NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Science Chapter 11 Nature’s Treasures provide clear and accurate answers to all textbook questions, helping students understand the importance of natural resources and how they support life on Earth.
This chapter builds curiosity about how resources like water, air, forests, and minerals are used in our daily lives. The solutions explain key concepts such as renewable and non-renewable resources, conservation of nature, and responsible usage in simple language.
The solutions are based on the latest CBSE Class 6 Science syllabus and exam guidelines, making them useful for revision, homework, and strengthening the basics of material science.
Chapter 11, Nature’s Treasures, introduces students to the natural resources provided by nature and explains why they are so important for our survival.
The chapter highlights resources like air, water, soil, sunlight, forests, minerals, fossil fuels, and how we use them in our daily lives. It also explains the difference between renewable (can be used again and again) and non-renewable (limited and can run out) resources.
The chapter encourages students to be curious about nature, understand the value of these resources, and learn ways to conserve and protect them. It raises awareness about problems caused by pollution, deforestation, and overuse of natural materials. The goal is to help students become more responsible and eco-friendly in their daily actions.
Check below for complete and accurate solutions to all the questions from Chapter 11. These answers are created to help you revise quickly and prepare confidently for your class tests and school exams.
Activity 11.1: Let us experience
Take a deep breath in, and then breathe out slowly.
Take a deeper breath in again.
Hold your breath for as long as you can and then breathe out slowly.
How long can you hold your breath?
How do you feel when you hold your breath?
Answer:
Activity 11.1: Let Us Experience
This activity helps us understand the importance of air in our lives.
Steps:
Take a deep breath in and then breathe out slowly.
Take another, deeper breath in.
Now hold your breath for as long as you can.
Finally, breathe out slowly.
Observation Questions:
Q. How long can you hold your breath?
Answer: Most people can hold their breath for around 20 to 30 seconds, but it may vary from person to person depending on their lung capacity and practice.
Q. How do you feel when you hold your breath?
Answer: When holding your breath, after a few seconds, you may start to feel uncomfortable, your chest may feel tight, and you may feel the urge to breathe. This happens because our body needs a constant supply of oxygen, and without it, we start feeling uneasy.
Conclusion: This activity shows us how important air and oxygen are for our survival. Without air, we cannot live even for a few minutes. It also makes us realise that clean air is essential for our health and environment.
Activity 11.2: Let us make and decorate
Take a square paper of size 15 cm x 15 cm, a pair of scissors, an all-pin and a soft stick.
Follow the instructions shown in Fig. 11.2 to make a firki
Answer:
This fun activity helps us learn how air helps in movement by making a simple firki (pinwheel), which spins when air blows on it.
🔧 Materials Required:
A square paper of size 15 cm × 15 cm
A pair of scissors
An all-pin (push pin or thumb pin)
A soft stick (like a pencil or straw)
Steps to Make a Firki (Pinwheel):
Take the square paper and fold it diagonally to form two opposite triangles.
Open the paper and now cut along the folds from all four corners towards the center—but do not cut completely to the center.
Fold one alternate corner tip toward the center of the square and hold all four tips together.
Use an all-pin to fix the folded tips at the center.
Now pin the firki (pinwheel) onto the soft stick so that it can spin freely.
Decorate it using sketch pens, glitter, or stickers.
How it Works: When you blow air or move the pinwheel in the wind, the firki spins. This shows that air has motion and can do work—one of the basic concepts in understanding wind energy.
Learning Outcome:
This activity shows that moving air (wind) can make things move. It introduces students to the idea of wind energy, which is a form of renewable energy.
Activity 11.3: Let us find out Fill the Column II and Column III in Table 11.1.
