SOLUTIONS CHAPTER 1 The Earth and the Solar System.

1. Answer the following questions briefly.

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

Answer:

Celestial bodies that do not have their own heat and light. Such bodies are called planets. And the celestial bodies which are lit by their own light are called stars.

Planets revolve around a star in a fixed orbit and also rotate on their own axis. Stars do not revolve around any other celestial body.

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

Answer:

The sun, eight planets, satellites and some other celestial bodies known as asteroids and meteoroids form the solar system. We often call it a solar family, with the sun as its Head.

The sun is in the centre of the solar system. It is huge and made up of extremely hot gases. It provides the pulling force that binds the solar system.

All the eight planets of the solar system move around the sun in fixed paths. These paths are elongated. They are called orbits.    

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

Answer:

There are eight planets in our solar system. In order of their distance from the sun, they are: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.

All the eight planets of the solar system move around the sun in fixed paths. These paths are elongated. They are called orbits.

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

Answer:

Earth is called the unique planet, because of the following reasons:

(a) Conditions favourable to support life are probably found only on the earth.  

(b) The earth is neither too hot nor too cold.  

(c) It has water and air, which are very essential for our survival. The air has life-supporting gases like oxygen.  

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

Answer:

The moon moves around the earth in about 27 days. It takes exactly the same time to complete one spin. As a result, only one side of the moon is visible to us on the earth.  

(f) What is the Universe?  

Answer:

A galaxy is a huge system of billions of stars, and clouds of dust and gases and millions of galaxies take all together makes the Universe.  

An important characteristics of universe is its size, It is difficult to imagine how big the universe is. Scientists are still trying to find out more and more about it. We can say that the universe is endless.

2. Tick the correct answer.

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

(i) Jupiter

(ii) Saturn

(iii) Venus

Answer: (iii) Venus ✓ 

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

(i) Venus

(ii) Earth

(iii) Mercury

Answer: (ii) Earth ✓ 

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

(i) Circular path

(ii) Rectangular path

(iii) Elongated path

Answer: (iii) Elongated path ✓ 

(d) The Pole Star indicates the direction to the

(i) South

(ii) North

(iii) East

Answer: (ii) North ✓ 

(e) Asteroids are found between the orbits of  

(i) Saturn and Jupiter

(ii) Mars and Jupiter

(iii) The Earth and Mars  

Answer: (ii) Mars and Jupiter ✓ 

3. Fill in the blanks.

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

(b) A huge system of stars is called__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___light___ and ___Heat_____.

Important Questions

1. Answer the following questions briefly.

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

Answer:

The shape of the earth is called geoid. It is not a true sphere. It is slightly flattened at the North and the South Poles and bulge in the middle.  

(b) What is a globe?

Answer:

A Globe is a true model (miniature form) of the earth. On the globe, countries, continents and oceans are shown in their correct size.

Globes may be of varying size and type –  

(a) Big ones, which cannot be carried easily

(b) Small pocket globes

(c) Globe-like balloons, which can be inflated and are handy and carried with ease.  

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

Answer:

latitudinal value of the Tropic of Cancer is (23½° N) in the Northern Hemisphere.  

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

Answer:

There are three heat zones of the Earth given as under:

(a) Torrid Zone:

The area on the surface if earth that receives the maximum heat and is called the Torrid Zone.

The Torrid zone is between tropic of cancer and tropic of Capricorn, on either side of equator.

(b) Temperate Zones:  

The area on the surface if earth that receives the moderate heat and thus, maintains a moderate temperate is called the Temperate zone.  

There are two temperate zone namely Noth temperate zone that lies in northern hemisphere and South temperate zone that lies in the southern hemisphere.

(c) Frigid Zones:

The area on the surface if earth that receives least heat and thus, maintains a very low temperate is called the Frigid zone.

There are two frigid zone, areas lying between the Arctic Circle and the North Pole in the Northern Hemisphere and the Antarctic Circle and the South Pole in the Southern Hemisphere, They are very cold.  

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

Answer:  

(a) Parallels of latitude:

The imaginary circular parallel lines running from the east to west, from the equator to the poles on either sides are called parallels of latitudes.

(b) Meridians of longitude:

The imaginary lines of reference running from the north pole to the south pole are called Meridians of longitude.

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

Answer:

The torrid zone receives maximum amount of heat. because the mid-day sun is exactly overhead at least once a year on all latitudes in between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.

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

Answer:

India id located in the east of Greenwich and 82’30 E. This is 5 hours and 30 minutes ahead of GMT.

So, if it is 5.30 PM in India, In London it will be 5.30 hours less or before.

Therefore, if we subtract 5.30 hours from 5.30 PM it becomes 12 Noon.

2. Tick the correct answers.

(a) The value of the prime meridian is  

(i) 90°

(ii) 0°

(iii) 60°

Answer: (ii) 0° ✓ 

(b) The frigid zone lies near  

(i) the Poles

(ii) the Equator

(iii) the Tropic of Cancer

Answer: (i) the Poles ✓ 

(c) The total number of longitudes are

(i) 360

(ii) 180

(iii) 90

Answer: (i) 360 ✓ 

(d) The Antarctic circle is located in

(i) the Northern hemisphere

(ii) the Southern hemisphere

(iii) the Eastern hemisphere

Answer: (ii) the Southern hemisphere ✓ 

(e) Grid is a network of  

(i) parallels of latitudes and meridians of longitudes

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

(iii) the North Pole and the South Pole

Answer: (i) parallels of latitudes and meridians of longitudes ✓ 

3. Fill in the blanks.

(a) The Tropic of Capricorn is located at ___(23½° S) in the Southern Hemisphere ____.

(b) The Standard Meridian of India is ___(82° 30'E) ____.  

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

(d) The distance between the longitudes decreases towards__poles____.

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

A. What are the three heat zones of the Earth? Explainwhy is there variation in temperate?

Answer:

There are three heat xones of the Earth given as under:

(a) Torrid Zone:

The area on the surface if earth that receives the maximum heat and is called the Torrid Zone.

The Torrid zone is between tropic of cancer and tropic of Capricorn, on either side of equator.

The explanation to this temperate is that the mid-day sun is exactly overhead at least once a year on all latitudes in between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.

(b) Temperate Zones:  

The area on the surface if earth that receives the moderate heat and thus, maintains a moderate temperate is called the Temperate zone.  

There are two temperate zone namely Noth temperate zone that lies in northern hemisphere and South temperate zone that lies in the southern hemisphere.

The explanation to their temperate is that the mid-day sun never shines overhead on any latitude beyond the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. The angle of the sun’s rays goes on decreasing towards the poles. As such, the areas bounded by the Tropic of Cancer and the Arctic Circle in the Northern Hemisphere, and the Tropic of Capricorn and the Antarctic Circle in the Southern Hemisphere, have moderate temperatures.  

