Keywords To Remember
- Animal Fibre: Fibres obtained from animals such as wool from sheep, silk from silkworms, and hair from goats and camels.
- Plant Fibre: Fibres obtained from plants such as cotton, flax, jute, and hemp.
- Synthetic Fibre: Man-made fibres produced chemically in factories, such as nylon, polyester, and acrylic.
- Fibre: A thin thread-like structure which is the basic unit used to make yarn and fabric.
- Yarn: Continuous strands of fibres twisted together used for knitting or weaving.
- Knitting: A method of making fabric by interlocking loops of yarn with needles.
- Weaving: The process of making fabric by interlacing two sets of yarns (warp and weft) at right angles.
- Warp: The set of lengthwise yarns held in tension on a loom during weaving.
- Weft: The yarn that is woven crosswise through the warp yarns.
- Fabric: Cloth produced by knitting or weaving yarns.
- Spinning: The process of twisting fibres together to make yarn.
- Carding: A process of cleaning and disentangling fibres to prepare them for spinning.
- Felting: The process of matting fibres together using moisture, heat, and pressure to create a dense fabric.
- Loom: A machine or device used to weave yarn into fabric.
- Mulberry: A type of plant whose leaves are fed to silkworms.
- Sericin: A gummy substance secreted by silkworms that holds silk fibres together in the cocoon.
- Degumming: The process of removing sericin from raw silk to produce soft silk fibres.
- Angora Wool: Wool obtained from Angora rabbits, known for its fluffiness.
- Pashmina Wool: A fine wool from a special breed of goat found in Kashmir.
- Shahtoosh Wool: Very fine wool obtained from the Tibetan antelope (now banned for trade).
- Mohair: Wool from the Angora goat, known for its shine and smoothness.
- Camel Hair: Wool obtained from camels, used for warm clothing.
- Natural Fibre: Fibres obtained from natural sources (plants and animals).
- Man-Made Fibre: Fibres produced by chemical synthesis, e.g., nylon, polyester.
- Blending: Mixing different types of fibres to combine their properties.
- Tensile Strength: The resistance of a fibre or fabric to breaking under tension.
- Luster: The shine or glossiness of a fibre or fabric.
- Elasticity: The ability of a fibre to stretch and return to its original shape.
- Absorbency: The ability of a fibre to soak up moisture.
- Durability: How long a fibre or fabric can last without wearing out.
- Thermal Insulation: The ability of a fibre to trap heat and keep the body warm.
- Breeding: The process of producing animals with desired characteristics for fibre production.
- Harvesting: The collection of fibres from plants or animals.
- Sheep Farming: Raising sheep specifically for wool production.
- Animal Husbandry: The care, breeding, and management of animals.
- Processing: All the steps from obtaining raw fibres to making finished fabric or clothes.
Something To Know
A. Fill in the blanks.
- Ilie hairy body coat of sheep and goat is called ___________ .
Answer – fleece
- Shaving oil the body coat of sheep is called___________ .
Answer – shearing
- Cleaning of fleece to remove dirt and grease is called___________ .
Answer – scouring
- The process of separating hair, of different textures, from the fleece, is called__________ .
Answer – sorting
- The rearing of silkworms to obtain silk is called___________ .
Answer – sericulture
- ___________ is the process of separating silk fibres from cocoons.
Answer – Reeling
- The silk thread is made up of ___________ .
Answer – protein
B. Write True or False for the following statements.
- Synthetic fibres are manufactured in factories.
Answer – True
- Air is a good conductor of heat.
Answer – False
- Scouring is the process of removal of fleece of sheep. – — —
Answer – False
- The process, of twisting of raw and dyed fibre, is known as sorting.
Answer – False
- Silkworms feed on mulberry leaves. I
Answer – True
- The larvae secrete very fine filaments made of protein.
Answer – True
- Reeling is the process of getting silk fibres from cocoons.
