CBSE Class 5 EVS The Mystery of Food Worksheet Set 01

Fill in the Blanks

Question. Chewing food produces .......... which helps digest the food.
Answer: saliva
Explanation: When you chew, your mouth makes watery saliva that mixes with food to make it soft and easy to digest.

Question. .......... store food for their larvae.
Answer: Solitary wasps
Explanation: Solitary wasps catch small insects and put them inside their nests so their baby larvae have fresh food to eat.

Question. .......... teeth help in crushing food.
Answer: Molar
Explanation: Molars are wide, flat teeth located at the back of your mouth that mash food into a fine paste.

Question. In our mouth, food is crushed down by chewing and mixed with __________ to help digestion.
Answer: saliva
Explanation: Saliva is the watery liquid in our mouth that softens crushed food so it can glide down your throat easily.

Question. Microbes need __________, __________ and the right temperature to multiply.
Answer: moisture, air
Explanation: Tiny germs need water to drink, air to breathe, and mild warmth to grow and multiply.

Question. __________ in the air helps idli batter to rise and become fluffy.
Answer: Microbes
Explanation: Good microbes create tiny pockets of air inside the batter, making steamed idlis soft and spongy.

Question. __________ and salt are added to pickles to keep them from rotting.
Answer: Oil
Explanation: Oil floats on top to keep out air, while salt removes water, stopping germs from rotting the pickle.

True or False

Question. To keep teeth healthy, we should brush daily.
Answer: True
Explanation: Brushing your teeth in the morning and before bed removes food bits and stops germs from making cavities.

Question. Seasonal fruits grow in every season.
Answer: False
Explanation: Seasonal fruits only grow during a particular time of the year, such as juicy mangoes in summer.

Question. Salt and sugar are recent ways to preserve food.
Answer: False
Explanation: People have used salt and sugar to keep pickles and jams fresh for thousands of years, so it is an ancient method.

Question. Microbes are always dangerous to humans.
Answer: False
Explanation: Many microbes are friendly and helpful, like the good bacteria that turn milk into delicious curd.

Question. Pickles spoil quicker if no oil is added.
Answer: True
Explanation: Without a layer of oil to shield them, outside air reaches the pickle pieces and causes bad germs to grow.

Question. Drying food in the sun eliminates moisture and helps preserve it.
Answer: True
Explanation: Hot sunlight dries away all the water inside food, so microbes cannot survive or spoil it.

Question. Chewing food well can improve digestion.
Answer: True
Explanation: Chewing mashes food into tiny, soft pieces that your stomach can break down easily without tummy ache.

Match the Following

Question. Match the following preservation techniques in Column A with their functions in Column B:

Answer:
(i) Drying — (c) Removes moisture to stop microbes from growing
(ii) Oiling — (d) Blocks air and prevents microbial growth
(iii) Refrigeration — (a) Keeps temperature cool to reduce microbes growth
(iv) Airtight packaging — (b) Keeps out air and microbes in factories
Explanation: Drying takes away water that germs need. Oil forms a blanket that shuts out air. A fridge makes food too cold for germs to grow. Airtight packages in factories seal food safely away from outside dirt.

Vocabulary Activity - "Guess the Word"

Question. The sharp, flat front teeth used for biting and slicing food into pieces:
Answer: Incisors
Explanation: Incisors are the flat front teeth that work like little scissors to take neat bites of apples and carrots.

Question. The watery liquid in our mouth that moistens food and aids in digestion:
Answer: Saliva
Explanation: Saliva keeps your mouth wet and mixes with chewed food to start breaking down nutrients.

Question. The pointed teeth next to incisors that are used for ripping and tearing food:
Answer: Canines
Explanation: Canines are sharp, pointed teeth that help tear apart tough foods like corn cobs or meat.

Vocabulary Activity - "Guess the Word"

Question. What can happen if you swallow down food without chewing?
Answer: Choking
Explanation: Swallowing big chunks of food can get them stuck in your throat and make it hard to breathe.

Question. A doctor who should be consulted if someone has a toothache:
Answer: Dentist
Explanation: A dentist is a friendly tooth doctor who cleans teeth, treats cavities, and fixes painful toothaches.

Question. The wetness or water that microbes need to multiply:
Answer: Moisture
Explanation: Microbes love water; when things are dry, these tiny germs cannot live or multiply.

Questions / Short Question Answers

Question. What do microbes need to grow, and how can we prevent them?
Answer: Microbes need moisture, air, and the right temperature to grow. If we take away even one of these things, they stop growing. We can stop them by drying the food, storing it in oil, or keeping it in the fridge. This helps food stay fresh for a longer time. Keeping air and water away from food protects it from microbes.
Explanation: Germs need air, warmth, and water to live. If we keep food very cold, completely dry, or soaked in oil, germs cannot survive.

Question. How does curd help our stomach when we are sick?
Answer: Curd contains friendly bacteria like Lactobacillus. These good microbes soothe the stomach, stop harmful germs from growing, and help our digestion get back to normal when we feel unwell.
Explanation: Curd is packed with helpful little bacteria that fight bad tummy bugs and cool down an upset stomach.

Question. Explain the roles of different types of teeth in our mouth.
Answer: We have different types of teeth for different purposes. Incisors cut the food into pieces. Canines help tear the food. Premolars crush the food, and molars grind it into smaller pieces. This helps us chew food properly and makes it easier to digest.
Explanation: Front teeth bite food into pieces, sharp canine teeth tear it, and wide back teeth grind it up so it is easy to swallow.

Question. How do factories protect food?
Answer: Factories preserve food by sealing it in airtight cans and packages to keep microbes away from food.
Explanation: Metal cans and sealed bags keep air and dirt out so that germs cannot reach the food and spoil it.

Question. How do oil and refrigeration help prevent food from spoiling?
Answer: Oil forms a protective layer on top of food that cuts off outside air, leaving no oxygen for microbes to live. Refrigeration cools the food down so much that microbes cannot multiply. Both methods stop germs from growing and keep food safe.
Explanation: Oil blocks the air so germs cannot breathe, and a cold fridge puts germs to sleep so food stays fresh.

Question. What happens when food is stored in the fridge or freezer?
Answer: When food is kept in the cold temperature of a fridge or freezer, microbes stop growing and multiply very slowly. This prevents food from turning sour or rotting, keeping it fresh for many days.
Explanation: Germs hate the cold; chilling food in the fridge stops them from spoiling your milk and vegetables.

Question. How do microbes help us in everyday life?
Answer: Microbes help us in many ways. They help in making curd and cheese. They also help us digest the food we eat. Some microbes are used to make medicines. These tiny living things are useful and are found all around us.
Explanation: Good microbes turn warm milk into tasty curd, help our tummy digest dinner, and help scientists create healing medicines.

Questions / Short Question Answers

Question. What measures should you follow to avoid food spoilage during a school trip?
Answer: Carry dry or preserved foods like fruits, nuts, or pickles. Use airtight containers, avoid packing foods that spoil fast, and keep things cool when possible. These steps reduce moisture and air, which prevents microbes from growing and keeps food safe to eat.
Explanation: Packing dry items in tightly sealed lunchboxes keeps out wet air and stops your food from turning sour while traveling.

Question. Name any two ancient methods of food preservation used in India.
Answer: Two traditional preservation methods are drying food in the sun and using oil and salt to make pickles.
Explanation: Indian families have used hot sunlight to dry chillies and rich mustard oil to pickle mangoes for generations.

Question. Why is it necessary to chew food properly before swallowing?
Answer: Chewing food properly breaks it into small pieces, mixes it with saliva, and helps digestion. It also prevents choking by making sure food can pass down the throat safely, reducing health risks while eating.
Explanation: Grinding food into tiny soft bits prevents large chunks from getting stuck in your throat and helps your stomach work smoothly.

Question. What do microbes require to grow?
Answer: Microbes need moisture, air, and the right temperature to grow and multiply.
Explanation: Just like little plants, tiny microbes need water, air to breathe, and warm conditions to multiply.

Question. How do good microbes help our wellness?
Answer: Good microbes, such as those found in curd, help with digestion by joining the good microbes in our stomach. They also help in making some foods like curd and idli batter rise, and promote better gut health.
Explanation: Friendly bacteria live in our tummy to fight bad bugs and help us digest our meals comfortably.

Question. Why do some foods spoil rapidly while others last for a long time? Explain with examples.
Answer: Foods like bread spoil quickly because microbes grow easily if moisture and air are present. Pickles last longer because oil or salt keeps out air and moisture, stopping microbes from growing. Preservation methods like drying, oiling, or refrigeration help food stay fresh longer.
Explanation: Wet bread gives germs lots of water to grow on, but salty oil in pickles keeps water and air away from germs.

Question. What would occur if we did not preserve food?
Answer: Without food preservation, most items would spoil quickly, leading to wastage and food shortage. People could get sick from eating spoiled food, and there would be more hunger, especially during times when fresh food is not available.
Explanation: Without preservation, fresh milk and veggies would rot in two days, leaving very little food to eat during winter or dry seasons.

Question. What is the role of saliva in our mouth during eating?
Answer: Saliva helps break down food, making it easier to chew and swallow, and aids in digestion.
Explanation: Saliva wets your food so it does not hurt your throat when you swallow, and it starts digesting food right away.