CBSE Class 7 Social Science Chapter 1 Environment NCERT Solutions

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 7 PDF

This chapter, 'Environment,' for CBSE Class 7 Social Science, delves into the fundamental concepts of our surroundings. The NCERT Solutions provide clear explanations of what constitutes the environment, distinguishing between the natural and human-made aspects. Students will learn about the key components of the environment, including biotic (living organisms) and abiotic (non-living elements like land, water, and air) factors. The solutions also explain crucial concepts like ecosystems, lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere, highlighting their interdependencies. Understanding these elements is vital for grasping how life is supported on Earth. These solutions offer step-by-step answers to textbook questions, aiding students in comprehending the subject matter thoroughly and preparing effectively for their examinations by reinforcing key definitions and relationships within the environmental context.

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Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 7
SubjectSocial Science
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterChapter 1 – Environment

Chapter summary

Chapter 1, 'Environment,' for Class 7 Social Science, focuses on understanding the surroundings. The NCERT Solutions cover definitions and components of both natural and human-made environments. Key concepts explained include ecosystems, lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere, emphasizing the interactions between living and non-living elements. The solutions address how humans modify their environment and the interdependence between plants and animals, providing a foundational understanding of environmental science for students.

Learning outcomes

  • Define and explain the concept of an ecosystem.
  • Differentiate between natural and human-made environments.
  • Identify the major components of the environment (natural, human-made, human).
  • Describe the characteristics of the lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.
  • Explain the interdependence between plants and animals.
  • Understand how human activities modify the environment.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Environment
  • Natural Environment
  • Human-made Environment
  • Components of Environment
  • Ecosystem
  • Lithosphere
  • Atmosphere
  • Hydrosphere
  • Biosphere
  • Interdependence of Organisms
  • Human Modification of Environment
  • Basic Life Support System

Important topics

  • Definition and Components of Environment
  • Natural vs. Human-made Environment
  • Understanding Ecosystems
  • The Four Spheres: Lithosphere, Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, Biosphere
  • Interdependence of Plants and Animals
  • Human Impact on Environment

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

What is an ecosystem?
Solution: An ecosystem is formed by the intricate relationship between all living organisms, including plants, animals, and human beings, and their immediate surroundings. It also encompasses the interdependence among these living organisms and their interaction with the non-living components of their environment, such as land, water, and air.

Question 1 (ii)

What do you mean by natural environment?
Solution: The natural environment refers to all the living and non-living things that exist on Earth without human intervention. It comprises elements like land, water, air, plants, and animals. Essentially, it includes both the biotic (living organisms like plants and animals) and abiotic (non-living elements like land) conditions found naturally on our planet.

Question 1 (iii)

Which are the major components of the environment?
Solution: The environment is composed of three major categories of components:
  1. Natural components: These include land, air, water, and living things (plants and animals).
  2. Human-made components: These are elements created by humans, such as buildings, parks, bridges, roads, industries, and monuments.
  3. Human components: This refers to the human aspect, encompassing individuals, families, communities, religious groups, educational systems, and economic structures.

Question 1 (iv)

Give four examples of human-made environment.
Solution: Four examples of the human-made environment, which are structures and places created by humans, include buildings, parks, bridges, and roads.

Question 1 (v)

What is lithosphere?
Solution: The lithosphere is the solid, outermost layer of the Earth. It consists of the crust and the upper part of the mantle. This layer is primarily composed of rocks and minerals and is covered by a thin layer of soil. The surface of the lithosphere is not uniform; it features diverse landforms such as mountains, plateaus, plains, and valleys.

Question 1 (vi)

Which are the two major components of biotic environment?
Solution: The biotic environment refers to all living components. The two major components of the biotic environment are plants and animals.

Question 1 (vii)

What is biosphere?
Solution: The biosphere is a narrow, life-supporting zone on Earth where the lithosphere (land), hydrosphere (water), and atmosphere (air) interact with each other. It is essentially the 'living world,' comprising the plant and animal kingdoms that coexist within this interactive zone.

Question 2 (i)

Which is not a natural ecosystem?

(a) Desert

(b) Aquarium

(c) Forest.

Solution: The correct answer is (b) Aquarium. An aquarium is an artificial, man-made ecosystem designed to house aquatic organisms, whereas deserts and forests are natural ecosystems.

Question 2 (ii)

Which is not a component of human environment?

(a) Land

(b) Religion

(c) Community.

Solution: The correct answer is (a) Land. Land is a component of the natural environment. Religion and community are aspects of the human environment, which includes social and cultural elements created by people.

Question 2 (iii)

Which is a human made environment?

(a) Mountain

(b) Sea

(c) Road.

Solution: The correct answer is (c) Road. Roads are constructed by humans and are therefore part of the human-made environment. Mountains and seas are natural features.

Question 2 (iv)

Which is a threat to environment?

(a) Growing plant

(b) Growing population

(c) Growing crops.

