Environment and Sustainable Development is an important chapter in NCERT Class 11 Economics because it explains the relationship between economic development and environmental protection. The chapter discusses environmental degradation, sustainable development, global warming, ozone depletion, pollution, renewable and non-renewable resources, and strategies for environmental conservation.
The chapter is highly important for school examinations, CUET, UPSC, SSC, PSC, Railway and other competitive examinations.
Table of Contents
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (MCQs)
1. Environment is defined as:
A. Only forests and rivers
B. Total planetary inheritance and totality of all resources
C. Only living organisms
D. Only natural resources used by industries
Correct Answer: B
Page Reference: 116
2. Which among the following is a biotic component of environment?
A. Air
B. Water
C. Rocks
D. Forests
Correct Answer: D
Page Reference: 116
3. Which of the following is an abiotic component?
A. Birds
B. Fisheries
C. Air
D. Plants
Correct Answer: C
Page Reference: 116
4. Which function is NOT performed by environment?
A. Supply of resources
B. Assimilation of waste
C. Sustaining life
D. Printing currency
Correct Answer: D
Page Reference: 116
5. Renewable resources are resources:
A. That cannot be regenerated
B. Which get exhausted immediately
C. Which can be used continuously without depletion
D. Found only underground
Correct Answer: C
Page Reference: 116
6. Which among the following is a non-renewable resource?
A. Forests
B. Fish
C. Fossil fuels
D. Water
Correct Answer: C
Page Reference: 116
7. Absorptive capacity means:
A. Ability to extract minerals
B. Ability of environment to absorb degradation
C. Capacity of industries
D. Ability to generate electricity
Correct Answer: B
Page Reference: 117
8. Environmental crisis occurs when:
A. Resource extraction is below regeneration rate
B. Wastes are within absorptive capacity
C. Demand exceeds carrying capacity
D. Population decreases
Correct Answer: C
Page Reference: 117
9. Water has become an economic good mainly because:
A. It is available in excess
B. Rivers and aquifers are polluted and depleted
C. Rainfall increased
D. Water has no utility
Correct Answer: B
Page Reference: 117
10. Which disease is commonly caused by air pollution?
A. Cholera
B. Asthma
C. Typhoid
D. Malaria
Correct Answer: B
Page Reference: 117
11. Global warming refers to:
A. Cooling of earth’s atmosphere
B. Increase in average atmospheric temperature
C. Reduction in rainfall only
D. Increase in soil fertility
Correct Answer: B
Page Reference: 118
12. Which gases are mainly responsible for global warming?
A. Oxygen and nitrogen
B. Carbon dioxide and methane
C. Hydrogen and helium
D. Argon and neon
Correct Answer: B
Page Reference: 118
13. Ozone depletion is caused mainly due to:
A. Carbon monoxide
B. Sulphur dioxide
C. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
D. Oxygen
Correct Answer: C
Page Reference: 119
14. Which international agreement aimed to control ozone depletion?
A. Kyoto Protocol
B. Montreal Protocol
C. Paris Agreement
D. WTO Agreement
Correct Answer: B
Page Reference: 119
15. Which river region is described as heavily industrialised and polluted?
A. Ganga Valley
B. Krishna Basin
C. Damodar Valley
D. Godavari Basin
Correct Answer: C
Page Reference: 119
16. Which among the following is a major environmental concern in India?
A. Wildlife expansion
B. Land degradation
C. Increase in forests
D. Decline in industries
Correct Answer: B
Page Reference: 120
17. The Chipko Movement aimed at:
A. Industrial growth
B. Forest conservation
C. Urban development
D. Expansion of mining
Correct Answer: B
Page Reference: 121
18. Appiko Movement started in:
A. Rajasthan
B. Gujarat
C. Karnataka
D. Punjab
Correct Answer: C
Page Reference: 121
19. Which institution was set up to control pollution in India?
A. RBI
B. CPCB
C. NABARD
D. SEBI
Correct Answer: B
Page Reference: 123
20. CPCB stands for:
A. Central Public Control Board
B. Central Pollution Control Board
C. Central Planning Control Bureau
D. Common Pollution Board
Correct Answer: B
Page Reference: 123
21. Vehicular pollution is especially harmful because:
A. Vehicles use solar energy
B. It is a ground-level source of pollution
C. Vehicles absorb pollution
D. Vehicles reduce global warming
Correct Answer: B
Page Reference: 123
22. Sustainable development means:
A. Unlimited industrial growth
B. Development without future concern
C. Development meeting present needs without harming future generations
D. Development only in urban areas
Correct Answer: C
Page Reference: 124
23. Which conference popularised the concept of sustainable development?
A. Bretton Woods Conference
B. UNCED
C. Bandung Conference
D. G-20 Summit
Correct Answer: B
Page Reference: 124
24. Sustainable development aims to:
A. Increase pollution
B. Minimise resource depletion
C. Ignore future generations
D. Increase waste generation
Correct Answer: B
Page Reference: 124-125
25. According to Herman Daly, renewable resources should be:
