Subject: Environment

source

What are the 3 basic types of rocks?

Just as any person can be put into one of two main categories of human being, all rocks can be put into one of three fundamentally different types of rocks. They are as follows:

#1. Igneous Rocks

• Igneous rocks are crystalline solids which form directly from the cooling of magma.
• This is an exothermic process (it loses heat) and involves a phase change from the liquid to the solid state.
• The earth is made of igneous rock – at least at the surface where our planet is exposed to the coldness of space.
• Igneous rocks are given names based upon two things:
  • composition (what they are made of) and
  • texture (how big the crystals are)

source

source

The word igneous is derived from the Latin word Ignis which means fire. The rocks formed by the solidification on the cooling of molten magma, are called igneous rocks.

Depending on where the molten magma cools, they are of the following types:

• Intrusive Rocks
• Extrusive Rocks

source

When the molten magma cools deep inside the earth’s crust, intrusive igneous rocks are formed. They:

• Cool down slowly
• Form large grains
• Granite is intrusive igneous rock. Grinding stones used to prepare paste / powder of spices and grains are made of granite.

Extrusive Igneous Rocks:

• When the molten magma (lava) comes on the earth’s surface.
• It rapidly cools down and becomes solid.
• Rocks formed in such a manner on the crust are called extrusive igneous rocks.
• They have a very fine grained structure.
• Basalt is an example of extrusive igneous rocks. The Deccan Plateau is made up of basalt rocks.

#2. Sedimentary Rocks

source

• These rocks get their name from the Latin word sedimentum which means settle down.
• These rocks are formed by the settling down of sediments.
• Sediments are the smaller particles / fragments that are formed by the breaking down of rocks when they roll down, crack and hit each other.
• These sediments are transported by wind, water etc.
• These sediments; when compressed and hardened; form sedimentary rocks.
• Sandstone is an example of sedimentary rock. It is made up of grains of sand.
• The sedimentary rocks may also contain fossils of plants, animals and other micro – organisms that once lived on them.

source

source

#3. Metamorphic Rocks:

The Greek word ‘metamorphose’ which means change of form, is the root of the word metamorphic. In other words, these are the rocks that are formed when the igneous and sedimentary rocks change their form under the following two circumstances:

• Great heat and
• Great pressure

source

The following are the examples of metamorphic rocks:

• Slate: Clay becomes slate after metamorphosis [Texture = Foliated]
• Marble: Limestone becomes marble after metamorphosis [Texture = Non-Foliated]

source

source

#4. What is a Rock Cycle?

The Rock Cycle is a group of changes. Igneous rock can change into sedimentary rock or into metamorphic rock. Sedimentary rock can change into metamorphic rock or into igneous rock. Metamorphic rock can change into igneous or sedimentary rock.

source

NOTE: This lesson forms a part of the series on Physical Geographic Lectures – Click to read the collection

source

The landscape is continuously being worn away by two processes:

1. Weathering
2. Erosion

source

Understanding Weathering

• Weathering involves 2 processes that often work in concert to decompose rocks.
• Both processes occur in place.
• No movement is involved in weathering.

Chemical weathering involves a chemical change in at least some of the minerals within a rock.

Mechanical weathering involves physically breaking rocks into fragments without changing the chemical make-up of the minerals within it.

It’s important to keep in mind that weathering is a surface or near-surface process. As you know, metamorphism also produces chemical changes in rocks, but metamorphic chemical changes occur at depth where either the temperature and/or pressure are significantly higher than conditions found on the Earth’s surface.

As soon as a rock particle (loosened by one of the two weathering processes) moves, we call it erosion. Mass wasting is simply movement down slope due to gravity. Rock falls, slumps, and debris flows are all examples of mass wasting. We call it erosion if the rock particle is moved by some flowing agent such as air, water or ice.

So, the mantra is:If a particle is loosened, chemically or mechanically, but stays put, call it weathering. Once the particle starts moving, call it erosion.

Understanding Erosion and Its Agents

Erosion: As mentioned earlier, it is the wearing away of landscape by different agents like wind, water and ice. The eroded material is carried away or transported by water, wind, etc. and eventually deposited. Different landforms are created on the earth’s surface because of erosion and deposition.

A. Role of water in erosion/ deposition:

#1. River: The running water of the river erodes the landscape.

#2. Waterfall: 

source

• Waterfalls often form in the upper stages of a river where it flows over different bands of rock.
• It erodes soft rock more quickly than hard rock and this may lead to the creation of a waterfall.
• Formation of a waterfall: The soft rock erodes more quickly, undercutting the hard rock.

