Environmental Studies PYQs

The correct answer is Option 3 – (A) and (B) both are wrong.

Key Points

• Statement (A): Incorrect. The statement says that a sloth spends almost 20 hours a day sleeping. According to the NCERT reference, a sloth sleeps for about 17 hours a day. Therefore, the statement's figure of 20 hours is incorrect.
• Statement (B): Incorrect. The statement says that a sloth lives for about 20 years and moves around only 5 trees. According to the NCERT reference, a sloth can live for about 40 years and during its lifetime moves around only about 8 trees.
• Thus, both statements contain incorrect numerical information when compared with the NCERT figures.
• Hence, the correct answer is Option 3 – (A) and (B) both are wrong.

Additional Information

• Sloth → A slow-moving animal that lives mainly in trees.
• Sleeping time → About 17 hours a day according to the NCERT reference.
• Lifespan → About 40 years according to the NCERT reference.
• Movement → During its lifetime, a sloth moves around only about 8 trees.
• Sloths are adapted to an arboreal lifestyle and spend most of their lives in trees.
• Their slow movement and low-energy lifestyle are important adaptations for survival.

Environmental Studies (EVS) is designed to help students understand their surroundings, foster curiosity, and develop critical thinking skills. At the elementary level, it is essential to choose topics that are relatable to students' everyday experiences and promote meaningful discussions and learning through sharing personal experiences.

Key Points

• The topic "Everyone does not get the facility of water equally" connects directly with students' real-life observations, helping them understand the disparity in access to resources.
• It encourages students to reflect on their own experiences with water availability and empathize with those who face challenges in accessing clean water.
• This discussion promotes environmental awareness and social responsibility, making it an ideal topic for an EVS class.
• By sharing experiences, students can develop critical thinking on the importance of water conservation and equitable resource distribution.

Hint

• The topic "Uses of water and concept of density" is more scientific and abstract, which may not be as relatable or engaging for elementary students.
• "Uses of water and soluble substances" focuses on concepts that are more suitable for experimental learning rather than discussion and experience sharing.
• "Dandi march and concept of evaporation" combines historical and scientific themes, which may be complex and less suited for experience-based discussions at the elementary level.

Hence, the correct answer is 'Everyone does not get the facility of water equally'.

The correct answer is - 11.57 km

Key Points

• Scale Conversion
• The scale provided on the map is 1 cm = 845 meters (m).
• To convert meters to kilometers, divide the distance in meters by 1000, as there are 1000 meters in 1 kilometer.
• Calculation
• The distance on the map between two locations is 13.7 cm.
• Using the scale, the actual distance in meters is:
• 13.7 cm × 845 m/cm = 11576.5 meters.
• Convert the actual distance into kilometers:
• 11576.5 m ÷ 1000 = 11.5765 km.
• Round the result to two decimal places:
• 11.57 km.
• Correct Answer Selection
• The rounded actual distance of 11.57 km matches Option 3.

Additional Information

• Scale Representation
• A scale on a map indicates the ratio of map distance to actual ground distance.
• Common scales include:
• 1 cm = X meters: Used for city maps and smaller areas.
• 1 cm = X kilometers: Used for regional or country maps.
• Unit Conversion
• To convert meters to kilometers:
• Divide the value in meters by 1000.
• To convert kilometers to meters:
• Multiply the value in kilometers by 1000.
• Accuracy in Calculations
• Rounding results to a specific number of decimal places is often required for exam-based answers.
• Ensure calculations are performed precisely to avoid errors in selecting the correct option.

The correct answer is - Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana

Key Points

• Karnataka is a southern state in India, and its territorial states are defined by its geographical and political boundaries.
• It shares borders with Kerala to the southwest, Andhra Pradesh to the east, and Telangana to the northeast.
• The territorial states are determined based on adjacency and historical, cultural, and political contexts

The correct answer is - (A) is true but (R) is false.

Key Points

• Worker bees
• Worker bees are female bees that perform essential tasks such as building the hive, collecting nectar, and taking care of the queen and larvae.
• Without worker bees, there would be no beehive and no nectar collection, as they are solely responsible for these activities.
• Role of male bees (drones)
• Male bees, known as drones, do not perform work like worker bees. Their primary role is to mate with the queen bee.
• Drones do not collect nectar or pollen and do not contribute to the construction of the hive.

