EVS Question Bank - 10 Mark Answers
Q1. Define an ecosystem. Explain its structure and types with examples.
An ecosystem is a community of living organisms interacting with each other and their non-living environment,
functioning as a unit. Structure: - Biotic Components: Producers (plants), consumers (animals), decomposers
(fungi, bacteria). - Abiotic Components: Sunlight, water, air, soil, temperature. Types: 1. Terrestrial Ecosystem:
Forests (e.g., Amazon rainforest), grasslands (e.g., African savanna). 2. Aquatic Ecosystem: Freshwater (e.g.,
lakes, rivers like the Ganges) and marine (e.g., coral reefs). 3. Artificial Ecosystem: Croplands, aquariums.
These components interact to maintain energy flow and nutrient cycling, ensuring ecosystem stability.
Q2. Describe the various types of pollution. How do they impact the environment and human health?
Types of Pollution: 1. Air Pollution: Caused by vehicle emissions, industrial smoke. Impacts: Respiratory
diseases (asthma), global warming. 2. Water Pollution: From sewage, industrial waste. Impacts: Contaminated
drinking water, aquatic life death. 3. Soil Pollution: Due to pesticides, plastic waste. Impacts: Reduced soil
fertility, food chain contamination. 4. Noise Pollution: From traffic, industries. Impacts: Hearing loss, stress,
wildlife disturbance. 5. Thermal Pollution: From industrial discharge into water. Impacts: Disrupts aquatic
ecosystems, reduces oxygen levels. Environmental Impact: Ecosystem imbalance, biodiversity loss, climate
change. Human Health Impact: Diseases (cancer, infections), reduced life expectancy, mental health issues.
Q3. Explain the role of forests in the ecosystem. Discuss the consequences of deforestation.
Role of Forests: 1. Carbon Sequestration: Absorb CO■, mitigate climate change. 2. Biodiversity: Habitat for
diverse species (e.g., tigers, birds). 3. Water Cycle: Regulate rainfall, prevent soil erosion. 4. Resources:
Provide timber, medicines, food. 5. Soil Conservation: Roots bind soil, prevent degradation. Consequences of
Deforestation: 1. Climate Change: Increased CO■ levels, global warming. 2. Biodiversity Loss: Extinction of
species (e.g., orangutans). 3. Soil Erosion: Landslides, reduced fertility. 4. Disrupted Water Cycle: Droughts,
flooding. 5. Livelihood Loss: Impacts indigenous communities.
Q4. Describe the water cycle with a neat diagram. Explain its significance to life on Earth.
Water Cycle Description: The continuous movement of water through evaporation, condensation, precipitation,
and infiltration. - Evaporation: Water from oceans, rivers turns into vapor. - Condensation: Vapor forms clouds. -
Precipitation: Rain, snow falls to Earth. - Infiltration/Runoff: Water enters soil or flows into water bodies. Diagram
(Text-Based): [Sun] → Evaporation (Oceans, Lakes) → [Clouds] (Condensation) → Precipitation (Rain/Snow)
→ [Rivers/Soil] (Infiltration/Runoff) → [Oceans] Significance: 1. Provides freshwater for drinking, agriculture. 2.
Regulates climate by distributing heat. 3. Supports ecosystems (e.g., wetlands, forests). 4. Replenishes
groundwater, sustains rivers.
Q5. What is soil erosion? Discuss its causes, effects, and preventive measures in detail.
Soil Erosion: The removal of topsoil by wind, water, or human activity. Causes: 1. Deforestation: Removes root
systems. 2. Overgrazing: Destroys vegetation cover. 3. Improper Farming: Practices like monoculture. 4. Heavy
Rainfall/Wind: Washes or blows away soil. 5. Construction: Clears land, exposes soil. Effects: 1. Reduced soil
fertility, lower crop yields. 2. Desertification, loss of arable land. 3. Water pollution from sediment runoff. 4.
Landslides, ecosystem disruption. Preventive Measures: 1. Afforestation: Planting trees to stabilize soil. 2.
Contour Plowing: Reduces runoff on slopes. 3. Crop Rotation: Maintains soil nutrients. 4. Terracing: Prevents
water runoff. 5. Windbreaks: Trees to block wind.
Q6. Discuss climate change in detail. What are its causes and how can it be controlled?
Climate Change: Long-term alteration in global weather patterns, primarily due to human activity. Causes: 1.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions: CO■, methane from burning fossil fuels, deforestation. 2. Industrial Activities:
Factories, transportation. 3. Agriculture: Livestock methane, fertilizer use. 4. Deforestation: Reduces carbon
sinks. 5. Waste Management: Landfill methane emissions. Effects: Rising temperatures, melting ice caps,
extreme weather (hurricanes, droughts), sea-level rise. Control Measures: 1. Renewable Energy: Solar, wind to
reduce fossil fuel use. 2. Reforestation: Increase carbon absorption. 3. Energy Efficiency: Use LED lights,
efficient appliances. 4. Policy Measures: Carbon taxes, Paris Agreement. 5. Public Awareness: Promote
sustainable lifestyles.
