Our Pasts – I

Chapter 1
1.Match the following

Narmada Valley The first big kingdom

Magadha Hunting and gathering

Garo Hills Cities about 2500 years ago

Indus and its tributaries Early agriculture

Ganga valley The first cities

2.List one major difference between manuscripts and inscriptions.

Solution 2:

Manuscripts – They were written by hand, these were usually Inscriptions – These are writings
written on palm leaves or on the specially prepared bark of a tree engraved on relatively hard surfaces
known as The Birch, which grows in the Himalayas. such as stone or metal.
3. Return to Rasheeda’s question. Can you think of some answers to it?

Solution 3:

One can think of 4 different ways

1. Inscriptions
2. Manuscripts
3. Tools and weapons
4. Reading the books written in the past.

4. Make a list of all objects that archaeologists may find. Which of these could be made of
stone?

Solution 4:

The findings of Archaeologists could be of 9 different types.

1. Buildings made of stone and brick

2. Paintings

3. Sculpture

4. Tools

5. Weapons

6. Pots

7. Pans

8. Ornaments
9. Coins

The objects that could be made up of stones are given below

1. Buildings

2. Tools

3. Weapons

4. Ornaments

5. Why do you think ordinary men and women did not generally keep records of what they did?

Solution 5:

Unlike the present day, record keeping was not easy in the past. Records were usually maintained
by Kings to describe their victories in battles. Those records were maintained by inscribing on
stones, which were not an easy task that could be carried out by ordinary men and women.

6. Describe at least 2 ways in which you think the lives of kings would have been different from
those of farmers.

Solution 6:

1. Kings had absolute power over all his subjects, irrespective of their profession, farmers had no
such powers.

2. Kings lived in palaces. Farmers had no such opportunities.

3. The King was responsible for protecting his kingdom by waging battles, whereas the farmers’
responsibilities were to grow crops.

Our Pasts – I
Chapter 2

Let’s Recall

1. Complete the sentences

(a) Hunter-gatherers chose to live in caves and rock shelters because – they found

protection from rains, winds and sunlight.

(b) Grasslands developed around —-12,000 years— ago

 

2. Why do people who grow crops have to stay in the same place for a long time?

Solution 2:

When they plant a seed, it takes some time to grow. Depending on the type of seeds used, the
time taken would vary from days, weeks, months and years. It means they had to stay in the
same place to take care of the plants by watering, weeding, driving away animals and birds – till
the grain ripened. Once ripened, they had to think of ways to store it. Hence, they had to stay in
the same place for a long time.

3. Why do archaeologists think that many people who lived in Mehrgarh were hunters to start
with and that herding became more important later?

Solution 3:

Archaeologists found the bones of many animals such as deer in the earlier levels. Hence, they
could conclude that they were hunters to start with. Herding became important because they
found bones of sheep and goat in the later levels.

4. Why did the hunter-gatherers travel from place to place? In what ways are these similar
to/different from the reasons for which we travel today?

Solution 4:

There are 4 reasons

1. They would have eaten up all the plant and animal resources.
2. Animals move from place to place, hence they had to follow their movements
3. Plants and trees bear fruits in different seasons. So, people may have moved from
season to season, in search of different kinds of plants.
4. They need water to survive and many rivers and lakes were seasonal. So, they had to go
in search of water during dry seasons.

5. List three ways in which hunter-gatherers used fire (see page 15). Would you use fire for any
of these purposes today?

Solution 5:

It was primarily used for 3 purposes.

1. Clearing forest area

2. Cooking
3. For protection from wild animals

Nowadays, we use fire for:

1. To keep ourselves warm

2. Cooking

6. List 3 ways in which the lives of farmers and herders would have been different from that of
hunter-gatherers.

Solution 6:
 1. Farmers and herders would stay in one location; whereas hunter-gatherers would have to
move from place to place, following the movement of animals.
2. Farmers and herders would stay in huts or houses, whereas hunter-gatherers would stay
in caves.
3. For farmers and herders, the food source would be crops and domesticated animals like
sheep, goat; whereas hunters would rely on wild animals as a source of food.

Our Pasts – I
Chapter 3

1. How do archaeologists know that cloth was used in the Harappan civilization?

Solution 1:
Actual pieces of cloth were found attached to the lid of a silver vase and some copper objects at
Mohenjodaro. Archaeologists have also found spindle whorls, made of terracotta and faience.
These were used to spin thread.

2. Match the columns

Copper Gujarat

Gold Afghanistan

Tin Rajasthan

Precious Stones Karnataka

Solution 2:

Copper Rajasthan

Gold Karnataka

Tin Afghanistan

Precious Stones Gujarat, Afghanistan

3. Why were metals, writing, the wheel and the plough important for the Harappans?

Solution 3:

Metals – used for making tools, ornaments, vessels, weapons

Writing – for communication purposes

Wheel – for pottery and for making carts used for travelling

Plough – used for farming purposes

Let’s Discuss

4. Make a list of all the terracotta toys shown in the lesson. Which do you think children would
have enjoyed playing the most?