Answer:
Table 11.1: Wastage of Water in Your Daily Activities
Column I – Activity |
Column II – How is Water Wasted? |
Column III – Suggest Ways to Reduce Wastage of Water |
1. Hand washing |
Leaving the tap running while washing hands wastes a lot of water. |
Turn off the tap while applying soap; use water only when needed. |
2. Washing clothes |
Using too much water in washing machines or washing clothes under running water. |
Use washing machines with full loads or use a bucket to wash clothes. |
3. Washing utensils |
Washing dishes under running tap water leads to wastage. |
Fill a basin or use a tub to wash and rinse utensils. |
4. Taking shower |
Taking long showers or leaving the tap running while not using water. |
Take shorter showers and turn off water while applying soap or shampoo. |
5. Cooking |
Washing vegetables or rice under running water wastes water. |
Use a bowl of water for washing vegetables instead of running water. |
6. Gardening |
Overwatering plants or using a hose can waste a lot of water. |
Water plants early morning or evening and use drip irrigation. |
7. Brushing teeth |
Keeping the tap open while brushing teeth wastes water. |
Turn off the tap while brushing and only open it when rinsing. |
Question 1: What will happen if the Sun is not visible for a few days? (Page 216)
Answer:
We may have to depend on artificial lighting during the day also.
Without sunlight, photosynthesis will stop, which means plants won’t be able to make their food. Gradually, plants may start dying, affecting animals and humans too.
Many natural processes like evaporation, transpiration, and condensation will stop, disturbing the water cycle and weather patterns.
Question 2: What are the consequences of cutting a large forest area?
Make a presentation, role play, story, or poem showing the effects of deforestation.
Answer:
Cutting down large forest areas has many harmful effects:
It leads to climate change and global warming due to increased carbon dioxide in the air.
It causes soil erosion because there are no roots to hold the soil.
It increases the risk of floods and droughts.
Many animals lose their natural homes.
There is a loss of biodiversity and medicinal plants.
Human life is also affected because forests give us clean air, water, wood, and food.
Activity 11.4: Let us investigate
Collect samples of soils from different areas around your home and school.
Guess what could be there in different soils.
Observe carefully each soil sample and note its colour.
Touch each soil sample and feel its texture.
Observe the soil samples with your naked eye. If you have a magnifying lens, look at the soil through it.
Record your observations in Table 11.2.
Answer:
Table 11.2: Observations of Different Soil Samples
Location from which soil sample was collected |
What I guessed about the soil? |
Observation of soil with naked eye (colour & texture) |
Observation of soil with magnifying lens |
Soil from a farm after ploughing |
It might be dark, soft, and rich in nutrients |
Dark brown in colour, soft and loose in texture |
Small bits of dry leaves, tiny stones, fine grains, possibly tiny insect parts |
Activity 11.5: Let us conduct a survey
Conduct a survey of vehicles in your neighbourhood.
Which types of vehicles are there? What types of fuels do they use?
Record the information that you collect in Table 11.3.
Answer:
Table 11.3: Types of Vehicles and Fuels Used
Type of Vehicle |
Type of Fuel Used |
Scooter |
Petrol |
Motorcycle |
Petrol |
Car |
Petrol/Diesel |
Auto Rickshaw |
CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) |
Bus |
Diesel |
Bicycle |
Human effort (No fuel) |
E-rickshaw |
Electricity (Battery) |
Truck |
Diesel |
Activity 11.6: Let us make a list of natural resources used.
Make a list of activities you do in your daily life and write down the natural resources used directly or indirectly for each activity. In Table 11.4, some items are already filled in. Using them as a guide, fill the remaining blank rows.
Answer:
Table 11.4: Natural Resources Used
Activity |
Natural Resource |
Washing clothes |
Water |
Making clay toys |
Soil/Clay |
Collecting firewood |
Wood (from trees) |
Making kites |
Bamboo, paper (from trees) |
Having breakfast |
Water, food (plants, animals) |
Let us enhance our learning
1. Fig. 11.9 shows items related to natural resources. Match them with their jumbled up names. Make another table and write the names of these resources. Classify these resources as renewable or non-renewable.
Answer:
Table: Classification of Natural Resources
Resource |
Category |
Water |
Renewable resource |
Wind |
Renewable resource |
Forest |
Renewable resource |
Rock |
Non-renewable resource |
Question 2. State whether the following statements are True [T] or False [F]. If False, correct them.
(i) Nature has all the resources to meet human needs. [ ]
(ii) Machines are a resource found in nature. [ ]
(iii) Natural gas is a non-renewable resource. [ ]
(iv) Air is a renewable resource. [ ]
Answer:
(i) Nature has all the resources to meet human needs. [True]
(ii) Machines are a resource found in nature, [False]
Corrected statement: Machines are human-made resources.
