Q 1 . 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
(d) EXPLANATION : Crop diversification reduces the need of herbicides. We can save huge quantity of water and energy by knowing when and how much water is required by a crop. Use of tensiometers could be really helpful in providing estimates of soil moisture. Vertical farming uses significantly less water and pesticides than traditional agricultural methods.
Q 2 . In the context of which of the following do some scientists suggest the use of cirrus cloud thinning technique and the injection of sulphate aerosol into stratosphere?
(a) Creating the artificial rains in some regions
(b) Reducing the frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones
(c) Reducing the adverse effects of the solar wind on the earth
(d) Reducing the global warming
(d) EXPLANATION : Sulphate aerosol particles are very good reflectors of sunlight, and it has been shown, through various climate models, that even if 1% of current incident solar radiation is reflected back in space, a very significant amount of temperature rise on earth can be offset.
Q 3 . Which one of the following are Agasthyamala biosphere reserve?
(a) Neyyar, peppara and shendurney wildlife sanctuaries and kalakad mundanthurai tiger reserve
(b) Mudumalai sathayamangalam and Wayanad wildlife sanctuaries and silent valley national park
(c) Kaundinya gundla bhrameshwaram and papikonda wildlife sanctuaries and mukurthi national park
(d) Kawal and Shree Venkateshwara wildlife sanctuaries; and Nagarjunasagar-srisailam tiger reserve
(a) EXPLANATION : Agasthyamalai biosphere consists of Neyyar, Peppara and Shendurney Wildlife sanctuaries and their adjoining areas.
Q 4 . Consider the following pairs :
Wildlife: Naturally found in
1 . Blue finned mahseer : Cauvery river
2 . Irrawaddy dolphin : Chambal river
3 . Rusty spotted cats : Eastern ghats
Which one of the pair given above are correctly matched?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
(c) EXPLANATION : Gangetic river dolphin is found in Chambal river. Irrawaddy Dolphin is a different species. It is found in Chilika lagoon and salt-water estuaries of Odisha.
Q 5 . Why is there a great concern about the microbeads that are released into environment?
(a) They are considered harmful to marine ecosystem
(b) They are considered to cause skin cancer in children
(c) They are small enough to absorbed by crop plants in irrigated fields
(d) They are often found to be used as food adulterants
(a) EXPLANATION : Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has classified microbeads as “unsafe” for use in cosmetic products. NGT had earlier directed the Centre to test cosmetic products containing microbeads after a plea sought ban on their use on the ground they are extremely dangerous for aquatic life and environment.
Q 6 . Which of the following statements are correct about the deposits of methane hydrate?
1 . Global warming might trigger the release of methane gas from these deposits
2 . Large deposits of ‘methane hydrate’ are found in Arctic Tundra and under the seafloor.
3 . Methane in atmosphere oxidizes to carbon dioxide after a decade or two.
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
(d) EXPLANATION : Large amounts of methane are frozen in Arctic tundra soils and in marine sediments including gas hydrates. As Earth’s climate warms, that methane is vulnerable to possible release into the atmosphere, where it can add to global warming. In Methane Cycle, every molecule of methane that goes into the atmosphere remains there for 8 years until it is removed by oxidation into carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O).
Q 7 . Consider the following:
1 . Carbon monoxide
2 . Methane
3 . Ozone
4 . Sulphur dioxide
Which of the above are released into the atmosphere due to the burning of crop/biomass residue?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1 and 4 only
(d) 1,2,3 and 4
(d) EXPLANATION : Biomass burning is a source of greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. In addition, biomass burning is a source of chemically active gases, including carbon monoxide, non-methane hydrocarbons, and nitric oxide. These gases, along with methane, lead to the chemical production of tropospheric ozone.
Q 8 . Consider the following statements:
1 . Agricultural soils release nitrogen oxides into environment.
2 . Cattle release ammonia into environment.
3 . Poultry industry release reactive nitrogen compounds into environment.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
(d) EXPLANATION : Agricultural soils contribute to over 70% of N2O emissions from India . Cattle account for 80% of the ammonia production . Poultry industry release reactive nitrogen compounds into environment.
Q 9 . Consider the following statements in respect of Trade Related Analysis of Fauna and Flora in Commerce (TRAFFIC):
1 . TRAFFIC is a bureau under United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
2 . The mission of TRAFFIC is to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
(b) EXPLANATION : TRAFFIC is joint program of WWF and IUCN .
Q 10 . Due to some reasons, if there is a huge fall in the population of species of butterflies, what could be its likely consequence/consequences?
1 . Pollination of some plants could be adversely affected.
2 . There could be a drastic increase in the fungal infections of some cultivated plants.
3 . It could lead to a fall in the population of some species of wasps, spiders and birds.
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
(c) EXPLANATION : Birds and spiders tend to prey on butterflies.
