AWARE
Navigate the Rapidly Changing World
AWARE
Navigate the Rapidly Changing World
Acknowledgements
Academic Authors: Kashika Parnami, Arpit Agarwal, Urmi Maitra, Anuj Gupta
Creative Directors: Bhavna Tripathi, Mangal Singh Rana, Satish
Book Production: Rakesh Kumar Singh, Sanjay Kumar Goel
Project Lead: Chandani Goyal
VP, Learning: Abhishek Bhatnagar
All products and brand names used in this book are trademarks, registered trademarks or trade names of their respective owners.
© Uolo EdTech Private Limited
First impression 2024
Second impression 2025
This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out, or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior written consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser and without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above-mentioned publisher of this book.
Book Title: Aware General Knowledge 7
ISBN: 978-81-980193-4-9
Published by Uolo EdTech Private Limited
Corporate Office Address:
85, Sector 44, Gurugram, Haryana 122003
CIN: U74999DL2017PTC322986
Illustrations and images: www.shutterstock.com, www.stock.adobe.com and www.freepik.com
All suggested use of the internet should be under adult supervision.
To Parents and Teachers
In the dynamic and ever-changing world of the 21st century, knowledge is a beacon that guides us through the myriad challenges and opportunities that come our way. In this age of information, possessing a keen sense of general knowledge and awareness has become more critical than ever before. This awareness becomes a compass that helps us navigate through the complexities of our modern existence, allowing us to make informed decisions, think critically, and appreciate the world’s diversity.
The NEP (National Education Policy) 2020 emphasises the need to develop in learners the respect towards fundamental duties and constitutional values, generate awareness on one’s roles and responsibilities in a dynamic world, foster a sense of national pride and global citizenship.
On that note, we are delighted to present this comprehensive and engaging General Knowledge and Current Affairs book, designed specifically for learners in grades 1 to 8. This book, which spans nine thoughtfully curated themes, will serve as a constant companion in the quest for knowledge and awareness.
The world is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and it’s crucial that young minds are well-informed about the happenings around them. Topics in The Year Gone By theme offer insights into the significant events and milestones of the previous year.
In Science and Technology, learners explore groundbreaking innovations and discoveries that are actively defining and shaping our future.
In Earth and Environment, learners explore topics related to sustainability and environmental conservation. Recognising the delicate balance in our planet’s ecosystem and the paramount importance of preserving it are vital 21st-century skills.
In International Affairs, learners explore landmark global events of the past and the present, and developments across the world.
The theme Incredible India will help learners to explore the rich tapestry of our nation’s history, culture and heritage.
In Sports, learners explore the world of games, athletes, and the importance of teamwork and physical fitness.
The theme, Art and Culture enables the learners to appreciate human creativity, celebrate diverse traditions and discover the rich heritage of human expression across the world.
Life Skills and Financial Literacy provide learners with valuable practical skills essential for navigating their lives with confidence and competence.
This book is crafted to offer informative and enjoyable learning experiences, incorporating clear explanations, captivating visuals and abundant questions for interactive classroom engagement.
This book is supplemented by a digital and interactive learning platform. QR codes in each topic facilitate compatibility with smart classrooms and enable at-home access. The digital resources include topic-specific videos and learning experiences on current affairs and developments around the world.
Welcome to the world of General Knowledge and Current Affairs! We wish the best to all the teachers and learners!
Key Elements of a Topic — a Quick Glance
The cyberworld is an online space for people to communicate, learn, shop and do much more. It is a vast network where information flows freely and communication is boundless. Let us learn more about this virtual world and how to stay safe in it.
1 Fill in the blanks.
a The (cyberlaw/cyberworld) has made banking accessible to all.
b Always use (easy/strong) passwords to keep your information safe.
c When online, be cautious about sharing details with a (stranger/friend).
d Being a responsible digital citizen means respecting others’ (privacy/pincodes).
e To stay safe online, we must avoid clicking on any (spam mail/ messages from known sources).
2 Complete the following sentences.
a I4C stands for
b The average number of daily complaints received by the I4C up to May 2024 was
c According to I4C, the total amount lost due to cyber fraud in the first four months of 2024 was over
d The number of internet users in India, as of March 2024, was
3 Write ‘G’ if it is a good practices and ‘B’ if it a bad practices.
a Streaming films, music and entertainment content
b Access to educational resources and online learning
c Giving personal information to unknown people online
d Spreading viruses through emails
e Access to news and information from around the world
f Sharing information that may be false
g Online support groups and communities for sharing advice
h Clicking on links in messages from unknown sources
Uses of the Cyberworld
The internet has made our lives easier, from banking and education to healthcare and everything else. In the cyberworld, communication is easy because of social media platforms and tools like video calls. Sharing knowledge and learning new skills have become much easier. Many platforms stream films, music and other entertainment content online. Buying and selling things on the internet is convenient, and finding information online is easy. Online businesses also create jobs and contribute to economic growth.
As of March 2024, there are over 954 million internet users in India, making it the second-largest country in the world in terms of the number of people using the internet. Misuse of the Cyberworld
• Someone might use the internet to harass or bully other people. This can happen on social media or messaging platforms.
• Cybercriminals may use fake websites or messages to trick us into giving out our personal information, such as passwords or bank details. Harmful computer programs, called viruses, can infect our computers or devices, steal our data or damage our systems.
An I4C report revealed that a total of over Rs. 1,750 crores was lost due to cyber fraud in the first four months of 2024.
According to the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), an average of 7,000 cybercrime complaints were registered every day up to May 2024.
Cyber Ethics
Cyber ethics refer to internet manners, that includes moral rules or acceptable behaviours that need to be followed online. They help make the internet a safe and respectful place for everyone. The following are some of the ways to stay safe online:
• Do not disclose your identity to strangers online.
• Be careful while sharing electronic devices.
• Protect your privacy and that of others. Avoid sharing sensitive information and use strong passwords.
• Do not click on links in spam emails, attachments or messages from unknown sources.
• When shopping or working online, stick to well-known and secure websites.
• Update your computer systems with protective antivirus software.
• Stay informed about the cyber laws in your country.
By following safe and ethical practices online, we can enjoy all the incredible opportunities the cyberworld has to offer while protecting ourselves and others.
21st SKILLS
Themes
The Year Gone By
Earth and Environment
Art and
Creativity
The NEP Tags
The National Education Policy (NEP) outlines essential skills, values, dispositions and learning approaches necessary for learners to thrive in the 21st century. Aware incorporates these elements throughout its content, tasks, and projects. Referred to as ‘NEP Tags,’ they are defined as follows:
21st SKILLS
Bringing creativity and fun into learning by combining music, drama and art
Higher-Order
Thinking
Encouraging higher-order skills such as analyzing, evaluating, problem-solving and fostering deep understanding
Green Living
Unwavering commitment to generating awareness of a green, peaceful and prosperous world
21st–Century Skills
Fostering skills and knowledge—such as critical thinking, communication, and digital literacy—that are essential for success in today’s rapidly changing world
Health and Wellness
Promoting practices that support physical, mental, and emotional well-being for a balanced and healthy lifestyle
Moral and
Values
Building strong character, guiding towards ethical decision making, and developing respect, kindness, and a sense of responsibility
Wealthiest Personalities, 2024
Some of the wealthiest people in 2024 come from different fields like technology, entertainment and fashion. Let us take a look at who they are.
Elon Reeve Musk is a wellknown businessman and investor. In 2002, he launched SpaceX, a company that designs, manufactures and launches spacecraft and rockets. He is also the CEO of Tesla, a company that produces electric cars, and he co-founded PayPal and OpenAI. In 2022, he acquired the popular social media platform Twitter, which is now known as X.
Jeffrey Preston Bezos is an American businessman who launched the e-commerce giant Amazon from his garage in Seattle, USA in 1994. In 2021, Bezos stepped down as the CEO of his company to become its executive chairman. Besides Amazon, he owns Blue Origin, an aerospace company that builds rockets.
Bill Gates is an American businessman and computer programmer. He is the co-founder of Microsoft, which was established in 1975. He helped popularise personal computers, turning Microsoft into a huge tech company. He is also known for his organisation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This is a nonprofit organisation that fights poverty, disease and inequity around the world.
Bernard Arnault is a French businessman, investor and art collector. He is the chairman and CEO of LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton). It is the largest luxury products group in the world and includes fashion brands like Louis Vuitton, Dior and Moët & Chandon. The LVMH group was formed in 1987 after the merger of Louis Vuitton and Moët Hennessy.
Mark Zuckerberg is an American businessman. He founded Facebook in 2004 when he was just 19. Facebook acquired Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014. In 2021, the company was rebranded as Meta to include its other products. Mark is the founder, CEO and chairman of Meta.
Mukesh Ambani is an Indian businessman. He has been the chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries since 2002. The company has businesses in petrochemicals, oil and gas, media and entertainment, telecom, retail and many other sectors. Some of the subsidiaries of Reliance Industries are Jio Platforms, Reliance Retail, the Network 18 Group and Indiawin Sports.
Use the internet to find any three of the wealthiest personalities of India.
Practice Time
Scan this QR code to see the quiz.
1 Write the years in which these companies were founded or formed.
a SpaceX
b LVMH Group
c Amazon
d Facebook
e Microsoft
2 Fill in the blanks.
a In 2022, Elon Musk acquired , which is now known as X.
b Jeff Bezos founded Amazon in 1994 from his garage in .
c The LVMH group was formed by the merger of and .
d Facebook acquired in 2012 and WhatsApp in .
e Mukesh Ambani has been the managing director of the Reliance Industries since .
f Any three sectors in which Reliance Industries have their businesses are , and .
g Mark Zuckerberg founded Facebook at the age of .
h The is a nonprofit organisation owned by Bill Gates that contributes to solving global issues.
3 Who am I?
a Founder of Amazon
b Co-founder of Microsoft
c CEO of Tesla
d CEO of LVMH Group
e Chairman of Meta
f Chairman of Reliance Industries
Environmental Conservation
Environmental conservation is about preserving natural resources, such as forests, wildlife and water, for future generations. It is important to protect these resources from human activities that can cause harm. Let us read about some of the major movements, groups and laws that have worked for the environment.
The Chipko Movement
This movement started in the 1970s in the foothills of the Himalayas in Uttarakhand, India. It is also known as the ‘Hug the Trees’ Movement, as the people—particularly women, hugged trees to protect them from being cut down by companies. The movement achieved a major success in 1980 when the Indian government issued a 15-year ban on cutting down trees for commercial purposes in the Himalayan region.
The Silent Valley Movement
The Silent Valley Movement started in 1973 in the Palakkad district of Kerala, India. This movement aimed to protect the valley from being flooded by the construction of a dam. It drew interest from around the world, following which the construction of a hydroelectric dam was stopped in 1983. In 1984, the Silent Valley was declared a National Park.
The Rainforest Action Network (RAN)
It is an environmental organisation based in San Francisco, California, United States. It was founded in 1985. It promotes the conservation of the natural world. RAN works to protect the climate and to conserve forests and its communities. It aims to reduce deforestation and reverse climate change. They do this by standing up to big companies and unfair systems with the help of local groups and various campaigns.
Environment Conservation Laws in India
The Biological Diversity Act, 2002: This act ensures that biodiversity in India is conserved, so that the people who depend on various natural resources for their survival get a fair share of rights and benefits. The Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006: This act is also called the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006. This act safeguards the rights of forest-dwelling communities and promotes the fair utilisation of forest resources. It is renowned for being the first Indian law to acknowledge and protect the traditional forest rights of these communities.
Can you think of some steps you can take in your everyday life that will help conserve the environment?
Practice Time
1 Fill in the table with the correct information about the following environmental movements and groups.
Movements
a The Chipko Movement
b The Silent Valley Movement
c The Rainforest Action Network
2 Fill in the blanks.
a The FRA stands for .
b The RAN stands for
c The Chipko Movement is also known as the .
d The Silent Valley Movement aimed to stop the construction of a .
e was the first Indian law to acknowledge the traditional forest rights of forest-dwelling communities.
f As a result of the Chipko Movement, a year-long ban was imposed on cutting down trees for commercial purposes in the region.
3 Write the correct years.
a The construction of the dam was stopped over the Silent Valley.
b The Silent Valley was declared a National Park.
c The Biological Diversity Act was passed.
d The Forest Rights Act was passed.
e The Indian government imposed a 15-year ban on cutting down trees in the Himalayan region.
f This environmental organisation stands up against big companies and unfair systems with the help of campaigns.
Cyberworld and Ethics 3
The cyberworld is an online space for people to communicate, learn, shop and do much more. It is a vast network where information flows freely and communication is boundless. Let us learn more about this virtual world and how to stay safe in it.
Uses of the Cyberworld
The internet has made our lives easier, from banking and education to healthcare and everything else. In the cyberworld, communication is easy because of social media platforms and tools like video calls. Sharing knowledge and learning new skills have become much easier. Many platforms stream films, music and other entertainment content online.
Buying and selling things on the internet is convenient, and finding information online is easy. Online businesses also create jobs and contribute to economic growth.
As of March 2024, there are over 954 million internet users in India, making it the second-largest country in the world in terms of the number of people using the internet.
Misuse of the Cyberworld
• Someone might use the internet to harass or bully other people. This can happen on social media or messaging platforms.
• Cybercriminals may use fake websites or messages to trick us into giving out our personal information, such as passwords or bank details.
• Harmful computer programs, called viruses, can infect our computers or devices, steal our data or damage our systems.
According to the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), an average of 7,000 cybercrime complaints were registered every day up to May 2024.
An I4C report revealed that a total of over Rs. 1,750 crores was lost due to cyber fraud in the first four months of 2024.
Cyber Ethics
Cyber ethics refer to internet manners, that includes moral rules or acceptable behaviours that need to be followed online. They help make the internet a safe and respectful place for everyone. The following are some of the ways to stay safe online:
• Do not disclose your identity to strangers online.
• Be careful while sharing electronic devices.
• Protect your privacy and that of others. Avoid sharing sensitive information and use strong passwords.
• Do not click on links in spam emails, attachments or messages from unknown sources.
• When shopping or working online, stick to well-known and secure websites.
• Update your computer systems with protective antivirus software.
• Stay informed about the cyber laws in your country.
By following safe and ethical practices online, we can enjoy all the incredible opportunities the cyberworld has to offer while protecting ourselves and others.
1 Fill in the blanks.
a The (cyberlaw/cyberworld) has made banking accessible to all.
b Always use (easy/strong) passwords to keep your information safe.
c When online, be cautious about sharing details with a (stranger/friend).
d Being a responsible digital citizen means respecting others’ (privacy/pincodes).
e To stay safe online, we must avoid clicking on any (spam mail/ messages from known sources).
