Environmental Studies PYQs

Concept:

• Every region has a different house.
• The type of house depends on the climatic conditions in the region.
• Houses are built specially to suit the needs of the people.

Explanation:

Houses in Rajasthan:

• Rajasthan is a very hot place with little to no rainfall.
• Temperatures are very high, in such cases, people need a house that can keep them cool during this harsh weather.
• Houses are made up of mud.
• The walls of the houses are very thick.
• These walls are plastered with mud.
• The roofs are made of thorny bushes of Kikar.
• The mud houses help keep the houses cool in the summers.
• That's because mud walls are naturally insulated, providing thermal comfort inside the house.
• During soaring summers, the inside temperature will be lower.
• While in winters, the mud walls will comfort with their warmth.
• Additionally, the pores also allow a cool breeze to enter the house.

Thus, this area must be in Rajasthan.

• Potential energy is the stored ability to perform work.
• To actually perform work, potential energy must be transformed into other forms of energy.
• Sun is the major source of energy for the ecosystem.
• The chemical energy of food is the main source of energy required by all living organisms.
• This energy is transmitted to different trophic levels along the food chain.

Energy flow in the ecosystem:

• In a food chain, the energy flow follows the 10 per cent law.
• According to this law, only 10 per cent of energy is transferred from one trophic level to the other; the rest is lost into the atmosphere.
• This is clearly explained in the following figure and is represented as an energy pyramid.
• This energy is stored in various organic products in the plants from the sun via the process of photosynthesis.
• This is then passed on to the primary consumers in the food chain when the herbivores consume (primary consumers) the plants as food.
• Then conversion of chemical energy stored in plant products into kinetic energy occurs, degradation of energy will occur through its conversion into heat.
• The energy flow is: Primary (100%) → First level/ Primary (10%) → Second-level/ Secondary (1%) → Third level / Tertiary (0.1%).
• The energy flow in the ecosystem is clearly unidirectional.

Important Points

• Grass → Beetle → Frog → Snake → Hawk
• 1^st Tropic level → 2^nd Trophic level → 3^rd Trophic level → 4^th Trophic level → 5^th Trophic level
• 7000 KJ → 700 KJ → 70 KJ → 7 KJ → 0.7 KJ

Thus, at the producer level, the potential energy is 7000 KJ.

The correct answer is Gender equality

Key Points 

Sustainable Development Goals:

• The Sustainable Development Goals were adopted by all United Nations Member States as a universal call to action to end poverty and protect the planet by 2030.
• They are built on the principle of “leaving no one behind”.
• The SDGs replace the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which had started a global effort in 2000 to tackle the indignity of poverty.
• The MDGs established measurable, universally-agreed objectives for tackling extreme poverty and hunger, preventing deadly diseases, and expanding primary education to all children, among other development priorities.
• The 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 targets are integrated and indivisible and balance the three dimensions of sustainable development: the economic, social and environmental.

Important Points 

The 17 goals are:

1. No Poverty: End poverty in all its forms everywhere.

2. Zero Hunger: End hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.

3. Good Health and Well-being: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

4. Quality Education: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

5. Gender Equality: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

6. Clean Water and Sanitation: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

7. Affordable and Clean Energy: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.

8. Decent Work and Economic Growth: Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.

9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation.

10. Reduced Inequalities: Reduce income inequality within and among countries.

11. Sustainable Cities and Communities: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

12. Responsible Consumption and Production: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.

13. Climate Action: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

14. Life Below Water: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development.

15. Life on Land: Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss.

16. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

17. Partnerships for the Goals: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.

Each of the 17 goals is supported by a list of specific targets and indicators to measure progress. By achieving these goals, the international community aims to create a more just, prosperous, and sustainable world by 2030.

Solution will be available later

The Correct answer is:  To help the plant float on water

Concept:

• Aquatic plants are plants that have adapted to living in aquatic environments (saltwater or freshwater).
• They are also referred to as hydrophytes or macrophytes to distinguish them from algae and other microphytes.