Answer – True
C. Tick (✓) the correct option.
- The process, of removing fleece along with a very thin layer of dead skin of sheep, is called—
shearing
spinning
scouring
sorting
Answer -shearing
- Which of the following animals does not yield wool –
sheep
camel
yak
buffalo
Answer – buffalo
- The caterpillars of silkworms feed on—-
rose leaves
mulberry leaves
teak leaves
grass
Answer – mulberry leaves
- The egg of a silk moth hatches into a—
caterpillar
pupa
cocoon
larva
Answer – larva
- process of taking out silk threads from the cocoon is called—
reeling
sorting
rearing
scouring
Answer – reeling
D. Answer the following questions in brief.
- Name three animals whose fleece is used for making woollen fibres.
Answer – Sheep, goat, camel
- Name three common varieties of wool.
Answer – Angora, pashmina, shahtoosh
- Give the meaning of the term: ‘sorting’.
Answer – Sorting is the process of separating hair of different textures from the fleece.
- Define the term: ‘sericulture’.
Answer – Sericulture is the process of rearing silkworms for obtaining silk.
- How is silk fibre obtained from cocoon?
Answer – Silk fibre is obtained by collecting cocoons, exposing them to steam, and then reeling the silk threads from them.
- Name two countries in which silk is produced on a large scale
Answer – China and India
E. Answer the following questions
- How do woollen clothes keep us warm in winter?
Answer – Woollen clothes keep us warm because wool traps air, and since air is a poor conductor of heat, it prevents body heat from escaping.
- Describe the purpose of ‘scouring’ in the production of wool?
Answer – Scouring cleans the sheared fleece by removing dirt, grease, and impurities using hot water and detergent.
- State the practical uses of the (a) long (b) short yarn threads, obtained during the making of wool.
Answer – (a) Long yarn threads are used to knit sweaters, mufflers, caps, and socks. (b) Short yarn threads are woven into fabrics.
- Write a short note on ’rearing of silkworms’.
Answer – Rearing of silkworms involves hatching eggs into larvae, feeding them mulberry leaves, and allowing them to spin cocoons which are later used to produce silk.
- Describe the different stages in the life cycle of a silk moth.
Answer – The stages are: egg → larva (silkworm caterpillar) → cocoon → silk moth.
Value Based Question
The villagers of Uttkarsh village were very happy when they learnt that their senior citizen, Madam Sevika, was to be honoured by the state government. At the award ceremony, the sarpanch oi the village, told the gathering how Madam Sevika had devoted all her life to improve the education, health, sanitation and other basic facilities in the village. He went on to compare her village-centered life with that of a silk caterpillar that develops inside the cocoon and helps one and all in getting good quality silk.
- List three values that Madam Sevika must have ‘held’ throughout her life in Uttkarsh village.
Answer – Dedication, service to others, and community welfare
- State the role of the silkworms in the production of silk.
Answer – Silkworms produce silk fibres by spinning cocoons, which are harvested and processed to obtain silk threads.
Something To Do
- Find out for yourself:
(a) the names of different breeds of sheep found in India and the places where they are found.
Answer – For example: Chokla (Rajasthan), Deccani (Maharashtra), Nellore (Andhra Pradesh), Magra (Rajasthan), Poonchi (Jammu & Kashmir)
(b) the names of different breeds of wool-yielding animals found in different countries.
Answer – Merino sheep (Australia), Angora goat (Turkey), Cashmere goat (India/China), Yak (Tibet/China)
(c) about the hazards of working in wool and silk industry.
Answer – Exposure to dust and bacteria, risk of infections like anthrax, respiratory problems, skin allergies
- Find out the names of different varieties of silk made in India. Also find the names of traditional silk sarees woven in different parts of our country.
Mark these places, along with the name of silk saree, on a political map of India.
Answer – Varieties of silk: Mulberry silk, Tussar silk, Eri silk, Muga silk. Traditional sarees: Kanchipuram (Tamil Nadu), Banarasi (Uttar Pradesh), Mysore silk (Karnataka), Patola (Gujarat).
Additional Questions And Answers – 01
Fill in the Blanks (with Answers)
- Wool is obtained from the __________ of animals like sheep and goat.
Answer: fleece - __________ is the process of removing the fleece from the body of sheep.
Answer: Shearing - The natural colour of wool is __________, __________ or __________.
