CBSE Class 5 EVS NCERT Solutions: A Snake Charmer's Story
This chapter, 'A Snake Charmer's Story,' from the CBSE Class 5 Environmental Studies curriculum, delves into the lives of snake charmers and their relationship with snakes. It explores the fascinating world of snakes, differentiating between venomous and non-venomous types, and discusses the ethical considerations of using animals for entertainment. The solutions provide clear answers to questions about snake behavior, the use of the 'been' instrument, and the importance of animal welfare. It also touches upon other professions that rely on animals for their livelihood and encourages students to survey and report on animal care in their own communities. These solutions are designed to help students understand the concepts thoroughly and prepare effectively for their exams by offering detailed explanations and thought-provoking insights.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 5 |
| Subject | Environmental Studies |
| Session | 2026 |
| Language | English |
| Type | NCERT Solutions |
| Chapter | 2 A Snake Charmer’s Story |
Chapter summary
Chapter 2, 'A Snake Charmer's Story,' focuses on understanding snakes and the ethical treatment of animals. It covers topics such as snake behavior, the role of the 'been' in snake charming, and the distinction between poisonous and non-poisonous snakes. The chapter also examines the lives of people who depend on animals for their livelihood and promotes a survey of animal care practices. These NCERT Solutions offer clear, step-by-step answers to all textbook questions, aiding students in grasping the chapter's core themes and improving their comprehension.
Learning outcomes
- Understand the behavior and characteristics of snakes.
- Differentiate between poisonous and non-poisonous snakes.
- Explain how snakes perceive sound and movement.
- Discuss the ethical implications of using animals for entertainment.
- Identify various professions that depend on animals for livelihood.
- Develop empathy towards animals and their living conditions.
- Conduct a survey on animal care in the neighborhood.
Topics covered
Paper topics
- Snakes and their behavior
- The 'been' instrument
- Poisonous vs. non-poisonous snakes
- Animal senses (hearing)
- Animals in entertainment
- Animal welfare and ethics
- Livelihoods dependent on animals
- Animal care and veterinary help
- Government laws on animal protection
- Empathy towards animals
Important topics
- Understanding snake behavior and senses
- Ethical treatment of animals in entertainment
- Identifying poisonous snakes
- Livelihoods and animal dependency
- Animal welfare laws
PDF preview
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Questions and Solutions
Think and Tell
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Have you ever seen anyone playing a been? Where did you see them?Solution: Yes, I have seen people playing the 'been'. I have observed snake charmers playing this instrument in local fairs and on streets.
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Have you ever seen a snake? Where did you see it?Solution: Yes, I have seen snakes on several occasions. I have seen them with snake charmers, in the garden near my house, and sometimes in fields.
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Were you scared when you saw the snake? Why do you think you felt scared?Solution: Yes, I was scared when I saw the snake. This fear often comes from hearing that many snakes are poisonous and can harm people.
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Do you think all snakes are poisonous? Explain your answer.Solution: No, I do not think all snakes are poisonous. While some snakes possess venom that can be dangerous, many other types of snakes are harmless and play an important role in the ecosystem.
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In Chapter 1, you learned that snakes do not have visible ears. Can a snake actually hear the sound of the been, or does it dance because the been moves? What is your opinion?Solution: Snakes cannot hear the sound of the 'been' in the way humans do because they lack external ears. Instead, they are very sensitive to vibrations and movements. It is likely that the snake dances because it reacts to the movement of the 'been' and possibly the vibrations it creates in the ground, rather than the sound itself.
Write
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Have you ever seen animals being used for the entertainment of people? For example, in a circus, on the road, or in a park.Solution: Yes, I have seen animals being used for entertainment. This often happens in circuses, on streets where performers showcase trained animals, and sometimes in parks or at festivals.
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When and where did you see this happening?Solution: I saw animals being used for entertainment in a circus that visited my town. I also recall seeing a street performer with a monkey in a busy market area.
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Which animal show did you see?Solution: The animal show I saw was part of a circus. It featured various animals like lions, elephants, dogs, and monkeys performing tricks.
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How did people behave with the animals in the show?Solution: In the circus I watched, most people seemed to enjoy the show and behaved respectfully towards the animals. However, I have also seen instances, like at a zoo, where some visitors were not considerate.
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Was anyone teasing the animals? How?Solution: During the circus show, I did not observe anyone directly teasing the animals. However, on a different occasion at a zoo, I saw some people throwing objects, like water bottles, at a bear, which was a form of teasing and harassment.
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What kind of questions came to your mind after seeing that animal show?Solution: After watching the animal show, several questions came to my mind regarding the animals' well-being and their lives. Some of these questions were:
- Is it right to make animals perform tricks for our entertainment?
- How are these animals captured from their natural habitats?
- What methods are used to train them to perform these acts?
- Are the animals treated with proper care and kindness by their trainers?
- Would it be better for these animals if they were allowed to live freely in their natural environments?
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Imagine you are an animal in a cage. Think about how you would feel. Complete the following sentences:
I am afraid when...
I wish...
I feel sad when...
If I had a chance, I would...
I do not like it when...
Solution: If I were an animal in a cage, I would feel:I am afraid when my trainer beats me in case of a mistake.
I wish I could enjoy my freedom and roam around without any restrictions.
I feel sad when I remember my friends and family in the jungle or my natural home.
If I had a chance, I would run away to the forest or my natural habitat as fast as I could.
I do not like it at all when people tease me or stare at me curiously.
