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Tamil Nadu HSE Second Year Home Science study materials
Tamil Nadu HSE Second Year Home Science study resources

Tamil Nadu HSE Second Year Home Science practice questions

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Question 1Family and Community Health

In the Tamil Nadu HSE Home Science syllabus, which nutrient is most closely associated with the prevention of nutritional anaemia in adolescent girls?

  1. Iron Correct answer.
  2. Calcium
  3. Iodine
  4. Vitamin D

Explanation

Nutritional anaemia in adolescent girls is mainly caused by iron deficiency, so iron-rich foods such as green leafy vegetables, jaggery and dates are emphasised. Calcium and vitamin D relate to bone health, and iodine relates to thyroid function, so they do not address anaemia directly.

Question 2Family and Community Health

A community health worker wants to reduce the spread of diarrhoeal disease among children in a village. Which measure is the most direct primary prevention at household level?

  1. Giving vitamin A supplements every six months
  2. Boiling drinking water and washing hands before feeding Correct answer.
  3. Providing oral rehydration solution to affected children
  4. Referring severe cases to the district hospital

Explanation

Primary prevention stops disease before it occurs, and diarrhoea spreads largely through contaminated water and hands. Boiling water and hand washing interrupt the faecal-oral route at its source. Oral rehydration is treatment, referral is tertiary care, and vitamin A supplementation addresses deficiency rather than diarrhoeal transmission.

Question 3Family and Community Health

Which of the following is a correct statement about the composition of colostrum?

  1. It contains more lactose than mature milk
  2. It is thin and low in protein compared with mature milk
  3. It is produced only after the first week of delivery
  4. It is rich in antibodies, especially immunoglobulin A Correct answer.

Explanation

Colostrum is the thick yellowish first milk secreted in the first few days after delivery and is rich in immunoglobulin A, which protects the newborn against infection. It is lower in lactose and fat than mature milk but higher in protein and antibodies, which is why early initiation of breastfeeding is promoted.

Question 4Family and Community Health

A family in a rural area stores cooked rice overnight at room temperature and eats it the next morning. Which food safety principle is being violated?

  1. Holding food at safe temperatures Correct answer.
  2. Using safe raw materials
  3. Cooking food thoroughly
  4. Keeping food covered

Explanation

Cooked food left at room temperature for several hours falls in the danger zone where bacteria multiply rapidly, so the principle of holding food at safe temperatures is broken. Thorough cooking and safe raw materials were already satisfied, and covering food does not prevent temperature-linked bacterial growth.

Question 5Family and Community Health

Which of the following best explains why ORS (oral rehydration solution) is preferred over plain water in the treatment of dehydration?

  1. Plain water has a higher osmolarity than ORS
  2. ORS contains antibiotics that kill the causative organism
  3. Plain water cannot be absorbed by the intestinal mucosa
  4. ORS supplies glucose, which enhances sodium and water absorption Correct answer.

Explanation

Glucose in ORS is coupled with sodium absorption in the small intestine, and water follows osmotically, so rehydration is faster than with water alone. Plain water actually has very low osmolarity and is absorbed, but it does not replace lost electrolytes effectively.

Question 6Family and Community Health

Which of the following is the most appropriate first-aid measure for a child who has sustained a superficial burn on the forearm?

  1. Rupture any blisters that have formed
  2. Cool the area with clean running water for about ten to twenty minutes Correct answer.
  3. Apply toothpaste over the burnt skin
  4. Apply ice directly to the burnt area

Explanation

Cooling a superficial burn with clean running water limits tissue damage and relieves pain. Ice, toothpaste and blister rupture all increase the risk of further injury or infection and are not recommended first-aid measures.

Question 7Family and Community Health

In the context of maternal health, which of the following is an important component of antenatal care during the first trimester?

  1. Routine external cephalic version
  2. Routine induction of labour
  3. Registration and first antenatal check-up with haemoglobin estimation Correct answer.
  4. Daily fetal movement counting

Explanation

Early registration in the first trimester allows haemoglobin estimation, blood grouping, blood pressure recording and screening for infections, all of which identify risks that can be managed before complications arise. External cephalic version and induction of labour are intrapartum procedures, and fetal movement counting is usually advised in later pregnancy.

Question 8Family and Community Health

Which of the following is the correct match between a deficiency disease and its characteristic feature?

