Neem Baba – Class 6 English Poorvi Question Answer (NCERT 2026–27)

Q: What is the scientific name of the neem tree?

The scientific (Latin) name of neem is Azadirachta indica, which comes from the Persian name 'Azad Darakhte Hindi' given by people from Persia.

Complete Neem Baba Class 6 question answer from Class 6 English Poorvi Unit 3 (Nurturing Nature) – a prose dialogue adapted from Neem Baba by S. I. Farooqi. This page gives the overview, summary, word meanings and every textbook exercise (Let us discuss, Let us think and reflect, Let us learn, Let us listen, Let us speak, Let us write, Let us explore) answered in full. The questions are reproduced exactly as in the NCERT book, and every fact-sheet, fill-in and matching task is written out as readable text.

Class: 6 Subject: English Book: Poorvi Unit: 3 – Nurturing Nature Type: Prose (S. I. Farooqi) Session: 2026–27

On this page

About the chapter
About the author
Summary
Word meanings
Let us do these activities before we read
Let us discuss
Let us think and reflect
Let us learn (grammar & vocabulary)
Let us listen / speak / write / explore
Extra questions
MCQs & Assertion–Reason
Exam tips & common mistakes
FAQs

About the chapter

“Neem Baba” is a lively conversation piece from Unit 3, ‘Nurturing Nature’. A girl named Amber sits in the shade of the neem tree in her courtyard and imagines that the old tree is speaking to her. She lovingly calls it ‘Neem Baba’, and through their friendly dialogue she learns how very old the tree is, where it grew up, the many names it has, and the countless ways it helps people – in medicine, farming, cleanliness and daily life. The lesson celebrates the neem tree as ‘nature’s gift to man’ and gently urges children to value, protect and discover more about trees.

About the author

This lesson is adapted from Neem Baba by S. I. Farooqi. The original work introduces young readers to the neem tree (botanical name Azadirachta indica) by letting the tree ‘speak’ about its history, its many Indian and foreign names, and its remarkable medicinal and agricultural uses. The NCERT version is written as a simple, child-friendly conversation between Amber and Neem Baba so that learners absorb scientific facts about the neem tree in an enjoyable, story-like way. The piece reflects the writer’s aim of spreading awareness about the value of neem and encouraging children to respect and care for nature.

Summary

Amber comes home from school and sits in the cool shade of the neem tree in her courtyard. She feels the tree is whispering to her, so she greets it politely. The tree, which she calls ‘Neem Baba’, replies kindly and says it has known her since she played in its shade as a small child. When Amber asks it to tell her about itself, Neem Baba explains that it is very old – born millions of years ago in North India or Myanmar – and that its family later spread to many Asian and African countries and even parts of America.

Neem Baba then describes the story of its name. In India it was given Sanskrit names such as Arishta, Nimba and Nimbaca, while the name ‘Neem’ was given by the Iranians. It has many Indian names like Nimb, Nim, Leemba and Nimori, and scientists call it the ‘bitter grace of God’, ‘nature’s gift to man’ and even the ‘magic tree’. Amber learns that the tree is well known because people find it so useful.

The tree explains its many uses. Neem leaves have germ-destroying properties, so they comfort patients with measles; its bark, flowers, fruits and roots can be made into medicines for many illnesses – though only trained people should prepare these. Neem seed powder sprayed on crops keeps away locusts, termites and other insects, stops mosquitoes from breeding in standing water, and protects stored grains. Neem oil makes soap and toothpaste, neem wood resists termites, and the tree even purifies the air. Inspired, Amber promises Neem Baba that she will discover even more of its qualities when she grows up.

