Extra Questions and Answers – Class 5 EVS Chapter 3 – The Mystery of Food
Our Wonderous World – The World Around Us
Class 5 EVS Chapter 3 – The Mystery of Food – Extra Questions and Answers
Extra Question Answers for Class 5 EVS Chapter 3 – “The Mystery of Food”. These include very Short Answers, Short Answers, Long Answers, and Think & Reflect questions, MCQs based on the textbook
VERY SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS (1–2 lines)
1. What are microbes?
Ans: Microbes are tiny living organisms that cannot be seen with our eyes and require a microscope to be seen.
2. Name any two things microbes need to grow.
Ans: Microbes need moisture and air to grow.
3. What is mould?
Ans: Mould is a fungus that grows as coloured patches on spoiled food.
4. Why is food refrigerated?
Ans: Food is refrigerated to slow down the growth of microbes.
5. Which teeth help us cut food?
Ans: Incisors help us cut food.
6. What does saliva help in?
Ans: Saliva helps in digestion by softening and breaking down food.
7. What is a cavity?
Ans: A cavity is a hole in the tooth caused by tooth decay.
8. Why should pickles be covered with oil?
Ans: Oil prevents air from entering the pickle jar and stops microbes from growing.
9. Which method is used to make chilli powder?
Ans: Drying chillies in the sun.
10. Name one seasonal fruit.
Ans: Lychee.
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS (2–4 lines)
11. Why did Disha’s uttapam get spoiled?
Ans: Disha’s uttapam got spoiled because microbes grew on it as it was kept for many days with moisture and air present.
12. How does drying preserve food?
Ans: Drying removes moisture from food. Without moisture, microbes cannot grow and spoil the food.
13. Why do pickles last long?
Ans: Pickles last long because they contain salt, spices, and are covered with oil, which prevents air and moisture from reaching them.
14. Why does ghee not need refrigeration?
Ans: Ghee does not need refrigeration because it has no water content. Without water, microbes cannot grow.
15. How does freezing help in food preservation?
Ans: Freezing lowers the temperature so much that microbes become inactive and cannot multiply.
16. Why should we chew food properly?
Ans: We should chew food properly because it breaks food into smaller pieces and mixes it with saliva, helping in digestion.
17. How can we keep food safe during a two-day trip?
Ans: We can carry dry foods, use airtight boxes, keep food away from sunlight, and avoid items containing water.
18. Why do we get indigestion when we eat junk food?
Ans: Junk food is oily and hard to digest. It disturbs the digestion process and may cause stomach discomfort.
19. What helps idli batter become fluffy?
Ans: Microbes in the air ferment the batter, producing gas that makes it rise and become fluffy.
20. What is the importance of oral hygiene?
Ans: Oral hygiene keeps our teeth healthy, prevents cavities, and avoids toothaches.
LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS (5–7 lines)
21. Explain how microbes can both harm and help us.
Ans: Microbes spoil food by growing on moist and warm items, causing changes in smell, colour, and taste. Spoiled food can make us sick. However, some microbes are helpful—they help make curd, cheese, dosa batter, and idli batter. They also help in digestion inside our stomach. Thus, microbes can be both harmful and helpful depending on their type and conditions.
22. Describe three methods of food preservation with examples.
Ans:
- Drying: Removes moisture to stop microbial growth. Example: Drying chillies to make chilli powder.
- Pickling: Uses salt, oil, and spices to protect food from microbes. Example: Mango pickle.
- Refrigeration: Keeps food at a low temperature to slow down microbes. Example: Milk and butter stored in the fridge.
23. Explain how teeth help in the process of eating and digestion.
Ans: Different teeth perform different functions. Incisors cut food, canines tear food, premolars crush food, and molars grind food into smaller pieces. This chewing helps mix food with saliva, which begins the digestion process. Proper chewing prevents choking and helps the stomach digest food better.
24. Why is eating seasonal and local fruits beneficial?
Ans: Seasonal fruits are fresh, tasty, and full of nutrition because they naturally grow during that time of the year. Local fruits do not travel far, so they do not spoil easily and remain fresh. They are often cheaper and healthier for our body.
