Q1. [10]
(1) With the growing focus on sustainable living, the importance of kitchen gardens in urban regions has garnered greater acknowledgement. One significance of kitchen gardens in urban areas is their role in promoting food security. Rapid urbanization has led to increased distances between food production centres and urban settlements, resulting in longer food supply chains and a decrease in the freshness and nutritional value of food.
(2) By having a kitchen garden, urban dwellers can grow their own fresh produce at home, making good use of empty tins, old utensils, and clay flower pots, ensuring a constant supply of nutritious food for themselves and their families. This activity not only saves money and time but can also provide a healthy, practical, and environmentally friendly hobby for the whole family.
(3) Not only do kitchen gardens contribute to food security, but they also play a crucial role in environmental sustainability. Traditional agricultural practices often involve the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and intensive irrigation methods, which may have adverse effects on the environment. However, kitchen gardens promote organic farming, reducing the use of harmful chemicals and preserving soil health.
(4) In addition to fostering a sustainable environment, kitchen gardens provide numerous health benefits to urban dwellers. The availability of fresh and organic produce from the garden ensures a higher intake of essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, promoting better overall health and well-being.
(5) Furthermore, kitchen gardens have proven to be an effective tool for education and community development. They provide an opportunity for individuals to reconnect with nature and learn about the basics of agriculture. Besides providing fruits and vegetables, gardening provides an aesthetic and therapeutic exercise that helps relieve stress. The physical activity involved in tending to a garden helps individuals stay active, reducing the risk of obesity and related health issues.
(6) By involving children in gardening activities, they can develop an appreciation for the environment and learn essential life skills. Moreover, kitchen gardens can also serve as a platform for community engagement, fostering social interactions and promoting a sense of belonging among urban residents.
(7) Despite the numerous benefits of kitchen gardens, establishing and maintaining one in urban areas can be challenging. Limited space, lack of sunlight, and soil quality issues are common obstacles that urban gardeners face. However, innovative solutions such as vertical gardening, hydroponics, and rooftop gardens have emerged to overcome these challenges.
(8) It is imperative to provide support and resources to encourage urban gardening initiatives as this can transform urban areas into sustainable havens where residents not only live but thrive in harmony with nature.
Read the following passage carefully and answer the following questions, based on the above passage:
- (i) What does the writer's use of phrases like 'in urban regions kitchen gardens have garnered great acknowledgement' suggest about kitchen gardening today? Paragraph (1) [1]
- A It has reduced inflation.
- B It is an expensive hobby.
- C It provides nutritious food.
- D It does not minimize adverse effects on the environment.
- (ii) Complete the following with a suitable explanation.
Growing a kitchen garden is cost effective because __________.
Paragraph (2) [1]
- (iii) Identify two differences between the methods adopted in traditional farming and kitchen gardens. Paragraph (3) [2]
- (iv) Substitute the underlined word with the correct word from Paragraph (4).
The local residents' nurturing of their surrounding flora and fauna helps to create awareness about civic responsibilities. [1]
- (v) Tending to a kitchen garden has many health benefits. Explain in about 40 words. Paragraphs (4) and (5) [2]
- (vi) Select the option that best reflects the concept that kitchen gardening is an effective educational tool for children. Paragraph (5) [1]
- A It contributes to effective community development.
- B It helps develop sensitivity and appreciation for nature.
- (vii) What hurdles do kitchen gardeners face? Mention any two. Paragraph (7) [1]
- (viii) State whether the following statement is True or False:
Kitchen gardening should be practised by everyone living in the cities. [1]
Previously asked in CBSE board exam
2025 2/3/1 Q1
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:09 · grounding stimulus
Model Answer
(i) C — It provides nutritious food.
(ii) Growing a kitchen garden is cost effective because it saves money and time by growing fresh produce at home using empty tins, old utensils, and clay flower pots, reducing dependence on costly market supplies.
(iii) Two differences between traditional farming and kitchen gardens:
| Traditional Farming | Kitchen Gardens |
|---|---|
| Uses synthetic fertilizers and pesticides | Promotes organic farming, reducing harmful chemicals |
| Involves intensive irrigation methods | Preserves soil health with sustainable practices |
(iv) The correct word from Paragraph (4) is fostering (replacing "nurturing").
(v) Tending to a kitchen garden provides multiple health benefits. Fresh, organic produce ensures higher intake of essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Gardening is a therapeutic exercise that relieves stress. The physical activity involved keeps individuals active, reducing the risk of obesity and related health issues.
(vi) B — It helps develop sensitivity and appreciation for nature.
(vii) Two hurdles kitchen gardeners face:
- Limited space
- Lack of sunlight (also: soil quality issues)
(viii) False. The passage does not state that everyone in cities must practise kitchen gardening; it says it is imperative to provide support and resources to encourage urban gardening initiatives.
Source: Passage on Kitchen Gardens in Urban Areas, Paragraphs (1)–(8)
---
Explanation
- (i) The phrase "garnered greater acknowledgement" signals rising recognition/importance — not cost or inflation. Nutritious food is the stated significance in Para 1.
- (ii) Direct inference from Para 2: "saves money and time" + reuse of household containers.
- (iii) Examiners expect a clear contrast; a table or two labelled points both work equally well.
- (iv) "Fostering" means nurturing/promoting — Para 4 uses it in the same sense as "nurturing" in the question.
- (v) Draw from both paragraphs as instructed; 40 words means 3–4 sentences maximum.
- (vi) Para 6 specifically says children "develop an appreciation for the environment" — option B.
- (vii) Any two from: limited space, lack of sunlight, soil quality issues.
- (viii) The passage encourages and supports kitchen gardening but never mandates it for "everyone" — hence False.
If a question refers to an image, map, graph or diagram that is not shown here, open the Study Guide single page app, go to
Library and find the actual CBSE question paper. The original papers are also available on the CBSE website:
cbse.gov.in.