2 Complete the following sentences.
a I4C stands for
b The average number of daily complaints received by the I4C up to May 2024 was
c According to I4C, the total amount lost due to cyber fraud in the first four months of 2024 was over .
d The number of internet users in India, as of March 2024, was
3 Write ‘G’ if it is a good practices and ‘B’ if it a bad practices.
a Streaming films, music and entertainment content
b Access to educational resources and online learning
c Giving personal information to unknown people online
d Spreading viruses through emails
e Access to news and information from around the world
f Sharing information that may be false
g Online support groups and communities for sharing advice
h Clicking on links in messages from unknown sources
Roads in India
India has one of the largest road networks in the world, which plays an important role in the country’s transportation system. Here are some of the important road systems in India.
The National Highways
• National Highways are important roads in India that connect major cities, states and union territories of India.
• They are built and maintained by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
• There are about 600 National Highways with a total length of over 1,46,145 km. They are represented by codes like NH-1, NH-2, etc.
• The NH-44 is the longest national highway in India. It connects Jammu and Kashmir with Kanyakumari and covers over 3,745 km.
The Expressways
The State Highways
• State Highways are roads within Indian states that connect major towns, cities and district headquarters.
• They are built and maintained by the state governments. The Public Works Departments (PWDs), or similar agencies in the states handle the construction and maintenance of these highways.
• India has over 1,79,535 km of state highways.
• The state of Maharashtra has the longest network of state highways.
• Expressways are high-speed, controlled-access highways in India that provide faster and more efficient travel between cities. They have limited entry and exit points. They are built and managed by the NHAI.
• The Delhi-Mumbai Expressway will be the longest expressway in the country, once the construction is complete.
• The maximum speed limit on expressways in India is 120 km/h for most passenger vehicles.
The Green National Highways
• The Green National Highway Corridors Project (GNHCP) is a project to build eco-friendly highways in India. It aims to promote green energy and the planting of trees by the roadside.
• It is estimated to cover about 781 km in four states: Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.
• The World Bank granted the Indian government $500 million for this project.
• The project also aims to create jobs for local people and reduce pollution in India.
The construction of highways often leads to large scale deforestation. It is important to have more projects such as the Green National Highway Corridors Project to offset the environmental impact of these developments.
Practice Time
1 Write the full forms of the following.
a NHAI
b PWD
c GNHCP
2 Name the following.
a It is the longest national highway in India.
b These roads aim to promote green energy.
c These are maintained by the PWDs of Indian states.
Scan this QR code to see the quiz.
d The World Bank granted India $500 million for this project.
3 Fill in the blanks.
a has the longest network of state highways in India.
b NH-44 connects to
c The total length of national highways in India is over km.
d As of 2024, India has over km of state highways.
e The longest expressway in India will be the , after its completion.
f The GNHCP will cover about km in four Indian states.
g Expressways in India are built and maintained by the .
h The maximum speed limit on expressways for most passenger vehicles in India is .
i The GNHCP will cover these four states – , , and .
World War I
World War I was a global conflict that started in 1914 and ended in 1918. The war resulted in about 20 million deaths.
The Major Powers in World War I
The countries that fought in World War I were divided into two groups—the Central Powers and the Allies. The Central Powers included Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire (now Turkey) and Bulgaria. The Allies included France, Great Britain, the Soviet Union (Russia), Italy, Japan and the United States. The Allies won the war.
The Major Events of the World War I
1914
World War I began when the Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie, were assassinated by the Serbian nationalist, Gavrilo Princip on 28 June 1914. One month later, AustriaHungary declared war on Serbia. By the end of August 1914, Germany, Russia, France, Belgium, Britain and Japan had declared war on each other. From October 1914, the First Battle of Ypres had begun.
1916
On 21 February 1916, the Battle of Verdun started. Over the next ten months, the French and the German armies at Verdun, France, suffered over 7,00,000 casualties.
On 1 July 1916, the First Battle of the Somme began. Around 20,000 men were killed on the first day of the battle.
1918
The Soviet Union declared peace with the Central Powers on 3 March 1918 when they signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk.
On 11 November 1918, Germany signed an armistice (agreement to stop fighting) with the Allies in Rethondes, France. This formally ended World War I.
1915
On 22 April 1915, the Second Battle of Ypres started. In this battle, the German army used chemical weapons for the first time against their enemies.
On 7 May 1915, the British ship, Lusitania, was destroyed by a German submarine near the southern coast of Ireland.
1917
The United States declared war on Germany on 6 April 1917.
On 20 November 1917, the British army started the large-scale use of tanks for the first time in the war.
A peace treaty called the Treaty of Versailles was signed on 28 June 1919 to officially end World War I.
World War I emphasised the critical importance of peace and international cooperation. The immense suffering and destruction led to a global commitment to work together to prevent future conflicts.
Practice Time
1 Name the countries that belonged to these groups.
a The Central Powers
Scan this QR code to see the quiz.
b The Allies
2 Write the correct years/dates of these events of World War I.
a Start of World War I
b The First Battle of the Somme
c The Battle of Verdun
d The destruction of the British ship, Lusitania
e The Second Battle of Ypres
f The Treaty of Versailles was signed
g The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was signed
3 HOTS Read the descriptions and write the correct answers.
a The people whose assassination started World War I. and
b The battle in which the French and German armies suffered over 7,00,000 casualities.
c The ship that was destroyed by a German submarine in May 1915.
d The battle that killed almost 20,000 men on the first day
e The place where Germany signed an armistice to end World War I.
Sporting Events
Many sporting events are held around the world, where athletes and teams participate in various games. These events promote unity and the spirit of healthy competition. Let us read about two major sporting events.
The Commonwealth Games
Commonwealth Sport
The Commonwealth Games, or CWG, is a multisport event for athletes from the countries that are members of the Commonwealth of Nations. The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), now known as Commonwealth Sport, is an international organisation responsible for managing and organising the Commonwealth Games. It works across 74 member nations and territories.
The CWG is held every four years. The first CWG was held in 1930 in Hamilton, Canada. The event was formerly known as the British Empire Games.
The 22nd Commonwealth Games were held in Birmingham, England, from 28 July to 8 August, 2022. 72 nations and territories participated in this event. The mascot of the 2022 Commonwealth Games was Perry, the bull. Australia topped the medal count at the 2022 CWG, winning a total of 179 medals, while India secured the 4th position with a total of 61 medals.
The 23rd Commonwealth Games are scheduled to be held from 23 July to 2 August, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland.
The Asian Games
The Asian Games, also known as the Asiad, are held every four years. In this event, athletes from 45 eligible Asian countries and regions come together to compete in various sports.
The games were governed by the Asian Games Federation (AGF) from 1951 to 1978. Since 1982, the games have been organised by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).
The first Asian games were held in 1951 in New Delhi, India, with eleven participating nations.
The 19th Asian Games took place in Hangzhou, China, from 23 September to 8 October, 2023. The event was postponed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The People’s Republic of China topped the medal count with a total of 383 medals. India won a record 107 medals.
The 20th Asian Games will be held in the cities of Aichi and Nagoya in Japan. It is scheduled to take place from 19 September to 4 October, 2026.
Sports events teach us the importance of teamwork, perseverance and fair play, which are essential moral values. By embracing these lessons, we grow not just as athletes but as individuals in all aspects of life.
Practice Time
Scan this QR code to see the quiz.
1 Write the correct years and locations of the following events.
Sporting Event Year Location
a The first Asian Games
b The first Commonwealth Games
c The latest Commonwealth Games
d The latest Asian Games
e The next Asian Games
f The next Commonwealth Games
2 Fill in the blanks.
a nations and territories participated in the CWG 2022.
b Only nations participated in the first Asian Games.
c The CWG is organised by an international organisation called the .
d The Asian Games have been organised by since 1982.
e The mascot used in the CWG 2022 was called .
f Before 1982, the Asian Games were organised by .
g The Commonwealth Games were initially known as the .
h In the 19th Asian Games, India won medals.
3 Create your own mascot for the upcoming 2026 Commonwealth Games.
We Are What We Eat
Eating healthy is the key to living a healthy life. It is important to know what and how much we should eat.
What should we eat?
We should eat a balanced diet that includes the right amounts of different nutrients. It is also important to drink enough water.
• We should include fruit, vegetables, grains, proteins and healthy fats in our meals.
• We should avoid including foods high in sugar and fat in our diet.
• We should consume food with enough minerals and vitamins as they are very important for the functioning of our organs and boosting our immune system.
• We should also include pulses, beans, nuts and seeds in our diet.
How much should we eat?
The total energy we get from food is calculated in calories. People need different amounts of calories and nutrients per day according to their age, gender and physical activities.
• If we don’t consume enough calories, our body won’t have the energy it needs to function properly. We may feel weak, tired or unable to focus.
• If we eat more calories than what our body needs, the extra energy is stored as fat. Over time, this can lead to weight gain or obesity.
Is this food healthy?
Learn to read the nutrition labels on the back of food packets to know how healthy that food item is.
1 Start Here
2 Check Calories
5% or less is Low Quick Guide to %DV
20% or more is High
%Daily Value (%DV) is a guide that shows how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to our total daily needs.
By eating a balanced diet and paying attention to what we consume in a day, we can keep our body strong and energetic, and stay fit.
Practice Time
Scan this QR code to see the quiz.
1 State ‘Do’ or ‘Don’t’ for the following statements.
a We should include pulses and beans in our diet.
b We should avoid eating foods high in protein.
c We should avoid including healthy fats in our diet.
d We should stay hydrated.
e We should include foods high in sugar and fats in our diet.
f We should eat vegetables and fruit in good amounts.
2 Write True or False.
a We may feel weak and tired if we don’t consume enough calories.
b We might gain weight if we consume too many calories.
c The extra energy from calories is stored as protein in our body.
d Minerals and vitamins are essential for the functioning of our organs.
e We should not check the nutritional facts of a product.
f %DV is the amount of nutrients included in the food.
3 Reena is confused about what to eat and how much to eat. Create a meal plan for Reena based on your understanding of a balanced diet.
Renowned Plays and Playwrights
Many playwrights have made significant contributions in the field of art and literature. Let us learn about some of the most famous ones who have made a difference through their extraordinary work.
William Shakespeare was an English playwright and poet. Although the exact date of his birth is not recorded, his birthday is traditionally celebrated on 23 April around the world. He passed away on 23 April 1616. He wrote more than thirty-five plays, which included various genres such as comedies, tragedies and historical plays. He also coined words, idioms and phrases that are still in use today, such as ‘fashionable’, ‘Break the ice’ and ‘Heart of gold’.
Famous Plays: Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Julius Caesar and Othello
Anton Chekhov was a renowned Russian playwright and author of short stories. He was born on 29 January 1860 and passed away on 15 July 1904. In his lifetime, he wrote over 200 short stories and a few full-length plays. One of his renowned works included travelling to the remote Sakhalin Island in Russia to study and document the lives of prisoners.
Famous Plays: Uncle Vanya, Ivanov, The Seagull, The Bear and The Cherry Orchard
Victor Hugo was a French writer, poet and politician. He was born on 26 February 1802 and passed away on 22 May 1885. He is best known for his novels The Hunchback of Notre-Dame and Les Misérables. He wrote around 50 works in his lifetime.
Famous Plays: Cromwell, Hernani, Le Roi s’amuse and Ruy Blas
George Bernard Shaw was an Irish comic playwright, dramatist and literary critic. He was born on 26 July 1856 and passed away on 2 November 1950. He wrote more than 60 plays in his lifetime. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1925.
Famous Plays: Mrs. Warren’s Profession, Arms and the Man, Major Barbara and Saint Joan
Samuel Beckett was an Irish playwright, novelist and poet. He was born on 13 April 1906 and passed away on 22 December 1989. He wrote in both French and English and is renowned for introducing new forms of novels and dramas. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1969.
Famous Plays: Endgame, Waiting for Godot, Krapp’s Last Tape and Happy Days
Rabindranath Tagore was an Indian poet, playwright, composer and painter. He was born on 7 May 1861 and passed away on 7 August 1941. He was recognised for his plays on social and political issues. He received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913 and became the first non-European to do so.
Famous Plays: Chitra, Raja, Bisarjan and Prakritir Pratisodh
Reading books helps us know more about the world, improves our vocabulary and develops our critical thinking skills. By instilling a deeper understanding of art and culture, reading allows us to appreciate the diverse expressions of human creativity.
Practice Time
Scan this QR code to see the quiz.
1 Write the nationalities of these playwrights.
a William Shakespeare
b Rabindranath Tagore
c George Bernard Shaw
d Samuel Beckett
e Anton Chekhov
f Victor Hugo
2 Match the following playwrights and their dates of birth.
a Anton Chekhov 13 April 1906
b George Bernard Shaw 26 July 1856
c Victor Hugo 7 May 1861
d Samuel Beckett 26 February 1802
e Rabindranath Tagore 29 January 1860
3 Write the names of any two famous plays of the following playwrights.
a Anton Chekhov: ;
b William Shakespeare: ;
c Samuel Beckett: ;
d Rabindranath Tagore: ;
e George Bernard Shaw: ;
f Victor Hugo: ;
4 Fill in the blanks.
a Anton Chekhov wrote over short stories.
b ‘Heart of gold’ is an expression used by .
c wrote in both French and English.
d went to Sakhalin Island to document the lives of prisoners.
e Three playwrights who won the Nobel Prize for Literature are , and
Elections Around the World, 2024
Elections are important events in a country’s politics. They allow citizens to choose their leaders and shape the future of their nations. In 2024, several countries around the world had elections. Let us learn about some of them.
Russian Presidential Elections
Presidential elections were held in Russia from 15 to 17 March, and the results were declared on 21 March. Vladimir Putin won the elections with 87% of the votes, becoming the President of Russia for the fifth time.
Indian General Elections
The Lok Sabha elections were held in India from 19 April to 1 June, and the results were declared on 4 June. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won the elections. Bharatiya Janata Party’s Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of India for the third consecutive time.
South African General Elections
General elections were held in South Africa on 29 May 2024. Cyril Ramaphosa became the President of South Africa for the second consecutive term, as his party secured around 40% of the votes. He has been leading his party, the African National Congress, since 2017.
United Kingdom General Elections
General elections were held in the United Kingdom on 4 July. The Labour Party won the elections by securing 411 of the 650 seats in the Parliament. Keir Starmer became the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. This is the first time since 2005 that his party, the Labour Party, won the elections.
Mexican General Elections
General elections were held in Mexico on 2 June. Claudia Sheinbaum won the elections by securing around 60% of the votes. She became the first female President of Mexico. She belongs to the MORENA (National Regeneration Movement) party, which has been the ruling party since 2018.
It is our duty as citizens of our country to vote in the elections. By voting, we have the power to select leaders who align with our values and help direct the country towards a more promising future.
Practice Time
Scan this QR code to see the quiz.
1 Write the names of the leaders who won the following elections and the dates they were held in 2024.
Elections Leaders
a Russian Presidential Elections
b Indian General Elections
c South African General Elections
d United Kingdom General Elections
e Mexican General Elections
2 Name the political parties the leaders belong to.
a Narendra Modi
b Cyril Ramaphosa
c Kier Starmer
d Claudia Sheinbaum
3 Fill in the blanks.
Dates
a Vladimir Putin became the President of Russia for the time by securing of the votes.
b The results of the Indian general elections were declared on
c Cyril Ramaphosa became the president of for the second time.
d Cyril Ramaphosa has been leading his party since .
e The Labour Party won the UK general elections by winning seats.
f The Labour Party won the elections for the first time since
g has been the ruling party in Mexico since 2018.
h Claudia Sheinbaum secured around of the votes in the Mexican general elections.