• Hindi saar: अंबर स्कूल से लौटकर अपने आँगन के नीम के पेड़ की छाया में बैठती है। वह पेड़ को ‘नीम बाबा’ कहती है और उससे बातें करती है। नीम बाबा बताते हैं कि वे करोड़ों वर्ष पुराने हैं, उनके कई नाम हैं, और वे दवाइयों, खेती, सफ़ाई तथा रोज़मर्रा के कामों में बहुत उपयोगी हैं। अंत में अंबर वादा करती है कि बड़ी होकर वह नीम के और गुण खोजेगी।

Word meanings

Word	English meaning	Hindi meaning
courtyard	an open space surrounded by walls inside a house	आँगन
whispering	speaking very softly	फुसफुसाना
thought-provoking	interesting; making one think deeply	विचारोत्तेजक / रोचक
grace	blessing	आशीर्वाद / कृपा
twigs	small thin branches	टहनियाँ / दातुन
measles	a disease with fever and red spots on the skin	खसरा
itching	the feeling that makes one want to scratch	खुजली
breed	to grow or multiply in number	पनपना / ब୪ना
remedies	cures or treatments for an illness	उपचार / इलाज
locusts	flying insects that damage crops	टिड्डियाँ / सल्ली
termites	insects that damage wood and buildings	दीमक
stagnant	(of water) not flowing; still	ठहरा / रुका हुआ
cost-effective	giving a good result for very little money	कम खर्च में लाभदायक
yield	the amount of crop produced	उपज
purifies	removes harmful particles; makes clean	शुद्ध करता है
experience	knowledge gained from doing something	अनुभव

Let us do these activities before we read

I. A tree is useful to us in many ways. Mention some of these uses. (Some parts of trees are used in preparing medicines.)

SAMPLE ANSWERTrees are useful in many ways: they give us oxygen to breathe; shade and shelter from the sun; fruits, nuts and food; wood for furniture and fuel; medicines from their bark, leaves and roots; homes for birds and insects; and they help to purify the air, prevent soil erosion and bring rain. They also make our surroundings beautiful and cool.

II. Neem is a common tree in our country. Discuss in groups of four and fill Columns 1 and 2 with what you know about the neem tree and what you want to know.

SAMPLE ANSWER Column 1 – What do you know? • Neem leaves are bitter. • Neem is used in soaps, toothpaste and medicines. • Neem twigs are used to clean teeth (datun). • Neem trees are found almost everywhere in India. Column 2 – What do you want to know? • How old can a neem tree grow? • In which countries is neem found? • How does neem protect crops? • Why do scientists call neem a ‘magic tree’?

This is a group brainstorming activity; the answers above are samples – your own ideas may differ.

Let us discuss

I. Fill up the fact sheet (LET US KNOW OUR NEEM)

Amber found many facts about the neem tree from Neem Baba. Fill up the fact sheet based on what Neem Baba told her.

Fact sheet item	Answer
Common name	Neem
Given by	The Iranians
Period of birth	Millions of years ago
Born at	North India or Myanmar
Found in	Many Asian and African countries and even some parts of America
Common (Indian) names	Nimb, Nim, Leemba, Nimori, Nimbamond, Nimbe, Nimo
Names given by scientists	1. Arishta, Nimba, Nimbaca (Sanskrit names) 2. ‘Bitter grace of God’, ‘nature’s gift to man’, ‘cleanliness-parting tree’
Names given by others	1. ‘Magic tree’ 2. ‘The tree of the twentieth century’

II. Let us discuss (questions)

1. How is neem useful to farmers?

ANSWERNeem is very useful to farmers. When the powder of neem seeds is mixed in water and sprayed on plants and trees, locusts do not eat them. Used in rice fields where water stands, it stops mosquitoes from breeding and increases the crop yield. It also saves crops from termites that eat their roots, stops other crop-eating insects from breeding, and protects stored grains when neem seed powder is added to them.

2. Mention some of the uses of the neem tree.

ANSWERThe neem tree has many uses: its twigs clean teeth and its leaves protect clothes; its leaves, bark, flowers, fruits and roots make medicines that cure many diseases; neem seed powder protects crops and stored grains and stops mosquito breeding; neem oil is used to make soap and toothpaste; neem wood is not eaten by termites; and the tree even purifies the air around us.

Let us think and reflect

I. You just read about the neem tree. Write any two facts that surprised you the most.

SAMPLE ANSWER Fact 1: I was surprised to learn that the neem tree was born millions of years ago in North India or Myanmar, and that it has spread to many countries in Asia, Africa and even America. Fact 2: I was amazed that neem seed powder can stop mosquitoes from breeding in standing water and can protect crops from locusts and termites – a cheap and natural way to help farmers.