(c) Frigid Zones:

The area on the surface if earth that receives least heat and thus, maintains a very low temperate is called the Frigid zone.

There are two frigid zone, areas lying between the Arctic Circle and the North Pole in the Northern Hemisphere and the Antarctic Circle and the South Pole in the Southern Hemisphere, They are very cold.  

The explanation to their extreme cold temperate is that here the sun does not rise much above the horizon. Therefore, its rays are always slanting and provide less heat.

B. What are important parallels of latitudes besides the equator?

Answer:

Four Important parallels of latitudes besides the equator? (0°), the North Pole (90°N) and the South Pole (90° S) are as under:

(i) Tropic of Cancer (23½° N) in the Northern Hemisphere.

(ii) Tropic of Capricorn (23½° S) in the Southern Hemisphere.

(iii) Arctic Circle at 66½° north of the equator.

(iv) Antarctic Circle at 66½° south of the equator.

C. What is equator?

Answer:

Equator is an imaginary line that cuts the earth into two halves. The northern hemisphere and southern hemisphere. Therefore, the equator is an imaginary circular line and is a very important reference point to locate places on the earth.  

1. Answer the following questions briefly.

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

Answer:  

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

b) Define rotation and revolution.  

Answer:  

Earth has two types of motions, namely rotation and revolution.  

Rotation is the movement of the earth on its axis. While the movement of the earth around the sun in a fixed path or orbit is called Revolution.  

(c) What is a leap year?

Answer:

Over a span of four years a surplus day is added to the month of February. Thus every fourth year, February is of 29 days instead of 28 days. Such a year with 366 days is called a leap year.   

(d) Differentiate between the Summer and Winter Solstice.

Answer:

Summer Solstice:

It is the position of earth when the northern hemisphere has the longest day and the shortest night. It happens on 21st June.

At this time in the Southern Hemisphere all these conditions are reversed. It is winter season there. The nights are longer than the days.  

Winter Solstice:

It is the position of earth when the southern hemisphere has the long days and the shorter nights. It happens on 22nd December.

At this time in the Northern Hemisphere all these conditions are reversed. It is winter season there. The nights are longer than the days.  

(e) What is an equinox?  

Answer:

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; so, the whole earth experiences equal days and equal nights. This is called an equinox.  

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

Answer:

There are days and nights and changes in the seasons because of the rotation and revolution of the earth respectively.

When the north pole of the earth is tilted toward the sun, the northern hemisphere receive more light and experience summer solstice. At this time southern hemisphere receive less light and experience winter solstice.

When the south pole is tilted towards the sun, the southern hemisphere receive more light and experience summer solstice. At this time northern hemisphere receive less light and experience winter solstice.

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

Answer:  

The poles experience about six months day and six months night, because of the inclination of the axis of earth.

When the rays of light falls directly on the Tropic of cancer(21st June), the areas near the south pole receive less heat. The North Pole is inclined towards the sun and the places beyond the Arctic Circle experience continuous daylight for about six months. Since a large portion of the Northern Hemisphere is getting light from the sun.

Now, When the rays of light falls directly on the Tropic of Capricorn (22st December). the areas near the north pole receive less heat. The south Pole is tilted towards the sun and the places beyond the Antarctic Circle experience continuous daylight for about six months. Since a large portion of the Southern Hemisphere is getting light from the sun.

2. Tick the correct answers.

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

(i) Rotation

(ii) Revolution

(iii) Inclination

Answer: (ii) Revolution  ✓ 

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

(i) 21 March

(ii) 21 June

iii) 22 December

Answer: (i) 21 March  ✓ 

(c) Christmas is celebrated in summer in

(i) Japan

(ii) India

(iii) Australia

Answer: (iii) Australia  ✓ 

(d) Cycle of the seasons is caused due to

(i) Rotation

(ii) Revolution

(iii) Gravitation

Answer: (ii) Revolution  ✓ 

3. Fill in the blanks.

Answer:

(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 ___elliptical_____ orbit.

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

(e) Days are shorter during ___winter__ season.  

Important Questions

1. Answer the following questions briefly.

(a) What are the three components of a map?

Answer:  

There are three Components of Maps – distance, direction and symbol.  

(b) What are the four cardinal directions?  

Answer:

There are four major cardinal directions are, North, South, East and West.  

(c) What do you mean by the term ‘the scale of the map’?

Answer:

The scale is the ratio between the actual distance on the ground and the distance shown on the map.  

(d) How are maps more helpful than a globe?

Answer:

A map is a representation or a drawing of the earth’s surface or a part of it drawn on a flat surface according to a scale. However it is impossible to flatten a round shape completely but still there are many advantages of the map as under.

(a) Size: It is foldable and can be carried even in pocket.

(b) Information: Maps provide more information than a globe.  

(c) Types: They are of different types.

Political maps, that show cities, towns, villages etc. and Thematic maps, maps that focus on specific information; such as road, maps, rainfall maps, maps showing distribution of forests, industries etc.    

(e) Distinguish between a map and a plan.  

Answer:

(a) A map is a representation or a drawing of the earth’s surface or a part of it drawn on a flat surface according to a scale. Were as, a plan is a drawing of a small area on a large scale.  

(b) Map cannot show the length and breadth of a room, but a plan can.

(f) Which map provides detailed information?  

Answer:

Large scale maps provide detailed information.

(g) How do symbols help in reading maps?  

Answer:

Symbols give a lot of information in a limited space. With the use of these symbols, maps can be drawn easily and are simple to read.  

This is because it is not possible to show and draw the actual shape and shape of different features, e.g. hospitals, Roads, well. So, they are shown with various symbols like a green plus sign and long parallel lines as a small dark circle.  

Symbols give much information in a limited space and are very useful.

Hence, with the use of symbols, maps can be drawn easily.

2. Tick the correct answers.

(a) Maps showing distribution of forests are  

(i) Physical map

(ii) Thematic Map

(iii) Political map

Answer: (ii) Thematic Map  ✓ 

(b) The blue colour is used for showing  

(i) Water bodies

(ii) Mountains

(iii) Plains

Answer: (i) Water bodies  ✓ 

(c) A compass is used –

(i) To show symbols

(ii) To find the main direction

(iii) To measure distance

Answer: (ii) To find the main direction  ✓ 

(d) A scale is necessary

(i) For a map

(ii) For a sketch

(iii) For symbols

Answer: (i) For a map  ✓ 

Important Questions

1. Answer the following questions briefly.

(a) What are the four major domains of the earth?  

Answer:

The surface of the earth is a complex zone four major domains fo the earth are as under:

(a) Lithosphere:

The solid portion of the earth on which we live is called the Lithosphere.  