  1. Scurvy - bleeding gums and delayed wound healing Correct answer.
  2. Rickets - dermatitis and diarrhoea
  3. Beriberi - night blindness
  4. Pellagra - bowing of the legs

Explanation

Scurvy results from vitamin C deficiency, and vitamin C is required for collagen synthesis, so bleeding gums and poor wound healing are characteristic. Beriberi is thiamine deficiency causing nerve and heart involvement, rickets is vitamin D deficiency causing bone deformity, and pellagra is niacin deficiency causing dermatitis, diarrhoea and dementia.

Question 9Family and Community Health

A school health programme plans to screen adolescents for iodine deficiency disorders. Which indicator is most useful at the community level?

  1. Serum calcium levels
  2. Haemoglobin concentration
  3. Prevalence of goitre on clinical examination Correct answer.
  4. Body mass index

Explanation

Goitre prevalence on clinical examination is a standard community-level indicator of iodine deficiency disorders and is simple to assess in school surveys. Serum calcium and haemoglobin reflect other nutritional statuses, and body mass index indicates general nutritional adequacy rather than iodine status.

Question 10Family and Community Health

Which of the following statements about the growth chart (weight-for-age chart) used in anganwadis is correct?

  1. The curve reflects only genetic potential and not nutrition
  2. Growth charts are used only for children above five years
  3. A horizontal or falling growth curve indicates failure to thrive Correct answer.
  4. A child's weight plotted below the third percentile indicates obesity

Explanation

A growth curve that flattens or falls means the child is not gaining weight as expected and signals failure to thrive, prompting nutritional counselling or referral. Growth charts are used for children under five, and the plotted curve reflects both nutrition and health status, not genetics alone.

Question 11Family and Community Health

Which of the following is an example of a secondary prevention measure in community health?

  1. Health education on tobacco avoidance
  2. Rehabilitation of a stroke patient
  3. Immunisation of infants against measles
  4. Screening for hypertension in adults Correct answer.

Explanation

Secondary prevention aims at early detection and prompt treatment of disease before it causes serious harm, and screening for hypertension fits this level. Immunisation and health education are primary prevention, while rehabilitation is tertiary prevention.

Question 12Family and Community Health

In a family, the eldest daughter is withdrawn, has lost weight and shows poor concentration at school. Which of the following is the most appropriate first step for the Home Science student to recommend?

  1. A supportive family discussion and referral to a counsellor or health worker Correct answer.
  2. Immediate psychiatric hospitalisation
  3. Prescribing vitamin tonics without assessment
  4. Ignoring the behaviour as a phase of adolescence

Explanation

Withdrawal, weight loss and poor concentration may indicate emotional or health problems, so a supportive family response followed by assessment by a counsellor or health worker is appropriate. Hospitalisation is premature, ignoring the signs delays help, and tonics without assessment do not address the cause.

Question 13Family and Community Health

Which of the following is a correct statement about the role of dietary fibre in health?

  1. It provides about nine kilocalories per gram
  2. It is completely digested and absorbed in the small intestine
  3. It increases the absorption of iron from plant foods
  4. It adds bulk to the diet and helps prevent constipation Correct answer.

Explanation

Dietary fibre is largely indigestible and adds bulk, which promotes peristalsis and prevents constipation. It is not a source of energy in the usual sense, and it does not enhance iron absorption; in fact, phytates in some fibre-rich foods reduce mineral absorption.

Question 14Family and Community Health

A pregnant woman is advised to increase her intake of folic acid before conception and in early pregnancy. What is the main purpose of this advice?

  1. To reduce the risk of gestational diabetes
  2. To increase the birth weight of the baby
  3. To improve the mother's iron stores
  4. To prevent neural tube defects in the fetus Correct answer.

Explanation

Folic acid is essential for cell division and neural tube closure in the early embryo, so supplementation before conception and in early pregnancy reduces the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Iron stores and birth weight are influenced by other nutrients, and folic acid is not the main determinant of gestational diabetes.

Question 15Family and Community Health

Which of the following is the most appropriate method for making drinking water safe at the household level when boiling is not possible?

  1. Filtering through a cloth only
  2. Storing water in an open vessel
  3. Using chlorine tablets in the recommended dose Correct answer.
  4. Adding sugar to the water

Explanation

Chlorine tablets in the recommended dose kill most bacteria and viruses and are a practical household disinfection method where fuel for boiling is scarce. Sugar does not disinfect, open storage invites contamination, and cloth filtration removes only large particles, not pathogens.

Question 16Family and Community Health

Which of the following is a characteristic of a balanced diet for an adolescent?

