NCERT Solutions for Class 6 English Unit 3 Nurturing Nature Chapter 03 Spices that Heal Us

Let Us Do These Activities Before We Read

Question 1. A spice is any seed, fruit, root, bark, leaf or any other part of a plant used to give taste and colour to our food. Try to recall the names of three spices that are used for cooking in your home. Write them below and share your answers with your teacher.
(a) _________ (b) _________ (c) _________
Answer:
(a) Cumin
(b) Turmeric
(c) Coriander
In simple words: We can find common spices like cumin, turmeric, and coriander in almost every kitchen.

Exam Tip: Spices are parts of plants like seeds, bark, or roots that make our food taste better and look colorful.

Question 2. Given below are pictures of some spices. Work in pairs and write what you call them in your language. Their names in English are given in the last column. Share your answers with your teacher.
Answer: Here is the list of common spices with their regional Hindi names:

In simple words: This list helps us match the English names of common kitchen spices with their everyday names in Hindi.

Exam Tip: Knowing the common regional names of ingredients makes it easier to identify them in daily life and science activities.

Question 3. Do you know if these spices can be used for something else other than cooking? Let us find out by reading the letter given below.
Answer: Yes, spices are great for healing! Based on Daadi's letter, here are the healthy uses of these spices:

* Turmeric (Haldi): Boosts energy, helps digest food, and relieves body aches.
* Fenugreek (Methi): Keeps sugar levels and body weight balanced when soaked in water overnight and drunk in the morning.
* Cumin (Jeera): Eases digestion and helps you sleep better when soaked in water overnight.
* Asafoetida (Heeng): Applied on the belly to relieve gas. Also helps cure a cold.
* Cinnamon (Dalchini) and Clove (Laung): Both are excellent for soothing toothaches.
* Ginger (Adrak): Cures cold, cough, and reduces pain.
* Black Pepper (Kali Mirch): Helps digest food and treats body aches.
* Fennel Seeds (Saunf) and Carom Seeds (Ajwain): Served after meals to help with digestion.
* Cardamom (Elaichi): Relieves stomach issues, cures bad breath, and helps with breathing problems.
In simple words: Spices are not just for cooking; they are also powerful home remedies that can cure body pain, tummy aches, and colds.

Exam Tip: Learn the health benefits of spices like turmeric (pain relief) and ginger (cough cure), as these are highly important for daily health.

Let Us Think and Reflect

Question 1. Read the given lines and answer the following questions.
'When I was a child, I learnt them from my grandmother. She used to find cures for most of the weather-related common illnesses in the kitchen.'
(a) Where exactly in the kitchen did her grandmother find the cures?
(b) Give one example of weather-related common illnesses.
(c) What kind of relationship did the speaker have with her grandmother?
Answer:
(a) The grandmother found these cures in the spices and herbs kept in the kitchen jars.
(b) Examples include a cough or a cold when the weather changes.
(c) The speaker shared a very warm and loving bond with her grandmother, who lovingly taught her these useful home remedies.
In simple words: Daadi's grandmother used spices like ginger and cloves to cure common colds and always took great care of her family.

Exam Tip: Base your answers on the direct context of the text, noting who taught the lessons and where the cures were found.

Question 2. Fill in the blanks to complete the sentence.
Daadi soaked methi seeds overnight and drank the water in the morning to manage _________ and _________.
Answer: Daadi soaked methi seeds overnight and drank the water in the morning to manage sugar levels and body weight.
In simple words: Drinking fenugreek (methi) water in the morning is healthy because it helps control body weight and blood sugar.

Exam Tip: Double-check the exact benefits of fenugreek mentioned in the letter to complete this sentence accurately.

Question 3. Circle the spice that is not useful for body pain according to Daadi's letter.
(a) Turmeric | (c) Fennel seeds
(b) Ginger | (d) Black pepper
Answer: (c) Fennel seeds
In simple words: Turmeric, ginger, and black pepper help reduce body pain, but fennel seeds (saunf) are used mainly for digestion.

