Chapter 8: Fresh Air, Sunlight & Cleanliness
Breathing Clean Air, Morning Sun, Bathing and Brushing | CBSE Session 2026–27
Core Pedagogical Competencies & Concepts
- Composition of Clean Air (Oxygen)
- Need for Sunlight and Vitamin D
- Personal Hygiene (Bathing, Brushing, Trimming Nails)
- Sources of Air Pollution and Prevention
All Textbook Exercises & In-Text Tasks (15 Questions)
100% Complete Ingestion
Q1
Think and Tell
Can we see air? How do we know that air is present all around us?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
No, we cannot see air because it is invisible, odorless, and colorless. We know air is present because we can feel it when it blows as wind, moves tree leaves, and flies our kite.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Air is invisible/colorless
1
We feel it when it moves as wind
1
Q2
Breathing Clean Air
Why do living beings need to breathe clean, fresh air?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Living beings need clean air because it contains oxygen, which our lungs absorb to produce energy from food. Breathing fresh air keeps our lungs healthy and minds active.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Contains oxygen needed by lungs
1
Produces energy and keeps mind alert
1
Q3
Benefits of Sunlight
Why is morning sunlight beneficial for growing children?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Morning sunlight helps our skin synthesize Vitamin D, which is essential for strong bones and teeth. Sunlight also kills harmful germs and dispels mold.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Produces Vitamin D for strong bones
1
Kills germs and brightens mood
1
Q4
Daily Hygiene Routine
List four daily habits that maintain personal cleanliness and hygiene.
[4 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Four daily cleanliness habits:
1. Brush teeth twice daily (morning and before sleeping).
2. Take a bath daily with clean water and soap.
3. Wash hands with soap before meals and after using the toilet.
4. Trim fingernails regularly with a nail clipper.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
1 mark per valid hygiene habit
4
Q5
Dental Care
What happens if we do not brush our teeth properly?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Food particles get stuck between teeth, causing bacteria to produce acid. This leads to yellow plaque, bad breath, tooth decay, and painful cavities.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Food particles stuck / bacteria attack
1
Bad breath and cavities
1
Q6
Nail Hygiene
Why should we never bite our nails, and why must they be trimmed short?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Dirt and germs collect under long nails. Biting nails transfers these germs directly into our stomach, causing diarrhea, stomach worms, and infections.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Dirt and germs collect under nails
1
Ingestion causes stomach infections/worms
1
Q7
Air Pollution Sources
Name two things that pollute the air we breathe.
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Two sources of air pollution:
1. Black smoke released from cars, buses, and motorbikes.
2. Smoke from factory chimneys, burning of dry garbage, and bursting firecrackers.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Vehicle exhaust smoke
1
Factory smoke or burning garbage/crackers
1
Q8
Plants Purify Air
How do green plants and trees help in purifying our air?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Plants take in harmful carbon dioxide during the daytime and release fresh, life-giving oxygen through their leaves, acting as nature's green air purifiers.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Take in carbon dioxide
1
Release oxygen
1
Q9
True or False
State True or False:
(a) Moving air is called wind.
(b) We should breathe in through our mouth rather than our nose.
(c) Wearing a mask in heavy smoke protects our lungs.
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
(a) True
(b) False (We should breathe through our nose because hair in the nose filters dust)
(c) True.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
1 mark per correct answer
3
Q10
Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the blanks:
(a) Tiny hairs inside our nose filter out ________ (dust / food) from entering our lungs.
(b) A gentle, pleasant wind is called a ________ (breeze / storm).
(c) Morning sunlight gives our body Vitamin ________ (D / C).
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
(a) dust
(b) breeze
(c) D.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
1 mark per correct blank
3
Q11
Cough and Sneeze Manners
What should you do when you sneeze or cough in public?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
We should always cover our mouth and nose with a clean handkerchief or our elbow bend to prevent spreading cough droplets and viruses to others.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Covering with handkerchief or elbow bend
1
Prevents spreading germs to others
1
Q12
Cross-Ventilation
What is ventilation, and why should classrooms have large windows?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Ventilation is the free circulation of fresh air. Classrooms need large windows so that stale air breathed out by students exits and fresh oxygen-rich air flows in.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Circulation of fresh air
1
Exchanges stale air with oxygen-rich air
1
Q13
Handwashing Steps
When is it mandatory to wash your hands with soap?
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Mandatory times for handwashing:
1. Before touching or eating food.
2. After using the toilet or cleaning pets.
3. After returning home from outside or playground.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
1 mark per correct occasion
3
Q14
Storm and Gale
What is the difference between a breeze and a storm?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
• Breeze: A gentle, cool, and pleasant moving air.
• Storm: Very strong, violent, and fast wind that can uproot trees and blow away roofs.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Breeze definition
1
Storm definition
1
Q15
Environmental Awareness
Give one way we can reduce smoke in our neighborhood.
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
We can walk or ride bicycles for short distances, use carpooling or public buses, and strictly ban the burning of plastic and dry leaves.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Cycling, public transport, or ban on burning
2
🌟 NEP 2020 Competency-Based Case Study
Practical Application Task
Analytical Task: Why is Arjun feeling dull, and what two natural remedies will improve his energy and health?
Evaluation & Model Answer:
Arjun is deprived of fresh moving air and natural morning sunlight, which causes stale air breathing, lack of oxygen, and vitamin D deficiency. He should:
1. Open his bedroom windows every morning to allow cross-ventilation and sunlight.
2. Wake up early and spend at least 30 minutes exercising or playing in the morning sun.
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