Solution 4:

1. Toy Plough
2. Toy Cart
3. Many Terracota toys in the shape of different animals

5. Make a list of what the Harappans ate and put a tick mark against the things you eat today.

Solution 5:

We can find a list of 9 different items.

1. Peas
2. Barley
3. Rice
4. Wheat
 5. Fruits
6. Mustard
7. Linseed
8. Sesame
9. Pulses

6. Do you think that the life of farmers and herders who supplied food to the Harappan cities
was different from that of the farmers and herders you read about in Chapter 2? Give reasons
for your answer.

Solution 6:

Irrigation – Earlier farmers and herders did not have access to irrigation facilities, unlike their
later counterparts.

Storage – Earlier farmers used clay pots and baskets for storage purpose, whereas later stage
farmers had well-built granaries.

Tols – Earlier farmers did not have wooden tools like ploughs that could be used for tilling the
land.

CHAPTER-1
GEOGRAPHY
THE EARTH IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM
1. Answer the following questions briefly

(a) How does a planet differ from a star?

(b) What is meant by the ‘Solar System’?

(c) Name all the planets according to their distance from the sun.

(d) Why is the Earth called a unique planet?

(e) Why do we see only one side of the moon always?

(f) What is the Universe?

Answer.

(a) The difference between a planet and a star is given below:

Planet Star

Some celestial bodies do not have their own heat Some celestial bodies are very big and hot. They are
and light. They are lit by the heat and light of the made up of gases and they have their own heat and
stars. These bodies are called planets. light. These celestial bodies are called stars.

Example – Earth, Mercury, etc. Example – Sun

b)The sun, the eight planets, satellites and some other celestial bodies known as meteoroids and
asteroids form the solar system.

c) The planets arranged as per their distance from the sun are – Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars,
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.

d)The earth is a unique planet of the solar system because:

i. Conditions favourable to support life are probably found only on the earth.
ii. The earth is neither too hot nor too cold. It has water and air, which are very essential for
our survival.

e)We always see only one side of the moon, because the moon moves around the earth in about
27 days and it takes exactly the same time to complete one spin.

f)Millions of galaxies together form the Universe. A galaxy is a huge system of billions of stars
and clouds of dust and gases.

2. Tick the correct answer.

(a) The planet known as the “Earth’s Twin” is

(i) Jupiter (ii) Saturn (iii) Venus

(b) Which is the third nearest planet to the sun ?

(i) Venus (ii) Earth (iii) Mercury

(c) All the planets move around the sun in a

(i) Circular path (ii) Rectangular path (iii) Elongated path

(d) The Pole Star indicates the direction to the

(i) South (ii) North (iii) East

(e) Asteroids are found between the orbits of

(i) Saturn and Jupiter (ii) Mars and Jupiter (iii) The Earth and Mars

Answer.

a. (iii) Venus
b. (ii) Earth
c. (iii) Elongated path
d. (ii) North
e. (ii) Mars and Jupiter

3. Fill in the blanks.

(a) A group of ________ forming various patterns is called a ________.

(b) A huge system of stars is called________.

(c) ________is the closest celestial body to our earth.

(d) ________is the third nearest planet to the sun.

(e) Planets do not have their own________ and ___________________.

Answer.

(a) A group of stars forming various patterns is called a constellation.

(b) A huge system of stars is called a galaxy.

(c) Moon is the closest celestial body to our earth.

(d) Earth is the third nearest planet to the sun.

(e) Planets do not have their own heat and light.

 Chapter 2
Globe: Latitudes and Longitudes

1. Answer the following questions briefly.

(a) What is the true shape of the earth?

(b) What is a globe?

(c) What is the latitudinal value of the Tropic of Cancer?

(d) What are the three heat zones of the Earth?

(e) What are the parallels of latitude and meridians of longitude?

(f) Why does the torrid zone receive a maximum amount of heat?

(g) Why is it 5.30 p.m. in India and 12.00 noon in London?

Answer 1.

(a) The earth is not a perfect sphere. It is slightly flattened at the North and the South Poles and
bulges in the middle.

(b) Globe is a miniature form of the Earth.

(c) The latitudinal value of the Tropic of Cancer is 23½° N.

(d) The three heat zones of the Earth are:

1. Torrid Zone
2. Temperate Zone
3. Frigid Zone

(e) All parallel circles from the equator up to the poles are called parallels of latitudes. The lines
of reference running from the North Pole to the South Pole are called meridians of longitude.