  1. It includes a variety of foods in proportions that meet energy and nutrient needs Correct answer.
  2. It consists mainly of energy-dense snacks
  3. It excludes all fats and carbohydrates
  4. It supplies all nutrients in excess of requirement

Explanation

A balanced diet provides energy and all essential nutrients in the right proportions through a variety of foods, which is especially important during the adolescent growth spurt. Excess nutrients, exclusion of whole food groups and reliance on snacks do not constitute a balanced diet.

Question 17Family and Community Health

A community reports a sudden increase in cases of jaundice among adults in a locality. Which of the following is the most likely route of transmission to investigate first?

  1. Droplet infection from coughing
  2. Contaminated drinking water and food Correct answer.
  3. Direct skin contact with soil
  4. Mosquito bites

Explanation

A sudden clustering of jaundice in adults suggests hepatitis A or E, which spread mainly through contaminated water and food. Mosquitoes transmit malaria and dengue, droplet infection spreads respiratory diseases, and soil contact is associated with hookworm, none of which typically produce epidemic jaundice.

Question 18Family and Community Health

Which of the following is an important advantage of small family norms from a community health perspective?

  1. It eliminates the need for immunisation
  2. It increases the dependency ratio
  3. It reduces the burden of maternal and child health risks and improves resource allocation Correct answer.
  4. It guarantees higher income for every family

Explanation

Smaller families reduce repeated pregnancies and closely spaced births, lowering maternal and child health risks and allowing better food, education and health care per child. It does not automatically raise income, remove the need for immunisation or increase dependency.

Question 19Family and Community Health

Which of the following is the correct sequence of steps in the management of a fracture before the injured person reaches hospital?

  1. Ask the person to walk, apply ointment, then transport
  2. Assess the injury, immobilise the part, then transport carefully Correct answer.
  3. Massage the area, apply heat, then transport
  4. Immobilise, then move the person, then assess

Explanation

First aid for a suspected fracture involves assessing the injury, immobilising the affected part with a splint to prevent further damage, and then transporting the person carefully. Massage, heat, ointment and asking the person to walk can worsen the injury.

Question 20Family and Community Health

A student argues that since a food label lists 'vitamin fortified', the food must be nutritionally complete. Which of the following is the best response?

  1. Fortified foods need no other foods in the diet
  2. Fortification guarantees the presence of all essential nutrients
  3. Fortification adds specific nutrients, so the overall diet still needs variety Correct answer.
  4. Fortification removes the need to read the nutrition label

Explanation

Fortification adds one or more specified nutrients to a food, so it corrects a particular deficiency but does not make the food a complete diet. A varied diet and reading the nutrition label remain important to judge overall nutrient contribution.

Question 21Family and Community Health

In a village, the under-five mortality rate is high mainly because of deaths in the neonatal period. Which intervention would have the greatest impact on this specific problem?

  1. Essential newborn care including warmth, early breastfeeding and infection prevention Correct answer.
  2. Distribution of iron tablets to elderly persons
  3. Adult literacy classes
  4. Free bicycles for school children

Explanation

When neonatal deaths dominate under-five mortality, interventions around birth and the first month, such as warmth, early initiation of breastfeeding and prevention of infection, have the greatest impact. Bicycles, adult literacy and iron tablets for the elderly do not directly address newborn survival.

Question 22Family and Community Health

Which of the following best explains why exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first six months of life?

  1. Breast milk lacks iron and therefore needs no supplements
  2. Breast milk is recommended only for low-birth-weight babies
  3. Breast milk provides balanced nutrition and protective factors while avoiding contaminated feeds Correct answer.
  4. Breast milk is cheaper than commercial milk but nutritionally inferior

Explanation

Exclusive breastfeeding for six months provides balanced nutrition, antibodies and growth factors, and avoids the infection risk of contaminated water and bottles. It is recommended for all normal infants, and although breast milk is low in iron, the iron is well absorbed; this is not the reason for exclusivity.

Question 23Family and Community Health

Which of the following is a correct statement about the transmission of HIV in the community setting?

  1. It spreads through unprotected sexual contact and infected blood Correct answer.
  2. It spreads through casual touching and handshakes
  3. It spreads through mosquito bites
  4. It spreads through sharing food and utensils

Explanation

HIV is transmitted through unprotected sexual contact, transfusion of infected blood and from mother to child during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding. Sharing food, mosquito bites and casual touching do not transmit the virus, and this knowledge is central to reducing stigma in community health education.

Question 24Family and Community Health

A family with a low income wants to improve the nutritional quality of its diet without increasing cost. Which strategy is most appropriate?