Additional Information

• Bee colony structure
• A bee colony consists of three types of bees: the queen bee, the worker bees, and the drones.
• The queen bee is responsible for reproduction, laying eggs to sustain the colony population.
• Worker bees are sterile females that perform all the essential tasks for the colony's survival.
• Drones are male bees that exist solely for mating purposes with the queen.
• Worker bee tasks
• Worker bees are involved in cleaning, feeding larvae, protecting the hive, and foraging for nectar and pollen.
• They also produce wax to build the honeycomb structure inside the hive.
• Drone life cycle
• Drones are produced from unfertilized eggs and have no stinger, which means they cannot defend the hive.
• They live only during the mating season and are often expelled from the hive during winter to conserve resources.

Incorporating the local context in Environmental Studies is essential for making the subject matter relatable and meaningful for students. By connecting classroom activities to the students' immediate environment and experiences, teachers can foster deeper understanding, engagement, and application of concepts in real-world settings.

Key Points

• The selection of the local context should be pedagogically imaginative, meaning that it should creatively connect the curriculum to the students' environment and experiences.
• It must also be ethically correct, ensuring that the activities and examples used promote values such as environmental conservation, inclusivity, and respect for local culture and traditions.
• By doing so, teachers can make learning more engaging, contextualized, and relevant to students' lives, encouraging active participation and critical thinking.

Hint

• Selecting a local context solely for the convenience of the teacher may ignore the needs and interests of the students, making the activity less effective.
• Choosing a context strictly based on school discipline may limit creativity and fail to reflect the diverse realities of students' surroundings.
• Relying entirely on textbooks for local context may not adequately address the dynamic and unique nature of students' local environments, missing opportunities for experiential learning.

Hence, the correct answer is 'the selection of the local context should be pedagogically imaginative and ethically correct'.

Introduction: Effective learning is rooted in the connection between the child’s immediate environment and educational activities. Using local objects and surroundings as a medium for teaching not only fosters curiosity but also helps in contextualizing abstract concepts. This approach allows children to relate classroom learning to their real-world experiences, promoting deeper understanding and environmental awareness.

Key Points

• The assertion emphasizes the importance of using the child’s local environment as a primary source for learning. This makes education relatable and meaningful.
• The reason supports this by highlighting how exposure to the living world around the school can nurture environmental awareness and cultivate interest in ecological issues.
• The connection between the assertion and reason is clear: incorporating the local environment into teaching provides a natural context for learning while fostering environmental consciousness.
• When children are engaged with their surroundings, they develop critical thinking, observation skills, and a sense of responsibility towards nature.

Hint

• If both the assertion and reason are correct and the reason directly explains the assertion, it indicates that the reasoning provided supports the statement effectively.
• If the reason is valid but does not directly explain the assertion, there’s a disconnect in the logical relationship.
• If either statement is incorrect, the option explaining their validity must reflect that inconsistency accurately.

In this case, both the assertion and reason are correct, and the reason logically explains the assertion. Using the local environment as a learning tool naturally leads to environmental awareness and nurtures curiosity, aligning both statements perfectly. The remaining options can be ruled out as they either contradict the accuracy of the statements or fail to establish the logical relationship between them.

Hence, the correct answer is 'Both Assertion and Reason are correct and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion'.

Encouraging creative expression in the classroom fosters imagination, enhances critical thinking, and develops a personal connection to learning. When students engage in activities like writing poems, it provides them with an opportunity to explore their emotions, experiences, and ideas in a unique and artistic way, contributing to their overall intellectual and emotional growth.

Key Points

• Writing poems allows children to express their thoughts and feelings about the environment in a creative and imaginative manner.
• It nurtures their ability to think beyond conventional ideas and encourages originality in presenting their understanding of environmental issues.
• Creative tasks like poem writing enhance emotional intelligence and help students develop a deeper connection to the subject matter.
• This process skill also supports language development, as students experiment with vocabulary, structure, and rhythm while crafting their poems.

Hint

• Convergent skill focuses on arriving at a single correct answer, which is not the primary objective of writing poems. Poem creation emphasizes individual creativity and self-expression rather than problem-solving or factual accuracy.
• Motor skills pertain to physical coordination and movement, such as handwriting or using tools, which are not the central focus of poem writing. The emphasis here is on intellectual and emotional engagement rather than physical execution.
• Learning skills refer to strategies and methods used to acquire knowledge, such as memorization or analysis. While learning skills are indirectly involved, the main skill developed through poem writing is creative expression.

Hence, the correct answer is 'Creative expression'.

The correct answer is - 20 m/s

Key Points

• Average speed is calculated using the formula:

• Speed = Distance / Time

• Conversion of units:

• Distance given in kilometers (792 km) is converted to meters: 792 km = 792,000 meters

• Time given in hours (11 hours) is converted to seconds: 11 hours = 11 × 60 × 60 = 39,600 seconds

• Calculation:

• Average speed = Distance / Time

• Average speed = 792,000 meters / 39,600 seconds

• Average speed = 20 m/s

• The correct option is 2.