#3. Ox Bow Lake:

• An oxbow lake is a lake that forms when a meander in a river is cut off from the rest of the river.
• It is shaped like a crescent, or the bow of an oxen yoke.
• A river meanders because of obstacles and patterns of erosion and deposition of sediments.

source

• As the river enters the plain, it twists and turns forming large bends called meanders.
• Due to continuous erosion and deposition along the sides of the meander, the ends of the meander loop come closer and closer.
• When this happens, over a course of time, the meander loop cuts off from the river and forms a cut – off lake

source

#4. Floodplain:

• Flood plains are made by a meander eroding sideways as it travels downstream.
• When a river breaks its banks and floods, it leaves behind layers of alluvium (silt).
• These gradually build up to create the floor of the flood plain.

source

#5. Leeves:

source

• In times of flood a river may overflow its banks and spread over the flood plain.
• As it does so it loses energy and deposits its material across the flood plain.
• As it takes more energy to carry larger particles, these are deposited first and therefore build up along the banks of the river to form a natural embankment which are called levees.
• The levee will become higher every time the river floods.

source

#6. Delta:

source

• When the river approaches the sea, it becomes very slow in its flow and begins to break up into a number of streams called distributaries.
• The speed of the river water is so less that it starts depositing its load.
• Each distributary forms its own mouth.
• A collection of sediments from all the mouths forms a delta

source

Why do rivers have deltas?

The three main types of Deltas are:

#7. Sea Waves:

The erosion and deposition by water in the form of sea waves leads to the formation of coastal landforms. Some coastal landforms are as follows:

• Sea Caves
• Sea Arches
• Stacks
• Sea Cliff
• Beaches

source

source

• Seawaves continuously strike at the rocks. This leads to cracks. The cracks become larger and wider overtime. Thus hollow like caves are formed on the rocks. They are called sea caves.
• As these cavities become bigger and bigger, only the roof of the caves remains, hence forming sea arches.
• The erosion further breaks the roof and only the walls remain. These wall­ like features are called stacks.
• Sea cliff is the steep rocky coast rising almost vertically above sea water. The sea waves deposit sediments along the shores forming beaches.

source

B. Role of ice in erosion/ deposition:

Glaciers are ‘rivers’ of ice that too erode the landscape by bulldozing soil and stones to expose the solid rock below. They create:

#1. Deep hollows

#2. Lakes in mountains: These are formed when the ice melts and the deep hollows get filled up with water

#3. Glacial moraines: These are formed by the deposition of the material carried by the glacier such as rocks big and small, sand and silt.

A moraine is any glacially formed accumulation of unconsolidated glacial debris (soil and rock) that occurs in both currently and formerly glaciated regions on Earth (i.e. a past glacial maximum), through geomorphological processes.

source

Different types of moraine:

• Terminal moraines are found at the terminus or the furthest (end) point reached by a glacier.
• Lateral moraines are found deposited along the sides of the glacier.
• Medial moraines are found at the junction between two glaciers.
• Ground moraines are disorganised piles of rocks of various shapes, sizes and of differing rock types.

B. Role of wind in erosion/ deposition:

An active agent of erosion and deposition in the deserts is the wind. The landforms in the desert are:

#1. Mushroom Rocks:

• In deserts, we can see rocks in the shape of mushrooms called mushroom rocks.
• The mushroom has a narrow base and a wider top.
• These rocks also have such a shape because the winds erode the lower section of the rock more than the upper part.

source

source

#2. Sand Dunes:

• When the wind blows, it lifts and transports sand from one place to another.
• When it stops blowing the sand falls and gets deposited in low hill – like structures called sand dunes.

source

#3. Loess:

• When the grains of sand are very fine and light, the wind can carry it over very long distances.
• When such sand is deposited in large areas, it is called loess.
• Large deposit of loess is found in China.

source

NOTE: This lesson forms a part of the series on Physical Geographic Lectures – Click to read the collection

# Climate Change

• Global warming- Causes & Effects – What is Global warming? Causes and Effects of Global warming, Solutions and Steps taken by India. Related: Global Warming and Greenhouse Gases

• Primer To Environmental Issues – Sustainable development, International Conferences on Environment – UN conference on Human Environment (UNCHE), World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED), UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), UN conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD), Meeting of parties to UNFCC – Kyoto Protocol, Meeting of Parties to CBD – Cartagena Protocol, Nagoya Protocol, UN convention to Combat Desertification, Montreal Protocol, Other international organisations and conventions.
• UNFCC to Paris Via Kyoto – Adaptation and Mitigation, Kyoto Protocol, Annexes to Kyoto, Carbon Trading, Joint Implementation, Clean Development Mechanism, REDD and REDD plus, Outcome of Paris Climate Summit, UNFCCC Updates : Lima-Paris Action Agenda 
• Funding Mechanism for Climate Control Worldwide & in India

Worldwide: Green Climate Fund, Clean Technology Fund, Adaptation fund, Global Environment Facility

India: Funding Initiatives of India – National Clean Energy Fund, National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change; National and State action plan on Climate Change – 8 missions

Other Indian Initiatives to tackle climate change: Renewable energy initiatives and targets, Swachh Bharat mission, Mission Clean Ganga, India’s Clean Energy Push: Major Developments, NAPCC: India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change, Ozone layer- Recovery in progress.

