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The Ship of the Desert – CBSE NCERT Study Resources

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Study Materials

3rd

3rd - English (Marigold)

The Ship of the Desert

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Overview of the Chapter

The chapter "The Ship of the Desert" from the CBSE Grade 3 English textbook (Marigold) introduces students to the unique characteristics of camels and their importance in desert regions. The story highlights how camels are well-adapted to survive in harsh desert conditions, earning them the nickname "Ship of the Desert."

Definition: A camel is often called the "Ship of the Desert" because it can travel long distances across sandy deserts, much like ships sail across oceans.

Key Themes

  • Adaptation of animals to their environment
  • Importance of camels in desert life
  • Survival strategies in extreme conditions

Summary of the Chapter

The chapter describes how camels are perfectly suited for desert life. Their humps store fat, which provides energy when food is scarce. Their long legs keep them above the hot sand, and their thick eyelashes protect their eyes from sandstorms. The story also explains how people in deserts rely on camels for transportation and carrying heavy loads.

Important Vocabulary

  • Desert - A dry, sandy region with little rainfall
  • Hump - The fatty lump on a camel's back
  • Adaptation - Features that help animals survive in their environment

Moral of the Story

The chapter teaches students that every animal has unique features that help it survive in its natural habitat. It encourages appreciation for nature's adaptations and the importance of animals in human life.

All Question Types with Solutions – CBSE Exam Pattern

Explore a complete set of CBSE-style questions with detailed solutions, categorized by marks and question types. Ideal for exam preparation, revision and practice.

Very Short Answer (1 Mark) – with Solutions (CBSE Pattern)

These are 1-mark questions requiring direct, concise answers. Ideal for quick recall and concept clarity.

Question 1:
What is the Ship of the Desert?
Answer:

The Ship of the Desert is a nickname for the camel. It is called so because camels can travel long distances across deserts, just like ships sail across oceans.

Question 2:
Why are camels well-suited for desert life?
Answer:

Camels are well-suited for desert life because:

  • They can store water in their humps.
  • Their thick eyelashes protect their eyes from sand.
  • Their wide feet help them walk on sand without sinking.

Question 3:
What do camels eat in the desert?
Answer:

Camels eat dry grass, leaves, and thorny plants found in the desert. They can survive without food for many days.

Question 4:
How does a camel's hump help it survive?
Answer:

A camel's hump stores fat, which provides energy when food is scarce. It does not store water, as many people think.

Question 5:
What are the two types of camels?
Answer:

The two types of camels are:

  • Dromedary (one hump)
  • Bactrian (two humps)

Question 6:
How do camels protect themselves from sandstorms?
Answer:

Camels protect themselves from sandstorms by:

  • Closing their nostrils to keep sand out.
  • Using their long eyelashes to shield their eyes.

Question 7:
Why don't camels sink in the sand?
Answer:

Camels don't sink in the sand because their wide, padded feet spread their weight evenly, helping them walk easily on soft sand.

Question 8:
What is the special feature of a camel's eyelashes?
Answer:

A camel's eyelashes are long and thick, which protect their eyes from blowing sand and dust in the desert.

Question 9:
How long can a camel survive without water?
Answer:

A camel can survive without water for up to a week or more, depending on the weather and its activity level.

Question 10:
What is the purpose of a camel's thick lips?
Answer:

A camel's thick lips help it eat thorny plants without getting hurt, which are common in the desert.

Question 11:
How do camels help people in deserts?
Answer:

Camels help people in deserts by:

  • Carrying heavy loads.
  • Providing milk, wool, and meat.
  • Being a mode of transportation.

Question 12:
Why are camels called the 'ships of the desert'?
Answer:

Camels are called the ships of the desert because they carry goods and people across vast deserts, just like ships transport cargo across oceans.

Very Short Answer (2 Marks) – with Solutions (CBSE Pattern)

These 2-mark questions test key concepts in a brief format. Answers are expected to be accurate and slightly descriptive.