Additional Information

• Relation between speed, distance, and time:
• The formula Speed = Distance / Time is fundamental for solving motion-related problems.
• Ensure all units are in the same system (e.g., meters, seconds) before performing calculations.
• Unit conversions:
• 1 kilometer = 1000 meters
• 1 hour = 3600 seconds
• Always convert to SI units (meters, seconds) for consistency in calculations.
• Application of average speed:
• Average speed is useful in analyzing consistent motion over long distances.
• It assumes uniform speed and neglects changes in velocity during the journey.

Introduction

Pedagogy in Environmental Studies (EVS) focuses on creating learning opportunities that are interactive, engaging, and promote critical thinking. The theme "food" in EVS is especially important as it helps children understand its sources, processing, nutrition, and its relationship with health and the environment. Effective pedagogy should align with children's cognitive and creative abilities, encouraging them to construct knowledge actively rather than memorizing facts.

Key Points

• Motivating children to draw a labeled diagram of the digestive system focuses on rote memorization and does not foster creative thinking or experiential learning.
• This approach is teacher-centered, emphasizing factual recall instead of encouraging students to explore and construct their understanding of the topic.
• Such methods are less effective for young learners, as EVS aims to connect learning with real-life experiences and imagination rather than relying on complex technical details.
• Introducing intricate biological processes at an early stage may overwhelm children, hindering their natural curiosity and interest in the subject.

Hint

• Asking children to draw their own picture and map where food goes encourages visualization and creativity, helping them connect the concept with their own experiences.
• Allowing children to express their own views fosters communication skills and encourages them to think critically about their understanding of food.
• Stimulating children's imagination helps them construct knowledge through exploration and inquiry, aligning with the principles of child-centered pedagogy.
• These methods engage children in active learning and make the theme of "food" relatable and meaningful.

Hence, the correct answer is 'motivating the children to draw a labeled diagram of the digestive system'.

An assessment tool is a method or instrument used by educators to gather, measure, and evaluate information about a student's learning, skills, knowledge, or performance.

Key Points

• Anecdotal records are a form of qualitative assessment in which the teacher writes descriptive, factual notes about specific incidents, behaviors, or learning moments that happen in the classroom.
• These records are typically focused on individual students and are used to document important occurrences or observations that help the teacher understand the student's progress, behavior, and learning outcomes.
• In this case, since the teacher is making a descriptive note of the incidents during the activity, anecdotal records are the appropriate tool for assessment.

Hint

• Portfolio: A portfolio is a collection of a student's work over time, such as assignments, projects, and reflections, which provides an ongoing record of a student's learning process.
• Observation List: An observation list is typically a structured list used to track specific behaviors or skills that a teacher is looking for during an observation.
• Rating Scale: A rating scale is used for evaluating a student's performance on a particular criterion, often in the form of numerical ratings (e.g., 1-5).

Therefore, the correct answer is Anecdotal Records.

In this scenario, Mohan, a class V teacher of Environmental Studies, has asked the students to conduct an activity where they compare the availability of water during their parents' and grandparents' time with the current situation.

• This activity requires students to engage with historical data, make comparisons, and reflect on changes in the environment over time.

Key Points

• A project involves students conducting research, collecting data, and presenting their findings.
• In this case, students can interview their parents and grandparents, collect information about the historical water availability, and then compare it with the current situation.
• This method is highly effective for such an inquiry-based activity, as it involves hands-on research, data collection, and presenting findings.
• The project would also allow students to explore different perspectives and reflect on environmental changes over time.

Hint

• Interview: While interviewing could be a part of the project (e.g., interviewing parents and grandparents), it is not the most comprehensive strategy.
• Role Play: Role play would involve students taking on different roles, which does not directly align with the task of comparing the past and present water availability.
• Discussion: Discussion could be part of the project or a follow-up activity where students share their findings, but it alone would not be sufficient to achieve the depth of research required by the activity.

Therefore, the correct answer is Project.

In a constructivist classroom, the focus is on actively involving students in the learning process. The teacher serves as a facilitator rather than a source of direct instruction.

Key PointsCharacteristic of Constructivist EVS classroom:

• Children's experiences are being respected - This is a key aspect of constructivist teaching. In constructivism, the teacher values and builds upon students' prior knowledge and experiences, helping them relate new learning to what they already know.
• Children are using their experiences to make new connections between concepts - This is also central to constructivist teaching. The goal is to help students connect new knowledge with their existing experiences and understandings.
• Children are learning by doing activities with concrete objects - Hands-on activities with concrete objects are a core practice in constructivist classrooms. By working with real-world materials, students have the opportunity to experiment, observe, and reflect, which allows them to construct knowledge through experience rather than passive listening.

