# Exploring Our Neighbourhood

## Overview
In this chapter, students journey through their neighbourhood with Navya and her grandfather, discovering how people communicate, how services like post offices, hospitals, banks, and public transport support communities, and how modern development coexists with the environment. The chapter also introduces practical skills like using maps, identifying directions, managing money, and recognizing community helpers.

## Key Topics Covered

### 1. On the Way Home
- Navya and her grandfather take a bus home from school via the market route.
- Navya observes her surroundings: a red postbox, busy streets, and people around them.
- Her grandfather shares how letters were once a major way to communicate.

### 2. Old and New Ways of Communication
- Earlier forms: drumbeats, rock carvings, messenger birds, and handwritten letters.
- Modern forms: mobile phones, emails, and video calls allow faster communication.
- Students are encouraged to compare past and present communication styles through a discussion table.

### 3. Transport in the Neighbourhood
- Navya sees a metro train and learns about flyovers and their role in easing traffic.
- Flyovers are built for faster transport—some for metros, others for cars and buses.
- While technology improves travel, it also affects nature and wildlife.
- Importance of balancing development with environmental protection is highlighted.

### 4. Visiting a Hospital
- Navya spots a hospital hosting an eye check-up camp.
- Her grandfather explains the significance of hospitals in the community.
- Students are guided to list hospital workers (e.g., doctor, nurse) and their roles.

### 5. Banks and Money
- Navya visits a bank and learns about ATMs.
- Banks help save money safely and offer financial services.
- Students learn about older money practices like money orders and new methods like online transfers.
- Importance of saving money for the future is introduced through a budgeting activity.

### 6. Understanding Directions and Drawing Maps
- Navya draws her neighbourhood using cardinal directions: North (top), South (bottom), East (right), West (left).
- Students learn how to describe locations using these directions.
- Activities include identifying places in different directions and giving directions using landmarks.

### 7. Community Services and Helpers
- Key public places: hospitals, banks, post offices, police stations, libraries, etc.
- Students list people and vehicles involved in these services (e.g., police, garbage collectors, nurses).
- Students reflect on contributions of community helpers, especially during COVID-19.
- Group activity encourages planning neighbourhood improvements and budgeting ₹100 wisely.

## New Terms

| Term | Simple Definition |
|--------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Postbox | A red box where letters are dropped to be sent to others |
| Communication| Sharing information with others through talking, writing, or technology |
| Metro | A fast train that runs in big cities, often underground or on tracks above roads |
| Flyover | A road built above another road to reduce traffic |
| ATM | A machine that lets you take out money from the bank anytime |
| Passbook | A small book from the bank that shows your money deposits and withdrawals |
| Barter | An old system where people exchanged goods without using money |
| Directions | Ways (North, South, East, West) to tell where a place is |
| Landmark | A known place (like a shop or temple) used to help people find directions |
| Community | A group of people living in the same area and helping each other |

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## Practice Questions

### Easy (3)

1. **What is a postbox used for?**
**Answer:** A postbox is used to drop letters so they can be sent to others.
**Explanation:** The postman collects these letters and takes them to the post office.

2. **Name one way people communicated in old times.**
**Answer:** By writing letters.
**Explanation:** Before mobile phones and the internet, people used to send letters through post.

3. **What is an ATM?**
**Answer:** An ATM is a machine that gives you money from your bank account.
**Explanation:** ATM stands for Automated Teller Machine.

### Medium (2)

4. **How have flyovers made travel easier?**
**Answer:** Flyovers help vehicles move above busy roads and crossings, reducing traffic and saving time.
**Explanation:** They are elevated roads that prevent traffic jams.

5. **Why is it important to save money?**
**Answer:** Saving money helps us buy things we need in the future and handle emergencies.
**Explanation:** It teaches planning and financial safety.

### Difficult (3)

6. **How has communication changed from the past to now?**
**Answer:** Earlier, people used letters and messengers; now we use phones, emails, and video calls.
**Explanation:** Technology has made communication faster and more convenient.

7. **Why do flyovers and metro trains affect animals and birds?**
**Answer:** These constructions replace natural spaces like trees and fields, taking away homes of animals and birds.
**Explanation:** Development can harm the environment if not planned well.

8. **What steps can we take to protect the environment while still developing cities?**
**Answer:** We can plant more trees, build eco-friendly structures, and use green transport.
**Explanation:** Sustainable development helps balance nature and growth.

### Very Difficult (2)

9. **If you had ₹100 for the month, how would you divide it between saving and spending? Give one reason for each.**
**Answer:** ₹60 for savings (for future needs), ₹40 for snacks and toys (things I need or enjoy).
**Explanation:** Saving teaches planning; spending allows limited enjoyment.

10. **Why should we thank community helpers like doctors and shopkeepers during emergencies like COVID-19?**
**Answer:** They risked their safety to help others with health, food, and essential services.
**Explanation:** Gratitude builds respect and community spirit.

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