IMP: Civilsdaily IAS Prelims 2017 Test Series Module Launched – Click here

• Twenty one questions from environment and ecology portion <Trend is of about 20 questions – as per trend>
• Not a single question from fundamentals of ecology – which I told you was very important
• But a lot of questions from climate change and other agreements which I covered in short environment series and titbits and solved papers
• Current affairs questions can be solved by CD
• 16/21 very doable
• Not a single wahiyaat question this year

1. With reference to ‘Agenda 21’, sometimes seen in the news, consider the following statements:

1. It is a global action plan for sustainable development.
2. It originated in the World Summit on Sustainable Development held in Johannesburg in 2002

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

• Covered in primer on environmental issues very recently
• Originated in Rio 1992
• https://www.civilsdaily.com/primer-to-environmental-issues/

2. The term Intended Nationally Determined Contribution is sometimes seen in the news in the context of:

a) Pledge made by the European countries to rehabilitate refuges from the war-affected Middle East.

b) Plain of nation outlined by the countries of the world to combat climate changes.

c) Capital contributed by the member countries in the establishment of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

d) Plain of action outlined by the countries of the regarding Sustainable Developments Goals.

• Very easy
• Nescards/ titbits/ explains
• INDC towards the goal of preventing climate change/ sustainable development

Roadmap For Paris Climate Talks: Part III

3. In which of the following regions of India are you most likely to come across the ‘Great Indian Hornbill’ in its natural habitat?

a) Sand deserts of northwest India

b) Higher Himalayas of Jammu and Kashmir

c) Salt marshes of western Gujarat

d) Western Ghats

https://www.civilsdaily.com/35th-national-games-kerala-who-was-the-mascot/

if it’s the statebird of Kerala, must be found there i.e western ghats

4. Which of the following are the key features of ‘National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)’?

1. River basin is the unit of planning and management.
2. It spearheads the river conservation efforts at the national level.
3. One of the Chief Ministers of the State through which the Ganga flows becomes the Chairman of NGRBA on rotation basis.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

• CD explains
• Chaired by PM
• Eliminate 3

Look at question o. 27, statement 3

UPSC Prelims : Environment and Ecology Analysis part 2

[E&B Bodies #8] National Ganga River Basin Authority

5. The FAO accords the status of ‘Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS)’ to traditional agricultural systems. What is the overall goal of this initiative?

1. To provide modern technology, training in modern farming methods and financial support to local communities of identified GIAHS so as to greatly enhance their agricultural productivity
2. To identify and safeguard eco-friendly traditional farm practices and their associated landscapes, agricultural biodiversity and knowledge systems of the local communities
3. To provide Geographical Indication status to all the varieties of agricultural produce in such indentified GIAHS

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 3 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

• Eliminate 3 by tikdam
• Providing GI status to all varieties of crops is not possible
• Eliminate 3, reach the answer

6. Consider the following pairs:

Terms sometimes seen in the news Their origin

1. Annex-I Countries : Cartagena Protocol
2. Certified Emissions Reductions : Nagoya Protocol
3. Clean Development Mechanism : Kyoto Protocol

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

• Covered in environment series/ ecology titbits
• Annex 1 – Kyoto
• CER – Kyoto
• CDM – Kyoto
• https://www.civilsdaily.com/unfcc-paris-via-kyoto/

7. Which of the following best describe the aim of ‘Green India Mission’ of the Government of India?

1. Incorporating environment benefits and costs into the Union and State Budgets thereby implementing the ‘green accounting’.
2. Launching the second green revolution to enhance agriculture output so as to ensure food security to one and all in the future.
3. Restoring and enhancing forest cover and responding to climate change by a combination of adaptation and mitigation measures.

Select the correct answer using the code given below

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 Only

(c) 3 Only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

• Covered in my environment series
• 3 is correct – one of the mission of NAPCC, increasing the forest cover
• 2nd green revolution has nothing to do with it

• Funding Mechanism for Climate Control Worldwide & in India

8. With reference to pre-packaged items in India, it is mandatory to the manufacturer to put which of the following information on the main label, as per the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labeling) Regulations, 2011?

1. List of ingredients including additives
2. Nutrition information
3. Recommendations, if any made by the medical profession about the possibility of any allergic reactions
4. Vegetarian/non-vegetarian

• Select the correct answer using the code given below

1. a) 1, 2 and 3
2. b) 2, 3 and 4
3. c) 1, 2 and 4
4. d) 1 and 4 Only

• Kitte product se kitti duniya allergic, kya kya likhoge
• Veg/ Non Veg to likhna hi hoga
• Exclude 3, include 4

10. ‘Net metering’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of promoting the

a) production and use of solar energy by the households/consumers

b) use of piped natural gas in the kitchens of households

c) installation of CNG kits in motor- cars

d) installation of water meters in urban households

• Net metering – solar rooftop
• So excess electricity transferred to grid, bill would be of net metered consumption
• https://www.civilsdaily.com/story/solar-energy-the-emerging-sector/

11. With reference to an initiative called ‘The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB)’, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. It is initiative hosted by UNEP, IMF and World Economic Forum.
2. It is a global initiative that focuses on drawing attention to the economic benefits of biodiversity.
3. It presents an approach that can help decision-makers recognize, demonstrate and capture the value of ecosystems and biodiversity.