25. Write about three ways to avoid choking while eating.
Ans:
- Eat slowly and chew food thoroughly before swallowing.
- Do not talk, laugh, or run while eating.
- Take small bites and sit properly while having food.
These steps help ensure that food does not get stuck in the throat.
THINK & REFLECT (Higher-Order Questions)
26. If there was no method to preserve food, what problems would we face?
Ans:
Food would spoil quickly, and people could not store food for long journeys. There would be more hunger and food waste. Seasonal fruits could only be eaten for a short time. Families would have to cook fresh food multiple times a day.
27. Why is it important to observe how elders choose vegetables in the market?
Ans:
Observing elders helps us learn how to identify fresh produce—by looking at colour, firmness, smell, and texture. These skills help us make healthier choices and reduce food waste.
28. How does waiting for seasonal fruits make eating more joyful?
Ans:
Waiting builds excitement, and eating seasonal fruits tastes better because they are fresh and natural. This creates a sense of celebration and family sharing.
29. Why is it dangerous to eat food that has coloured patches on it?
Ans:
Coloured patches show the presence of mould, which produces harmful substances. Eating such food can cause vomiting, stomach infection, or food poisoning.
30. If you were a “Food Detective” like Disha, what three rules would you make for your family?
Ans:
- Store food properly in airtight containers.
- Check spices, vegetables, and leftovers regularly.
- Eat fresh, seasonal food and avoid wasting food.
MCQs – Chapter 3: The Mystery of Food (With Answers)
50 MCQs (Class-5 level, based on the Full chapter The Mystery of Food )
Section 1: Food Spoilage & Microbes
- Disha found coloured patches on her uttapam because of
a) dust
b) water
c) microbes
d) spices
Answer: c) microbes - Microbes can be seen using a
a) telescope
b) microscope
c) binocular
d) magnifying glass
Answer: b) microscope - Mould grows on food because
a) food is very tasty
b) food is dry
c) microbes grow on it
d) it is kept in the fridge
Answer: c) microbes grow on it - Which of these may happen if spoiled food is eaten?
a) Strong bones
b) Upset stomach
c) Good digestion
d) More energy
Answer: b) upset stomach - Microbes are found in
a) only water
b) only soil
c) only food
d) everywhere—air, water, soil, plants, animals
Answer: d) everywhere - Microbes that spoiled the bread were
a) animals
b) birds
c) mould
d) stones
Answer: c) mould - Which food spoiled faster in the story?
a) Pickle
b) Bread
c) Rice
d) Ghee
Answer: b) bread
Section 2: Why Food Spoils
- Microbes need which of these to grow?
a) Light, soil, fire
b) Water, air, right temperature
c) Dust, electricity, wind
d) No water, no air
Answer: b) water, air, right temperature - Food gets spoiled when
a) microbes grow on it
b) it is kept in the fridge
c) it is cooked
d) it is packed
Answer: a) microbes grow on it - What should be removed to stop microbe growth?
a) Salt
b) Water or air
c) Colour
d) Taste
Answer: b) water or air
Section 3: Food Preservation
- Drying food in the sun removes
a) colour
b) moisture
c) smell
d) taste
Answer: b) moisture - Chillies were dried to make
a) pickle
b) jam
c) chilli powder
d) juice
Answer: c) chilli powder - Which of these is dried to preserve it?
a) Milk
b) Bread
c) Papad
d) Idli batter
Answer: c) papad - Pickles are covered with oil to
a) make them shiny
b) keep air out
c) make them sweet
d) add colour
Answer: b) keep air out - If oil is not added to pickles
a) they will taste better
b) they may spoil
c) they become cold
d) they become hot
Answer: b) they may spoil - The fridge slows down microbes by
a) drying food
b) heating food
c) keeping food cold
d) adding water
Answer: c) keeping food cold - Butter needs refrigeration but ghee does not because
a) ghee has no water
b) butter has no taste
c) ghee is cold
d) butter is too hot
Answer: a) ghee has no water - Tomatoes can be preserved by
a) burying in soil
b) drying or making sauce
c) keeping in sun for 1 hour
d) mixing with soap
Answer: b) drying or making sauce - Papad stays good for long because
a) it has lots of water
b) it is kept in fridge
c) it is dried
d) it is raw
Answer: c) it is dried - Which of these is not a method of food preservation?
