RUKMANI BIRLA MODERN HIGH SCHOOL

CLASS-X
SUBJECT-SCIENCE
CHAPTER-OUR ENVIRONMENT
QUESTION BANK

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS [1 Mark]

1. What percentage of sunlight is captured by plants to convert it into food energy?

(a) 1%
(b) 10%
(c) 50%
(d) more than 50%

2. Flow of energy in an ecosystem is always

(a) unidrectional
(b) bidrectional
(c) multidirectional
(d) none of these

3. Which of the following is non-biodegradable?

(a) Tea leaves
(b) Nylon
(c) remains of animals
(d) fleece of sheep

4. The structural and functional unit of the environment is known as:

(a) ecosystem
(b) biosphere
(c) food chain
(d) food web

5. Depletion of ozone layer is mainly due to

(a) Methane
(b) Carbon Dioxide
(c) ChloroFloroCarbons
(d) Nitrogen

6. First order consumers are:

(a) Carnivores
(b) Herbivores
(c) Decomposers
(d) Omnivores

7. A detritus food chain begins with

(a) Carnivores
(b) Herbivores
(c) Omnivores
(d) Decomposers

8. In an ecosystem, the 10% of energy disposable for transfer from one trophic lcvel to next is in the
form of
(a) heat energy
(b) chemical energy
(c) mechanical energy
(d) light energy

9. Accumulation of non-biodegradable pesticides in the food chain in increasing amount at each

higher trophic level is known as
(a) eutrophication
(b) pollution
(c) biomagnification
(d) accumulation

10. Which of the following is an abiotic component

(a) plants
(b) animals
(c) soil
(d) microorganisms

11. Which of the statement is incorrect?

(a) All green plants and blue green algae are producers
(b) Green plants get their food from organic compounds
(c) Producers prepare their own food from inorganic compounds
(d) Plants convert solar energy into chemical energy

12. Edaphic factors are included in

(a) Abiotic components
(b) Biotic components
(c) Producers
(d) Consumers
13. Only % of the energy can be transferred from one trophic level to the next trophic level.
a) 1
b) 5
c) 10
d) 20

14. Accumulation of non- biodegradable pesticides in different trophic levels is called

a) Biological degradation
b) Biological magnification
c) Biological concentration
d) Biological deposition

15. The UV radiation from the sun is likely to cause in human.

a) Skin cancer
b) Lung cancer
c) Liver Cancer
d) Brain Cancer
16. World Environment day is celebrated on
a) July 1
b) July 5
c) June 1
d) June 5

17. Which one of the following is a non- biodegradable substance

a) DDT
b) Manure
c) paper
d) Cotton cloth

18. In a terrestrial ecosystem the biomass of should be the most

a) Herbivore
b) Carnivore
c) Producer
d) Any one of the above

19. Identify the proper food chain

a) Grass ----- frog ---- insect------snake
b) Grass---- insect ----- frog-------snake
c) Insect --- frog ---- grass-----snake
d) Grass --- frog ---- snake------insect

20. Food web is

a) Food served through websites
b) Display of different food items
c) Interlinked food chains
d) Using food items for a fashion dress

21. The best way to dispose waste is by

a) Making a paste of all domestic waste and putting them in a river
b) Separating biodegradable and nonbiodegradable waste before disposing in bins
c) Throw the waste on road side
d) Dumping all domestic waste in litter bin
22. Which one of the following is an artificial ecosystem?
(a) Pond
(b) Crop field
(c) Lake
(d) Forest

23. In a food chain, the third trophic level is always occupied by

(a) carnivores
(b) herbivores
(c) decomposers
(d) producers

24. In the given food chain, suppose the amount of energy at fourth trophic level is 5 kJ, what
will be the energy available at the producer level?
Grass →◻Grasshopper →◻Frog →◻Snake →◻Hawk
(a) 5 k J
(b) 50 k J
(c) 500 k J
(d) 5000 k J

25. Accumulation of non-biodegradable pesticides in the food chain in increasing amount

at each higher trophic level is known as
(a) eutrophication
(b) pollution
(c) biomagnification
(d) accumulation