• Select the correct answer using the code given below

1. a) 1 and 2 only
2. b) 3 Only
3. c) 2 and 3 only
4. d) 1, 2 and 3

• Difficult
• 2 and 3 can be done by logic
• But even 1 seems correct if we go by the flow
• 1 is actually incorrect. No role of IMF

12.‘Gadgil Committee Report’ and ‘Kasturirangan Committee Report’, sometimes seen in the news, are related to

(a) Constitutional reforms

(b) Ganga Action Plan

(c) Linking of rivers

(d) Protection of Western Ghats

• Was in news longtime back
• Very very easy – western ghats
• https://www.civilsdaily.com/states-stand-will-feature-in-the-final-notification-on-kasturirangan-report/

13. Proper design and effective implementation of UN-REDD+ Programme can significantly contribute to

1. Protection of biodiversity
2. Resilience of forest ecosystems
3. Poverty reduction

• Select the correct answer using the code given below

1. a) 1 and 2 only
2. b) 3 Only
3. c) 2 and 3 only
4. d) 1, 2 and 3

• REDD plus covered in environment series
• Reduction of forest loss plus their rejuvenation
• 1 and 2 obviously true
• Poor get livelihood from forest produce – helps in poverty reduction

14. What is ‘Greenhouse Gas Protocol?

a) It is an international accounting tool for government and business leaders to understand, quantify and manage greenhouse gas emissions

b) It is an initiative of the United Nations to offer financial incentives to developing countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to adopt eco-friendly technologies

c) It is an inter-governments agreement ratified by all the member countries of the United Nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to specified levels by the year 2022

d) It is one of the multilateral REDD-initiatives hosted by the World Bank

• Difficult
• But 2 and 3 can be easily eliminated
• 1 is correct

15.  On which of the following can you find the Bureau of Energy Efficiency Star Label?

1.    Ceiling fans
2.    Electric geysers
3.    Tubular fluorescent lamps

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a)    1 and 2 only

(b)    3 only

(c)    2 and 3 only

(d)    1, 2 and 3

• Difficult to remember everything

15.  Recently, for the first time in our country, which of the following State has declared a particular butterfly as ‘State Butterfly’?

(a)    Arunachal Pradesh

(b)    Himachal Pradesh

(c)    Karnataka

(d)    Maharashtra

• June 2015 NEWS
• CD missed this. They were just finding their feets then
• Maharashtra – Blue Mormon
• Sorry guys

17. In the cities of our country, which among the following atmospheric gases are normally considered in calculating the value of Air Quality Index?

1.    Carbon dioxide
2.    Carbon monoxide
3.    Nitrogen dioxide
4.    Sulphur Dioxide
5.    Methane

• Select the correct answer using the code given below

1. a)    1, 2 and 3 only
2. b)    2, 3 and 4 Only
3. c)    1, 4 and 5 Only
4. d)    1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

• Simple
• Newscards/explains/titbits
• Said umpteen times, CO2 not part
• Remove co2

18.  Which of the following is/are the advantage/advantages of practicing drip irrigation?

1.    Reduction in weed
2.    Reduction in soil salinity
3.    Reduction in soil erosion

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a)    1 and 2 only

(b)    3 only

(c)    1 and 3 only

(d)    None of the above is an advantage of practicing drip irrigation

• simple/ logical
• Weed reduction as no water logging
• Soil erosion loss as water in limited quantity only at subsurface level

19.  Consider the following statements:

1.    The International Solar Alliance was launched at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2015.
2.    The Alliance includes all the member countries of the United Nations.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a)    1 only

(b)    2 only

(c)    Both 1 and 2

(d)    Neither 1 nor 2

• CD  nescards/ explains
• Not All but only tropical countries

20. Consider the following statements:

1.    The Sustainable Development Goals were first proposed in 1972 by a global think tank called the ‘Club of Rome’.
2.    The Sustainable Development Goals have to be achieved by 2030.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a)    1 only

(b)    2 only

(c)    Both 1 and 2

(d)    Neither 1 nor 2

• Very simple/ Covered in primer to environmental issues / CD explains/ Newscards
• Were proposed in 2012 rio plus 20

21. With reference to the Agreement at the UNFCCC Meeting in Paris in 2015, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1.    The Agreement was signed by all the member countries of the UN and it will go into effect in 2017.
2.    The Agreement aims to limit the greenhouse gas emissions so that the rise in average global temperature by the end of this century does not exceed 20C or even 1.50C above pre-industrial levels.
3.    Developed countries acknowledged their historical responsibility in global warming and committed to donate S 1000 billion a year from 2020 to help developing countries to cope with climate change.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a)    1 and 3 only

(b)    2 only

(c)    2 and 3 only

(d)    1, 2 and 3

• 1000b$ bahut jyada ho gya, it’s a trillion dollar, itta to kabhi nhi milne wala
• Fir 1t$ hi likh dete <it’s actually 100b$>
• Eliminate3, reach the answer

2011 UPSC Prelims Questions and Solutions

1. Biodiversity forms the basis for human existence in the following ways :

1. Soil formation
2. Prevention of soil erosion
3. Recycling of waste
4. Pollination of crops

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a.) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b.) 2, 3 and 4 only

