ISC Class 12 Environmental Science 2024 Question Paper PDF With Answer Key

ICSE Exam 2025: The Indian School Certificate (ISC) 2024-25 board examination is about to start tomorrow, February 13, 2025. The first exam is for ISC 12th Environmental Science (EVS). It is not a very complicated subject, and thus students who have gone through the chapters well must know how to tackle the questions. Still, solving previous year papers is a wise choice to prepare better and understand the question paper pattern. Get here the 2024 ISC Class 12 EVS paper along with the answer key PDF.

ISC Class 12 Environmental Science Solved Previous Year Question Paper 2024

Check the question paper along with the solutions:

SECTION A - 14 MARKS

Question 1

(i) Raman visited his grandmother in his village during summer break. He observed that his grandmother cut the raw mangoes into small pieces, applied salt and spices to them, and stored them in a ceramic jar filled with oil.

Which one of the following methods of food preservation did Raman’s grandmother use?

(a) Drying
(b) Canning
(c) Pickling ✅
(d) Freezing

(ii) Assertion: Dry compost toilets save water and reduce waste.
Reason: Compost can be used as manure for crops.

(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is the correct explanation for Assertion. ✅
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true but Reason is not the correct explanation for Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true and Reason is false.
(d) Both Assertion and Reason are false.

(iii) The headquarters of the World Wide Fund for Nature is located in:

(a) USA
(b) Canada
(c) Switzerland ✅
(d) United Kingdom

(iv) Which one of the following methods is used to check the microbial activity of a selected soil sample?

(a) Soil salinity
(b) Soil pH
(c) Soil respiration ✅
(d) Soil crusting

(v) An American environmental thinker was inspired by Zen Buddhism and wrote a number of poems on the environment.
Name the environmentalist being referred to here.

Answer: Gary Snyder ✅

(vi) It has been discovered recently that Ladakh is rich in uranium deposits that have not been used till date.
Which category of resources would uranium deposits fall under?

Answer: Potential Resources ✅

(vii) Study the relationship between the first and the second word given below and fill in the fourth word on that basis.

Johads: Rajasthan :: Tankas : Gujarat ✅

(viii) ______ is a radical environmental advocacy group founded by Dave Foreman, Mike Rosella, and Howie Wolke.

Answer: Earth First! ✅

(ix) Write the expanded forms of the following:

(a) GDP: Gross Domestic Product ✅
(b) B.O.D.: Biochemical Oxygen Demand ✅

(x) Give a term for the description given below:

(a) The cultivation of freshwater and saltwater organisms like fish, crustaceans, and molluscs under controlled conditions.
Answer: Aquaculture ✅

(b) A system of farming where crops are grown, and livestock reared on the same farm.
Answer: Mixed Farming ✅

(c) The type of pyramid that has a higher number of individuals in the post-reproductive age group than the pre-reproductive age group.
Answer: Inverted Age Pyramid ✅

(d) The maximum number of individuals that can be supported by an ecosystem without causing any damage to the environment.
Answer: Carrying Capacity ✅

SECTION B - 28 MARKS

Question 2

(i) What is social ecology? State any three principles of Social Ecology.

Answer:
Social Ecology is the study of the relationship between human societies and their environment, focusing on how social structures impact ecological balance.

Three principles of Social Ecology:

1. Diversity: Sustainable societies must embrace cultural, biological, and ecological diversity.
2. Decentralization: Small, self-sufficient communities help reduce environmental damage.
3. Interdependence: Humans and nature must coexist in harmony to ensure sustainability.

OR

(ii) Write a short biographical sketch of Wendell Berry. Highlight any two of his contributions to the environment.

Answer:
Wendell Berry is an American environmentalist, farmer, and writer known for advocating sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation.

Two contributions:

1. Promotion of Sustainable Farming: Berry emphasized organic farming and small-scale agriculture to protect the environment.
2. Environmental Literature: His writings, including The Unsettling of America, highlight the importance of responsible land use.