Solution: The correct answer is (b) Growing population. A growing population often leads to increased demand for resources, pollution, and habitat destruction, posing a significant threat to the environment. Growing plants and crops are generally beneficial or neutral to the environment.

Question 3

Match the following:

(i) Biosphere

(ii) Atmosphere

(iii) Hydrosphere

(iv) Environment

(a) blanket of air which surrounds the earth

(b) domain of water

(c) gravitational force of the earth

(d) our surroundings

(e) narrow zone where land, water and air interact

Solution: The correct matches are:
  • (i) Biosphere - (e) narrow zone where land, water and air interact
  • (ii) Atmosphere - (a) blanket of air which surrounds the earth
  • (iii) Hydrosphere - (b) domain of water
  • (iv) Environment - (d) our surroundings
Note: Option (c) 'gravitational force of the earth' is not directly matched with any of the terms but is a force that helps retain the atmosphere and influences the planet.

Question 4 (a)

Give reasons: Man modifies his environment
Solution: Humans modify their environment primarily to meet their increasing needs and to make their lives more comfortable and convenient. This modification can involve altering landscapes, building infrastructure, and developing technologies. Additionally, humans also modify their environment as a way to adapt themselves to the existing natural surroundings, making them more habitable or suitable for specific purposes.

Question 4 (b)

Give reasons: Plants and animals depend on each other.
Solution: Plants and animals are interdependent for their survival and well-being. Plants play a vital role by producing oxygen through photosynthesis, which is essential for animals to breathe. In return, animals release carbon dioxide during respiration, which plants utilize for photosynthesis. This exchange forms a crucial cycle that sustains life for both groups.

Question 5

Activity: Imagine an ideal environment where you would love to live. Draw the picture of your ideal environment.
Solution: This is an activity designed for students to express their creativity and understanding of an ideal living space. Students are expected to draw a picture representing their preferred environment, incorporating elements they find desirable for living. The provided image (Fig. 1.1) serves as a sample illustration of what an ideal environment might look like, featuring elements like clean air, greenery, and harmonious coexistence.

Question 1

What is environment?
Solution: The environment encompasses everything that we can see and experience in our surroundings. It serves as our fundamental life support system, providing us with essential resources such as air to breathe, water to drink, food to eat, and land to live on – all of which are basic necessities for human life.

Question 2

Why is our environment changing?
Solution: Our environment is undergoing changes primarily because human needs and desires are constantly increasing. To fulfill these growing demands, humans often modify the environment without fully considering the consequences, leading to significant alterations in natural systems.

Question 3

What are the basic components of natural environment?
Solution: The basic components of the natural environment are the non-living elements and the living organisms found in nature. These include land (lithosphere), water (hydrosphere), air (atmosphere), plants, and animals (biotic components).

Question 4

What does lithosphere provide us?
Solution: The lithosphere, which is the solid outer layer of the Earth, provides us with numerous essential resources and features. It supports forests and grasslands, which are vital for grazing animals. It also provides land suitable for agriculture and for human settlements. Furthermore, the lithosphere is a rich source of valuable minerals.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing natural and human-made ecosystems.
  • Incorrectly identifying components of the human environment.
  • Not fully grasping the concept of interdependence in ecosystems.
  • Overlooking the role of human modification in environmental change.

Revision tips

  • Create flashcards for key terms like ecosystem, lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.
  • Draw diagrams illustrating the interaction between biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem.
  • Practice identifying examples of natural and human-made environments in your daily life.
  • Review the reasons why humans modify their environment and the consequences.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What is the narrow zone of the Earth where land, water, and air interact to support life?

Q2. Which of the following is an example of a human-made environment?

Q3. What are the two major components of the biotic environment?

Q4. Which component of the environment refers to the domain of water?

Q5. What is the primary reason given for the change in our environment?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main focus of Chapter 1: Environment in Class 7 Social Science?

Chapter 1 focuses on understanding the concept of the environment, its natural and human-made components, and key elements like ecosystems, lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.

How do the NCERT Solutions help students understand the environment?

The solutions provide clear, step-by-step answers to textbook questions, defining terms, explaining concepts like ecosystems and interdependence, and illustrating the relationship between humans and their surroundings.

What is the difference between the natural and human-made environment?

The natural environment includes land, water, air, plants, and animals, while the human-made environment consists of structures and elements created by humans, such as buildings, roads, and parks.

What are the major components of the environment discussed in this chapter?

The major components are natural (land, air, water, living things), human-made (buildings, parks, roads), and human (individual, family, community).

Why is it important to study the environment?

Understanding the environment is crucial as it forms our basic life support system, providing essential resources like air, water, and food, and highlighting the need for sustainable living.

What is an ecosystem?

An ecosystem is formed by the interaction between living organisms (plants, animals, humans) and their immediate surroundings, including non-living elements like land and air.

Important links

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