A. Previous Year Very Short Type Questions (MCQs – 1 Mark)

Q.1 The land portion of the earth’s surface accounts for — [HSLC 2010]
(i) 71%
(ii) 39%
(iii) 19%
(iv) 29%

Answer: (iv) 29%

Q.2 Evergreen forest occurs in — [HSLC 2011, 2012]
(i) Tundra region
(ii) Mediterranean region
(iii) Desert region
(iv) Equatorial region

Answer: (iv) Equatorial region

Q.3 The proportion of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is — [HSLC 2014]
(i) 0.035%
(ii) 0.350%
(iii) 0.0035%
(iv) 3.035%

Answer: (i) 0.035%

Q.4 The thickness of the atmospheric layer from the earth’s surface is — [HSLC 2016]
(i) 380 km
(ii) 480 km
(iii) 640 km
(iv) 580 km

Answer: (ii) 480 km

Q.5 The earth’s surface covered by land is — [HSLC 2016]
(i) 149 million sq. km
(ii) 249 million sq. km
(iii) 491 million sq. km
(iv) 914 million sq. km

Answer: (i) 149 million sq. km

Q.6 The greatest environmental problem faced by the world today is — [HSLC 2017]
(i) Deforestation
(ii) Forest fire
(iii) Volcanic eruption
(iv) Global warming

Answer: (iv) Global warming

Q.7 Which one of the following is not a greenhouse gas? — [HSLC 2019]
(i) Carbon dioxide
(ii) Sulphur dioxide
(iii) Methane
(iv) Nitrous oxide

Answer: (ii) Sulphur dioxide

Q.8 Which one of the following is a greenhouse gas? — [HSLC 2020]
(i) Ozone
(ii) Sulphur dioxide
(iii) Nitrogen dioxide
(iv) Water vapour

Answer: (iv) Water vapour

Q.9 Which type of forest is found along the coast? — [HSLC 2022]
(i) Mangrove
(ii) Rain forest
(iii) Coniferous forest
(iv) Deciduous forest

Answer: (i) Mangrove

Extra Short Type Questions (MCQs – 1 Mark)

Q.1 Environment consists of —
(i) Only living elements
(ii) Only non-living elements
(iii) Both living and non-living elements
(iv) Only human beings

Answer: (iii) Both living and non-living elements

Q.2 Biosphere is the zone of —
(i) Rocks only
(ii) Water only
(iii) Air only
(iv) Life

Answer: (iv) Life

Q.3 The gaseous envelope surrounding the earth is called —
(i) Lithosphere
(ii) Hydrosphere
(iii) Atmosphere
(iv) Biosphere

Answer: (iii) Atmosphere

Q.4 The water bodies of the earth form the —
(i) Lithosphere
(ii) Atmosphere
(iii) Hydrosphere
(iv) Biosphere

Answer: (iii) Hydrosphere

Q.5 The living components of environment are called —
(i) Abiotic
(ii) Biotic
(iii) Physical
(iv) Climatic

Answer: (ii) Biotic

Q.6 The non-living components of environment are called —
(i) Biotic
(ii) Organic
(iii) Abiotic
(iv) Human

Answer: (iii) Abiotic

Q.7 The main cause of global warming is —
(i) Increase of greenhouse gases
(ii) Volcanic eruption
(iii) Earthquake
(iv) Soil erosion

Answer: (i) Increase of greenhouse gases

Q.8 Acid rain is mainly caused by —
(i) Carbon monoxide
(ii) Nitrogen and sulphur dioxide
(iii) Oxygen
(iv) Hydrogen

Answer: (ii) Nitrogen and sulphur dioxide

Q.9 Deforestation leads to —
(i) Increase in rainfall
(ii) Soil erosion
(iii) Increase in forest cover
(iv) Stable climate

Answer: (ii) Soil erosion

Q.10 Air pollution mainly affects —
(i) Lithosphere
(ii) Hydrosphere
(iii) Atmosphere
(iv) Biosphere

Answer: (iii) Atmosphere

Q.11 The solid outer layer of the earth is called —
(i) Atmosphere
(ii) Hydrosphere
(iii) Biosphere
(iv) Lithosphere

Answer: (iv) Lithosphere

Q.12 The zone where land, water and air interact is called —
(i) Atmosphere
(ii) Hydrosphere
(iii) Lithosphere
(iv) Biosphere

Answer: (iv) Biosphere

Q.13 Which gas is mainly responsible for global warming?
(i) Oxygen
(ii) Nitrogen
(iii) Carbon dioxide
(iv) Hydrogen

Answer: (iii) Carbon dioxide

Q.14 The natural environment does not include —
(i) Air
(ii) Water
(iii) Soil
(iv) Factory

Answer: (iv) Factory

Q.15 Which one is a man-made element of environment?
(i) Mountain
(ii) River
(iii) Road
(iv) Forest

