Worksheet Solutions: Environment and Society | Sociology Class 11 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

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Q1: Over time, social interactions with the environment have undergone changes and vary based on the location. Each society has a basis in __________, which encompasses physical, biological, and human systems.
Ans: ecology
Ecology refers to the study of the relationships between living organisms and their environment. In the context of the sentence, it suggests that every society's foundation is connected to and influenced by the ecological aspects of the environment, including the physical, biological, and human elements.

Q2: Human actions have altered the environment, and factors such as aridity or flooding, which may appear to be natural, are often the outcome of __________ activity.
Ans: human
This sentence highlights the idea that seemingly natural occurrences like aridity (dry conditions) or flooding can often be attributed to human activities such as deforestation, land use changes, and infrastructure development that affect the environment.

Q3: The interplay between a location's geography and hydrology also influences its __________.
Ans: ecology
This sentence emphasizes the role of geography (the physical features and landscape of a place) and hydrology (the study of water and its distribution) in shaping the ecology (the interactions between living organisms and their environment) of a specific location. Geography and hydrology are key factors that impact the ecological makeup of a region.

Q4: The interaction between biophysical ecology and human intervention has given rise to the __________ environment.
Ans: social
This sentence suggests that the interplay between the natural or biophysical aspects of ecology and human activities or interventions has led to the formation of the social environment. In other words, the way people interact with and modify their surroundings contributes to the social context in which they live.

Q5: In the Indo-Gangetic floodplain, fertile soil facilitates extensive __________.
Ans: cultivation
This sentence describes how the presence of fertile soil in the Indo-Gangetic floodplain makes it suitable for extensive agricultural activities, particularly cultivation of crops. Fertile soil is rich in nutrients and supports robust plant growth.

Q6: The way natural resources are used and managed depends on __________ relations, which vary across different social groupings.
Ans: property
This sentence indicates that the utilization and management of natural resources are influenced by property relations, which refer to the rules and systems governing ownership and access to resources. These property relations can differ among various social groups, leading to varying approaches to resource use and management.

Q7: __________ pollution is considered a critical environmental concern in both urban and rural areas.
Ans: Air
This sentence underscores that air pollution is a significant and pressing environmental issue, affecting not only urban areas but also rural regions. It suggests that the problem of air pollution is widespread and has adverse effects on both urban and rural populations.

Q8: Certain gases, including carbon dioxide and methane, create a "__________" effect that traps the sun's heat instead of allowing it to escape.
Ans: greenhouse
This sentence explains the greenhouse effect, which occurs when certain gases in the Earth's atmosphere, like carbon dioxide and methane, trap heat from the sun, preventing it from escaping into space. This effect is responsible for the warming of the planet, which is a critical aspect of climate change.

Q9: Modern gene-splicing techniques allow scientists to introduce new traits into a species by importing __________ from another.
Ans: genes
This sentence discusses the use of advanced genetic engineering techniques that enable scientists to transfer or insert new genetic traits into an organism by taking genes from another species. This process is commonly known as gene splicing or genetic modification.

Q10: The conservation of the environment is of great importance since it is essential for __________.
Ans: survival
This sentence highlights the critical significance of environmental conservation, emphasizing that the well-being and survival of both natural ecosystems and human societies depend on maintaining a healthy and sustainable environment. Conservation efforts aim to protect and preserve the environment for future generations.

Assertion and Reason Based

Q1: Assertion: Human actions have altered the environment.
Reason: Factors like aridity or flooding are entirely natural occurrences.
(a) Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
(b) Both the assertion and reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
(c) The assertion is true, but the reason is false.
(d) The assertion is false.
Ans: (b)
The assertion is true because human activities have indeed altered the environment. However, the reason is not a correct explanation because it wrongly claims that aridity or flooding are entirely natural occurrences. In reality, human activities, such as deforestation, urbanization, and changes in land use, can exacerbate or even cause these environmental changes. So, the correct option is (b).

