Here are 25 multiple-choice questions on “Environment (General Issues)” tailored for JKSSB and similar competitive exams, along with answers and explanations:
Environment (General Issues)
Q1. Which of the following is considered a primary greenhouse gas responsible for global warming?
(a) Oxygen
(b) Nitrogen
(c) Methane
(d) Argon
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Methane (CH₄) is a potent greenhouse gas, the second most abundant after carbon dioxide, and contributes significantly to the greenhouse effect and global warming.
Q2. The thinning of the Ozone layer is primarily attributed to:
(a) Carbon dioxide
(b) Sulphur dioxide
(c) Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
(d) Nitrogen oxides
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) released into the atmosphere break down ozone molecules, leading to the depletion of the protective ozone layer.
Q3. What is the main cause of ‘acid rain’?
(a) Emission of methane and carbon dioxide
(b) Emission of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides
(c) Emission of oxygen and hydrogen
(d) Emission of CFCs and halons
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Acid rain is caused by the release of sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) into the atmosphere, which react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form acidic compounds.
Q4. Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth. Which level of organization is NOT typically included in the concept of biodiversity?
(a) Genetic diversity
(b) Species diversity
(c) Ecosystem diversity
(d) Industrial diversity
Answer: (d)
Explanation: Biodiversity encompasses genetic diversity (within species), species diversity (different species), and ecosystem diversity (different ecosystems). Industrial diversity is unrelated to ecological biodiversity.
Q5. The term ‘Smog’ is derived from a combination of which two words?
(a) Smoke and Fog
(b) Snow and Log
(c) Sand and Dust
(d) Sea and Cloud
Answer: (a)
Explanation: Smog is a type of air pollution that is a mixture of smoke and fog, commonly formed due to industrial emissions and vehicular exhaust.
Q6. Which of the following is an example of an anthropogenic source of pollution?
(a) Volcanic eruption
(b) Forest fire caused by lightning
(c) Industrial effluent discharge
(d) Dust storms
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Anthropogenic sources of pollution are those that originate from human activities. Industrial effluent discharge is a direct result of human industrial processes.
Q7. The ‘Chipko Movement’ in India is primarily associated with the conservation of:
(a) Water resources
(b) Wildlife
(c) Forests
(d) Soil
Answer: (c)
Explanation: The Chipko Movement was a non-violent social and ecological movement by rural villagers, particularly women, in India dedicated to protecting trees and forests from destruction.
Q8. What does the term ‘Ecology’ fundamentally study?
(a) The economics of natural resources
(b) The study of Earth’s atmosphere
(c) The interactions between living organisms and their environment
(d) The chemical composition of rocks
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Ecology is the branch of biology that deals with the relations of organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings (environment).
Q9. Which international agreement aims to phase out the production of ozone-depleting substances?
(a) Kyoto Protocol
(b) Paris Agreement
(c) Montreal Protocol
(d) Rio Summit
Answer: (c)
Explanation: The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances responsible for ozone depletion.
Q10. The phenomenon where an increase in nutrients, especially nitrogen and phosphorus, leads to excessive growth of algae and aquatic plants in a water body is called:
(a) Salinization
(b) Eutrophication
(c) Desertification
(d) Bioremediation
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Eutrophication is the process by which a body of water becomes overly enriched with nutrients, leading to excessive growth of algae and depletion of oxygen.
Q11. What is the primary environmental impact of deforestation?
(a) Increase in groundwater levels
(b) Decrease in soil erosion
(c) Loss of biodiversity and climate change contribution
(d) Enhanced oxygen production
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Deforestation leads to habitat loss, threatening species with extinction (loss of biodiversity), and reduces the planet’s capacity to absorb carbon dioxide, thus contributing to climate change.
Q12. The term ‘Greenhouse Effect’ refers to:
(a) The cooling of Earth’s surface due to extensive forest cover
(b) The warming of Earth’s surface and atmosphere due to trapped solar radiation
(c) The effect of gardening on urban environments
(d) The process of growing plants in transparent structures
Answer: (b)
Explanation: The Greenhouse Effect is the process by which radiation from a planet’s atmosphere warms the planet’s surface to a temperature above what it would be without its atmosphere.
Q13. In the context of environmental protection, what does ‘3R’ stand for?
