Q18moderateAbsolute Qualifier
Which one of the following National Parks lies completely in the temperate alpine zone?
(a) Manas National Park
(b) Namdapha National Park
(c) Neora Valley National Park
(d) Valley of Flowers National Park
Answer: (d)
Trap: Absolute Qualifier
Namdapha has alpine zones but also extends to tropical/subtropical zones (it spans multiple altitude zones from 200m to 4500m). Neora Valley is in sub-tropical to temperate zone. Manas is in tropical zone. Valley of Flowers (3200-6675m in Uttarakhand) lies completely in the temperate alpine zone.
Q22moderateAbsolute Qualifier
Consider the following statements:
1. Asiatic lion is naturally found in India only.
2. Double-humped camel is naturally found in India only.
3. One-horned rhinoceros is naturally found in India only.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a)
Trap: Absolute Qualifier
Statement 3 is the main trap. One-horned rhinoceros is found in both India AND Nepal (Chitwan National Park), not India only. Statement 2: Double-humped (Bactrian) camel is found in Central Asia (Mongolia, China), not India. Only the Asiatic lion's last wild population is in India's Gir Forest.
Q25moderateSimilar Sounding
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 solar wind on the Earth
(d) Reducing the global warming
Answer: (d)
Trap: Similar Sounding
Option (a) is a trap because cloud-related techniques (cloud seeding) are used for artificial rain, so students may confuse cirrus cloud thinning with cloud seeding. But cirrus cloud thinning and stratospheric aerosol injection are geoengineering techniques for reducing global warming, not rain-making.
Q27hard
Which of the following are in Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve?
(a) Neyyar, Peppara and Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuaries; and Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
(b) Mudumalai, Sathyamangalam and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuaries; and Silent Valley National Park
(c) Kaundinya, Gundla Brahmeswaram and Papikonda Wildlife Sanctuaries; and Mukurthi National Park
(d) Kawal and Sri Venkateswara Wildlife Sanctuaries; and Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve
Answer: (a)
Q28moderateCommon Misconception
Consider the following statements:
1. Some species of turtles are herbivores.
2. Some species of fish are herbivores.
3. Some species of marine mammals are herbivores.
4. Some species of snakes are viviparous.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (d)
Trap: Common Misconception
Statement 4 is the primary trap. Students assume all snakes lay eggs (oviparous), but some snakes like boas and sea snakes are viviparous (give live birth). Statement 3 may also trip students who forget about dugongs and manatees (herbivorous marine mammals).
Q29moderateSimilar Sounding
Consider the following pairs:
Wildlife — Naturally found in
1. Blue-finned Mahseer : Cauvery River
2. Irrawaddy Dolphin : Chambal River
3. Rusty-spotted Cat : Eastern Ghats
Which of the pairs 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
Answer: (c)
Trap: Similar Sounding
Pair 2 is the trap. Irrawaddy Dolphin in India is found in Chilika Lake (Odisha) and Sundarbans, NOT in Chambal River. Chambal River is home to the Gangetic Dolphin and Gharial. Students may confuse the two dolphin species or misplace the Irrawaddy Dolphin's habitat.
Q30easy
Why is there a great concern about the 'microbeads' that are released into environment?
(a) They are considered harmful to marine ecosystems.
(b) They are considered to cause skin cancer in children.
(c) They are small enough to be absorbed by crop plants in irrigated fields.
(d) They are often found to be used as food adulterants.
Answer: (a)
Q31moderateSimilar Sounding
Recently, there was a growing awareness in our country about the importance of Himalayan nettle (Girardinia diversifolia) because it is found to be a sustainable source of
(a) anti-malarial drug
(b) biodiesel
(c) pulp for paper industry
(d) textile fibre
Answer: (d)
Trap: Similar Sounding
Option (c) is a plausible trap because nettle plants do have fibrous stems that could theoretically be used for paper. But the primary significance of Himalayan nettle (allo in Nepali) is as a textile fibre - it has been traditionally used by Himalayan communities for making cloth.
Q34moderatePartial Truth
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
Answer: (d)
Trap: Partial Truth
Statement 3 is the one students doubt. Methane does indeed oxidize to CO2 in the atmosphere over about 12 years (a decade or two). Students may think methane simply dissipates or that the timeframe is wrong. The 'decade or two' phrasing is approximately correct.
