Terrace farming is a soil conservation technique used on hilly slopes to reduce water runoff.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Terracing creates stepped levels on slopes, slowing water flow, reducing erosion, and retaining soil moisture for cultivation.
GK Questions
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Which of the following is a major cause of soil erosion in India?
- Afforestation
- Deforestation and overgrazing
- Organic farming
- Crop rotation
Answer: Deforestation and overgrazing
Removal of vegetation cover by deforestation and overgrazing exposes soil to wind and water, accelerating erosion and land degradation.
Which of the following is a method of in-situ water conservation in agriculture?
- Drip irrigation
- Contour bunding
- Sprinkler irrigation
- Flood irrigation
Answer: Contour bunding
Contour bunding involves building embankments along contours to reduce runoff, conserve soil moisture, and prevent erosion on slopes.
The Ganga Action Plan was launched in 1986 to reduce pollution in the River Ganga.
- True
- False
Answer: True
GAP Phase-I was launched in 1986 to intercept, divert, and treat domestic sewage and industrial effluents entering the Ganga.
Which of the following is a characteristic of an oligotrophic lake?
- High nutrient levels and algal blooms
- Low nutrient levels and clear water
- High turbidity and low oxygen
- Eutrophic conditions with fish kills
Answer: Low nutrient levels and clear water
Oligotrophic lakes have low productivity, clear water, and high oxygen levels, contrasting with nutrient-rich eutrophic lakes.
The 'Jal Shakti Abhiyan' launched by the Government of India focuses on _____ conservation and management.
- Forest
- Water
- Soil
- Energy
Answer: Water
Jal Shakti Abhiyan is a time-bound campaign for water conservation, including rainwater harvesting, rejuvenation of water bodies, and reuse.
Which of the following is a primary cause of water pollution in Indian rivers?
- Afforestation
- Industrial effluents and domestic sewage
- Rainwater harvesting
- Organic farming
Answer: Industrial effluents and domestic sewage
Untreated industrial discharge and sewage introduce heavy metals, pathogens, and organic pollutants, degrading river water quality.
The term 'Virtual Water' refers to the hidden flow of water embedded in the production and trade of goods and services.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Virtual water represents the water used to produce commodities; trading such goods effectively transfers water resources between regions.
Which of the following rivers is NOT part of the Indus Water Treaty between India and Pakistan?
- Jhelum
- Chenab
- Ravi
- Yamuna
Answer: Yamuna
The Indus Water Treaty (1960) covers the Indus, Jhelum, Chenab (to Pakistan) and Ravi, Beas, Sutlej (to India); Yamuna is not part of this treaty.
The process of removing salt from seawater to make it suitable for human consumption is called _____.
- Filtration
- Distillation
- Desalination
- Purification
Answer: Desalination
Desalination uses methods like reverse osmosis or distillation to remove salts from seawater, providing freshwater in water-scarce regions.
Rainwater harvesting helps in recharging groundwater and reducing surface runoff.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Rainwater harvesting captures and stores rain for direct use or groundwater recharge, reducing water scarcity and flood risks.
Which of the following is a traditional water harvesting structure used in Rajasthan?
- Check dam
- Johad
- Percolation tank
- Contour bunding
Answer: Johad
Johads are earthen check dams that capture rainwater, recharge groundwater, and have been traditionally used in Rajasthan for water conservation.
Which human activity has most significantly altered the global nitrogen cycle?
- Deforestation
- Use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers
- Urbanization
- Mining
Answer: Use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers
The Haber-Bosch process for producing ammonia fertilizers has doubled the rate of nitrogen fixation, causing eutrophication and other environmental issues.
The sulfur cycle involves both atmospheric and sedimentary components.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Sulfur cycles through the atmosphere as SO2 from volcanoes and combustion, and through rocks and oceans as sulfates and sulfides.
Which of the following is a greenhouse gas involved in the carbon cycle?
- Oxygen
- Nitrogen
- Carbon dioxide
- Argon
Answer: Carbon dioxide
CO2 is a major greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere and is cycled through photosynthesis, respiration, and combustion.
The largest reservoir of carbon on Earth is the _____.
- Atmosphere
- Forests
- Oceans
- Fossil fuels
Answer: Oceans
Oceans store about 38,000 gigatons of carbon, primarily as dissolved inorganic carbon, making them the largest active carbon reservoir.
Denitrification in the nitrogen cycle is carried out by which type of bacteria?
- Nitrifying bacteria
- Nitrogen-fixing bacteria
- Denitrifying bacteria
- Ammonifying bacteria
Answer: Denitrifying bacteria
Denitrifying bacteria like Pseudomonas convert nitrates back to nitrogen gas (N2), releasing it into the atmosphere and completing the nitrogen cycle.
Transpiration is the release of water vapor from plant leaves into the atmosphere.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Transpiration is part of the water cycle where plants release water vapor through stomata, contributing significantly to atmospheric moisture.
Which of the following processes returns carbon to the atmosphere in the carbon cycle?
- Photosynthesis only
- Respiration, decomposition, and combustion
- Sedimentation only
- Ocean absorption only
Answer: Respiration, decomposition, and combustion
Carbon returns to the atmosphere through respiration by organisms, decomposition of organic matter, and burning of fossil fuels or biomass.
The process by which water changes from liquid to vapor and enters the atmosphere is called _____.
- Condensation
- Precipitation
- Evaporation
- Transpiration
Answer: Evaporation
Evaporation is the conversion of liquid water to water vapor due to solar energy, a key process in the hydrological cycle.