Air Pollution and Its Effects - UNSOLVED PRACTICE SET
Chapter: Natural Resources | Topic: Air Pollution and Its Effects
AIR POLLUTION AND ITS EFFECTS - UNSOLVED PRACTICE SET
Topic: Air Pollution and Its Effects
Multiple Choice Questions
Q1. Which of the following is a major air pollutant released by vehicles and factories?
- Oxygen
- Carbon monoxide
- Nitrogen
- Water vapour
Q2. The thick, dark fog that forms in cities like Delhi during winter, made worse by smoke and vehicle emissions, is called:
- Cloud
- Smog
- Mist
- Dew
Q3. Acid rain is caused when air pollutants like sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides mix with:
- Oxygen in the air
- Water vapour in clouds to form acids
- Dust particles
- Carbon dioxide only
Q4. Which of these is NOT a health effect of air pollution on humans?
- Respiratory problems like asthma and bronchitis
- Improved lung function
- Eye irritation
- Reduced visibility leading to accidents
Q5. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi often crosses 400 in November, which is rated as "severe." This means:
- The air is perfectly clean
- The air is hazardous and can affect healthy people seriously
- The air is good for exercise
- The air has more oxygen than usual
Short Answer Questions
Q6. What is air pollution? Name four major air pollutants and their main sources in Indian cities.
Q7. How does air pollution affect human health? List three respiratory diseases that are made worse by air pollution.
Q8. What is acid rain? How is it formed, and what damage does it cause to buildings, crops, and water bodies?
Q9. Your school is located near a busy road. Many students complain of coughing and eye irritation during morning assembly. What could be the cause, and what two practical measures can the school take to reduce this problem?
Long Answer Questions
Q10. Explain the causes, effects, and control measures of air pollution. Describe how burning of fossil fuels, vehicle emissions, industrial smoke, and agricultural stubble burning contribute to air pollution in North India. What are the effects on human health, agriculture, and monuments like the Taj Mahal? Suggest four practical control measures.
Q11. "Delhi's air quality in winter is a public health emergency." Discuss this statement by explaining: what causes the severe smog in Delhi during October-November (stubble burning, vehicle emissions, firecrackers, weather conditions), how it affects children's health and elderly people, what measures like the Odd-Even rule and GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan) are, and what long-term solutions are needed.
APPLICATION / ANALYSIS
Q12. Case Study - Air Quality in Three Cities:
The Central Pollution Control Board recorded AQI data:
| City | AQI Level | Main Pollutants | Major Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi | 430 (Severe) | PM2.5, PM10 | Vehicles, stubble burning, industries |
| Bengaluru | 120 (Moderate) | PM10, NO2 | Vehicles, construction dust |
| Shimla | 45 (Good) | Low levels | Minimal industry, lots of trees |
Answer the following:
(a) Why is Delhi's AQI so much higher than Shimla's? Give two specific reasons related to human activities and geography.
(b) A student in Delhi runs 5 km every morning at 6 AM. Is this a healthy practice during severe AQI days? Explain the health risks.
(c) If you were the mayor of Delhi, what is the ONE most effective long-term measure you would implement to bring the AQI below 100? Justify your choice.
Q13. Real-Life Application - School Air Quality Audit:
Your school in Lucknow wants to improve air quality around the campus. A student group finds:
| Observation | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Heavy traffic on road outside school | Every day |
| Students burning waste paper in the playground | Occasionally |
| Diesel generator used during power cuts | Daily for 2 hours |
| Very few trees around the school building | All year |
| Firecrackers during Diwali celebrations | One week per year |
Answer the following:
(a) Rank these five sources of air pollution from most harmful to least harmful for the students' health. Explain your ranking for the top two.
(b) Suggest two immediate changes the school can make to reduce air pollution on campus.
(c) During Diwali, the AQI in Lucknow crosses 500. What alternative celebration methods would you suggest to your classmates that keep the festive spirit alive without firecrackers?