Environment

Q 1. Answer the following questions.

(i) What is an ecosystem?

Answer: The system formed by the interaction of all living organisms with each other and with
the physical and chemical factors of the environment in which they live, all linked by the transfer
of energy and material is called an ecosystem.

(ii) What do you mean by natural environment?

Answer: The basic components and organisms that are naturally present in the environment
without any human involvement, like the land, water, air, plants and animals comprise the natural
environment.

(iii) Which are the major components of the environment?

Answer: Components of the environment include:

1. Natural Components (Air, Water, Land & Living things)

2. Human Made Components (components created by human beings)
3. Human Components (human populations)
(iv) Give four examples of a human-made environment.

Answer: Four examples of the human-made environment are buildings, parks, industries and
bridges.

(v) What is lithosphere?

Answer: The solid crust or the hard top layer of the earth is called the lithosphere. It is made up
of rocks and minerals and is covered by a thin layer of soil. It is an irregular surface with various
landforms like mountains, plateaus, plains, etc.

(vi) Which are the two major components of the biotic environment?

Answer: Plants and animals are the two major components of the biotic environment.

(vii) What is biosphere?

Answer: Biosphere or the living world is the narrow zone of earth where land, water and air
interact with each other to support life. The plant and animal kingdom together form the
biosphere.

Q 2. Tick the correct Answer.

(i) Which is not a natural ecosystem?

(a) Desert

(b) Aquarium

(c) Forest

Answer: b

(ii) Which is not a component of human environment?

(a) Land
(b) Religion

(c) Community

Answer: a

(iii) Which is a human made environment?

(a) Mountain

(b) Sea

(c) Road

Answer: c

(iv) Which is a threat to environment?

(a) Growing plant

(b) Growing population

(c) Growing crops

Answer: b

Q 3. Match the following:

(i) Biosphere (a) blanket of air which surrounds the earth

(ii) Atmosphere (b) domain of water

(iii) Hydrosphere (c) gravitational force of the earth

(iv) Environment (d) our surroundings

(e) narrow zone where the land water and the air interacts

(f) relation between the organisms and their surroundings

Answer 3:

(i) Biosphere (e) narrow zone where the land water and the air interacts

(ii) Atmosphere (a) blanket of air which surrounds the earth

(iii) Hydrosphere (b) domain of water

(iv) Environment (d) our surroundings

Q 4. Give reasons.

(i) Man modifies his environment

Answer: Man modifies his environment to fulfill his basic needs, as it is the basic life support
system. He builds houses to live in and industries to work in which modifies the environment and
also its mineral wealth. Humans have used the fossils for their own development, disturbing the
ecological system and animal habitats.
(ii) Plants and animals depend on each other

Answer: Plants and animals are interdependent on each other, because plants are the producers
and animals are the consumers. Plants release oxygen in the atmosphere, which is inhaled by
human beings and humans exhale carbon dioxide, which helps plants in producing their own
food.

Inside our earth

Q 1. Answer the following questions.

(i) What are the three layers of the earth?

Answer: the three layers of earth are :

1. Crust
2. Mantle
3. Core
(ii) What is a rock?

Answer: Any natural mass of mineral matter that makes up the earth’s crust is called a rock. The
earth’s crust is made up of various types of rocks of different texture, size and colour.

(iii) Name three types of rocks.

Answer: the three types of rocks are:

1. Igneous Rocks
2. Sedimentary Rocks
3. Metamorphic Rocks
(iv) How are extrusive and intrusive rocks formed?

Answer: The molten lava comes out of volcanoes, reaches the earth’s surface and cools down
rapidly to become a solid piece of rock. This is how extrusive rocks are formed. For example –
basalt.

When the molten lava solidifies deep inside the earth’s crust, the rocks so formed are called
intrusive rocks. For example – granite.

(v) What do you mean by a rock cycle?

Answer: The process of transformation of rocks from one type to another, due to changes in
certain conditions in a cyclic manner, is called a rock cycle.