Answer: white, brown, black - The process of turning yarn into fabric is called __________.
Answer: weaving - The caterpillar of silk moth spins a covering called __________.
Answer: cocoon - The soft hair present close to the skin of some animals is used to make __________.
Answer: wool - In sericulture, silkworms are fed on __________ leaves.
Answer: mulberry - The process of converting fibres into yarn is called __________.
Answer: spinning - __________ is the process of washing the fleece to remove grease and dirt.
Answer: Scouring - __________ fibre is known for its luster, strength, and smooth texture.
Answer: Silk
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Which of the following is a natural animal fibre?
a) Polyester
b) Silk
c) Nylon
d) Rayon
Answer: b) Silk - Which of the following is not a step in processing wool?
a) Shearing
b) Carding
c) Scouring
d) Embroidery
Answer: d) Embroidery - Which variety of silk is exclusive to Assam?
a) Mulberry
b) Eri
c) Muga
d) Tussar
Answer: c) Muga - Wool fibre traps __________ to keep the body warm.
a) water
b) sunlight
c) air
d) dust
Answer: c) air - Which stage in the life cycle of a silk moth produces silk?
a) Egg
b) Larva
c) Cocoon
d) Moth
Answer: c) Cocoon
True or False Questions
- Silk is made by silkworms that feed on rose leaves.
Answer: False - Wool obtained from goats is called pashmina.
Answer: True - Sorting helps in separating silk threads.
Answer: False - Woollen clothes trap air and keep the body warm.
Answer: True - Reeling is used to extract silk threads from cocoons.
Answer: True - Nylon is a type of natural fibre.
Answer: False - Mulberry is a plant used for feeding silkworms.
Answer: True
Short Answer Questions
- What is fleece?
Answer: Fleece is the hairy body coat of animals like sheep and goats, used to make wool. - Define sericulture.
Answer: Sericulture is the rearing of silkworms to produce silk. - What is shearing?
Answer: Shearing is the process of removing the fleece from the body of sheep. - Name two types of natural fibres.
Answer: Cotton (plant-based) and wool (animal-based). - Why is silk considered a luxurious fabric?
Answer: Silk is soft, shiny, and strong, which makes it luxurious.
Competency-Based (Reasoning and Assertion)
- Assertion: Wool keeps us warm in winter.
Reason: Wool traps air which is a poor conductor of heat.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation. - Assertion: Silk fibres are collected from the silk moth.
Reason: Silk moths spin silk from leaves.
Answer: c) A is true, but R is false. - Assertion: Reeling is a step in wool production.
Reason: Reeling separates silk threads from the cocoon.
Answer: d) A is false, but R is true.
High Order Thinking Skill (HOTS) Questions
- Why do you think wool is not used much in summer clothing?
Answer: Wool traps air and retains heat, which helps keep us warm. This makes it unsuitable for summer, when we want to stay cool. - What problems can arise if sorting of wool is not done properly?
Answer: Improper sorting can mix coarse and fine wool, lowering the quality of the final product and reducing its value. - How would the ecosystem be affected if all mulberry plants were destroyed?
Answer: Silkworms would lose their primary food source, severely affecting silk production and the livelihoods dependent on it.
Long Answer Questions (50–60 words)
- Describe the process of making wool from the fleece.
Answer: The process begins with shearing the fleece from sheep. It is then cleaned through scouring. After cleaning, fibres are sorted based on texture. The sorted fibres are dyed in different colours, spun into yarn, and then woven into woollen fabric. - Explain the life cycle of the silk moth and how silk is obtained.
Answer: The silk moth lays eggs which hatch into caterpillars. These caterpillars feed on mulberry leaves and spin cocoons. The silk is obtained by reeling the fibres from the cocoon. These fibres are dyed, spun into threads, and woven into silk cloth. - What is sericulture and how is it economically important?
Answer: Sericulture is the rearing of silkworms for silk production. It supports thousands of rural families and cottage industries, especially in India and China. It provides employment, promotes traditional crafts, and is a valuable export product.
Additional Questions And Answers – 02
Fill in the Blanks Questions and Answers
- Question: Wool and ______ are two well-known animal fibres.