26. Depletion of ozone is mainly due to

(a) chlorofluorocarbon compounds
(b) carbon monoxide
(c) methane
(d) pesticides

27. Organisms which synthesise carbohydrates from inorganic compounds using radiant
energy are called
(a) decomposers (b) producers
(c) herbivores (d) carnivores

28. In an ecosystem, the 10% of energy available for transfer from one trophic level to the next
is in the form of
(a) heat energy (b) light energy
(c) chemical energy (d) mechanical energy

29. Organisms of a higher trophic level which feed on several types of organisms
belonging to a lower trophic level constitute the
(a) food web (b) ecological pyramid
(c) ecosystem (d) food chain
30. Flow of energy in an ecosystem is always
(a) unidirectional (b) bidirectional
(c) multi directional (d) no specific direction

31. Excessive exposure of humans to U V-rays results in

(i) damage to immune system
(ii) damage to lungs
(iii) skin cancer
(iv) peptic ulcers
(a) (i) and (ii) (b) (ii) and (iv)
(c) (i) and (iii) (d) (iii) and (iv)

32. In the following groups of materials, which group (s) contains only non-biodegradable items?
(i) Wood, paper, leather
(ii) Polythene, detergent, PVC
(iii) Plastic, detergent, grass
(iv) Plastic, bakelite, DDT
(a) (iii) (b) (iv)
(c) (i) and (iii) (d) (ii) and (iv)

33. Which of the following limits the number of trophic levels in a food chain?
(a) Decrease in energy at higher trophic levels
(b) Dufficient food supply
(c) Polluted air
(d) Water

34. Which of the statement is incorrect?

(a) All green plants and blue green algae are producers
(b) Green plants get their food from organic compounds
(c) Producers prepare their own food from inorganic compounds
(d) Plants convert solar energy into chemical energy

35. Which group of organisms are not constituents of a food chain?

(i) Grass, lion, rabbit, wolf
(ii) Plankton, man, fish, grasshopper
(iii) Wolf, grass, snake, tiger
(iv) Frog, snake, eagle, grass, grasshopper
(a) (i) and (iii) (b) (iii) and (iv)
(c) (ii) and (iii) (d) (i) and (iv)

36. The percentage of solar radiation absorbed by all the green plants for the
process of photosynthesis is about
(a) 1 % (b) 5 % (c) 8 % (d) 10 %

37. In the given below Figure the various trophic

levels are shown in a pyramid. At which trophic level is
maximum energy available?
(a) T4
(b) T2
(c) T1
(d) T3

38. What will happen if deer is missing in the food chain given below?
Grass → Deer → Tiger
(a) The population of tiger increases
(b) The population of grass decreases
(c) Tiger will start eating grass
(d) The population of tiger decreases and the population of grass increases

39. The decomposers in an ecosystem

(a) convert inorganic material, to simpler forms
(b) convert organic material to inorganic forms
(c) convert inorganic materials into organic compounds
(d) do not breakdown organic compounds

40. If a grass hopper is eaten by a frog, then the energy transfer will be from
(a) producer to decomposer
(b) producer to primary consumer
(c) primary consumer to secondary consumer
(d) secondary consumer to primary consumer

41. Disposable plastic plates should not be used because

(a) they are made of materials with light weight
(b) they are made of toxic materials
(c) they are made of biodegradable materials
(d) they are made of non-biodegradable materials

42. In a given food chain if the amount of energy at the fourth trophic level is 6 kJ, what will be
the energy available at the producer level?