Question 1:
Why is the camel called the Ship of the Desert?
Answer:

The camel is called the Ship of the Desert because it can walk easily on sand due to its padded feet and carry heavy loads, just like a ship sails on water. It also stores water in its body, helping it survive long journeys in the desert.

Question 2:
Name two features of a camel that help it live in the desert.
Answer:
  • Hump: Stores fat for energy when food is scarce.
  • Padded feet: Prevents sinking into the sand.
Question 3:
What does a camel eat in the desert?
Answer:

A camel eats dry grass, leaves, and thorny plants found in the desert. It can survive without food for many days.

Question 4:
How does a camel protect itself from sandstorms?
Answer:

A camel closes its nostrils and has thick eyelashes to keep sand out during a sandstorm.

Question 5:
Why do camels have long legs?
Answer:

Camels have long legs to keep their bodies away from the hot desert sand and to walk easily over long distances.

Question 6:
What is stored in a camel's hump?
Answer:

A camel's hump stores fat, which provides energy when food is not available.

Question 7:
How does a camel drink water quickly?
Answer:

A camel can drink up to 30 liters of water in just 10 minutes because its body stores water in its stomach and bloodstream.

Question 8:
What sound does a camel make?
Answer:

A camel makes a grunting or groaning sound, especially when it is tired or annoyed.

Question 9:
Name two features of a camel that help it survive in the desert.
Answer:
  • Hump: Stores fat for energy when food is scarce.
  • Long eyelashes: Protect its eyes from sand and dust.
Question 10:
What does a camel store in its hump?
Answer:

A camel stores fat in its hump, which it uses for energy when food and water are not available.

Question 11:
How do a camel's feet help it walk on sand?
Answer:

A camel's feet are broad and padded, which prevents them from sinking into the sand, making it easier to walk on desert terrain.

Question 12:
Why do camels have long eyelashes?
Answer:

Camels have long eyelashes to protect their eyes from blowing sand and dust in the desert.

Question 13:
What is the main food of a camel?
Answer:

Camels mainly eat dry grass, leaves, and thorny plants found in the desert.

Question 14:
How does a camel conserve water in the desert?
Answer:

A camel conserves water by sweating very little and producing dry dung, which helps it survive without water for many days.

Short Answer (3 Marks) – with Solutions (CBSE Pattern)

These 3-mark questions require brief explanations and help assess understanding and application of concepts.

Question 1:
What are the two main types of camels mentioned in the chapter?
Answer:

The two main types of camels are:

  • Dromedary camel (one hump)
  • Bactrian camel (two humps)

Dromedary camels are found in hot deserts, while Bactrian camels live in cold deserts.

Question 2:
How does a camel store water in its body?
Answer:

A camel stores water in its hump, but not directly as water.
The hump stores fat, which the camel’s body breaks down into energy and water when needed.
This helps the camel survive without drinking for many days.

Question 3:
Explain how a camel's long legs help it in the desert.
Answer:

A camel's long legs help in two ways:

  • They keep the camel’s body high above the hot sand.
  • They help the camel take big steps to walk faster on sand.

This makes travel easier in the desert.

Question 4:
What special feature do a camel's eyes have to protect them from sand?
Answer:

A camel has thick eyelashes and a third eyelid that protect its eyes from sand.
The eyelashes block sand, while the third eyelid cleans and moistens the eye.
This helps the camel see clearly even in sandstorms.

Question 5:
How do camels help people living in deserts?
Answer:

Camels help desert people in many ways:

  • They carry heavy loads across long distances.
  • They provide milk, wool, and meat.
  • Their dung is used as fuel.

Without camels, life in the desert would be very difficult.

Question 6:
What happens if a camel does not get food for a long time?
Answer:

If a camel does not get food for a long time, it uses the fat stored in its hump for energy. The hump shrinks as the fat is used up. Once the camel eats again, the hump regains its shape.

