Complete your preparation with the definitive reference guide for DAV Class 6 Science Chapter 14: Fabric from Fibre from the official textbook The Living World. Delivering 100% textbook exercise solutions (Sections A to E), structured 3-column distinction tables (Spinning vs Weaving, Natural vs Synthetic fibres), agricultural crop conditions (Black soil vs Alluvial soil), cloth manufacturing workflows, and authentic DAV Board Exam Common Question Paper PYQs (2022–23 & 2023–24) with teacher marking rubrics.
Part A: Fill in the Blanks
Carefully study the completed textbook statements with essential textile science terms highlighted:
- 1. Fibres obtained from plants and animals are called natural fibres. (Examples: Cotton, jute, linen from flora; wool and silk from fauna.)
- 2. Cotton is obtained from the fruits (cotton bolls) of the cotton plant. (Botanical note: Cotton fibres are epidermal seed hairs attached to seeds inside the spherical boll.)
- 3. The process of removing cotton seeds from cotton bolls is known as ginning. (History: Traditionally done by hand with comb-like tools; now performed using high-speed mechanical roller gins.)
- 4. The process of making yarn from fibres is known as spinning. (Mechanism: Fibres are drawn out and continuously twisted to bind them into a strong, continuous thread.)
- 5. Jute fibre is obtained from the stem of the jute plant. (Extraction: Extracted by retting [microbial soaking in slow-moving water] followed by manual stripping.)
Part B: Write True or False for the Following Statements
Each statement is evaluated with a clear scientific explanation:
1. Yarn is made from fibres.
Answer: TRUE.
Scientific Justification: Discrete microscopic fibres are drawn out and twisted together through spinning to produce a continuous, strong strand of yarn.
2. Spinning is a process of making fibres.
Answer: FALSE.
Scientific Justification: Spinning does not make fibres; it takes existing raw fibres and twists them together to manufacture yarn (thread).
3. Jute is the outer covering of coconut.
Answer: FALSE.
Scientific Justification: The fibrous outer husk of coconut yields coir. Jute fibre is harvested exclusively from the fibrous bast stem of the jute plant (Corchorus capsularis).
4. The process of separating seeds from cotton is called ginning.
Answer: TRUE.
Scientific Justification: Ginning is the mechanical combing process that separates raw cotton lint fibres from attached cotton seeds.
5. Weaving of yarn makes a piece of fabric.
Answer: TRUE.
Scientific Justification: Weaving interlaces two distinct sets of yarns (warp and weft) at right angles on a loom to form a continuous sheet of woven cloth fabric.
6. Silk fibre is obtained from the stem of a plant.
Answer: FALSE.
Scientific Justification: Silk is a natural protein animal fibre obtained by unwinding the spun protective cocoons of the silkworm caterpillar (Bombyx mori).
7. Polyester is a natural fibre.
Answer: FALSE.
Scientific Justification: Polyester is a synthetic man-made polymer fibre chemically synthesized from petroleum hydrocarbons.
Part C: Tick the Correct Option
1. Which one of these is not a man-made fibre?
(a) Nylon
(b) Linen
(c) Polyester
(d) Acrylic
Correct Option: (b) Linen
Why this is correct: Linen is an authentic natural plant fibre obtained from the fibrous stems of the flax plant. Nylon, polyester, and acrylic are all synthetic polymers.
2. From the following, the only incorrectly matched pair is-
(a) Cotton — Plant
(b) Wool — Animal
(c) Silk — Plant
(d) Jute — Plant
Correct Option: (c) Silk — Plant
Why this is correct: Silk is an animal protein fibre secreted by the salivary glands of silkworms, not a plant product.
3. The process, of pulling and twisting of strands to make a fibre/yarn, is known as-
(a) Ginning
(b) Weaving
(c) Spinning
(d) Retting
Correct Option: (c) Spinning
Why this is correct: Spinning draws out and twists loose cotton fibres, binding them together into a strong continuous thread (yarn).
4. ‘Weaving’ is done by using machines called-
(a) Charkhas
(b) Taklis
(c) Looms
(d) Gins
Correct Option: (c) Looms
Why this is correct: Looms (either manually operated handlooms or electrically powered powerlooms) are specialized machines used to interlace yarns into woven cloth.
5. Jute and cotton plants grow well, respectively, in-
(a) Sandy soil and red soil
(b) Alluvial soil and black soil
(c) Black soil and clayey soil
(d) Desert soil and mountain soil
Correct Option: (b) Alluvial soil and black soil
Why this is correct: Jute flourishes in fertile delta alluvial soil with abundant water, while cotton thrives in clayey black soil (regur) with high moisture-retention in warm climates.