(c.) 1 and 4 only

(d.) 1, 2, 3 and 4

• Common sense.
• Soil formation by humus
• Prevention  of soil erosion by plants
• Pollination by birds
• All 4 options indirectly asked in previous year papers

2. Which one of the following is not a site for in-situ method of conservation of flora? 

(a.) Biosphere Reserve

(b.) Botanical Garden

(c.) National Park

(d.) Wildlife Sanctuary

• Covered in tut bits
• Ridiculously Easy
• You can also easily spot odd option out

3. Consider the following statements:

1. Biodiversity is normally greater in the lower latitudes as compared to the higher latitudes.

1. Along the mountain gradients, biodiversity is normally greater in the lower altitudes as compared to the higher altitudes.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a.) 1 only

(b.) 2 only

(c.) Both 1 and 2

(d.) Neither 1 nor 2

• Simple common sense.
• Compare equator with poles
• Compare hill slopes / valleys with mountain  peak

4. Three of the following criteria have contributed to the recognition of Western Ghats-Sri Lanka and Indo-Burma regions as hotspots of biodiversity:

1. Species richness
2. Vegetation density
3. Endemism
4. Ethno-botanical importance
5. Threat perception
6. Adaptation of flora and fauna to warm and humid conditions

Which three of the above are correct criteria in this context?

(a.) 1, 2 and 6

(b.) 2, 4 and 6

(c.) 1, 3 and 5

(d.) 3, 4 and 6

Simple, covered in tit bits

Areas with high endemic biodiversity at the risk of extinction

5. Two important rivers — one with its source in Jharkhand (and known by a different name in Odisha), and another, with its source in Odisha — merge at a place only a short distance from the coast of Bay of Bengal before flowing into the sea. This is an important site of wildlife and biodiversity and a protected area.

Which one of the following could be this?

(a.) Bhitarkanika

(b.) Chandipur-on-sea

(c.) Gopalpur-on-sea

(d.) Simlipal

• Covered in geography
• Bhutarkanika asked time and time again

6. A sandy and saline area is the natural habitat of an Indian animal species. The animal has no predators in that area but its existence is threatened due to the destruction of its habitat. Which one of the following could be that animal?

(a.) Indian wild buffalo

(b.) Indian wild ass

(c.) Indian wild boar

(d.) Indian gazelle

• Simple, asked before
• Indian wild as, critically endangered
• Found in rann of kutch

7. The Himalayan Range is Very rich in species diversity. Which one among the following is the most appropriate reason for this phenomenon?

(a.) It has a high rainfall that supports luxuriant vegetative growth

(b.) It is a confluence of different bio-geographical zones

(c.) Exotic and invasive species have not been introduced in this region

(d.) It has less human interference

Covered in geography

8. In the Union Budget 2011-12, a full exemption from the basic customs duty was extended to the bio-based asphalt (bioasphalt). What is the importance of this material?

1. Unlike traditional asphalt, bio-asphalt is not based on fossil fuels.
2. Bioasphalt can be made from non-renewable resources.
3. Bioasphalt can be made from organic waste materials.
4. It is eco-friendly to use bioasphalt for surfacing of the roads.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a.) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b.) 1, 3 and 4 only

(c.) 2 and 4 only

(d.) 1, 2, 3 and 4

• Bio so you can guess it’s not based on fossil fuels
• So made from renewable resources not non renewable
• Organic waste material is bio
• Renewable is of course eco friendly
• Eliminate statement 2

8. Consider the following:

1. Carbon dioxide
2. Oxides of Nitrogen
3. Oxides of Sulphur

Which of the above is/are the emission/ emissions from coal combustion at thermal power plants?

(a.) 1 only

(b.) 2 and 3 only

(c.) 1 and 3 only

(d.) 1, 2 and 3

• Simple,
• Coal us not pure so oxides of nitrogen and sulfur would also be emitted
• See, similar question on quality of coal was asked couple of years later

9. The formation of ozone hole in the Antarctic region has been a cause of concern. What could be the reason for the formation of this hole?

(a.) Presence of prominent tropo-spheric turbulence; and inflow of chlorofluorocarbons

(b.) Presence of prominent polar front and stratospheric’ clouds; and inflow of chlorofluorocarbons

(c.) Absence of polar front and stratospheric clouds; and inflow of methane and chlorofluorocarbons

(d.) Increased temperature at polar region due to global warming

• B and c are contradictory, one true
• You know about polar front and stratospheric clouds from your geography

10. Regarding “carbon, credits”, which one of the following statements is not correct?

(a.) The carbon credit system was ratified in conjunction with the Kyoto Protocol

(b.) Carbon credits are awarded to countries or groups that have reduced greenhouse gases below their emission quota

(c.) The goal of the carbon credit system is to limit the increase of carbon dioxide emission

(d.) Carbon credits are- traded at a price fixed from time to time by the United Nations Environment Programme

• Price is always market determined that’s why price keeps on fluctuating
• D is obviously incorrect
• Other 3 statements are true, basic common sense 2 and 3
• Statement 1 is common knowledge

11. There is a concern: over the increase in harmful algal blooms in the seawaters of India. What could be the causative factors for this phenomenon?

