NCERT Class 5 Environmental Studies Looking Around: Chapter 4 — Mangoes Round the Year
This chapter, "Mangoes Round the Year" from NCERT's Class 5 Environmental Studies book 'Looking Around', introduces young learners to the concept of food spoilage. Through a conversation between friends Aman, Nitu, and Preeti, students learn to identify spoilt food by sight and smell, understanding the risks of consuming it. The chapter prompts them to observe their kitchens, categorizing food items based on how quickly they spoil. It also highlights the importance of checking food packets for expiry dates and packing information. A teacher's note suggests an experiment with bread to demonstrate spoilage over time, emphasizing the difference between spoilage and wastage. This chapter aims to build awareness about food preservation and safe eating habits, crucial for CBSE students' understanding of daily life science.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 5 |
| Subject | Environmental Studies |
| Book | Looking Around |
| Chapter | Chapter 4 — Mangoes Round the Year |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 3 minutes |
| Word count | 431 |
Learning outcomes
- Identify signs of spoilt food.
- Understand why eating spoilt food is harmful.
- Categorize food items based on their shelf life.
- Recognize the importance of checking food packet information.
- Differentiate between food spoilage and food wastage.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Spoilt | Damaged or no longer good to eat |
| Sabzi | A dish made with vegetables |
| Sick | Ill or unwell |
| Bhindi | Okra (a type of vegetable) |
| Puris | Deep-fried Indian bread |
| Crowded | Full of people |
| Packet | A container or wrapper for goods |
| Expiry date | The date after which a product should not be used |
| Packing date | The date when a product was packaged |
| Wastage | The act of using or consuming something unnecessarily |
The complete chapter text is read in the official NCERT PDF viewer below (streamed from ncert.nic.in). This page provides NCERT Help study material — summary, vocabulary, practice questions, and FAQs — not a full reproduction of the textbook.
Read chapter online
This PDF is loaded from the official NCERT website (ncert.nic.in). Use the page buttons below to read — download is disabled on NCERT Help.
Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.
Practice questions
- How did Aman know that the potato sabzi was spoilt? Answer: Aman knew the sabzi was spoilt because it looked spoiled (implied by Preeti's comment).
- Name two food items that can get spoilt in 2-3 days. Answer: Examples: Milk, cooked rice, bread (depending on conditions).
- Why did Biji return the packet of bread? Answer: Biji returned the bread because it looked spoilt (implied by the picture and context).
- What information can we get from a food packet? Answer: We can know the weight, packing date, expiry date, ingredients, etc., from a food packet.
- What should we do with food that gets spoilt at home? Answer: Spoilt food should be thrown away to avoid falling sick.
Frequently asked questions
What does it mean for food to be spoilt?
Food is spoilt when it gets damaged, changes its smell, taste, or appearance, and is no longer safe to eat.
Why should we not eat spoilt food?
Eating spoilt food can make you fall sick because it may contain harmful bacteria or toxins.
What is the difference between food spoilage and food wastage?
Food spoilage is when food becomes unfit to eat, while food wastage is when edible food is thrown away or not consumed.
What should you look for on a food packet before buying?
You should look for the packing date and the expiry date to ensure the food is fresh and safe to consume.
Can food spoil at different rates?
Yes, some food items spoil in a few days, while others can be kept for weeks or months, depending on their nature and storage.
What can be done with food that gets spoilt?
Spoilt food should be discarded or thrown away properly to prevent illness.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 5 Environmental Studies — Looking Around — Chapter 4 — Mangoes Round the Year. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.