MP Board Class 9th Social Science Important Questions Unit 1 Environment
Very Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
What do you mean by environment?
Answer:
Environment means surroundings or the conditions under which a person or thing exists and develops his or its character. For example – air, water, plants, sun, moon, earth, stars, sky etc.
Question 2.
What are the main elements of environment?
Answer:
The four elements of environment are – land, air, water and living beings. In the above first three made the physical environment and living beings made the biosphere.
Question 3.
What is global warming?
Answer:
Due to the decreasing rate of photosynthesis, growth of flora and fauna is hampered and forests are drying up. Carbon di-oxide and other heat resistant gases absorb some part of the heat and reflect it back to the earth’s surface. As a result extra heat is stored in the lower atmosphere and its temperature increases. This is called global warming.
Question 4.
What is modern farming?
Answer:
In this type of farming artificial chemical fertilizers, biofertilizers, pesticides etc. are used for growing crops.
Question 5.
What do you understand by organic farming? (2017)
Answer:
In this type of farming artificial chemical fertilizers are not used. Instead organic forms of manures such as cow dung or green manures are used for growing crops.
Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
Differentiate between pollution and pollutants.
Answer:
The unwanted change occurring in the natural formation and balance of the environment is known as pollution. On the other hand, the unusable substances responsible for pollution which are present in excess quantity are called pollutants. Pollutants are of two types – (i) Natural pollutants and (ii) Man-made pollutants such as pesticides, fertilizers, glass, plastic, radioactive substances, metals, lead and various types of chemicals.
Question 2.
What is soil pollution? What are its ill effects?
Answer:
Any unwanted change in the physical, chemical or biological attributes of the earth which destroys the fertility and utility of land, is soil pollution.
Due to excessive use of chemical fertilizers, insecticides, pesticides, floodwater and over use of land under multiple cropping, the ecology of soil has been changed. It has lost the necessary elements essential for maintaning fertility. This phenomenon is called land pollution.
Question 3.
How does urbanization destroy the environment?
Answer:
Cities are extended by including nearby rural areas. For extension generally the farms, forests and pasture land are captured. The process of extension of cities is urbanization. As a result of urbanization there is increase in population density and transport facilities, roads, railways, hospitals, community centres etc. are on rise. All these increase the pollution. The increasing deposition of waste influences human health.
Question 4.
Explain the problem of Ozone depletion. (2010)
Answer:
Ozone is a composite group of atoms. Due to the excessive use of Chloro-fluorocarbon (CFC) gas in appliances such as refrigerators and air Conditioners, a hole is caused in the ozone layer. Due to the hole in the ozone layer the wrath of ultraviolet rays on the earth’s surface is spreading. As a result the possibility of skin cancer is increasing. It also reduces the immunity of the human body. Due to the decreasing rate of photosynthesis, growth of flora and fauna is hampered and forests are drying up.
Question 5.
What is the meaning of CNG? In which field is its use maximum in India?
Answer:
C.N.G. means Compressed Natural Gag, a mixture of hydrocarbon found beneath the earth. It contains 80 – 90% Methane gas. It is used as a fuel in vehicles by compressing it upto 200 – 250 kg/cm2. It is colourless, odourless, lighter than air and less polluting gas. C. N. G. needs higher temperature than L. P. G. to burn, thus it is less prove to catching. Now-a-days C.N.G. is used in power stations, steel and fertilizer industries, as a fuel in the houses and vehicles.
Question 6.
Why do we need environmental conservation? Explain.
Answer:
A variety of plants and animals live on the earth. Man is the most intelligent and powerful living being, but nature has not given him the right to destroy its resources. It is necessary to use them carefully. Today environmental imbalance is the most burning problem of the world. To rectify the problems of pollution it is necessary to make people aware of the need to protect the environment.
Question 7.
How does radioactive substances spread pollution?