Part D: Answer the Following Questions in Brief
1. How are clothes important for us?
Answer:
Clothes serve several vital functions for human well-being:
1. Weather Protection: Shield the body from scorching heat, harsh cold, heavy rain, and ultraviolet sunlight.
2. Physical Defense: Protect the skin against abrasions, insect bites, and dust particles.
3. Social & Hygienic Decency: Enhance personal hygiene, modesty, and professional identity.
2. Define the term ‘natural fibres’.
Answer:
Natural fibres are hair-like, thin, flexible strands derived directly from natural botanical (plant) or zoological (animal) sources without chemical synthesis. Examples: Cotton, jute, wool, and silk.
3. Give two examples of plant fibres.
Answer:
Two prominent examples of plant fibres are:
1. Cotton: Harvested from the fruit bolls of cotton plants.
2. Jute: Harvested from the bast stem tissues of jute plants.
4. Name the kind of soil that is suitable for growing jute plants.
Answer:
Rich, fertile alluvial soil found in the floodplains and deltas of major rivers (such as the Ganga-Brahmaputra delta in West Bengal and Bangladesh), which receives annual silt deposits from monsoon overflows.
5. Where is coir obtained from?
Answer:
Coir is a coarse, stiff natural plant fibre obtained from the thick fibrous outer husk (mesocarp) covering the coconut fruit (Cocos nucifera). It is used to manufacture doormats, ropes, brushes, and mattress stuffing.
Part E: Answer the Following Questions (Long Answers)
1. State the conditions that help in the growth of the cotton plant.
Answer:
The cultivation of cotton requires specific agro-climatic conditions:
1. Soil Type: Deep, clayey black soil (regur soil) with excellent moisture-retaining capacity.
2. Climate: A warm, sunny tropical or sub-tropical climate with temperatures between 21°C and 30°C.
3. Rainfall: Moderate rainfall (50 to 100 cm) evenly distributed during the vegetative growth phase.
4. Sunshine: Long, bright, frost-free sunny days during the boll-maturing and harvesting period to allow cotton bolls to burst open cleanly.
2. Why do we need to use ‘fresh soil’ for cultivating the jute plant every year? State any three uses of jute.
Answer:
• Need for Fresh Soil: Jute is a very nutrient-depleting crop that exhausts nitrogen and essential mineral fertility from the soil during a single growing season. In deltaic cultivation areas (like West Bengal), annual monsoon floods naturally deposit a fresh layer of nutrient-rich alluvial silt every year, replenishing soil fertility and enabling bumper crops without heavy chemical fertilizers.
• Three Uses of Jute:
1. Manufacturing coarse, heavy-duty gunny bags and sacks for packaging and transporting food grains, potatoes, and sugar.
2. Making durable ropes, twines, and cords for agricultural and maritime bundling.
3. Producing eco-friendly carpets, rugs, curtains, shopping bags, and decorative wall hangings.
3. Give the difference between ‘spinning’ and ‘weaving’.
Answer:
Below is the structured 3-column comparative matrix required for full examination credit:
| Feature | Spinning | Weaving |
|---|---|---|
| Definition & Goal | The process of drawing out and twisting loose raw fibres together to make continuous yarn (thread). | The process of arranging and interlacing two sets of yarns at right angles to create a continuous piece of fabric (cloth). |
| Starting Material | Loose mass of raw fibres (e.g., cotton lint, sheep fleece). | Spun yarn / threads. |
| Finished Product | Yarn (wound onto bobbins or spindles). | Fabric / Textile cloth. |
| Equipment Used | Takli (hand spindle), Charkha (spinning wheel), industrial spinning frames. | Handlooms and mechanized Powerlooms. |
4. Write, in correct sequence, the names of the steps involved in the production of cotton cloth.
Answer:
The complete sequential manufacturing journey from cotton plant to finished cloth is:
- Harvesting: Ripe, snow-white cotton bolls bursting open in the fields are hand-picked or mechanically harvested.
- Ginning: Raw seed-cotton is fed through roller gins where cotton seeds are combed out and separated from the fluffy lint fibres.
- Spinning: Combed cotton fibres are drawn out and twisted into continuous strong threads called yarn using spindles, charkhas, or spinning machines.
- Weaving / Knitting: Yarns are interlaced on handlooms or powerlooms (or looped in knitting machines) to fabricate continuous cotton cloth.
- Finishing & Processing: The raw fabric (grey cloth) is bleached, dyed with vibrant textile colors, printed, and tailored into final garments.
