SEBA Class 10 Social Science II – Chapter 2: Environment and Environmental Problems Solutions

Find all question answers from Class 10 Social Science II – Chapter 2: Environment and Environmental Problems here. Boost your exam preparation without using any guide!

The Board of Secondary Education, Assam (SEBA), has been officially renamed as the Assam State School Education Board (ASSEB) Division 1. This change is part of the Assam State School Education Board Act, 2024, aimed at unifying and improving school education in the state.

Board

ASSEB Div I

Class

X/HSLC

Subject

Social Science II (Geography)

Chapter

2 – Environment and Environmental Problems

Content

Questions and Answers

Note: The following questions and answers are entirely based on Class 10 Social Science II (Geography), Chapter 2: Environment and Environmental Problems (SEBA), as given in the exercise section on page 29 of the textbook.

Exercise

Page No: 29

Question 1: Write in your own words the meaning of environment. (2 marks)

Answer: Environment refers to the sum total of all living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components surrounding us, including air, water, land, animals, plants, and microorganisms, which interact and influence each other to support life.

Question 2: Mention some of the biotic and abiotic elements of environment. (2 marks)

Answer: Biotic elements include plants, animals, and microorganisms; abiotic elements include air, water, soil, sunlight, and temperature.

Question 3: Write the meaning of lithosphere. (2 marks)

Answer: The lithosphere is the solid outer layer of the Earth, comprising the crust and the upper part of the mantle, forming landforms like mountains, plains, and plateaus.

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Question 4: What are the features included in the hydrosphere? (3 marks)

Answer: The hydrosphere encompasses all water bodies on Earth, including oceans, seas, rivers, lakes, glaciers, underground water, and water vapor in the atmosphere.

Question 5: Write about the composition of the atmosphere. (4 marks)

Answer: The atmosphere is a vital component of the Earth’s environment, composed of a mixture of gases. The major constituents are nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%), which are essential for plant growth and respiration, respectively. The remaining 1% consists of argon, carbon dioxide, neon, helium, ozone, and water vapor. Although present in small quantities, these gases have significant roles. Carbon dioxide is crucial for photosynthesis, ozone protects life by filtering ultraviolet rays, and water vapor is important for weather patterns and cloud formation. This balanced composition makes the atmosphere suitable for sustaining life on Earth.

Question 6: Give an outline of the extent of the biosphere. (5 marks)

Answer: The biosphere is the global ecological system that includes all living beings and their relationships, interacting with the elements of the lithosphere (land), hydrosphere (water), and atmosphere (air). It is the zone of life on Earth and supports all forms of flora and fauna. The biosphere extends from the depths of the oceans (about 11,000 meters deep) to the upper layers of the atmosphere, where microscopic organisms and birds can be found (up to around 8,000–10,000 meters above sea level). It also includes forests, grasslands, deserts, mountains, freshwater bodies, and marine environments. Life in the biosphere exists in diverse climatic and geographic conditions, showing the adaptability of organisms. The extent of the biosphere is not uniform; it depends on factors such as temperature, sunlight, water, and availability of nutrients.

Question 7: Discuss briefly the relation among the four major components of environment. (5 marks)

Answer: The environment is made up of four major components: lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. These components are closely interrelated and interdependent:

1. The lithosphere provides land and minerals for living organisms.

2. The hydrosphere includes all water bodies, which are essential for the survival of life and help in regulating temperature.

3. The atmosphere contains gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide, necessary for respiration and photosynthesis.

4. The biosphere includes all living organisms that interact with air, water, and land for survival.

These components constantly influence each other. For example, plants (biosphere) grow in soil (lithosphere), absorb water (hydrosphere), and use carbon dioxide (atmosphere) for photosynthesis. Similarly, a change in one component—like pollution in the atmosphere—can directly impact life in the biosphere and the quality of water in the hydrosphere. Hence, the balance among these four components is essential for maintaining life on Earth.

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Question 8:Mention the major causes of environmental change. (3 marks)

Answer: The major causes of environmental change are:

1. Deforestation

2. Pollution of air, water, and soil

3. Urbanization and industrialization

4. Overpopulation

5. Excessive use of natural resources

Question 9: Explain the meaning of environmental problem. (3 marks)

Answer: An environmental problem is any harmful change in the environment caused by natural events or human activities. These changes disturb the natural balance and harm plants, animals, and humans.