A. Extracted rapidly
B. Conserved underground
C. Extracted within regeneration rate
D. Exported only
Correct Answer: C
Page Reference: 125
26. Which among the following is a non-conventional source of energy?
A. Coal
B. Petroleum
C. Wind power
D. Diesel
Correct Answer: C
Page Reference: 125-126
27. Gobar gas plants mainly use:
A. Coal
B. Petroleum
C. Cattle dung
D. Nuclear fuel
Correct Answer: C
Page Reference: 126
28. Which clean fuel significantly reduced pollution in Delhi?
A. Petrol
B. Diesel
C. CNG
D. Coal
Correct Answer: C
Page Reference: 126
29. Solar energy can be converted into electricity using:
A. Windmills
B. Turbines
C. Photovoltaic cells
D. Dams
Correct Answer: C
Page Reference: 127
30. Mini-hydel plants are mainly suitable in:
A. Desert regions
B. Coastal plains
C. Mountainous regions
D. Industrial cities
Correct Answer: C
Page Reference: 127
31. Ayurveda and Unani are examples of:
A. Modern industries
B. Traditional healthcare systems
C. Fossil fuel technologies
D. Heavy industries
Correct Answer: B
Page Reference: 127
32. Biocomposting helps in:
A. Increasing pollution
B. Chemical contamination
C. Converting organic waste into compost
D. Deforestation
Correct Answer: C
Page Reference: 128
33. Neem-based pesticides are promoted because they are:
A. More poisonous
B. Environment-friendly
C. Imported chemicals
D. Expensive
Correct Answer: B
Page Reference: 128
34. Which among the following helps in natural pest control?
A. Snakes
B. Owls
C. Peacocks
D. All of these
Correct Answer: D
Page Reference: 128
35. Sustainable development ensures:
A. Declining welfare
B. Lasting development
C. Unlimited exploitation
D. Complete industrial ban
Correct Answer: B
Page Reference: 128
Looking for the other chapters questions to revise ?
NCERT Class 11 Economics Chapter 5 Rural Development Important Questions and Answers
NCERT Class 11 Economics Chapter 4 Human Capital Formation in India Important Questions and MCQs
NCERT Class 11 Economics Chapter 2 Indian Economy 1950–1990 Important Questions with Answers
ONE-WORD / VERY SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
1. What is the totality of all resources called?
Answer: Environment
Page Reference: 116
2. Name one biotic component of environment.
Answer: Forests
Page Reference: 116
3. Name one abiotic component of environment.
Answer: Water
Page Reference: 116
4. Which resource gets exhausted with extraction?
Answer: Non-renewable resource
Page Reference: 116
5. What is the ability of environment to absorb degradation called?
Answer: Absorptive capacity
Page Reference: 117
6. Which phenomenon increases earth’s atmospheric temperature?
Answer: Global warming
Page Reference: 118
7. Which gas is mainly responsible for ozone depletion?
Answer: Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)
Page Reference: 119
8. Which protocol banned CFCs?
Answer: Montreal Protocol
Page Reference: 119
9. Which movement protected forests by hugging trees?
Answer: Chipko Movement
Page Reference: 121
10. Expand CPCB.
Answer: Central Pollution Control Board
Page Reference: 123
11. Which pollution source is dominant in urban India?
Answer: Vehicular pollution
Page Reference: 123
12. What is development meeting present needs without harming future generations called?
Answer: Sustainable development
Page Reference: 124
13. Which conference defined sustainable development?
Answer: UNCED
Page Reference: 124
14. Which economist suggested limiting human population within carrying capacity?
Answer: Herman Daly
Page Reference: 125
15. Name one non-conventional source of energy.
Answer: Wind power
Page Reference: 125-126
16. Which fuel is promoted in rural households as a clean fuel?
Answer: LPG
Page Reference: 126
17. Expand CNG.
Answer: Compressed Natural Gas
Page Reference: 126
18. Which technology converts sunlight into electricity?
Answer: Photovoltaic cells
Page Reference: 127
19. Which traditional healthcare system originated in India?
Answer: Ayurveda
Page Reference: 127
20. Which process converts organic matter into compost using earthworms?
Answer: Vermicomposting
Page Reference: 128
21. Which tree is widely used for biopest control?
Answer: Neem
Page Reference: 128
22. Which natural resource is heavily affected by soil erosion?
Answer: Land
Page Reference: 122
23. Which sector contributes heavily to air pollution in cities?
Answer: Transport sector
Page Reference: 123
24. Which gas fuel reduced pollution in Delhi buses?
Answer: CNG
Page Reference: 126
25. Which development approach ensures non-declining welfare?
Answer: Sustainable development
Page Reference: 128
ASSERTION AND REASON QUESTIONS
Question 1
Assertion (A): Environment includes both biotic and abiotic factors.
Reason (R): Environment consists only of living organisms.
Options:
A. Both A and R are true and R explains A
B. Both A and R are true but R does not explain A
C. A is true but R is false
D. A is false but R is true
Correct Option: C
Page Reference: 116
Question 2
Assertion (A): Renewable resources can be used continuously without depletion.
