NCERT Class 4 Environmental Studies Looking Around(EVS): Chapter 13 — A River's Tale
This chapter, 'A River's Tale' from NCERT's Class 4 Environmental Studies book 'Looking Around', explores the journey of a river and the impact of human activities on its cleanliness. It begins by prompting students to observe a picture of a river and use provided words to create a story. The chapter then poses critical questions about the river's colour at its origin, the varying presence of fish, and the reasons for dead fish. It investigates what is seen in the river before it reaches a village and why the water's colour changes, linking it to pollution from factories and cities. Students are encouraged to discuss their preferences for living locations near the river and consider how to improve the environment. The chapter concludes by asking about observed pollution in water bodies and potential solutions for keeping rivers clean, fostering environmental awareness and critical thinking.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 4 |
| Subject | Environmental Studies |
| Book | Looking Around(EVS) |
| Chapter | Chapter 13 — A River's Tale |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 1 minute |
| Word count | 193 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the journey of a river from its origin to its entry into a city.
- Identify the causes of river pollution, including waste from factories and human activities.
- Discuss the impact of pollution on aquatic life like fish.
- Propose solutions for keeping rivers clean and protecting water bodies.
- Develop critical thinking skills by analyzing environmental issues related to rivers.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| flowing water | water that is moving |
| water-plants | plants that grow in water |
| foul smell | an unpleasant or bad smell |
| river banks | the land along the sides of a river |
| factories | buildings where goods are manufactured |
| pollution | the presence of harmful substances in the environment |
| aquatic life | plants and animals that live in water |
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Practice questions
- What is the colour of the river where it begins? Answer: The colour of the river where it begins is usually clear or blue.
- What are some reasons why there might be fewer fish or dead fish in a river? Answer: Pollution from factories, cities, or waste can harm fish, leading to fewer or dead fish.
- What activities shown in the picture might cause the river to become polluted? Answer: Factories releasing waste, washing clothes, and dumping garbage can pollute the river.
- What can be done to keep rivers clean? Answer: We can stop throwing waste into rivers, treat factory waste before releasing it, and clean up existing pollution.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main theme of NCERT Class 4 EVS Chapter 13?
The chapter 'A River's Tale' focuses on the journey of a river and the pollution it faces due to human activities.
What kind of questions does the chapter ask about the river?
It asks about the river's colour at its origin, the presence of fish, pollution sources, and ways to keep rivers clean.
What are the potential sources of river pollution mentioned?
Sources include waste from factories, cities, and activities like washing clothes near the river.
Why is it important to discuss keeping rivers clean?
Clean rivers are essential for aquatic life, human use, and the overall health of the environment.
What skills does this chapter help students develop?
It helps develop observation, critical thinking, discussion, and problem-solving skills related to environmental issues.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 4 Environmental Studies — Looking Around(EVS) — Chapter 13 — A River's Tale. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.