Here are 20 long-answer questions from the "Environment" chapter of Class 7 CBSE Geography, each with 5 to 6 points as answers.
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1. What is the environment? Explain its components.
Answer:
Environment refers to everything that surrounds us, including both natural and human-made components. Its components are:
1. Natural Environment – Includes land, water, air, plants, and animals.
2. Biotic Components – Living things like humans, animals, and plants.
3. Abiotic Components – Non-living things like land, water, air, and climate.
4. Human Environment – Man-made surroundings like buildings, roads, industries, and technology.
5. Interaction – These components interact with each other, forming an ecosystem.
6. Changes in the Environment – Natural factors (earthquakes, floods) and human activities (deforestation, pollution) influence the environment.
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2. Explain the different types of environments with examples.
Answer:
The environment can be classified into three main types:
1. Natural Environment – Includes physical and biological elements like mountains, rivers, forests, and wildlife.
2. Human Environment – Includes human-made structures such as cities, roads, buildings, and industries.
3. Physical Environment – Includes landforms, climate, and water bodies, which affect human life.
4. Social Environment – Consists of traditions, culture, and lifestyles of different societies.
5. Biotic and Abiotic Environments – Living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components coexist and interact.
6. Examples – A forest is a natural environment, while a city is a human environment.
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3. What is the lithosphere? Describe its importance.
Answer:
The lithosphere is the solid outer layer of the Earth, consisting of rocks and soil. Its importance is:
1. Foundation for Life – Provides land for human settlements, agriculture, and industries.
2. Source of Minerals – Contains valuable minerals like coal, iron, gold, and petroleum.
3. Supports Agriculture – The top layer (soil) is essential for farming.
4. Controls Natural Events – Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur in the lithosphere.
5. Habitat for Organisms – Many animals and plants depend on land ecosystems.
6. Storage of Groundwater – Water is stored in underground layers (aquifers).
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4. Define hydrosphere and explain its significance.
Answer:
The hydrosphere includes all water bodies on Earth, such as oceans, rivers, lakes, and glaciers. Its significance is:
1. Essential for Life – All living beings need water to survive.
2. Weather and Climate – Oceans influence rainfall, storms, and temperature.
3. Source of Food – Marine life provides food and livelihoods.
4. Transport and Trade – Water bodies are used for shipping and travel.
5. Hydroelectric Power – Water is used to generate electricity.
6. Biodiversity – Supports diverse aquatic plants and animals.
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5. What is the atmosphere? Why is it important?
Answer:
The atmosphere is a layer of gases surrounding Earth. It is important because:
1. Provides Oxygen – Necessary for respiration in living beings.
2. Protects from UV Rays – The ozone layer blocks harmful solar radiation.
3. Controls Temperature – Regulates Earth’s climate and prevents extreme heat and cold.
4. Weather and Rainfall – Determines weather patterns and water cycles.
5. Enables Communication – Radio waves travel through the atmosphere.
6. Prevents Meteors – Burns up small meteors before they reach Earth.
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6. What is the biosphere? How do its components interact?
Answer:
The biosphere is the zone where life exists on Earth. The interaction occurs in these ways:
1. Lithosphere and Biosphere – Soil provides nutrients to plants, supporting food chains.
2. Hydrosphere and Biosphere – Water is essential for all life forms.
3. Atmosphere and Biosphere – Air provides oxygen and carbon dioxide for respiration and photosynthesis.
4. Humans and the Environment – Human activities impact forests, rivers, and air.
5. Ecosystem Balance – Plants, animals, and microbes interact to sustain life.
6. Pollution Impact – Air and water pollution affect living organisms.
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7. What are the major threats to the environment?
Answer:
Some major environmental threats are:
1. Deforestation – Cutting down forests for agriculture and urbanization.
2. Pollution – Air, water, and land pollution harm nature.
3. Climate Change – Rising global temperatures affect weather patterns.
4. Loss of Biodiversity – Habitat destruction leads to extinction of species.
5. Overpopulation – Increases demand for resources, leading to depletion.
6. Soil Erosion – Caused by deforestation and overgrazing, affecting agriculture.
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8. How do human activities impact the environment?
Answer:
Human activities affect the environment in many ways:
1. Industrialization – Factories release pollutants into air and water.
2. Deforestation – Trees are cut down, leading to habitat loss.
3. Urbanization – Expanding cities cause pollution and reduce green spaces.
4. Agriculture – Excessive use of fertilizers harms soil and water.
5. Overfishing and Hunting – Reduces animal populations.
6. Waste Generation – Plastic and electronic waste pollute land and water.
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9. What is global warming? What are its effects?
Answer:
Global warming is the rise in Earth’s temperature due to greenhouse gas emissions. Its effects include:
1. Melting Glaciers – Rising sea levels threaten coastal cities.
2. Extreme Weather – Heatwaves, hurricanes, and droughts become more frequent.
3. Loss of Biodiversity – Animals lose habitats and face extinction.
4. Agricultural Problems – Changes in rainfall patterns affect crops.
5. Health Issues – Increases diseases due to heat and air pollution.
6. Desertification – Fertile land turns into desert due to lack of water.
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10. What measures can be taken to protect the environment?
Answer:
To protect the environment, we must:
1. Plant Trees – Forests help reduce air pollution and prevent soil erosion.
2. Reduce Pollution – Use clean energy sources like solar and wind power.
3. Save Water – Prevent wastage and pollution of water sources.
4. Use Public Transport – Reduces fuel consumption and air pollution.
5. Recycle and Reuse – Lowers waste production.
6. Spread Awareness – Educate people about environmental conservation.
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11. What is an ecosystem? How do its components interact?
