NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Science Curiosity Chapter 3 Health: The Ultimate Treasure

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Science Curiosity Chapter 3: Health – The Ultimate Treasure are prepared to help students understand the chapter in a simple, clear, and exam-focused way. These solutions are useful for the 2026-27 academic session and are available in both Hindi and English Medium.

This chapter explains the meaning of health and helps students understand important topics such as communicable and non-communicable diseases, symptoms, causes, prevention, immunity, vaccination, healthy lifestyle habits, and community hygiene. The solutions make these concepts easier by providing step-by-step answers to textbook exercises, extra questions, key definitions, and revision points.

The solution is written based on the latest NCERT Class 8 Science Curiosity textbook and follows the updated CBSE 2026-27 exam pattern. Each answer is framed in simple language so that students can understand the concept clearly and learn how to write accurate responses in school exams.

These NCERT solutions are helpful for Class 8 students preparing for school tests, homework, revision, and annual examinations. Teachers and parents can also use them to guide students in understanding health-related concepts and building awareness about overall well-being.

Students can download the free PDF for offline study and quick revision. With clear explanations, exam-ready answers, revision notes, and teacher-reviewed content, these NCERT Solutions help learners prepare confidently for Class 8 Science Chapter 3: Health – The Ultimate Treasure.

Download PDF of NCERT Solutions For Class 8 Science Chapter 3 Health The Ultimate Treasure - 2026-27

This PDF is a convenient study resource for students who want easy access to NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Science Chapter 3: Health – The Ultimate Treasure. Students can download the solution PDF and revise the chapter at their own pace for homework, class tests, and exam preparation.

Each answer is prepared and reviewed by Infinity Learn expert teachers to ensure accuracy, clarity, and complete alignment with the latest CBSE syllabus. The solutions are written in simple language so students can understand key concepts clearly and learn how to frame correct answers in exams.

By using Infinity Learn NCERT Solutions, students can strengthen their understanding of health, diseases, immunity, vaccination, hygiene, and healthy lifestyle practices, while preparing confidently for Class 8 Science exams.

Health: The Ultimate Treasure Class 8 Questions and Answers Science Chapter 3 (InText)

NCERT Probe and Ponder Questions (Page 28)

Question 1. How does your body respond to an infection such as the common cold?

Answer: When the body gets infected with the common cold virus, the immune system becomes active to fight the infection. Symptoms such as a runny nose, cough, sore throat, mild fever, and tiredness may appear while the body is defending itself. White blood cells help destroy infected cells, and the immune system produces antibodies to fight the virus. Rest, drinking enough fluids, and taking medicines for symptoms like fever or cough can help the body recover faster.

Question 2. We rarely see cases of smallpox or polio these days, but diseases like diabetes and heart problems are more common. Why?

Answer: Smallpox and polio are rarely seen today because of successful vaccination programmes and public health efforts. Vaccines helped protect people from these infectious diseases and reduced their spread. However, diseases like diabetes and heart problems are becoming more common because of lifestyle-related factors. Unhealthy eating habits, lack of physical activity, stress, poor sleep, and longer life expectancy can increase the risk of such non-communicable diseases.

Question 3. Could climate change lead to new types of diseases?

Answer: Yes, climate change can increase the risk of new diseases or cause existing diseases to spread to new areas. Rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns can create favourable conditions for disease-carrying organisms such as mosquitoes. For example, diseases like malaria and dengue may spread more easily when mosquitoes find suitable environments to breed. Climate change can also affect water quality, food safety, and human health, making disease outbreaks more likely.

Question 4. How do emotions like stress or worry affect us and make us sick?

Answer: Stress and worry can affect both the mind and the body. When a person remains stressed for a long time, the immune system may become weaker, making the body more likely to fall ill. Stress can also disturb sleep, reduce appetite or lead to unhealthy eating, and increase problems such as high blood pressure. Long-term stress may contribute to diseases like diabetes and heart problems by affecting overall physical and mental health.

