HOTS Questions: Our School—A Happy Place | Our Wondrous World Class 5 - New NCERT PDF Download

Q1: If a school implements waste segregation but lacks composting, evaluate the long-term environmental impact.
(a) It eliminates the need for bins
(b) Organic waste accumulates, leading to pollution
(c) It reduces all waste effectively
(d) It increases recycling rates automatically
Ans: (b)
Explanation: When a school sorts waste but doesn't compost, things like food scraps pile up in landfills.
They start rotting and releasing smelly gases that harm the air and soil over time. 
Without composting, the environment suffers from extra waste buildup and attracts pests.
Proper composting would help, but lacking it leads to ongoing issues.

Q2: Analyse why painting school roofs white could be more effective in hot climates than in cold ones for energy efficiency.
(a) White reflects sunlight, reducing cooling needs in the heat
(b) Cold climates benefit more from reflection
(c) White absorbs heat better in cold areas
(d) It has no climatic relevance
Ans: (a)
Explanation: In hot places, white roofs bounce back the sun's rays, keeping buildings cooler inside so less air conditioning is needed, saving energy. 
But in cold areas, this reflection might make rooms chillier, increasing heating costs instead. 
The colour helps manage heat based on the weather, making it smarter for sunny spots. 
Schools in warm regions benefit most from this simple trick.

Q3: Propose how student-led teams like 'Water Watchers' foster responsibility and sustainability in schools.
(a) They empower students to monitor and fix issues
(b) They reduce teacher involvement
(c) They focus only on punishment
(d) They increase water wastage
Ans: (a)
Explanation: Student-led teams like 'Water Watchers' let kids check for leaks and remind others to save water, building habits of caring for resources. 
This hands-on role teaches responsibility as they solve problems together, promoting sustainability. 
Teachers guide, but students lead, feeling proud of their impact. 
It spreads awareness school-wide for long-term eco-friendliness.

Q4: If bullying occurs in a school, evaluate its impact on the overall learning environment.
(a) It improves social skills
(b) It creates fear, reducing focus and participation
(c) It motivates students to study harder
(d) It does not affect academics
Ans: (b)
Explanation: Bullying makes kids scared to come to school, distracting them from lessons and lowering their confidence to join class talks. 
It hurts friendships and creates a tense vibe where learning suffers for everyone. 
Teachers might spend more time on issues instead of teaching. 
Kindness programs can help fix this. It creates fear, reducing focus and participation in the environment.

Q5: Compare the benefits of natural ventilation versus air conditioning for school energy efficiency.
(a) Natural methods reduce costs and promote sustainability
(b) Both are equally polluting
(c) AC uses less energy in all climates
(d) Ventilation increases heat
Ans: (a)
Explanation: Natural ventilation uses open windows and breezes to cool rooms without electricity, cutting energy bills and being kinder to the planet. 
Air conditioning runs on power, raising costs and emissions, especially in mild weather. Ventilation keeps the air fresh and healthy, too. 
Schools save money long-term in natural ways. 
Natural methods reduce costs and promote sustainability over AC.

Q6: Why might fire drills be essential, and how do they prepare students for emergencies?
(a) They are only for teachers
(b) They increase fire risks
(c) They cause unnecessary panic
(d) They teach calm evacuation and assembly
Ans: (d)
Explanation: Fire drills practice safe ways out of buildings, teaching kids to stay calm and meet at safe spots during real fires. 
They build quick habits without real danger, saving lives. 
Regular drills make emergencies less scary. 
They teach calm evacuation and assembly for essential preparation.

Q7: Evaluate the role of kindness in creating a welcoming school environment.
(a) It fosters inclusion and reduces bullying
(b) It decreases academic focus
(c) It leads to more conflicts
(d) It has no impact on happiness
Ans: (a)
Explanation: Kindness in school means smiling, sharing, and helping, making everyone feel included and safe from mean acts like bullying. 
It boosts happiness and teamwork, helping kids learn better together. 
It fosters inclusion and reduces bullying for a positive environment.

Q8: If a school plants more trees, predict the effects on local microclimate and biodiversity.
(a) Cooler air, more wildlife habitats
(b) Reduced oxygen levels
(c) No change in temperature
(d) Increased heat from shade
Ans: (a)
Explanation: Planting trees cools the school’s air with shade and gives homes to birds and bugs. This makes the area greener and livelier.  Over time, this creates a mini forest effect, improving the local spot.   Cooler air, more wildlife habitats from trees benefit all.

Q9: Propose a strategy for managing school waste to promote recycling.
(a) Segregate and educate on recycling benefits
(b) Ignore dry waste
(c) Mix all waste types
(d) Burn waste for energy
Ans: (a)
Explanation: Sorting waste into bins for paper and plastic, and teaching kids why recycling helps, cuts down trash. This saves resources and keeps schools clean.   This strategy reduces landfill waste and inspires home habits. 
Segregate and educate on the recycling benefits for better management.

Q10: Analyse how traffic safety measures near schools protect students.
(a) They encourage speeding
(b) They increase vehicle numbers
(c) They are unnecessary in rural areas
(d) They reduce accidents through signage and crossings
Ans: (d)
Explanation: Signs like speed bumps and crosswalks slow cars near schools, helping kids walk safely. Signs keep drivers alert to avoid accidents.  
This cuts accident risks, keeping everyone alert.  
They reduce accidents through signage and crossings for student safety.

Q11: Why is water conservation in schools important for broader community impact?
(a) It teaches habits that extend to homes and society
(b) It wastes resources
(c) It increases usage
(d) It only affects school bills
Ans: (a)
Explanation: Saving water at school, like fixing taps, teaches kids smart habits they take home, spreading to families and neighbourhoods.
Schools model good behaviour for society.
It teaches habits that extend to homes and society for impact.

Q12: Evaluate the consequences of not having fire safety drills in schools.
(a) No impact on safety
(b) Panic and injuries during real emergencies
(c) Reduced need for equipment
(d) Students learn faster without interruptions
Ans: (b)
Explanation: Skipping fire drills leaves kids confused in real fires.
It can cause panic, wrong exits and more injuries from chaos during a real fire.
Practice builds calm responses, but without it, safety drops. 
Panic and injuries during real emergencies are serious consequences.

Q13: Compare positive behaviour in schools versus negative actions.
(a) Positive fosters harmony, negative creates discomfort
(b) Negative discourages creativity
(c) Both are equally beneficial
(d) Negative actions build resilience
Ans: (a)
Explanation: Positive behaviour like sharing creates a happy, teamwork-filled school where everyone feels good and learns well.
Negative actions like teasing cause hurt feelings and distractions, making the place uncomfortable.
Positive fosters harmony, negative creates discomfort in comparison.

Q14: Propose how green initiatives in schools educate on sustainability.
(a) Focusing only on academics
(b) By increasing waste
(c) Through hands-on activities like planting and recycling
(d) By ignoring environmental issues
Ans: (c)
Explanation: Green initiatives let kids plant gardens or recycle.
Teaching real ways to care for Earth through fun ways.
They learn why saving energy matters for the future.
Through hands-on activities like planting and recycling, they educate on sustainability.

Q15: If schools promote kindness trees, analyse how this builds emotional safety.
(a) It encourages sharing positive actions, fostering inclusion
(b) It focuses on punishment
(c) It reduces interactions
(d) It increases competition
Ans: (a)
Explanation: Kindness trees let kids hang notes of nice deeds.
This creates a happy, safe school. Sharing positivity and making everyone feel valued and included.
It encourages more good acts daily.
It encourages sharing positive actions, fostering inclusion for emotional safety.