CBSE Class 5 EVS Water The Essence of Life Worksheet Set 02

Fill in the Blanks

Question. A river usually starts its journey from the __________.
Answer: mountains
Explanation: High up in the cold mountains, melting snow and fresh rain trickle together to give birth to a river.

Question. When it rains, water trickles into the ground and becomes __________.
Answer: groundwater
Explanation: Rain sinks through tiny spaces in soil and sand to create underground pools of water called groundwater.

Question. The waxy layer on aquatic leaves makes them __________.
Answer: waterproof
Explanation: The waxy surface acts like an umbrella, making water roll right off so the floating leaf doesn't rot or drown.

Question. The state of __________ is renowned for constructing traditional johads to store rainwater.
Answer: Rajasthan
Explanation: Because Rajasthan is very dry and sandy, villagers build small earthen dams called johads to trap every precious drop of rain.

Question. An example of a free-floating plant whose roots drift freely in water is water __________.
Answer: hyacinth
Explanation: Water hyacinth does not anchor into the mud; its roots dangle like little sponges under the water as it floats along.

Question. Water vapour cools down high up in the atmosphere to form __________.
Answer: clouds
Explanation: When warm, invisible steam floats high into the cool sky, it bunches together into fluffy white clouds.

Question. Ice cubes used in chilled drinks represent the __________ state of water.
Answer: solid
Explanation: When liquid water gets colder than 0°C, it freezes hard and turns into solid ice.

Question. Melting snow or rainwater flows downhill due to the pull of __________.
Answer: gravity
Explanation: Earth's gravity pulls everything downward, which is why rivers always run down slopes toward the sea.

True or False

Question. Reeds are free-floating aquatic plants.
Answer: False
Explanation: Reeds have strong roots stuck firmly into the muddy banks or bottom of a lake; they do not float freely.

Question. Paved roads help in groundwater recharge.
Answer: False
Explanation: Concrete and tar roads act like solid shields that block rainwater from seeping down into the soil.

Question. The Jal Shakti Museum is recognized as India's first water museum.
Answer: True
Explanation: This special museum was set up to teach people all about water heritage and conservation across India.

Question. Water scorpions spend their lives dwelling underwater.
Answer: True
Explanation: Water scorpions are aquatic insects that hunt small critters beneath the water surface while breathing through a tiny tail tube.

Question. The Luni river drains completely into the Arabian Sea.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Luni river flows through Rajasthan and ends up disappearing into the marshy salt flats of the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat.

Question. Water exists in nature in four distinct physical states.
Answer: False
Explanation: Water naturally exists in three forms: solid (ice), liquid (water), and gas (steam or vapour).

Questions / Short Question Answers

Question. How does a river journey down toward the sea?
Answer: A river begins in high mountains from melting snow or rain and flows downward due to gravity, following the curves of the land until it empties into a lake or ocean.
Explanation: Water always finds the lowest path, rolling down hills just like a marble on a slide.

Question. What is groundwater and how do people extract it for use?
Answer: Groundwater is rain that has seeped deep into underground soil and rock crevices; people pull it up using open wells, borewells, and handpumps for drinking and farming.
Explanation: Think of the ground as a giant sponge that holds clean water deep below our feet.

Question. Explain the continuous water cycle in nature.
Answer: Sunlight heats surface water, turning it into vapour (evaporation); the vapour rises and cools to make clouds (condensation); when heavy, it falls as rain or snow (precipitation) to refill rivers and oceans.
Explanation: Water goes on a never-ending journey: up to the sky as vapour, into clouds, and back down to the ground as rain.

Question. Name two major natural reservoirs of freshwater.
Answer: Rivers and lakes (as well as ponds and mountain glaciers).
Explanation: Unlike salty oceans, rivers and lakes carry sweet, fresh water that animals and plants can drink.

Question. What does a water snake feed on in a pond ecosystem?
Answer: Water snakes primarily eat fish, frogs, and tadpoles.
Explanation: Water snakes are excellent swimmers that hunt smaller aquatic creatures swimming nearby.

Question. Explain the key difference between rooted floating plants and free-floating plants.
Answer: Rooted floating plants (like lotus) have their roots buried in the bottom soil while leaves float on top, whereas free-floating plants (like water hyacinth) have dangling roots that drift freely through the water.
Explanation: Lotus plants are tied to the pond floor by long stems, but water hyacinths bob along wherever the water pushes them.

Question. How can communities help rainwater soak back into the earth?
Answer: By building rooftop rainwater harvesting setups, creating soak pits, planting grassy lawns, and digging earthen ponds (johads).
Explanation: Giving rainwater open ground and holding ponds gives it time to sink underground instead of washing away into dirty street gutters.

Question. Which natural water source is considered freshwater: oceans or rivers?
Answer: Rivers are freshwater sources (oceans are full of salt).
Explanation: Rivers collect rain and melting snow, which have no salt taste and are safe for drinking after filtering.

Question. What happens when liquid water is heated to its boiling point?
Answer: It boils and rapidly transforms into steam or water vapour, which is the gaseous state of water.
Explanation: When water gets very hot (100°C), it bubbles up and floats into the air as hot white mist.

Question. Why is ocean water not suitable for human consumption?
Answer: Ocean water contains large quantities of dissolved mineral salts that our bodies cannot process.
Explanation: Drinking salty seawater pulls water out of your body's cells, making you thirstier and very sick.

Match the Following

Question. Match each river, creature, or device in Column A with its correct description in Column B:

Explanation: Different rivers take unique paths, animals depend on water to raise their young, and borewells bring clean groundwater up to our houses.

Question. Match each natural water source with its corresponding feature:

Explanation: Water takes many shapes on Earth: frozen high in glaciers, stored deep in wells, or spread wide in blue oceans.

Vocabulary Activity - "Guess the Word"

Question. Guess the Word: I am a traditional earthen dam or small pond built in Rajasthan to collect and store precious rainwater. What am I?
Answer: Johad
Explanation: A johad is a low mud barrier that catches rainwater during monsoons so villagers have water all year long.

Question. Guess the Word: I am the force that pulls water flowing downhill from high mountains to the sea. What am I?
Answer: Gravity
Explanation: Gravity pulls everything toward the center of the Earth, guiding rivers down valleys and mountain slopes.

Question. Guess the Word: I am a deep narrow well drilled into the ground with pipes and a motor to draw groundwater. What am I?
Answer: Borewell (or Tube well)
Explanation: A borewell is drilled deep underground through rock layers to pump up clean water for drinking and watering fields.

Question. Guess the Word: I am a common floating aquatic plant with purple flowers whose roots hang loose in the pond water. What am I?
Answer: Water hyacinth
Explanation: Water hyacinth floats like a raft on water because its stems are swollen with air pockets.

Question. Guess the Word: I am the waxy, non-absorbent layer on aquatic leaves that keeps them dry and prevents rotting in water. What am I?
Answer: Waterproof coating (or Cuticle)
Explanation: This natural waxy shine keeps water droplets sliding off leaves so they stay clean and float easily.