Which of the following is a fossil fuel?
- Ethanol
- Natural Gas
- Hydrogen
- Biodiesel
Answer: Natural Gas
Natural gas is a hydrocarbon fossil fuel formed from ancient organic matter, unlike ethanol, hydrogen, or biodiesel which can be renewable.
Easy Level – GK Questions
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The device used to convert mechanical energy from wind into electrical energy is called a wind _____.
- Pump
- Mill
- Turbine
- Generator
Answer: Turbine
Wind turbines capture kinetic energy from wind, rotating blades that drive a generator to produce electricity.
Nuclear energy is classified as a non-renewable energy source because it relies on uranium, a finite resource.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Although nuclear power produces low carbon emissions, uranium ore is finite and non-renewable on human timescales.
Which of the following is a disadvantage of solar energy?
- It is a renewable source
- It produces no greenhouse gases during operation
- It is intermittent and depends on weather/daylight
- It has low maintenance costs
Answer: It is intermittent and depends on weather/daylight
Solar power generation is affected by cloud cover, night time, and seasonal variations, requiring storage or backup systems.
Chilika Lake in Odisha is Asia's largest brackish water lagoon and a Ramsar site.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Chilika is the largest coastal lagoon in India and the second largest in the world, designated a Ramsar site for its wetland significance.
Which National Park is famous for the annual migration of Siberian Cranes (though now rare)?
- Bharatpur (Keoladeo) National Park
- Ranthambore National Park
- Bandhavgarh National Park
- Kanha National Park
Answer: Bharatpur (Keoladeo) National Park
Keoladeo Ghana National Park in Rajasthan is a UNESCO site and major wintering ground for migratory birds, including historically the Siberian Crane.
Manas National Park in Assam is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Tiger Reserve.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Manas is a UNESCO site for its biodiversity and also a Project Tiger reserve, though it faced challenges from insurgency in the past.
The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the only legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management.
- True
- False
Answer: True
UNCCD addresses land degradation and drought, particularly in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas, promoting sustainable land use.
The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) was established in 2003 under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
- True
- False
Answer: True
NBA, headquartered in Chennai, regulates access to biological resources and ensures equitable benefit-sharing as per the Act.
The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 provides for the establishment of _____ to protect wildlife.
- Zoos only
- National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries
- Botanical Gardens
- Aquariums
Answer: National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries
The Act enables the creation of protected areas like National Parks, Sanctuaries, and Conservation Reserves for wildlife conservation.
Which international agreement succeeded the Kyoto Protocol in setting global climate targets?
- Montreal Protocol
- Paris Agreement
- Copenhagen Accord
- Basel Convention
Answer: Paris Agreement
The Paris Agreement (2015) replaced the Kyoto Protocol, with all nations submitting Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
The term 'Net Zero' emissions refers to balancing the amount of greenhouse gases produced with the amount _____ from the atmosphere.
- Produced
- Removed
- Stored
- Converted
Answer: Removed
Net zero means any emissions are balanced by absorption/removal, often through forests, carbon capture, or other sinks.
The term 'Carbon Footprint' refers to the total greenhouse gas emissions caused directly and indirectly by an individual, organization, or product.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Carbon footprint measures emissions of CO2 and other GHGs associated with activities, helping assess environmental impact.
Which gas is primarily responsible for the 'greenhouse effect' contributing to global warming?
- Oxygen
- Nitrogen
- Carbon dioxide
- Argon
Answer: Carbon dioxide
CO2 traps heat radiated from Earth's surface, preventing it from escaping into space, thus warming the atmosphere.
Particulate Matter (PM10) refers to particles with a diameter of 10 micrometers or less.
- True
- False
Answer: True
PM10 can penetrate the respiratory system; finer PM2.5 particles can enter the bloodstream, causing serious health issues.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) in India categorizes air quality into _____ levels, ranging from 'Good' to 'Severe'.
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
Answer: 6
India's AQI has six categories: Good, Satisfactory, Moderately polluted, Poor, Very Poor, and Severe, based on pollutant concentrations.
The Indian Rhino Vision 2020 aimed to increase the population of one-horned rhinos in Assam to 3,000.
- True
- False
Answer: True
The program, a partnership between Assam Forest Department and conservation NGOs, targeted rhino population growth through translocation and protection.
The Great Indian Bustard, a critically endangered bird, is the state bird of _____.
- Gujarat
- Rajasthan
- Haryana
- Punjab
Answer: Rajasthan
The Great Indian Bustard is Rajasthan's state bird and is among the heaviest flying birds, now critically endangered due to habitat loss.
Which of the following is an example of ex-situ conservation?
- Biosphere Reserve
- Wildlife Sanctuary
- Gene Bank
- National Park
Answer: Gene Bank
Gene banks preserve genetic material (seeds, tissues) outside natural habitats, making them a form of ex-situ conservation.
The term 'biodiversity' encompasses genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Biodiversity is measured at three levels: genetic variation within species, variety of species, and diversity of ecosystems.