Year 6 Unit 3.2 Our Environment

What is an environment? After reading the passage below, answer the following questions:

An environment is the surroundings in which an organism lives. This includes:

• The physical location where the organism resides
• Non-living elements in proximity to the location
• Other organisms, such as animals and plants, that also inhabit the same location

Questions:

What is an environment?

What is an environment? After reading the passage below, answer the following questions:

An environment is the surroundings in which an organism lives. This includes:

• The physical location where the organism resides
• Non-living elements in proximity to the location
• Other organisms, such as animals and plants, that also inhabit the same location

Questions:

Water and air are not part of an environment.

What is an environment? After reading the passage below, answer the following questions:

An environment is the surroundings in which an organism lives. This includes:

• The physical location where the organism resides
• Non-living elements in proximity to the location
• Other organisms, such as animals and plants, that also inhabit the same location

Questions:

Birds and insects are part of the environment.

What is an environment? After reading the passage below, answer the following questions:

An environment is the surroundings in which an organism lives. This includes:

• The physical location where the organism resides
• Non-living elements in proximity to the location
• Other organisms, such as animals and plants, that also inhabit the same location

Questions:

The picture depicts a natural environment.

Environmental changes can occur naturally or as a result of human activities. Natural disasters like floods, droughts, bushfires, earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions, as well as human activities like clearing forests for development, can cause environmental changes.

What are the causes of environmental change?

Environmental changes can occur naturally or as a result of human activities. Natural disasters like floods, droughts, bushfires, earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions, as well as human activities like clearing forests for development, can cause environmental changes.

Look at the picture. How does a flood occur?

Environmental changes can occur naturally or as a result of human activities. Natural disasters like floods, droughts, bushfires, earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions, as well as human activities like clearing forests for development, can cause environmental changes.

The plants and animals are unable to survive in a flooded environment.

Droughts and bushfires are natural disasters that can cause significant environmental changes. Please read the passage below and answer the following questions.

Droughts happen when it doesn’t rain for a prolonged period. As a result, the land becomes dry, hot, and dusty, and cracks may appear in the soil. Sources of water such as rivers, lakes, and streams may dry up, leaving insufficient water for plants and animals to survive.

Bushfires occur when a dry tree is struck by lightning, catching fire and spreading uncontrollably. Many plants and animals die due to the fires, and those that survive must find new environments to inhabit.

Questions:

What happens to the environment during a drought?

Droughts and bushfires are natural disasters that can cause significant environmental changes. Please read the passage below and answer the following questions.

Droughts happen when it doesn’t rain for a prolonged period. As a result, the land becomes dry, hot, and dusty, and cracks may appear in the soil. Sources of water such as rivers, lakes, and streams may dry up, leaving insufficient water for plants and animals to survive.

Bushfires occur when a dry tree is struck by lightning, catching fire and spreading uncontrollably. Many plants and animals die due to the fires, and those that survive must find new environments to inhabit.

Questions:

How do bushfires start?

Droughts and bushfires are natural disasters that can cause significant environmental changes. Please read the passage below and answer the following questions.

Droughts happen when it doesn’t rain for a prolonged period. As a result, the land becomes dry, hot, and dusty, and cracks may appear in the soil. Sources of water such as rivers, lakes, and streams may dry up, leaving insufficient water for plants and animals to survive.

Bushfires occur when a dry tree is struck by lightning, catching fire and spreading uncontrollably. Many plants and animals die due to the fires, and those that survive must find new environments to inhabit.

Questions:

What happens to animals that live in areas affected by bushfires?

Volcanic eruptions are natural disasters that can cause significant environmental changes. The effects of volcanic eruptions on the environment include an increase in temperature due to the gases released into the atmosphere during the eruption, coverage of the surrounding area with ash and rock, and damage to both living things and property.

To occur, a volcanic eruption happens when gases and lava under pressure are released from a volcano. The lava mixed with gases inside the volcano is pushed up to the Earth’s surface and spills out of the opening, while the ash shoots up to the sky and later falls to the ground to form a thick layer of dust-like material. The molten lava flows down the volcano and destroys everything in its path.

Questions:

What are the effects of volcanic eruption on the environment?

Volcanic eruptions are natural disasters that can cause significant environmental changes. The effects of volcanic eruptions on the environment include an increase in temperature due to the gases released into the atmosphere during the eruption, coverage of the surrounding area with ash and rock, and damage to both living things and property.

