Solving ICSE Class 10 Environmental Science Previous Year Question Papers ICSE Class 10 Environmental Science Question Paper 2018 is the best way to boost your preparation for the board exams.

ICSE Class 10 Environmental Science Question Paper 2018 Solved

Maximum Marks: 80
Time allowed: Two Hours

General Instructions:

  • Answer to this Paper must be written on the paper provided separately.
  • You will not be allowed to write during the first 15 minutes.
  • This time is to be spent in reading the question paper. The time given at the head
    of this paper is the time allowed for writing the answers.
  • Attempt all questions from Section A and any four questions from Section B.
  • The intended marks for questions or parts of questions are given in brackets [ ]

Section – A (40 Marks)
Attempt all questions from this Section.

Question 1.
(a) What is biogas ? State any one advantage of using biogas. (2)
Answer:
It is the mixture of gases produced by the breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen (anaerobically), primarily consisting of methane and carbon dioxide. Biogas can be produced from raw materials such as agricultural waste, manure, municipal waste, plant material, sewage, green waste or food waste. The advantage of Biogas is that it is a renewable energy source. In India, it is also known as “Gobar Gas”.

ICSE 2018 Environmental Science Question Paper Solved for Class 10

(b) Give the full form of CITES. (2)
Answer:
CITES means Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

(c) Define silviculture. (2)
Answer:
It is the practice of controlling the growth, composition/ structure, and quality of forests to meet values and needs, specifically timber production.

(d) How is waste water useful to mankind ? (2)
Answer:
The uses of waste water are :

  • By anaerobic microbial digestion, the sludge can also be used to produce energy;
  • For increasing the fertility of the soil, the sludge obtained from the waste water can also be used as the manure.

(e) List any two factors responsible for population growth. (2)
Answer:
Factors that cause population growth include increased food production, improved health care services, immigration and high birth rate. These factors have led to overpopulation, which has more negative effects than positive impacts.

Question 2.
(a) What is vermiculture ? State any one benefit of vermiculture to a farmer. (2)
Answer:
Vermiculture is a process of utilization of some species of earthworms to create some kind of vermicompost. It is also termed as worm farming. In simple vermicast is obtained by the breakdown of organic matter by an earthworm.

Benefits:
1. It does not contain chemical elements, vermicompost being prepared from organic wastes (biodegradable) is a natural fertilizer and eco-friendly too.

2. Does not impact the environment, soil, and plants adversely.

(b) Give one advantage and one disadvantage of using sewage sludge in agriculture. (2)
Answer:
Advantage: It is rich in organic matter and therefore, can serve as a manure to improve soil fertility.
Disadvantage: It contain considerable amounts of harmful substances like hydrocarbons, heavy metals, dioxins, aromatic compounds, etc.

(c) Mention any two man made factors that have led to loss of biodiversity. (2)
Answer:
The main cause of the loss of biodiversity can be attributed to the influence of human beings on the world’s ecosystem, In fact human beings have deeply altered the environment, and have modified the territory, exploiting the species directly, for example by Overexploitation of resources, habitat destruction, fishing and hunting, changing the biogeochemical cycles and transferring species from one area to another of the Planet.

(d) How does GEF complement of Montreal Protocol ? (2)
Answer:
The GEF aims at combating environmental issues like loss of biodiversity, climate change, pollution, land degradation, ozone depletion and forest management while the Montreal Protocol is an international treaty designed to protect ozone layer by prohibiting the use of various substances that cause ozone layer depletion. The complementing factor between the GEF and the Montreal Protocol is that both are working for protecting the ozone layer.

(e) Name the Multi National Corporation that was responsible for the Bhopal Gas Tragedy. Name the gas that was leaked. (2)
Answer:
The MNC was Union Carbide India Limited. The Methyl isocyanate gas was leaked.

ICSE 2018 Environmental Science Question Paper Solved for Class 10

Question 3.
(a) State any two ways as to how women play an important role in protecting the environment. (2)
Answer:
Women have an integral relation with the environment. Therefore, women are essential for any measure aimed at environmental protection and sustainable development. The best example is the Chipko movement.

Women have always played a critical role in meeting household and community energy needs. With adequate environmental education and awareness women can conserve energy resources far more efficiently as compared to men.

