CBSE Class 5 EVS Chapter 21: Like Father, Like Daughter NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 5 PDF

This chapter, 'Like Father, Like Daughter,' for CBSE Class 5 Environmental Studies, explores the fascinating concept of inherited traits and family resemblances. Students will learn how physical characteristics, habits, and even laughter can be passed down through generations. The solutions provide clear explanations and engaging activities to help young learners identify and understand these similarities within their own families. By comparing themselves to family members, students can grasp the basics of heredity in a relatable way. These NCERT Solutions are designed to make learning about family traits interactive and memorable, aiding in effective exam revision by reinforcing key concepts through practical examples and thoughtful questions.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 5
Subject	Environmental Studies
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	21 Like Father, Like Daughter

Chapter summary

Chapter 21, 'Like Father, Like Daughter,' focuses on the concept of inherited traits and physical similarities within families. The NCERT Solutions cover how characteristics like facial features, habits, and even laughter can be passed down from parents to children and other relatives. It encourages students to observe and identify these resemblances in their own families, fostering an understanding of basic heredity through relatable examples and interactive questions.

Learning outcomes

Understand the concept of inherited traits and family resemblances.
Identify physical characteristics that are similar to family members.
Recognize how habits and mannerisms can be passed down through generations.
Explore the connection between physical traits and family lineage.
Develop observational skills by comparing personal traits with family members.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Inherited Traits
Family Resemblances
Physical Characteristics
Heredity Basics
Observation Skills
Family Members and Relations
Hair Characteristics
Facial Features

Important topics

Understanding Inherited Traits
Identifying Family Resemblances
Tracing Traits from Parents' Sides
Observing Physical Characteristics

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

Ashima sneezed just like her father. Do you have any such habit or trait which is similar to that of someone in your family? What is it? Whom is it similar to?

Solution: Yes, it is common to have habits or traits similar to family members. For instance, people often say that I walk in a manner that is very much like my father's walk. This is a physical trait that I seem to have inherited from him.

Question 2

Does your face or anything else look similar to that of someone else in your family? What is it?

Solution: Yes, I have noticed that some of my facial features and other characteristics resemble those of my family members. Specifically:

My nose shape is quite similar to my mother's nose.
The color of my eyes is the same as my father's eye color.
I have small ears, which are just like my grandfather's ears.

These resemblances are interesting observations about how traits are passed down.

Question 3

Did someone tell you this or did you find it out yourself?

Solution: Most of the time, it is my relatives and family members who point out these similarities to me. They often comment on who I resemble when they see me. Sometimes, I also notice these similarities myself when looking in the mirror or interacting with my family.

Question 4

How do you feel when people compare you with someone else in your family? Why do you feel so?

Solution: When people compare me with someone else in my family, I generally feel good. This positive feeling arises because it reinforces my sense of belonging and connection to my family. It makes me feel like I am a part of a larger family unit and share a common heritage, which is a comforting thought.

Question 5

Who laughs the loudest in your family? Laugh like that person.

Solution: In my family, my 'tau' (father's younger brother) is known for laughing the loudest. His laugh is hearty and fills the room. I can try to imitate his laugh by taking a deep breath and letting out a loud, joyful sound, though it might not be exactly the same!

Question 6

Make a list of all the family members from Nilima's nani to little Samir. How are they all related to Nilima? Write.

Solution: Here is a list of Nilima's family members mentioned, along with their relationship to her:

Nani: Nilima's grandmother (her mother's mother).
Eldest Nani: This refers to Nilima's nani's sister, making her Nilima's great-aunt.
Elder son of Nani: This is Nilima's mama (her mother's brother).
Kiran: Kiran is the daughter of Nilima's mama, making her Nilima's cousin.
Samir: Samir is the son of Nilima's cousin (Kiran), making him Nilima's nephew.

This list helps to map out the extended family structure around Nilima.

Question 7

In your family are there any such examples of uncle-nephews or brother-sisters, where there is a big difference in the age? Find out from your elders.

Solution: Yes, in my family, there are indeed instances of significant age differences between relatives like uncles and nephews, or even between siblings. For example, some of my mother's cousins (mamas) are around my own age, which is quite interesting. My own mama, however, is about 20 years older than me, showing a considerable age gap within the uncle-nephew relationship.

Question 8

Does Nilima have curly hair like her nani's? Now you look for some special traits in your sister or brother (could also be cousins). Like colour of eyes, dimples in cheeks, height, broad or sharp nose, voice etc. See if this trait comes from the - father's side or mother's side. Make this table in your notebook and fill it. An example is given.

