Question 1

Question 2Distinguish between the following pairs:(a) Sewage and effluents(b) Biodegradable and Non-biodegradable waste(c) Smoke and smog

Accepted Answer

(a) Difference between sewage and effluents —SewageEffluentsSewage is the liquid waste from domestic activities.Effluents are the liquid wastes produced by factories.(b) Difference between biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste —Biodegradable wasteNon-biodegradable wasteBiodegradable wastes are substances which can be broken down by microorganisms into harmless and non-toxic substances.Non-biodegradable wastes are substances which cannot be broken down by microorganisms.Examples: Leaves, dung.Examples: Plastic, glass.(c) Difference between smoke and smog —SmokeSmogSmoke contains a lot of particulate pollutants which pollute the air.Smoke mixed with dust particles and small drops of fog is called smog.

Question 2

Question 9The energy content of X-rays is usually measured in:ProtonProtiumPhotonNone of these

Accepted Answer

PhotonReason — The energy content of X-rays is usually measured in photon.

Question 3

Question 10Which of the following is a radioactive pollutant ?Iodine-131Iodine-113Iodine-313Cobalt-16

Accepted Answer

Iodine-131Reason — Iodine-131 is radioactive pollutant which can cause thyroid cancer.

Question 4

Question 1List two major harmful effects of each of the following:(i) Rivers contaminated with sewage.(ii) Too much gaseous exhausts containing CO2 and SO2(iii) Pesticides such as DDT used in agriculture.(iv) Prolonged noise such as the one produced by crackers

Accepted Answer

(i) Two major harmful effects of rivers contaminated with sewage are:Sewage disposed of into rivers cause diseases such as diarrhoea, dysentery, cholera, typhoid, and jaundice.The flora and fauna of rivers, sea and oceans is adversely affected.(ii) Two major harmful effects of too much gaseous exhausts containing CO2 and SO2 are:Excess emissions of CO2 and SO2 will increase the temperature of earth i.e global warming would increase.SO2 emissions would lead to severe lung and respiratory diseases.(iii) Two major harmful effects of pesticides such as DDT used in agriculture are:Pesticides kill soil microbes which are responsible to recycle the nutrients in the soil.Pesticides can cause short-term adverse health effects, and can enter the food chain and affect the health of humans as well as animals.(iv) Two major harmful effects of prolonged noise such as the one produced by crackers are:Prolonged exposure to the high decibel noise damages eardrums and can bring permanent hearing impairment.Interrupts concentration of thought and disturbs peace of mind.

Question 5

Question 3The following picture depicts a certain phenomenon.(i) Name the phenomenon and explain it.(ii) Enlist the sources that are responsible for the above mentioned phenomenon.(iii) List out the effects of the above phenomenon on humans.

Accepted Answer

(i) The phenomenon depicted in the picture is Ozone layer depletion. It is a phenomenon in which certain gaseous compounds such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) break down into chlorine atoms which in turn break down ozone (O3) into oxygen (O2) and O.(ii) The sources responsible for ozone layer depletion are gaseous compounds such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) released from refrigerators, aerosol spray cans and packaging material styrofoam.(iii) Effects of ozone layer depletion on humans are:Sun burnGenetic disordersSkin cancer

Question 6

Question 4The picture below shows a campaign recently started by the Indian Government.(i) When was this campaign launched ?(ii) Mention the chief objectives of this campaign.

Accepted Answer

(i) This campaign was launched on 2nd October 2014.(ii) Chief objectives of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan are:To clean the streets, roads and infrastructure of the country's cities and towns.To eliminate open defecation through the construction of individual, cluster and community toilets.To establish accountable mechanisms of monitoring latrine use.To achieve efficient solid and liquid waste management systems.

Question 7

Question 5The figure given below shows a kind of pollution. Study the figure and answer the following questions.(a) Define the kind of pollution shown here.(b) Name two types of the kind of pollution shown here.(c) Write two main sources of above mentioned pollution with one example each.(d) Write two points to control the given pollution.

Accepted Answer

(a) Air pollution is shown in the figure. Air pollution means degradation of the air quality which harmfully affects the living organisms as well as certain objects.(b) Two types of Air pollution are:Gaseous pollutionParticulate pollution(c) Gaseous pollution — The exhaust given out by vehicles is the source of gaseous pollution, e.g., cars or vehicles running on petrol or diesel.Particulate pollution — The smoke released by the factory chimneys into the air are the main sources of particulate pollution, e.g., factory chimneys, brick kilns.(d) Two ways to control air pollution are:Use of unleaded petrol and CNG in automobiles.Installation of tall chimneys in factories and fitting them with filters and electrostatic precipitators.

Question 8

Question 6Study the figure shown here and answer the following questions.(a) Identify the kind of pollution and define it.(b) Mention four main sources of the pollution.(c) Write two harmful effects of the above-mentioned pollution for the living organisms.

Accepted Answer

(a) Acid rain. Gases such as CO2, SO2 and oxides of nitrogen get dissolved in rain drops falling on the earth as rain. This constitutes acid rain.(b) Four main sources of acid rain are:Exhaust from vehicles contains CO2, SO2 and CO.Smoke released by factory chimneys contain CO2, SO2 and oxides of nitrogen.Burning of garbage releases CO2 and other harmful gases.Brick kilns produce ash which mixes with air to contribute to acid rain.(c) Two harmful effects of acid rain on the living organisms are:Damage to vegetation by pollution of the soil.Fish and other aquatic organisms are harmed due to increased acidity of water in lakes and rivers.

Question 9

Question 7Study the pictures given below of the two main categories of wastes and answer the questions:(i) Identify the categories of wastes in (A) and (B).(ii) Which of the above category of wastes can be used to prepare compost?(iii) Mention one control measure to manage the waste of category (B).

Accepted Answer

(i) A - Biodegradable waste and B - Non-biodegradable waste(ii) A(iii) Recycling the materials into new products.

Question 10

Question 8Pollution is on the rise due to a rapid increase in the number of automobiles and buildings. All of these release a large amount of harmful gases and particulate pollutants in the atmosphere which react with atmospheric moisture and produce various kinds of acidic gases.(i) Mention two main gases which are emitted from the industries into the atmosphere.(ii) What are the two main acids produced in the atmosphere when poisonous gases combine with the atmospheric moisture ?(iii) Write two harmful effects of acid rain.

Accepted Answer

(i) CO2 and SO2(ii) H2SO4 and HNO3(iii) Two harmful effects of acid rainDamage to vegetation by pollution in soil.Corrosion of buildings and monuments.

Pollution — A Rising Environmental Problem

Descriptive Type

Multiple Choice Type

Short Answer Type

Structured Application Skill Type