Question 5. Why do some groups of people get affected more than others during disease outbreaks?

Answer: Some groups of people are affected more during disease outbreaks because they may have weaker immunity or fewer resources to protect themselves. Young children, elderly people, pregnant women, and people with existing health problems are often more vulnerable.

Other factors such as poor sanitation, overcrowded living conditions, lack of clean water, malnutrition, and limited access to healthcare can also increase the risk of infection. These conditions make it harder for some communities to prevent and recover from diseases.

Keep the Curiosity Alive (Pages 42-45)

Question 1. Group the diseases shown in the images as communicable or non-communicable.

 Answer: Communicable Diseases

• Cold and Flu
• Typhoid Chickenpox

Non-communicable Diseases

• Diabetes
• Asthma

Question 2. Diseases can be broadly grouped into communicable and non-communicable diseases. From the options given below, identify the non-communicable diseases.

(i) Typhoid

(ii) Asthma

(iii) Diabetes

(iv) Measles

(a) (i) and (ii)

(b) (ii) and (iii)

(c) (i) and (iv)

(d) (ii) and (iv)

Answer: (b) (ii) and (iii)

Question 3. There is a flu outbreak in your school. Several classmates are absent, while some are still coming to school coughing and sneezing.

1. What immediate actions should the school take to prevent further spread?
2. If your classmate, who shares the bench with you, starts showing symptoms of the flu, how can you respond in a considerate way without being rude or hurtful?
3. How can you protect yourself and others from getting infected in this situation?

Answer:  The school should remain closed for a short time so that all classrooms and common areas can be properly disinfected. Students who are unwell should be advised to stay at home until they recover to prevent the infection from spreading. You can politely suggest that your classmate visit a doctor, take proper rest, and avoid coming to school while sick. You may also help by sharing your notes so they do not miss important lessons. To protect yourself and others, wash your hands regularly, avoid close contact with sick people, and wear a mask when needed.

Question 4. Your family is planning to travel to another city where malaria is prevalent.

1. What precautions should you take before, during, and after the trip?
2. How can you explain the importance of mosquito nets or repellents to your sibling?
3. What could happen if travellers ignore health advisories in such areas?

Answer: To protect our family from malaria while travelling, we should focus on avoiding mosquito bites and follow any preventive medicines advised by a doctor. Before travelling, we should consult a doctor, take any required vaccinations or medicines, and carry mosquito repellent, full-sleeved clothes, and other protective items.

During the trip, we should apply mosquito repellent regularly, wear long-sleeved shirts and full-length pants, and sleep under mosquito nets, especially in malaria-prone areas. After returning, we should watch for symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, or weakness. If any symptoms appear, medical help should be taken immediately.

You can explain to your sibling that mosquitoes spread malaria, so using mosquito nets, repellents, and protective clothing helps prevent mosquito bites and lowers the risk of infection. If travellers ignore health warnings in malaria-prone regions, they may be at risk of getting malaria, which can cause serious illness and may become life-threatening if not treated on time.

Question 5. Your uncle has started smoking just to fit in with his friends, even though it is well known that smoking can seriously harm health and even cause death.

1. What would you say to him to make him stop, without being rude?
2. What would you do if your friend offered you a cigarette at a party?
3. How can schools help prevent students from indulging in such harmful habits?

Answer: Dear Uncle, I am worried about your health and would like to talk to you about smoking. Smoking can cause serious health problems, including lung cancer, heart disease, and breathing issues. Quitting smoking can improve your health, increase your energy, and help you live a better quality of life.

At the party, you should politely refuse the cigarette offered by your friend and explain that smoking is harmful to health. You can also encourage your friend to avoid such habits. Schools can help students stay away from smoking by teaching them about its harmful effects and organizing regular awareness programmes, health talks, and anti-smoking campaigns.

