Human impact on the environment

How human activities affect ecosystems and what we can do to protect them

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Try each question. If you're stuck, leave it and come back. The answer key is on the last page.

1
What is deforestation? A) The cutting down of large areas of forest B) Planting new forests C) Cleaning up forests D) Naming new tree species
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2
Complete the sentence. Harmful substances released into air, water or soil are called ___.
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3
True or false? Climate change is happening partly because of human activities. A) True B) False
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4
Which is an example of pollution? A) Smoke from a factory chimney B) Wind blowing leaves C) A river flowing D) Rain falling
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5
Match each environmental problem to its main cause. Match each item on the left to one on the right. Left: Air pollution, Water pollution, Deforestation, Habitat loss Right: Burning fossil fuels in cars and factories, Chemicals or plastic in rivers and seas, Cutting trees for farming or building, Destroying places where animals live
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6
Why is plastic pollution in the ocean a big problem? A) Sea animals can eat plastic or get tangled in it, and it takes hundreds of years to break down B) It looks untidy on beaches but does no real harm C) Plastic floats away quickly so it disappears D) Plastic helps fish to grow faster
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7
True or false? Climate change is the same thing as weather. A) True B) False
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8
Complete the sentence. Trees and other plants take in carbon dioxide and release ___, which is good for the air.
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9
Which of these would help reduce a family's impact on the environment? A) Recycling, walking instead of driving, and using less energy B) Throwing recyclables in the bin C) Driving short distances instead of walking D) Leaving all lights on at home
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10
Order these stages of how cutting down a rainforest affects wildlife. Put these in order: Animals lose their habitat, Trees are cut down for timber or farming, Animal populations decline or move away, Some species become endangered or extinct
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Answer key

Human impact on the environment · for parents and teachers

1
The cutting down of large areas of forest
Deforestation is the clearing of forests, often to make space for farming, mining or building. It harms ecosystems and contributes to climate change.
2
pollution
Pollution is the introduction of harmful substances into the environment. It can affect air (smog), water (oil spills), or land (litter and chemicals).
3
True
Scientists agree that climate change is being driven by human activities, especially burning fossil fuels, which release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
4
Smoke from a factory chimney
Smoke from a chimney is air pollution.
5
Air pollution → Burning fossil fuels in cars and factories; Water pollution → Chemicals or plastic in rivers and seas; Deforestation → Cutting trees for farming or building; Habitat loss → Destroying places where animals live
Each problem has a clear human cause. Reducing fossil fuel use, plastic waste and land clearance can lessen these impacts.
6
Sea animals can eat plastic or get tangled in it, and it takes hundreds of years to break down
Plastic pollution harms wildlife and lasts a very long time. Animals can mistake plastic for food or become trapped, and plastics break into tiny pieces called microplastics.
7
False
Climate change refers to long-term changes in patterns of temperature and weather. Weather can change from day to day, but climate trends happen over decades.
8
oxygen
Plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen during photosynthesis. This is why protecting forests helps slow climate change and keeps the air healthy.
9
Recycling, walking instead of driving, and using less energy
Small actions like recycling, walking or cycling, saving electricity and using less plastic all help reduce a family's environmental footprint.
10
Trees are cut down for timber or farming, Animals lose their habitat, Animal populations decline or move away, Some species become endangered or extinct
Deforestation removes homes for many species. As habitats shrink, populations fall, and some species can become endangered or even extinct.