Key Points

Adaptations of aquatic plants:

• Aquatic plants require special adaptations to live submerged or at the surface of the water.
• Floating leaves and finely dissected leaves also are ways during which plants adapt to water.
• The presence of lightweight internal packing cells, aerenchyma, is that the most helpful in plant adaptation. Example-Lotus.
• The narrow and very thin ribbon-like leaves of these submerged plants allow them to bend in running water.
• We should also remember that the roots and leaves do not have any strengthening tissue.
• As a result, the stems that carry the leaves will quickly bend in water bodies. For e.g. tape grass.
• Some aquatic plants have long, hollow, and light roots.
• These roots rise up to the water's surface, and the leaves can float on the water's surface.
• We also know that the leaves of aquatic plants float on the surface of the water to capture as much energy as possible for photosynthesis.

Thus, light and hollow tissue are adaptive features shown by aquatic plants that help in floating on water.

The right answer is rice.

Concept:

• Bora is a kind of glutinous rice that is packed with antioxidants.
• This kind of rice is very healthy for eating. It helps to boost immunity and helps to prevent heart and kidney diseases.
• It is a sticky kind of rice.

Explanation:

• Bora rice is mainly grown in Assam during the summer season.
• Because there, it has proper agro-climatic and seasonal variation that bora rice needs for growing.
• Bora rice has traditional value in Assam.
• It is mainly eaten on the occasion of 'Bihu'.
• Bora rice is served with 'doi', 'gur' and other things.

So, 'Bora' is commonly verity 'glutinous' rice. It is mainly found in Assam.

The correct answer is 36. 

Key Points

• Wahida Prism became the first Indian woman to lead the parade.
• In the parade, the leader stays in the front and four platoons march behind the leader.
• Thirty-six commands have to be given during the entire parade.
• These must be given in a very loud voice so that it is heard till the rear.
• The voice should also reach the spectators sitting on the other side of the ground

Concept:

• Potential energy is the stored capacity to perform work.
• To actually perform work, potential energy must be converted into other forms of energy.
• The sun is the primary source of energy for the ecosystem.
• The chemical energy in food is the main source of energy required by all living organisms.
• This energy is transmitted along the food chain across various trophic levels.

Explanation:

Energy flow in an ecosystem:

• In a food chain, energy flow follows the 10 percent rule.
• According to this rule, only 10 percent of the energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next; the rest is lost to the environment.
• This is clearly illustrated in the figure below and represented as an energy pyramid.
• This energy is stored in various organic products within plants, derived from the sun through the process of photosynthesis.
• It is then passed to primary consumers in the food chain when herbivores consume plants.
• Subsequently, the chemical energy stored in plant products is converted into kinetic energy, with some energy loss occurring through its conversion into heat.
• The energy flow is: Primary (100%) → First level/Primary (10%) → Second level/Secondary (1%) → Third level/Tertiary (0.1%).
• Energy flow in an ecosystem is strictly unidirectional.

Thus, 10% is available for transfer from one trophic level to the next in the form of chemical energy.

Key Points 

World water day:

• World water day is celebrated on 22^nd March.
• World Water Day, held on 22 March every year since 1993, focuses on the importance of freshwater.
• The theme of 2021 World water day is Valuing Water.
• International days and weeks are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems.

Thus, world water day celebrated on 22 March.

Additional Information 

Key Points

• Hydroponics is a technique for growing plants without soil in a nutrient-rich solution.
• It is also known as soil-less culture or water culture.
• In 1860, the renowned German botanist Julius von Sachs first demonstrated this process.
• The hydroponics method is used to increase the yield of ornamental flowers (such as snapdragons, roses, etc.) and vegetables (such as carrots, radishes, potatoes, tomatoes, lettuce, etc.).