5. Differentiate between natural and synthetic fibres. State any three advantages of synthetic fibres.
Answer:
(a) Differences between Natural and Synthetic Fibres:
| Criterion | Natural Fibres | Synthetic Fibres |
|---|---|---|
| Origin / Source | Obtained directly from living biological sources (plants and animals). | Synthesized artificially in chemical factories from petroleum chemicals (petrochemicals). |
| Water Absorption | Highly absorbent, breathable, and comfortable in humid weather. | Very low water absorbency, causing sweat to accumulate on skin. |
| Durability & Strength | Moderate tensile strength; susceptible to insect and moth damage over time. | Exceptionally high tensile strength; highly durable and moth-resistant. |
| Reaction to Heat | Burn without melting; produce characteristic smell of burning paper (cotton) or hair (wool). | Melt on heating, shrinking into hard beads that stick dangerously to skin. |
| Examples | Cotton, Jute, Linen, Wool, Silk. | Nylon, Polyester (Terylene), Acrylic, Rayon. |
(b) Three Advantages of Synthetic Fibres:
1. High Tensile Strength & Longevity: Synthetic fibres are remarkably strong, tear-resistant, and do not degrade easily with frequent washing.
2. Wrinkle-Free (‘Wash and Wear’): They do not wrinkle easily, retain pleats, and require minimal to no ironing.
3. Quick Drying & Resistance to Biological Attack: They absorb minimal water, dry very rapidly in air, and are impervious to attacks by fungi, mildew, and moth larvae.
Value-Based Questions (VBQ) & HOTS
Value-Based Question (VBQ)
Scenario: For a beach outing in sweltering June heat, Varun insisted on wearing a fancy nylon athletic shirt. His mother advised him to choose a loose white cotton shirt instead. Varun followed her advice and remained cool and comfortable while his friends in synthetics complained of heat and skin rashes.
(a) Explain scientifically why cotton clothes are superior for summer wear:
Model Answer: Cotton is porous and possesses high water absorbency. It readily absorbs body sweat and exposes it to outside air, promoting rapid evaporative cooling which naturally lowers body temperature. Light-colored cotton also reflects incident sunlight heat.
(b) Identify two values shown by Varun:
Model Answer: Respect for parental guidance, adaptability, and scientific practicality.
Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS)
Question: Why is it strictly advised never to wear synthetic polyester or nylon clothes while working in a science laboratory or bursting Diwali fireworks?
Model Answer: Synthetic fibres catch fire very easily. Crucially, when exposed to flame, synthetic polymers do not burn into loose ash like cotton; instead, they melt into a boiling, sticky chemical resin that adheres directly to the victim’s skin, causing catastrophic deep tissue burns that are extremely difficult and painful to treat medically.
🎯 DAV Board Exam Corner: Authentic PYQs (2022–23 & 2023–24)
Below are authentic questions directly retrieved from official DAV Public Schools Half-Yearly and Annual Board Papers for Chapter 14:
Q1. [DAV Half-Yearly Board Exam 2023–24 • 1 Mark VSA]
What is meant by the process of ‘ginning’?
Model Answer: The mechanical process of separating raw cotton fibres from cotton seeds inside harvested cotton bolls is called ginning.
Q2. [DAV Annual Board Exam 2022–23 • 2 Marks SA-I]
Differentiate between weaving and knitting based on the number of yarns used.
Model Answer:
• Weaving: Utilizes two distinct sets of yarns (warp and weft) interlaced perpendicularly on a loom.
• Knitting: Utilizes a single continuous strand of yarn formed into interlocking loops using knitting needles or machines (e.g., sweaters, socks).
Q3. [DAV Annual Board Exam 2023–24 • 3 Marks SA-II]
Why is jute termed the ‘Golden Fibre’? Name two Indian states that lead in its commercial cultivation.
Model Answer:
• Jute is called the ‘Golden Fibre’ due to its natural golden-yellow silky luster, its vast cash-crop commercial value, and its status as an eco-friendly 100% biodegradable packaging material.
• Leading States: West Bengal, Bihar, and Assam.
Q4. [DAV Annual Board Exam 2022–23 • 5 Marks Long Answer]
(a) Describe the step-by-step extraction of jute fibre from the jute plant.
(b) Why are natural fibres preferred over synthetic fibres from an environmental sustainability perspective?
Model Answer:
(a) Jute Extraction Process:
1. Harvesting: Jute plants are harvested at the flowering stage when fibres have optimal tensile strength.
2. Retting: Bundles of jute stems are submerged in stagnant or slow-moving water ponds for 10 to 15 days. Bacterial enzymes decompose the gummy cementing tissues surrounding the bark.
3. Stripping: When the stems soften, workers manually strip out the long bast fibres from the core wood.
4. Washing & Sun-drying: Stripped golden fibres are thoroughly rinsed in clean water and dried on bamboo racks under the sun before baling.
(b) Environmental Sustainability:
• Natural fibres are 100% biodegradable and decompose naturally in soil, enriching it without releasing harmful toxins.
• Synthetic fibres are non-biodegradable petroleum byproducts that persist in landfills for centuries and shed microscopic plastic fibres (microplastics) that pollute rivers and oceans.
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