Answer:
An ecosystem is a system where living organisms interact with each other and their surroundings. Its components interact in the following ways:
1. Producers (Plants) – Convert sunlight into food through photosynthesis.
2. Consumers (Animals) – Depend on plants and other animals for food.
3. Decomposers (Bacteria, Fungi) – Break down dead organisms and recycle nutrients.
4. Energy Flow – Sunlight is the primary source of energy for ecosystems.
5. Interdependence – Plants provide oxygen, while animals release carbon dioxide.
6. Ecosystem Balance – A healthy ecosystem maintains biodiversity and supports life.
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12. Explain the relationship between the natural and human environment.
Answer:
The natural environment and human environment are closely connected:
1. Dependency on Nature – Humans rely on air, water, and land for survival.
2. Resource Utilization – We use forests, rivers, and minerals for food, shelter, and industry.
3. Impact of Human Activities – Pollution and deforestation disrupt natural systems.
4. Climate Influence – Changes in climate affect agriculture and living conditions.
5. Urbanization Effects – Expanding cities reduce natural habitats.
6. Need for Sustainable Practices – Conservation helps balance human needs and environmental health.
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13. What are renewable and non-renewable resources? Give examples.
Answer:
Natural resources are classified as:
1. Renewable Resources – Can be replenished naturally (e.g., sunlight, wind, water).
2. Non-renewable Resources – Limited in supply and cannot be replaced quickly (e.g., coal, petroleum, natural gas).
3. Sustainability Importance – Overuse of non-renewable resources leads to depletion.
4. Examples of Renewable Resources – Solar energy, wind energy, forests, freshwater.
5. Examples of Non-renewable Resources – Fossil fuels, minerals, metals.
6. Need for Conservation – Using alternative energy sources reduces dependence on non-renewable resources.
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14. How do forests help in maintaining the environment?
Answer:
Forests play a vital role in the environment:
1. Provide Oxygen – Trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen.
2. Prevent Soil Erosion – Roots bind the soil, preventing landslides.
3. Maintain Climate Balance – Trees regulate temperature and rainfall.
4. Support Biodiversity – Provide habitat for many species.
5. Supply Resources – Wood, fruits, medicine, and raw materials come from forests.
6. Act as Carbon Sink – Absorb carbon dioxide, reducing global warming.
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15. What are the different layers of the atmosphere? Describe their importance.
Answer:
The atmosphere has five layers, each with a unique role:
1. Troposphere – Closest to Earth; where weather and climate changes occur.
2. Stratosphere – Contains the ozone layer, which protects from harmful UV rays.
3. Mesosphere – Burns up meteors before they reach Earth.
4. Thermosphere – Important for radio signals and space communication.
5. Exosphere – Outermost layer, where satellites orbit.
6. Overall Importance – Protects life by regulating temperature, supporting weather, and blocking harmful radiation.
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16. What are the causes and effects of deforestation?
Answer:
Deforestation is the large-scale cutting down of trees.
Causes:
1. Agriculture – Forests are cleared for farming and livestock.
2. Urbanization – Expanding cities require land for housing and industries.
3. Logging – Trees are cut for timber, paper, and furniture.
4. Mining – Large areas are cleared for mineral extraction.
5. Forest Fires – Natural and human-induced fires destroy forests.
Effects:
1. Loss of Biodiversity – Many species lose their habitats.
2. Soil Erosion – Lack of trees leads to loss of fertile soil.
3. Climate Change – Reduced tree cover increases global warming.
4. Water Cycle Disruption – Less rainfall due to fewer trees.
5. Impact on Indigenous Communities – Forest-dependent communities lose their livelihood.
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17. What are the different types of pollution and their effects?
Answer:
Pollution is the contamination of the environment by harmful substances.
1. Air Pollution – Caused by vehicle emissions and factories, leading to respiratory diseases.
2. Water Pollution – Industrial waste and sewage contaminate rivers, harming marine life.
3. Soil Pollution – Chemicals and plastic waste degrade land quality.
4. Noise Pollution – Loud sounds from vehicles and industries cause stress and hearing problems.
5. Thermal Pollution – Hot industrial wastewaters affect aquatic ecosystems.
6. Prevention Measures – Using clean energy, reducing plastic use, and proper waste management can help.
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18. How does climate change affect the environment and human life?
Answer:
Climate change is caused by rising global temperatures due to pollution and deforestation.
1. Rising Sea Levels – Melting glaciers flood coastal areas.
2. Extreme Weather – Heatwaves, storms, and droughts become more frequent.
3. Agricultural Impact – Crops fail due to unpredictable weather.
4. Loss of Biodiversity – Many animals and plants struggle to survive.
5. Health Problems – Heat-related diseases and food shortages increase.
6. Economic Impact – Damage to property, loss of jobs, and higher costs for food and resources.
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19. What is sustainable development? Why is it important?
Answer:
Sustainable development means using resources wisely to meet present needs without harming future generations.
1. Balances Growth and Conservation – Encourages responsible use of natural resources.
2. Reduces Environmental Damage – Prevents pollution and resource depletion.
3. Supports Future Generations – Ensures long-term availability of essential resources.
4. Encourages Renewable Energy Use – Promotes solar, wind, and hydro power.
5. Improves Quality of Life – A clean environment leads to better health.
6. Prevents Climate Change – Reduces carbon emissions and global warming effects.
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20. How can individuals contribute to environmental conservation?
Answer:
Every person can help protect the environment by:
1. Reducing Waste – Using reusable bags, bottles, and containers.
2. Saving Water – Fixing leaks and avoiding water wastage.
3. Planting Trees – Trees help clean the air and prevent soil erosion.
4. Using Public Transport – Reduces fuel consumption and air pollution.
5. Recycling and Composting – Minimizes waste and reduces landfill pollution.
6. Spreading Awareness – Educating others about environmental conservation.
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