Question 7:
How are camels different from horses in terms of desert survival?
Answer:

Camels are better suited for deserts than horses because:

  • They have humps to store fat and water.
  • Their feet are wide to walk on sand without sinking.
  • They can close their nostrils to keep out sand.
  • Horses cannot survive long without water, unlike camels.

Long Answer (5 Marks) – with Solutions (CBSE Pattern)

These 5-mark questions are descriptive and require detailed, structured answers with proper explanation and examples.

Question 1:
Describe the camel as 'The Ship of the Desert' and explain why it is called so. Include its special features that help it survive in the desert.
Answer:

The camel is called 'The Ship of the Desert' because it is the main mode of transportation in deserts, just like ships are in oceans. Camels can travel long distances across hot, sandy deserts without getting tired or needing frequent stops.

Camels have special features that help them survive in the harsh desert environment:

  • Humps: They store fat, which provides energy when food and water are scarce.
  • Long legs: Keep their body away from the hot sand.
  • Thick eyelashes and nostrils: Protect them from sandstorms.
  • Broad, padded feet: Prevent them from sinking into the sand.

These adaptations make camels perfectly suited for desert life, earning them their unique nickname.

Question 2:
Imagine you are a camel in the desert. Write a short paragraph describing a day in your life, highlighting how you use your special abilities to survive.
Answer:

As a camel in the desert, my day starts early when the sun rises. I use my thick eyelashes to keep the blowing sand out of my eyes. My broad feet help me walk smoothly on the hot sand without sinking. When I find food, I eat quickly and store extra energy in my hump for later. During the hottest part of the day, I rest under a shade, using my ability to go without water for long periods. If a sandstorm comes, I close my nostrils to keep the sand out. By evening, I continue my journey, carrying heavy loads for my owner, thanks to my strong body. Life in the desert is tough, but my special features make it easier!

Question 3:
Why is the camel called the Ship of the Desert? Explain with examples from the chapter.
Answer:

The camel is called the Ship of the Desert because it is the best mode of transportation in the desert, just like a ship is in the ocean. Camels have special features that help them survive and travel long distances in the harsh desert environment.

  • Humps: They store fat, which provides energy when food and water are scarce.
  • Long legs: Keep their body away from the hot sand.
  • Thick eyelashes and nostrils: Protect them from sandstorms.

In the chapter, the camel carries heavy loads and people across the desert without getting tired, just like a ship carries cargo and passengers over water. This makes it the perfect ship for the desert!

Question 4:
Describe how the camel's body helps it survive in the desert. Give at least three adaptations with explanations.
Answer:

The camel's body has special adaptations that help it survive in the extreme conditions of the desert. Here are three key features:

  • Humps: Camels store fat in their humps, not water as many think. This fat gives them energy when food is scarce.
    Example: If a camel doesn't eat for days, the fat breaks down to keep it going.
  • Broad, padded feet: Their wide feet prevent them from sinking into the soft sand.
    Example: Like walking on snowshoes, they spread their weight to move easily.
  • Ability to drink a lot of water at once: Camels can drink up to 40 gallons in one go and store it in their bloodstream.
    Example: This helps them go without water for weeks in the desert.

These adaptations make the camel a true desert survivor, as explained in the chapter The Ship of the Desert.

Question 5:
Describe how a camel's body helps it survive in the harsh desert environment.
Answer:

A camel's body has special features that help it survive in the desert:

  • Hump: Stores fat, which provides energy when food is scarce.
  • Broad feet: Spread out to prevent sinking in the sand.
  • Thick fur: Protects from the sun's heat during the day and keeps warm at night.
  • Long eyelashes and nostrils: Keep sand out during storms.
  • Water storage: Can drink large amounts of water at once and store it for long journeys.

These adaptations make the camel a true survivor in the harsh desert.

Question 6:
Describe how the camel's body helps it survive in the desert. Use details from the chapter to support your answer.
Answer:

The camel's body has special features that help it survive in the extreme conditions of the desert.

