PALLAVI MODEL SCHOOL

SUBJECT: SOCIAL SCIENCE CLASS:

VII

GEOGRAPHY –LS-1 OUR ENVIRONMENT

READ TEXT BOOK

WRITE NEW WORDS AND DEFINE TERMS:

D: EXPLAIN THE FOLLOWING TERMS:

1. Environment: The term environment is derived from the French word ‘environer’
which means to surround. Thus, the term environment refers to the external conditions
in which an organism live. It includes things created by nature and human beings.
2. Lithosphere: The term lithosphere means rocky crust. The outermost layer of the
earth which includes the crust and upper part of the mantle, and is made up of rocks
and minerals is called the lithosphere. The uppermost part of the lithosphere has a
thin layer of soil.
3. Biosphere: The word biosphere is derived from the Greek word ‘bios’ which means
life and the Latin word ‘sphaera’ which means total range. The biosphere is a narrow
zone where the lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere meet and interact. It
supports life on earth and is thus called the living world.
4. Ecosystem: The complex system of interaction between different organisms and
their physical environment in a particular area is called an ecosystem.
5. Urbanization: The number of people living in urban areas as compared to the total
population of the country is known as urbanization.
6. Pollution: The disturbances caused to the environment due to excessive exploitation
of nature, unplanned and unwise use of technology, overpopulation, urbanization and
industrialization is called pollution.

E: GIVE SHORT ANSWERS FOR THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

1. What is the importance of ecosystem?

Ans: The importance of an ecosystem is that it provides space to plants and animals to
interact with each other as well as with their physical environment. Through such
interaction they are interdependent on each other for their survival.

2. Why did Chipko Movement take place?

Ans: The Chipko Movement took place as a protest against the indiscriminate cutting
down of trees in the Alaknanda river valley of Uttarakhand.
3. What are the reasons for the environmental pollution?

Ans: Some of the reasons for environmental pollution are:

Exploitation and misuse of nature due to various human activities.

Unplanned and unwise use of technology.

Overpopulation, urbanization and industrialization.

4. How can natural environment be managed peoperly?

Ans: To manage the natural environment properly, a perfect balance should be

maintained between the natural and human environment. For this the help of scientists,
technologist and planners is required to address the various environmental problems.
Apart from this, we must understand and learn to live and use the environment in a
harmonious way.

----------------------------------------------------