NCERT Solutions Class 7 Social Science Exploring Society Part 2 Chapter 01 The Story of Indian Farming

Question 1. What are the main characteristics of Indian agriculture?
Answer: Indian farming has several key qualities that set it apart. (i) Deep Cultural Roots: The term "agriculture" comes from Latin - "agri" meaning field and "culture" meaning to cultivate. Indian farming goes far beyond just growing crops; it includes keeping livestock, raising bees for honey, running fish farms, breeding silkworms for silk, and producing natural fibres like cotton and hemp. This demonstrates how varied and rich India's farming heritage is. (ii) Strong Economic Importance: Farming and related activities make up more than 18% of India's GDP (2022-23). About 46% of India's workers depend on farming and linked activities for their jobs, making it a key way people earn money and help the country grow. (iii) Traditional Family Connection: Most Indian families have farmed for many generations. This shows how deeply connected people feel to farming - both in their hearts and their wallets. (iv) Diverse Crops Across Regions: India has many different climates and soil types. This means farmers can grow many kinds of crops - rice where it is wetter, wheat in cooler spots, and cotton, sugarcane, and millets where it is hotter. (v) Different Farming Practices in Different Areas: Since soil, heat, and rainfall differ across India, each area has its own farming ways and grows crops that fit local conditions. This makes Indian farming very flexible and able to adapt. (vi) Labour-Rich Agriculture: Farming requires many jobs like planting, pulling weeds, and bringing in crops. These tasks give work to many people and help rural areas stay strong. (vii) Balanced Use of Traditional and Modern Methods: Indian farmers combine both old tools and new machines. This blend helps keep old customs alive while also making farms more productive.
In simple words: Indian farming is old, varied, and uses both old and new ways. It feeds many people and is a big part of how India earns money.

Exam Tip: When answering about Indian agriculture's characteristics, mention all seven points with brief examples - examiners value complete, structured answers that show you understand both the scale and diversity of farming in India.

Question 2. How are farming, climate, soil, and water interrelated?
Answer: Farming success in any area depends greatly on climate, which controls the temperature and how much rain falls. Different climates suit different crops. Rice does well in warm, rainy areas, while wheat likes cooler places with moderate rainfall. Millets and pulses can survive in dry conditions, but tea and coffee need cool, hilly weather. So climate guides what farmers can plant.
Soil is just as vital since it gives plants the nutrients they need to grow. Each soil type grows different crops best. Alluvial soil is very rich and grows rice, wheat, sugarcane, and jute well. Black soil holds water and is perfect for cotton. Red soil works well for groundnut, millets, and pulses. When soil is good and strong, crops produce more. Farmers add compost and fertilisers when soil needs help.
Water availability also shapes farming methods. Crops need the right amount of water, and farmers use rivers, canals, tube wells, and tanks to water fields when rain is short. Sugarcane and paddy need lots of water, but bajra and ragi need very little. When climate, soil, and water are balanced just right, farmers pick the right crops and get good results.
In short, these three factors work as a team to decide what farming is possible in each region. When they match well, farmers select the best crops and methods, leading to better harvests and farming that lasts long term.
In simple words: Climate tells you what can grow. Soil feeds the plants. Water keeps them alive. When all three are right, farming works best.

Exam Tip: Use specific crop examples for each factor (rice for climate, alluvial soil for soil quality, tube wells for water) to demonstrate understanding of the real-world connections between these elements.

Question 3. How can traditional practices and contemporary ones complement each other?
Answer: Old farming methods and new ones work well together in several ways. Traditional farming uses natural methods like mixing crops, adding natural plant matter, and switching crops in the fields. Modern farming uses tools, HYV (High Yielding Variety) seeds, chemical fertilisers, and the latest watering systems. When both work side by side, farms become more efficient and better for nature. Time-tested methods protect soil and the earth, while new methods boost how much farmers can grow. By mixing both, farmers get healthier plants faster and in a safer way.
In simple words: Old ways protect nature. New ways grow more food. Using both together is the best answer.

Exam Tip: Highlight the balance - show that neither traditional nor modern methods alone are enough; the combination creates sustainable, high-yield farming.

