Head office, Rana Pratap Bagh, Delhi011 2721 1512+91 97116 99511

A free printable book

General knowledge for classes 3 to 5

7 lessons, each with worked examples, a try-at-home activity and a practice sheet. The practice sheets are together after the lessons, and the answer keys are at the very back.

  • General knowledge
  • Classes 3-5
  • 7 lessons
  • 75 practice questions
  • Free to print

Contents

Free learning for kids, Gurukul Technicals Institute. Printed from engineergurukul.com/resources/kids/books/gk-3-5/

Contents

What is in this book

  1. 1Continents and oceansLearn the seven continents and five oceans of Earth, where India is, and simple ways to remember their names.3 min
  2. 2Festivals of IndiaDiscover festivals celebrated across India, such as Diwali, Holi, Eid, Christmas, Pongal and Onam, with respect for all.4 min
  3. 3Rivers and mountains of IndiaTravel across a map of India to meet the Himalayas, the Ghats and the Aravallis, and follow the great rivers from their source to the sea.5 min
  4. 4The map of India and its neighboursRead a map of India using directions, find the seas on three sides, and learn the names and capitals of the countries next door.4 min
  5. 5Our community helpersMeet the people who keep a neighbourhood running, from farmers and doctors to postal workers and sanitation workers, and the tools they use.5 min
  6. 6Means of transport and communicationSort transport into land, water and air, learn how Indian railways and roads connect the country, and see how messages travel from letters to the internet.5 min
  7. 7Republic Day, Independence Day and our national daysLearn why 15 August and 26 January are special, what happened on each date, how they are celebrated, and the rules for respecting the flag.5 min

Every lesson here can also be read on its own page, with links to related lessons. All printable books.

Lesson 1 of 7

Continents and oceans

Learn the seven continents and five oceans of Earth, where India is, and simple ways to remember their names.

Open this lesson on its own page · Practice sheet · Answer key · Contents

Let us begin

The big idea

Look at a globe. You will see big pieces of land and big areas of water. The giant pieces of land are called continents, and the giant areas of salty water are called oceans. Let us learn their names.

There are 7 continents: Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe and Australia. We live in Asia.

There are 5 oceans: the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, the Southern Ocean and the Arctic Ocean.

Oceans cover most of the Earth. About 7 parts out of every 10 parts of the surface are water.

The Indian Ocean is to the south of India. The Arctic Ocean is near the North Pole. The Southern Ocean surrounds Antarctica, which is the icy continent at the South Pole. The Atlantic Ocean lies between the Americas on one side and Europe and Africa on the other.

To remember, say the lists aloud many times, or make a rhyme with the first letters.

7 continents and 5 oceansTwo boxes side by side. The left box lists the seven continents and the right box lists the five oceans. 7 continents Asia Africa North America South America Antarctica Europe Australia 5 oceans Pacific Atlantic Indian Southern Arctic
The names to remember.

Worked examples

See how it works

  1. Where is India?

    India is in the continent of Asia. To the south of India is the Indian Ocean. The Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal are parts of it.

  2. Count them

    Continents: Asia (1), Africa (2), North America (3), South America (4), Antarctica (5), Europe (6), Australia (7). Oceans: Pacific (1), Atlantic (2), Indian (3), Southern (4), Arctic (5). Total names to learn: 7 + 5 = 12.

  3. Two Americas

    North America and South America both have America in their names. They are two different continents, not one.

Try it at home

World name cards

You will need

  • 12 small paper slips
  • pencil
  • two sheets of paper
  • a globe or atlas if you have one

What to do

  1. Write the names of the 7 continents on 7 slips.
  2. Write the names of the 5 oceans on 5 slips.
  3. Mix all slips. Sort them onto two sheets: Continents and Oceans.
  4. If you have a globe or atlas, find India and the ocean south of it.
  5. Time yourself and try to sort faster the next time.

Ask a grown-up: An adult can help point out Asia and the Indian Ocean on a globe or in a school atlas.

Fun fact

About 7 parts out of 10 of the Earth's surface are covered by ocean water.

