NCERT Class 6 Social Science Chapter 21 Understanding Diversity

NCERT Class 6 Social Science Chapter 21 Understanding Diversity Solutions to each chapter is provided in the list so that you can easily browse through different chapters NCERT Class 6 Social Science Chapter 21 Understanding Diversity and select need one. NCERT Class 6 Social Science Chapter 21 Understanding Diversity Question Answers Download PDF. NCERT SST Class 6 Solutions.

NCERT Class 6 Social Science Chapter 21 Understanding Diversity

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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 Social Science Solutions are part of All Subject Solutions. Here we have given NCERT Class 6 Social Science Chapter 21 Understanding Diversity, NCERT Class 6 Social Science Textbook of Our Pasts – I: History, The Earth – Our Habitat: Geography, Social and political Life: Civics. for All Chapters, You can practice these here.

Understanding Diversity

Chapter: 21

SOCIAL AND POLITICAL LIFE [CIVICS]

INTEXT QUESTIONS

Q. 1. Name the three ways in which Samir Ek and Samir Do were different? Did these differences prevent them from becoming friends?

Ans. The three ways in which Samir Ek and Samir Do were different are: 

(a) Samir Ek is more familiar with English, Samir Do speaks Hindi.

(b) Samir Ek is Hindu, Samir Do is Muslim.

(c) Samir Ek goes to school, Samir Do sells newspapers. 

No, these differences did not prevent them from becoming friends.

Q. 2. Make a list of the festivals that might have been celebrated by the two boys:

• Samir Ek.

• Samir Do.

Ans. A list of the festivals that might have been celebrated by the two boys are as such- 

• Samir Ek is a Hindu and he celebrates Holi, Diwali, Durgapuja, Ganesh Chaturthi etc.

• Samir Do is a Muslim and he celebrates Id-ul-Zuha, Id-ul-Fitr, Muharram etc.

Q. 3. List at least three different ways in which people in India do the following One of the possible answers has been provided for you already.

Q. 4. Look at the map of India in an Atlas and locate Kerala and Ladakh. Can you list three ways in which the different geographical location of these two regions would influence the following:

A. The food people eat.

B. The clothes they wear.

C. The work they do.

NCERT TEXTBOOK QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS

Q. 1. Draw up a list of the different festivals celebrated in your locality. Which of these celebrations are shared by members of different regional and religious communities?

Ans. List of the festivals celebrated in our localities are: 

Diwali, Holi, Dussehra, Raksha Bandhan, Id-ul-Zuha, Id-ul Fitr, Muharram, Guruparv, Lohri, Baishakhi, Good Friday, Christmas. 

All these celebrations are equally shared by the different regional and religious communities. They enjoy this festival with great energy.

All the people whether they are of whatever region communities they belong too. They celebrate these festivals with great enthusiasm. Even the national festivals too were celebrated. 

Q. 2. What do you think living in India with its rich heritage of diversity adds to your life? 

Ans. Living in India with its rich heritage of diversity adds to our life because. 

(1) The people of India belong to different castes, speak different languages.

(2) They cook different foods.

(3) They celebrate different festivals.

(4) They practice different religions.

But in reality, all the people do many things that are similar except that they do them in a different ways.

Q. 3. Do you think the term “Unity in Diversity” is an appropriate term to describe India? What do you think Nehru is trying to say about Indian unity in the sentence quoted above from his book ‘The Discovery of India’?

Ans. Yes, the term “Unity in Diversity” is an appropriate term to describe India, due to these reasons:

(a) People in India speak different languages, have various types of food, celebrate different festivals, practises different religions.

(b) Their languages, food, music, religion became a mix of the old and the new, and out of this intermixing of cultures, came something new and different. 

(c) Not only do people have different clothing and eating habits, but even the kinds of work they do are different.

In his book “The Discovery of India”, Jawaharlal Nehru said that–

(a) Indian unity is not something imposed from the outside.

(b) It was something deeper and within its fold.

(c) The widest tolerance of belief and custom was practiced and every variety acknowledged and even encouraged. 

(d) It was Nehru, who coined the phrase. “Unity in Diversity” to describe the country.

Q. 4. Underline the line in the poem sung after the Jallianwalla Bagh massacre which according to you, reflects India’s essential unity. 

Don’t forget the days of blood, O friend

In the midst of your happiness remember to shed tear for us. 

