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WorksheetYear 10Level 2 · Standard

Free Year 10 The Carbon Cycle and the Greenhouse Effect Worksheet

Students describe how carbon moves between the atmosphere, living things, oceans and fossil fuels through photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition and combustion. They explain the natural greenhouse effect and how extra greenhouse gases enhance it, interpret atmospheric carbon dioxide data by calculating changes, rates and percentage increases, calculate a simple carbon footprint and evaluate ways to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

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Year
Year 10
Subject
Science
Topic
Earth, Rocks & Weather
Difficulty
Level 2 · Standard
Estimated time
45 minutes
Curriculum
New Zealand Curriculum
Questions
15
Answers
Included, with working
Format
PDF (A4), print or complete online

Students will practise

  • describing the processes of the carbon cycle
  • explaining the natural and enhanced greenhouse effect
  • interpreting carbon dioxide data and calculating rates of change
  • calculating percentage increase
  • evaluating ways to reduce carbon dioxide emissions

Curriculum: New Zealand Curriculum. We show specific outcome codes only where they have been verified against the official curriculum document.

What's next?

Completed: The Carbon Cycle and the Greenhouse Effect

Ready for more? Move on to Year 11 Science.

Harder: Level 3 · Challenge →Study guide

How to use this worksheet

  1. Print the PDF or complete it on screen. Write the student's name and date at the top.
  2. Read the instructions for each part together before starting. Encourage working to be shown.
  3. Mark with the answer sheet. Use the model answers and success criteria as a guide rather than a single right answer.
  4. Record the score, celebrate what went well, then follow the "What's next" suggestion.

Common questions

Who is this worksheet for?

Year 10 students (typically ages 14–15) working on earth, rocks & weather. It is pitched at level 2 · standard; a harder version is linked above.

Are the answers included?

Yes. The PDF includes a full answer sheet with model answers and success criteria where there is more than one good answer. You can also view the answers online.

How long does it take?

About 45 minutes for 15 questions. Short, regular sessions work best: two or three a week beats one long one.

Do I need to sign up to download?

No. Click Download Free PDF and it opens immediately. It is free for personal, classroom and homeschool use.

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Success TutoringWorksheetsYear 10 · Science · Earth, Rocks & Weather

The Carbon Cycle and the Greenhouse Effect

Name

Date

Score /

Carbon moves in a cycle: photosynthesis takes it out of the air; respiration, decomposition and combustion put it back.

Part A: The carbon cycle

Carbon is constantly recycled. Photosynthesis takes carbon dioxide from the air and turns it into glucose in plants. Carbon passes to animals when they eat plants. Respiration by all living things releases carbon dioxide. When organisms die, decomposers break them down and release carbon dioxide.

Some carbon is stored for millions of years in fossil fuels and carbonate rocks such as limestone. Combustion of fuels releases carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere. The oceans also absorb and release large amounts of carbon dioxide.

1.The process that removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and stores carbon in plants is (answer space).
2.Name three processes that return carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. (answer space)
3.What role do decomposers such as bacteria and fungi play in the carbon cycle?
  1. AThey absorb carbon dioxide by photosynthesis
  2. BThey break down dead organisms and release carbon dioxide by respiration
  3. CThey turn carbon dioxide into oxygen
  4. DThey store carbon permanently in rocks
4.How did fossil fuels such as coal form, and why is burning them a problem for the carbon cycle? (answer space)
5.The oceans absorb some of the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. ☐ True   ☐ False

Part B: The greenhouse effect

Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane and water vapour absorb infrared radiation given off by Earth's surface and re-emit some of it back towards the surface. This natural greenhouse effect keeps Earth warm enough for life.

Human activities, especially burning fossil fuels and clearing forests, are increasing the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This enhanced greenhouse effect traps more heat and is causing global warming and climate change.

6.Describe how the greenhouse effect keeps Earth warm. (answer space)
7.Without any natural greenhouse effect, Earth's average temperature would be about −18 °C instead of about 15 °C. What does this tell you?
  1. AThe greenhouse effect is always harmful
  2. BThe natural greenhouse effect is necessary for life as we know it
  3. CGreenhouse gases cool Earth down
  4. DThe Sun provides no heat
8.Name two greenhouse gases other than carbon dioxide. (answer space)

Part C: Interpreting the data

Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is measured in parts per million (ppm). Approximate average values: before the industrial revolution 280 ppm; 1960 317 ppm; 2020 414 ppm.

9.By how much did the carbon dioxide concentration increase between 1960 and 2020?
10.Calculate the average rate of increase in ppm per year between 1960 and 2020, to one decimal place.
11.By what percentage has the concentration risen since pre-industrial times (280 ppm), up to 2020? Give your answer to one decimal place.
12.The carbon dioxide record goes up and down slightly every year, falling during the northern summer. Suggest why. (answer space)
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Preview — the PDF contains the full resource and answer sheet.

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About this resource

Created by
Success Tutoring Science Team
Last reviewed
1 October 2026
How it was made
Written by our team

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