Q41. ”Climate Action Tracker” which monitors the emission reduction pledges of different countries is a :
(a) Database created by coalition of research organisations
(b) Wing of “International Panel of Climate Change”
(c) Committee under “United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change”
(d) Agency promoted and financed by United Nations Environment Programme and World Bank
Solution A
The Climate Action Tracker is an independent scientific analysis that tracks government climate action and measures it against the globally agreed Paris Agreement aim of “holding warming well below 2°C, and pursuing efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C.”
The Climate Action Tracker is a collaboration of two organisations, Climate Analytics and NewClimate Institute, the CAT has been providing this independent analysis to policymakers since 2009.
CAT quantifies and evaluates climate change mitigation targets, policies and action. It also aggregates country action to the global level, determining likely temperature increases during the 21st century using the MAGICC climate model.
CAT further develops sectoral analysis to illustrate required pathways for meeting the global temperature goals. CAT tracks 39 countries and the EU covering around 85% of global emissions CAT covers all the biggest emitters and a representative sample of smaller emitters covering about 85% of global emissions and approximately 70% of global population.
Q42. Consider the following statements :
1. “The Climate Group” is an international non-profit organization that drives climate action by building large networks and runs them.
2. The International Energy Agency in partnership with the Climate Group launched a global initiative “EP100”.
3. EP100 brings” together leading companies committed to driving innovation in energy efficiency and increasing competitiveness while delivering on emission reduction goals.
4. Some Indian companies are members of EP100.
5. The International Energy Agency is the Secretariat to the “Under2 Coalition”.
Which of the statements given above are correct ?
(a) 1,2,4 and5
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Solution B
The Climate Group is an international non-profit founded in 2003. Its goal is for a world of net zero carbon emissions by 2050, with greater prosperity for all. It builds and runs networks. It joins up organisations to unlock the power of collective action that shares the same ambitions and creates influence. Hence statement 1 is correct.
EP100 is a global initiative led by the international non-profit Climate Group. It is not launched by the International Energy Agency. Hence statement 2 is not correct.
EP100 brings together over 120 energy smart businesses committed to measuring and reporting on energy efficiency improvements. Taking energy efficiency from the boiler room to the boardroom, members are reducing emissions whilst improving competitiveness and inspiring others to follow their lead. Hence statement 3 is correct.
Many Indian companies like Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd; Godrej Industries Ltd; JSW Cement Ltd; and, UltraTech Cement Limited are members of EP100. Hence statement 4 is correct.
The Under2 Coalition brings together over 270 governments representing 1.75 billion people and 50% of the global economy. Its members commit to keep global temperature rise well below 2°C with efforts to reach 1.5°C.
Climate Group is the secretariat to the Under2 Coalition. Hence statement 5 is not correct.
Q43. “If rainforests and tropical’ forests are the lungs of the Earth, then surely. ‘wetlands function as its kidneys.” Which one of the following functions of wetlands best reflects the above statement ?
(a) The water cycle in wetlands involves surface runoff, subsoil percolation and evaporation.
(b) Algae form the nutrient base upon which fish, crustaceans, molluscs, birds, reptiles and mammals thrive.
(c) Wetlands play a vital role in maintaining sedimentation balance and soil stabilization.
(d) Aquatic plants absorb heavy metals and excess nutrients.
Solution D
Tropical rainforests are often called the “lungs of the planet” because they generally draw in carbon dioxide and breathe out oxygen. Natural wetlands have often been referred to as “earth’s kidneys” because of their high and long-term capacity to filter pollutants from the water that flows through them.
Aquatic plants can uptake large amounts of metals from water and/or sediment through active and passive absorption, with this absorption capacity of metals through different organs such as roots, stems, and leaves, making these plants suitable for heavy metal alterations in the aquatic environment.