Hint

• Children are just solving familiar problems - In a constructivist EVS classroom, the focus is on new exploration, problem-solving, and building knowledge through experience. If children are only solving familiar problems, it may not challenge them to expand their thinking or make new connections.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Children are just solving familiar problems'.

In this scenario, Rakesh, a teacher of Environmental Studies, is conducting an activity with his class. The activity involves students observing which objects float and which objects sink in water.

Key PointsThe most appropriate thing a teacher should do in the above given situation:

• (B) Give each child the freedom to observe, record their observations, and interpret those observations- This approach aligns with the constructivist method of teaching, where children are encouraged to actively engage with their learning process. By giving students the freedom to observe and record their findings, they develop their own understanding of the concepts, which makes learning more personal and meaningful.
• **(C) Provide opportunity to each child to hypothesize, test, and make activity-based generalizations-**This is an excellent way to foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Allowing children to hypothesize, test, and generalize based on the activity encourages scientific inquiry and helps them understand the reasoning behind why objects float or sink.

Hint

• (A) "The teacher should tell the children that this is happening because of the density." While this is technically true, simply providing the answer (i.e., the concept of density) does not allow the children to engage with the material and form a deeper understanding.
• (D) Teacher should say that the main reason for this you will understand in your higher classes. This response discourages students from exploring the concept at their level. It misses the opportunity to introduce them to basic scientific thinking and problem-solving.

Therefore, the correct answer is (B) and (C).

The correct answer is - A is correct but B is wrong

Key Points

• Statement A
• Neil Armstrong was the first man to walk on the moon during the Apollo 11 mission on July 20, 1969.
• This was a historic event in human space exploration, marking the first time humans set foot on another celestial body.
• His famous words, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind," are etched in history.
• Statement B
• The statement about Kalpana Chawla in 2007 is incorrect.
• Kalpana Chawla tragically passed away in the Columbia space shuttle disaster on February 1, 2003, and thus could not have set a record in 2007.
• The record for the longest space flight by a woman was later set by Peggy Whitson, who accumulated 665 days in space over multiple missions.

Additional Information

• Apollo 11 Mission
• Apollo 11 was launched by NASA on July 16, 1969, and its crew included Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins.
• Buzz Aldrin also walked on the moon shortly after Armstrong, while Michael Collins piloted the command module in lunar orbit.
• The mission returned safely to Earth on July 24, 1969, marking a significant achievement in space exploration.
• Kalpana Chawla
• Kalpana Chawla was the first woman of Indian origin to go to space.
• She flew on two space missions: STS-87 in 1997 and STS-107 in 2003.
• Her second mission ended in the tragic Columbia space shuttle disaster, which claimed the lives of all seven crew members.
• Peggy Whitson
• Peggy Whitson is a retired NASA astronaut who holds the record for the longest cumulative time spent in space by an American astronaut: 665 days.
• She also became the first woman to command the International Space Station (ISS) twice.

The Environmental Studies (EVS) curriculum is an educational framework designed to introduce students, particularly at the primary and upper-primary levels, to the environment and its interconnected systems.

Key Points 

Assertion:

• The assertion is correct because the NCERT Environmental Studies curriculum follows a theme-based approach, which means that lessons are organized around central themes (such as "Food," "Water," "Environment," "Natural Resources," etc.).
• These themes are interrelated, meaning that the concepts from one theme are often connected to those in other themes. For example, discussions around natural resources may also touch on topics like conservation, pollution, and human impact.

Reason:

• The reason is also true because the theme-based curriculum does indeed promote a deeper understanding of each theme.
• Each theme is typically introduced with questions that stimulate curiosity and encourage students to explore the topic in greater detail. This approach not only helps students develop critical thinking but also makes learning more interactive and engaging.

Conclusion:

• Both the Assertion and the Reason are correct. Additionally, the Reason logically explains the Assertion, as it outlines the purpose behind the theme-based structure of the curriculum, which is to enhance understanding by starting with engaging questions related to each theme.

Hence, the correct answer is both Assertion and Reason are correct and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.

The Environmental Studies (EVS) textbook by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is a part of the school curriculum in India. The primary focus of the NCERT EVS textbook is to foster an awareness of environmental issues and to develop a sense of responsibility towards the environment and society.

Key PointsAssertion:

• The statement says that NCERT Environmental Studies textbooks focus on real incidents and problems that are relevant to daily life and current global issues.
• This is true, as the NCERT curriculum aims to make students aware of practical, real-life problems that they may encounter or witness in their community, country, or globally. This is done to ensure that students can connect theory with real-world situations.