(b) Name any two wet land sites in India protected under Ramsar Convention (1971). (2)
Answer:
The wetlands in India protected under Ramsar Convention are:

  1. Ashtamudi wetland in Kerela.
  2. Chandertal wetland in Himachal Pradesh

(c) Give two examples of any material containing natural cellulose fiber (other than wood), for the production of paper. (2)
Answer:

  1. Rice husk
  2. Bagasse

(d) How has trade helped to reduce global inequality ? (2)
Answer:
Trade links firms and individuals with ideas and technology, helping drive innovation, which supports productivity growth. Trade can facilitate the transfer of technology through the knowledge embodied in products and services. Trade also supports growth by giving firms access to inputs that can help boost productivity. Trade has enabled social mobility within the nations. Transparent and safe trade policies enable nations to progress economically.

(e) Mention any two benefits of Green Manure. (2)
Answer:
Increasing organic matter and soil humus, Increased Nitrogen fixation, Prevention of erosion, Maintaining or improving soil structure, Reduced susceptibility to leaching are the benefits of green manure.

Question 4.
(a) State any two measures taken to control industrial pollution in and around the Taj Trapezium. (2)
Answer:
Both the Government and non-government bodies are trying to make Agra a pollution-free city but their objectives include reducing lead and sulphur emissions, and they are ihitiating sales of low-lead or lead-free gasoline in the area.

Steps are being taken to reduce the pollution levels around the Taj. Several strategies are now in place to help protect the Taj Mahal. For example, all nearby transport must run only on electric battery power and may not come within a third of a mile (500 meters) of the monument. Investment in urban infrastructure has been used to reduce both water and air pollution.

(b) Mention any two ways by which small scale industries help to reduce poverty. (2)
Answer:
Small scale industries are important because it helps in increasing employment and economic development of India. It improves the growth of the country by increasing urban and rural growth. Role of Small and medium scale enterprises are to help the government in increasing infrastructures and manufacturing industries, reducing issues like pollution, slums, poverty, and many development acts. Small scale manufacturing industries and cottage industries play a very important role in the economic development of India. If any amount of capital is invested in small scale industries it will help in reducing unemployment in India and increasing self-employment. The industry is a sector in which the production of goods is a segment of the economy.

ICSE 2018 Environmental Science Question Paper Solved for Class 10

(c) What do you understand by Gene banks? (2)
Answer:
Gene banks are reservoirs or store houses which preserve genetic materials of useful plants, animals and microbe species under suitable conditions.

(d) How is community participation an important part of every society ? (2)
Answer:
Community participation is important in social development and upliftment of the society. Involvement and participation of more people gives various perspectives and suggestions to the issue.
Importance of participation in development:

  • People organize best around problems they consider most important.
  • Local people tend to make better economic decisions and judgments in the context of their own environment and circumstances
  • Voluntary provision of labor, time, money and materials to a project is a necessary condition for breaking patterns of dependency and passivity
  • The local control over the amount, quality and benefits of development activities helps make the process self- sustaining.

(e) List two conditions put forward by the government of developing countries to MNCs that should be fulfilled before entering into the markets. (2)
Answer:
1. To take certain responsibilities towards society and unprivileged class of people. The companies in collaboration with government and NGOs put their efforts to uplift the unprivileged people.

2. To ensure the operations and functioning of the company in a way that is least harming to the environment and the society.

Section – B (40 MARKS)
(Attempt any four questions from this Section)

Question 5.
(a) What do you understand by ex-situ conservation of biodiversity ? Give two advantages and two disadvantages of ex-situ conservation. (5)
Answer:
Ex-situ conservation of biodiversity involves the breeding and maintenance of endangered species in artificial ecosystems such as zoos, nurseries, botanical gardens, gene banks, etc. There is less competition for food, water and space among the organisms.
Advantages:

  • The animals are provided with a longer time and breeding activity.
  • The species bred in captivity can be reintroduced in the wild.
  • Genetic techniques can be used for the preservation of endangered species.

Disadvantages:

  • Captive population have limited genetic diversity
  • Animals can be exposed to a wide range of different diseases
  • The organisms are living outside their natural habitat.

(b) Define waste management. Why is segregation of waste important before disposal ? (5)
Answer:
Waste management (or waste disposal) include the activities and actions required to manage waste from its inception to its final disposal. This includes the collection, transport, treatment and disposal of waste, together with monitoring and regulation of the waste management process.

Segregating waste helps reduce use of raw materials, keeps recyclable material out of landfills and keeps incompatible garbage separate from each other. Waste segregation involves separating wastes according to how it’s handled or processed. Segregation of waste is important because:

  • Some waste also contains harmful or hazardous materials which should not get mixed with soil, water or air.
  • When the waste is not separated properly, it leads to less recycling because it is not easy to remove materials for recycling. This means many resources are wasted.

