Chapter 1 of Class 5 EVS (Our Wondrous World), Water — The Essence of Life, explains why water matters to every living thing, its forms, and the water cycle.
Key Concepts
Why water matters: it transports nutrients, regulates body temperature, and enables digestion in plants, animals, and humans.
Freshwater vs saltwater: most of Earth’s water is salty (oceans); only a small fraction is usable freshwater from rivers, lakes, groundwater, and rain.
Three forms of water: solid (ice), liquid (water), gas (water vapour); connected by the water cycle — evaporation, condensation, precipitation.
Quick Recap
- Ocean water is unsafe to drink because of its high salt content.
- Rivers flow downhill following the slope of the land — this is why India’s rivers flow towards either the Arabian Sea or the Bay of Bengal depending on which side of the central highlands they start on.
Common Mistake to Avoid
Thinking all of Earth’s water is drinkable — remember that the vast majority is salty ocean water, and only a small share of freshwater is actually usable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the three stages of the water cycle?
Evaporation (water turns to vapour), condensation (vapour cools into clouds), and precipitation (water falls back as rain or snow).
Can ocean water be used for anything other than drinking?
Yes — for fishing, sea transport, salt production, and, after desalination treatment, even drinking water in some coastal areas.
Full walkthrough: Chapter 1 Solutions · Extra Questions.
