Chapter 1: Water – The Essence of Life QNA EVS Class 5th

🗣️ Discuss (Page 4)

Q1. Can we drink ocean water?

Answer:
No, ocean water is salty and not safe to drink.

Q2. What can ocean water be used for?

Answer:
Ocean water is used to:

  • Make salt
  • Travel by ships
  • Fishing

🧠 Activity 1 – Sources of Freshwater (Page 5)

Answer:
Freshwater sources are:

  • Rivers
  • Lakes
  • Ponds
  • Rain
  • Glaciers
  • Groundwater (wells, handpumps)

❄️ Water Has Different Forms (Pages 5–6)

Water has three forms:

  1. Liquid – water, rain
  2. Solid – ice, snow
  3. Gas (vapour) – steam

🔬 Activity 2 – Ice and Water (Page 6)

(a) Where do water droplets on the glass come from?

Answer:
They come from water vapour in the air.

(b) What happens to ice cubes after some time?

Answer:
Ice melts and becomes water.

(c) What happens when water is heated?

Answer:
Water changes into steam.

Forms of water seen:

Solid (ice), Liquid (water), Vapour (steam)

🔁 Water Cycle (Pages 7–8)

The water cycle is the continuous movement of water:

  1. Sun heats water → water vapour
  2. Vapour forms clouds
  3. Clouds give rain/snow/hail
  4. Water goes back to rivers, lakes, oceans

👉 This process repeats again and again (Page 8)

🌱 Groundwater (Pages 8–9)

  • Some rainwater goes into the soil
  • It gets stored underground
  • This water is called groundwater
  • We get it using wells, borewells, handpumps

🧪 Activity 4 – Soil and Water (Page 9)

Observation:
Water slowly goes down through the soil.

🟢 Activity 5 – Groundwater Recharge (Page 9)

✔️ Correct answer: Green lawn

(Concrete roads stop water from going underground)

🌊 Surface Water and Rivers (Pages 10–11)

  • Rivers, lakes, ponds are surface water
  • Rivers flow from high land to low land
  • Rivers change direction according to land shape

🧂 Activity 6 – Mustard Seeds (Pages 10–11)

Answers:

  1. Seeds move downward
  2. They spread in different directions
  3. They collect in low areas like rivers and lakes

🗺️ Activity 7 – Rivers of India (Pages 12–13)

Moves towards Bay of Bengal:

  • Ganga
  • Godavari

Moves towards Arabian Sea:

  • Narmada

🐟 Life in Water (Pages 14–16)

Differences between animals:

Animals on Land

  • Cannot breathe in water
  • Have legs

Animals in Water

  • Have gills
  • Have fins to swim

🐢 Examples of Water Animals & Plants (Page 16)

  • Fish, turtle, frog, water snake
  • Lotus, water lily, reeds
  • Water hyacinth

🧾 Activity 8 – Visit a Water Body (Pages 17–18)

Sample Answers:

  • Fish
    • Mouth: Round
    • Movement: Fins
  • Pond Heron
    • Beak: Long and pointed
    • Movement: Thin legs

🧪 Activity 9 – Water on Paper (Page 18)

Observation:

  • Water spreads on plain paper
  • Water forms drops on wax-coloured paper

👉 Leaves have a waxy layer to protect plants.

🧠 Let Us Reflect – Exercise Answers (Page 20)

1. Match the following

(i) Ocean water → Not fit for drinking
(ii) Snow → Solid form of water
(iii) Steam → Vapour form of water
(iv) Rainwater → Freshwater

2. Why can’t most water be used for drinking?

Answer:
Because most water is salty ocean water.

3. Why do many living beings live near water bodies?

Answer:
Because water is needed for drinking, food, and shelter.

4. What if it does not rain for two years?

Answer:
There will be drought, water shortage, and crop failure.

5. Rainwater in forest vs city

Answer:

  • In forests, water goes into the soil
  • In cities, water flows away on roads

6. How can a school save water?

Answer:

  • Rainwater harvesting
  • Fix leaking taps
  • Use water wisely

🌟 Chapter Summary (Pages 19–20)

  • Water exists as ice, water, and vapour
  • Water moves through the water cycle
  • Freshwater supports plants, animals, and people
  • Water is limited, so we must save it