Question 10: Write geographical divisions of the environmental problems. (3 marks)

Answer: Environmental problems are divided into three categories based on their geographical extent:

1. Local problems – Affect small areas like villages or towns. Example: Water pollution in a village.

2. Regional problems – Affect larger areas such as forests, states, or regions. Example: Deforestation in a specific area.

3. Global problems – Affect the entire Earth. Examples: Climate change and ozone layer depletion.

Question 11: What is a local environmental problem? Give examples. (3 marks)

Answer: A local environmental problem affects a specific area; examples include garbage accumulation in a neighborhood and contamination of a local water source.

Question 12: Give two examples of regional environmental problem. (2 marks)

Answer: Two examples are deforestation in the Amazon rainforest and air pollution in urban industrial zones.

Question 13: Which problems are considered as global environmental problem? (2 marks)

Answer: Global environmental problems include climate change, global warming, ozone layer depletion, and loss of biodiversity.

Question 14: Mention the major environmental problems of the world. (5 marks)

Answer: The world faces several serious environmental problems that affect both nature and human life.

1. Air and water pollution caused by harmful emissions and waste dumping, which make the environment unhealthy.

2. Deforestation, leading to loss of trees, wildlife habitats, and increased soil erosion.

3. Desertification, where fertile land turns into desert due to drought and human activities.

4. Global warming, caused by the buildup of greenhouse gases, results in climate change and extreme weather.

5. Ozone layer depletion, allowing harmful ultraviolet rays to reach Earth, causing health risks.

6. Biodiversity loss, threatening many plant and animal species and disturbing ecosystem balance.

Question 15: Give the meaning of the term pollution. (3 marks)

Answer: Pollution is the introduction of harmful substances or products into the environment, causing adverse effects on living organisms and the natural world.

Question 16: What is water pollution? How does it occur? (5 marks)

Answer: Water pollution means that rivers, lakes, and other water bodies get contaminated with harmful substances.

This happens when industrial waste, sewage, chemicals from farms, and garbage are dumped directly into the water without proper treatment. These pollutants make the water dirty and unsafe for fish, plants, and people who use it for drinking or farming.

As a result, aquatic life suffers, and polluted water can cause serious health problems for humans too

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Question 17: Write a short note on land pollution. (5 marks)

Answer: Land pollution happens when our land gets dirty and damaged because of the way we throw away waste, cut down trees, and use harmful chemicals like pesticides and fertilizers. When garbage is dumped carelessly, it contaminates the soil and makes it unhealthy for plants to grow. Deforestation also harms the land by removing trees that protect the soil from erosion.

Over time, these activities reduce the fertility of the soil, making it harder to grow crops and upsetting the balance of nature. This damage affects not just plants, but animals and humans too, as the land becomes less productive and less safe to live on.

Question 18: Write how air is polluted. (5 marks)

Answer: Air gets polluted mainly because of smoke and harmful gases released from vehicles, factories, and power plants. Burning coal, petrol, diesel, and other fossil fuels adds dangerous chemicals and tiny dust particles into the air. Open burning of garbage and forest fires also contribute to air pollution. These pollutants make the air dirty and unhealthy to breathe, causing problems like asthma, lung diseases, and harming plants, animals, and the environment.

Question 19: What is a desert? Give the definition of desertification. (5 marks)

Answer: A desert is a dry and barren land where very little rain falls, and only a few plants can survive because of the harsh conditions. Desertification is when good, fertile land slowly turns into desert. This happens because of things like long droughts, cutting down too many trees, and farming in ways that harm the soil. It’s a serious problem because it makes the land useless for growing crops and supporting life.

Question 20: Mention the causes of desertification. (5 marks)

Answer: Desertification is the process by which fertile land becomes desert, typically due to various natural and human-induced factors. The main causes include:

1. Overgrazing: Excessive grazing by livestock damages vegetation cover, leading to soil erosion and loss of fertility.

2. Deforestation: Cutting down trees removes root systems that hold the soil in place, making the land more vulnerable to erosion.