(b) Atmosphere:  

The gaseous layers that surround the earth, is the Atmosphere, where oxygen, nitrogen, carbon-dioxide and other gases are found.  

(c) Hydrosphere:

Water covers a very big area of the earth’s surface and this area is called the Hydrosphere. The Hydrosphere comprises water in all its forms, that is, ice, water and water vapour.

(d)Biosphere:

The Biosphere is the narrow zone where we find land, water and air together, which contains all forms of life.  

(b) Name the major continents of the earth.

Answer:  

There are seven major continents. These are separated by large water bodies. These continents are – Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, South America, Australia and Antarctica.  

(c) Name the two continents that lie entirely in the Southern Hemisphere.

Answer:

Two continents that lie entirely in the Southern Hemisphere are:

(a) Australia:

It is the smallest continent that lies entirely in the Southern Hemisphere. It is surrounded on all sides by the oceans and seas. It is called an island continent.

(b) Antarctica:

It is completely in the Southern Hemisphere, is a huge continent. The South Pole lies almost at the centre of this continent. As it is located in the South Polar Region,   

(d) Name the different layers of atmosphere.

Answer:

The atmosphere extends up to a height of about 1,600 kilometres. The atmosphere is divided into five layers based on composition, temperature and other properties. These layers starting from earth’s surface are named as:  

(a) The troposphere.  

(b) The stratosphere.  

(c) The mesosphere.

(d) The thermosphere.

(e) The exosphere.   

(e) Why is the earth called the ‘blue planet’?

Answer:  

More than 71 per cent of the earth is covered with water when we look from outer space it appears blue in colour, so the earth is called the blue planet.    

(f) Why is the Northern Hemisphere called the Land Hemisphere?

Answer:

The Northern Hemisphere is called the Land Hemisphere, because the greater part of the land masses lie in the northern Hemisphere.

(g) Why is the Biosphere important for living organisms?

Answer:

The Biosphere is the narrow zone where we find land, water and air together, which contains all forms of life. The Biosphere important for living organisms, all the living organisms including humans are linked to each other and to the biosphere for survival. Hence we can say that Biosphere is important for living organisms.  

2. Tick the correct answers.

(a) The mountain range that separates Europe from Asia is  

(i) the Andes

(ii) the Himalayas

(iii) the Urals

Answer: (iii) the Urals  ✓ 

(b) The continent of North America is linked to South America by  

(i) an Isthmus

(ii) a Strait

(iii) a Canal

Answer: (i) an Isthmus  ✓ 

(c) The major constituent of atmosphere by per cent is

(i) Nitrogen

(ii) Oxygen

(iii) Carbon dioxide

Answer: (i) Nitrogen  ✓ 

(d) The domain of the earth consisting of solid rocks is

(i) the Atmosphere

(ii) the Hydrosphere

(iii) the Lithosphere

Answer: (iii) the Lithosphere  ✓ 

(e) Which is the largest continent?  

(i) Africa

(ii) Asia

(iii) Australia

Answer: (ii) Asia  ✓ 

3. Fill in the blanks.

Answer:

(a) The deepest point on the earth is ____Marina Trench___ in the Pacific Ocean.  

(b) The ___Indian____ Ocean is named after a country.  

(c) The ___Biosphere___ is a narrow contact zone of land, water and air that supports life.

(d) The continents of Europe and Asia together are known as __Eurasia___.

(e) The highest mountain peak on the earth is ___Everest_____. 

A. What is atmosphere?

Answer:

The earth is surrounded by a layer of gas called the atmosphere. This thin blanket of air is an integral and important aspect of the planet. It provides us with the air we breathe and protects us from the harmful effects of sun’s rays.  

1. Answer the following questions briefly.

(a) Name the major physical divisions of India.  

Answer:

(a) The Himalayan mountains

(b) The Northern Indian plains

(c) The Great Indian desert

(d) The Peninsular plateau or Deccan palteau

(e) The Western Ghats or Sahyadris and the Eastern Ghats

(b) India shares its land boundaries with seven countries. Name them.  

Answer:

India shares its land boundaries with the following seven countries:

(a) Pakistan: On the North-west side.

(b) Afghanistan: On the North-west side.

(c) China: On the North side.

(d) Nepal: On the North side.

(e) Bhutan: On the North side.

(f) Myanmar: On the East side.

(g) Bangladesh: On the East side.

(c) Which two major rivers fall into the Arabian Sea?

Answer:

Two major rivers that fall into the Arabian Sea are:

(a) Narmada: West flowing rivers that drain into Arabian Sea.

(b) Tapi: West flowing rivers that drain into Arabian Sea.

(d) Name the delta formed by the Ganga and the Brahmaputra.

Answer:

The Sunderban delta is formed where the Ganga and Brahmaputra flow into the Bay of Bengal.  

(e) How many States and Union Territories are there in India? Which states have a common capital?  

Answer:

India is a vast country. For administrative purposes, the country is divided into 28 States and 8 Union Territories. New Delhi is the national capital. The states have been formed mainly on the basis of languages.  

(f) Why do a large number of people live in the Northern plains?  

Answer:

A large number of people live in the Northern plains because the Northern plains are generally level and flat and are formed by the alluvial deposits bought down by the river Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra and their tributaries. which makes it the most fertile land. Hence due to good yield it is the choice of people.  

(g) Why is Lakshadweep known as a coral island?  

Answer:

Lakshadweep Islands are located in the Arabian Sea. Lakshadweep are known as coral island because these are formed by the coral deposits. Corals are skeletons of tiny marine animals called Polyps. When the living polyps die, their skeletons are left. Other poplyps grow on top of the hard skeleton which grows higher and higher, thus forming the coral islands.

2. Tick the correct answers.

(a) The southernmost Himalayas are known as  

(i) Shiwaliks

(ii) Himadri

(iii) Himachal

Answer: (i) Shiwaliks  ✓ 

(b) Sahyadris is also known as  

(i) Aravali

(ii) Western Ghats

(iii) Himadri

Answer: (ii) Western Ghats  ✓ 

(c) The Palk Strait lies between the countries

(i) Sri Lanka and Maldives

(ii) India and Sri Lanka

(iii) India and Maldives

Answer: (ii) Asia  ✓ 

(d) The Indian islands in the Arabian Sea are known as

(i) Andaman and Nicobar Islands

(ii) Lakshadweep Islands

(iii) Maldives

Answer: (ii) Lakshadweep Islands  ✓ 

(e) The oldest mountain range in India is the  

(i) Aravali hills

(ii) Western ghats

(iii) Himalayas

Answer: (i) Aravali hills  ✓ 

3. Fill in the blanks.

Answer:

(a) India has an area of about __3.28 million sq. km ___.  

(b) The Greater Himalayas are also known as____Himadri_____.  

(c) The river Narmada falls into the _____Arabian____ sea.

