1. Why is the Tunisian revolution, the source of inspiration for the Arab World Revolution and a symbol for the entire world, called the Jasmine Revolution?
- Jasmine is National Flower of Tunisia
- The revolution started in Sidi Bouzid city which is famous for Jasmine Flowers
- The revolution started with self immolation of a woman called Jasmine.
Choose the correct reasons:
[A] Only 1
[B] 1 & 2
[C] 1, 2 & 3
[D] None of them
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1]
Notes:
The Tunisian Revolution, also called the Jasmine Revolution, was an intensive 28-day campaign of civil resistance. Jasmine is the national flower of Tunasia. It included a series of street demonstrations which took place in Tunisia, and led to the ousting of longtime president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in January 2011.
2. Which of the following is / are features of the mangrove plants?
- Pneumatophores
- Vivipary
- Increased concentration of salts in cells
- Sunken Stomata
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] 1 & 2
[B] 1, 2 & 3
[C] 1, 2 & 4
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ 1, 2, 3 & 4]
Notes:
Mangroves are salt tolerant plant communities which are circumtropical in distribution and are found along the tropical and sub-tropical intertidal regions of the world between 24° N to 38° S. These areas, on an average, receive 1,000 mm – 3,000 mm rainfall and have temperatures ranging between 26°c and 35°c. They exhibit a number of morphological and physiological adaptations in order to survive in such a harsh physical environment on account of lack of oxygen, high salinity and frequent tidal inundation. These adaptations include presence of fleshy leaves, breathing roots called as ‘pneumatophores’, buttress formation, stilt roots, ‘vivipary’, sunken stomata, and increased concentration of salt in the cells etc.
3. Which of the following is / are features of the tropical rain forests?
- Almost absent “Fall” or “Autumn” seasons
- Thick ground vegetation
- Great biodiversity
- Abundance of birds with expansive wings
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] 1, 2 & 3
[B] 1, 2, 3 & 4
[C] 1& 3
[D] Only 1
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ 1& 3]
Notes:
In this question, the fourth statement is also incorrect. The Birds in the rainforest do not have expansive wing spans like eagles, but have wings shaped that enable them to manoeuvre more easily around the trees and plants of the rainforest, as there is not a lot of flying space in the rainforest. Gliders can live in the rianforest: their skin membranes enable them to glide between trees without even descending to the forest floor where predators may lurk. Birds of the rainforest have specially shaped beaks and bills to help them find food. Some species of parrots live in the rainforest; parrots have strong, curved beaks to help them crack hard nuts and seeds. They also have strong claws on the feet which are usually adapted for climbing. Other birds have a long, slim, straight bill which may help them get nectar from within flowers, to pick berries or to grab hold of snails to crush them and eat them. Another unique adaptation of rainforest animals is the case of the glowworm – its bioluminescence lures prey into its special snares in the rainforest.
4. Which among the following statements with respect to the Reserved Forests of India is / are correct?
1.All activities are generally prohibited in Reserved Forests
2.Reserve Forests are established in India under a legislation
Choose the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Both 1 & 2]
Notes:
1. Statement 1: Not all activities are prohibited in Reserved Forests. regulated activities like sustainable harvesting and ecotourism may be allowed. 2. Statement 2: Reserve Forests are indeed established under legislation, specifically the Indian Forest Act of 1927, which allows state governments to declare certain areas as Reserved Forests for conservation. Thus, both statements are correct, making the answer “Both 1 & 2.”
5. Burning of coal results in the release of which of the following in environment?
- Oxides of Carbon
- Oxides of Sulphur
- Mercury
- Radioactive material
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 1 & 2
[C] Only 1, 2 & 3
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ 1, 2, 3 & 4]
Notes:
All the options are correct in this question. Coal is considered to be the worst environmental pollutant when burnt because of its sulphur content and traces of mercury and radioactive material.
6. Identify the tribe with the help of given information:
- The tribe is resident of Niyamgiri Hills in Odisha
- The members of this tribe are believed to be from the Proto-Australoid ethnic group
- They are excellent fruit farmers
- The tribe was recently in news for the heroic victory against mining giant Vedanta Resources to save their sacred hills
Select the correct answer from options given below:
[A] Baiga
[B] Dongria Kondh
[C] Gaddis
[D] Bhotias
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Dongria Kondh]
Notes:The tribe is Dongria Kondh tribe.
- The tribe is resident of Niyamgiri Hills in Odisha: The Dongria Kondh tribe resides in the Niyamgiri Hills in the state of Odisha, India.
- The members of this tribe are believed to be from the Proto-Australoid ethnic group: The Dongria Kondh tribe is considered to belong to the Proto-Australoid ethnic group, which is one of the indigenous ethnic groups in India.
- They are excellent fruit farmers: The Dongria Kondh tribe is known for their expertise in traditional agriculture and are particularly skilled in fruit farming, including cultivating fruits like oranges and other crops.
- The tribe was recently in the news for the heroic victory against mining giant Vedanta Resources to save their sacred hills: The Dongria Kondh tribe gained international attention for their successful campaign against Vedanta Resources, a mining company, to protect the Niyamgiri Hills, which they consider sacred and essential to their way of life. This victory was a significant environmental and cultural milestone.
