Environment-and-ecology Questions - upsc Practice

#1

With reference to the water on the planet Earth, consider the following statements: 1. The amount of water in the rivers and lakes is more than the amount of groundwater. 2. The amount of water in polar ice caps and glaciers is more than the amount of groundwater. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2

#2

The vegetation of savannah consists of grassland with scattered small trees, but extensive areas have no trees. The forest development in such areas is generally kept in check by one or more or a combination of some conditions. Which of the following are such conditions? Burrowing animals and termites Fire Grazing herbivores Seasonal rainfall Soil properties Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 and 2 4 and 5 2, 3 and 4 1, 3 and 5

#3

Consider the following kinds of organisms: Copepods Cyanobacteria Diatoms Foraminifera Which of the above are primary producers in the food chains of oceans?

1 and 2 2 and 3 3 and 4 1 and 4

#4

Which of the following are detritivores? Earthworms Millipedes Woodlice Jellyfish Seahorses Select the correct answer using the code given below

1, 2 and 4 only 2, 3, 4 and 5 only 1, 3 and 5 only 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

#5

Which one of the following is used in preparing a natural mosquito repellent?

Congress grass Elephant grass Lemongrass Nut grass

#6

In the context of India’s preparation for Climate-Smart Agriculture, consider the following statements: 1. The ‘Climate-Smart Village’ approach in India is a part of a project led by the Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), an international research programme. 2. The project of CCAFS is carried out under the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) headquartered in France. 3. The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in India is one of the CGIAR’s research centres. Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3

#7

In which one of the following biogeochemical cycles, the weathering of rocks is the main source of release of nutrients to enter the cycle?

Carbon cycle Nitrogen cycle Phosphorus cycle Sulphur cycle

#8

Why is there a concern about copper smelting plants? 1. They may release lethal quantities of carbon monoxide into the environment. 2. The copper slag can cause the leaching of some heavy metals into the environment. 3. They may release sulphur dioxide as a pollutant. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3

#9

In nature, which of the following is/are most likely to be found surviving on a surface without soil? Fern Lichen Moss Mushroom Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 and 4 only 2 only 2 and 3 1, 3 and 4

#10

With reference to furnace oil, consider the following statements: It is a product of oil refineries. Some industries use it to generate power. Its use causes sulphur emissions into the environment. Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3

#11

Which of the following have species that can establish a symbiotic relationship with other organisms? Cnidarians Fungi Protozoa Select the correct answer using the code given below

1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3

#12

How is permaculture farming different from conventional chemical farming? 1. Permaculture farming discourages monocultural practices but in conventional chemical farming, monoculture practices are predominant. 2. Conventional chemical farming can cause an increase in soil salinity but the occurrence of such a phenomenon is not observed in permaculture 3. Conventional chemical farming is easily possible in semi-arid regions but permaculture farming is not so easily possible in such regions. 4. Practice of mulching is very important in permaculture farming but not necessarily so in conventional chemical farming. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1 and 3 1, 2 and 4 4 only 2 and 3

#13

What is blue carbon?

Carbon captured by oceans and coastal ecosystems Carbon sequestered in forest biomass and agricultural soils Carbon contained in petroleum and natural Carbon present in atmosphere

#14

With reference to ‘palm oil’, consider the following statements: 1. The palm oil tree is native to Southeast Asia. 2. Palm oil is a raw material for some industries producing lipstick and perfumes. 3. The palm oil can be used to produce biodiesel. Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3

#15

Magnetite par ticles, suspected to cause neurodegenerative problems, are generated as environmental pollutants from which of the following? Brakes of motor vehicles Engines of motor vehicles Microwave stoves within homes Power plants Telephone lines Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1, 2, 3 and 5 only 1, 2 and 4 only 3, 4 and 5 only 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

#16

The ‘Common Carbon Metric’, supported by UNEP, has been developed for

Assessing the carbon footprint of building operations around the world Enabling commercial farming entities around the world to enter carbon emission trading Enabling governments to assess the overall carbon footprint caused by their countries Assessing the overall carbon foot-print caused by the use of fossil fuels by the world in a unit time

#17

Consider the following animals: Hedgehog Marmot Pangolin To reduce the chance of being captured by predators, which of the above organisms rolls up/roll up and protects/protects its/their vulnerable parts?

1 and 2 2 only 3 only 1 and 3

#18

Which one of the following is a filter feeder?

Catfish Octopus Oyster Pelican

#19

Consider the following statements: Moringa (drumstick tree) is a leguminous evergreen tree. The Tamarind tree is endemic to South Asia. In India, most of the tamarind is collected as minor forest produce. India exports tamarind and seeds of moringa. Seeds of moringa and tamarind can be used in the production of biofuels. Which of the statements given above are correct?

1, 2, 4 and 5 3, 4 and 5 1, 3 and 4 1, 2, 3 and 5