Answer: Wool and silk are two well-known animal fibres. - Question: Wool is obtained from the ______ of animals like sheep and goats.
Answer: Wool is obtained from the fleece of animals like sheep and goats. - Question: The body coat of fine, soft hair on animals is called ______.
Answer: The body coat of fine, soft hair on animals is called fleece. - Question: In India, sheep are mainly bred for wool in states like Himachal Pradesh and ______.
Answer: In India, sheep are mainly bred for wool in states like Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. - Question: Wool traps ______ to keep us warm during winters.
Answer: Wool traps air to keep us warm during winters. - Question: The process of removing fleece from an animal is called ______.
Answer: The process of removing fleece from an animal is called shearing. - Question: The cleaning of sheared fleece with detergent in hot water is called ______.
Answer: The cleaning of sheared fleece with detergent in hot water is called scouring. - Question: The process of separating hair of different textures from the fleece is called ______.
Answer: The process of separating hair of different textures from the fleece is called sorting. - Question: Sorting can be hazardous due to a bacterium called ______ that causes sorter’s disease.
Answer: Sorting can be hazardous due to a bacterium called anthrax that causes sorter’s disease. - Question: Silk is obtained from ______ that feed on mulberry leaves.
Answer: Silk is obtained from silkworms that feed on mulberry leaves. - Question: The rearing of silkworms for obtaining silk is known as ______.
Answer: The rearing of silkworms for obtaining silk is known as sericulture. - Question: A female silk moth lays hundreds of ______ which hatch into larvae.
Answer: A female silk moth lays hundreds of eggs which hatch into larvae. - Question: The larvae of a silk moth are called caterpillars or ______.
Answer: The larvae of a silk moth are called caterpillars or silkworms. - Question: The caterpillar covers itself with a covering called a ______.
Answer: The caterpillar covers itself with a covering called a cocoon. - Question: The process of taking out silk threads from cocoons is called ______.
Answer: The process of taking out silk threads from cocoons is called reeling. - Question: Silk fibres are ______ into threads before being woven into cloth.
Answer: Silk fibres are spun into threads before being woven into cloth. - Question: ______ ranks first in the world in silk production.
Answer: China ranks first in the world in silk production. - Question: India is a leading producer of wide varieties of ______.
Answer: India is a leading producer of wide varieties of silk. - Question: Woollen sweaters are usually made by ______ long yarn threads.
Answer: Woollen sweaters are usually made by knitting long yarn threads. - Question: Air is a poor ______ of heat, which helps wool keep us warm.
Answer: Air is a poor conductor of heat, which helps wool keep us warm.
Multiple Choice Questions and Answers
- Question: Which of the following is an animal fibre?
a) Cotton
b) Wool
c) Jute
d) Nylon
Answer: b) Wool - Question: Wool is obtained from the fleece of which animal?
a) Cow
b) Sheep
c) Horse
d) Dog
Answer: b) Sheep - Question: What is the body coat of fine, soft hair on animals called?
a) Cocoon
b) Fleece
c) Fibre
d) Thread
Answer: b) Fleece - Question: In which state is sheep breeding for wool common in India?
a) Tamil Nadu
b) Rajasthan
c) Kerala
d) Assam
Answer: b) Rajasthan - Question: Why does wool keep us warm in winters?
a) It absorbs heat
b) It traps air
c) It produces heat
d) It reflects heat
Answer: b) It traps air - Question: What is the first step in making wool from fleece?
a) Dyeing
b) Shearing
c) Scouring
d) Sorting
Answer: b) Shearing - Question: What is the process of cleaning sheared fleece called?
a) Shearing
b) Sorting
c) Scouring
d) Dyeing
Answer: c) Scouring - Question: What makes sorting a hazardous job?
a) Exposure to sunlight
b) Infection by anthrax bacterium
c) Use of hot water
d) Dyeing chemicals
Answer: b) Infection by anthrax bacterium - Question: What is the disease caused by the anthrax bacterium called?