The hunter has torn away every single flower 

Do plant a flower in the desert garden dear friend

Having fallen to bullets we slept in Jallianwala Bagh 

Do light a lamp on this lonely grave O friend.

The blood of Hindus and Muslims flows together today

Do soak your roke in this river of blood dear friend 

Some rot in jails while others lie in their groves

Do shed a few tears for them O friend.

Ans. The line is: The blood of Hindus and Muslims flows together today.

Q. 5. Choose another region in India and do a similar study of the historical and geographical factors that influence the diversity found there. Are these historical and geographical factors connected to each other? How?

Ans. We choose Tamil Nadu region in India and do a similar study of the historical and geographical factors that influence the diversity found there. Tamil Nadu is on the South-Eastern coast of India. It is very fertile. It has rivers such as Cavery, Palar and Vaigai. Tamil Nadu is also a leading agricultural producers. It is also one of the industrialized states in India. Its historical and cultural traditions are among the oldest in the world. Carnatic Music, Bharatnatyam and Indian architecture reached great heights in the state. 

It has the population of Hindus, Christians, Muslims. Tamil, Urdu are the languages spoken there. Tamil cuisine is one of the oldest vegetarian culinary heritages in the world. Kanjeevaram silk sarees are a speciality of Tamil Nadu. Pongal is their main festival. Kanyakumari is famous for its distinct and beautiful sunrise. People eat fish, rice, etc.

SOME OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS FOR EXAMINATION

VERY SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS 

Q. 1. Why Samir did not gave his usual smile when Samir Ek met him second time?

Ans. Samir did not gave him usual smile when Samir Ek met him second time because in Meerut where his mother living is in trouble. It has communal riots due to which many people are being killed. All members of his family were staying in Meerut. Thus, he was worried and upset. 

Q. 2. Name the person who coined the phrase ‘Unity in Diversity.’

Ans. Jawaharlal Nehru coined the phrase ‘Unity in Diversity’. 

Q. 3. Why agriculture is not possible in Ladakh?

Ans. Agriculture is not possible in Ladakh because: 

(a) This region does not receive any rain.

(b) Large part of the area is covered with snow.

Q. 4. Who is Ibn Battuta and what did he wrote in his travelogue?

Ans. Ibn Battuta was an Arab traveller. In his travelogue he described the lives of Muslims and also mentioned that it is the most respectable community. 

Q. 5. What are the two main factors that affect diversity?

Ans. Two main factors that affect diversity are Geography and History. 

Q. 6. Who composed the National Anthem of India?

Ans. Rabindranath Tagore.

Q. 7. Which religions are being practiced in Ladakh? 

Ans. Buddhism and Islam.

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS 

Q. 1. Give two reasons to prove that Samir Ek and Samir Do are different.

Ans. Two reasons to prove that Samir Ek and Samir Do are different are as follows:

(a) Samir Ek educated.

Samir Do is illiterate.

(b) Samir Ek is Hindu. 

Samir Do is Muslim.

(c) Samir Ek speaks English. 

Samir Do speaks Hindi.

(d) Samir Ek goes to school. 

Samir Do does the job.

Q. 2. Ladakh is a desert but still it attracts the traders. How? Give reasons in support of your answer (Any two). 

Ans. Ladakh is a desert but still it attracts the traders because:

(a) It has good trade route through which many caravans travelled to Tibet. 

(b) These caravans carried textiles, spices, raw silk and carpets.

Q. 3. How did Kerala attract the foreign traders? Give two traders who visited Kerala.

Ans. Kerala is a land of many spices like pepper, cloves and cardamons. These spices attracted the attention of traders.

Two traders who visited Kerala are: Jewish and Arab traders were the first to come to Kerala. 

Q. 4. Give two reasons how India’s diversity has always been recognised as a source of its strength. 

Ans. India’s diversity has always been recognised as a source of strength because:

(a) The people of different communities like Hindu, Muslims, Sikh fought together during freedom struggle.

(b) During Jallianwala Bagh massacre men, women, Hindu, Sikhs, Muslims, rich and poor gathered to protest against the British.

Q. 5. Define Diversity.

Ans. Difference among people on the basis of religion, language, eating habits etc., is called diversity.

Q. 6. What is inequality?

Ans. Differences because of income level and because of social status come under inequality.

Q. 7. How Ladakh has rich oral tradition?

Ans. Ladakh has rich oral tradition like

(a) Songs and Poems.

