NCERT Solutions for Class 4 EVS Chapter 08 How Things are Made

Activity 1 (Page 119)

Make Recycled Paper
Answer: Follow these steps to make your own recycled paper:

1. Gather old newspapers, some fenugreek seeds (metlu), and water.

2. Tear the newspapers into small pieces and soak them in water. Add a small amount of fenugreek seeds to the water and leave overnight. The fenugreek seeds act as a binding material to hold the paper together.

3. Use a grinder to blend or mash the soaked paper and fenugreek seeds into a wet mixture. You can also mash the soaked paper by hand or with any other tool you have available.

4. Spread the paste on a flat surface and roll it out into thin sheets.

5. Allow the rolled sheets to dry completely. Once dry, your recycled paper is ready to use.
In simple words: Tear old newspapers into pieces, soak them with fenugreek seeds overnight, blend them into a paste, spread and flatten the paste into sheets, and let them dry.

Exam Tip: Remember that fenugreek seeds serve as a binding agent - this detail is often asked in short-answer questions. Always mention the overnight soaking step as it is crucial for the process.

Activity 2 (Page 120)

Colour and Design the Paper You Have Made - Natural Colour Experiment
Answer: Cut your recycled paper into pieces of equal size. Colour each piece using natural ingredients. Make sure you use the same amount of each ingredient when colouring different pieces so the results are fair. Write your observations in a table like the one shown below.

Exam Tip: The key to this activity is keeping all variables the same except the ingredient being tested. Mention that you kept the quantity of ingredients equal - examiners look for this control in experiments.

Activity 3 (Page 121)

Make a Greeting Card, Paper Mask or Any Such Item Made of Recycled Paper
Answer: Use your recycled paper and the naturally coloured pieces from Activity 2 to create a craft item. You can design a greeting card with decorative elements, make a paper mask for a costume, or create any other craft project you like. Let your creativity guide you in deciding what to make, and add your own personal touches to make it unique.
In simple words: Create something you enjoy making using your recycled paper - it could be a card, mask, or any other craft project you like.

Exam Tip: This is a practical activity meant to develop creativity. When answering, focus on describing what you made and how you used the recycled materials in a useful or decorative way.

Discuss (Page 122)

Question 1. Do you think that we waste paper?
Answer: Yes, we do waste a lot of paper in our daily lives. We throw away paper after writing only a small amount on it. We also print things that we do not actually need. Many people use just one side of a sheet of paper and discard it instead of using the other side. All of these habits add up and cause wastage of paper.
In simple words: Yes, we waste paper when we throw it away with just a little writing on it, print things we do not need, or use only one side of a sheet.

Exam Tip: Give at least two specific examples of paper wastage in your answer - this shows you have thought about the issue and understood it clearly.

Question 2. How can we reduce wastage of paper?
Answer: We can cut down on paper wastage in several ways. We should write or print on both sides of the paper instead of using only one side. We can also read books and documents on digital devices like tablets or computers instead of printing them. When we have old paper, we should use it again for rough work, drawing, or craft projects rather than throwing it away. Finally, we should recycle paper properly so it can be made into new products and used again.
In simple words: We can waste less paper by using both sides of a sheet, reading on screens, reusing old paper for rough work, and recycling paper properly.

Exam Tip: Try to mention at least three different ways to reduce paper wastage. Recycling is important, but also include reusing and reducing - these are equally important parts of the answer.

Activity 4 (Page 123)

Different Types of Paper and Their Uses
Answer: Observe different types of paper that we use every day. Collect small samples of each type and paste them into the spaces provided. Write down what each type of paper is used for. Here is a guide showing common types of paper and their purposes:

Exam Tip: When completing this activity, actually handle and examine the different paper types. Note how they feel different and how their thickness or texture matches their purpose - this hands-on learning helps you remember better.

Activity 5 (Page 125)

Discuss the Following Situations with Your Classmates and Write Down Which of the 5Rs It Belongs To
Answer: Here are examples of situations and which of the 5Rs of waste management they belong to:

Exam Tip: Remember that some actions can fit into more than one category - like the example with cloth bags that involves both Reuse and Refuse. Be ready to explain why each example fits into its category.

Let Us Reflect (Page 127)

Question 1. What are some objects that you can make using paper pulp? Ask your teachers and elders for more ideas.
Answer: You can make many useful and decorative items from paper pulp. Some examples include paper bowls or trays that can hold food or small objects. You can also make greeting cards for special occasions. Decorative items like paper flowers or picture frames can brighten up a room. You can even make new recycled paper and notebooks from the pulp, creating a complete cycle where old paper becomes new paper again.
In simple words: Paper pulp can be shaped into bowls, trays, greeting cards, flowers, frames, and even new notebooks.

Exam Tip: Think about items that are lightweight and can be shaped easily - these are good candidates for paper pulp products. Ask family members or teachers for more creative ideas beyond the standard examples.

Question 2. Write down one step you can take for each of the 5Rs in the boxes given below.
Answer: Here is one practical step you can take for each of the 5Rs:

Exam Tip: Make sure each step is specific and actionable - something you can actually do in your daily life. Vague answers like "reduce waste" are not as strong as specific actions like "use both sides of paper."

Question 3. Discuss the changes you can bring in your daily life by using 5Rs rule to avoid wastage of paper. Complete the table with your ideas for creating these changes.
Answer: Here are ways you can apply the 5Rs to reduce paper wastage in your daily life:

Exam Tip: Show that you understand how these five strategies work together as a complete system for managing waste, not just as five separate ideas. Explain why recycling alone is not enough - the other four Rs are equally important for protecting the environment.