a) drying
b) oiling
c) freezing
d) spoiling
Answer: d) spoiling
Section 4: Useful Microbes & Fermentation
- Idli batter becomes fluffy because of
a) boiling
b) microbes
c) salt
d) oil
Answer: b) microbes - Fermentation makes the idli batter
a) hard
b) fluffy and soft
c) cold
d) bitter
Answer: b) fluffy and soft - Microbes in curd help
a) indigestion
b) digestion
c) spoiling food
d) making colours
Answer: b) digestion
Section 5: Home Remedies & Indigestion
- Curd helps in stomach problems because it has
a) harmful microbes
b) good microbes
c) dust
d) sugar
Answer: b) good microbes - Eating too much junk food may cause
a) good health
b) indigestion
c) shiny teeth
d) strong bones
Answer: b) indigestion
Section 6: Seasonal and Local Food
- Fruits taste best when
a) eaten in season
b) eaten in winter only
c) eaten at night
d) eaten rotten
Answer: a) eaten in season - Which is an example of a seasonal fruit?
a) Plastic apple
b) Lychee
c) Steel bowl
d) Salt
Answer: b) lychee - Mangoes taste fresh because
a) they do not travel far
b) they are cooked
c) they are salty
d) they are bitter
Answer: a) they do not travel far
Section 7: Vegetable Market
- Thatha selected vegetables by
a) guessing
b) pressing and observing
c) smelling the bag
d) buying blindly
Answer: b) pressing and observing - Fresh vegetables are usually
a) soft and rotten
b) firm and colourful
c) torn
d) dirty
Answer: b) firm and colourful
Section 8: Teeth & Eating
- Teeth used for cutting are
a) molars
b) canines
c) incisors
d) premolars
Answer: c) incisors - Canines are used to
a) grind
b) crush
c) tear
d) cut
Answer: c) tear - Premolars are used to
a) tear
b) crush
c) smile
d) sneeze
Answer: b) crush - Molars help in
a) jumping
b) grinding food
c) running
d) breathing
Answer: b) grinding food - Chewing food properly helps in
a) digestion
b) hurting teeth
c) sleeping
d) running fast
Answer: a) digestion - Saliva helps in
a) painting
b) digesting food
c) dancing
d) playing
Answer: b) digesting food - Chewing slowly prevents
a) choking
b) walking
c) talking
d) drinking
Answer: a) choking
Section 9: Oral Hygiene
- A cavity is
a) a sweet
b) a hole in the tooth
c) a toy
d) a plant
Answer: b) a hole in the tooth - To keep teeth clean, you should
a) skip brushing
b) eat many sweets
c) brush regularly
d) never rinse your mouth
Answer: c) brush regularly
Section 10: Preservation (Match-based MCQs)
- Roti is preserved by
a) freezing
b) dehydration
c) oiling
d) washing
Answer: b) dehydration - Papad is preserved by
a) drying in the sun
b) boiling
c) colouring
d) heating
Answer: a) drying in the sun - Lemon becomes pickle through
a) fermentation
b) pickling
c) burying
d) painting
Answer: b) pickling - Chilli powder is made by
a) boiling chillies
b) drying chillies
c) washing chillies
d) freezing chillies
Answer: b) drying chillies - Fish can be preserved by
a) freezing only
b) drying
c) frying
d) peeling
Answer: b) drying - Juice is preserved in
a) open box
b) wet cloth
c) canned packing
d) plastic bag
Answer: c) canned packing - Butter turns into ghee by
a) cooling
b) heating
c) drying
d) freezing
Answer: b) heating
Section 11: General Thinking Questions
- Food lasts longer when kept in
a) warm places
b) open air
c) fridge
d) balcony
Answer: c) fridge - If microbes reach food
a) food remains fresh
b) food spoils
c) food becomes cold
d) food becomes colourful but safe
Answer: b) food spoils - To avoid spoilage, food should be stored in
a) airtight containers
b) dirty bags
c) open plates
d) wet cloth
Answer: a) airtight containers - A world without food preservation would have
a) no food waste
b) more food spoilage
c) more fruits
d) more refrigerators
Answer: b) more food spoilage
Fill in the Blanks – Chapter 3 The Mystery of Food (With Answers)
Fill in the Blanks for Class 5 EVS – Chapter 3: The Mystery of Food
Fill in the Blanks
- Disha found her forgotten ______ box on Monday morning.