(d) The latitude that runs almost halfway through India is ___Tropic of Cancer___.

Map skills  

1. On an outline map of India, mark the following.

(a) Tropic of Cancer  

(b) Standard Meridian of India  

(c) State in which you live

(d) Andaman Islands and Lakshadweep Islands

(e) Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats  

Answer:

Sketch

A. Explain the major physical divisions of India.

Answer:

India is marked by a diversity of physical features such as mountains, plateaus, plains, coasts and islands. The major physical divisions of India are given below:

(a) The Himalayan mountains: The Himalayan mountains are divided into three main parallel ranges. The northernmost is the Great Himalaya or Himadri. Middle Himalaya or Himachal lies to the south of Himadri. The Shiwalik is the southernmost range.  

(b) The Northern Indian plains: Formed by the alluvial deposits laid down by the rivers– the Indus, the Ganga  

(c) The Great Indian desert: Lies in the western part of India. It is a dry, hot and sandy stretch of land. It has very little vegetation.  

(d) The Peninsular plateau or Deccan palteau:  It is triangular in shape and lies in the south of northern plains. The relief is highly uneven. This is a region with numerous hill rangesand valleys.  

(e) The Western Ghats or Sahyadris and the Eastern Ghats: The Western Ghats or Sahyadris border the plateau in the west and the Eastern Ghats provide the eastern boundary. While the Western Ghats are almost continuous, the Eastern Ghats are broken and uneven.  

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?

Answer:

Below is the list of different festivals celebrated in our locality

(a) Diwali- Celebrated by Hindus. Shared by, Jains and Sikhs.

(b) Gurpurab- Celebrated by Sikhs. Shared by Hindus.

(c) Eid- Celebrated by Muslims. Shared by Hindus.

(d) Holi- Celebrated by Hindus. Shared by Muslims, Sikhs and Jains.

(e) Buddha purnima- Celebrated by Buddhists. Shared by Hindus.

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

Answer:

These differences enrich our lives in many ways and also make them more fun!.Different people, who come from all kinds of backgrounds, and belong to all kinds of religions and cultures help to make India so interesting and so diverse.

Our Festivals and cultural dances are liked and enjoyed by all. People have learned different cuisines and accepted many traditions from each other.    

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?

Answer:

It is definitely an appropriate phrase for our country India. This country has a huge population with people from many different culture backgrounds, religion, skin colour, languages and they follow various traditions and have varied food preferences.

Yet, this huge diverse nation is always united and moving forward accepting all the challenges that diversity poses.

Pt Jawaharlal Nehru is trying to say that tolerance and acceptance is very much ingrained in the citizens of India in his book The Discovery of India.  

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

Answer:

The lines are as under:

“The blood of Hindus and Muslims flows together today”

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?

Answer:

Let us choose Assam and Maharashtra for comparison:

(a) Topography of Assam is Bharampura valley and of Maharashtra is Plateau.

(b) Climate of Assam is hot and humid, but of Maharashtra is moderately hot and wet.

(c)  Vegetation of Assam is dense forest type and that is Maharashtra is scare forests and even not dense.

(d) Agriculture of Rice, Jute and Tea is done in Assam, were as in Maharashtra the crops are Rice, wheat, millets, cotton and sugarcane.

(e) Historically Maharashtra was in trade with Britain ans Assam has traders within country.

Important Questions

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

Answer:

a. Two surgeons were sitting down to lunch when one of them made a call on the mobile phone 3. to speak with her daughter who had just returned from school.  

b. The boy who won the drawing competition went to the dias  

4. on a wheelchair to collect his prize.  

c. One of the fastest athletes in the world

1. suffers from chronic asthma.

d. She was not that well-off but had a dream

2. to become an astronaut which she did.

2. How can the stereotype thinking 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.

Answer:

The stereotype thinking that girls are a burden on their parents affect the life of a daughter in many ways:

(a) They do not send them to school in-spite of the benefits given to girl child. So they become burden on the grooms family.  

(b) Parents do not give adequate food to daughters, thinking they will marry her off and treatment is the responsibility of grooms family.

(c) When daughter falls sick parents do not take care of her health and it becomes difficult to cure prolonged illness later in life.

(d) They do not encourage daughters to become independent, because they know that law treats wife as liability and they can extract money from grooms family.

(e) Daughters are deprived of the love, care and attention by parents, this makes them revengeful with in-laws.

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

Answer:

Constitution says “Equality of status and of opportunity and to promote among them all.”

In terms of status mainly caste and religion based discrimination should not be done by government. Government should not be gender, religion, cast and financial status biased. All should be treated as equal citizens.

Cast based discrimination-Untouchability was made a crime according to the law, Constitution declared India as a secular country. All religions are equal. People must have freedom to celebrate their festivals, speak their language, follow their culture and religion and express their views.

Yes, I think it is important for all people to be of equal status in-spite of caste and religion, education should be given to all children equally, they should be free to choose the kind of work they want to do, government jobs should be open to all of them, hence they can live happily and peacefully, This is the only way they can contribute to the growth of the country and prosperity of nation.

Rich and poor, men and women, employed and unemployed, high cast and low cast, should be allowed to practice their religion, culture and tradition, freely. Innovation and creativity is subject matter of scientific-temperament, hard-work and practice and is no slave to gender, colour, cast and creed.

This is in favour of any nation to give freedom and treat all citizen equally.

4. Sometimes people make prejudiced comments in our presence. We are often not in a position to do anything about this because it is difficult to say something right then and there. Divide the class into groups and each group discuss what they could do in one of the following situations:

a. A friend begins to tease a classmate because he is poor.  

Answer:

Mocking some one, because of his weak financial status is not good to do.

We should learn to respect people for who they are rather making fun of them.

b. You are watching TV with your family and one of them makes a prejudicial comment about a particular religious community.  

Answer:

India is a multi-cultural country and is known for its religious harmony and independence.  

This is in our favour and we should not hurt the sentiments of people following other religions.

c. Children in your class refuse to share their food with a particular person because they think she is dirty.

Answer:

We all are created by God and God has made us supreme and unique in one or the other way. A person may not be good looking but he can be honest, a person may not be studious but may be good in sports.  

So even if she looks dirty she may have a clean heart, Hence not sharing food with some one will hurt God also.

d. Someone tells you a joke that makes fun of a community because of their accent.

Answer:

Yes, it happens many a time when we speak a language other than our native language a dialect is reflected, but it is perfectly normal and rather we should admire the person that for us, he is trying to communicate in a language that we can understand, cracking jokes like this is foolish.  

We all come form one or the other background and have a glimpse of it in our language and gestures which is normal and should be respected rather criticized.  

e. Some boys make remarks about girls not being able to play games as well as them.  