Question 6. Saniya claims to her friend Vinita that “Antibiotics can cure any infection, so we don’t need to worry about diseases.” What question(s) can Vinita ask her to help Saniya understand that her statement is incorrect?

Answer: Why Saniya’s Statement Is Incorrect:

Saniya’s statement is incorrect because antibiotics work only against bacterial infections. They do not cure viral infections such as the common cold, flu, or measles.

Taking antibiotics without need or without a doctor’s advice can cause antibiotic resistance. This means the medicine may become less effective when it is actually needed in the future.

Also, all diseases are not caused by bacteria. Some diseases are caused by viruses, fungi, or protozoa, and each type of infection needs a different treatment.

Vanita can say to Saniya:

“Antibiotics do not work for viral infections like flu or measles. They are useful only for bacterial infections. If we take antibiotics unnecessarily, they may not work properly when we really need them. That is why we should take antibiotics only when a doctor prescribes them.”

Question 7. The following table contains information about the number of dengue cases reported in a hospital over one year:

Make a bar graph of the number of cases on the Y-axis and the month on the X-axis. Critically analyse your findings and answer the following:

• In which three months were the dengue cases highest?
• In which month(s) were the cases lowest?
• What natural or environmental factors during the peak months might contribute to the increase in dengue cases?
• Suggest a few preventive steps that the community or government can take before the peak season to reduce the spread of dengue.

Answer: 

1.  Dengue cases were highest in July, August, and September, with 65 cases each.
2. Dengue cases were lowest in January, with only 10 cases.
3. The highest number of dengue cases usually occurs during the monsoon and post-monsoon months. During this time, rainfall leads to the collection of stagnant water in places such as discarded tyres, flower pots, coolers, and open containers. These places become suitable breeding grounds for Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which spread dengue. Warm and humid weather also supports mosquito breeding and the spread of the dengue virus.

Question 8. Imagine you are in charge of a school health campaign. What key messages would you use to reduce communicable and non-communicable diseases?

Answer: For a school health campaign, the key messages should focus on preventing both communicable and non-communicable diseases. Students should be encouraged to wash their hands regularly, drink clean water, eat nutritious food, exercise daily, get enough sleep, and maintain personal hygiene.

They should also be made aware of the importance of vaccination, avoiding junk food, staying away from smoking and tobacco, and keeping the surroundings clean. These habits can help reduce the spread of infections and also lower the risk of lifestyle-related diseases.

Question 9. It is recommended that we not take an antibiotic for a viral infection like a cold, a cough, or the flu. Can you provide the possible reason for this recommendation?

Answer: Antibiotics should not be taken for viral infections like a cold, cough, or flu because antibiotics work only against bacteria, not viruses. Since these illnesses are caused by viruses, antibiotics will not cure them.

Taking antibiotics unnecessarily can also lead to antibiotic resistance. This means the medicine may not work effectively when it is actually needed for a bacterial infection. Therefore, antibiotics should be taken only when prescribed by a doctor.

Question 10. Which disease(s) among the following may spread if drinking water gets contaminated by the excreta from an infected person?

Hepatitis A, Tuberculosis, Poliomyelitis, Cholera, Chickenpox.

Answer: The diseases that may spread through drinking water contaminated by the excreta of an infected person are Hepatitis A, Poliomyelitis, and Cholera.

These diseases can spread through the faecal-oral route when contaminated water or food is consumed. Therefore, drinking clean water, maintaining proper sanitation, and washing hands regularly are important preventive measures.

Question 11. When our body encounters a pathogen for the first time, the immune response is generally low, but on exposure to the same pathogen again, the immune response by the body is much more compared to the first exposure. Why is it so?

Answer: When the body encounters a pathogen for the first time, the immune system takes time to recognize it and produce suitable antibodies. This first reaction is called the primary immune response, and it is usually slow and less strong.

During the first exposure, the body also forms memory cells. These cells remember the pathogen.