So, the correct answer is: Dongria Kondh tribe.
7. Consider the following pairs:
Ancient Buddhist sites/monuments : Location Country
- Buddhas of Bamiyan : Afghanistan
- Borobudur : Thailand
- Anuradhapura : Sri Lanka
Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?
[A] 3 Only
[B] 1 and 2 Only
[C] 1 and 3 Only
[D] 2 and 3 Only
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [1 and 3 Only]
Notes:Second pair is wrong because Borobudur is located in Indonesia.
- Buddhas of Bamiyan: The Buddhas of Bamiyan were two monumental statues of standing Buddhas carved into the side of a cliff in the Bamiyan valley in Afghanistan. They were among the largest statues of the Buddha in the world, and were considered masterpieces of Buddhist art and architecture. The statues were destroyed by the Taliban in 2001, causing widespread international outrage and condemnation.
- Borobudur: Borobudur is a Buddhist temple complex in Central Java, Indonesia. It is one of the largest and most significant Buddhist monuments in the world, and is considered a masterpiece of ancient Indonesian architecture and sculpture. The temple, built in the 9th century, is a mandala-shaped structure that symbolizes the Buddhist path to enlightenment and is covered with over 2,500 relief panels depicting scenes from Buddhist mythology and daily life.
- Anuradhapura: Anuradhapura was a major city in ancient Sri Lanka, and was one of the most important centers of Buddhism in the world. It was the capital of Sri Lanka for over 1,300 years, and was known for its large Buddhist temples and monuments, including the Jetavanaramaya, the largest stupa in the world, and the Ruwanwelisaya, one of the most sacred Buddhist shrines in Sri Lanka. Anuradhapura was also a center of Buddhist scholarship, and was home to many monasteries and universities where Buddhist scriptures and philosophy were studied and taught.
8. Which among the following is / are consequences, when an aquatic ecosystem such as a lake experiences an increase in nutrients?
- The Population of most species of fish will increase
- The Biological Oxygen Demand of the lake water would decrease
- The biomass of phytoplankton will increase
Choose the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 3
[B] Only 3
[C] Only 2 & 3
[D] Only 1 & 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Only 3]
Notes:The consequences of increased nutrients in an aquatic ecosystem like a lake are:
- The population of most fish species will not necessarily increase. While more nutrients can lead to more algae and plankton that fish eat, excessive nutrients can cause algal blooms which reduce oxygen levels and may kill fish.
- The biological oxygen demand (BOD) of the lake water would increase, not decrease. More nutrients lead to more decomposition, which consumes oxygen and increases BOD.
- The biomass of phytoplankton will increase. More nutrients allow phytoplankton like algae to grow in large quantities or “bloom”.
So of the three options given, only option 3 is a correct consequence of increased nutrients in a lake.
The correct option is 3 only. Increased nutrients cause phytoplankton and algal biomass to increase, which can lead to oxygen depletion and alter the lake ecosystem. BOD increases and fish populations may decrease due to oxygen loss from algal blooms.
Ecological Impacts of Eutrophication
- Increased biomass of phytoplankton, this increases Biological Oxygen Demand § Toxic or inedible phytoplankton species
- Increases in blooms of gelatinous zooplankton
- Increased biomass of benthic and epiphytic algae
- Changes in macrophyte species composition and biomass § Decreases in water transparency (increased turbidity)
- Colour, smell, and water treatment problems
- Dissolved oxygen depletion, this leads to increase in Biological Oxygen Demand
- Increased incidences of fish kills
- Loss of desirable fish species
- Reductions in harvestable fish and shellfish
- Decreases in perceived aesthetic value of the water body.
9. Which among the following comparisons of the African elephant and Asian elephant is / are correct?
- African Elephants are generally heavier and taller than Asian Elephants
- African elephants’ skin is more wrinkled in comparison to Asian Elephants
- Female African Elephants has tusks, Female Asian Elephant has either no or rudimentary tusks
Choose the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 is correct
[B] Only 1 & 2 are correct
[C] 1, 2 & 3 are correct
[D] Only 2 & 3 are correct
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ 1, 2 & 3 are correct]
Notes:- African Elephants are generally heavier and taller than Asian Elephants – Correct. African elephants are larger with males reaching 6,000 kg compared to Asian elephant’s 3,000 kg. African elephants also have a height advantage.
- African elephants’ skin is more wrinkled in comparison to Asian Elephants – Correct. The skin of African elephants have more prominent folds and creases compared to the smoother Asian elephant skin.
- Female African Elephants has tusks, Female Asian Elephant has either no or rudimentary tusks – Correct. While both male and female African elephants grow tusks, only some male Asian elephants have tusks. Females either lack tusks or have barely noticeable tusks.
10. Consider the following fauna:
- Common Crow
- Fruit bats
- Mice
- Peacock
Which of the above have been specified as vermin under Wildlife Protection Act-1972?
[A] 1, 2 & 3 Only
[B] 1 & 2 Only
[C] 1, 3 & 4 Only
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ 1, 2 & 3 Only ]
Notes:
Wildlife Protection Act-1972 has specified only three animals — common crow, fruit bats, mice and rats as vermin
