GS SCORE

PRELIMS TEST
SERIES 2017
TEST - 24

Environment

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 PAPER CODE: 31

Environment
(SECTIONAL TEST)
Time Allowed: 2 Hrs. Maximum Marks: 200

Roll No.:

INSTRUCTIONS

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4. All questions carry equal marks. (2 Marks Each)

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of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as penalty. There will be no penalty for a
question which is left blank.

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1. Which of the following statements is/are true 4. Which of the following statements related to
about Ecotone? the Bird Life International is/are correct?
1. It is a zone of junction of two or more 1. It is a platform for all the stakeholders
diverse ecosystems. engaged in genetic resource conservation
2. Both mangrove forests and grasslands are and management of birds in developing
the examples of Ecotone. nations.
3. Edge effect occurs when the territorial size 2. Bird Life International is the official Red
of ecotone is much larger than the List authority for birds, for the
adjacent ones. International Union for Conservation of
Nature.
Select the correct answer using the codes given 3. It publishes the scientific journal Bird
below: Conservation International.
(a) Only 1
(b) 1 and 2 Codes:
(c) Only 3 (a) 1 and 2
(d) All (b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
2. Which of the following statements is/are true
(d) All
about Ecological Niche ?

1. A niche is a unique functional role or
place of a species in an ecosystem.
OR
2. Higher the number of niche in an
ecosystem, more stable is the ecosystem.
3. Some species tend to have exact identical
ecological niche in an ecosystem to
maintain stability and continuity.
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5. Which of the following statements is/are true
about Forest Ecosystem?
1. The productivity and community stability
of a Coniferous forest is lower than any
of the types of forest.
2. Tropical Evergreen Forests are the only
forest where trees don't shed their leaves

in accordance with the seasonal changes.

Codes:
3. Rosewood and Sandalwood are found in
(a) 1 and 2 Tropical Deciduous forest.
(b) Only 1
(c) Only 3 Codes:
(d) All (a) Only 1
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(b) 1 and 2
3. Which of the following terms associated with
(c) 2 and 3
the Ecosystem is/are correctly matched?
(d) All
1. Net primary productivity of an ecosystem
is the rate of production of organic matter 6. What is Habitat III?
during photosynthesis.
(a) A three day long conference on
2. Catabolism is when Bacterial and fungal Sustainable Development by World Bank.
enzymes degrade detritus into simpler
(b) A conference on Housing and Sustainable
inorganic substances.
Urban Development of UN.
3. Secondary productivity is defined as the
(c) A Sub-project under Project Tiger of
rate of formation of new organic matter
Government of India.
by consumers.
(d) A conservation project for "critically
Select the correct answer using the codes given endangered species" in Western Ghats .
below:
(a) 1 and 2 7. Which of the following current events related
to the renewable energy is/are correctly
(b) Only 1
matched?
(c) 2 and 3
1. India's first LNG-powered bus rolled out
(d) All in Kerala.

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 2. India's first BIO-CNG plant producing
CNG from agricultural residue was
inaugurated in Punjab.
3. India's first Second Generation (2G)
Ethanol Bio-refinery is being proposed at
Pune.
Select the correct answer using the codes given
below:
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) Only 1
8. Which of the following is/are the impacts of
oil spill on the human livelihood?
1. Food insecurity
2. Impact tourism
3. Respiratory problems
4. Reduction in marine resource extraction
Select the correct answer using the codes given
below:
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2, 3 and 4
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(c) 1, 3 and 4
(d) All
9. The world's largest Marine Protected Area
(MPA) has been declared at Ross Sea by which
of the following organization?
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(a) United Nations Environment Programme.
(b) Scientific Committee on Antarctic
Research.
(c) Commission for the Conservation of
Antarctic Marine Living Resources.
(d) International Union for Conservation of
Nature and Natural Resources.
10. Consider the following statements related to
the Yamuna Action Plan:
1. It is a bilateral project between the
Government of India and Japan.
2. It aims at sewage treatment and solid
waste management along with river front
development.
3. It is being executed by the National River
Conservation Directorate, under Prime
Minister.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
3
(a) 1 and 2
(b) Only 2
(c) 2 and 3
(d) All
11. Carbon Audit is a means of measuring and
recording the CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) emissions
of an organization. Which of the following
parameters are added in the Carbon Audit?
1. Direct power usage from fuel-powered
sources.
2. Waste and recycling policy.
3. Carbon saving arrangements with supply
chain partners.
4. Paper used (quantity and type).
5. Commuting distance and type for all
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employees.
Codes:
OR (a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(d) All
12. Which of the following role is/are played by
Wildlife corridor in biodiversity preservation?
1. It allows an exchange of individuals
between populations, which may help
prevent the negative effects of inbreeding
and reduced genetic diversity.
2. It may facilitate the re-establishment of
populations that have been reduced or
eliminated due to random events such as
fires or disease.
Codes:
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) Both
(d) None
13. Montreal Protocol has been signed in
September 1987 claims at the control of:
(a) Use of ozone-depleting substances.
(b) Use of greenhouse gases.
(c) Use of chemical pesticides.
(d) Use of halogens only as they deplete
ozone.
14. Which of the following statements is/are true
regarding effects of ocean acidification?
1. It leads to decrement in the concentration
of carbonic acid and bicarbonate ions,
causing an increase in the concentration
of carbonate ions.
2. It causes the saturation horizon in a water
column to raise vertically thus calcifying
organisms become vulnerable to
dissolution of shells.
3. It impacts the reproduction, growth and
photosynthesis process in the marine
biodiversity.
Codes:
(a) 2 and 3 (b) Only 2
(c) 1 and 2 (d) All
15. Which of the following is/are the causes of
desertification?
1. Agricultural Expansion
Codes:
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 1 and 2
(c) 1, 3 and 4
(d) All
18. Which of the following statements related to
the carbon credits is/are correct?
1. Carbon credit systems place a cost on
carbon emissions by creating credits
valued against one ton of hydrocarbon
fuel.
2. Carbon Credits act as the permit that
allows the receiver to burn a specified
amount of hydrocarbon fuel over a
specified period of time.
3. Credits are granted to governments that
take action to measurably reduce carbon
emissions.

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Codes:
2. Setting up of Bio-industrial activities
(a) 1 and 2
3. Deforestation
OR
(b) 2 and 3
4. Global Warming
(c) 1 and 3
5. Over grazing
(d) All
Codes:
19. In Grasslands there is combination of drought
(a) 1 and 4
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and fires that prevents biome from becoming

(b) 2, 3 and 5 more forest like. Why the grasses are able to
(c) 3 and 5 withstand the fire?
(d) All (a) Because they have fire resistant resin
present in them.
16. Which of the following factors lead to (b) Because they have evolved to have large
formation of Algal Bloom? deep root systems.
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1. Presence of nutrients promote and support (c) Because they have certain weeds attached
the growth of algae. that prevent them from burning.
2. High temperature and intermittently
(d) None of the above.
exposed to high light intensities.
3. Stable water conditions with low flows. 20. Which of the following is/are the examples
4. Presence of light winds. of ecotone regions?
1. The border between a forest and a
Codes: grassland.
(a) Only 1 2. Area between a soft-bottom and a hard-
(b) 1 and 3 bottom marine substrate.
(c) 2, 3 and 4 3. The bank of a stream running through a
(d) All meadow.
4. The estuary lying between river and sea.
17. Which of the following is/are the sources of
natural carbon sequestration? Codes:
1. Soil (a) 1, 2 and 3
2. Iron fertilization (b) 2, 3 and 4
3. Reclamation of mine lands (c) 1 and 4
4. Geological sequestration (d) All

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21. Which of the following statements is/are true
about trophic levels in an ecosystem?
1. The energy always flow from higher to
lower trophic levels.
2. In an ecosystem there is always a high
chance of having larger number of trophic
levels for better movement of nutrients.
3. Food webs are more stable than a food
chain in an ecosystem.
(b) It is used to describe strongly
asymmetrical competitive interactions,
which inflicts harm to another organism.
(c) It is used to describe a relationship where
one species is harmed and the other
benefits.
(d) It is used to describe a relationship where
the growth and survival of both
populations is benefited.

Codes: 25. Which of the following statement correctly

(a) 1 and 3 defines the term "Greenwashing"?
(b) 2 and 3 (a) It is a form of restoration and reclaiming
of degraded land resource.
(c) Only 3
(b) It is an act of restoration of coral reefs by
(d) All
companies under Corporate Social
22. Which of the following is/are the example of Responsibility.
parasitic food chain? (c) It is a coordinated attempt to project

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1. Dead organic matter - Detritivores - company as environmental friendly
Predators. through marketing when it is really
conducting business as usual.
2. Trees - Fruit eating birds - Lice and bugs
- Bacteria and fungi.
3. Zebra - Nematode - Filamentous bacteria.

Codes:
OR (d) None of the above.

26. Total Organic Carbon (TOC) is the carbon

(C) stored in soil organic matter (SOM). Which
of the following is/are the benefits of this
(a) 1 and 2
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stored carbon?
(b) 2 and 3 1. It influences nutrient holding capacity of
(c) None the soil.
(d) All 2. It is the main source of energy for soil
microorganisms.
23. Which of the following depict the Behavioral
3. It reduces nutrient availability through
adaptations done by plants and animals?
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mineralization thus reduces soil pollution.

1. Being primarily active at night rather than
during daylight hours. Codes:
2. Having striped fur for camouflage. (a) Only 1 (b) 2 and 3
3. Living underground to get protection from (c) 1 and 2 (d) All
roaming predator.
4. Prevention of water loss from body (plants 27. Raijiv Gandhi Environment Award is given
and animals) by reducing surface area. for outstanding contributions in which of the
following field?
Codes: (a) It is given to encourage public
(a) 1 and 3 participation in environment.
(b) 2, 3 and 4 (b) It is given to industrial units that make a
(c) 1, 3 and 4 significant contribution towards clean
technology.
(d) All
(c) It is given to honor grassroots
24. Which of the following statements is/are environmental heroes for their
correct related to the Amensalism? contribution in environmental
(a) It is used to describe a relationship where development.
two species interact with each other (d) It is given to scholars for writing Hindi
beneficially, but their relations are not books on environment to increase
obligatory. awareness.

