Q. 1. How does the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) help in protecting Indian
agriculture?
1. NBA checks the biopiracy and protects the indigenous and traditional genetic
resources.
2. NBA directly monitors and supervises the scientific research on genetic modification
of crop plants.
3. Application for intellectual Property Rights related to genetic/biological resources
cannot be made without the approval of NBA.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Q. 2. If National Water Mission is properly and completely implemented, how will it impact
the country?
1. Part of the water needs of urban areas will be met through recycling of waste-water.
2. The water requirements of coastal cities with inadequate alternative sources of water
will be met by adopting appropriate technologies that allow for the use of ocean water.
3. All the rivers of Himalayan origin will be linked to the rivers of peninsular India.
4. The expenses incurred by farmers for digging bore-wells and for installing motors
and pump-sets to draw ground-water will be completely reimbursed by the Government.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans. (b)
Explanation:
If National Water Mission is properly and completely implemented, then the part of the water
needs of urban areas will be met through recycling of waste water and the water
requirements of coastal cities with inadequate alternative sources of water will be met by
adopting appropriate technologies that allow for the use of ocean water.
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Q. 3. Consider the following statements:
Chlorofluorocarbons, known as ozone-depleting substances, are used.
1. in the production of plastic foams
2. in the production of tubeless tyres
3. in cleaning certain electronic components
4. as pressurizing agents in aerosol cans
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 4 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans. (c)
Exp. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are class of organic compounds that contain carbon,
chlorine, hydrogen and fluorine, produced as a volatile derivative of methane and ethane.
They are used in refrigerators, air conditioners, aerosol cans, blowing agent in the
production of plastic foams, as solvent to clean electronic components and as propellants in
medicinal applications.
Q. 4. Government of India encourages the cultivation of ‘sea buckthorn’. What is the
importance of this plant?
1. It helps in controlling soil erosion and in preventing desertification:
2. It is a rich source of bio-diesel.
3. It has nutritional value and is well-adapted to live in cold areas of high altitudes.
4. Its timber is of great commercial value.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Q.5. With reference to the wetlands of India, consider the following statements:
1. The country’s total geographical area under the category of wetlands is recorded
more in Gujarat as compared to other States.
2. In India, the total geographical area of coastal wetlands is larger than that of inland
wetlands.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither I nor 2
Q.6. The increasing amount of carbon dioxide in the air is slowly raising the temperature of
the atmosphere, because it absorbs
(a) the water vapour of the air and retains its heat
(b) the ultraviolet part of the solar radiation
(c) all the solar radiations
(d) the infrared part of the solar radiation
Ans. (d)
Explanation:
The increasing amount of carbon dioxide in the air is slowly raising the temperature of the
atmosphere because it absorbs the infrared part of the solar radiation. Only water vapour
has the ability to absorb both incoming UV and outgoing infrared radiation.
Q. 7. Other than resistance to pests, what are the prospects for which genetically engineered
plants have been created?
1. To enable them to withstand drought
2. To increase the nutritive value of the produce
3. To enable them to grow and do photosynthesis in spaceships and space stations
4. To increase their shelf life
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans. (d)
Explanation:
Genetically engineered plants are able enough to be grown in limited environmental
conditions of space stations. Delayed senescence/fruit ripening/spoilage leading to the
extended shelf life of perishable produce. Enhanced tolerance to diseases and stress, such
as drought, heat, cold, salt, low nutrients.
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Q.8. Consider the following protected areas
1. Bandipur
2. Bhitarkanika
3. Manas
4. Sunderbans
Which of the above are declared Tiger Reserves?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer. (b)
Exp. There are 42 tiger reserves in India, which are governed by Project Tiger, which is
administered by the National Tiger Conservation Authority.
Bhitarkanika is a national park located in the Kendrapara district of Odisha in Eastern India.
It is a hotspot of biodiversity and it is the second largest viable mangrove ecosystem in India.
It is popular for salt water crocodiles birds and Olive Ridley turtles.
Q.9. In which one among the following categories of protected areas in India are local people
not allowed to collect and use the biomass?
(a) Biosphere Reserves
(b) National Parks
(c) Wetlands declared under Ramsar Convention
(d) Wildlife Sanctuaries
Answer. (b)
Exp.
Controlled biotic interferences are allowed in Wildlife Sanctuaries and wetlands. Biosphere
reserves are not meant for any species in particular but are intended to preserve genetic
diversity of representative ecosystem by protecting wild populations, traditional life style of
tribal people and domesticated plant and animal genetic resources.
National Park is a relatively larger area of one or several ecosystems. They are not
materially altered by human exploitation and occupation and are not used for commercial
extraction of resources.
Q. 10. Which one of the following groups of animals belongs to the category of endangered
species?