  1. Replacing pulses with expensive meat daily
  2. Skipping breakfast to save money
  3. Using locally available seasonal vegetables and pulses in combination Correct answer.
  4. Buying only imported packaged foods

Explanation

Locally available seasonal vegetables and pulses are inexpensive and provide protein, vitamins and minerals, and combining cereals with pulses improves protein quality. Imported packaged foods and daily meat raise costs, and skipping breakfast harms health and learning.

Question 25Human Development and Family Studies

In the study of human development, which period is described as the stage of rapid physical growth, puberty and identity formation?

  1. Middle adulthood
  2. Early childhood
  3. Adolescence Correct answer.
  4. Infancy

Explanation

Adolescence is the developmental period between childhood and adulthood marked by the onset of puberty, rapid physical growth and the search for personal identity. Infancy and early childhood precede puberty, while middle adulthood follows it.

Question 26Human Development and Family Studies

A family in which grandparents, parents and children all live together under one roof is best described as which type of family?

  1. Nuclear family
  2. Single-parent family
  3. Foster family
  4. Joint family Correct answer.

Explanation

A joint family (also called an extended family) consists of two or more generations of related members living in a common household. A nuclear family has only parents and their children, while single-parent and foster families are defined by the absence or substitution of a biological parent.

Question 27Human Development and Family Studies

Which of the following is the most appropriate first step a teacher should take when she suspects a child in her class is being neglected at home?

  1. Confront the parents publicly at the school gate
  2. Record observations and report to the school counsellor or child protection authority Correct answer.
  3. Ignore it because family matters are private
  4. Punish the child for poor hygiene

Explanation

Child protection procedures require that observations be documented and referred to a designated authority such as a school counsellor or child protection unit. This preserves evidence and ensures the child receives professional help without exposing the family to public confrontation or blaming the child.

Question 28Human Development and Family Studies

According to Piaget's theory, a child who can classify objects by more than one attribute and understand conservation of mass is most likely in which stage?

  1. Sensorimotor stage
  2. Concrete operational stage Correct answer.
  3. Formal operational stage
  4. Pre-operational stage

Explanation

The concrete operational stage, roughly ages 7 to 11, is characterised by conservation, classification and reversible thinking about concrete objects. Conservation is not yet achieved in the pre-operational stage, and formal operations involve abstract hypothetical reasoning.

Question 29Human Development and Family Studies

Which of the following best describes the concept of 'attachment' in infant development?

  1. The reflex of grasping an object placed in the palm
  2. The infant's preference for sweet-tasting food
  3. The infant's ability to walk independently
  4. The emotional bond that forms between an infant and a primary caregiver Correct answer.

Explanation

Attachment refers to the enduring emotional tie an infant develops with a caregiver who provides security and comfort. It is distinct from motor milestones and reflexes, which are physical rather than socio-emotional phenomena.

Question 30Human Development and Family Studies

A mother notices her 8-month-old cries when handed to a stranger but smiles when she returns. This behaviour is best explained by which developmental concept?

  1. Stranger anxiety and attachment to the primary caregiver Correct answer.
  2. A sign of illness requiring hospitalisation
  3. Poor socialisation training by the parents
  4. Delayed language development

Explanation

Stranger anxiety typically emerges around 6–9 months and reflects a healthy attachment to the primary caregiver. The infant distinguishes familiar from unfamiliar faces, so distress at strangers alongside pleasure at the mother's return is a normal socio-emotional milestone.

Question 31Human Development and Family Studies

Which of the following is a secondary sex characteristic that appears in girls during puberty?

  1. Enlargement of the Adam's apple
  2. Development of breast tissue Correct answer.
  3. Growth of facial hair
  4. Deepening of the voice

Explanation

Breast development is a secondary sex characteristic triggered by oestrogen in girls during puberty. Voice deepening, facial hair and a prominent Adam's apple are secondary sex characteristics associated with testosterone in boys.

Question 32Human Development and Family Studies

Which parenting style, according to Baumrind, combines high warmth with high, clearly communicated expectations and reasoning?

  1. Authoritarian
  2. Authoritative Correct answer.
  3. Permissive
  4. Uninvolved

Explanation

The authoritative style is warm and responsive while setting firm, explained limits, and it is associated with the best developmental outcomes. Authoritarian parenting is high in control but low in warmth, permissive parenting is warm but undemanding, and uninvolved parenting is low in both.