Question 1. (a) Create a list of the foods you typically eat. (b) Identify the grains, pulses, oils, vegetables, and fruits in them. (c) Now locate where you live on a physical map of India. (d) Which of the food items do you think grow in and around where you live? (e) What do you think are the reasons that they are cultivated in your region? (f) Which of them comes from other places? (g) Why do you think they are not grown in your area?
Answer: (a) Foods I usually eat are: For Breakfast - Roti, dal, poha, idli, eggs. For Lunch - Rice, dal, sabzi (potato, brinjal, beans), curd. For Snacks - Fruits (banana, apple), chana, biscuits. For Dinner - Rice or roti, vegetables, pulses.
(b) Foods come from: (i) Grains - Rice, Wheat (used to make roti), Poha (flattened rice), Idli (made from rice and lentils). (ii) Pulses - Arhar dal, Moong dal, Chana (gram). (iii) Oils - Mustard oil, Refined oil (sunflower/soybean). (iv) Vegetables - Potato, Beans, Tomato, Brinjal, Lady's finger, Spinach, Cauliflower. (v) Fruits - Banana, Apple, Mango (seasonal), Guava.
(c) I live in Muzaffarpur, which is found in north-central Bihar.
(d) Food items that grow in and around my area include: Rice, wheat, maize, chickpea, pigeon pea and foxtail millet grow because the land is fertile and gets good rainfall. Fruits like litchi, banana, guava, mango do well in warm climates.
(e) These foods grow in my area for these reasons: Fertile soil (alluvial soil in many places). Good rainfall during monsoon. Fitting temperature for rice, wheat, and vegetables. Many water sources like rivers and ponds. Long farming knowledge in the area.
(f) Foods that come from other places are: Apples come from Himachal Pradesh or Kashmir. Sunflower oil or soybean oil made in other states. Idli rice/dosa rice often shipped from South India.
(g) They don't grow in my area because: Apples need cold weather, which plains don't have. Sunflower and soybean like drier areas like Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Some crops need soil or water conditions not found locally.
In simple words: Where you live shapes what you eat. Local farms grow crops that like that climate and soil. Foods from other places need different conditions.

Exam Tip: When answering location-based questions, always connect climate, soil type, and water availability to explain why certain crops thrive locally and others don't.

Question 2. Imagine that your state received less than normal monsoon rains for two consecutive years. Which items are likely to disappear from your meals, or are likely to become difficult to access?
Answer: If rainfall stays low for two years, many crops will struggle because they need enough water to grow well. As a result, some foods may not be available or become costly and vanish from what we eat. Items likely to become scarce or pricey when rains are below normal are:
Rice needs lots of water while growing, so harvest will drop if it gets less water. Wheat will also suffer because the soil won't stay wet enough. Pulses (dal) like arhar, moong, and urad need good rainfall, so they will produce less. Green vegetables like spinach, cauliflower, cabbage, and beans will be affected. Fruits that drink more water, like bananas and papayas, will suffer. Sugarcane drinks a lot of water; if it gets less, harvest will fall and sugar will cost more.
In simple words: No rain means no water for crops. No water means less food and higher prices. Many of your meals could change.

Exam Tip: Link each crop directly to its water needs - show that you understand crops differ in how thirsty they are, which determines how a drought affects each one.

Question 3. Prepare a list of the crops that are cultivated in your state or union territory in a year and classify them into kharif, rabi, and zaid.
Answer: Crops Cultivated in my area (Classified into Kharif, Rabi, and Zaid)
Kharif Crops (Grown in monsoon: June - October)
Cereals: Rice, Maize, Jowar, Bajra
Pulses: Arhar (Tur), Moong, Urad
Oilseeds: Groundnut, Soybean, Sesame (Til), Castor
Vegetables: Brinjal, Tomato, Okra (Lady's finger), Pumpkin
Rabi Crops (Grown in winter: November - April)
Cereals: Wheat, Barley, Oats
Pulses: Gram (Chana), Masoor, Peas
Oilseeds: Mustard, Linseed, Sunflower
Vegetables: Cauliflower, Cabbage, Carrot, Spinach
Zaid Crops (Summer crops: March - June)
Cereals: Maize (summer variety)
Pulses: Moong (summer variety)
Oilseeds: Sunflower (summer variety), Sesame (summer)
Vegetables: Cucumber, Watermelon, Muskmelon, Bitter gourd
In simple words: Kharif crops like rain, rabi crops like cool weather, and zaid crops like heat. Farmers plant at different times to match the seasons.

Exam Tip: Remember the season each category needs - kharif is monsoon/wet, rabi is winter/cool, zaid is summer/hot. Use this to organize your crop list clearly.