Write
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Like snake-charmers, which other people depend on animals for their livelihood? Give some examples.Solution: Many people depend on animals for their livelihood. Besides snake charmers, examples include:
- Milkmen: They raise cows and buffaloes for milk.
- Poultry Farmers: They raise chickens and ducks for eggs and meat.
- Tonga/Cart Drivers: They use horses or donkeys to pull carts for transportation.
- Farmers: They use bullocks or tractors (which replace animal power) for farming and may also raise livestock.
- Shepherds: They raise sheep for wool and meat.
- Fishermen: Some use trained animals or rely on the fish population.
Survey—People Who Keep Animals
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Talk to some people in your neighbourhood who keep one or more animals for their livelihood. Find out the following information and make a report on your project.
- Name the animal(s) they keep.
- How many animals are there?
- Is there a separate place for the animals?
- Who looks after them?
- What do the animals eat?
- Do the animals ever fall ill? What does the keeper do then?
- Make some more questions and discuss.
- Make a report on your project and read it out in the class.
Solution: Let's imagine we spoke to a milkman named Ramlal who keeps animals for his livelihood.- Name of animal(s): Ramlal keeps cows and buffaloes.
- Number of animals: He has 5 buffaloes and 7 cows.
- Separate place: Yes, he has built a separate shed for his animals.
- Who looks after them: Ramlal and his wife are responsible for taking care of the animals.
- What they eat: The animals eat grass, hay, and other types of animal fodder.
- Animals falling ill: Yes, sometimes the animals do fall ill. When this happens, Ramlal takes them to the nearby veterinary hospital for treatment.
- Additional questions: How much milk do they give daily? How are the animals treated during festivals? What is their daily routine?
- Report: Ramlal, a milkman from our neighbourhood, earns his living by selling milk from his 5 buffaloes and 7 cows. He has built a dedicated shed for them, and he and his wife manage their care. The animals are fed grass and fodder. Ramlal ensures they receive proper medical attention at the veterinary hospital when they fall ill. He also celebrates festivals like Diwali by decorating and worshipping his animals, showing his care and respect for them as a vital part of his livelihood.
What We Have Learnt
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The government has made a law that no one can catch and keep snakes. What do you think about this law? Give reasons for your answer and write in your own words.Solution: I think the government's law preventing people from catching and keeping snakes is a very good and important law. Here's why:
- Animal Welfare: Snakes, like all living creatures, deserve to live freely in their natural habitats. Capturing them and keeping them in captivity, often for entertainment or other purposes, can cause them stress and harm.
- Ecological Balance: Snakes play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of nature. They help control populations of rodents and other small animals, which can otherwise become pests.
- Safety: While some snakes are venomous, the law helps prevent potential dangers to both humans and the snakes themselves. It discourages people from handling snakes without proper knowledge, reducing the risk of bites and harm to the animals.
- Ethical Considerations: Using animals, especially wild ones like snakes, for entertainment or personal gain raises ethical questions. This law respects the right of wild animals to exist in their natural environment.
Common mistakes
- Assuming all snakes are poisonous.
- Believing snakes can hear sounds like humans.
- Not considering the ethical aspects of animal entertainment.
- Overlooking the importance of animal welfare in different professions.
Revision tips
- Review the differences between poisonous and non-poisonous snakes.
- Think critically about why snakes react to the 'been'.
- Consider the feelings of animals used for entertainment.
- List different jobs that involve caring for animals.
- Discuss the government's law regarding snakes and its reasons.
Practice MCQs
Q1. What instrument do snake charmers play to make snakes move?
Explanation: Snake charmers use a musical instrument called a 'been' which produces a specific sound that influences the snake's movement.
Q2. According to the chapter, how do snakes primarily sense the 'been'?
Explanation: Snakes do not have external ears and primarily react to the movement of the 'been' rather than its sound.
Q3. Which of the following is NOT necessarily a poisonous snake?
Explanation: While some snakes can be dangerous, pythons are generally constrictors and not venomous, unlike cobras, kraits, and vipers.
Q4. The chapter suggests that animals used for entertainment might feel:
Explanation: The chapter encourages empathy, suggesting animals might feel sad, afraid, or wish for freedom when kept in captivity or trained harshly.
Q5. Besides snake charmers, who else might depend on animals for their livelihood?
Explanation: Milkmen (dairy animals) and farmers (livestock, draft animals) are examples of people whose livelihood depends on animals.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main topic of Chapter 2 for Class 5 EVS?
Chapter 2, 'A Snake Charmer's Story,' focuses on snakes, how they are influenced by music, the difference between poisonous and non-poisonous snakes, and the ethical treatment of animals used for entertainment.
Do snakes have ears like humans?
No, snakes do not have external ears that are visible. They primarily sense vibrations and react to the movement of objects, like the 'been' played by a snake charmer.
Why is it important to know about poisonous snakes?
It is important to know about poisonous snakes to take necessary precautions and avoid dangerous bites, which can be harmful or even fatal.
What does the chapter say about animals used for entertainment?
The chapter raises questions about the ethics of using animals for entertainment, suggesting that animals might not be happy in such situations and may wish for their freedom.
Besides snake charmers, what other people depend on animals for their living?
Other people who depend on animals for their livelihood include milkmen, poultry farmers, tonga drivers, farmers, and those who train animals for shows.
What is the significance of the government's law about catching snakes?
The law prevents people from catching and keeping snakes, aiming to protect these animals and their natural habitats, recognizing that they deserve to live freely.
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