1. Ecology & Ecosystems
1. The term “Ecology” was coined by:
(A) Ernst Haeckel
(B) Charles Darwin
(C) Arthur Tansley
(D) E. P. Odum
Answer: (A) Ernst Haeckel
2. The word “biodiversity” was coined by:
(A) Thomas Lovejoy
(B) E. O. Wilson
(C) Terborgh
(D) W. G. Rosen
Answer: (D) W. G. Rosen
3. The largest ecological unit is:
(A) Population
(B) Community
(C) Ecosystem
(D) Biosphere
Answer: (D) Biosphere
4. The primary producers in most terrestrial ecosystems are:
(A) Herbivores
(B) Green plants
(C) Carnivores
(D) Decomposers
Answer: (B) Green plants
5. Organisms that break down dead organic matter are called:
(A) Producers
(B) Consumers
(C) Decomposers
(D) Predators
Answer: (C) Decomposers
6. The process by which green plants convert light energy into chemical energy is:
(A) Respiration
(B) Photosynthesis
(C) Transpiration
(D) Fermentation
Answer: (B) Photosynthesis
7. Biomagnification refers to:
(A) Breakdown of pollutants by bacteria
(B) Increase in concentration of certain pollutants along food chains
(C) Increase in soil fertility
(D) Formation of clouds
Answer: (B) Increase in concentration of certain pollutants along food chains
8. The Red Data Book refers to:
(A) Endangered species
(B) Threatened species
(C) National parks
(D) Sanctuaries
Answer: (B) Threatened species
2. Climate Change & Greenhouse Gases
9. Which of the following is NOT a greenhouse gas? (Variation 1)
(A) Carbon dioxide
(B) Methane
(C) Nitrous oxide
(D) Nitrogen
Answer: (D) Nitrogen
10. Which of the following is NOT responsible for the greenhouse effect? (Variation 2)
(A) Methane
(B) Nitrous oxide
(C) Carbon dioxide
(D) Hydrogen
Answer: (D) Hydrogen
11. Which of the following is a major greenhouse gas?
(A) Methane
(B) Nitrous oxide
(C) Carbon dioxide
(D) All of the above
Answer: (D) All of the above
12. Which of the following gases has the maximum contribution to global warming?
(A) Nitrogen
(B) Carbon monoxide
(C) Carbon dioxide
(D) Methane
Answer: (C) Carbon dioxide
13. Which is the most abundant greenhouse gas in the Earth’s atmosphere?
(A) Carbon dioxide
(B) Methane
(C) Water vapour
(D) Nitrous oxide
Answer: (C) Water vapour
14. The major environmental threat/consequence associated with the enhanced greenhouse effect is:
(A) Population increase
(B) Drying of rivers
(C) Global temperature rise
(D) Increase of sulphur dioxide in the atmosphere
Answer: (C) Global temperature rise
15. Which of the following are recognized sources of methane, a major greenhouse gas?
- Rice fields
- Coal mining
- Domestic animals
- Wetlands
(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 1, 2 and 3 only
(C) 1, 2 and 4 only
(D) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (D) 1, 2, 3 and 4
16. Under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), what is the main goal regarding emissions?
(A) Reduction in fossil fuel usage
(B) CO₂ emission mitigation
(C) Reduction in uranium production
(D) Greenhouse gas emission mitigation
Answer: (D) Greenhouse gas emission mitigation
17. Global warming during winter becomes more pronounced at the:
(A) Equator
(B) Tropic of Cancer
(C) Tropic of Capricorn
(D) South Pole
Answer: (D) South Pole
3. Air Pollution & Acid Rain
18. What is the primary cause of acid rain?
(A) Plant decay
(B) Carbon emissions
(C) Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides
(D) Ozone depletion
Answer: (C) Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides
19. Which of the following is an example of a primary air pollutant?
(A) Ozone
(B) PAN
(C) Sulphur dioxide
(D) Photochemical smog
Answer: (C) Sulphur dioxide
20. Which of the following is a secondary air pollutant? (Variation 1)
(A) Sulphur dioxide
(B) Carbon monoxide
(C) Ozone
(D) Nitrogen oxide