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28. Consider the following statements about the
Sloth Bear:
1. It is a nocturnal (hunting at night) bear
species that feeds chiefly on insects.
2. It is listed in Schedule I of Indian Wildlife
Protection Act, 1972.
3. The forest department gives compensation
for bear attacks if there is a death or injury.
4. Rajasthan government has launched the
Sloth Bear Habitat project to provide
better habitat by restoring the ecology of
Jessore Wildlife Sanctuary.
2. In higher altitudes the human body
produces a large number of RBCs in order
to deal with low oxygen availability.
3. In Tropical regions Plants have shallow
roots to help capture nutrients from the
top level of soil which is rich in humus.
Codes:
(a) Only 1
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) All

Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 2 and 3
(c) 1, 3 and 4 (d) 2, 3 and 4
29. Which of the following statement is true
regarding Environmental Sensitivity Index?
(a) It is used to identify sensitive shoreline
32. Which of the following statements is/are true
about the predators in an ecosystem?
1. They help in transferring the energy fixed
by the lower trophic to higher trophic.
2. They help in checking the growth of prey
population.
3. They help in preventing the extinction of

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resources that could be at risk in the event species due to increment in inter-specific
of an oil spill. competition.
OR
(b) It is used to identify floral and faunal
Codes:
endemicity struggling to survive in rapidly
shrinking ecosystem. (a) Only 1
(c) It is used to compare air pollution level in (b) 1 and 2
cities which are more sensitive due to high (c) Only 3
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population. (d) All

(d) None.
33. What were the objectives of setting up of
30. Which of the following is/are the impact of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve?
soil pollution? 1. To conserve in-situ genetic diversity of
1. Toxins enter in the food chain which species.
causes harmful effects on organisms. 2. To restore degraded ecosystems to their
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2. Impairs soil stability and clay ionic natural conditions.

structure. 3. To provide baseline data for ecological and
3. Release vapours and hydrocarbon into environmental research and education.
buildings and cellars. 4. To function as an alternate model for
4. Pass the pollutants on to the consumers sustainable development.
through food crops. Select the correct answer from the below given
codes:
Codes:
(a) Only 1
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 1 and 2
(b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) All
(d) All
34. Which of the following is/are the secondary
31. Which of the following statements is/are true air pollutants?
about the adaptation made in living
organisms? 1. Peroxy acetyl nitrate (PAN)
1. Mammals from colder regions generally 2. Ozone
have shorter ears and limbs to minimise 3. Carbon Monoxide
heat loss. 4. Carbon dioxide

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 Codes: Codes:
(a) 1 and 2 (a) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(b) 3 and 4 (b) 1, 2, 3 and 5
(c) 1, 2 and 3 (c) None
(d) All (d) All

35. Which of the following statement related to
the Living Planet Index is correct?
(a) It is an indicator of the state of global
biological diversity, based on trends in
vertebrate populations of species from
around the world.
(b) It provides information mainly on trends
in the abundance of the world's
vertebrates which are covered under
CITES.
(c) It is an indicator of state of global species
that help policy-makers and scientists to
38. Which of the following statements is/are
correct related to the Paris agreement?
1. Unlike the Kyoto protocol, Paris
agreement is not legally binding
agreement.
2. It forces developed countries to provide
100 billion dollars annually to developing
countries beginning in 2020.
3. India ratified Paris agreement on birth
anniversary of B. R. Ambedkar.
4. It does not assign any emission cut targets
on any country.

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design strategies for conservation.
(d) It provides information mainly on trends Codes:
in the abundance of the world's species
which are covered under Conn
convention.

36. With respect to River Ganga (Rejuvenation,

OR (a) 1 and 2
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 1, 2 and 4
(d) All

39. Which of the following is/are the sources of

chromium that lead to environmental
Protection and Management) Authorities degradation?
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Order, 2016, consider the following 1. Paints and dyes
statements: 2. Leather tanning
1. It envisages creation of National Council 3. Welding of stainless steel
for River Ganga as an Authority under
4. Tattooing
the Union Minister of Water Resources as
Chairperson. Codes:
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2. It declares National Mission on Clean (a) 1, 2 and 3

Ganga to exercise the powers under the (b) 2 and 3
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
(c) 1 and 2
3. It sets up Ganga committees at state and
(d) All
district level.
40. Which of the following statements is/are true
Which of the above statements is/are correct? about Aquatic Ecosystem?
(a) Only 1 1. Estuaries and mangrove swamps come
(b) 1 and 2 under the category of freshwater
(c) 2 and 3 ecosystems.
(d) All 2. Planktons are the microscopic plants
which are controlled by the currents in
37. The chloro-fluoro carbons are used in which the aquatic body.
of the following substances? 3. The growth of green algae on water bodies
1. Refrigerants. are the indication of eutrophication.
2. Propellants in aerosol sprays. Codes:
3. Foaming agents in plastic manufacturing. (a) Only 1
4. Fire extinguishing. (b) 2 and 3
5. Solvents for cleaning electronic (c) 1 and 3
components. (d) All
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41. According to the study conducted by WHO, 44. Which of the following is/are the examples
more than 3 million people were died due to of competition among species?
their exposure of particulate matter (PM 2.5).
1. Algae and Lichens in Tundra region.
Consider the following statements regarding
the study: 2. Cheetah and Lions in Savannah forest.
1. India has been placed first as more than 3. Ticks over the body of cattle.
one fifth of such deaths took place in
India. Codes:
2. According to the study, populations in (a) Only 1
low-income cities are the most impacted (b) Only 2
due to PM 2.5.
(c) 1 and 3
3. PM 2.5 is responsible for many
cardiovascular diseases and lung cancer. (d) All

Which of the above statements is/are correct? 45. Bibhuti Lahkar has become the first Asian to
(a) 1 and 2 be awarded the prestigious Heritage Heroes
(b) 1 and 3 Award. Consider the following statements
(c) 2 and 3 regarding this award:
(d) All 1. It is given by UNESCO.
2. It is given for conservation of natural

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42. Which of the following statements is/are true World Heritage Sites in challenging
about Ecological Pyramids?
situations.
OR
1. In Pyramid of Biomass is determined by
measuring dry weight of the organisms. Which of the above statements is/are correct?
2. Inverted Pyramid of Biomass happens (a) Only 1
when the smaller weight of producers (b) Only 2
support consumers of larger weight.
(c) Both
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3. Ecological pyramids have no place for

(d) None
detrivoves and decomposers though they
play a vital role in ecosystem.
46. The responsibility of ensuring implementation
Codes: of the Graded Response Action Plan on
Pollution in NCR has been placed on
(a) 1 and 3
Environment Pollution Control Authority
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(b) 2 and 3 (EPCA). Which of the following statements

(c) Only 3 related to EPCA is/are correct?
(d) All 1. The Authority has the power to take up
matters suo-moto, or on the basis of
43. Which of the following statements is/are true
complaints made by any individual
about Mangroves?
functioning in the field of environment.
1. These are generally found in tropical and
2. The Authority may deal with
sub-tropical sheltered coastlines.
environmental issues pertaining to the
2. These tress have high resistance to salinity
National Capital Region which may be
stress and water logging.
referred to it by the Central Government.
3. Mangroves helps in increasing the fertility
3. The Authority will be formed for a period
of the coastal soil by blocking salinity
of two years.
ingress.

Codes: Codes:

(a) Only 1 (a) 1 and 2

(b) Only 2 (b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3 (c) 1 and 3
(d) All (d) All

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47. Which of the following definitions related to 1. It is the process of change in the species
the different kinds of species is/are correct? structure of an ecological community over
1. Foundation species play a major role in time.
creating or maintaining a habitat that 2. In this climax community is succeeded by
supports other species.
the pioneer community.
2. Cosmopolitan species are that whose
3. It is characterized by increased niche
range extends across all or most of the
world in appropriate habitats. development and complexity of food
webs.
3. Indicator species are popular, charismatic
species that serve as symbols and rallying
Codes:
points to stimulate conservation
awareness and action. (a) 1 and 2
(b) Only 2
Codes:
(c) Only 3
(a) 1 and 2
(d) 1 and 3
(b) 1 and 3
(c) Only 1 51. Stubble burning is the deliberate setting fire
(d) All of the straw stubble that remains after wheat

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and other grains have been harvested.
48. Which of the following statements is/are true
Consider the following statements related to
about wetlands?
1. These include marshy areas, flood plains
and littorals.
2. These are useful for filtration of sediments
and nutrients from surface water.
OR the Stubble burning:
1. It helps in clearing kills weeds.
2. It kills slugs and other pests.
3. It damages electrical and electronic
3. In India, the area under paddy cultivation equipment from floating threads of
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constitute the majority of wetland area. conducting waste.

Codes: 4. It fertilizes the soil and increases carbon

capture in the soil.
(a) Only 1
(b) 2 and 3 Which of the above statements are correct?
(c) Only 3
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(a) 1, 2 and 3
(d) All
(b) 2, 3 and 4
49. Which of the following pollutants is/are true (c) 1, 3 and 4
about Bio-magnification? (d) All
1. It refers to the tendency of pollutants to
concentrate as they move form one trophic 52. Which of the following are herbivores marine
level to another. mammals?
2. Long live, mobile and fat soluble 1. Sea cows
pollutants lead to bio-magnification.
2. Sea lion
3. Herbivores are most affected by biological
magnification. 3. Seals
4. Manatees
Codes:
5. Dugongs
(a) Only 2
(b) 1 and 2 Codes:
(c) 2 and 3 (a) 1, 2 and 4
(d) All (b) 1, 4 and 5
50. Which of the following statements is/are true (c) 3, 4 and 5
about Ecological Succession? (d) 2, 3, 4 and 5

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53. Consider the following statements related to
the systems launched by the government for
monitoring of pollution:
1. SAMAR will help in studying
concentration of black carbon in
atmosphere due to air pollution and its
impact on climate.
2. SAFAR has been launched to provide
online metro Air Quality Information
Service in real time.
3. National Air Quality Index has been
launched for monitoring the quality of air
in major urban centres across the country
on a real-time basis and enhancing public
awareness for taking mitigative action.
Which of the above statements are correct?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
56. Which of the following statements are correct
related to the E-waste management Rules,
2016?
1. Under this rule, for the first time
producers has been covered under
Extended Producers Responsibility (EPR).
2. Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) and
other mercury containing lamp brought
under the purview of rules.
3. Urban Local Bodies has been assigned the
duty to collect and channelized the
orphan products to authorized dismantler
or recycler.
Codes:
(a) 1 and 2
(b) Only 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) All

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(d) All
57. Which of the following statements is/are true
54. Which of the following statements is/are true
OR
about Ecosystem?
regarding Kigali agreement?
1. It is defined as the community of living
1. It aims to phase out Chloro fluorocarbons
(CFC) by the late 2040s. organisms in association with the non-
living components and their physical
2. It is non-binding agreement similar to
interaction.
Paris agreement.
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3. It has provisions for penalties for non- 2. Ecosystem is generally larger in size than
compliance. the biosphere.
4. Under it developed countries will provide 3. In Ecosystem the energy, nutrients and
funding support globally. wastes cycle among the various biotic and
abiotic components.
Codes:
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(a) 1 and 2 Codes:

(b) 3 and 4 (a) Only 1
(c) 1, 3 and 4 (b) 2 and 3
(d) 2, 3 and 4 (c) Only 3
(d) 1 and 3
55. The degree of hazard cause by radioactive
pollution depends on which of the following 58. Which of the following is/are true regarding
factors?
Eutrophication?
1. Concentration of the contaminants.
1. It refers excessive richness of nutrients in
2. Energy of the radiation being emitted. water bodies.
3. Type of radiation.
2. It leads to increase in the primary
4. The proximity of the contamination to productivity of the water body.
organs of the body.
Codes:
Codes:
(a) Only 1
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 1, 2 and 3 (b) Only 2
(c) 1, 3 and 4 (c) Both
(d) All (d) None