Reason:

• This statement says that debates and discussions about these problems help children understand them better, make them aware, and develop sensitivity towards them.
• This is also correct. Encouraging children to engage in open debates on these issues helps them develop critical thinking skills, encourages active participation, and promotes awareness and sensitivity about real-world challenges.

Conclusion:

• Both the Assertion and the Reason are correct, and the Reason explains why real-life incidents and current problems are included in the curriculum. The purpose of including such issues is to make students more aware and sensitive, which is exactly what the Reason describes.

Therefore, both Assertion and Reason are correct, and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.

In an Environmental Studies (EVS) classroom, a debate is a structured activity where students are divided into groups and assigned different viewpoints on a specific topic related to environmental issues.

• The primary aim of a debate in an EVS classroom is to foster critical thinking, enhance communication skills, and develop an understanding of various perspectives on environmental concerns.

Key PointsThe most appropriate reason for conducting debate:

• (A) Debate gives children an opportunity to think about and understand different aspects of a topic - This is a valid reason for organizing a debate. Debates encourage critical thinking, allowing children to examine various perspectives and understand both sides of an argument.
• (B) Children are encouraged to express their views in the classroom -This is another valid reason. A debate provides students with the platform to express their personal views in a structured manner, which enhances their confidence in communication.
• (C) Children get an opportunity to share their experiences in the classroom - While this may also be a potential reason, it is less relevant to the debate setting. The focus of the debate is on reasoning and presenting arguments, not primarily on sharing personal experiences.

Hint

• **(D) Children assess the knowledge of their peers through debate -**This is not the primary objective of a debate. The goal of the debate is to present arguments and counterarguments, not to assess peers' knowledge. While students may gain insights from each other, this is not the central purpose of the activity.

Thus, the correct answer is (A), (B), and (C).

The correct answer is - Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) explains (A)

Key Points

• Assertion (A)
• The soft pashmina wool is collected from goats that inhabit high-altitude regions, typically at altitudes of about 5000 meters where temperatures are extremely cold.
• These conditions are ideal for the growth of fine, warm wool, which is used to make high-quality pashmina products.
• Reason (R)
• A coat of warm hair grows on the body of these goats during winter. This coat provides them with natural insulation, protecting them from extreme cold.
• This warm coat is the primary source of pashmina wool, which is carefully collected during specific seasons.
• Explanation
• Both the assertion and the reason are true.
• The reason (R) directly explains the assertion (A) because the natural adaptation of goats to extreme cold results in the growth of warm hair, which is harvested to produce pashmina wool.

Additional Information

• Origin of Pashmina Wool
• Pashmina wool is primarily obtained from the Changthangi goats, native to the high-altitude regions of Ladakh, India.
• These goats are specifically adapted to survive in harsh, cold climates, ensuring the production of high-quality wool.
• Seasonal Wool Collection
• The warm coat of hair, known as undercoat, is shed naturally during spring and is collected by combing the goats.
• This process ensures that the wool is harvested without harming the animals.
• Uses of Pashmina Wool
• Pashmina wool is used to create luxurious products such as scarves, shawls, and sweaters, known for their fine texture and warmth.
• It is considered one of the finest and most expensive types of wool in the world.

Chapter 4 "Mangoes Round the Year" in NCERT's Environmental Studies (EVS) textbook focuses on the process of making mango papad, which introduces children to the practical aspects of cooking and food preservation.

Key Points

• Developing understanding with the help of observation and examples related to our experiences in place of abstraction is the general objective to teacher this lesson.
• It aligns with the overall teaching philosophy in NCF 2005 (National Curriculum Framework 2005), which emphasizes learning through experience and observation.
• By engaging in a lesson on making mango papad, children can directly observe and understand a hands-on process that is related to real-life experiences.

Hint

• To develop an understanding of how Aam papad is made- While understanding the process of making aam papad is a part of the lesson, the broader objective of the lesson is not solely about the process but rather how the children engage with and relate to this process through their own observations and experiences.
• To explain how much labor is needed to make an object- This option narrows the lesson to just explaining the labor involved in the process. While labor and effort may be an implicit part of the lesson, the focus is more on the skill, technique, and appreciation of the process rather than just on the labor.
• To discuss how various things can be made from the natural environment- While the lesson does involve using mangoes, which are a natural product, the primary goal is not to discuss the making of objects from the natural environment, but rather to focus on the process of food preservation and the related skills.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'To develop understanding with the help of observation and examples related to our experiences in place of abstraction'.