EVS Worksheet: The Mystery of Food & Our School – Class 5
Based on NCERT Lesson: The World Around Us
Competency 1: Observation and Reporting
Q1. Picture-based question. Observe the picture of Uttapam left in the tiffin box. What changes do you see on the uttapam?
Q2. Scenario-based question. Disha saw chillies drying on a mat under the sun. Why are they dried?
Q3. Picture-based question. Look at the jar of pickled mangoes covered with oil. What is the purpose of adding oil to the pickles?
Q4. Scenario-based question. Disha opened the refrigerator to find milk, vegetables, and cake inside. Why is refrigeration important for these foods?
Q5. Picture-based question. Observe the clay pot (matka). How does it help keep water cool?
Q6. Scenario-based question. Why did the bread left on the balcony spoil faster than the pickles stored in oil?
Q7. Scenario-based question. Disha noticed mould has grown on the food in her tiffin box. What are these moulds?
Q8. Fill in the blanks. Microbes need _______, _______, and the right temperature to grow.
Q9. Short answer. Name two traditional methods used to keep food from spoiling for a long time.
Q10. Scenario-based question. Why do food factories use airtight cans and packaging?
Competency 2: Identification and Classification
Q1. Sorting activity. Sort the following into 'Microbes that spoil food' and 'Microbes that help in digestion or making food': mould, bacteria in curd, yeast, harmful bacteria.
Q2. Matching. Match the food preservation method to its description:
a) Drying
b) Pickling
c) Refrigeration
d) Freezing
Q3. Naming. Name two foods that are dried to prevent spoilage.
Q4. Multiple Choice. Which of these helps good microbes grow in food?
a) Heat
b) Cold
c) Moisture
d) Removing air
Q5. Grouping. Group these microbes as good or bad: mould, yeast, bacteria in curd, harmful bacteria.
Q6. Fill in the blanks. _________ helps to preserve food by keeping it cold enough to slow microbe growth.
Q7. True or False. Adding oil to pickles keeps air away and helps preserve them. (True/False)
Q8. Naming question. Name one traditional spice used in Indian food preservation.
Q9. Fill in the blanks. The food item 'ghee' is made by removing the water content from ________.
Q10. Naming question. Name two items that can be made from mangoes to enjoy them for longer durations.
Competency 3: Discovery of Facts
Q1. Map-based question. Look at the map of India showing regions where different traditional food preservation methods are used. Name any two methods shown and their regions.
Q2. Short answer. What role do microbes play in making curd and helping us digest food?
Q3. Inquiry question. How does removing moisture from food help in preventing spoilage?
Q4. Reasoning question. Why is it important to store food in airtight containers?
Q5. Long answer. Explain why some foods last longer than others. How do traditional methods help in preserving food?
Q6. Multiple choice. Which of these methods helps microbes grow in food?
a) Keeping food in the fridge
b) Storing in airtight containers
c) Leaving food open in warm air
d) Drying food under the sun
Q7. Fill in the blanks. Good microbes help us by making foods like ____, ____, and help in digestion.
Q8. True or False. Being kind and keeping the school environment clean helps promote better health. (True/False)
Q9. Observation. What happens when food is stored in the fridge too long? How can you tell if food is spoiled?
Q10. Application. List three ways you can help keep your school a greener, cleaner, and healthier place.
Activities
Activity 1: Food Preservation Observation
Observe how your family preserves food at home (drying, pickling, refrigeration). Draw or write about one method and explain how it helps keep food safe.
Activity 2: Making a Healthy School
With your classmates, make a plan to keep your school clean and green. Include activities like tree planting, waste segregation, and water conservation. Present your ideas creatively.