Answer: lunch - The coloured patches on the uttapam were caused by ______.
Answer: microbes - Microbes are so tiny that we need a ______ to see them.
Answer: microscope - Microbes need moisture, air and the right ______ to grow.
Answer: temperature - Drying chillies in the sun removes ______ from them.
Answer: moisture - Oil is added to pickles to keep ______ out.
Answer: air - Cold temperature in a fridge slows down the growth of ______.
Answer: microbes - Ghee does not need refrigeration because it has no ______ content.
Answer: water - ______ in the air helps idli batter to rise.
Answer: microbes / yeast - Good microbes in ______ help in digestion.
Answer: curd - Incisors help us ______ food.
Answer: cut - Canines are used to ______ food.
Answer: tear - Premolars help to ______ food.
Answer: chew - Molars are used to ______ food.
Answer: grind - A cavity is a ______ in the tooth.
Answer: hole - We should chew food properly to release ______ for digestion.
Answer: saliva - Eating slowly helps prevent ______.
Answer: indigestion - Pickles made by Paati were safe because they were covered with ______.
Answer: oil - Fruits taste best when eaten in their ______.
Answer: season - Disha’s Thatha always buys ______ fruits and vegetables from the market.
Answer: fresh - Microbes are found in soil, water, air, plants, animals and ______ us.
Answer: inside - When bread was left outside for two days, it developed ______ patches.
Answer: mould - Chilli powder is made by ______ chillies.
Answer: drying - Salt, sugar and ______ were traditionally used to preserve food.
Answer: oil - We must brush our teeth regularly to maintain ______ hygiene.
Answer: oral - Chewing food properly prevents ______ on it.
Answer: pressure - ______ is a seasonal fruit that Disha ate during the rainy season.
Answer: jamun - Butter needs refrigeration but ______ does not.
Answer: ghee - Solitary ______ preserve food for their larvae.
Answer: wasps - Some microbes help us make ______, while others spoil food.
Answer: curd
TRUE OR FALSE – Chapter 3 The Mystery of Food (With Answers)
5 sets of TRUE or FALSE questions (10 statements in each set) All are based ONLY on Class 5 EVS – Chapter 3: The Mystery of Food. Answers are given after every set.
SET 1 – TRUE OR FALSE (10 Statements)
- Disha found her forgotten lunch box on a Monday morning.
- The coloured patches on the uttapam were caused by dust.
- Microbes can be seen only with a microscope.
- Microbes grow faster when there is moisture, air and the right temperature.
- Pickles spoil quickly because they contain oil.
- Drying chillies in the sun removes moisture.
- Fridges slow down the growth of microbes.
- Ghee needs refrigeration because it contains water.
- Good microbes in curd help in digestion.
- Incisors help us cut food.
ANSWERS – SET 1
- True
- False
- True
- True
- False
- True
- True
- False
- True
- True
SET 2 – TRUE OR FALSE
- Mould is made up of a colony of thousands of microbes.
- Bread kept outside for two days remains fresh.
- Paati added oil to the pickle to keep air out.
- Salt and sugar were traditionally used to preserve food.
- Cold temperature helps microbes grow faster.
- Drying removes moisture from food.
- Solitary wasps preserve food for their larvae.
- Microbes are found in soil, water, animals and inside us.
- Seasonal fruits taste best when eaten in their season.
- Molars are used to grind food.