(vi) What are the uses of rocks?

Answer: Rocks are useful for various purposes:

1. It helps in making roads

2. It is used in the construction of houses and buildings
3. Small stones are used by children in different types of games
4. They are used in fertilisers
(vii) What are metamorphic rocks?

Answer: The type of rocks formed when igneous and sedimentary rocks experience heat and
pressure are called metamorphic rocks.
Q 2. Tick the correct answer.

(i) The rock which is made up of molten magma is

(a) Igneous

(b) Sedimentary

(c) Metamorphic

Answer: a

(ii) The innermost layer of the earth is

(a) Crust

(b) Core

(c) Mantle

Answer: b

(iii) Gold, petroleum and coal are examples of

(a) Rocks

(b) Minerals

(c) Fossils

Answer: b

(iv) Rocks which contain fossils are

(a) Sedimentary rocks

(b) Metamorphic rocks

(c) Igneous rocks

Answer: a

(v) The thinnest layer of the earth is

(a) Crust

(b) Mantle

(c) Core

Answer: a

Q 3. Match the following.

(i) Core (a) Earth’s surface

(ii) Minerals (b) Used for roads and buildings

(iii) Rocks (c) Made of silicon and alumina

(iv) Clay (d) Has definite chemical composition

 (v) Sial (e) Innermost layer

(f) Changes into slate

(g) Process of transformation of the rock Rocks

Answer:

(i) Core (e) Innermost layer

(ii) Minerals (d) Has definite chemical composition

(iii) Rocks (b) Used for roads and buildings

(iv) Clay (f) Changes into slate

(v) Sial (c) Made of silicon and alumina

Q 4. Give reasons.

(i) We cannot go to the centre of the earth.

Answer: We cannot go to the centre of the earth because the temperature and pressure at the
centre of the earth are very high and not just human beings, but even rocks melt at the centre of
the Earth.

(ii) Sedimentary rocks are formed from sediments.

Answer: The small fragments of rock that hit each other and break to reach the ground are called
sediments. These sediments are transported and deposited by wind, water, etc. and then are
compressed and hardened to form a layer of rocks called the sedimentary rocks. This shows that
sedimentary rocks are formed from sediments.

(iii) Limestone is changed into marble

Answer: Igneous and sedimentary rocks change into metamorphic rocks under heat and
pressure. This happens in the case of limestone. Limestone under heat and pressure changes
into marble, which is a metamorphic rock.

Our changing earth

Q 1. Answer the following questions.

(i) Why do the plates move?

Answer: The movement of molten magma inside the earth results in the movement of plates.

(ii) What are exogenic and endogenic forces?

Answer: The movement of the Earth is divided on the basis of the forces, which cause them. So,
the forces that act, in the interior of the earth are called Endogenic forces and the forces that
work on the surface of the earth are called Exogenic forces.

(iii) What is erosion?

Answer: Erosion is defined as the wearing away of the landscape by different agents like water,
wind and ice. The process of erosion and deposition creates different land-forms on the surface
of the earth.

(iv) How are flood plains formed?

Answer: When a river overflows its banks, it results in the flooding of the area surrounding it.
When it floods, it deposits a layer of fine soil and other material called sediments. Thus, forming
a fertile layer of soil called flood plains.

(v) What are sand dunes?

Answer: When the wind blows, it lifts and transports sand from one place to another. When the
wind stops blowing, the sand falls and gets deposited in the low hill-like structures. These are
called sand dunes. They are mostly found in desert areas.

(vi) How are beaches formed?

Answer: The sea waves deposit sediments along the seashores. This results in the formation of
beaches.

(vii) What are the ox-bow lakes?

Answer: When the river enters the plains, it twists and turns forming large bends known as
meanders. In due course of time, the meander loops start to cut off the river and form cut off
lakes, known as the ox-bow lakes.

Q 2. Tick the correct answer.

(i) Which is not an erosional feature of sea waves?