Dangerous Animals
Animals in the wild can be dangerous and can harm humans or other animals using their strength, venom, sharp teeth, claws or aggression. These animals often have features adapted for hunting or self-defense. While they play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystems, caution is necessary when encountering them. Let us learn about some of them.
The Saltwater Crocodile is one of the largest and most aggressive crocodile species. They can weigh up to 1200 kg. They are found in the brackish and saltwater habitats of Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, east of the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, and south of Australia’s northern coast. This species is known for its aggressive nature, as shown by numerous attacks on people and livestock each year. Indonesia has recorded the highest number of saltwater crocodile attacks in the world.
The African Lions are the best predators in their habitat and are known for their strength, speed and ability to hunt together as a group. They grow to a length of about 10 feet (3 metres) and stand about 4 feet (1.2 metres) tall. They are found in sub-Saharan Africa. The largest population of the African lions is found in Tanzania.
The Golden Poison Dart Frog is often considered the most dangerous frog in the world. These small, brightly coloured frogs are native to the lowland rainforests of Western Colombia. Despite their small size and attractive appearance, their skin is incredibly poisonous. It is so toxic that even touching it can be dangerous. It contains enough poison to kill 20,000 mice or 10 people.
The Black Mamba is one of the most feared snakes in the world. They are native to sub-Saharan Africa and are found in the savannahs and rocky hills of southern and eastern Africa. It is the longest venomous snake in Africa, reaching lengths of more than 3 metres. Its bite is almost always fatal. If attacked, the mamba will strike multiple times.
Komodo Dragons are the world’s heaviest and largest lizards. They have a powerful bite and adult males can reach lengths of up to 3.3 metres and weigh around 70 to 150 kg, while females are generally smaller. They are native to Komodo and some other islands of Indonesia. They have shark-like teeth and venom in their fangs.
Great White Sharks are among the largest predatory fish in the ocean. They can grow to an average length of 4 to 6 metres. They attack in a way called ‘breaching’, in which they break through the surface of the water. In the areas where they are most common, white sharks are responsible for numerous unprovoked and sometimes fatal attacks.
Use the internet to find the names of two deadly animals that are found in India. 21st SKILLS
Practice Time
Scan this QR code to see the quiz.
1 Name the locations where these animals are found.
a African Lion
b Black Mamba
c Komodo Dragon
d Saltwater Crocodile
e Golden Poison Dart Frog
2 Fill in the blanks.
a Male komodo dragons weigh around kilograms.
b A saltwater crocodile can weigh up to kilograms.
c The great white shark can grow to an average length of to metres.
d The black mamba is the longest venomous snake in
e The largest population of African lions is found in .
3 Who am I?
a I have poison in my skin, even touching me can be fatal.
b I am known for my ability to hunt in a group.
c I live in southern and eastern Africa.
d I have the highest number of attacks recorded in Indonesia.
e I have shark-like teeth and venom in my fangs.
f I attack in a way called ‘breaching’.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence or AI refers to the technology that enables computers and machines to perform tasks that usually require human-like reasoning and capabilities.
History of Artificial Intelligence
Important groundwork in artificial intelligence was done in the mid-20th century by British computer pioneer Alan Turing. In 1955, John McCarthy introduced the term artificial intelligence. Between 1955 and 1975, many successful experiments were conducted to develop AI. Innovation continues and AI has become an important part of our lives.
Applications of Artificial Intelligence
Healthcare: AI helps doctors by analysing medical data for quicker detection of diseases. It can suggest better treatments and is even used in surgery..
Finance: AI in this field includes automated trading, fraud detection and virtual assistant customer services in institutions like banks.
Gaming: AI has transformed the industry by building more creative and engaging characters, dynamic game environments and accessible gaming experiences.
Shopping: AI suggests what we can buy based on our shopping history and helps us compare the prices of various products.
Agriculture: AIpowered machines, such as drones and robots, can monitor crops, plant seeds and even water fields.
Entertainment: AI can analyse one’s viewing history and provide suggestions based on one’s preferences.
Education: AI can help students by creating personalised lessons based on their strengths and areas that need improvement.
Transportation: Some cars use AI to drive, without a human driver, by using sensors and cameras to understand the surroundings and traffic.
Some Modern AI Tools
1. ChatGPT provides helpful, informative and engaging responses to users’ queries.
2. Voice.ai changes voices by using AI.
3. Midjourney creates AI art based on instructions given by users.
4. Google Assistant helps with tasks like searching, setting reminders and controlling smart devices.
AI can encourage new ideas and improvements in different industries by making processes more efficient and improving how we manage infrastructure using smart technologies.
1 Fill in the blanks.
a AI stands for
b The earliest important work in the field of AI was done by
c The term artificial intelligence was introduced in the year .
d AI-powered machines can monitor crops, plant and even water fields.
e The term artificial intelligence was introduced by
2 Name the AI tools.
a is an AI tool that provides helpful, informative and engaging responses to users’ queries.
b is an AI tool that changes voices using AI.
c is an AI tool that helps with tasks like setting reminders.
d is an AI tool that converts your text into AI art.
3 Write the fields in which these applications of AI are used.
a Helping in fraud detection:
b Guiding self-driving cars:
c Managing medical data:
d Providing students with personalised lessons:
e Comparing the prices of two products:
f Monitoring crops:
g Building more creative and engaging characters:
h Informing us about the launch of a new song based on our listening history:
A Savings Account
A bank account offers us a safe place to keep our money and easy access to withdraw our money when we need it. Let us learn more about a savings account and how to open it.
Savings Account
A savings account is an account that we open in a bank where we can deposit or save money.
Opening a Savings Account
1. To open an account, we need to visit a bank or use the app provided by the bank.
2. We need to fill out an application form, which includes details like our date of birth, address, telephone number and photograph.
3. We need to show the bank a valid document to prove our identity, such as a passport, driving licence, voter card or Aadhar card.
4. We also need to deposit a small sum of money in our account. Some banks may not ask for it.
Note: One must be 18 years old to open an individual ownership savings account.
A Child Savings Account
It is a type of Savings Account that is meant for children below the age of 18. The parents or guardians of the child supervise this Savings Account.
To open a child savings account:
1. A guardian’s or parent’s account has to be compulsorily linked to the Child Savings Account.
2. The Child Savings Account becomes inactive when the child reaches 18 years of age. Thus, the account has to be converted to a Standard Savings Account after that.
When we open a savings account in a bank, the bank issues a debit card, cheque book and passbook. These are used to manage and access our money.
A debit card is a card that is linked to our savings account. It allows us to access our money. We can withdraw money from it using an ATM (Automated Teller Machine). We can also make payments using a payment machine.
A passbook is a book that keeps a record of the transactions through our savings account. The bank updates our passbook with details such as the date, amount and balance in our account. Nowadays, many banks don’t issue it.
A cheque book is a small booklet containing cheques, which are paper slips we can use to pay someone, withdraw money from our savings account or transfer money to another account.
Learning about the functions of debit cards, cheque books and passbooks helps us to manage our money better in real life and make better financial decisions.
1 Fill in the blanks.
a We need to fill an (identity/application) form, to open a savings account.
b A (cheque book/passbook) keeps a record of our transactions through our savings account.
c A (cheque book/passbook) contains slips we can use to do transactions.
d A (debit card/passbook) is issued by a bank that we can use in an ATM.
e A (Child Savings Account/Minor Savings Account) is meant for children below the age of 18.
2 Write True or False.
a It is risky to keep our money in a savings account.
b We don’t need to give a document of identity to open a savings account.
c You must be 18 years old to open an individual ownership savings account.
d A guardian or a parent does not need to supervise a child savings account.
e A bank may or may not issue a passbook on opening a savings account.
3 Riya, an 18-year-old, wants to open a savings account. Name any four identity documents that she can submit to a bank to open it. Also, list four details that she is required to fill in on an application form.
A. Identity Documents
B. Details in an application form
The Road to Indian Independence
India remained under British control for around 200 years. Many freedom fighters sacrificed their lives to ensure that our country gained its independence. Let us learn more about the key events of the freedom struggle.
The Revolt of 1857
It is also known as India’s First War of Independence. It was the first time that Indians united against the British Raj. It put an end to the East India Company and the power was transferred to the British Crown.
Formation
of the Indian National Congress, 1885
On 28 December 1885, the Indian National Congress (INC) was formed. It became one of the most important groups in India’s fight for freedom. It was established to ensure greater Indian representation in governance.
The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, 1919
On 13 April 1919, thousands of unarmed people gathered at the Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar to celebrate the festival of Baisakhi. Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer led the troops to open fire on them without warning, killing hundreds of people.
The Non-cooperation Movement, 1920–1922
In 1920, the Non-cooperation Movement was launched by the Indian National Congress under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. It was a non-violent movement that aimed at boycotting British goods and institutions. The movement came to an end due to a violent clash at the Chauri Chaura police station in 1922.
The Dandi March, 1930
In 1930, Mahatma Gandhi led a peaceful march of about 400 km from the Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi (on the coast of the Arabian Sea). The march was a protest against the high salt tax imposed by the British government. The high tax affected a huge majority of Indians, as they were unable to afford the salt that they needed.
The Quit India Movement, 1942
In 1942, the Quit India Movement was launched by the INC, demanding an end to British rule in India. Many leaders from the INC were arrested and imprisoned. The arrests led to a lot of violence. Although the movement did not succeed in ending British rule, it showed the strong feelings against colonialism in India.
The Partition and Independence, 1947
The Indian Independence Act was passed by the Parliament of the UK and signed by King George VI, on 18 July 1947. The act divided British India into two countries. Pakistan gained its independence on 14 August 1947, and India on 15 August 1947. Jawaharlal Nehru became the first prime minister of independent India.
We must respect our freedom fighters and honour those who gave up their lives to get freedom for India.
Practice Time
1 Write the correct years in which these events took place.
a The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
b The Quit India Movement
c The Non-cooperation Movement
d The Dandi March
e The First War of Independence
f The establishment of the INC
2 Name any two freedom fighters who helped India gain independence from the British.
3 Write the aims of each of these important historical movements.
a The Non-cooperation Movement:
b The Dandi March:
4 Fill in the blanks.
a The INC stands for .
b The Revolt of 1857 put an end to the
c The Dandi March started from the and ended at
d Indians united against the British Raj for the first time during .
e People gathered at the Jallianwala Bagh to celebrate the festival of
5 Name the correct person or event.
a The leader who led the Dandi March
b The act that made India independent
c The first prime minister of independent India
d A movement launched by the INC to end British rule in India
e The British officer who led the troops to open fire on the people in Jallianwala Bagh
Global Human Crises
A global human crisis affects the well-being, stability and security of the global community. It is not only limited to a region, and affects many countries. The refugee crisis and poverty are two major crises that the entire world is dealing with in the 21st century.
The Refugee Crisis
A refugee crisis occurs when people are forced to leave their own countries due to war, internal conflicts, natural disasters or any other unfavourable situations. These people seek safety in other countries. They are known as refugees. They suffer not just physically, but also face mental health challenges while struggling to build a new life with access to education, healthcare and enough food to feed their families.
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), by May 2024, over 12 crore people were forced to leave their homes around the world. The majority of the world’s refugees, approximately 76%, seek shelter in developing countries. The leading host nations include Turkey, Colombia, Pakistan, Uganda and Germany.
World Refugee Day is observed on 20 June every year.
The theme for the 2024 World Refugee Day was ‘For a World Where Refugees Are Welcomed’. This theme emphasised the need for solidarity with the refugees. We need to find solutions to their problems, celebrate their strengths and keep our doors open to them.
Poverty
Poverty refers to a situation where people do not have enough money or possessions to meet their basic needs like food, water, shelter, clothing, healthcare and education.
South Sudan was the poorest country in the world in 2024, as estimated in the report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
According to the UNICEF, over 33 crore children live in extreme poverty. A significant number of the world’s extremely poor live in India.
The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is observed every year on 17 October, a date designated by the United Nations in 1992.
The theme for the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty in 2024 was ‘Ending Social and Institutional Maltreatment: Acting together for just, peaceful and inclusive societies.’
Some Factors Contributing to Poverty
• Lack of education and skills that lead to unemployment or a low income
• Wars and conflicts that displace people and disrupt economies
Lack of sufficient government support for basic needs such as food, water and shelter
We can help people in need by donating to charities that provide food, shelter, and healthcare, and by volunteering our time to support local community programmes. Additionally, we should support policies that address the root causes of poverty and displacement to create long-term positive change.
Practice Time
1 Fill in the blanks.
Scan this QR code to see the quiz.
a The World Refugee Day is on every year.
b The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is on every year.
c The theme for the 2024 World Refugee Day was
d UNHCR stands for
e The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty was designated by the UN in the year
f According to the UNHCR, approximately refugees seek shelter in the developing countries.
g According to the UNICEF, over children live in extreme poverty.
h was the poorest country in the world in 2024.
2 Write True or False.
a The lack of education can lead to unemployment, contributing to poverty.
b Poverty is having enough possessions to meet basic needs.
c A global human crisis is not limited to a particular country or region.
d Poor people do not have enough money to meet their basic needs.
e Peaceful environments support economic growth and reduce poverty.
f A refugee crisis is always due to natural causes, like earthquakes.
g A small number of the world’s extremely poor live in India.
3 Tick () the factors that contribute to poverty.
a Lack of education
b Lack of entertainment
c Wars and conflicts
d Lack of government support
e Lack of good clothes
f Change in weather
g Investing money
The Censor Board of India
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is commonly known as the Censor Board of India. Films can be released publicly in India only after they have been certified appropriate by the CBFC. Let us read more about it.
Central Board of Film Certification
The Central Board of Film Certification is a government body under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. It manages and regulates the public showing of films according to the rules of the Cinematograph Act, 1952.
About the CBFC
The CBFC headquarters is in Mumbai, and has regional offices in various cities like Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Thiruvananthapuram, Hyderabad, New Delhi, Cuttack and Guwahati.
All its members are appointed by the Central Government. As of 2024, Prasoon Joshi, an Indian screenwriter, poet, writer and lyricist, was serving as the Chairman of the CBFC.
Functions of the CBFC
Certification: The primary function of the CBFC is to certify films and television shows for public release.
Content Review: The CBFC reviews the content of films and television shows to ensure that they comply with Indian laws and guidelines.
Advisory Roles: The CBFC may provide an advisory role in the context of film and television production to help filmmakers understand the guidelines and make necessary changes to their content.
Film Title Registration: The CBFC also registers film titles to avoid confusion or conflicts with existing titles.
Legal Authority: The CBFC has the legal authority to suggest cuts or make modifications to films to ensure that they follow the certification guidelines.
