What this chapter covers
Class 8 Science Chapter 12 'How Nature Works in Harmony' from NCERT Curiosity introduces basic ecology. Students learn the difference between populations, communities and ecosystems, identify biotic and abiotic factors, follow energy through food chains and food webs (producers, consumers, decomposers), and explore mutualism, commensalism and parasitism. The chapter also covers ecosystem services and the major threats — pollution, deforestation, habitat loss and climate change.
Key topics in this chapter
- Habitat, population, community, ecosystem
- Biotic and abiotic factors
- Food chains, food webs, trophic levels
- Mutualism, commensalism, parasitism
- Ecosystem threats and conservation
Sample questions from this chapter
Here are 6 real questions students will encounter when they generate a worksheet for this chapter. Every question includes the answer.
MCQ
Medium
1 mark
In the food chain Grass → Grasshopper → Frog → Snake, the grass is the:
(a) Producer
(b) Primary consumer
(c) Secondary consumer
(d) Decomposer
Answer: Producer
Short Answer
Medium
3 marks
Differentiate between biotic and abiotic components with two examples each.
Answer: • Biotic: living parts of a habitat (plants, animals, microbes).
• Abiotic: non-living parts of a habitat (air, water, soil, temperature).
• Together they interact to form an ecosystem.
Fill in the Blank
Medium
1 mark
Habitats have __________ components like plants and animals, and abiotic components like air, water and soil.
Answer: biotic
Very Short
Medium
1 mark
What do decomposers do?
Answer: Break down dead matter and recycle nutrients.
True / False
Medium
1 mark
State True or False: A community is larger than an ecosystem.
Answer: False. A community is part of an ecosystem; the ecosystem is the larger system.
Long Answer
Medium
5 marks
Observe two different places near your home or school (e.g. a park and a roadside). List living and non-living components and explain how the two ecosystems differ.
Answer: • Park — living: grass, trees, flowers, butterflies, birds, ants. Non-living: soil, water, air, sunlight.
• Roadside — living: few weeds, ants, occasional birds/dogs. Non-living: concrete, dust, polluted air, little soil.
• Park has many more biotic components and cleaner abiotic ones; the roadside is poorer due to human disturbance and pollution.
Generate a worksheet with all 88 questions →
Frequently asked questions
What is included in Class 8 Science Chapter 12 (How Nature Works in Harmony)?
This chapter has 88 NCERT-aligned practice questions covering all the concepts from the Curiosity textbook's Chapter 12. Questions span easy, medium and hard levels across 9 different formats so students get a balanced practice set.
Are these questions based on the new NCERT Curiosity textbook?
Yes. Every question on Practico for Class 8 Science is mapped directly to the latest NCERT Curiosity textbook (the one CBSE schools are using now). The chapter numbers and chapter titles match the textbook exactly.
How many questions can I practice from this chapter?
88 questions are available right now. You can pick how many you want at a time — generate 10 quick MCQs, a 30-question worksheet, or a full exam-style mix. Each generation gives you a different random set.
Can I download a free PDF worksheet for How Nature Works in Harmony?
Yes — completely free, no sign-up required. Pick this chapter, choose the number of questions and types you want, and download a printable PDF (with or without answers) in one click.
What question types are available?
This chapter has assertion reason, fill blank, image, long, match, mcq, short, true false, very short. You can mix any combination, or filter to just the type you want to practice — for example, only numericals to drill calculation, or only short-answer questions for exam revision.
Is Practico aligned with CBSE exam patterns?
Yes. Practico questions are tagged by marks (1, 2, 3, 5) and by difficulty (Easy/Medium/Hard) just like CBSE exam blueprints, so you can build a worksheet that mirrors a real unit test or annual exam.