Extra 20 important long questions and answers from the CBSE Class 6 Science chapter:3 "Fibre and Fabric."
1. What are fibres? What are the types of fibres?
✅ Answer:
Fibres are
thin, thread-like strands
used to make fabric.
They are used to make
yarn and textiles.
Types of fibres:
Natural fibres
– Obtained from plants and animals (e.g., cotton, wool, silk, jute).
Synthetic fibres
– Made from chemicals (e.g., nylon, polyester, acrylic).
Natural fibres are
eco-friendly and biodegradable.
Synthetic fibres are
strong, durable, and water-resistant.
Fibres are further processed to make
yarn, fabric, and clothing.
2. What is cotton? How is it obtained?
✅ Answer:
Cotton is a
natural plant fibre
obtained from the
cotton plant.
It grows in
warm and dry climates
in India, China, and the USA.
Cotton fibres are obtained from
cotton bolls (seed hairs).
The process of removing seeds from cotton fibres is called
ginning.
Cotton is
soft, breathable, and absorbs moisture.
It is used to make
clothing, bedsheets, and textiles.
3. What is jute? How is it obtained?
✅ Answer:
Jute is a
natural plant fibre
obtained from the
stem of the jute plant.
It is grown in
West Bengal, Assam, and Bihar.
The fibres are extracted through
retting,
where stems are soaked in water.
The outer stem layer is removed to extract
long, strong jute fibres.
Jute is
rough, strong, and biodegradable.
It is used to make
sacks, ropes, carpets, and mats.
4. What are the different steps in making fabric from fibres?
✅ Answer:
Fibre extraction
– Natural fibres are collected from plants or animals.
Spinning
– Fibres are twisted to form yarn.
Weaving
– Two sets of yarn are interlaced to make fabric.
Knitting
– A single yarn is looped to make fabric.
Dyeing and finishing
– Fabrics are
coloured
and processed for use.
Final use
– The fabric is made into clothes, bags, and home textiles.
5. What is the difference between weaving and knitting?
✅ Answer:
Feature |
Weaving |
Knitting |
---|---|---|
Definition |
Process of interlacing two sets of yarn |
Process of looping a single yarn |
Method |
Done using looms |
Done using knitting needles or machines |
Fabric Texture |
Stiff and structured |
Soft and stretchable |
Examples |
Shirts, bedsheets, sarees |
Sweaters, woollen socks, T-shirts |
Process |
Two yarns are used |
Only one yarn is used |
Machines Used |
Handlooms, power looms |
Knitting machines, hand knitting |
6. How is wool obtained from sheep?
✅ Answer:
Wool is obtained from the
fleece (hair) of sheep and goats.
The fleece is cut off using
shearing.
The wool is then
washed and cleaned
to remove dirt and grease.
The fibres are
combed and sorted
to remove short fibres.
The wool is spun into
yarn
and used to make woollen fabric.
Wool is warm because it
traps air, which acts as an insulator.
7. How is silk obtained?
✅ Answer:
Silk is obtained from
silkworms,
which produce silk fibres.
Silkworms spin cocoons made of
long silk threads.
The cocoons are collected and boiled in water to
separate silk fibres.
The fibres are then
spun into silk yarn.
Silk fabric is made through
weaving or knitting.
Silk is
shiny, smooth, and strong
and is used for making expensive clothing.
8. What is sericulture?
✅ Answer:
Sericulture is the process of
rearing silkworms
for silk production.
Silkworms are fed on
mulberry leaves.
They spin
cocoons,
which contain silk threads.
The cocoons are boiled to extract silk fibres.
The silk fibres are spun into
silk yarn.
The yarn is woven into
luxurious silk fabric.
9. What are synthetic fibres? Give examples.
✅ Answer:
Synthetic fibres are
man-made fibres
made from chemicals.
They are
strong, lightweight, and durable.
Examples include
nylon, polyester, and acrylic.
Nylon is used in
ropes and parachutes.
Polyester is used in
clothing and bedsheets.
Synthetic fibres dry
quickly and are wrinkle-resistant.