Exam Tip: Pay attention to the word 'not' in the question to pick the option that does not cure pain.

Question 4. Why did Daadi ask Vikram and Vaibhavi to share the natural cures with their friends?
Answer: Daadi wanted them to share these tips so that their friends could also learn about easy home remedies to stay healthy and fit.
In simple words: Daadi wants children to share these ideas so everyone knows how to use kitchen spices to feel better when they are sick.

Exam Tip: Sharing useful, traditional knowledge is a key message of this lesson. Focus on 'helping others' to write a great answer.

Question 5. What was Daadi's final advice to Vikram and Vaibhavi?
Answer: Daadi's final warning was that they must always ask an adult or a doctor before trying any spice as a medical cure.
In simple words: Daadi advises that we should always ask our parents or elders before taking any herbal home remedies.

Exam Tip: Always check the final lines of a letter to find concluding advice or important warnings.

Question 6. How do we know that natural cures are passed from one generation to another?
Answer: We know this because Daadi explains that she learned these kitchen secrets from her own grandmother when she was a little girl.
In simple words: Grandmothers pass down these healing secrets to their children and grandchildren through stories and letters.

Exam Tip: Look for words like 'grandmother' or 'passed down' in the text to answer questions about family traditions.

Question 7. Why do you think we should know about the healing properties of spices?
Answer: Understanding these health benefits helps us treat small sicknesses quickly at home without always needing heavy chemicals or store-bought pills.
In simple words: Knowing about spices helps us cure everyday issues like toothaches or colds safely using natural things from our kitchen.

Exam Tip: Connect the benefits of natural remedies with the idea of 'safety' and 'easy access' to construct a thoughtful response.

Let Us Learn

Question 1. You have read the uses of spices in the letter. Complete the following table with the help of your teacher. You may use the words from the box given below.
Part of the plant: root/bark/leaves/flower buds/fruit/seeds
Texture: rough/soft/silky
Taste: bitter/sweet/sour/salty/spicy
Answer: Here is the completed table about plant parts and features of spices:

In simple words: This table describes what plant parts spices are made from, what they look like, and how they taste.

Exam Tip: Pay close attention to unique plant parts like 'flower buds' (cloves) and 'bark' (cinnamon) when matching spices with plant structures.

Question 2(a). The words given in Column A are helping verbs. Match the helping verbs in Column A with their functions in Column B.
Answer: Here is the matched table of helping verbs and their functions:

In simple words: Helping verbs are special words like 'should', 'must', and 'can' that tell us if an action is a piece of advice, a must-do task, or an ability.

Exam Tip: Remember that 'must' indicates a strict rule or compulsion, whereas 'should' is used for friendly advice.

Question 2(b). Complete the following dialogues with any four modals from the table given above. (Use a modal only once.)
Ajay: Anand had fever last week. He (i) _________ take good rest.
Suman: Yes, he (ii) _________ or he will fall ill again.
Ajay: He (iii) _________ take grandmother's natural cures.
Suman: Yes, we (iv) _________ remember how effective they are.
Answer:
(i) should
(ii) must
(iii) can
(iv) must
In simple words: We filled the blanks using modal verbs like 'should' for good advice and 'must' to show something is very necessary.

Exam Tip: Fill-in-the-blank dialogues require you to check the tone of the sentence (whether it is an option, advice, or a strict warning).

Let Us Listen

Question. You will listen to the benefits of Tulsi (Holy Basil), a common herb. As you listen, complete the factsheet given below. (refer to page 102 for transcript)
Answer: Here is the completed factsheet for Tulsi:

Name: Tulsi
Family: (i) Lamiaceae
First found: (ii) India
Current location: Everywhere in India
Known as: (iii) Queen of herbs
Can decrease levels of: (iv) stress and cholesterol
Used to treat disorders of: breathing and (v) digestion
Is used to make: mouth wash and (vi) medicinal tea
We can consume Tulsi leaves by: eating them (vii) raw or adding them while making (viii) tea
In simple words: Tulsi is called the 'Queen of Herbs'. It helps lower stress, cures breathing and tummy problems, and can be eaten raw or drank as tea.