Important Points

• Julius von Sachs demonstrated that plants could grow without soil if provided with a nutrient-rich solution and if their oxygen requirements were met.
• Hydroponics is an innovative farming method widely used for producing food crops.
• This technique is used to identify which mineral elements are essential for plant growth and development.
• The advantages of the hydroponics technique are as follows:
• Higher crop yields due to rapid plant growth.
• Plants can be grown anywhere—on rooftops, in greenhouses, etc.
• The nutrient solution and water used can be reused or recycled.
• Organic food can be cultivated without the use of fertilizers or pesticides.
• It is a pollution-free agricultural method.
• Some disadvantages of this method are as follows:
• It requires significant investment.
• It requires specialized technical knowledge.
• A hydroponic system requires specific components, such as a reservoir, a grow tray, a growing medium, and a nutrient solution.

Thus, hydroponics is a type of horticulture and a subset of water culture, wherein crops are typically grown without soil.

The correct answer is Rain Gauge.

Key Points 

Concept:

• An instrument is especially a device used to measure the speed, distance, or to do any specific work.

Explanation:

• The amount of rainfall is measured with the help of a rain gauge.
• The rain gauge consists of a metal cylinder on which a circular funnel is fitted.
• The diameter of the funnel’s rim is normally 20 cm.
• The raindrops are collected and measured in a measuring glass.
• Normally, rainfall is measured in units of millimetres or centimetres.
• Snow is also measured in a similar manner by turning it into liquid form.

Thus, a rain gauge is the instrument is used to measure rainfall.

Explanation:

Wahida Prism:

• Lieutenant Commander Wahida Prism is a doctor in the Indian Navy.
• She is one of the few women who has worked on a naval ship.
• She is the first woman to lead a parade.
• This is considered to be a very big honour in the armed forces.
• She comes from a very small village called Thannamandi.
• This is in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir.
• She did her schooling from a government school.
• During her school days she climbed mountains and was a ‘Girl Guide’.
• She always wanted to study more be have a successful career, however it was difficult for her to achieve her dreams.
• She studied for five years and did her M.B.B.S. from Jammu Medical College.
• After that she became a doctor.
• She appeared for an interview to join the Armed Forces and got selected there and received a training for six months.
• Her sister is in the Jammu Police Force.

​Thus, Wahida is from Jammu & Kashmir.

Explanation:

• Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates.
• It is found in the western part of Asia.
• It is located in a desert area and has very little water.
• Petrol is present in abundant quantities in Abu Dhabi and forms a major part of its exports.
• Thus, water is costly than petrol in the region.
• The currency of Abu Dhabi is Dirham.
• The people of Abu Dhabi speak the Arabic language.
• The date palm is the most common fruit of the region as very little plantation can be done in the desert.
• It is the only plant that can grow in this desert.
• The date is the most common fruit here.
• Abu Dhabi is located on an island in The Persian Gulf.
• Abu Dhabi's oil reserves are estimated to be about one-tenth of the world’s total reserves.
• Dubai is another important city in the United Arab Emirates.
• Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building is situated in Dubai.
• Dubai and Abu Dhabi attract a large number of tourists throughout the year.

Thus, the country is Abu Dhabi.

Wildlife conservation in India:

• The protection of wildlife has a long tradition in India.
• In 1972, a comprehensive Wildlife Act was enacted.
• This provides the main legal framework for the conservation and protection of wildlife in India.
• The two main objectives of the Act are:
• to provide protection to the endangered species listed in the schedule of the Act and
• to provide legal support to the conservation areas of the country classified as National parks, sanctuaries and closed areas.

Important Points

Tiger population in India over the years

• India had 2,967 tigers in 2018, or 7 out of every 10 big cats in the wild in the world, according to the All-India Tiger Estimation Results released in 2019.
• The number reflects a 33% increase over 2014 when there were 2,226 tigers in the country.
• That number itself was an improvement over 2010 (1,706) and 2006 (1,411).
• In the span of 12 years, India had more than doubled its number of tigers.
• The number of tiger reserves have gone up from 28 in 2006 to 51 today.
• Madhya Pradesh had the highest number with 526 tigers (308 in 2014), followed by 524 (406) in Karnataka and 442 (340) in Uttarakhand.

