Let us do these activities before we read.
I) 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.
1. _______________ 2. _______________ 3. _______________
Ans. Dry Chillies, Ginger, Turmeric
II) 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.
Ans.
| S.No. | Spice Name in your language | Name in English |
| 1. | Haldi | Turmeric |
| 2. | Methi | Fenugreek |
| 3. | Jeera | Cumin seeds |
| 4. | Heeng | Asafoetida |
| 5. | Daalcheeni | Cinnamon |
| 6. | Laung | Clove |
| 7. | Adarak | Ginger |
| 8. | Kaali mirch | Black pepper |
| 9. | Saunf ke beej | Fennel seeds |
| 10. | ilayachi | Cardamom |
Let us think and reflect
I) 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?
Ans. Her grandmother used to find cures for most of the weather-related common illnesses in the kitchen.
2. Give one example of weather-related common illnesses.
Ans. Cough and cold.
3. What kind of relationship did the speaker have with her grandmother?
Ans. The speaker had a close and loving relationship with her grandmother.
II) Fill in the blanks to complete the sentence.
Daadi soaked methi seeds overnight and drank the water in the morning to manage ______ and _______.
Ans. Sugar level and body weight.
III) 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
Ans. Fennel seeds
IV) Why did Daadi ask Vikram and Vaibhavi to share the natural cures with their friends?
Ans. Daadi asked Vikram and Vaibhavi to share the natural cures with their friends so that this traditional knowledge could be passed on to others, helping more people benefit from these simple and effective remedies.
V) What was Daadi’s final advice to Vikram and Vaibhavi?
Ans. Daadi’s final advice to Vikram and Vaibhavi was to continue learning about the benefits of spices and natural remedies.
VI) How do we know that natural cures are passed from one generation to another?
Ans. We know that natural cures are passed from one generation to another because Daadi mentions that she learned these remedies from her grandmother and is now sharing them with Vikram and Vaibhavi.
VII) Why do you think we should know about the healing properties of spices?
Ans. We should know about the healing properties of spices because spices provide easy and natural solutions for many common health problems, such as coughs, colds, and digestive discomfort.
Let us learn
I) You have read the uses of spices in the letter. Complete the following table with the help of your teacher. You may use the words from the box given below.
Ans.
| Spice Name | Part of the plant | Colour | Texture | Taste |
| Turmeric | Root | Yellow | Rough | Bitter |
| Fenugreek | Seeds | Brown | Rough | Bitter |
| Cinnamon | Bark | Brown | Rough | Sweet |
| Clove | Flower | Brown | Rough | Spicy |
| Black pepper | Fruit | Black | Rough | Spicy |
| Cardamom | Seeds | Green | Soft | Sweet |
II) 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.
Note : The underlined words are known as helping verbs. These are called modal verbs or modals. Each modal verb has a different function.
1. The words given in Column A are helping verbs. Match the helping verbs in Column A with their functions in Column B.
| Column A Helping verbs |
Column B Functions |
| (i) may | a. past habit |
| (ii) should | b. suggestion |
| (iii) can | c. compulsion |
| (iv) must | d. advice |
| (v) need to | e. ability |
| (vi) used to | f. necessity |
Ans.
| Column A Helping verbs |
Column B Functions |
| (i) may | b. suggestion |
| (ii) should | d. advice |
| (iii) can | e. ability |
| (iv) must | c. compulsion |
| (v) need to | f. necessity |
| (vi) used to | a. past habit |
2. 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.
Ans.
- should
- Must
- Can
- need to
Let us listen
You will listen to the benefits of Tulsi (Holy Basil), a common herb. As you listen, complete the fact sheet given below. (refer to page 102 for transcript)
THE WONDER HERB
1. Name Tulsi Family: Mint family
2. First found in North central India
3. Now found everywhere in India
4. Known as The Queen of herbs
5. Can decrease levels of sugar and cholesterol
6. Used to treat disorders of breathing and coughs and colds
7. Is used to make mouth wash and toothpaste.
8. We can have Tulsi leaves by
eating them raw or adding them while making tea
Let us speak
1. Daadi told Vikram and Vaibhavi about many spices. Choose one spice and introduce yourself as that spice to the class.
2. Before you speak, make a spicy headband for the spice you chose. Follow the steps given below.Use the headband while introducing yourself as the spice.