Lesson 2 of 7

Festivals of India

Discover festivals celebrated across India, such as Diwali, Holi, Eid, Christmas, Pongal and Onam, with respect for all.

Open this lesson on its own page · Practice sheet · Answer key · Contents

Let us begin

The big idea

India is a land of many festivals. People of different faiths and regions celebrate with light, colour, food, music and prayers. Learning about each one helps us respect our neighbours and friends.

A festival is a special time when families and communities come together. Some festivals thank nature for a good harvest. Others remember a great teacher or celebrate a story of goodness.

Diwali is the festival of lights. People light lamps, draw rangoli and share sweets. Holi welcomes spring and is played with colours. Many people think of both as a win of good over evil.

Eid-ul-Fitr comes after Ramadan, a month of fasting for Muslims. Families pray together, wear new clothes and share sweets and food. Christmas is on 25 December and remembers the birth of Jesus Christ. People sing carols and make cribs.

Gurpurab remembers the birth of the Sikh Gurus, especially Guru Nanak Dev Ji. There are prayers and langar, a free meal for all. Buddha Purnima remembers the birth of Gautama Buddha. Mahavir Jayanti remembers the birth of Lord Mahavira, a great teacher of Jains.

Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Makar Sankranti in many states, and Magh Bihu in Assam are harvest festivals in January. Baisakhi is a harvest festival of spring, mainly in Punjab. Onam is Kerala's harvest festival, with a flower carpet called pookalam and a big feast. Durga Puja is celebrated in West Bengal and other places with beautiful decorated pandals. The dates of many festivals change every year, so people look at a calendar. Whichever festival it is, we greet each other kindly and share joy.

Worked examples

See how it works

  1. Harvest festivals

    Pongal (Tamil Nadu), Makar Sankranti (many states), Magh Bihu (Assam), Baisakhi (Punjab) and Onam (Kerala) all thank the land for crops. They have different names and foods, but the same joy about harvest.

  2. Light and colour

    Diwali uses lamps (diyas) and rangoli. Holi uses coloured powders. One brings light and the other brings colour, and both bring families together.

  3. Festivals of faith

    Eid-ul-Fitr (Muslims), Christmas (Christians), Gurpurab (Sikhs), Buddha Purnima (Buddhists) and Mahavir Jayanti (Jains) are each important to the families who follow those faiths. We can learn about them all and greet friends politely.

Try it at home

My festival chart

You will need

  • a sheet of paper
  • pencil
  • crayons

What to do

  1. Ask an elder at home which festivals your family celebrates.
  2. Draw a box for each festival on your paper.
  3. In each box draw something that goes with it, such as a lamp, flowers or a kite.
  4. Write one line about how your family celebrates.
  5. Ask a friend about a festival you do not celebrate, and add it to the chart.

Ask a grown-up: An adult can tell the family stories and help with spellings. You only need to draw and colour. No lamps or fire are needed.

Lesson 3 of 7

Rivers and mountains of India

Travel across a map of India to meet the Himalayas, the Ghats and the Aravallis, and follow the great rivers from their source to the sea.

Open this lesson on its own page · Practice sheet · Answer key · Contents

Let us begin

The big idea

India has snowy mountains in the north, long chains of hills along its coasts and big rivers flowing through its plains. In this lesson you will learn the names of the main mountains and rivers and where they are on the map.

The Himalayas are the highest mountains in the world. They stretch across the north of India like a great wall and protect the country from cold winds. The highest peak in the world, Mount Everest, lies on the border of Nepal and China. The highest peak in India is Kangchenjunga in Sikkim.

South of the Himalayas lies the flat, fertile Northern Plains. South of the plains is the Deccan Plateau, a large raised land. On its western edge are the Western Ghats and on its eastern edge the Eastern Ghats. The Aravalli range in Rajasthan is one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world. The Vindhya and Satpura ranges run across central India.