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59. Which of the following pairs is/are corrct? 1. These are formed over the regions of high
1. Olive Ridley Turtle : It is found mostly in temperature and high rainfall.
Gahirmatha, Andhra Pradesh. 2. Regular fires promote the growth of
2. Gangetic River dolphin : It is declared as native grasses but limit the growth of trees.
city animal of Guwahati. 3. Grasslands are important for maintaining
3. White Tiger : Safari is opened at Madhya the richness and size of livestock
Pradesh. population.
4. The grasses found here can either be tall
Codes: or short depending on the location of the
(a) 1 and 2 grassland and the amount of rain they
(b) 2 and 3 receive.
(c) Only 3
Codes:
(d) All
(a) 1, 2 and 3
60. With reference to Climate Aviation Accord (b) 2, 3 and 4
concluded at Montreal in 2016, consider the (c) 1, 3 and 4
following statements:
(d) All
1. The accord requires participating countries

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to reduce aviation emission by 2020 63. Which of the following statements is/are true
however, participation in the deal is about Coral Reefs?
voluntary.
2. The accord will apply to passenger and
cargo flights.
3. Airflights will face the cap or charge on
OR 1. The basis of coral formation lies in the
symbiotic relationship between corals and
zooxanthelle microscopic bacteria.
2. Majority of corals are found in temperate
emissions. and sub-polar regions.
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Which of the above statements is/are correct? 3. Coral Reefs act as the barrier against the
worst ravages of storms, hurricanes, and
(a) 1 and 2
typhoons.
(b) Only 2
(c) 2 and 3 Codes:
(d) All (a) Only 1
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(b) 2 and 3
61. Which of the following statements is/are true
regarding possible effects of global warming? (c) Only 3
1. Global Warming increases risk of (d) All
communicable diseases.
64. Which of the following statements is/are true
2. It not only brings changes in ocean about the invasive species?
circulation but also decrease in
1. Exotic species became invasive in nature
concentration of carbonic acid in ocean.
when the area does not have its natural
3. It leads to falling of groundwater level in predator.
various part of the country.
2. Invasive species have rapid reproduction
4. It leads to decrement in the amount of and high dispersal ability.
arable land in high altitude region.
3. Invasive species can change the food web
Codes: in an ecosystem by destroying or replacing
(a) 1 and 2 native food sources.
(b) 2, 3 and 4 Codes:
(c) 1 and 3 (a) 1 and 2
(d) All (b) Only 2
62. Which of the following statements is/are true (c) Only 3
about Grasslands? (d) All

11
65. Which of the following correctly explain the
term 'sere(s)'?
(a) The natural habitat of a mammal.
(b) The sequence of changing community.
(c) The functional role of a species.
(d) The place of a species in a food chain.
70. Which among the following is/are aims of
66. Which of the following can be the example of
bioremediation?
(a) Use of the microbes to clean up the
groundwater.
(b) Protecting the species from extinction.
(c) Improving the soil moisture of an area.
(d) Genetic disorder of some of the species.
67. Arrange the following in decreasing order of
their Global Warming Potential?
1. Methane
Codes:
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) Both
(d) None
Antarctic Circumpolar Expedition?
1. To enhance international relations and
collaboration between countries in polar
research.
2. To spark the interest of a new generation
of young scientists in polar research.
3. To study and map the effect of pollutants
on whales, penguins and albatrosses in
the Southern Ocean.
4. To investigate the extent to which micro
plastics have reached the Southern Ocean
ecosystem.

E
2. Nitrous oxide
3. Hydro Fluoro Carbons Select the answer using the code given below.
OR
4. Perfluoro Carbons (a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2, 3 and 4
Codes:
(c) All
(a) 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
(d) None
(b) 1 - 3 - 2 - 4
SC

(c) 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 71. Which among the following critically

(d) 4 - 3 - 2 - 1 endangered species belong to Jammu &
Kashmir?
68. Which of the following is/are true regarding 1. Red stag
Radon? 2. Markhor
1. It is the primary source of indoor air 3. Chiru
GS

pollution.
2. It results from the radioactive decay of Select the answer using the code given below.
radium in the soil. (a) Only 1
3. It enters the lungs and decays, producing (b) 2 and 3
alpha and Beta radiations that damages (c) All
DNA.
(d) None
Codes: 72. Consider the following statements regarding
(a) 1 and 3 Seaweeds:
(b) 2 and 3 1. The Seaweeds are macrophytic algae
(c) Only 3 having well developed roots and stems.
(d) All 2. Seaweeds grow in the shallow waters.
3. Seaweeds provide valuable source of raw
69. Which of the following statements is/are true materials for industries like fertliser and
regarding impact of Acid rain? textile.
1. It reduces the photosynthesis process in 4. Seaweeds are rich in minerals and
plants. vitamins.
2. It causes leaching of the nutrients thus
making the soil infertile. Which of the above statements is/are correct?

12
 (a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 3 and 4
(d) All
73. With reference to 'Eco-Sensitive Zone', which
of the following statements is/are correct?
1. It act as a buffer for further protection
around Protected Areas (PAs) such as
National Parks and Wildlife sanctuaries.
2. It is notified under Environment
(Protection) Act, 1986.
3. The purpose of the declaration of eco-
sensitive zones is to prohibit all kinds of
human activities, in those zones except
agriculture.
Select the correct answer using the code given
below.
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 1, 2 and 3
(c) 2, 3 and 4
(d) All
76. Which among the following environmental
factors determine the occurrence and spread
of forest fires?
1. Rising instances of El-Nino.
2. Wind speed and direction.
3. Level of moisture in soil.
4. Presence of Chir-pine needles in forest.
5. Change in precipitation patterns.

Select the correct answer using the code given Select the correct answer using the code given

E
below. below.
(a) Only 1 (a) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(b) 1 and 2
(c) 2 and 3
(d) All
OR (b) 1, 4 and 5
(c) 2, 3, 4 and 5
(d) All
74. Which of the following factors will enhance 77. Which of the following pairs is/are correctly
SC
the productivity of an aquatic body ? matched?
1. Large extent of photic zone.
1. Bejjur Forest Reserve : Telangana
2. High DO and BOD.
2. Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary : Nagaland
3. High temperature change.
3. Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary : Sikkim
4. Eutrophication.
GS

Codes:
Codes:
(a) Only 1
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3
(b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 1 and 3
(c) 3 and 4
(d) All
(d) Only 1
78. Which of the following add nutrients in the
75. With reference to 'accumulation of Aerosols
ecosystem?
in atmosphere', which of the following
statements is/are correct? 1. Rainfall
1. The accumulation of aerosols in the 2. Runoff water
atmosphere can help in mitigating climate 3. Dustfall
change. 4. Denitrification
2. They modify the size of existing cloud
particles in the atmosphere. Codes:
3. They change how the clouds reflect and (a) 1 and 2
absorb sunlight. (b) 1 and 3
4. Ozone concentrated in the stratosphere (c) 2 and 4
play a major role in formation of Aerosols
(d) 1, 2 and 4
in the atmosphere.

13
79. Which among the following statements is/are 4. Presence of invasive species
correct regarding Gangetic Dolphins? 5. Eutrophication
1. These are found in river Ganga only.
2. They have been classified as "critically Codes:
endangered" by IUCN. (a) 1, 2 and 3
3. These species are practically blind and rely (b) 1, 2, 3 and 5
on bio-sonar waves to move around. (c) 2, 3 and 5
4. Gangetic Dolphins have been recognized (d) All
as National aquatic animal of India.
83. Which of the following statements is/are true
Select the answer using the code given below. regarding Black Carbon?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 1. It is a form of particulate air pollutant
(b) 1, 3 and 4 produced from incomplete combustion.
(c) 2 and 4 2. It is the most strongly light-absorbing
(d) 3 and 4 component of atmospheric gas.
3. It disrupts cloudiness and monsoonal
80. World's largest solar power plant unveiled in
rainfall.
Tamil Nadu has been funded by which of the
following organization? Codes:

E
(a) International Solar Alliance (a) 1 and 3
(b) Adani Group (b) Only 1
OR
(c) Reliance Group (c) 2 and 3
(d) Reliance group in association with State (d) All
government
84. Which of the following statements is/are true
81. Ganga Task Force has been approved by the
regarding Ozone?
Cabinet under the Public Participation
SC

component of the Namami Gange Programme.
Which of the following is/are the functions
assigned to the Ganga Task Force?
1. Plantation of trees on the banks of River
Ganga.
2. Strengthening of pollution monitoring
GS
1. In Stratosphere, it shields the earth from
the harmful ultra violet rays of the sun.
2. It is one of the primary components of
the photochemical smog.
3. It lowers human being’s resistance to cold
and pneumonia.

mechanism on ground.
Codes:
3. Management of public awareness and
participation programmes. (a) 1 and 3
4. Improve drainage network of river on (b) 1 and 2
hybrid annuity mode on public private (c) 2 and 3
partnership basis. (d) All
Codes: 85. Which of the following statements is/are true
(a) 1, 2 and 3 about different types of food chains?
(b) 2, 3 and 4 1. In grazing food chain the green plants
(c) 1, 3 and 4 form the base with herbivores as the
(d) All primary consumers.
2. Litter being consumed by the earthworm
82. Wetlands are vital for human survival. Which forms the part of detritus food chain.
of the following anthropogenic factors are
3. Grazing and detritus food chain are
leading to its degradation?
entirely separate from each other having
1. Due to siltation no link.
2. Encroachment by Real Estate Projects
3. Dumping of waste Codes:

14
 (a) 1 and 2 4. Sulphuric acid
(b) 2 and 3 5. Hydro fluoro Carbon
(c) Only 3
Codes:
(d) All
(a) 1, 3 and 4
86. Which of the following statements is/are true (b) 1, 3, 4 and 5
about Hibernation? (c) 1, 2, 3 and 4
1. Hibernation is a state of inactivity and (d) All
metabolic depression in endotherms.
2. Electrical activity in the brain almost 90. Which of the following statements is/are true
completely ceases during hibernation, just about secondary succession?
response to external stimuli occurs. 1. It gets developed after an existing
community gets destroyed completely.
3. The main purpose is to conserve energy
during a period when sufficient food is 2. Pace of secondary succession is much
unavailable. faster than that of primary succession.