II. Complete the following sentences.

ANSWER 1. Amber played in the shade of the neem tree (Neem Baba). 2. Neem seed powder protects crops from locusts, termites and other harmful insects. 3. Spraying / putting neem seed powder in water is a cost-effective method to stop mosquitoes from breeding in stagnant water. 4. One reason why doctors advise us to use neem leaves for someone suffering from measles is that neem leaves have chemical properties that destroy germs, give comfort from itching and do not allow germs to breed.

III. Which parts of the neem tree are used to make medicines?

ANSWERThe leaves, bark, flowers, fruits and even the roots of the neem tree are used to make medicines that cure many diseases.

IV. Why is the story of neem tree thought-provoking?

ANSWERThe story of the neem tree is thought-provoking because a single common tree has so many surprising names and so many uses – in medicine, farming, cleanliness and daily life. It makes us think about how something we see every day can be ‘nature’s gift to man’, and it encourages us to value, protect and discover more about the trees around us.

Let us learn

I. Compound words

Study these words from the text and put them in their trees: something, neem oil, cleanliness-parting, well known, grandmother, seed powder, childhood, well trained, thought-provoking. (Open = spaces between words; Closed = no spaces; Hyphenated = hyphens between words.) You may add some more words.

ANSWER Open compound words: neem oil, well known, seed powder, well trained (add: ice cream, post office, full moon) Closed compound words: something, grandmother, childhood (add: notebook, sunflower, rainbow) Hyphenated compound words: cleanliness-parting, thought-provoking (add: mother-in-law, well-known, six-year-old)

II. Verbs – match the present form to the past form

Match the verbs in the first column (present) to verbs in the second column (past). Make a sentence with any one form. (One done: 1. become → (iv) became.)

ANSWER 1. become → (iv) became 2. find → (v) found 3. make → (i) made 4. discover → (vi) discovered 5. tell → (iii) told 6. give → (ii) gave Sample sentences: (a) My grandmother found a good home remedy for my cough. (b) Neem Baba told Amber many useful facts. (c) Scientists discovered the medicinal qualities of neem.

III. Personification

Amber speaks to Neem Baba as if speaking to a person. This figure of speech is called personification. (Examples: The leaves whispered in the wind. / The flowers danced merrily in the breeze.) Now, discuss it with your classmates and teacher.

ANSWERPersonification is a figure of speech in which a non-living thing, an animal or an idea is given human qualities or actions. In this lesson, the neem tree is shown talking, remembering Amber’s childhood and feeling proud – just like a person. A few more examples: • The wind cried all night. • The sun smiled down on us. • The old clock groaned as it struck twelve. • The waves danced on the shore.

Let us listen / speak / write / explore

Let us listen – You will listen to a boy speaking to his mother. As you listen, select the correct statements. (refer to page 101 for transcript)

ANSWER (based on the Peepal Baba transcript) Correct statements: 1. The mother was surprised to know that Peepal Baba had planted trees all over the country. – True 3. The mother wanted to know more about Peepal Baba. – True 4. The boy decided to take care of trees by listening to Peepal Baba’s journey. – True (Statements 2 and 5 are incorrect – the mother admired Peepal Baba’s work and the boy was not worried.)

Let us speak – Collect dry leaves of four different trees and plants around you, make a leaf card, and speak about the whole process in front of the class. Ask your classmates to identify the leaf and tell them one of its uses.

GUIDED ANSWERChoose four leaves (for example neem, tulsi, mango and peepal). On each card, draw and colour the leaf’s shape, then write the tree’s name and one use inside – e.g. “Neem – used in medicines and to clean teeth.” While speaking, describe how you collected the leaves, dried them, drew their shapes and coloured the cards. Then hold up a card, let classmates guess the leaf and its use, and open the card to share what you wrote.

Let us write – Look at the trees in your neighbourhood and write a paragraph about any one tree that you like. Mention where it is, how it looks, why you like it, and give a title.

SAMPLE PARAGRAPH My Favourite Tree – The Neem There is a tall neem tree at the corner of the park near my house. It has a thick brown trunk and a wide, leafy top covered with small green leaves and tiny white flowers in summer. I like this tree very much because it gives cool, refreshing shade where children sit and play. Its leaves and twigs are used as natural medicine, and birds build their nests in its branches. The neem tree keeps our air clean and our surroundings beautiful, so I always feel happy and peaceful whenever I sit under it.

