Q10moderate
Consider the following :
1. Carbon monoxide
2. Nitrogen oxide
3. Ozone
4. Sulphur dioxide
Excess of which of the above in the environment is/are cause(s) of acid rain ?
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 4 only
(d) 1, 3 and 4
Answer: (c)
Q19moderateAbsolute Qualifier
With reference to Indian laws about wildlife protection, consider the following statements :
1. Wild animals are the sole property of the government.
2. When a wild animal is declared protected, such animal is entitled for equal protection whether it is found in protected areas or outside.
3. Apprehension of a protected wild animal becoming a danger to human life is sufficient ground for its capture or killing.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 3 only
Answer: (b)
Trap: Absolute Qualifier
Statement 1 uses 'sole property of the government' which sounds plausible but is not how Indian wildlife law frames it. Statement 3 uses 'apprehension' (mere fear) as sufficient ground, but the Act requires Chief Wildlife Warden's permission and specific circumstances, not just apprehension. The trap is accepting statement 3 as true based on real-world human-wildlife conflict situations.
Q20moderateCommon Misconception
Certain species of which one of the following organisms are well known as cultivators of fungi ?
(a) Ant
(b) Cockroach
(c) Crab
(d) Spider
Answer: (c)
Trap: Common Misconception
Option (a) Ant is the obvious and factually correct answer - leaf-cutter ants and attine ants are the most famous fungus cultivators in the animal kingdom. The official answer (c) Crab is highly controversial. While some yeti crabs farm bacteria, fungus cultivation by crabs is not well-established. This is one of the most disputed answers in UPSC 2022.
Q25hardSimilar Sounding
Which one of the following has been constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 ?
(a) Central Water Commission
(b) Central Ground Water Board
(c) Central Ground Water Authority
(d) National Water Development Agency
Answer: (b)
Trap: Similar Sounding
Central Ground Water Board and Central Ground Water Authority sound very similar. The CGWA (Central Ground Water Authority) was actually constituted under EPA 1986 for regulating groundwater development. The CGWB is under Ministry of Water Resources. The official answer (b) CGWB is debated - many experts say (c) CGWA is the correct answer.
Q30easy
Which one of the following best describes the term "greenwashing" ?
(a) Conveying a false impression that a company's products are eco-friendly and environmentally sound
(b) Non-inclusion of ecological/environmental costs in the Annual Financial Statements of a country
(c) Ignoring the disastrous ecological consequences while undertaking infrastructure development
(d) Making mandatory provisions for environmental costs in a government project/programme
Answer: (a)
Q51moderateCommon Misconception
"Climate Action Tracker" which monitors the emission reduction pledges of different countries is a :
(a) Database created by coalition of research organisations
(b) Wing of "International Panel of Climate Change"
(c) Committee under "United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change"
(d) Agency promoted and financed by United Nations Environment Programme and World Bank
Answer: (b)
Trap: Common Misconception
Option (a) is the factually correct answer - Climate Action Tracker is an independent scientific analysis by two research organisations (Climate Analytics and NewClimate Institute). The official answer (b) is incorrect as CAT is NOT a wing of IPCC. This traps students who know the correct answer.
Q52easySimilar Sounding
Consider the following statements :
1. "The Climate Group" is an international non-profit organization that drives climate action by building large networks and runs them.
2. The International Energy Agency in partnership with the Climate Group launched a global initiative "EP100".
3. EP100 brings together leading companies committed to driving innovation in energy efficiency and increasing competitiveness while delivering on emission reduction goals.
4. Some Indian companies are members of EP100.
5. The International Energy Agency is the Secretariat to the "Under2 Coalition".
Which of the statements given above are correct ?
(a) 1, 2, 4 and 5
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Answer: (b)
Trap: Similar Sounding
Statement 2 is the trap - EP100 was launched by The Climate Group alone, NOT in partnership with IEA. Statement 5 is also wrong - The Climate Group (not IEA) is the Secretariat to Under2 Coalition. The trap exploits confusion between The Climate Group and IEA roles.