Codes: Codes:
(a) 1 and 3 (a) Only 1

E
(b) 2 and 3 (b) Only 2
(c) Both

OR
(c) Only 3
(d) All (d) None

91. Which among the following can be considered

87. Which of the following will increase the
as example of loss of ecological footprint?
population of a community in a region?
1. Loss of livelihood of fishermen.
SC
1. Dispersal
2. Damage to fish, turtles, crabs among other
2. Natality
marine animals.
3. Mortality
3. Consumers' reluctance to buy sea food.
4. Immigration
4. Environmental damage to coastal areas.
Codes:
Codes:
GS

(a) 1 and 4
(a) 1, 2 and 4
(b) 2 and 4
(b) 1 and 3
(c) 3 and 4 (c) 2 and 4
(d) Only 4 (d) All
88. Which of the following represents, "the effect 92. The Maharashtra government has become the
of human activities on the climate in terms of first state to adopt fly ash utilization policy.
the total amount of greenhouse gases The policy has stated the utilization of fly-ash
produced"? in which of the following areas?
(a) Carbon Footprint 1. Formation of roads
(b) Carrying Capacity 2. Formation of bricks
(c) Biotic Consumption 3. Used in soil conditioning for improving
(d) None of the above its quality

89. Which of the following is/are ozone depleting Codes:

substances? (a) 1 and 2
1. Chlorofluoro carbons (b) Only 2
2. Nitrogen oxides (c) 2 and 3
3. Bromine (d) All

15
93. Government eases rules for clearance of non-
polluting industrial projects. Which of the
following statements related to it is/are
correct?
1. "White category Industries" can get
consent automatically if they submit an
undertaking on expected date of start of
production.
2. "Green category Industries" do not need
to obtain consent certificate under the air
and water pollution control laws.
3. There is no need to obtain 'consent to
establish' for building/construction, area
development and township projects if they
get 'environment clearance'.
Select the correct answer using the codes given
below:
(a) Only 3
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) All
OR
94. Which of the following species and their status
is/are correctly matched?
1. Giraffe - Vulnerable
2. Kashmiri Red Stag - Near Threatened
SC
3. Grauer's Gorilla - Critically Endangered
4. Tiger - Endangered
Codes:
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 1, 3 and 4
GS
(c) 1, 2 and 4
(d) None
95. Which of the following statements define the
natural and cultural significance of
Khangchendzonga National Park?
1. It is home to a sacred site of Tibetan
Buddhism.
2. Presence of indigenous religious and
cultural practices of the Lepcha for
environmental conservation.
3. It lies within the Himalaya global
biodiversity hotspot and is home to a
significant number of endemic, rare and
threatened plant and animal species.
Codes:
(a) 1 and 3 (b) 2 and 3
(c) All (d) None
96. Which of the following statements is/are true
regarding ‘Dissolved Oxygen’?
1. Higher the amounts of waste in water
lower will be the BOD.
2. BOD is limited to biodegradable materials
only whereas COD is limited to non-
biodegradable materials only.
3. COD is slightly better mode used to
measure pollution load in water than
BOD.
Codes:
(a) Only 1
(b) 1 and 3
(c) Only 3
(d) All
97. Which of the following statements is/are true
about Taiga forest ecosystem?
1. It is characterized by coniferous forest
E
having spruce and pines.
2. It is the world's largest biome apart from
the oceans.
3. Its soil is old in age and thus rich in
nutrients.
Codes:
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3
(c) Only 3
(d) All
98. Which of the following categories of Ecosystem
Services is/are correctly matched?
1. Provisioning Services : Proving food, raw
material & water.
2. Supporting Services : Carbon Se-
questration.
3. Cultural Services : Recreational activities.
Codes:
(a) 1 and 3
(b) 2 and 3
(c) Only 3
(d) All
99. Which of the following statements is/are true
about Biogeochemical Cycles?
1. These cycles represent the energy and
materials in circulation in an ecosystem.
2. In gaseous cycle the reservoir is the
atmosphere and in sedimentary cycle the
reservoir is the earth's crust.
16
 3. In Carbon cycle, the CO2 is released after 1. It does not conduct any research nor does
the biodegradation of dead organic matter. it monitor climate related data.
2. It is binding on the scientists from the
Codes: member countries to contribute to the
(a) 1 and 2 work of IPCC.
(b) 2 and 3 3. IPCC's reports are written in non-technical
(c) Only 3 style suitable for policy makers.
(d) All
Codes:
100. Which of the following statements is/are true (a) 2 and 3
regarding Intergovernmental Panel on Climate (b) 1 and 3
Change (IPCC)? (c) 1 and 2
(d) All

