Environmental Pollution & Acts MCQs

1. UN Conference on Human Environment (Stockholm):

a) 1962 b) 1972 c) 1982 d) 1992

Correct Answer: b) 1972

Explanation:
The landmark Stockholm Conference (1972) was the first major UN meeting on environmental issues, establishing environmental protection as a global priority and creating UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme).

2. People should be aware of:

a) Environmental problems b) Solutions to environmental problems c) Their role in environmental protection d) All the above

Correct Answer: d) All the above

Explanation:
Comprehensive environmental awareness includes understanding problems (pollution, climate change), potential solutions (conservation, renewable energy), and individual responsibilities (reducing waste, sustainable living).

3. Environmental education aims to:

a) Develop awareness b) Teach sustainable practices c) Foster environmental ethics d) All the above

Correct Answer: d) All the above

Explanation:
Environmental education has three core objectives: cognitive (knowledge), affective (values/ethics), and behavioral (skills/actions) to create environmentally literate citizens.

4. Man-made environment includes:

a) Buildings b) Roads c) Industries d) All the above

Correct Answer: d) All the above

Explanation:
The anthropogenic (man-made) environment encompasses all human-created structures and systems including infrastructure (buildings, roads), industrial facilities, and technological systems that modify the natural environment.

5. Environmental studies provide knowledge on:

a) Natural systems b) Human-environment interactions c) Sustainable development d) All the above

Correct Answer: d) All the above

Explanation:
As an interdisciplinary field, environmental studies integrates natural sciences (ecology), social sciences (policy), and humanities (ethics) to understand and address environmental challenges holistically.

6. Life originated on Earth:

a) 1000 million years ago b) 2500 million years ago c) 3500 million years ago d) 4500 million years ago

Correct Answer: c) 3500 million years ago

Explanation:
Fossil evidence (stromatolites) indicates primitive life forms existed ~3.5 billion years ago, shortly after Earth's formation (~4.5 billion years ago) and cooling of the primordial crust.

7. Gas responsible for global warming:

a) CO₂ b) O₂ c) N₂ d) H₂

Correct Answer: a) CO₂

Explanation:
Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is the primary greenhouse gas driving anthropogenic climate change, with atmospheric concentrations rising from 280 ppm (pre-industrial) to over 420 ppm today due to fossil fuel combustion.

8. Gas destroying chlorophyll:

a) CO₂ b) NO₂ c) SO₂ d) O₃

Correct Answer: c) SO₂

Explanation:
Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) forms sulfuric acid in moisture, bleaching chlorophyll and damaging plant tissues. This "acid rain" effect reduces photosynthesis and crop yields near industrial areas.

9. Environment-friendly "3 R's":

a) Rebuild, Renew, Recycle b) Reduce, Reuse, Recycle c) Recall, Recover, Reuse d) Recover, Rebuild, Renew

Correct Answer: b) Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Explanation:
The waste hierarchy prioritizes: 1) Reducing consumption, 2) Reusing products, and 3) Recycling materials. This approach minimizes resource extraction and landfill waste most effectively.

10. Biodiversity means:

a) Many forests in one area b) Many flora & fauna in one forest c) Many humans in one city d) Many rivers in one country

Correct Answer: b) Many flora & fauna in one forest

Explanation:
Biodiversity refers to the variety of life at all levels - genes, species, and ecosystems. High biodiversity means many interdependent plant (flora) and animal (fauna) species coexisting in an area.

11. Environment includes:

a) Only living things b) Only non-living things c) Only human-made things d) Abiotic & Biotic components

Correct Answer: d) Abiotic & Biotic components

Explanation:
The environment comprises both biotic (living organisms) and abiotic (physical factors like air, water, soil) components that interact in complex ecosystems.

12. CO₂ in exhaled air:

a) 4% b) 10% c) 16% d) 21%

Correct Answer: a) 4%

Explanation:
Exhaled air contains ~4% CO₂ (vs 0.04% in atmosphere) as a byproduct of cellular respiration. Oxygen drops from 21% to ~16%, while nitrogen remains constant at ~78%.

13. Ozone layer absorbs:

a) Infrared rays b) Visible light c) Ultraviolet rays d) Cosmic rays

Correct Answer: c) Ultraviolet rays

Explanation:
Stratospheric ozone (O₃) absorbs 97-99% of the Sun's harmful UV-B and UV-C radiation, protecting terrestrial life from DNA damage, skin cancer, and ecosystem disruptions.

14. Term "Green Revolution" coined by:

a) Norman Borlaug b) M.S. Swaminathan c) William Gaud d) Rachel Carson

Correct Answer: c) William Gaud

Explanation:
USAID director William S. Gaud first used "Green Revolution" in 1968 to describe the dramatic yield increases from Borlaug's dwarf wheat varieties and associated agricultural technologies.

15. Biotic resources include:

a) Plants and animals b) Minerals and ores c) Water and air d) Rocks and soil

Correct Answer: a) Plants and animals

Explanation:
Biotic resources are obtained from the biosphere (living and organic material), including forests, crops, livestock, and marine life. Other options are abiotic (non-living) resources.

16. World's forest area:

a) 15% b) 25% c) 30% d) 33%

Correct Answer: d) 33%

Explanation:
Forests cover ~31-33% of Earth's land area (4 billion hectares), though this is declining due to deforestation. The UN recommends maintaining at least 33% forest cover for ecological stability.

17. Tropical rainforests found between:

a) 10°N & 10°S b) 30°N & 30°S c) 50°N & 50°S d) 70°N & 70°S

Correct Answer: b) 30°N & 30°S

Explanation:
Tropical rainforests primarily occur within 30° of the equator where warm temperatures and abundant rainfall support year-round growth. The densest forests are near the equator (10°N/S).

18. Why conserve forests?:

a) Maintain ecological balance b) Preserve biodiversity c) Prevent soil erosion d) All the above

Correct Answer: d) All the above

Explanation:
Forests provide ecosystem services including climate regulation (carbon sequestration), habitat provision (biodiversity), soil protection, water cycling, and cultural/recreational value.

19. Water harvesting:

a) Increases groundwater level b) Decreases groundwater level c) Has no effect on groundwater d) Pollutes groundwater

Correct Answer: a) Increases groundwater level

Explanation:
Rainwater harvesting techniques (percolation pits, recharge wells) enhance groundwater recharge by directing surface runoff into aquifers, counteracting depletion from over-extraction.

20. Non-renewable energy source:

a) Solar energy b) Fossil fuels c) Wind energy d) Hydropower

Correct Answer: b) Fossil fuels

Explanation:
Fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) are non-renewable as they take millions of years to form. Other options are renewable energy sources replenished naturally on human timescales.

1. Environmental Conferences & Education

2. Pollution & Environmental Science

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