Exam Tip: Listen carefully to scientific terms like 'Lamiaceae' and note down exact details for fact sheets.

Let Us Speak

Question 1. Daadi told Vikram and Vaibhavi about many spices. Choose one spice and introduce yourself as that spice to the class.
Answer: Here is a short introduction script:

Hello classmates!
I am Turmeric, and in Hindi, my name is Haldi. I grow from the root of a special plant, and my color is a beautiful bright yellow. I have a warm, earthy, and slightly bitter taste.
You can use me for cooking, but I am also a magical healer! I boost your energy, help digest your meals, and ease any body pains. People put me in healthy teas, tasty curries, and even face creams.
I am so proud to keep your food tasty and your body strong!
Thank you!
In simple words: This is a fun speech where you pretend to be Turmeric (Haldi), telling your class how you grow, how you taste, and how you heal people.

Exam Tip: Speak with confidence and use expressive body language when delivering a first-person roleplay speech.

Question 2. Before you speak, make a spicy headband for the spice you chose. Follow the steps given below.
• Cut out strips of a paper 2 inches wide.
• Join two ends to make a band that can fit your head.
• Make a small card with a picture of a spice. Colour it.
• Attach the card on your headband.
Use the headband while introducing yourself as the spice.
Answer: Here is a simple way to make your headband:

1. Strip of Paper: Cut a long strip of chart paper that is about two inches wide.
2. Sizing: Wrap the strip around your head to find the perfect size, and tape or staple the ends together to make a circular band.
3. Draw: On a separate small card, sketch and color a bright yellow turmeric root.
4. Assemble: Glue or staple this turmeric card onto the front of your circular band.
5. Wear: Put on your yellow headband and confidently introduce yourself as Turmeric to the class!
In simple words: Cut a paper band to fit your head, draw your chosen spice on a card, stick it to the front, and wear it during your speech.

Exam Tip: Creative props like a headband help visual learners engage with your presentation and make learning interactive.

Question 3. Mention the following while speaking.
• your name | • part of the plant | • colour | • texture | • taste | • benefits
Answer: Here is how to outline your speech:

Hello everyone!
My name is Turmeric (Haldi).
* Plant Part: I grow as a root underground.
* Colour: I have a warm, bright yellow colour.
* Texture: I feel dry and rough.
* Taste: I taste earthy and slightly bitter.
* Health Benefits: I boost your daily energy, help with digestion, and cure body aches. I am also excellent for keeping skin clean and healthy.
In simple words: Make sure your speech covers all five key features of your spice: its name, plant part, colour, texture, taste, and medical uses.

Exam Tip: Use bullet points to list the physical properties of objects in science and English presentations.

Let Us Write

Question 1. Vikram's grandmother shared two natural cures to cure his cough in her earlier letter. It was kept outside and a few drops of rain fell on it. Some of the words got washed away by the rain. Help Vikram complete the natural cures. Use the phrases given in the box below. There are two phrases that you do not need.
[some leaves of basil / for cough / amount of honey / the mixture / for high fever / a piece of fresh ginger / you can have it / grind to get / home remedy]
Answer: Here are the completed recipes:

(a) To prepare this home remedy, you just need ginger and honey. First, take a piece of fresh ginger, grate it and take the juice from it. Take about two teaspoons of this juice and add about two and half teaspoons of honey to it. Mix it properly. Warm the mixture slightly on very low heat for a minute. Then you can have it about three to four times a day to get relief from cough. Have patience to see the effect as natural cures for cough with ginger and honey might take some time to show results.

(b) To prepare the second home remedy for cough, take about 10 grams of each long pepper, dried ginger and basil leaves. Add four to six small cardamoms and grind to get a fine powder. If you take this powder with an equal amount of honey, it will give you relief from cough.
In simple words: We filled the blanks to complete two traditional cough remedies using ginger, warm honey, and grounded herbal powders.

Exam Tip: When completing fill-in-the-blank paragraphs, check the remaining words in the box to ensure they don't leave any gaps in grammatical sense.