Certification Categories
Four types of film certifications are issued by the CBFC:
• U (Universal): Suitable for all age groups.
• UA (Parental Guidance): Suitable for children above 12 years with parental guidance.
• A (Adult): Restricted to adult audiences (18 years and above).
• S (Special): Restricted to specialised audiences, such as doctors or scientists.
Do you think it is necessary to have a body like the Censor Board to oversee the film industry? Discuss with your classmates.
Practice Time
1 Fill in the blanks.
Scan this QR code to see the quiz.
a The CBFC stands for .
b The CBFC is commonly referred to as
c The headquarters of the CBFC is located in .
d The CBFC certifies films in categories.
e was the chairman of the CBFC in 2024.
f The members of the CBFC are appointed by the
g The CBFC functions under the Ministry of , India.
h The Central Board of Film Certification was formed after the passing of the Act.
2 Which category of certificate would be issued for the following?
a The content is restricted only to a special audience like lawyers.
b The content is restricted to people of age 18 years and above.
c The content is suitable for all age groups.
d The content is suitable for children aged 12 years and above with parental guidance.
3 Write True or False.
a Films can only be released publicly in India if the CBFC has certified them.
b Certification by the CBFC means that the film is suitable for all ages.
c The CBFC has the legal authority to suggest modifications in the content.
d The CBFC has the liberty to choose but not register any film title.
e The CBFC ensures that the content is made according to Indian laws.
New Age Exercises 16
New Age Exercises refer to innovative and holistic fitness practices that combine physical movement with mindfulness relaxation and well-being. Let us learn about a few of those.
Aerial Yoga: People usually practise yoga on the ground. However, in aerial yoga, people do the exercises in the air, while being suspended by hammocks or silks. It is also known as anti-gravity yoga. Aerial yoga helps improve our balance, strength and flexibility. It might also reduce the risk of heart disease.
Zumba: In the 1990s, a Colombian dancer and choreographer, Beto Perez, founded ‘Zumba’, a unique fitness program that combines dance, aerobic moves and Latin music. It has gained popularity as an energetic workout. Now, Zumba is practised worldwide in more than 180 countries. Zumba is a full-body workout and it burns a lot of calories. It can also improve our blood pressure.
Pilates: It is a mind-body exercise method developed in the early 20th century by a German named Joseph Pilates. It was originally called ‘Contrology’. Pilates combines elements of yoga, martial arts and gymnastics. It was initially developed as an exercise for physical recovery of soldiers who served during World War I. Pilates helps improve our core strength, posture, decrease back pain and can strengthen our bones.
HIIT: It stands for High-Intensity Interval Training, which involves very intense exercises that are done in a short period of time. Due to this, your body keeps burning calories at a high rate after the workout. HIIT workouts can be done anywhere, be it at home, in a park or at the gym. They can improve our digestion, help us gain muscle and lose fat.
TRX: It stands for Total Body Resistance Exercise. This training method utilises your body weight and gravity to develop strength, balance, coordination, flexibility, and core and joint stability. TRX was created in 1997 by Randy Hetrick, a former member of the US Navy. The basic, yet challenging movements include chest presses, rowing, lunges, squats and planks against resistance.
Exercising regularly is an important part of staying healthy. It helps us maintain our weight, and reduces the risk of developing diseases.
Practice Time
1 Name the correct exercise.
a This includes very intense exercises for a short period of time, followed by quick breaks.
b It was developed by a former member of the US Navy.
c It involves practising in the air using suspended hammocks.
d It was founded by Beto Perez.
e It was developed as a recovery method for soldiers during World War I.
2 Write True or False.
a Aerial yoga might reduce the risk of heart disease.
b Zumba is only practised in the USA.
c TRX helps us develop core and joint stability.
d HIIT workouts can only be done at the gym.
e Pilates was originally called Chromology.
3 Write two benefits of each exercise.
a Aerial yoga: ,
b Zumba: ,
c Pilates: ,
d HIIT: ,
e TRX: ,
Climate Change: Causes and Effects
Climate change is one of the most critical problems our planet faces today. It is mainly caused by human activity. Let us learn more about its causes and impact.
Greenhouse Effect
The greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms Earth’s surface. It occurs when gases in the atmosphere trap the Sun’s heat. Some greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. When the Sun’s energy reaches Earth, some of it is reflected back into space and the rest is absorbed by greenhouse gases which keep our planet warm.
Enhanced Greenhouse Effect: Several human activities lead to an excess of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. It causes enhanced greenhouse effects and a rise in the average temperature of Earth. Some of these activities are:
Deforestation Emissions from industries and vehicles
Improper waste disposal Overuse of fossil fuels
Effects of the Enhanced Greenhouse Effect
Global Warming: One of the consequences of the enhanced greenhouse effect is the rise in the average temperature of Earth, causing global warming.
Urbanisation
Climate Change: Climate change is the long-term change in temperatures and weather patterns on Earth.
Effects of Climate Change
Melting of Glaciers
This leads to a rise in the sea levels which threatens the lives of polar animals.
Frequent Storms Changes in weather patterns cause frequent, high-intensity storms.
Excessive Floods Rising sea levels and frequent storms cause excessive floods.
Soil Erosion
Floods remove the top layer of the soil, making the land less fertile which impacts crop production.
Hotter Temperatures Many countries are experiencing long-lasting heatwaves.
Ways to Prevent Climate Change
Long-term Droughts High temperatures and low rainfall are causing severe droughts.
Forest Fires Extremely high temperatures often cause forest fires. Loss of Species Not all plants and animals can adapt to the changing climate.
Planting more trees
Using renewable energy, like solar energy, instead of fossil fuels
Using bicycles, electric cars and public transport Practising proper waste management
We should promote E-vehicles and use public transport to decrease emission of greenhouse gases. This would help lower air pollution, and enable people to breathe better and stay healthy.
Practice Time
Scan this QR code to see the quiz.
1 Write the correct information related to climate change.
a Two human activities that increase greenhouse gases in the atmosphere: ,
b Two problems associated with the melting of glaciers: ,
c One effect of climate change on weather patterns:
d Two effects of extremely high temperatures: ,
e One effect of climate change on forests:
f One effect of the rise in sea levels:
g Two ways to prevent climate change: ,
2 Make a poster to spread awareness about climate change highlighting its causes, effects and solutions.
Types of Satellites
A satellite is an object in space that orbits other space objects. There are two types of satellites: natural and human-made. Let us learn more about them.
Natural Satellites
A natural satellite is any celestial body in space that orbits around a larger body. There are many natural satellites in our solar system.
The Moon
Earth’s Moon is one example of a natural satellite. It is the only natural satellite that orbits Earth. It takes 27.3 days for the Moon to complete one orbit around Earth.
Human-made Satellites
Artificial satellites are human-made objects sent into space to orbit around other space objects. There are two types of human-made satellites: geostationary satellites and polar satellites.
Geostationary Satellites
Geostationary satellites orbit Earth at an altitude of over 35,786 km directly above the Equator. They complete one orbit in around 24 hours, which is the same as the time taken for Earth’s rotation from west to east. Thus, they appear to be stationary. Images from these satellites are used for weather forecasting, telecommunications, disaster monitoring, climate research and GPS navigation. The first geostationary satellite to be launched was Syncom 3. It was launched on 19 August 1964 from Cape Canaveral (Cape Kennedy) in the USA.
On 19 June 1981, India launched its first indigenous, experimental communication satellite. It was called the Ariane Passenger Payload Experiment (APPLE).
Polar Satellites
These satellites orbit Earth in a polar orbit, passing over Earth’s North and South poles. They are typically placed at a low orbit at altitudes between 200 to 1000 km. These satellites provide global coverage and high-resolution images of Earth’s surface. They are commonly used for land observation, climate monitoring and scientific research.
Discoverer 1, launched by NASA, was the first human-made object ever to be put into polar orbit. It was launched on 28 February 1959.
Satellites provide real-time information that helps manage disasters and monitor the ecological balance of the environment.
Practice Time
1 Fill in the table.
Satellite
a APPLE
b Discoverer 1
c Syncom 3
2 Fill in the blanks.
a The number of days it takes for the Moon to complete one orbit around Earth is .
b The altitude at which geostationary satellites orbit the Earth is over .
c The amount of time taken by geostationary satellites to complete one orbit around Earth is .
d The altitude at which polar satellites orbit Earth is .
e The first geostationary satellite was
f The first polar satellite was
g The first indigenous, experimental satellite launched by India was
3
Read the feature. Write ‘G’ if it is for Geostationary satellites and ‘P’ if it is for Polar satellites.
a They are used for telecommunications and disaster monitoring.
b They provide high-resolution images of Earth’s surface.
c They orbit Earth over the Equator.
d They provide GPS signals.
e They have an altitude of over 35,786 km.
f They have an altitude between 200 to 1000 km.
g They pass over the North and South poles of Earth.
h They are used for closer monitoring of the land and oceans.
Sports Events, 2024
There were many important sports events in 2024. Let us learn about some of them.
2024 Summer Olympic Games
The 2024 Summer Olympic Games were held in Paris from 26 July to 11 August 2024. Over 10,000 athletes competed in 32 different sports events. The USA topped the medal tally with 40 gold medals and 126 medals in total. This was the first Olympics in history to achieve gender parity on the field of play, i.e. it had an equal representation of male and female athletes.
2024 Summer Paralympic Games
The 2024 Summer Paralympic Games were held in Paris from 28 August to 8 September 2024. Over 4,400 athletes competed in the events of 22 different sports. The People’s Republic of China topped the medal tally with 94 gold medals and 220 medals in total. These games also marked India’s best-ever performance at the Paralympics. India won 7 gold medals and a total of 29 medals.
2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup
The 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup was held in the USA and the West Indies from 1 June to 29 June 2024. The tournament included twenty teams. Yuvraj Singh, Chris Gayle, Shahid Afridi and Usain Bolt were named as the ambassadors of the event. India won the T20 World Cup by defeating South Africa by 7 runs in the final. Jasprit Bumrah was named the Player of the Tournament.
2024 UEFA European Football Championship
The 2024 UEFA European Football Championship (commonly known as the Euros) was held in Germany from 14 June to 14 July 2024. Twenty-four teams participated in the tournament. Spain emerged as the winner for a record fourth time after defeating England in the final. Spanish players Rodrigo Hernandez (Rodri) and Lamine Yamal were named Player of the Tournament and Young Player of the Tournament, respectively.
2024 FIDE Chess Olympiad
The 2024 FIDE Chess Olympiad was held in Budapest from 10 September to 23 September 2024. Over 1,500 athletes competed in the overall tournament. The tournament consisted of two events: the Open event and Women’s event. India won the gold medal in both the Open and the Women’s events. India also won the Nona Gaprindashvili Trophy, which is given to the team with the bestcombined performance in the Open and Women’s tournaments.
Use the internet to find out about any two other major sports events that were held in 2024.
Practice Time
1 Complete the table.
Events in 2024
Summer Olympics
Summer Paralympics
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup
UEFA European Football Championship
FIDE Chess Olympiad
2 Fill in the blanks.
Locations
Dates
a was named the Player of the Tournament in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
b topped the medal tally in the 2024 Summer Paralympic Games.
c was named the Young Player of the Tournament in the 2024 UEFA Euros.
d India won the Trophy for the best-combined performance in the Open and Women’s tournaments.
e India won the T20 World Cup by defeating in the final.
f The 2024 Olympics were the first to achieve in the history of the Olympics.
g India won gold medals at the 2024 Paralympics.
h won the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship for the time.
3 Write True or False.
a France topped the medal tally of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games.
b India won the gold medal in both events at the 2024 FIDE Chess Olympiad.
c England won the 2024 UEFA Euros by defeating Spain in the final.
d Usain Bolt was one of the ambassadors of the men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
e The 2024 Paralympics marked India’s best-ever performance in the history of the Paralympics.
Entrepreneurs of India
An entrepreneur is someone who starts and runs their own business. India has many entrepreneurs who started their work on a small scale and are now own big companies that have made a mark in their respective fields. Let us learn about some entrepreneurs of India.
Ritesh Agarwal—OYO Hotels and Homes
He is the founder and CEO of OYO Hotels & Homes. He started this company in May 2013, at the age of 19. He aimed to offer affordable and clean rooms for tourists. In the year 2023, OYO Rooms generated a revenue of almost 55 billion INR in India.
Falguni Nayar—Nykaa
She is the founder and CEO of the beauty and lifestyle company, Nykaa. She left her banking job and founded Nykaa in April 2012, at the age of 50. Nykaa sells products from over 5,000 brands on its online platforms. It also has physical stores in some cities.
Bhavish Aggarwal—Ola
He started Ola (formally OlaCabs) in December 2010 with Ankit Bhati, and founded Ola Electric in 2017. He came up with the idea to start a cab company when he had a terrible experience with a cab driver during his journey from Bengaluru to Bandipur. As of 2024, Ola has been operational in more than 250 cities in India.
Kunal Shah–CRED
He is the founder and CEO of CRED. He was previously the founder of FreeCharge. He started the company in 2018. CRED is a members-only credit card bill payment rewards platform that gives incentives and rewards to members for paying their bills on time. In the financial year 2023-24, CRED generated a revenue of INR 2,473 crore.
Deepinder Goyal—Zomato
He is the co-founder and CEO of Zomato, a food dining and delivery company. It was launched in 2008 as Foodiebay and was renamed as Zomato in 2010. The platform helps users get food delivered from restaurants to their doorsteps. One can also read customer reviews before placing an order. As of 2024, it has been one of the biggest food delivery platforms in India.
Sachin Bansal and Binny Bansal—Flipkart
They are the co-founders of the e-commerce platform, Flipkart. They started Flipkart from a small apartment in Bengaluru in 2007. As of 2023, the company had a market value of around $35 billion with more than 100 million users.
Use the internet to find out the names of three of the top female entrepreneurs of India.
Practice Time
Scan this QR code to see the quiz.
1 Name the companies founded by these entrepreneurs.
a Falguni Nayar:
b Ritesh Agarwal:
c Kunal Shah:
d Bhavish Aggarwal:
2 Write the years in which these companies were launched.
a Foodiebay:
b OYO:
c Flipkart:
d Ola:
e Nykaa:
f CRED:
3 Fill in the blanks.
a Falguni Nayar started her company at the age of .
b Ritesh Agarwal started his company at the age of
c Nykaa sells products from over brands on its online platforms.
d Flipkart was started in an apartment located in the city of .
e As of 2024, Ola is operational in more than cities in India.
f gives rewards and incentives to its members for paying their bills on time.
g As of 2023, Flipkart had more than users.
4 List four skills that are needed to become a good entrepreneur. , ,
The Suez Canal
The Suez Canal is one of the world’s most important routes for trading goods by sea. Let us learn more about it.
Why was the Suez Canal built?
Before the Suez Canal was built, ships from Europe would have to sail around the continent of Africa in order to reach Asian countries. The Suez Canal was built to create a shorter sea route between Europe and Asia by connecting the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. It was built to effectively allow passage from the North Atlantic Ocean to the Indian Ocean without having to go around the African continent.
