NCERT Class 4 Environmental Studies Looking Around(EVS): Chapter 5 — Anita and the Honeybees
Chapter 5, 'Anita and the Honeybees,' from NCERT's Class 4 Environmental Studies book 'Looking Around,' shares the inspiring true story of Anita Khushwaha. Anita, a 'Girl Star,' overcame societal barriers and parental reluctance to pursue education. Despite initial challenges and spending her childhood with goats, she yearned for school. A supportive teacher convinced her parents about the importance of education and its affordability up to Class VIII, emphasizing it as every child's right. Anita's journey highlights her determination to ask questions and learn, even if her marks weren't always high. The chapter encourages children to reflect on the costs associated with schooling and promotes the idea that education is accessible to all, fostering a spirit of inquiry and perseverance in young learners.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 4 |
| Subject | Environmental Studies |
| Book | Looking Around(EVS) |
| Chapter | Chapter 5 — Anita and the Honeybees |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 337 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the importance of education for all children.
- Recognize the challenges some children face in accessing education.
- Appreciate the role of supportive adults in overcoming educational barriers.
- Reflect on the costs associated with attending school.
- Develop a curious and questioning attitude towards learning.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| District | An administrative region of a state or territory. |
| Village | A group of houses and associated buildings, larger than a hamlet and smaller than a town, situated in a rural area. |
| Honeybees | Social flying insects known for producing honey and beeswax. |
| Encourage | Give support, confidence, or hope to (someone). |
| Peeped | Look quickly and secretly, especially from a place of concealment. |
| Courage | The ability to do something that frightens one; bravery. |
| Education | The process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university. |
| Stationery | Writing materials, such as paper, envelopes, pens, and pencils. |
The complete chapter text is read in the official NCERT PDF viewer below (streamed from ncert.nic.in). This page provides NCERT Help study material — summary, vocabulary, practice questions, and FAQs — not a full reproduction of the textbook.
Read chapter online
This PDF is loaded from the official NCERT website (ncert.nic.in). Use the page buttons below to read — download is disabled on NCERT Help.
Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.
Practice questions
- Where does Anita Khushwaha live? Answer: Anita Khushwaha lives in Bochaha village in Muzzafarpur district, Bihar.
- What was Anita's dream? Answer: Anita's dream was to go to school and study.
- Why did Anita's parents initially not like the idea of her going to school? Answer: Anita's parents did not like the idea of girls going to school.
- Who convinced Anita's parents to send her to school? Answer: A teacher in her village convinced Anita's parents.
- What did the teacher tell Anita's parents about education up to Class VIII? Answer: The teacher told them that they would not have to pay anything for her education up to Class VIII and that it was the right of every child to go to school.
- What did Anita do besides studying? Answer: Besides studying, Anita taught young children and kept honeybees.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Anita Khushwaha?
Anita Khushwaha is a 'Girl Star' from Bochaha village in Muzzafarpur district, Bihar, who overcame challenges to pursue her education.
What is the 'Girl Stars' project?
The 'Girl Stars' project tells the extraordinary tales of ordinary girls who have changed their lives by going to school.
Why is it important for every child to go to school?
It is the right of every child to go to school, and education empowers them to change their lives.
What did Anita's parents initially think about her education?
Initially, Anita's parents did not like the idea of girls going to school.
How did a teacher help Anita?
A teacher explained to Anita's parents the importance of education and that it was affordable and a right for every child, convincing them to let her study.
What are some school-related expenses mentioned in the chapter?
The chapter lists expenses like travel, notebooks, stationery, uniforms, school bags, lunch boxes, and shoes.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 4 Environmental Studies — Looking Around(EVS) — Chapter 5 — Anita and the Honeybees. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.