NCERT Class 4 Environmental Studies Looking Around(EVS): Chapter 1 — Going to School
NCERT Class 4 EVS Looking Around Chapter 4, "Going to School," explores diverse methods of transportation used by children to reach their educational institutions. The chapter highlights unique challenges and innovative solutions in different regions of India. In Assam, children use bamboo and rope bridges to cross rivers, especially during the monsoon season when water levels rise. In Ladakh, a trolley system, utilizing a strong iron rope and pulley, helps children cross a wide and deep river. The chapter also introduces the concept and application of pulleys, demonstrating how they make lifting heavy objects easier, as seen in the context of drawing water from a well. This chapter emphasizes the resourcefulness of children and the importance of accessible transportation for education, aligning with CBSE learning objectives.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 4 |
| Subject | Environmental Studies |
| Book | Looking Around(EVS) |
| Chapter | Chapter 1 — Going to School |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 338 |
Learning outcomes
- Identify and describe different modes of transport used to reach school in various regions.
- Understand the challenges faced by children in reaching school due to geographical conditions.
- Explain the working principle and usefulness of pulleys.
- Appreciate the ingenuity and adaptability of people in overcoming transportation obstacles.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Bamboo Bridge | A bridge made of bamboo poles, often used in areas with water bodies. |
| Trolley | An open box attached to a rope, used to cross rivers with the help of a pulley. |
| Pulley | A wheel on an axle or shaft that is designed to support movement and change of direction of a taut cable or belt, or transfer of power between the shaft and cable or belt. |
| Monsoon | The season of heavy rainfall. |
| Rope Bridge | A bridge made of ropes, often used in conjunction with bamboo. |
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Practice questions
- How do children in Assam reach school? Answer: Children in Assam use bamboo and rope bridges to cross rivers.
- What is a trolley used for in Ladakh? Answer: A trolley is used to cross a wide and deep river.
- What helps the trolley move across the rope? Answer: A pulley helps the trolley to move across the rope.
- Where have you seen pulleys being used? Answer: Pulleys are used in wells to draw water, in construction, and in elevators.
- Why is it easier to lift things with a pulley? Answer: A pulley reduces the effort needed to lift heavy objects by changing the direction of the force or by using multiple wheels.
Frequently asked questions
What are the different ways children reach school mentioned in the chapter?
The chapter mentions bamboo bridges in Assam and a trolley system in Ladakh as ways children reach school.
Why are bamboo bridges used in Assam?
Bamboo bridges are used in Assam to cross rivers, especially when water levels rise during the rainy season.
How does the trolley system work in Ladakh?
A trolley, an open box attached to an iron rope, uses a pulley to move across a river.
What is a pulley and how is it useful?
A pulley is a wheel used to lift or move heavy objects more easily by changing the direction of force.
What activity is suggested to understand pulleys?
Students are asked to observe pictures of children pulling buckets from a well and to try lifting various things with a pulley.
What is the main theme of the chapter 'Going to School'?
The chapter's main theme is to show the diverse and sometimes challenging ways children travel to school in different parts of India and to introduce simple machines like pulleys.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 4 Environmental Studies — Looking Around(EVS) — Chapter 1 — Going to School. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.