Key Features:

  • Humps: Camels store fat in their humps, which their bodies use for energy when food is not available.
  • Long Legs: Their long legs keep their bodies away from the hot sand, preventing burns.
  • Thick Fur: The fur protects them from the scorching sun during the day and keeps them warm at night.
  • Water Storage: Camels can drink large amounts of water at once and store it in their bodies for long periods.

In the chapter, the traveler notices how the camel walks for days without water or food, proving how its body is perfectly suited for desert life. These features make the camel a strong and reliable companion in the desert.

Question 7:
Describe the camel's adaptations that make it suitable for desert life, as explained in The Ship of the Desert. How do these features help it survive in harsh conditions?
Answer:

The camel, often called the Ship of the Desert, has several special adaptations that help it survive in the harsh desert environment. These include:

  • Hump: Camels store fat in their humps, which provides energy when food and water are scarce.
  • Thick lips: They can eat thorny desert plants without getting hurt.
  • Long legs: These keep their bodies away from the hot sand.
  • Thick eyelashes and nostrils: These protect them from blowing sand during storms.

Additionally, camels can drink large amounts of water at once and lose very little through sweat, making them perfect for desert life. Their feet are broad and padded to walk easily on sand without sinking. All these features make the camel a true Ship of the Desert.

Case-based Questions (4 Marks) – with Solutions (CBSE Pattern)

These 4-mark case-based questions assess analytical skills through real-life scenarios. Answers must be based on the case study provided.

Question 1:
Read the following passage and answer the questions below:

The Ship of the Desert is a story about a camel who is proud of being called the 'ship of the desert' because it can walk easily on sand. One day, a little bird asks the camel why it is called so. The camel explains how its broad feet help it walk on sand without sinking, just like a ship sails on water without sinking.

Q: Why is the camel called the 'Ship of the Desert'?
Answer:

The camel is called the 'Ship of the Desert' because it can walk easily on sand without sinking, just like a ship sails on water. Broad feet help the camel spread its weight and move smoothly on the soft desert sand. This special ability makes the camel very useful for traveling in deserts, just like ships are useful for traveling on water.

Question 2:
Based on the chapter The Ship of the Desert, imagine you are the little bird talking to the camel. Write two questions you would ask the camel about its life in the desert.
Answer:

If I were the little bird, I would ask the camel:

1. 'How do you survive without water for so many days in the hot desert?'
2. 'What do you eat when there are only sand and a few plants around?'

These questions help us understand how camels are adapted to desert life. Camels store water in their bodies and eat desert plants to survive.

Question 3:
In the story The Ship of the Desert, the camel feels proud of its special features. List two features of a camel that help it live comfortably in the desert.
Answer:

Two features of a camel that help it live comfortably in the desert are:

  • Broad feet: They prevent the camel from sinking into the sand.
  • Hump: It stores fat, which gives the camel energy when food is scarce.

These adaptations make the camel a perfect animal for desert life.

Question 4:
Read the following passage and answer the question below:

The Ship of the Desert is a story about a camel who is proud of being called the 'ship of the desert' because it can walk easily on sand. One day, a little bird asks the camel why it is called so. The camel explains how its broad feet help it walk on sand without sinking, just like a ship sails on water without sinking.

Question: Why is the camel called the 'ship of the desert'?
Answer:

The camel is called the 'ship of the desert' because it can walk easily on sand without sinking, just like a ship sails on water. The camel's broad feet help it spread its weight on the sand, preventing it from sinking. This special ability makes the camel very useful in deserts, where other animals might struggle to walk.

Question 5:
Read the following situation and answer the question below:

In the story The Ship of the Desert, the camel feels proud when the little bird admires its ability to walk on sand. The camel explains how its body is adapted to desert life.

Question: How is the camel's body adapted to live in the desert?
Answer:

The camel's body has special adaptations that help it survive in the desert:

  • Broad feet: They spread its weight on sand so it doesn't sink.
  • Hump: Stores fat, which gives energy when food is scarce.
  • Long eyelashes and nostrils: Protect it from sand during storms.
  • Thick fur: Keeps it warm at night and cool during the day.