Answer: (C) Ozone
21. Which of the following is a secondary air pollutant? (Variation 2)
(A) Suspended particulate matter (SPM)
(B) PAN
(C) SO₂
(D) CO
Answer: (B) PAN
22. Photochemical smog is formed mainly through reactions involving:
(A) Sunlight and nitrogen oxides/volatile organic compounds
(B) Water vapour alone
(C) Oxygen alone
(D) Nitrogen alone
Answer: (A) Sunlight and nitrogen oxides/volatile organic compounds
23. Which one of the following is produced during the formation of photochemical smog?
(A) Hydrocarbon
(B) Nitrogen oxide
(C) Ozone
(D) Methane
Answer: (C) Ozone
24. Why is carbon monoxide a dangerous pollutant?
(A) It binds strongly with haemoglobin
(B) It makes the nervous system inactive
(C) It reacts with oxygen
(D) It inhibits glycolysis
Answer: (A) It binds strongly with haemoglobin
25. The yellowing of the marble of the Taj Mahal is mainly associated with:
(A) Acid rain and air pollution
(B) Ozone
(C) Global warming
(D) Release of carbon monoxide alone
Answer: (A) Acid rain and air pollution
26. Ischemic heart disease is associated with exposure to which type of pollution?
(A) Water pollution
(B) Air pollution
(C) Soil pollution
(D) Radioactive pollution
Answer: (B) Air pollution
4. Ozone Layer & Depletion
27. The ozone layer primarily protects the Earth from:
(A) Visible light
(B) Infrared radiation
(C) X-rays and gamma rays
(D) Ultraviolet radiation
Answer: (D) Ultraviolet radiation
28. The thickness of the stratospheric ozone layer is commonly measured in:
(A) Sieverts
(B) Dobson units
(C) Melson/Beaufort scale
(D) Kelvin
Answer: (B) Dobson units
29. Which gas is most directly associated with the depletion of stratospheric ozone / the ozone hole over Antarctica?
(A) Carbon dioxide
(B) Compounds containing sulphur
(C) Compounds containing chlorine (CFC-derived)
(D) Radioactivity
Answer: (C) Compounds containing chlorine (CFC-derived)
30. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), known as ozone-depleting substances, were historically used:
- In the production of plastic foams
- In the production of tubeless tyres
- In cleansing certain electronic components
- As pressurizing agents in aerosol cans
(A) 1, 2 and 3
(B) Only 4
(C) 1, 3 and 4
(D) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (C) 1, 3 and 4
31. Ultraviolet radiation in the atmosphere contributes to the formation of:
(A) Carbon monoxide
(B) Ozone
(C) Fluoride
(D) Sulphur dioxide
Answer: (B) Ozone
5. Water & Soil Pollution
32. Excessive accumulation of nutrients in a water body is called:
(A) Bioaccumulation
(B) Eutrophication
(C) Biomagnification
(D) Salinization
Answer: (B) Eutrophication
33. Which of the following is NOT a typical water pollutant?
(A) Sulphur dioxide
(B) Zinc
(C) Copper
(D) Nickel
Answer: (A) Sulphur dioxide
34. Which of the following is a water pollutant?
(A) Excess nitrate
(B) Oxygen
(C) Hydrogen
(D) Helium
Answer: (A) Excess nitrate
35. A major component of groundwater pollution in parts of the Bengal Basin is:
(A) Chromium
(B) Arsenic
(C) Calcium
(D) Potassium
Answer: (B) Arsenic
36. Mercury and lead are toxic elements that can cause:
(A) Noise pollution
(B) Air pollution
(C) Water pollution
(D) Land contamination
Answer: (D) Land contamination
37. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a:
(A) Medical test for detecting cancer
(B) Test for detecting the use of performance-enhancing drugs by athletes
(C) Chemical used in the development of food-packaging materials
(D) Special type of alloy steel
Answer: (C) Chemical used in the development of food-packaging materials
38. Which of the following is the role of ultraviolet (UV) radiation in water purification/treatment?
- It inactivates/kills harmful microorganisms.