(a) Reforest, Reclaim, Recycle
(b) Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
(c) Repair, Restore, Replant
(d) Research, Regulate, Restrict
Answer: (b)
Explanation: The ‘3Rs’ of waste management are Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, which are foundational principles for minimizing waste and promoting sustainability.
Q14. Which of the following diseases is linked to the consumption of water contaminated with excess nitrates?
(a) Goitre
(b) Blue Baby Syndrome (Methemoglobinemia)
(c) Jaundice
(d) Malaria
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Excess nitrates in drinking water, especially for infants, can cause methemoglobinemia, commonly known as Blue Baby Syndrome, by impairing the blood’s ability to carry oxygen.
Q15. The ‘Wildlife Protection Act’ in India was enacted in which year?
(a) 1970
(b) 1972
(c) 1980
(d) 1986
Answer: (b)
Explanation: The Wildlife Protection Act was enacted in India in 1972 with the objective of ensuring the protection of wild animals, birds, and plants and to ensure the ecological and environmental security of the country.
Q16. What is the primary function of a ‘National Park’?
(a) To provide recreational facilities for tourists
(b) To protect and preserve an area’s natural environment and wildlife
(c) To serve as a buffer zone for industrial development
(d) To promote agricultural activities
Answer: (b)
Explanation: National Parks are federally protected areas primarily established for the conservation of nature, including wildlife and scenic beauty, and for scientific, educational, and recreational purposes.
Q17. The gradual increase in the average temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere and its oceans is known as:
(a) Climate variability
(b) Global warming
(c) Ice age
(d) Weather forecasting
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Global warming refers specifically to the long-term heating of Earth’s climate system observed since the pre-industrial period (between 1850 and 1900) due to human activities, primarily fossil fuel burning, which increases heat-trapping greenhouse gas levels in Earth’s atmosphere.
Q18. Which of the following is a non-renewable source of energy?
(a) Solar energy
(b) Wind energy
(c) Natural gas
(d) Hydroelectric power
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Non-renewable energy sources like natural gas exist in finite quantities and are not replenished on a human timescale once used.
Q19. What is the primary characteristic of an ‘Endemic Species’?
(a) A species that is found worldwide
(b) A species that is highly migratory
(c) A species found only in a specific geographical area
(d) A species that can adapt to any environment
Answer: (c)
Explanation: An endemic species is one that is native to a particular geographic region and found only in that specific area.
Q20. Which event is considered a landmark in global environmental politics, held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992?
(a) Kyoto Protocol
(b) Earth Summit (UNCED)
(c) Copenhagen Accord
(d) Paris Agreement
Answer: (b)
Explanation: The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), also known as the Earth Summit, was held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 and was a pivotal event in shaping sustainable development goals.
Q21. The accumulation of toxic substances, such as pesticides, in organisms at higher trophic levels is called:
(a) Eutrophication
(b) Biomagnification
(c) Bioremediation
(d) Photosynthesis
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Biomagnification is the increasing concentration of a substance, such as a toxic chemical, in the tissues of organisms at successively higher levels in a food chain.
Q22. Which gas is primarily responsible for the brownish haze visible over cities on hot, sunny days?
(a) Carbon monoxide
(b) Ozone
(c) Sulfur dioxide
(d) Nitrogen dioxide
Answer: (d)
Explanation: Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) is a reddish-brown gas that contributes to the brownish haze often seen over cities, especially under conditions that favor photochemical smog formation.
Q23. The ‘Red Data Book’ published by IUCN provides information on:
(a) Sustainable development projects
(b) Endangered species of plants and animals
(c) Geological formations
(d) Average global temperatures
Answer: (b)
Explanation: The Red Data Book contains a list of species that are at high risk of extinction, categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Q24. What is the fundamental concept behind ‘Sustainable Development’?
(a) Exploiting natural resources to the maximum for economic growth.
(b) Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
(c) Prioritizing economic development over environmental protection.
(d) Relying solely on non-renewable energy sources.
Answer: (b)
Explanation: The most widely accepted definition of sustainable development comes from the Brundtland Report (1987), emphasizing intergenerational equity.
Q25. Which natural phenomenon is caused by the release of heat from the Earth’s interior and can lead to landslides and destruction?
(a) Tsunami
(b) Earthquake
(c) Cyclone
(d) Drought
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Earthquakes are caused by sudden movements within the Earth’s crust or mantle, releasing seismic energy. They can trigger landslides and cause widespread destruction.