Answer:
The radioactive particles enter the atmosphere and produce radioactive pollution. Uranium, Thorium, Schizium, Plutonium, Cobalt, Strontium etc. are radioactive substances used in nuclear processess. They are causes of radioactive pollution. The effects of radiation spreading from radioactive substances are long lasting. The excessive energy released during nuclear test destroys human and animal cells, the harmful radioactive substances such as strontium destroys fertility of soil.
Question 8.
What are the harmful effects of mining on the environment of a region?
Answer:
Excessive mining is digging of land for extracting minerals and other substances. Trees are being cut from the land. As a result, circulation of underground water is hampered, land sliding, deposition of waste material, soil erosion and formation of new land forms occur. The ill effects of excessive mining can be observed in Doon Valley formed by Ganga- Yamuna which is surrounded by Himalayan Ranges;
Question 9.
What is physical environment and social environment? Explain with examples. (2011)
Answer:
Physical environment: This includes all natural elements in nature such as location, geomorphology rocks, climate, vegetation, wildlife, minerals, water bodies, ocean etc. Man’s existence depends upon these elements.
Social environment: The socio-cultural environment developes due to the mutual relationship between man and natural environment. This includes the economic and social activities created, developed and conducted by man such as farming, industry, rites and rituals, settlement, roads, railways, air services, means of irrigation, government system and science and technology.
Question 10.
What is Chipko movement? What are its basic elements?
Answer:
Chipko movement is a successful strategy for protecting natural resources. It is not only movement to save trees, but it also provides the basis for permanent economic welfare by making demand for a total transformation in land policy. Women’s participation in this movement is highly remarkable. The success of Chipko Movement has proved that solution to intense problems is not possible by only making laws, rather public awareness and comprehension of rights are also essential for it.
Question 11.
What are the main objectives of Environmental Impact Assessment?
Answer:
Its main objectives are as follows:
- Development without causing damage to environment.
- Maintenance of quality of environment.
- Sustainable development so that the present as well as future generation are able to meet their needs.
- Emphasis on prevention rather than cure of environmental degradation.
Question 12.
What is Acid Rain?
Answer:
The sulphur-di-oxide and Nitrogen gases coming out of the factories mix up in the atmosphere, they react with the existing vapours and produce sulphuric acid and nitric acid respectively. This acid when pours down with water rains on the earth, It is called the acid rain.
Question 13.
What is deforestation? Enlist the reasons of deforestation.
Or
Write any three reasons of deforestation. (2017)
Answer:
Deforestation means cutting forests or plants from some region. Reduction of forest is the result of human effects. Due to the construction of huge dams, throwing of hydroelectricity, spread of railway and roads, extension of habitat areas and cutting of trees for fuel and industries have all harmed the forests.
Question 14.
What is excessive grazing? What are its main ill effects? (2011)
Answer:
Excessive use of forest land for grazing and intake of vegetation by domestic animals is called excessive grazing. As a result vegetation does not grow again very fast in these areas. Its ill effect is that the layer of vegetation from land is destroyed. Due to soil erosion the danger of spread of desert areas. In such areas soil absorbs less water and plants do not get adequate water. Such a situation has developed in the high lands of Rajasthan, Gujarat and western Madhya Pradesh.
Question 15.
Describe the process of shifting agriculture.
Answer:
The oldest form of agriculture is called as shifting agriculture. In this old method of farming trees were cut and burnt. The land was used for farming for sometime and then discarded. This method of farming made enough harm to the forests.
Question 16.
Insecticides should not be used in excess amount. Why?
Answer:
It is a common practice to use insecticides and pesticides to protect the crops from pests, warms, fungus, insects etc. on the other hand, the farmers used plenty of chemical fertilizers to enhance crop production. These chemical fertilizers and insecticides enhance the production but they effect adversely on human health.
Question 17.
What is meant by water harvesting? Explain.
Answer:
Water harvesting is a technique of increasing the recharge of ground water by capturing the storing rainwater, by constructing structures such as percolating pits, ponds, tanks and check dams etc. Water harvesting is essential to conserve water, to reduce ground water pollution and to avoid and control floods.
Question 18.
