Q26moderate
'R2 Code of Practices' constitutes a tool available for promoting the adoption of
(a) environmentally responsible practices in electronics recycling industry
(b) ecological management of 'Wetlands of International Importance' under the Ramsar Convention
(c) sustainable practices in the cultivation of agricultural crops in degraded lands
(d) 'Environmental Impact Assessment' in the exploitation of natural resources
Answer: (a)
Q27moderatePartial Truth
Why is there a concern about copper smelting plants?
1. They may release lethal quantities of carbon monoxide into environment.
2. The copper slag can cause the leaching of some heavy metals into environment.
3. They may release sulphur dioxide as a pollutant.
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: (b)
Trap: Partial Truth
Statement 1 is the trap. While copper smelting does involve high temperatures and combustion, the primary pollutant is SO2 (from copper sulfide ores), not CO. Students who know smelting involves burning may assume CO is produced in 'lethal quantities', but the word 'lethal' makes it an exaggeration for copper smelting specifically.
Q28easy
With reference to furnace oil, consider the following statements :
1. It is a product of oil refineries.
2. Some industries use it to generate power.
3. Its use causes sulphur emissions into environment.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d)
Q29easy
What is blue carbon?
(a) Carbon captured by oceans and coastal ecosystems
(b) Carbon sequestered in forest biomass and agricultural soils
(c) Carbon contained in petroleum and natural gas
(d) Carbon present in atmosphere
Answer: (a)
Q30moderatePartial Truth
In the nature, which of the following is/are most likely to be found surviving on a surface without soil?
1. Fern
2. Lichen
3. Moss
4. Mushroom
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 4 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3
(d) 1, 3 and 4
Answer: (c)
Trap: Partial Truth
Ferns and mushrooms can sometimes grow on rocks/trees (epiphytic ferns, wood-decaying mushrooms), which makes options (a) and (d) tempting. But ferns generally need some soil/humus, and mushrooms need organic matter as substrate. Lichens and mosses are true pioneers that colonize bare rock.
Q42moderateCommon Misconception
Consider the following kinds of organisms :
1. Copepods
2. Cyanobacteria
3. Diatoms
4. Foraminifera
Which of the above are primary producers in the food chains of oceans?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 3 and 4
(d) 1 and 4
Answer: (b)
Trap: Common Misconception
Copepods (statement 1) and Foraminifera (statement 4) are consumers/heterotrophs, not producers. Students might think all small marine organisms are primary producers. Copepods are zooplankton (primary consumers). Foraminifera are protists that feed on diatoms. Diatoms and Cyanobacteria photosynthesize.
Q43moderateCommon Misconception
Consider the following animals :
1. Hedgehog
2. Marmot
3. Pangolin
To reduce the chance of being captured by predators, which of the above organisms rolls up/roll up and protects/protect its/their vulnerable parts?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1 and 3
Answer: (d)
Trap: Common Misconception
Marmots do NOT roll up as a defense mechanism - they use burrows and alarm calls. Students might confuse marmots with armadillos (which do roll up) or think all small mammals curl up. Hedgehogs curl into a spiny ball and pangolins curl into a scale-armored ball.
Q44moderateCommon Misconception
With reference to the 'New York Declaration on Forests', which of the following statements are correct?
1. It was first endorsed at the United Nations Climate Summit in 2014.
2. It endorses a global timeline to end the loss of forests.
3. It is a legally binding international declaration.
4. It is endorsed by governments, big companies and indigenous communities.
5. India was one of the signatories at its inception.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1, 2 and 4
(b) 1, 3 and 5
(c) 3 and 4
(d) 2 and 5
Answer: (a)
Trap: Common Misconception
Statement 3 is the primary trap - it is a VOLUNTARY political declaration, not legally binding. Statement 5 is also a trap - India was NOT a signatory. Students often assume India signs all major environmental declarations, and that UN-level declarations are legally binding.
Q46easyCommon Misconception
Which one of the following is a filter feeder?
(a) Catfish
(b) Octopus
(c) Oyster
(d) Pelican
Answer: (c)
Trap: Common Misconception
Pelican (option d) might seem like a filter feeder because of its large bill pouch that 'filters' water, but pelicans are actually active predators that scoop fish. Catfish are bottom feeders/scavengers. Octopus is a predator. Only oysters are true filter feeders, pumping water through gills to trap plankton.
Q47easy
In case of which one of the following biogeochemical cycles, the weathering of rocks is the main source of release of nutrient to enter the cycle?
(a) Carbon cycle
(b) Nitrogen cycle
(c) Phosphorus cycle
(d) Sulphur cycle
Answer: (c)
Q48moderateCommon Misconception
Which of the following are detritivores?
1. Earthworms
2. Jellyfish
3. Millipedes
4. Seahorses
5. Woodlice
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1, 2 and 4 only
(b) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
(c) 1, 3 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Answer: (c)
Trap: Common Misconception
Jellyfish and seahorses might be confused as detritivores because they're small marine organisms. But jellyfish are carnivorous (eat zooplankton, small fish) and seahorses are predators (eat small crustaceans). Students unfamiliar with marine biology might include them. Earthworms, millipedes, and woodlice are classic detritivores.
Q49hardScope Confusion
The 'Common Carbon Metric', supported by UNEP, has been developed for
(a) assessing the carbon footprint of building operations around the world
(b) enabling commercial farming entities around the world to enter carbon emission trading
(c) enabling governments to assess the overall carbon footprint caused by their countries
(d) assessing the overall carbon footprint caused by the use of fossil fuels by the world in a unit time
Answer: (a)
Trap: Scope Confusion
Option (c) sounds plausible as it involves national-level carbon assessment, which aligns with UNEP's mandate. But the Common Carbon Metric is specifically for the BUILDING sector, measuring energy use and GHG emissions from building operations. Students who don't know the specific scope will gravitate toward broader options.
Q50easyAbsolute Qualifier
Which of the following have species that can establish symbiotic relationship with other organisms?
1. Cnidarians
2. Fungi
3. Protozoa
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: Absolute Qualifier
Students might exclude Cnidarians (statement 1), not realizing that corals (which are cnidarians) have a famous symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae algae. Protozoa might also seem unlikely, but termite gut protozoa and other symbiotic protozoa are well-documented. Fungi in mycorrhizae and lichens are well-known.
Q57hard
Consider the following statements :
Statement 1 : The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the Arbor Day Foundation have recently recognized Hyderabad as 2020 Tree City of the World.
Statement 2 : Hyderabad was selected for the recognition for a year following its commitment to grow and maintain the urban forests.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct and Statement 2 is the correct explanation for Statement 1
(b) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct but Statement 2 is not the correct explanation for Statement 1
(c) Statement 1 is correct but Statement 2 is not correct
(d) Statement 1 is not correct but Statement 2 is correct
Answer: (d)
Q89easyAbsolute Qualifier
In the context of India's preparation for Climate-Smart Agriculture, consider the following statements :
1. The 'Climate-Smart Village' approach in India is a part of a project led by the Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), an international research programme.
2. The project of CCAFS is carried out under Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) headquartered in France.
3. The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in India is one of the CGIAR's research centres.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d)
Trap: Absolute Qualifier
Statement 2 mentioning CGIAR headquartered in France might cause doubt. CGIAR's system office is in Montpellier, France, which students might not know (or might think it's in the US or a developing country). The international organizational geography is the point of uncertainty.