CBSE Class 4 EVS NCERT Solutions: A Day With Nandu

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 4 PDF

This chapter, 'A Day With Nandu,' from the CBSE Class 4 Environmental Studies curriculum, introduces young learners to the fascinating life of a baby elephant named Nandu and his herd. Through engaging questions and answers, students explore concepts like animal weight, herd dynamics, decision-making within a group, and the social behaviors of elephants. The solutions also touch upon other animals that live in herds, the pros and cons of group living, and the different ways humans interact with animals, such as riding or using them for transport. This chapter encourages observation and critical thinking about the animal kingdom and social structures. These NCERT solutions provide clear, step-by-step explanations to help students understand the chapter's content thoroughly, aiding in their exam preparation and fostering a deeper appreciation for nature.

Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 4
SubjectEnvironmental Studies
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
Chapter3. A Day With Nandu

Chapter summary

Chapter 3, 'A Day With Nandu,' focuses on the life of a young elephant within his herd. The NCERT solutions cover topics such as comparing human and elephant weights, understanding herd hierarchy, the social interactions of elephants, and identifying other herd animals. It also delves into the advantages and disadvantages of living in groups and explores human-animal relationships, including animal rides and transportation. The exercises are designed to promote observation and discussion.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the concept of weight and compare weights of different beings.
  • Learn about the social structure and behavior of an elephant herd.
  • Identify animals that live in groups or herds.
  • Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of living in a group.
  • Recognize different ways humans use animals.
  • Develop observational skills about animal interactions.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Elephant weight
  • Herd behavior
  • Social structure of elephants
  • Decision making in groups
  • Animals living in herds
  • Pros and cons of group living
  • Human-animal interactions
  • Animals used for riding
  • Animals used for carrying loads
  • Symbiotic relationships (Egret and Buffalo)

Important topics

  • Elephant herd dynamics
  • Weight comparison
  • Group living advantages and disadvantages
  • Animal roles in nature
  • Human uses of animals

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

Nandu is only three months old, but he weighs 200 kilograms. What is your weight?
Solution: Nandu, a young elephant, weighs 200 kilograms. To compare this with your own weight, you need to know your current weight. For example, if your weight is 25 kilograms, then Nandu weighs much more than you do.

My weight is 25 kg.

Question 2

Can you find out - the weight of how many children like you will add up to Nandu's weight?
Solution: Nandu weighs 200 kilograms. If we assume a child's weight is 25 kilograms, we can find out how many children's weights would equal Nandu's weight by dividing Nandu's total weight by the weight of one child.

Calculation: 200 kg (Nandu's weight) ÷ 25 kg (child's weight) = 8 children.

Therefore, the weight of 8 children, each weighing 25 kg, would add up to Nandu's weight of 200 kg.

Ans. 8 children of my weight will add up to Nandu's weight.

Question 3

If you were Nandu, and you lived in a herd, what kind of things would you do?
Solution: If I were Nandu, living in an elephant herd, my day would be filled with activities typical for a young elephant. I would enjoy playing with other young elephants, running around, and exploring my surroundings. Eating is also a major part of an elephant's life, so I would spend time feeding on leaves and grass. At the end of the day, I would feel safe and comfortable sleeping close to my mother.

If I were Nandu, I would play, dance, run, and eat the whole day. In the night I would sleep with my mom.

Question 4

In the elephant herd, the oldest female elephant decides everything. Who takes decisions in your family?
Solution: In an elephant herd, the oldest female elephant, often called the matriarch, leads the group and makes important decisions for the safety and well-being of all. In a human family, decision-making can be shared among members. Often, parents or elders take the lead, but many families discuss and decide together.

In my family most of the decisions are taken by my Dad and Mom together.

Question 5

Nandu did things that he liked to do. If you could spend a whole day with your friends, what all would you do?
Solution: Spending a whole day with friends is a wonderful opportunity for fun and connection. If I had such a day, I would engage in various activities that we all enjoy. This would include playing games, singing songs, dancing, sharing meals, and telling each other stories. The main goal would be to have a lot of fun and create happy memories together.

