Class 6 Social Science Chapter 13 The Value of Work from Exploring Society: India and Beyond – easy notes, concepts, NCERT book solutions, important questions and worksheet. Learn about different types of work, the importance of work, dignity of labour and the contribution of people to society in simple language.
Class 6 Social Science
Chapter 13 – The Value of Work
Easy Complete Notes • NCERT Questions & Answers • Quick Revision
1. Introduction – The Value of Work
The chapter helps us understand that different kinds of work have value. We should respect people who perform different jobs and services.

2. The Big Questions
3. Anu and Kabir’s Story
Anu and Kabir notice that people around them perform many different activities.
Geeta Aunty
She is an Indian Air Force pilot. She receives a salary for her work and serves the country.
Kabir’s Grandfather
He retired from the Border Security Force. He now teaches Geography to neighbourhood children for free.
Anu’s Parents
They run a shop selling uniforms and ready-made garments.
Anu’s Mother
She works at the shop and also voluntarily teaches knitting to women in the community.
Rohan
He is a software engineer. He receives a salary and also volunteers to teach computer skills on weekends.

4. LET’S EXPLORE
| Character | Activities | Economic / Non-economic |
|---|---|---|
| Geeta Aunty | Works as an Indian Air Force pilot. | Economic |
| Kabir’s Grandfather | Teaches Geography to neighbourhood children for free. | Non-economic |
| Anu’s Parents | Run a shop selling uniforms and ready-made garments. | Economic |
| Anu’s Mother | Works in the shop and voluntarily teaches knitting. | Economic + Non-economic |
| Rohan | Works as a software engineer and volunteers to teach computer skills. | Economic + Non-economic |
5. Economic Activities
Examples
Sells crops in the market.
Sells goods to customers.
Provides legal services and earns a fee.
Transports goods and receives payment.
Works in a factory and receives payment.

6. Non-economic Activities
Examples
- Parents cooking food for the family.
- Helping children with schoolwork.
- Taking care of grandparents.
- Helping family members in house renovation.
- Volunteering for community service.
- Helping a neighbour without expecting payment.
7. THINK ABOUT IT
8. Important Money Terms
Money’s Worth
The monetary value a person places on an object according to the benefit received from it.
Market
A place where people exchange goods and services, usually for money.
Fee
Payment made for professional advice or services.
Salary
A fixed and regular payment, generally made monthly by an employer.
Wage
Payment received for work, often according to the time worked or task done.
Payment in Kind
Payment for work made partly or fully in goods instead of money.
9. LET’S EXPLORE
| Activity / Profession | Creates Monetary Value? |
|---|---|
| Farmer selling crops | ✓ Yes |
| Shopkeeper selling goods | ✓ Yes |
| Doctor providing paid treatment | ✓ Yes |
| Lawyer providing legal service for a fee | ✓ Yes |
| Factory worker | ✓ Yes |
| Truck driver transporting goods | ✓ Yes |
| Family member cooking for the family | No direct monetary value |
| Volunteering without payment | No direct monetary value |
| Software developer | ✓ Yes |
| Carpenter making furniture for sale | ✓ Yes |
10. Ways People Are Compensated
| Type | Simple Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Salary | Regular fixed payment, usually monthly. | A teacher receives a monthly salary. |
| Wage | Payment for work, often daily or based on work done. | A farm labourer receives a daily wage. |
| Fee | Payment for a professional service. | A lawyer receives a fee. |
| Payment in Kind | Payment made in goods instead of money. | A worker receives part of the payment in mangoes. |
11. Value Addition

Rajesh the Carpenter – Easy Example
Rajesh buys wood for ₹600. He uses his skill, time and effort to make a chair. He sells the chair for ₹1,000.
Value added = ₹1,000 − ₹600 = ₹400
The ₹400 represents the monetary value added through Rajesh’s skill, time and effort.
12. Kavya’s Story – Different Ways of Payment
Kavya visits her aunt’s village and observes different kinds of work and payment.
| Person | Work | Payment |
|---|---|---|
| Kavya’s Uncle | Technician in a construction company | Monthly salary |
| Kavya’s Aunt | Works at the village post office | Monthly salary |
| Kavya’s Aunt | Conducts online classes | Weekly fee |
| Sahil | Farm labourer | Daily wage, partly cash and partly mangoes |
13. THINK ABOUT IT – Community Participation
14. Seva – Selfless Service
Seva can be seen in many communities and religious places. People may volunteer their time, skills or effort to serve others.
Examples
- Serving food to people.
- Helping people in need.
- Volunteering at community programmes.
- Helping during emergencies.
- Teaching or guiding others without payment.
15. Community Participation
Examples
- Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
- Van Mahotsav
- Tree plantation drives
- Community cleanliness programmes
- Local welfare programmes
16. Questions, Activities, and Projects
Economic activities are done to earn money or money’s worth. For example, farming for sale and working for a salary.
Non-economic activities are done without direct payment, often because of love, care, duty or service. For example, helping family members.
People engage in farming, manufacturing, trade and services. For example, a farmer sells crops, a shopkeeper sells goods, a factory worker makes products and a doctor provides paid services.
17. Economic vs Non-economic Activities
| Economic Activity | Non-economic Activity |
|---|---|
| Usually involves money or money’s worth. | Usually does not involve direct payment. |
| Done to earn income or create monetary value. | Done for love, care, respect, duty or service. |
| Example: Farmer selling crops. | Example: Parent cooking for the family. |
| Example: Doctor providing paid treatment. | Example: Helping a neighbour for free. |
18. Important Terms to Remember
Activity involving money or money’s worth.
Activity done without direct monetary gain.
Place for exchange of goods and services.
Payment for professional service.
Fixed regular payment, usually monthly.
Payment for work, often daily or task-based.
Non-cash payment for work.
Increase in value through skill, time and effort.
Selfless service.
People working together for a common purpose.
19. Quick Revision
20. Exam Tips
- Learn the difference between economic and non-economic activities.
- Remember the meanings of salary, wage, fee and payment in kind.
- Remember the Rajesh carpenter example of value addition.
- Learn why community service is valuable.
- Remember that unpaid work can still have great value.
- Always respect every honest occupation.
Work is valuable not only because it earns money, but also because it supports families, communities and society.
Image Credits
The photographs used in this page are from openly reusable sources. The farmer photograph is from Wikimedia Commons and is marked CC0/public domain. The classroom and carpenter photographs are from Pexels and are listed as free to use on their respective pages.
Image sources: Wikimedia Commons and Pexels.
This worksheet for Chapter 13 is designed for easy practice and revision. It includes important questions and activities based on the textbook. Students can use it to check their understanding, strengthen their concepts and prepare for exams.
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