Question 33Human Development and Family Studies

A 15-year-old argues with parents over independence and prefers peers' opinions to theirs. From a developmental perspective, this is best interpreted as:

  1. A sign of moral failure that should be punished
  2. A permanent break in family relationships
  3. A normal search for autonomy and identity during adolescence Correct answer.
  4. Evidence of intellectual disability

Explanation

Adolescents typically negotiate greater autonomy and increasingly rely on peers while forming an identity, which can create temporary conflict with parents. This is a normative developmental process rather than evidence of pathology or permanent family breakdown.

Question 34Human Development and Family Studies

Which of the following is the best example of a fine motor skill in a three-year-old?

  1. Running across the playground
  2. Hopping on one foot
  3. Climbing stairs with alternating feet
  4. Holding a crayon to scribble Correct answer.

Explanation

Fine motor skills involve the small muscles of the hands and fingers, such as gripping a crayon to draw. Running, hopping and stair climbing are gross motor skills that use the large muscles of the body.

Question 35Human Development and Family Studies

Erikson's psychosocial theory describes the first stage of life as:

  1. Industry versus inferiority
  2. Trust versus mistrust Correct answer.
  3. Initiative versus guilt
  4. Autonomy versus shame and doubt

Explanation

Erikson's first psychosocial crisis is trust versus mistrust, occurring in infancy when consistent caregiving builds a sense of security. Autonomy, initiative and industry arise in later stages as the child gains control, purpose and competence.

Question 36Human Development and Family Studies

A child who says 'I am good at drawing but I find mathematics difficult' is demonstrating which aspect of self-development?

  1. Object permanence
  2. Egocentrism
  3. Self-concept Correct answer.
  4. Conservation

Explanation

Self-concept is the set of beliefs a child holds about their own abilities, traits and worth. Egocentrism, conservation and object permanence are cognitive concepts from Piaget's theory and do not describe self-evaluation.

Question 37Human Development and Family Studies

Which of the following is the most effective way for parents to support language development in a two-year-old?

  1. Showing long educational videos without interaction
  2. Correcting every mispronunciation harshly
  3. Talking, naming objects and reading picture books together daily Correct answer.
  4. Keeping the child in a silent room to avoid distraction

Explanation

Responsive, interactive talk and shared book reading expose the toddler to vocabulary in meaningful contexts and encourage turn-taking. Passive screen viewing lacks social interaction, harsh correction discourages speech, and a silent environment deprives the child of language input.

Question 38Human Development and Family Studies

Which of the following statements about play in early childhood is most accurate?

  1. Play supports physical, cognitive, social and emotional development Correct answer.
  2. Play is useful only for physical exercise
  3. Play is a waste of time that should be replaced by academic drills
  4. Play should be avoided until the child is five years old

Explanation

Play is a central vehicle for development in early childhood, integrating motor practice, problem-solving, language and social cooperation. It is not a mere leisure activity, is not limited to physical exercise, and should not be postponed, since play-based learning is developmentally appropriate.

Question 39Human Development and Family Studies

A newly married couple decides to live separately from their parents and share household decisions equally. This arrangement illustrates which of the following?

  1. A matrilineal extended household
  2. An egalitarian nuclear household Correct answer.
  3. A patrilocal joint household
  4. A patriarchal joint household

Explanation

Living apart from parents makes the household nuclear, and equal sharing of decisions describes an egalitarian structure. Patriarchal, patrilocal and matrilineal terms all involve residence with or authority through a lineage, which the stem does not describe.

Question 40Human Development and Family Studies

Which of the following best explains the concept of 'socialisation' in the family context?

  1. The process by which a child learns the values, norms and skills of society through family interaction Correct answer.
  2. The biological maturation of the nervous system
  3. The transfer of property from parents to children
  4. The medical immunisation of children against disease

Explanation

Socialisation is the lifelong process through which individuals acquire the norms, values, language and social skills needed to function in society, and the family is the first agent of this process. Biological maturation, inheritance of property and immunisation are distinct processes.

Question 41Human Development and Family Studies

A toddler who has just learned to walk constantly explores cupboards and pulls objects down. According to Erikson, the caregiver should respond in a way that fosters which quality?

  1. Guilt about exploring
  2. Complete dependence on the caregiver
  3. Mistrust of the environment
  4. Autonomy while providing safe limits Correct answer.

Explanation

The toddler stage corresponds to autonomy versus shame and doubt, so caregivers should allow safe exploration while setting firm boundaries. Over-controlling or shaming the child's initiative can produce excessive shame and doubt rather than healthy autonomy.

Question 42Human Development and Family Studies

Which of the following is the most appropriate reason for including a grandparent in family life education sessions?