Question 4. Try to name at least two states in each of the zones mentioned above.
Answer: Two states that fall in each agroclimatic zone are: Upper Gangetic Plain Region - Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Southern Plateau Region - Maharashtra and Karnataka. Hill Region - Himachal and Uttarakhand. Western Dry Region - Rajasthan and Gujarat (Northern part).
In simple words: Different areas of India have different climates. Each has states that grow the same kinds of crops.

Exam Tip: Memorize at least two states for each agroclimatic zone - this shows geographical knowledge and helps explain why certain crops are found in certain areas.

Question 5. Which type of soil is predominantly found in your state or union territory?
Answer: The main soil type found in Bihar is Alluvial Soil. It spreads across nearly the whole state because Bihar sits in the Gangetic plain. This soil is rich in nutrients and minerals, making it perfect for growing rice, wheat, maize, pulses, sugarcane, and vegetables.
In simple words: Alluvial soil is the best soil in Bihar. Rivers brought it there, and it is great for farming.

Exam Tip: When identifying soil types for your region, explain how it was formed (e.g., river deposits) and list 3-4 specific crops it supports well.

Question 6. Soils tell us stories about places - what might have happened over thousands of years during which the soils were being formed. Take a few samples of soil from your neighbourhood. Look carefully at them. (Examine the soil using a magnifying glass or microscope if you have access to either.) What do the samples consist of? What might be the origins of the soil? Are there signs of human activity that you notice? What might happen to the soil over time on account of this?
Answer: After gathering soil from my neighbourhood and looking at it closely, I saw it has many different materials. The soil contains small sand grains, fine silt, and clay all mixed. I also saw tiny pebbles and small bits of dead leaves. Along with these were some thin roots and pieces of organic matter. All these pieces together form the soil in my area.
The soil in my area likely came from several sources. Rivers likely brought silt and sand down from the mountains and spread them across the land, forming alluvial soil. Over thousands of years, rocks broke down into smaller bits through weathering, adding more to the soil. Dead plant and animal remains also broke down and became humus, which makes soil richer. All these processes show the soil has been shaped by water, wind, and natural decay over very long periods.
Over time, human actions may change the soil. If too many chemical fertilisers are used, the soil may lose its natural food for plants and become less fertile. Plastic and waste can poison the soil and hurt nature. Heavy use of land can make soil hard and packed. Cutting down trees can cause soil to wash away, where rain carries off the top layer. But adding natural matter, using less waste, and planting more trees can help keep the soil healthy and strong.
In simple words: Soil is made of bits of rock, sand, clay, and dead things. Rivers and weather made it over time. People can help it or hurt it.

Exam Tip: Describe soil composition in three layers - minerals (sand, silt, clay), rocks/pebbles, and organic matter - and connect soil origin to geological processes like river deposition and weathering.

Question 7. Take up a small group project. Identify the types of vegetables, fruits, and trees that grow in the different soil types.
Answer: For our group project, we looked at different soil types and found that each one grows different vegetables, fruits, and trees. Alluvial soil grows vegetables like onions and brinjals, and fruits such as guavas and papayas. Black soil is good for crops like chillies and soybeans, and fruits like grapes. Red soil supports maize, groundnuts, and fruits like pomegranates. Laterite soil grows pineapples, cashews, and rubber trees. Alpine soil supports apple, strawberry, cashew nuts, and almonds. Sandy soil is suitable for carrots, cucumbers, and date palms.
In simple words: Different soils grow different crops. Know which soil grows what, and you know what farms will produce.

Exam Tip: Create a soil-crop matching table in your mind - pair each soil type with 2-3 specific crops to show you understand soil-plant relationships.

Question 8. Create a family food flowchart that connects your favourite dishes to the different crops they are prepared from and the corresponding soil types in which they are cultivated.
Answer: Here is a flowchart of the foods we eat and the soil types they are cultivated in.

In simple words: Different foods come from different crops, which grow in different soils. Knowing this helps you see how your plate is linked to the soil and land around you.

Exam Tip: Show the complete flow from soil type - to crop - to food on your plate. Use specific crop names and soil types to demonstrate the full connection.