To occur, a volcanic eruption happens when gases and lava under pressure are released from a volcano. The lava mixed with gases inside the volcano is pushed up to the Earth’s surface and spills out of the opening, while the ash shoots up to the sky and later falls to the ground to form a thick layer of dust-like material. The molten lava flows down the volcano and destroys everything in its path.

Questions:

How does volcanic eruption occur?

To answer the questions below, read the following passage about earthquakes and tsunamis and then respond accordingly.

An earthquake is a natural occurrence that happens when masses of rock shift beneath the Earth’s surface, causing sudden shaking of the ground. This can result in damage to roads, bridges, and buildings, and unfortunately, sometimes even fatalities.

A tsunami, on the other hand, is a series of large waves that wash ashore, typically triggered by earthquakes that occur under the sea. This phenomenon can cause destruction to land and buildings, and as seen in past events, can result in loss of life.

Questions:

What is an earthquake?

To answer the questions below, read the following passage about earthquakes and tsunamis and then respond accordingly.

An earthquake is a natural occurrence that happens when masses of rock shift beneath the Earth’s surface, causing sudden shaking of the ground. This can result in damage to roads, bridges, and buildings, and unfortunately, sometimes even fatalities.

A tsunami, on the other hand, is a series of large waves that wash ashore, typically triggered by earthquakes that occur under the sea. This phenomenon can cause destruction to land and buildings, and as seen in past events, can result in loss of life.

Questions:

How does an earthquake damage bridges, roads, and buildings?

To answer the questions below, read the following passage about earthquakes and tsunamis and then respond accordingly.

An earthquake is a natural occurrence that happens when masses of rock shift beneath the Earth’s surface, causing sudden shaking of the ground. This can result in damage to roads, bridges, and buildings, and unfortunately, sometimes even fatalities.

A tsunami, on the other hand, is a series of large waves that wash ashore, typically triggered by earthquakes that occur under the sea. This phenomenon can cause destruction to land and buildings, and as seen in past events, can result in loss of life.

Questions:

What is a tsunami?

Human activities can have a significant impact on the environment. In particular, deforestation is a major contributor to environmental change. Deforestation involves the removal of trees and other plants from a given area, often through cutting or burning. This practice is commonly employed to clear land for agriculture or to make space for the construction of roads, buildings, and factories. Additionally, trees are often cut down for their wood, which is used in the production of furniture, construction materials, and paper.

Questions

What is deforestation?

Human activities can have a significant impact on the environment. In particular, deforestation is a major contributor to environmental change. Deforestation involves the removal of trees and other plants from a given area, often through cutting or burning. This practice is commonly employed to clear land for agriculture or to make space for the construction of roads, buildings, and factories. Additionally, trees are often cut down for their wood, which is used in the production of furniture, construction materials, and paper.

Questions

What is the purpose of clearing forests?

Human activities can have a significant impact on the environment. In particular, deforestation is a major contributor to environmental change. Deforestation involves the removal of trees and other plants from a given area, often through cutting or burning. This practice is commonly employed to clear land for agriculture or to make space for the construction of roads, buildings, and factories. Additionally, trees are often cut down for their wood, which is used in the production of furniture, construction materials, and paper.

Questions

What is wood used for?

Deforestation has several negative effects on the environment, including air pollution, soil erosion, water pollution, and habitat loss. When trees are cleared, the smoke from burning them pollutes the air, leading to various health problems. Additionally, deforestation causes soil erosion, which occurs when rain or wind washes away the soil because there are no roots to hold it in place. Soil erosion can trigger landslides and result in damage to homes and loss of lives. Moreover, it can lead to water pollution, as muddy rivers and streams can harm aquatic organisms.

Questions:

What are the effects of deforestation?

Deforestation has several negative effects on the environment, including air pollution, soil erosion, water pollution, and habitat loss. When trees are cleared, the smoke from burning them pollutes the air, leading to various health problems. Additionally, deforestation causes soil erosion, which occurs when rain or wind washes away the soil because there are no roots to hold it in place. Soil erosion can trigger landslides and result in damage to homes and loss of lives. Moreover, it can lead to water pollution, as muddy rivers and streams can harm aquatic organisms.

Questions:

What is soil erosion?

Deforestation has several negative effects on the environment, including air pollution, soil erosion, water pollution, and habitat loss. When trees are cleared, the smoke from burning them pollutes the air, leading to various health problems. Additionally, deforestation causes soil erosion, which occurs when rain or wind washes away the soil because there are no roots to hold it in place. Soil erosion can trigger landslides and result in damage to homes and loss of lives. Moreover, it can lead to water pollution, as muddy rivers and streams can harm aquatic organisms.

