What a Tank! Class 5 English Chapter 6 CBSE Notes 2025-26

Water conservation in India has a long and rich tradition. People have used various methods and built unique structures to save water for hundreds of years. These included huge tanks, underground storage, wells, and more. Such features were not just for storing water, but were vital in providing drinking water, stopping floods, and bringing communities together.

In modern times, the importance of water conservation and water management remains strong and is still a part of daily life, especially in rural areas.

Traditional Water Storage Systems in India India’s diverse landscape has led to the development of different water storage techniques in various regions. In Tamil Nadu, traditional Ooranis collect and store rainwater for drinking and farming.

In Kerala, special wells called Panam Keni rarely dry up, even during the hottest summers. In the dry Thar region of Rajasthan, Tankas are underground tanks that can store enough water for up to seven months, making them crucial for survival during dry spells.

Modern Water Tanks and Overhead Water Tanks Today, almost every household, especially in cities, has some type of water tank. Most water tanks are either built on the rooftops or installed above homes. These are called overhead tanks. They can store hundreds to thousands of litres of water to meet daily needs. Having a reliable tank at home means water is available throughout the day for uses such as drinking, bathing, cooking, and cleaning.

Unique Water Tanks of Punjab Punjab, a state in northwest India, is renowned for its distinct culture. One interesting feature of rural Punjab is its creatively designed overhead water tanks. Unlike ordinary tanks, the ones here are shaped like flowers, footballs, roosters, tractors, bullock carts, even aeroplanes! The design is usually chosen to reflect the preferences, profession, or personality of the owner.

For example, a football fan might have a football-shaped tank, while a farmer could have a tractor or rooster tank. These tanks are made with cement and reinforced with steel rods for a strong frame. Once concrete is poured and shaped, the completed tank is installed on the roof, ready to hold water and show off the household’s uniqueness.

Why Are Water Tanks Important? Water tanks play a vital role in safeguarding water, ensuring every household has access even when water supply is limited. Well-maintained tanks can store enough water to last for months, which is especially important in places where water comes only on certain days or in regions with drought. Besides storage, tanks help reduce the risk of water shortage and improve hygiene within families and communities.

Ways to Store and Save Water Apart from overhead tanks, people store water in underground tanks, clay pots, large jars, and traditional wells. Rainwater harvesting, where rainwater is collected and stored for later use, is becoming more common. Saving water also starts with simple actions like turning off taps tightly, using mugs or buckets instead of running water, and fixing leaks quickly.

Water Conservation: Daily Life Example Living without water even for a single day can be very challenging. When there is no water, simple tasks like brushing teeth, bathing, cooking, and washing become hard. Schools may have to close toilets, and people may worry about buying water or waiting for tankers. Such experiences teach children and adults the true value of water and inspire everyone to develop good water-saving habits.

Water Conservation Activities in School Schools often conduct Water Conservation Week, involving students in activities like poster-making competitions with slogans such as “Save Every Drop” or “No Water, No Life.” Other activities include tree planting and water-saving contests. Through these activities, students learn about the value of every drop of water and their role in spreading awareness at home and in the community.

• Using a mug instead of running water to brush your teeth can save a lot of water.
• Washing vegetables in a bowl rather than under a running tap also saves water.
• Fixing leaky taps at home prevents gallons of water from being wasted each day.

Contractions and Exclamatory Sentences In English, contractions are short forms made by joining two words and replacing some letters with an apostrophe. Examples are: aren’t (are not), wouldn’t (would not), can’t (cannot), didn’t (did not). Exclamatory sentences express strong emotions, like “Wow!”, “Hurrah!”, or “That’s so creative!” They often end with an exclamation mark and bring out feelings such as surprise, happiness, or excitement.

Learning Through Stories and Activities The story of Suma, who experienced a day without water, is a lesson in being grateful for water and making sure not to waste it. Similarly, stories like “The Thirsty Crow” inspire creativity and problem-solving. Schools may encourage children to enact these stories, helping them understand water conservation in a fun way.

Animal Families and Words Ending With ‘er’ Learning about animal families helps increase vocabulary—bull-calf-cow, lion-lion cub-lioness, rooster-chick-hen, etc. Students also practice spelling by finding and listing words that end with ‘er’ (e.g., water, flower, dancer, teacher).

Practical Water Tank Maintenance and Community Action It’s important to keep water tanks clean to ensure safe water. Techniques for cleaning tanks include draining, scrubbing walls, rinsing, and refilling with clean water. Communities may organize cleaning drives and awareness campaigns with catchy slogans like “Save Tanks, Save Lives!” Everyone’s participation is needed to keep water storage structures clean and functional.

Fun With Sounds and Words Some English words may sound similar but have different meanings, like “I scream” and “ice cream.” The same word, “tank,” can appear in phrases like “water tank” (a container for water) or “What a tank!” (an exclamation).

By learning about traditional and modern water storage, engaging in water conservation activities, and participating in school projects, students not only strengthen their English language skills but also develop a deep respect for water and nature.

Class 5 English Chapter 6 Notes – What a Tank!: NCERT Revision Key Points

These comprehensive CBSE Class 5 English Chapter 6 What a Tank! notes summarize all the important concepts, activities, and vocabulary in a clear way. Students can use these key points for quick revision and to understand traditional water conservation, vocabulary, and creative exercises. Practicing with these notes helps in scoring better and retaining chapter highlights.

With these easy-to-read revision notes for What a Tank!, learners capture facts about water tanks in India, explore grammar topics like contractions and exclamatory sentences, and prepare for classroom activities. These notes support thorough exam preparation and strengthen both language and environmental awareness.