​Thus, tiger population in India has nearly doubled in last 12 years.

Additional Information

Project Tiger:

• Project Tiger has been implemented since 1973.
• The main objective of the scheme is to ensure the maintenance of the viable population of tigers in India.
• It is important for scientific, aesthetic, cultural and ecological values, and to preserve areas' natural heritage for the benefit, education and enjoyment of the people.
• Initially, the Project Tiger was launched in nine tiger reserves, covering an area of 16,339 sq. km.
• Which has now increased to 50 tiger reserves, encompassing 71,027.10 sq. km of core tiger habitats distributed in 18 states.
• The major threats to the tiger population are numerous, such as poaching for trade, shrinking habitat, depletion of prey base species, growing human population, etc.
• Tiger conservation has been viewed not only as an effort to save an endangered species but also as preserving them in a sizeable magnitude.
• This act helps to stop the illegal hunting of tigers and maintained the population of tigers in India.

Harpreet instructs the students to collect leaves that have naturally fallen from plants.

 Key Points

• This means the leaves should be found on the ground or in areas where leaves accumulate naturally.
• The purpose behind this instruction is likely to encourage students to observe and study leaves without causing any harm to living plants.
• By examining fallen leaves, students can learn about their shape, color, texture, and other characteristics, while also promoting an understanding and appreciation for nature's processes.

Thus, it is concluded that Option 2 is the correct answer.

Teaching through exploration and fostering curiosity is a highly effective method.

Key Points

• Sajiya should ask the students about the essential requirements for living beings to survive and not suffocate.
• This will allow them to explore the concept of oxygen and its importance in sustaining life.
• By engaging in this discussion, Sajiya can help the students understand that the candle went out because it needed oxygen to burn, and without a sufficient supply of oxygen in the closed space created by the glass, the flame was deprived of the necessary oxygen to continue burning.

Thus, it is concluded that the correct answer is option 3.

EVS is a subject that encourages students to explore and understand their environment, fostering a sense of curiosity and discovery.

Key Points

• At this stage, the aim should be to foster curiosity, encourage exploration, and help students develop a basic understanding of the environment and how different elements interact.
• By encouraging students to observe the natural world around them, EVS helps develop their scientific temperament and critical thinking abilities.
• It also nurtures their creativity by allowing them to express their understanding through drawings, models, and other creative forms.
• This approach to teaching EVS enables students to actively participate in their learning process, fostering a deeper understanding and connection with their environment.

Thus, it is concluded that the teaching of Environmental Studies at the primary level should focus on developing observational and creative skills of learners.

The learning principles that explain how children learn are:

Key Points

• Children are naturally motivated to learn and capable of learning. This principle recognizes that children have an innate curiosity and drive to explore and learn about the world around them. They are naturally motivated to acquire knowledge and develop skills
• Children learn by making their own meaning in a variety of ways. This principle emphasizes that children construct their understanding of concepts and ideas by actively engaging in learning. They make connections, ask questions, and apply their knowledge differently to make sense of the information they receive.

Thus, it is concluded that B and D only is the correct answer.

Environmental Studies (EVS) is a subject that focuses on the study of the environment and its various components, including nature, ecology, conservation, and sustainability.

Key Points A subject like Environmental Studies (EVS) is introduced at the Primary stage for the following reasons:

• There is a need to create an awareness of the environment among children. EVS aims to instill in children an understanding of their natural surroundings, the importance of conservation, and the need for sustainable practices. It raises awareness about environmental issues and encourages responsible behavior towards the environment.
• The environment plays an important role in children's growth and learning. By studying EVS, children develop a connection with their immediate environment and learn about the interdependence between living organisms and their surroundings. This understanding contributes to their overall growth and development.
• Environmental Studies develops in children a holistic perspective of the environment in which they live. It encourages children to view the environment as a whole, including natural, social, and cultural aspects. This holistic perspective helps children appreciate the interconnectedness of various factors that shape their environment and cultivates a sense of responsibility towards its well-being.

Thus, it is concluded that A, B and D is the correct answer.