01 October 2022

Q1. Consider the following statements:

• The energy required for the life within the biosphere comes only from the sun.
• Ecotone is larger than a biome.
• A well-developed ecotone may contain some unique organisms which might be absent in the adjacent ecosystems.

Which of the above statements is/are correct:

1. 1, 2
2. 1, 3
3. 2, 3
4. 3 only

Solution: (D)

• The energy required for the life within the biosphere usually comes from the sun.
• But, Chemosynthetic bacteria are organisms that use inorganic molecules as a source of energy and convert them into organic substances.
• They do not need sunlight for their survival.
• Chemosynthetic bacteria, unlike plants, obtain their energy from the oxidation of inorganic molecules, rather than photosynthesis.
• Chemosynthetic bacteria use inorganic molecules, such as ammonia, molecular hydrogen, sulfur, hydrogen sulfide and ferrous iron to produce the organic compounds needed for their subsistence.
• Most chemosynthetic bacteria live in environments where sunlight is unable to penetrate and which are considered inhospitable to most known organisms.
• Ecotone is a zone of junction between two or more diverse ecosystems.
• For e.g. the mangrove forests represent an ecotone between marine and terrestrial ecosystem.
• It may be very narrow or quite wide, but not larger than a biome which is a much larger entity.
• Well-developed ecotones contain some organisms which are entirely different from that of the adjoining communities.

Q2. Consider the following statements:

• In the composition of living organisms, carbon constitutes the maximum share in the dry weight of organisms.
• In the total quantity of global carbon, maximum percentage of carbon is found dissolved in oceans.

Which of the above statements is/are incorrect:

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both
4. None

Solution:(A)

• When you study the composition of living organisms, carbon constitutes 49 per cent of dry weight of organisms and is next only to water.
• If we look at the total quantity of global carbon, we find that 71 per cent carbon is found dissolved in oceans.
• This oceanic reservoir regulates the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Q3. Which of the following activities releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere:

• Respiratory activities of the producers and consumers.
• Processing of waste materials by Decomposers.
• Forest Fire
• Combustion of organic matter
• Volcanic activity

Select the correct answer code:

1. 1, 2, 3, 4
2. 1, 3, 4, 5
3. 2, 3, 4, 5
4. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Solution:  (D)

• A considerable amount of carbon returns to the atmosphere as CO2 through respiratory activities of the producers and consumers.
• Decomposers also contribute substantially to CO2 pool by their processing of waste materials and dead organic matter of land or oceans.
• Some amount of the fixed carbon is lost to sediments and removed from circulation.
• Burning of wood, forest fire and combustion of organic matter, fossil fuel, volcanic activity are additional sources for releasing CO2 in the atmosphere.
• Human activities have significantly influenced the carbon cycle.
• Rapid deforestation and massive burning of fossil fuel for energy and transport have significantly increased the rate of release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
• When you study the composition of living organisms, carbon constitutes 49 per cent of dry weight of organisms and is next only to water.
• If we look at the total quantity of global carbon, we find that 71 per cent carbon is found dissolved in oceans.
• This oceanic reservoir regulates the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Q4. Which of the following are the ecosystem services provided by Wetlands:

• Water purification
• Aquifer recharge
• Microclimate regulation
• Aesthetic enhancement of landscapes

Select the correct answer code:

1. 1, 2, 3
2. 2, 3, 4
3. 1, 3, 4
4. 1, 2, 3, 4

Solution: (D)

• The wetlands, vital parts of the hydrological cycle, are highly productive ecosystems which support rich biodiversity and provide a wide range of ecosystem services such as water storage, water purification, flood mitigation, erosion control, aquifer recharge, microclimate regulation, aesthetic enhancement of landscapes while simultaneously supporting many significant recreational, social and cultural activities, being part of our rich cultural heritage. 