Let us explore – The Persians called neem ‘Azad Darakhte Hindi’, so its scientific (Latin) name became Azadirachta indica. Neem has different names in Indian languages. Find out which Indian languages the names belong to.

SAMPLE ANSWERThis is a discussion-and-find-out activity, so answers may vary. A useful guide is: Nimb / Nim – Hindi; Leemba / Limba – Marathi and Gujarati; Nimori, Nimbamond, Nimbe – regional and South-Indian forms (Kannada uses Bevu/Nimbe); Nimo – spoken forms in some Indian languages. Check each name with your teacher and add the correct language beside it in your notebook.

Note: The Let us listen, Let us speak and Let us explore tasks are listening, speaking and project activities to be done in class. The answers above are guided/sample responses to help you prepare – do your own observation and discussion in class.

Extra questions

Short answer (30–40 words)

1. Why does Amber call the neem tree ‘Neem Baba’?

ANSWERAmber calls the tree ‘Neem Baba’ out of respect and affection, because it is very old and wise and has known her since her childhood. The tree itself tells her she may call it Neem Baba.

2. Who gave the neem tree the name ‘Neem’?

ANSWERThe name ‘Neem’ was given by the Iranians. In India the tree was first given Sanskrit names such as Arishta, Nimba and Nimbaca, and in Hindi it is called Nimb.

3. How did Amber’s grandmother cure his cough and his father’s eye trouble?

ANSWERAmber’s grandmother cured Amber’s cough with a medicine made from neem bark. When her father had itching in the eyes, the grandmother prepared a kajal from neem flowers, which cured him.

4. What does ‘cost-effective’ mean, and how does neem help cheaply?

ANSWER‘Cost-effective’ means getting a good result with very little money or resources. Putting neem seed powder in stagnant water around homes cheaply stops mosquitoes from breeding without the need for costly chemicals.

5. Name two products that are made using neem.

ANSWERNeem oil is used to make soaps and toothpaste. Neem wood is also used to make furniture that termites do not eat.

Long answer (100–120 words)

6. Describe how the neem tree got its many names.

ANSWERThe neem tree has a thought-provoking story of names. It was born in India and given Sanskrit names such as Arishta – meaning ‘the one who cures diseases’ – along with Nimba and Nimbaca. The popular name ‘Neem’ was given by the Iranians, and in Hindi it is called Nimb. In different parts of India it is also known as Nim, Leemba, Nimori, Nimbamond, Nimbe and Nimo. Because it is so useful, scientists named it the ‘bitter grace of God’, ‘nature’s gift to man’ and the ‘cleanliness-parting tree’, while others call it the ‘magic tree’ and the ‘tree of the twentieth century’. As Neem Baba says, we become well known for what we do.

7. Explain how the neem tree is useful in medicine, farming and daily life.

ANSWERThe neem tree helps us in countless ways. In medicine, its leaves destroy germs and comfort measles patients, while its bark, flowers, fruits and roots cure coughs, eye trouble and many other illnesses – though only trained people should prepare these remedies. In farming, neem seed powder sprayed on crops keeps away locusts, saves them from termites, stops mosquitoes from breeding in standing water, and increases the crop yield; it also protects stored grain. In daily life, its twigs clean teeth, its leaves protect clothes, neem oil makes soap and toothpaste, neem wood resists termites, and the tree purifies the air. Truly, neem is ‘nature’s gift to man’.

MCQs & Assertion–Reason

1. Where did Amber sit when she returned from school?

(a) on the roof (b) in the shade of the neem tree (c) under a mango tree (d) near the well

ANSWER(b) in the shade of the neem tree.

2. According to Neem Baba, where was it born?

(a) South India or Sri Lanka (b) North India or Myanmar (c) Africa (d) America

ANSWER(b) North India or Myanmar.

3. Who gave the neem tree the name ‘Neem’?

(a) the Iranians (b) the British (c) the Chinese (d) the Greeks

ANSWER(a) the Iranians.

4. The Sanskrit name ‘Arishta’ means:

(a) the magic tree (b) the one who cures diseases (c) the tallest tree (d) the bitter tree

ANSWER(b) the one who cures diseases.

