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1. On the basis of origin, resources are classified into which of the following categories?
A. Biotic and Abiotic
B. Renewable and Non-renewable
C. Individual and Community
D. Potential and Developed
Answer: A. Biotic and Abiotic
Explanation: On the basis of origin, resources are classified as Biotic (obtained from biosphere having life) and Abiotic (composed of non-living things).
2. Which type of resource can be renewed or reproduced by physical, chemical, or mechanical processes?
A. Renewable resources
B. Non-renewable resources
C. Stock resources
D. Reserve resources
Answer: A. Renewable resources
Explanation: Renewable or replenishable resources are those which can be renewed or reproduced by physical, chemical, or mechanical processes (e.g., solar, wind, water).
3. Oceanic resources beyond 200 nautical miles of the Exclusive Economic Zone belong to which category?
A. International Resources
B. National Resources
C. Community Resources
D. Individual Resources
Answer: A. International Resources
Explanation: Oceanic resources beyond 200 nautical miles of the Exclusive Economic Zone are international resources and no individual country can utilize them without concurrence of international institutions.
4. Where was the first International Earth Summit held in June 1992?
A. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
B. Geneva, Switzerland
C. New York, USA
D. Johannesburg, South Africa
Answer: A. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Explanation: In June 1992, more than 100 heads of states met in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil for the first International Earth Summit.
5. What is 'Agenda 21' signed at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED)?
A. A declaration to achieve global sustainable development
B. A treaty to ban nuclear testing worldwide
C. A agreement to stop industrialization in developing countries
D. A plan to construct transcontinental highways
Answer: A. A declaration to achieve global sustainable development
Explanation: Agenda 21 is an agenda to combat environmental damage, poverty, disease through global cooperation on common interests and mutual responsibilities.
6. What is the total geographical area of India?
A. 3.28 million sq km
B. 2.45 million sq km
C. 4.12 million sq km
D. 5.60 million sq km
Answer: A. 3.28 million sq km
Explanation: India's total geographical area is 3.28 million square kilometres, out of which land use data is available for 93% of the total area.
7. According to the National Forest Policy (1952), what percentage of geographical area should ideally be under forest cover?
A. 33%
B. 21%
C. 50%
D. 25%
Answer: A. 33%
Explanation: The National Forest Policy (1952) outlined that forest area in the country should be 33% of the total geographical area for maintaining ecological balance.
8. What is the main cause of land degradation in states like Punjab, Haryana, and Western Uttar Pradesh?
A. Over-irrigation leading to waterlogging and salinity
B. Deforestation due to mining
C. Overgrazing
D. Industrial effluents dumping
Answer: A. Over-irrigation leading to waterlogging and salinity
Explanation: In Punjab, Haryana, and Western Uttar Pradesh, over-irrigation is responsible for land degradation due to waterlogging leading to increase in salinity and alkalinity in soil.
9. In which of the following states is overgrazing the main reason for land degradation?
A. Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh
B. Punjab and Haryana
C. Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh
D. Odisha and West Bengal
Answer: A. Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh
Explanation: In states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra, overgrazing is one of the main reasons for land degradation.
10. Deforestation due to mining has caused severe land degradation in which group of states?
A. Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha
B. Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan
C. Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka
D. Assam, Meghalaya, and Nagaland
Answer: A. Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha
Explanation: Mining sites leave deep scars and traces of over-burdening. In states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, MP, and Odisha, mining has caused severe land degradation.
11. Which is the most widespread and important soil type found in the northern plains of India?
A. Alluvial soil
B. Black soil
C. Red and Yellow soil
D. Laterite soil
Answer: A. Alluvial soil
Explanation: Alluvial soil is the most widely spread and important soil. The entire northern plains are made of alluvial soil deposited by three major river systems (Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra).