The Ganga is the longest river in India. It starts from the Gangotri glacier in Uttarakhand, flows through the Northern Plains past cities like Haridwar, Kanpur, Prayagraj, Varanasi and Patna, and ends in the Bay of Bengal. The Yamuna joins the Ganga at Prayagraj. The Brahmaputra flows through Assam and meets the Ganga in Bangladesh.

In the south the Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri flow eastward into the Bay of Bengal. The Godavari is the longest river of peninsular India. The Narmada and Tapi are different: they flow westward into the Arabian Sea.

Rivers give us water for drinking and farming, and the plains along the Ganga are among the most fertile farmlands in the world. Keeping rivers clean is everyone's job.

Map of India with main mountains and riversA simple outline of India, not to scale. A thick line along the top is labelled Himalayas. A ridge along the west coast is labelled Western Ghats and one along the east coast Eastern Ghats. Blue lines show the Ganga flowing from the north-west to the Bay of Bengal, the Brahmaputra from the north-east, the Narmada flowing west to the Arabian Sea and the Godavari flowing south-east. The seas around are labelled. Himalayas Western Ghats Eastern Ghats Ganga Brahmaputra Narmada Godavari Yamuna Arabian Sea Bay of Bengal Indian Ocean N
A simple map, not to scale: the Himalayas in the north, Ghats along the coasts, and rivers flowing to the seas.

Worked examples

See how it works

  1. Following the Ganga

    Start at the Gangotri glacier high in Uttarakhand. Flow down to Haridwar where the river enters the plains. Pass Kanpur, meet the Yamuna at Prayagraj, flow past Varanasi and Patna, then through West Bengal and Bangladesh to the Bay of Bengal. That is a journey of about 2,500 kilometres.

  2. East or west?

    Most big rivers of peninsular India, the Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri, flow east into the Bay of Bengal. The Narmada and Tapi flow west into the Arabian Sea. A quick rule: Narmada and Tapi are the two that go the other way.

  3. Which is higher?

    Mount Everest is 8,849 metres high and Kangchenjunga is 8,586 metres. Everest is higher, but it is on the Nepal and China border, so the highest peak inside India is Kangchenjunga.

Try it at home

Salt-dough map of India

You will need

  • One cup of flour, half a cup of salt and some water
  • A piece of cardboard or an old plate
  • A pencil
  • Blue and brown colour if available, or a blue pen

What to do

  1. Mix the flour, salt and a little water into a soft dough.
  2. Draw a rough outline of India on the cardboard and press the dough over it in a thin layer.
  3. Pinch up a long ridge across the top for the Himalayas and two ridges along the coasts for the Ghats.
  4. Scratch lines with the pencil for the Ganga, Yamuna, Brahmaputra, Narmada and Godavari, and colour them blue.
  5. Let it dry for a day, then write labels on small paper flags.

Lesson 4 of 7

The map of India and its neighbours

Read a map of India using directions, find the seas on three sides, and learn the names and capitals of the countries next door.

Open this lesson on its own page · Practice sheet · Answer key · Contents

Let us begin

The big idea

A map is a drawing of a place as seen from above. On a map of India you can find our neighbours, the seas and the far corners of the country. In this lesson you will learn to read the map and name the countries around us.

Maps use four main directions. North is at the top, south at the bottom, east on the right and west on the left. A small arrow marked N on the map shows north. India is in the south of the continent of Asia.

India is surrounded by water on three sides. The Arabian Sea is to the west, the Bay of Bengal to the east and the Indian Ocean to the south. Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu is the southern tip of mainland India. Two groups of islands belong to India: the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal, and Lakshadweep in the Arabian Sea.

Seven countries share a land border with India. Pakistan and Afghanistan are to the north-west. China, Nepal and Bhutan are to the north. Bangladesh and Myanmar are to the east. Bangladesh is almost surrounded by India.

Two neighbours lie across the sea. Sri Lanka is an island just south of Tamil Nadu, separated by a narrow strip of sea called the Palk Strait. The Maldives is a group of small islands south-west of India in the Indian Ocean.

