CBSE Class 4 EVS Looking Around Chapter 12: Changing Times NCERT Solutions

This question encourages interaction with elders to understand past living conditions. The answers to the first four points will vary based on the individual you speak with. Here's a sample of what you might learn and how to think about it:

Where did they live? Your grandparent might have lived in a village, a small town, or even a city, but the type of house and facilities would likely be different from today.

From what material was their house made? In the past, houses were often built using locally available natural materials. For example, houses in villages might have been made of mud, straw, wood, or bamboo. Houses in cities might have used bricks and lime, but perhaps with simpler designs than today.

Did they have a toilet in their house? Many older houses, especially in rural areas, did not have toilets inside. People might have used common village toilets or open areas. Having an indoor toilet was often a sign of a more modern or well-off home.

In which part of the house was food cooked? Food might have been cooked in a separate kitchen room, a verandah, or even outdoors, depending on the house design and climate. In some cases, a specific area within a larger room was used for cooking.

Why was a lot of mud used when Chetandas' house was made?

Chetandas' house was built many years ago. Mud is a natural material that was commonly used for building houses in many regions. It has good insulating properties, meaning it helps keep the house cool in hot weather and warm in cold weather. When mud is mixed with cow dung and applied to the floors and walls, it creates a smooth, durable surface that also helps to keep away insects like ants and termites.

Discussion: The people who used the toilets did not clean them.

This situation reflects a social hierarchy and division of labor that existed in many communities. Often, the task of cleaning toilets and handling waste was considered unpleasant and was assigned to specific groups of people, sometimes referred to as sanitation workers or manual scavengers. These individuals performed this essential service, but they were often looked down upon and were not allowed into the living spaces of the houses they served. This practice highlights issues of dignity, equality, and the importance of recognizing the value of all types of work.

Is there a toilet in your house? Who cleans it?

(This answer will vary for each student. Here is a sample response.)

Yes, there is a toilet in our house. We have a modern flush toilet. My parents and I share the responsibility of cleaning it. We ensure it is kept clean and hygienic for everyone in the family.

My house is made using modern construction materials. The main structure is built with bricks and cement. The walls are plastered and painted. The roof is made of concrete. We have doors and windows made of wood and glass. The floors are tiled.

My friend lives in an apartment building. Their house is made using similar materials to mine: cement, bricks, and concrete for the structure. The walls are painted, and the floors have tiles. The doors are made of wood and the windows have glass. Compared to my house, the main difference is that it is part of a larger building with many other houses stacked above and below. The materials used are largely the same, but the design and structure of the building are different.

Chetandas' house was built many years ago using traditional materials like mud. It is likely that his grandchildren, living in more modern times, would live in a house built with contemporary materials such as bricks, cement, and concrete. Their house would probably have more facilities like an indoor toilet and possibly electricity, making it quite different from the house Chetandas lived in during his childhood.