Adolescence: A Stage of Growth and Change — Complete Solutions
Step-by-step answers to every in-text activity and every question from “Let Us Enhance Our Learning,” explained simply with diagrams, tables and real NCERT textbook images.
In-text Questions & Activities
Solutions for every activity table and “Science and Society” discussion box that appears inside the chapter, in the order they appear.
These are the changes most students notice as their classmates grow from Grade 5 to Grade 8 — this is what a completed Table 6.1 looks like:
| S.No. | Changes | Your observations |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Height | Noticeable increase in height; some students grow much taller within a year (a “growth spurt”). |
| 2 | Weight and strength | Gain in body weight; boys often develop broader shoulders and more muscle strength. |
| 3 | Appearance | Changes in facial features, skin (pimples/acne), body shape, and voice. |
| 4 | Behaviour | More independence, mood swings, and greater interest in personal appearance and friends. |
| Key emotional change | Probable effect on behaviour | Ways for positive growth |
|---|---|---|
| Mood swings | Engage in varied activities like music, dance, or sports | Self-exploration and involvement in activities that may lead to creativity and innovation |
| Strong emotions | Increased sensitivity | Compassion, involvement in social work |
| Shyness / self-consciousness | Withdrawing from friends, hesitating to join group activities | Talking openly with parents or teachers; building confidence through hobbies and small group activities |
The first two rows are given in the textbook; the third row (“Any other”) is filled here with one common example.
The health problem is anaemia. A deficiency of iron causes iron-deficiency anaemia, and a deficiency of vitamin B12 causes megaloblastic (B12-deficiency) anaemia. Both reduce the blood’s ability to carry oxygen. Common signs include constant tiredness, weakness, pale skin, dizziness, and breathlessness on exertion; B12 deficiency can also cause tingling in the hands/feet and poor concentration.
Managing iron deficiency:
- Eat iron-rich foods regularly — spinach and other leafy greens, jaggery, dates, pomegranate, kidney beans, and dried fruits like raisins and figs.
- Pair iron-rich foods with vitamin-C-rich foods (citrus fruits, amla, tomatoes) — vitamin C helps the body absorb iron better.
- Avoid tea or coffee immediately after meals, as they reduce iron absorption.
- Take iron/folic-acid supplements only if advised by a doctor, and go for regular health check-ups.
Government schemes:
- Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) — a national programme to reduce anaemia among children, adolescents, and women.
- Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS) — gives adolescents a weekly iron-folic acid tablet through schools.
- Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) — India’s adolescent health programme, which also addresses nutrition.
- POSHAN Abhiyaan and the fortified Mid-Day Meal Scheme, which aim to improve overall nutrition.
| Food sources | Nutrients | Functions |
|---|---|---|
| Milk, millets, curd, cheese, and paneer | Calcium, proteins, fats | To help optimal bone growth and development of strong teeth |
| Pulses (dal), eggs, meat, fish, soybean, and groundnuts | Proteins | To help proper growth, gain strength, and improve levels of energy and repair body tissues |
| Spinach, kidney beans, and dried fruits like raisins and figs | Iron | To help in the formation of blood |
| Dos | Don’ts |
|---|---|
| Be respectful and kind. | Do not share personal photos with strangers/virtual friends. |
| Think before posting. | Do not post or forward messages that hurt, embarrass, or bully others. |
| Protect privacy. | Do not share passwords, your location, or personal details with unknown people online. |
Exercise Questions — Let Us Enhance Our Learning
All 10 questions from the end-of-chapter exercise, answered in full with reasoning.
Ramesh has entered puberty/adolescence. During this stage, hormonal changes increase the oily secretions (sebum) from the skin’s oil glands. This excess oil can clog skin pores and lead to infection — a skin condition called acne, of which pimples are the visible sign. This is a completely normal part of growing up.
He can get relief by:
- Washing his face gently with mild soap/cleanser twice a day.
- Not touching, picking, or squeezing the pimples (this can worsen infection and cause scars).
- Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables and water, and avoiding excess oily/junk food.
- Getting enough sleep and keeping his pillow cover and towel clean.
- Consulting a doctor/dermatologist if the acne is severe, instead of using random products.
Option (ii), the balanced thali, is the better choice.
- It provides a mix of proteins (dal), carbohydrates (roti/rice), vitamins and minerals (vegetables and salad), and beneficial bacteria (curd) — everything an adolescent’s growing body needs.
