ICSE Class 10 Question Paper 2026 Environmental Science

ICSE | Class 10

Environmental
Science
Question Paper 2026

Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE)

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· ICSE · ISC · CBSE · State Boards

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

Maximum Marks: 80

Time allowed: Two hours

1. Answers to this Paper must be written on the paper provided separately.

2. You will not be allowed to write during the first 15 minutes.

3. This time is to be spent in reading the question paper.

4. The time given at the head of this Paper is the time allowed for writing the answers.

5. Attempt all questions from Section A and any four questions from Section B.

6. The intended marks for questions or parts of questions are given in brackets [ ].

Instruction for the Supervising Examiner

Kindly read aloud the Instructions given above to all the candidates present in the
Examination Hall.

This paper consists of 11 printed pages and 1 blank page.
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SECTION A (40 Marks)
(Attempt all questions from this Section.)

Question 1 [16]
Choose the correct answers to the questions from the given options.
(Do not copy the questions, write the correct answers only.)

(i) The term used for the increase in population, which leads to the growth and
expansion of cities is:

(a) Deurbanisation

(b) Counter urbanisation

(c) Urbanisation

(d) Ruralisation

(ii) Assertion (A): Education plays a key role in women’s empowerment.

Reason (R): Access to education empowers women to make their own
decision.

(a) (A) is true and (R) is false.

(b) (A) is false and (R) is true.

(c) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

(d) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

(iii) The principle of 3Rs in waste management stands for:

(a) Reduce, Regain, Recycle

(b) Reduce, Reuse, Regain

(c) Reuse, Retain, Regain

(d) Reuse, Reduce, Recycle

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(iv) Which of following is NOT related to land use planning?

(a) Systematic assessment of land

(b) Unplanned drainage system

(c) Complete infrastructure planning

(d) Developed transport facility

(v) Identify the best method to make the soil fertile.

(a) Spraying pesticides

(b) Burning grass cover

(c) Using trickle drip irrigation

(d) Adding farmyard manure

(vi) Match Column I with Column II.

Column I Column II

1. Planting rows of trees and shrubs. A. Check Dams

2. Cutting the fields at a right angle to
B. Mulching
the slope.
3. Dry leaves are spread on soil. C. Terrace Farming

4. Reduce the speed of water flow. D. Wind Breakers

(a) 1-C, 2-D, 3-A, 4-B

(b) 1-D, 2-C, 3-B, 4-A

(c) 1-A, 2-C, 3-B, 4-D

(d) 1-B, 2-A, 3-C, 4-D

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(vii) Which one of the following statements is NOT correct?

(a) Ozone depletion benefits the earth.

(b) Eutrophication is due to the dissolved phosphate in water bodies.

(c) Global warming is the rise in the average temperature of the earth.

(d) Greenhouse effect is due to deforestation.

(viii) To reduce the environmental impact of construction activities, which of the
following methods should be undertaken?

(a) Increasing construction waste

(b) Using eco-friendly construction material

(c) Using timber for construction

(d) Inefficient use of water resources

(ix) Fukushima : Release of radioactive materials : : Bhopal Gas Tragedy :
___________

(a) Leakage of Methyl Isocyanate

(b) Leakage of oil

(c) Flash floods due to cloud burst

(d) Dumping of Cobalt 60

(x) One positive impact of MNCs on the local economy of the host country is:

(a) drain of wealth

(b) destruction of culture

(c) employment generation

(d) introduction of government policies

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(xi) According to IUCN, Dodos have been classified as ___________.

(a) Endangered species

(b) Endemic species

(c) Vulnerable species

(d) Extinct species

(xii) Microbial breakdown of biomass in the absence of oxygen produces
__________ gases.

(a) Chlorine and fluorine

(b) Methane and carbon dioxide

(c) Nitrogen and hydrogen

(d) Oxygen and nitrogen

(xiii) Identify the type of farming that is shown through the diagram given below:

(a) Inter Cropping

(b) Mixed farming

(c) Crop rotation

(d) Strip farming

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(xiv) Identify the incorrect pair from the following:

(a) Solar energy – Solar panels

(b) Leguminous crop – Wheat

(c) Ethanol – Fuel efficiency

(d) Rare species – One horned rhino

(xv) The picture given below shows a car with a fuel tank. Identify the fuel used
in the tank to run the vehicle.

(a) Piped Natural Gas

(b) Gasoline

(c) Compressed Natural Gas

(d) Lead-free Petrol

(xvi) Which of the following issues was addressed by the Earth Summit held in Rio
(1992)?