Answer:

The physical development of boys and girls is different, Boys have stiff muscles and hence are strong, while girls have flexible muscles and body is more elastic.

So if is gymnastics they will perform better naturally, them they can also make fun of boys for not bending their body perfectly. We should not make any remark like this rather consider this a normal physique.

Boys and girls have different physical attributes and everybody can not be good at everything, Some girls may not be good at some sports, but they may display talent in badminton or chess or archery that relatively have more of mental skills and physical strength.

So, they should not have made remark on them for not being good at something, We should encourage them in what they are good in.

Discuss in class what the different groups have suggested for the above situations, and also talk about the problems that can come up when raising the issue.

Answer:

All the groups, agreed to that making fun of some one cause of this gender, wealth, culture or religion is indecent and is the person should be considered ill mannered.  

All need to be treated equally and if we give respect we will get respect in return.

There are times while raising sensitive issues like religion or culture people loose temperament and become violent, but this is very less and is common with people that don’t go to school.

Education makes us a better person and makes us more adaptive to situations.

Important Questions

In text Exercise: 

Look at the statements in the column on the left. Can you identify which level they belong to? Place tick marks against the level you consider most appropriate. Local State Central  

•The decision of the Government of India to maintain peaceful relations with Russia.

Answer: Central  

• The decision of the Government of West Bengal on whether to have Board exam in Class 8 for all government schools.

Answer: State

• Introduction of two new trains between Dibrugarh and Kanyakumari.  

Answer: Central  

• The decision to locate a common well in a particular area of the village.  

Answer: Answer  

• Decision to construct a big children’s park in Patna.  

Answer: State

• The decision of the Government of Haryana to provide free electricity for all farmers.  

Answer: State

• Introduction of a new 1000 rupee note.  

Answer: Central

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

Answer:

The government is a system that helps in talking decision for a country on behalf of its people.

The conditions in which citizens of a country live in and ranking of the country depends on its government. Directly or indirectly five ways in which I think the government affects our daily life are as under:

(a) Running Postal and Banking service.

(b) Maintaining Railway and Transport service.

(c) Providing basic Infrastructure.

(d) Maintaining peaceful relations with other countries.

(f) Handling dispute and crime in the country.

2. Why do you think the government needs to make rules for everyone in the form of laws?

Answer:  

Some rules have to be made that apply to everyone. The government needs to make rules for everyone in the form of laws because of the following reasons:

(a) There is a need to control resources and protect the territory of a country, so people can feel secure. Governments do this on behalf of their people by exercising leadership, taking decisions and implementing these among all the people living in their territory.  

(b) When human beings live and work together, there needs to be some kind of organisation so that decisions can be made over and above personal interest.  

3. Name two essential features of a democratic government.

Answer:  

Two essential features of a democratic government are as under:

(a) democracy is rule by the people. The basic idea is that people rule themselves by participating in the making of these rules. In the democratic form of government. It has to explain its actions and decisions to the people.  

(b) People do not participate directly but, instead, choose their representatives through an election process also known as s known as universal adult franchise. These representatives meet and make decisions for the entire population.  

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

Answer:

The term suffrage usually means right to vote. Women and the poor have had to fight for participation in government. Women’s struggle to vote got strengthened during the First World War. This movement is called the women’s suffrage movement.

It accomplished during First World War women were called upon to do work due to shortage of Men. So women began to be seen as being equally capable of making decisions. After a long struggle American women got the right to vote in 1920 while women in the UK got to vote on the same terms as men some years later, in 1928.   

5. Gandhi ji 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.  

Answer:

Illiterate people, who are mainly poor, should not be given the right to vote is a valid view by some, this is based on the fact that Illiterate people can be easily misguided by the clever politicians and then exploited and in the same way poor men may not dream beyond a meal of two times.  

They can also be easily lured for some money. Fake promises and clever schemes easily misguide illiterate and poor.

Well, I do not think the same way, although their point is valid but it does not validates the essence of democracy that has the basic idea of universal adult franchise.

Yes, I think this would be a form of discrimination, five points to support my answer are as under:

(a) India become independent not because of only rich and literate class so this would be a form of discrimination barding poor and illiterate from the right to vote.

(b) A person is poor or illiterate, because he/she is not having enough opportunities to come out of it. Hence, this would be a form of discrimination barding poor and illiterate from the right to vote.

(c) Democracy is based on the idea of equality. Majority of Indians are poor and illiterate if they are not given right to vote it will be a minority rule, Ten percent of the population will exploit ninety percent of rest.

(d) Poor and illiterate not necessarily mean foolish, Villages in India were well managed by the locals, So we can say that poor and illiterate can decide what is good for them.

(e) Great politicians including Gandhi ji demanded that all adults have the right to vote. It is necessary for a poor person to vote because it is his right to change the representative of his area who is not able to help his people.

Important Questions

1. What problem did the villagers in Hardas village face? What did they do to solve this problem?

Answer:

The problem faced by the Hardas village was  

(a) The shortage of water.  

(b) The hand pump water has gone well below the point up to which the ground has been drilled.  

(c) They hardly get any water in the taps.

(d) Women have to go to the Suru river which is 3 K.m. away to get water.

(e) Missing name in the BPL list of the landless labourer who can barely make ends meet.  

(f) Finalisation of the list of people below the poverty line (BPL).  

To solve this problem, gram Panchayat members first discussed the suggestion:

(a) To deepen two hand-pumps and clean one well, so that the village would not go without water.  

(b) The members then went on to discuss the options for a long-term solution like watershed programme would make a substantial difference to the water level.  

(c) A lot of discussion followed. In the end it was decided that the Gram Panchayat would approach the Block Development Officer and get more information on the scheme.  

2. What, in your opinion, is the importance of the Gram Sabha? Do you think all members should attend Gram Sabha meetings? Why?

Answer:

In my opinion, The Gram Sabha prevents the Panchayat from doing wrong things like misusing money or favouring certain people. It plays an important role in keeping an eye on the elected representatives and in making them responsible to the persons who elected them.  

Yes, all the members should attend Gram Sabha meeting because, the Gram Sabha is a key factor in making the Gram Panchayat play its role and be responsible. It is the place where all plans for the work of the Gram Panchayat are placed before the people.

3. What is the link between a Gram Sabha and a Gram Panchayat?

Answer:

The elected members of Gram panchayat serve as the link between the gram sabha and the gram panchayat.

4. Take an example of any one task done by a Panchayat in your area/ nearby rural area and find out the following:

a. Why it was taken up.  

Answer:

There was acute shortage of drinking water. The city river was also dried-up, short term solution to this problem was implemented as free supply of water tanks twice a week to all the house holds.

A long term solution of building an additional over head water tank in the city. Which can be treated as a reservoir and can be used in the time of scarcity.

b. Where the money came from.  

