NCERT Solutions for Class 4th The World Around Us Chapter 8 Pihu and Maa talk about paper — In-text Questions
Book page 118–119 Updated on2026-09-19
Q1.
Maa! This picture says that if we recycle paper, we can save trees. How are trees and paper related to each other?The newspaper open on the table. The picture printed on it shows a tree; described here in a simple drawing, see the textbook for the full illustration.
Answer
Paper is made from trees. That is how the two are related.
The newspaper open on the table. The picture printed on it shows a tree; described here in a simple drawing, see the textbook for the full illustration.
A tree is cut down for its wood. The wood is broken into tiny bits and made into a wet
wood pulp. The pulp is then rolled out into thin sheets, and those sheets are paper.
So every sheet of paper began as a part of a tree.
How the paper in our books comes from a tree.
Why it happens: Making paper needs many trees, a lot of water and a lot of
energy. When we recycle old paper into new paper, we do not need to cut so many trees. That is how
recycling paper saves trees.
Q2.
Does that mean my drawing book is also made from trees?
Answer
Yes. Pihu’s drawing book is made from trees.
Maa tells her that many things she uses every day are also made from trees:
her drawing book
the newspaper Maa is reading
paper napkins
the chart papers used for school projects
Why it happens: All of these are paper, and paper is made from the wood of trees.
So if a thing is made of paper, a tree was used to make it.
Q3.
Maa, touch this! The surface of this pot looks like it is made from paper. However, it feels rough unlike my drawing book.The pot Pihu asks her mother to touch.
Answer
Maa answers that the pot feels rough because it is made from recycled paper.
The pot Pihu asks her mother to touch.
Recycled paper is made by mashing old paper into a pulp and rolling it out by hand. The tiny bits of
paper do not spread out evenly, so the surface stays a little bumpy.
The pages of a drawing book are made in a mill from fresh wood pulp. The pulp there is spread very
evenly, so the paper comes out smooth.
Why it happens: The way a thing is made decides how it feels. Hand-made pulp gives
a rough surface; machine-made pulp gives a smooth one.
Q4.
Maa, can we make such paper?
Answer
Yes, we can. Maa says, “Why not? Let us try.”
Recycled paper can be made at home. You only need three things:
old newspapers
a few fenugreek (methi) seeds
water
Activity 1 on page 119 gives the five steps to follow.
Tip: No machine is needed. If there is no grinder at home, the soaked paper can be
mashed with your hands or with any other tool you have.