E
OR
SC


GS

17

Environment
(SECTIONAL TEST)
ANSWERS
1. (b)
Exp: The edge effects are changes in population
OR 4.
or community structures that occur at the
boundary of two habitats.Areas with small
SC
habitat fragments exhibit especially
pronounced edge effects that may extend
throughout the range. As the edge effects
increase, the boundary habitat allows for
greater biodiversity. It is not related to the
territorial size.
GS
2. (a)
Exp: Different species may have similar niche,
but not exactly identical niche.
3. (c)
Exp: Primary production is defined as the
amount of biomass or organic matter
produced per unit area over a time period
by plants during photosynthesis. It is
expressed in terms of weight (g -2 ) or
energy (kcal m-2 ). The rate of biomass
production is called productivity.
Gross primary productivity of an ecosystem
is the rate of production of organic matter
during photosynthesis. Gross primary
productivity minus respiration losses (R), is
the net primary productivity (NPP).
Secondary productivity is defined as the
rate of formation of new organic matter by
consumers.
Answers
PAPER CODE: 31
E
(b)
Exp: It is a global partnership of conservation
organizations that strives to conserve birds,
their habitats and global biodiversity,
working with people towards
sustainability in the use of natural
resources.
It is the world's largest partnership of
conservation organizations, with over 120
partner organizations.
Bird Life International is the official Red List
authority for birds, for the International
Union for Conservation of Nature.
Publications:
• Bird Life International publishes a quarterly
magazine, World Birdwatch, which
contains recent news and authoritative
articles about birds, their habitats, and their
conservation around the world.
• It publishes the scientific journal Bird
Conservation International.
5. (a)
Exp: Coniferous Forest : Soils are poor and
temperature is not high enough. So
productivity and community stability are
lower in general. These forests also are
evergreen in nature and don't shed their
leaves in accordance with the seasonal
changes.
[1]
 Tropical Evergreen : Rosewood,
Mahogany, Ebony,etc.
Tropical Deciduous : Sandalwood, Sal,
Teak,etc.
6. (b)
Exp: it is a UN Conference on Housing and
Sustainable Urban Development held
recently in Quito, Ecuador. The UN's
Habitat conferences are held in a bi-
decennial cycle, with previous editions
being held in Vancouver (1976) and Istanbul
(1996). The New Urban Agenda was
officially adopted at this edition. New
Urban Agenda is a set of 175 commitments
that countries need to adhere to tackle the
staggering challenges of urbanization. It sets
the global vision of sustainable urbanization
for the next 20 years. It also provides
OR
guidance for achieving the Sustainable
Development Goals and provides the
underpinning for actions to address climate
change. India is a signatory to this agenda.
A three day long Joint Disaster
SC
Management Exercise named Prakampana
('Cyclone' in Sanskrit) was held in
Visakhapatnam (Vizag) in September 2016.
The exercise was aimed at synchronizing
resources and efforts of all agencies involved
in disaster management. It was conducted
by the Eastern Naval Command in liaison
GS
with concerned Centre and State
authorities
7. (d)
Exp: India's first BIO-CNG plant producing
CNG from agricultural residue was
inaugurated in Pune. India's first Second
Generation (2G) Ethanol Bio-refinery is
being proposed at Bhatinda.
8. (d)
Exp: They can cause irritation of the skin,
inflammation of the eyes, and respiratory
problems. In the long term, the damage
could be far more severe in the form of
Cancer, specifically leukemia and skin
cancer, along with chronic body pain and
an increased likelihood of heart attacks.
Further, it will impact the livelihood of
[ 2 ]
fishermen as oil spill affect their fish
catching ability; coastal trade and tourism
and marine resource extraction activities in
the region.
9. (c)
Exp: The new marine protected area in the Ross
Sea was created by a unanimous decision
of the international body that oversees the
waters around Antarctica-the Commission
for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine
Living Resources.
South of New Zealand and deep in the
Southern (or Antarctic) Ocean, the 1.9
million square-mile Ross Sea is sometimes
called the "Last Ocean" because it is largely
E
untouched by humans. Its nutrient-rich
waters are the most productive in the
Antarctic, leading to huge plankton and
krill blooms that support vast numbers of
fish, seals, penguins, and whales.
Marine protected areas (MPA) are
protected areas of seas, oceans, estuaries or
large lakes. MPAs restrict human activity
for a conservation purpose, typically to
protect natural or cultural resources. Such
marine resources are protected by local,
state, territorial, native, regional, national,
or international authorities and differ
substantially among and between nations.
10. (a)
Exp: It is being executed by the National River
Conservation Directorate under Ministry of
Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
11. (d)
Exp: It includes:
• Direct power usage (from fuel-powered
sources).
• Fuel-powered transport (haulage & travel).
• Waste and recycling policy.
• Carbon saving arrangements with supply
chain partners.
• Carbon saving arrangements with
employees.
Answers
• Materials (waste and recycling).
• Paper used (quantity & type).
• Materials sent to recycling (quantity &
type).
• Waste not recycled (mixed, by weight).
• Detailed energy usage by supplier.
• Detailed air & road travel (vehicle class and
mileages).
• Commuting: distance and type for all
employees.
12. (c)
Exp: Wildlife corridors: It is an area of habitat
connecting wildlife populations separated
by human activities or structures (such as
roads, development, or logging). This
allows an exchange of individuals between
OR
populations, which may help prevent the
negative effects of inbreeding and reduced
SC
genetic diversity (via genetic drift) that
often occur within isolated populations.
Corridors may also help facilitate the re-
establishment of populations that have been
reduced or eliminated due to random
events (such as fires or disease).
GS
13. (a)
Exp: The Montreal Protocol on Substances that
Deplete the Ozone Layer (a protocol to the
Vienna Convention for the Protection of the
Ozone Layer) is an international treaty
designed to protect the ozone layer by
phasing out the production of numerous
substances that are responsible for ozone
depletion.
India has signed the Montreal Protocol in
1992, which aims to control the production
and consumption of Ozone Depleting
Substances. With the signing of the
Montreal Protocol in 1987, a treaty for the
protection of the ozone layer, the use of
CFCs was to be banned by the year 2000.
After 2000, the ozone layer is expected to
recover slowly over a period of about 50
years.
Answers
14. (a)
Exp: Seawater absorbs CO to produce carbonic
acid, bicarbonate and carbonate ions.
These carbonate ions are essential to the
calcification process that allows certain
marine organisms to build their calcium
carbonate shells and skeletons.
However, increase in atmospheric CO
levels lead to decrease in pH level, increase
in the concentration of carbonic acid and
bicarbonate ions, causing a decrease in the
concentration of carbonate ions.
The saturation horizon is the level below
which calcium carbonate minerals undergo
E
dissolution. Those organisms that can
survive below the saturation horizon do so
due to special mechanisms to protect their
calcium carbonate from dissolving. As
ocean acidification causes this horizon to
rise vertically (upwelling) in the water
column so more and more calcifying
organisms will be exposed to under
saturated water and thus vulnerable to
dissolution of their shells and skeletons.
15. (d)
Exp: Major causes of desertification are:
Overgrazing, Deforestation, Agricultural
activities, Bio-industrial activities and
Overexploitation of vegetation for domestic
use.
16. (d)
Exp: Algal bloom is initiated by a combination
of:
• Natural factors (e.g. light intensity,
temperature, salinity, nutrients, trace
elements, water flow and motility of algal
cells).
• Anthropogenic factors (e.g. discharge of
organic or nutrient-enriched matters) that
encourage the rapid and massive growth
of algae.
17. (b)
Exp: `Carbon sequestration is the uptake and
storage of carbon dioxide from the
atmosphere by carbon 'sinks'.
[3]
 Natural iron fertilisation events (e.g.,
deposition of iron-rich dust into ocean
waters) can enhance carbon sequestration.
Sperm whales act as agents of iron
fertilisation when they transport iron from
the deep ocean to the surface during prey
consumption and defecation. The iron rich
feces causes phytoplankton to grow and
take up more carbon from the atmosphere.
Geological sequestration is artificial method
where the carbon dioxide is pumped into
underground chambers such as old oil
reservoirs, aquifers and coal seams that are
unable to be mined.
18. (a)
Exp: A carbon credit is a financial instrument
that allows the holder, usually an energy
company, to emit one ton of carbon dioxide.
OR
Credits are awarded to countries or groups
that have reduced their greenhouse gases
below their emission quota. Carbon credits
can be legally traded in the international
market at their current market price.
SC
Carbon credit systems place a cost on
carbon emissions by creating credits valued
against one ton of hydrocarbon fuel. A
carbon credit, then, is essentially a permit
that allows the receiver to burn a specified
amount of hydrocarbon fuel over a specified
GS
period of time. Credits are granted to
companies or other groups that take action
to measurably reduce carbon emissions.
19. (b)
Exp: The combination of drought and fires is
what prevents this particular biome from
becoming more forest like. Yet the fires
won't destroy the grass as they grow from
the bottom of the stems. Therefore they can
continue to grow even if the tops of them
have been singed by the fire. Native grasses
have deeper root systems that can survive
fires, but invasive plants tend to have
shallower roots and succumb to fires.
20. (d)
Exp: Ecotone, a transitional area of vegetation
between two different plant communities,
such as forest and grassland. It has some of
[ 4 ]
the characteristics of each bordering
biological community and often contains
species not found in the overlapping
communities. An ecotone may exist along
a broad belt or in a small pocket, such as a
forest clearing, where two local
communities blend together.
21. (c)
Exp: The energy always flow from lower to
higher trophic levels.
In an ecosystem there is always a very low
chance of having more than six trophic
levels as hardly any energy is left to support
the number of organism.
22. (b)
E
Exp: In this type of food chain either the
producer or the consumer is parasitized and
therefore the food passes to the smaller
organism. The energy transfer through this
kind of food chain is not significant.
Example: Trees  Fruit eating birds  Lice
and bugs  Bacteria and fungi.
Zebra - Nematode - Filamentous bacteri.
Radiant energy of the sun  Green Plants
 Sheep  Liver fluke.
23. (a)
Exp: Prevention of water loss from body (plants
and animals) by reducing surface area is a
form of physical adaptation.
An adaptation is "the appearance or
behaviour or structure or mode of life of an
organism that allows it to survive in a
particular environment".
Some adaptations are structural. Structural
adaptations are physical features of an
organism like the bill on a bird or the fur on
a bear. Other adaptations are behavioral.
Behavioral adaptations are the things
organisms do to survive such as migration,
hibernation, camouflage, etc.
24. (b)
Exp: Amensalism, is a negative association
between two species in which one species
harms or restricts the other species without
itself being adversely affected or harmed by
Answers
 the presence of the other species. Organisms
that secrete antibiotics and the species that
get inhibited by the antibiotics are examples
of amensalism.
25. (c)
Exp: Green washing is when a company,
government or other group promotes green-
based environmental initiatives or images
but actually operates in a way that is
damaging to the environment or in an
opposite manner to the goal of the
announced initiatives. This can also include
misleading customers about the
environmental benefits of a product
through misleading advertising and
unsubstantiated claims.
26. (c)
Exp: Total organic carbon is a measure of the
carbon contained within soil organic matter.
Total organic carbon influences many soil
OR
characteristics including colour, nutrient
holding capacity (cation and anion
SC
exchange capacity), nutrient turnover and
stability, which in turn influence water
relations, aeration and workability.
In soils with high clay content the
contribution to cation exchange from the
organic fraction is generally small
GS
compared to that from clay. In sandier soils
the relative contribution of the organic
fraction is higher because there is less clay,
even though the amount of total organic
carbon present may be similar or less to that
in clays.
By providing a food source for micro-
organisms, organic carbon can help
improve soil stability by micro-organisms
binding soil particles together into
aggregates or 'peds'. Bacteria excretions,
root exudates, fungal hyphae and plant
roots can all contribute to better soil
structure.
It increases the nutrient availability through
mineralisation.
27. (b)
Exp: This award is given to industrial units that
make a significant contribution towards the
Answers
development of new, or the innovative
modification of existing, technologies or
adoption and use of clean technologies and
practices that substantially reduce or
prevent environmental pollution. The
award consists of a cash prize of Rupees
Two lakh, trophy and citation.
28. (a)
Exp: The sloth bear is a nocturnal (hunting at
night) bear species that feeds chiefly on
insects, found wild within the Indian
Subcontinent. IUCN estimates that less
than 20,000 sloth bears survive in the wilds
of the Indian subcontinent and Sri Lanka.
IUCN classifies it as vulnerable. It is listed
E
in Schedule I of Indian Wildlife Protection
Act, 1972, which provides Legal protection.
International trade is prohibited as it is listed
in Appendix I of the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species.
Gujarat government has launched the Sloth
Bear Habitat project to provide better
habitat by restoring the ecology of Jessore
wildlife sanctuary, where more trees will
be planted and unwanted vegetation
removed.
29. (a)
Exp: Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) maps
provide a concise summary of coastal
resources that are at risk if an oil spill occurs
nearby. When an oil spill occurs, ESI maps
can help responders meet one of the main
responses. Objectives: reducing the
environmental consequences of the spill and
the cleanup efforts. Additionally, ESI maps
can be used by planners-before a spill
happens-to identify vulnerable locations,
establish protection priorities, and identify
cleanup strategies
30. (d)
Exp: Soil pollution is defined as the build-up in
soils of persistent toxic compounds,
chemicals, salts, radioactive materials, or
disease causing agents and other xenobiotic
(man-made) chemicals or other alteration
in the natural soil environment.
Pollution in soil is mainly associated with:
Indiscriminate use of fertilizers,
indiscriminate use of pesticides, insecticides
and herbicides, dumping of large quantities
[5]
 of solid waste Deforestation and soil
erosion. The most common chemicals
involved in soil pollution are petroleum
hydrocarbons, solvents, pesticides, lead, and
other heavy metals.
A soil pollutant is any factor which
deteriorates the quality, texture and mineral
content of the soil or which disturbs the
biological balance of the organisms in the
soil. Pollution in soil has adverse effect on
plant growth.
Effect of Soil Pollution:
– Pollutants runs off into rivers and kills the
fish, plants and other aquatic life.
– Crops and fodder grown on polluted soil
may pass the pollutants on to the
consumers.
OR
– Polluted soil may no longer grow crops and
fodder.
– Soil structure is damaged (clay ionic
structure impaired).
– Corrosion of foundations and pipelines.
SC
– Impairs soil stability.
– May release vapours and hydrocarbon into
buildings and cellars.
– May create toxic dusts and may poison
children playing in the area.
GS
31. (d)
32. (b)
Exp: By consuming the food from lower trophics
they derive the energy from it. As they keep
the prey population under control, the inter-
specific competition gets reduced among the
prey species.
33. (d)
Exp: Nilgiri biosphere was the 1st biosphere
reserve established in India. It is located in
Western Ghats and includes 2 of the 10 bio-
geographical provinces of India. Wide
ranges of ecosystems and species diversity
are founded in this region.
The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve was
established mainly to fulfill the following
objectives:
[ 6 ]
– To conserve insitu genetic diversity of
species.
– To restore degraded ecosystems to their
natural conditions.
– To provide baseline data for ecological and
environmental research and education.
– To function as an alternate model for
sustainable development.
34. (a)
Exp: Primary pollutants persist in the form in
which they are added to the environment.
e.g. DDT, Plastic.
Secondary pollutants are formed by
interaction among the primary pollutants.
E
E.g. peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) is formed
by the interaction of nitrogen oxides and
hydrocarbons, Ozone.
Another classification on their existence
in nature:
• Quantitative pollutants
• Qualitative pollutants
Another classification on their nature of
disposal:
• Biodegradable pollutants
• Non-biodegradable pollutants
35. (a)
Exp: The Living Planet Index (LPI) is an indicator
of the state of global biological diversity,
based on trends in vertebrate populations
of species from around the world.
The Living Planet Report is published every
two years by the World Wide Fund for
Nature since 1998. It is based on the Living
Planet Index and ecological footprint
calculations.
The report is compiled with data from the
Zoological Society of London (ZSL) to
measure the abundance of biodiversity. The
index tracks 14,200 populations of 3700
species of vertebrates. Biodiversity
Answers
 population is expected to fall 67 percent by
2020, if the current situation persists.
Moreover, the report warns that increased
human pressure could trigger human-
nature conflicts. It can increase the risk of
water and food insecurity and competition
over natural resources. it states that food
production to meet the complex demands
of an expanding human population is the
primary factor responsible for the
destruction of habitats and overexploitation
of wildlife. At present, agriculture occupies
about one-third of the Earth's total land
area and accounts for almost 70 % of water
use.
36. (c)
Exp: The Union Cabinet has approved the River
Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and
Management) Authorities Order, 2016. It
envisages the creation of National Council
OR
