Which of the following are the functions performed by the environment?
(A) Provides aesthetic services
(B) Sustains life
(C) Supplies renewable resources
(D) Decreases poverty
(E) Supplies non-renewable resources
Choose the correct answer from the options given below :
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → (A), (B), (C), (E) Only
The environment performs four functions. It supplies resources, both renewable and non-renewable. It assimilates waste, sustains life and provides aesthetic services.
(A) Provides aesthetic services — Correct. Scenery and natural beauty are aesthetic services that people enjoy.
(B) Sustains life — Correct. The environment sustains life by providing genetic and bio diversity.
(C) Supplies renewable resources — Correct. Renewable resources, such as trees in forests and fish in the ocean, do not get exhausted with use.
(D) Decreases poverty — Incorrect. Removing poverty is a goal of development policy. It is none of the four functions of the environment.
(E) Supplies non-renewable resources — Correct. Non-renewable resources, such as fossil fuels, get exhausted with extraction and use.
NCERT (2026-27): “Functions of the Environment: The environment performs four vital functions (i) it supplies resources: resources here include both renewable and non-renewable resources. Renewable resources are those which can be used without the possibility of the resource becoming depleted or exhausted. That is, a continuous supply of the resource remains available.… (ii) it assimilates waste (iii) it sustains life by providing genetic and bio diversity and (iv) it also provides aesthetic services like scenery etc.…” |