What is the Suez Canal?
The Suez Canal is located in Egypt. It is a human-made canal that connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Indian Ocean via the Red Sea. It is one of the world’s most heavily used shipping routes.
Who built the Suez Canal?
In 1854, a French diplomat named Ferdinand de Lesseps received permission to build the Suez Canal from the viceroy of Egypt. The Suez Canal was constructed by the Suez Canal Company, which was a collaboration between France and Egypt. The construction started in 1859, and was completed in 1869.
Importance of the Suez Canal
• The Suez Canal is the shortest sea route between Europe and Asia.
• It is one of the busiest trade routes in the world. Around twelve percent of all global trade passes through the Suez Canal.
• Around $1 trillion worth of products are transported through the Suez Canal every year.
Use the internet to find out about any two other important shipping routes around the world.
Practice Time
Scan this QR code to see the quiz.
1 Fill in the blanks.
a The Suez Canal is located in
b The Suez Canal is the shortest route between and .
c , a French diplomat, received permission to build the Suez Canal.
d The Suez Canal was constructed by the
e The Suez Canal connects the Sea and Sea.
f The construction of the Suez Canal was started in and was completed in
2 Write True or False.
a The Suez Canal Company was a collaboration between France and Germany.
b The construction of the Suez Canal took ten years.
c Around twelve percent of all global trade passes through the Suez Canal.
d The Suez Canal is the longest sea route between Europe and Asia.
e Permission to build the Suez Canal was granted by the viceroy of Egypt.
3 On this world map, mark the sea route from Europe to Asia through the Suez Canal.
Taxes
Tax is a mandatory payment or financial charge collected by the government from individuals or organisations to support the costs of government services and public expenditures. Let us learn more about taxes.
What are taxes?
Taxes are collected by the governments of countries to raise funds for the government’s expenditure. Governments use taxes for many things including building and maintaining roads and bridges, constructing and running government facilities like hospitals and post offices, and maintaining the armed forces. In India, the Ministry of Finance, and the central and state governments are responsible for collecting various taxes.
Types of Taxes
In India, taxes belong to two categories.
1. Direct taxes: These are the taxes that individuals or institutions have to pay directly to the government. These taxes are charged directly on the income generated by a person or a company. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) oversees and manages the administration of direct taxes.
2. Indirect taxes: These are taxes charged when people purchase goods or services. They are part of the purchase price of a product or a service. The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) oversees and manages the administration of indirect taxes.
Some Important Taxes
These are some of the important taxes that we have to pay in our daily lives.
1. Income Tax: It is a direct tax charged on the income generated by a person or a company in a year.
2. Goods and Services Tax (GST): It is an indirect tax charged on the supply of goods and services. It is charged at all stages of a product or service, from manufacturing to retail.
3. Customs Duty: It is an indirect tax that the government imposes on goods when they are imported into or exported out of a country.
As responsible citizens, we should pay our taxes on time to support the nation’s growth and public services. By contributing our share, we help fund essential services like education, healthcare and infrastructure.
Scan this QR code to see the quiz.
1 Fill in the blanks.
a is a mandatory payment or financial charge collected by the government from individuals or organisations.
b Taxes are collected to raise funds for the government’s .
c There are categories of taxes in India.
d taxes are charged directly on the income generated by a person or company.
e Indirect taxes are part of the price of a product or a service.
f The oversees and manages the administration of direct taxes.
g The oversees and manages the administration of indirect taxes.
2 Tick () the things for which taxes are used by the government.
a Building roads
b Personal vacation expenses
c Private vehicle purchases
d Constructing government hospitals
e Maintaining the armed forces
f Building private schools
3 Write whether the following taxes are direct or indirect.
a Income Tax:
b Customs Duty:
c Goods and Services Tax:
4 Identify the type of tax which will be levied in each case: Income Tax, GST or Customs Duty.
a Aryan purchases a biscuit from the shop at the listed price.
b Ravi pays some part of his annual income to the government.
c Lisha purchases a new phone from the US when returning to India.
d Kashika and her family had dinner at a restaurant.
e Varun sends an electronic gift to his relatives in Singapore from India.
Providing Life Support
Basic life support is the type of care that first responders and healthcare professionals provide when someone needs immediate attention to save their life. This basic first aid includes clearing the airway and performing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation or CPR. Let us learn about it.
CPR is an emergency procedure used to restore normal breathing and the heart rate of a victim. CPR is needed when a person has these four signs of cardiac arrest:
• The person has collapsed.
• The person is non-responsive.
• Breathing has stopped.
• There is no pulse.
Performing CPR can greatly increase the survival chances of the victim.
CPR Guidelines
Call the emergency number for medical help.
Check breathing and heartbeat. Then tilt the head back slightly and lift the chin to open the airway.
CPR Techniques for Adults and Children Above 8 Years
Perform CPR
CPR is performed by compressing the chest of the victim and then giving rescue breath. The process is followed until help arrives. It is always recommended to give 30 sets of chest compressions, followed by 2 rescue breaths and then repeat the process.
Chest Compression
1. To perform chest compressions, place one hand in the middle of the person’s chest.
2. Then, place your other hand on top and lock your fingers together.
3. Use your body weight and push firmly with the heel of your hand. Remember to keep your arms straight and compress the chest to a depth of about 2 inches. Aim at a rate of 100-120 compressions a minute.
Rescue Breath
1. Pinch the nose shut, take a regular breath and cover the person’s mouth completely with yours.
2. Breathe out into the person’s mouth for about 1 second, making sure their chest rises, and let the air come out before giving the next breath. Rescue breaths
We should know how to perform emergency procedures like CPR. We might be able to save a person’s life in an emergency situation.
Practice Time
1 What does CPR stand for?
2 Sequence the steps of first aid (1-6) in the correct order.
a Perform 30 sets of chest compressions.
b Repeat CPR until help arrives.
c Call the emergency number.
d Provide at least 2 rescue breaths.
e Lift the chin to clear the airway.
f Check for vital signs like breathing and heartbeat.
3 Write Do and Don’t for the given steps.
a In the case of an emergency, call the emergency number first.
b We should do CPR immediately if the victim is not breathing.
c Chest compressions should be aimed at 100-120 compressions in a minute.
d We must check the breathing of the victim after calling the emergency number.
e Chest compressions should be done 90 sets at a time.
f We must perform 2 rescue breaths after every 30 sets of chest compression.
4 Tick () the signs of a cardiac arrest.
a General weakness
b Breathing has stopped
c No pulse
d Stomach ache
e Unresponsiveness
f Coughing
g Person has collapsed
h Regular vomiting Scan this QR code to see the quiz.
Traditional Painting Forms in India
Traditional Indian paintings are unique art forms that have been passed down through generations. Many of them are still practised today. Let us read about some of them.
Madhubani Paintings
Phad Paintings
This artform originated in the Madhubani district of Bihar. It is practised in the Mithila region of India and is also called Mithila painting. Earlier, it was practised mostly by women, who decorated the walls and floors of their houses with these paintings to celebrate various occasions. Most of these paintings depict gods, plants and animals. They use bright, earthy colours.
Warli Paintings
It is one of the oldest art forms of India. It originated in Maharashtra. It uses mainly circles, triangles and squares to depict various figures. These paintings are made on a dark background, while the shapes are white. Many paintings depict daily activities like fishing and hunting, while some show people singing and dancing.
Thanjavur Paintings
This art form originated in Tamil Nadu, around the late 16th century AD. It was patronised by the Nayakas of Thanjavur and are therefore known as Thanjavur paintings. One of the unique features is the use of gold foil, which glitters and lends the paintings a grand and royal look. These paintings are done on panels of wood. They depict mostly gods, goddesses and saints.
This style of painting originated in Rajasthan. It got its name from the long canvas or cloth called Phad, on which these paintings are traditionally made. It is a traditional art form that depicts the heroic stories of different folk gods and heroes. These paintings use colours and paints made from vegetables and other natural things.
Gond Paintings
These vibrantly coloured paintings were first created by the Gond tribe in Madhya Pradesh. They depict mainly plants and animals and use geometrical patterns, lines and bright colours. In the past, it was done on the walls and floors of homes using natural materials like charcoal and plant extracts. Today, this art form is practised on paper and canvas with acrylic paints.
Kalamkari Paintings
Kalamkari means ‘drawings with a pen’. These paintings are of two types and both originated in Andhra Pradesh, India. The first type is block-printed painting, and the second is freehand pen painting. Today, Kalamkari art is painted on sarees and other pieces of clothing. They mostly depict nature or represent stories from epics like the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.
These traditional paintings are an important aspect of India’s culture and heritage. We must preserve these traditions for posterity.
Practice Time
1 Match the pictures and the names.
Painting
2 Name the Indian states where the following art forms originated.
a Phad Paintings
b Madhubani Paintings
c Thanjavur Paintings
d Warli Paintings
e Kalamkari Paintings
f Gond Paintings
3 Write True or False.
a Madhubani painting uses bright, earthy colours.
b Thanjavur paintings are painted on cloth.
c In the past, Gond paintings were made on floors and walls.
d There are four types of Kalamkari paintings.
e Thanjavur paintings originated around the late 16th Century AD.
4 Name the art form that has the following features.
a This art form is from the Mithila region of India.
b The paints are made from vegetables and other natural things.
c The shapes are usually white and the background is dark.
d These are made using geometrical patterns, lines and bright colours.
e Its unique feature is the use of gold foil, which gives it a royal look.
f It depicts plants, animals or epics such as the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.
Madhubani
Warli Painting Thanjavur Painting Kalamkari Painting
Space Exploration, 2024
In 2024, there were great advances in space exploration, with significant missions, achievements and discoveries. Let us learn about some key space exploration events of 2024.
Aditya L-1
Aditya L-1 is India’s first solar mission, launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on 2 September 2023. It successfully entered the orbit around the Sun on 6 January 2024. It took 178 days to complete one orbit on 2 July 2024. The mission will study the Sun’s atmosphere and other solar activities.
SLIM
The Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) was a space mission by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). It was launched on 6 September 2023. It landed on the Moon on 19 January 2024 making Japan the fifth country to land on the Moon. Its aim was to demonstrate accurate lunar landing techniques using a small explorer on the Moon. The goal was to speed up studies of the Moon using lighter exploration tools. The mission officially ended on 23 August 2024.
Hubble Space Telescope
It is a space telescope built by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the European Space Agency (ESA). It was launched on 24 April 1990. On 25 January 2024, scientists discovered water vapour in the atmosphere of the exoplanet GJ 9827d, which orbits a star outside our solar system.
BepiColombo
BepiColombo is a joint space mission by the ESA and JAXA launched on 20 October 2018. It comprises two satellites, the Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) and the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO). Its aim is to orbit Mercury and to study the planet from unique vantage points. On 4 September 2024, BepiColombo came down to around 165 km above the planet’s surface. For the first time, the spacecraft had a clear view of Mercury’s south pole.
There were many exciting space missions and discoveries in 2024, from exploring the Moon to Mercury and studying other distant celestial bodies. Use the internet to find out about any other two space discoveries of 2024.
Practice Time
1 Write the correct dates for the following.
a The Aditya L-1 entered into the orbit around the Sun:
b The Aditya L-1 completed one orbit around the Sun: .
c The SLIM landed on the Moon: .
d The SLIM mission officially ended: .
e The Hubble space telescope discovered water vapour in the atmosphere of the exoplanet GJ 9827d .
f The BepiColombo achieved the closest flyby around Mercury: .
2 Write the launch dates of the following missions.
a Aditya L-1
b SLIM
c Hubble Space Telescope
d BepiColombo
3 Complete the crossword.
ACROSS:
1. The planet that BepiColombo was launched to study.
2. ESA and built the Hubble Space Technology.
DOWN:
1. The SLIM mission was to demonstrate accurate landing on this celestial body.
2. The star whose orbit Aditya L-1 entered.
Sustainable Development Goals
The Sustainable Development Goals, established by the United Nations in 2015, are a group of 17 worldwide objectives for all UN member nations. The entire scope of sustainability includes cultural, social, technical, economic, political and environmental aspects.
Progress of SDGs in 2024
The UN aims to achieve these goals by 2030. According to the 2024 SDG progress report, only 17% of the SDG targets are on track. Nearly half of the goals are making slow progress, and one-third have stopped improving.
About the Goals
1. To end poverty and ensure that the basic needs of the people are fulfilled.
2. To end hunger and make sure everyone, especially the poor and vulnerable, has enough safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year.
3. To ensure healthy lives and reduce deaths and sickness caused by harmful chemicals and pollution in the air, water and soil.
4. To ensure quality education and make sure all girls and boys get free, fair and quality primary and secondary education.
5. To achieve gender equality and end all forms of discrimination against women and girls everywhere.
6. To ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
7. To increase the use of renewable energy resources and double the rate of improvement in energy efficiency.
8. To boost the economy by using new technology and innovations and focussing on high-value-added and labour-intensive sectors.
9. To build strong, reliable and sustainable infrastructure to support the economy.
10. To make sure everyone has equal opportunities by removing unfair laws and promoting fair policies and actions.
11. To make sure everyone has adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services, and to upgrade slums.
12. To achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
13. To take urgent action to prevent climate change and include climate change actions in national policies.
14. To prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds. It also aims to conserve and sustainably use the world’s oceans, seas and marine resources.
15. To take urgent action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats like forests and halt the loss of biodiversity.
16. To reduce all forms of violence and corruption, ensure equal justice for all and develop effective institutions at all levels.
17. To strengthen global partnership between countries and organisations for sustainable development.
With your classmates, discuss what you can do, as students, to contribute to the SDGs.
Practice Time
1 Identify the SDGs.
Scan this QR code to see the quiz.
c
2 Fill in the blanks.
a The Sustainable Development Goals were established by the in .
b The UN aims to achieve the SDGs by .
c According to the 2024 SDG progress report, only of the SDG targets are on track.
d According to the 2024 SDG progress report, of the SDG targets have stopped improving.
3 Number the SDGs correctly.
a It aims to boost the economy by using new technology and innovations.
b It aims to ensure healthy lives and reduce deaths and sickness caused by harmful chemicals.
c It aims to take urgent action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats.
d It aims to reduce all forms of violence and corruption.
e It aims to ensure that the basic needs of the people are fulfilled.
f It aims to build sustainable infrastructure to support the economy.
g It aims to end all forms of discrimination against women and girls across the globe.
h It aims to conserve and sustainably use the world’s oceans, seas and marine resources.
Artificial Intelligence of Things
Artificial Intelligence or AI is a field of science that enables computers to think and learn like human beings. It helps them do things on their own without being told exactly what to do.
The Internet of Things or IoTs is a network of smart devices like refrigerators, cars and smartwatches that are connected to the internet, allowing them to share data and work together.
Artificial Intelligence of Things or AIoTs combines AI and IoTs to enhance IoT operations. AIoT connects smart devices (IoT) to AI systems that can examine data, learn from it and make choices based on that information. This combination is has resulted in innovations in various fields.
