NCERT MCQ Solutions for Class 5 EVS Looking Around Chapter 14 When the Earth Shook

The story describes the massive earthquake that struck the Kutch region of Gujarat on Republic Day, January 26, 2001, causing widespread death and destruction.

When the earthquake hit, many villagers had gathered together to watch the Republic Day parade on television, turning a moment of celebration into one of terror.

In the immediate aftermath of a disaster, community members often rush to help each other, digging through rubble to rescue trapped people and providing first aid to the injured.

The village head, or sarpanch, often plays a crucial role after a disaster, using their resources to provide food and organizing the community’s initial response and relief efforts.

After a disaster destroys homes, relief organizations often provide temporary shelters like plastic tents. These offer basic protection from the elements while people await permanent housing.

A traditional decorative art in the Kutch region involves embedding small pieces of mirror into mud and cow-dung plastered walls, creating beautiful, sparkling patterns.

Traditional houses are often built using locally sourced, natural materials like a mixture of clay and cow dung for walls, with thatched roofs. Modern cement is not used.

Engineers and architects are trained professionals who can design houses with special features to make them more resistant to natural disasters like earthquakes, improving safety for residents.


If you are indoors during an earthquake, you should immediately get under a strong table or desk and hold on, protecting your head from falling objects.

Large-scale rescue operations involve many groups working together. This includes army personnel, firefighters, police with sniffer dogs, and local volunteers who know the area well.

After an earthquake, many survivors experience intense fear and anxiety. A major fear is that of aftershocks, which are smaller earthquakes that can occur for days or weeks.

Volunteers from unaffected areas often bring essential supplies like food and clothes. They may also provide medical aid and help with the massive task of rebuilding communities.

Unlike a drought, which develops slowly over time, an earthquake is a sudden and violent event. It causes instant, widespread destruction of homes, infrastructure, and lives.

During an earthquake, collapsing buildings and falling objects are the main dangers. Common injuries include fractures and broken bones caused by being hit or trapped by debris.

Donated clothes, while well-intentioned, may not always be suitable. They might not fit the local climate or culture, or be practical for the living conditions after a disaster.

A traditional construction method involves mixing clay soil with cow dung and water. This mixture is applied over a framework or shaped into blocks to build walls.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is the main government agency in India responsible for creating policies and guidelines for disaster prevention, mitigation, and response.

Recovery from a disaster is holistic. Survivors also need psychological support for trauma, help restoring their livelihoods, and rebuilding community spaces like schools and hospitals.

Schools should prepare for disasters by conducting regular safety drills (like for earthquakes or fires) and by creating emergency kits with essential supplies like first aid and water.

Surviving a terrifying event like an earthquake can have lasting psychological effects. A common long-term impact is experiencing recurring nightmares that replay the traumatic event.