NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Science Chapter 11 Natures Treasures

Question 1. Figure shows items related to natural resources. Match them with their jumbled up names. Make another table and write the names of these resources. Classify these resources as renewable or non-renewable.
Answer: The table below matches each item with its name and shows whether it is renewable or non-renewable:

Exam Tip: Always match the image carefully with the resource name and remember which ones can grow back quickly (renewable) and which ones cannot (non-renewable).

Question 2. State whether the following statements are True [T] or False [F]. If False, correct them.
(i) Nature has all the resources to meet human needs.
(ii) Machines are a resource found in nature.
(iii) Natural gas is a non-renewable resource.
(iv) Air is a renewable resource.
Answer:
(i) Nature has all the resources to meet human needs. [T]
(ii) Machines are a resource found in nature. [F]
Correction: Machines are human-made resources.
(iii) Natural gas is a non-renewable resource. [T]
(iv) Air is a renewable resource. [T]
In simple words: Some statements about resources are right and some are wrong. When a statement is wrong, you need to fix it to make it true.

Exam Tip: For True/False questions with corrections, always rewrite the wrong statement completely and clearly - do not just add a few words.

Question 3. Fill in the blanks using the most appropriate option.
(i) A fuel that is commonly used in two wheelers like scooters or bikes is ........
(a) Kerosene
(b) Petrol
(c) Diesel
(d) LPG
(ii) An example of a renewable resource is. ..............
(a) Coal
(b) Water
(c) Natural gas
(d) Petrol
Answer:
(i) A fuel that is commonly used in two wheelers like scooters or bikes is Petrol.
(ii) An example of a renewable resource is Water.
In simple words: Two-wheelers need a special fuel to run, and some things in nature can be used again and again without running out.

Exam Tip: Remember that petrol is the fuel for bikes and scooters, while diesel is used for trucks and cars.

Question 4. Classify the following as renewable or non-renewable resources - coal, natural gas, forests and minerals.
Answer: Coal: Non-renewable
Natural gas: Non-renewable
Forests: Renewable
Minerals: Non-renewable
In simple words: Coal, natural gas, and minerals took millions of years to form and we cannot make them again quickly. Forests can grow back if we take care of them.

Exam Tip: Non-renewable resources come from deep inside the Earth and take ages to form, while renewable resources can be regrown or replenished within a human lifetime.

Question 5. Why do we say that petroleum is a non-renewable resource?
Answer: Petroleum is known as a non-renewable resource because it takes millions of years to develop from the remains of dead microorganisms and plants that became buried deep within the Earth. Once we extract and use petroleum, it cannot be replenished within a human timescale.
In simple words: Petroleum formed over millions of years from dead plants and animals deep underground. Once we use it up, we cannot make more in our lifetime.

Exam Tip: Non-renewable means the resource cannot be replaced in a reasonable time period - emphasize the millions of years needed for formation.

Question 6. It is difficult to regrow forests. Justify this statement.
Answer: Growing forests back is a challenging task for several reasons. Trees require many years to reach full maturity. The soil can become poor after deforestation, losing its nutrients and strength, which makes it harder for new plants to survive and grow. Deforestation also affects the land structure. Human activities such as building cities and farming can prevent reforestation attempts. Agriculture and urban development often compete for the same land needed to plant new forests.
In simple words: Trees grow very slowly, and after forests are cut down, the soil becomes weak and it takes a long time to bring forests back.

Exam Tip: Mention at least two challenges - slow tree growth, soil degradation, and human activities - to get full marks on this question.

Question 7. Make a list of five daily activities in which you use natural resources. Suggest ways by which you can reduce their use.
Answer:

Exam Tip: For each activity, clearly state the resource and give a practical way to reduce its use - vague suggestions will not score full marks.

Question 8. List four activities that are possible due to the presence of air.
Answer:
• Breathing
• Flying kites
• Generating electricity through wind turbines
• Inflating tires
In simple words: Air lets living things breathe, moves kites and kite strings, turns windmills to make power, and fills things up like balloons and tires.

Exam Tip: Think of activities that depend directly on air moving or air being present - activities like swimming depend on water, not air.

Question 9. How can you contribute towards enhancing the green cover of your locality? Make a list of actions to be taken.
Answer:
• Plant trees in local parks and open spaces
• Participate in community tree planting drives
• Encourage neighbours to grow plants in their gardens
• Advocate for the protection of existing trees and green spaces
• Collaborate with local schools to create green initiatives
In simple words: You can help make your area greener by planting trees, helping others plant trees, and stopping forests from being cut down.

Exam Tip: Provide a mix of personal actions and community-level actions - show that you understand both individual and collective efforts.

Question 10. In the given illustration, we see that food is being cooked. Answer the following questions - (i) What type of energy is being used for cooking? (ii) Name one benefit and one drawback of using this type of energy for cooking.
Answer:
(i) The type of energy being used for cooking in the given illustration is solar energy.
(ii) Benefit - Solar energy is a renewable and clean source of energy that does not produce pollution or greenhouse gases during use, making it environmentally friendly.
Drawback - Dependence on Weather: Solar cooking is highly dependent on weather conditions. It requires sunlight, so it cannot be used during cloudy days or at night, which limits its reliability and convenience.
In simple words: The sun's energy cooks the food. The good thing is it does not pollute. The bad thing is you cannot cook on cloudy days or at night.