10. What are the advantages of natural fibres over synthetic fibres?
✅ Answer:
Natural fibres are
biodegradable and eco-friendly.
They are
comfortable
to wear.
Cotton and wool
absorb moisture,
making them breathable.
Silk and wool
keep the body warm.
They do not cause
skin allergies
like synthetic fibres.
Natural fibres decompose naturally, reducing pollution.
11. Why do we wear cotton clothes in summer?
✅ Answer:
Cotton is
light and breathable.
It
absorbs sweat,
keeping the body cool.
It allows
air circulation.
It prevents
rashes and discomfort.
It dries
quickly, preventing infections.
Cotton fabrics are
comfortable and soft.
12. What precautions should be taken while using synthetic clothes?
✅ Answer:
Avoid wearing synthetic clothes near
fire or heat
as they melt easily.
Avoid wearing them in
hot weather
as they do not absorb sweat.
Wash them carefully as they can
lose shape in hot water.
Avoid using
hot irons
on synthetic fabrics.
Do not wear synthetic clothes during
physical activities
as they do not absorb sweat.
Store them properly to
prevent damage.
13. Why is polyester widely used?
✅ Answer:
Polyester is
strong and durable.
It is
wrinkle-resistant
and does not shrink.
It dries
quickly
after washing.
It is
lightweight and cheap.
It is used in
clothing, bags, and curtains.
It retains
bright
colours
for a long time.
14. What are the properties of wool that make it useful for winter clothing?
✅ Answer:
Wool is a
good insulator
as it traps air, keeping the body warm.
It is
soft and flexible,
making it comfortable to wear.
Wool is
water-absorbent,
keeping the skin dry in cold weather.
It is
durable and does not wrinkle easily.
Woollen clothes are used in
cold regions
for protection from low temperatures.
15. What are the properties of silk that make it valuable?
✅ Answer:
Silk is
shiny and smooth,
giving it a luxurious appearance.
It is
stronger than many other natural fibres.
Silk is
soft and lightweight,
making it comfortable to wear.
It absorbs moisture and is
breathable.
Silk is used in
sarees, scarves, and expensive fabrics.
16. Why do synthetic fibres dry quickly?
✅ Answer:
Synthetic fibres
do not absorb water,
unlike natural fibres.
They are made from
chemical-based materials
that repel moisture.
Water
evaporates quickly
from synthetic fabrics.
This makes them useful for
raincoats, umbrellas, and sportswear.
Synthetic clothes are ideal for
monsoon and humid climates.
17. What are the disadvantages of synthetic fibres?
✅ Answer:
Synthetic fibres
do not absorb sweat,
making them uncomfortable in hot weather.
They
catch fire easily
and can melt, causing burns.
They
are not biodegradable,
leading to environmental pollution.
Some synthetic fibres
cause skin allergies and irritation.
They
lose shape and get damaged
when exposed to high heat.
18. What is the difference between cotton and wool?
✅ Answer:
Feature |
Cotton |
Wool |
---|---|---|
Source |
Cotton plant |
Sheep, goats, alpacas |
Weather Suitability |
Suitable for summer |
Suitable for winter |
Texture |
Soft and breathable |
Warm and thick |
Water Absorption |
High absorption (keeps body cool) |
Absorbs moisture but retains warmth |
Use |
Used for summer clothing and bedsheets |
Used for sweaters, blankets, and jackets |
19. Why is jute used for making ropes and bags?
✅ Answer:
Jute fibres are
strong and durable.
They are
resistant to tearing
and can hold heavy weights.
Jute is
rough and thick,
making it ideal for sacks and ropes.
It is
biodegradable,
making it an eco-friendly option.
Jute bags are
reusable and sustainable.
20. Why are synthetic fibres widely used despite their disadvantages?
✅ Answer:
They are
strong and last longer
than natural fibres.
They are
wrinkle-resistant
and easy to maintain.
They are
cheaper
to produce compared to natural fibres.
Synthetic fibres dry
quickly
and do not shrink after washing.
They are used in
sportswear, raincoats, and industrial products.