The Value of Work – Short Answer Type Questions
CBSE Class 6 — Social Science
Theme E — Economic Life Around Us • Chapter 13: The Value of Work
Class 6
Subject: Social Science
Topic: The Value of Work
CBSE Exam Note: 50 topic-wise short answer questions (2–4 lines) aligned to NCERT for focused revision.
Chapter 13
The Value of Work — Types, Importance & Professions
Section A — Basics
1. What is ‘work’?
Work is any activity carried out to produce goods or provide services, often to earn an income or meet needs.
2. Give one example of unpaid work.
Caring for younger siblings or household chores done at home without pay are unpaid work examples.
3. What is a job?
A job is a specific paid activity that a person does regularly to earn a living, such as teaching or selling goods.
4. What is a vocation or profession?
A vocation or profession is work that usually requires education or training, like medicine or teaching.
5. Why do people work?
People work to earn income, support their families, gain skills, and contribute to society.
Section B — Types of Work
6. What is manual work?
Manual work involves physical effort and hand skills, such as construction, farming or cleaning.
7. Define skilled work.
Skilled work requires training or special techniques — for example, plumbing, carpentry or nursing.
8. What is unskilled work?
Unskilled work requires little formal training, like carrying loads or daily-wage labour.
9. Explain formal sector work.
Formal sector work is in organised establishments with regular pay, contracts and often benefits, such as government jobs.
10. Explain informal sector work.
Informal sector work lacks formal contracts or benefits — examples include street vending and casual labour.
Section C — Sectors & Examples
11. Name one agricultural job.
Farming and tending crops are agricultural jobs essential for producing food.
12. Name one industrial job.
Factory worker on an assembly line that manufactures goods is an industrial job.
13. Name one service sector job.
Teacher, doctor, barber or bus driver are examples of service sector jobs.
14. Give an example of self-employed work.
A tailor, small shop owner or craftsperson running their own business is self-employed.
15. What is an artisan?
An artisan is a skilled craft worker, such as a potter, weaver or carpenter, who makes goods by hand.
Section D — Importance of Different Jobs
16. Why are farmers important?
Farmers grow food and raw materials that feed and support the country.
17. Why are doctors important?
Doctors treat illnesses and keep the community healthy, preventing disease spread.
18. Why are teachers important?
Teachers educate children, helping them gain knowledge and skills for the future.
19. Why are sanitation workers important?
Sanitation workers collect and remove waste to maintain hygiene and prevent diseases.
20. Why are transport workers important?
Transport workers move people and goods, connecting markets, schools and hospitals.
Section E — Work, Income & Security
21. How does work provide income?
Work provides wages or earnings that people use to buy food, shelter and other needs.
22. Which jobs usually pay better?
Skilled and formal sector jobs often offer higher pay and benefits compared to informal jobs.
23. What is job security?
Job security means a stable job with regular pay, predictable work and sometimes benefits like leave or pension.
24. Why are informal workers vulnerable?
They lack contracts, social protection and steady income, making them vulnerable during crises.
25. Name one way to increase income for workers.
Providing vocational training or access to better markets can help workers earn more.
Section F — Dignity of Labour & Workers’ Rights
26. What does ‘dignity of labour’ mean?
It means respecting all honest work and valuing the contribution of every worker.
27. Name a basic right every worker should have.
Fair wages, safe working conditions and reasonable working hours are basic worker rights.
28. Why is child labour harmful?
Child labour prevents education and harms children’s physical and mental development.
29. How can communities show respect to workers?
By treating workers politely, acknowledging their role and avoiding discrimination.
30. Give one example of protecting workers’ rights.
Implementing safety rules, fair pay and access to grievance redressal protects workers’ rights.
Section G — Skills, Training & Education
31. What is vocational training?
Training that teaches practical skills for specific trades like plumbing or tailoring.
32. How does training help workers?
Training improves skills, productivity and chances of getting better-paid jobs.
33. Name a place that offers skill training.
Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and vocational centres provide skill training.
34. Why is education important for work?
Education gives knowledge, improves job options and helps people access better employment.
35. How can schools teach respect for work?
By discussing different jobs in class, inviting workers to speak and celebrating all professions.
Section H — Challenges Workers Face & Solutions
36. Name one common challenge for informal workers.
Irregular income and lack of social security are common challenges for informal workers.
37. What is a health risk for some workers?
Exposure to dust, chemicals or heavy lifting without protection poses health risks.
38. Suggest one solution to improve safety at work.
Provide protective gear, safety training and enforce workplace safety rules.
39. How can governments support small businesses?
By offering microloans, market access and training to help them grow and become stable.
40. How can child labour be reduced?
By ensuring free schooling, supporting poor families and enforcing child protection laws.
Section I — Changing Nature of Work & Future Skills
41. How is technology changing work?
Technology creates new jobs in IT and automates some tasks, requiring updated skills.
42. What is gig work?
Gig work consists of short-term, flexible jobs like delivery or online freelancing.
43. Why is lifelong learning important?
To keep updating skills and stay employable as jobs and technologies change.
44. How can digital platforms help small workers?
They help reach more customers, accept payments and expand business opportunities.
45. Name one new skill useful today.
Basic digital literacy or computer skills are increasingly useful across jobs.
Section J — Quick Revision (Short Answers)
46. What is a daily-wage worker?
A worker paid each day for work done, often in informal jobs like construction helpers.
47. Give an example of unpaid domestic work.
Taking care of children or elderly family members at home is unpaid domestic work.
48. What does ‘livelihood’ mean?
The means by which a person earns money to live — their job or business.
49. Why is every job important?
Each job contributes goods or services needed by society; together they keep communities functioning.
50. Sum up the value of work in one line.
Work provides income, dignity and essential services that sustain society and improve lives.