(a) Cliff

(b) Beach

(c) Sea cave

Answer: b

(ii) The depositional feature of a glacier is:

(a) Flood plain

(b) Beach

(c) Moraine

Answer: c

(iii) Which is caused by the sudden movements of the earth?

(a) Volcano

(b) Folding

(c) Flood plain

Answer: a

(iv) Mushroom rocks are found in:

(a) Deserts
(b) River valleys

(c) Glaciers

Answer: a

(v) Ox bow lakes are found in:

(a) Glaciers

(b) River valleys

(c) Deserts

Answer: b

Q 3. Match the following.

(i) Glacier (a) Sea shore

(ii) Meanders (b) Mushroom rock

(iii) Beach (c) River of ice

(iv) Sand dunes (d) Rivers

(v) Waterfall (e) Vibrations of earth

(vi) Earthquake (f) Sea cliff

(g) Hard bedrock

(h) Deserts
Answer:

(i) Glacier (c) River of ice

(ii) Meanders (d) Rivers

(iii) Beach (a) Sea shore

(iv) Sand dunes (h) Deserts

(v) Waterfall (g) Hard bedrock

(vi) Earthquake (e) Vibrations of earth

4. Give reasons.

(i) Some rocks have the shape of a mushroom.

Answer: Some rocks have a shape of a mushroom because, in deserts, wind erodes the lower
section of the rock more than the upper section which makes the base of the rock narrow and
the upper part wide, giving it the shape of a mushroom.

(ii) Flood plains are very fertile.

Answer: Flood plains are very fertile because at times when river water overflows, it results in the
flooding of the neighbouring areas. This deposits a layer of fine soil and other sediments at the
banks of the river, which leads to fertile flood plains.

(iii) Sea caves are turned into stacks.

Answer: When the cavities in the sea caves become bigger and bigger, only the roof of the caves
are leftover, which forms sea arches. Further, due to erosion, the roof vanishes and only the walls
stay intact, turning the sea caves into stacks.

(iv) Buildings collapse due to earthquakes.

Answer: When the lithospheric plates move, the surface of the earth vibrates and then these
vibrations travel outwards from the epicentre in the form of waves, which leads to sudden
movement and results in the collapse of buildings.

Air
1. Answer the following questions.

(i) What is the atmosphere?

Answer: The blanket of air surrounding the earth is called the atmosphere. The atmosphere
primarily comprises nitrogen and oxygen in bulk and other gases like carbon dioxide, helium,
ozone, etc in lesser quantities. All living beings on earth depend on the atmosphere for their
survival.

(ii) Which two gases make the bulk of the atmosphere?

Answer: The two gases that make the bulk of the atmosphere are:

1. Oxygen (21%)
2. Nitrogen (78%)
(iii) Which gas creates a greenhouse effect in the atmosphere?

Answer: Carbon dioxide is the gas that creates the greenhouse effect in the atmosphere.

(iv) What is the weather?

Answer: The hour to hour or the day to day condition of the atmosphere is called weather.
Weather can change dramatically from day-to-day. It may be classified as hot, dry, cold or wet.

(v) Name three types of rainfall?

Answer: The three types of rainfall are as follows:

1. Convectional rainfall
2. Orographic rainfall
3. Cyclonic rainfall
(vi) What is air pressure?

Answer: Air pressure is defined as the pressure exerted by the weight of air on the earth’s
surface. The air pressure decreases as height increases and is the highest at the sea level.

2. Tick the correct answer.

(i) Which of the following gases protects us from harmful sun rays?
(a) Carbon dioxide

(b) Nitrogen

(c) Ozone

Answer: c

(ii) The most important layer of the atmosphere is

(a) Troposphere

(b) Thermosphere

(c) Mesosphere

Answer: a

(iii) Which of the following layers of the atmosphere is free from clouds?