Answer: (iii) Road

Q.16 The main source of energy for the earth is —
(i) Coal
(ii) Petroleum
(iii) Solar energy
(iv) Electricity

Answer: (iii) Solar energy

Q.17 Increase in world population mainly causes —
(i) Environmental balance
(ii) Environmental degradation
(iii) Forest growth
(iv) Climate stability

Answer: (ii) Environmental degradation

Q.18 Which one of the following causes air pollution?
(i) Plantation
(ii) Rainfall
(iii) Industrial smoke
(iv) Forest

Answer: (iii) Industrial smoke

Q.19 Soil erosion is mainly caused by —
(i) Plantation
(ii) Deforestation
(iii) Irrigation
(iv) Rainwater harvesting

Answer: (ii) Deforestation

Q.20 Which sphere contains all living organisms?
(i) Lithosphere
(ii) Atmosphere
(iii) Hydrosphere
(iv) Biosphere

Answer: (iv) Biosphere

B. Very Short Type Questions (1 Mark)

Q.1 Up to what height in the atmosphere can life be found? [HSLC 2010]
Answer: Up to about 8 km height.

Q.2 Mention one non-living element of environment. [HSLC 2010]
Answer: Air.

Q.3 Define environment. [HSLC 2011]
Answer: Environment is the total surroundings of living and non-living elements which influence life.

Q.4In which natural region of the world evergreen forest is found? [HSLC 2012]
Answer: Equatorial region.

Q.5 What is fossil fuel? [HSLC 2013]
Answer: Fossil fuel is fuel formed from the remains of plants and animals over millions of years.

Q.6 What is greenhouse gas? [HSLC 2014]
Answer: Greenhouse gases are gases that trap heat in the earth’s atmosphere.

Q.7 Mention one cause of air pollution. [HSLC 2015]
Answer: Industrial smoke.

Q.8 What is the greatest environmental problem faced by the world today? [HSLC 2016]
Answer: Global warming.

Q.9 Write the definition of Environmental Geography. [HSLC 2017]
Answer: Environmental Geography is the branch of geography that studies the relationship between man and environment.

Q.10 What is biosphere? [HSLC 2018]
Answer: Biosphere is the zone of the earth where life exists.

Q.11 Give an example of fossil fuel. [HSLC 2020]
Answer: Coal.

Q.12 What is greenhouse effect? [HSLC 2014]
Answer: Greenhouse effect is the warming of the earth caused by trapping of heat by greenhouse gases.

Extra Very Short Type Questions (1 Mark)

Q.1 Name the gaseous envelope surrounding the earth.
Answer: Atmosphere.

Q.2 Name the solid outer layer of the earth.
Answer: Lithosphere.

Q.3 Name the water bodies of the earth collectively.
Answer: Hydrosphere.

Q.4 Name the zone where life exists on the earth.
Answer: Biosphere.

Q.5 What are the living components of environment called?
Answer: Biotic elements.

Q.6 What are the non-living components of environment called?
Answer: Abiotic elements.

Q.7 Name one biotic element of environment.
Answer: Plant.

Q.8 Name one abiotic element of environment.
Answer: Water.

Q.9 What is pollution?
Answer: Pollution is the contamination of environment by harmful substances.

Q.10 Name one cause of water pollution.
Answer: Industrial waste.

Q.11 Name one cause of air pollution.
Answer: Vehicular smoke.

Q.12 What is deforestation?
Answer: Large-scale cutting of trees is called deforestation.

Q.13 What is afforestation?
Answer: Planting of trees in non-forest areas is called afforestation.

Q.14 Name one greenhouse gas.
Answer: Carbon dioxide.

Q.15 What is global warming?
Answer: Gradual increase in the earth’s average temperature.

Q.16 Name one effect of global warming.
Answer: Melting of glaciers.

Q.17 Name one gas responsible for acid rain.
Answer: Sulphur dioxide.

Q.18 What is solar energy?
Answer: Energy received from the sun.

Q.19 Name one man-made element of environment.
Answer: Road.

Q.20 What is environmental balance?
Answer: Stable relationship between organisms and environment.

C. Previous Year Short Answer Type Questions (2–3 Marks)

Q.1 What do you mean by environment? [HSLC 2010, 2022]
Answer: Environment means the total surroundings of living and non-living elements such as air, water, land, plants, animals and human beings which influence life.

Q.2 Write the meaning of hydrological cycle. [HSLC 2010]
Answer: Hydrological cycle is the continuous process through which water circulates from the earth’s surface to the atmosphere and back to the earth.

Q.3 Define Environmental Geography. [HSLC 2010]
Answer: Environmental Geography is the branch of geography which studies the relationship between human beings and their natural environment.

Q.4 Write briefly about the scope of environmental geography. [HSLC 2010]
Answer: The scope of environmental geography includes the study of natural environment, human activities, environmental problems and their impacts on the earth.