1. Discharge of nutrients from the estuaries.
2. Run-off from the land during the monsoon.
3. Upwelling in the seas.

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

(a.) 1 only

(b.) 1 and 2 only

(c.) 2 and 3 only

(d.) 1, 2 and 3

• Eutrophication/ algal bloom
• Basically whatever leads to high nutrient concentration in sea/lake
• 1 is obvious
• Run off would lead to nutrient discharge from farms/ fertilisers etc.
• Upwelling leads to arrival of cold nutrient rich water on surface

12  The “Red Data Books” published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) contain lists of:

1. Endemic plant and animal species present in the biodiversity hotspots,
2. Threatened plant and animal species.
3. Protected sites for conservation of nature and natural resources in various countries.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a.) 1 and 3

(b.) 2 only

(c.) 2 and 3

(d.) 3 only

• Simple
• Threaten species world over
• 1 is incorrect as it’s about Endemism
• 3rd is about protected sites

13. Human activities in the recent past have Caused the increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, but a lot of it does not remain in the lower atmosphere because of :

1. its escape into the outer stratosphere.
2. the photosynthesis by phyto-plankton in the oceans.
3. the trapping of air in the polar ice caps.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a.) 1 and 2

(b.) 2 only

(c.) 2 and 3

(d.) 3 only

• 2nd is obviously correct. Photosynthesis on oceans will reduce co2 from air
• 1st statement is BS. air does not escape
• 3rd, I am not sure, check the official key someone

14. In the context of ecosystem productivity, marine upwelling zones are important as they increase the marine productivity by bringing the:

1. decomposer microorganisms to the surface.
2. nutrients to the surface.
3. bottom-dwelling organisms to- the surface.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a.) 1 and 2

(b.) 2 only

(c.) 2 and 3

(d.) 3 only

• Sort of interval repeat
• Upwelling leads to algal bloom – asked in the question above
• Nutrient rich water comes on the surface
• Organisms would remain where they are

15. With reference to India, consider the following Central Acts:

1. Import and Export (Control) Act, 1947
2. Mining and Mineral Development (Regulation) Act, 1957
3. Customs Act, 1962
4. Indian Forest Act, 1927

Which of the above Acts have relevance to/bearing on the biodiversity conservation in the country?

(a.) 1 and 3 only

(b.) 2, 3 and 4 only

(c.) 1, 2, 3 and 4

(d.) None of the above Acts

• 4th is obvious
• 1st would cover import and export of plants/animals/wood, CITES provision etc.
• Include 1 and 4

P.S. That completes analysis of last 5 years ecology portion.

P.P.S. = Science and art and culture depending on time. Will try my best. No promises

Pre 2012

1. Consider the following kinds of organisms :

1. Bacteria
2. Fungi
3. Flowering plants

Some species of which of the above kinds of organisms are employed as biopesticides?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

All of then can be depending on the properties of specific species

2. Biomass gasification is considered to be one of the sustainable solutions to the power crisis in India. In this context, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. Coconut shells, groundnut shells and rice husk can be used in biomass gasification.
2. The combustible gases generated from biomass gasification consist of hydrogen and carbon dioxide only.
3. The combustible gases generated from biomass gasification can be used for direct heat generation but not in internal combustion engines.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

• 2nd only, red flag, pause and think, why not other gases. Nitrogen is also part of biomass
• 3rd not in internal combustible engines but new engines are supporting

3. Consider the following areas:

1. Bandipur
2. Bhitarkanika
3. Manas
4. Sunderbans

Which of the above are Tiger Reserves?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1, 3 and 4 only

(c) 2, 3 and 4 only

(d) l, 2, 3 and 4

Bhutarkanika is a wetland famous for birds

4. In which one among the following categories of protected areas in India are local people not allowed to collect and use the biomass?

(a) Biosphere Reserves

(b) National Parks

(c) Wetlands declared under Ramsar Convention

(d) Wildlife Sanctuaries

• Simple, ncert, titbit
• No human interference allowed in national parks

5. Consider the following kinds of organisms :

1. Bat
2. Bee
3. Bird

Which of the above is/are pollinating agent/agents?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

All. Birds/ fliers do pollinate

6. Which one of the following groups of animals belongs to the category of endangered species?

(a) Great Indian Bustard, Musk Deer, Red Panda and Asiatic Wild Ass

(b) Kashmir Stag, Cheetal, Blue Bull and Great Indian Bustard

(c) Snow Leopard, Swamp Deer, Rhesus Monkey and Saras (Crane)

(d) Lion-tailed Macaque, Blue Bull, Hanuman Langur and Cheetal

• Asiatic wild ass question was asked year before.
• Great Indian mustard also we know
• Cheetal and blue bull can not be endangered
• Saras also won’t be endangered
• We got lucky in this question because of options

7. Which of the following can be threats to the biodiversity of a geographical area?

1. Global warming
2. Fragmentation of habitat
3. Invasion of alien species
4. Promotion of vegetarianism

Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

• 1, 2 and 3 are obviously threats
• Promotion of vegetarianism, seriously? Animals will not be killed for meat. But what about conversion of forests into agricultural fields?
• Basically question from IPCC report which suggested world to shift to veg at least 2 days a week as non veg is very energy and water intensive
• In fact beef is the most harmful to environment

7. Consider the following :

1. Black-necked crane
2. Cheetah
3. Flying squirrel
4. Snow leopard

Which of the above are naturally found in India?