a) Sorter’s disease
b) Weaver’s disease
c) Shearer’s disease
d) Dyer’s disease
Answer: a) Sorter’s disease - Question: Silk is obtained from which insect?
a) Butterfly
b) Silkworm
c) Honeybee
d) Ant
Answer: b) Silkworm - Question: What is sericulture?
a) Rearing of sheep
b) Rearing of silkworms for silk
c) Growing mulberry plants
d) Dyeing silk fibres
Answer: b) Rearing of silkworms for silk - Question: What do silkworms feed on?
a) Cotton leaves
b) Mulberry leaves
c) Grass
d) Corn
Answer: b) Mulberry leaves - Question: What is the covering around a caterpillar called?
a) Fleece
b) Cocoon
c) Thread
d) Shell
Answer: b) Cocoon - Question: What is the process of taking out silk threads from cocoons called?
a) Shearing
b) Scouring
c) Reeling
d) Sorting
Answer: c) Reeling - Question: What happens to silk fibres after reeling?
a) They are sorted
b) They are dyed
c) They are sheared
d) They are scoured
Answer: b) They are dyed - Question: Which country ranks first in silk production?
a) India
b) China
c) Japan
d) Brazil
Answer: b) China - Question: What is India known for in silk production?
a) Producing the least silk
b) Producing wide varieties of silk
c) Producing only one type of silk
d) Not producing silk
Answer: b) Producing wide varieties of silk - Question: What are long woollen threads usually used for?
a) Weaving
b) Knitting sweaters
c) Dyeing
d) Sorting
Answer: b) Knitting sweaters - Question: Why is air a poor conductor of heat?
a) It traps heat
b) It does not allow heat to pass easily
c) It absorbs heat
d) It reflects heat
Answer: b) It does not allow heat to pass easily - Question: What are the larvae of a silk moth called?
a) Caterpillars
b) Cocoons
c) Threads
d) Moths
Answer: a) Caterpillars
True/False Questions and Answers
- Question: Wool is an animal fibre obtained from sheep.
Answer: True - Question: Fleece is the body coat of hard, rough hair on animals.
Answer: False (It is fine, soft hair.) - Question: Sheep are bred for wool in states like Rajasthan and Gujarat.
Answer: True - Question: Wool keeps us warm because it traps water.
Answer: False (It traps air.) - Question: Shearing is the first step in making wool from fleece.
Answer: True - Question: Scouring involves dyeing the fleece in different colours.
Answer: False (It involves cleaning with detergent.) - Question: Sorting can cause sorter’s disease due to the anthrax bacterium.
Answer: True - Question: Shearing hurts the sheep by removing a thick layer of skin.
Answer: False (It only removes a thin, dead layer.) - Question: Silk is obtained from silkworms that feed on mulberry leaves.
Answer: True - Question: Sericulture is the process of rearing sheep for wool.
Answer: False (It is rearing silkworms for silk.) - Question: A female silk moth lays hundreds of eggs.
Answer: True - Question: The cocoon is formed by the silk moth after reeling.
Answer: False (It is formed by the caterpillar before reeling.) - Question: Reeling is the process of taking out silk threads from cocoons.
Answer: True - Question: Silk fibres are dyed after the reeling process.
Answer: True - Question: China ranks first in the world in silk production.
Answer: True - Question: India produces only one variety of silk.
Answer: False (It produces wide varieties.) - Question: Long woollen threads are usually knitted to make sweaters.
Answer: True - Question: Air is a good conductor of heat, which helps wool keep us warm.
Answer: False (Air is a poor conductor.) - Question: Silkworms feed on grass to produce silk.
Answer: False (They feed on mulberry leaves.) - Question: The process of obtaining silk involves rearing, reeling, and weaving.
Answer: True
Short Questions and Answers
- Question: Name two well-known animal fibres.
Answer: Wool and silk. - Question: What is fleece?
Answer: The body coat of fine, soft hair on animals. - Question: Name one animal from which wool is obtained.
Answer: Sheep. - Question: Where are sheep bred for wool in India?
Answer: In states like Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan. - Question: Why does wool keep us warm?
Answer: It traps air, a poor conductor of heat. - Question: What is the first step in making wool from fleece?
