Textbook Solutions: Our Environment and Pollution

I. Tick (✓) the correct options. You can tick more than one option.

Q1: Environmental pollution is caused by
(a) plants.
(b) waste materials, 
(c) human activities.
(d) factories.
Ans: (c)

Q2: Substances that spoil air, water or land are
(a) chemicals.
(b) waste.
(c) smoke.
(d) pollutants.
Ans: (d)

Q3: Diseases such as asthma can be caused by
(a) water pollution.
(b) harmful smoke. 
(c) noise pollution.
(d) land pollution.
Ans: (b)

Q4: Things that break down naturally are
(a) fruits.
(b) paper.
(c) plastic bags.
(d) insects.
Ans: (b)

Q5: Things that do not break down naturally are
(a) plastics.
(b) vegetable waste
(c) glass pieces
(d) leaves.
Ans: (a)

II. Answer the following questions in one sentence.

Q1: What does the smoke from factories and motor vehicles contain?
Ans: The smoke from factories and motor vehicles contains fine particles of ash, coal, metals, and toxic chemicals.

Q2: What is global warming?
Ans: Global warming is the gradual rise in the Earth's average temperature caused by an increase in carbon dioxide levels.

Q3: Why should we grow more trees?
Ans: We should grow more trees because they absorb carbon dioxide and clean the air.

Q4: What pollutes the land?
Ans: Land is polluted by dumping chemical waste, plastics, and glass into the soil.

Q5: List the causes of noise pollution.
Ans: Noise pollution is caused by loud sounds from vehicles, factories, loudspeakers, firecrackers, and music played at high volumes.

III. Answer the following questions in three to four sentences.

Q1: What forms the environment of a place?
Ans: The environment of a place is made up of living things like plants and animals, non-living things like soil and water, and human-made things like roads and buildings. These components decide the nature of the environment.

Q2: What are the harmful effects of air pollution on the human body?
Ans: Air pollution can damage the lungs and cause diseases like asthma. It can also harm the eyes and skin of people living in polluted areas.

Q3: Why is the average temperature of the Earth increasing?
Ans: The Earth's average temperature is increasing because burning fuels like coal, diesel, and petrol releases a lot of carbon dioxide, which traps heat in the atmosphere.

Q4: What steps can be taken to reduce water pollution?
Ans: To reduce water pollution, we should avoid throwing waste into waterbodies, reduce the use of chemicals, and treat sewage before releasing it into rivers or lakes.

Q5: What are the effects of noise pollution on human beings?
Ans: Noise pollution can cause stress, poor concentration, sleep problems, and even hearing loss. It also frightens animals and disturbs their habitat.

Higher order thinking skills

I. Do you think the living components of an environment are dependent on the non-living components? Explain with examples.
Ans: Yes, living components depend on non-living components. For example, plants need soil, sunlight, water, and air to grow. Animals depend on water to drink and air to breathe. Without non-living components, life cannot survive.

II. The four Rs-Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Refuse-help us reduce waste and protect our environment. Answer the following questions to see how environment-friendly you are.
Q1: Do you use paper plates and cups when you go on a picnic?
Ans: No

Q2: Do you use cloth napkins instead of paper napkins?
Ans: Yes

Q3: Will you purchase recycled paper?
Ans: Yes

Q4: Do you use both sides of the paper for writing?
Ans: Yes

Q5: Will you use empty jam and pickle bottles to store food items?
Ans: Yes

Q6: Will you insist the shopkeeper give you plastic bags?
Ans: No