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

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 4 PDF

This chapter, 'A River's Tale', for CBSE Class 4 Environmental Studies (EVS) delves into the journey of a river and the impact of human activities on its cleanliness. The NCERT Solutions provided here guide students through understanding how a river's state changes from its origin to its flow through villages and cities. It highlights the causes and consequences of water pollution, such as the effect on aquatic life and the change in water color. The solutions encourage critical thinking about environmental responsibility, prompting students to consider how they can contribute to keeping rivers clean. These solutions are designed to help students grasp the importance of water conservation and the detrimental effects of pollution, aiding in their exam preparation by reinforcing key concepts through clear explanations and thought-provoking questions.

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Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 4
SubjectLooking Around (EVS)
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterChapter 13

Chapter summary

Chapter 13, 'A River's Tale', focuses on the life cycle of a river and the increasing pollution it faces as it flows through human settlements. The NCERT Solutions cover the changes in the river's appearance and the health of its inhabitants due to waste disposal from villages and cities. It emphasizes the importance of clean water and encourages students to think about solutions to prevent pollution. This chapter serves as an introduction to environmental awareness and responsibility regarding water bodies.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the journey of a river from its origin.
  • Identify the causes of river pollution in villages and cities.
  • Explain the impact of pollution on aquatic life.
  • Discuss ways to prevent water pollution.
  • Recognize the importance of clean water for living beings.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • River's journey
  • Water pollution
  • Sources of pollution (villages, cities)
  • Impact on aquatic life
  • Water quality
  • Environmental responsibility
  • Waste disposal
  • Industrial waste
  • Sewage

Important topics

  • Causes and effects of river pollution
  • Difference in pollution levels
  • Protecting water bodies
  • Human impact on rivers

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

What is the colour of the river where it begins?
Solution: The river water at its origin is described as blue. This color typically signifies clean, pure water, free from pollutants, as it starts its journey from natural sources like springs or glaciers.

Question 2

At some places, there are many fish in the river, at others there are only a few and at some places there are dead fish. What could be the reason for this? Discuss.
Solution: The number of fish in a river changes based on the water quality.
  1. Clean Water: Where the river begins or flows through unpolluted areas, the water is clean and fresh, supporting a large population of fish.
  2. Polluted Water: As the river passes through villages and cities, it gets contaminated with garbage, animal waste, industrial discharge, and sewage. This pollution makes the water toxic, reducing the oxygen levels and harming the fish.
  3. Dead Fish: In severely polluted areas, the water becomes so toxic that fish cannot survive, leading to many of them dying.
Therefore, the presence of many fish indicates a healthy river, while few or dead fish signal significant pollution.

Question 3

What can be seen in the river before it reaches the village?
Solution: Before the river reaches a village, its water is typically clean and fresh. In such pristine conditions, one can observe many fish swimming in the water. Additionally, various other animals and birds are often seen near or in the river, attracted by the clean water and the abundance of life it supports.

Question 4

At which places did the colour of the water in the river change? Why did this happen? Discuss.
Solution: The color of the river water changes significantly as it flows through populated areas, particularly cities. This change occurs because:
  1. Garbage and Waste: People often throw garbage and other waste materials directly into the river.
  2. Industrial Discharge: Factories and industries release chemical waste and effluents into the river.
  3. Sewage: Waste water and sewage from homes and buildings are often dumped into the river without proper treatment.
These pollutants mix with the water, altering its natural color and making it appear murky, discolored, or even dark, depending on the type and amount of waste.

Question 5

Which of the places shown in the picture would you like to live in? Why?
Solution: Based on the description, the most appealing place to live would be near the beginning of the river. This is because the water is clean and fresh, and the environment is likely to be pure and healthy, with abundant nature. Living in such a place ensures a better quality of life, away from the pollution and problems associated with human settlements.

Question 6

Would you like to change any of the things that you see in the picture? Why and how?
Solution: Yes, there are several changes that would improve the condition of the river and its surroundings:
  1. Prevent Pollution in Villages: People should be discouraged from bathing animals directly in the river and should avoid throwing waste into it.
  2. Treat Waste in Cities: Industrial waste and sewage from cities should not be directly discharged into the river. Instead, they should be treated in proper facilities to remove harmful chemicals and pollutants before the water is released.
  3. Proper Waste Management: Implementing better garbage collection and disposal systems in both villages and cities would prevent waste from entering the river.
Making these changes would help maintain the river's cleanliness, protect aquatic life, and ensure a healthier environment for everyone.

Common mistakes

  • Not clearly distinguishing between pollution sources in villages and cities.
  • Failing to connect pollution to the death of fish.
  • Overlooking the importance of treating industrial and sewage waste.

Revision tips

  • Trace the river's journey from its source to the sea, noting changes.
  • List all the ways humans pollute rivers as described in the chapter.
  • Think about practical steps you can take to keep local water bodies clean.
  • Discuss the 'why' behind the fish dying in polluted water.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What is the initial color of the river water at its beginning?

Q2. Why might there be fewer fish or dead fish in certain parts of the river?

Q3. What is found in the river before it reaches a village?

Q4. What causes the river's water color to change when it reaches a city?

Q5. Where would a person prefer to live based on the river's condition?

Frequently asked questions

What is Chapter 13 of Class 4 EVS NCERT about?

Chapter 13, 'A River's Tale', discusses the journey of a river and how human activities, especially pollution from villages and cities, affect its cleanliness and the life within it.

Why is the river's water color described as changing?

The river's water color changes as it flows through villages and cities because of the pollution caused by throwing garbage, animal waste, industrial waste, and sewage into it.

What happens to the fish in a polluted river?

Polluted water contains harmful substances from waste that make it toxic for fish. This can lead to fewer fish or even the death of many fish.

Where is the best place to live along the river's course, according to the chapter?

The chapter suggests that the best place to live is where the river begins, as the water is clean, fresh, and the surrounding environment is pure.

How can we help keep rivers clean?

We can help by not throwing garbage or waste into rivers, preventing animals from bathing in them, and ensuring that industrial and sewage waste is treated before being released.

Important links

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