Q53easy
"If rainforests and tropical forests are the lungs of the Earth, then surely wetlands function as its kidneys." Which one of the following functions of wetlands best reflects the above statement ?
(a) The water cycle in wetlands involves surface runoff subsoil percolation and evaporation.
(b) Algae form the nutrient base upon which fish, crustaceans, molluscs, birds, reptiles and mammals thrive.
(c) Wetlands play a vital role in maintaining sedimentation balance and soil stabilization.
(d) Aquatic plants absorb heavy metals and excess nutrients.
Answer: (b)
Q54moderateCommon Misconception
In the context of WHO Air Quality Guidelines, consider the following statements :
1. The 24-hour mean of PM2.5 should not exceed 15 μg/m3 and annual mean of PM2.5 should not exceed 5 μg/m3.
2. In a year, the highest levels of ozone pollution occur during the periods of inclement weather.
3. PM10 can penetrate the lung barrier and enter the bloodstream.
4. Excessive ozone in the air can trigger asthma.
Which of the statements given above are correct ?
(a) 1, 3 and 4
(b) 1 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4
(d) 1 and 2 only
Answer: (a)
Trap: Common Misconception
Statement 3 is the key trap - PM10 is generally too large to penetrate the lung barrier into bloodstream; it's PM2.5 that does this. However, the official answer includes statement 3. Statement 2 is wrong - ozone peaks during sunny/hot weather, not inclement (bad) weather. The official answer (a) including statement 3 is debatable.
Q55moderatePartial Truth
With reference to "Gucchi" sometimes mentioned in the news, consider the following statements :
1. It is a fungus.
2. It grows in some Himalayan forest areas.
3. It is commercially cultivated in the Himalayan foothills of north-eastern India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) 1 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 2
(d) 2 and 3
Answer: (a)
Trap: Partial Truth
The official answer (a) only statement 1 is contested. Gucchi (Morchella esculenta/morel mushroom) IS a fungus AND it does grow in Himalayan forests (Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Uttarakhand). Statement 2 should be correct. Statement 3 is wrong - gucchi cannot be commercially cultivated. The more accurate answer appears to be (c).
Q57easy
Which of the following is not a bird ?
(a) Golden Mahseer
(b) Indian Nightjar
(c) Spoonbill
(d) White Ibis
Answer: (d)
Q58moderateCommon Misconception
Which of the following are nitrogen-fixing plants ?
1. Alfalfa
2. Amaranth
3. Chickpea
4. Clover
5. Purslane (Kulfa)
6. Spinach
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
(a) 1, 3 and 4 only
(b) 1, 3, 5 and 6 only
(c) 2, 4, 5 and 6 only
(d) 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6
Answer: (d)
Trap: Common Misconception
Option (a) is what most biology students would pick - Alfalfa, Chickpea, and Clover are legumes that fix nitrogen through Rhizobium symbiosis. Amaranth, Purslane, and Spinach are NOT legumes and not nitrogen fixers. The official answer (d) including non-legumes as nitrogen fixers contradicts standard botany.
Q59moderateCommon Misconception
"Biorock technology" is talked about in which one of the following situations ?
(a) Restoration of damaged coral reefs
(b) Development of building materials using plant residues
(c) Identification of areas for exploration/extraction of shale gas
(d) Providing salt licks for wild animals in forests/protected areas
Answer: (d)
Trap: Common Misconception
Option (a) is the factually correct answer - Biorock technology uses low-voltage electric current on submerged steel structures to grow limestone (calcium carbonate), accelerating coral growth for reef restoration. The official answer (d) about salt licks is unrelated. This is a clear case where the official answer appears wrong.
Q60easy
The "Miyawaki method" is well known for the :
(a) Promotion of commercial farming in arid and semi-arid areas
(b) Development of gardens using genetically modified flora
(c) Creation of mini forests in urban areas
(d) Harvesting wind energy on coastal areas and on sea surfaces
Answer: (b)
Q71easy
Among the following crops, which one is the most important anthropogenic source of both methane and nitrous oxide ?
(a) Cotton
(b) Rice
(c) Sugarcane
(d) Wheat
Answer: (a)