Q2: Assertion: Global warming is caused by the release of nuclear radiation into the atmosphere.
Reason: Global warming results from the release of methane gas into the atmosphere.
(a) Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
(b) Both the assertion and reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
(c) The assertion is true, but the reason is false.
(d) The assertion is false.
Ans: (d)
The assertion is false because global warming is not caused by the release of nuclear radiation into the atmosphere. The reason is true as global warming is primarily caused by the release of greenhouse gases like methane into the atmosphere. Therefore, the correct option is (d).

Q3: Assertion: Genetically altered organisms have no long-term effects on human health.
Reason: Genetic modification enables crops to grow faster and have longer shelf lives.
(a) Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
(b) Both the assertion and reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
(c) The assertion is true, but the reason is false.
(d) The assertion is false.
Ans: (b)
Both the assertion and reason are true. However, the reason is not the correct explanation for the assertion because genetic modification's effects on human health are a complex and debated issue that goes beyond just the speed of crop growth and shelf life. Therefore, the correct option is (b).

Q4: Assertion: Environmental issues are only ecological problems.
Reason: Human activities have been causing damage to the environment for a long time.
(a) Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
(b) Both the assertion and reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
(c) The assertion is true, but the reason is false.
(d) The assertion is false.
Ans: (b)
Both the assertion and reason are true. However, the reason is not the correct explanation for the assertion because environmental issues encompass a broader range of problems, including social, economic, and political dimensions, and are not solely limited to ecological aspects. Therefore, the correct option is (b).

Q5: Assertion: The conservation of the environment is essential for survival.
Reason: The depletion of natural resources adversely affects future generations.
(a) Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
(b) Both the assertion and reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
(c) The assertion is true, but the reason is false.
(d) The assertion is false.
Ans: (a)
Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason correctly explains why the conservation of the environment is essential for survival. Depletion of natural resources can have severe consequences for future generations, making conservation crucial. Therefore, the correct option is (a).

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Q1: Describe the basis of each society in terms of ecology.
Ans: Each society has a basis in ecology, which encompasses physical, biological, and human systems and activities such as rivers, mountains, oceans, plains, and animals.

Q2: How has human intervention contributed to changes in the environment?
Ans: Human actions have altered the environment, leading to changes that may appear to be natural but are often the outcome of human activity.

Q3: What is the significance of fertile soil in the Indo-Gangetic floodplain?
Ans: Fertile soil in the Indo-Gangetic floodplain facilitates extensive cultivation, supporting dense settlements and complex hierarchical societies.

Q4: How do social norms influence the relationship between society and the environment?
Ans: Social norms influence how society interacts with the environment, shaping the use and management of natural resources.

Q5: Provide an example of a multifaceted cultural significance of a river.
Ans: A river may have ecological, practical, spiritual, and aesthetic significance, which can be reduced to a single calculation of profit and loss for entrepreneurs selling water.

Q6: How did social and political upheavals in the 18th century influence perceptions of equality?
Ans: During the 18th century's social and political upheavals, growing ideas of equality challenged assumptions that women and Black people were inherently less capable than men and White people.

Q7: How does social organization influence the interaction between society and the environment?
Ans: Social organization, based on property relations, determines how natural resources are used and managed, varying across different social groupings.

Q8: Describe the significance of aquifer depletion in relation to resource depletion.
Ans: To meet the demands of intensive agriculture, industry, and urbanization, aquifers that have been storing water for hundreds of thousands of years are being depleted within a few decades, contributing to resource depletion.

Q9: What are the health risks associated with air pollution?
Ans: Air pollution is associated with respiratory and other health problems in both urban and rural areas.

Q10: Explain the "greenhouse effect" and its impact on global temperatures.
Ans: The "greenhouse effect" is caused by certain gases like carbon dioxide and methane trapping the sun's heat, leading to a significant increase in global temperatures.

Short Answer Type Questions

Q1: Explain the concept of the "social environment" and how it arises from the interaction between ecology and human intervention.
Ans: The social environment is a mutually shaping process where society influences nature, and nature influences humanity. It arises from the interaction between biophysical ecology and human intervention. Human actions alter the environment, leading to the emergence of the social environment.

