RBSE Solutions Class 8 Science Chapter 17 Environment

I. Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1. The biotic components of natural environment is
(a) Plants
(b) Mountains
(c) Fields
(d) Water
Answer: (a) Plants
In simple words: Living things like plants are part of the biotic environment. They are alive and grow.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember, biotic means "living" components, while abiotic means "non-living" components like soil, water, and air.

Question 2. What does the pollution in simple terms means?
(a) Uncontaminated environment
(b) Contaminated environment
(c) both (a) and (b)
(d) Nice environment
Answer: (b) Contaminated environment
In simple words: Pollution means when the environment gets dirty or harmful substances are added to it. This makes it unsafe or unhealthy.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pollution always refers to something harmful or unwanted being introduced into a natural system, making it less clean or safe.

Question 3. Which of the following is not included in the environmental friendly lifestyle?
(a) Limited use
(b) Controlled use
(c) Wise use
(d) Unlimited use
Answer: (d) Unlimited use
In simple words: An eco-friendly lifestyle means using things carefully and not wasting them. Using things without limits is not good for the environment.

🎯 Exam Tip: To live in an eco-friendly way, always think about the "3 Rs": Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle to conserve resources.

Question 4. When is the World Environment Day observed?
(a) 21 June
(b) 5 June
(c) 2 October
(d) 14 November
Answer: (b) 5 June
In simple words: World Environment Day is a special day each year, celebrated on June 5th, to encourage people to protect our planet. It raises awareness about environmental issues.

🎯 Exam Tip: Knowing important environmental dates like World Environment Day can help you understand global efforts to protect nature.

Question 2. Fill in the blanks.
Answer: The words to fill in the blanks are:
1. environment
2. earth, water, air, fire and sky
3. wind, water and soil
4. decreased
In simple words: These words complete sentences about the environment, covering what makes it up and changes that can happen to it.

🎯 Exam Tip: For fill-in-the-blanks, always consider the context of the sentence to choose the most appropriate and accurate word.

Environment Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1. Write the types of environment.
Answer: The environment can be mainly classified into two types:
1. Social environment
2. Natural Environment
The natural environment includes living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) parts, while the social environment focuses on human society.
In simple words: There are two main kinds of environment: the social one (how people live together) and the natural one (everything around us, like plants, animals, land, and air).

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly defining both social and natural environments helps categorize the various influences on human life and ecosystems.

Question 2. What is pollution? Write its types.
Answer: Environmental pollution happens when unwanted changes occur in environmental components. Simply put, pollution means a contaminated environment. Pollution harms living things and natural resources.
Some types of pollution are as follows:
1. Water pollution
2. Air pollution
3. Soil pollution
4. Noise pollution
5. Heat pollution
6. Radioactive or nuclear pollution
7. Social pollution
In simple words: Pollution is when our surroundings get dirty or harmful things are added to them. There are many kinds, like when water, air, or soil get spoiled.

🎯 Exam Tip: When listing types of pollution, remember to include common ones like air and water, and also specific ones like noise or heat pollution.

Question 4. At what levels efforts can be made to protect the environment? Mention.
Answer: We should pledge for environmental conservation. This includes planting trees on special occasions like birthdays, festivals, or even on a death day. Protecting the environment requires effort from everyone.
Different levels of environmental conservation include:
(a) Individual
(b) Family
(c) Public
(d) Official (Working place)
(e) School
(f) Administrative level
In simple words: Everyone can help protect the environment, from single persons and families to schools and governments. We can all plant trees and take care of nature.

🎯 Exam Tip: When discussing environmental protection, it's important to mention that actions are needed at all levels, from personal habits to official policies.

