CBSE Class 6 Science Chapter 4: Sorting Materials into Groups NCERT Solutions

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

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 6 PDF

This chapter, "Sorting Materials into Groups," for CBSE Class 6 Science, introduces students to the fundamental concept of classifying objects based on their properties. The NCERT Solutions provide clear explanations and answers to exercises that cover material properties like lustre, hardness, solubility, and transparency. Students will learn to identify materials that float or sink in water, dissolve or not dissolve, and distinguish between transparent, translucent, and opaque objects. The solutions also guide students in matching objects with their constituent materials and naming common objects made from specific materials like wood. This chapter is crucial for building a foundational understanding of the physical world and preparing for more advanced scientific concepts. These solutions are designed to aid students in grasping these concepts thoroughly, making exam revision more effective and efficient.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 6
Subject	Science
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	Chapter 4: Sorting Materials and Groups

Chapter summary

Chapter 4 of the CBSE Class 6 Science curriculum focuses on 'Sorting Materials into Groups'. The NCERT Solutions cover exercises related to identifying objects made from specific materials, selecting objects with particular properties like shine, and matching objects to their materials. It also includes true/false statements assessing understanding of material properties such as transparency, lustre, solubility in water, and buoyancy. The solutions help students classify materials based on their observable characteristics.

Learning outcomes

Identify objects that can be made from specific materials like wood.
Distinguish between objects that shine and those that do not.
Match various objects to the materials they are made from.
Evaluate the truthfulness of statements regarding material properties like transparency, lustre, solubility, and buoyancy.
Understand the concept of sorting materials into groups based on their properties.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Objects and Materials
Properties of Materials
Lustre (Shine)
Hardness
Solubility in Water
Dissolving and Non-dissolving Substances
Transparency (Transparent, Translucent, Opaque)
Floating and Sinking
Buoyancy
Grouping of Materials
Matching Objects to Materials
Identifying Material Uses

Important topics

Properties of Materials (Lustre, Hardness, Solubility, Transparency)
Sorting Materials based on Properties
Solubility of Substances in Water
Transparent, Translucent, and Opaque Objects
Floating and Sinking of Objects in Water

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

Name five objects which can be made from wood.

Solution: Wood is a versatile material known for its strength and availability. Many common household and structural items are made from wood. Here are five examples of objects that can be crafted from wood:

1. Table

2. Chair

3. Bed

4. Doors

5. Bullock cart

Other examples include cupboards, shelves, pencils, and wooden toys.

Question 2

Select those objects from the following which shine: Glass bowl, plastic toy, steel spoon, cotton shirt.

Solution: Objects that shine typically have a lustrous surface, which is a characteristic often found in metals and some other materials. Let's examine the given options:

Glass bowl: Glass can be smooth and reflective, giving it a shine.
Plastic toy: Most plastics do not have a natural shine unless coated or polished.
Steel spoon: Steel is a metal and possesses a distinct metallic lustre, making it shine.
Cotton shirt: Cotton is a fabric that is generally dull and does not shine.

Therefore, the objects that shine from the list are the glass bowl and the steel spoon.

Question 3

Match the objects given below with the materials from which they could be made. Remember, an object could be made from more than one material and a given material could be used for making many objects. Objects: Book, Glass Tumbler, Chair, Toy, Shoes. Materials: Wood, Glass, Paper, Leather, Plastics.

Solution: We need to match each object with the most appropriate material it is commonly made from. It's important to remember that some objects can be made from multiple materials, and one material can be used for various objects.

Here is the matching:

Book is typically made from Paper.
Glass Tumbler is made from Glass.
Chair can be made from Wood or Plastics.
Toy can be made from Plastics, Wood, or other materials.
Shoes are often made from Leather or Plastics.

Let's present this in a clearer matched format:

Objects

Book - Paper

Glass Tumbler - Glass

Chair - Wood

Toy - Plastics

Shoes - Leather

Question 4

State whether the statements given below are True or False. (i) Stone is transparent, while glass is opaque. (ii) A notebook has lustre while eraser does not. (iii) Chalk dissolves in water. (iv) A piece of wood floats on water. (v) Sugar does not dissolve in water. (vi) Oil mixes with water. (vii) Sand settles down in water. (viii) Vinegar dissolves in water.

Solution: Let's evaluate each statement based on the properties of the materials mentioned:

(i) Stone is transparent, while glass is opaque. This statement is False. Stone is generally opaque, meaning light cannot pass through it. Glass, on the other hand, is typically transparent, allowing light to pass through it easily. Some types of glass can be translucent or opaque, but the general property of glass is transparency.
(ii) A notebook has lustre while eraser does not. This statement is False. A notebook is made of paper, which usually has a dull surface and does not exhibit lustre. An eraser, often made of rubber or plastic, also typically does not have lustre.
(iii) Chalk dissolves in water. This statement is False. Chalk is insoluble in water. When chalk powder is mixed with water, it does not dissolve but rather forms a suspension, and the particles eventually settle down.
(iv) A piece of wood floats on water. This statement is True. Wood is less dense than water, which is why it floats. Objects less dense than the liquid they are placed in will float.
(v) Sugar does not dissolve in water. This statement is False. Sugar is soluble in water, meaning it dissolves readily when mixed with water, forming a clear solution.
(vi) Oil mixes with water. This statement is False. Oil and water are immiscible, meaning they do not mix with each other. When mixed, they form separate layers.
(vii) Sand settles down in water. This statement is True. Sand particles are denser than water and insoluble, so they do not dissolve but sink to the bottom when mixed with water.
(viii) Vinegar dissolves in water. This statement is True. Vinegar is primarily acetic acid diluted in water, and it is miscible with water, meaning it dissolves completely when mixed.

Common mistakes

Confusing opaque and transparent materials.
Incorrectly identifying materials that have lustre.
Misunderstanding which substances dissolve in water and which do not.
Confusing oil and water miscibility.
Incorrectly predicting whether an object will float or sink.

Revision tips

Review the properties of different materials discussed in the chapter.
Practice matching objects to their respective materials.
Go through the true/false statements to reinforce understanding of material characteristics.
Create your own list of objects and their materials to test your knowledge.
Focus on understanding why certain materials behave differently in water (dissolving, floating).

Practice MCQs

Q1. Which of the following materials is typically used to make doors?

Q2. Which object from the list below is known to shine?

Q3. Which material is commonly used for making books?

Q4. True or False: Chalk dissolves in water.

Q5. Which of these substances will float on water?

Q6. Oil and water do not mix. This property describes their:

Frequently asked questions

What is the main objective of Chapter 4: Sorting Materials into Groups for Class 6 Science?

The main objective is to introduce students to the concept of classifying objects based on their observable properties like appearance, hardness, solubility, and transparency, and to understand why grouping materials is useful.

How do these NCERT Solutions help students understand material properties?

The solutions provide clear answers and explanations for exercises that involve identifying objects, their materials, and their properties, reinforcing concepts like lustre, solubility, and transparency through practical examples.

Are the questions in the NCERT Solutions for Chapter 4 the same as in the textbook?

Yes, the questions in these NCERT Solutions are identical to those in the textbook, ensuring students are practicing with the exact problems they are assigned.

What kind of properties are discussed in this chapter's solutions?

The solutions discuss properties such as whether an object shines (lustre), if it dissolves in water (solubility), if light can pass through it (transparency), and whether it floats or sinks in water.

Can these solutions help with exam preparation?

Absolutely. By providing rewritten, detailed solutions and covering all textbook questions, these resources help students revise concepts, understand problem-solving approaches, and build confidence for exams.

Content reviewed by the NCERT Help team. Editorial Team and update policy

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