Q44. In the context of WHO Air Quality Guidelines, consider the following statements :
1. The 24-hour mean of PM2.5 should not exceed, 15 pig/m3 and annual mean of PM2.5 should not exceed 5µg/m3.
2. In a year, the highest levels of ozone pollution occur during the periods of inclement weather.
3. PM10 can penetrate the lung barrier and enter the bloodstream.
4. Excessive ozone in the air can trigger asthma.
Which of the statements given above are correct ?
(a) 1, 3 and 4
(b) 1 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4
(d) 1 and 2 only
Solution B
According to WHO Air Quality Guidelines, the annual average concentrations of PM2.5 should not exceed 5 µg/m3, while 24-hour average exposures should not exceed 15 µg/m3 more than 3 – 4 days per year. Hence statement 1 is correct.
Some pollution, such as ground-level ozone, is made more efficiently in sunny, hot weather. The reactions that create harmful ozone in our atmosphere require sunlight. In the summers and especially during extreme heat waves, ozone often reaches dangerous levels in cities or nearby rural areas. Humidity can help to decrease ozone pollution. Afternoon thunderstorm clouds block sunlight, causing ozone production to slow down for the day, while moisture from the storm destroys the ozone that has formed. Hence statement 2 is not correct.
Studies have shown that PM with a diameter of 10 μm (PM10) can enter the lungs but not the bloodstreams. PM particles with a diameter of 2.5 μm or less (PM2.5) can further reach the distal lung segments, including the alveoli, pass into the bloodstream, and are capable of penetrating blood-organ barriers affecting multiple organ systems, such as the brain, heart, liver and kidney. So, statement 3 is not correct.
Ozone pollution is the result of hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxide emissions from motor vehicles or other sources, mixed in the presence of sunlight. It causes increased wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness, especially among susceptible children who play outdoors in polluted environments. Excessive ozone can trigger asthma because it is very irritating to the lungs and airways. So, statement 4 is correct.
Q45. With reference to “Gucchi” sometimes mentioned in the news, consider the following statements :
1. It is a fungus.
2. It grows in some Himalayan forest areas.
3. It is commercially cultivated in the Himalayan foothills of north-eastern India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ? .
(a) 1 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 2 only
(d) 2 and 3 only
Solution C
Grown in the foothills of the Himalayas, Gucchi mushrooms are the costliest among fungi in the world. They are also known as Morel Mushrooms, and are a rare variety that cannot be cultivated commercially. Hence Statement 1 is correct.
Gucchi mushrooms grow in clusters on logs in decaying wood and are mostly cultivated in parts of India like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir. Hence Statement 2 is correct.
The fresh morel mushroom season is limited to a barely few weeks in the spring. It is collected from the wild habitats in northwestern Himalayas by the locals”. Hence Statement 3 is not correct.
Q46. With reference to polyethylene terephthalate, the use of which is so widespread in our daily lives, consider the following statements :
1. Its fibres can be blended with wool and cotton fibres to reinforce their properties.
2. Containers made of it can be used to store any alcoholic beverage.
3. Bottles made of it can be recycled into other products.
4. Articles made of it can be easily disposed of by incineration without causing greenhouse gas emissions.
Which of the statements given above are correct ?
(a) 1 and 3
(b) 2 and 4
(c) 1 and. 4
(d) 2 and 3
Solution A
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is the predominant polyester used for fibre production. They are often used in durable-press blends with other fibres such as rayon, wool, and cotton, reinforcing the inherent properties of those fibres while contributing to the ability of the fabric to recover from wrinkling. Hence statement 1 is correct.
Particularly for highly concentrated spirits in small PET bottles and high storage temperatures the water permeation is unfavourable. In fact, the leaching effects of plastic and plastic chemical substances (such as ethylene glycol) have the tendency to leach considerably into alcohol stored if the temperature goes up during storage. Hence statement 2 is not correct.
PET bottles can be recycled back into bottles, fibres, film, thermoformed packaging and strapping. Hence statement 3 is correct.
The burning of plastics releases toxic gases like dioxins, furans, mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls (better known as BCPs) into the atmosphere, and poses a threat to vegetation, and human and animal health. Hence statement 4 is not correct.
