CBSE Class 5 EVS NCERT Solutions: Chapter 1 - The Super Senses

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 5 PDF

This chapter, 'The Super Senses,' for CBSE Class 5 EVS, delves into the fascinating world of how animals perceive their surroundings. Through engaging questions and prompts, students are encouraged to observe and understand the heightened senses of various creatures, particularly ants. The solutions guide learners to explore how ants communicate using smell, how they navigate, and the importance of their senses for survival. This chapter emphasizes observational skills and encourages hands-on experimentation, like tracking ants and understanding their behavior when their path is blocked. These NCERT Solutions aim to build a strong foundation in understanding animal behavior and sensory perception, crucial for exam preparation and developing scientific curiosity.

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Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 5
SubjectEVS
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterChapter 1

Chapter summary

Chapter 1 of the Class 5 EVS syllabus, 'The Super Senses,' focuses on introducing students to the concept of senses in animals. It uses ants as a primary example to explain how smell is used for recognition and communication. The chapter also includes practical activities to observe ant behavior, encouraging students to record their findings about how ants find food, move in lines, and react to obstacles. These NCERT Solutions provide a framework for understanding these observations and the underlying biological principles.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand how ants use their antennae to sense smell and recognize others.
  • Observe and describe the behavior of ants, including their movement and food gathering.
  • Recognize that different animals have different senses that help them survive.
  • Develop observational skills through practical activities.
  • Appreciate the importance of smell as a sense for communication and navigation in ants.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Animal Senses
  • Ant Behavior
  • Sense of Smell
  • Antennae
  • Communication in Ants
  • Observation Skills
  • Food Gathering
  • Navigation

Important topics

  • Ants' use of smell for recognition
  • Ants' movement in a line
  • Observing animal behavior
  • The role of antennae
  • Developing observational skills

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

How did the ant know that the other ants were not from its group? How did the guard ant recognise this ant?
Solution:

Ants have a very strong sense of smell, which they use for communication and recognition. They possess antennae on their heads, which are equipped with special organs to detect smells. When the ant encountered other ants, it used its antennae to smell them. The distinct smell of ants from its own group allowed it to identify them. If the smell was unfamiliar, the ant knew they were not from its colony. Similarly, the guard ant recognised the approaching ant by its specific smell, which is unique to its own group or colony.

Question 2

Drop some sugar, jaggery or anything sweet on the ground. Wait until the ants come there. How long did it take for the ants to come? Did one ant come first or a group of ants came together? What did the ants do with the food? Where do they go from there? Do they move in a line? Now carefully, without harming the ants, block their path for a while with a pencil. Now observe, how do the ants move?
Solution:

This question is an observational activity designed to help you understand ant behavior. Here's how you can approach it and what you might observe:

  1. Time taken for ants to arrive: After dropping the sweet substance, observe how long it takes for the first ant to appear. This can vary depending on your location and the time of day, but it might take anywhere from a few minutes to about 15-20 minutes.
  2. First arrival: Usually, one or a few ants will come first. These are scout ants that have found the food and are returning to their colony to inform others.
  3. What ants do with the food: The ants will work together to carry the food particles back to their nest. They may break larger pieces into smaller, manageable bits.
  4. Where they go: They will follow a specific path, usually a trail they have already established or are creating, leading directly back to their nest or colony.
  5. Movement in a line: Yes, ants typically move in a very organized line, especially when carrying food. This line helps them navigate efficiently and stay together.
  6. Movement when path is blocked: If you block their path with a pencil, the ants will initially stop. Some may try to go around the obstacle. Others might get confused and move back and forth. Eventually, they will find a way around the blockage, or if the blockage is removed, they will resume their line. This shows their persistence and ability to adapt their path.

Note: It is important to observe ants without harming them. Record your observations carefully to answer these questions based on your own experiment.

Question 3

Do you and your friends have similar answers?
Solution:

It is likely that your answers and your friends' answers will be similar in some aspects, especially regarding the general behavior of ants like moving in a line or carrying food. However, there might be differences in the exact timings, the number of ants observed, or how quickly they found the food. These differences are normal because environmental conditions, the exact location of the ant nests, and the specific ants that scouted the area can vary. Comparing your observations with your friends can be a good way to understand these variations and learn from each other.

Question 4

Write the names of five things you like and five things whose smell you do not like.
Solution:

This question asks for your personal preferences regarding smells. Here are some examples, but your answers may differ:

Five things whose smell I like:

  • Freshly baked cookies
  • Flowers (like roses or jasmine)
  • Rain on dry earth (petrichor)
  • Freshly cut grass
  • A favorite perfume or soap

Five things whose smell I do not like:

  • Rotten food
  • Garbage bin
  • Strong chemical smells (like some cleaning agents)
  • Stagnant water
  • Smoke from burning plastic

Think about the different smells you encounter every day and list the ones you find pleasant and unpleasant.

Common mistakes

  • Not observing ants carefully enough during the 'Try This' activity.
  • Failing to record observations systematically.
  • Confusing the function of antennae with other body parts.
  • Not understanding that the 'Write' questions require personal answers based on observation.

Revision tips

  • Re-read the section on ants and their senses to recall key facts.
  • Review your observations from the 'Try This' activity and compare them with the explanations.
  • Think about other animals and their super senses, relating them to the concepts learned.
  • Practice describing smells you like and dislike, similar to the question asked.

Practice MCQs

Q1. How do ants primarily recognize other ants from their group?

Q2. What body part do ants use to sense smell?

Q3. When ants find food, what is their typical movement pattern?

Q4. What is the purpose of the 'Try This' activity involving ants?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main topic of Chapter 1 for Class 5 EVS?

Chapter 1, 'The Super Senses,' introduces students to the concept of senses in animals, using ants as a primary example to explain how they use smell for communication and navigation.

How do ants know if another ant is from their group?

Ants use their antennae to sense smell. They can recognize ants from their own group by their specific smell.

What activity is suggested in the chapter to understand ant behavior?

The chapter suggests observing ants finding food, noting how they move in a line, and how they react when their path is blocked, encouraging hands-on learning.

Why is the 'Try This' section left for students to answer?

The 'Try This' section is designed for students to conduct their own experiments and make personal observations, fostering scientific inquiry and independent learning.

What is the importance of antennae for ants?

Antennae are crucial for ants as they help them to sense smell, detect food, recognize other ants, and navigate their environment.

Important links

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