CBSE Class 5 Environmental Studies NCERT Solutions: Who Will Do This Work

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 5 PDF

CBSE Class 5 Environmental Studies chapter 'Who Will Do This Work' explores the importance and dignity of all kinds of jobs. It addresses why certain tasks are considered undesirable and examines the societal attitudes towards different professions. The NCERT Solutions help students understand the challenges faced by people in various occupations and the reasons behind the unequal respect given to them. The chapter also touches upon the role of education and poverty in shaping people's work lives and highlights the significance of sanitation. By discussing figures like Gandhiji, it emphasizes the value of equality and respect for everyone, regardless of their work. These solutions aim to foster empathy and a deeper appreciation for the contributions of all workers, preparing students to think critically about social responsibility and labor.

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Board	CBSE
Class	Class 5
Subject	Environmental Studies
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	16 Who Will Do This Work

Chapter summary

Chapter 16, 'Who Will Do This Work', of the CBSE Class 5 EVS curriculum focuses on understanding different types of jobs and the societal value placed upon them. The NCERT Solutions cover questions related to sanitation work, the challenges faced by workers, and the reasons why certain jobs are considered undesirable. It emphasizes the importance of respecting all professions and highlights how poverty and lack of education can influence career choices. The chapter also touches upon the concept of dignity of labor and social equality through examples.

Learning outcomes

Understand the dignity of all types of work.
Identify different kinds of jobs and the difficulties associated with them.
Analyze the social and economic reasons behind people choosing certain jobs.
Appreciate the importance of sanitation and cleanliness in society.
Develop empathy and respect for people performing essential services.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Dignity of Labor
Types of Work
Challenges faced by Workers
Social Perceptions of Jobs
Poverty and Education
Sanitation and Cleanliness
Respect for All Professions
Gandhiji's Philosophy on Work
Social Equality

Important topics

Dignity of Labor
Respect for All Professions
Challenges faced by Sanitation Workers
Social and Economic Factors in Job Choice
Gandhiji's Contribution to Social Equality

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Questions and Solutions

1. Have you seen such scenes around you?

Have you seen such scenes around you?

Solution: Yes, I have observed similar scenes in my surroundings, such as people cleaning roads, collecting garbage, or working in gardens.

2. Have you ever thought of people who do this work? Can you imagine how they would feel?

Have you ever thought of people who do this work? Can you imagine how they would feel?

Solution: It must be very challenging and often unpleasant to perform jobs like cleaning or garbage collection. People doing this work might feel tired, undervalued, and perhaps even unwell due to the nature of the tasks and the conditions they work in.

3. Why do you think people need to do this kind of work?

Why do you think people need to do this kind of work?

Solution: People often take up jobs that others may not prefer due to various reasons, primarily poverty. When other opportunities for earning a livelihood are scarce or inaccessible due to lack of education or skills, individuals may have to resort to these types of work to support themselves and their families.

Write: Talk with people who do the cleaning job around your house and school.

Write: Talk with people who do the cleaning job around your house and school.

Solution: To answer this, you should engage in a conversation with the individuals who perform cleaning duties in your neighborhood or at your school. Ask them about their experiences, the challenges they face, how long they have been doing this work, and what they think about their job. This interaction will provide firsthand insights into their lives and work.

2. Since when have they been doing this work?

Since when have they been doing this work?

Solution: Based on conversations with people who do cleaning jobs, it is common to find that many have been engaged in this work for a significant period, often ranging from 10 to 15 years or even longer. This suggests it is a long-term occupation for them.

3. How much have they studied?

How much have they studied?

Solution: In many cases, individuals performing cleaning jobs have limited formal education. A significant number of them may not have studied beyond Class 5, indicating that their educational background might influence their career choices and opportunities.

4. Have they tried to look for some other work?

Have they tried to look for some other work?

Solution: When asked, many individuals in cleaning professions report that they have not actively sought other types of employment. This could be due to various factors, including a lack of perceived alternatives, the stability offered by their current work, or the difficulty in acquiring new skills.

5. Did the elders in their family also do this work?

Did the elders in their family also do this work?

Solution: It is quite common for the tradition of performing certain types of work to be passed down through families. In many instances, the elders in the family of sanitation workers have also been engaged in similar cleaning or manual labor jobs.

6. What kind of difficulties do they face in doing this work?

What kind of difficulties do they face in doing this work?

Solution: People engaged in cleaning work face numerous difficulties. They often have to endure unpleasant and foul smells, which can lead to physical discomfort such as nausea and headaches. Furthermore, their job is frequently considered 'dirty' and may lead to them being looked down upon by others in society, causing social and emotional distress.

7. What are the different kinds of work being done in this drawing? List any five of these.

What are the different kinds of work being done in this drawing? List any five of these.

Solution: Based on the drawing, here are five different types of work that are depicted:

Milking a cow
Working in a garden
Carrying garbage
Sweeping the road
Rag picking

8. If you were asked to do any five jobs shown in this picture, which would you choose?

If you were asked to do any five jobs shown in this picture, which would you choose?

Solution: If given a choice among the jobs depicted or implied, I would choose professions that are generally considered respectable and contribute to society in different ways. These might include:

Teacher
Shopkeeper
Doctor
Scientist
Artist

These roles often involve intellectual engagement, helping others, or creative expression.

9. Which five jobs would you not choose? Why?

Which five jobs would you not choose? Why?