(iii) Natural gas is a non-renewable resource. [True]
(iv) Air is a renewable resource. [True]
Question 3. Fill in the blank using the most appropriate option-
(i) A fuel that is commonly used in two wheelers like scooters or bikes is-
(a) Kerosene
(b) Petrol
(c) Diesel
(d) LPG
Answer:
(b) Petrol
(ii) An example of a renewable resource is-
(a) Coal
(b) Water
(c) Natural gas
(d) Petrol
Answer:
(b) Water
Question 4. Classify the following as renewable or non-renewable resources— coal, natural gas, forests and minerals.
Answer:
Renewable |
Non-renewable |
– |
Coal |
– |
Natural gas |
Forests |
– |
– |
Minerals |
Question 5. Why do we say that petroleum is a non-renewable resource?
Answer: Petroleum is called non-renewable because it takes millions of years to form under the Earth. We can't make it again quickly. Once we use it all, it will run out.
Question 6. It is difficult to regrow forests. Justify this statement.
Answer: Forests take a long time to grow. Trees don’t grow fast, and the soil in cut forest areas may not support new trees easily. So, bringing back a forest is very hard.
Question 7. Make a list of five daily activities in which you use natural resources. Suggest ways by which you can reduce their use.
Answer:
Activity |
Natural Resource Used |
How to Reduce Use |
Drinking & Washing |
Water |
Turn off taps when not needed |
Travelling by bike |
Petrol |
Use bicycle or walk more |
Cooking food |
Natural Gas |
Use solar cookers when possible |
Travelling by bus |
Diesel |
Use electric buses or carpool |
Brushing & Bathing |
Water |
Use water carefully and reuse when safe |
Question 8. List four activities that are possible due to the presence of air.
Answer:
Breathing – Humans and animals need air (oxygen) to breathe.
Flying – Birds, airplanes, and kites can fly because of the air.
Burning – Fire needs oxygen from air to burn
Making sound – Sound travels through air so we can hear each other.
Question 9. How can you contribute towards enhancing the green cover of your locality? Make a list of actions to be taken.
Answer:
I can help increase greenery in my area by:
Planting trees and taking care of them.
Growing plants in pots on balconies or rooftops.
Joining tree plantation drives in school or community.
Encouraging others to plant trees.
Not cutting trees and protecting them from damage.
Question 10.
In the given illustration, we see that food is being cooked. Answer the following questions –
(i) What type of energy is being used for cooking?
(ii) Name one benefit and one drawback of using this type of energy for cooking.
Answer:(i) Solar energy is being used for cooking.
(ii)
Benefit: Solar energy is a renewable and eco-friendly source. It does not cause air pollution or global warming.
Drawback: Solar cooking is not possible at night or on cloudy and rainy days as it depends on sunlight.
11. Cutting down trees on a large scale impacts the quality of the soil. Why do you think it is so?
Answer:
Trees help in holding the soil together with their roots and prevent soil erosion. When trees are cut on a large scale, the soil becomes loose and gets washed away by wind and rain. This reduces the fertility and quality of the soil.
Question 12. Explain two ways in which human activities pollute the air. Propose one action which can help in reducing air pollution.
Answer:
Ways in which human activities pollute the air:
Burning of fossil fuels like petrol, diesel, and coal releases harmful gases into the air.
Smoke from factories and industries adds pollutants like carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide to the air.
Action to reduce air pollution: We can reduce air pollution by planting more trees and using public transport or electric vehicles instead of private fuel-based vehicles.
Question 13. A family uses solar panels to generate electricity, a gas stove to cook food, and a windmill for pumping water from a well. What would happen if there were no sunlight for a week?
Answer:
If there were no sunlight for a week:
Solar panels would not be able to generate electricity, so the family might face power shortages or have to use alternative electricity sources.
Gas stove would still work, so cooking food would not be affected.
Windmill may still pump water if there is wind, as it does not depend on sunlight.
Overall, the main impact would be lack of solar energy, affecting electricity supply and possibly indoor lighting or appliance usage.