(b) Local versions of the Tibetan national epic the Kesar Saga was sung by both Muslims and Buddhists. 

Q. 8. How can we spread unity among the people of different communities?

Ans. We can spread unity among the people of different communities by 

(a) Celebrating all the festivals:

(b) Sharing famous food of different communities. 

Q. 9. Name two foreigners who came to Kerala.

Ans. Two foreigners who came to Kerala are: 

(a) St. Thomas.

(b) Ibn Buttuta.

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

Q. 1. How can one prove that progress of the country depends on the unity?

Ans. One can prove that progress of the country depends on the unity because:

(a) People of different religions like Hindu, Muslim, Sikh together live in the country.

(b) People speak different languages and follow different cultures also live in India.

(c) People with different habits too live independently in this country.

(d) The festivals like Eid, Holi, Christmas etc., are also celebrated by the communities. 

Thus, all these prove that though people are different in culture, eating habits and languages but still they live together in India. 

Q. 2. How regional and cultural diversity plays an important role in India? Give examples.

Ans. Cultural and regional diversity plays an important role in India because diversity also comes when people adapt their lives to the geographical area in which they live. Examples are as such:

Kerala

(a) Kerala is a state in the South-West corner part of India. 

(b) It is famous for its spices like pepper, cloves and cardamom.

(c) Attracted Jewish and Arab traders. 

(d) People practice different religion like Judaism, Islams, Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhism.

(e) The fishing nets used here look like the Chinese fishing nets and are called Cheena-Vala.

(f) People eat rice, fish and vegetables.

Ladakh

(a) Ladakh is a desert in the mountains in the eastern side of Jammu and Kashmir. 

(b) People keep sheep for its special Pashmina wool.

(c) The people eat here meat and milk products like cheese and butter.

(d) They keep goats, cows and dzos (yak-cows). 

(e) They attract traders by the caravans which carried textiles and spices, raw silk and carpets.

(f) Buddhism and Islam are practiced in India.

(g) National epic the Kesar Saga are performed and sung by Buddhism and Muslims. 

Q. 3. How Unity in Diversity plays an important role in Jallianwala Bagh Massacre?

Ans. Unity in Diversity plays an important role in Jallianwala Bagh Massacre by: 

(a) Men, Women, Hindu, Muslims, Sikhs rich and poor had gathered to protest against the British.

(b) Songs and symbols that emerged during the freedom struggle serve as a constant reminder of our country’s rich tradition of respect for diversity. 

(c) The songs were composed in the honour of those people.

Thus, Jallianwala Bagh Massacre play the role as Unity in Diversity. 

Q. 4. How does caste system play the role of inequality?

Ans. Caste system plays the role of inequality due to certain reasons like:

(a) Society was divided into different groups depending upon the work that people did and were supposed to remain in those groups.

(b) It was considered as irreversible.

(c) People of lower castes were not suppose to change their profession.

(d) They were not allowed to learn more them what is needed in their profession. Thus, the inequality is created in the profession.

Q. 5. India is a diverse country. Do you agree with the statement? Give examples to support your answer.

Ans. Yes, India is a diverse country. We speak different languages, have various types of food, celebrate different festivals, practice different religious festivals.

Q. 6. What are the benefits of diversity? 

Ans. Diversity offers many benefits such as: 

(a) Diversity adds variety to the way we live.

(b) We learn to understand and respect different types of cultures. 

(c) We learn to think from different angles because of diversity.

(d) Had there been no diversity, it would have been a boring life for us.

Q. 7. How were the lives of people influenced by history of a place?

Ans. Often people in the past went in search of new lands or new places to settle in or for trade. And because it took so long to travel, once they got to a place, people stayed there, often for a long time. Sometimes, as they began to make their homes in new places, people began to change a little and other things they managed to do things in the old ways. So, their languages, food, music, religious became a mix of the old and the new and out of this intermingling of cultures, came something new and different. Thus, regions became very diverse of their unique histories.

Q. 8. How unity in diversity is created in the past?

Ans. In the past time, people travelled from one part of the world to another because of some reasons like: 

(a) New lands or new places to settle. 

(b) To trade with. 

(c) Famines and drought. 

(d) For opportunities.

Because of this their languages, food, music, religions intermingled with each other. 