Environment Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1. Explain the Indian perspective for environment and its conservation?
Answer: In Indian culture and traditions, environmental components are highly respected. For example, cutting green trees is considered a sin, and plants are watered after a bath. The Sun, which is a major energy source, is also worshipped. Humans have a strong connection with nature. Our ancient teachers stated, "Yat Pinde Tat Brahmande," meaning what is in the body is also found in nature. The main components of the environment—Earth (Prithvi), Water (Jal), Air (Vayu), Fire (Agni), and Sky (Aakash)—also make up our bodies. By preserving these five elements, we can secure our lives. We often refer to Earth as our mother. This holistic view helps maintain balance in nature.
Additionally, traditional methods help preserve grains without harming the environment, like using dry neem leaves. All living beings are given importance. We show kindness to all creatures through practices like worshipping snakes on Nagpanchmi, cows and calves on BachhBaras, offering kheer to crows during Shradh Paksh, giving Atta Powder to ants, and providing food (dana) to birds. Making different dishes on festivals also shows care towards all living beings.
In simple words: In India, people respect nature deeply; they worship trees, the sun, and see the five elements of nature as part of themselves. They also show kindness to all animals and preserve food naturally without harm.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on key cultural examples like tree worship, the 'Panchbhuta' (five elements) concept, and specific acts of kindness towards animals to illustrate the Indian perspective on environmental conservation.

Environment Additional Questions Solved

I. Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1. Abiotic factors of environment are:
(a) Environment
(b) Community
(c) Population
(d) Ecosystem
Answer: (d) Ecosystem
In simple words: Abiotic factors are non-living parts of an ecosystem, like water, soil, and sunlight. The ecosystem includes both living and non-living things working together.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that abiotic factors are non-living physical and chemical elements, such as sunlight, temperature, water, and soil, that affect living organisms.

Question 3. What is common to the habitat and the environment?
(a) biotic factors
(b) abiotic components
(c) Both biotic and abiotic components
(d) None of the options
Answer: (c) Both biotic and abiotic components
In simple words: Both a habitat (a place where an organism lives) and the wider environment include living things (biotic) and non-living things (abiotic). They both need both kinds of factors to exist.

🎯 Exam Tip: A habitat is a specific area, while the environment is a broader term encompassing all surrounding factors; both consist of living and non-living elements.

Question 4. A plant grown in environment is related to:
(a) Other plants of area
(b) Soil of area
(c) Presence of light
(d) All of the options
Answer: (d) All of the options
In simple words: A plant needs other plants, good soil, and sunlight to grow well in its environment. All these things are connected and important for its life.

🎯 Exam Tip: Plants interact with all aspects of their environment, including other organisms, soil nutrients, and energy sources like light, which are crucial for their survival.

Question 5. Which of the following is an abiotic components of ecosystem:
(a) Bacteria
(b) Plants
(c) Humus
(d) Fungi
Answer: (c) Humus
In simple words: Humus is dead organic material in soil, making it a non-living part of the ecosystem. Bacteria, plants, and fungi are all living things.

🎯 Exam Tip: Abiotic components are non-living chemical and physical parts of the environment that affect living organisms and the functioning of ecosystems.

Question 6. Which of these is biotic component of the environment?
(a) Water
(b) Sunlight
(c) Human being
(d) Air
Answer: (c) Human being
In simple words: Biotic means living. Humans are living beings, so they are a biotic part of the environment. Water, sunlight, and air are non-living.

🎯 Exam Tip: Differentiate between biotic (living organisms) and abiotic (non-living physical factors) to correctly identify components of an ecosystem.

Question 8. What is not related to social environment?
(a) Goodwill
(b) Brotherhood
(c) Patients
(d) Negative thinking
Answer: (d) Negative thinking
In simple words: Goodwill, brotherhood, and helping patients are all parts of how people act in a social environment. Negative thinking is a personal mindset, not a part of the social structure itself.

🎯 Exam Tip: The social environment refers to the collective behaviors, interactions, and cultural aspects of human society, not individual psychological states.

Question 9. In which district of Rajasthan is Piplantri village situated?
(a) Udaipur
(b) Rajsamand
(c) Bhilwara
(d) Ajmer
Answer: (b) Rajsamand
In simple words: Piplantri village, known for its unique tradition of planting trees when a girl child is born, is located in the Rajsamand district of Rajasthan. This tradition promotes environmental and social well-being.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remembering key geographical locations associated with environmental conservation efforts, like Piplantri, can add specific examples to your answers.

Question 10. Earth day is celebrated on?
(a) 5th June
(b) 22nd April
(c) 22nd June
(d) 23rd September
Answer: (b) 22nd April
In simple words: Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22nd to raise awareness and appreciation for the Earth's natural environment. It's a day for action to protect our planet.

