ISC Class 12 Question Paper 2020 for Environmental Science

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
PAPER 1 (THEORY)
(Maximum Marks: 70)
(Time allowed: Three hours)
(Candidates are allowed additional 15 minutes for only reading the paper.
They must NOT start writing during this time.)
Answer Question 1 (compulsory) from Part I and five questions from Part II, choosing
at least one question from each of the Sections A, B and C.
The intended marks for questions or parts of questions are given in brackets [ ].
PART I (20 Marks)
Answer all questions.
Question 1
(i) Define deep ecology. How is the concept of deep ecology different from shallow [2]
ecology?
(ii) Mention any two factors influencing the growth of population. [2]
(iii) Give any four characteristics of ‘r’ strategy. [2]
(iv) Give any two differences between a national park and a sanctuary. [2]
(v) Differentiate between primary pollutants and secondary pollutants. Give one [2]
example each.
(vi) Give any two socio-economic benefits of cottage industries. [2]
(vii) What is food adulteration? Name two of the common food adulterants. [2]
(viii) Give the full forms of: [2]
(a) MFN
(b) EPR
(ix) Classify the natural resources based on its distribution, giving examples. [2]
(x) What is IPR? State any two categories of IPR. [2]

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PART II (50 Marks)
Answer five questions in all, choosing at least one question from each of the
Sections A, B, and C.
SECTION A
Question 2
(a) What is sustainable development? Explain any five basic principles of sustainable [6]
development.
(b) Give a biographical sketch of Wendell Berry with special reference to his work [4]
on environment.

Question 3
(a) What are soil indicators? Name any five types of soil indicators and give one [6]
significance of each one of them.
(b) What is meant by demographic transition? Explain the first three stages of [4]
demographic transition.

Question 4
(a) Discuss any six functions of the State Pollution Control Board. [6]
(b) Explain any four threats to the ecosystem. [4]

SECTION B

Question 5
(a) Define sustainable agriculture. Explain any five elements of sustainable [6]
agriculture.
(b) Write a short note on the privatization of water in Cochabamba. [4]

Question 6
(a) What is meant by new urbanism? Discuss any five goals of smart growth in new [6]
urbanism.
(b) Discuss any two social and two ecological impacts of green revolution. [4]

Question 7
(a) What is food preservation and processing? Why do we need it? Discuss any [6]
three methods of food preservation and processing.
(b) What is meant by food additives? Discuss any three health hazards caused by [4]
food additives.
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SECTION C
Question 8
(a) What is meant by natural capital? What is the importance of preserving it? State [6]
the methods of regenerating natural capital.
(b) Give four advantages and four disadvantages of GNP. [4]

Question 9

(a) Discuss the ecological values of the rain forests of Amazonia. [6]
(b) What is Physical Accounting System? What is its aim? State two advantages and [4]
two disadvantages of Physical Accounting System.

Question 10

(a) What is globalization? Give any five advantages of globalization. [6]
(b) Explain any four impacts of hazardous waste. [4]

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