for River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection
and Management) as an Authority under
SC
Prime Minister as Chairperson. The new
authority will be replacing the existing
NGRBA (National Ganga River Basin
Authority). It declares NMCG as an
Authority with powers to issue directions
and also to exercise the powers under the
GS
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
The order sets up an Empowered Task
Force chaired by Union Minister of Water
Resources along with other ministries,
departments and State governments
concerned in protection of Ganga.
At the State level, it is proposed to create
the State Ganga Committees in each of the
defined States as Authority, to function as
Authorities in respect of each State and
perform the superintendence, direction and
control over the District Ganga Protection
Committees under their jurisdiction.
Similarly, at district level, District Ganga
Committee will be formed.
37. (d)
Exp: A chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) is an organic
compound that contains only carbon,
chlorine, and fluorine.
Answers
Uses include:
• Refrigerants
• Blowing agents
• Propellants in medicinal applications
• Propellants in aerosol sprays
• Foaming agents in plastic manufacturing.
• Fire extinguishing
• Solvents for cleaning electronic and metalic
components.
CFCs were phased out via the Montreal
Protocol due to their part in ozone
E
depletion.
However, the atmospheric impacts of CFCs
are not limited to its role as an active ozone
reducer. This anthropogenic compound is
also a greenhouse gas, with a much higher
potential to enhance the greenhouse effect
than CO2.
38. (b)
Exp: The Paris Agreement is an agreement
within the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
dealing with greenhouse gases (GHGs)
emissions mitigation, adaptation and
finance starting in the year 2020 (i.e. in post
Kyoto Protocol scenario).
The agreement was negotiated by
representatives of 195 countries at the 21st
Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC
in Paris.
Under it, all countries must pursue to keep
global temperature rising below 2°C by 2100
above pre-industrial levels with an ideal
target of keeping temperature rise below
1.5°C.
It forces developed countries to provide 100
billion dollars annually to the developing
countries beginning in 2020 to deal with
climate change.
It empowers countries to determine how
to cut their emissions but mandates that
they report transparently on those efforts.
[7]
 Unlike the Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement
is not legally-binding and it does not assign
any emission cut targets on any country.
The Paris Agreement officially entered into
force after 55 parties to the convention
accounting for at least 55% of total GHG
emissions ratified it.
India had ratified the Paris Agreement on
climate change on the 147th birth
anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
39. (d)
Exp: Summary of Environmental and
Occupational Sources of Chromium
Exposure Environmental Sources
Environmental sources of chromium
include:
• Airborne emissions from chemical plants
OR
and incineration facilities,
• Cement dust,
• Contaminated landfill,
SC
• Effluents from chemical plants,
• Asbestos lining erosion,
• Road dust from catalytic converter erosion
and asbestos brakes,
• Tobacco smoke, and
GS
• Topsoil and rocks.
Occupational Sources O c c u p a t i o n a l
sources of chromium include:
• Anti-algae agents,
• antifreeze,
• Cement,
• Chrome alloy production,
• Chrome electroplating (soluble Cr[VI]),
• Copier servicing,
• Glassmaking,
• Leather tanning (soluble Cr[III]),
• Paints/pigments (insoluble Cr[VI]),
• Photoengraving,
[ 8 ]
• Porcelain and ceramics manufacturing,
• Production of high-fidelity magnetic audio
tapes,
• Tattooing,
• Textile manufacturing,
• Welding of alloys or steel, and
• Wood preservatives, i.e. Acid Copper
Chromate.
40. (b)
Exp: They are brackish water ecosystems.
41. (c)
Exp: India comes just behind China which
E
witnessed an estimated 800,000 deaths in
same period, according to study.
• The detailed study for India suggested the
reason for deaths in absolute number as
shown below.
– 2,49,388 Deaths due to Ischemic heart
disease.
– 1,95,001 deaths due to stroke.
– 1,10,500 deaths due to Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
– 26,334 deaths due to lung cancer.
• According to study, all regions of the world
are affected; however, populations in low-
income cities are the most impacted.
• As per the study, of all of pollutants, fine
particulate matter has the greatest impact
on health. PM 2.5 is responsible for
aggravating or is directly responsible for
many cardiovascular diseases and lung
cancer.
42. (d)
43. (d)
Exp: These trees are known for their resistance
to salinity and water logging. That's why
these are found along deltaic region.
Mangroves have a very dense root system
which acts as a barrier against the salinity
ingress happening at the coastal areas.
Reduction in salinity ingress increases the
Answers
 fertility of the soil resulting in more fertile
land and better arable land.
44. (b)
Exp: Algae and Lichens are in mutualism.
Cheetah and Lions are in competition to
grab their prey. Ticks are sucking the blood
and hence it is parasitism.
45. (b)
Exp: the Heritage Heroes award is given by
IUCN. It aims to recognize the outstanding
efforts of a few brave people, around the
four corners of the world, who relentlessly
invest efforts to make a difference in the
way natural World Heritage sites are
conserved, sometimes despite life-
threatening situations. The objective of this
initiative is to inspire people to value the
importance of natural World Heritage sites
and recognize the need to collectively invest
in their conservation.
OR
46. (d)
SC
Exp: In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-
sections (1) and (3) of section 3 of the
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of
1986) (hereinafter referred to as the said
Act), the Central government hereby
constitutes an authority to be known as the
GS
Environment Pollution (Prevention and
Control) Authority for the National Capital
Region (hereinafter referred to as the
Authority) consisting of the following
persons for a period of two years.
The Authority shall exercise the following
powers and perform the following
functions for protecting and improving the
quality of the environment and preventing,
controlling and abating environmental
pollution, namely exercise the powers
under section 5 of the said Act for issuing
directions in respect of complaints relating
to the violation of an order by any authority
or measure specified pertaining to-
• Standards for the quality of the
environment in its various aspects,
• Standards for omission or discharge of
environmental pollutants from various
sources,
Answers
• Restriction of areas in which any industries,
operations or processes or class of industries
or processes shall not be carried out or shall
be carried out subject to certain safeguards,
• Procedures and safeguards for the
prevention of accidents which may cause
environmental pollution and remedial
measures for such accidents,
• Procedures and safeguards for the handling
of hazardous substances.
The Authority shall have the power to take
up matters as mentioned above, suo-moto,
or on the basis of complaints made by any
individual, representative body or
E
organization functioning in the field of
environment. Such complaints may be
against any individual, association,
company, public undertaking or local body
carrying on any industry, operation or
process.
The Authority shall, for controlling
vehicular pollution, take all necessary steps
to ensure compliance of specified emission
standards by vehicles including proper
calibration of the equipment for testing
vehicular pollution, ensuring compliance of
fuel quality standards, monitoring and
coordinating action for traffic planning and
management.
47. (a)
Exp: Flagship species are popular, charismatic
species that serve as symbols and rallying
points to stimulate conservation awareness
and action. Examples of flagship species
include the Bengal tiger, the giant panda,
Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), etc.
Flagship species can represent an
environmental feature (e.g. a species or
ecosystem), cause (e.g. climate change or
ocean acidification), organization (e.g.
NGO or government department) or
geographic region (e.g. state or protected
area).
Indicator species can signal a change in the
biological condition of a particular
ecosystem, and thus may be used as a proxy
to diagnose the health of an ecosystem.
[9]
48. (d)
Exp: It also helps in nutrients recycling, water
purification, groundwater recharging, etc.
Area under paddy cultivation constitutes
70% of the total wetland area.
49. (b)
Exp: In biomagnification, there is an increase in
concentration of a pollutant from one link
in a food chain to another. The omnivorous
are most affected
50. (d)
Exp: First the pioneer community gets developed
and later on at last stage climax community
gets developed.
51. (a)
OR
Exp: The burning of stubble, contrasted with
alternatives such as ploughing the stubble
back into the ground has a number of
consequences and effects on the
environment.
SC
Stubble burning:
• Quickly clears the field and is cheap.
• Kills weeds, including those resistant to
herbicide.
GS
• Kills slugs and other pests.
• Can reduce nitrogen tie-up
However, it has a number of harmful
effects on the environment:
• Loss of nutrients.
• Pollution from smoke.
• Damage to electrical and electronic
equipment from floating threads of
conducting waste.
• Risk of fires spreading out of control.
52. (b)
Exp: Sea Cows, Manatees and Dugongs are
herbivores marine mammals. They make
their living grazing on sea grasses, marine
algae in coastal temperate and tropical
[10]
waters of North America, Asia and Africa.
Seals and sea lions come under the order of
carnivore.
53. (d)
Exp: A System of Aerosol Monitoring and
Research (SAMAR) has been launched
which will help the country in studying
concentration of black carbon in
atmosphere due to air pollution and its
impact on climate.
SAFAR system for the air quality has been
developed by the Indian institute of Tropical
Meteorology (IITM), Pune and weather
information and forecasting is done by
India Meteorological Department (IMD).
E
The implementation of SAFAR is made
possible with an active collaboration with
local municipal corporations and various
local educational institutions and
governmental agencies in that Metro city.
The ultimate objective of the project is to
increase awareness among general public
regarding the air quality in their city well
in advance so that appropriate mitigation
measures and systematic action can be
taken up for betterment of air quality and
related health issues.
National Air Quality Index (AQI) has been
launched for monitoring the quality of air
in major urban centres across the country
on a real-time basis and enhancing public
awareness for taking mitigative action. The
Index is centred around five chief pollutants:
Particulate Matter, Ozone, Nitrogen
Dioxide and Carbon Monoxide.
54. (b)
Exp: A global climate deal was reached in Kigali,
Rwanda at the Twenty-Eighth Meeting of
the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on
Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
(MOP28).
The Kigali Agreement amends the 1987
Montreal Protocol that aims to phase out
Hydro fluorocarbons (HFCs), a family of
potent greenhouse gases by the late 2040s.
Answers
 Around 197 countries, including India,
China and the USA, agreed at Kigali to
reduce the use of HFCs.
The Kigali Agreement will be binding on
countries from 2019. The Paris agreement
which will come into force by 2020 is not
legally binding on countries to cut their
emissions.
It also has provisions for penalties for non-
compliance. Under it, developed countries
will provide funding support globally.
The Kigali Amendment is considered
absolutely vital for reaching the Paris
Agreement target of keeping global
temperature rise to below 2-degree Celsius
compared to pre-industrial times.
55. (d)
Exp: Contamination presents a hazard because
of the radioactive decay of the
OR 58.
contaminants, which emit harmful ionizing
SC
radiation such as alpha particles or beta
particles, gamma rays or neutrons. The
degree of hazard is determined by the
concentration of the contaminants, the
energy of the radiation being emitted, the
type of radiation, and the proximity of the
contamination to organs of the body. It is
GS
important to be clear that the
contamination gives rise to the radiation
hazard, and the terms "radiation" and
"contamination" are not interchangeable.
56. (d)
Exp: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and
Climate Change has notified the E-Waste
Management Rules, 2016 in supersession
of the e-waste (Management & Handling)
Rules, 2011. The E-waste rules will now
include Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL)
and other mercury containing lamps, as
well as other such equipment.
The Rules will bring the producers under
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR),
along with targets. Producers have been
made responsible for collection of E-waste
and for its exchange. "The bulk consumers
must collect the items and hand them over
Answers
to authorize recyclers". It emphasized that
various producers can have a separate
Producer Responsibility Organization
(PRO) and ensure collection of E-waste, as
well as its disposal in an environmentally
sound manner.
The role of State Governments has been also
introduced to ensure safety, health and skill
development of the workers involved in
dismantling and recycling operations. Also
a provision of penalty for violation of rules
has been introduced.
57. (d)
Exp: Biosphere is a larger entity which comprises
E
of the living world. Hence ecosystem being
a part of biosphere will be smaller than
biosphere.
(c)
Exp: Eutrophication derives from the Greek
word eutrophos, meaning nourished or
enriched. Eutrophication refers to the
addition of artificial or non-artificial
substances, such as nitrates and
phosphates, through fertilizers or sewage,
to a fresh water system.
It can be anthropogenic or natural. It leads
increase in the primary productivity of the
water body or "bloom" of phytoplankton.
The overgrowth causes the loss of oxygen
in the water leading to severe reductions in
fish and other animal populations.
Some animals such as Nomurai Jellyfish
show an increase in population that
negatively affects other species in the local
ecosystem.
Eutrophication escalates rapidly when high
nutrients from fertilizers, domestic and
industrial wastes, urban drainage,
detergents and animal, sediments enter
water streams. Eutrophication is mainly
divided into natural and cultural
Eutrophication.
59. (d)
Exp: Olive Ridley Turtles- They are smallest and
most abundant of all the sea turtle species.
[11]
 They are Omnivores. They are found only
in warmer waters, including the southern
Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans.
Gahirmatha located in the Bhitarkanika
Wildlife Sanctuary, Odisha houses the
world largest mass nesting site of these
turtles. Past few years, Sandy stretches of
Hope Island of the Coringa Wildlife
Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh have also
emerged as a breeding ground for these
turtles.
Gangetic River dolphin is declared as city
animal of Guwahati
The world's maiden 'White Tiger Safari is
opened' at Mukundpur in Satna district in
the State's Vindhya region
60. (a)
OR
Exp: A meeting of 2,000 delegates at the
International Civil Aviation
Organization(ICAO), a UN agency, in
Montreal has settled upon a global
emissions-reduction scheme that will apply
to passenger and cargo flights that generate
SC
more than 10,000 tonnes of annual
greenhouse gases.
The deal, aimed at reducing the growing
climate impact of plane travel, follows years
of disagreement between nations on how
to slow emissions from the sector. Instead
GS
of facing a cap or charge on emissions,
airlines will be involved in an offsetting
scheme whereby forest areas and carbon-
reducing activities will be funded, costing
about 2% of the industry's annual revenues.
Global aviation emissions in 2020 will be
used as a benchmark, with around 80% of
emissions above 2020 levels offset until
2035.
The accord requires participating countries
to reduce emission by 2020 and limit it after
it comes into effect from 2021. Participation
in the deal is voluntary from 2021 to 2026.
The deal becomes mandatory from 2027.
Countries like US and China have agreed
to go with the accord while Russia has
refused to participate during the voluntary
period. India has not agreed to the Aviation
Climate Accord as it feels that reducing
[12]
"emissions" in the sector would be injustice
to the country's growing economy.
61. (c)
Exp: Global Warming leading to risk of disease
infection. As carbon dioxide dissolves in sea
water, carbonic acid is formed, which has
the effect of acidifying the ocean, measured
as a change in pH not in ocean circulation
as such.
It leads to falling groundwater level in
various part of the country.
62. (b)
Exp: These are formed over the regions of
moderate temperature and moderate
E
rainfall. It is an intermediate between a
forest ecosystem and a desert ecosystem.
63. (c)
Exp: Zooxanthellae is an algae not bacteria, live
symbiotically within the coral polyp tissues
and assist the coral in nutrient production
through its photosynthetic activities.
Majority of corals are found in tropical and
sub-tropical areas as they require
moderately high temperature for growth.
Great Australian Reef is the largest coral
reef in the world.
64. (d)
Exp: Invasive species will lead to extinction of
many of the indigenous species, hence it's
threat to the ecological stability of that area.
The indirect threats of invasive species:
• Changing food webs: Invasive species can
change the food web in an ecosystem by
destroying or replacing native food sources.
The invasive species may provide little to
no food value for wildlife.
• Decreasing biodiversity: Invasive species
can alter the abundance or diversity of
species that are important habitat for native
wildlife. Aggressive plant species like kudzu
can quickly replace a diverse ecosystem
with a monoculture of just kudzu.
Answers
• Altering ecosystem conditions: Some
invasive species are capable of changing the
conditions in an ecosystem, such as
changing soil chemistry or the intensity of
wildfires.
65. (b)
Exp: Sere is related to ecological succession. The
entire sequence of communities that
successfully change in a given area.
66. (a)
Exp: Bioremediation is a waste management
technique that involves the use of organisms
to remove or neutralize pollutants from a
69. (c)
Exp: The exchange between hydrogen ions and
the nutrient cations like potassium and
magnesium in the soil cause leaching of the
nutrients, making the soil infertile.
This is accompanied by a decrease in the
respiration of soil organisms.
An increase in ammonia in the soil due to a
decrease in other nutrients decreases the
rate of decomposition.
70. (c)
Exp: Antarctic Circumpolar Expedition is the
first project of the newly-created Swiss