The capital of India is New Delhi. Some neighbouring capitals: Islamabad (Pakistan), Kathmandu (Nepal), Thimphu (Bhutan), Dhaka (Bangladesh), Beijing (China) and Kabul (Afghanistan).

India and its neighboursA simple outline of India, not to scale, with a north arrow. Around it the neighbouring countries are written in their directions: Pakistan and Afghanistan to the north-west, China, Nepal and Bhutan to the north, Bangladesh and Myanmar to the east, Sri Lanka to the south across the sea, and Maldives to the south-west. The Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean are labelled. INDIA New Delhi Pakistan Afghanistan China Nepal Bhutan Bangladesh Myanmar Sri Lanka Maldives Arabian Sea Bay of Bengal Indian Ocean N Not to scale
A simple map, not to scale: seven land neighbours and two sea neighbours.

Worked examples

See how it works

  1. Which direction?

    Put your finger on Delhi on a map. Pakistan is to the left, so it is to the west. Nepal is above, so it is to the north. The Bay of Bengal is to the right and below, so it is to the south-east.

  2. Land neighbour or sea neighbour?

    Nepal shares a land border with India, so you could walk from India into Nepal. Sri Lanka does not share a land border; the Palk Strait lies between the two countries, so you need a boat or a plane. Nepal is a land neighbour and Sri Lanka is a sea neighbour.

  3. Counting the neighbours

    Land neighbours: Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar. That is seven. Sea neighbours: Sri Lanka and the Maldives. That is two more, nine neighbours in all.

Try it at home

Neighbour cards

You will need

  • Nine small pieces of paper
  • A pencil
  • A large sheet of paper or newspaper
  • A few coins or buttons

What to do

  1. Draw a rough outline of India in the middle of the large sheet and mark N at the top.
  2. Write each neighbour's name on a small paper: Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Maldives.
  3. Place each card around the outline in the right direction, using the map in this lesson.
  4. Put a coin on each card that is a land neighbour and a button on each sea neighbour.
  5. Mix the cards up and place them again without looking at the lesson.

Lesson 5 of 7

Our community helpers

Meet the people who keep a neighbourhood running, from farmers and doctors to postal workers and sanitation workers, and the tools they use.

Open this lesson on its own page · Practice sheet · Answer key · Contents

Let us begin

The big idea

Think of your day: the milk at breakfast, the road to school, the teacher in class, the clean street outside. Many people worked to make each of these happen. In this lesson you will meet the community helpers and learn how to respect their work.

A community is all the people who live and work in one area. Community helpers are the people whose work helps everyone. Some grow or make things, some keep us safe, some keep us healthy, and some teach or deliver.

Food helpers: the farmer grows grains and vegetables, the milkman or dairy worker brings milk, the grocer sells food in a shop, and the cook prepares it. Making helpers: the carpenter makes things from wood, the potter shapes clay, the weaver makes cloth, the tailor stitches clothes and the cobbler mends shoes.

Safety and health helpers: the police officer keeps order, the firefighter puts out fires, the doctor treats illness, the nurse cares for patients, and the pharmacist gives medicines. The sanitation worker collects waste and sweeps the streets, which stops disease from spreading.

Other helpers: the teacher helps us learn, the postal worker delivers letters, the bus driver and the auto driver take us places, the electrician fixes wires, and the plumber fixes pipes and taps. The soldier guards the borders of the country.

In India, 112 is the single emergency number that connects to police, fire and ambulance services. Say thank you to helpers, keep your street clean to make the sanitation worker's job easier, and never waste a doctor's or a teacher's time.

Community helpers and their toolsSix boxes in two rows. Each box names a helper and the tool or thing they use: farmer with plough and seeds, doctor with stethoscope, teacher with chalk and books, firefighter with hose and water, postal worker with letters, and sanitation worker with broom and cart.Who helps us, and with what Farmer plough, seeds grows our food Doctor stethoscope treats the sick Teacher chalk, books helps us learn Firefighter hose, water puts out fires Postal worker letters, parcels delivers mail Sanitation worker broom, cart keeps streets clean Emergency help in India: call 112
Every helper has a special skill and the tools for it.

