In the 2018 Prelims, the following 19 questions
were related to Environment and Ecology. The answers are given at the end. Some
of the important questions will be discussed in the next post.
1. Which
of the following leaf modifications occur(s) in the desert areas to inhabit
water loss?
- Hard
and waxy leaves
- Tiny
leaves
- Thorns
instead of leaves
Select the correct answer
using the code given below:
- 2 and 3 only
- 2 only
- 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
2. How
is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution
Control Board (CPCB)?
- The
NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPCB has been created by an
executive order of the Government.
- The
NGT provides environmental justice and helps reduce the burden of
litigation in the higher courts whereas the CPCB promotes cleanliness of
streams and wells, and aims to improve the quality of air in the country.
Which of the statements
given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
3. Which of the following has/have shrunk
immensely/dried up in the recent past due to human activities?
- Aral
Sea
- Black
Sea
- Lake
Baikal
Select the correct answer
using the code given below:
- 1 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 2 only
- 1 and 3
4. With
reference to the Global Alliance for Climate-Smart Agriculture (GACSA), which
of the following statements is/are correct?
1. GACSA is an outcome of
the Climate Summit held in Paris in 2015.
2. Membership of GACSA
does not create any binding obligations.
3. India was instrumental
in the creation of GACSA.
Select the correct answer
using the code given below:
A.
1 and 3 only
B.
2 only
C.
2 and 3 only
D.
1, 2 and 3
5. With reference to the circumstances in Indian
agriculture, the concept of “Conservation Agriculture” assumes significance.
Which of the following fall under the Conservation Agriculture?
- Avoiding
the monoculture practices
- Adopting
minimum tillage
- Avoiding
the cultivation of plantation crops
- Using
crop residues to cover soil surface
- Adopting
spatial and temporal crop sequencing/crop rotations.
Select the correct answer
using the code given below:
A.
1, 3 and 4
B.
2, 3, 4 and 5
C.
2, 4 and 5
D.
1, 2, 3 and 5
6. The term “sixth mass extinction/sixth
extinction” is often mentioned in the news in the context of the discussion of:
A.
Widespread monoculture practices in agriculture and
large-scale commercial farming with indiscriminate use of chemicals in many
parts of the world that may result in the loss of good native ecosystems.
B.
Fears of a possible collision of a meteorite with
the Earth in the near future in the manner it happened 65 million years ago
that caused the mass extinction of many species including those of dinosaurs.
C.
Large scale cultivation of genetically modified
crops in many parts of the world and promoting their cultivation in other parts
of the world which may cause the disappearance of good native crop plants and
the loss of food biodiversity.
D.
Mankind’s over-exploitation/misuse of natural
resources, fragmentation/loss of natural habitats, destruction of ecosystems,
pollution and global climate change.
7. With reference to the Genetically Modified
mustard (GM mustard) developed in India, consider the following statements:
- GM
mustard has the genes of a soil bacterium that give the plant the property
of pest-resistance to a wide variety of pests.
- GM
mustard has the genes that allow the plant cross-pollination and
hybridization.
- GM
mustard has been developed jointly by the IARI and Punjab Agricultural
University.
Which of the statements
given above is/are correct?
A.
1 and 3 only
B.
2 only
C.
2 and 3
D.
1, 2 and 3
8. Which of the following
statements best describes “carbon fertilization”?
A.
Increased plant growth due to increased
concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
B.
Increased temperature of Earth due to increased
concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
C.
Increased acidity of oceans as a result of
increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
D.
Adaptation of all living beings on Earth to the
climate change brought about by the increased concentration of carbon dioxide
in the atmosphere.
9. With reference to solar
power production in India, consider the following statements:
1. India is the third
largest in the world in the manufacture of silicon wafers used in photovoltaic
units.
2. The solar power tariffs
are determined by the Solar Energy Corporation of India.
Which of the statements
given above is/are correct?
A.
1 only
B.
2 only
C.
Both 1 and 2
D.
Neither 1 nor 2
10. Which one of the following is an artificial lake?
A.
Kodaikanal (Tamil Nadu)
B.
Kolleru (Andhra Pradesh)
C.
Nainital (Uttarakhand)
D.
RenukaV (I-Iimachal Pradesh)
11. Which of the following is/are the possible consequence/s
of heavy sand mining in riverbeds?
1.Decreased salinity in the river
2.Pollution of groundwater
3.Lowering of the water-table
Select the correct answer
using the code given below:
A.
1 only
B.
2 and 3 only
C.
1 and 3 only
D.
1, 2 and 3
12. With reference to agricultural soils, consider the
following statements:
1. A high content of organic matter
in soil drastically reduces its water holding capacity.
2. Soil does not play any role in
the sulphur cycle.
3. Irrigation over a period of time
can contribute to the salinization of some agricultural lands.
Which of the statements
given above is/are correct?
A.
1 and 2 only
B.
3 only
C.
1 and 3 only
D.
1, 2 and 3
13. The Partnership for Action on
Green Economy (PAGE), a UN mechanism to assist countries transition towards
greener and more inclusive economies, emerged at:
A.
The Earth Summit on Sustainable Development 2002,
Johannesburg
B.
The United Nations Conference on Sustainable
Development 2012, Rio de Janeiro
C.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change 2015, Paris
D.
The World Sustainable Development Summit 2016, New
Delhi
14. Why is a plant called Prosopis juliflora often mentioned in the
news?
A.
Its extract is widely used in cosmetics.
B.
It tends to reduce the biodiversity in the area in
which it grows.
C.
Its extract is used in the synthesis of pesticides.
D.
None of the above
15.
Consider the following statements:
- Most
of the world’s coral reefs are in tropical waters.
- More
than one—third of the world’s coral reefs are located in the territories
of Australia, Indonesia and Philippines.
- Coral
reefs host far more number of animal phyla than those hosted by tropical
rainforests.
Which of the statements
given above is/are correct ?
A.
1 and 2 only
B.
3 only
C.
1 and 3 only
D.
1, 2 and 3
16.
“Momentum for Change: Climate Neutral Now” is an initiative launched by:
A.
The Intergovernmental panel on Climate Change
B.
The UNEP Secretariat
C.
The UNFCCC Secretariat
D.
The World Meteorological Organization
17. In
which one of the following States is Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary located?
A.
Arunachal Pradesh
B.
Manipur
C.
Meghalaya
D.
Nagaland
18. Consider
the following statements:
- The
definition of “Critical Wildlife Habitat” is incorporated in the Forest
Rights Act, 2006.
- For
the first time in India, Baigas have been given Habitat Rights.
- Union
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change officially decides and
declares Habitat Rights for Primitive and Vulnerable Tribal Groups in any
part of India.
Which of the statements
given above is/are correct?
A.
1 and 2 only
B.
2 and 3 only
C.
3 only
D.
1, 2 and 3
19. With
reference to organic farming in India, consider the following statements:
- The
National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) is operated under the
guidelines and directions of the Union Ministry of Rural Development.
- The
Agricultural and Processed Food Product Export Development Authority
(APEDA) functions as the Secretariat for the implementation of NPOP.
- Sikkim
has become India’s first fully organic State.
Which of the statements
given above is/are correct?
A.
1 and 2 only
B.
2 and 3 only
C.
3 only
D.
1, 2 and 3
Answers:
1. D 2. B 3. D 4. B 5.
C
6. D 7. B 8.
A
9. D
10. A 11. B 12. B 13. B 14. B
15. D 16. C 17. A 18. A 19. B