  1. Grandparents should replace parents in all decisions
  2. Grandparents have no role in modern child-rearing
  3. Grandparents only create conflict in families
  4. Grandparents can share experience and support child care and value transmission Correct answer.

Explanation

In joint and extended families, grandparents contribute experience, emotional support, child-care assistance and transmission of cultural values. Their role complements rather than replaces parental authority, and dismissing them as irrelevant or conflict-creating ignores their positive contribution.

Question 43Human Development and Family Studies

Which of the following best describes the term 'gender role'?

  1. The genetic composition of an individual
  2. The biological sex assigned at birth
  3. The set of socially learned expectations about behaviour appropriate to males and females Correct answer.
  4. The physical differences in reproductive organs

Explanation

Gender roles are socially constructed expectations about how men and women should behave, and they vary across cultures and time. Biological sex, genetics and reproductive anatomy are biological concepts distinct from learned social roles.

Question 44Human Development and Family Studies

A family faces sudden unemployment of the breadwinner. Which coping strategy best reflects a healthy family response?

  1. Hiding the problem from all members and continuing unchanged spending
  2. Borrowing recklessly without a repayment plan
  3. Blaming one member and withdrawing communication
  4. Discussing the situation openly and revising the budget together Correct answer.

Explanation

Healthy family coping involves open communication, joint problem-solving and realistic adjustment of resources. Concealment, blame and reckless borrowing increase stress and damage family functioning rather than resolving the crisis.

Question 45Human Development and Family Studies

Which of the following is the clearest indicator that a five-year-old may need a developmental referral?

  1. The child speaks only a few unclear words and cannot follow simple instructions Correct answer.
  2. The child draws recognisable human figures
  3. The child asks many questions about the world
  4. The child enjoys playing with peers

Explanation

By age five, most children use sentences of several words and follow simple directions, so very limited speech with poor comprehension is a red flag for language delay. Playing with peers, asking questions and drawing figures are age-appropriate milestones.

Question 46Human Development and Family Studies

According to Kohlberg's theory, a child who follows rules mainly to avoid punishment is at which level of moral reasoning?

  1. Conventional
  2. Pre-conventional Correct answer.
  3. Post-conventional
  4. Universal ethical

Explanation

The pre-conventional level is based on self-interest, seeking rewards and avoiding punishment. Conventional reasoning focuses on social approval and law, while post-conventional and universal ethical reasoning involve abstract principles of justice.

Question 47Human Development and Family Studies

Which of the following is an appropriate way for a family life educator to promote positive discipline among parents?

  1. Teach parents to set clear limits and use reasoning and natural consequences Correct answer.
  2. Suggest threatening children with abandonment
  3. Recommend physical punishment for quick results
  4. Advise parents to ignore all misbehaviour

Explanation

Positive discipline relies on clear expectations, reasoning, consistent consequences and warmth, which foster self-regulation without harm. Physical punishment, threats of abandonment and complete ignoring are ineffective or harmful approaches.

Question 48Food Science and Nutrition

Which nutrient is the primary source of energy in the traditional South Indian breakfast of idli and dosa?

  1. Fat
  2. Protein
  3. Carbohydrate Correct answer.
  4. Vitamin C

Explanation

Idli and dosa are made from rice and pulses, and rice is rich in starch. Starch is a carbohydrate that the body breaks down into glucose to supply energy. Protein and fat contribute smaller amounts in this preparation.

Question 49Food Science and Nutrition

A child shows swollen belly, thin hair and slow wound healing. Which nutrient deficiency best explains these signs?

  1. Iodine
  2. Vitamin A
  3. Iron
  4. Protein Correct answer.

Explanation

Swollen belly with poor growth, thin sparse hair and delayed wound healing are classic signs of protein energy malnutrition, as seen in kwashiorkor. Protein is needed for tissue repair and for maintaining fluid balance. Iron, vitamin A and iodine deficiencies produce different clinical pictures.

Question 50Food Science and Nutrition

Which cooking practice best preserves the water-soluble vitamins in vegetables?

  1. Boiling in a large volume of water for a long time
  2. Cutting finely and soaking in water overnight
  3. Adding baking soda to keep the colour bright
  4. Steaming until just tender and serving with the cooking water Correct answer.

Explanation

Water-soluble vitamins such as vitamin C and the B group dissolve in water and are destroyed by heat and oxidation. Steaming with minimal water and short cooking time limits both losses. Serving the small amount of cooking water retains vitamins that have leached out.