Answer: Shearing. - Question: What is scouring in the wool-making process?
Answer: Cleaning the sheared fleece with detergent. - Question: What makes sorting hazardous?
Answer: Infection by the anthrax bacterium. - Question: What is the disease caused by anthrax called?
Answer: Sorter’s disease. - Question: What insect produces silk?
Answer: Silkworm. - Question: What is sericulture?
Answer: Rearing of silkworms for silk. - Question: What do silkworms feed on?
Answer: Mulberry leaves. - Question: What is a cocoon?
Answer: The covering of silk fibres around the caterpillar. - Question: What is reeling in silk production?
Answer: Taking out silk threads from cocoons. - Question: What happens to silk fibres after reeling?
Answer: They are dyed. - Question: Which country ranks first in silk production?
Answer: China. - Question: What is India known for in silk production?
Answer: Producing wide varieties of silk. - Question: What are long woollen threads used for?
Answer: Knitting sweaters. - Question: Why is air a poor conductor of heat?
Answer: It does not allow heat to pass easily. - Question: What are the larvae of a silk moth called?
Answer: Caterpillars or silkworms.
Competency-Based Questions and Answers (Reasoning and Assertion)
- Question: Assertion (A): Wool keeps us warm during winters.
Reason (R): Wool traps air, which is a poor conductor of heat.
Answer: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A. Wool traps air, as stated, and since air does not allow body heat to escape easily due to its poor conductivity, it keeps us warm, making wool an effective insulator in winter clothing. - Question: Assertion (A): Shearing does not hurt the sheep.
Reason (R): It removes only a thin, dead layer of skin along with the fleece.
Answer: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A. The document clarifies that shearing involves removing a thin, dead layer of skin, ensuring no pain to the sheep, as it does not affect living tissue, making the process safe for the animal. - Question: Assertion (A): Sorting is a hazardous job in wool production.
Reason (R): It can cause sorter’s disease due to the anthrax bacterium.
Answer: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A. Sorting involves handling fleece, which may carry the anthrax bacterium, as noted, leading to sorter’s disease, a fatal condition, highlighting the occupational hazard faced by workers in this step of wool production. - Question: Assertion (A): Silk is obtained from silkworms.
Reason (R): Silkworms produce silk by feeding on mulberry leaves and forming cocoons.
Answer: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A. Silkworms, as described, feed on mulberry leaves, secrete silk fibres, and form cocoons, which are then reeled to obtain silk, directly linking their feeding and cocoon formation to silk production. - Question: Assertion (A): The cocoon is formed before the reeling process in silk production.
Reason (R): The caterpillar covers itself with silk fibres to form the cocoon.
Answer: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A. The caterpillar secretes silk to form the cocoon, as mentioned, which occurs before reeling, the process of extracting silk threads from the cocoon, making the sequence of cocoon formation followed by reeling accurate. - Question: Assertion (A): China ranks first in silk production.
Reason (R): China has the largest population of silkworms.
Answer: A is true, but R is false. China ranks first in silk production, as stated, but the document does not attribute this to the largest silkworm population. Instead, factors like advanced sericulture practices and historical expertise likely contribute, highlighting China’s dominance in global silk production. - Question: Assertion (A): Woollen sweaters are made by knitting long yarn threads.
Reason (R): Knitting is suitable for creating thick, warm fabrics.
Answer: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A. The document notes that long woollen threads are knitted into sweaters, and knitting creates a thick, warm fabric by trapping air, aligning with wool’s insulating properties, making it ideal for winter clothing like sweaters. - Question: Assertion (A): Sericulture involves rearing silkworms for silk.
Reason (R): Silkworms are fed mulberry leaves to produce silk cocoons.
Answer: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A. Sericulture, as defined, involves rearing silkworms, which are fed mulberry leaves to grow and form cocoons, as described, directly linking the rearing process to silk production through the silkworms’ diet and cocoon formation. - Question: Assertion (A): Scouring is an essential step in wool production.
Reason (R): It removes dirt and grease from the sheared fleece.