5. Neem leaves help measles patients because they:

(a) smell sweet (b) destroy germs and give comfort (c) are very soft (d) keep the body warm

ANSWER(b) destroy germs and give comfort.

6. Which part of the neem tree is NOT mentioned as being used to make medicine?

(a) bark (b) flowers (c) thorns (d) roots

ANSWER(c) thorns (the book mentions leaves, bark, flowers, fruits and roots).

7. How does neem seed powder help farmers?

(a) it makes the soil red (b) it keeps away locusts and termites (c) it adds colour to crops (d) it dries the fields

ANSWER(b) it keeps away locusts and termites.

8. Neem oil is used to make:

(a) paper (b) soaps and toothpaste (c) petrol (d) cloth

ANSWER(b) soaps and toothpaste.

9. The Latin (scientific) name of neem is:

(a) Ficus religiosa (b) Azadirachta indica (c) Mangifera indica (d) Ocimum sanctum

ANSWER(b) Azadirachta indica.

10. The figure of speech used when Amber talks to the tree as if it were a person is called:

(a) simile (b) metaphor (c) personification (d) alliteration

ANSWER(c) personification.

MCQ Answer Key: 1-(b), 2-(b), 3-(a), 4-(b), 5-(b), 6-(c), 7-(b), 8-(b), 9-(b), 10-(c)

Assertion–Reason – choose: (a) A and R true, R explains A; (b) A and R true, R does not explain A; (c) A true, R false; (d) A false, R true.

1. Assertion (A): Doctors advise putting neem leaves on the bed of a measles patient.

Reason (R): Neem leaves have chemical properties that destroy germs and give comfort from itching.

ANSWER(a) Both true and R correctly explains A.

2. Assertion (A): Neem seed powder is a cost-effective way to stop mosquitoes from breeding.

Reason (R): When sprinkled in stagnant water, neem seed powder stops mosquito breeding without costly chemicals.

ANSWER(a) Both true and R correctly explains A.

3. Assertion (A): The neem tree is well known to people.

Reason (R): People find the neem tree very useful, so they know it well.

ANSWER(a) Both true and R correctly explains A – as Neem Baba says, “we become well known for what we do.”

4. Assertion (A): Anyone can freely prepare and use neem medicines at home.

Reason (R): Neem remedies should be used only by people who are well trained and experienced.

ANSWER(d) A is false (Neem Baba warns that remedies should be used only by trained people), while R is true.

5. Assertion (A): Furniture made from neem wood lasts well.

Reason (R): Neem wood is not eaten by termites.

ANSWER(a) Both true and R correctly explains A.

Exam tips & common mistakes

Exam tips

• Learn the fact sheet by heart: name given by Iranians, born in North India / Myanmar, found in Asia, Africa and America.
• Remember the five medicinal parts – leaves, bark, flowers, fruits, roots.
• For ‘uses’ questions, group your answer under medicine, farming and daily life to score full marks.
• Always identify the figure of speech as personification and give one example.

Common mistakes

• Do not write that the name ‘Neem’ was given by Indians – it was given by the Iranians.
• Do not forget the warning that neem remedies must be used only by well-trained, experienced people.
• Neem stops mosquitoes from breeding in stagnant (standing) water, not flowing water.
• The scientific name is Azadirachta indica – spell it carefully and write it in italics.

FAQs

Who is ‘Neem Baba’ in the Class 6 Poorvi lesson?

‘Neem Baba’ is the old neem tree in Amber’s courtyard. Amber imagines it speaking to her and lovingly calls it Neem Baba as it tells her about its history and many uses. The lesson is adapted from Neem Baba by S. I. Farooqi.

Why is the neem tree called ‘nature’s gift to man’?

Because the neem tree helps people in so many ways – in medicine, farming, cleanliness and daily life – scientists call it the ‘bitter grace of God’ and ‘nature’s gift to man’.

What is the scientific name of the neem tree?

The scientific (Latin) name of neem is Azadirachta indica, which comes from the Persian name ‘Azad Darakhte Hindi’ given by people from Persia.

Questions are taken verbatim from the NCERT Poorvi textbook; the summary, author note and all answers are written originally by ClearStudy.