(a) 6000 kJ (b) 20 kJ (c) 60 kJ (d) 600 kJ

43. Which of the following is a biodegradable waste ?

(a) DDT (b) Aluminium can

(c) Plastic bag (d) Cow dung

44. Which of the following is the best way for disposal of vegetable and fruit peels?

(a) Landfill (b) Recycling (c) Composting (d) Burning

45. Accumulation of non-biodegradable pesticides in the food chain in increasing amount at each
higher trophic level is known as:

(a) Eutrophication (b) Pollution (c) Biomagnification (d) Accumulation

46. In an ecosystem, the 10% of energy available for transfer from one trophic level to the next is in
the form of :

(a) heat energy (b) light energy (c) chemical energy (d) mechanical energy

47. In the given Figure, the various trophic levels are shown in a pyramid. At which trophic level
is maximum energy available?
(a) T4 (b) T2 (c) T1 (d) T3

48. Which of the statements is incorrect?

(а) All green plants and blue green algae are producers

(b) Green plants get their food from organic compounds

(c) Producers prepare their own food from inorganic compounds

(d) Plants convert solar energy into chemical energy

49. What will happen if Deer is missing in the food chain given below?

Grass → Deer → Tiger

(а) The population of tiger increases

(b)The population of grass decreases

(c) Tiger will start eating grass

(d) The population of tiger decreases and the population of grass increases

50. When is the World Environment Day celebrated?

(a) 16 June (b) 5 December (c) 5 June (d) 5 July

51. Which of these is a greenhouse gas?

(a) Hydrogen Sulphide (b) Methane (c) Ozone (d) Carbon monoxide

52. The transfer of Energy in a food chain is always:

(a) Unidirectional (b) Methane

(c) Bi-directional (d) Random

53. If a grasshopper is eaten by frog, then the energy transfer will be from:

(a) producers to decomposers

(b) producer to primary consumer

(c) primary consumer to secondary consumer

(d) secondary consumer to primary consumer

54. The % of solar radiation absorbed by all green plants for photosynthesis is about ———–.

(a) 1% (b) 5% (c) 8% (d) 10%

55. Find out the energy available to the bird if energy of the plant is 10000 KJ :

(a) 100 KJ (b) 10 KJ (c) 1KJ (d). 5KJ

ASSERTION REASON TYPE QUESTIONS

(a) If both Assertion and reason are true and Reason is the correct explanation of assertion

(b) If both Assertion and Reason are true but Reason is not a correct explanation of the Assertion

(c) If Assertion is true but the Reason is false

(d) If both Assertion and Reason are false

Q.1. Assertion (A) : Man is a herbivore.

Reason(R) : Omnivores eat both plant food and meat of animals.

Q.2. Assertion (A) : Garden is an artificial ecosystem.

Reason(R) : Biotic and abiotic components are manipulated by humams.

Q.3. Assertion (A) : Biotic components of ecosystem continuously require energy to carry on
life processes.

Reason(R) : Abiotic components are non-living factors of ecosystem.

Q.4. Assertion (A) : Decomposers act as cleaning agents of the environment.

Reason (R) : The decomposers recycle waste material in the hydrosphere.

Q.5. Assertion (A) : Food chain is responsible for the entry of harmful chemicals in our bodies.

Reason(R) : The length and complexity of food chain vary greatly.

VERY SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS [1 Mark]