Applications of AIoTs
Smart Agriculture: IoTs collects data about a farm, including soil quality, sunlight levels etc. using sources like farm sensors and satellites. Then, AI uses this data to create personalised recommendations for each farm. These recommendations can improve planting methods, irrigation and fertiliser use, leading to better crop yields.
Health and Fitness Trackers: Wearable devices like smartwatches use IoT to gather data about your physical movement, sleep and various other health factors. AI uses this information to offer personalised health advice and monitor your health progress.
Smart Homes: AIoTs are making our homes smarter by enabling us to control home appliances and accessories with our phones. We can switch on and switch off electrical appliances, such as fans, AC and televisions, without being at home. It makes our lives easier and saves energy.
Self-Driving Cars: These cars use sensors (IoT) and GPS to gather information about the road, traffic and obstacles, while AI helps the car make decisions about how to drive safely.
Some Advantages of AIoTs
• It helps us set tasks which saves time and energy, and reduces costs.
• It suggests things based on our search history and helps us make smarter choices.
• It helps devices make fast decisions based on collected data and provides us with useful information.
AIoTs is transforming the future in amazing ways. Use the internet to find out some other applications of AIoTs.
Practice Time
Scan this QR code to see the quiz.
1 What do the following stand for?
a AI:
b IoTs:
c AIoTs:
2 Write True or False.
a Switching a fan on or turning it off using a smart device is an application of IoTs.
b AI helps self-driving cars to gather data using sensors and GPS.
c AIoTs can help you sleep better.
d AIoTs help us to set tasks which saves time and energy.
e AIoTs help us make smarter choices.
3
Fill in the blanks using AI and IoTs.
a The is a network of smart devices connected to the internet, allowing them to share data and work together.
b enables computers to think and learn, and make independent decisions.
c AIoT combines and to enhance various aspects of technology.
d collects data about a farm, including soil quality, sunlight levels, seed types and rainfall.
e enabled smartwatches gather data on your physical activities, sleep and other health factors.
f helps self-driving cars make decisions about how to drive safely.
Tennis Tournaments 28
Tennis is a racquet sport that is played by two individual opponents (singles) or two teams of two players each (doubles). Many popular tennis tournaments are held regularly. The four annual Grand Slam tournaments are the most prestigious events in tennis. Let us learn about them.
Major Grand Slam Tournaments
The Australian Open
It is the first Grand Slam of the year, played in January every year in Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia. It was first held in 1905. The matches are played on cushion acrylic hard courts. The tournament is known for its hot weather, as it is held during the Australian summer.
The Roland Garros
This tournament is held during May-June at the Stade Roland Garros in Paris, France. It is commonly called the French Open and was first held in 1891. It is known for being one of the most physically demanding sporting events, as it is the only Grand Slam tournament played on clay courts.
The Wimbledon
This tournament is played during JuneJuly in Wimbledon, London, England. It is the oldest tennis tournament in the world which started in 1877. It is also known as The Championships. It is the only major Grand Slam event still played on grass and is renowned for its lush green grass courts.
The US Open
The last Grand Slam of the year is held during August-September in Queens, New York, USA. The US Open developed in 1968 from one of the oldest tennis championships–the US National Championships, which began in 1881. Like the Australian Open, it is played on acrylic hard courts, and is known for its lively night-time matches played under bright floodlights.
Other Important Tennis Tournaments
The ATP Finals
It is an annual men’s tennis championship, where the world’s top 8 singles players and top 8 doubles teams compete for the title.
The WTA Finals
It is an annual women’s tennis championship, featuring the world’s top 8 singles players and top 8 doubles teams.
The Davis Cup
It is the largest annual international men’s team tournament. It features national teams made up of players selected by their country’s tennis federation.
The Billie Jean King Cup
It is the largest women’s team tennis tournament in the world. It features national teams made up of players selected by their country’s tennis federation.
Steffi Graf, a former tennis player from Germany, is the only player who has won all four Grand Slams and the Olympic gold medal in the same year. This honour is known as a Calendar Golden Slam. She achieved this feat in 1988.
Use the internet to find the names of any two Indian players who have won any of the Grand Slam tournaments.
Practice Time
1 Fill in the blanks with the correct years.
a Steffi Graf achieved the Calendar Golden Slam in
b The first French Open tennis tournament was held in
c The Championships was first held in .
d The first Australian Open was held in .
2 Read the descriptions and write the names of the tennis tournaments.
a It is the oldest tennis tournament in the world.
b It features 8 of the world’s top-ranked female tennis players.
c It features 8 of the world’s top-ranked male tennis players.
d It is the largest international men’s team competition in tennis.
e It is the largest international women’s team competition in tennis.
3 HOTS Complete the crossword.
ACROSS:
1. The city where the first Grand Slam of the year is held.
2. The city where the last Grand Slam of the year is held.
DOWN:
1. The city where the only grass court Grand Slam is held.
2. The city where the only clay court Grand Slam is held.
Conferences on the Environment
The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) was a major gathering of world leaders to discuss issues relating to the environment. It is popularly known as The Earth Summit. There have also been many other international conferences to deal with the environmental problems that the world is facing. Let us learn more about them.
United
Nations Conference on the Human Environment,
1972
The protection of the environment began to be taken seriously in the early 1970s. The United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, held in Stockholm, Sweden from 5-16 June, 1972, was the first global conference that addressed environmental issues. This summit led to the creation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The Stockholm Declaration was the main document produced by the summit. It consisted of 26 principles focussed on environmental protection, human development and international cooperation.
The Earth Summit, 1992
The second conference, UNCED was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 3-14 June, 1992. It is popularly known as the Earth Summit. It was attended by political leaders, diplomats, scientists and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) from 179 countries.
The Achievements of Earth Summit, 1992
• This conference created the first action plan for environmental protection and to achieve sustainable development in the 21st century. It was called Agenda 21. UNCED is responsible for the implementation of Agenda 21.
• The Rio Declaration on Environment: Signed at the 1992 Earth Summit, it is a set of 27 principles to guide countries on sustainable development. It defines the rights and responsibilities of nations in the areas of environmental protection and sustainable development.
• Resolutions were passed to establish three conventions at the Rio Earth Summit:
1. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD): It aims to protect biological diversity.
2. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC): It aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through international cooperation.
3. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD): It aims to establish national action programmes to reduce desertification and mitigate the effects of droughts in the countries experiencing them.
Other UN Conferences on Environment and Sustainable Development
The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June 2012. It was named Rio+20. This conference aimed to create a global vision for 21st-century sustainable development and adopted the declaration ‘The Future We Want’. A set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were established in this session.
The most recent summit took place in Stockholm, Sweden, in June 2022. 197 countries and the European Union participated. The theme of this conference was ‘Stockholm+50: a healthy planet for the prosperity of all—our responsibility, our opportunity.’
We should all adopt more environmentally friendly practices in our daily lives in order to help preserve Earth’s natural environment.
Practice Time
1 Name the summits and the locations where they were held in the given years.
a 1972
b 2012
c 2022
d 1992
2 Fill in the correct details.
a The number of countries that participated in the 1992 Earth Summit:
b The number of countries, along with the EU, that participated in the 2022 Stockholm Summit:
c The year in which the first summit that addressed environmental issues was conducted:
d The year of the summit in which the SDGs were created:
3 Complete the crossword.
ACROSS:
1. This convention aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through international cooperation.
2. A set of 17 s were established in the UN Conference held in 2012.
DOWN:
1. This conference was popularly known as the Earth Summit.
2. This convention aims to protect biological diversity.
3. This convention aims to establish national action programmes to reduce desertification.
Indian Nobel Laureates
The Nobel Prize is a prestigious international award given annually to individuals who have made outstanding contributions in the fields of chemistry, physics, medicine, literature, economics and peace. The prizes were established in memory of Alfred Nobel, a Swedish inventor and scientist. The first Nobel Prizes were awarded in 1901. Let us read about some Indians who have won this prestigious award.
Kailash Satyarthi— Nobel Peace Prize, 2014
He is a child rights activist, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to combat child labour and advocate for children’s rights. He shared this award with Malala Yousafzai from Pakistan, who received this award for her struggle for the right of every child to receive an education. He dedicated the entire prize sum to the advancement of the rights of children.
Amartya Sen— Nobel Prize in Economics, 1998
He is an economist and philosopher, best known for his work in welfare economics and social choice theory. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics for his contributions to understanding poverty, famine and developing more sophisticated measures of preventing them.
Mother Teresa— Nobel Peace Prize, 1979
She was a Catholic nun of Albanian descent, who dedicated her life to helping the poor and sick in the slums of Kolkata, India. She was honoured with the Nobel Prize for her selfless dedication in providing care and support to the poor and the dying.
Har Gobind Khorana— Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, 1968
He was a biochemist, recognised for his contributions in the field of genetics. He was awarded the Nobel Prize jointly with Robert W. Holley and Marshall W. Nirenberg. They were honoured for their studies on how genes contain the information needed to make protein molecules.
Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman— Nobel Prize in Physics, 1930
He was a physicist, known for his groundbreaking work in the field of optics (study of light). He was awarded the Nobel Prize for his discovery of the Raman effect. This phenomenon occurs when light traverses a transparent material and some of the light, that is deflected, changes in wavelength.
Rabindranath Tagore— Nobel Prize in Literature, 1913
Rabindranath Tagore was a renowned poet, philosopher and artist from India. He was awarded the prize for his poetic collection titled Geetanjali (Song Offerings), published in London in 1912. He was awarded the Nobel Prize because his poetry perfectly captured the beauty of nature and human emotions.
Use the internet to find the name of the movement started by Kailash Satyarthi to combat child labour.
Practice Time
Scan this QR code to see the quiz.
1 Name the disciplines in which the following laureates received the Nobel Prize.
a C.V. Raman
b Kailash Satyarthi
c Rabindranath Tagore
d Amartya Sen
e Mother Teresa
f Har Gobind Khorana
2 Write the years in which these personalities received the Nobel Prize.
a C.V. Raman
b Kailash Satyarthi
c Rabindranath Tagore
d Amartya Sen
e Mother Teresa
f Har Gobind Khorana
3 Read the descriptions and write the correct answers.
a The year in which the Nobel Prize was first awarded:
b The person in whose memory the Nobel Prizes were established:
c The first Indian to win the Nobel Prize:
d The Indian biochemist who won the Nobel Prize in the field of genetics:
e The child’s rights activist who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014:
f The Catholic nun who won the Nobel Peace Prize for her humanitarian work:
g The Indian physicist whose work in optics earned him the Nobel Prize:
h The Pakistani activist who shared the Nobel Peace Prize with Kailash Satyarthi:
Consumer Rights
Consumer rights are the rights of the people who purchase goods and services, in order to protect them from unfair trade practices, give them adequate information and ensure that they are treated fairly. Let us learn more about these rights.
Consumer Protection Act, 2019
The Parliament of India passed the Consumer Protection Act in 2019. This Act protects the rights and interests of consumers in India and establishes authorities for the timely settlement of consumer disputes. India also has a Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. The Department of Consumer Affairs, under this ministry, is responsible for the implementation of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
Consumer Rights in India
These are the fundamental consumer rights in India:
• Right to Safety: The consumer has the right to ensure the quality of the products available in the market and be protected against the marketing of goods and services that could be dangerous to their health or property. One should purchase quality-marked products such as ISI, AGMARK, FPO etc.
• Right to be Informed: The consumer has the right to acquire all necessary details and be informed about the quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price of any product available in the market.
• Right to be Heard: Consumers have the right to raise their voice in various consumer forums that are focussed on protecting consumer rights and interests.
• Right to Choose: The consumer has the right to have access to and a choice between a variety of products available in the market at fair and competitive prices.
• Right to Seek Redressal: Redressal means compensation for a wrongdoing. The consumer has the right to seek redressal against unfair trade practices, in case they are exploited, and demand a fair settlement.
• Right to Consumer Education: The consumer has the right to acquire the relevant skills and knowledge to be an informed consumer.
Under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, India has a three-tiered system for the redressal of consumer complaints. This system has forums for redressal at the district, state and national levels. The national body is called the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.
As consumers, we should be aware of our rights and should not be afraid to seek redressal if they are violated. It is important to uphold the values of fairness and justice.
Practice Time
Scan this QR code to see the quiz.
1 Write True or False.
a The Consumer Protection Act was passed in 2010.
b There is a three-tier system for the redressal of consumer complaints in India.
c Consumer rights aim to protect people from unfair trade practices.
d Consumers do not have the right to question sellers about product details.
e Consumers can seek compensation against exploitation through unfair trade practices.
2 Name the following.
a Act to protect the rights and interests of consumers in India:
b National body for redressal of consumer complaints:
c Ministry responsible for consumer affairs:
d Department which implements the Act to protect consumers:
3 Write the names of the consumer rights mentioned.
a The consumer has the right to choose between a variety of products available in the market at fair prices.
b The consumer has the right to be protected against marketing of hazardous goods and services.
c The consumer has the right to seek redressal if they are cheated.
d The consumer has the right to acquire all necessary details regarding a product available in the market.
e The consumer has the right to gain the necessary skills and knowledge to be an informed consumer.
f The consumer has the right to raise their voice in a consumer forum.
G7 Summit, 2024
The G7 is an informal forum where seven countries meet annually to discuss economic and political issues. Let us learn more about it.
Which countries are a part of the G7?
The following countries are members of the G7: Italy, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
Each year, a different member country presides over the annual conference. In 2024, Italy assumed the presidency of the G7.
The European Union also takes part in G7 summits as a member.
Representatives of other countries and international organisations are often invited to G7 summits as guest participants. In 2024, India was one of the guest countries.
G7 Summit, 2024
The 2024 G7 summit was held in a city called Fasano in Italy. It was held from 13 to 15 June 2024. It was the 50th G7 summit.
The leaders who were present were:
• Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy
• President Joe Biden of the USA
• Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of the UK
• Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan
• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada
• President Emmanuel Macron of France
• Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany
• EU President Ursula von der Leyen
The summit focussed on the following issues:
• Addressing the climate change crisis, focussing on reducing pollution and biodiversity loss
• Addressing the food crisis around the world by building more productive agricultural and food systems
• Investing in childcare facilities so that more women can join the workforce
• Promoting artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies so that people around the world can access them equally
There are other organisations similar to the G7 in which a group of countries come together to discuss common issues. Use the internet to find out the names of any two such organisations.
Practice Time
Scan this QR code to see the quiz.
1 Write the names of the leaders who represented the following countries at the 2024 G7 summit.
a USA
b Italy
c France
d European Union
e Canada
f Japan
g Germany
h UK
2 Write True or False.
a The European Union takes part in G7 summits as a member.
b The 2024 G7 summit was held in Japan.
c USA presides over the G7 summit every year.
d India was one of the guest countries at the 2024 G7 summit.
e The 2024 edition of the G7 summit was the 30th edition of the event.
f Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni represented Italy in the 2024 G7 summit.