Solution: There are certain jobs that I would prefer not to choose, such as:

Sweeper
Labourer
Fruit/vegetable hawker
Construction worker
Gatekeeper

My reasoning is that I aspire to a job that offers respect, allows me to earn a better living, and makes both myself and my parents feel proud. I seek a profession that is perceived as dignified and offers personal fulfillment.

Discuss: What kinds of work or jobs do people not want to do? Why?

What kinds of work or jobs do people not want to do? Why?

Solution: People generally tend to avoid jobs that are not challenging, do not require significant mental effort, or are perceived as menial, such as cleaning or sweeping. They often prefer work that is well-paying, intellectually stimulating, and earns them respect within society.

2. So, who does this kind of work? Why do people do this kind of work that others do not want to do?

So, who does this kind of work? Why do people do this kind of work that others do not want to do?

Solution: This kind of work is often performed by individuals who are poor and may have limited access to education. Poverty can restrict their ability to pursue higher education or training, making them less eligible for jobs that require advanced qualifications. Consequently, they often have to take up these essential but less desirable jobs to make a living.

Imagine: What would happen if nobody did this work? If nobody cleared the garbage lying outside your school or your house for one week, then what would happen?

Imagine: What would happen if nobody did this work? If nobody cleared the garbage lying outside your school or your house for one week, then what would happen?

Solution: If no one cleared the garbage for a week, it would lead to significant problems. The accumulated garbage would start to rot, emitting a very bad smell. This unsanitary condition could become a breeding ground for diseases, potentially causing epidemics. Visually, the area would look extremely unpleasant and unhygienic.

To mitigate such issues and reduce the burden on manual workers, alternative cleaning methods can be employed. For instance, cranes can be used to lift large volumes of garbage, and systems like 'Dalao' (large dustbins that can be lifted by garbage trucks) can streamline the collection process, minimizing direct human contact with waste.

2. Did Gandhiji and his team start doing the job of cleaning? What do you think about this?

Did Gandhiji and his team start doing the job of cleaning? What do you think about this?

Solution: Yes, Gandhiji and his team did engage in cleaning work. They did this to challenge the prevailing mindset that certain jobs were beneath people or meant only for specific castes. By participating in cleaning, they aimed to instill a sense of respect for all types of work and promote social equality, demonstrating that dignity lies in performing any task diligently.

Tell: Why did Gandhiji and his team start doing the job of cleaning? What do you think about this?

Why did Gandhiji and his team start doing the job of cleaning? What do you think about this?

Solution: Gandhiji and his team undertook cleaning tasks to dismantle the notion that certain jobs were inferior or associated with specific social groups. Their intention was to foster a culture where every job is respected and to emphasize that dignity is attached to the act of working, not the type of work itself. This initiative helped in promoting equality and breaking down caste-based prejudices related to occupations.

2. Do you know any such people in your area who try to help others in solving—their problems? Find out.

Do you know any such people in your area who try to help others in solving—their problems? Find out.

Solution: Yes, there are individuals in my locality who actively help others. For example, there is a gentleman who often takes the initiative to organize community efforts when problems arise. If the drains get clogged, he rallies people to help clear them, demonstrating a proactive approach to solving common issues and fostering a sense of community responsibility.

Common mistakes

Looking down on certain professions.
Not understanding the difficulties faced by sanitation workers.
Believing some jobs are inherently 'better' or 'worse' than others.
Ignoring the role of poverty and education in job choices.

Revision tips

Discuss the concept of 'dignity of labor' with family and friends.
Try to imagine the daily challenges faced by people doing sanitation work.
Reflect on why certain jobs are considered less desirable and discuss potential solutions.
Consider how education impacts job opportunities and societal respect.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What is a major reason why people do jobs that others might not want to do?

Q2. What kind of difficulties do sanitation workers often face?

Q3. Why did Gandhiji and his team start doing cleaning work?

Q4. What might happen if garbage is not cleared for a week?

Q5. Which of these jobs is NOT typically considered a 'menial' job in the context of the chapter?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main message of the chapter 'Who Will Do This Work'?

The main message is to understand and respect all types of work, recognizing that every job is important and contributes to society. It emphasizes the dignity of labor and challenges social biases against certain professions.

Why are some jobs considered undesirable by many people?

Jobs are often considered undesirable if they are perceived as dirty, difficult, low-paying, or lacking social prestige. The chapter suggests that poverty and lack of educational opportunities also play a significant role in who performs these jobs.

How does the chapter explain the difficulties faced by sanitation workers?

The chapter highlights that sanitation workers often face challenges like foul smells, which can lead to nausea and headaches. Additionally, their work is sometimes looked down upon by society, causing them to feel disrespected.

What role does education play in choosing a job, according to the chapter?

The chapter implies that a lack of education beyond a certain level can limit job opportunities, often leading individuals to take up manual or menial jobs. Higher education is often associated with more respected and better-paying professions.

What can be done to improve sanitation and reduce the burden on manual workers?

The chapter suggests using technology like cranes for lifting large amounts of garbage and employing systems like 'Dalao' (large dustbins) that can be easily lifted by garbage trucks, thereby minimizing direct manual handling.

How can students use these NCERT solutions for revision?

Students can use these solutions to understand the concepts clearly, review the answers to textbook questions, and prepare for potential questions in exams related to social responsibility, respect for work, and societal issues.

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