Abdul in the Garden – Class 4 EVS NCERT Solutions

Explore the solutions for Abdul in the Garden, Class 4 EVS NCERT. This chapter teaches us important lessons about plants, their roots, and how they grow. We learn about the importance of roots in a plant’s life, how different plants get water, and the amazing ways plants adapt to their environment. The chapter also helps us understand why we need to protect and care for trees.

Chapter Summary (English)

The chapter “Abdul in the Garden” follows Abdul as he helps his Abbu in their garden. Through various experiences – like trying to pull out grass, observing a broken pea plant, and watching trees during a storm – Abdul learns about plant roots and their importance. The chapter explores how roots help plants stay firm in the ground, how they absorb water, and how different plants have different types of roots. It also includes interesting facts about trees like the Desert Oak and the Banyan tree, teaching children about the diversity of plant life.

अध्याय सारांश (Hindi)

अध्याय “अब्दुल इन द गार्डन” में अब्दुल अपने अब्बू के साथ बगीचे में काम करता है। विभिन्न अनुभवों के माध्यम से – जैसे घास को उखाड़ने की कोशिश करना, टूटे हुए मटर के पौधे को देखना, और तूफान के दौरान पेड़ों को देखना – अब्दुल पौधों की जड़ों और उनके महत्व के बारे में सीखता है। अध्याय में बताया गया है कि कैसे जड़ें पौधों को जमीन में मजबूती से खड़े रहने में मदद करती हैं, कैसे वे पानी सोखती हैं, और कैसे अलग-अलग पौधों में अलग-अलग प्रकार की जड़ें होती हैं। इसमें डेजर्ट ओक और बरगद के पेड़ जैसे रोचक तथ्य भी शामिल हैं, जो बच्चों को वनस्पति जीवन की विविधता के बारे में सिखाते हैं।

Word Meanings

Exercise Solutions

1. The stick which was stuck in the ground fell very easily. It was difficult to pull out a small grass. Why?

The stick was difficult to pull out because it was just placed in the ground without any roots or grip. However, the grass has roots that spread deep and wide in the soil, making it firmly anchored. These roots help the grass maintain a strong hold in the soil, which is why even a small grass plant is difficult to pull out. The roots act like nature’s anchors, keeping the plant securely in place.

2. Do all plants have roots?

Yes, all plants have roots, though they may be of different types and sizes. Roots are essential parts of plants as they:

• Help anchor the plant in the soil and provide support
• Absorb water and minerals from the soil
• Store food in some plants (like carrots and radish)
• Help in vegetative reproduction in some plants

3. Look at some plants and trees around you. Imagine how deep and spread out the roots of these are.

When I observe plants around me, I can imagine their root systems:

• Large trees like neem and peepal likely have roots spreading as wide as their canopy and going deep into the soil
• Small plants in my garden probably have roots that go down about 1-2 feet
• Grass has a dense network of thin roots spread just below the surface
• Some trees might have roots going down several meters to reach groundwater

4. After three days, Abdul saw that one broken part of the pea plant had dried. Guess which part would have dried up? Why?

The part of the pea plant above the break point would have dried up. This happened because:

• The broken stem disrupted the flow of water and nutrients from the roots to the upper part
• Without this vital supply, the leaves and stem above the break couldn’t survive
• The part below the break remained fresh as it was still connected to the roots
• This shows how important the continuous connection from roots to leaves is for a plant’s survival

5. Why do you think the neem tree did not fall despite the strong wind?

The neem tree did not fall during the strong wind because:

• It has a deep and extensive root system that provides strong anchorage
• The main tap root goes deep into the soil, sometimes up to 15-20 feet
• The lateral roots spread wide, often covering an area larger than the tree’s canopy
• These roots act like a natural foundation, keeping the tree stable during storms
• Years of growth have made the root system even stronger and more established

6. On putting water in the soil where the plants are growing, the drooping leaves become fresh again. How?

The drooping leaves become fresh again because:

• Roots absorb water from the wet soil
• This water travels up through the stem to reach the leaves
• The water fills up the plant cells, making them firm (turgid)
• When cells are filled with water, leaves become upright and fresh again
• This process is called recovery from wilting

7. What do you feel, do all plants need water?

Yes, all plants need water to survive, but the amount and frequency vary:

• Desert plants like cactus need very little water and can survive long periods without it
• Garden plants need regular watering to stay healthy
• Aquatic plants are constantly surrounded by water
• Some plants like rice need standing water to grow well
• Even though different plants have different water requirements, none can survive without water completely

8. Which of the plants around you need regular watering?

Plants that need regular watering include:

• Garden vegetables like tomatoes, spinach, and peas
• Flowering plants such as roses, marigolds, and petunias
• Small potted plants and indoor plants
• Newly planted saplings and young trees
• Lawn grass during dry seasons

