NCERT Class 6 Science Curiosity: Chapter 10 — Living Creatures: Exploring their Characteristics
This chapter, "Living Creatures: Exploring their Characteristics," from NCERT's Class 6 Science Curiosity textbook, introduces students to the fundamental differences between living and non-living things. Through an engaging anecdote about Avadhi and Aayush and a classroom activity, students are prompted to observe their surroundings and classify objects. Activity 10.1 encourages recording observations of items like pencils, books, pigeons, cars, and plants, and justifying their classification as living or non-living. The chapter begins to explore characteristics that distinguish living organisms, such as movement, and poses questions to stimulate critical thinking about these distinctions. It aims to build a foundational understanding of biology by encouraging observation and analysis of the natural world.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 6 |
| Subject | Science |
| Book | Curiosity |
| Chapter | Chapter 10 — Living Creatures: Exploring their Characteristics |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 345 |
Learning outcomes
- Differentiate between living and non-living things.
- Identify characteristics that distinguish living organisms.
- Record observations about the environment.
- Justify classifications of objects as living or non-living.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Living | Possessing life; characterized by growth, reproduction, and metabolism. |
| Non-living | Not alive; inanimate. |
| Characteristics | Features or qualities belonging typically to a person, place, or thing and serving to identify it. |
| Organisms | An individual animal, plant, or single-celled life form. |
| Movement | The act or process of moving or being moved. |
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Practice questions
- List three things you can find in your classroom and classify them as living or non-living. Answer: Example: Pencil (non-living), Pigeon (living), Book (non-living).
- Why is a pencil considered non-living? Answer: A pencil is non-living because it does not grow, reproduce, or show other characteristics of life.
- What is one similarity you might observe among living beings? Answer: Movement is one similarity among living beings.
- Can a car be considered living? Why or why not? Answer: No, a car cannot be considered living, even though it moves, because it lacks other essential characteristics of life like growth and reproduction.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main topic of NCERT Class 6 Science Chapter 10?
The chapter "Living Creatures: Exploring their Characteristics" focuses on differentiating between living and non-living things and understanding their basic characteristics.
What activity is suggested in Chapter 10 to help understand living vs. non-living?
Activity 10.1, "Let us record," prompts students to observe their surroundings, list items, and classify them as living or non-living with reasons.
Does movement alone define a living thing?
No, while movement is a characteristic of living things, it does not solely define them, as non-living things like cars can also move.
What kind of examples are used in the chapter to illustrate living and non-living things?
Examples include shells, snails, pencils, books, pigeons, cars, and plants.
What is the purpose of Table 10.1 in this chapter?
Table 10.1 is used to record observations, classify items as living or non-living, and provide reasons for the classification.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 6 Science — Curiosity — Chapter 10 — Living Creatures: Exploring their Characteristics. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.