Answer:

The money came from district Panchayat or the Zila Parishad.  

c. Whether or not the work has been completed.

Answer:

The work is going on and has been interrupted due to shortage of funds.

5. What is the difference between a Gram Sabha and a Gram Panchayat?

Answer:

(a) The Gram Sabha is a meeting of all adults who live in the area covered by a Panchayat. This could be only one village or a few villages. Anyone who is 18 years old or more and who has the right to vote is a member of the Gram Sabha.

The Gram panchayat is a group of members who are elected by the Gram Sabha. The village is divided into wards. Each ward elects a representative who is known as the Ward Member (Panch).

(b) All the members of The Gram Sabha also elect a Sarpanch who is the Panchayat President.  

(c) The Ward Panchs and the Sarpanch form the Gram Panchayat.

(d) The Gram Panchayat is elected for five years  

6. Read the following news item. Nimone is a village on the Chauphula-Shirur Road. Like many others, this village has also been facing a severe water shortage for the last few months and villagers depend on tankers for all their needs. Bhagvan Mahadeo Lad (35) of this village was beaten with sticks, iron rods and axes by a group of seven men. The incident came to light when some villagers brought a badly injured Lad to hospital for treatment. In the FIR recorded by the police Lad said that he was attacked when he insisted that the water in the tanker must be emptied into the storage tanks constructed as part of the water supply scheme by Nimone Gram Panchayat so that there would be equal distribution of water. However, he alleged that the upper caste men were against this and told him that the tanker water was not meant for the lower castes. Adapted from Indian Express, May 1, 2004

a. Why was Bhagvan beaten?  

Answer:

Bhagwan was beaten because he wanted that the water brought by the tankers should be available to all the villagers. But the upper castes casts men wanted the water for their use only.

Bhagwan had insisted that the water in the tanker must be emptied into the storage tanks, constructed as part of the water supply scheme by Nimone Gram Panchayat.

b. Do you think that the above is a case of discrimination? Why?  

Answer:

Yes, above is a case of discrimination, because upper caste people wanted the tanker water for themselves only and said the water was not meant for the lower caste people. This is against the constitution.

7. Find out more about watershed development and how it benefits an area?

Answer:

Watershed is the basin of a tributary, It may or may not have a small stream always. In the rainy season it carries water to a stream and enriches it.  

This is seen as an important means of conserving water and recharging (refilling). It is called watershed development scheme and the government gives money for this work.  

A. What is the similarity between a Gram Sabha and a Gram Panchayat?

Answer:

Similarities:

The Gram Panchayat has a Secretary who is also the Secretary of the Gram Sabha.  

Who elects secretary?

This person is not an elected person but is appointed by the government.  

What is his role?

The Secretary is responsible for calling the meeting of the Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat and keeping a record of the proceedings.

1. What is the work of the police?

Answer:

Every police station works within the geographical area assigned to it.  

(a) It is the responsibility of the police to register all cases of theft, accident, injury, fight etc. of that station

(b) It is the responsibility of the police to enquire, to investigate and take action on the cases within its area.  

2. List two things that the work of a Patwari includes.

Answer:

(a) Measuring land and keeping land records is the main work of the Patwari.

(b) Each Patwari is responsible for a group of villages. The Patwari maintains and updates the records of the village.   

(c) The Patwari is also responsible for organising the collection of land revenue from the farmers and providing information to the government about the crops grown in this area.

3. What is the work of a tehsildar?

Answer:

Tehsildar are the revenue officers working under the district collector.  

(a) They also supervise the work of the Patwaris and ensure that records are properly kept and land revenue is collected.

(b) They make sure that the farmers can easily obtain a copy of their record.

(c) Students can obtain their caste certificates etc. form Tehsildar office.

(d) The Tehsildar’s office is also the place where land disputes are heard.

4. What issue is the poem trying to raise? Do you think this is an important issue? Why?

Anjali Monteiro is a filmmaker and she is trying to raise the issue that girls should be given a share in fathers home.  

She wants a place for herself and her mother in their parental homes respectively.

She insists that daughters do not want dowry in form of silk clothes and golden jewellery, but a share in her fathers house.

Yes, this is an important issue, the reasons are as under:

(a) daughters should get a place of their own in their father’s home and they should not depend on their husbands house.

(b) Father should not saves on the upbringing of daughter and her education, thinking he will give this in the form of silk clothes and golden jewellery, rather he should get them best of education so that daughters can become financially independent.

5. In what ways are the work of the Panchayat, that you read about in the previous chapter, and the work of the Patwari related to each other?

Answer:

The work of the Panchayat, and the work of the Patwari are related to each other in their natures:

(a) Clercial in nature:

Patwari maintains and updates the records of the village. Panchayat also maintains the records of developmental work and records of BPL etc.

(b) judicial in nature:

Patwari is associated with Tehsildar’s office where land disputes are also heard. Panchayat also listen to the disputes and solves it.  

6. Visit a police station and find out the work that the police have to do to prevent crime and maintain law and order in their area especially during festivals, public meetings etc.

Answer:

To prevent crime and maintain law and order in their area especially during festivals, public meetings police has to do the following:

(a) Maintains a record of suspected criminals.

(b) Regular patrolling is done for vigilance.

(c) Reach to the place of incident immediately in PCO Van.

(d) During festivals, public meetings etc. Police booths are made and baricating is done, along with checking.

7. Who is in charge of all the police stations in a district? Find out.

Answer:

The in-charge of police stations is Superintendent of Police.  

8. How do women benefit under the new law?

In 2005 Hindu Succession Amendment Act, was passed. In the new law sons, daughters and their mothers in Hindu families can get an equal share in the land.

The same law will apply to all states and union territories of the country. This law will benefit a large number of women.  

9. In your neighbourhood are there women who own property? How did they acquire it?

Answer:  

Yes, there are many women who own property in my neighbourhood.

They acquired it by following ways:

(a) By Schemes:  

Under government schemes women of BPL families where given land.

(b) By buying:

Women doing business or in job purchase property by their saving and also some availed bank loans.

(c) By death of Father:

The father of a women who was farmer died and the women acquired her share of land.

Important Questions

1. Why did the children go to Yasmin Khala’s house?

Answer:

The children ran to khala’s house because while they were plating cricket one of the girl named Rehana hit the ball so hard and so high that the street light broke.  

They wanted to know who should they pay for the damage? To whom did the lights on the streets belong? Who changes them? Etc.  

Rehana asked her mother about this, but her mother could not answer their questions, so she guided them to Yasmin Khala’s house who had just retired form the municipal corporation and is the right person to get the answer.

2. List four ways in which the work of the Municipal Corporation affects the life of a city-dweller.

Answer:

There is a big organisation called the Municipal Corporation that takes care of  

(a) Street lights.