Ans. Students can make a spicy headband with the help of parents and teacher.
3. Mention the following while speaking.
• your name • part of the plant
• colour • texture
• taste • benefits
Ans. I am Turmeric. I have lived for centuries, a hidden treasure beneath the earth’s surface. My tough brown skin keeps my vibrant orange heart a secret until I am unearthed. The people of India first discovered me, using me for flavor, color, and healing. They called me haldi, and I became a staple of their cuisine and ceremonies. Ground into a fine powder, my golden dust could turn any dish into a feast for the eyes. Over time, my medicinal properties were found to be just as valuable, with soothing anti-inflammatory effects. I traveled far from my homeland, making my way along ancient trade routes to new continents. Marco Polo himself described me, amazed by my striking resemblance to saffron. I have healed wounds, eased pain, and brought a touch of sunshine to countless meals. My story is one of enduring utility, a golden gift passed down through generations. To this day, I remain a powerful and celebrated spice, a testament to the earth’s generosity.
Let us write
I) Vikram’s grandmother shared two natural cures to cure his cough in her earlier letter. It was kept outside and a few drops of rain fell on it.Some of the words got washed away by the rain. Help Vikram complete the natural cures. Use the phrases given in the box below. There are two phrases that you do not need. some leaves of basil for cough amount of honey the mixture for high fever a piece of fresh ginger you can have it grind to get home remedy
| some leaves of basil | for cough | amount of honey |
| the mixture | for high fever | a piece of fresh ginger |
| you can have it | grind to get | home remedy |
Natural Cures for Cough
Ans.
1. To prepare this home remedy, you just need ginger and honey. First, take a piece of fresh ginger, grate it and take the juice from it. Take about two teaspoons of this juice and add about two and half teaspoons of honey to it. Mix it properly. Warm the mixture slightly on very low heat for a minute. Then you can have it about three to four times a day to get relief from cough. Have patience to see the effect as natural cures for cough with ginger and honey might take some time to show results.
2. To prepare the second home remedy for cough, take about 10 grams of each— long pepper, dried ginger and basil leaves. Add four to six small cardamoms and grind to get fine powder. If you take this powder with an equal amount of honey, it will give you relief from cough.
II Now, write a short paragraph on Tulsi based on the completed fact sheet in ‘Let us listen’.
Ans. Tulsi, or holy basil. Tulsi, also known as the queen of herbs, belongs to the mint family. It was first found in India and is now found all over the country. Tulsi is also used to make mouthwash and herbal teas. It can be consumed directly by chewing the leaves or adding them to tea. It helps in reducing stress and cholesterol and is used in treating breathing and stomach disorders.
Let us explore
I Now that you have read about many spices, can you guess the spices based on the riddles given below?
1. When your tummy felt funny
I was used by your granny
I made you fit and fine
And brought back your smile.
Who am I?
Ans. Asafoetida (Heeng)
2. I come from under the ground
Thousands of years, I’ve been around.
For cooking you use me daily
From cold I can cure you surely.
Who am I?
Ans. Ginger (adarak)
II) Fill in the blanks to complete the riddle below. Write another riddle of your own and ask your family members to guess the spice.
1. Brownish- yellow in colour,
and bitter to taste,
I help everyone,
to control their weight.
Who am I?
Ans: Fenugreek (methi)
2. I’m small and black,
With a spicy attack.
In every dish,
I make it rich.
Who am I?
Ans: Black Pepper (Kali Mirch)
III) Close your eyes and learn about spices by smelling and feeling them.
Ans. The teacher may also provide a few different spices to try.