Now, discuss with your teacher and classmates how you think the world would look to the following.

(a) A baby.

(b) Fish.

Ans: (a) Baby (Written in first person).

I am surrounded by relatives, who love and care for me. Everybody gives me gifts, I love them. My mother feeds me on time. She kisses me and changes my clothes. I am the source of entertainment for all in my family.

(b) Fish.

I live in the water and feed on water weeds and worms. I have my family and friends with whom I enjoy a lot. We move in groups from one place to another, but I need to be careful, not to get trapped in the fisherman’s net. I have to be also careful of the larger fishes that can feed on me. I love my home and my family.

3. Now, write five sentences each, for both (a) and (b), in your notebooks. You can take help from the example given in 1.

Ans: (a) A Baby.

My world is small, cozy, and filled with soft blankets and toys.

I see the faces of my parents and they make me feel safe and loved. My world is made up of warm bottles of milk and gentle lullabies.

As I grow, my world expands to include colorful picture books and playful sounds. Eventually, my world will include new places like the park and the neighborhood, where I can explore and learn.

(b) A Fish.

My world is a small, round tank filled with clear water and decorative pebbles. I see the shimmering light that filters through the water, creating beautiful patterns. My world is made of plants and tiny hiding places where I can rest. Whenever I swim to the surface, I see the faces of humans who feed me. In the end, my world includes the larger aquarium, where I can swim freely and explore new areas.

LET US EXPLORE

1. The bird’s first home was made of a shell. Later its home was among leaves and made of straw.

(i) Look at your home carefully and make a list of all the materials it is made of.

Ans: My home is made of brick, cement, and iron.

(ii) Why do you think our homes are not made of straw?

Ans: Our homes cannot be made of straw because they will get wet with the rain. It will be a weak house and will not be able to support our weight. We will not be able to cook our food as straws will catch fire easily.

(iii) If you had to own a home of your choice, what would it look like and what materials would you like to use? 

Ans: People use cement, bricks, wood, iron, etc. to build their homes.

(iv) How is a home different from a house? Discuss with your classmates and teacher.

Ans: A home is a place where you live comfortably with your family. A house is made of bricks or stones or mud. It is only a shelter.

(v) Look at the list of some workers who build houses. Find out the work they do and write, as shown in the example. You can think of other workers and add them too.

Workers	Their work
Example: mason	Lays bricks and stones
1. painter
2. electrician
3. plumber
4. carpenter
5. architect
6.
7.

Ans: 

Workers	Their work
Example: mason	Lays bricks and stones
1. painter	Paints Walls
2. electrician	Electrical Connections
3. plumber	Fixes Taps and Waterpipes
4. carpenter	Makes Furniture
5. architect	Makes Plans of House
6. Potter	Make Pots
7. Cook	Cooks Food

2. Look at the different kinds of nests and homes the birds make. Have you seen any? Discuss these type of nests with your teacher and classmates.

Ans: Do yourself.

Spices That Heal Us

LET US DO THESE ACTIVITIES BEFORE WE READ

1. 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. 

(a) _______________.

Ans: Corriander.

(b) _______________.

Ans: Cardamom.

(c) _______________.

Ans: Turmeric.

2. 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. Share your answers with your teacher.

Ans: Do yourself.

LET US THINK AND REFLECT

1. 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.’

(a) Where exactly in the kitchen did her grandmother find the cures?

Ans: Grandmother found the cures in her kitchen among the spices she used in her cooking.

(b) Give one example of weather-related common illnesses.

Ans: Cough and cold.

(c) What kind of relationship did the speaker have with her grandmother?

Ans: Grandmother was affectionate towards her grandchildren.

2. Fill in the blanks to complete the sentence.

Daadi soaked methi seeds overnight and drank the water in the morning to manage ___________ and ___________.

Ans: Daadi soaked methi seeds overnight and drank water in the morning to manage levels and body weight.

3. Circle the spice that is not useful for body pain according to Daadi’s letter.

(a) Turmeric.

(b) Ginger.

(c) Fennel seeds.

(d) Black pepper.

Ans: (c) Fennel seeds.

4. Why did Daadi ask Vikram and Vaibhavi to share the natural cures with their friends?

Ans: Daadi wanted Vikram and Vaibhavi to share the natural cures with their friends so that they could get the benefit out of it.

5. What was Daadi’s final advice to Vikram and Vaibhavi?

Ans: Daadi’s final advice to Vikram and Vaibhavi was to go into the kitchen and search for the herbs and seeds mentioned and use them under the supervision of an elderly person.

6. How do we know that natural cures are passed from one generation to another?

Ans: Daadi was the oldest member of the family. She was not a doctor, therefore she must have learned their uses from her parents and grandparents and must have successfully used them in her lifetime. Now she was sharing with her grandchildren.

7. Why do you think we should know about the healing properties of spices?

Ans: We should know about the healing properties of spices because they are easily available in our kitchen. They have no side effects and can give relief easily.

LET US LEARN

1. You have read the uses of spices in the letter. Complete the following table with the help of your teacher. You may use the words from the box given below.

Ans: Do yourself.

2. Read the sentences given below.

• You may share them with your friends.

• You should try to remember these cures.

• It can help to control cough and cold.

• You must consult an elder before you use them.

• I need to soak the methi seeds overnight.

• I used to put heeng water on your tummy.

(a) The words given in Column A are helping verbs. Match the  helping verbs in Column A with their functions in Column B.

Column A Helping verbs	Column B Functions
1. May	(a) Past habit
2. Should	(b) Suggestion
3. Can	(c) Compulsion
4. Must	(d) Advice
5. Need to	(e) Ability
6. Used to	(f) Necessity

Ans:

Column A Helping verbs	Column B Functions
1. May	(a) Past habit
2. Should	(b) Suggestion
3. Can	(c) Compulsion
4. Must	(d) Advice
5. Need to	(e) Ability
6. Used to	(f) Necessity

(b) Complete the following dialogues with any four modals from the table given above. (Use a modal only once.)

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.

Ans: Ajay: Anand had fever last week. He (i) should take good rest.

Suman: Yes, he (ii) must or he will fall ill again.

Ajay: He (iii) can take grandmother’s natural cures.

Suman: Yes, we (iv) ought to remember how effective they are.

LET US LISTEN

You will listen to the benefits of Tulsi (Holy Basil), a common herb. As you listen, complete the factsheet given below. (refer to page 102 for transcript)

THE WONDER HERB
Name	Tulsi	Family: (i) _____________
First found in	(ii) _____________
Now found	everywhere in India
Known as	The (iii) _____________ of herbs
Can decrease levels of	(iv) _____________ and cholesterol
Used to treat disorders of	breathing and (v) _____________
Is used to make	mouth wash and (vi) _____________
We can have Tulsi leaves by	eating them (vii) _____________ or adding them while making (viii) _____________

Ans: Name: Tulsi.

Family: (i) Basil family.

First found in: (ii) North Central India.

Now found: Everywhere in India.

Known as: The (iii) Queen of Herbs.

Can decrease levels of: (iv) Glucose and cholesterol.

Used to treat disorders of: Breathing and (v) Digestion.

Is used to make: Mouthwash and (vi) Toothpaste.

We can have Tulsi leaves by: Eating them (vii) Raw or adding them while making (viii) Tea.

LET US SPEAK

1. Daadi told Vikram and Vaibhavi about many spices. Choose one spice and introduce yourself as that spice to the class. 

Ans: Hello Everyone, I am Turmeric, known as Haldi in Hindi. I come from the root of the Curcuma longa plant, and I’m bright yellow. People love me for my bitter and earthy taste. I’m not just used for cooking; I’m a wonder spice with numerous health benefits! I can help improve energy levels and digestion, and I am great for reducing body pain. Many people use me as a natural remedy for various ailments. You might find me in curries, teas, and even beauty products. I am proud to be a part of your kitchen and your wellness routine!

Thank you!

2. Before you speak, make a spicy headband for the spice you chose. Follow the steps given below.

Use the headband while introducing yourself as the spice.

Ans: Steps to Make a Spicy Headband.

Cut out strips of paper: Take a sheet of paper and cut out strips that are 2 inches wide. You’ll need enough length to fit around your head. Join the ends: Take the two ends of the paper strip and join them together to form a band that fits your head. You can use glue, tape, or staples to secure the ends. Make a small card: Create a small card with a picture of turmeric. You can draw and color it, or print a picture of turmeric if you prefer. Attach the card to your headband: Attach the card with the picture of turmeric to the front of your headband. You can use glue, tape, or staples to secure it.

Example Introduction

While wearing your headband:

Hello everyone

I am Turmeric, known as Haldi in Hindi. I come from the root of the Curcuma longa plant, and I’m bright yellow. People love me for my bitter and earthy taste. I’m not just used for cooking; I’m a wonder spice with numerous health benefits! I can help improve energy levels and digestion, and I am great for reducing body pain. Many people use me as a natural remedy for various ailments. You might find me in curries, teas, and even beauty products.I am proud to be a part of your kitchen and your wellness routine!