How does air pollution affect the human health? Explain.
Answer:
Effects of Air Pollution on the Human Health:
- Increase of carbon-di-oxide in the atmosphere increased the temperature of atmosphere and also causing breathing problems.
- Burning of coal and mineral oil also adds sulphur di-oxide in the atmosphere creates burning in eyes and hoarseness in throat.
- Increasing air pollution causes different types of respiratory and lung diseases.
Question 19.
Mention the effects of noise pollution on human health.
Answer:
Noise pollution has the following effects on human health:
- Noise pollution causes irritation, anger and headache.
- Noise pollution causes sleeplessness because of which one doesn’t get proper rest.
- Scientific researches have proved that one can become deaf on hearing sound above 85 decibel for a long time.
- Sound above 120 decibel is harmful to foetus and health of infants.
Long Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
Describe any three types of pollution. (2017)
Answer:
Meaning of pollution: The unwanted change occuring in the natural formation and balance of the environment, is known as pollution. For example, smoke coming out of factories and vehicles polluted the air. Rivers are polluted due to the industrial and the urban wastes and sewerage. Excessive energy released from radioactive substances pollutes the environment.
Types of pollution:
The different types of pollution are the following:
(1) Air pollution: Disturbance of balance among the various gases in the air or the presence of unwanted gases in the atmosphere is known as air pollution. It is caused due to smoke coming out of factories, use of pesticides, chemical tests and decomposition of litter and dead organic matter.
(2) Water pollution: The entry of some unwanted substances in the natural water which reduce its purity is known as water pollution. Polluted water is not suitable for man, animals, vegetation, sea animals and irrigation.
(3) Noise pollution: Any sound that disturbs the mental activities is known as noise pollution. Therefore noise is an unwanted sound. Any sound which is at a higher pitch than normal voice is called noise.
(4) Land pollution: Disposal of industrial waste on the surface causes land pollution. This pollution adversely affects the quality of land.
(5) Radioactive pollution: Due to the use of nuclear elements for various purposes radioactive particles enter the atmosphere and produce radioactive pollution. Uranium, Thorium, Caesium, Plutonium, Cobalt, Strontium etc. are radioactive substances used in nuclear processes. They are the causes of Radioactive pollution.
(6) Thermal pollution: An unwanted increase in normal temperature of the world which affects the biosphere is thermal pollution.
Question 2.
What is the meaning of resource? Describe various types of resources with example. (2014)
Answer:
Meaning of Resource: Any physical thing or matter which is useful or valuable to man is called a resource. Resources are generally of three types:
(1) Natural Resources: Those resources which are given to us by nature and man has no role in their creation are called natural resources. Natural resources can be divided into two groups:
- Renewable Resources: Those resources which can be reproduced, recycled or can be used again are called renewable resources such as agricultural produce, pasture, farmlands, water and air resources etc.
- Non-Renewable Resources: These resources are limited. These resources cannot be reproduced, reused, recycled or supplied in the near future once exploited hence, will eventually come to an end. Coal, petroleum, mineral resources etc. are non-renewable resources.
(2) Human Resources: Human resource means the number and quality of human beings and the use of their abilities. The most important resource of a country is its people. A point to be noted here is that only educated, trained, technically skilled and able persons can be considered a country’s resource. Only such people can effectively use the available resources and make them invaluable. Natural resources of a country are useless without human resources.
(3) Man-made Resources: Man-made resources are those means of production which are produced by man to utilize the physical matters of environment such as machines, buildings, tools etc.
Apart from these some other types of resources are:
(a) Land Resources: Land is an important resource as man lives on land only and most of his needs are fulfilled by land. It is the basis of the whole living world. Land is used in various activities such as housing, roads, railways, farming, grazing, mining etc. Land use varies from place to place. In the same region also, its use could be different at different times.
(b) Agricultural Resources: Land, soil and water are the fundamental means of farming. Farming has been easier in the coastal areas and in the alluvial soil of the river valleys. The per acre crop production has increased with the help of fertilizers, pesticides, various means of irrigation, hybrid seeds, machines etc.