3. Excessive farming: Continuous cultivation without giving the soil time to recover depletes nutrients, reducing soil productivity.

4. Climate change: Rising temperatures and reduced rainfall patterns contribute to soil drying and reduced vegetation cover.

5. Improper land management: Unsustainable agricultural practices, over-irrigation, and poor water conservation methods degrade land quality and increase salinity.

These factors collectively reduce the land’s ability to support plant life, accelerating the spread of desert-like conditions.

Question 21: Is it possible to control desertification? (2 marks)

Answer: Yes, through afforestation, sustainable land management, soil conservation techniques, and controlled grazing practices.

Question 22: What is global warming? Mention its causes. (5 marks)

Answer: Global warming refers to the gradual increase in the average temperature of the Earth's surface and atmosphere over time. It is mainly caused by the excessive buildup of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O), in the atmosphere.

The major causes of global warming include:

1. Burning of fossil fuels in vehicles, factories, and power plants, which releases large amounts of CO₂.

2. Deforestation, which reduces the number of trees that can absorb carbon dioxide from the air.

3. Industrial activities that emit various greenhouse gases.

4. Agricultural practices, especially livestock farming, which releases methane.

5. Improper waste management, including open dumping and burning of waste, which contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.

These human-induced activities have intensified the natural greenhouse effect, leading to global warming and resulting in climate change and various environmental problems.

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Question 23: What are the probable consequences of global warming? (5 marks)

Answer: Global warming has several serious and far-reaching consequences for the environment and human life:

1. Rising sea levels: Due to the melting of polar ice caps and glaciers, sea levels are increasing, which threatens low-lying coastal areas and can lead to the displacement of millions of people.

2. Extreme weather events: Global warming increases the frequency and intensity of natural disasters such as floods, droughts, cyclones, and heatwaves, causing widespread damage to life and property.

3. Melting glaciers and polar ice: High temperatures cause glaciers and ice sheets in polar regions to melt rapidly, which not only contributes to sea-level rise but also disturbs the balance of cold-water ecosystems.

4. Loss of biodiversity: Rising temperatures and changes in climate can lead to the extinction of many plant and animal species that cannot adapt quickly, resulting in reduced biodiversity.

5. Impact on agriculture and ecosystems: Changing weather patterns affect crop production, soil fertility, and water availability. This can lead to food shortages and negatively impact the livelihoods of farmers. Entire ecosystems may also collapse if their delicate balance is disrupted.

These consequences show that global warming is a serious threat that requires urgent global attention and action.

Question 24: Write how to control global warming. (5 marks)

Answer: Controlling global warming requires both individual and collective efforts through several effective measures:

1. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions: The main cause of global warming is the excessive release of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane. These emissions can be reduced by minimizing the burning of fossil fuels in industries, vehicles, and power plants.

2. Promoting renewable energy sources: Using clean energy alternatives such as solar, wind, hydro, and bio-energy helps reduce dependence on fossil fuels and decreases pollution.

3. Enhancing energy efficiency: Using energy-efficient appliances, improving insulation in buildings, and encouraging energy-saving habits can significantly cut down unnecessary energy use.

4. Afforestation and reforestation: Planting more trees and protecting existing forests absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, thereby reducing the overall concentration of greenhouse gases.

5. Sustainable transportation: Encouraging the use of public transport, carpooling, bicycles, and electric vehicles helps to lower emissions from the transport sector.

These steps, if taken seriously by governments, industries, and individuals alike, can significantly help to slow down the pace of global warming and protect the Earth’s climate for future generations.

Question 25: Is there any environmental problem in your own locality? If yes, then explain their causes and indicate some measures for their solution. (8 marks)

Answer: Yes, in our locality, a major environmental problem is air and noise pollution caused by Calcom Cement India Ltd. (Dalmia Cement Bharat Ltd.), located at Pipalpukhuri No. 2, Town Lanka, District Hojai, Assam, about 8.6 km from our village. The factory releases dust and gases affecting air quality and health, while heavy truck movement causes noise and damages roads. These issues arise from poor emission control and unregulated transport. Solutions include installing dust filters, regulating truck movement, plantation drives, and strict monitoring by the Pollution Control Board.

Class 10