Q35moderatePartial Truth
Consider the following:
1. Carbon monoxide
2. Methane
3. Ozone
4. Sulphur dioxide
Which of the above are released into 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
Answer: (d)
Trap: Partial Truth
Statement 3 (Ozone) is the primary trap. Students think ozone is only in the stratosphere or formed by industrial pollution. But biomass burning produces ozone precursors (NOx, VOCs) that form ground-level ozone. Some may also doubt methane from burning, but incomplete combustion does produce methane.
Q39easy
In India, the use of carbofuran, methyl parathion, phorate and triazophos is viewed with apprehension. These chemicals are used as
(a) pesticides in agriculture
(b) preservatives in processed foods
(c) fruit-ripening agents
(d) moisturising agents in cosmetics
Answer: (a)
Q40easyAbsolute Qualifier
Consider the following statements:
1. Under Ramsar Convention, it is mandatory on the part of the Government of India to protect and conserve all the wetlands in the territory of India.
2. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 were framed by the Government of India based on the recommendations of Ramsar Convention.
3. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 also encompass the drainage area or catchment regions of the wetlands as determined by the authority.
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: (c)
Trap: Absolute Qualifier
Statement 1 uses 'all the wetlands' - Ramsar Convention requires protection of designated Ramsar sites, not ALL wetlands in the country. Statement 2 is wrong because the Rules were framed under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, not based on Ramsar Convention recommendations specifically.
Q41easyAbsolute Qualifier
Consider the following statements:
1. Agricultural soils release nitrogen oxides into environment.
2. Cattle release ammonia into environment.
3. Poultry industry releases 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
Answer: (d)
Trap: Absolute Qualifier
Students may associate cattle only with methane emissions and miss that cattle urine/dung also releases ammonia. Similarly, they may not connect poultry with reactive nitrogen compounds (ammonia from poultry litter). All three are well-documented sources of nitrogen pollution.
Q55easyPartial Truth
Consider the following statements:
1. As per recent amendment to the Indian Forest Act, 1927, forest dwellers have the right to fell the bamboos grown on forest areas.
2. As per the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, bamboo is a minor forest produce.
3. The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 allows ownership of minor forest produce to forest dwellers.
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: Partial Truth
Statement 1 is the trap. While the Indian Forest (Amendment) Act 2017 did reclassify bamboo, it only allows felling of bamboo grown on NON-FOREST areas (private/homestead land), not forest areas. Students who know about the bamboo amendment may not recall this crucial distinction.
Q58moderateAbsolute Qualifier
Consider the following statements:
The Environment Protection Act, 1986 empowers the Government of India to
1. state the requirement of public participation in the process of environmental protection, and the procedure and manner in which it is sought
2. lay down the standards for emission or discharge of environmental pollutants from various sources
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: (c)
Trap: Absolute Qualifier
Students may doubt Statement 1, thinking public participation provisions are in EIA notification (2006), not the parent EPA 1986. But EPA 1986 is an umbrella act with broad powers, including the ability to prescribe procedures for public participation in environmental protection.
Q59easyPartial Truth
As per the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 in India, which one of the following statements is correct?
(a) Waste generator has to segregate waste into five categories.
(b) The Rules are applicable to notified urban local bodies, notified towns and all industrial townships only.
(c) The Rules provide for exact and elaborate criteria for the identification of sites for landfills and waste processing facilities.
(d) It is mandatory on the part of waste generator that the waste generated in one district cannot be moved to another district.
Answer: (c)
Trap: Partial Truth
Option (a) is a trap: The rules require segregation into categories but not five (it's broadly dry/wet/hazardous). Option (b) is partly true but the 2016 rules expanded applicability beyond just ULBs to include census towns, areas under Indian railways, airports, etc.
Q68easyCommon Misconception
Consider the following statements:
1. As per law, the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority exists at both National and State levels.
2. People's participation is mandatory in the compensatory afforestation programmes carried out under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016.
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: (a)
Trap: Common Misconception
Statement 2 sounds progressive and desirable, which makes students assume it's correct. However, the CAMPA Act 2016 does not mandate people's participation in compensatory afforestation. The Act focuses on fund management, not community participation requirements.
Q78moderateSimilar Sounding
In India, 'extended producer responsibility' was introduced as an important feature in which of the following?
(a) The Bio-medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998
(b) The Recycled Plastic (Manufacturing and Usage) Rules, 1999
(c) The e-Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011
(d) The Food Safety and Standard Regulations, 2011
Answer: (c)
Trap: Similar Sounding
Option (b) about recycled plastics sounds relevant since EPR is now widely associated with plastic waste management. But EPR was first introduced in India through the e-Waste Rules 2011, not the earlier plastic rules. The 1999 plastic rules predated the EPR concept in Indian law.