Question 9. Identify modern agricultural solutions inspired by traditional practices (for example, neem-based practices).
Answer: Several modern farming solutions draw ideas from old practices: Neem-based pesticides - Farmers long used neem leaves to keep bugs away. Today, neem-based biopesticides are made using this same idea and are used to fight pests naturally. Organic manure/compost - In earlier times, farmers used cow dung and plant waste to make soil better. Modern organic farming still uses compost and bio-fertilisers to keep soil in good shape without chemicals. Crop rotation - Long ago, farmers planted different crops in different seasons to keep soil fertile. Today, scientists suggest systematic crop rotation as a modern soil care method. Mixed cropping - In the past, farmers grew more than one crop in the same field. Now, this idea is used in modern intercropping systems to cut down pests and make farming more productive. Rainwater harvesting - People once stored rainwater in ponds or tanks. Today, better methods like check-dams and groundwater recharge systems follow the same idea. Mulching - Farmers once put dry leaves or straw over soil to keep water in. Modern mulching uses plastic sheets or natural materials to cut evaporation and protect soil.
In simple words: Old farming tricks still work. Scientists just use them in new ways with new tools.

Exam Tip: For each modern solution, name the old practice it came from and explain how the modern version improves on it - this shows deep understanding of the tradition-to-modernity link.

Question 10. Listen to the special programmes for farmers on the radio or watch a programme on television for a few days. Write down carefully the information that is shared through these mediums. Make a short report on the categories of information you gathered as well as questions that came to your mind during this activity.
Answer: I watched Krishi Darshan, a farming programme shown daily on DD Kisan channel and also on DD National. I was able to gather the following information.
(a) Weather and Climate Updates - Daily and weekly weather predictions. Chances of rainfall or drought. Advice on protecting crops during extreme weather.
(b) Crop-Related Guidance - Best time for sowing seeds. Techniques for improving soil quality. Tips for increasing crop yield. Information on pest and disease control.
(c) Modern Farming Techniques - Use of drip irrigation and sprinklers. Benefits of organic farming. Use of improved seeds and fertilisers.
(d) Government Schemes and Support - New subsidies for seeds and fertilisers. Crop insurance schemes. Information about loans for farmers.
(e) Market and Price Information - Current rates of major crops. Advice on where farmers can sell their produce at better prices.
(f) Success Stories - Interviews with farmers who used new techniques. Examples of best farming practices.
The questions that came to my mind after listening to programmes for farmers are: How can small farmers afford modern machines and irrigation systems? What can farmers do if their crops fail due to unexpected weather changes? How do scientists test new seed varieties before releasing them? Can organic farming replace chemical farming completely? What steps can the government take to support farmers during drought years?
In simple words: Farm programmes give farmers new ideas. But many farmers wonder if they can really afford and use all that new advice.

Exam Tip: Organize information into clear categories and ask thoughtful questions that show critical thinking - good answers include both what you learned and what you want to know more about.

Question 1. The Arthashastra contains sections on agriculture, including the preparation of land and seeds, as well as payment to farmers and other relevant topics. "A good rainy season is one when one-third of the annual rainfall occurs at the beginning (shravaa - July-August) and at the end of the season (Kartika - October-November), and two-thirds in the middle (Prauşhţhapada - August-September and Ashvayuja - September-October)." Why do you think this statement was made? (Hint: Did it have anything to do with the crop cycle?)
Answer: The Arthashastra statement about how rainfall should spread across the season was written because rain timing mattered greatly for the old crop cycle. Farmers required the correct amount of water at the correct time for crops to develop well. Rain at the season's start helped soften the ground and ready it for planting seeds. Rain in the middle of the season was needed the most because crops were growing fast and drinking lots of water. Rain at the season's end helped crops finish growing and get ready for harvest. This shows ancient farmers understood that success came not just from total rain, but from getting the right rain at the right moment.
In simple words: Good farming needs rain at the right times, not just lots of rain. Start rain helps planting. Middle rain helps growth. End rain helps harvest.

Exam Tip: Connect the Arthashastra's rainfall pattern directly to crop growth stages - show how ancient wisdom understood phenology (the timing of crop growth stages).