- Option (i) — burgers, fries, pizza, and donuts — is junk food: high in unhealthy fats, sugar, and salt, but low in essential nutrients. Regularly eating such food can lead to obesity and other health problems, especially during a stage of rapid growth like adolescence.
No, Shalu is not correct. Adolescence brings much more than just physical changes.
A more complete description should say that adolescence brings:
- Physical changes — increase in height, weight, and changes in body structure (as Shalu mentioned).
- Internal/reproductive changes — maturation of the reproductive organs, including the start of menstruation in girls.
- Secondary sexual characteristics — such as change in voice, facial/body hair, and development of breasts, which distinguish males from females but aren’t directly involved in reproduction.
- Emotional and behavioural changes — mood swings, stronger emotions, and greater sensitivity.
So adolescence is a stage of overall physical, biological, emotional, and behavioural growth — not physical change alone.
I would ask: “Do mood swings and strong emotions ever affect how you behave with your friends or family? Could understanding these changes help you respond more thoughtfully in difficult moments?” — This shows that behavioural changes are a real and important part of adolescence that should be understood, not ignored.
I would ask: “If addictive substances are so easy to stop, why do so many people who want to quit smoking or drinking find it extremely difficult?” — This shows the statement is incorrect: addictive substances create a strong urge (dependency) to use them again and again, even after just one try, which is exactly why the chapter advises saying ‘NO’ the first time and every time.
Besides mood swings, adolescents may show:
- A stronger desire for independence and privacy.
- Increased sensitivity to criticism or teasing.
- Greater interest in personal appearance and how they look.
- Stronger attraction/attachment to peers and friends, and tendency to mimic their behaviour.
- Becoming more questioning or argumentative with parents/elders.
- Increased curiosity, and sometimes a tendency to take risks.
- Growing interest in creative pursuits, sports, or social causes.
- Change the sanitary pad every 4–6 hours to stay clean and avoid infection.
- Wrap the used pad properly in paper or its own wrapper before throwing it in a dustbin — never flush it down the toilet.
- Wash your hands with soap before and after changing a pad.
- Use the dustbins provided; never scatter used pads on the floor or near the bin.
- Use biodegradable sanitary pads where possible, as they are more environment-friendly.
- Talk openly with friends about periods to reduce shame or stigma, and encourage everyone to follow the same responsible habits.
Mary’s bulge was a goitre — an enlargement of the thyroid gland caused by a lack of iodine in the diet, which is a nutritional deficiency. That’s why the doctor treated it with medication and an iodine-rich diet.
Manoj’s bump was his Adam’s apple — the natural growth of the voice box (larynx) that happens in boys during puberty. It is a normal secondary sexual characteristic, not a disease, so the doctor correctly told him it was just part of growing up.
OBSERVED ONLY IN BOYS
- Change in voice
- Growth of moustache
- Growth of facial hair
OBSERVED ONLY IN GIRLS
- Development of breasts
COMMON IN BOTH
- Pimples on the face
- Growth of hair in pubic region
- Growth of hair in armpits
Here is a sample poster design with five key tips, based directly on Section 6.4 of the chapter:
🌱 Healthy Habits for a Joyful Adolescence
Eat right
Take a balanced diet with proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals for proper growth.
Stay clean
Maintain personal hygiene daily, and follow safe menstrual hygiene practices.
Stay active
Exercise, play sports, or do yoga regularly to build stamina and boost your mood.
Be social, safely
Be respectful in person and online. Never share personal details with strangers.
Say NO to addiction
Avoid tobacco, alcohol and drugs — and speak to a trusted adult if pressured.
Exploratory Projects — Quick Guidance
These are open-ended activities, not questions with one fixed answer — here’s how to approach each one.
Interview on youth mental health: Look up NGOs/counsellors in your area (e.g. school counsellor, local health centre, NGOs like iCall or youth helplines). Prepare five questions such as: What common challenges do adolescents face today? How can families support them? What are early signs of stress? What free resources are available? How can peers help?
Role play — “Child marriage: A social evil”: Show a scene where an underage girl is being forced into marriage, then a scene where a teacher/relative explains its effects — interrupted education, health risks from early pregnancy, and loss of opportunities — encouraging the family to stop the marriage.
International Yoga Day camp (21 June): With your teacher’s help, organise a short session covering simple asanas such as Tadasana, Vrikshasana, Bhujangasana, and Shavasana, along with a few minutes of deep breathing (pranayama).