Q2: Discuss the role of social organization in determining the use and management of natural resources.
Ans: Social organization, primarily based on property relations, plays a significant role in determining how natural resources are used and managed. Different social groupings may have varying relationships with natural resources, impacting resource utilization.

Q3: Describe the significant environmental risks and problems associated with resource depletion.
Ans: Resource depletion encompasses the rapid depletion of water and land resources, in addition to fossil fuels. Aquifers storing water for millennia are being depleted, and habitats for biodiversity, such as forests and wetlands, are diminishing due to agricultural expansion.

Q4: Explain the causes and consequences of global warming.
Ans: Global warming is caused by certain gases, including carbon dioxide and methane, creating a "greenhouse" effect that traps the sun's heat. This results in a significant increase in global temperatures, leading to more erratic and unpredictable weather patterns.

Q5: Discuss the potential benefits and concerns associated with genetically altered organisms.
Ans: Genetically altered organisms can offer benefits such as faster growth and longer shelf lives for crops. However, there are concerns about the long-term effects on human health and the impact on ecological systems due to genetic modification.

Q6: How have environmental issues evolved into social problems, and provide examples of recent environmental disasters?
Ans: Environmental issues have become social problems because they directly affect society. Human activities, such as the Bhopal tragedy in 1984 and the 2004 tsunami, have caused environmental disasters, leading to a variety of social and ecological problems.

Q7: Explain the relationship between social status, power, and environmental crises.
Ans: Social status and power can determine the extent to which individuals can insulate themselves from environmental crises. Marginalized and politically weak groups may be more vulnerable to environmental crises, while powerful entities can influence environmental policies and outcomes.

Q8: Discuss the sociological perspective on the conservation of the environment and the potential conflicts in pursuing public interests.
Ans: The conservation of the environment is crucial, but a sociological analysis reveals that prioritizing and pursuing public interests may not always benefit marginalized and politically weak groups. It may favor powerful economic and political entities. The social ecology school emphasizes the impact of social relationships, particularly property and production arrangements, on how individuals perceive and interact with the environment.

Long Answer Type Questions

Q1: Elaborate on the relationship between society and the environment, emphasizing the role of human intervention and its consequences.
Ans: The relationship between society and the environment is complex and mutually shaping. Human intervention, through activities such as agriculture, industry, and urbanization, has significantly altered the environment. This can lead to changes that may seem natural but are often human-induced, like flooding or aridity. These changes affect the social environment, where society influences nature and vice versa.

Q2: Discuss the various aspects of social organization and their influence on the environment, providing examples to illustrate differences in resource management.
Ans: Social organization, primarily based on property relations, plays a crucial role in determining how natural resources are managed. For example, women and landless workers may have different relationships with natural resources than men. In rural India, women collect fuel and water but often lack control over these resources, making them more vulnerable to resource constraints. This illustrates how social norms and values shape resource management within different social groupings.

Q3: Analyze the significant environmental risks and problems associated with resource depletion and pollution, highlighting the consequences of these issues.
Ans: Resource depletion, particularly of water and land resources, is a pressing concern due to intensive agriculture, industry, and urbanization. Depleting aquifers, which have stored water for thousands of years, can have severe consequences. Habitat loss for biodiversity due to agricultural expansion is another critical problem. Pollution, including air pollution and water contamination, poses health risks. Resource depletion and pollution have far-reaching consequences for ecosystems, human health, and the overall environment.

Q4: Explain the concept of the "social environment" and its implications for the relationship between society and nature. Discuss the potential consequences of prioritizing public interests in environmental conservation.
Ans: The "social environment" is a concept where society and nature mutually shape each other. Human actions influence the environment, which, in turn, impacts human behavior and society. Prioritizing public interests in environmental conservation is essential, but it can lead to unintended consequences. Marginalized and politically weak groups may suffer while powerful economic and political entities benefit. The social ecology school emphasizes the role of social relationships, such as property and production arrangements, in how individuals perceive and interact with the environment. Balancing public interests and environmental conservation is a complex challenge with significant sociological implications.