Chapter 1 – Water: The Essence of Life (Class 5)
Discuss
1. Can we drink ocean water?
No, ocean water is salty and not fit for drinking.
2. What can ocean water be used for?
Making salt, fishing, transport and industries.
Activity 1 – Freshwater Sources
River, Lake, Pond, Glacier, Rainwater, Groundwater, Stream
Activity 2
(a) Where do droplets come from?
From water vapour in air (condensation).
(b) What happens to ice?
Ice melts into water.
(c) What happens on heating?
Water turns into steam.
Forms of water:
Solid, Liquid, Gas
Activity 3 – Water Cycle
Water heats → Sunlight
Droplets form → Cooling
Water falls → Gravity
Activity 4
Water seeps into soil and becomes groundwater.
Activity 5
✔ Green lawn (helps groundwater recharge)
Activity 6
Seeds move from high to low, spread and collect in low areas.
Discuss (River Flow)
Rivers flow according to land slope towards Arabian Sea or Bay of Bengal.
Activity 7 – Rivers
Ganga → Bay of Bengal
Godavari → Bay of Bengal
Narmada → Arabian Sea
Life in Water
Land: breathe air, walk
Water: gills, fins, swim
Activity 8
Fish – fins
Heron – long beak
Frog – jumps
Duck – webbed feet
Plants in Water
Lotus, Hydrilla, Water lily
Activity 9
Water spreads on plain paper but forms droplets on wax.
Activity 10
Plants → Fish → Bird → Human (Food chain)
Let Us Reflect
Ocean → Not drinkable
Snow → Solid
Steam → Vapour
Rainwater → Freshwater
📌 Let Us Reflect
1. Match the following:
(i) Ocean water (a) Solid form of water
(ii) Snow (b) Vapour form of water
(iii) Steam (c) Not fit for drinking
(iv) Rainwater (d) Freshwater
(i) → (c) Not fit for drinking
(ii) → (a) Solid form of water
(iii) → (b) Vapour form of water
(iv) → (d) Freshwater
2. Why do you think most of the water on Earth cannot be used for drinking or farming?
Most of the water on Earth is salty ocean water, which is not suitable for drinking or farming.
3. Large number of living beings live near water bodies. Why?
Because water is essential for survival. It is needed for drinking, food, and living.
4. What would happen if it did not rain in your region for two years?
There would be drought, shortage of water, crops would fail, and life would become difficult.
5. What happens to rainwater in a forest compared to a city?
In forests, rainwater is absorbed into the soil. In cities, it flows away due to concrete surfaces.
6. Design a water-saving house or school. What would it include?
It would include rainwater harvesting, water tanks, reuse of water, gardens, and proper drainage system.
