| Reference Book | Ratna Sagar Integrated Social Science |
| Class | Class 7 |
| Category | Geography |
| Chapter Number | Chapter 1 |
| Chapter Name | Our Environment |
A) Tick (✓) the correct answers.
1) The word environment has been derived from which language?
a) Italian
b) French ✓
c) Spanish
d) English
2) Which of the following is not a part of the human-made environment?
a) Land ✓
b) Industry
c) Village
d) Transport
3) Which of the following is not a biotic component of the environment?
a) Water ✓
b) Plants
c) Animals
d) Humans
4) Which of the following is not a component of the abiotic environment?
a) Plants ✓
b) Air
c) Soil
d) Mountains
5) The ‘Earth Day’ is celebrated throughout the world on
a) 31 March
b) 22 April ✓
c) 22 July
d) 1 January
6) The atmosphere is held to the Earth by the force of
a) attraction
b) deflection
c) gravity ✓
d) movement
7) Which of the following is a natural ecosystem?
a) school
b) Pond ✓
c) paddy field
d) Textile mill
8) The Chipko Movement was started in
a) Madhya Pradesh
b) Gujarat
c) Uttarakhand ✓
d) Chhattisgarh
B) Fill in the blanks
1) The average thickness of the lithosphere is about 100 Km
2) Freshwater is made available on land through the process of water cycle.
3) The word biosphere comes from a Greek word ‘bios’ meaning life.
4) The greatest danger to the environment is from humans.
C) Write three examples of each of the following.
1) Biotic components – Animals, plants, micro-organism
2) Abiotic components -Land, air, water
3) Ecosystems – Aquatic, Tropical, Desert
4) Primary Activities – Farming, hunting, mining
D) Explain the following terms.
1) Environment – Environment means the place, people, things and nature that surround any living organism. It is a combination of natural and human-made phenomena. While the natural environment refers to both biotic and abiotic conditions existing on the earth, human-environment reveals the activities, creations and interactions among human beings
2) Lithosphere – The solid crust or the hard top layer of the earth that is made up of rocks and minerals and with a thin layer of soil. Eg: mountains, plateaus, highlands, etc.
3) Biosphere – Biosphere or the living world is the narrow zone of earth where land, water and air interact with each other to support life. The plant and animal kingdoms together form the biosphere.
4) Ecosystem – The system formed by the interaction of all living organisms with each other and with the physical and chemical factors of the environment in which they live, all linked by the transfer of energy and material, is called an ecosystem.
5) Urbanization – Urbanization refers to the population shift from rural areas to urban areas, the gradual increase in the proportion of people living in urban areas, and the ways in which each society adapts to this change. It is predominantly the process by which towns and cities are formed and become larger as more people begin living and working in central areas.
6) Pollution – Environmental pollution is the result of unplanned and unwise use of technology. The whole world is facing problems due to technological and scientific development on one hand and overpopulation, urbanization and industrialisation on the others.
E) Give short answers for the following questions.
Que 1) What is the importance of ecosystem?
Ans Ecosystem provides habitat to wild plants and animals.This is a system through which all organism interact with each other and also with their physical environment. A typical pond ecosystem contains fish, frog, algae, water lilies and other species that live in and around the pond.
Que 2) Why did the Chipko Movement take place?
Ans In 1973, the villagers in the Alaknanda river valley of Uttrakhand protested against the indiscriminate cutting down of trees. They did so by hugging the trees in order to save them from being cut down. This movement is called as Chipko movement.
Que 3) What are the reasons for environmental pollution?
Ans The whole world is facing problems due to technological and scientific development on one hand and overpopulation, urbanization and industrialisation on the others. Environmental pollution is the result of unplanned and unwise use of technology.
Que 4) How can natural environment be managed properly?
Ans We can manage environment by exhausting nature according to our need and by following 3R- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle to avoid over exploitation of nature. A perfect balance is needed between the natural and human environment. A number of organizations with the help of scientists, technologists and planners are working to solve the environmental problems facing the world.
Give long answers for the following questions
Que 1) Explain the relationship between geography and environment.
Ans Geography refers to the physical and natural features of the earth’s surface, including landforms, water bodies, climate, vegetation, and wildlife. On the other hand, the environment refers to the natural and human-made surroundings that have an impact on living organisms and their survival. Geography and environment are closely interconnected, with geography shaping the natural environment and influencing human interactions with it.
Geographical condition determines the Environmental factors of any place, such as- air pressure, Temperature, Rainfall, Humidity, etc. Geographical Position on the surface of earth also affects the climate of the place which depends upon heat zones.