Question 3

(i)

(a) Why are tribal communities considered an integral part of an ecosystem?
Answer: Tribal communities live in harmony with nature, using sustainable practices for agriculture, hunting, and resource management. ✅

(b) Highlight any two conflicts between the tribal communities and the government.
Answer:

1. Displacement: Government projects like dams and industries often force tribes to leave their lands. ✅
2. Restriction on Traditional Practices: Conservation laws sometimes prevent tribes from hunting and gathering, affecting their livelihood. ✅

(c) Which Act was passed by the Government of India to resolve the conflict between the tribal communities and the Indian government?
Answer: The Forest Rights Act, 2006 ✅

OR

(ii)

(a) What is WTO? State any one of its principles.
Answer:
The World Trade Organization (WTO) is an international body that regulates global trade and ensures smooth commerce between nations. ✅

One principle: Non-Discrimination – All member countries must treat each other equally in trade. ✅

(b) Briefly discuss any two functions of WTO.
Answer:

1. Trade Negotiation: The WTO facilitates agreements between nations to promote free and fair trade. ✅
2. Dispute Resolution: It settles conflicts between countries regarding trade policies. ✅

Question 4

State any four features of New Urbanism.
[4 Marks]

Answer:
New Urbanism is an urban design movement that promotes sustainable and people-friendly cities. Its key features include:

1. Walkability: Well-connected streets and pedestrian-friendly areas reduce the need for cars.
2. Mixed-Use Development: Residential, commercial, and recreational spaces are integrated within the same area.
3. Sustainable Transport: Encourages cycling, public transport, and green infrastructure.
4. Community Spaces: Parks, squares, and gathering spaces promote social interaction. ✅

Question 5

(i) A species has to usually choose between two strategies in the environment for its survival. It can either fight and stay in the environment or move to a safe environment.
Which strategies have been indicated above? Give any one feature of each of these strategies adopted by a species.
[2 Marks]

Answer:

• Fight Strategy: This refers to Adaptation, where the species evolves and adjusts to survive in its current environment.
• Feature: Organisms develop resistance to harsh conditions (e.g., camels storing water in humps). ✅
• Move Strategy: This refers to Migration, where species relocate to more favourable conditions.
• Feature: Birds migrate to warmer regions in winter for better survival. ✅

(ii) Mention any two disadvantages of the Macro Irrigation System.
[2 Marks]

Answer:

1. High Water Wastage: A large amount of water is lost due to evaporation and runoff. ✅
2. Soil Degradation: Excessive watering can lead to soil erosion and salinity. ✅

Question 6

Traffic system of Bogota is an ideal example of the innovative measures taken by a government to ensure sustainable management of traffic.
Justify this statement by stating any four such measures taken by the Government of Bogota.
[4 Marks]

Answer:
The Government of Bogota implemented several sustainable traffic measures, including:

1. Bus Rapid Transit System (BRT): Introduced TransMilenio, an efficient, affordable, and eco-friendly public transport system. ✅
2. Car-Free Days: Established Ciclovía, where roads are closed to cars every Sunday to promote cycling and walking. ✅
3. Improved Cycling Infrastructure: Created over 300 km of bike lanes to encourage eco-friendly commuting. ✅
4. Strict Traffic Regulations: Reduced car usage by implementing Pico y Placa, a restriction on private vehicles based on license plate numbers. ✅

Question 7

According to a case study, almost eighty percent of milk is mixed with an unwanted substance. This substance may be water, starch, urea, detergent, etc.

(i) Which term is used for the unwanted substances that are added to milk?
[1 Mark]

Answer: Food Adulterants ✅

(ii) Name any three food items, other than milk, to which unwanted substances are added. Mention the unwanted substances that are added to each of these food items.
[3 Marks]

Answer:

1. Tea Leaves: Added adulterant - Iron fillings ✅
2. Vegetables: Added adulterant - Artificial colours (e.g., malachite green in peas) ✅
3. Wheat Flour: Added adulterant - Chalk powder ✅

Question 8

Study the image given below and answer the questions that follow.

(i) Which illegal trade is associated with the image shown above? [1 Mark]

Answer: Ivory Trade ✅

(ii) State any three consequences of the ban on this illegal trade. [3 Marks]

Answer:

1. Protection of Elephants: The ban helped in reducing elephant poaching and preserving their population. ✅
2. Reduction in Black Market Trade: Stricter laws decreased illegal trafficking of ivory. ✅
3. Promotion of Alternative Materials: People started using synthetic or legal substitutes for ivory products. ✅

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Related:

• ISC Class 12 Environmental Science Syllabus 2024-25
• ISC Class 12 Environmental Science Specimen Paper 2024-25
• ISC Exam Schedule 2025