Question 14: Fill up the blanks using the following terms: (fossil fuels, forest, air, petroleum, coal, water, and non-renewable resources)
Answer:
We need air to breathe.
We drink water to stay alive.
Forest provides us with oxygen and raw materials.
Coal is used as a fuel in thermal power plants.
Petroleum is refined to produce petrol and diesel.
Fossil fuels are formed from the remains of dead plants and animals
Coal and petroleum are non-renewable resources as they take millions of years to form.
Question 5. There is an increasing demand of trees to meet the requirements of industries and for housing. Therefore, trees are being felled. Is it justified? Discuss and prepare a brief report.
Answer:
Report: Is Tree Felling Justified to Meet Industrial and Housing Demands?
Tree felling, or cutting down trees, is being done more frequently to fulfill the rising demands of industries and housing projects. While development and urbanization are important for human progress, cutting trees on a large scale is not justified due to the following reasons:
Negative Effects:
Environmental Damage: Trees play a major role in maintaining ecological balance. Cutting them leads to air pollution, soil erosion, and global warming.
Loss of Habitat: Forests are home to many animals and birds. Tree felling destroys their natural habitat.
Climate Impact: Fewer trees mean less carbon dioxide absorption, which contributes to climate change.
Water Cycle Disruption: Trees help in rainfall and maintaining groundwater levels.
Possible Solutions:
Promote afforestation and reforestation.
Encourage vertical housing instead of expanding cities horizontally.
Use eco-friendly building materials.
Implement strict laws on deforestation and promote sustainable development.
Conclusion: While industrial and housing needs are genuine, indiscriminate tree cutting is not justified. A balanced approach that includes conserving nature while developing human infrastructure is the need of the hour. We must protect trees for the well-being of future generations.
Question 6. Propose a plan to use less water in your school. What steps would you take to make this plan happen and how would it help the environment.
Answer:
Plan to Use Less Water in School
Objective: To reduce water usage in school through awareness, efficient practices, and sustainable solutions.
Steps to Implement the Plan:
Fix Leaking Taps and Pipes:
Regularly check all water taps and pipes in bathrooms and classrooms.
Repair leaks immediately to avoid wastage.
Install Push-Tap or Sensor-Based Taps:
These taps automatically stop the flow of water and reduce unnecessary use.
Awareness Campaign:
Conduct special assemblies or poster-making competitions to teach students and staff about the importance of saving water.
Put up signs like “Turn off the tap” near washbasins.
Use Buckets Instead of Hosepipes:
For cleaning floors and watering plants, use buckets to control water usage.
Water Recycling:
Collect rainwater in tanks (rainwater harvesting) and use it for gardeing or toilet flushing.
Monitor and Track Usage:
Keep a weekly record of water meter readings to track progress.
Reward classes or groups that follow water-saving tips best.
How It Helps the Environment:
Conserves Water: Helps preserve this essential natural resource.
Reduces Pollution: Less water waste means reduced chances of overflowing drains and waterlogging.
Supports Ecosystems: Saves water for plants, animals, and future generations
Spreads Awareness: Teaches responsible behavior, which students carry into their homes and communities.
By taking small but effective steps, the school can become a model for water conservation and play a vital role in protecting the environment.
Students can download the NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Science Curiosity Chapter 11 Nature’s Treasures in PDF format from the link provided below.
These solutions are designed to help students understand the importance of natural resources and develop responsible habits towards their use. The answers include step-by-step explanations for all textbook questions, activities, and higher-order thinking exercises.
Study without using the internet
All answers are written in a clear and simple manner, making it easier for students to understand concepts such as natural resources, renewable and non-renewable energy, water and air conservation, and responsible usage.
The solutions include answers to all in-text activities (like soil observation, vehicle fuel survey, and water usage logs), reflection questions, end-of-chapter assessments, and critical thinking exercises.
Students will connect science to everyday experiences—such as saving water at school, identifying pollution sources, and understanding how air and sunlight impact daily life.
This chapter builds scientific thinking, observation skills, and a sense of environmental responsibility—laying the groundwork for sustainable practices in future learning and life.
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