Worked examples

See how it works

  1. The journey of a roti

    A farmer grows wheat. A truck driver takes it to the mill. A mill worker grinds it into flour. A shopkeeper sells the flour. At home someone cooks the roti. At least five helpers worked before the roti reached your plate.

  2. Who do you call?

    A tap is leaking: call a plumber. The light switch does not work: call an electrician. A chair leg is broken: call a carpenter. A shirt button is missing: a tailor can fix it. Each helper has a special skill and special tools.

  3. Helpers who keep us safe

    If you see a fire, do not go near it. Tell an adult and call 112. The firefighters arrive with a fire engine, hoses and water. If someone is hurt, 112 can also send an ambulance with trained helpers.

Try it at home

Helper and tool matching game

You will need

  • About 20 small pieces of paper
  • A pencil
  • A table or floor to spread the cards on

What to do

  1. On ten papers write helper names: farmer, doctor, teacher, tailor, carpenter, postal worker, firefighter, cobbler, potter, police officer.
  2. On ten more papers write a tool or thing for each: plough, stethoscope, chalk, needle, saw, letter, hose, shoe, clay, whistle.
  3. Turn all the cards face down and mix them.
  4. Take turns turning over two cards. If the helper and tool match, keep the pair. If not, turn them back.
  5. The player with the most pairs wins. Then tell each other what each helper does.

Lesson 6 of 7

Means of transport and communication

Sort transport into land, water and air, learn how Indian railways and roads connect the country, and see how messages travel from letters to the internet.

Open this lesson on its own page · Practice sheet · Answer key · Contents

Let us begin

The big idea

How do you get to school? How does a mango from Maharashtra reach a shop in Delhi? How does a message reach your cousin in another city in a second? In this lesson you will learn about the means of transport and communication.

Transport means carrying people and goods from one place to another. Land transport includes walking, bicycles, bullock carts, scooters, cars, buses, trucks and trains. Water transport includes boats, ferries and ships. Air transport includes aeroplanes and helicopters, the fastest of all.

Long ago people walked or used animals such as bullocks, horses and camels. The invention of the wheel made carts possible. Later came the steam engine, the motor car and the aeroplane. The first passenger train in India ran in 1853 from Bombay (now Mumbai) to Thane, a distance of about 34 kilometres.

Indian Railways is one of the largest railway networks in the world and carries millions of people every day. Many big cities now have metro trains. National highways join the big cities by road. Ships carry heavy goods such as oil and grain across the sea from ports like Mumbai, Chennai and Kochi.

Communication means sending and receiving messages. Old ways were letters, telegrams and drums. Today we use the telephone, mobile phones, radio, television, newspapers, e-mail and the internet. A letter needs the correct address and a six-digit PIN code, which tells the post office which area it should go to.

Choose transport wisely. Walking and cycling cost nothing and keep the air clean. Buses and trains carry many people at once, so they cause less pollution per person than cars. Always wear a helmet on a two-wheeler and a seat belt in a car.

Means of transport: land, water and airThree rows. The top row, labelled air, shows a simple aeroplane shape. The middle row, labelled land, shows a bus with wheels and a bicycle. The bottom row, labelled water, shows a boat on waves. Each row lists examples beside it.Means of transport Air aeroplane, helicopter fastest, most costly Land bus, train, car, cycle bullock cart, metro carries most people Water boat, ferry, ship carries heavy goods slow but cheap
Transport on land, on water and in the air.

Worked examples

See how it works

  1. Land, water or air?

    Sort these: bus, ship, helicopter, bullock cart, ferry, metro train, aeroplane. Land: bus, bullock cart, metro train. Water: ship, ferry. Air: helicopter, aeroplane.

  2. Choosing the right transport

    A family in Kolkata wants to visit Mumbai, about 2,000 kilometres away. A train takes about a day and a half; a plane takes under three hours but costs more. For a short trip to the market two kilometres away, a cycle or a walk is best.

  3. Posting a letter

    Write the name, house number, street, city and state, and end with the six-digit PIN code. Stick a stamp and drop it in a red post box. The post office sorts it by the PIN code and a postal worker delivers it to the door.

Try it at home

Transport survey from your window

You will need

  • Paper and a pencil
  • A clock or watch
  • A window or balcony facing a road

What to do

  1. Make a table with these headings: walking, cycle, two-wheeler, car, auto, bus, truck.
  2. For fifteen minutes, make a tally mark each time you see one go by.
  3. Count the totals. Which was most common? Which carried the most people?
  4. Then write a letter to a family member, with the full address and PIN code, and ask an adult to help you post it.

Ask a grown-up: Stay inside the balcony railing, and go to the post box only with an adult.

Lesson 7 of 7

Republic Day, Independence Day and our national days

Learn why 15 August and 26 January are special, what happened on each date, how they are celebrated, and the rules for respecting the flag.

Open this lesson on its own page · Practice sheet · Answer key · Contents

Let us begin

The big idea

Twice a year the whole country wakes up early for flag hoisting, songs and parades. But do you know why 15 August and 26 January are different from each other? In this lesson you will learn the story behind our national days.

For about 200 years India was ruled by the British. After a long freedom struggle led by many leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi, India became free on 15 August 1947. This day is Independence Day. Jawaharlal Nehru became the first Prime Minister of free India.

A free country needs its own rules. A group of leaders, with Dr B. R. Ambedkar as chairman of the drafting committee, wrote the Constitution of India. It was adopted on 26 November 1949 and came into force on 26 January 1950. From that day India became a republic, a country whose head is chosen by the people, not a king. Dr Rajendra Prasad became the first President. This day is Republic Day.

On Independence Day the Prime Minister hoists the flag at the Red Fort in Delhi and gives a speech to the nation. On Republic Day the President unfurls the flag in New Delhi, and a grand parade shows the armed forces, tableaux from the states and children who have won bravery awards. Schools across India hold flag hoisting, songs and sweets on both days.

India has three national holidays: 26 January, 15 August and 2 October, which is Gandhi Jayanti, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, born in 1869 at Porbandar in Gujarat.

The national flag has three bands, saffron at the top, white in the middle and green at the bottom, with a navy blue Ashoka Chakra of 24 spokes in the centre. The flag must never touch the ground, must not be torn or dirty, and should be flown with saffron on top. When the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, is sung, we stand still and straight.

Timeline of India's national days and the national flagA timeline with four marked years: 1869 Gandhi born on 2 October, 1947 Independence Day on 15 August, 1949 Constitution adopted on 26 November, and 1950 Republic Day on 26 January. Below the timeline is the national flag with saffron, white and green bands and a blue wheel of 24 spokes in the centre. 1869 2 October Gandhi born 1947 15 August Independence 1949 26 November Constitution adopted 1950 26 January Republic Day Our national days Saffron: courage White: peace, truth Ashoka Chakra: 24 spokes Green: growth Saffron always on top
Four dates to remember, and the flag we raise on our national days.

Worked examples

See how it works

  1. Hoisted or unfurled?

    On 15 August the flag is tied at the bottom of the pole and pulled up: it is hoisted, to show a new nation rising. On 26 January the flag is already at the top, folded, and is opened out: it is unfurled, because the country was already free and was now getting its own constitution.

  2. Counting the years

    India became free in 1947. In 2026 it has been free for 2026 − 1947 = 79 years. The republic began in 1950, so in 2026 the republic is 2026 − 1950 = 76 years old.

  3. Reading the flag

    Saffron stands for courage and sacrifice, white for peace and truth, and green for growth and the land. The Ashoka Chakra with its 24 spokes is the wheel of law, showing that life is movement and that the nation must keep moving forward.

Try it at home

Make a national days timeline

You will need

  • A long strip of paper or three sheets joined with tape
  • A pencil and any colours you have
  • A ruler or a straight edge

What to do

  1. Draw a long line across the strip and mark four points evenly: 1869, 1947, 1949 and 1950.
  2. At each point write what happened: Gandhi born, Independence, Constitution adopted, Republic Day.
  3. Draw a small flag at 1947 and a small book at 1949, with the right colours.
  4. Add the date and month under each event, such as 15 August under 1947.
  5. Show it to someone at home and explain each event in one sentence.

Part two

Practice sheets

One sheet for each of the 7 lessons. Write your name and the date at the top, answer in the spaces, then check with the answer keys at the back.

Practice sheet

Continents and oceans

Practice sheet: Continents and oceans (Classes 3-5, General knowledge)

  1. How many continents are there?
  2. How many oceans are there?
  3. In which continent do we live?
  4. Which is the icy continent at the South Pole?
  5. Which ocean has the name of our country?
  6. Which two continents have America in their names?
  7. Which ocean is near the North Pole?
  8. Name all five oceans.
  9. Which ocean lies between the Americas and Europe and Africa?
  10. Which ocean surrounds Antarctica?

Practice sheet

Festivals of India

Practice sheet: Festivals of India (Classes 3-5, General knowledge)

  1. Which festival is called the festival of lights?
  2. In which festival do people play with colours?
  3. Eid-ul-Fitr comes after the end of which month of fasting?
  4. On which date is Christmas celebrated every year?
  5. In which state is Onam mainly celebrated?
  6. What is a pookalam?
  7. Pongal is a harvest festival of which state?
  8. Name the first Sikh Guru, whose Gurpurab is celebrated with prayers and langar.
  9. Which festival remembers the birth of Gautama Buddha?
  10. Mahavir Jayanti remembers the birth of Lord Mahavira. Which community follows his teachings?
  11. Why is it good to learn about festivals that other families celebrate?

Practice sheet

Rivers and mountains of India

Practice sheet: Rivers and mountains of India (Classes 3-5, General knowledge)

  1. Which mountains lie along the north of India?
  2. What is the highest peak in the world, and where is it?
  3. What is the highest peak in India?
  4. Which is the longest river in India?
  5. Where does the Ganga start?
  6. At which city does the Yamuna join the Ganga?
  7. Into which sea do the Ganga, Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri flow?
  8. Name two rivers that flow west into the Arabian Sea.
  9. Which old mountain range is in Rajasthan?
  10. Which hills run along the western edge of the Deccan Plateau?
  11. Which state does the Brahmaputra flow through in India?

Practice sheet

The map of India and its neighbours

Practice sheet: The map of India and its neighbours (Classes 3-5, General knowledge)

  1. Which direction is at the top of a map?
  2. Which sea lies to the west of India?
  3. Which sea lies to the east of India?
  4. Which ocean lies to the south of India?
  5. Name the seven countries that share a land border with India.
  6. Which two neighbours lie across the sea?
  7. What is the narrow strip of sea between India and Sri Lanka called?
  8. What is the capital of India?
  9. What is the capital of Nepal?
  10. Name the two island groups that belong to India.
  11. Which neighbour is almost surrounded by India?

Practice sheet

Our community helpers

Practice sheet: Our community helpers (Classes 3-5, General knowledge)

  1. What is a community?
  2. Who grows the grains and vegetables we eat?
  3. Who makes things from wood?
  4. Who shapes pots from clay?
  5. Who mends shoes?
  6. Which helper collects waste and sweeps the streets?
  7. Who would you call to fix a leaking tap?
  8. What is the single emergency number in India?
  9. Name three helpers who worked before a roti reached your plate.
  10. Give one way you can help a sanitation worker.

Practice sheet

Means of transport and communication

Practice sheet: Means of transport and communication (Classes 3-5, General knowledge)

  1. What is transport?
  2. Name three means of land transport.
  3. Name two means of water transport.
  4. Which means of transport is the fastest?
  5. Between which two places did the first passenger train in India run, and in which year?
  6. What is communication?
  7. Name three modern means of communication.
  8. How many digits does a PIN code have, and what is it for?
  9. Why do buses and trains cause less pollution per person than cars?
  10. What should you wear on a two-wheeler?