Q. 9. How something new and different is created?

Ans. Sometimes, people began to make their homes in new places, people began to change a little and at other times they managed to do things in the old ways. So, their languages, food, music, religions became a mix of the old and the new, and out of this intermixing of cultures, came something new and different.

HIGH ORDER THINKING SKILLS

Q. 1. Why did Samir not allow to attend school along with the other students?

Ans. Samir was not allowed to attend school along with other students because of certain reasons like: 

(a) Samir was poor.

(b) He had to work to fulfil his needs.

(c) Inequality is created because a person does not have the resources and opportunities that are available to other persons. 

Thus, this was why Samir did not got an opportunity to work with other poor students.

Q. 2. How did caste system created inequality in India? 

Ans. The caste system created inequality in India because:

(a) In India different castes and community of people live together in the society. 

(b) The people were divided into different groups depending upon the work that people did and they have to remain in that group.

(c) They were not allowed to change their profession nor were allowed to learn beyond their profession.

(d) This caste system was considered irreversible.

(e) This created inequality in among the people. 

Thus, castes system determine the profession and hence inequality comes in between.

Q. 3. How do people prepare Pashmina shawls in Ladakh? 

Ans. People of Ladakh keep sheep in this region. It is special because they produce Pashmina wool. Since, the wool is too costly so the people get lot of money. Ladakh people carefully collect the wool of the sheep and sell it to Kashmiri traders.

Thus, in the end this shawls was chiefly woven in Kashmir.

VALUE BASED QUESTIONS

Q. 1. How did the traders try to strengthen the unity?

Ans. The traders tried to strengthen the unity because: 

(a) The Arab traders came and settled down in Kerala.

(b) Ibn Battuta, wrote a travelog in which he said that Muslims was a highly respectable community.

(c) The Portuguese discovered the sea route to India from Europe.

Q. 2. How did people in India try to mingle themselves with the other people?

Ans. People in India tried to mingle themselves with other people by:

(a) Celebrating festivals like Holi, Diwali, Dussehra, Durgapuja, Christmas, Eid-etc. 

(b) Though the people had different clothing and eating habits, but even the kinds of work they do different. But they wear common dress.

(c) They have different languages, food, music, religion, became a mixture of the old and the new and out of this intermixing of cultures, came something new and different. Thus, though they are different in each and every aspect they tried to mingle with each other. 

Q. 3. How did Ladakh’s people live in that area?

Ans. Ladakh is a desert in the mountains in the eastern part of Jammu and Kashmir. Very little agriculture is possible in this region because this region does not receive any rain and it is covered with snow most of the year. Very few trees grow in the region. People depend on the melting snow during the summer months for drinking.

Q. 4. How does the progress of the nation depend on unity?

Ans. The progress of the nation depends on the unity because: 

(a) In India different kind of the religions such as Judaism, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhism exist.

(b) There is no discrimination between rich or poor, men and women, Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims. 

(c) The people here speak different languages, they eat various types of food, celebrate different festivals, practice different religions.

(d) They share the opportunity and even depend on each other economically. Thus, despite various cultural differences they are united and keep uniting the country.

PICTURE BASED QUESTIONS

Look at the picture carefully and answer the questions that follow:

Q. 1. This picture is from which part of India?

Ans. This picture is from Ladakh i.e., the dry barren landscape of the mountainous desert of Ladakh. 

Q. 2. Give one reason why Ladakh is called as “Little Tibet”.

Ans. Ladakh is called as “Little Tibet” because Buddhism reached Tibet via Ladakh.

Fig. The dry barren landscape of the mountainous desert of Ladakh.

MAP BASED QUESTIONS

On a physical map of India mark the following:

(a) Kerala.

(b) Ladakh.

(c) Tibet.

Ans.

OBJECTIVE TYPE QUESTIONS

l. MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS:

Tick (✓) the correct option: 

(a) Christianity was introduced in Kerala by:

(i) St. Thomas.

(ii) St. Francis.

(iii) St. Dominic.

Ans. (i) St. Thomas. 

(b) Bihu is the regional festival of which state?

(i) Bengal.

(ii) Nagaland.

(iii) Assam.

Ans. (iii) Assam.

(c) Diversity means which among the following: 

(i) being same.

(ii) being different.

(iii) being indifferent.

Ans. (ii) being different. 

(d) Pashmina wool is produced by:

(i) Goat.

(ii) Sheep.

(iii) None of these.

Ans. (ii) Sheep.