- It removes all undesirable colours.
- It quickens sedimentation and removes turbidity.
(A) Only 1
(B) 2 and 3
(C) 1 and 3
(D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (A) Only 1
6. Environmental Disasters, Geography & Policy
39. In which year was the Environment (Protection) Act enacted in India?
(A) 1984
(B) 1986
(C) 1988
(D) 1990
Answer: (B) 1986
40. The Bhopal Gas Tragedy occurred due to the release of:
(A) CFC
(B) Nitrogen dioxide (NOₓ)
(C) Methyl isocyanate
(D) Carbon monoxide
Answer: (C) Methyl isocyanate
41. What is the main cause of most tsunamis?
(A) Volcanic eruption in the sea
(B) Undersea earthquake causing displacement of the ocean floor
(C) Hurricanes
(D) Melting of glaciers
Answer: (B) Undersea earthquake causing displacement of the ocean floor
42. El Niño and La Niña are associated with:
(A) Ocean-atmosphere interactions in the Pacific (Changes in global temperature and precipitation)
(B) Only volcanic eruptions
(C) Only earthquakes
(D) Only ozone depletion
Answer: (A) Ocean-atmosphere interactions in the Pacific (Changes in global temperature and precipitation)
43. Which of the following trees is sometimes considered an environmental concern/hazard because of its high water consumption and ecological effects?
(A) Eucalyptus
(B) Babool
(C) Neem
(D) Amaltas
Answer: (A) Eucalyptus
44. Which month of 2023 recorded the hottest week ever on Earth?
(A) January
(B) May
(C) June
(D) July
Answer: (D) July
45. As we go up into the mountains, it becomes difficult to breathe because:
(A) With decrease in temperature, air becomes denser at higher altitudes
(B) The air becomes thinner at higher altitudes
(C) The air pressure is low at higher altitudes
(D) Both B and C
Answer: (D) Both B and C
46. What is the third major layer of the atmosphere from the Earth’s surface?
(A) Stratosphere
(B) Troposphere
(C) Mesosphere
(D) Ionosphere
Answer: (C) Mesosphere
47. The layers of Earth from the outside to the inside are:
(A) Crust → Core → Mantle
(B) Crust → Mantle → Core
(C) Mantle → Crust → Core
(D) Core → Mantle → Crust
Answer: (B) Crust → Mantle → Core
7. Environmental Biology & Agriculture
48. Who is known as the Father of the Green Revolution in the world?
(A) Norman Borlaug
(B) Linus Pauling
(C) M. S. Swaminathan
(D) Ralph Bunche
Answer: (A) Norman Borlaug
49. Gobar gas / Biogas contains mainly:
(A) Carbon dioxide
(B) Methane
(C) Propane / Butane
(D) Carbon monoxide
Answer: (B) Methane
50. Breeding and management of bees is called:
(A) Pisciculture
(B) Sericulture
(C) Vermiculture
(D) Apiculture
Answer: (D) Apiculture
51. Which acid is present in an ant sting?
(A) Acetic acid
(B) Formic acid
(C) Hydrochloric acid
(D) Butyric acid
Answer: (B) Formic acid
52. Which of the following statements about viruses is/are correct?
- Viruses lack enzymes necessary for independent energy generation.
- Viruses can be cultured in any synthetic medium.
- Viruses are transmitted from one organism to another only by biological vectors.
(A) Only 1
(B) Only 2
(C) 1 and 3
(D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (A) Only 1
53. Which of the following vitamin-deficiency pairs are correctly matched?
- Vitamin C — Scurvy
- Vitamin D — Rickets
- Vitamin E — Night blindness
(A) 1 and 2
(B) Only 3
(C) 1, 2 and 3
(D) None of the above
Answer: (A) 1 and 2