Chapter 8: Caring for Plants & Pets
Feeding Animals, Watering Greenery, Bird Baths & No Cruelty | CBSE Session 2026–27
Core Pedagogical Competencies & Concepts
- Theme of 'Caring for Plants & Pets': Exploring human community networks and societal roles.
- Fostering civic responsibility, mutual respect for community helpers, and safety rules.
- Developing environmental stewardship and neighborhood awareness.
All Textbook Exercises & In-Text Tasks (16 Questions)
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Q1
Caring for Plants • Green Life
Write three ways you can care for potted plants and trees around your home.
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Model Answer:
1. Water plants regularly every morning or evening.
2. Ensure pots receive sufficient natural sunlight and fresh air.
3. Loosen soil gently, add natural manure, and never tear leaves or flowers.
1. Water plants regularly every morning or evening.
2. Ensure pots receive sufficient natural sunlight and fresh air.
3. Loosen soil gently, add natural manure, and never tear leaves or flowers.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Watering regularly
1 M
Providing sunlight
1 M
Do not pluck leaves/flowers
1 M
Q2
Caring for Pets • Animal Care
What four essential things must pet owners provide for their pet dogs or cats?
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Model Answer:
1. Nutritious food and a bowl of fresh, clean drinking water.
2. A clean, dry, and comfortable sleeping bed/kennel.
3. Regular baths, brushing of fur, and medical vaccinations from a vet.
4. Daily love, playtime, and walks.
1. Nutritious food and a bowl of fresh, clean drinking water.
2. A clean, dry, and comfortable sleeping bed/kennel.
3. Regular baths, brushing of fur, and medical vaccinations from a vet.
4. Daily love, playtime, and walks.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Food and clean water
1 M
Clean shelter and vet care
1 M
Love, exercise, and affection
1 M
Q3
Caring for Street Animals • Compassion
How can we show kindness to stray animals and birds living in our neighbourhood?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Model Answer:
We can place a shallow clay bowl of water and grains for birds on the terrace, give leftover chapatis to stray dogs, and never hit or throw stones at them.
We can place a shallow clay bowl of water and grains for birds on the terrace, give leftover chapatis to stray dogs, and never hit or throw stones at them.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Provide water bowl and grains
1 M
Never hit or tease animals
1 M
Q4
Animal Doctor • The Vet
What is a doctor who treats sick or injured animals called?
[1 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Model Answer:
A doctor for animals is called a Veterinarian (or Vet).
A doctor for animals is called a Veterinarian (or Vet).
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Veterinarian / Vet
1 M
Q5
Matching • Animals and Food
Match each pet with its favourite food:
1. Dog (A) Carrots & green grass
2. Cat (B) Pedigree / Biscuits & milk
3. Rabbit (C) Milk & fish
[2 Marks]
1. Dog (A) Carrots & green grass
2. Cat (B) Pedigree / Biscuits & milk
3. Rabbit (C) Milk & fish
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Model Answer:
• 1. Dog → (B) Pedigree / Biscuits & milk
• 2. Cat → (C) Milk & fish
• 3. Rabbit → (A) Carrots & green grass
• 1. Dog → (B) Pedigree / Biscuits & milk
• 2. Cat → (C) Milk & fish
• 3. Rabbit → (A) Carrots & green grass
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
All 3 matches correct
2 M
Q6
Fill in the Blanks • Plants and Pets
Fill in the blanks:
(a) We must never pluck flowers from public _______ (parks / books).
(b) Birds feel happy when we keep birdfeeders filled with _______ (grains / stones).
(c) A dog wags its _______ (tail / ear) to show happiness and love.
[3 Marks]
(a) We must never pluck flowers from public _______ (parks / books).
(b) Birds feel happy when we keep birdfeeders filled with _______ (grains / stones).
(c) A dog wags its _______ (tail / ear) to show happiness and love.
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Model Answer:
(a) parks
(b) grains
(c) tail
(a) parks
(b) grains
(c) tail
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
parks
1 M
grains
1 M
tail
1 M
Q7
True or False • Empathy
State True or False:
(a) Animals feel pain, hunger, fear, and happiness just like humans do.