Answer: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A. Scouring cleans the sheared fleece by removing dirt and grease using detergent, as stated, ensuring the fleece is pure for further processing like sorting and dyeing, making it a crucial step in producing quality wool. - Question: Assertion (A): India produces wide varieties of silk.
Reason (R): India has different types of silkworms and sericulture practices.
Answer: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A. India’s production of wide silk varieties, as mentioned, stems from diverse silkworms and sericulture practices across regions, enabling the country to produce unique silk types, contributing to its status as a leading silk producer globally.
High Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) Questions and Answers
- Question: Why might wool be an effective insulator in winter clothing, and what does this suggest about the role of air in heat retention?
Answer: Wool traps air, a poor conductor of heat, preventing body heat from escaping, making it an effective insulator for winter clothing. This suggests air plays a critical role in heat retention—its low conductivity creates a barrier, retaining warmth, highlighting the importance of materials that can trap air for insulation purposes. - Question: How does the process of scouring impact the quality of wool, and what does this reveal about the importance of cleanliness in fibre production?
Answer: Scouring removes dirt and grease from the fleece, ensuring clean, high-quality wool for dyeing and spinning, preventing impurities from affecting the final fabric’s texture and appearance. This reveals cleanliness is vital in fibre production—impurities can compromise strength, colour, and durability, emphasizing the need for thorough cleaning to produce superior textile products. - Question: Why might sorting be a hazardous job in wool production, and what does this indicate about occupational safety in traditional industries?
Answer: Sorting exposes workers to the anthrax bacterium, causing sorter’s disease, a fatal condition, due to handling raw fleece. This indicates occupational safety in traditional industries like wool production is often overlooked, highlighting the need for protective measures, awareness, and modern techniques to reduce health risks while maintaining traditional practices in fibre processing. - Question: How does the rearing of silkworms contribute to silk production, and what does this suggest about the role of agriculture in textile industries?
Answer: Rearing silkworms involves feeding them mulberry leaves to form cocoons, which are reeled for silk, a key step in sericulture. This suggests agriculture is integral to textile industries—cultivating mulberry plants supports silkworm growth, linking farming directly to silk production, emphasizing the interdependence of agricultural and industrial processes in creating textiles. - Question: Why might the cocoon formation be a critical step in silk production, and what does this reveal about the biological processes in textile raw materials?
Answer: Cocoon formation provides the raw silk fibres, as the caterpillar secretes silk to encase itself, which is later reeled into threads. This reveals biological processes are central to textile raw materials—silk production relies on the silkworm’s natural lifecycle, highlighting how biological mechanisms are harnessed to create high-value textiles like silk. - Question: How does the use of mulberry leaves in sericulture impact silk quality, and what does this indicate about the importance of diet in animal fibre production?
Answer: Mulberry leaves provide essential nutrients for silkworms, ensuring strong, shiny silk fibres, enhancing silk quality. This indicates diet is crucial in animal fibre production—a balanced diet leads to healthier animals and better fibre quality, as seen in both silk and wool, underscoring the need for proper nutrition in producing superior textile materials. - Question: Why might China’s lead in silk production be significant globally, and what does this suggest about the economic impact of sericulture?
Answer: China’s lead in silk production meets global demand, supplying high-quality silk for textiles worldwide, boosting its economy through exports. This suggests sericulture has a significant economic impact—countries with advanced sericulture practices gain economic advantages, create jobs, and influence global markets, highlighting silk’s role in international trade and economic development. - Question: How does the dyeing process in both wool and silk production enhance their utility, and what does this reveal about the role of aesthetics in textiles?
Answer: Dyeing adds vibrant colours to wool and silk, making them visually appealing for diverse clothing, increasing their market value and utility. This reveals aesthetics are key in textiles—colour enhances consumer appeal, driving demand and fashion trends, showing how visual elements are as crucial as functionality in the textile industry’s success. - Question: Why might shearing not hurt the sheep, and what does this indicate about ethical considerations in animal fibre production?