When the same pathogen enters the body again, the memory cells quickly recognize it and help produce antibodies faster. This second reaction is called the secondary immune response. It is stronger, quicker, and more effective than the first response, which helps the body fight the infection better.

Activity 3.1: Let us Read (Page 29)

Question 1. What was the cause of the boy’s health problems?

Answer: The boy’s health problems were caused by a combination of emotional and lifestyle factors. He felt lonely because his parents were busy, he had very little social support, and he did not have friends to share his feelings with.

Spending too much time on screens and relying heavily on social media made his emotional health worse. Over time, this affected his physical health and led to problems such as headaches, weight loss, and lack of sleep.

The absence of a supportive environment and healthy ways to handle stress played an important role in the decline of his overall health.

Question 2. How did his habits and surroundings affect his well-being?

Answer: Habits: Spending too much time on his phone and social media made the boy feel more lonely and stressed. It also disturbed his sleep and affected his mental health. By avoiding social interaction, he became more isolated, which further harmed his emotional well-being.

Surroundings: Moving to a new city without friends and having busy parents created an environment where he did not get enough support. This increased his loneliness, and the lack of guidance and social connection affected both his mental and physical health.

Overall Impact: His overall health started to decline. He faced physical problems such as headaches, weight loss, and sleeplessness, along with emotional stress and loneliness. This shows that health is not just the absence of disease, but includes physical, mental, and social well-being.

Activity 3.3: Let us Compare (Page 31)

Question 1.Look at Fig. (a) and Fig. (b). Which playground would you like to play in, and why?

Answer: Preferred Playground:

Most students would prefer to play in the playground shown in Fig. (a).

Reason:

Fig. (a) shows a clean, neat, and well-maintained playground. It looks safe, healthy, and suitable for children to play in.

In contrast, Fig. (b) appears dirty, polluted, and unhygienic. Such surroundings may attract flies and mosquitoes, which can spread diseases and make children sick.

A clean environment protects us from germs and pollutants. It also supports good health, which includes physical, mental, and social well-being.

Activity 3.6: Let us Read (Page 37)

Question 1. What do you infer from this case study?

Answer: The case study shows that improving sanitation, such as building toilets and using them regularly, can greatly reduce open defecation and improve overall health, especially among children. The decrease in diarrhoea and infections shows that proper sanitation helps prevent the spread of communicable diseases caused by pathogens present in contaminated soil or water.

It also highlights the importance of community participation and simple hygiene practices in keeping the surroundings clean and disease-free. This supports the chapter’s idea that cleanliness and a healthy environment play an important role in preventing illness.

Inference: Better sanitation directly supports physical health by reducing contact with disease-causing microbes. This matches the idea that health includes physical well-being along with clean and safe surroundings.

Question 2. Find out about such community campaigns held in your location. Share in your class and discuss with your peers about the impact of such initiatives.

Answer:

Finding Campaigns:

This answer may vary from place to place. In India, campaigns such as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, also known as the Clean India Mission, focus on improving sanitation by building toilets, encouraging their regular use, and spreading awareness about hygiene.

Similar local campaigns may include village cleanliness drives, safe drinking water projects, waste management programmes, and awareness campaigns about handwashing and toilet use. Students can find information about such campaigns from local newspapers, school notices, government websites, community leaders, or health workers.

Sharing and Discussion:

Students can discuss how sanitation campaigns help reduce diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera, and typhoid by promoting clean water, proper toilet use, and hygienic surroundings. The Odisha example shows that when sanitation improves, infections among children can reduce, health improves, and families may spend less money on medical treatment.

Discussion Points:

• How did the campaign change people’s daily habits, such as using toilets instead of open defecation?
• What challenges can communities face, such as lack of awareness, shortage of funds, or poor maintenance?
• How can students help through cleanliness drives, awareness posters, street plays, or discussions in school and neighbourhoods?

Download Chapter-wise CBSE Board Class 8 Science MCQs Questions