In-text Questions and Answers:
1. Did you enjoy discovering and exploring the world around you in the Preparatory Stage of school?
Answer : Yes, discovering and exploring the world around us during the Preparatory Stage of school is always an enjoyable experience.
2. Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered why the stars shine? Or watched a flower bloom and wondered how it knows when to open?
Answer: Yes, looking up at the night sky and watching flowers bloom often leads to curiosity about why stars shine and how flowers know when to open.
Activity 1: Let us think and write
Write about a similar problem that you tried to solve. What steps did you take?
• Problem: Why did my toy car stop moving?
• Steps Taken:
1. Checked if the batteries were still working.
2. Replaced the batteries with new ones.
3. Ensured that the on/off switch was in the correct position.
4. Examined the wheels to see if they were stuck.
5. Tested the toy car again to see if it worked.
Activity 2: Let us think and write
Describe a daily life situation where you feel someone was following a scientific method.
• Situation: Fixing a leaking faucet.
• Steps Taken:
1. Observed that water was dripping from the faucet.
2. Asked why the faucet was leaking.
3. Guessed that the rubber washer might be worn out.
4. Turned off the water supply and disassembled the faucet.
5. Replaced the old washer with a new one.
6. Reassembled the faucet and turned the water supply back on.
7. Checked if the leak was fixed.
Activity 3: Let us think and write
If you have to ask “Why?” about something, what would you ask about?
• Why does the sky appear blue during the day?
Try to write down how you would attempt to find an answer to your question.
• Steps to find the answer:
1. Observe the sky at different times of the day.
2. Research the scattering of light and how it affects the color of the sky.
3. Perform experiments using a prism to see how light is dispersed.
4. Read books or articles on atmospheric science.
5. Discuss with a teacher or scientist to get a clearer understanding.
End of the Chapter Questions and Answers:
1. What is Science?
Answer: Science is a way of thinking, observing, and doing things to understand the world we live in and to uncover the secrets of the universe.
2. What will we explore with the help of this book?
Answer: We will explore various aspects of our world and beyond, including the environment, life on Earth, materials around us, the weather, and the universe.
3. How can we try to find answers to our questions on our own?
Answer: We can find answers by following the scientific method: observing, questioning, guessing, experimenting, and analyzing the results.
4. Why is curiosity important in science?
Answer: Curiosity drives us to ask questions, explore, and discover new things, which is the essence of scientific inquiry and learning.
5. Describe a daily life situation where someone unknowingly applied the scientific method.
Answer: Situation: A cook trying to find out why a cake didn’t rise.
Steps Taken:
Observed that the cake was flat.
Questioned why it happened.
Guessed that the baking powder might have expired.
Checked the expiration date of the baking powder.
Used fresh baking powder in the next attempt.
Baked another cake to see if it rose properly.
6. What is the scientific method?
Answer: The scientific method is a step-by-step process that includes observing, questioning, guessing, experimenting, and analyzing to find answers to questions.
7. Why should we not limit our questions to the Earth alone?
Answer: Because there are many mysteries beyond Earth, such as the Sun, the Moon, and the stars, that science can help us understand.
8. How is science a joyful exploration?
Answer: Science is a joyful exploration because it allows us to discover and understand the amazing mysteries of the universe through curiosity and inquiry.
Extended Learning — Activities and Projects
1. If you have to ask “Why?” about something, what would you ask about?
Answer: Why do some leaves change color in autumn?
2. How would you attempt to find an answer to your question?
Answer: Steps to find the answer:
o Observe leaves changing color in different seasons.
o Research the process of photosynthesis and how it is affected by seasonal changes.
o Conduct experiments to see the effect of light and temperature on leaves.
o Read scientific articles or books on plant biology.
o Discuss with a botany teacher or scientist for further insights.
3. Write about a daily life situation where you feel someone was following the scientific method.
Answer: Situation: Diagnosing why a plant is not growing well.