ANSWERS – SET 2
- True
- False
- True
- True
- False
- True
- True
- True
- True
- True
SET 3 – TRUE OR FALSE
- Microbes helped the idli batter rise.
- Butter does not need refrigeration, but ghee does.
- Pickles spoil quickly if oil is not added.
- Eating too fast can cause choking.
- A cavity is a hole in the tooth.
- Premolars help in crushing food.
- Oral hygiene means keeping our mouth and teeth clean.
- Disha’s Thatha buys fresh fruits and vegetables daily.
- Microbes never help us; they only spoil food.
- Chewing food properly releases saliva.
ANSWERS – SET 3
- True
- False
- True
- True
- True
- True
- True
- True
- False
- True
SET 4 – TRUE OR FALSE
- India is the largest producer of millets in the world.
- Food factories preserve food in airtight cans.
- Sunlight increases the moisture in chillies.
- Microbes cannot grow without air and water.
- Mangoes, peanuts and spices can be dried to last longer.
- Eating sweets often can cause tooth decay.
- Incisors are used to grind food.
- Bamboo shoots are used for cooking in the Northeast.
- Fridges work by keeping food warm.
- Eating seasonal fruits makes us healthy.
ANSWERS – SET 4
- True
- True
- False
- True
- True
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
SET 5 – TRUE OR FALSE
- All microbes are harmful to us.
- Spoiled food gives out a foul smell.
- Water content in butter is removed to make ghee.
- Eating slowly helps avoid indigestion.
- Disha’s favourite food in the tiffin was uttapam.
- Some food items spoil faster due to moisture.
- Microbes grow very fast in cold temperatures.
- Salt, sugar and pepper were used to preserve food in earlier times.
- Talking while eating helps digestion.
- A dentist can help treat cavities.
ANSWERS – SET 5
- False
- True
- True
- True
- True
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
MATCH THE FOLLOWING – Chapter 3 The Mystery of Food (With Answers )
Match the Following for Class 5 EVS – Chapter 3: The Mystery of Food
MATCH THE FOLLOWING – SET 1
| Column A | Match with (Column B) |
|---|---|
| 1. Mould | a. Tiny living microbes |
| 2. Microscope | b. Removes moisture |
| 3. Drying in sun | c. Used to see microbes |
| 4. Oil in pickles | d. Keeps air out |
| 5. Fridge | e. Slows down microbes |
Answers – Set 1
1 – a
2 – c
3 – b
4 – d
5 – e
MATCH THE FOLLOWING – SET 2
| Column A | Match with (Column B) |
|---|---|
| 1. Idli batter | a. Good microbes help digestion |
| 2. Curd | b. Seasonal fruit |
| 3. Lychee | c. Rises because of microbes |
| 4. Salt & sugar | d. Traditional preservatives |
| 5. Solitary wasps | e. Preserve food for larvae |
Answers – Set 2
1 – c
2 – a
3 – b
4 – d
5 – e
MATCH THE FOLLOWING – SET 3
| Column A | Match with (Column B) |
|---|---|
| 1. Incisors | a. Tear food |
| 2. Canines | b. Grind food |
| 3. Premolars | c. Crush food |
| 4. Molars | d. Cut food |
| 5. Saliva | e. Helps digestion |
Answers – Set 3
1 – d
2 – a
3 – c
4 – b
5 – e
MATCH THE FOLLOWING – SET 4
| Column A | Match with (Column B) |
|---|---|
| 1. Cavity | b. Hole in the tooth |
| 2. Ghee | d. Does not spoil easily |
| 3. Butter | c. Needs refrigeration |
| 4. Refrigerator | a. Cold temperature |
| 5. Air-tight cans | e. Used in food factories |
Answers – Set 4
1 – b
2 – d
3 – c
4 – a
5 – e
MATCH THE FOLLOWING – SET 5
| Column A | Match with (Column B) |
|---|---|
| 1. Disha’s Thatha | c. Buys fresh vegetables daily |
| 2. Mango pickles | a. Helps preserve mangoes |
| 3. Lychee season | b. Seasonal fruits are best |
| 4. Moisture | d. Makes food spoil fast |
| 5. Black pepper | e. Famous spice from India |
Answers – Set 5
1 – c
2 – a
3 – b
4 – d
5 – e
ALL ACTIVITIES– – Chapter 3 The Mystery of Food (With Answers )
ALL Activities from Chapter 3 – The Mystery of Food rewritten clearly with correct model answers.