Answer: Shearing removes only a thin, dead layer of skin, as clarified, ensuring no pain to the sheep, similar to a haircut for humans. This indicates ethical considerations are important in animal fibre production—humane practices ensure animal welfare, aligning with modern standards, and promoting sustainable and cruelty-free methods in the textile industry. - Question: How does the knitting of woollen threads into sweaters demonstrate the versatility of wool, and what does this suggest about the adaptability of animal fibres in fashion?
Answer: Knitting woollen threads into sweaters creates warm, flexible garments, showcasing wool’s versatility in forming various clothing items. This suggests animal fibres like wool are highly adaptable in fashion—their properties allow diverse textile applications, meeting functional and stylistic needs, making them valuable in creating both practical and fashionable clothing for different seasons.
Long Questions and Answers (50-60 Words)
- Question: Describe how wool keeps us warm during winters.
Answer: Wool keeps us warm by trapping air, a poor conductor of heat, within its fibres. This air prevents body heat from escaping, acting as an insulator, as stated in the document. By retaining warmth, woollen clothes like sweaters and mufflers protect us from cold, making them ideal for winter wear in low temperatures. - Question: Explain the process of making wool from fleece.
Answer: Making wool from fleece involves shearing the fleece from the animal, scouring it to remove dirt, sorting to separate hair textures, dyeing it in various colours, and spinning it into threads. These threads are then knitted or woven into fabrics. This process, as described, transforms raw fleece into usable wool for clothing like sweaters and caps. - Question: Discuss the hazards associated with sorting in wool production.
Answer: Sorting in wool production is hazardous due to the risk of infection by the anthrax bacterium, which causes sorter’s disease, a fatal condition. Workers handling fleece during sorting are exposed to this bacterium, as noted in the document, highlighting the occupational health risks involved in this step of transforming fleece into wool. - Question: Describe the process of obtaining silk from silkworms.
Answer: Obtaining silk involves rearing silkworms on mulberry leaves until they form cocoons, then reeling the silk threads from the cocoons after steaming. The threads are dyed, spun into threads, and woven into silk cloth. This process, known as sericulture, as detailed, transforms silkworm cocoons into the fine, shiny silk used for clothing. - Question: Explain the role of sericulture in silk production.
Answer: Sericulture involves rearing silkworms by feeding them mulberry leaves, allowing them to form cocoons after 25-30 days. These cocoons are reeled to extract silk threads, which are dyed and woven into cloth. As the foundation of silk production, sericulture, as described, ensures a steady supply of silk through careful silkworm management. - Question: Discuss why mulberry leaves are essential in silk production.
Answer: Mulberry leaves are essential in silk production as they provide the primary food for silkworms, enabling them to grow and secrete silk to form cocoons. This diet ensures strong, shiny silk fibres, as noted, directly impacting silk quality, highlighting the critical role of mulberry leaves in the sericulture process for producing high-quality silk. - Question: Explain how China’s lead in silk production benefits the global market.
Answer: China’s lead in silk production ensures a large supply of high-quality silk, meeting global demand for textiles like clothing and accessories. As the top producer, China exports silk worldwide, supporting industries and economies, as implied, benefiting the global market by providing diverse silk varieties and driving economic growth through international trade. - Question: Describe the importance of dyeing in wool and silk production.
Answer: Dyeing in wool and silk production adds vibrant colours, enhancing their aesthetic appeal for various clothing items like sweaters and silk fabrics. It transforms natural white or brown wool and silk into attractive shades, as stated, increasing their market value and utility, making them suitable for fashion and meeting consumer preferences effectively. - Question: Discuss the ethical considerations in shearing during wool production.
Answer: Shearing in wool production is ethical as it removes only a thin, dead layer of skin, ensuring no pain to the sheep, as clarified in the document. This humane practice aligns with animal welfare standards, preventing harm while obtaining fleece, reflecting the importance of ethical treatment in animal fibre production for sustainability. - Question: Explain how wool’s versatility is shown in its use for winter clothing.
Answer: Wool’s versatility is shown by knitting long threads into sweaters, mufflers, and caps, or weaving shorter threads into fabrics, as mentioned. Its ability to trap air makes it ideal for warm winter clothing, demonstrating how wool adapts to various forms, meeting both functional needs for warmth and stylistic demands in fashion.