Question 1. Why do farmers in Kerala grow rice while farmers in Punjab grow mostly wheat? What would happen if they swapped?
Answer: Growing rice in Kerala and wheat in Punjab is not simply habit - it is like a plant finding its perfect home. Each crop has its own favourite weather, soil, and water, and the two states sit at opposite ends of India's environmental range. Kerala stays warm, wet, and humid for much of the year. Monsoon rains fill the fields, rivers refill often, and the soil suits rice perfectly, a plant that enjoys having its roots in water. Rice is like an amphibian among crops. Punjab, however, is cooler and much drier. Its winters drop temperature the way wheat likes it - wheat wants a cool growing time followed by warm, dry harvest weather. The plains there feed India as grain bowls precisely because wheat thrives in that cycle. Wheat dislikes too much water and cannot bear standing water, while rice grows happily in flooded fields.
If the two swapped crops, problems would follow. In Kerala, wheat would fail. The climate stays too warm and humid when wheat grows, which brings sickness to the plant and ruins the grain. Heavy rains would push the crop down or rot it. Kerala's soil and weather simply do not give wheat the cool, dry time it needs. In Punjab, rice would use groundwater at an alarming speed. Rice needs huge amounts of standing water, and Punjab doesn't naturally get that much rain. Farmers there already stress their water reserves when they grow rice in the kharif season. A total move to rice would drain water below ground even faster and risk turning rich land into a cracked, thirsty plain when farming stops for the season. So the crops stay where they are because each state has built its own quiet bond with climate and soil. It is a sign that farming is basically matching plants to places, and when the match works, the harvest sings.
In simple words: Rice loves water and heat. Wheat loves cool and dry. Each place has what one crop loves. Mix them up, and both will fail.

Exam Tip: Use specific climate data (Kerala's monsoons vs. Punjab's winters) and explain the crop-climate fit in terms of water demand and temperature needs.

Question 2. Match the following:
Answer:

Exam Tip: Remember the matching pairs as seasonal-crop associations and soil-formation patterns - use this logic to answer similar questions quickly.

Question 3. Why do certain crops thrive in specific regions?
Answer: Crops thrive in specific areas because each one wants certain growing conditions, and different places provide different climate, soil, and water options. Climate shapes how crops do well. Every crop likes a certain temperature, rainfall, and sunlight. Tea grows well in cool, wet hills; cotton wants hot, dry weather. Soil type matters just as much. Different soils hold different nutrients and have different textures. Wheat does best in alluvial soil, while bajra grows well in sandy soil. How much water is there also counts for crops to thrive. Some crops drink a lot (like rice), while others need very little (like millets). Areas with heavy rainfall naturally grow water-hungry crops. Topography (landform) is another must-have for crops to thrive. Hills, plains, and plateaus all grow different kinds of farming. Terrace farming in hills lets crops grow in steps and stops soil from washing away. How long the warm season lasts also shapes crops to thrive. Some crops want a long warm time; others grow in cooler months. Old practices and what farmers know locally also help crops to thrive. Farmers plant what has worked for many years in their area. Crops grow best where climate, soil, and water match what they need. That is why each area has its own usual crops.
In simple words: Every crop likes certain weather, soil, and water. Find the right place with those things, and the crop will grow well.

Exam Tip: Structure your answer around the five key factors - climate, soil, water, topography, growing season - and give one specific crop example for each.

Question 4. How has modern technology helped farmers?
Answer: Modern technology has aided farmers in many significant ways, making farming quicker, simpler, and more productive. Some key ways are: Improved irrigation - Drip and sprinkler systems help farmers use water wisely and water fields more efficiently. Better seeds - High-yielding Varieties (HYV) and disease-resistant seeds make more food and cut crop loss. Use of machines - Tractors, harvesters, threshers, and seed-drills make farm work faster and need fewer workers. Weather forecasting - Farmers can decide when to plant, water, and harvest using correct weather news. Fertilisers and pesticides - They shield crops from bugs and add nutrients to soil for better growth. Cold storage and better transport - This cuts food spoilage and lets farmers sell crops to far-off markets for higher pay. Mobile apps and digital tools - They tell farmers about crop prices, weather, soil health, and new techniques right from their phone.
In simple words: New tools help farmers grow more food with less work and less waste. Technology saves time, water, and money.

Exam Tip: List specific technologies with their direct benefits - show cause-and-effect (e.g., drip irrigation saves water AND increases yield).

Question 5. Why is sustainable agriculture important? Write a short note on this.
Answer: Sustainable farming matters because it keeps soil safe, uses less water, and cuts pollution while making good food. It helps farmers keep farms strong for many years, backs up variety in nature, and makes sure future people can get food without hurting the earth. When farms work in a way that does not use up resources or poison the ground, they can keep feeding people for a very long time without making the world worse off.
In simple words: Sustainable farming means farming in a way that does not use up the earth. It protects soil, saves water, and keeps farming alive for your grandchildren.

Exam Tip: Balance three pillars when answering - environmental protection (soil, water), economic viability (long-term farming success), and social benefit (food security, community).

