Health: The Ultimate Treasure Class 8 Very Short Question Answer

Question 1. What is the WHO definition of health?

Answer: Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the
absence of disease.

Question 2. Name one communicable disease caused by a virus.

Answer: Flu (Influenza).

Question 3. What is the purpose of a vaccine?

Answer: A vaccine trains the immune system to recognize and fight specific pathogens to
prevent diseases.

Question [Link] one non-communicable disease linked to diet.

Answer: Diabetes.

Question 5. What is dinacharya in Ayurveda?

Answer: Dinacharya is an Ayurvedic daily routine to maintain health through balanced habits
like sleep and exercise.

Question 6. Who discovered the smallpox vaccine?

Answer: Edward Jenner.

Question 7. What is a vector in the context of diseases?

Answer: A vector is an organism, like a mosquito, that transmits pathogens causing diseases.

Question 8. Name one good habit to maintain hygiene.

Answer: Washing hands with soap regularly.

Question 9. What causes antibiotic resistance?

Answer: Overuse or misuse of antibiotics causes bacteria to survive and develop resistance.

Question 1. Explain how stress can affect your health.

Answer: Stress weakens the immune system by releasing hormones like cortisol, making you
more prone to infections like colds. It can also lead to high blood pressure, insomnia, and
contribute to non-communicable diseases like diabetes due to poor sleep and diet habits.

Question 2. Describe two ways to prevent the spread of the flu.

Answer: Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or elbow when coughing or sneezing to
prevent droplet spread, and wash your hands frequently with soap to remove germs.

Question 3. What are the signs and symptoms of diabetes?

Answer: Signs and symptoms of diabetes include frequent urination, excessive thirst, weight
loss, tiredness, and slow healing of wounds.

Question 4. How can a clean environment improve health?

Answer: A clean environment reduces pathogens and vectors like mosquitoes, preventing
diseases such as dengue and diarrhoea. It also improves air quality, reducing respiratory
issues like asthma, as noted in the document.

Question 5. Explain the role of the immune system in fighting diseases.

Answer: The immune system protects the body by identifying and destroying pathogens like
bacteria and viruses using white blood cells and antibodies. It provides natural immunity and
can be enhanced by vaccines for acquired immunity.

Question 6. Why is it important to use antibiotics wisely?

Answer: Using antibiotics wisely prevents antibiotic resistance, where bacteria survive
treatment and become harder to kill. This ensures antibiotics remain effective for future
bacterial infections, as overuse can lead to severe health risks.

Question 7. Discuss the differences between communicable and non-communicable

diseases, providing examples from the document.
Answer: Communicable diseases are caused by pathogens like bacteria or viruses and spread
from person to person (e.g., typhoid, chickenpox, COVID-19). Non-communicable diseases
(NCDs) are not contagious and result from lifestyle, genetics, or environment (e.g., diabetes,
cancer, asthma), with the document highlighting their rise in India due to processed food
and inactivity. Communicable diseases require hygiene and vaccines for prevention, while
NCDs need lifestyle changes like diet and exercise.

Question 8. Explain how lifestyle changes can prevent non-communicable diseases like
diabetes and obesity.
Answer: Lifestyle changes can prevent diabetes and obesity by promoting a balanced diet
rich in fruits and vegetables, reducing processed and sugary foods. Regular exercise, such as
walking or cycling, helps maintain a healthy weight and improves insulin sensitivity, lowering
diabetes risk. Limiting screen time, managing stress with yoga, and avoiding tobacco or
alcohol also reduce these conditions, as supported by the document’s healthy habit
recommendations.

Question 9. Describe the process of how vaccines work to protect against diseases, including
historical examples.
Answer: Vaccines work by introducing a weakened, dead, or harmless part of a pathogen
into the body, training the immune system to recognize and fight it, providing acquired
immunity. For example, Edward Jenner’s smallpox vaccine used cowpox to prevent smallpox,
leading to its global eradication. India’s traditional variolation also built immunity against
smallpox, showing historical efforts that saved millions through vaccination.

Question 10. Analyze the impact of the Odisha community sanitation campaign and suggest
similar initiatives for your area.
Answer: The Odisha campaign in Bhadrak reduced open defecation by building toilets,
improving child health with fewer diarrhoea cases, and proving sanitation’s role in
preventing communicable diseases. For my area, a similar initiative could involve a local
cleanup drive to remove stagnant water, reducing mosquito-borne diseases like dengue, and
a school-led toilet construction project to enhance hygiene, engaging the community for
sustained impact.