3. Mention the following while speaking. 

Your Name	Part of the Plant
Colour	Texture
Taste	Benefits

Ans: Hello Everyone

I am Turmeric, known as Haldi.

Part of the plant: I come from the root of the Curcuma longa plant.

Colour: I am bright yellow.

Texture: My texture is rough.

Taste: I have a bitter and earthy taste.

I am not just used for cooking; I am a wonder spice with numerous health benefits! I can help improve energy levels and digestion, and I am great for reducing body pain. Many people use me as a natural remedy for various ailments. You might find me in curries, teas, and even beauty products.

I am proud to be a part of your kitchen and your wellness routine!

Thank you!

LET US WRITE

1. Vikram’s grandmother shared two natural cures to cure his cough in her earlier letter. It was kept outside and a few drops of rain fell on it. Some of the words got washed away by the rain. Help Vikram complete the natural cures. Use the phrases given in the box below. There are two phrases that you do not need.

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

Natural Cures for Cough

(a) To prepare this home remedy, you just need ginger and honey. First, take ____________, grate it and take the juice from it. Take about two teaspoons of this juice and add about two and half teaspoons of honey to it. Mix it properly. Warm ____________ slightly on very low heat for a minute. Then ____________ about three to four times a day to get relief from cough. Have patience to see the effect as natural cures ____________ with ginger and honey might take some time to show results.

Ans: To prepare this home remedy, you just need ginger and honey. First, take some leaves of basil, grate it, and take the juice from it. Take about two teaspoons of this juice and add about two and a half teaspoons of honey to it. Mix it properly. Warm the mixture slightly on very low heat for a minute. Then you can have it about three to four times a day to get relief from the cough. Have patience to see the effect as natural cures for cough with ginger and honey might take some time to show results.

(b) To prepare the second _____________ for cough, take about 10 grams of each long pepper, dried ginger and basil leaves. Add four to six small cardamoms and _______________ a fine powder. If you take this powder with an equal ____________, it will give you relief from cough.

Ans: 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 them to get a fine powder. If you take this powder with an equal amount of honey, it will give you relief from cough.

2. Now, write a short paragraph on Tulsi based on the completed factsheet in ‘Let us listen’.

Ans: Tulsi the queen of herbs is of great medicinal value. It helps to cure cough, cold, and fever at home.

LET US EXPLORE

1. Now that you have read about many spices, can you guess the spices based on the riddles given below?

(a) 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? ________________

(b) 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? _________________

Ans: (a) Heeng.

(b) Ginger.

2. Fill in the blanks to complete the riddle below. Write another riddle of your own and ask your family members to guess the spice.

(a) Brownish- ____________ in colour, and ___________ to taste, I help everyone, to __________ their weight. Who am I?Ans: Fenugreek (methi)

(b) ____________________ ______________________ ______________________

Ans: 

(a) Brownish- _________ in colour, and bitter to taste, I help everyone, to loose weight. Who am I? Ans: Fenugreek (methi).

(b) I am yellow and brown, I am hard, useful in curing aches and pains used as an antiseptic. Who am I? Ans: Turmeric.

3. Close your eyes and learn about spices by smelling and feeling them. The teacher may also provide a few different spices to try.

Ans: Turmeric (Haldi):Smell: Close your eyes and take a deep breath. You’ll notice a warm, earthy, and slightly pungent aroma.

Feel: Turmeric is a fine powder with a slightly rough texture.

Fenugreek (Methi):Smell: Fenugreek seeds have a strong, slightly sweet, and nutty smell.

Feel: The seeds are small, hard, and have a slightly rough texture.

Cinnamon (Dalchini):Smell: Cinnamon has a sweet, woody, and spicy aroma that is very distinct.

Fee: It comes in sticks which are hard and have a rough texture.

Clove (Laung): Smell: Clove has a strong, sweet, and spicy aroma.

Feel: Cloves are small, hard, and slightly rough to the touch.

Black Pepper (Kali Mirch):Smell: Black pepper has a sharp, pungent, and slightly woody aroma.

Feel: The peppercorns are small, hard, and round with a rough texture.

Cardamom (Elaichi):Smell: Cardamom has a sweet, floral, and slightly spicy aroma.

Feel: The pods are smooth and firm, and have a slight give when pressed.