Microtheme: SpeciesXExotic/Invasive —
10 questions asked in Prelims in the past.

1. [2025] Consider the following pairs:
   Plant: Description
   I. Cassava Woody shrub
   II. Ginger Herb with pseudostem
   III. Malabar spinach Herbaceous climber
   IV. Mint Annual shrub
   V. Papaya Woody shrub
   How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
   • (a) Only two
   • (b) Only three
   • (c) Only four
   • (d) All the five
   Correct Answer: (B) Only three
2. [2024] Consider the following:
   1. Carabid beetles
   2. Centipedes
   3. Flies
   4. Termites
   5. Wasps
   Parasitoid species are found in how many of the above kind of organisms?
   • (a) only two
   • (b) only three*
   • (c) only four
   • (d) all five
   Correct Answer: (B) only three*
3. [2024] The organisms Cicada, Froghopper and Pond skater are:
   • (a) Birds
   • (b) Fish
   • (c) Insects*
   • (d) Reptiles
   Correct Answer: (C) Insects*
4. [2020] With reference to India’s biodiversity, Ceylon frogmouth, Coppersmith barbet, Graychinned minivet and White-throated redstart are
   • (a) Birds
   • (b) Primates
   • (c) Reptiles
   • (d) Amphibians
   Correct Answer: (A) Birds
5. [2019] Recently, there was a growing awareness in our country about the importance of Himalayan nettle (Girardinia diversifolia) because it is found to be a sustainable source of
   • (a) anti-malarial drug
   • (b) blodiesel
   • (c) pulp for paper industry
   • (d) textile fibre
   Correct Answer: (A) anti-malarial drug
6. [2018] Why is a plant called Prosopis juliflora often mentioned in news?
   • (a) Its extract is widely used in cosmetics.
   • (b) It tends to reduce the biodiversity in the area in which it grows.
   • (c) Its extract is used in the synthesis of pesticides.
   • (d) None of the above
   Correct Answer: (B) It tends to reduce the biodiversity in the area in which it grows.
7. [2013] Consider the following organisms :
   1.Agaricus
   2.Nostoc
   3.Spirogyra
   Which of the above is/are used as biofertilizer/biofertilizers?
   • (a) 1 and 2
   • (b) 2 only
   • (c) 2 and 3
   • (d) 3 only
   Correct Answer: (B) 2 only
8. [2012] The Government of India encourages the cultivation of ‘sea buckthorn ‘. What is the importance of this plant? 1. It helps in controlling soil erosion and in preventing desertification. 2. It is a rich source of biodiesel. 3. It has nutritional value and is well-adapted to live in cold areas of high altitudes. 4. Its timber is of great commercial value.
   • (a) 1 only
   • (b) 2, 3 and 4 only
   • (c) 1 and 3 only
   • (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
   Correct Answer: (C) 1 and 3 only
9. [2009] In the context of Indian wild life, the flying fox is a
   • (a) Bat
   • (b) Kite
   • (c) Stork
   • (d) Vulture
   Correct Answer: (A) Bat
10. [2003] Octopus is:
    • (a) An arthropod
    • (b) An echinoderm
    • (c) A hemichordate
    • (d) A mollusk
    Correct Answer: (D) A mollusk