1. What will happen if we kill all the organisms in one trophic level?
2. Why did United Nations act to control the production of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) used in
refrigerators?
3. Which compounds are responsible for the depletion of ozone layer?
4. Define ‘trophic level’.
5. What are the various steps in a food chain called?
6. What is the important function of presence of ozone in earth’s atmosphere?
7. Give an example to illustrate that indiscriminate use of pesticides may result-in the
degradation of the environment.
8. Why is it necessary to conserve our environment?
9. What is meant by a biodegradable waste?
10. What is the role of decomposers in the
ecosystem?
11. What step is being taken to limit the damage to the ozone
layer?
12. Why are some substances non- biodegradable?
13. Which class of chemicals is linked to the decrease in the amount of ozone in the
upper atmosphere of the earth?
14. Name two decomposers operating in our ecosystem.
15. Select two non-biodegradable substances from the following waste generated in a
kitchen: spoilt food, paper bags, milk bags, vegetable peels, tin cans, used tea leaves.
16. What happens when higher energy ultraviolet radiations act on the oxygen at the
higher level of the atmosphere?
17. In a food chain, 10,000 joules of energy is available to the producer. How much energy
will be available to the secondary consumer to transfer it to the tertiary consumer?
18. Write the name and formula of a molecule made up of three atoms of
oxygen.
19. List two man-made ecosystems.
20. Consider the following food chain which occurs in a forest: Grass -> Deer -> Lion
If 10000 J of solar energy is available to the grass, how much energy would be available to the deer
to transfer it to the lion?
21. Which of the following belong to the first trophic level of a food chain? Grass,
Grasshopper, Plants, Rat, Tiger
22. Name the phenomenon in which non-biodegradable chemicals get
accumulated progressively at each trophic level of a food chain.
23. How is the increase in demand for energy affecting our environment adversely?
24. Why is ozone layer getting depleted at the higher levels of the atmosphere?
25. Name any two abiotic components of an environment.
26. What are the two main components of our environment?
27. Why are green plants called ‘producers’?
28. Which disease is caused in human beings due to depletion of ozone layer in the
atmosphere?
29. Why should biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes be discarded in two
separate dustbins?
30. List two natural ecosystems.
31. List two biotic components of a biosphere.
32. What will be the amount of energy available to the organism of the 2nd trophic level
of a food chain, if the energy available at the first trophic level is 10,000 joules?
33. The following organisms form a food chain. Which of these will have the highest
concentration of non-biodegradable chemicals? Name the phenomenon associated with it. Insects,
Hawk, Grass, Snake, Frog.
34. List two criteria of measuring the biodiversity of an area.
35. The first trophic level in a food chain is always a green plant. Why?

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS [I] [2 Marks]

36. How is ozone formed in the upper atmosphere? Why is the damage of ozone layer a cause
of concern to us? State a cause of this damage.
37. State two problems caused by the non- biodegradable waste that we generate in our
daily life.
38. What are biodegradable and non- biodegradable substances? Select two
biodegradable pollutants from the following: Agricultural waste, glass, plastic, sewage, DDT.
39. Construct an aquatic food chain showing four trophic
levels.
40. Explain ‘biological magnification’ with the help of an example.
41. Describe how decomposers facilitate recycling of matter in order to maintain balance in
the ecosystem.
42. What is biodiversity? What will happen if biodiversity of an area is not preserved?
Mention one effect of it.
43. What is meant by biodiversity? List two advantages of conserving forests and
wildlife.
44. Why we say energy flow in the biosphere is unidirectional?
45. How can we help in reducing the problem of waste disposal? Give any two
methods.
46. “Damage to the ozone layer is a cause for concern.” Justify this statement. Suggest any
two steps to limit this damage. ‘

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTION[II] [3 Marks]

47. (a) What is ‘environmental pollution’?

(a) Distinguish between biodegradable and non-biodegradable pollutants.
(b) Choose the biodegradable pollutants from the list given below:
Sewage, DDT, radioactive waste, agricultural waste.
48. Why are bacteria and fungi called decomposers? List any two advantages of decomposers
to the environment.
49. Differentiate between biodegradable and non-biodegradable substances with the
help of one example each. List two changes in habit that people must adapt to dispose non-
biodegradable waste for saving the environment.
50. How is ozone formed in the higher level of the atmosphere? “Damage to ozone
layer is a cause of concern”. Justify this statement.
51. Explain phenomenon of “biological magnification”. How does it affect organisms
belonging to different trophic levels particularly the tertiary consumers?
52. Pesticides like DDT which are sprayed to kill pests on crops are found to be
present in the soil, ground water, water bodies etc. Explain. How do they reach these
places?
53. Food web increases the stability of an ecosystem. Justify.
 LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS [5 MARKS]

54. A non-biodegradable toxic chemical has entered into the food chain. Which type of food
habit will you suggest to a man, vegetarian or non-vegetarian? Explain with the help of a food
chain. The food chain which you would suggest, is advantageous in an another aspect. How?

55. Write a note on the producers, consumers and decomposers of the biotic environment
with examples of each.

56. Explain some harmful effects of agricultural practices on the environment.

57. In a food chain, if 10000 Joules of energy is available to the producer, how much energy
will be available to the secondary consumer to transfer it to the tertiary consumer?