(a) Biodiversity and climate change

(b) Transboundary air pollution

(c) Poverty alleviation

(d) International trade regulation

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Question 2
(i) Name any two devices that reduce industrial air pollution. [2]

(ii) Mention any two reasons for the increase in birth rate of world population. [2]

(iii) Unplanned and haphazard growth of urban complexes has serious [2]
environmental impacts. State any two environmental impacts of unplanned
urban growth.

(iv) Write any two consequences of soil erosion. [2]

Question 3
(i) A Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) is an organism whose genome has [2]
been engineered in a laboratory. Give any one advantage and any one
disadvantage of such an organism.

(ii) What is captive breeding? Give any one advantage of captive breeding. [2]

(iii) Write any two ways in which energy plantations are useful to combat [2]
deforestation.

(iv) What is sewage sludge? Give one benefit of using sewage sludge. [2]

Question 4
(i) India’s toy industry can’t meet its domestic demand, so foreign [2]
manufacturers export toys to India. These toys are sold at a higher price
compared to locally produced toys.
Adapted from: The Times of India, September 2, 2020
Identify the type of practice indicated in the above statements. Write one way
of practising it.

(ii) What is the role of Biotechnology in agriculture to achieve global food [2]
security?

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(iii) State any two advantages of recycling timber. [2]

(iv) Observe the image given below and answer the following questions: [2]

(a) Identify the type of energy that is obtained from this source.

(b) Write one advantage of this type of energy mentioned in (a) above.

SECTION B (40 Marks)

(Attempt any four questions from this Section.)

Question 5

(i) (a) Suggest any two economic steps taken by the government to promote [5]
clean transport system.

(b) Describe any three ways how proper town planning and zoning can help
reduce traffic congestion.

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(ii) GROWING POPULATION [5]

INCREASE IN CONSUMPTION

RESOURCE DEPLETION

ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION

(a) Explain the connection between growing population and environmental
degradation illustrated in the flow chart given above.

(b) Explain how education helps in controlling the rate of population
growth of a country.

Question 6
(i) Urban areas produce thousands of tons of solid waste every day. A major [5]
portion of this waste is dumped in open landfills. Segregation of waste at
source, recycling and composting help reduce the amount of garbage that
goes to landfills.

(a) What is a sanitary landfill?

(b) Mention two problems caused by improper waste disposal.

(c) Explain two methods that can help manage solid waste effectively.

(ii) The famous ‘Chipko movement’ is a living example of people’s participation [5]
in environmental conservation.

(a) What was the aim of the Chipko movement?

(b) Give two reasons for the conservation of forests.

(c) Write two advantages of community participation.

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Question 7
(i) Agroforestry is a farming system in which livestock and trees are grown [5]
together.

(a) Write two advantages of Agroforestry.

(b) What is Conservation Tillage? Write any two ways in which this method
harms the agricultural fields.

(ii) (a) Why is dependence on fossil fuel harmful to the environment? [5]

(b) Suggest any three ways by which renewable energy can be harnessed
from different sources.

Question 8
(i) Scientists decide to preserve the seeds of a rare plant in a seed bank, as it [5]
faced extinction in its natural habitat.

(a) Name the type of conservation being used and state one benefit of this
method.

(b) Give three reasons for the implementation of the Wildlife Protection
Act, 1972 by the Government of India.

(ii) “Industrial growth must be balanced with environmental conservation.” [5]

(a) Based on this statement, write two ways in which industrial growth
degrades the environment.

(b) Suggest any three ecofriendly measures that can be taken to prevent
environmental degradation.

Question 9
(i) (a) Give two advantages of recycling waste materials. [5]

(b) What are toxic wastes? Mention two harmful effects of such wastes.

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(ii) (a) State two ways by which the Integrated Rural Development Programme [5]
aims to remove rural poverty.

(b) What is Counter Urbanisation? Write two effects of this process.

Question 10
(i) Alternative technology, as compared to traditional technology has supported [5]
a good life for the people.

(a) List two examples of alternate technology for sustainable development.

(b) Write three applications where the technology of satellite imagery is
used to protect the environment.

(ii) The picture given below shows a section of the earth’s atmosphere thinning [5]
at the poles of the earth.

(a) Identify the environmental issue shown.

(b) Which International Treaty was signed to reduce this effect?

(c) Write the expanded form of the chemical responsible for this issue.

(d) What are the two effects of UV radiation on human health?

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