Solution: Yes, Nilima is described as having curly hair, which is just like her nani's hair. This is a clear example of a trait being passed down from grandmother to granddaughter. To complete the table for your own family, you would observe traits in your siblings or cousins and then try to determine if those traits originate from your father's side or your mother's side of the family. For instance: | Special trait | Whom does it resemble? | From whose side? | |-------------------------------|------------------------|-----------------------| | Nilima's curly hair | Her nani (grandmother) | Mother's side (Yes) | | Aasha's blue eyes | With her mausi | Mother's side (Yes) | | Asha's broad nose | With her bua | Father's side (Yes) | | Asha's thin hair | With her dadi | Father's side (Yes) | | Asha's hoarse voice | With her mama | Mother's side (Yes) | *(Note: The example provided in the source uses 'Aasha' and 'Asha' interchangeably. The table above reflects the traits and their origins as presented.)*

Question 9

Have you seen a very young child in your (or any other) family? Whom does the child's eyes, nose, hair or fingers look like in the family? Write their names.

Solution: Yes, I have observed a very young child in my family, specifically the child of my uncle. I noticed that several of his features resemble those of different family members. For example:

His nose looks like his mama's (maternal uncle's) nose.
The color of his eyes resembles his father's eyes.
His hair texture is similar to his mother's hair.
The shape of his fingers looks like his maternal aunt's (mausi's) fingers.

This shows how a child can inherit a mix of traits from various relatives on both sides of the family.

Question 10

Nilima's hair is like her nani's—thick and curly. Nilima's mother has straight, brown and limp hair. What type of hair do you have—black or brown, oily or — dry?

Solution: My hair is black in color and feels oily to the touch. This is a personal observation of my own hair characteristics.

Question 11

What is the colour of your hair? Measure and write the length of your hair.

Solution: The color of my hair is brown. To measure the length, I would take a measuring tape and carefully measure from the root of my hair (near the scalp) down to the tips. My hair measures 30 cm in length.

Question 12

Is your hair like that of anyone else in your family? If yes, then name the person.

Solution: Yes, my hair shares similarities with someone else in my family. My hair resembles the hair of my father in terms of its color and texture.

Question 13

Measure the hair of other members of your family.

Solution: This is an activity for you to do at home! You will need a measuring tape. Ask different members of your family if you can measure the length of their hair. Carefully measure from the top of their head (where the hair starts) down to the ends of their hair. Record the lengths for each person you measure.

Question 14

Who has the longest hair in your family?

Solution: After measuring the hair of various family members, I found that my mausi (maternal aunt) has the longest hair in my family. Her hair extends significantly longer than anyone else's.

Question 15

How many people do you know whose hair is longer than one metre? Does having long hair run in their family?

Solution: I know of one family, who are my neighbours, where several ladies have hair that is longer than one metre (which is 100 cm). It seems quite common in their family for the women to have very long hair. This suggests that having long hair might indeed be a trait that runs in their family, possibly passed down through generations.

Common mistakes

Confusing inherited traits with learned behaviors.
Not observing carefully enough to identify specific resemblances.
Difficulty in tracing the origin of a trait (mother's or father's side).

Revision tips

Discuss with family members about who you resemble and why.
Create a family tree to visually represent inherited traits.
Observe people's features and try to guess which family member they resemble.
Focus on understanding that traits are passed down from parents.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Which of the following is an example of an inherited trait mentioned in the chapter?

Q2. If someone's eyes are the same color as their father's, this is an example of:

Q3. The chapter suggests that traits can come from:

Q4. Who is described as having curly hair like their nani in the chapter?

Q5. The chapter uses the example of laughter to illustrate:

Frequently asked questions

What is the main concept of the 'Like Father, Like Daughter' chapter?

The main concept is understanding how physical traits, habits, and mannerisms are passed down from parents and other family members to children, known as inherited traits and family resemblances.

How do these NCERT Solutions help students?

These solutions provide clear, rewritten answers to all textbook questions, helping students understand the concepts of heredity and family traits in an easy-to-grasp manner.

What kind of traits are discussed in this chapter?

The chapter discusses various traits such as sneezing habits, facial features (nose, eyes), laughter, hair color, hair texture, and even the way someone walks.

Can students identify traits from both parents' sides?

Yes, the chapter encourages students to observe and identify traits that come from both the father's side and the mother's side of the family.

What is the purpose of comparing oneself to family members in this chapter?

The purpose is to make the concept of heredity tangible and relatable for young learners, helping them understand that they share characteristics with their family members.

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