Q5. Faith for rights (F4R) movement, recently seen in news is associated with:

1. Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR)
2. United Nations
3. World Economic Forum (WEF)
4. Oxfam International

Solution: (B)

• Faith for Rights, a UN-led movement which campaigns against incitement to national, racial or religious hatred, and exposes legislative patterns, judicial practices and government policies that undercut peaceful coexistence of different faiths.

Q6. Consider the following statements about International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

(ICCPR):

• International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) is a multilateral treaty adopted by the United Nations General Assembly.
• The covenant commits its parties to respect the civil and political rights of individuals including rights to due process and a fair trial.
• The ICCPR is part of Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

Which of the above statements is/are correct:

1. 1, 2
2. 2, 3
3. 1, 3
4. 1, 2, 3

Solution:(D)

• The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) is a multilateral treaty adopted by the United Nations General Assembly.
• The covenant commits its parties to respect the civil and political rights of individuals, including the right to life, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, electoral rights and rights to due process and a fair trial.
• The ICCPR is part of the International Bill of Human Rights, along with the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
• The ICCPR is monitored by the United Nations Human Rights Committee.
• China has signed the Covenant but not ratified it.

Q7. Consider the following statements regarding Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI):

• GPAI is a first initiative of its type for evolving better understanding of the challenges and opportunities around Artificial Intelligence.
• The goal is to facilitate international collaboration, reduce duplication between governments, and act as a global reference point on discussions on responsible AI.
• It is supported by Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Which of the above statements is/are correct:

1. 1, 2
2. 1, 3
3. 2, 3
4. 1, 2, 3

Solution:(D)

• The Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) is an international and multi-stakeholder initiative that aims to advance the responsible and human-centric development and use of artificial intelligence.
• Specifically, GPAI brings together leading experts from science, industry, civil society, and governments to “bridge the gap between theory and practice” through applied AI projects and activities.
• The goal is to facilitate international collaboration, reduce duplication between governments, and act as a global reference point on discussions on responsible AI.
• The OECD hosts a dedicated secretariat to support GPAI’s governing bodies and activities.

Q8. Which of the following countries are members of both BIMSTEC and SAARC:

• Bangladesh
• Bhutan
• Myanmar
• Sri Lanka

Select the correct answer code:

1. 1, 2, 4
2. 1, 2
3. 1, 3, 4
4. 1, 2, 3, 4

Solution:(A)

• The BIMSTEC member states – Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. SAARC member states are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Q9. Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), is related to:

1. Indian military action carried out in 1984 to remove militant religious leaders in Punjab
2. S. government’s Global War on Terrorism
3. Reassure safe passage of Indian flagged vessels transiting through Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman
4. Humanitarian assistance aimed to supply relief packages to Bangladesh for migrant Rohingya Muslims

Solution:(B)

• Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) was the official name used by the U.S. government for the Global War on Terrorism. Operation Enduring Freedom primarily refers to the War in

Afghanistan, but it is also affiliated with counterterrorism operations in other countries.

Q10. Consider the following statements regarding North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO):

• NATO membership is open to any country that is willing to accept the terms of the military alliance.
• All decisions are taken by consensus in NATO.
• The Membership Action Plan (MAP) of NATO is a military code that prohibits attack on member countries by any of the NATO members.

Which of the above statements is/are correct:

1. 1, 2
2. 2, 3
3. 2 only
4. 1, 3

Solution:(C)

• NATO membership is open to “any other European state in a position to further the principles of this Treaty and to contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area.”
• A “NATO decision” is the expression of the collective will of all 30 member countries since all decisions are taken by consensus.
• NATO is committed to the peaceful resolution of disputes.
• If diplomatic efforts fail, it has the military capacity needed to undertake crisis-management operations.
• These are carried out under the Washington Treaty – NATO’s founding treaty – or under a UN mandate, alone or in cooperation with other countries and international organizations.
• The Membership Action Plan (MAP) is a NATO programme of advice, assistance and practical support tailored to the individual needs of countries wishing to join the Alliance.