E
contaminated site. Polar Institute (SPI) to "enhance
international relations and collaboration
67.
Exp:
(d)

GAS GWP LIFETIME

OR between countries, as well as to spark the
interest of a new generation of young
scientists in polar research." More than 50
researchers from 30 countries are to carry
out the first scientific full circumnavigation
1. Carbon 1 50 - 200 of Antarctica in an attempt to measure
SC
dioxide pollution and climate change. It will
investigate the impact of micro plastics on
2. Methane 21 12 the southern ocean food web.
3. Nitrous oxide 310 120 71. (c)
4. Hydro fluoro 140-11,700 1 - 270 Exp: IUCN (International Union for
GS

carbons Conservation of Nature) all set to declare

5. Perfluoro 6500-9200 800- 50,000
Carbons
The larger the GWP (Global Warming
Potential) the more warming the gas causes.
The global warming potential is a measure
of the total energy that a gas absorbs over a
particular period of time, compared to
carbon dioxide.
68. (d)
Exp: Radon occurs naturally as an intermediate
step in the normal radioactive decay chains
through which thorium and uranium
slowly decay into lead; radon, itself, is a
decay product of radium. It is colourles,
odourless gas, source of indoor pollution.
It enters the lungs and decays, producing
alpha and Beta radiations that damages
DNA and causes lung cancer.
Kashmiri Red Stag or Hangul as a 'critically
endangered' species. Earlier it was
considered as a subspecies of red deer.
Kashmiri Red Stag or Hangul is known for
its giant antlers bearing 11 to 16 points.
They are largely confined to the Greater
Dachigam Landscape (1,000 sq.km.),
encompassing the Dachigam National Park
(NP) and adjoining protected areas. It is one
of three critically endangered species in
Jammu and Kashmir. The other two are
markhor and the Tibetan antelope or
'chiru'. It was designated as State Animal
of Jammu & Kashmir in 1980's.
72. (b)
Exp: The Seaweeds are macrophytic algae, a
primitive type of plants lacking true roots,
stems and leaves. The word seaweed gives
the wrong impression that it is a useless
plant. Seaweeds are wonder plants of the

