Q1. With reference to distinctive features of leaf insects, consider the following statements:
- They are excellent swimmers.
- They possess vibrant, colorful patterns.
- They mimic the appearance of leaves.
- They are known for their loud chirping.
How many of the above statements given is/are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
Ans: (a)
Explanation:
- Leaf insects are tropical insects that resemble leaves to avoid predators. They are closely related to stick insects and are known for their remarkable camouflage. Leaf insects are found in the forests of Asia, Papua New Guinea, Australia, and the islands of the Indian Ocean.
Q2. Consider the following statements about Red Sand Boa:
- It is a non-venomous snake.
- It uses its head to mimic a threat.
- It is classified as ‘Near Threatened’ by the IUCN.
How many of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Ans: (c)
Explanation:
- The red sand boa (Eryx johnii) is a non-venomous snake that lives in the dry parts of the Indian subcontinent.
- It’s also known as the Indian sand boa. The red sand boa is a thick-set snake that’s usually reddish-brown, known for its blunt tail, which it uses to mimic its head when it senses a threat.
- Classified as ‘Near Threatened’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) with a declining population trend.
- The red sand boa is highly sought after in the illegal wildlife trade due to its demand in the pet trade and its use in black magic.
Q3. If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of the Wildlife Protection Act,1972, what is the implication?
(a) A licence is required to cultivate that plant.
(b) Such a plant cannot be cultivated under any circumstances.
(c) It is a Genetically Modified crop plant.
(d) Such a plant is invasive and harmful to the ecosystem.
Ans: (a)
Explanation:
- These are Endemic plants where Cultivation of specified plants without licence is prohibited.
- From the Wildlife protection Act: (1) No person shall cultivate a specified plant except under and in accordance with a licence granted by the Chief Wild Life Warden or any other officer authorised by the State Government in this behalf: Provided that nothing in this section shall prevent a person, who immediately before the commencement of the Wild Life (Protection) (Amendment) Act, 1991 (44 of 1991), was cultivating a specified plant from carrying on such cultivation for a period of six months from such commencement or where he has made an application within that period for the grant of a licence to him, until the licence is granted to him or he is informed in writing that a licence cannot be granted to him.
Q4. Which one of the following statements best describes the term ‘Social Cost of Carbon’?
It is a measure, in monetary value, of the:
(a) long-term damage done by a tonne of CO2 emissions in a given year.
(b) requirement of fossil fuels for a country to provide goods and services to its citizens, based on the burning of those fuels.
(c) efforts put in by a climate refugee to adapt to live in a new place.
(d) contribution of an individual person to the carbon footprint on the planet Earth.
Ans: (a)
Explanation:
- The social cost of carbon (SCC) is the marginal cost of the impacts caused by emitting one extra tonne of greenhouse gas (carbon dioxide equivalent) at any point in time, inclusive of ‘non-market’ impacts on the environment and human health. The purpose of putting a price on a ton of emitted CO2 is to aid policymakers or other legislators in evaluating whether a policy designed to curb climate change is justified.
Q5. With reference to solar water pumps, consider the following statements:
- Solar power can be used for running surface pumps and not for submersible pumps.
- Solar power can be used for running centrifugal pumps and not the ones with piston.
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
Ans: (d)
Explanation:
- They can be used to run them all. The most common pump mechanics in Solar power pumps used are centrifugal pumps, multistage pumps, borehole pumps, and helical pumps.