(c) Water Resources: Water on the earth’s surface is obtained through rains, rivers, lakes, ponds, glaciers, waterfalls and tube-wells. Water is used for irrigation industry, domestic supply, fish farming and water transport. Most of the water is used for farming in the whole world.
(d) Soil Resources: There is no doubt that soil is an important resource. It is a natural medium to grow plants. Plant get the nutrients essential for their growth from soil and in return they provide food and fibres to man and animals. Soil resource is the basis of our life as we get food, clothes and also to some extent the basic elements of shelter from it.
(e) Forest Resources: At present only 30% of the total land area of the world is covered by forests. But, for environmental balance at least 33% of the total land should have forests. Forests are very important for a healthy environment. Plants and trees absorb carbon dioxide from the environment and release oxygen. Trees helps in bringing rains. Forests also provide a safe habitat to many species of birds, wild animals, and other organisms.
Question 3.
What do you mean by water pollution? River pollution is increasing in India. Describe. (2008, 14, 16)
Answer:
Meaning of pollution: The unwanted change occuring in the natural formation and balance of the environment, is known as pollution. For example, smoke coming out of factories and vehicles polluted the air. Rivers are polluted due to the industrial and the urban wastes and sewerage. Excessive energy released from radioactive substances pollutes the environment.
Causes of water pollution:
The following are the causes of increasing river pollution in India:
- Paper and sugar industries and leather cleaning factories dispose their waste either into rivers or on the surface to rot which pollutes the underground water also.
- Spreading of mineral oil on sea surface and city garbage on the shores is also responsible for water pollution in rivers and seas.
- Deforestation, soil erosion, domestic drainage and sewage, effluents from factories, fertilizers, pesticides and the hot water flowing from nuclear reactors are also responsible for river pollution in India.
- The Ganga, Hugh, Damodar, Gomti, Yamuna, Godawari rivers are polluted due to the industrial and the urban wastes and sewerage.
Question 4.
“Centralization of industries is very dangerous for environment.” Explain with examples. (2009, 12, 15)
Answer:
The process of establishment and extension of industries in a particular area due to the availability of facilities is called industrialization. In the process, on the one hand farms and forests are used and on the other hand raw materials from the mines have to be supplied. These factories release poisonous gases in the atmosphere. This disturbs atmospheric balance and increases air pollution, the waste materials are left open in surrounding areas.
The polluted water is drained in the rivers which directly influences human health and environment. Industrialization is the main sources of air, water, noise, land, chemical and radioactive pollution. Rivers in India have been poisoned by the effluents of the nearby factories, chemical industries, distillaries, paper and jute mills. Therefore industry is a boon but a curse for the environment.
Question 5.
What is the meaning of the Chipko Movement? How was it started and what were the reasons of its international fame? (2008, 15)
Or
What is the meaning of Chipko Movement? Explain it. (2013, 17)
Answer:
World famous ‘Chipko Movement’ was started by women of Garhwal region in Uttar Pradesh (now in Uttarakhand). The main objective of this movement was to protect the cutting of forests. The originator of this movement was Shri Sunderlal Bahuguna.
It is not only a movement to save trees, but is also provides the basis for permanent economic welfare (in terms of food, grass, fuel, fertilizers and clothing) by making a demand for a total transformation in land policy. The scope of this movement is not confined to India but it extends to Switzerland, Germany and Holland. This movement was started in 1974, when the government decided to auction off hundreds of acres of forest area in the Renigaon of Chamoli for cutting trees. This decision created much dissatisfaction among the people. Women’s participation in this movement is remarkable.
In the absence of the menfolk, an ordinary woman named Ganga Devi came forward to resist cutting of trees by the forest labourers. She went door to door and motivated girls and women to register their revolt. Thus a non-violent technique of Chipko was used to save trees under the leadership of Ganga Devi. The women said that the forest was their parental home. They would not let it be cut at any cost.
