NCERT Class 5 Environmental Studies Looking Around: Chapter 3 — From Tasting to Digesting
This chapter, 'From Tasting to Digesting' from NCERT's Class 5 Environmental Studies book 'Looking Around', explores the diverse world of tastes and how we perceive them. Through a fun game between siblings Jhumpa and Jhoolan, students learn about different tastes like bitter, sweet, sour, and salty. The chapter highlights how our sense of taste, aided by smell, helps us identify food. It encourages young learners to think about their own taste preferences, listing foods they enjoy and describing their tastes. The importance of a few drops versus a larger quantity for taste identification is also touched upon, along with recognizing tastes like aniseed even with closed eyes. This chapter lays the foundation for understanding digestion by first focusing on the initial sensory experience of food.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 5 |
| Subject | Environmental Studies |
| Book | Looking Around |
| Chapter | Chapter 3 — From Tasting to Digesting |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 378 |
Learning outcomes
- Identify and describe different tastes (sweet, sour, bitter, salty).
- Understand the role of smell in identifying food.
- Discuss personal food preferences and their tastes.
- Recognize that taste can be identified with small or large quantities of food.
- Appreciate the diversity of flavors in food.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Karela | Bittergourd |
| Gur | Jaggery |
| Roti | Flatbread |
| Imli | Tamarind |
| Sour | Having an acidic taste like lemon or vinegar |
| Bitter | Having a sharp, pungent taste, not sweet |
| Salty | Having the taste of salt |
| Sweet | Having the taste of sugar or honey |
| Fried | Cooked in hot oil or fat |
| Saunf | Aniseed |
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Practice questions
- What are the four main tastes mentioned in the chapter? Answer: The four main tastes mentioned are bitter, sweet, sour, and salty.
- Why did Jhoolan suggest crushing the jaggery? Answer: Jhoolan suggested crushing the jaggery so that Jhumpa would not easily guess it by its shape.
- How did Jhumpa identify the fried fish even before tasting it? Answer: Jhumpa likely identified the fried fish by its smell before tasting it.
- List three things that make your mouth water. Answer: Answers will vary, but examples could include imli (tamarind), sweets, or favorite dishes.
- Can you tell the taste of something if your nose is closed? Explain. Answer: It is difficult to tell the exact taste with your nose closed because smell plays a significant role in how we perceive flavor. Jhumpa found it confusing to identify the karela when her nose was closed.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main theme of NCERT Class 5 EVS Chapter 3?
The chapter 'From Tasting to Digesting' focuses on exploring different tastes and how our senses, particularly taste and smell, help us identify and enjoy food.
What foods are mentioned in the chapter?
The chapter mentions karela (bittergourd), gur (jaggery), roti, sugar, imli (tamarind), lemon juice, and fried fish.
Why is it hard to identify food with your nose closed?
It is hard to identify food with your nose closed because smell is a crucial part of how we perceive flavor. Without smell, taste perception is significantly altered.
What game do Jhumpa and Jhoolan play?
They play a game where one closes their eyes and tries to guess the food item placed in their mouth by its taste and smell.
What does the chapter teach about different tastes?
It teaches that food has various tastes like sweet, sour, and bitter, and that people have different preferences for these tastes.
What is the meaning of 'karela' and 'gur'?
'Karela' means bittergourd, and 'gur' means jaggery.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 5 Environmental Studies — Looking Around — Chapter 3 — From Tasting to Digesting. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.