ICSE 2018 Environmental Science Question Paper Solved for Class 10

Question 6.
(a) What is hydropower ? State any two advantages and any two disadvantages of hydropower. (5)
Answer:
Hydropower is energy that comes from moving water. Hydropower can harness the energy in water that is already moving – for instance in rivers and waterfalls, or the waves of the sea.

Advantages of Hydropower:
1. Environmentally friendly : Most forms of hydropower are very environment- friendly. They do not release the large amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere that fossil fuels do when they are burned.

2. Recyclable waste products : The water that runs off from a hydroelectric dam can, once it has been harnessed for its energy, be used for other useful purposes such as irrigation of farmland. Hence, hydropower is a renewable form of energy i.e., using hydropower does not deplete the earth’s natural resources.

Disadvantages of Hydropower:
1. High installation & Maintenance costs: Building a hydroelectric dam is very expensive, as specialized equipment and high levels of engineering skill are needed.

2. Environmental damage : The systems used to harness hydropower (particularly dams) can disrupt the habitats of fish, crustaceans, and other water-dwelling life.

(b) State five measures that can be taken to encourage people to move to satellite cities. (5)
Answer:

  1. In our country, every satellite city must be provided with basic requirements like clean drinking water, irrigation facilities for crops, uninterrupted power supply, modem communication network.
  2. Quality educational institutes should come up in satellite areas.
  3. Multispeciality hospitals with qualified medical professionals should come up in satellite cities, so that, there is no need for villagers to visit or relocate to cities for treatment. Clinics, dispensaries and hospitals in rural areas are not well equipped to treat all types of diseases.
  4. Good public transport facilities should be provided in satellite cities.

Question 7.
(a) What is baranaja ? List four benefits of this agricultural practice. (5)
Answer:
Baranaja (literally meaning twelve grains) is a traditional mixed farming system widespread across the rain fed Garhwali agricultural regions in Uttarakhand. In the baranaja system, there is intercropping of twelve, or sometimes more crops. Cereals, lentils, vegetables, creepers and root vegetables are grown in this companion planting system. All crops are planted together on the same terraced fields in the kharif / chau masa or monsoon season. The benefits of this agricultural practice include:

  • This system enhances immunity of crops.
  • This system helps maintain ecological balance and enables farmers to benefit from certain varieties, even if some crops are damaged.
  • Since the field is always covered by the crops or plants, thus the soil erosion is significantly controlled.
  • When different types of plantation are done on the land, root systems of different plants reach different depths in the soil and capture nutrients and moisture efficiently and minimize the need for fertilizer and irrigation.

(b) Explain the farming techniques used to reduce soil erosion. (5)
Answer:
The following techniques can help in controlling soil erosion:
1. Contour Farming: In contour farming, the land is ploughed perpendicular to the slopes and along the contour lines. The slopes length shortens which slows down the flow of water thus giving it enough time to soak into the soil. Contour ploughing not only controls soil erosion but also improves soil profile by creating a water break.

2. Strip Cropping: On land with a decided slope, planting crops on contour strips will be an effective erosion determent. For effective control the width of the contour strip should vary inversely with the length of the slope. Strip cropping should be combined with crop rotation, so that a strip planted to a soil depleting, erosion-facilitating com crop one year will be sown to a soil enriching and protecting strip of legumes the next.

3. Terracing: The practice of terracing has been common in ancient China. The flat, step-like bench terraces are now not useful. The modem terrace is an embankment of earth constructed across a slope in such a way as to control water run-off and minimise erosion. To be effective, terrace must check water flow before it attains sufficient velocity to loosen and transport soil.

4. Gully Reclamation: Gullies are danger signals that indicate land is eroding rapidly and may become a wasteland as in the case of vast areas along the rivers Chambal and Yamuna. If a gully is small it may be ploughed in and then seeded to quick-growing crops like barley, maize, jo war, wheat in order to check erosion.

5. Shelter Belts: These are the ‘green belts’ of trees which help to break the force of strong winds and thus, prevent or cut to a minimum the blowing away of the loose top-soil.

ICSE 2018 Environmental Science Question Paper Solved for Class 10

Question 8.
(a) State five aims of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. (5)
Answer:
The aims of Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 are:

  • Prohibition on hunting of specified wild animals and birds.
  • Prohibition on exploitation of specified wild plant species.
  • Setting up and management of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
  • Control of trade and commerce of wildlife and its products.
  • Maintenance of data and records of wildlife being exploited, so that effective consequences can be levied or measures can be taken.