(a) Great Indian Bustard, Musk Deer, Red Panda and Asiatic Wild Ass
(b) Kashmir Stag, Cheetal, Blue Bull and Great Indian Bustard
(c) Snow Leopard, Swamp Deer, Rhesus Monkey and Saras (Crane)
(d) Lion-tailed Macaque, Blue Bull, Hanuman Langur and Cheetal
Q. 11. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment describes the following major categories of
ecosystem services-provisioning, supporting, regulating, preserving and cultural. Which one
of the following is supporting service?
(a) Production of food and water
(b) Control of climate and disease
(c) Nutrient cycling and crop pollination
(d) Maintenance of diversity
Ans. (c)
Explanation:
Ecosystem services are the benefits people obtain from ecosystems. These include
provisioning, regulating, and cultural services that directly affect people and supporting
services needed to maintain the other services.
The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA), a major UN-sponsored effort to analyze the
impact of human actions on ecosystems and human well-being, identified four major
categories of ecosystem services: provisioning, regulating, cultural and supporting services.
Q. 12. Which of the following can be threats to the biodiversity of a geographical area?
1. Global warming
2. Fragmentation of habitat
3. Invasion of alien species
4. Promotion of vegetarianism
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans.(a)
Explanation:
Global warming can contribute to habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, invasion of alien
species. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
Threats to Biodiversity
• Habitat Fragmentation. Ecosystem conversion and ecosystem degradation contribute
to habitat fragmentation. …
• Exotic Species Introductions. Infestation by alien species, such as the Codling Moth,
is also a major threat to BC ecosystems. …
• Pollution. …
• Global Climate Change. …
• Corridors and Connectivity.
Q. 14. Consider the following:
1. Black-necked crane
2. Cheetah
3. Flying squirrel
4. Snow leopard
Which of the above are naturally found in India?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans. (b)
Explanation:
Cheetahs are no longer naturally found in India. They used to be here once upon a time and
now government thinks to import them and reintroduce them in India. Black-necked crane
are found in Northern Sikkim and two valleys of
Western Arunachal Pradesh. Flying squirrels are found in the North-Eastem States of India.
Snow leopards are found in the Western Himalayan region.
Q. 15. Consider the following agricultural practices:
1. Contour bunding
2. Relay cropping
3. Zero tillage
In the context of global climate change, which of the above helps/help in carbon
sequestration/storage in the soil?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) None of them
Answer. (c)
Exp. Carbon sequestration is the capture of carbon dioxide (CO2). Soils contain more than
twice as much carbon as the atmosphere. Increasing the amount of carbon naturally stored
in soils could provide the short-term bridge to reduce the impacts of increasing carbon
emissions. Conservation of soil through different methods is a way to carbon sequestration
Zero tillage Modern concept of tillage in conventional tillage by machinery the soil layer
inserts, air mixes in and soil microbial activity dramatically increases over baseline levels.
Thus, soil organic matter is broken down quite rapidly and carbon dioxide is lost from the soil
to the atmosphere. In zero tillage, crop residues decompose where they lie and by growing
winter crops carbon loss can be slowed and eventually reversed.
Contour Bunding It Involves construction of small embankment along the slope of the land
so that long slope is reduced into a series of small ones. Along funds trees which fixes
nitrogen into the soil are planted with grass along the funds.
Relay Cropping It means that a new crop is planted or sown before the previous one is
harvested. This advantageous for both crops as one may provide nitrogen, shade, support or
may discourage pest for the other.
Q. 16. What would happen if phytoplankton of an ocean is completely destroyed for some
reason?
1. The ocean as a carbon sink would be adversely affected.
2. The food chains in the ocean would be adversely affected.
3. The density of ocean water would drastically decrease.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans. (d)
Explanation:
• 1 is true – photosynthetic plant
• 2 is true – any species gone – food chain adversely affected
• 3rd is true– drastic decrease, exaggeration, pause and think
Q. 17. Vultures which used to be very common in Indian countryside some years ago are
rarely seen nowadays. This is attributed to
(a) the destruction of their nesting sites by new invasive species
(b) a drug used by cattle owners for treating their diseased cattle
(c) scarcity of food available to them
(d) a widespread, persistent and fatal disease among them
Answer. (b)
Exp.
Research revealed in 2004 that vultures that has gout like symptoms before death showed
high levels of an anti-inflammatory drug called Diclofenac in their systems.
This drug when interacting with a vulture’s body chemistry, caused the crystals to form and
ultimately, caused kidney failure. Diclofenac has been used medicinally by humans for many
years as a
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID); however, its use in veterinary circles is
relatively new in India and Pakistan.
It has been part of a routine course given to mammalian livestock, such as cattle. The drug
appeals to ranchers because it is both inexpensive and effective for reducing pain and
treating fever in their herds. It does not remain long in a herd animal before it passes out of
the animal’s system
When members of the herd die, their carcasses are routinely dumped out in the open with
the knowledge that they will be scavenged by vultures. As a vulture consumes a carcass, the
drug enters its body. Because of the group feeding habit of vultures, the danger is multiplied.
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