3 Write ‘Yes’ if the issue was discussed at the 2024 G7 summit and ‘No’ if it was not.
a Climate change crisis
b Regulation of banks worldwide
c Building of seaports in South America
d Reducing biodiversity loss
e Trade agreements with China
f Investing in childcare facilities
g Food crisis
h Including more permanent member-countries
Natural Disasters
Natural disasters are events that occur naturally and unexpectedly. They cause widespread damage to life and property, and are proof of the destructive power of Nature.
Floods
Floods are an overflow of water on land that is usually dry. They are often caused by heavy rainfall or a rise in the water level of various water bodies due to the rapid melting of snow. Cyclones can also flood coastal areas. Floods can result in property damage, displacement of people and loss of life.
In June and July 2024, the people of Assam were severly affected by flash floods caused by rapid and excessive rainfall in the state of Assam and nearby states of Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya.
Hurricanes, Typhoons or Cyclones
Storms that originate over oceans and move towards land are called hurricanes, typhoons or cyclones, depending on their geographic location. They have a calm region at the centre, surrounded by highspeed spiral winds and rain. They are called hurricanes when they form over the North Atlantic Ocean and the central and eastern North Pacific oceans, typhoons when they form over the Northwest Pacific Ocean and cyclones when they form over the South Pacific and Indian Oceans.
On 6 September 2024, Typhoon Yagi hit the southern part of China. Over the next few days, it also hit Vietnam and Myanmar. It was the strongest autumn typhoon to have landed in China.
Tsunami
These are giant waves of water caused by earthquakes, underwater landslides or volcanic eruptions under the sea. These waves can reach a speed of 800 to 1,000 kilometres per hour and can rise as high as 30 metres, creating a huge and scary wall of water. They hit the land with such force that they cause unimaginable destruction, wiping away everything in their way.
On 15 January 2022, the eruption of the Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha’apai volcano in the Pacific Ocean caused a massive tsunami and extensive destruction in Tonga. Some damages were also reported in Japan, Fiji and other places.
The occurrence of natural disasters around the world has increased due to the effects of climate change. To save the planet, we must take action to combat climate change.
Practice Time
Scan this QR code to see the quiz.
1 What are the storms that form over these oceans called—hurricanes, cyclones or typhoons?
a North Atlantic Ocean
b Indian Ocean
c Eastern North Pacific Ocean
d South Pacific Ocean
e Northwest Pacific Ocean
2 Write the correct names of the natural disasters.
a Giant waves caused by underwater volcanic eruptions
b Storms that originate over the ocean and move towards the land
c An overflow of water on land that is usually dry
d It forms waves that can rise as high as 30 metres.
e A situation where there is excess water on land, caused by heavy rainfall
f They are named differently, according to the geographic location of the oceans that they originate in.
3 Write True or False.
a Tonga was affected by a tsunami in 2022.
b Natural disasters are events that occur unexpectedly.
c Floods that originate in oceans have different names based on their geographic locations.
d Typhoon Yagi hit India and Nepal in September 2024.
e Cyclones can cause flooding in coastal areas.
f In June and July 2024, Assam was hit by flash floods.
Vaccines and Immunisation Drives
A vaccine contains a weakened form of a virus or a bacteria which makes our body immune to the disease. It uses our body’s natural defenses to create resistance to specific infections. The spread of diseases is controlled by various immunisation drives or campaigns worldwide that offer vaccines to people at lower rates.
The
First Vaccine
In 1796, Dr Edward Jenner discovered that a vaccine with the cowpox virus can protect a person from smallpox. This led him to create the very first vaccine against disease in the world.
The Spanish Smallpox Vaccine Expedition, 1803-1813
The Spanish Smallpox Vaccine Expedition was an initiative led by Dr Francisco Xavier de Balmis and vice-director Dr José Salvany. It aimed to introduce the smallpox vaccine globally.
Intensified Smallpox Eradication Programme, 1967
The World Health Organization (WHO) launched this programme to rid the world of the deadly smallpox virus. It involved mass vaccination campaigns. Close monitoring and targeted vaccinations efforts were employed, eventually leading to the successful eradication of smallpox by 1980.
The
COVID-19 Vaccines
The COVID-19 pandemic started in December 2019 and caused more than 7 million deaths worldwide by October 2024. In December 2020, the first COVID-19 vaccine was developed by the German companies Pfizer Inc and BioNTech SE. A total of 12 vaccines (including three Indian vaccines) have been approved by WHO and have helped in immunising millions of people against COVID-19.
Polio Eradication
In the early 20th century, polio was one of the most feared diseases in various countries, paralysing lakhs of children yearly. The first vaccine, the Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) was developed by Jonas Salk in the 1950s and was licensed for public use in 1955. By 1960, Dr Albert Sabin had developed the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV).
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), 1988
This initiative was launched by WHO, along with six other partners. It aimed to eradicate polio globally. The campaign involved mass vaccination drives, surveillance and immunisation strategies. As of 2022, the poliovirus was only found in two countries: Afghanistan and Pakistan. World Polio Day is observed on 24 October every year to create awareness about the importance of polio vaccination and protect children from this disease.
Pulse Polio Programme in India
India launched the Pulse Polio Immunisation Programme in 1995. Within two decades, India received ‘Polio-free certification’ from the World Health Organization on 27 March 2014.
The Influenza Pandemic and Vaccine
The H1N1 influenza (flu) pandemic spread across the world from 1918 to 1919. It caused between 25 and 50 million deaths. The first inactivated flu vaccine was developed by Thomas Francis and Jonas Salk, and was licensed for use in 1945.
It is important to be vaccinated so that we can stay safe from diseases ourselves as well as not spread them to other people.
Practice Time
Scan this QR code to see the quiz.
1 Write the correct years of the following events.
a Development of the first smallpox vaccine:
b The first inactivated flu vaccine was licensed:
c The first Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) was licensed:
d The development of the first Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV):
e The development of the first COVID-19 vaccine:
f The launch of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative:
g The launch of the Pulse Polio Immunisation Programme in India:
h The beginning of the Spanish Smallpox Vaccine Expedition:
i The beginning of the Intensified Smallpox Eradication Programme:
2 Fill in the blanks.
a World Polio Day is celebrated on
b COVID-19 vaccines have been approved by WHO.
c The Polio campaign in India is called the
d The pandemic in 1918-1919 was caused by the disease .
e The companies that developed the first COVID-19 vaccine were and
3
Who am I?
a I developed the first vaccine for smallpox:
b I developed the first Inactivated Polio Vaccine:
c I developed the first Oral Polio Vaccine:
d We developed the first inactivated flu vaccine: and
e We led the Spanish Smallpox Vaccine Expedition: and
Global Indices and Rankings
Global indices and rankings refer to the assessment or evaluation that shows how well countries, groups or people are doing as compared to others worldwide. They help us see who is doing better than others in different areas. Let us read about some of these indices and the rankings.
The Global Innovation Index (GII) is a ranking that tells us how good different countries are at coming up with innovative ideas and using them to improve things. It looks at factors like research, credit and investment, skilled people, infrastructure and creative outputs to figure out which countries are the most innovative. In the 2024 report, Switzerland topped the list and India was ranked 39th out of 133 countries.
Published by: World Intellectual Property Organization
The Global Peace Index (GPI) ranks countries and regions worldwide on the basis of their peacefulness. The GPI takes into account various factors such as levels of violence, crime rates, political instability, military growth and overall safety and security of societies. In the 2024 report, Iceland emerged as the most peaceful country in the world. India is ranked 116th out of 163 countries.
Published by: The Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP)
The Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) is an independent monitoring tool to rate how well countries are fighting climate change and trying to protect the climate. It looks at various factors such as the amount of greenhouse gases countries produce, their use of renewable energy, how efficiently they use energy and their climate policies. Since no country was doing exceptionally well in the mentioned criteria, the top 3 ranks remained vacant. In the 2024 report, India ranked 7th out of 67 countries.
Published by: Germanwatch, the NewClimate Institute and the Climate Action Network International
The Henley Passport Index is a global ranking of the passports of all the nations in the world based on their visa-free travel privileges. It indicates the number of countries that you can visit with that passport, either without a visa or by obtaining one upon arrival. In 2024, the Singaporean passport lead the index with access to 195 countries, while the Indian passport ranked 83rd, with 58 countries offering Indian passport holders visa-free entry.
Published by: The global citizenship and residence advisory firm, Henley & Partners
The World Happiness Report (WHR) measures how happy people are at various stages of life in different countries. It looks at factors like income, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity and freedom from corruption. In the 2024 report, Finland topped the chart as the happiest country for the seventh consecutive year. Afghanistan was declared the least happy country in the world. India was ranked 126th out of 143 countries.
Published by: Gallup, the Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre, The United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network and WHR’s Editorial Board
Global indices and rankings provide useful information to help countries improve various parameters. Many global indices are directly connected to specific SDGs, which encourage countries to work together to achieve the SDGs.
Practice Time
Scan this QR code to see the quiz.
1 Write the full forms of the following.
a GPI:
b GII:
c CCPI:
2 Who publishes the following indices?
a The Henley Passport Index
b The Global Peace Index
c The Global Innovation Index
d The World Happiness Index
e The Climate Change Performance Index
3 Write any two factors which are considered in these indices to determine the rankings of various countries.
a The Climate Change Performance Index: ;
b The Global Peace Index: ;
c The Global Innovation Index: ;
d The World Happiness Index: ;
4
Complete the crossword.
ACROSS:
1. The least happy country according to the World Happiness Index 2024.
2. The country that ranked 1st in the Global Peace Index in 2024.
DOWN:
1. The country that ranked 1st in the World Happiness Index in 2024.
2. The country that ranked 1st in the Henley Passport Index in 2024.
Pathbreaking Films 36
There are some films that were so innovative or path-breaking that they influenced the way things were done or were seen in the future. Let us read about some of these films.
Pather Panchali (1955)
The film, directed by Satyajit Ray, is the story of a young boy named Apu (Subir Banerjee). He lives with his family in a small village. The film shows the difficulties of life in a poor family in rural India. This film won India’s National Film Award for Best Feature Film and was one of the first films from independent India to achieve international fame.
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003)
Titanic (1997)
This romantic drama film is about the doomed voyage of the ship RMS Titanic that sank in April 1912. It resulted in the death of over 1,500 people in the ice-cold waters of the North Atlantic Ocean. Directed by James Cameron, this film won a record 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Director, Costume Design, Cinematography and Best Visual Effects. The film proved immensely popular, holding the all-time box-office gross record for more than a decade after its release.
Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Adapted from the famous books written by JRR Tolkien, the films in this series are known for the use of visual effects and new technologies in filmmaking. Peter Jackson, the director, took the unprecedented step of shooting all three installments of the fantasy saga simultaneously. In this film, Frodo (Elijah Wood) learns that a ring has the power to control the entire world. A group of hobbits, elves, dwarves and men is formed to destroy the ring. The three films collectively won 17 Academy Awards.
Avatar (2009)
This film is about life in the alien world of Pandora where the natives called Na’vi live. Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), a paralysed former Marine, becomes mobile again through an Avatar and falls in love with a Na’vi woman (Zoe Saldana). He goes on to fight for the survival of her world. Directed by James Cameron, the film made innovative use of computergenerated imagery (CGI) to create the stunning visual world of Pandora and won awards like the Academy Awards, the BAFTA, the Golden Globe.
The film directed by Danny Boyle and Loveleen Tandan is about Jamal Malik (Dev Patel) who answers questions on the Indian version of the TV show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. There are flashbacks in the story that show how he got there. Jamal and his brother, Salim, survive on the streets and in the slums of Mumbai. This film got several awards including the Academy Awards, the Golden Globe awards and the BAFTA. A.R. Rahman received Academy Awards for Best Original Song and Best Original Score.
Parasite (2019)
The film directed by Bong Joon-Ho is about a poor family, the Kim family, living in Seoul, South Korea. Ki-woo (Choi Woo-shik), the son of the family, gets a job with the rich Park family. Soon, all the members of the Kim family use different schemes and tricks to find a way to work in the same household. This film won 4 Academy Awards. It was the first ever foreign language film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Films show us different cultures, beliefs, and ways of life, helping us understand how others see the world. This can make us more empathetic, broaden our perspective and expand our knowledge.
Practice Time
1 Fill in the table.
Film
a Pather Panchali
b Avatar
c Slumdog Millionaire
d Parasite
e The Lord of the Rings
2 Fill in the blanks.
Scan this QR code to see the quiz.
Name the director(s) Which year was it released?
3
a The Lord of the Rings trilogy collectively won Academy Awards.
b Titanic won Academy Awards.
c A.R. Rahman won an Academy Award for Best for Slumdog Millionaire.
d Pather Panchali won the award at India’s National Film Awards.
e In the film, Slumdog Millionaire, and survived on the streets and slums of Mumbai.
f film is about a poor family who finds a way to work in the same household.
g was the director of the film Avatar.
Which film is it?
a A young boy named Apu lives in a village with his family.
b The hero participates in a TV game show, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.
c It shows the alien world of Pandora where the beings called Na’vi live.
d This romantic drama, set around the sinking of a ship, held the all-time box-office gross record for a decade.
e It is a trilogy known for introducing new technologies and visual effects in filmmaking.
f It is the first ever foreign language film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.
International Trade
The exchange of goods, services and capital between different countries is known as international trade. Let us learn more about it.
Why is international trade conducted?
International trade allows countries to obtain products and services that they may not have in their own country. It also allows them to sell extra goods from their own countries to foreign countries and facilitate the economic growth of the country. The producer of the goods can benefit and make more sales by selling internationally than just in their own market.
Import and Export
The buying of goods and services that are produced in a foreign country is called importing. The country which buys these goods and services is known as the importer.
The selling of goods and services produced in one’s own country to other countries is called exporting. The country which sells these goods and services is known as the exporter. Some things that are imported by India:
Some things that are exported by India:
India exports rice to the USA, Nepal and UAE.
India exports tea to the UK, Germany and Iran.
India exports gemstones to the USA, Belgium and Singapore.
International trade encourages cooperation between countries and promotes innovation of the existing products and services within a country.
India imports gold from Switzerland, UAE and South Africa.
India imports crude oil and petroleum from Russia, Iraq and Saudi Arabia.
India imports plastics from USA, China and Japan.
Practice Time
1 Fill in the blanks.
Scan this QR code to see the quiz.
a The exchange of goods, services and capital between different countries is called .
b The buying of goods and services that are produced in a foreign country is called
c India exports to UK, Germany and Iran.
d is one of the countries which exports gold to India.
e The country which sells goods and services to another country is known as the
f The selling of goods and services produced in one’s own country to other countries is called .
g The country which buys goods and services from a foreign country is called the
2 Write whether India exports or imports these products.
a Rice
b Petroleum
c Gold
d Tea
e Gemstones
f Plastics
3 Read this case study and answer the questions that follow.
The United Kingdom and India have a very good trade relationship. In July 2024, India bought iron and steel worth $112 million, cosmetics and toiletries worth $58.1 million, electrical machinery worth $53.8 million and aluminium products worth $26.5 million from the United Kingdom.
a Which country is the exporter?
b Which product was the largest import in July 2024?
c Which product was the smallest import in July 2024?
