NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Science Chapter 06 Materials Around Us

Question 1. Visit your kitchen and observe how your parents have organised various edibles. Can you suggest a better sorting method? Write it in your notebook.
Answer: A better way to organise kitchen items is to keep similar things together in one spot. For instance, you could put all grains and pulses in one area, all spices in another place, snacks and ready-to-eat foods in a separate section, and oils along with condiments grouped separately. Using see-through containers makes it easier to find what you need and to recognise items without having to open each one. Put a label on each container so you can locate things fast.
In simple words: Group foods by type - grains together, spices together, snacks together. Use clear containers and label them.

Exam Tip: When answering, mention at least one grouping method (by type) and one practical advantage (easy to see, quick to find).

Question 2. Unscramble the letters (Column I) and match with their properties (Column II).
Answer:

Exam Tip: Remember that soluble means mixes completely, not just floats on top - sugar in water is a common example.

Question 3. The containers which are used to store materials in shops and at home are usually transparent. Give your reasons for this.
Answer: Clear containers are picked because they let you see the contents without needing to open them. This makes it easy and quick to locate and access items when you need them.
In simple words: You can see what is inside without opening the container, so you find things faster.

Exam Tip: When giving reasons, always link the property (transparent) to the benefit (quick identification), not just the property alone.

Question 4. State whether the statements given below are True [T] or False [F]. Correct the False statement(s).
(i) Wood is translucent while glass is opaque.
(ii) Aluminium foil has lustre while an eraser does not.
(iii) Sugar dissolves in water whereas sawdust does not.
(iv) An apple is a matter because it occupies no space and has mass.
Answer:
(i) Wood is translucent while glass is opaque. [F]
Correct: Wood is opaque while glass is transparent.
(ii) Aluminium foil has lustre while an eraser does not. [T]
(iii) Sugar dissolves in water whereas sawdust does not. [T]
(iv) An apple is a matter because it occupies no space and has mass. [F]
Correct: An apple is a matter because it occupies space and has mass.
In simple words: Wood is opaque (blocks light), glass is transparent (lets light through). Metals like foil are shiny, erasers are not. Sugar mixes into water, sawdust does not. An apple takes up space and has weight.

Exam Tip: Always restate the corrected sentence fully, not just the changed words - examiners look for complete, correct statements.

Question 5. We see chairs made up of various materials, such as wood, iron, plastic, bamboo, cement and stones. Following are some desirable properties of materials which can be used to make chairs. Which materials used to make chairs fulfil these properties the most?
(i) Hardness (does not bend or shake on sitting even after long use).
(ii) Lightweight (easy to lift or to take from one place to another).
(iii) Does not feel very cold when sitting during winters.
(iv) Can be cleaned regularly and made to look new even after long use.
Answer:
(i) Hardness: Wood, iron
(ii) Lightweight: Plastic, bamboo
(iii) Does not feel very cold when sitting during winters: Wood, bamboo
(iv) Can be cleaned regularly and made to look new even after long use: Plastic, iron
In simple words: Hard materials like wood and iron do not bend. Light materials like plastic and bamboo are easy to move. Wood and bamboo stay warm to touch. Plastic and iron are easy to clean and keep looking good.

Exam Tip: Link each material to the reason why it fits that property - don't just list names, explain what makes it suitable.

Question 6. You need to have containers for collection of (i) food waste, (ii) broken glass and (iii) wastepaper. Which materials will you choose for containers of these types of waste? What properties of materials do you need to think of?
Answer:
(i) Food waste: Pick plastic or metal containers that are strong and simple to wash.
(ii) Broken glass: Pick metal or hard plastic containers that are sturdy and resist punctures or cuts.
(iii) Wastepaper: Pick lightweight plastic or cardboard containers that are easy to carry and are not costly.
In simple words: Food waste needs containers that you can clean easily. Broken glass needs containers that won't break or split. Wastepaper needs light containers that don't cost much.

Exam Tip: For each waste type, name the material AND give at least one reason why that material works best for that waste.

Question 7. Air is all around us but does not hinder us from seeing each other. Whereas, if a wooden door comes in between, we cannot see each other. It is because air is and the wooden door is. Choose the most appropriate option:
(i) transparent, opaque
(ii) translucent, transparent
(iii) opaque, translucent
(iv) transparent, translucent
Answer: (i) transparent, opaque
In simple words: Air lets light pass through completely so you can see, while wood blocks all light so you cannot see.

Exam Tip: Remember the three terms: transparent (light passes all the way through), translucent (some light passes through, blurry), and opaque (no light passes through).

Question 8. Imagine you have two mysterious materials, X and Y. When you try to press material X, it feels rigid and does not change its shape easily. On the other hand, material Y easily changes its shape when you press it. Now, when you mix both materials in water, only material X dissolves completely while material Y remains unchanged. What can materials X and Y be? Can you identify whether material X is hard or soft? What about material Y? Justify your answer.
Answer: Material X could be salt (hard and soluble in water). Material Y could be rubber (soft and insoluble in water). Material X is hard because it keeps its shape and doesn't deform easily, plus it can break down in water. Material Y is soft because it bends and changes form when pressed and doesn't dissolve in water.
In simple words: X is salt - it stays hard and rigid, and dissolves in water. Y is rubber - it bends easily and does not dissolve in water.

Exam Tip: Base your identification on the two main properties shown - how they behave when pressed (hardness) and how they behave in water (solubility).

Question 9. (i) Who am I? Identify me on the basis of the given properties.
(a) I have lustre.
(b) I can be easily compressed.
(c) I am hard and soluble in water.
(d) You cannot see clearly through me.
(e) I have mass and volume but you cannot see me.
Answer:
(a) I have lustre. - Metal
(b) I can be easily compressed. - Gas
(c) I am hard and soluble in water. - Salt
(d) You cannot see clearly through me. - Opaque object
(e) I have mass and volume but you cannot see me. - Air
In simple words: Shiny things are metals. Things that squeeze are gases. Hard things that dissolve are salts. Things you cannot see through are opaque. Things you cannot see but take up space are air or gases.

Exam Tip: Match each property directly to a material type - do not try to find one answer that fits all five clues, as each clue is separate.

Question 9. (ii) Make your own 'Who am I?' where the answer is a liquid.
(a) I am a liquid.
(b) I am commonly used in cooking.
(c) I am made from crushed seeds.
(d) I do not mix well with water.
(e) I am used to fry food.

Who am I? - Oil
In simple words: A liquid you cook with, made from seeds, doesn't mix with water, and helps fry food - that is oil.

Exam Tip: When creating your own riddle, choose a common material that Grade VI students will know, and use 4-5 clues that are clear and fit that material alone.

Question 10. You are provided with the following materials - vinegar, honey, mustard oil, water, glucose and wheat flour. Make any two pairs of materials where one material is soluble in the other. Now, make two pairs of materials where one material remains insoluble in the other material.
Answer:
Soluble pairs
Vinegar and water
Glucose and water
Insoluble pairs
Mustard oil and water
Wheat flour and water
In simple words: Things that mix into water are vinegar and glucose. Things that do not mix into water are mustard oil and wheat flour.

Exam Tip: Test solubility by thinking about whether you have seen the item dissolve or separate in water - vinegar mixes in, but oil floats on top.