Questions:

What happens when eroded soil flows into rivers and streams?

Deforestation can result in the extinction of both animal and plant species. Forests are home to a wide variety of organisms, and when they are cleared, many of these organisms die. The ones that do survive often have to relocate to new environments, which may not be able to provide for their needs in order to survive.

Deforestation is one of the leading causes of extinction, which occurs when no more members of a specific species exist. Endangered species are groups of organisms that are at risk of extinction. This happens when deforestation destroys their habitats.

Questions:

What happens to animals when forests are cleared?

Deforestation can result in the extinction of both animal and plant species. Forests are home to a wide variety of organisms, and when they are cleared, many of these organisms die. The ones that do survive often have to relocate to new environments, which may not be able to provide for their needs in order to survive.

Deforestation is one of the leading causes of extinction, which occurs when no more members of a specific species exist. Endangered species are groups of organisms that are at risk of extinction. This happens when deforestation destroys their habitats.

Questions:

What does “extinct” mean?

Deforestation can result in the extinction of both animal and plant species. Forests are home to a wide variety of organisms, and when they are cleared, many of these organisms die. The ones that do survive often have to relocate to new environments, which may not be able to provide for their needs in order to survive.

Deforestation is one of the leading causes of extinction, which occurs when no more members of a specific species exist. Endangered species are groups of organisms that are at risk of extinction. This happens when deforestation destroys their habitats.

Questions:

What are endangered species?

Please identify the pictures of endangered animals and plants below and enter their names in the corresponding boxes.

Human activities can contribute to pollution. The passage below describes how this can happen.

Every day, people generate a significant amount of waste, both from their homes and from industries. Unfortunately, much of this waste is disposed of in landfills, which are a major cause of land pollution. Landfills can become breeding grounds for pests such as cockroaches, rats, and flies, which can spread diseases to people.

In addition to landfills, some people litter or dump their rubbish anywhere they like. This not only makes the environment look unsightly and dirty, but it also contributes to pollution.

Questions:

What is a landfill?

Human activities can contribute to pollution. The passage below describes how this can happen.

Every day, people generate a significant amount of waste, both from their homes and from industries. Unfortunately, much of this waste is disposed of in landfills, which are a major cause of land pollution. Landfills can become breeding grounds for pests such as cockroaches, rats, and flies, which can spread diseases to people.

In addition to landfills, some people litter or dump their rubbish anywhere they like. This not only makes the environment look unsightly and dirty, but it also contributes to pollution.

Questions:

What type of rubbish is typically dumped in landfills?

Human activities can contribute to pollution. The passage below describes how this can happen.

Every day, people generate a significant amount of waste, both from their homes and from industries. Unfortunately, much of this waste is disposed of in landfills, which are a major cause of land pollution. Landfills can become breeding grounds for pests such as cockroaches, rats, and flies, which can spread diseases to people.

In addition to landfills, some people litter or dump their rubbish anywhere they like. This not only makes the environment look unsightly and dirty, but it also contributes to pollution.

Questions:

What animals found in landfills can spread diseases?

Human activities can contribute to pollution. The passage below describes how this can happen.

Every day, people generate a significant amount of waste, both from their homes and from industries. Unfortunately, much of this waste is disposed of in landfills, which are a major cause of land pollution. Landfills can become breeding grounds for pests such as cockroaches, rats, and flies, which can spread diseases to people.

In addition to landfills, some people litter or dump their rubbish anywhere they like. This not only makes the environment look unsightly and dirty, but it also contributes to pollution.

Questions:

True or False: Littering and dumping rubbish anywhere does not affect the environment.

Soil erosion isn’t the only cause of water pollution. People can also cause water sources like rivers, streams, and lakes to become polluted by dumping rubbish or releasing waste water from sewage. Oil spills from ships and rigs can also pollute water sources.

Questions:

 What human activities cause water pollution?

Soil erosion isn’t the only cause of water pollution. People can also cause water sources like rivers, streams, and lakes to become polluted by dumping rubbish or releasing waste water from sewage. Oil spills from ships and rigs can also pollute water sources.

Questions:

What is the source of water pollution in the oceans?

Soil erosion isn’t the only cause of water pollution. People can also cause water sources like rivers, streams, and lakes to become polluted by dumping rubbish or releasing waste water from sewage. Oil spills from ships and rigs can also pollute water sources.

Questions:

Water pollution can cause diseases such as diarrhea, typhoid, dysentery, and skin diseases. (True / False)

How does air pollution occur? Please read the passage below and answer the following questions.