🎯 Exam Tip: Do not confuse Earth Day (April 22) with World Environment Day (June 5); both are important but distinct observances.

Question 2. Which trees are worshipped by humans?
Answer: Many trees are worshipped by humans, showing their connection to nature. Examples include Peepal tree, Banyan Tree, Amla, and Tulsi. These trees are often considered sacred in various cultures. The Peepal tree, in particular, is revered for its long life and spiritual significance.
In simple words: People worship trees like Peepal, Banyan, Amla, and Tulsi. They are seen as holy and important in many traditions.

🎯 Exam Tip: When listing worshipped trees, try to include a few common examples that are widely recognized for their cultural or spiritual importance.

Question 3. When is World Environment Day celebrated?
Answer: World Environment Day is celebrated on June 5th each year. This day helps to raise global awareness and action for environmental protection. It's a time for people around the world to come together and focus on important environmental issues.
In simple words: World Environment Day is celebrated on June 5th every year to remind us to protect our planet.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always remember the specific date (June 5th) for World Environment Day, as it is a globally recognized event for environmental advocacy.

Question 4. Which ingredients are helpful in purifying the environment?
Answer: The Mantras and Hawan ingredients used during Hawan and Yagya are traditionally believed to help purify the environment. These rituals are thought to cleanse the air and create a positive atmosphere. Burning specific herbs and offerings during these ceremonies is part of ancient practices for purification.
In simple words: Mantras and special ingredients used in traditional Hawan and Yagya ceremonies are thought to help clean the air and make the environment pure.

🎯 Exam Tip: Mentioning traditional practices like Hawan and Yagya with their specific components demonstrates a cultural understanding of environmental purification.

Environment Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1. What is the difference between abiotic and biotic components?
Answer: The main differences between abiotic and biotic components are:

• The abiotic components of the environment are non-living things like air, water, soil, light, and temperature. They provide the physical and chemical conditions necessary for life.
• The biotic components of the environment are all living things, including plants, animals (like human beings), and micro-organisms. They interact with each other and with the abiotic components.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly state that biotic components are living and abiotic are non-living, and provide a few examples for each to illustrate the difference.

Question 2. How do we follow lifestyle to save the environment?
Answer: To save the environment, we can adopt the following lifestyle practices:
1. We should use natural resources in a controlled and wise manner, keeping in mind the needs of future generations. This ensures that resources are not depleted too quickly.
2. We should use biodegradable things as much as possible. These items break down naturally and do not harm the environment.
3. We should re-cycle things after use to keep the environment safe. Recycling helps reduce waste and conserve raw materials.
In simple words: We can save the environment by using natural resources carefully, choosing things that break down easily, and recycling what we use.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on practical actions like conserving resources, using biodegradable products, and recycling to demonstrate a clear understanding of an eco-friendly lifestyle.

Environment Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1. What is the soil pollution? How does it caused?
Answer: Soil pollution happens when useful components are removed from the soil and harmful substances are added, such as fertilizers and pesticides. These additions negatively affect the soil's fertility and kill various organisms living in it. In simpler terms, soil pollution means the soil becomes contaminated or unclean. This can make the land unsuitable for growing crops or supporting life.
Causes of soil pollution:
Soil pollution is primarily caused by solid wastes and chemicals. Large heaps of slag from mining operations also spoil the beauty of mining sites and contribute to pollution. Major sources of soil pollution include industries like earth and paper mills, sugar mills, oil refineries, power plants, chemical and fertilizer manufacturing units, and iron and steel plants. Plastic and rubber industries also contribute significantly. Most industrial furnaces and thermal power stations produce fly ash, a grey powdery residue of unburnt material, which causes pollution. Our domestic waste also includes a large amount of solid waste, such as food scraps, vegetable remains, packing materials, cans, rags, papers, cinders, ash, broken gadgets, wood, metals, plastics, polythene bags, ceramics, glass, aluminium, rubber, leather, construction rubble (bricks, sand), and other junk materials. These all contribute to polluting the soil.
In simple words: Soil pollution is when dirt becomes harmful due to bad chemicals or waste, making it unhealthy for plants and animals. It happens because of trash, factory waste, and too many pesticides.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining soil pollution, remember to define it clearly, list common causes like chemicals and industrial waste, and provide examples of harmful materials.