9. What will happen, if nobody gives water to these plants?

If plants don’t get water:

• First, their leaves will start drooping and wilting
• The plant will stop growing and look weak
• Flowers and fruits might fall off prematurely
• Leaves will turn yellow and then brown
• Eventually, the plant will die if water shortage continues for too long

10. About plants not needing watering – Where do they get water from? Make two guesses.

Plants that don’t need regular watering get water from:

1. Natural sources:
   • Rainwater that seeps deep into the soil
   • Underground water reached by their deep roots
   • Morning dew and atmospheric moisture
2. Adaptations:
   • Deep root systems that can reach water tables
   • Special tissues that store water for long periods
   • Ability to absorb moisture from humid air

11. Abdul wondered whether radish was a root. Why did he think so?

Abdul thought radish was a root because:

• He saw his Abbu pulling it out from underground
• The white part of the radish grows beneath the soil
• It was attached directly to the leaves growing above ground
• He had to dig into the soil to get the radish out
• The shape and position were similar to roots he had seen before

12. Look at the pictures and find out which of these vegetables are roots.

From the vegetables shown in the pictures:

• Root vegetables:
  • Carrot – an orange colored taproot
  • Radish – a modified taproot
  • Beetroot – a swollen taproot
• Non-root vegetables:
  • Brinjal – it’s a fruit
  • Cucumber – it’s a fruit
  • Cauliflower – it’s a modified flower
  • Cabbage – it’s made of leaves
  • Tomato – it’s a fruit

13. How deep must the roots of this plant (growing from wall) be going?

The roots of the plant growing from the wall:

• Probably extend into cracks and crevices of the wall
• May go several inches deep into gaps between bricks
• Follow the path where they can find moisture and nutrients
• Might not be as deep as ground-growing plants
• Are likely spread in multiple directions seeking support and nutrients

14. How do the roots get water?

The roots of the wall-growing plant get water through:

• Rainwater that seeps into wall cracks
• Morning dew that collects on the wall
• Moisture present in the wall material
• Water that runs down the wall during rains
• Humidity in the air absorbed by aerial roots

15. How big will this plant grow?

The plant’s growth will depend on several factors:

• Available space in the wall cracks for root growth
• Amount of nutrients it can access from the limited soil
• Water availability throughout the year
• Type of plant species (some wall plants naturally stay small)
• Environmental conditions like sunlight and temperature

16. What will happen to the wall?

The wall may face several issues due to the plant growing in it:

• As roots grow thicker, they can widen the cracks in the wall
• The expanding root system might weaken the wall structure
• Moisture retained by roots can cause dampness in the wall
• Over time, the wall may develop larger cracks
• The structural integrity of the wall might be compromised if the plant grows too big

17. Can you give the name of the plant in the picture?

Looking at the picture in the textbook, it appears to be a Peepal plant (Ficus religiosa). These plants commonly grow on walls because:

• Their seeds are often dispersed by birds
• They can grow in minimal soil conditions
• They have strong root systems that can penetrate walls
• They are very adaptable to different growing conditions

18. Which are the oldest trees in your area? Find out from your elders how old the trees are?

As a student, I would answer:

• In our area, there is an old banyan tree near the temple that is over 100 years old
• There are some neem trees in our park that elders say were planted when the colony was first built 50 years ago
• The peepal tree near our school has been there for at least 75 years according to our principal
• These old trees have witnessed the development of our area and provide shelter to many birds and animals

19. Name animals who live on this tree.

Various animals that live on trees include:

• Birds: sparrows, crows, mynas, and pigeons make nests on branches
• Insects: ants, beetles, and caterpillars live in bark crevices
• Small mammals: squirrels make their homes in tree hollows
• Reptiles: garden lizards often bask on tree trunks
• Many insects and spiders live under the bark and leaves

20. Have you ever seen any big tree that had fallen down? What did you think when you saw it?

Yes, I once saw a big tree that had fallen during a storm. My thoughts were:

• I felt sad seeing such a magnificent tree fallen
• I was surprised to see how extensive the root system was
• I wondered about the birds and animals that had made it their home
• It made me realize how strong winds can be
• I understood why we need to take care of trees and ensure they grow in suitable places

21. What difference did you observe in the seeds after soaking? Compare with dry seeds and write.

After observing soaked and dry seeds, I noticed these differences:

• Soaked seeds became bigger and swelled up
• Their outer coating became softer compared to dry seeds
• The color of soaked seeds became slightly darker
• Soaked seeds were heavier than dry ones
• Some seeds’ coats started to split, showing tiny white parts inside

22. What do you think would happen if the cotton wool had been left dry?

If the cotton wool had been left dry:

• Seeds would not get the necessary moisture to germinate
• They would remain dormant and wouldn’t sprout
• No roots or shoots would develop
• The experiment would fail to show plant growth
• Seeds might eventually dry out completely

23. In which direction did the roots grow? And the stem?

I observed that:

• Roots grew downward (following gravity)
• Stems grew upward (against gravity)
• Roots spread out in different directions seeking water
• Stems grew straight up looking for light
• This shows plants’ natural tendency to grow in specific directions

24. How big did the plant grow in the cotton wool?

In the cotton wool experiment:

• The roots grew about 2-3 centimeters long
• The stem grew about 4-5 centimeters tall
• Small leaves started appearing after a few days
• The plant remained small due to limited nutrients in cotton wool
• Growth was enough to observe basic plant development

25. Did small plants come out from all the seeds?

Not all seeds sprouted. Here’s what I observed:

• About 4 out of 6 seeds germinated successfully
• Some seeds took longer to sprout than others
• A few seeds didn’t grow at all
• The healthier seeds germinated better
• This shows that not all seeds are equally viable

26. What is the colour of the roots?

When observing the roots in our experiment:

• The main roots were whitish in color
• The root tips appeared slightly cream-colored
• The smaller root hairs were almost transparent
• Some older roots had a light brownish tinge
• The color was different from the green stems above

27. Did you see any hair on the roots?

Yes, I observed root hairs:

• Tiny, hair-like structures were visible on the main roots
• These root hairs were very fine and delicate
• They looked like white fuzzy growth on the roots
• Root hairs were more visible near the newer root growth
• These help the plant absorb water and nutrients better

28. Try and pull out one little plant from the cotton wool. Were you able to pull it out? Why?

When I tried pulling out the plant:

• It was slightly difficult to pull out despite being in cotton wool
• The roots had gripped the cotton fibers firmly
• I had to be very careful not to damage the delicate plant
• The root hairs were tangled with the cotton wool
• This showed how roots help anchor even small plants

29. Did you see how the roots grip the cotton wool? Do you think that the roots hold the soil in the same way?

Yes, I noticed that:

• Roots wrapped around cotton wool fibers tightly
• They spread in different directions through the cotton
• Similarly, in soil, roots would grip soil particles
• This helps prevent soil erosion in nature
• The grip would be even stronger in soil due to its density

30. What do you think? Which of these things listed by Arif and Roopali grow?

From Arif and Roopali’s lists, these things grow:

• From Arif’s list:
  • Leaves – grow from plants
  • Munna (baby) – grows into an adult
  • Buds – grow into flowers
  • Puppy – grows into a dog
  • Nails – grow continuously
  • Fish – grows bigger
• From Roopali’s list:
  • Tree – grows taller and wider
  • Hair – grows longer
  • Watermelon – grows from flower to fruit
  • Mosquito and crow – grow from young to adult
• The moon doesn’t actually grow; it just appears different due to its phases

31. Why don’t you make your own list of things that grow?

As a student, here’s my list of things that grow:

• Living things:
  • All plants – trees, grass, flowers, vegetables
  • Animals – cats, dogs, birds, insects
  • Humans – babies grow into adults
  • Microorganisms – bacteria, fungi
• Body parts that grow:
  • Hair, nails, teeth
  • Height and body size
  • Muscles and bones

32. Has your height increased? How much taller have you grown in the last one year?

Yes, my height has increased over the last year:

• I have grown about 3-4 centimeters taller
• My school uniform from last year is now shorter
• I can reach higher shelves than before
• My parents mark my height on the wall and I can see the difference
• Growing taller shows I am developing normally

33. What other part of your body (some people cut it regularly) keeps growing?

The parts of our body that keep growing and need regular cutting are:

• Hair – grows continuously and needs regular trimming
  • Head hair grows longer
  • Facial hair in older people
  • Body hair
• Fingernails and toenails
  • Need regular cutting to maintain hygiene
  • Grow throughout our life
  • Grow back if broken or cut

34. Have you ever seen a plant growing from a crack in a wall? Share your experience.

Yes, I have seen plants growing from wall cracks. Here’s my experience:

• Location: I saw a small peepal plant growing from a crack in our school compound wall
• Questions I had:
  • How did the seed reach there?
  • How does it survive without soil?
  • Will it damage the wall?
• What I learned from elders:
  • Birds often drop seeds in such places
  • Plants can grow with minimal soil in cracks
  • These plants are very hardy and adaptable

35. Imagine that you had never cut your nails! Draw a picture of your fingers in the notebook to show how they would have looked.

If we never cut our nails:

• They would grow very long and curve inward
• They might break irregularly
• Daily tasks would become difficult
• They could collect dirt and become unhygienic
• This shows why regular nail cutting is important for hygiene and convenience