(f) The torrid zone receives the maximum amount of heat, because it is present between the
Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. The sun is exactly over the head once a year, on all
the latitudes between these two tropics.

(g) India is located east of Greenwich at 82°30’E. It is 5 hours and 30 minutes ahead of GMT. So,
it will be 5:30 p.m. in India, when it is 12:00 noon in London.

2. Tick the correct answers.

(a) The value of the prime meridian is

(i) 90° (ii) 0° (iii) 60°

(b) The frigid zone lies near

(i) the Poles (ii) the Equator (iii) the Tropic of Cancer

(c) The total number of longitudes are

(i) 360 (ii) 180 (iii) 90

(d) The Antarctic Circle is located in

(i) the Northern hemisphere

(ii) the Southern hemisphere

(iii) the Eastern hemisphere

(e) Grid is a network of

(i) parallels of latitudes and meridians of longitude

(ii) the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn

(iii) the North Pole and the South Pole

Answer 2.

a. (ii) 0°
b. (i) the Poles
c. (ii) 360
d. (ii) the Southern hemisphere
e. (i) parallels of latitudes and meridians of longitude

3. Fill in the blanks.

(a) The Tropic of Capricorn is located at _________________.

(b) The Standard Meridian of India is ____________________.

(c) The 0° Meridian is also known as ____________________.

(d) The distance between the longitudes decreases towards___________.

(e) The Arctic Circle is located in the ____________ hemisphere.

Answer 3.

(a) The Tropic of Capricorn is located at 23½° S.

(b) The Standard Meridian of India is 82½° E Longitude.

(c) The 0° Meridian is also known as Prime Meridian.

(d) The distance between the longitudes decreases towards the poles.

(e) The Arctic Circle is located in the northern hemisphere.

 Chapter 3
Motions of the Earth

1. Answer the following questions briefly.

(a) What is the angle of inclination of the earth’s axis with its orbital plane?

(b) Define rotation and revolution.

(c) What is a leap year?

(d) Differentiate between the Summer and Winter Solstice.

(e) What is an equinox?

(f) Why does the Southern Hemisphere experience Winter and Summer Solstice at different
times than that of the Northern Hemisphere?

(g) Why do the poles experience about six months day and six months night?

Answer 1.

(a) The angle of inclination of the earth’s axis with its orbital plane is 66½°.

(b) The movement of the earth on its axis is called rotation. The movement of the earth around
the sun in a fixed path or an orbit is called Revolution.

(c) Every fourth year, February has 29 days instead of 28 days. Such a year with 366 days is
called a leap year.

(d) Summer Solstice– When the Southern hemisphere experiences the winter season and it is
summer in the northern hemisphere. At that point in time, the position of the earth on 21st June
is called the Summer Solstice.

Winter Solstice– When the Southern hemisphere experiences the summer season and the
reverse occurs at the Northern hemisphere. At that point in time, the position of the earth on
22nd December is called the Winter Solstice.

(e) On 21st March and September 23rd, direct rays of the sun fall on the equator. At this position,
neither of the poles is tilted towards the sun. Therefore, the whole earth experiences equal days
and equal nights. This is called an equinox.

(f) The Earth is always revolving and it is divided into two hemispheres. The part of the earth
which faces the sun experiences summer and the part away from the sun experiences winter.
Therefore, Southern Hemisphere experience Winter and Summer Solstice at different times than
that of the Northern Hemisphere.

(g) The Poles experience 6 months of day and six months of nights due to the inclination of the
earth on its own axis. This inclination keeps one pole towards the sun and another pole away
from the sun for 6 months each. This is the reason behind this condition.
2. Tick the correct answers.

(a) The movement of the earth around the sun is known as

(i) Rotation (ii) Revolution (iii) Inclination

(b) Direct rays of the sun fall on the equator on

(i) 21 March (ii) 21 June (iii) 22 December

(c) Christmas is celebrated in summer in

(i) Japan (ii) India (iii) Australia

(d) Cycle of the seasons is caused due to

(i) Rotation (ii) Revolution (iii) Gravitation

Answer 2.

a. (ii) Revolution
b. (i) 21 March
c. (iii) Australia
d. (ii) Revolution

3. Fill in the blanks.

(a) A leap year has _______________ number of days.

(b) The daily motion of the earth is _______________.

(c) The earth travels around the sun in ______________ orbit.

(d) The sun’s rays fall vertically on the Tropic of ___________ on 21st June.

(e) Days are shorter during ___________ season.

Answer 3.

(a) A leap year has 366 number of days.

(b) The daily motion of the earth is rotation.

(c) The earth travels around the sun in an elliptical orbit.

(d) The sun’s rays fall vertically on the Tropic of Cancer on 21st June.

(e) Days are shorter during winter season.

 Civics
Chapter 1
“Understanding Diversity”

Questions Page No 12

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?

