NCERT Class 4 Environmental Studies Looking Around(EVS): Chapter 8 — Reaching Grandmother's House
This chapter, "May Night," from NCERT's Class 4 Environmental Studies book 'Looking Around,' details a child's journey to their grandmother's house. The narrative begins with reaching Kottayam at night and then traveling by auto-rickshaws. The next morning, the family embarks on a bus journey, which becomes crowded, requiring seat sharing. Upon reaching the water's edge, they board a ferry to cross the river. The child observes the ferry crossing, the coconut trees along the riverbanks, and people engaged in various activities like fishing, bathing, and working by the water. This chapter introduces students to different modes of transport and the importance of rivers in daily life.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 4 |
| Subject | Environmental Studies |
| Book | Looking Around(EVS) |
| Chapter | Chapter 8 — Reaching Grandmother's House |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 349 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand different modes of transport like auto-rickshaws, buses, and ferries.
- Describe the experience of a journey, including challenges like crowded transport.
- Recognize the importance of rivers and activities associated with them.
- Learn about the concept of sharing seats and luggage during travel.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Kottayam | A city in Kerala, India. |
| auto-rickshaws | A three-wheeled motor vehicle used as a taxi. |
| luggage | Bags and suitcases used to carry belongings when traveling. |
| conductor | A person who collects fares on a bus or train. |
| ferry | A boat or ship for carrying passengers and sometimes vehicles across a body of water. |
| railing | A barrier, typically a metal pole or pipe, fixed to a wall or standing on its own. |
| rippling | Forming small waves on the surface of water. |
| coconut trees | Tall palm trees that produce coconuts. |
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Practice questions
- What modes of transport did the child use to reach Grandmother's house? Answer: The child used auto-rickshaws, a bus, and a ferry.
- Why did the child have to share seats on the bus? Answer: The bus became very crowded, so people had to share seats.
- What is a ferry used for? Answer: A ferry is used by people to cross water and reach the other side.
- What did the child see along the banks of the river? Answer: The child saw rows of coconut trees and people fishing, washing, bathing, and working.
Frequently asked questions
What is the chapter 'May Night' about?
'May Night' describes a child's journey to their grandmother's village, involving travel by auto-rickshaw, bus, and ferry.
Where did the journey start in this chapter?
The journey described starts after reaching Kottayam.
What is a ferry and how is it used?
A ferry is a boat used to transport people and sometimes vehicles across a body of water, like a river.
What activities were observed by the river?
People were seen fishing, washing, bathing, and working along the river banks.
What challenges were faced during the journey?
The bus became very crowded, requiring people to share seats, and the child felt stiff after the long ride.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 4 Environmental Studies — Looking Around(EVS) — Chapter 8 — Reaching Grandmother's House. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.