Q 1 . 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
(c) EXPLANATION : All the given agricultural practices help in carbon sequestration.
Q 2 . 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
(a) EXPLANATION : If phytoplankton of an ocean is completely destroyed for some reason then (i) The ocean as a carbon sink would be adversely affected. (ii) The food chains in the ocean would be adversely affected as the fishes live on them.
Q 3 . 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
(b) EXPLANATION : A drug used by cattle owners for treating their diseased cattle.
Q 4 . Due to improper/ indiscriminate disposal of old and used computers or their parts, which of the following are released into the environment as e-waste?
1 . Beryllium
2 . Cadmium
3 . Chromium
4 . Heptachlor
5 . Mercury
6 . Lead
7 . Plutonium
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
(a) 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7 only
(b) 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 only
(c) 2, 4, 5 and 7 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7
(b) EXPLANATION : Electronic waste or E-waste has ferrous and nonferrous metals both. Non-ferrous metals like copper, aluminium, silver, gold, platinum, palladium etc. The presence of elements like lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, selenium and hexavalent chromium are classified as hazardous waste.
Q 5 . With reference to food chains in ecosystems, consider the following statements:
1 . A food chain illustrates the order in which a chain of organisms feed upon each other.
2 . Food chains are found within the populations of a species.
3 . A food chain illustrates the numbers of each organism which are eaten by others.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) None
(a) EXPLANATION : A food chain illustrates the order in which a chain of organisms feed upon each other. A food chain is the sequence of who eats whom in a biological community to obtain nutrition. For example in a Grassland Biome : Grass – Grass Hopper – Rat – Snake – Hawk
Q 6 . 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
(b) EXPLANATION : In national parks, local people are not allowed to collect and use the biomass available in the area.
Q 7 . 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
(a) EXPLANATION : Great Indian Bustard, Musk Deer, Red Panda and Asiatic Wild Ass, are endangered species.
Q 8 . 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
(c) EXPLANATION : Supporting services of Millennium Ecosystem Assessment are necessary for production of all other ecosystem services including soil formation, nutrient cycling, photosynthesis to name a few.
Q 9 . What is the difference between the antelopes Oryx and Chiru?
(a) Oryx is adapted to live in hot and arid areas whereas Chiru is adapted to live in steppes and semi-desert areas of cold high mountains
(b) Oryx is poached for its antlers whereas Chiru is poached for its musk
(c) Oryx exists in western India only whereas Chiru exists in north-east India only
(d) None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct
(a) EXPLANATION : Oryx has adapted to live in hot and arid areas whereas Chiru is adapted to live in steppes and semi-desert areas of cold high mountains.
Q 10 . Biodiversity forms the basis for human existence in the following ways :
1 . Soil formation
2 . Prevention of soil erosion
3 . Recycling of waste
4 . Pollination of crops
Select the correct answer using the codes given below
(a) 1,2 and 3 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) EXPLANATION : Biological diversity helps in the formation and maintenance of soil structure and the retention of moisture and nutrient levels. Biodiversity supports ecosystem services including air quality, climate water purification, pollination, and prevention of erosion.