Answers
1. Wealthiest Personalities, 2024
1. a. 2002 b. 1987 c. 1994 d. 2004 e. 1975
2. a. Twitter b. Seattle, USA c. Louis Vuitton, Moёt Hennessy d. Instagram, 2014 e. 2002 f. petrochemicals, retail, telecom g. 19
h. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
3. a. Jeffrey Preston Bezos b. Bill Gates
c. Elon Reeve Musk d. Bernard Arnault
e. Mark Zuckerberg f. Mukesh Ambani
2. Environmental Conservation
1. a. Uttarakhand, India; 1970s
b. Kerala, India; 1973
c. California, USA; 1985
2. a. Forest Rights Act b. Rainforest Action Network
c. Hug the Trees movement d. dam
e. Forest Rights Act f. 15, Himalayan
3. a. 1983 b. 1984 c. 2002 d. 2006
e. 1980 f. 1985
3. Cyberworld and Ethics
1. a. cyberworld b. strong c. stranger
d. privacy e. spam mail
2. a. Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre b. 7,000 c. Rs. 1,750 crores d. 954 million
3. a. G b. G c. B d. B e. G f. B g. G h. B
4. Roads in India
1. a. National Highways Authority of India
b. Public Works Department
c. Green National Highway Corridors Project
2. a. NH-44 b. Green National Highway Corridors Project c. State highways
d. Green National Highway Corridors Project
3. a. Maharashtra b. Jammu and Kashmir, Kanyakumari c. 1,46,145 d. 1,79,535 e. Delhi-Mumbai Expressway f. 781 g. NHAI h. 120 km/h i. Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh
5. World War I
1. a. Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire, Bulgaria
b. France, Great Britain, Soviet Union, Italy, Japan, United States
2. a. 1914 b. 1916 c. 1916 d. 1915 e. 1915 f. 1919 g. 1918
3. a. Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Sophie b. Battle of Verdun c. Lusitania d. Battle of the Somme e. Rethondes, France
6. Sporting Events
1. a. 1951; New Delhi, India b. 1930; Hamilton, Canada c. 2022; Birmingham, England d. 2023; Hangzhou, China e. 2026; Aichi and Nagoya, Japan f. 2026; Glasgow, Scotland
2. a. 72 b. eleven c. Commonwealth Games Federation d. Olympic Council of Asia
e. Perry f. Asian Games Federation g. British Empire Games h. 107
7. We Are What We Eat
1. a. Do b. Don’t c. Don’t d. Do e. Don’t f. Do
2. a. True b. True c. False d. True e. False f. False
3. BREAKFAST: A cheese sandwich, a boiled egg and a glass of milk
LUNCH: Rice, daal, vegetable curry
DINNER: Chapatis, chickpea curry, curd
8. Renowned Plays and Playwrights
1. a. English b. Indian c. Irish d. Irish
e. Russian f. French
2. a. 29 January 1860 b. 26 July 1856
c. 26 February 1802 d. 13 April 1906
e. 7 May 1861
3. a. Uncle Vanya, Ivanov b. Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet c. Endgame, Waiting for Godot
d. Chitra, Raja e. Mrs. Warren’s Profession, Arms and the Man f. Cromwell, Hernani
4. a. 200 b. William Shakespeare
c. Samuel Beckett d. Anton Chekhov
e. Rabindranath Tagore, Samuel Beckett, George Bernard Shaw
9. Elections Around the World, 2024
1. a. Vladimir Putin, 15 to 17 March
b. Narendra Modi, 19 April to 1 June
c. Cyril Ramaphosa, 29 May
d. Keir Starmer, 4 July
e. Claudia Sheinbaum, 2 June
2. a. Bharatiya Janata Party b. African National Congress c. Labour d. MORENA
3. a. fifth, 87% b. 4 June c. South Africa d. 2017 e. 411 f. 2005 g. MORENA h. 60%
10. Dangerous Animals
1. a. Sub-Saharan Africa b. Sub-Saharan Africa; Southern and Eastern Africa c. Komodo and some other Indonesian islands d. Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, east of the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, south of Australia’s northern coast e. Western Colombia
2. a. 70 to 150 b. 1200 c. 4, 6 d. Africa e. Tanzania
3. a. Golden Poison Dart Frog b. African Lion c. Black Mamba d. Saltwater Crocodile e. Komodo Dragon f. Great White Shark
11. Artificial Intelligence
1. a. artificial intelligence b. Alan Turing c. 1955 d. seeds e. John McCarthy
2. a. ChatGPT b. Voice.ai c. Google Assistant d. Midjourney
3. a. Finance b. Transportation
c. Healthcare d. Education
e. Shopping f. Agriculture g. Gaming h. Entertainment
12. A Savings Account
1. a. application b. pass book c. cheque book d. debit card e. Child Savings Account
2. a. False b. False c. True d. False e. True
3. a. Passport, Driving License, Voter ID Card, Aadhar Card
b. Date of Birth, Address, Phone number, Photograph
13. The Road to Indian Independence
1. a. 1919 b. 1942 c. 1920-1922
d. 1930 e. 1857 f. 1885
2. a. Mahatma Gandhi b. Bal Gangadhar Tilak
3. a. Boycotting British goods and institutions
b. Protest against the high tax imposed on salt by the British government.
4. a. Indian National Congress
b. East India Company
c. Sabarmati Ashram, Dandi
d. The Revolt of 1857
e. Baisakhi
5. a. Mahatma Gandhi b. Indian Independence Act c. Jawaharlal Nehru d. Quit India Movement e. General Reginald Dyer
14. Global Human Crises
1. a. 20 June b. 17 October c. For a World Where Refugees Are Welcomed d. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
e. 1992 f. 76% g. 33 crore
h. South Sudan
2. a. True b. False c. True d. True
e. True f. False g. False
3. a. ✓ b. ✗ c. ✓ d. ✓ e. ✗
f. ✗ g. ✗
15. The Censor Board of India
1. a. Central Board of Film Certification
b. Censor Board of India c. Mumbai d. four
e. Prasoon Joshi f. Central Government
g. Information and Broadcasting
h. Cinematograph
2. a. S (Special) b. A (Adult)
c. U (Universal) d. UA (Parental Guidance)
3. a. True b. False c. True d. False e. True
16. New Age Exercises
1. a. High-Intensity Interval Training
b. Total Body Resistance Exercise
c. Aerial Yoga d. Zumba e. Pilates
2. a. True b. False c. True d. False e. False
3. a. Improves balance, improves flexibility
b. Burns calories, improves blood pressure
c. Improves posture, decreases back pain
d. Improves digestion, helps us gain muscles
e. Develops strength, improves coordination
17. Climate Change: Causes and Effects
1. a. Deforestation, Urbanisation
b. Global Warming, Climate Change
c. Hotter Temperatures d. Long-term Droughts, Forest fires e. Forest fires f. Excessive floods
g. Planting more trees, using renewable energy
18. Types of Satellites
1. a. Geostationary, 19 June 1981 b. Polar, 28 February 1959 c. Geostationary, 19 August 1964
2. a. 27.3 b. 35,786 km c. 24 hours
d. 200 to 1000 km e. Syncom 3 f. Discoverer 1 g. APPLE
3. a. G b. P c. G d. G e. G f. P g. P h. P
19. Sports Events, 2024
1. a. Paris, 26 July to 11 August b. Paris, 28 August to 8 September c. USA and West Indies, 1 June to 29 June d. Germany, 14 June to 14 July e. Budapest, 10 September to 23 September
2. a. Jasprit Bumrah b. China c. Lamine Yamal d. Nona Gaprindashvili e. South Africa f. gender parity g. 7 h. Spain, fourth
3. a. False b. True c. False d. True e. True
20. Entrepreneurs of India
1. a. Nykaa b. OYO Hotels and Homes c. CRED d. Ola
2. a. 2008 b. 2013 c. 2007 d. 2010 e. 2012 f. 2018
3. a. 50 b. 19 c. 5,000 d. Bengaluru e. 250 f. CRED g. 100 million
4. Good communication, leadership, innovativeness, strong work ethic
21. The Suez Canal
1. a. Egypt b. Europe, Asia c. Ferdinand de Lesseps d. Suez Canal Company
e. Red, Mediterranean f. 1859, 1869
2. a. False b. True c. True d. False e. True
3.
London
22. Taxes
1. a. Tax b. expenditure c. two d. Direct e. purchase f. Central Board of Direct Taxes g. Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs
2. a. ✓ b. ✗ c. ✗ d. ✓ e. ✓ f. ✗
3. a. Direct b. Indirect c. Indirect
4. a. GST b. Income Tax c. Customs Duty d. GST e. Customs Duty
23. Providing Life Support
1. a. Cardio b. Pulmonary c. Resuscitation
2. a. 4 b. 6 c. 1 d. 5 e. 3 f. 2
3. a. Do b. Don’t c. Do d. Do
e. Don’t f. Do
4. a. ✗ b. ✓ c. ✓ d. ✗ e. ✓ f. ✗ g. ✓ h. ✗
24. Traditional Painting Forms in India
1. a. Warli Painting b. Kalamkari Painting
c. Madhubani Painting d. Thanjavur Painting
2. a. Rajasthan b. Bihar c. Tamil Nadu d. Maharashtra e. Andhra Pradesh f. Madhya Pradesh
3. a. True b. False c. True
d. False e. True
4. a. Madhubani b. Phad c. Warli
d. Gond e. Thanjavur f. Kalamkari
25. Space Exploration, 2024
1. a. 6 January 2024 b. 2 July 2024
c. 19 January 2024 d. 23 August 2024
e. 25 January 2024 f. 4 September 2024
2. a. 2 September 2023 b. 6 September 2023
c. 24 April 1990 d. 20 October 2018
3. ACROSS:
1. MERCURY 2. NASA
DOWN:
1. MOON 2. SUN
26. Sustainable Development Goals
1. a. Quality Education
b. Responsible Consumption and Protection
c. Climate Action
2. a. United Nations, 2015 b. 2030
c. 17% d. one-third
3. a. 8 b. 3 c. 15 d. 16 e. 1
f. 9 g. 5 h. 14
27. Artificial Intelligence of Things
1. a. Artificial Intelligence b. Internet of Things
c. Artificial Intelligence of Things
2. a. True b. False c. False
d. True e. True
Suez Canal Mumbai
3. a. IoTs b. AI c. AI, IoTs d. IoTs e. IoTs f. AI
28. Tennis Tournaments
1. a. 1988 b. 1891 c. 1877 d. 1905
2. a. Wimbledon b. WTA Finals c. ATP Finals d. Davis Cup e. Billie Jean King Cup
3. ACROSS:
1. MELBOURNE 2. NEW YORK DOWN:
5. LONDON 2. PARIS
29. Conferences on the Environment
1. a. United Nations Conference on the Human Environment; Stockholm, Sweden
b. Rio+20; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
c. Stockholm+50; Stockholm, Sweden
d. Earth Summit; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2. a. 179 b. 197 c. 1972 d. 2012
3. ACROSS:
1. UNFCCC 2. SDG DOWN:
1. UNCED 2. CBD 3. UNCCD
30. Indian Nobel Laureates
1. a. Physics b. Peace c. Literature
d. Economics e. Peace
f. Physiology or Medicine
2. a. 1930 b. 2014 c. 1913 d. 1998 e. 1979 f. 1968
3. a. 1901 b. Alfred Nobel c. Rabindranath Tagore d. Har Gobind Khurana
e. Kailash Satyarthi f. Mother Teresa g. C. V. Raman h. Malala Yousafzai
31. Consumer Rights
1. a. False b. True c. True d. False e. True
2. a. Consumer Protection Act, 2019 b. National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission c. Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution d. Department of Consumer Affairs
3. a. Right to Choose b. Right to Safety c. Right to Seek Redressal d. Right to be Informed e. Right to Consumer Education f. Right to be Heard
32. G7 Summit, 2024
1. a. Joe Biden b. Giorgia Meloni
c. Emmanuel Macron d. Ursula von der Leyen e. Justin Trudeau f. Fumio Kishida g. Olaf Scholz h. Rishi Sunak
2. a. True b. False c. False d. True e. False f. True
3. a. Yes b. No c. No d. Yes e. No f. Yes g. Yes h. No
33. Natural Disasters
1. a. Hurricanes b. Cyclones c. Hurricanes d. Cyclones e. Typhoons
2. a. Tsunami b. Hurricanes/Typhoons/Cyclones c. Flood d. Tsunami e. Flood f. Hurricanes/Typhoons/Cyclones
3. a. True b. True c. False d. False
e. True f. True
34. Vaccines and Immunisation Drives
1. a. 1796 b. 1945 c. 1955 d. 1960 e. 2020
f. 1988 g. 1995 h. 1803 i. 1967
2. a. 24 October b. 12
c. Pulse Polio Immunisation Programme
d. H1N1 Influenza e. Pfizer Inc, BioNTech SE.
3. a. Dr. Edward Jenner b. Jonas Salk
c. Dr. Albert Sabin d. Thomas Francis, Jonas Salk
e. Dr. Francisco Xavier de Balmis, Dr. José Salvany
35. Global Indices and Rankings
1. a. Global Peace Index
b. Global Innovation Index
c. Climate Change Performance Index
2. a. Henley & Partners
b. The Institute for Economics and Peace
c. World Intellectual Property Organization
d. Gallup, the Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre, The United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network and WHR’s Editorial Board
e. Germanwatch, the NewClimate Institute and the Climate Action Network International
3. a. Use of renewable energy, Climate policies
b. Levels of violence, Crime rates
c. Research, Credit and investment
d. Income, Social support
4. ACROSS:
1. AFGHANISTAN 2. ICELAND
DOWN:
1. FINLAND 2. SINGAPORE
36. Pathbreaking films
1. a. Satyajit Ray, 1955 b. James Cameron, 2009 c. Danny Boyle, 2008 d. Bong Joon-ho, 2019 e. Peter Jackson, 2001-2003
2. a. 17 b. 11 c. Original Song d. Best Feature Film e. Jamal, Salim f. Parasite g. James Cameron
3. a. Pather Panchali b. Slumdog Millionaire c. Avatar d. Titanic e. The Lord of the Rings f. Parasite
37. International Trade
1. a. international trade b. importing c. tea d. Switzerland e. exporter f. Exporting h. importer
2. a. Exports b. Imports c. Imports d. Exports e. Exports f. Imports
3. a. The United Kingdom b. Iron and steel c. Aluminium products
About the Book
Introducing Aware, a comprehensive and engaging General Knowledge and Current Affairs book designed specifically for learners in grades 1 to 8. It empowers learners with general knowledge, awareness of global developments, functional competencies and the 21st-century skills essential for life today. This book spans nine thoughtfully curated themes.
About Uolo
Uolo partners with K-12 schools to provide technology-enabled learning programs. We believe that pedagogy and technology must come together to deliver scalable learning experiences that generate measurable outcomes. Uolo is trusted by over 15,000+ schools across India, Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
ISBN 978-81-980193-4-9