Question 11. Explain the discovery of penicillin and its significance in treating bacterial
infections, including the issue of antibiotic resistance.
Answer: Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928 when he noticed mould killing
bacteria on a petri dish, marking the first antibiotic. It revolutionized treatment by effectively
killing bacterial infections, saving millions of lives. However, overuse has led to antibiotic
resistance, where bacteria survive treatment, making infections harder to cure. Wise use, as
prescribed by doctors, is crucial to maintain its effectiveness.

Case Based Questions

Question 1.
A student notices many classmates are absent due to a flu outbreak.
(a) What immediate actions should the school take?
(b) How can the student protect themselves?
Answer:
(a) The school should close temporarily, sanitize classrooms, and encourage sick students to
stay home to prevent further spread.
(b) The student can wash hands frequently, avoid close contact with sick classmates, and
wear a mask in school.

Question 2.
A family plans to travel to a malaria-prone area.
(a) What precautions should they take before and during the trip?
(b) Why are mosquito nets important in this context?
Answer:
(a) Before the trip, they should use mosquito repellent, get vaccinated if available, and carry
nets. During the trip, they should wear long sleeves and sleep under nets.
(b) Mosquito nets protect against malaria by blocking mosquito bites, which transmit the
parasite, reducing infection risk.

Question 3.
A friend claims eating fast food daily is harmless.
(a) What health risks can you explain to them?
(b) Suggest two lifestyle changes to reduce these risks.
Answer:
(a) Eating fast food daily can lead to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease due to high sugar
and fat content, as warned in the document.
(b) They can switch to a balanced diet with fruits and vegetables and start exercising
regularly to maintain a healthy weight.
Health: The Ultimate Treasure Extra Questions for Practice

Question 1.
Define health in one sentence.

Question 2.
Name one vector that spreads diseases.

Question 3.
Name one deficiency disease mentioned in the document.

Question 4.
What is the purpose of pranayama?

Question 5.
Explain two benefits of maintaining personal hygiene.

Question 6.
How does the Odisha sanitation campaign impact child health?

Question 7.
Why is it important to limit screen time?

Question 8.
Explain how communicable diseases spread and suggest three preventive measures.

Question 9.
Discuss the role of traditional medicine like Ayurveda in maintaining health, with examples.

Question 10.
Analyze the significance of Edward Jenner’s smallpox vaccine and its impact on global health.

Question 11.
A student feels tired and thirsty all the time and visits a doctor.
(a) What disease might the doctor suspect?
(b) What lifestyle changes should the student follow?

Question 12.
A community notices an increase in dengue cases after heavy rains.
(a) What environmental factor is likely contributing to this?
(b) Suggest two community actions to reduce the spread.

MCQs

Question 1.
Which of the following best describes a healthy lifestyle according to the document?
(a) Eating fast food daily
(b) Regular exercise and a balanced diet
(c) Spending excessive time on screens
(d) Skipping meals regularly.

Question 2.
What type of disease is caused by a pathogen transmitted by mosquitoes?
(a) Diabetes
(b) Dengue
(c) Asthma
(d) Heart disease

Question 3.
Who is credited with the discovery of the first vaccine?
(a) Alexander Fleming
(b) Edward Jenner
(c) Dr. Kamal Ranadive
(d) Dr. Maharaj Kishan Bhan

Question 4.
What are common symptoms of high blood pressure?
(a) Frequent urination
(b) Headaches
(c) Weight gain
(d) Slow healing

Assertion and Reason Questions

Two statements are given – Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Please read them carefully and
choose the correct option.

Question 1.
Assertion (A): Regular exercise can help prevent obesity.
Reason (R): Exercise burns calories and improves metabolism.
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.

Question 2.
Assertion (A): Antibiotics should not be used for viral infections.
Reason (R): Antibiotics target bacterial cells, not viruses.
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.
Fill in the blanks

Question 1.
The immune system helps the body fight diseases by producing __________________

Question 2.
__________________ is a non-communicable disease linked to hormonal imbalances and
inactivity.

Question 3.
__________________ resistance occurs when bacteria survive antibiotic treatment.

Question 4.
In Ayurveda, __________________ is a seasonal routine to maintain health balance.

True or False

Question 1.
Non-communicable diseases can spread from one person to another.

Question 2.
Vaccines are effective against bacterial infections after they occur.

Question 3.
A clean playground reduces the risk of vector-borne diseases.

Question 4.
Stress has no impact on the immune system.

Match the following

Question 1.

Column A Column B

1. Typhoid (a) Vaccination

2. Dengue (b) Washing Hands

3. Flu (c) Removing Standing Water

4. Chickenpox (d) Wearing Masks

5. COVID-19 (e) Using Mosquito Nets