1. Consider following statements about Forest Rights Act 2006
- ‘Critical Wildlife Habitat’ within National Parks and Sanctuaries under Forest Rights Act 2006 is defimed by MoEFCC.
- Ministry of Tribal Affairs is the nodal ministry for recognition and vesting of individual and community rights under the Act.
Identify correct statements.
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: c
Exp: The Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 recognizes the rights of the forest dwelling tribal communities and other traditional forest dwellers to forest resources, on which these communities were dependent for a variety of needs, including livelihood, habitation and other socio-cultural needs. Both the statements are correct and self-explanatory.
2. Consider the following statements regarding Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
- The Global Warming Potential (GWP) of CO2 is the least among Green House Gases (GHGs).
- The contribution of CO2 to global warming is the highest among GHGs.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: c
Exp: Global warming potential is the heat absorbed by any greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, as a multiple of the heat that would be absorbed by the same mass of carbon dioxide. GWP is 1 for CO₂. Both the statements are correct, CO2 contributes around 60% to global warming among GHGs.
3. Consider the following statements
- Composting is a biological process in which micro-organisms, mainly fungi, bacteria and viruses, decompose degradable organic waste into humus-like substances in the presence of oxygen.
- This finished product is high in carbon and potassium and is an excellent medium for growing plants.
- It increases the soil’s ability to hold water and makes the soil easier to cultivate.
Which of the above given statement/s is/are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 3 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: b
Exp: Composting
Composting is a biological process in which micro-organisms, mainly fungi and bacteria (not viruses), decompose degradable organic waste into humus-like substance in the presence of oxygen. Hence statement 1 is not correct.
This finished product, which looks like soil, is high in carbon and nitrogen and is an excellent medium for growing plants. Hence statement 2 is not correct.
It increases the soil’s ability to hold water and makes the soil easier to cultivate. It helps the soil retain more plant nutrients. Hence statement 3 is correct.
4. In the context of global biodiversity, consider the following
- More than 70 per cent of all the species recorded are plants.
- Among animals, insects are the most species-rich taxonomic group, making up more than 70 per cent of the total.
- Tropical Amazonian rain forest in South America has the greatest biodiversity on earth.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 1 and 3 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: c
Exp:
IUCN (2004) estimates that there are currently more than 1.5 million plant and animal species.
The number of species in the world is estimated to be in the several millions.
The tropics are home to a significant number of undiscovered species.
Animal species make up more than 70% of all known species, while plants (including algae, fungi, bryophytes, gymnosperms, and angiosperms) make up no more than 22% of the total. Hence statement 1 is not correct.
In terms of taxonomic diversity, insects make up more than 70% of all animal species, making them the most diverse group. Hence statement 2 is correct.
More species of fungi exist in the globe than there are fish, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals combined together.
The largely tropical Amazonian rain forest in South America has the greatest biodiversity on earth. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
5. The below descriptions belong to which of the following species?
- It is an indicator species and its presence demonstrates good water quality and ecosystem balance.
- India is home to 3 of the 13 species found globally.
- They are regarded as tigers of rivers.
Select the correct answer from code given below.
a) Dolphins
b) Salamander
c) Otters
d) Stork
Ans: c
Exp: Recently, Kerala Forest Research Institute performed a study on otters often called ‘tigers of rivers’ because they are apex predators. Otters are highly vulnerable in riparian systems of human-modified landscapes.
Of the 13 species of otters, three are present in India. Smooth-coated otters ( Lutrogale perspicillata) and Asian small-clawed otters ( Aonyx cinerea), both vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, are common in Kerala.
Eurasian otters are found in high altitudes of Western Ghats and their presence is indicative of good water quality and ecosystem balance.
6. The average of 26, 29, n, 35 and 43 lies between 25 and 35. If ‘n’ is always an integer and greater than the average of the other numbers than ‘n’, then the value of n is:
a) 33 < n < 47
b) 34 > n > 43
c) 33 < n < 42
d) 35 < n < 45
Ans: c
Exp: Average = (26+29+n+ 35+43) / 5
= (133 + n) / 5
25 < 133 + n / 5 < 35
125 < 133+ n < 175
n < 42
Avarage of given integer = (26+29+ 35+43) / 4
= 33.25
n > 33
So,
33 < n < 42
7. For the first 100kms of his trip, Raju drove at 50kmph, and then due to bad weather, he drove at only 35 kmph for the next 140 kms. What was his average speed for the entire trip?
a) 30 km/h
b) 40 km/h
c) 45 km/h
d) 48 km/h
Ans: b
Exp: Total distance covered = 240kms
Total time taken = 100/50 + 140/35 = 2hrs + 4hrs = 6hrs
So, average speed for the journey = 240kms/6hrs = 40kmph