# How Things Are Made

## Overview
In this chapter, students learn how everyday objects—especially paper—are made. Through Pihu’s journey, they explore the process of making paper from trees, how to make recycled paper at home, and how natural dyes are used. The chapter emphasizes the importance of saving trees, reducing paper waste, and applying the 5Rs of waste management for a sustainable future.

## Key Topics Covered

### 1. Understanding Paper and its Origin
- Paper is made from trees, using wood pulp.
- Everyday items like newspapers, drawing books, napkins, and chart paper come from trees.
- Cutting trees in large numbers for paper affects the environment.

### 2. Making Recycled Paper
Students learn a hands-on method to create recycled paper at home using:
- Old newspapers
- Fenugreek seeds (as a natural binder)
- Water and a flat surface

**Steps:**
1. Tear paper and soak it with fenugreek overnight.
2. Grind or mash the mixture to a pulp.
3. Spread and roll the pulp into thin sheets.
4. Dry the sheets to create recycled paper.

### 3. Colouring Recycled Paper with Natural Dyes
- Experiment with natural ingredients like turmeric, spinach, beetroot, and henna to dye recycled paper.
- Observe and compare colours and brightness (dull/bright).
- Learn about safe and eco-friendly natural dyes made from plant parts (roots, leaves, flowers, seeds, stems).

### 4. Paper Craft Activity
- Create greeting cards, paper masks, and toys using recycled paper.
- Emphasize creative reuse to make meaningful gifts and decorations.

### 5. Paper vs. Recycled Paper
- Recycled paper has a different texture than factory-made paper.
- Making paper uses many trees, water, and energy.
- Using paper responsibly helps conserve resources.

### 6. History of Writing Materials
- Ancient people wrote on cloth, leaves, wooden boards, and palm leaves (talapatra).
- Environmentally friendly options like banana fibre are alternatives to wood pulp.

### 7. Types of Paper and Their Uses
Different types of paper serve different purposes:
- **Writing paper**: for notebooks and books
- **Newspaper**: for news and wrapping
- **Art paper**: for craft and decoration
- **Cardboard**: for packaging boxes
- **Tissue paper**: for cleaning

Special mention: **Braille paper** allows visually challenged individuals to read using raised dots.

### 8. The 5Rs of Waste Management
A five-step plan to reduce waste and save the environment:

| R | Meaning |
|----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Refuse | Say no to items that create waste (e.g., plastic or paper cups) |
| Reduce | Use things efficiently (e.g., both sides of paper) |
| Reuse | Use items more than once (e.g., gift bags) |
| Repurpose| Use things differently (e.g., turn old bottles into flower vases) |
| Recycle | Convert waste into usable products (e.g., recycled paper) |

---

## New Terms and Simple Definitions

| Term | Simple Definition |
|--------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Wood pulp | Soft, mashed wood used to make paper |
| Recycle | Using old things to make something new |
| Fenugreek | A seed (methi) used as a natural glue when soaked in water |
| Natural dye | Colours made from parts of plants like leaves, roots, flowers |
| Repurpose | Use something in a new and creative way |
| Banana fibre | Fibres from banana plants that can be used to make eco-friendly paper |
| Braille | A system of raised dots for blind people to read and write |
| Talapatra | Traditional palm leaves used for writing in ancient India |


## Practice Questions

### Easy (3)

1. **What is paper made from?**
a) Plastic
b) Wood pulp
c) Metal
d) Cotton
**Answer**: b) Wood pulp
**Explanation**: Paper is made from trees, specifically the pulp obtained from wood.

2. **Which natural ingredient is used as a binder while making recycled paper?**
a) Turmeric
b) Water
c) Fenugreek seeds
d) Beetroot
**Answer**: c) Fenugreek seeds
**Explanation**: Fenugreek seeds help bind the paper pulp when soaked in water overnight.

3. **What is one use of cardboard?**
a) Writing
b) Making boxes
c) Cleaning
d) Cooking
**Answer**: b) Making boxes
**Explanation**: Cardboard is thick and strong, so it is used for packing and making boxes.

### Medium (2)

4. **Why should we recycle paper?**
a) To waste more water
b) To cut more trees
c) To save trees and reduce waste
d) To make the paper look colourful
**Answer**: c) To save trees and reduce waste
**Explanation**: Recycling reduces the need to cut trees and helps conserve natural resources.

5. **Which of the following is NOT one of the 5Rs of waste management?**
a) Reuse
b) Repaint
c) Refuse
d) Repurpose
**Answer**: b) Repaint
**Explanation**: Repaint is not a part of the 5Rs; the 5Rs are Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, and Recycle.

### Difficult (3)

6. **What was used for writing in ancient India before paper?**
a) Palm leaves (Talapatra)
b) Cotton
c) Plastic
d) Clay
**Answer**: a) Palm leaves (Talapatra)
**Explanation**: Palm leaves were used in earlier times for writing instead of paper.

7. **Which type of dye is safer for colouring paper and other materials?**
a) Chemical dye
b) Artificial dye
c) Natural dye
d) Ink dye
**Answer**: c) Natural dye
**Explanation**: Natural dyes made from plants are safe and eco-friendly.

8. **Which of the following actions best represents "Repurpose"?**
a) Writing on new paper
b) Making a flower vase from an old bottle
c) Throwing old clothes
d) Buying new toys
**Answer**: b) Making a flower vase from an old bottle
**Explanation**: Repurposing means using something old in a new and creative way.

### Very Difficult (2)

9. **Explain the process of making recycled paper in your own words.**
**Answer**: Tear old newspaper into small pieces, soak with fenugreek seeds in water overnight, mash into a pulp, spread it flat and roll it thin, then dry it.
**Explanation**: This method helps create handmade paper from waste material.

10. **Why is using paper responsibly important for the environment?**
**Answer**: Using paper responsibly helps reduce the number of trees cut down, saves water and energy, and lessens pollution.
**Explanation**: Paper production affects natural resources; saving paper helps protect the environment.