Exam Tip: Always explain benefits and drawbacks separately and clearly - one should be about the positive aspects and the other about the limitations or negative aspects.

Question 11. Cutting down trees on a large scale impacts the quality of the soil. Why do you think it is so?
Answer: Removing many trees harms the soil in several ways. Tree roots hold soil together and stop it from washing away. Without trees, rain can wash the soil away easily, causing loss of the fertile top layer. The soil loses its structure and becomes weak. When trees fall naturally, their leaves break down and add nutrients back to the soil, making it rich. Without this natural process, soil loses its fertility and becomes less able to support new plant growth.
In simple words: Tree roots keep soil in place. Dead leaves from trees make soil rich. Without trees, soil gets washed away and becomes poor.

Exam Tip: Mention the role of tree roots in holding soil together and the nutrient cycle - these are the two main concepts examiners look for.

Question 12. Explain two ways in which human activities pollute the air. Propose one action which can help in reducing air pollution.
Answer: Two ways human activities pollute the air are:
• Burning fossil fuels in vehicles and factories releases harmful pollutants like carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide into the air.
• Deforestation reduces the number of trees that can absorb carbon dioxide, increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases.
Action to reduce air pollution: Promote the use of public transport and electric vehicles to decrease the number of fossil fuel-powered vehicles on the road.
In simple words: Cars and factories make dirty air. Cutting down trees makes this worse. We can fix this by using buses and electric cars instead.

Exam Tip: State the two pollution sources clearly and then give a practical action plan that addresses at least one of them directly.

Question 13. A family uses solar panels to generate electricity, a gas stove to cook food and a windmill for pumping water from a well. What would happen if there were no sunlight for a week?
Answer: If there were no sunlight for a week, the solar panels would fail to generate electricity, forcing the family to depend on other sources of energy. Additionally, the growth of plants would be affected due to the lack of sunlight for photosynthesis.
In simple words: Without sun for a week, the solar panels cannot make power. Also, plants cannot grow without sunlight.

Exam Tip: Focus on how the absence of sunlight directly impacts both energy production and the environment, especially plant growth.

Question 14. Fill up the blanks using the following terms - (fossil fuels, forest, air, petroleum, coal, water and non-renewable resource)
Answer: The completed classification chart of natural resources shows:

Natural Resources are divided into two main types:

1. Non-Renewable Resources - which include Fossil Fuels. Fossil Fuels consist of:
- Petroleum
- Natural gas
- Coal

2. Renewable Resources - which include:
- Water
- Forest
- Air
In simple words: Some things we use from nature run out (like coal and oil). Other things can regrow or stay the same (like water, forests, and air).

Exam Tip: Remember that fossil fuels are all non-renewable, while water, forests, and air can be replenished and are therefore renewable.

Question 15. There is an increasing demand of trees to meet the requirements of industries and for housing. Therefore, trees are being felled. Is it justified? Discuss and prepare a brief report.
Answer: The rising need for trees to satisfy industrial and housing demands is clear but cannot be justified. Trees serve critical functions by keeping nature balanced. They supply oxygen, give shelter to wildlife, and prevent soil from eroding. When forests are cut down on a large scale, the results can be severe - we lose different plant and animal species, the climate becomes unstable, and water cycles are disrupted. To address this issue, we can employ sustainable methods like finding alternatives to wood, following strict rules about tree cutting, and replanting trees. By doing this, we can support both economic growth and environmental safeguarding at the same time.
In simple words: We need wood for building, but cutting too many trees is bad for nature. We should find other materials to use and plant new trees.

Exam Tip: Structure your answer as a clear argument - state the problem, explain why it is unjustified, list the consequences, and then propose practical solutions for sustainability.

Question 16. Propose a plan to use less water in your school. What steps would you take to make this plan happen and how would it help the environment?
Answer:
Plan to Use Less Water
• Install water-efficient faucets and toilets.
• Fix leaks promptly to prevent water wastage.
• Implement a rainwater harvesting system.
• Educate students and staff on water conservation practices.
• Use greywater for gardening purposes.

Steps to Implement the Plan
• Conduct an audit to identify areas where water is wasted.
• Collaborate with local authorities and experts to install water-saving devices.
• Organize workshops and campaigns to raise awareness.
• Monitor water usage regularly and set reduction targets.
• Encourage student-led initiatives for water conservation.

Environmental Benefits
• Reduces the strain on local water sources.
• Decreases the energy used in water treatment and distribution.
• Promotes sustainability and responsible water usage within the community.
In simple words: We can fix leaky taps, catch rain for watering plants, and teach everyone to use less water. This helps save water for everyone.

Exam Tip: Organize your answer into clear sections showing your plan, the steps to execute it, and the environmental impact - examiners look for a well-structured, comprehensive response to project-based questions.