Spices that Heal Us

Class 6 English Chapter 9 NCERT Solutions

The following solutions cover the questions and activities from Spices That Heal Us with clear and easy-to-understand answers.

Q1. A spice is any seed, fruit, root, bark, leaf or any other part of a plant used to give taste and colour to our food. Try to recall the names of three spices that are used for cooking in your home. Write them below and share your answers with your teacher.

Solution:

1. Coriander

2. Cardamom

3. Turmeric

Q2. Given below are pictures of some spices. Work in pairs and write what you call them in your language. Their names in English are given in the last column. Share your answers with your teacher.

Solution:

Q3. Read the given lines and answer the following questions:

"When I was a child, I learnt them from my grandmother. She used to find cures for most of the weather-related common illnesses in the kitchen."

1. Where exactly in the kitchen did her grandmother find the cures?

Answer: Grandmother found the cures among the spices and other ingredients available in her kitchen.

2. Give one example of weather-related common illnesses.

Answer: Cough and cold.

3. What kind of relationship did the speaker have with her grandmother?

Answer: The speaker shared a loving and affectionate relationship with her grandmother.

Q4. Fill in the blanks to complete the sentence.

Daadi soaked methi seeds overnight and drank the water in the morning to manage ________ and ________.

Solution: Daadi soaked methi seeds overnight and drank the water in the morning to manage sugar levels and body weight.

Q5. Circle the spice that is not useful for body pain according to Daadi's letter.

1. Turmeric

2. Fennel seeds

3. Ginger

4. Black pepper

Solution: 2. Fennel seeds

Q6. Why did Daadi ask Vikram and Vaibhavi to share the natural cures with their friends?

Solution: Daadi wanted Vikram and Vaibhavi to share the natural cures with their friends so that others could also learn about them and benefit from this traditional knowledge.

Q7. What was Daadi's final advice to Vikram and Vaibhavi?

Solution: Daadi advised Vikram and Vaibhavi to look for the herbs and seeds mentioned in the letter in the kitchen and use them only under the supervision of an elderly person.

Q8. How do we know that natural cures are passed from one generation to another?

Solution: Daadi had learned about natural cures from older generations of her family and had used this knowledge in her life. She then shared the same knowledge with her grandchildren, showing how such traditional knowledge can be passed from one generation to another.

Q9. Why do you think we should know about the healing properties of spices?

Solution: We should know about the traditional uses of spices because they are easily available in our kitchens and have been used for generations as natural remedies for common health problems.

Q10. You have read the uses of spices in the letter. Complete the following table with the help of your teacher.

Solution:

Q11. Read the sentences given below.

• You may share them with your friends.

• You should try to remember these cures.

• It can help control cough and cold.

• You must consult an elder before you use them.

• I need to soak the methi seeds overnight.

• I used to put heeng water on your tummy.

(a) Match the helping verbs in Column A with their functions in Column B.

Solution:

1. may – suggestion

2. should – advice

3. can – ability

4. must – compulsion/necessity

5. need to – necessity

6. used to – past habit

(b) Complete the following dialogues with any four modals from the table given above. Use a modal only once.

Ajay: Anand had fever last week. He (i) ________ take good rest.

Suman: Yes, he (ii) ________ or he will fall ill again.

Ajay: He (iii) ________ take grandmother's natural cures.

Suman: Yes, we (iv) ________ remember how effective they are.

Solution:

• (i) should

• (ii) must

• (iii) can

• (iv) need to

Q12. You will listen to the benefits of Tulsi (Holy Basil), a common herb. As you listen, complete the fact sheet given below.

Solution: