The Value of Work
NCERT Class 6th SST Chapter 13: Questions and Answers
The Big Questions (Page 183)
1. What are the different types of activities that people engage in?
Answer:
There are two main types of activities that people do:
- Economic Activities: These are activities where people earn money in exchange for their work.
Examples: Pilot, Teacher, Actor, Journalist, and Fashion Designer. - Non-Economic Activities: These activities are done out of love, care, or for personal satisfaction, without expecting money in return.
Examples: Cooking food for family, volunteering at a temple or Gurudwara, taking care of the elderly.
2. What is their contribution to our everyday lives?
Answer:
- Economic activities help people earn a living by providing goods and services. For example, farmers grow food, and police officers protect people.
- Non-economic activities are also important because they spread love, care, and respect among people, creating strong bonds in society.
Let’s Explore
1. What activities did the people in Anu’s and Kabir’s story engage in? Mention them in the table below:
Answer:
| Character in the story | Activities they are engaged in | Economic/Non-economic Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Geeta Aunty | Pilot in the Indian Air Force | Economic |
| Kabir’s Grandfather | Retired from BSF, Teaches kids, Looks after vegetable garden, Runs errands | Economic (teaching) / Non-economic (garden, errands) |
| Anu’s Parents | Sell uniforms, Teach knitting to women | Economic / Non-economic |
| Anu’s Brother (Rohan) | Software Engineer, Teaches computer skills to youth | Economic / Non-economic |
2. Classify activities based on whether they are economic or non-economic:
Answer:
| Activity/Profession | Create Monetary Value? | Examples of Money-related Value Creation |
|---|---|---|
| Baker | Yes | Makes bread, biscuits, and sells during festivals. |
| Tailor | Yes | Makes dresses, shirts, trousers, adds embroidery. |
| Farmers repairing tractor | No | Non-economic |
| Doctor | Yes | Diagnoses and treats patients. |
| Parents cooking dinner | No | Non-economic |
| Scientist | Yes | Conducts experiments, works on data. |
| Person taking care of a sick grandfather | No | Non-economic |
| Driver | Yes | Drives a car for payment. |
| Gardener | Yes | Takes care of plants for payment. |
Think About It
1. When Kabir’s grandfather teaches the neighborhood kids for free, is that an economic or non-economic activity? How is it different from your teacher at school?
Answer:
Kabir’s grandfather teaching kids for free is a non-economic activity because he is not paid for it. He is doing it out of love and care for the community.
On the other hand, teachers at school teach because they are paid a salary. This is an economic activity because it involves an exchange of work for money.
2. What are some non-economic activities that are important to you and your family? Why are they valuable?
Answer:
Some non-economic activities in my family include:
- Parents cooking nutritious meals at home.
- Washing clothes and maintaining cleanliness.
- Taking care of younger and older family members.
These activities are valuable because they help maintain the well-being and happiness of the family. They also improve social bonds, health, and the overall quality of life.
3. On your way from home to school, can you recall the various economic activities people are engaged in? How are these people paid?
Answer:
On my way to school, I see many economic activities:
- Traffic policeman: Works for the government and is paid a salary.
- Labourers at a construction site: Earn daily wages.
- Hawker selling vegetables: Earns money directly from customers.
- Vendor selling ice cream: Earns money directly from customers.
- Shopkeeper selling groceries: Earns money from customers.
These activities are paid because they help people earn their living.
4. Many communities in India have similar practices that involve community participation. Can you identify a few from your area?
Answer:
In my area, some examples of community participation are:
- Yoga or meditation in parks: People gather to practice together.
- Celebrating festivals: Everyone works together to organize decorations and events.
- Community kitchens or langars: Free meals served at Gurudwaras.
- Volunteering for local schools or resident welfare associations.
These activities bring people together and strengthen community bonds.
5. We celebrate many festivals in India. During these festivals, people organize activities, decorate places, and share food. Are these non-economic activities? Why do you think they hold value?
Answer:
Celebrating festivals is a non-economic activity because it is not done to earn money. These activities, like sharing food and decorating places, are valuable because they help create a sense of unity, love, and respect among people. They make communities stronger and promote harmony.
6. Can you identify community programmes undertaken by your school or in your locality? What did you observe during these programmes?
Answer:
My school has organized these community programs:
- The Environment Club: Students go to nearby places like gardens, beaches, and rivers to clean them.
- The Interact Club: Encourages students to be empathetic, help others, and work for the welfare of society.
I observed that these programs teach us to care for the environment and help others, fostering a sense of responsibility and teamwork.
Questions, Activities, and Projects (Page 193)
1. How are economic activities different from non-economic activities?
Answer:
- Economic Activities: These are done to earn money. The goal is to make a living.
Examples: Business, teaching, medical work. - Non-Economic Activities: These are done out of love, care, or for self-satisfaction, without expecting money.
Examples: Teaching your own child, cooking for your family.
2. What kind of economic activities do people engage in? Illustrate with examples.
Answer:
People do various economic activities to earn money, such as:
- Farming: Growing crops for food.
- Fishing: Catching fish for sale.
- Mining: Extracting resources like coal or minerals.
- Manufacturing: Making products like cars, clothes, and shoes.
- Services: Work like doctors, teachers, or journalists.
3. There is great value attached to people who are engaged in community service activities. Comment on this statement.
Answer:
Community service activities are very valuable because they help others without expecting anything in return. For example, Langars at Gurudwaras serve free food to all visitors, fostering a sense of gratitude and selflessness. These activities help build a stronger and more compassionate society.
4. What are the various ways in which people are compensated for various economic activities? Give some examples.
Answer:
People are paid in different ways for their work:
- Wages: Payment for short-term work (e.g., daily workers).
- Salaries: Regular payment for permanent work (e.g., teachers, doctors).
- Fees: Payment for professional services (e.g., lawyers, doctors).
- Payment in Kind: Non-cash payment, like farm produce for labor.
- Profits: Money made by businesses.
- Rent: Money earned from renting out property.
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