Answers [13]
 sea and highly useful plants. Seaweeds
grow in the shallow waters. Root system
and conducting tissues like land plants are
absent in seaweeds. Seaweeds provide new
renewable source of food, energy, chemicals
and medicines. It also provides valuable
source of raw material for industries like
health food, medicines, pharmaceuticals,
textiles, fertilizers, animal feed etc.
Seaweeds are rich in minerals, vitamins,
trace elements and bioactive substances,
seaweeds are called medical food of the 21st
century. Seaweeds grow abundantly along
the Tamil Nadu and Gujarat coasts and
around Lakshadweep and Andaman and
Nicobar islands. There are also rich
seaweed beds around Mumbai, Ratnagiri,
Goa, Karwar, Varkala, Vizhinjam and
Pulicat inTamil Nadu and Chilka in Orissa.
OR
73. (b)
Exp: It is created to act as a buffer for further
protection around Protected Areas (PAs)
such as National Parks and Wildlife
sanctuaries.
SC
Activities around such areas are regulated
and managed so as to protect the
environment.
ESZ is notified under Section 3 of the
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 by the
GS
Union Ministry of Environment and Forest.
ESZ Guidelines classify activities under
three categories:
Prohibited: Commercial Mining, Setting of
Saw Mill, Setting of industries causing
pollution, establishment of major
hydroelectric projects etc
Regulated: Felling of Trees, Establishment
of hotels and resorts, erection of electrical
cables, drastic change of agricultural
systems etc
Permitted: Ongoing agriculture and
horticulture practices by local communities,
rain water harvesting, organic farming etc
Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Mumbai
has been notified as Eco-sensitive zone.
[14]
74. (d)
Exp: High DO (Dissolved Oxygen) will enhance
the productivity but high BOD(Biological
Oxygen Demand) does not represent any
growth factor for the ecosystem rather just
represent the demand.
High temperature change will kill many of
the organisms who are temperature
sensitive. Eutrophication will lead to the
death of a lake.
75. (b)
Exp: Aerosols are tiny particles made from
super-fine solid particles and liquid droplets
carried in the atmosphere .They often act
as 'cloud condensation nuclei' around
E
which cloud droplets are formed. Aerosols
can also modify the size of existing cloud
particles, and change how the clouds reflect
and absorb sunlight, leading to haze and
much redder sunrises and sunsets.
The accumulation of aerosols in the
troposphere is thought to have a cooling
effect, as clouds reflect the sun's energy. It
may provide an alternative way to mitigate
the human-induced effects of climate
change.
Ammonia concentrated in the upper layer
of the troposphere play a major role for the
formation of Aerosols in the atmosphere.
Such concentration of ammonia in
troposphere is due to high agricultural
emission from livestock farming and
fertilization.
76. (d)
Exp: Frequency of forest fires across Central
Indian forests and the Himalayan have
increased in recent years. The States of
Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya
Pradesh accounted for 1/3rd of the forest
fires in 2016. Chir pine needles are a
prominent factor in occurring and
spreading of forest fires. Besides, climatic
conditions such as temperature, wind speed
and direction, level of moisture in soil and
atmosphere and duration of dry spells.
Other natural causes are the friction of
bamboos swaying due to high wind
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 velocity and rolling stones that result in
sparks setting off fires in highly inflammable
leaf litter on the forest floor. The changing
pattern in terms of global warming, rising
instances of El-Nino etc are also affecting
forest fires; this is due to the cumulative
effect of rising temperature, change in
precipitation patterns and air moisture,
increasing heat waves, drier soil etc.
77. (a)
Exp: The match is as follows:
• Bejjur Forest Reserve - Telengana.
• Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary - Andhra
Pradsh.
• Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary - Karnatka.
•
•
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary - Karnatka.
Kali Tiger Reserves - Karnatka.
OR
• Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary - Kerala.
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78. (b)
Exp: Ecosystem receives nutrients from external
sources and stores them for further use
through biological processes. For example,
Nutrients in dissolved state are gained from
rainfall or in particulate state from dust fall.
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Through runoff water and denitrification
process in soil nutrients are moved out of
the ecosystem.
79. (d)
Exp: Ganges River Dolphin is a sub-species of
river dolphins, found in the Ganga and
Brahmaputra Rivers. These species are
practically blind and rely on bio-sonar
waves to move around. There are almost
2500 river dolphins in Ganga and there
population is diminishing. River dolphins
have been classified as "endangered" not
"critically endangered" by IUCN
(International Union for Conservation of
Nature) in 1966.
Species are classified by the IUCN Red List
into nine groups,set through criteria such
as rate of decline, population size, area of
geographic distribution, and degree of
population and distribution fragmentation.
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• Extinct (EX) - No known individuals
remaining.
• Extinct in the wild (EW) - Known only to
survive in captivity, or as a naturalized
population outside its historic range.
• Critically endangered (CR) - Extremely
high risk of extinction in the wild.
• Endangered (EN) - High risk of extinction
in the wild.
• Vulnerable (VU) - High risk of
endangerment in the wild.
• Near threatened (NT) - Likely to become
E
endangered in the near future.
• Least concern (LC) - Lowest risk. Does not
qualify for a more at-risk category.
Widespread and abundant taxa are
included in this category.
• Data deficient (DD) - Not enough data to
make an assessment of its risk of extinction.
• Not evaluated (NE) - Has not yet been
evaluated against the criteria.
80. (b)
Exp: A solar power plant in Kamuthi, Tamil
Nadu just became the world's largest plant.
With a capacity to produce 648 MW of
electricity, the plant comprises of 2.5
million individual solar modules and covers
an area of 10 sq km.
Funded by the Adani Group, the plant was
built at a cost of $679 m and was completed
in just eight months. The solar power plant
has the capacity to generate electricity
sufficient for about 150,000 homes.
81. (a)
Exp: Ganga Task Force has been approved by
the Cabinet under the Public Participation
component of the Namami Gange
Programme.
Ganga Task Force will be trained for:
• Plantation of trees on the banks of river
Ganga,
[15]
• Strengthening of pollution monitoring
mechanism on ground,
• Management of public awareness and
participation programmes, and
• Monitoring of Ghats for the ongoing works.
They have participated in various
consultative /discussion meetings.
Participation in awareness and plantation
activities at selected towns has also been
carried out.
82. (d)
Exp: Wetlands are vital for human survival. They
are among the world's most productive eco
systems. Wetlands are crucial for the
survival of variety of plants and animals.
They are indispensable for the countless
services ranging from freshwater supply,
OR
food, sustainable livelihood options and
groundwater recharge. They also host a
huge variety of life, protect our coastlines,
provide natural sponges against river
flooding and store carbon to regulate
climate change.
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Reasons for degradation are:
• Nutrient enrichment.
• Flow of pesticides
• Siltation and farming expansion
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• Encroachment by real estate projects
• Dumping of waste
• Unplanned urbanization and unregulated
industrialization
• Presence of invasive species
83. (a)
Exp: Black Carbon (soot), is a form of particulate
air pollutant, produced from incomplete
combustion. It consists of pure carbon in
several linked forms.
Black carbon (BC) is the most strongly light-
absorbing component of particulate matter
(PM)
Black carbon warms the Earth by absorbing
heat in the atmosphere and by reducing
albedo.
[16]
It disrupts cloudiness and monsoon rainfall
and accelerates melting of mountain glaciers
such as the HinduKush-Himalayan
glaciers.
It stays in an atmosphere for several days
to weeks not for several months to years.
84. (d)
Exp: While ozone in the stratosphere protects
earth from harmful UV radiation, ozone on
the ground is hazardous to human health.
Vehicles and industries are the major source
of ground level ozone emissions.
It lowers our resistance to cold and
pneumonia.
E
Photochemical smog is a term to describe
air pollution that is a result of the interaction
of sunlight with certain chemicals in the
atmosphere. Ozone is one of the primary
components of the photochemical smog.
85. (a)
Exp: Grazing and detritus food chains are
interlinked. The initial energy for detritus
food chain is from the dead remains from
the grazing food chain.
86. (d)
Exp: Hibernation is a state of inactivity, in which
an animal's heart rate, body temperature,
and breathing rate are decreased in order
to conserve energy through the cold months
of winter. Electrical activity in the brain
almost completely ceases during
hibernation, although some areas remain
active. These areas are those that respond
to external stimuli such as light,
temperature, and noise. Thus, the
hibernating animal can be aroused under
extreme conditions.
Reducing metabolic rate and lowering body
temperature enables survival through cold
periods when food is scarce or has little
energy value. Hibernating species usually
work hard to build up large fat reserves
before they bed down, and subsist on this
during their torpor. They might wake up
at intervals to defecate or top up on food.
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87. (b)
Exp: Emigration and Mortality will decrease the
population. Rest will increase.
88. (a)
Exp: Carbon Footprint represents the effect
human activities have on climate in terms
of the total amount of greenhouse gases
produced. Greenhouse gases can be emitted
through transport, land clearance and the
production and consumption of food, fuels,
manufactured goods, materials, wood,
roads, buildings, and services.
89. (c)
Exp: Bromine combines with ozone forming
bromine monoxide (BrO) and Oxygen. The
BrO further reacts with chlorine monoxide
to give oxygen and free atoms of bromine
and chlorine.
OR •
Sulphuric acid particles free chlorine from
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molecular reservoirs and convert reactive
nitrogen into inert forms.
Nitric oxide (NO) catalytically destroys
ozone.
Nitrous oxide (N2O) can gradually reach
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the middle of the stratosphere, where it is
photolytically destroyed to yield nitric oxide
which in turn destroys ozone.
HFCs have an ozone depletion potential of
zero, they are potent greenhouse gases, and
thus their manufacture and use became
increasingly regulated in the 21st century.
90. (b)
Exp: Secondary succession starts in a well
developed soil already formed at the site.
Hence it is much faster than the primary
succession.
91. (d)
Exp: The simplest way to define ecological
footprint would be to call it the impact of
human activities measured in terms of the
area of biologically productive land and
water required to produce the goods
Answers
consumed and to assimilate the wastes
generated. More simply, it is the amount of
the environment necessary to produce the
goods and services necessary to support a
particular lifestyle. Hence, all the factors in
this question will be considered as loss of
ecological footprint.
92. (d)
Exp: The Maharashtra government has become
the 1st Indian to adopt fly ash utilization
policy. Fly Ash is the by-product of
pulverized coal combustion in thermal
power plant.
E
These are very light particles and become
airborne. The Fly Ash Utilization Policy
states that:
All the coal or lignite based thermal power
plants shall ensure the 100 percent
utilization of ash in the construction of road.
• The use of fly ash is to be increased to a
radius of 300 km. The thermal plants would
use the ash in the construction of roads
under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.
It will help "Housing for all" project.
• The ash is to be used in soil conditioning
for improving its quality which would help
in increasing the crop yield, within the
radius of 300 km.
• The above points would not only ensure
environment-friendly construction but also
lead to a reduction of pollution, as dry fly
ash, is a major air pollutant.
• The fly ash can be used in the agricultural
land to increase its productivity and hence
agriculture department has also been roped
in to promote the fly ash among farmers.
93. (a)
Exp: CPCB modifies mechanism for the grant of
consent to various categories of industries
and construction projects under Water
(Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act
and Air (Prevention and Control of
Pollution) Act.
[17]
• No need to obtain consent for 'white'
category of industries (White category of
industries pertains to those industries which
are practically non-polluting).
• Consent can automatically be issued to
'green' category of industries if they submit
an undertaking on expected date of start
of production (Green category of industries
are less polluting).
• No need to obtain 'consent to establish' for
building/ construction, area development
and township projects if they get
'environment clearance.
• All other projects, requiring 'environment
clearance' either from state authority or
from ministry of environment, will be
exempted from obtaining 'consent to
establish'.
OR
94. (b)
Exp: Kashmiri Red Stag has been placed under
critically endangered status.
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95. (c)
Exp: Khangchendzonga National Park (KNP) in
Sikkim has been inscribed as India's first
mixed (cultural as well as natural) heritage
site on the Unesco World Heritage List.
KNP lies within the Himalaya global
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biodiversity hotspot and is home to a
significant number of endemic, rare and
threatened plant and animal species.
The cultural significance of KNP is
portrayed by three main different facets:
• Firstly, the notion of beyul or hidden sacred
land, which extends to all of Sikkim, but
has its heart in the territory of
Khangchendzonga National Park, is
important in Tibetan Buddhism, not only
intrinsic to Sikkim, but in the neighbouring
countries and beyond - that is to say, KNP
is home to a sacred site of one of the world's
leading religious traditions;
• Secondly, the multi-layered sacred
landscape of Khangchendzonga and the
cultural and religious relevance of the
hidden land (beyul in Tibetan Buddhism
[18]
and Mayel Lyang, in Lepcha tradition) is
specific to Sikkim and is a unique example
of co-existence and exchange between
different religious traditions and people;
and
• Thirdly, the indigenous religious and
cultural practices of the Lepcha with regard
to the ecology and the specific properties
of local plants, which stand as an
outstanding example of traditional
knowledge and environmental
preservation.
96. (c)
Exp: Presence of organic and inorganic wastes
in water decreases the dissolved oxygen
E
(DO) content of the water.
The higher amounts of waste increase the
rates of decomposition and O2
consumption thereby decreases the DO
content of water. The demand for O2 is
directly related to increasing input of
organic wastes and is expressed as
Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) of water.
Water pollution by organic wastes is
measured in terms of BOD. The higher
value of BOD indicates low DO content of
water. BOD is limited to biodegradable
materials only.
Chemical Oxygen Demand is measure of
oxygen equivalent of the requirement of
oxidation of total organic matter i.e. both
biodegradable and non-biodegradable
present in water. Hence COD is slightly
better mode used to measure pollution load
in water than BOD.
97. (a)
Exp: Taiga soil tends to be young and poor in
nutrients. It lacks the deep, organically
enriched profile. The thinness of the soil is
due largely to the cold, which hinders the
development of soil and the ease with
which plants can use its nutrients.
98. (a)
Exp: Supporting Services: nutrient recycling.
Regulating Services: carbon sequestration.
Answers
 100. (b)
Exp: It does not conduct any research nor does
it monitor climate related data.
Thousands of scientists from all over the
world contribute to the work of IPCC on a
voluntary basis.
Participate in the review process and the
plenary sessions, where main decisions
about the IPCC work programme are taken
and reports are accepted, adopted and
approved. The work of the organization is
therefore policy relevant and yet policy
neutral.

E
IPCC's reports are written in non-technical
style suitable for policy makers.

99. (b) OR
Exp: Only materials flow are represented in these
The 2007 Nobel Peace Prize was shared in
equal parts, between the IPCC and Al Gore.

cycles. Energy flow is represented in

pyramids.
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GS

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Answers [19]