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 1, 3 and 4 only

(c) 2 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

• Cheetah, we all know is extinct from India. So no question of it being naturally found
• Exclude 2, reach the answer8/8

8. The acidification of oceans is increasing. Why is this phenomenon a cause of concern?

1. The growth and survival of calcareous phytoplankton will be adversely affected.
2. The growth and survival of coral reefs will be adversely affected.
3. The survival of some animals that have phytoplanktonic larvae will be adversely affected.
4. The cloud seeding and formation of clouds will be adversely affected.

Which of the statements given above is /are correct?

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

• Done in geography
• How will cloud formation be affected

9. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment describes the following major categories of ecosystem services-provisioning, supporting, regulating, preserving and cultural. Which one of the following is supporting service?

(a) Production of food and water

(b) Control of climate and disease

(c) Nutrient cycling and crop pollination

(d) Maintenance of diversity

• 1 is not support – it’s provisioning of food and water, provisioning service
• 2nd would be regulating services
• 3rd also regulating

10. What would happen if phytoplankton of an ocean is completely destroyed for some reason?

1. The ocean as a carbon sink would be adversely affected.
2. The food chains in the ocean would be adversely affected.
3. The density of ocean water would drastically decrease.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

• 1 is true – photosynthetic plant
• 2 is true – any species gone – food chain adversely affected
• 3rd – drastic decrease, exaggeration, pause and think

11. What is the role of ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the water purification systems?

1. It inactivates /kills the harmful microorganisms in water.
2. It removes all the undesirable odours from the water.
3. It quickens the sedimentation of solid particles, removes turbidity and improves the clarity of water.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

• 2, all types of odour, red flag, pause and think. Wrong
• 3rd is flocculation method of purifying water, that is what alom does

12. Consider the following statements : Chlorofluorocarbons, known as ozone-depleting substances, are used

1. in the production of plastic foams
2. in the production of tubeless tyres
3. in cleaning certain electronic components
4. as pressurizing agents in aerosol cans

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 4 only

(c) 1, 3 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

• It’s not used in the production of tubeless tyres
• Guess work would lead to making all 4, risky strategy

13. 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.

Which of the statements given above is /are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2, 3 and 4 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

It was in the news then as govt had launched a programme

Pre 2013

It was one of those papers where 40% questions were not doable. 40% logic and common sense

1. Consider the following pairs:

1. Nokrek Bio-sphere Reserve : Garo Hills
2. Logtak (Loktak) Lake : Barail Range
3. Namdapha National Park : Dafla Hills

Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1, 2 and 3
4. None

• Map based very difficult question but hills of industry very important. Just go through the map once
• Nokrek highest peak in Garo. See, next year, highest peak in Nagaland was asked. Still very difficult

2. Consider the following pairs about parks and rivers passing through them:

1. Corbett National Park: Ganga
2. Kaziranga National Park: Manas
3. Silent Valley National Park: Kaveri

Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

1. 1 and 2
2. 3 only
3. 1 and 3
4. None

• Again difficult question.
• Manas flows through Manas national park if you remember the name
• Ganga’s route important. It does not pass through Corbett
• Silent valley in Nilgiris / kerala
• All calculated guesses would result in wrong answer to this question

3. In which of the following States is lion-tailed macaque found in its natural habitat?

1. Tamil Nadu
2. Kerala
3. Karnataka
4. Andhra Pradesh

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

1. 1, 2 and 3 only
2. 2 only
3. 1, 3 and 4 only
4. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Very difficult again

4. Which of the following is/are unique characteristic/characteristics of equatorial forests?

1. Presence of tall, closely set trees with crowns forming a continuous canopy
2. Coexistence of a large number of species
3. Presence of numerous varieties of epiphytes

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

• Simple NCERT/ G.C.Leong
• Dense forest – Continuous canopy, sunlight does not reach the surface, so epiphytes
• 2nd is true. Great divetsity, so much rain and sun

5. Consider the following fauna of India:

1. Gharial
2. Leatherback turtle
3. Swamp deer

Which of the above is/are endangered?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 3 only
3. 1, 2 and 3
4. None

Very difficult

6. Consider the following

1. Star tortoise
2. Monitor lizard
3. Pygmy hog
4. Spider monkey

Which of the above found in India?

1. 1, 2 and 3 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 4 only
4. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Very difficult

7. Consider the following animals:

1. Sea cow
2. Sea horse
3. Sea lion

Which of the above is/are mammal/mammals?

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 3 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Biology question. Sea horse is a fish..

