The Wonderful World of Science – Long Answer Type Questions
CBSE Class 6 Science — Chapter 1: The Wonderful World of Science
30 Long Answer Type Questions with clear, NCERT-aligned answers — concise yet detailed for CBSE Class 6 exams.
CBSE Board Examinations — Question Types (Systematic Order)
- Very Short Answer (1 mark): One-line facts or definitions.
- Short Answer (2–3 marks): Brief explanations (2–4 sentences).
- Long Answer (3–5 marks): Detailed answers with examples, steps or brief diagrams.
- Practical/Activity Questions: Descriptions of activities, observations and conclusions.
30 Long Answer Questions & Answers
Q1. Explain in your own words what science is and how scientists study the world.
Science is a systematic way of learning about the natural world through careful observation, asking questions, making guesses (hypotheses), and testing them with experiments. Scientists collect data from experiments, analyse it, and draw conclusions that explain why things happen. They repeat experiments and share results so others can check them. Over time, widely tested ideas become accepted as reliable explanations.
Q2. Discuss the importance of asking questions in science and give two examples from daily life.
Asking questions starts scientific inquiry; it leads to investigations that increase our understanding. For example, asking "Why does bread rise?" leads to studying yeast and fermentation, helping bakers improve recipes. Asking "Why do my plants wilt?" can lead to discovering lack of water or sunlight, teaching better plant care. Questions guide experiments and problem-solving in everyday life.
Q3. Describe the main steps of a simple scientific investigation suitable for Class 6 students.
A simple investigation includes: (1) Observe a phenomenon, (2) Ask a clear question, (3) Form a hypothesis (a testable guess), (4) Plan and perform a simple experiment changing only one factor at a time, (5) Record observations in a table, (6) Analyse the results and draw a conclusion, and (7) Share findings or repeat the experiment to check consistency.
Q4. What is a hypothesis? Give an example related to plants.
A hypothesis is a tentative explanation or prediction that can be tested. Example: "If a plant receives more sunlight, then it will grow taller than a plant kept in shade." This can be tested by growing two plants under different light conditions and comparing their growth.
Q5. Explain the role of observation and its importance in scientific learning.
Observation involves carefully noticing and recording facts about objects or events. It is the first step in science; without accurate observations, experiments and conclusions cannot be reliable. Observations provide evidence to support or refute hypotheses and help identify patterns and regularities in nature.
Q6. How can a simple experiment at home teach the idea of a fair test? Describe one such experiment.
To teach a fair test, change only one variable while keeping others constant. Example experiment: Test which liquid dissolves sugar fastest. Keep the amount of sugar and container same, and vary only the temperature of water (cold, room temperature, hot). Record time taken to dissolve sugar in each case. Only changing temperature ensures a fair comparison.
Q7. What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative observations? Provide examples.
Qualitative observations describe qualities (colour, smell, texture) without numbers, e.g., "the solution turned green." Quantitative observations involve numbers or measurements, e.g., "the plant grew 5 cm in two weeks." Both types are important: qualitative observations suggest patterns, quantitative ones provide precise evidence.
Q8. Describe what is meant by classification and explain its usefulness with an example.
Classification is grouping objects or organisms based on shared characteristics. It helps organize knowledge and makes study easier. Example: Sorting materials into groups like metals, plastics, and fabrics helps identify their uses and properties, making it simpler to choose the right material for a task.
Q9. Explain how repeating experiments adds value to scientific conclusions.
Repeating experiments ensures results are consistent and not due to chance or error. Consistent results increase confidence in conclusions and help identify mistakes. Repetition by different people also confirms reliability and helps build trust in scientific findings.
Q10. Write a detailed answer describing how science has improved one aspect of daily life.
Science has greatly improved healthcare. Through scientific research, we have vaccines, antibiotics, imaging machines and better surgical techniques. Vaccination programs have reduced many infectious diseases, improving life expectancy and quality of life. Scientific methods help discover new medicines and diagnostic tools, making treatment more effective and often less invasive.
Q11. What is the role of models in explaining scientific ideas? Give an example suitable for Class 6.
Models are simplified representations that help visualise and understand complex systems. For example, using a simple clay model to show the layers of soil or using a ball-and-stick model to represent molecules helps students grasp structure and relationships that are hard to see directly.
Q12. Explain what is meant by 'evidence' in science and why it matters.
Evidence refers to information collected through observation or experiments that supports or contradicts a hypothesis. Evidence matters because science relies on facts, not guesses. Strong evidence leads to reliable conclusions and helps build scientific knowledge that others can test and verify.
Q13. How should students record observations during a class activity? Suggest a simple format.
Students should use a table with columns like: Date, Materials, Steps, Observations, Time, and Conclusion. Keeping neat headings and writing clear, short notes under each column makes it easier to analyse results and draw conclusions later.