These features make the camel a perfect desert animal.

Question 6:
Read the following conversation and answer the question below:

Little Bird: 'Camel, how do you walk so easily on sand?'
Camel: 'My feet are wide, so I don’t sink like others!'

Question: What lesson do we learn from the camel's explanation to the little bird?
Answer:

From the camel's explanation, we learn that every living being has unique features that help it survive in its environment. The camel's broad feet are perfect for the desert, just like birds have wings to fly. This teaches us to appreciate differences and understand how animals adapt to their surroundings.

Question 7:
Read the following passage and answer the question below:

Camel is called the Ship of the Desert because it can walk easily on sand due to its padded feet and can survive without water for many days. It stores fat in its hump, which gives it energy when food is scarce.

Question: Why is the camel well-suited to live in the desert?
Answer:

The camel is well-suited to live in the desert because of its special adaptations:

  • Padded feet help it walk easily on sand without sinking.
  • It can survive for many days without water by using stored fat from its hump for energy.
  • Its thick eyelashes and nostrils protect it from sandstorms.

These features make the camel the perfect animal for desert life, earning it the title Ship of the Desert.

Question 8:
Imagine you are a camel in the desert. A traveler asks you, 'How do you manage without water for so long?' Write your reply explaining your special ability.
Answer:

Dear traveler, I can survive without water for many days because of my special hump! Here’s how:

  • My hump stores fat, not water, which gives me energy when food and water are scarce.
  • I drink a lot of water at once and use it slowly over time.
  • My body prevents water loss by producing very little sweat.

This is why I am called the Ship of the Desert—I can travel long distances without needing frequent stops for water!

Question 9:
A student wrote: 'Camels have long legs to run fast in the desert.' Is this statement correct? Justify your answer with reasons from the chapter.
Answer:

The statement is partially correct, but the main reason for a camel's long legs is not just running fast. Here’s why:

  • Long legs help keep its body away from the hot desert sand, preventing burns.
  • They also help it take big steps to walk easily on soft sand.
  • While camels can run fast if needed, their legs are primarily adapted for endurance, not speed.

So, the camel’s long legs are more about survival in the harsh desert than just running quickly.

Question 10:
Read the following passage and answer the question below:

The Ship of the Desert is a story about a camel who is proud of being called the 'ship of the desert' because it can walk easily on sand. One day, a little bird asks the camel why it is called so. The camel explains how its broad feet help it walk on sand without sinking, just like a ship sails on water.

Question: Why is the camel called the 'ship of the desert'? Explain with two reasons.
Answer:

The camel is called the 'ship of the desert' because:

  • Its broad feet help it walk on sand without sinking, just like a ship floats on water.
  • It can travel long distances in the desert without getting tired, similar to how a ship sails across oceans.

These special features make the camel the best animal for desert travel, earning it this unique title.

Question 11:
Based on the chapter The Ship of the Desert, imagine you are the little bird talking to the camel. Write two questions you would ask the camel to learn more about its life in the desert.
Answer:

If I were the little bird, I would ask the camel:

  • 'How do you survive without water for so long in the hot desert?' (This would help me learn about the camel's water-storing ability.)
  • 'What do you eat in the desert where there are hardly any plants?' (This would teach me about the camel's diet and adaptation.)

These questions would help me understand the camel's amazing desert life better.

Question 12:
In the story The Ship of the Desert, the camel feels proud of its special abilities. Do you think animals should feel proud of their unique features? Give two reasons to support your answer.
Answer:

Yes, animals should feel proud of their unique features because:

  • Every animal has special qualities that help it survive, just like the camel's feet help it walk on sand.
  • Being proud of their abilities makes animals confident, just like the camel was happy to explain why it's called the 'ship of the desert'.

These special features make each animal important in nature, so they should definitely feel proud!

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