CBSE Class 4 EVS Chapter 13: A River's Tale NCERT Solutions

Here is a story created using the given words, titled "The River's Journey":

The River's Journey

Once, there was a beautiful river with clear, blue flowing water. Many colourful fish swam among the green water-plants. The river banks were clean and green. People used to wash clothes and bathe their animals near the river. Sometimes, a small boat would gently move on the water.

As time passed, a big city grew near the river. Factories were built, and they started releasing waste into the water. Sometimes, a big ship carrying goods would pass, and once there was an oil spill, making the water dirty. The river began to change. The water was no longer clear and blue; it started to have a foul smell. The fish and water plants were disappearing because the water was becoming polluted. The river banks were also littered with waste from the city and factories. This sad change happened because of the other work people did that polluted the river.

Where a river begins, its water is usually very clear and pure. While pure water itself is colourless, when we look at a river from a distance, especially if it's deep or reflecting the sky, it often appears to have a bluish tint.

The number of fish in a river depends on the quality of the water.

• Many fish: Where the river water is clean and fresh, with plenty of food and oxygen, there will be many fish.
• Few fish: In places where the water is starting to get polluted, or has less oxygen, only a few fish that can tolerate these conditions will survive.
• Dead fish: If the water is heavily polluted with harmful waste from factories or sewage, it becomes toxic for fish. They cannot breathe or survive, leading to their death.

Therefore, the presence of many fish, few fish, or dead fish indicates the level of pollution in different parts of the river.

Before the river reaches a village or town, especially if it is still in its upper or cleaner reaches, a large number of fish can typically be seen swimming in the water. This is because the water is likely to be less polluted at this stage.

The colour of the river water changes noticeably near villages and towns. This is where the river often receives waste and pollutants from human activities.

The change in the colour of the river water happens primarily due to pollution. People living in villages and towns often throw their household waste, garbage, and sometimes even sewage directly into the river. Factories located nearby might also discharge their waste materials (effluents) into the water. These pollutants mix with the river water, altering its natural colour and making it appear dirty or discoloured.

I would prefer to live in a place near the river where the water is clean and the surroundings are not polluted. Living in a clean environment, away from pollution, is essential for a healthy life. This would likely be closer to the beginning of the river, before it flows through cities or industrial areas.

Yes, I would like to change the things that are causing pollution in the river. I would want to remove all the waste and garbage from the river banks and from the water itself. It is important to stop factories from dumping waste and to encourage people not to throw garbage into the river. This would help to make the river clean again, making it safe and beautiful for everyone and for the animals and plants that live in it.

If I wanted to drink water from the river, I would choose to take it from the upper reaches, near the beginning or source of the river. This is because the water in these parts is usually pure, clean, and free from any contamination or pollution caused by human activities or industries.

Yes, I have seen the sea. I have seen it in movies and television shows. I also had the opportunity to see the sea in person when I visited a coastal city like Mumbai.

Yes, I have been near a river. There is a river that flows through my city, and I often cross it or go near its banks. I have also been near the sea during a trip to Mumbai.

The waves in the sea move up and down. (To show this, you can move your hands up and down rhythmically, mimicking the motion of waves.)

No, the water from the sea is not drinkable. This is because sea water is very salty or saline. Drinking large amounts of salt water can be harmful to our bodies.