Solution 1:

Some of the festivals celebrated are Onam, Diwali, Holi, Krishna Janmasthami and Christmas.
People across religious lines celebrate festivals like Onam, Holi, Christmas.

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

Solution 2:

We learn different languages from our friends. We enrich our lives by getting to know the
different cultural traditions. We learn from the different religious rituals that are observed by our
friends and neighbours.

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?

Solution 3:

It is definitely an appropriate term. Our country has a huge population with people from many
different cultural backgrounds, different religions, people speaking different languages and
people following different traditions. Yet, this huge diverse nation is always united and moves
forward on the path of progress. Nehru is trying to say that tolerance is very much ingrained in
every Indian citizen.

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

‘The blood of Hindus and Muslims flows together today’ is the line in the poem which reflects
India’s essential unity.

Civics
Chapter 2
“Diversity and Discrimination”

Questions Page No 23

1.Match the following statements in a way that challenges the stereotypes

a. Two surgeons were sitting down to lunch when one of 1.suffers from chronic asthma
them made a call on the mobile phone

b.The boy who won the drawing competition went to the 2.to become an astronaut which she did
dias

c. One of the fastest athletes in the world 3.to speak with her daughter who had
just returned from school

d.She was not that well-off but had a dream 4.on a wheelchair to collect his prize
Solution 1:

a. Two surgeons were sitting down to lunch when one of them to speak with her daughter who had just
made a call on the mobile phone returned from school

b.The boy who won the drawing competition went to the dias on a wheelchair to collect his prize

c. One of the fastest athletes in the world suffers from chronic asthma

d.She was not that well-off but had a dream to become an astronaut which she did
2.How can the stereotype that girls are a burden on their parents affect the life of a daughter?
Imagine this situation and list at least five different effects that this stereotype can have on the
way daughters get treated in the house.

Solution 2:

The 5 different negative effects are mentioned below

 1. They don’t receive proper love and care from the family.
2. They discontinue their education hence their dreams and goals are unfulfilled
3. They don’t get adequate diet
4. They are asked to do all household works
5. They are not allowed to go out and make new friends

3.What does the constitution say with regard to equality? Why do you think it is important for all
people to be equal?

Solution 3:

Our Constitution says

1. Everyone has equal rights and opportunities

2. All are equal to compete for Government jobs
3. People can choose any kind of work they wish to do
4. Untouchability is a crime and is legally abolished.
 Civics
Chapter 3
What is Government

1. What do you understand by the word ‘government’? List five ways in which you
think the government effects your daily life.

Ans:  By the word, ‘government’ we understand that the organisation which takes
decisions and makes laws for the citizens of a country is the government.
The five ways in which the government affects our daily life are:

1. Building roads and schools.

2. Reduction and fixing of prices of essential commodities.
3. Supply of electricity.
4. Preparation and implementation of several programmes to help the
poor.
5. Running of postal and railway services.

2. Why do you think the government needs to make rules for everyone in the form
of laws?
Ans:
The government needs to make rules for everyone in the form of laws because of the
following reasons:

 The government wants to give advantages to the people of the welfare

measures to all without discrimination.
 To provide equality and justice to all.
 To maintain peace.
  To administer the country efficiently.

3. Name two essential features of a democratic government.

Ans: Two essential features of a democratic government are :

 Democracy is a rule by the people. It is people who rule themselves by

participating in the making of these rules.
 In a democracy people have the power to elect their leaders. These
leaders or representatives meet and make decisions for the entire
population.

4. What was the suffrage movement? What did it accomplish?

Ans: The movement for voting rights to women came to be known as the suffrage
movement. All over Europe and USA, women and the poor have had to fight for
participation in the government. Women’s struggle to vote got strengthened during
the first world war. During the War, many men were away fighting and because of
this women were called upon to do work that was earlier considered men’s work.
Thus, women got the opportunity to show their capability. People as a whole got
disillusioned. They began demanding the right to vote for all women. The result was
positive. American women got the right to vote in 1920 while women in the UK got
the right to vote on the same terms as men some years later, in 1928.

5. Gandhiji strongly believed that every adult in India should be given the right to
vote. However, a few people don’t share his views. They feel that illiterate people,
who are mainly poor, should not be given the right to vote. What do you think? Do
you think this would be a form of discrimination? Give five points to support your
view and share these with the class.
Ans. We think that all the people whether illiterate or literate, poor or rich should have
the right to vote.

Yes, we think that if the right to vote is denied to illiterate and poor people it would be a form
of discrimination.
Five points to support our views:

1. Wealth is not the criterion of good judgment.

2. Illiterate or poor might have a strong character.
3. Government policies affect all.
4. Democracy talks of equality and justice for all.
5. One needs understanding to vote.