Q2easy
Which of the following leaf modifications occur(s) in the desert areas to inhibit water loss ?
1. Hard and waxy leaves
2. Tiny leaves
3. Thorns instead of leaves
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
(a) 2 and 3 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d)
Q4moderateCommon Misconception
How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) ?
1. The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPCB has been created by an executive order of the Government.
2. The NGT provides environmental justice and helps reduce the burden of litigation in the higher courts whereas the CPCB promotes cleanliness of streams and wells, and aims to improve the quality of air in the country.
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
Statement 1 is the trap: while NGT was established by the NGT Act 2010, CPCB was NOT created by executive order -- it was established under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. Both are statutory bodies created by Acts of Parliament.
Q35easyCommon Misconception
With reference to the 'Global Alliance for Climate-Smart Agriculture (GACSA)', which of the following statements is/are correct ?
1. GACSA is an outcome of the Climate Summit held in Paris in 2015.
2. Membership of GACSA does not create any binding obligations.
3. India was instrumental in the creation of GACSA.
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: (b)
Trap: Common Misconception
Statement 1 is a trap: GACSA was launched at the UN Climate Summit in September 2014 in New York, NOT at the Paris Summit in 2015. Statement 3 is wrong because India did NOT join GACSA and was critical of the concept of Climate-Smart Agriculture.
Q59moderateScope Confusion
With reference to the circumstances in Indian agriculture, the concept of "Conservation Agriculture" assumes significance. Which of the following fall under the Conservation Agriculture ?
1. Avoiding the monoculture practices
2. Adopting minimum tillage
3. Avoiding the cultivation of plantation crops
4. Using crop residues to cover soil surface
5. Adopting spatial and temporal crop sequencing/crop rotations
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
(a) 1, 3 and 4
(b) 2, 3, 4 and 5
(c) 2, 4 and 5
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 5
Answer: (c)
Trap: Scope Confusion
Statement 1 (avoiding monoculture) and Statement 3 (avoiding plantation crops) sound environmentally conscious but are NOT specific principles of Conservation Agriculture. CA has three principles: minimum tillage, permanent soil cover, and crop rotation. Avoiding plantation crops is not a CA principle.
Q60easy
The term "sixth mass extinction/sixth extinction" is often mentioned in the news in the context of the discussion of
(a) Widespread monoculture practices in agriculture and large-scale commercial farming with indiscriminate use of chemicals in many parts of the world that may result in the loss of good native ecosystems.
(b) Fears of a possible collision of a meteorite with the Earth in the near future in the manner it happened 65 million years ago that caused the mass extinction of many species including those of dinosaurs.
(c) Large scale cultivation of genetically modified crops in many parts of the world and promoting their cultivation in other parts of the world which may cause the disappearance of good native crop plants and the loss of food biodiversity.
(d) Mankind's over-exploitation/misuse of natural resources, fragmentation/loss of natural habitats, destruction of ecosystems, pollution and global climate change.
Answer: (d)
Q65easy
Which of the following statements best describes "carbon fertilization" ?
(a) Increased plant growth due to increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
(b) Increased temperature of Earth due to increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
(c) Increased acidity of oceans as a result of increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
(d) Adaptation of all living beings on Earth to the climate change brought about by the increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
Answer: (a)
Q81moderateCommon Misconception
Which of the following is/are the possible consequence/s of heavy sand mining in riverbeds ?
1. Decreased salinity in the river
2. Pollution of groundwater
3. Lowering of the water-table
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: sand mining actually INCREASES salinity in coastal rivers (because the river deepens, allowing saltwater intrusion), not decreases it. Students may think removing material decreases salt content, but the mechanism works in reverse.
Q83hard
The Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE), a UN mechanism to assist countries transition towards greener and more inclusive economies, emerged at
(a) The Earth Summit on Sustainable Development 2002, Johannesburg
(b) The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development 2012, Rio de Janeiro
(c) The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 2015, Paris
(d) The World Sustainable Development Summit 2016, New Delhi
Answer: (b)
Q86easy
Why is a plant called Prosopis juliflora often mentioned in news ?
(a) Its extract is widely used in cosmetics.
(b) It tends to reduce the biodiversity in the area in which it grows.
(c) Its extract is used in the synthesis of pesticides.
(d) None of the above
Answer: (b)
Q87moderateCommon Misconception
Consider the following statements :
1. Most of the world's coral reefs are in tropical waters.
2. More than one-third of the world's coral reefs are located in the territories of Australia, Indonesia and Philippines.
3. Coral reefs host far more number of animal phyla than those hosted by tropical rainforests.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d)
Trap: Common Misconception
Statement 3 is the potential exclusion trap: students may think tropical rainforests are the most biodiverse ecosystems and hence have more phyla. But coral reefs host 32 of the 34 animal phyla while tropical rainforests host only about 9. Phyla diversity (not species count) is higher in oceans.
Q88hard
"Momentum for Change : Climate Neutral Now" is an initiative launched by
(a) The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(b) The UNEP Secretariat
(c) The UNFCCC Secretariat
(d) The World Meteorological Organization
Answer: (c)
Q94easy
In which one of the following States is Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary located ?
(a) Arunachal Pradesh
(b) Manipur
(c) Meghalaya
(d) Nagaland
Answer: (a)
Q98easyAbsolute Qualifier
Consider the following statements :
1. The definition of "Critical Wildlife Habitat" is incorporated in the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
2. For the first time in India, Baigas have been given Habitat Rights.
3. Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change officially decides and declares Habitat Rights for Primitive and Vulnerable Tribal Groups in any part of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a)
Trap: Absolute Qualifier
Statement 3 is the trap: Habitat Rights are NOT decided by the Union Ministry. Under FRA 2006, habitat rights are recognized at the district/state level through gram sabhas and the District Level Committee. The central ministry doesn't 'declare' these rights.
Q100moderateSimilar Sounding
With reference to organic farming in India, consider the following statements :
1. 'The National Programme for Organic Production' (NPOP) is operated under the guidelines and directions of the Union Ministry of Rural Development.
2. 'The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority' (APEDA) functions as the Secretariat for the implementation of NPOP.
3. Sikkim has become India's first fully organic State.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b)
Trap: Similar Sounding
Statement 1 says Ministry of Rural Development, but NPOP is under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (since it relates to organic product standards and exports). Students may confuse it with rural development since organic farming is associated with rural areas.