Q1. Define an ecosystem. Explain its structure and types with examples.
An ecosystem is a community of living organisms interacting with each other and their non-living environment,
functioning as a unit. Structure: - Biotic Components: Producers (plants), consumers (animals), decomposers
(fungi, bacteria). - Abiotic Components: Sunlight, water, air, soil, temperature. Types: 1. Terrestrial Ecosystem:
Forests (e.g., Amazon rainforest), grasslands (e.g., African savanna). 2. Aquatic Ecosystem: Freshwater (e.g.,
lakes, rivers like the Ganges) and marine (e.g., coral reefs). 3. Artificial Ecosystem: Croplands, aquariums.
These components interact to maintain energy flow and nutrient cycling, ensuring ecosystem stability.
Q2. Describe the various types of pollution. How do they impact the environment and human health?
Types of Pollution: 1. Air Pollution: Caused by vehicle emissions, industrial smoke. Impacts: Respiratory
diseases (asthma), global warming. 2. Water Pollution: From sewage, industrial waste. Impacts: Contaminated
drinking water, aquatic life death. 3. Soil Pollution: Due to pesticides, plastic waste. Impacts: Reduced soil
fertility, food chain contamination. 4. Noise Pollution: From traffic, industries. Impacts: Hearing loss, stress,
wildlife disturbance. 5. Thermal Pollution: From industrial discharge into water. Impacts: Disrupts aquatic
ecosystems, reduces oxygen levels. Environmental Impact: Ecosystem imbalance, biodiversity loss, climate
change. Human Health Impact: Diseases (cancer, infections), reduced life expectancy, mental health issues.
Q3. Explain the role of forests in the ecosystem. Discuss the consequences of deforestation.
Role of Forests: 1. Carbon Sequestration: Absorb CO■, mitigate climate change. 2. Biodiversity: Habitat for
diverse species (e.g., tigers, birds). 3. Water Cycle: Regulate rainfall, prevent soil erosion. 4. Resources:
Provide timber, medicines, food. 5. Soil Conservation: Roots bind soil, prevent degradation. Consequences of
Deforestation: 1. Climate Change: Increased CO■ levels, global warming. 2. Biodiversity Loss: Extinction of
species (e.g., orangutans). 3. Soil Erosion: Landslides, reduced fertility. 4. Disrupted Water Cycle: Droughts,
flooding. 5. Livelihood Loss: Impacts indigenous communities.
Q4. Describe the water cycle with a neat diagram. Explain its significance to life on Earth.
Water Cycle Description: The continuous movement of water through evaporation, condensation, precipitation,
and infiltration. - Evaporation: Water from oceans, rivers turns into vapor. - Condensation: Vapor forms clouds. -
Precipitation: Rain, snow falls to Earth. - Infiltration/Runoff: Water enters soil or flows into water bodies. Diagram
(Text-Based): [Sun] → Evaporation (Oceans, Lakes) → [Clouds] (Condensation) → Precipitation (Rain/Snow)
→ [Rivers/Soil] (Infiltration/Runoff) → [Oceans] Significance: 1. Provides freshwater for drinking, agriculture. 2.
Regulates climate by distributing heat. 3. Supports ecosystems (e.g., wetlands, forests). 4. Replenishes
groundwater, sustains rivers.
Q5. What is soil erosion? Discuss its causes, effects, and preventive measures in detail.
Soil Erosion: The removal of topsoil by wind, water, or human activity. Causes: 1. Deforestation: Removes root
systems. 2. Overgrazing: Destroys vegetation cover. 3. Improper Farming: Practices like monoculture. 4. Heavy
Rainfall/Wind: Washes or blows away soil. 5. Construction: Clears land, exposes soil. Effects: 1. Reduced soil
fertility, lower crop yields. 2. Desertification, loss of arable land. 3. Water pollution from sediment runoff. 4.
Landslides, ecosystem disruption. Preventive Measures: 1. Afforestation: Planting trees to stabilize soil. 2.
Contour Plowing: Reduces runoff on slopes. 3. Crop Rotation: Maintains soil nutrients. 4. Terracing: Prevents
water runoff. 5. Windbreaks: Trees to block wind.
Q6. Discuss climate change in detail. What are its causes and how can it be controlled?
Climate Change: Long-term alteration in global weather patterns, primarily due to human activity. Causes: 1.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions: CO■, methane from burning fossil fuels, deforestation. 2. Industrial Activities:
Factories, transportation. 3. Agriculture: Livestock methane, fertilizer use. 4. Deforestation: Reduces carbon
sinks. 5. Waste Management: Landfill methane emissions. Effects: Rising temperatures, melting ice caps,
extreme weather (hurricanes, droughts), sea-level rise. Control Measures: 1. Renewable Energy: Solar, wind to
reduce fossil fuel use. 2. Reforestation: Increase carbon absorption. 3. Energy Efficiency: Use LED lights,
efficient appliances. 4. Policy Measures: Carbon taxes, Paris Agreement. 5. Public Awareness: Promote
sustainable lifestyles.