Practice sheet

Republic Day, Independence Day and our national days

Practice sheet: Republic Day, Independence Day and our national days (Classes 3-5, General knowledge)

  1. On which date did India become free?
  2. What do we call 15 August?
  3. On which date did the Constitution of India come into force?
  4. What do we call 26 January?
  5. Who was the first Prime Minister of free India?
  6. Who was the first President of India?
  7. Where does the Prime Minister hoist the flag on Independence Day?
  8. What is the difference between hoisting and unfurling the flag?
  9. Name the three national holidays of India.
  10. How many spokes does the Ashoka Chakra have?
  11. Which colour must be at the top when the flag is flown?
  12. What should you do when the national anthem is sung?

Part three

Answer keys

The answers to every practice sheet, in the same order as the lessons. Parents and teachers may like to keep these pages separately.

Answer key

Answers: Continents and oceans

  1. 7.
  2. 5.
  3. Asia.
  4. Antarctica.
  5. The Indian Ocean.
  6. North America and South America.
  7. The Arctic Ocean.
  8. Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern and Arctic.
  9. The Atlantic Ocean.
  10. The Southern Ocean.

Answer key

Answers: Festivals of India

  1. Diwali.
  2. Holi.
  3. Ramadan.
  4. 25 December.
  5. Kerala.
  6. A flower carpet or flower design made on the floor for Onam.
  7. Tamil Nadu.
  8. Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
  9. Buddha Purnima.
  10. The Jains.
  11. Sample: It helps us understand and respect each other, make friends and enjoy sharing happiness.

Answer key

Answers: Rivers and mountains of India

  1. The Himalayas.
  2. Mount Everest, on the border of Nepal and China.
  3. Kangchenjunga, in Sikkim.
  4. The Ganga.
  5. From the Gangotri glacier in Uttarakhand.
  6. Prayagraj.
  7. The Bay of Bengal.
  8. The Narmada and the Tapi.
  9. The Aravalli range.
  10. The Western Ghats.
  11. Assam.

Answer key

Answers: The map of India and its neighbours

  1. North.
  2. The Arabian Sea.
  3. The Bay of Bengal.
  4. The Indian Ocean.
  5. Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar.
  6. Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
  7. The Palk Strait.
  8. New Delhi.
  9. Kathmandu.
  10. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep.
  11. Bangladesh.

Answer key

Answers: Our community helpers

  1. All the people who live and work in one area.
  2. The farmer.
  3. The carpenter.
  4. The potter.
  5. The cobbler.
  6. The sanitation worker.
  7. A plumber.
  8. 112.
  9. Any three: farmer, truck driver, mill worker, shopkeeper, cook.
  10. Keep your street clean and put waste only in the dustbin.

Answer key

Answers: Means of transport and communication

  1. Carrying people and goods from one place to another.
  2. Any three: bicycle, bullock cart, car, bus, truck, train, scooter.
  3. Any two: boat, ferry, ship.
  4. Air transport (aeroplanes).
  5. From Bombay (Mumbai) to Thane, in 1853.
  6. Sending and receiving messages.
  7. Any three: telephone, mobile phone, radio, television, e-mail, internet, newspaper.
  8. Six digits; it tells the post office which area the letter should go to.
  9. They carry many people at once, so the pollution is shared among more people.
  10. A helmet.

Answer key

Answers: Republic Day, Independence Day and our national days

  1. 15 August 1947.
  2. Independence Day.
  3. 26 January 1950.
  4. Republic Day.
  5. Jawaharlal Nehru.
  6. Dr Rajendra Prasad.
  7. At the Red Fort in Delhi.
  8. Hoisting means pulling the flag up from the bottom of the pole (15 August); unfurling means opening a flag already tied at the top (26 January).
  9. 26 January (Republic Day), 15 August (Independence Day) and 2 October (Gandhi Jayanti).
  10. 24.
  11. Saffron.
  12. Stand still and straight, and show respect.

The end

More to read

All printable booksAll lessons for classes 3 to 5All general knowledge lessons

WhatsApp us