8. Mycorrhizal biotechnology has been used in rehabilitating degraded sites because mycorrhiza enables the plants to

1. resist drought and increase absorptive area
2. tolerate extremes of PH
3. Resist disease infestation

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

• Increase surface area. Mycorrhiza is given in NCERT
• All are true

9. Consider the following organisms

1. Agaricus
2. Nostoc
3. Spirogyra

Which of the above is / are used as biofertilizer / biofertilizers

1. 1 and 2
2. 2 only
3. 2 and 3
4. 3 only

Very difficult again. Biofertilizer is an important topic. Remember the names of organisms.

10. Which of the following adds / add nitrogen to the soil?

1. Excretion of urea by animals
2. Burning of coal by man
3. Death of vegetation

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

• Coal burning will release CO2. May be some nitrogen impurities buy that would also be release as oxides no addition to the soil
• Urea contains nitrogen
• Vegetation also contain nitrogen, carbon etc. So all of them would be added to the soil

11. Contour bunding is a method of soil conservation used in

1. desert margins, liable to strong wind action
2. low flat plains, close to stream courses, liable to flooding
3. scrublands, liable to spread of weed growth
4. None of the above

• NCERT
• Contour bunding, terrace farming to prevent soil erosion in hilly areas

12. With reference to the usefulness of the by-products of sugar industry, which of the following statements is / are correct?

1. Bagasse can be used as biomass fuel for the generation of energy.
2. Molasses can be used as one of the feedstocks for the production of synthetic chemical fertilizers.
3. Molasses can be used for the production of ethanol.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

• 1 and 3 are common knowledge. Bagasse cogeneration
• 2nd statement is about chemical fertiliser – bagasse is organic

13. Due to improper / indiscriminate disposal of old and used computers or their parts, which of the following are released into the environment as e-waste?

1. Beryllium
2. Cadmium
3. Chromium
4. Heptachlor
5. Mercury
6. Lead
7. Plutonium

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

1. 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7 only
2. 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 only
3. 2, 4, 5 and 7 only
4. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7

• 7th statement plutonium. Heavy metal, not found in nature. By product of fission. Used in nuclear bombs.
• Eliminate it and reach the answer

14. Which of the following can be found as pollutants in the drinking water in some parts of India?

1. Arsenic
2. Sorbitol
3. Fluoride
4. Formaldehyde
5. Uranium

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

1. 1 and 3 only
2. 2, 4 and 5 only
3. 1, 3 and 5 only
4. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

• You would similarly want to eliminate uranium but uranium is found in nature. Problem in Punjab. So don’t eliminate it
• Sorbitol is like glucose not a pollutants

15. Which one among the following industries is the maximum consumer of water in India?

1. Engineering
2. Paper and pulp
3. Textiles
4. Thermal power

Thermal power plant requires lots and lots of water plus so much electricity in India by thermal.

16. Acid rain is caused by the pollution of environment by

1. carbon dioxide and nitrogen
2. carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide
3. ozone and carbon dioxide
4. nitrous oxide and sulphur dioxide

• Simple. Very simple. NCERT. NIOS
• Nitric acid and sulphuric acid
• Co2 is as such present in environment in large quantity

17. Photochemical smog is a resultant of the reaction among

1. NO2, 03 and peroxyacetyl nitrate in the presence of sunlight
2. CO, 02 and peroxyacetyl nitrate in the presence of sunlight
3. CO, CO2 and N02 at low temperature
4. High concentration of N02, O3 and CO in the evening

• Simple, very simple
• Photo means sunlight, 3 and 4 eliminated.
• If there is peroxylnitrate, there has to be oxides of nitrogen also

18. With reference to food chains in ecosystems, consider the following statements:

1. A food chain illustrates the order in which a chain of organisms feed upon each other.
2. Food chains are found within the populations of a species.
3. A food chain illustrates the numbers of each organism which are eaten by others.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 1, 2 and 3
4. None

• 1st statement true
• 2nd false, members of same species do not eat each other. Tigers do not eat tiger
• Include 1, exclude 2

19. Which one of the following terms describes not only the physical space occupied by an organism, but also its functional role in the community of organisms?

1. Ecotone
2. Ecological niche
3. Habitat
4. Home range

Simple. Very simple. NCERT

20. With reference to the food chains in ecosystems, which of the following kinds of organism is / are known as decomposer organism/organisms?

1. Virus
2. Fungi
3. Bacteria

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Viruses are intracellular. They do not decompose anything.

21. In the grasslands, trees do not replace the grasses as a part of an ecological succession because of

1. insects and fungi
2. limited sunlight and paucity of nutrients
3. water limits and fire
4. None of the above

Simple – think of savannah

22. Which one of the following is the correct sequence of ecosystems in the order of decreasing productivity?

1. Oceans, lakes, grasslands, mangroves
2. Mangroves, oceans, grasslands, lakes
3. Mangroves, grasslands, lakes, oceans
4. Oceans, mangroves, lakes, grasslands

• Ocean can not have highest productivity. So much of ocean area has no producers.
• Eliminate 1 and 4.
• Among lakes and oceans, obviously lakes would have higher productivity.
• Mangroves, coral reefs have very high productivity