(b) Pouring boiling hot water or chemical soap on tree roots makes trees grow faster.
[2 Marks]
(a) Animals feel pain, hunger, fear, and happiness just like humans do.
(b) Pouring boiling hot water or chemical soap on tree roots makes trees grow faster.
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Model Answer:
(a) True. Animals are sensitive living beings.
(b) False. Chemicals and boiling water kill plant roots.
(a) True. Animals are sensitive living beings.
(b) False. Chemicals and boiling water kill plant roots.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
(a) True
1 M
(b) False
1 M
Q8
Summer Relief • Water for Birds
Why do birds often die during scorching summer months, and how can children save them?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Model Answer:
Puddles dry up and birds cannot find water to drink. Children can save them by keeping a clay bowl of cool, clean water in balconies and gardens every morning.
Puddles dry up and birds cannot find water to drink. Children can save them by keeping a clay bowl of cool, clean water in balconies and gardens every morning.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Puddles dry up / dehydration
1 M
Keep clay bowl of water
1 M
Q9
Planting a Sapling • Green Thumb
What tool is used to dig a small hole in garden soil to plant a sapling?
[1 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Model Answer:
A small garden trowel (khurpi / shovel).
A small garden trowel (khurpi / shovel).
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Trowel / khurpi / shovel
1 M
Q10
Barking Dog • Body Language
What does it mean when a pet dog barks loudly and points its ears forward?
[1 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Model Answer:
It is alerting its family that a stranger or visitor has approached the gate.
It is alerting its family that a stranger or visitor has approached the gate.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Alerting family about a visitor/stranger
1 M
Q11
Odd One Out • Pet Care
Find the odd one out: [Clean water, Nutritious food, Gentle petting, Teasing with a stick].
[1 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Model Answer:
Teasing with a stick is cruel and hurtful, while the other three are loving ways to care for pets.
Teasing with a stick is cruel and hurtful, while the other three are loving ways to care for pets.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Teasing with stick with reason
1 M
Q12
Overwatering Plants • Plant Health
What happens if you give too much excess water to a potted plant every hour?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Model Answer:
The roots will rot due to lack of air in the soaked mud, and the plant will wilt and die.
The roots will rot due to lack of air in the soaked mud, and the plant will wilt and die.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Roots rot and plant dies
2 M
Q13
Fish in an Aquarium • Water Pets
How do you care for pet fish kept in a glass aquarium at home?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Model Answer:
Give them a pinch of fish food flakes daily, keep the water clean, and ensure the oxygen bubbler is running.
Give them a pinch of fish food flakes daily, keep the water clean, and ensure the oxygen bubbler is running.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Daily fish food and clean water
2 M
Q14
Think and Share • Adopt Don't Shop
Why is it kind to adopt an Indian stray pup (Indie) instead of buying expensive foreign breeds?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Model Answer:
Because stray pups need a loving home, are very smart and hardy, and adoption saves their lives from street dangers.
Because stray pups need a loving home, are very smart and hardy, and adoption saves their lives from street dangers.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Gives homeless pup a loving home
2 M
Q15
Vocabulary • Nature Friends
What do we call a small bird house hung on a tree branch?
[1 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Model Answer:
A Birdhouse (or Nest box).
A Birdhouse (or Nest box).
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Birdhouse / nest box
1 M
Q16
Compassion Motto • Animal Care
State the golden motto for living in harmony with nature and pets.
[1 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Model Answer:
'Be kind to all creatures, love nature, and protect every living being!'
'Be kind to all creatures, love nature, and protect every living being!'
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Compassion motto
1 M
🌟 NEP 2020 Competency-Based Case Study
Caring for Plants & Pets Civic Context Study
Every child is an important member of a vibrant neighborhood community. In 'Caring for Plants & Pets', learners explore how mutual support, civic awareness, and safety create a peaceful environment.
Analytical Task: How does understanding 'Caring for Plants & Pets' help us become caring and responsible citizens?
Evaluation & Model Answer:
It helps us appreciate the work of others, follow community rules, protect public places, and ensure the safety and happiness of everyone around us.
Rubric: 1.5 M for community understanding + 1.5 M for civic action