The women kept on surrounding and embracing trees for two days and nights continuously. Even the guns of contractors and forest employees and the bribery offered by them could not discourage the women. All over the Uttrakhand people witnessed a new zeal to protect forests after this event. Afterwards Shri Sundarlal Bahuguna walked 2800 km in order to speed up this movement.
Looking at the direction and intensity of the movement, the State Govt, finally banned cutting of forests in Renigaon area and for the next 15 years the cutting of the green trees of the Himalayan forests was prohibited. All this made possible the conservation of forests, increase in fertility of land and control of hunting.
Question 6.
Write a note on the Silent Valley. (2008, 09, 12)
Or
Describe the Silent Valley. (2010)
Answer:
Silent Valley: The Silent Valley is a small forest area of Kerala. It is located in the Western Ghats on the south-west slops of the Nilgiri hills. Its total area is 90 kms. It is surrounded by high hills on all sides. It is uninhabited area. This valley is a treasure of unique and valuable vegetation and animals. The Kuntipooja river flows from the centre of the Silent Valley.
The Kerala Electricity Board wants to produce hydro-electricity by constructing a dam on the Kuntipooja river. This proposal gave rise to much environmental debate. The Department of Environment in the Central Govt, asked the Kerala Govt, to reconsider the construction of the dam. A committee was formed to look into this issue. The committee, under the chairmanship of M. G. Menon recommended that no dam should be constructed as it will do irreversible loss to the environment.
According to the report of this committee, the Silent Valley is the homeland of certain unique types of vegetation and forest animals. The equatorial rain forests of this area are safe only in the absence of human disturbances.
The Silent Valley was declared a national park in 1985. Due to public movement the valuable rain forests, rare vegetation and animals could, be protected.
Question 7.
How does overpopulation affect the human life ? Explain. (2016)
Answer:
The continuous growth in the number of human beings has taken the form of population explosion in the present day world. Major effects of overpopulation are as follows:
(1) Pressure on land is continuously increasing in our country due to the continuous growth in the population. Agricultural production though greatly increased, falls short of requirement.
(2) Per capita income increases at a very slow pace because of rapidly increasing population. Under such conditions, a large portion of the investment is used up to provide basic necessities and only a small portion of the investment is used for economic development.
(3) Due to the rapidly increasing population the number of children and old persons is increasing in our country. Children and old persons are mere consumers as they are not involved in productive activities. Thus they depend on the working population (i.e., between 15 to 60 years of age) for their survival. The rise in the number of dependents is putting pressure on the working population and the country.
(4) The problem of unemployment is continuously increasing because of the growing population. The number of unemployed are more every year than those who get employment.
(5) Because of growing population, the government has to spend more on housing, education, health, social welfare, law and order and security. Thus developmental activities face resource (monetary) crunch.
Multiple Choice Questions
Question 1.
Who was the originator of the ‘Chipko Movement’? (2009)
(i) Narayan Dutt Tiwari
(ii) Sundarlal Bahuguna
(iii) Uma Bharti
(iv) Chaudhari Devilal
Answer:
(ii) Sundarlal Bahuguna
Question 2.
Where was the ozone hole observed first time in 1985? (2013)
(i) Australia
(ii) Antarctica
(iii) Western Europe
(iv) Alaska
Answer:
(ii) Antarctica
Question 3.
Population explosion is: (2017)
(i) Migration
(ii) Equal death rate and birth rate
(iii) Crowding
(iv) Continuous increase in number of humans
Answer:
(iv) Continuous increase in number of humans
Question 4.
‘Cut and Burn’ is related to: (2011)
(i) Shifting cultivation
(ii) Tourism and Pilgrimage
(iii) Mining
(iv) Construction of dam
Answer:
(i) Shifting cultivation
Question 5.
Unit of measuring noise is: (2010)
(i) Centimetre
(ii) Decibel
(iii) Celsius
(iv) Millibar
Answer:
(ii) Decibel
Question 6.