Q14. Discuss the importance of safety and supervision during science experiments at school.
Safety prevents accidents and injuries. Students should follow teacher instructions, use safe materials, handle equipment carefully, and wear protection (like goggles) when necessary. Adult supervision ensures proper technique, corrects unsafe behaviour and helps manage emergencies quickly.
Q15. Explain with reasons why science is considered a dynamic subject that changes over time.
Science changes as new observations and evidence are found. Old ideas may be revised or replaced when better explanations appear. This dynamic nature stems from continuous testing, discovery, and improvement in methods and technology, allowing science to self-correct and grow.
Q16. How can teachers encourage scientific thinking among Class 6 students?
Teachers can encourage curiosity by asking open-ended questions, designing hands-on activities, promoting group discussions, and showing real-life applications. Encouraging students to record observations, make predictions and explain results builds scientific thinking and confidence.
Q17. Describe a classroom activity to demonstrate change and outline the expected observations and conclusion.
Activity: Dissolve sugar in hot and cold water. Procedure: Take equal amounts of sugar and water at two temperatures, stir and observe time to dissolve. Observations: Sugar dissolves faster in hot water. Conclusion: Higher temperature increases the rate of dissolving due to faster molecular motion.
Q18. Explain the difference between observation and inference with examples.
Observation: "The leaves of the plant are wilted." Inference: "The plant is wilted because it lacks water." Observation is a direct note; inference is an interpretation that may need testing to confirm.
Q19. How does using correct units and tools improve the quality of scientific data?
Using correct units (cm, g, s) and proper tools (ruler, balance, stopwatch) ensures measurements are accurate and comparable. This allows others to understand, repeat and trust the experiment's results, leading to better scientific conclusions.
Q20. What is meant by 'fair report' in science and why is it important?
A fair report presents all observations and results honestly, including unexpected or negative findings. It is important because it maintains scientific integrity and helps others evaluate and replicate the study.
Q21. Describe how technology and simple tools can extend our senses in scientific study.
Tools like microscopes, thermometers, and magnifying glasses allow us to see tiny details, measure temperature accurately, and observe features not visible to the naked eye. Technology extends our senses and enables more precise observations and discoveries.
Q22. Give an example of how group work in science improves learning and produce better results.
Group work allows sharing ideas, dividing tasks and comparing observations. For instance, in a plant growth study, different groups can test various conditions (soil, light, water) and combine data to find patterns, leading to more comprehensive conclusions than individual work.
Q23. Explain why classification of materials by properties is useful for daily tasks.
Classifying materials by properties (e.g., absorbent vs. non-absorbent) helps choose the right material for a job, like using absorbent cloths for cleaning spills and waterproof materials for rainwear. It saves time and improves efficiency in practical tasks.
Q24. How can students test the idea that plants need sunlight to make food?
Grow two similar plants; keep one in sunlight and the other in shade, ensuring other conditions are same. Observe leaf colour, growth and health over days. If the shaded plant becomes weak or pale, it suggests sunlight is necessary for making food (photosynthesis).
Q25. Discuss the ethical considerations students should keep in mind during experiments involving living things.
Students should avoid harming living organisms, use minimal samples, and follow teacher guidance. Respect for life includes not causing unnecessary pain and ensuring any living specimen is returned to its habitat when possible. Ethical conduct teaches responsibility and compassion.
Q26. Explain how everyday inventions have roots in simple scientific observations.
Many inventions start from observing a problem—e.g., noticing that carrying liquids is easier in containers led to developing bottles. Observing friction and motion led to wheels and carts. Simple observations spark ideas that, through testing and improvement, become useful inventions.
Q27. How can keeping a science journal help students improve their learning?
A science journal records observations, hypotheses, methods and reflections. It helps track progress, identify patterns, and think critically about results. Reviewing past entries reinforces learning and helps plan better experiments in the future.
Q28. Describe a method to illustrate the concept of variable and control using a classroom experiment.
Example: Test effect of water on seed germination. Use three pots with same soil and seeds; water only one pot, keep the second with little water, and the third without water. The control could be a pot with standard watering. Compare germination rates to see the effect of water as the variable.
Q29. Explain why discussing and sharing results is an important part of science education.
Discussion allows peer review, reveals mistakes, and introduces new ideas. Sharing results helps others learn, repeat experiments, and build on findings. It also develops communication skills and scientific reasoning among students.
Q30. Summarise the key skills a Class 6 student should develop from Chapter 1 and how these skills help in future science learning.
Key skills include careful observation, asking questions, recording data, planning simple experiments, classifying objects, and drawing evidence-based conclusions. These foundational skills prepare students for more advanced topics by strengthening logical thinking, problem-solving and a methodical approach to learning.