Unit - 5

Our Environment
01 Our Earth is in Trouble and People

Our world is in trouble! Below are some ways we are hurting the planet.
Choose the correct word from the options given within the brackets to fill in
the blanks.

1. Since the 1980s, experts have noticed that the temperatures are rising
around the world. This is called ________________________ (earth/global)
warming.

2. ________________________ (Desertification/Afforestation) is becoming a major

problem as more and more areas in the world are turning into deserts.
These are not necessarily hot, dry and sandy places, but are areas where
the ________________________ (sand/soil) is now useless for growing
________________________ (crops/bushes). Such soil
stores less ________________________ (water/oil) and
produces less grain, even with sufficient rainfall.

3. ________________________ (Ozone/Oxygen) is a
naturally occurring gas found in the
atmosphere. It absorbs most of the sun’s
ultraviolet ________________________ (light/rays),
which are harmful to both our plant and
animal life. It is mostly found in a band called
the ________________________ (oxygen/ozone) layer,
which lies about 15–40 km above the earth’s surface. Certain gases used
in some perfumes, air fresheners and deodorants contribute to the
________________________ (protection/destruction) of this layer.

4. As ________________________ (industrialisation/evolution) is increasing, we are

constructing taller buildings, factories and roads. This continuous process
of building leads to the ________________________ (buying/disposal) of large
quantities of waste produced.

5. The burning of ________________________ (fossil fuels/renewable energy) has

led to the rise of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

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 02 Let Us Save Our Earth
All of us know that our earth is in danger. Here are a few ways by which we
can save it! Unscramble the letters given in the brackets to find the answers.
W ___ ___ ___ ___
1. ___ W ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
F ___ ___ ___ (ROWLD LLWIFDIE
UDFN) is among the world’s largest organisations working for the
protection of wildlife and our environment. The organisation aims to stop
the degradation of the planet's natural environment and to build a future in
which humans live in harmony with nature.
2. Nature efficiently recycles its own waste, including dead plants and
animals. This is done by a process known as
D ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ (EDPMOCOTIONIS).
___
C ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ (SERVTIONACON) means to preserve
3. ___
and protect the environment and the natural things present in it.
R ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ (GLINCYREC) means reprocessing or reusing
4. ___
waste materials. It conserves resources, energy and water while lowering
greenhouse gas emissions.
5. Nowadays, in some parts of the world, ___ L ___ ___ ___ (DALE)-free petrol is
being used a lot. It does not emit harmful compounds, it helps in preventing
health diseases like bronchitis, asthma, lung diseases and other
respiratory disorders.

Activity Time
Leadership and Responsibility

Create an Environmental Awareness Campaign!

In a small group, choose an environmental issue from the chapter, such as
plastic pollution or deforestation. Choose a team leader to make sure
everyone has a job. Create an awareness campaign for your chosen issue.
Make a flyer with key facts and solutions, and prepare a brief speech
highlighting the problem and ways to take action (For example, reducing
plastic use, and planting trees). Your leader will help your team present
your project to the class.

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 03 Environmental Quiz
Tick (3) the correct answer.
1. Which country suffered a devastating Tsunami in 2011?
a. China b. Japan c. France
2. Which day is celebrated as World Environment Day?
a. 25 July b. 5 June c. 25 June
3. Which gas is released during the burning of fossil fuels?
a. Helium b. Nitrogen c. Carbon dioxide
4. The most abundant plants found in the ocean and seas are known as
a. Zooplankton b. Phytoplankton c. Nekton
5. Which gas(es) is used to inflate weather balloons?
a. Argon
b. Neon
c. Helium and Hydrogen
6. The Bhopal Gas Tragedy took place on the night of 2-3 December, in which
year?
a. 1970 b. 1984 c. 1986
7. Which of these can cause an oil spill in the ocean?
a. Kitchen waste b. A leaking ship c. None of these
8. Which of these is considered the purest natural source of water?
a. Oceans b. Seas c. Rain
9. Which company was responsible for the Bhopal Gas Tragedy?
a. Union Gas
b. Union Energy
c. Union Carbide India Ltd
10. Which kind of pollution is worst for our health?
a. Air Pollution b. Noise Pollution c. Water Pollution

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 04 Hard at Work
From doctors to farmers, each profession plays an important role in society.
Learning about different types of work helps appreciate the hard work and
dedication of people in various fields.
Fill in the blanks with suitable words by choosing the correct option from
the brackets.
1. A TV, radio or newspaper reporter is a ______________________ (publisher/
journalist).
2. In a hotel, if you worked in the F&B department, which department would
you be a part of? ______________________ (Food and Beverage/Flowers and
Boutique)
3. A professional who gives his/her opinion about a film, a book, a work of art,
an event or a food item is called a ______________________ (criticiser/critic).
4. A chauffeur is another name for a professional who ______________________
(cooks delicacies/drives a car).
5. A person who answers calls of people from all over the world or calls them
on behalf of a company, works in a ______________________ (computer/call
centre).
6. The job of field or work you choose is said to be your ______________________
(career/courier).
7. A doctor is a medical ______________________ (practitioner/person).
8. A scientist who studies space, stars and planets is ______________________ (an
astronomer/a stargazer).
9. Government officers who assist leaders in running the government are
called ______________________ (bureaucrats/politicians).
10. A person who gives advice to companies is a ______________________
(consultant/conspiration).
11. A solicitor is a type of ______________________ (banker/lawyer).
12. People who work with computers are part of the IT industry. IT stands
for ______________________ (Intelligence Technique/Information Technology).

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05 Specially abled People
People with disabilities often have extraordinary talents and can achieve
remarkable things. Name these great achievers using the clues and helpbox:
Sudha Chandran Arunima Sinha Helen Keller
Bob Hiltermann Stephen Hawking

1. I was a national level volleyball player when

my leg had to be amputated after a train
accident. In 2013, I became the first female
amputee and the first Indian amputee to
scale Mt Everest.
__________________________________
2. I am a German musician and actor. Though I am
deaf, I play the drums for Beethoven’s Nightmare,
a rock band in which all the members are deaf.
__________________________________
3. I was a famous scientist. I spent many
years in a wheelchair. I had almost no
control over my limbs and needed a
special computer to speak to others. I
travelled around the world, delivering
lectures on physics and the universe.
__________________________________
4. I am an Indian classical dancer. I lost a leg in a road
accident. I continued my dancing career with an
artificial leg. I am now a well-known TV actor.
__________________________________
5. When I was only 19 months old, I lost my
power of hearing and sight after an illness.
Gradually, I learned to speak, read and
write, and became a teacher and an author.
__________________________________

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 06 Threats to Environment
Identify and write the names of the following environmental threats using
the given helpbox:
Species Extinction Air Pollution Deforestation
Water Pollution Water Shortage Climate Change
1. Droughts, heatwaves, wildfires, cyclones, storms,
and increase in global temperature.
__________________________________
2. Intensive agriculture, wildlife poaching, habitat
degradation and destruction, and acid rain are the
main reasons for this threat.
__________________________________
3. Contamination of indoor and outdoor air by
chemicals, vehicles, industries, forest fires and
burning of waste.
__________________________________
4. Release of substances into water bodies which
makes water unsafe for human use and disrupts
aquatic life.
__________________________________
5. One of the major environmental threats where
this resource gets wasted, overused and climate
factors also reduce the amount available leading
to the extreme shortage of this life-sustaining
resource.
__________________________________
6. Reduction of trees leads to loss of plant and animal
habitats and is a driver of climate change.
__________________________________

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