UPSC IAS Prelims 2020: Questions on Environment and Ecology

 Question 1. With reference to India's Desert National Park, which of the following statements are correct?

1. It is spread over two districts.

2. There is no human habitation inside the Park

3. It is one of the natural habitats of Great Indian Bustard.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Question 2. Consider the following statements :

1. 36% of India's districts are classified as "overexploited" or "critical" by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA).

2. CGWA was formed under the Environment (Protection) Act.

3. India has the largest area under groundwater irrigation in the world.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 2 only

(d) 1 and 3 only

Question 3. Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under "Critical Tiger Habitat"?

(a) Corbett

(b) Ranthambore

(c) Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam

(d) Sunderbans

Question 4.  If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, what is the implication? 

(a) A license is required to cultivate that plant. 

(b) Such a plant cannot be cultivated under any circumstances. 

(c) It is a Genetically Modified crop plant. 

(d) Such a plant is invasive and harmful to the ecosystem

Question 5. Which one of the following statements best describes the term 'Social Cost of Carbon'?

(a) It is a measure, in the monetary value of the long-term damage done by a tonne of CO2 emissions in a given year.

(b) the requirement of fossil fuels for a country to provide goods and services to its citizens, based on the burning of those fuels. 

(c) efforts put in by a climate refugee to adapt to live in a new place. 

(d) contribution of an individual person to the carbon footprint on the planet Earth.

Question 6. With reference to Indian elephants, consider the following statements : 

1. The leader of an elephant group is female. 

2. The maximum gestation period can be 22 months. 

3. An elephant can normally go on calving till the age of 40 years only. 

4. Among the States in India, the highest elephant population is in Kerala. 

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 4 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 3 and 4 only

Question 7. Which of the following Protected Areas are located in Cauvery basin? 

1. Nagarhole National Park 

2. Papikonda National Park 

3. Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve 

4. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary 

Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

(a) 1 and 2 only 

(b) 3 and 4 only 

(c) 1,3 and 4 only 

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Question 8. With reference to India's biodiversity, Ceylon frogmouth, Coppersmith Barbet, Gray-chinned minivet and White-throated redstart are

(a) Birds

(b) Primates 

(c) Reptiles

(d) Amphibians

Question 9. Which one of the following protected areas is well-known for the conservation of a sub-species of the Indian swamp deer (Barasingha) that thrives well on hard ground and is exclusively graminivorous ? 

(a) Kanha National Park 

(b) Manas National Park 

(c) Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary 

(d) Tal Chhapar Wildlife Sanctuary

Question 10. Which of the following are the most likely places to find the musk deer in its natural habitat? 

1. Askot Wildlife Sanctuary 

2. Gangotri National Park 

3. Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary 

4. Manas National Park Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 3 and 4 only 

(d) 1 and 4 only

Question 11. Which of the following are the reasons/factors for exposure to benzene pollution ? 

1. Automobile exhaust 

2. Tobacco smoke 

3. Wood burning 

4. Using varnished wooden furniture 

5. Using products made of polyurethane 

Select the correct answer using the code given below : 

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only 

(b) 2 and 4 only 

(c) 1, 3 and 4 only 

(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Question 12. What is/are the advantage/advantages of zero tillage in agriculture ? 

1. Sowing of wheat is possible without burning the residue of previous crop. 

2. Without the need for nursery of rice saplings, direct planting of paddy seeds in the wet soil is possible. 

3. Carbon sequestration in the soil is possible. 

Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

(a) 1 and 2 only 

(b) 2 and 3 only 

(c) 3 only 

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Question 13. According to India's National Policy on Biofuels, which of the following can be used as raw materials for the production of biofuels ?

1. Cassava

2. Damaged wheat grains

3. Groundnut seeds

4. Horse gram

5. Rotten potatoes 

6. Sugar beet

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2, 5 and 6 only

(b) 1, 3, 4 and 6 only

(c) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only

(d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6

Question 14. In India, why are some nuclear reactors kept under "IAEA Safeguards" while others are not? 

(a) Some use uranium and others use thorium 

(b) Some use imported uranium and others use domestic supplies 

(c) Some are operated by foreign enterprises and others are operated by domestic enterprises 

(d) Some are State-owned and others are privately-owned

Question 15. In the context of India, which of the following is/are considered to be practice(s) of eco-friendly agriculture ? 

1. Crop diversification 

2. Legume intensification 

3. Tensiometer use 

4. Vertical farming 

Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only 

(b) 3 only 

(c) 4 only 

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Question 16. In rural road construction, the use of which of the following is preferred for ensuring environmental sustainability or to reduce carbon footprint ?

1. Copper slag 

2. Cold mix asphalt technology

3. Geotextiles

4. Hot mix asphalt technology  

5. Portland cement

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 2, 3 and 4 only

(c) 4 and 5 only

(d) 1 and 5 only

Question 17. Consider the following statements :

1. Coal ash contains arsenic, lead and mercury. 

2. Coal-fired power plants release sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen into the

environment. 

3. High ash content is observed in Indian coal. 

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

(a) 1 only 

(b) 2 and 3 only 

(c) 3 only 

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Question 18. What is the use of biochar in farming ?

1. Biochar can be used as a part of the growing medium in vertical farming.

2. When biochar is a part of the growing medium, it promotes the growth of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms.

3. When biochar is a part of the growing medium, it enables the growing medium to retain water for longer time.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answers:

Q 1 2 3 4 5 6

A c b d a a a

Q 7 8 9 10 11 12

A c a a a d d

Q 13 14 15 16 17 18

A a b d a d d