ACTIVITY 1 – Mango Preservation (With Answers)
Question:
What items can be made from mangoes to enjoy them for longer durations? Write their names.
Answer:
Mango pickle
Mango jam
Aam papad
Mango chutney
Mango squash
ACTIVITY 2 – Drying Tomatoes (With Answers)
Steps given:
- Take a tomato and cut it into slices.
- Put the slices on a tray and place it near sunlight.
- Observe changes.
(A) What changes did you observe in the fruit?
Answer:
The tomato slices became dry, shrunk in size, and lost most of their moisture. Their colour became darker.
(B) Can you think of a way to preserve items like tomato?
Answer:
Yes, tomatoes can be preserved by drying them in the sun (sun-drying), making tomato pickle, or storing them as tomato puree.
ACTIVITY 3 – Food Preservation at Home (With Answers)
Question:
Find out about food preservation practices used by your family. Write one such practice.
Answer:
My family preserves pickles by adding salt, spices, and oil to them and storing them in airtight jars. This keeps air and moisture away from the food.
ACTIVITY 4 – Visit to the Vegetable Market (With Answers)
Question:
During your shopping trip, observe how elders select fruits and vegetables.
Write one thing you learned and record it as Finding #9.
Answer (Finding #9):
I learned that we should press fruits gently to check if they are fresh and look for bright, natural colour without any spots or holes.
ACTIVITY 5 – Chewing and Teeth (With Answers)
Question:
Chew food properly and observe which teeth you use.
Name them.
Answer:
I used my incisors to cut the food, canines to tear it, premolars to crush it, and molars to grind it into smaller pieces.
WRITE QUESTIONS (With Answers)
These are also activities requiring written responses.
1. Why do you think food gets spoiled?
Answer:
Food gets spoiled because microbes grow on it. Microbes need moisture, air, and the right temperature. When these conditions are available, they multiply and spoil the food.
2. What would happen to pickle if no oil is added?
Answer:
If no oil is added, air will enter the pickle jar. Microbes will grow and spoil the pickle quickly.
3. Did you ever have an upset stomach? What home remedy was given?
Answer:
Yes, I once had an upset stomach. I was given curd with a little sugar. The good microbes in curd helped improve my digestion.
4. Name three seasonal fruits or vegetables of your region.
Answer:
Amla – winter
Jamun – summer
Mango – summer
5. How can you avoid choking?
Answer:
By eating slowly, taking small bites, chewing the food properly, and not talking or laughing while eating.
LET US REFLECT QUESTIONS (With Answers)
1. Why do some food items last for weeks and others spoil in a few days?
Answer:
Some foods spoil quickly because they have high moisture, which helps microbes grow. Foods that last longer are dried, pickled, or preserved using methods like oiling, salting, sugar, or refrigeration.
2. You are going on a two-day field trip. List five food items you will carry and how you will prevent spoilage.
Answer:
I will carry:
- Dry fruits – stored in airtight pouches
- Khakhra – kept in sealed packets
- Chikki – stored in airtight containers
- Bananas – eaten on the first day
- Packaged juice – kept unopened until use
I will keep all items in airtight bags and avoid carrying wet or cooked food.
3. What if food cannot be preserved? What will happen?
Answer:
If food cannot be preserved, it will spoil quickly, leading to wastage. People won’t be able to store food, travel with food, or use food during emergencies. Hunger and scarcity would increase.
4. Match the following – Methods of Preservation (With Answers)
Roti – Dehydration – Khakhra
Papad – Dried in sun – Dried papads
Mango – Drying – Aam papad
Lemon – Pickling – Lemon pickle
Butter – Heating – Ghee
Juice – Canning – Canned juice
Chillies – Drying – Chilli powder
Fish – Drying – Dried fish
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