Q.5 Mention three important man-made elements of environment. [HSLC 2010]
Answer: Roads, buildings and industries are three important man-made elements of environment.

Q.6 Write briefly about the role of solar energy on the environment. [HSLC 2010]
Answer: Solar energy controls climate, weather, water cycle and supports plant growth, thus playing a vital role in maintaining environmental balance.

Q.7 Mention three negative effects of deforestation. [HSLC 2010]
Answer: The three negative effects of deforestation are-

1. Soil erosion
2. Loss of wildlife
3. Climate change

Q.8 Mention two causes of air pollution. [HSLC 2011]
Answer: The two causes of air pollution are-

1. Industrial smoke
2. Vehicular exhaust

Q.9 Name two major crops of the Monsoon region. [HSLC 2012]
Answer: Rice and tea.

Q.10 Mention three effects of air pollution. [HSLC 2012]
Answer: The three effects of air pollution are –

1. Respiratory diseases
2. Acid rain
3. Global warming

Q.11 Name three grasslands of the world. [HSLC 2013]
Answer: Prairies, Steppes and Pampas.

Q.12 Name two gases that cause acid rain. [HSLC 2014]
Answer: Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide.

Q.13 What is “Greenhouse Effect”? [HSLC 2015]
Answer: Greenhouse effect is the warming of the earth’s atmosphere due to the trapping of heat by greenhouse gases.

Q.14 What are the two types of elements of environment? [HSLC 2016]
Answer: The two types of elements of environment are –

1. Biotic elements
2. Abiotic elements

Q.15 Write two natural factors of air pollution. [HSLC 2017]
Answer: Volcanic eruption and forest fire.

Q.16 Mention two causes of water pollution. [HSLC 2018]
Answer: The two causes of water pollution are-

1. Discharge of industrial waste
2. Domestic sewage

Q.17 Name two countries of the Mediterranean region. [HSLC 2019]
Answer: Italy and Spain.

Q.18 Mention three environmental problems faced by humanity. [HSLC 2019]
Answer: The three environmental problems faced by humanity are-

1. Global warming
2. Air pollution
3. Water pollution

Q.19 What do you mean by air pollution? [HSLC 2020]
Answer: Air pollution means the contamination of air by harmful gases, smoke and dust which are injurious to living beings.

Extra Short Answer Type Questions (2–3 Marks)

Q.1 What are the main components of environment?
Answer: The main components of environment are lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere.

Q.2 What is lithosphere?
Answer: Lithosphere is the solid outer layer of the earth which consists of rocks, soil and minerals.

Q.3 What is hydrosphere?
Answer: Hydrosphere includes all the water bodies of the earth such as rivers, oceans, lakes, seas and underground water.

Q.4 What is atmosphere?
Answer: Atmosphere is the gaseous envelope surrounding the earth which protects life and controls weather and climate.

Q.5 What is biosphere?
Answer: Biosphere is the narrow zone of the earth where land, water and air interact and where life exists.

Q.6 Mention two biotic elements of environment.
Answer: Plants and animals.

Q.7 Mention two abiotic elements of environment.
Answer: Air and water.

Q.8 What is environmental balance?
Answer: Environmental balance refers to the stable relationship between living organisms and their natural environment.

Q.9 What is deforestation?
Answer: Deforestation means large-scale cutting down of forests without adequate replantation.

Q.10 What is afforestation?
Answer: Afforestation means planting of trees in areas where there were no forests earlier.

Q.11 Write two causes of deforestation.
Answer: The two causes of deforestation are –

1. Expansion of agriculture
2. Industrialisation

Q.12 Write two effects of deforestation.
Answer: The two effects of deforestation are –

1. Soil erosion
2. Loss of biodiversity

Q.13 What is pollution?
Answer: Pollution is the contamination of environment by harmful substances which adversely affect living beings.

Q.14 Write two causes of soil pollution.
Answer: The two causes of soil pollution are- 

1. Excessive use of chemical fertilisers
2. Disposal of industrial waste

Q.15 What is global warming?
Answer: Global warming is the gradual increase in the earth’s average temperature due to excessive greenhouse gases.

Q.16 Write two causes of global warming.
Answer: The two causes of global warming are –

1. Increase of carbon dioxide
2. Burning of fossil fuels

Q.17 Write two effects of global warming.
Answer: The two effects of global warming are-

1. Melting of glaciers
2. Rise in sea level

Q.18 What is acid rain?
Answer: Acid rain is rainfall containing harmful acids formed by sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide.

Q.19 Write two measures to control air pollution.
Answer: The two measures to control air pollution are –

1. Use of cleaner fuels
2. Plantation of trees

Q.20 Write two measures to conserve environment.
Answer: The two measures to conserve environment are –

1. Afforestation
2. Proper management of natural resources