NCERT Question Answer Solution – Class 5 EVS Chapter 3 – The Mystery of Food
Our Wonderous World – The World Around Us
Chapter 3 – The Mystery of Food
Class 5 EVS Chapter 3 – The Mystery of Food FULL QUESTION–ANSWER SET
FULL NCERT-solution Question–Answer Set for Class 5 EVS Chapter 3 – “The Mystery of Food” This includes ALL questions from the chapter.
Think • Write • Discuss • Let us Observe • Activity-based Q&A (converted into written Q&A) • Let’s Reflect • Match the Following • Reasons • Short/Long Answers.
Think
Question 1. Have you ever had an upset stomach? What caused it? What could happen if spoiled food is eaten by mistake?
Answer:
Yes, sometimes I have had an upset stomach due to eating outside food or oily food. Eating spoiled food can cause vomiting, stomach pain, and diarrhoea. The harmful microbes in spoiled food cause these problems.
Write
Question 2. Why do you think food gets spoiled?
Answer:
Food gets spoiled because microbes grow on it. These microbes need moisture, air, and a warm temperature. When food is left open or kept for many days, microbes grow and change its colour, taste, and smell.
Let us Observe
(Drying and Dehydration)
Question 3. What other things are dried so that they remain unspoilt throughout the year?
Answer:
Items like red chillies, coriander seeds, turmeric, mango slices, fenugreek leaves, papads, fish, and pickles are dried so they can last longer.
Activity 1
Question 4. What items can be made from mangoes to enjoy them for longer durations?
Answer:
Items like mango pickle, aam papad, dried mango slices, mango chutney, mango jam, and mango squash can be made.
Activity 2
Question 5. After drying tomato slices in sunlight, what changes do you observe? How can tomatoes be preserved?
Answer:
The tomato slices shrink, lose water, and become dry. Tomatoes can be preserved by sun-drying, making tomato sauce, tomato puree, or by refrigeration.
Let us Observe (Pickling and Oiling)
Question 6. What would happen to the pickle if no oil had been added?
Answer:
If no oil is added, air will enter the pickle. Microbes will grow quickly, and the pickle will spoil and develop fungus.
Let us Observe (Refrigeration and Freezing)
Question 7. Why does butter need refrigeration and ghee does not?
Answer:
Butter contains water, so microbes can grow on it. Ghee is made by heating butter which removes water. Since ghee has no moisture, it does not spoil quickly and does not need refrigeration.
Activity 3
Question 8. Write one food preservation practice used in your family.
Answer:
We preserve food by drying papads and pickles in the sun. We also store grains with neem leaves to keep them safe from insects.
How Are Idlis Made?
Question 9. What makes idli batter fluffy?
Answer:
Microbes present in the air help ferment the batter. This fermentation process produces gas bubbles that make the batter rise and become fluffy.
Think
Question 10. Did you ever have indigestion? What home remedy was given to you?
Answer:
Yes, I had indigestion once. My parents gave me curd and buttermilk. They contain good microbes that help in digestion.
Activity 4
Question 11. Write one thing you learnt from visiting the vegetable market. (Finding #9)
Answer:
I learnt that vegetables should be checked carefully by pressing gently to see if they are fresh. My Finding #9 is: Select fruits and vegetables that are fresh, firm, and seasonal.
Write
Question 12. Name three seasonal fruits or vegetables of your region.
Answer:
Winter: Amla, carrot
Summer: Mango, watermelon
Rainy season: Lychee, jackfruit
Activity 5
Question 13. Which teeth do you use to cut and chew your food?
Answer:
I use incisors to cut food, canines to tear it, premolars to crush it, and molars to grind it.
14. Write
Question 14. How can you avoid choking while eating?
Answer:
We can avoid choking by eating slowly, chewing food properly, not talking or laughing while eating, and taking small bites.
LET’S REFLECT (NCERT MAIN EXERCISE)
Question 15. Why do some food items last for weeks and others spoil in just a few days?
Answer:
Some foods spoil fast because they contain water and microbes grow quickly on moist food. Foods like pickles, papads, and dry fruits last longer because they are dried, salted, oiled, or preserved properly so that microbes cannot grow.
Question 16. You are going on a field trip for two days. List five food items you will carry. How will you keep them from getting spoiled?
Answer:
Food items: Parathas, jaggery chikki, bananas, dry fruits, biscuits.
To prevent spoilage:
• Keep food in airtight containers
• Carry dry food items
• Avoid foods with moisture
• Keep fruits in a cool bag
• Wrap food properly in foil or boxes
Question 17. Imagine a world without food preservation. What will happen?
Answer:
If food cannot be preserved:
• Most food will spoil quickly
• Many people will not get enough food
• Markets will run out of supplies
• Farmers cannot store harvest
• There will be more hunger and diseases
Food preservation is important to avoid waste and ensure food for everyone.
Question 18. Match the following:
Roti ———— Khakhra
Papad ——— Dried papads
Mango ——— Aam papad
Lemon ——— Lemon pickle
Butter ——— Ghee
Juice ——— Canned juice
Chillies ——— Chilli powder
Fish ——— Dried fish
Answer:
- Roti – Dehydration – Khakhra
- Papad – Dried in sun – Dried papads
- Mango – Dehydration – Aam papad
- Lemon – Pickling – Lemon pickle
- Butter – Heating – Ghee
- Juice – Canning – Canned juice
- Chillies – Drying – Chilli powder
- Fish – Drying – Dried fish
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
Question 19. What are microbes?
Answer:
Microbes are tiny living organisms found in air, water, soil, plants, animals, and inside our bodies. They are so small that they can be seen only through a microscope.
Question 20. Why does food kept in the fridge not spoil quickly?
Answer:
Food kept in the fridge stays fresh because cold temperature slows down the growth of microbes.
Question 21. What are the different types of teeth and their uses?
Answer:
Incisors – cut food
Canines – tear food
Premolars – crush food
Molars – grind food
LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS
Question 22. Explain three methods of food preservation with examples.
Answer:
Drying: Removing water by drying in the sun, e.g., papads, chillies.
Pickling: Adding salt, spices, and oil to prevent air from entering, e.g., mango pickle.
Refrigeration: Keeping food in cold temperature to slow down microbes, e.g., milk, vegetables.
Question 23. How do microbes help in making idlis?
Answer:
Microbes present in the air ferment the batter. During fermentation, bubbles of gas are formed that make the batter rise, become soft and fluffy. This helps idlis become spongy.
Question 24. Why is chewing food properly important?
Answer:
Chewing breaks food into small pieces, mixes it with saliva, and makes it easy to swallow. Digestion begins in the mouth, and saliva helps break down food. Proper chewing prevents choking and indigestion.
Other Important Notes Related to This Chapter
NCERT Question Answer Solution Class 5 EVS Chapter 3: The Mystery of Food
Summary Notes Chapter 3: The Mystery of Food
Extra Questions Chapter 3: The Mystery of Food
Practice Worksheet Chapter 3: The Mystery of Food