Q9moderateDistractor Pairing
Which of the following National Parks is unique in being a swamp with floating vegetation that supports a rich biodiversity?
(a) Bhitarkanika National Park
(b) Keibul Lamjao National Park
(c) Keoladeo Ghana National Park
(d) Sultanpur National Park
Answer: (b)
Trap: Distractor Pairing
Bhitarkanika (mangroves) and Keoladeo Ghana (wetland) both involve water habitats, making them plausible distractors. But 'floating vegetation' (phumdi) is unique to Keibul Lamjao in Manipur's Loktak Lake. The question tests specific knowledge beyond general wetland awareness.
Q11moderateCommon Misconception
What can be the impact of excessive/inappropriate use of nitrogenous fertilizers in agriculture?
1. Proliferation of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms in soil can occur.
2. Increase in the acidity of soil can take place.
3. Leaching of nitrate to the ground-water can occur.
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
Answer: (c)
Trap: Common Misconception
Statement 1 seems logical (more nitrogen = more nitrogen-fixing organisms) but is actually wrong. Excess nitrogen reduces the need for biological nitrogen fixation, so nitrogen-fixing bacteria actually decline, not proliferate.
Q12moderateCommon Misconception
With reference to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. IUCN is an organ of the United Nations and CITES is an international agreement between governments.
2. IUCN runs thousands of field projects around the world to better manage natural environments.
3. CITES is legally binding on the States that have joined it, but this Convention does not take the place of national laws.
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
Answer: (b)
Trap: Common Misconception
Statement 1 is the trap. IUCN is NOT a UN organ - it is an independent international organization (a hybrid of government and civil society members). Many aspirants wrongly assume it is a UN body.
Q18moderateAbsolute Qualifier
With reference to 'fly ash' produced by the power plants using coal as fuel, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. Fly ash can be used in the production of bricks for building construction.
2. Fly ash can be used as a replacement for some of the Portland cement contents of concrete.
3. Fly ash is made up of silicon dioxide and calcium oxide only, and does not contain any toxic elements.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 3 only
Answer: (a)
Trap: Absolute Qualifier
Statement 3 uses 'only' and 'does not contain any toxic elements'. Fly ash contains heavy metals like arsenic, mercury, lead etc. The word 'only' and 'any' are absolute qualifiers that make the statement false.
Q19moderateAbsolute Qualifier
With reference to 'dugong', a mammal found in India, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. It is a herbivorous marine animal.
2. It is found along the entire coast of India.
3. It is given legal protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 3 only
Answer: (c)
Trap: Absolute Qualifier
Statement 2 says 'entire coast of India' which is wrong. Dugongs are found mainly in the Gulf of Mannar, Palk Bay, Gulf of Kutch, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands - not along the entire coast.
Q25easy
Which one of the following is the national aquatic animal of India?
(a) Saltwater crocodile
(b) Olive ridley turtle
(c) Gangetic dolphin
(d) Gharial
Answer: (c)
Q40easy
Which one of the following is associated with the issue of control and phasing out of the use of ozone-depleting substances?
(a) Bretton Woods Conference
(b) Montreal Protocol
(c) Kyoto Protocol
(d) Nagoya Protocol
Answer: (b)
Q43easy
What is Rio+20 Conference, often mentioned in the news?
(a) It is the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development
(b) It is a Ministerial Meeting of the World Trade Organization
(c) It is a Conference of the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change
(d) It is a Conference of the Member Countries of the Convention on Biological Diversity
Answer: (a)
Q49moderatePartial Truth
Which of the following statements regarding 'Green Climate Fund' is/are correct?
1. It is intended to assist the developing countries in adaptation and mitigation practices to counter climate change.
2. It is founded under the aegis of UNEP, OECD, Asian Development Bank and World Bank.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (a)
Trap: Partial Truth
Statement 2 lists impressive international organizations, making it sound credible. But GCF was established under the UNFCCC framework, not under UNEP/OECD/ADB/World Bank. The mention of multiple reputable bodies is designed to mislead.
Q52hardSimilar Sounding
Which one of the following National Parks has a climate that varies from tropical to subtropical, temperate and arctic?
(a) Khangchendzonga National Park
(b) Nandadevi National Park
(c) Neora Valley National Park
(d) Namdapha National Park
Answer: (d)
Trap: Similar Sounding
Khangchendzonga (a) is also in a Himalayan region with varied altitudes, making it a strong distractor. But Namdapha in Arunachal Pradesh uniquely spans from ~200m to 4500m+ elevation, covering tropical to near-arctic conditions. It is the only park in India with four climate zones.
Q56hard
'BioCarbon Fund Initiative for Sustainable Forest Landscapes' is managed by the
(a) Asian Development Bank
(b) International Monetary Fund
(c) United Nations Environment Programme
(d) World Bank
Answer: (d)
Q63moderateSimilar Sounding
The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee is constituted under the
(a) Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
(b) Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999
(c) Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
(d) Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
Answer: (c)
Trap: Similar Sounding
Option (a) FSSA seems plausible because genetic engineering relates to food (GM crops/food). But GEAC is constituted under the EPA 1986, specifically under the Rules for Manufacture, Use, Import, Export and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms, 1989.
Q74easyPartial Truth
With reference to 'Forest Carbon Partnership Facility', which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. It is a global partnership of governments, businesses, civil society and indigenous peoples.
2. It provides financial aid to universities, individual scientists and institutions involved in scientific forestry research to develop eco-friendly and climate adaptation technologies for sustainable forest management.
3. It assists the countries in their 'REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation+)' efforts by providing them with financial and technical assistance.
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
Answer: (c)
Trap: Partial Truth
Statement 2 sounds credible but FCPF does not provide financial aid to universities/scientists for research. It assists developing countries in building capacity for REDD+. The elaborate description of statement 2 is designed to sound authoritative.
Q76moderateCommon Misconception
With reference to an organization known as 'BirdLife International', which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. It is a Global Partnership of Conservation Organizations.
2. The concept of 'biodiversity hotspots' originated from this organization.
3. It identifies the sites known/referred to as 'Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas'.
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
Answer: (c)
Trap: Common Misconception
Statement 2 is the trap. The concept of biodiversity hotspots was originated by Norman Myers (1988), later refined by Conservation International, NOT BirdLife International. Students may confuse conservation organizations.
Q84easy
Which one of the following is the best description of the term 'ecosystem'?
(a) A community of organisms interacting with one another
(b) That part of the Earth which is inhabited by living organisms
(c) A community of organisms together with the environment in which they live
(d) The flora and fauna of a geographical area
Answer: (c)