Environment previous year Questions UPSC /IAS 2014

1.

With reference to ‘Global Environment Facility’, which of the following statements is/are

correct? (UPSC / IAS 2014)

2. Which of the following phenomena might have influenced the evolution of organisms?

1. Continental drift
2. Glacial cycles

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3.

Other than poaching, what are the possible reasons for the decline in the population of Ganges

River Dolphins? (UPSC / IAS 2014)

1. Construction of dams and barrages on rivers

2. Increase in the population of crocodiles in rivers

3. Getting trapped in fishing nets accidentally

4. Use of synthetic fertilizers and other agricultural chemicals in crop-fields in the vicinity of

rivers

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4.

Brominated flame retardants are used in many household products like mattresses and

upholstery. Why is there some concern about their use? (UPSC / IAS 2014)

1. They are highly resistant to degradation in the environment

2. They are able to accumulate in humans and animals

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5.

Consider the following : (UPSC / IAS 2014)

1. Bats

2. Bears

3. Rodents

The phenomenon of hibernation can be observed in which of the above kinds of animals?

6.

Which of the following adds/add carbon dioxide to the carbon cycle on the planet Earth? (UPSC / IAS 2014)

1. Volcanic action

2. Respiration

3. Photosynthesis

4. Decay of organic matter

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7. If you walk through the countryside, you are likely to see some birds stalking alongside the

cattle to seize the insects disturbed by their movement through grasses. Which of the following is

/are such bird/birds? (UPSC / IAS 2014)

1. Painted Stork
2. Common Myna
3. Black-necked Crane

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8.

Lichens, which are capable of initiating ecological succession even on a bare rock, are actually a

symbiotic association of (UPSC / IAS 2014)

9.

Which of the following are some important pollutants released by steel industry in India ? (UPSC / IAS 2014)

1. Oxides of sulphur

2. Oxides of nitrogen

3. Carbon monoxide

4. Carbon dioxide

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10.

Every year, a month long ecologically important campaign/festival is held during which certain

communities/tribes plant saplings of fruit-bearing trees.

Which of the following are such communities/tribes? (UPSC / IAS 2014)

11.

With reference to two nonconventional energy sources called ‘coalbed methane’ and ‘shale

gas’, consider the following statements: (UPSC / IAS 2014)

1. Coalbed methane is the pure methane gas extracted from coal seams, while shale gas is a

mixture of propane and butane only that can be extracted from fine-grained sedimentary

rocks.

2. In India abundant coalbed methane sources exist, but so far no shale gas sources have

been found.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

12.

In India, the problem of soil erosion is associated with which of the following? (UPSC / IAS 2014)

1. Terrace cultivation

2. Deforestation

3. Tropical climate

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13.

The most important strategy for the conservation of biodiversity together with traditional

human life is the establishment of (UPSC / IAS 2014)

14.

Consider the following statements : (UPSC / IAS 2014)

1. Animal Welfare Board of India is established under the Environments (Protection) Act,

1986

2. National Tiger Conservation Authority is a statutory body

3. National Ganga River Basin Authority is chaired by the Prime Minister

Which if the statements given above is/are correct?

15.

The scientific view is that the increase in global temperature should not exceed 2 C above preˇindustrial level. If the global temperature increases beyond 3 C above the pre industrial level, what can be its possible impact/ impacts on the world? (UPSC / IAS 2014)

1. Terrestrial biosphere tends toward a net carbon source2. Widespread coral mortality will occur

3. All the global wetlands will permanently disappear

4. Cultivation of cereals will not be possible anywhere in the world

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16. With reference to Neem tree, consider the following statements: (UPSC / IAS 2014)

1. Neem oil can be used as a pesticide to control the proliferation of some species of insects and mites

2. Neem seeds are used in the manufacture of biofuels and hospital detergents
3. Neem oil has applications in the pharmaceutical industry

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

17. Which one of the following is the process involved in photosynthesis? (UPSC / IAS 2014)

18.

Consider the following international agreements : (UPSC / IAS 2014)

1. The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

2. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification

3. The world Heritage Convention

Which of the above has/have a bearing on biodiversity?

19.

Consider the following statements regarding ‘Earth Hour’ (UPSC / IAS 2014)

1. It is an initiative of UNEP and UNESCO

2. It is a movement in which the participants switch off the lights for one hour on a certain

day every year

3. It is a movement to raise awareness about climate change and the need to save the planet

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

20.

With reference to ‘Eco-Sensitive Zones’, which of the following statements is/are correct? (UPSC / IAS 2014)

1. Eco-Sensitive Zones are the areas that are declared under the Wildlife (Protection) Act,

1972

2. The purpose of the declaration of Eco-Sensitive Zones is to prohibit all kinds of human

activities in those zones except agriculture

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