Q47. Which of the following is not a bird ?
(a) Golden Mahseer
(b) Indian Nightjar
(c) Spoonbill
(d) White Ibis
Solution A
Mahseer roughly translates as mahi – fish and sher – tiger, and hence is also referred as tiger among fish. It is a large cyprinid and known to be the toughest among the fresh water sport fish.
The Indian nightjar is a small nightjar which is a resident breeder in open lands across South Asia and Southeast Asia. The first bird to be called a “nightjar” was the European Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus) which was so named in the 17th century because it was active at night and made a jarring noise (night + jar = nightjar).
Spoonbills are a genus, Platalea, of large, long-legged wading birds. The spoonbills have a global distribution, being found on every continent except Antarctica. The genus name Platalea derives from Ancient Greek and means “broad”, referring to the distinctive shape of the bill.
White Ibises are wetland birds. They use freshwater marshes, coastal estuaries, mangroves, flooded pastures, mudflats, and swamps.
Q48. Which of the following are nitrogen-fixing plants ?
1. Alfalfa
2. Amaranth
3. Chickpea
4. Clover
5. Purslane (Kulfa)
6. Spinach
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
(a) 1, 3 and 4 only
(b) 1, 3, 5 and 6 only
(c) 2, 4, 5 and 6 only
(d) 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6
Solution A
Alfalfa, also called lucerne, is a perennial flowering plant in the legume family Fabaceae. It is cultivated as an important forage crop in many countries around the world. Symbiotic N2 fixation by alfalfa provides substantial amounts of nitrogen (N) to livestock operations, subsequent crops, and soil organic matter. Hence option 1 is correct.
Amarnath: Amaranthus is a cosmopolitan genus of annual or short-lived perennial plants collectively known as amaranths. Hence option 2 is not correct.
Chickpea: The chickpea or chick pea is an annual legume of the family Fabaceae and is a nitrogen-fixing plant. Hence option 3 is correct.
Clover: Nitrogen is “fixed” in clovers through a symbiotic relationship with Rhizobium bacteria that infects the plant’s roots. Hence option 4 is correct.
Purslane: Purslane is a green, leafy vegetable that can be eaten raw or cooked. It is known scientifically as Portulaca oleracea, and is also called pigweed, little hogweed, fatweed and pusley. This succulent plant contains about 93% water. It has red stems and small, green leaves. Is nitrogen-fixing plant. Hence option 5 is not correct.
Spinach: Spinach is a leafy green flowering plant native to central and western Asia. It is of the order Caryophyllales, family Amaranthaceae. Hence option 6 is not correct.
Q49. “Biorock technology” is talked about in which one of the following situations ?
(a) Restoration of damaged coral reefs
(b) Development of building materials using plant residues
(c) Identification of areas for exploration/extraction of shale gas
(d) Providing salt licks for wild animals in forests/protected areas
Solution A
Biorock technology is an innovative process originally invented in 1976 by the late architect to produce natural building materials in the sea. Biorock technology has been successfully applied to fish and shellfish mariculture as well as to growing limestone breakwaters to protect islands and coastal areas from erosion and rising sea levels. It is a unique method that allows coral reefs, and other marine ecosystems including seagrass, salt marsh, mangrove, and oyster reefs to survive and recover.
Q50. The “Miyawaki method” is well known for the :
(a) Promotion of commercial farming in arid and semi-arid areas
(b) Development of gardens using genetically modified flora
(c) Creation of mini forests in urban areas
(d) Harvesting wind energy on coastal areas and on sea surfaces
Solution C
Urban forests are created through Miyawaki, an afforestation method based on the work of Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki in the 1980s. The technique compresses layers of a forest – shrubs, trees, canopies – on small plots of land, turning them into tiny forests.
In the Miyawaki technique, various native species of plants are planted close to each other so that the greens receive sunlight only from the top and grow upwards than sideways. As a result, the plantation becomes approximately 30 times denser, grows 10 times faster and becomes maintenance-free after a span of 3 years