Reason (R): Their regeneration rate supports continuous supply.
Correct Option: A
Page Reference: 116
Question 3
Assertion (A): Environmental crisis occurs when carrying capacity is exceeded.
Reason (R): Resource extraction and waste generation exceed environmental limits.
Correct Option: A
Page Reference: 117
Question 4
Assertion (A): Water has become an economic good.
Reason (R): Rivers and groundwater have been polluted and depleted.
Correct Option: A
Page Reference: 117
Question 5
Assertion (A): Global warming is mainly human-induced.
Reason (R): Burning fossil fuels increases greenhouse gases.
Correct Option: A
Page Reference: 118
Question 6
Assertion (A): Ozone depletion increases ultraviolet radiation reaching Earth.
Reason (R): Ozone layer blocks harmful UV rays.
Correct Option: A
Page Reference: 119
Question 7
Assertion (A): India faces both poverty-induced and affluence-induced environmental degradation.
Reason (R): Industrialisation and overuse of resources create pollution pressure.
Correct Option: A
Page Reference: 120
Question 8
Assertion (A): Chipko and Appiko Movements aimed at forest conservation.
Reason (R): Indiscriminate felling damaged forests and environment.
Correct Option: A
Page Reference: 121
Question 9
Assertion (A): Vehicular pollution is highly harmful in urban areas.
Reason (R): Vehicular emissions are released at ground level.
Correct Option: A
Page Reference: 123
Question 10
Assertion (A): Sustainable development protects future generations.
Reason (R): Present development should not compromise future needs.
Correct Option: A
Page Reference: 124
Question 11
Assertion (A): Renewable resources should be extracted sustainably.
Reason (R): Extraction rate should not exceed regeneration rate.
Correct Option: A
Page Reference: 125
Question 12
Assertion (A): CNG reduced air pollution in Delhi.
Reason (R): CNG is a cleaner fuel than petrol and diesel.
Correct Option: A
Page Reference: 126
Question 13
Assertion (A): Solar energy is environment-friendly.
Reason (R): Solar power generation through photovoltaic cells is pollution free.
Correct Option: A
Page Reference: 127
Question 14
Assertion (A): Traditional healthcare systems are regaining importance.
Reason (R): Herbal products are relatively free from side effects.
Correct Option: A
Page Reference: 127
Question 15
Assertion (A): Sustainable development ensures lasting welfare.
Reason (R): It minimises environmental degradation and resource depletion.
Correct Option: A
Page Reference: 128
IMPORTANT EXAM-ORIENTED CONCEPT QUESTIONS
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DATA-BASED AND FACTUAL QUESTIONS
1. What percentage of world iron-ore reserves does India account for?
Answer: Nearly 8%
Page Reference: 120
2. What percentage of world’s human population does India support?
Answer: Approximately 17%
Page Reference: 122
3. What percentage of world livestock population is supported by India?
Answer: About 20%
Page Reference: 122
4. What percentage of world geographical area does India possess?
Answer: About 2.5%
Page Reference: 122
5. What is India’s per capita forest land availability?
Answer: 0.06 hectare
Page Reference: 122
6. What is the required forest land per capita to meet basic needs?
Answer: 0.47 hectare
Page Reference: 122
7. At what rate is soil being eroded annually in India?
Answer: 5.3 billion tonnes per year
Page Reference: 122
8. How many tonnes of nitrogen are lost annually due to soil erosion?
Answer: 0.8 million tonnes
Page Reference: 122
9. How many rivers are monitored by Pollution Control Boards?
Answer: 125 rivers
Page Reference: 123
10. From approximately how many vehicles in 1951 did India’s motor vehicles rise by 2022?
Answer: From about 3 lakh to 35 crores
Page Reference: 123
11. What percentage of total registered vehicles were two-wheelers and cars in 2022?
Answer: About 85%
Page Reference: 123
12. How many significantly polluting industry categories were identified by CPCB?
Answer: 17 categories
Page Reference: 124
13. Approximately how many medicinal plant species are found in India?
Answer: About 15,000 species
Page Reference: 127
14. How many medicinal plant species are regularly used in treatment systems?
Answer: About 8,000 species
Page Reference: 127
15. In the Appiko Movement, how many trees were reportedly saved?
Answer: About 12,000 trees
Page Reference: 121
VERY IMPORTANT BOARD EXAM QUESTIONS
- Explain the functions of environment.
- Distinguish between renewable and non-renewable resources.
- Discuss the causes and consequences of environmental degradation.
- Explain the causes and effects of global warming.
- What is ozone depletion? Explain its effects.
- Analyse the major environmental problems in India.
- Explain sustainable development with suitable examples.
- Discuss Herman Daly’s conditions for sustainable development.
- Explain the role of non-conventional energy sources in sustainable development.
- Discuss the role of traditional knowledge and practices in environmental conservation.
- Explain the significance of biocomposting and biopest control.
- Discuss the role of Pollution Control Boards in India.
- Explain how economic development leads to environmental crisis.
- Analyse the importance of renewable energy for India.
- Explain the concept of intergenerational equity in sustainable development.
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