Question 2. Now, write a short paragraph on Tulsi based on the completed factsheet in 'Let us listen'.
Answer: Tulsi, which is also called Holy Basil, is a member of the Lamiaceae plant family. Originally native to India, this amazing 'Queen of Herbs' can now be spotted growing in almost every Indian household. Tulsi is fantastic for our health because it lowers stress levels and keeps cholesterol in check. We can use it to treat breathing issues and settle upset tummies. It is also an active ingredient in herbal mouthwashes and warm medicinal teas. You can either chew fresh Tulsi leaves raw or boil them in water to make a healthy cup of tea.
In simple words: Tulsi is a very healthy Indian herb that helps us fight stress, breathing issues, and tummy troubles.

Exam Tip: Convert key points from a factsheet into smooth sentences to write a comprehensive paragraph.

Let Us Explore

Question 1. Now that you have read about many spices, can you guess the spices based on the riddles given below?
(a) When your tummy felt funny
I was used by your granny
I made you fit and fine
And brought back your smile.
Who am I?
(b) I come from under the ground
Thousands of years, I've been around.
For cooking you use me daily
From cold I can cure you surely.
Who am I?
Answer:
(a) Asafoetida (Heeng)
(b) Ginger (Adrak)
In simple words: Asafoetida (heeng) cures funny tummy aches, and ginger (adrak) grows underground to cure winter colds.

Exam Tip: Read riddles carefully and look for key clues like 'tummy felt funny' (Heeng) or 'under the ground' (Ginger) to solve them.

Question 2. Fill in the blanks to complete the riddle below. Write another riddle of your own and ask your family members to guess the spice.
(a) Brownish-_________ in colour,
and _________ to taste,
I help everyone,
to _________ their weight.
Who am I?
Ans: Fenugreek (methi)
(b) __________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
Who am I?
Ans: Black Pepper (Kali Mirch)
Answer:
(a) completed blanks:
Brownish-yellow in colour,
and bitter to taste,
I help everyone,
to manage their weight.
Who am I?
Ans: Fenugreek (methi)

(b) Custom Riddle for Black Pepper:
I am small, round, and black as night,
I give your warm soup a spicy bite.
I ease your body pain and help digest food,
Every cook loves my hot and peppery mood.
Who am I?
Ans: Black Pepper (Kali Mirch)
In simple words: Fenugreek is a bitter, brownish-yellow seed that controls weight. Black pepper is a small black seed that tastes hot and helps with digestion.

Exam Tip: Use rhyming pairs (like night-bite, food-mood) at the end of lines to write catchy, memorable riddles.

Question 3. Close your eyes and learn about spices by smelling and feeling them. The teacher may also provide a few different spices to try.
Answer: Here is how you can identify common spices using your senses of smell and touch:

* Turmeric (Haldi):
- Smell: It has a warm, earthy, and deep smell.
- Touch: It is a soft, fine powder that feels slightly rough between your fingers.

* Fenugreek (Methi):
- Smell: These seeds carry a strong, sweet, and nutty scent.
- Touch: They are tiny, hard seeds with a bumpy surface.

* Cinnamon (Dalchini):
- Smell: It has a very sweet, woody, and warm aroma.
- Touch: It is shaped like hard, rough, dry rolled-up tree barks.

* Clove (Laung):
- Smell: It has a very strong, distinct, and spicy smell.
- Touch: Cloves are tiny, hard, and feel like rough small nails.

* Black Pepper (Kali Mirch):
- Smell: It smells sharp, hot, and slightly woody.
- Touch: Peppercorns are small, hard, round balls with rough outer skin.

* Cardamom (Elaichi):
- Smell: It has a sweet, fresh, floral smell.
- Touch: The green pods are firm and smooth, but they squish slightly when squeezed.
In simple words: We can easily identify spices without looking by noticing their unique textures and strong kitchen aromas.

Exam Tip: Describing textures (like rough, smooth, firm) and smells (like sweet, pungent, nutty) is a key skill in descriptive writing.