(b) Garbage collection.

(c) Water supply

(d) Keeping the streets and the market clean.

3. Who is a Municipal Councillor?

Answer:

In a municipal corporation the elected members are called Municipal Councillor.  

4. What did Gangabai do and why?

Answer:

She gathered a small group of women and went to the house of Ward Councillor. They began shouting slogans in front of his house.

There was usually garbage lying all over the street and even neighbourhood that would remain uncollected and attract dogs, rats and flies. Also, people get ill from the smell. At one point things became so bad that children even stopped playing cricket in the street because their parents were afraid that they’d get sick from staying on the streets too long.

Gangabai described the situation in the locality to ward councillor. who promised to go with them the next day to meet the Commissioner. And asked Gangabai to get a petition signed by all of the adults in the locality saying that garbage was not being collected which she did.

5. How does the Municipal Corporation earn the money to do its work?

Answer:

The Municipal Corporation earn the money to do its work from following resources:

(a) Collection form taxes on services for example water tax, property tax.

(b) Taxes on education and other amenities. like hotels or shops.

6. Discuss In the two photographs you see different ways of collecting and disposing garbage. 

i) Which way do you think provides safety to the person disposing garbage?

Answer:

The Photo 2 provides safety to the person disposing garbage.

ii) What are the dangers of collecting garbage in the manner shown in the first photograph?

Answer:

The dangers of collecting garbage in the manner shown in the first photograph are as under:

(a) Infections: The garbage is a natural habitat of insects and rodents that carry pathogens like plasmodium vivex, plague and others, that can cause serious illness like malaria, dengue chikungunya and plague in humans.

(b) Animals: Such places often attract cows and dogs, who can attack the garbage collectors.

(c) Environmental hazards: Garbage gives foul smell and cause air pollution,

(d) Image: Garbage dumps degrade the image of area or city.

(e) Danger of injury: Garbage sometimes contain sharp metal and glass pieces that can cause injury to the collector.

(f) Epidemic: The garbage germs are washed by rains and find way in drinking water of people with poor sanitary conditions and cause epidemic like diarrhoea and other water born diseases and can cause large number of deaths.

iii) Why do you think that proper ways of disposing garbage are not available to those who work in municipalities?

Answer:

I think that proper ways of disposing garbage are not available to those who work in municipalities because of following reasons:

(a) Unavailability: Municipal corporation does not provide long boots, gloves, caps and protective garment to the workers.  

(b) Infrastructure: Scarcity of garbage collecting vehicles and trucks and other automatic equipments ads to to the problem.

(c) Corruption: The officials sell the gloves and other disinfectants in black market and workers are deprived of it.

(d) Education: The staff also need to be educated to handle the hazardous waste with minimum contact.

(e) Awareness: Lack of awareness among people to put the garbage in right kind of bin viz dry garbage should not be mixed with wet garbage.

7. Several poor people in the city work as domestic servants as well as work for the Corporation, keeping the city clean. Yet the slums in which they live are quite filthy. This is because these slums seldom have any water and sanitation facilities. The reason often given by the Municipal Corporation is that the land in which the poor have set up their homes does not belong to them and that slum-dwellers do not pay taxes. However people living in middle class neighbourhoods pay very little in taxes compared to the amount of money the corporation spends on them in setting up parks, street lighting facilities, regular garbage collection etc. Also as you read in this chapter, the property taxes collected by the Municipality makes up only 25-30 per cent of its money.

Why do you think it is important that the Corporation should spend more money on slum localities?  

Answer:

it is important that the Corporation should spend more money on slum localities because:  

(a) Poor can not buy clean drinking water bottles themselves and will die under unhygienic conditions, Itis important for the municipal corporation to clean the slums which getscollected in the land where the poor people live. Just because they do not pay tax it is not a valid reason for neglecting the basic service to citizens of a country.

(b) The people who live near these lands catch diseases and behave as host for many diseases. It will get spread to the rich also, which is not wise. So, it important that the Municipal Corporation provide the poor in the city with the same facilities that the rich get.

Why is it important that the Municipal Corporation provide the poor in the city with the same facilities that the rich get?

Answer:

It isimportant that the Municipal Corporation provide the poor in the city with the same facilities that the rich get because of the following reasons:

(a) Rich and poor all are equal in India, this is surely a discrimination and is constitutionally incorrect.

(b) Clean drinking water and hygienic conditions are necessary for all living beings, and poor are also humans.

(c)  People are poor because of lack of employment opportunities, they should not be allowed to suffer because of government failure.

(d) Clean air and water is provided by nature to all of us equally and itis unfair if only rich getthis privilege.

8. Look at the image below:

The Government of India launched the Swachh Bharat Mission on 2 October 2014 to promote cleanliness in both rural and urban areas all over the nation. Under the “Swachh Bharat, Swachh Vidyalaya” campaign, many activities are also being carried out in schools to generate awareness on sanitation and hygiene amongst students. Observe the ways in which “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan” is being implemented by municipality / panchayat in your locality. Prepare a poster and display it in your school.   

Answer:

In our locality, swatchh bharat, swatchh vidyalaya campaign was carried out. Following activities were done under cleanness drive:  

(a) Playground cleaning.

(b) Toilet cleaning.

(c) staff room cleaning.

(d) Sports room cleaning.

Following activities were done under awareness drive:

(a) Debate competition “Why cleanses is important.”

(b) Painting competition “Clean environment”

(c) Marathon of teachers.

 A. Fill in the blanks in the sentences below:  

Answer:

1. In a panchayat the elected members are called _Panch__.

2. The city is divided into several __Wards___.

3. In a municipal corporation the elected members are called _Councillor___.

4. Groups of councillors deal with issues that affect the __entire city___.

5. Elections are held once every ___five__ years for the panchayat as well as for the municipality

6. While the councillors make decisions the administrative staff led by the Commissioner ___implement___ these.

B. Did you know that your taxes enable the government to provide roads, bridges, parks, and street lights? List three more benefits that the taxes help in funding, after discussing with your family:  

Answer:

1. Health services: Hospitals and Medicines.

2. Water services: Digging of pumps and river/canal development.

3. Recruiting teachers and construction of government schools for weaker sections. 

1. You have probably noticed that people in Kalpattu are engaged in a variety of non-farm work. List five of these.

Answer:

The people in kalpattu are engaged in a variety of non farm work such as:

(a) Making basket, utensils, pots brick, bullock cart etc.

(b) Selling, tea, snacks, tiffin and grocery.

(c) Washing clothes.

(d) Cycle renting and repairing.

(e) Works as construction workers and lorry drivers.

(f) People who provide services like blacksmith, washermen, weavers, teachers and nurses.

2. List the different types of people you read about in Kalpattu who depend on farming. Who is the poorest among them and why?