If I could spend a whole day with my friends, I would like to do the following: Play, sing, dance, eat, tell and listen stories and have a lot of fun.

Question 6

Find out and write, which other animals live in herds.
Solution: Many animals live together in groups called herds for protection, finding food, and social interaction. Some common examples of animals that live in herds include:
  • Deer
  • Zebra
  • Cows
  • Buffaloes
  • Horses
  • Antelopes (like Impala and Gaur)
  • Sheep
  • Goats

Ans. Deer, Zebra, Chital, Gaur, Impala, Cows.

Question 7

Do you also live in a group? Do you like to live together like that? What do you think are the good and the bad points of living in a group? Write them.
Solution: Yes, humans typically live in groups, such as families and communities. Living together in a group has several advantages and disadvantages.

Good Points of Living Together:

  • Security: Being in a group provides safety from dangers.
  • Strength: A group is often stronger and can achieve more than individuals alone.
  • Mutual Help: Members can support and assist each other in times of need.
  • Companionship: Living together offers company and reduces loneliness.
  • Shared Enjoyment: Many activities are more enjoyable when done with others.

Bad Points of Living Together:

  • Quarrels: Differences in opinions or needs can lead to disagreements and fights.
  • Dependency: Individuals might become too reliant on the group and lose independence.
  • Less Freedom: Sometimes, group rules or expectations might limit personal freedom.
  • Conflicts: Managing different personalities and needs can be challenging.

Good Points: Living together gives security, Living together gives strength, We can help each other by living together, We can enjoy more by living together.

Bad Points: Quarrels may occur, We may become dependent, We may not feel fully free.

Question 8

Have you ever taken a ride on an elephant? How did it feel?
Solution: Riding on an elephant can be a unique and memorable experience. Elephants are very large and strong animals, so sitting on their back provides a high vantage point. The ride might feel majestic and a bit bumpy due to the elephant's gait. It's often described as a thrilling and impressive experience.

Ans. Once I took a ride on an elephant. It felt great.

Question 9

Which animals have you sat on? Write their names.
Solution: Many people have the opportunity to sit on or ride various animals, depending on where they live and what is available. Common animals that people ride include horses, elephants, and camels. In some regions, donkeys and buffaloes are also used for riding or carrying people.

Ans. Horse, elephant, camel, donkey, and buffalo.

Question 10

You must have seen many animals around you-in books, in movies. Some may be alone, some in groups. Find out more about any one of these animals and write about it.
Solution: Dogs are common animals found in many homes and communities. They are known for their loyalty and are often kept as pets. Dogs are four-legged animals that provide security to homes by guarding against intruders. They are omnivores and eat a varied diet including meat, rice, and milk. Female dogs give birth to puppies, which are young dogs. Puppies are often considered very cute and playful.

Ans. I see dogs around me. Dog is an obedient animal. It gives us security from thieves. It keeps a watch on our homes. Dog is a four footed animal. It eats meat, rice, milk, bread, etc. Female dogs give birth to babies. Baby dogs which are called puppies are lovely.

Question 11

Why do you think the egret is sitting on the buffalo?
Solution: The egret, a type of bird, often sits on the back of a buffalo because it benefits both animals. The egret finds a convenient place to search for and eat small insects, ticks, and other parasites that live on the buffalo's skin. In return, the buffalo gets relief from these irritating pests. This is an example of a symbiotic relationship called commensalism, where one organism benefits and the other is neither harmed nor helped significantly.

Ans. Egret is a friend of buffalo. It eats the insects from the skin of buffalo.

Question 12

Have you seen any animal riding on another animal? Write its name.
Solution: Yes, it is common to observe animals riding on or interacting closely with other animals in nature. A frequent sight is a bird perched on the back of a larger animal. For instance, egrets are often seen sitting on buffaloes, or sparrows might be seen on cows or other grazing animals. This usually happens when the bird is looking for insects or a place to rest.

