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Which of the following is a common indicator organism for fecal contamination of water?
- E. coli
- Salmonella
- Vibrio cholerae
- Streptococcus
Answer: E. coli
E. coli is used as an indicator because its presence suggests recent fecal contamination and potential presence of other pathogens.
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.
Which of the following is a primary source of indoor air pollution in rural India?
- Vehicle exhaust
- Burning of biomass fuels for cooking
- Industrial emissions
- Construction dust
Answer: Burning of biomass fuels for cooking
Use of firewood, dung cakes, and crop residues in traditional chulhas releases harmful pollutants like carbon monoxide and particulate matter indoors.
Which of the following heavy metals is known to cause Itai-Itai disease?
- Mercury
- Lead
- Cadmium
- Arsenic
Answer: Cadmium
Itai-Itai disease, first identified in Japan, is caused by cadmium poisoning from contaminated water, leading to severe bone and kidney damage.
Which of the following pollutants is primarily responsible for the formation of photochemical smog?
- Sulphur dioxide and particulate matter
- Nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds
- Carbon monoxide and lead
- Methane and carbon dioxide
Answer: Nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds
Photochemical smog forms when sunlight triggers reactions between NOx and VOCs, producing ozone and other secondary pollutants.
Which of the following is a flagship species for conservation in the Western Ghats?
- Bengal Tiger
- Lion-tailed Macaque
- Snow Leopard
- Gharial
Answer: Lion-tailed Macaque
The Lion-tailed Macaque is endemic to the Western Ghats and serves as an umbrella species; protecting it conserves the entire rainforest ecosystem.
Which of the following is a major threat to biodiversity in India?
- Afforestation
- Habitat fragmentation
- Organic farming
- Eco-tourism
Answer: Habitat fragmentation
Habitat fragmentation due to roads, dams, and urbanization isolates populations, reducing genetic diversity and increasing extinction risk.
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.
Which of the following is NOT a criterion for identifying a biodiversity hotspot?
- Contains at least 1,500 endemic vascular plant species
- Has lost at least 70% of its original habitat
- Has high species richness of mammals
- Is under significant threat
Answer: Has high species richness of mammals
Hotspots are identified based on endemic vascular plants and habitat loss; mammal richness alone is not a primary criterion.
Which of the following Indian states has the highest number of endemic plant species?
- Kerala
- Tamil Nadu
- Karnataka
- Arunachal Pradesh
Answer: Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu, particularly the Western Ghats region, harbors a high number of endemic plant species due to its unique topography and climate.
Which biome is characterized by permafrost, low-growing vegetation, and extremely cold temperatures?
- Taiga
- Tundra
- Temperate Grassland
- Alpine
Answer: Tundra
The tundra biome has permanently frozen subsoil (permafrost), short growing seasons, and supports mosses, lichens, and small shrubs.
Which of the following is an example of a detritivore?
- Lion
- Deer
- Earthworm
- Hawk
Answer: Earthworm
Detritivores feed on dead organic matter (detritus); earthworms consume decaying plant material and help in decomposition.
The term 'Keystone Species' refers to a species that:
- Has the largest population in an ecosystem
- Is the most endangered species
- Has a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to its abundance
- Is found only in one geographical location
Answer: Has a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to its abundance
Keystone species, like sea otters or wolves, maintain ecosystem structure; their removal can cause dramatic changes or collapse.
Which of the following ecological pyramids is always upright and never inverted?
- Pyramid of Numbers
- Pyramid of Biomass
- Pyramid of Energy
- Pyramid of Productivity
Answer: Pyramid of Energy
Energy flow is always unidirectional and decreases at each trophic level due to the 10% law, making the energy pyramid always upright.
Which of the following represents the correct sequence of a terrestrial food chain?
- Grass → Wolf → Deer → Buffalo
- Grass → Deer → Wolf → Bacteria
- Grass → Snake → Insect → Deer
- Grass → Bacteria → Deer → Wolf
Answer: Grass → Deer → Wolf → Bacteria
A typical food chain flows from producer (grass) to primary consumer (deer) to secondary consumer (wolf) and finally to decomposers (bacteria).
World Environment Day is globally celebrated every year on which date?
- April 22
- June 5
- September 16
- December 11
Answer: June 5
Established by the UN in 1973, World Environment Day is celebrated annually on June 5 to raise awareness of environmental issues.
Which of the following natural resources is strictly classified as non-renewable?
- Wind
- Tidal power
- Natural Gas
- Solar radiation
Answer: Natural Gas
Natural gas is a fossil fuel that takes millions of years to form and depletes much faster than it can be naturally replenished.
The fundamental principle of modern waste management is often summarized by the '3 R's'. What are they?
- Read, Register, Remember
- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
- Run, Rest, Recover
- Restore, Replenish, Renew
Answer: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
The 3 R's represent a hierarchy designed to minimize waste generation and maximize resource efficiency.
Which of the following is considered a completely biodegradable waste material?
- Plastic bottles
- Glass shards
- Cow dung
- Aluminium cans
Answer: Cow dung
Organic matter like cow dung is readily broken down by microorganisms into simpler, non-toxic substances.
Vermicomposting is an efficient method of organic waste management that primarily involves the use of:
- Bacteria
- Fungi
- Earthworms
- Insects
Answer: Earthworms
Vermicomposting uses various species of earthworms to create a heterogeneous mixture of decomposing vegetable waste and soil.