Answer:

The different types of people in kalpattu who depend on farming are as under:

(a) Large farmers or Land owners: The large farmers employ the farm labours. These large farmers cultivate most of the land in the villages.  

(b) Small farmers: The land of small farmers is barely enough to meet their needs.

(c)  Farm Labours or landless labour: Farm labours totally depend upon other farmers for their lively hood. They go without work for most part of the year.

The poorest among them are landless peasants, because of the following reasons:  

(a) Paid less: They work on others land and hardy get enough money to survive.

(b) Less work: They go without work for most part of the year. Hence are job less most of the time.

3. Imagine you are a member of a fishing family and you are discussing whether to take a loan from the bank for an engine. What would you say?

Answer:

If I were a member of fishing family, We can go far into the sea and can get a better catch if we own the catamaran, engine and nets. So I would say yes to it and taking because taking loan from a bank is beneficial as compared to other sources, due to following reasons:

(a) The process is simple for poor people.

(b) The interest rate is low.

(c) Many times government schemes are there by which loan can be waived off.

4. Poor rural labourers like Thulasi often do not have access to good medical facilities, good schools, and other resources. You have read about inequality in the first unit of this text. The difference between her and Ramalingam is one of inequality.

Do you think this is a fair situation? What do you think can be done? Discuss in class.

Answer:

No this is not a fair situation, every one should get good medical facility, good schools and other resources. Inequality is not good for society. There is major difference in the living standard of Thulasi and Ramalingam.

Thulshi should be offered financial assistance or a job from the government when he does not get work in farms, Free medical facilities and medicine should be provided to his family and most importantly schooling should be given to his children.

5. What do you think the government can do to help farmers like Sekar when they get into debt? Discuss.

Answer:

When farmers like Sekhar get into debt, they are surrounded by other problems like health issues due to scarcity of money and also school drop out rate increases in such families.

6. Compare the situation of Sekar and Ramalingam by filling out the following table:

Answer:

(a) Land cultivated:  

Sekhar: It is about 2 acre.

Ramalingam: Owns about 20 acers or land.

(b) Labour required:  

Sekhar: Work on their own.

Ramalingam: Employee other labourers.

(c) Loans required:  

Sekhar: Take loans from traders.

Ramalingam: No home.

(d) Selling of harvest:  

Sekhar: Some of it is used by home and rest is sold to the trader at low price than market.

Ramalingam: The rice that is produced in the mill is sold to traders in nearby towns.  

(e) Other work done by them:  

Sekhar: Working in the rice mill and selling milk.

Ramalingam: Ramalingam’s family owns a rice mill and a shop selling seeds, pesticides etc.  

Important Questions

1. Read and discuss the following description of the living conditions of workers who come to the labour chowk.

Most workers that we find at the labour chowk cannot afford permanent accommodation and so sleep on pavements near the chowk, or they pay Rs 6 a night for a bed at a nearby night shelter run by the Municipal Corporation. To compensate for the lack of security, local tea and cigarette shops function as banks, moneylenders and safety lockers, all rolled into one. Most workers leave their tools at these shops for the night for safekeeping, and pass on any extra money to them. The shopkeepers keep the money safely and also offer loans to labourers in need.

Answer:

(a) These workers are either daily wagers or they are self employed and works as loaders. Handcart pullers or rickshaw pullers.

(b) When they are sick they cannot work during those days.

(c) There get jobs for one of two days as helper or mesons and hardly have any thing to eat.

(d) They sleep on streets and may be during rainy season they pay for the night shelter.

(f) They depend on the local tea shop or other shops to keep their belongings safe.

They live a difficult life.

2. Complete the following table and discuss how their work is different:

Answer:

(a) Name: Bachchu Manjhi:  

Place of work – Road Side

Earning – Rs. 100 a day  

Security of work – No security of work

Benefits received – No benefits

Work on their own or employed – Work on their own

(b) Name: Harpreet, Vandana

Place of work –  Showroom selling ready made clothes.

Earning –  Good, owned car and booked flat.

Security of work –  No security of work.

Benefits received –  No benefits.

Work on their own or employed – Work on their own

(c) Name: Nirmala

Place of work –  export garment factory.

Earning –  Rs 280 a day for eight hours and Rs 100 extra for working late.

Security of work – No security  

Benefits received –  No benefits

Work on their own or employed –   Employed

(d) Name: Sudha

Place of work – Company  

Earning – Rs. 30,000 p.m.

Security of work –  Yes, permanent worker with the company.  

Benefits received –   

• (a) She gets off on Sundays and national holidays.  
• (b) She also gets some days as annual leave.  
• (c) Medical facilities for her family. She gets medical leave if she falls ill and her salary is not cut if she avails this leave.
• (d) She gets a regular salary.
• (e) A part of her salary is kept in a fund with the government. When she retires from this job she will get this money.  
• (f) Work on their own or employed –  Employed.  

3. In what ways is a permanent and regular job different from a casual job? Discuss.

Answer:

Permanent and regular job are different from a casual job in the following ways:

Permanent and regular job:

(a) Income Type: Regular monthly salary.  

(b) Savings for old age: Pension.

(c) Holidays: Sundays and national holidays etc.

(d) Medical facilities for her family:  Medical expenses are reimbursed,

(e) Sickness Leave: In case of illness get paid leave.

Casual job:

(a) Income Type: Daily wages, get paid only for working days.

(b) Savings for old age: No Pension.

(c) Holidays: May have to work on holidays and long shifts.

(d) Medical facilities for her family:  No Medical benefits for self or family.

(e) Sickness Leave: In case of illness get unpaid leave.

4. What benefits does Sudha get along with her salary?

Answer:

Along with fixed Earning of Rs. 30,000 p.m. as salary. Sudha get many benefits such as:

(a) She is a permanent worker with the company with job security.  

(b) She gets off on Sundays and national holidays.  

(c) She also gets some days as annual leave.  

(d) She gets medical leave if she falls ill and her salary is not cut, company pays the medical expenses up to a certain amount for her and her family members.  

(e) A part of her salary is kept in a fund with the government. When she retires from this job she will get this money.  

5. Fill in the following table to show the services provided by people in the markets which you visit frequently.

Answer:

(a) Name of the shop or office:  Garment Shop

Nature of the service provided:  Provides clothes as per the requirement of customers.

(b) Name of the shop or office:  Utensils Shop

Nature of the service provided:  Provides utensils as per the requirement of customers.

(c) Name of the shop or office:  Barber Shop

Nature of the service provided:  Provides services like hair cutting etc. to of customers.

(d) Name of the shop or office:  Restaurant

Nature of the service provided:  Provides snacks etc. as per the requirement of customers.

(e) Name of the shop or office:  Bank

Nature of the service provided:  Provide financial services to the customers.

Important Questions