Q4hardDistractor Pairing
From the ecological point of view, which one of the following assumes importance in being a good link between the Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats ?
(a) Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve
(b) Nallamala Forest
(c) Nagarhole National Park
(d) Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve
Answer: (a)
Trap: Distractor Pairing
Nagarhole is in the Western Ghats region and Nallamala/Seshachalam are in Eastern Ghats. Students may pick Nagarhole or Seshachalam. But Sathyamangalam in Tamil Nadu lies at the junction where the two Ghats converge, forming an ecological bridge.
Q6moderateCommon Misconception
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
Answer: (b)
Trap: Common Misconception
TRAFFIC is NOT a UNEP bureau — it is a joint programme of WWF and IUCN. The UN-sounding name makes students assume it is a UN body. Statement 2 correctly describes its mission.
Q14moderateAbsolute Qualifier
In the context of solving pollution problems, what is/are the advantage/advantages of bioremediation technique ?
1. It is a technique for cleaning up pollution by enhancing the same biodegradation process that occurs in nature.
2. Any contaminant with heavy metals such as cadmium and lead can be readily and completely treated by bioremediation using microorganisms.
3. Genetic engineering can be used to create microorganisms specifically designed for bioremediation.
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: Absolute Qualifier
Statement 2 uses 'readily and completely' — heavy metals CANNOT be completely treated by bioremediation. Bioremediation has limitations with heavy metals; it can bioaccumulate them but not fully degrade metals. The absolute qualifiers are the red flag.
Q21moderatePartial Truth
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
Answer: (c)
Trap: Partial Truth
Statement 2 is the trap. While butterflies do interact with ecosystems, the link between butterfly decline and FUNGAL infections is not established. Butterflies are pollinators and prey (for wasps, spiders, birds), making Statements 1 and 3 correct. Statement 2 tries to create a false causal chain.
Q25moderateAbsolute Qualifier
In the context of mitigating the impending global warming due to anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide, which of the following can be the potential sites for carbon sequestration ?
1. Abandoned and uneconomic coal seams
2. Depleted oil and gas reservoirs
3. Subterranean deep saline formations
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d)
Trap: Absolute Qualifier
All three are valid geological carbon sequestration sites recognized by IPCC. The trap is that students may not know about deep saline formations (Statement 3) and exclude it, or may doubt abandoned coal seams. All three are well-established CCS sites.
Q35moderateAbsolute Qualifier
According to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which of the following animals cannot be hunted by any person except under some provisions provided by law ?
1. Gharial
2. Indian wild ass
3. Wild buffalo
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: (d)
Trap: Absolute Qualifier
Students might doubt wild buffalo's inclusion in Schedule I. All three — gharial, Indian wild ass, and wild buffalo — are Schedule I species under the Wildlife Protection Act, which provides the highest level of protection. The question tests knowledge of specific species' schedules.
Q52easySimilar Sounding
With reference to 'Global Climate Change Alliance', which of the following statements is/are correct ?
1. It is an initiative of the European Union.
2. It provides technical and financial support to targeted developing countries to integrate climate change into their development policies and budgets.
3. It is coordinated by World Resources Institute (WRI) and World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a)
Trap: Similar Sounding
Statement 3 attributes coordination to WRI and WBCSD — these are associated with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, NOT GCCA. GCCA is coordinated by the EU itself. The mixing of environmental organizations creates confusion.
Q59easy
Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) is a standard criterion for
(a) Measuring oxygen levels in blood
(b) Computing oxygen levels in forest ecosystems
(c) Pollution assay in aquatic ecosystems
(d) Assessing oxygen levels in high altitude regions
Answer: (c)
Q65moderateCommon Misconception
Consider the following statements :
1. Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) to Reduce Short Lived Climate Pollutants is a unique initiative of G20 group of countries.
2. The CCAC focuses on methane, black carbon and hydrofluorocarbons.
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
Answer: (b)
Trap: Common Misconception
CCAC is NOT a G20 initiative — it was launched by UNEP and a group of countries including the US, Canada, Sweden, etc. Students may associate climate initiatives with G20. Statement 2 correctly lists the three key short-lived climate pollutants CCAC targets.
Q67easy
If you want to see gharials in their natural habitat, which one of the following is the best place to visit ?
(a) Bhitarkanika Mangroves
(b) Chambal River
(c) Pulicat Lake
(d) Deepor Beel
Answer: (b)
Q80easy
The term 'M-STrIPES' is sometimes seen in the news in the context of
(a) Captive breeding of Wild Fauna
(b) Maintenance of Tiger Reserves
(c) Indigenous Satellite Navigation System
(d) Security of National Highways
Answer: (b)
Q91moderateAbsolute Qualifier
In India, if a species of tortoise is declared protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, what does it imply ?
(a) It enjoys the same level of protection as the tiger.
(b) It no longer exists in the wild, a few individuals are under captive protection; and now it is impossible to prevent its extinction.
(c) It is endemic to a particular region of India.
(d) Both (b) and (c) stated above are correct in this context.
Answer: (a)
Trap: Absolute Qualifier
Students might think different Schedule I species have different levels of protection based on the animal. But ALL Schedule I species enjoy the SAME level of highest protection regardless of species. A Schedule I tortoise has the same legal protection as a tiger. Options (b) and (c) add irrelevant details about extinction and endemism.
Q95moderateDistractor Pairing
Recently there was a proposal to translocate some of the lions from their natural habitat in Gujarat to which one of the following sites ?
(a) Corbett National Park
(b) Kuno Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary
(c) Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
(d) Sariska National Park
Answer: (b)
Trap: Distractor Pairing
Sariska (d) is a famous wildlife sanctuary in Rajasthan known for tiger reintroduction, making it a plausible distractor. But Kuno-Palpur (Madhya Pradesh) was specifically identified by the Supreme Court for Asiatic lion translocation from Gir. Gujarat resisted this.