Question 6. Name some challenges that farmers face today. What might be their impact for people?
Answer: Challenges farmers face today and their impacts are: Irregular rainfall and climate change due to global warming - leads to crop failure and food shortage. High input costs - increases prices of food items for consumers. Pests and diseases - reduces production, causing lower supply. Lack of modern tools - slows work and reduces efficiency. Market instability - farmers earn less; people may face fluctuating food prices. Impact on people - These challenges can reduce food production, increase food prices, cause economic hardship for farming families, and affect the overall food security of the country.
In simple words: When farms struggle, everyone feels it. Bad weather, high costs, bugs, and market problems make food hard to get and costly.

Exam Tip: For each challenge, clearly state both its direct farm impact AND its ripple effect on consumers and the broader economy.

Question 7. Have a debate in class on the topic "Traditional irrigation methods are better than modern ones."
Answer: Debate For and Against the motion on "Traditional irrigation methods are better than modern ones."
For the Motion
Traditional irrigation methods are better because they are simple, low-cost, and fit small farms. Methods like canals, tanks, and wells use resources found locally and do not need costly machines. They also help fill up groundwater and back up farming that lasts long and has been done for ages.
Against the Motion
Modern irrigation methods are more efficient and use less water. Drip and sprinkler systems put water right where plants are, cutting waste and raising crop harvest. They work well even where water is tight. Even though they cost money up front, modern methods help farms make more and fit what farming needs today.
In simple words: Old ways are cheap and fit the land. New ways save water and grow more food. Each has good points.

Exam Tip: Present both sides fairly with concrete examples - good debaters acknowledge strengths of both positions while defending their own side with evidence.

Question 8. Write a short essay describing what farming might be like when you are 60 years old. You could also draw/paint a picture to illustrate what you envision.
Answer: Farming in the Future - When I will be 60 years old, I think farming will look quite different from now. Fields will have smart sensors to check soil, water, and plant health. Robots and drones will put in seeds, spray plant food, and pick crops in a smart way. Water will be saved using top-notch drip and sprinkler systems, and crops will grow with nature-based and earth-friendly methods. Farmers will use satellite weather news to pick sowing and harvest times, cutting losses. Even with all this gear, I hope farmers will still respect old ways, like switching crops and using natural bug control. Farming will be neat, smart, and built to last, making enough food for all while keeping the world healthy.
In simple words: Future farms will have robots and be run by computers. But they will still care about nature and use old wisdom too.

Exam Tip: Balance futuristic technology with sustainability concerns - show that you envision progress that does not sacrifice environmental health or traditional knowledge.

Question 9. Form small groups and discuss the issues affecting the Ganga basin. Prepare a presentation proposing your solutions and their rationale (your reasons). Share and discuss in class. Your teacher will guide you in this exercise.
Answer: For our group project, we looked at the Ganga basin and the issues it faces. The main problems include water dirt from sewage and plant waste, loss of trees along the banks causing soil to wash away, overfishing that drops fish numbers, and floods when rains are heavy due to bad water care. Global warming cuts water flow because heat raises how fast water goes away and melts ice banks faster. It also makes rain uneven, causing floods in some seasons and dry spells in others. To fix these issues, sewage and plant waste must be cleaned before going into the river to keep water clean and safe. Trees must be planted along banks to stop soil washing. Fishing must be watched to keep fish numbers healthy. Use less coal and oil, ride buses, stop burning leftover crops and use appliances that save power. Also, building walls and better water care will help manage floods. Using these fixes will keep the Ganga safe and aid the people, animals, and plants that count on it.
In simple words: The Ganga is dirty and in trouble. We can fix it by cleaning waste, planting trees, and using less power.

Exam Tip: Structure your answer as Problem - Cause - Solution, and show how each solution directly addresses a specific problem you identified earlier.

Question 10. Looking at the crops listed in the section 'Echoes from the Past', which ones do you find in use in your home? What conclusion can you draw from your observations?
Answer: When I look at the crops named in 'Echoes from the Past', I see that many are still used in my home. These are rice, wheat, barley, millets, pulses like green gram and black gram, oil seeds such as sesame and mustard, and fruits like mango and jackfruit. Many crops grown thousands of years ago remain part of what we eat daily. This shows that old crops were full of good things, fit well with local soil and weather, and kept groups strong. It also shows how Indian farming has kept old knowledge alive while continuing to grow many kinds of crops now.
In simple words: Old crops are still grown and eaten today. This means they were good crops and fit the land well.

Exam Tip: When comparing past and present crops, highlight which ones have survived unchanged for millennia - this shows the wisdom of ancestral agricultural practices.