Steps Taken:
• Observed that the plant’s leaves were turning yellow.
• Questioned why the plant was not healthy.
• Guessed that it might need more sunlight.
• Moved the plant to a sunnier spot.
• Observed the plant for a few days to see if it improved.
• If no improvement, guessed that it might need fertilizer.
• Added fertilizer and observed the plant’s response.
4. Describe a scientific method you used to solve a problem at home or school.
Problem: Why is the refrigerator not cooling properly?
Steps Taken:
• Observed that food was spoiling quickly.
• Questioned why the refrigerator was not cooling.
• Guessed that the temperature setting might be incorrect.
• Checked and adjusted the temperature setting.
• Monitored the refrigerator for improvement.
• If no improvement, guessed that the door seal might be broken.
• Checked the door seal and replaced it if necessary.
• Monitored the refrigerator again to see if it started cooling properly.
Multiple Choice Questions:
1. What is science primarily about?
a) Memorizing facts and figures b) Following a step-by-step process to find answers
c) Reading books d) Watching experiments
Answer: b) Following a step-by-step process to find answers
2. Why is curiosity important in science?
a) It helps in memorizing facts b) It drives us to ask questions and explore
c) It helps in writing long essays d) It makes learning easier
Answer: b) It drives us to ask questions and explore
3. Which of the following is an example of the scientific method?
a) Observing, questioning, guessing, experimenting, analyzing
b) Reading, writing, summarizing, memorizing
c) Speaking, listening, understanding, discussing
d) Walking, running, jumping, skipping
Answer: a) Observing, questioning, guessing, experimenting, analyzing
4. What do scientists use to solve problems or discover new things?
a) Magic b) Scientific method c) Guesswork d) Dreams
Answer: b) Scientific method
5. What happens when we discover more and more in science?
a) We stop asking questions b) We start realizing that ideas are connected
c) We get confused d) We memorize facts
Answer: b) We start realizing that ideas are connected
6. What is the first step in the scientific method?
a) Guessing an answer b) Observing something interesting
c) Analyzing results d) Conducting experiments
Answer: b) Observing something interesting
7. Why should we not limit our questions to Earth alone?
a) Because Earth is boring
b) Because there are many mysteries beyond Earth
c) Because space is easier to study
d) Because Earth is too complex
Answer: b) Because there are many mysteries beyond Earth
8. How can learning science help us in daily life?
a) By helping us memorize facts
b) By developing our capabilities to find solutions
c) By making us rich
d) By making us famous
Answer: b) By developing our capabilities to find solutions
9. What is an example of a daily life situation where the scientific method is applied?
a) Cooking food without a recipe b) Diagnosing why a plant is not growing well
c) Watching television d) Reading a novel
Answer: b) Diagnosing why a plant is not growing well
10. What should we do when we cannot find answers to our questions by ourselves?
a) Give up b) Ask friends or experts for help
c) Memorize unrelated facts d) Forget about the question
Answer: b) Ask friends or experts for help
11. What is the scientific method?
a) A method to memorize facts
b) A step-by-step process to find answers to questions
c) A way to draw pictures
d) A method to write essays
Answer: b) A step-by-step process to find answers to questions
12. Which of the following is not a step in the scientific method?
a) Observing b) Guessing c) Experimenting d) Memorizing
Answer: d) Memorizing
13. Why is science compared to a giant and unending jigsaw puzzle?
a) Because it is easy to solve
b) Because every new discovery adds another piece to the puzzle
c) Because it is boring
d) Because it requires memorization
Answer: b) Because every new discovery adds another piece to the puzzle
14. What can we learn by studying the environment and life on Earth?
a) The way plants and animals survive and thrive
b) The way to cook food
c) The way to become famous
d) The way to write stories
Answer: a) The way plants and animals survive and thrive
15. What is the ultimate goal of science?
a) To memorize facts b) To uncover the secrets of the universe
c) To become rich d) To write books
Answer: b) To uncover the secrets of the universe