Geography plays a crucial role in determining the availability and distribution of natural resources such as minerals, water, and fertile land. Regions with abundant natural resources such as forests, rivers, and fertile soils tend to attract human settlements and economic activities.
Geography also influences the climate and weather patterns of a region, which, in turn, affect the natural environment and the ability of living organisms to adapt to their surroundings.
Que 2) Describe the main features of natural and human-made environment.
Ans Natural environment is diverse and has different types of landforms, water bodies, climates, vegetation and wildlife. It is dynamic and changes over time due to natural processes like erosion, weathering, volcanism, etc. It is interdependent and has various interactions and relationships among its components, like the water cycle, the carbon cycle, the food chain, etc.
It is essential for the survival and well-being of all living organisms as it provides them with resources and services, like food, water, oxygen, shelter, etc. It includes biotic and abiotic components.
The human made environment has elements such as agriculture, industries, settlements, means of transport are created by human beings.Therefore it is called human-made environment.It is artificialand has been modified or constructed by human beings according to their needs and preferences, like houses, factories, schools, etc. It is influenced by various factors like culture, technology, economy, politics, etc. that shape the human activities and decisions. It is variable and has different levels of development and quality in different places and regions, like urban and rural areas, developed and developing countries, etc. It is impactful on the natural environment and can have positive or negative effects on it, like conservation or pollution, restoration or degradation, etc.
Que 3) How have human needs undergone changes with the passage of time and technological development?
Ans Early humans adjusted themselves with the surroundings in which they lived. Most of their needs were fulfilled from the environmental resources. With time, the quality and quantity of human needs changed. They started developing techniques and new ways to use the environment.
In the past, humans settled in the fertile plains of the river valleys to cultivate land. They domesticated animals and learnt to use fire for warmth and protection. The invention of the wheel, surplus food production and exchange of surplus goods with others helped them to progress.
Gradually, humans started processing various raw materials to meet their needs. The Industrial Revolution in Europe enabled large-scale production of goods. The means of transport and communication improved and the world became a family. Thus, many changes took place in our environment, which were mostly due to natural processes and human activities.
Que 4) What are the problems faced by the world today? How can we solve these problems?
Ans Today the world is facing various problems due to technological and scientific development on one hand and overpopulation, urbanization and industrialisation on the others. Environmental pollution is the result of unplanned and unwise use of technology. A perfect balance is needed between the natural and human environment. A number of organizations with the help of scientists, technologists and planners are working to solve the environmental problems facing the world.
HOTS
Que 1) Why do you think the Earth is home to human beings and other organism ?
Ans The Earth is the home of human beings as it provides favourable living conditions which constitute our environment. It provides us with the air we breathe, water we drink, food we eat and land where we live.
Que 2) Why is the Lithosphere very important for the progress of human beings?
Ans The rocky outermost layer of the Earth is called the Lithosphere. It includes the crust and upper part of the mantle.
It is important because
a) It provides land for building houses, roads, factories and for agriculture.
b) It is an important source of minerals and power sources.
c) It provides us forests, grassland for grazing, land for agriculture and human settlements
Que 3) The Earth would have been a barren planet without the atmosphere. Do you agree with this statement. Why?
Ans Yes, I agree with this statement that The Earth would have been a barren planet without the atmosphere. The envelope of air that surrounds the Earth is called atmosphere.
1) The atmosphere protects the earth from harmful radiation from the sun.
2) The atmosphere regulates the temperature of the earth by trapping some of the heat from the sun and preventing it from escaping into space. This creates a suitable climate for living beings.
3) The atmosphere provides oxygen for respiration, carbon dioxide for photosynthesis, water vapour for precipitation, and nitrogen for plant growth. These are essential for the survival and growth of plants and animals.
4) It controls the extremes temperature during day and night.
Que 4) Why do plants and animals depend on each other?
Ans Plants make their own food by using sunlight, water and carbon dioxide through a process called photosynthesis. They release oxygen as a by-product of this process. Animals use this oxygen for breathing and releasing energy. They also eat plants or other animals that eat plants for getting nutrients.
Animals provide carbon dioxide and fertilizers for plants. Animals breathe out carbon dioxide as a waste product of respiration. Plants use this carbon dioxide for making food through photosynthesis. Animals also produce waste materials like urine and feces that contain nitrogen and other minerals. These waste materials act as natural fertilizers for plants and enrich the soil.
Plants and animals help in pollination and seed dispersal for each other. Some animals like bees, butterflies, birds, etc. help in pollination by carrying pollen grains from one flower to another. Some animals like squirrels, monkeys, birds, etc. help in seed dispersal by eating fruits and dropping seeds in different places.
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