58. “Energy flow in a food chain is unidirectional”. Justify this statement. Explain how the
pesticides enter a food chain and subsequently get into our body.

59. (a) In the following food chain, 5 J of energy is available to man. How much energy was
available at the producer level?
Plants→Sheep→Man

(b) Explain phenomenon of “biological magnification”. How does it affect organisms belonging to
different trophic levels particularly the tertiary consumers?

CASE STUDY QUESTIONS

Q.1. Read the following and answer the questions :

The belief the Ganga River is "holy" has not, however, prevented over-use, abuse and pollution of the
river. All the towns along its length contribute to the pollution load. It has been assessed that more than
80 per cent of the total pollution load (in terms of organic pollution expressed as biochemical oxygen
demand (BOD)) arises from domestic sources, i.e., from the settlements along the river course. Due to
over-abstraction of water for irrigation in the upper regions of the river, the dry weather flow has been
reduced to a trickle. Rampant deforestation in the last few decades, resulting in topsoil erosion in the
catchment area, has increased silt deposits which, in turn, raise the river bed and lead to devastating
floods in the rainy season and stagnant flow in the dry season. Along the main river course there are 25
towns with a population of more than 100,000 and about another 23 towns with populations above
50,000. In addition, there are 50 smaller towns with populations above 20,000. There are also about
100 identified major industries located directly on the river, of which 68 are considered as grossly
polluting. Fifty-five of these industrial units have complied with the regulations and installed effluent
treatment plants (ETPs) and legal proceedings are in progress for the remaining units. The natural
assimilative capacity of the river is severely stressed. The principal sources of pollution of the Ganga
River can be characterized as follows:

1.1. Accumulation of toxic substances at higher trophic levels of an ecosystem through the
food chain in water bodies affects which of the following organisms more?

(a) Phytoplankton (b) Zooplankton (c) Small fishes (d) Large fishes

1.2. When toxic chemicals and nutrients get deposited in the water bodies, which of the following
gases get depleted in the water bodies?

(a) Oxygen (b)Carbon dioxide (c) Both oxygen and carbon dioxide (d)Nitrogen

1.3. Which of the following activities may pollute the river water more?

(a) Bathing using detergent and soap (b) Discharging animals excreta

(c) Deposit flowers and leaves as the part of puja (d) Bathing without soap and detergent

1.4. Which of the following organisms grow abundant in water when the water get mixed with
nutrients like sulphates, phosphates etc.?

(a) Algae (b) Zooplankton (c) Small fishes (d) Large fishes

1.5 .Green Algae and Diatoms are the major producers of Aquatic ecosystem .Which of the following
will be more in the aquatic ecosystem:

(a) Small fishes (b) Large fishes (c) Algae and phytoplankton (d) Tadpole

Q.2. Read the following and answer the questions :

The atmosphere is a blanket of air and a precious natural resource for sustaining life on the Earth.
Unfortunately, human activities based on national/personal interests are causing harm to this common
resource, notably by depleting the fragile ozone layer, which acts as a protective shield for life on the
Earth. Ozone molecules consist of three oxygen atoms, Ozone molecules are exceeding rare: fewer
than ten in every million molecules of air. However, for nearly a billion years, their presence in the
atmosphere has played a vital role in safeguarding life on Earth. The ozone in the troposphere (up to
110 kilometres above the Earth's surface) is 'bad' ozone which can damage lung tissues and plants. But
about 90 per cent of ozone found in the stratosphere (between 10 and 40 kilometres above the Earth's
surface) is "good" ozone which plays a beneficial role by absorbing dangerous ultraviolet (UV-B)
radiations from the Sun. Without this beneficial ozone layer, humans would be more susceptible to
certain diseases due to the increased incidence of ultraviolet rays from the Sun.
2.1. Ozone molecules consists of:
(a) Three oxygen atoms only (b) two oxygen atoms only
(c) Only one atom of oxygen (d) None of the above
2.2. Depletion of ozone layer is mainly due to
(a) Use of CFC’s (b) Use of halogens (c) Both (a) and (b) (d) None of the above
2.3. U-V rays can cause diseases in humans like
(a) Skin cancer only (b) Cataract only (c) Lung cancer (d) Both (a) and (b)
2.4. Ozone holes are more pronounced at the :
(a) Equator (b) Tropic of cancer (c) Tropic of Capricorn (d) Poles
2.5. Which of the following is an ozone depleting substance?
(a) Sulphur dioxide (b) Methyl chloride (c) Carbon dioxide (d) Methane
Q.3. Read the following and answer the questions :Food chains are very important for the
survival of most species. When only one element is removed from the food chain it can result in
extinction of a species in some cases. The foundation of the food chain consists of primary producers.
Primary producers, or autotrophs, can use either solar energy or chemical energy to create complex
organic compounds, whereas species at higher trophic levels cannot and so must consume producers
or other life that itself consumes producers. Because the sun's light is necessary for photosynthesis,
most life could not exist if the sun disappeared. Even so, it has recently been discovered that there are
some forms of life, chemotrophs , that appear to gain all their metabolic energy from chemosynthesis
driven by hydrothermal vents, thus showing that some life may not require solar energy to thrive.
3.1. If 10,000 J solar energy falls on green plants in a terrestrial ecosystem, what percentage of solar
energy will be converted into food energy?