Ans. I saw an egret sparrow sitting on a buffalo.

Question 13

The animal which is riding.
Solution: In the scenario where one animal is on the back of another, the animal that is positioned on top is considered to be riding. For example, if a bird like an egret is sitting on a buffalo, the egret is the animal that is riding.

Ans. Egret sparrow is riding.

Question 14

The animal which gives the ride.
Solution: The animal that provides the ride is the one that carries another animal or person on its back. In the context of an egret sitting on a buffalo, the buffalo is the animal giving the ride. Similarly, when a person rides a horse, the horse is giving the ride.

Ans. Buffalo gives the ride.

Question 15

Which animals do we use for riding?
Solution: Humans have domesticated several animals over centuries that are used for riding. These animals are chosen for their strength, endurance, and ability to carry a rider. Common animals used for riding include horses, which are known for their speed and agility; elephants, used in some parts of the world for their size and strength; and camels, adapted to desert environments. Donkeys and mules are also sometimes used for riding, especially for shorter distances or in difficult terrain.

Ans. Horse, elephant, camel, etc.

Question 16

Which animals do we use for carrying loads?
Solution: Animals play a crucial role in transporting goods and materials, especially in areas where mechanical transport is difficult. Several animals are used for carrying loads due to their strength and ability to traverse various terrains. These include horses, often used with carts or packs; elephants, capable of carrying heavy loads in forests or difficult terrains; camels, known as the 'ships of the desert' for carrying goods across sandy landscapes; donkeys and mules, which are sturdy pack animals; and oxen, often used to pull carts or ploughs for agricultural loads.

Ans. Horse, elephant, ass, camel, ox, etc.

Common mistakes

  • Difficulty in comparing weights accurately.
  • Confusing the roles of different animals in a herd.
  • Not fully articulating the pros and cons of group living.
  • Inaccurate identification of animals that live in herds.

Revision tips

  • Review the weight comparison questions to ensure understanding of large numbers.
  • Imagine yourself as Nandu and list activities to recall herd behavior.
  • Create a list of animals that live in groups and those that live alone.
  • Discuss the good and bad points of group living with friends or family.
  • Draw or describe different animals and how humans use them.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Nandu, a three-month-old elephant, weighs 200 kg. If a child weighs 25 kg, how many children of that weight would equal Nandu's weight?

Q2. In an elephant herd, who usually makes the decisions?

Q3. Which of these animals is mentioned as living in a herd?

Q4. What is a potential disadvantage of living in a group, according to the text?

Q5. Why does an egret often sit on a buffalo?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main topic of Chapter 3, 'A Day With Nandu'?

Chapter 3, 'A Day With Nandu,' focuses on the life of a baby elephant named Nandu, exploring his experiences within an elephant herd, including their social behaviors, decision-making processes, and interactions with other animals and humans.

How do these NCERT solutions help Class 4 students?

These solutions provide clear, rewritten answers to all questions in Chapter 3, helping students understand concepts like animal weights, herd life, and the benefits of living in groups, which aids in their studies and exam preparation.

What kind of information is covered regarding animals in this chapter?

The chapter covers information about elephants, specifically Nandu, and other animals that live in herds like deer and zebras. It also touches upon animals used for riding and carrying loads, and symbiotic relationships like the egret on a buffalo.

Are the questions in the source document the same as in these solutions?

Yes, the questions in these NCERT solutions are kept exactly the same as in the source document, ensuring that students are addressing the original learning objectives. The wording of the questions has been expanded for clarity.

What is the significance of the weight comparison between Nandu and the children?

The weight comparison helps students grasp the immense size of elephants by relating it to their own weight, making the concept of large numbers and proportions more tangible and understandable.

What are the key takeaways about group living from this chapter?

The chapter highlights that living in a group provides security and strength, allows for mutual help, and enhances enjoyment. However, it also points out potential drawbacks like quarrels and dependency.

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