Here we present 35 MCQ questions from the chapter 12, How Nature Works in Harmony. The class 8 chapter from NCERT book is full of wonders and surprises. The chapter contains detail analysis on how living and non-living components in nature interact to form ecosystems.
The MCQs and match-the-following questions for this chapter covers topics such as habitats, biotic and abiotic components, population, community, ecosystem, food chains, food webs, trophic levels, decomposers etc. Lets now start the questions to strengthen your knowledge and prepare for exams.
Check out Class 8 Science MCQ Questions and Answers.
How Nature Works in Harmony Class 8 Science Chapter 12 MCQ Online Test Questions and Answers
Question 1. A habitat is best defined as:
a) A place where only animals live
b) A place that provides the right conditions for an organism to live and grow
c) A place with only plants and soil
d) A region with no abiotic factors
Answer:
b) A place that provides the right conditions for an organism to live and grow
Question 2. In a pond habitat, fish obtain oxygen mainly from:
a) Sunlight directly
b) Soil below the pond
c) Water
d) Nearby trees
Answer:
c) Water
Question 3. The living beings present in a habitat are called its:
a) Abiotic components
b) Biotic components
c) Physical factors
d) Climatic resources
Answer:
b) Biotic components
Question 4. Which of the following is an abiotic component of a habitat?
a) Algae
b) Frog
c) Soil
d) Bird
Answer:
c) Soil
Question 5. Different habitats support different organisms mainly because they offer different:
a) Colours of plants
b) Living conditions
c) Types of rocks only
d) Amounts of sound
Answer:
b) Living conditions
Question 6. A group of fish of the same kind living together in a pond at a given time is called a:
a) Community
b) Population
c) Species web
d) Trophic chain
Answer:
b) Population
Question 7. A population refers to organisms of:
a) Different types living in a habitat
b) The same type living in a habitat at a given time
c) Only plant species in a region
d) Only animal species in a region
Answer:
b) The same type living in a habitat at a given time
Question 8. A community in a habitat is formed by:
a) Only plant populations
b) Only animal populations
c) Different populations sharing the same habitat
d) Only microorganisms in soil
Answer:
c) Different populations sharing the same habitat
Question 9. If a habitat had only one type of living organism, a likely result would be:
a) No need for resources
b) Better ecological balance always
c) Increased competition for the same resources
d) Complete absence of abiotic components
Answer:
c) Increased competition for the same resources
Question 10. Pollination is the process in which pollen is transferred from the stamens to the:
a) Sepals
b) Petals
c) Carpels
d) Stalk
Answer:
c) Carpels
Question 11. In the pond study described in the chapter, ponds with fish had fewer dragonflies mainly because:
a) Fish ate flowering plants
b) Fish ate dragonfly larvae
c) Dragonflies avoided water with fish because of sunlight
d) Fish competed with bees for nectar
Answer:
b) Fish ate dragonfly larvae
Question 12. In the same pond study, fewer dragonflies indirectly led to:
a) Fewer flowers
b) More bees and butterflies
c) Less seed production
d) No pollination
Answer:
b) More bees and butterflies
Question 13. The pond study shows that fish can indirectly affect nearby plants by changing the number of:
a) Rocks and pebbles
b) Pollinating insects
c) Soil particles
d) Water molecules
Answer:
b) Pollinating insects
Question 14. An ecosystem is formed by the interaction between:
a) Only plants and animals
b) Biotic and abiotic components
c) Only producers and consumers
d) Only climate and soil
Answer:
b) Biotic and abiotic components
Question 15. Which of the following is an aquatic ecosystem?
a) Forest
b) Grassland
c) Pond
d) Farmland
Answer:
c) Pond
Question 16. Which of the following is a terrestrial ecosystem?
