ANSWER KEYS

QI. A. FILL IN THE BLANKS (ANSWER ANY 8) 8 marks

1. NITROGEN gases occupy the greatest percentage of the current atmosphere on the Earth.

2. Abiotic environment does not include WATER.

3. Vermicomposting is done by EARTHWORMS.

4. Plants are green because of the presence of a pigment called CHLOROPHYLL

5. Interlocking food chains are called FOOD WEB.

6. Noise is measured in DECIBEL units.

7. The Wildlife Protection Act was enacted in the year 1972.

8. Energy obtained from hotspots beneath the earth is called GEOTHERMAL energy.

9. The KYOTO Protocol is an international treaty which relates to Climate Change.

10. BLACK soil is suitable for cotton.

B. TRUE OR FALSE (ANSWER ANY 7) 7 marks

1. Biotic means living organisms.-TRUE

2. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas. TRUE

3. ISO 14000 is a family of standards related to environmental management. TRUE

4. Deforestation refers to the loss of soil cover. FALSE

5. Energy derived from running water is a called nuclear energy. FALSE

6. Landslides are lowering of land surface. TRUE

7. Sustainable tourism means responsible tourism practices. TRUE

8. Earth is known as the red planet. FALSE

9. Hydrosphere is the domain of water. TRUE

QII.ANSWER IN DETAIL (ANSWER A OR B)

C. 1. Explain briefly the concept of environment.

What are the major components of environment? 8 marks

Ans. Environment-sum total-of conditions-that surround us-interacting system of physical-cultural and

biological systems. Components include biotic-abiotic- manmade/cultural.

2. Discuss the various causes of bio diversity loss. 7 marks

Ans. Pollution- various industrial and agricultural practices, UV radiation, climate change etc. Relevant

answers could be considered.

OR

D. 1. Discuss the various threats to bio diversity loss. 15 marks

Ans. Habitat destruction-human activities like deforestation-degradation of wetlands etc.

Q III.ANSWER IN DETAIL (ANSWER A OR B)

C. 1. Discuss the issues related to water. 8 marks

Ans. Overutilization of water-pollution of surface and ground water-water crisis etc

2. Discuss the renewable energy resources. 7 marks

Ans. Energy derived from natural processes-solar, wind, hydropower, biomass etc.

OR

D. 1. What is desertification? Explain the causes of desertification. 15 marks

Ans. Process of land degradation in arid, semi-arid and sub humid areas due to various factors including

climatic variations and human activities. Causes- Overgrazing, deforestation, farming practices, climate

change etc.

Q IV.ANSWER IN DETAIL (ANSWER A OR B)

C. 1. Discuss three sector theories. 8 marks

Ans. Theory which divides economy into 3 sectors of activity-Primary, Secondary and Tertiary.

Explanation of all these activities can be given marks.

2. Discuss the environmental problems associated with industries. 7 marks

Ans. Water pollution-air pollution-wildlife extinction-global warming-soil pollution

OR

B. Explain the different economic activities in detail. Also explain the impact of these on the

environment in detail. 15 marks

Ans. Primary-secondary- tertiary. The impact of these on the environment-extraction- manufacturing-

engineering-transportation- healthcare-tourism etc. relevant answers can be given marks.

Q V. ANSWER A OR B

A. 1. Explain environmental audit and its stages. 8 marks

Ans. Environmental management tool for measuring the effects of certain activities on the environment

against the set criterion. There are 3 stages-Pre audit-On site or Field Audit-Post Audit stage.

2. Discuss various ways of conservation of water resources. 7 marks

Ans. Aware people about the importance of water-Harvesting and storage of water in the roof top-

Check leakage of pipes-recycle water from industries after suitable treatment etc.

OR

B.SHORT NOTES (ANSWER ANY 3) 15 marks

1. Ecological pyramid. - An ecological pyramid is a graphical representation designed to show

the biomass or bio productivity at each trophic level in a given ecosystem.

2. Solar energy-Solar energy is radiant light and heat from the Sun that is harnessed using a range of

ever-evolving technologies such as solar heating, photovoltaics, solar thermal energy, solar architecture,

molten salt power plants and artificial photosynthesis.It is an important source of renewable energy

3. Effects of air pollution on the environment.-Health issues-global warming-poor air quality etc.

4. Natural resources-Natural resources are resources that exist without actions of humankind. This

includes all valued characteristics such as magnetic, gravitational, electrical properties and forces etc. On

earth it includes: sunlight, atmosphere, water, land (includes all minerals) along with
all vegetation, crops and animal life that naturally subsists upon or within the heretofore identified

characteristics and substances

5. Rain water harvesting. Rainwater harvesting is the accumulation and storage of rainwater for reuse

on-site, rather than allowing it to run off. Rainwater can be collected from rivers or roofs, and in many

places, the water collected is redirected to a deep pit (well, shaft, or borehole), a reservoir with

percolation, or collected from dew or fog with nets or other tools. Its uses include water for

gardens, livestock, irrigation, domestic use with proper treatment, indoor heating for houses, etc. The

harvested water can also be used as drinking water, longer-term storage, and for other purposes such

as groundwater recharge