(a) Troposphere

(b) Stratosphere

(c) Mesosphere

Answer: b

(iv) As we go up the layers of the atmosphere, the pressure

(a) Increases

(b) Decreases

(c) Remains the same

Answer: b

(v) When precipitation comes down to the earth in the liquid form, it is called

(a) Cloud

(b) Rain

(c) Snow

Answer: b

3. Match the following.

(i) Trade Winds (a) Incoming solar energy

(ii) Loo (b) Seasonal wind

(iii) Monsoon (c) The horizontal movement of Air

(iv) Wind (d) A layer of ozone gas

(e) Permanent wind

(f) Local wind

Answer:

(i) Trade Winds (e) Permanent wind

(ii) Loo (f) Local wind

(iii) Monsoon (b) Seasonal wind

(iv) Wind (c) The horizontal movement of Air

4. Give reasons.

(i) Wet clothes take longer time to dry on a humid day?

Answer: Wet clothes take longer time to dry on a humid day because the amount of water in the
air is more on a humid day than on a sunny day. Due to which, the rate of evaporation decreases
and air soaks in less water from the clothes.

(ii) Amount of insolation decreases from the equator towards poles?

Answer: Insolation is the incoming solar energy intercepted by the earth. Amount of insolation
decreases from the equator toward poles, because sun rays fall vertically on the equator and
slant on the poles.

Water
1. Answer the following questions.

(i) What is precipitation?

Answer: The sun’s heat vaporises water into vapour. This vapour cools down and condenses to
become clouds. This may then fall on the surface of Earth in the form of rain, snow or sleet. This
phenomenon of water falling back onto the surface of the earth in the form of rain, snow or sleet
is called precipitation.

(ii) What is the water cycle?

Answer: The process by which water continually changes its form and circulates between
oceans, atmosphere and land is known as the water cycle.

(iii) What are the factors affecting the height of the waves?

Answer: The factors affecting the height of the waves are as follows:

1. Speed of the wind

2. Earthquake, Volcanic eruptions or Underwater landslides
(iv) Which factors affect the movement of ocean water?

Answer: The factors affecting the movement of ocean water are as follows:

1. Temperature
2. The gravitational pull of sun and moon
3. Warm and cold currents
4. Wind
(v) What are tides and how are they caused?
Answer: The rhythmic rise and fall of ocean water, twice in a day, is called a tide. Tides are
caused by the gravitational force exerted by the sun and the moon on the earth’s surface.

(vi) What are ocean currents?

Answer: The streams of water flowing constantly on the ocean surface in a definite direction are
called ocean currents. The ocean currents may be warm or cold.

2. Give reasons.

(i) Ocean water is salty.

Answer: Ocean water is salty because it contains a large amount of salt dissolved in it. The salt
present in ocean water is mostly sodium chloride or the common salt that we consume.

(ii) The quality of water is deteriorating.

Answer: The water quality is deteriorating because of human activities like

1. Deforestation
2. Throwing garbage and other waste in water bodies
3. Chemicals released from industries
4. Increased use of fertilisers and pesticides
3. Tick the correct answer.

(i) The process by which water continually changes its form and circulates between oceans,
atmosphere and land

(a) Water cycle

(b) Tides

(c) Ocean currents

Answer: a

(ii) Generally, the warm ocean currents originate near

(a) Poles

(b) Equator

(c) None of these

Answer: b

(iii) The rhythmic rise and fall of ocean water twice in a day is called

(a) Tide

(b) Ocean current

(c) Wave

Answer: a

4. Match the following.

(i) Caspian Sea (a) Largest lake

 (ii) Tide (b) Periodic rise and fall of water

(iii) Tsunami (c) Strong seismic waves

(iv) Ocean currents (d) Streams of water moving along definite paths

(e) Water cycle

Answer:

(i) Caspian Sea (a) Largest lake

(ii) Tide (b) Periodic rise and fall of water

(iii) Tsunami (c) Strong seismic waves

(iv) Ocean currents (d) Streams of water moving along definite paths