Short & Long Answer Questions: Rhythms of Nature | Our Wondrous World Class 5 - New NCERT PDF Download

Short Answer Questions

Q1: What causes day and night?
Ans: Earth's rotation on its axis creates day when facing the sun and night when away. This cycle repeats daily.

Q2: How many seasons are there in India?
Ans: India has six seasons: vasanta (spring), grishma (summer), varsha (monsoon), sharad (autumn), hemant (pre-winter), shishir (winter). They shape nature and activities.

Q3: What covers three-fourths of Earth?
Ans: Water covers most of Earth, as seen on globes. It's vital for life, with oceans connected globally.

Q4: Name festivals linked to seasons.
Ans: Holi in spring, Pongal for harvest in autumn, Nag Panchami in monsoon, honouring snakes. They celebrate nature's cycles.

Q5: What is Mawsynram known for?
Ans: It's the wettest place on Earth in Meghalaya, receiving heavy monsoon rains. This contrasts with the dry Thar desert.

Q6: How do animals predict rain?
Ans: Ants carry eggs to higher ground, and koels sing in Odisha before rains. These natural signs help farmers prepare.

Q7: What model represents Earth?
Ans: A globe shows Earth's shape, with blue for water and land for countries. It helps understand geography.

Q8: Why do seasons differ across India?
Ans: Geography, like Kashmir's cold winters versus Kerala's mild ones, causes variations. Monsoons vary from wet Assam to dry Rajasthan.

Q9: What repeats every year in nature?
Ans: Seasons repeat annually, influencing plant growth, animal behaviour, and human activities like farming and festivals.

Q10: Which village sees India's first sunrise?
Ans: Dong in Arunachal Pradesh, known as the 'First Village of the Sunrise'. It highlights India's eastern extent.

Long Answer Questions

Q1: Explain how day and night occur and their representation on a globe.
Ans: Day and night occur due to Earth's rotation on its axis, and their representation on a globe illustrates the division of light and dark areas across the planet.

• Earth's rotation causes day on the sun-facing side and night on the opposite.
• A globe demonstrates this with light showing illuminated areas.
• This cycle affects sleep, work, and nature.
• In India, it is tied to festivals and daily rhythms.
• Understanding via activities like throwing light from a torch on a globe teaches planetary movement and time zones.

Q2: Describe India's six seasons and their impact on life.
Ans: India’s six seasons, rooted in its traditional calendar, shape daily life, agriculture, culture, and festivals, reflecting a deep connection between nature and society.

• Vasanta brings flowers, grishma heat, varsha rains, sharad harvests, hemant coolness, shishir cold.
• They influence crops, festivals like Holi in spring, and animal behaviours.
• Regional differences, like wet monsoons in Assam, shape agriculture and culture.
• Observing changes in journals fosters appreciation for nature's repeating patterns.

Q3: How do natural signs and places reflect seasonal rhythms?
Ans: Natural signs and places in India vividly reflect seasonal rhythms, showcasing the cyclical changes of the six seasons through distinct environmental cues and cultural connections.

• Birds like koels signal rain, and ants move eggs pre-monsoon.
• Wettest Mawsynram contrasts with driest Thar, showing diversity.
• Festivals like Pongal celebrate harvests, and Nag Panchami respects snakes in the rains.
• These connect humans to nature, teaching adaptation and respect for cycles in varied Indian landscapes.

Q4: Discuss the role of journaling in understanding seasonal changes.
Ans: Journaling plays a vital role in understanding seasonal changes by enabling individuals to observe, record, and reflect on natural and cultural patterns, fostering a deeper connection with India’s six seasons.

• Journals track plant growth, animal behaviours, weather, and activities over periods like April-June.
• Class charts and posters analyse patterns, revealing six seasons' impacts.
• This builds observation skills, linking nature to human life.
• Sharing stories from elders highlights long-term changes, encouraging environmental awareness.

Q5: Why are seasons connected to festivals and agriculture in India?
Ans: In India, seasons are deeply connected to festivals and agriculture due to the country’s six-season cycle, which shapes cultural traditions and agricultural practices, reflecting a harmonious relationship with nature.

• Seasons dictate planting and harvesting, with summer crops differing from winter ones.
• Festivals like Baisakhi mark new years and harvests, and Holi in spring.
• This harmony sustains food and culture.
• Regional variations, like Odisha's koel songs, integrate nature's rhythms into daily life, promoting sustainable farming and celebrations.