Wonderful Waste! – Class 5 English NCERT Solutions

Explore the solutions for “Wonderful Waste!”, Class 5 English NCERT. This story teaches children an important lesson about not wasting resources and being creative in finding solutions. It shows how something considered waste can be transformed into something valuable through innovative thinking. The story encourages children to think creatively and be mindful of wastage.

Story Summary (English)

The story “Wonderful Waste!” is about a clever cook at the Maharaja of Travancore’s palace. During preparations for a grand dinner, the Maharaja notices vegetable scraps that the cook plans to throw away. The Maharaja orders the cook to find a way to use these scraps instead of wasting them. The creative cook then transforms these vegetable scraps into a delicious dish by adding coconut, spices, and curd. This new dish becomes famous throughout Kerala as ‘avial’ and is now an essential part of traditional Kerala feasts.

कहानी का सारांश (Hindi)

कहानी “वंडरफुल वेस्ट!” त्रावणकोर के महाराजा के महल के एक चतुर रसोइए के बारे में है। एक भव्य रात्रिभोज की तैयारियों के दौरान, महाराजा को सब्जियों के कुछ टुकड़े दिखाई देते हैं जिन्हें रसोइया फेंकने की योजना बना रहा था। महाराजा रसोइए को इन टुकड़ों को बर्बाद करने के बजाय उनका उपयोग करने का तरीका खोजने का आदेश देते हैं। रचनात्मक रसोइया फिर इन सब्जी के टुकड़ों को नारियल, मसाले और दही मिलाकर एक स्वादिष्ट व्यंजन में बदल देता है। यह नया व्यंजन ‘अविअल’ के नाम से पूरे केरल में प्रसिद्ध हो जाता है और अब केरल के पारंपरिक भोज का एक महत्वपूर्ण हिस्सा है।

Word Meanings (शब्दार्थ)

Reading is Fun

Question 1. A recipe is a list of directions to prepare dish. The following sentences are not in order for preparing avial. Number them in the correct order.

The correct order for preparing avial is:

1. Wash and clean the mix of vegetable bits
2. Cut the vegetables scraps into long strips
3. Grind some coconut, green chillies and garlic
4. Whip some curd and mix it in
5. Pour some coconut oil on top
6. Decorate with curry leaves
7. Avial is ready

Question 2. What were the preparations in the palace for?

The preparations in the palace were for a grand dinner that the Maharaja of Travancore had ordered. The kitchen staff was busy preparing various dishes for this special feast.

Question 3. Why did the Maharaja go into the kitchen in the afternoon?

The Maharaja went into the kitchen in the afternoon to survey and inspect all the dishes that had been prepared for the evening’s feast. He wanted to ensure everything was being prepared properly.

Question 4. What had the cook planned to do with the vegetable scraps?

The cook had initially planned to throw away the vegetable scraps considering them as waste. When the Maharaja questioned him about the scraps, he replied, “They are waste. We will throw them away.” However, the Maharaja’s command made him think creatively about using these scraps.

Question 5. Circle the ingredients of avial from the given options:

The ingredients used in making avial are:

• Chillies
• Vegetable scraps
• Coconut
• Curd
• Garlic
• Curry leaves

Question 6. State whether the following statement is True or False: The king had ordered a dinner in the palace.

True – The Maharaja of Travancore had ordered a grand dinner in his palace, and preparations were being made for this feast.

Question 7. State whether the following statement is True or False: No one had heard of or tasted avial before.

True – Avial was a completely new dish created by the cook from vegetable scraps. It later became famous throughout Kerala and became a traditional dish.

Question 8. State whether the following statement is True or False: The cook had planned to make another dish using the vegetable scraps.

False – Initially, the cook had no plans to use the vegetable scraps. He was going to throw them away until the Maharaja commanded him to find a way to use them.

Question 9. List five things that you do when you reach home from school, in order.

Here is a typical sequence of activities after reaching home from school:

1. First, I put away my school bag
2. Then, I wash up
3. Next, I chat with mummy about school
4. After that, I go to play
5. Finally, I pack my school bag for the next day

Note: This is a suggested sequence. Students can write their own daily routine based on what they actually do after school.

Let’s Talk

Question 1. Name some of the things which are thrown away at home or in school.

Several things that are commonly thrown away at home or in school include:

• Wrappers of packed food and snacks
• Scraps of paper and used notebooks
• Empty carton boxes
• Used pen refills
• Peels of fruits and vegetables

Question 2. Sit in group of four and think of interesting ways in which they can be made useful?

Here are some creative ways to reuse common waste items:

• Food wrappers can be turned into colorful craft materials or bookmarks
• Paper scraps and carton boxes can be used for art projects or to make storage boxes
• Fruit and vegetable peels can be used as compost for plants
• Empty boxes can be decorated and used to store small items
• Used notebooks can be used for rough work or practice

Word Building

Question 1. Make new words by adding/dropping a few letters from the root word.

Question 2. Look up the following words in the dictionary. They may have more than one meaning. List these meanings.

Here are the different meanings of the words:

• Ground: – As a noun: flat surface of the earth – As a noun: area used for some activity – As a verb: to prohibit or stop something
• Survey: – As a noun: a detailed investigation or study – As a verb: to look at something carefully
• Scrap: – As a noun: waste material – As a noun: a small piece or fragment – As a verb: to dispose of something
• Sternly: (adverb) in a firm, strict, or serious manner
• Tempting: (adjective) attractive, appealing, or enticing

Question 3. Do any of these words use all four endings (-ed, -ing, -er, -est)?

Yes, looking at the table of words with their different forms, only two words can use all four endings:

1. Tasty: tasted, tasting, tastier, tastiest
2. Clean: cleaned, cleaning, cleaner, cleanest

These words can be used as verbs (with -ed and -ing endings) and also as adjectives that can be compared (with -er and -est endings).

Find Out

Question 1. Name food that is made in your home.

(i) For a feast/festival:

• Special desserts like kheer and gulab jamun
• Festive dishes like pulao
• Sweet chutney and special curries

(ii) When you are unwell:

• Light and easily digestible foods
• Khichdi with vegetables
• Clear soups and broths

(iii) Everyday meals:

• Roti and vegetables
• Dal and rice
• Fresh salads

Question 2. Do you have a similar dish in your state made from a mix of many vegetables?

In Punjab, we have a popular mixed vegetable dish called ‘Mix Sabzi’. Here’s how it’s made:

1. Ingredients: Potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, capsicum, onions, tomatoes, spices, and coconut
2. Recipe:
   • First, chop onions and tomatoes and cook with spices
   • Add chopped potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, and capsicum
   • Add grated coconut and cook until vegetables are tender
   • Garnish with fresh coriander leaves

Word Hunt

Question 1. Fill in the blanks with words from the story.

The completed sentences are:

1. The bridegroom went to visit his mother-in-law.
2. The mother-in-law pointed at the bamboo door.
3. He stayed the night with his in-laws.
4. He carried the bamboo door back with him.
5. The curry was made from bamboo shoots.

Say Aloud

Practice saying these words with proper pronunciation:

Let’s break down these words into syllables:

• im-pa-tient (im-pay-shnt)
• de-li-cious (di-li-shius)
• bo-iled
• cho-pped
• bam-boo
• be-gan

Note: Practice saying these words slowly first, then gradually increase your speed while maintaining clear pronunciation.