City with the highest intensity of noise in the world: (2009, 12)
(i) Mumbai
(ii) New York
(iii) Rio-de-Janeiro
(iv) Tokyo
Answer:
(iii) Rio-de-Janeiro
Question 7.
Main cause of environmental degradation is: (2016)
(i) Increase in tourism,
(ii) Shifting cultivation,
(iii) Changing nature of land use,
(iv) All of these
Answer:
(iv) All of these
Question 8.
Chipko Movement was started in: (2008)
(i) Karnataka
(ii) Eastern India
(iii) Uttarakhand
(iv) Kerala
Answer:
(iii) Uttarakhand
Question 9.
First of all the use of C.N.G. in India was started in: (2009, 12)
(i) Mumbai
(ii) Delhi
(iii) Kolkata
(iv) Chennai
Answer:
(ii) Delhi
Question 10.
In modern agriculture encouragement is given to: (2016)
(i) Organic farming
(ii) Use of biofertilizers
(iii) Use of biological pest control
(iv) All the above
Answer:
(iv) All the above
Question 11.
Last stage of Environmental Impact Assessment is:
(i) Comprehensive Environmental Assessment
(ii) Study of critical aspects
(iii) Rapid Environment Assessment
(iv) Risk analysis
Answer:
(i) Comprehensive Environmental Assessment
Question 12.
In India Environmental Impact Assessment is the responsibility of:
(i) Ministry of Environment and Forest
(ii) Ministry of Defence
(iii) Ministry of Tourism and Urban
(iv) Ministry of Agriculture
Answer:
(i) Ministry of Environment and Forest
Fill in the Blanks
Question 1.
The Chipko movement was started in …………..
Answer:
1974
Question 2.
The term ‘acid rain’ was first coined in the year …………..
Answer:
1873
Question 3.
Acid rain destroys the ………….. covering of the earth.
Answer:
Green
Question 4.
…………..of total area of world is covered by forest. (2015)
Answer:
30 percent
Question 5.
First of all the ozone hole was observed in the ………….. region in 1985. (2009)
Answer:
Antarctica
Match the Columns
| A |
B |
| 1. Beginning or Chipko Movement (2008, 15) |
(a) Rio-de-Janeiro |
| 2. Unit of noise (2016) |
(b) Absorbs the ultraviolet rays/C. F. C. |
| 3. C. N. G. (2008, 09) |
(c) Uttarakhand 1974 |
| 4. The city having highest intensity or noise (2010, 13) |
(d) In Delhi/Less polluting energy resource (2011) |
| 5. Ozone layer (2009) |
(e) Decibel |
| 6. Radioactive substances (2011) |
(f) Skin Cancer |
Answers:
1. (c)
2. (e)
3. (d)
4. (a)
5. (b)
6. (f)
True/False
Question 1.
The Kuntipooja river flows from the centre of the Silent Valley. (2009)
Answer:
True
Question 2.
71% of the earth is landmass and 29% is covered with water.
Answer:
False
Question 3.
30% of the total land area of the world is covered by forests.
Answer:
True
Question 4.
In India first of all C. N. G. was used in Delhi. (2009)
Answer:
True
Question 5.
In the year 1994 the Rajeev Gandhi Water Storage Mission was started to eliminate the problems of drought and deforestation.
Answer:
True
Answer in One Word/Sentence
Question 1.
Any physical thing or matter, which is valuable to man. (2008)
Answer:
Resource.
Question 2.
Where was the ozone hole observed first time in 1985? (2014, 17)
Answer:
Antarctica.
Question 3.
How many decibels of noise level causes nervous disorder in humans?
Answer:
140 decibels.
Question 4.
Organisms which bring about enrichment of soil nutrients. (2008)
Answer:
Bio-fertilizers.
Question 5.
When did the Rajeev Gandhi Water Storage Mission start?
Answer:
In 1994.
Question 6.
Name a cheap, good and less polluting energy resource which is valuable for vehicles.
Answer:
C. N. G. (Compressed Natural Gas).
MP Board Class 9th Social Science Important Questions
