Ecology · Ecology and Environment · UPSC Civil Service

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MCQ (Single Correct Answer)

1

Consider the following statements:

Statement-I:

The atmosphere is heated more by incoming solar radiation than by terrestrial radiation.

Statement-II:

Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are good absorbers of long wave radiation.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper I 2024 (General Studies)
2

Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: Rainfall is one of the reasons for weathering of rocks.

Statement-II: Rain water contains carbon dioxide in solution.

Statement-III: Rain water contains atmospheric oxygen.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper I 2024 (General Studies)
3

One of the following regions has the world’s largest tropical peatland, which holds about three years worth of global carbon emissions from fossil fuels; and the possible destruction of which can exert detrimental effect on the global climate. Which one of the following denotes that region?

UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper I 2024 (General Studies)
4

Consider the following:

1. Carabid beetles

2. Centipedes

3. Flies

4. Termites

5. Wasps

Parasitoid species are found in how many of the above kind of organisms?

UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper I 2024 (General Studies)
5

Consider the following statements:

Statement-I:
Many chewing gums found in the market are considered a source of environmental pollution.
Statement-II:
Many chewing gums contain plastic as gum base.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper I 2024 (General Studies)
6

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which one of the following is the largest source of sulfur dioxide emissions?

UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper I 2024 (General Studies)
7
Which one of the following is the best example of repeated falls in sea level, giving rise to present-day extensive marshland? 
UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper I 2023 (General Studies)
8
About three-fourths of world's cobalt, a metal required for the manufacture of batteries for electric motor vehicles, is produced by 
UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper I 2023 (General Studies)
9

Consider the following statements : 

Statement-I: Carbon markets are likely to be one of the most widespread tools in the fight against climate change.

Statement-II: Carbon markets transfer resources from the private sector to the State.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper I 2023 (General Studies)
10

Consider the following statements regarding mercury pollution:

1. Gold mining activity is a source of mercury pollution in the world.

2. Coal-based thermal power plants cause mercury pollution.

3. There is no known safe level of exposure to mercury.

How many of the above statements are correct?

UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper I 2023 (General Studies)
11

With reference to green hydrogen, consider the following statements:

1. It can be used directly as a fuel for internal combustion.

2. It can be blended with natural gas and used as fuel for heat or power generation.

3. It can be used in the hydrogen fuel cell to run vehicles.

How many of the above statements are correct?

UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper I 2023 (General Studies)
12

Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: The soil in tropical rainforests is rich in nutrients.

Statement-II: The high temperature and moisture of tropical rain forests cause dead organic matter in the soil to decompose quickly.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper I 2023 (General Studies)
13

With reference to coal-based thermal power plants in India, consider the following statements:

1. None of them uses seawater.

2. None of them is set up in a water-stressed district.

3. None of them is privately owned.

How many of the above statements are correct?

UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper I 2023 (General Studies)
14
'Wolbachia method' is sometimes talked about with reference to which one of the following?
UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper I 2023 (General Studies)
15

Consider the following activities:

1. Spreading finely ground basalt rock on farmlands extensively

2. Increasing the alkalinity of oceans by adding lime

3. Capturing carbon dioxide released by various industries and pumping it into abandoned subterranean mines in the form of carbonated waters

How many of the above activities are often considered and discussed for carbon capture and sequestration?

UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper I 2023 (General Studies)
16

Consider the following heavy industries:

1. Fertilizer plants

2. Oil refineries

3. Steel plants

Green hydrogen is expected to play a significant role in decarbonizing how many of the above industries?

UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper I 2023 (General Studies)
17
Among the following crops, which one is the most important anthropogenic source of both methane and nitrous oxide ?
UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper I 2022 (General Studies)
18

"System of Rice Intensification" of cultivation, in which alternate wetting and drying of rice fields is practised, results in :

1. Reduced seed requirement

2. Reduced methane production

3. Reduced electricity consumption

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper I 2022 (General Studies)
19

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?

UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper I 2022 (General Studies)
20

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 : 

UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper I 2022 (General Studies)
21
"Biorock technology" is talked about in which one of the following situations ?
UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper I 2022 (General Studies)
22
The "Miyawaki method" is well known for the :
UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper I 2022 (General Studies)
23
Which one of the following best describes the term "greenwashing"?
UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper I 2022 (General Studies)
24

Consider the following statements:

1. High clouds primarily reflect solar radiation and cool the surface of the Earth.

2. Low clouds have a high absorption of infrared radiation emanating from the Earth's surface and thus cause warming effect.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper I 2022 (General Studies)
25

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?

UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper I 2022 (General Studies)
26

How is permaculture farming different from conventional chemical farming?

1. Permaculture farming discourages monocultural practices but in conventional chemical farming, monoculture practices are predominant.

2. Conventional chemical farming can cause an increase in soil salinity but the occurrence of such phenomenon is not observed in permaculture farming.

3. Conventional chemical farming is easily possible in semi-arid regions but permaculture farming is not so easily possible in such regions.

4. Practice of mulching is very important in permaculture farming but not necessarily so conventional chemical farming

Select the correct answer using the code given below.  

UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper I 2021 (General Studies)
27

With reference to ‘palm oil’, consider the following statements:

1. The palm oil tree is native to Southeast Asia.

2. Palm oil is a raw material for some industries producing lipstick and perfumes.

3. Palm oil can be used to produce biodiesel.

Which of the statements given above are correct? 

UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper I 2021 (General Studies)
28
“Leaf litter decomposes faster than in any other biome and as a result the soil surface is often almost bare. Apart from trees, the vegetation is largely composed of plant forms that reach up into the canopy vicariously, by climbing the trees or growing as epiphytes, rooted on the upper branches of trees.” This is the most likely description of
UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper I 2021 (General Studies)
29
What is blue carbon?
UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper I 2021 (General Studies)
30

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?

UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper I 2021 (General Studies)
31

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 the environment.

3. They may release sulphur dioxide as a pollutant.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper I 2021 (General Studies)
32
'R2 Code of Practices’ constitutes a tool available for promoting the adoption of
UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper I 2021 (General Studies)
33

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.

UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper I 2021 (General Studies)
34
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?
UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper I 2021 (General Studies)
35

Which one of the following is a filter feeder?

UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper I 2021 (General Studies)
36

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?

UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper I 2021 (General Studies)
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