a) Lake
b) River
c) Forest
d) Pond
Answer:
c) Forest
Question 17. Farmland is called a human-made ecosystem because it:
a) Has no plants
b) Exists without abiotic components
c) Is created and managed by humans
d) Contains only one type of organism
Answer:
c) Is created and managed by humans
Question 18. Plants are called producers or autotrophs because they:
a) Feed on dead matter
b) Make their own food by photosynthesis
c) Eat other organisms
d) Depend only on soil microbes for food
Answer:
b) Make their own food by photosynthesis
Question 19. Organisms that cannot produce their own food and depend on others are called:
a) Producers
b) Heterotrophs
c) Abiotic components
d) Primary minerals
Answer:
b) Heterotrophs
Question 20. An organism that eats only plants is called a:
a) Carnivore
b) Omnivore
c) Herbivore
d) Decomposer
Answer:
c) Herbivore
Question 21. An organism that eats both plants and animals is called an:
a) Autotroph
b) Omnivore
c) Saprotroph
d) Producer
Answer:
b) Omnivore
Question 22. A food chain is best described as:
a) A list of all organisms in a habitat
b) A simple sequence showing who eats whom
c) A chart of only plant populations
d) A map of abiotic resources
Answer:
b) A simple sequence showing who eats whom
Question 23. In the food chain Grass → Grasshopper → Frog → Snake → Eagle, the producer is:
a) Grasshopper
b) Frog
c) Grass
d) Eagle
Answer:
c) Grass
Question 24. In a food chain, herbivores occupy the:
a) First trophic level
b) Second trophic level
c) Third trophic level
d) Fourth trophic level
Answer:
b) Second trophic level
Question 25. Food chains in an ecosystem are usually interconnected to form a:
a) Population network
b) Food web
c) Habitat grid
d) Nutrient ladder
Answer:
b) Food web
Question 26. Decomposition is the process by which fungi and bacteria:
a) Make food using sunlight
b) Break down dead matter into simpler substances
c) Convert water into oxygen
d) Increase the number of predators
Answer:
b) Break down dead matter into simpler substances
Question 27. Organisms that break down dead plants and animals and recycle nutrients are called:
a) Producers
b) Consumers
c) Decomposers
d) Pollinators
Answer:
c) Decomposers
Question 28. Which statement best explains why decomposers are important in nature?
a) They increase sunlight in the habitat
b) They recycle nutrients back to the soil
c) They stop all competition in ecosystems
d) They reduce the need for producers
Answer:
b) They recycle nutrients back to the soil
Question 29. In the chapter, mutualism is illustrated by the relationship between:
a) Orchid and tree
b) Tick and dog
c) Honeybee and flower
d) Fox and hare
Answer:
c) Honeybee and flower
Question 30. In commensalism, one organism benefits while the other:
a) Is harmed
b) Is unaffected
c) Also benefits equally
d) Dies immediately
Answer:
b) Is unaffected
Question 31. In parasitism, one organism benefits while the other:
a) Produces food
b) Is unaffected
c) Is harmed
d) Gains protection
Answer:
c) Is harmed
Question 32 – Match the Following
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| 1. Population | A. Interaction of biotic and abiotic components |
| 2. Community | B. Group of same type of organisms in a habitat |
| 3. Ecosystem | C. Different populations sharing the same habitat |
| 4. Producer | D. Makes its own food |
| 5. Decomposer | E. Breaks down dead matter |
Answer:
| Column A | Correct Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. Population | B. Group of same type of organisms in a habitat |
| 2. Community | C. Different populations sharing the same habitat |
| 3. Ecosystem | A. Interaction of biotic and abiotic components |
| 4. Producer | D. Makes its own food |
| 5. Decomposer | E. Breaks down dead matter |
Question 33 – Match the Following
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| 1. Mutualism | A. Tick on dog |
| 2. Commensalism | B. Honeybee and flower |
| 3. Parasitism | C. Orchid on tree |
| 4. Aquatic ecosystem | D. Pond |
| 5. Human-made ecosystem | E. Farm |
Answer:
| Column A | Correct Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. Mutualism | B. Honeybee and flower |
| 2. Commensalism | C. Orchid on tree |
| 3. Parasitism | A. Tick on dog |
| 4. Aquatic ecosystem | D. Pond |
| 5. Human-made ecosystem | E. Farm |