(b) What do you understand by land reforms? List four measures enforced by the Government of India to give land to the landless. (5)
Answer:
Land reform refers to an improvement in agro-economic institutions. It includes measures and policies relating to redistribution of land, regulation of rent, improving the conditions of tenancy, cooperative organisation, agricultural education, and so on. Land reform is a policy that aimed at ensuring social justice and harmony. Land reform involves the changing of laws, regulations or customs regarding land ownership.

The measures taken by the government to give land to the landless are:

  • Attempts to merge unequal landholdings were made and clear documentation showing the ownership of land was made mandatory Abolition of the intermediaries zamindars, who do the trading of the products grown by the labourers or peasants.
  • Land ceiling is one of the measures to take away the surplus land from those who cross the limit of land possession beyond a certain point.
  • Tenancy regulation was done to improve the contractual terms including security of occupancy.

Question 9.
(a) What is traffic management ? What measures has the traffic management department taken to save fuel and reduce emission ? (5)
Answer:
Traffic management is the organisation, arrangement, guidance and control of both stationary and moving traffic, including pedestrians, bicyclists and all types of vehicles. Its aim is to provide for the safe, orderly and efficient movement of persons and goods, and to protect and, where possible, enhance the quality of the local environment on and adjacent to traffic facilities.

Measures taken by traffic management department to save fuel and reduce emission are:
Traffic management measures are intended to reduce total vehicle emissions by creating situations where vehicle engines operate efficiently (e.g. fuel consumption is reduced by eliminating congestion and smoothing traffic flows) and/or by reducing transport demand such that the use of private vehicles is reduced (e.g. measures to encourage a modal switch from private cars to public transport, walking and cycling; land-use planning measures which minimise distances between home, work, shops and leisure facilities and so reduce dependency on cars). Traffic management measures can be adopted long-term and/or short-term (during smogs).

(b) State measures that could be taken to use land efficiently and improve the urban environment. (5)
Answer:
Land-use planning is the process of regulating the use of land in an effort to promote more desirable social and environmental outcomes as well as a more efficient use of resources. Goals of land use planning may include environmental conservation, restraint of urban sprawl, minimization of transport costs, prevention of land use conflicts, and a reduction in exposure to pollutants.
Following are the measures that could be taken to use land efficiently:

  • Land use planning often leads to land use regulation, which typically encompasses zoning. Zoning regulates the types of activities that can be accommodated on a given piece of land, as well as the amount of space devoted to those activities, and the ways that buildings may be situated and shaped.
  • Geographical mapping: It is important to understand the surrounding and characteristics of the city before the land is being used. Types of soil, availability of natural water resources, presence of agricultural lands in the vicinity, etc., should be known and mapped.
  • Environmental protocols should be strictly adhered. The construction of only green buildings or eco-friendly buildings should be permitted.

ICSE 2018 Environmental Science Question Paper Solved for Class 10

Question 10.
(a) What are the trade restrictions imposed by developed countries on the developing countries ? (5)
Answer:
Developing countries were not equal players in the competitive trade game and had been weakened by the discriminatory international trading policies that kept the prices of commodities low and the developed nations have exploited a huge amount of natural resources in the process of achieving the current economic and technological status. As the development progressed, rich countries got even richer while poor nations did not show much progress. There were no mechanisms to stabilize the commodity price which became one of the major reasons for the fall in the trade and export earnings of most of the developing countries. High import costs weaken the productivity and exports. The least developed countries often produce goods like textiles and agricultural products to which high tariffs are levied.

(b) How does biotechnology play an important role in achieving global food security ? (5)
Answer:
Biotechnology research and development have already produced significant products on the market, and will further have a pivotal role to play in encouraging and enhancing food production, considering the safety and environmental quality. Although the major concern being the safety and potential impact of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) on human health, the future of biotech crops looks encouraging as the global area of biotech crops continue to increase yearly and commercialization of drought tolerant maize and Golden Rice. Thus, biotech crops could possibly contribute in accomplishing the Development Goal particularly in reducing poverty by half through maximizing crop productivity.

The role of biotechnology in achieving food security is:
Modem agricultural biotechnology is one of the most promising developments in modern science. Used in collaboration with traditional or conventional breeding methods, it can raise crop productivity, increase resistance to pests and diseases, develop tolerance to adverse weather conditions, improve the nutritional value of some foods and enhance the durability of products during harvesting or shipping.