Section A — Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Attempt all. Each question carries 1 mark. (10 × 1 = 10)

1. Which of the following plants is an example of a herb?
   A. Mango
   B. Rose
   C. Tomato
   D. Banyan

2. Leaves that show a net-like pattern of veins are said to have __________ venation.
   A. Parallel
   B. Reticulate
   C. Radial
   D. Circular

3. Which of the following is a monocot?
   A. Chickpea
   B. Mustard
   C. Maize
   D. Hibiscus

4. Animals that can live both in water and on land are called __________.
   A. Mammals
   B. Reptiles
   C. Amphibians
   D. Birds

5. A plant with a single main root and small side roots is said to have a __________ root system.
   A. Fibrous
   B. Taproot
   C. Adventitious
   D. Rootless

6. Which scientist is known as the ‘Birdman of India’?
   A. Janaki Ammal
   B. Salim Ali
   C. Vidya Athreya
   D. Divya Mudappa

7. Which feature helps a fish to move efficiently in water?
   A. Wings
   B. Fins
   C. Legs
   D. Hooves

8. Camels in hot deserts often have:
   A. Two humps and thick fur
   B. One hump and long legs with wide hooves
   C. Short legs and no humps
   D. Webbed feet

9. Plants with parallel venation most likely have __________ roots.
   A. Taproot
   B. Fibrous
   C. No roots
   D. Adventitious

10. Sacred groves are important because they are:
    A. Urban parks where people gather
    B. Undisturbed patches of forest protected by local communities
    C. Places where hunting is allowed
    D. Areas used for agriculture

 

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Section B — True / False

Write ‘True’ or ‘False’. Correct the false statement where required. Each carries 1 mark. (10 × 1 = 10)

11. Reticulate venation is commonly seen in monocots.

12. A shrub typically has many woody stems arising close to the ground.

13. Monocot seeds have two cotyledons.

14. Grouping plants and animals helps us organise and study them better.

15. A fish is adapted to live in water because of its streamlined body.

16. Project Tiger was started to protect the population of the Bengal Tiger.

17. Amphibians can live only in water.

18. Venation refers to the pattern of veins in a leaf.

19. Sacred groves allow cutting of trees and hunting animals.

20. Animals that fly use wings for movement.

Section C — Very Short Answer Questions

Each question carries 2 marks. Answer in one or two sentences. (10 × 2 = 20)

21. Define biodiversity in one sentence.

22. Give two differences between a tree and a herb.

23. What is the habitat of a camel from the hot desert?

24. Name one plant that has parallel venation and one that has reticulate venation.

25. What is meant by the term ‘adaptation’?

26. Give one example of an animal that lives in both water and on land.

27. What is a cotyledon?

28. Write one reason why grouping of plants is useful.

29. Name one effect of habitat damage on plants and animals.

30. Mention one feature that helps a duck in water.

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Section D — Short Answer Questions

Each question carries 5 marks. Be precise and to the point. (6 × 5 = 30)

31. (a) Explain two observable differences between monocot and dicot plants.
    (b) Give one example of each.

32. Describe three features that help desert plants or animals survive in hot deserts.

33. (a) What are fibrous roots? (b) Give two examples of plants with fibrous root systems.

34. Study Table 2.5 idea (movement and body parts). Pick any three animals (not the ones listed there) and write their type of movement and the body parts used.

35. Explain how human activities can lead to loss of biodiversity. Give two specific examples.

36. What are sacred groves? Explain why they are important for biodiversity (give two reasons).

Section E — Long Answer Questions / Application & Higher Order Thinking

Answer both questions. Each carries 15 marks. (2 × 15 = 30)

37. You are asked to plan a nature-walk activity for your class to observe local biodiversity. Prepare a short plan that includes: objective of the walk (2 marks), three things students should carry and why (3 marks), three observations students should record (5 marks), and two safety/ethical guidelines to follow during the walk (5 marks).

38. Study the flowchart given below (text reproduced):

    • Does it have leaves? → Yes → Does it have reticulate venation? → Yes → Group A (Dicot)

    • If No → Group B (Monocot)
      (a) Using this flowchart, classify the following plants: Wheat, Hibiscus, Banana, Mustard. (6 marks)
      (b) Explain briefly how seed structure (number of cotyledons), type of leaf venation and root system are related. Support your answer with one clear example. (9 marks)End of Question Paper

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Answer Key (Teacher’s copy — brief answers)

Note: Answers are for Teachers only.

Section A (MCQs): 1-C, 2-B, 3-C, 4-C, 5-B, 6-B, 7-B, 8-B, 9-B, 10-B.

Section B (True/False):

11. False — Reticulate venation is common in dicots.
12. True.
13. False — Monocot seeds have one cotyledon; dicots have two.
14. True.
15. True.
16. True.
17. False — Amphibians can live in water and on land.
18. True.
19. False — Sacred groves are protected; cutting/hunting is not allowed.
20. True.

Section C (Very Short):

21. Biodiversity = The variety of plants, animals and other organisms in a region.
22. Tree: tall, woody trunk, branches start higher up; Herb: short, soft green stem, branches low or none.
23. Hot desert habitat — dry sandy area with scarce water and high day temperatures.
24. Parallel: Grass/Banana; Reticulate: Hibiscus/Tomato.
25. Adaptation = A special feature that helps an organism survive in its habitat.
26. Frog.
27. Cotyledon = The seed leaf inside a seed; monocots have one, dicots have two.
28. Grouping helps organise and study organisms based on common features.
29. Habitat damage can cause loss of homes and food leading to decline in species.
30. Webbed feet help a duck paddle and swim.

Section D (Short answers) — expected points:

31. (a) Monocot: parallel venation, fibrous roots, single cotyledon. Dicot: reticulate venation, taproot, two cotyledons. (b) Examples: Maize (monocot), Mustard/Hibiscus (dicot).
32. Examples: (i) Thick/fleshy stems to store water; (ii) Small or reduced leaves to reduce water loss; (iii) Long legs/wide hooves (animals) to walk on sand; camels store fat in humps to survive food scarcity.
33. Fibrous roots = many thin roots of similar size arising from stem base. Examples: Wheat, Grass.
34. (Sample answers) Lizard — crawls — legs; Snake — slithers — body muscles; Kingfisher — flies and dives — wings and beak. (Any three valid examples)
35. Deforestation reduces habitat → fewer species; pollution of water bodies kills aquatic life. Also urbanisation and hunting. Provide 2 examples and short explanation.
36. Sacred groves = community protected forest patches. Importance: (i) conserve native plants/medicinal species; (ii) provide undisturbed habitat for animals and maintain biodiversity.

Section E (Long answers) — expected points / sample answers:

37. (Sample plan) Objective: Observe and record local plants and animals and understand adaptations (2). Carry: Notebook & pen (to record), water bottle (for hydration), hat/sunscreen or appropriate shoes (safety) (3). Observations: plant stem types, leaf venation, animal habitat/location and movement, presence of insects/birds, weather (5). Guidelines: Do not pluck/take plants or disturb animals; maintain silence and stay with the group/teacher (5).

38. (a) Classification: Wheat — Group B (Monocot); Hibiscus — Group A (Dicot); Banana — Group B (Monocot); Mustard — Group A (Dicot). (b) Explanation: Dicots usually have two cotyledons, reticulate venation and a taproot (e.g., Mustard: two cotyledons, reticulate leaves, taproot). Monocots have one cotyledon, parallel venation, and fibrous roots (e.g., Maize/Wheat: single cotyledon, parallel veins, fibrous roots). (Provide clear example.)