NCERT Class 4 Environmental Studies Looking Around(EVS): Chapter 24 — Home and Abroad
This chapter, 'Home and Abroad,' from NCERT's Class 4 Environmental Studies book 'Looking Around,' narrates a family reunion and travel experiences. Maalu's uncle, Chittappan, and his family return home to India after five years in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The chapter highlights the contrast in travel times between air and train journeys, with Shanta describing her flight experience. She recounts seeing clouds from the plane and flying over sandy areas with changing sand colors, forming sand dunes. The chapter introduces vocabulary like 'Chittappan' and 'Kunjamma' (Malayalam terms for paternal uncle and aunt). It emphasizes different modes of transport and geographical observations, making EVS learning engaging for Class 4 students preparing for CBSE exams.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 4 |
| Subject | Environmental Studies |
| Book | Looking Around(EVS) |
| Chapter | Chapter 24 — Home and Abroad |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 269 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand family relationships and travel experiences.
- Compare different modes of transportation (plane vs. train).
- Identify geographical features like sand dunes.
- Learn new vocabulary related to family and travel.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Chittappan | Father's younger brother (Malayalam) |
| Kunjamma | Father's younger brother's wife (Malayalam) |
| Abu Dhabi | Capital city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) |
| Airport | A place where aircraft take off and land |
| Luggage | Suitcases and bags used for travel |
| Journey | An act of traveling from one place to another |
| Flight | A journey in an aircraft |
| Train | A series of connected vehicles that travel along a railway track |
| Map | A drawing of an area showing its physical features |
| Clouds | Visible masses of condensed water vapor floating in the atmosphere |
| Sandy areas | Regions covered with sand |
| Sand dunes | Hills of sand formed by the wind |
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Practice questions
- Who was coming home after five years? Answer: Chittappan and his family were coming home.
- Where did Chittappan work? Answer: Chittappan worked in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
- How long did Shanta's flight take? Answer: Shanta's flight took only two hours.
- What did Shanta see from the plane? Answer: Shanta saw clouds and sandy areas with sand dunes.
- What is Chittappan in Malayalam? Answer: Chittappan means father's younger brother in Malayalam.
Frequently asked questions
What is the chapter 'Home and Abroad' about?
The chapter describes a family reunion and the travel experiences of characters like Maalu and Shanta, comparing air and train journeys.
Who are Chittappan and Kunjamma?
Chittappan is the father's younger brother, and Kunjamma is his wife, in Malayalam.
Where is Abu Dhabi?
Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
How fast is air travel compared to train travel?
Air travel is much faster; Shanta's flight took only two hours, while Maalu's train journey to Chennai took 12 hours.
What are sand dunes?
Sand dunes are mountains made of sand, which can be seen from the plane when flying over sandy areas.
What new vocabulary is introduced in this chapter?
The chapter introduces Malayalam terms like 'Chittappan' and 'Kunjamma'.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 4 Environmental Studies — Looking Around(EVS) — Chapter 24 — Home and Abroad. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.