Air pollution happens when smoke and harmful gases are released into the air. What are the human activities that cause air pollution? These activities include motor vehicles, power stations, factories, and burning rubbish which release smoke and harmful gases into the air. Breathing in polluted air can lead to respiratory infections, heart disease, and lung cancer.

Questions:

What happens to the air when smoke and gases are released into it?

How does air pollution occur? Please read the passage below and answer the following questions.

Air pollution happens when smoke and harmful gases are released into the air. What are the human activities that cause air pollution? These activities include motor vehicles, power stations, factories, and burning rubbish which release smoke and harmful gases into the air. Breathing in polluted air can lead to respiratory infections, heart disease, and lung cancer.

Questions:

What happens to people when they breathe in polluted air?

How does air pollution occur? Please read the passage below and answer the following questions.

Air pollution happens when smoke and harmful gases are released into the air. What are the human activities that cause air pollution? These activities include motor vehicles, power stations, factories, and burning rubbish which release smoke and harmful gases into the air. Breathing in polluted air can lead to respiratory infections, heart disease, and lung cancer.

Questions:

Polluted air contains very fine particles that can harm the body.

How does air pollution occur? Please read the passage below and answer the following questions.

Air pollution happens when smoke and harmful gases are released into the air. What are the human activities that cause air pollution? These activities include motor vehicles, power stations, factories, and burning rubbish which release smoke and harmful gases into the air. Breathing in polluted air can lead to respiratory infections, heart disease, and lung cancer.

Questions:

Air pollution in cities is often caused by smoke and gases released from vehicles, factories, power stations, and burning rubbish.

Protecting the environment involves ensuring that it remains healthy and unharmed, and that natural resources are used with care. To conserve the environment, people can reduce pollution and utilise natural resources wisely. Land pollution can be mitigated by disposing of waste properly in designated rubbish bins and by refraining from littering. Engaging in cleaning campaigns, such as beach clean-ups, can also help.

Water pollution can be reduced by treating sewage at treatment plants prior to its release into rivers and lakes. This process removes solid waste, eliminates harmful microorganisms, and eliminates poisonous substances. As a result, rivers, lakes, and oceans remain cleaner. Air pollution can be reduced by walking, cycling, or carpooling instead of using personal vehicles.

Questions

What does it mean to conserve the environment?

Protecting the environment involves ensuring that it remains healthy and unharmed, and that natural resources are used with care. To conserve the environment, people can reduce pollution and utilise natural resources wisely. Land pollution can be mitigated by disposing of waste properly in designated rubbish bins and by refraining from littering. Engaging in cleaning campaigns, such as beach clean-ups, can also help.

Water pollution can be reduced by treating sewage at treatment plants prior to its release into rivers and lakes. This process removes solid waste, eliminates harmful microorganisms, and eliminates poisonous substances. As a result, rivers, lakes, and oceans remain cleaner. Air pollution can be reduced by walking, cycling, or carpooling instead of using personal vehicles.

Questions

What can people do to conserve the environment?

Protecting the environment involves ensuring that it remains healthy and unharmed, and that natural resources are used with care. To conserve the environment, people can reduce pollution and utilise natural resources wisely. Land pollution can be mitigated by disposing of waste properly in designated rubbish bins and by refraining from littering. Engaging in cleaning campaigns, such as beach clean-ups, can also help.

Water pollution can be reduced by treating sewage at treatment plants prior to its release into rivers and lakes. This process removes solid waste, eliminates harmful microorganisms, and eliminates poisonous substances. As a result, rivers, lakes, and oceans remain cleaner. Air pollution can be reduced by walking, cycling, or carpooling instead of using personal vehicles.

Questions

Walking or riding to work or the shops instead of driving can reduce air pollution. (True / False)

Protecting the environment involves ensuring that it remains healthy and unharmed, and that natural resources are used with care. To conserve the environment, people can reduce pollution and utilise natural resources wisely. Land pollution can be mitigated by disposing of waste properly in designated rubbish bins and by refraining from littering. Engaging in cleaning campaigns, such as beach clean-ups, can also help.

Water pollution can be reduced by treating sewage at treatment plants prior to its release into rivers and lakes. This process removes solid waste, eliminates harmful microorganisms, and eliminates poisonous substances. As a result, rivers, lakes, and oceans remain cleaner. Air pollution can be reduced by walking, cycling, or carpooling instead of using personal vehicles.

Questions

Carpooling or sharing rides with friends or neighbours can help to reduce air pollution. (True / False)