(a) 10,000 J (b) 100 J (c) 1000 J (d) It will depend on the type of the terrestrial plant

3.2. Mr. X is eating curd/yogurt. For this food intake in a food chain he should be considered
as occupying

(a) First trophic level (b) Second trophic level

(c) Third trophic level (d) Fourth trophic level

3.3. The decomposers are not included in the food chain. The correct reason for the same is
because decomposers:

(a) Act at every trophic level of the food chain

(b) Do not breakdown organic compounds

(c) Convert organic material to inorganic forms

(d) Release enzymes outside their body to convert organic material to inorganic forms

3.4. Which of the following limits the number of trophic levels in a food chain?

(a) Decrease in energy in higher trophic levels (b) Less availability of food

(c) Polluted air (d) Water

3.5. Matter and energy are two fundamental inputs of an ecosystem. Movement of

(a) Energy is bidirectional and matter is repeatedly circulating.

(b) Energy is in repeated circulation and matter is unidirectional.

(c) Energy is unidirectional and matter is repeatedly circulating.

(d) Energy is multidirectional and matter is bidirectional.

Q.4. Read the following and answer the questions :

Observe the food web and answer the Questions given below :
4.1. The mussel can be described as:-

(a) Producer (b) Primary consumer (c) Secondary consumer (d) Decomposer

4.2. Which trophic level is incorrectly defined?

(a) Carnivores – secondary or tertiary consumers (b) Decomposers – microbial heterotrophs

(c) Herbivores – primary consumers (d) Omnivores – mold, yeast and mushrooms

4.3 The given figure best represents:

(a) Grass food chain (b) Parasitic food chain (c) Forest food chain (d)
Aquatic food chain

4.4. In the food web, what two organisms are competing for food?
(a) A and B (b) A and C (c) D and F (d) B and D

4.5. Why do all food chains start with plants ?

(a) Because plants are easily grown. (b) Because plants are nutritious.

(c) Because plants can produce its own energy. (d) Because plants do not require energy.

Q.5. Read the following and answer the questions :

Study the image given below and answer the following questions.

5.1 The ecosystem consists of

(a) Biotic components only (b) Abiotic components only

(c) Both biotic and abiotic components (d) None of the above

5.2. Which among the following are the Primary Producers?

(a) Algae (b) Phytoplankton (c) Algae and phytoplankton (d) Green plants

5.3. Which group of organisms may have higher Bio-magnification?

(a) Producers (b) Primary consumers (c) Secondary Consumer (d) Tertiary consumers
5.4. Which is the Primary source of energy in an ecosystem?

(a) Soil (b) Water (c) Sun (d) Carbon dioxide

5.5. The image given above is an example of

(a) Aquatic ecosystem (b) Terrestrial ecosystem

(c) Land ecosystem (d) Natural aquatic ecosystem