12. Based on age, alluvial soils are classified into 'Bangar' and 'Khadar'. What is Khadar?
A. New alluvial soil with fine particles and higher fertility
B. Old alluvial soil with higher concentration of Kankar nodules
C. Highly acidic black soil
D. Saline soil found in coastal areas
Answer: A. New alluvial soil with fine particles and higher fertility
Explanation: According to age, alluvial soils are classified as Bangar (old alluvial) and Khadar (new alluvial). Khadar has more fine particles and is more fertile than Bangar.
13. Which soil is black in color and also known as 'Regur soil' or 'Black Cotton soil'?
A. Black soil
B. Laterite soil
C. Arid soil
D. Red soil
Answer: A. Black soil
Explanation: Black soils are black in colour and are also known as Regur soils. Since they are ideal for growing cotton, they are also called black cotton soil.
14. Black soil is typical of which region in India?
A. Deccan Trap (Basalt) region
B. Northern Himalayan region
C. Thar Desert region
D. Eastern Coastal plains
Answer: A. Deccan Trap (Basalt) region
Explanation: Black soil is typical of the Deccan trap region spread over northwest Deccan plateau and is made up of lava flows.
15. Why does red soil look reddish in color?
A. Diffusion of iron in crystalline and metamorphic rocks
B. High content of humus and clay
C. Presence of calcium carbonates
D. Excessive leaching due to high rainfall
Answer: A. Diffusion of iron in crystalline and metamorphic rocks
Explanation: Red soil develops a reddish color due to diffusion of iron in crystalline and metamorphic rocks. It looks yellow when it occurs in a hydrated form.
16. The word 'Laterite' has been derived from the Latin word 'Later' which means:
A. Brick
B. Rock
C. Clay
D. Sand
Answer: A. Brick
Explanation: The laterite soil develops under tropical and subtropical climate with alternate wet and dry season. The word laterite comes from Latin word 'later' meaning brick.
17. Which soil develops as a result of intense leaching due to heavy rain in high-temperature areas?
A. Laterite soil
B. Arid soil
C. Black soil
D. Alluvial soil
Answer: A. Laterite soil
Explanation: Laterite soil is the result of intense leaching due to heavy rain in tropical areas with high temperature.
18. Red laterite soils in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala are suitable for growing which crop?
A. Cashew nut
B. Wheat
C. Sugarcane
D. Pulses
Answer: A. Cashew nut
Explanation: Red laterite soils in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala are very suitable for crops like cashew nut after adopting soil conservation techniques.
19. Arid soils range from red to brown in color and characteristically lack which components?
A. Humus and moisture
B. Salt content
C. Calcium content
D. Sand particles
Answer: A. Humus and moisture
Explanation: Due to dry climate and high temperature, evaporation is faster and the soil lacks humus and moisture.
20. What is the lower horizon of Arid soil occupied by that restricts infiltration of water?
A. Kankar (calcium carbonate) layer
B. Clay layer
C. Granite rock layer
D. Iron oxide deposits
Answer: A. Kankar (calcium carbonate) layer
Explanation: The lower horizon of Arid soil is occupied by Kankar because of increasing calcium content downwards, which restricts water infiltration.
21. The running water cuts through clayey soils and makes deep channels known as:
A. Gullies
B. Sheets
C. Ravines
D. Badlands
Answer: A. Gullies
Explanation: The running water cuts through the clayey soils and makes deep channels known as gullies. The land becomes unfit for cultivation (badland).
22. In the Chambal basin, badlands created by severe gully erosion are locally called:
A. Ravines
B. Khadar
C. Bangar
D. Bhabar
Answer: A. Ravines
Explanation: Land rendered unfit for cultivation due to gully erosion is called badland. In the Chambal basin, such lands are called ravines.
23. When topsoil is washed away over a large area due to water flowing as a sheet down a slope, it is called:
A. Sheet erosion
B. Gully erosion
C. Wind erosion
D. Glacial erosion
Answer: A. Sheet erosion
Explanation: Sometimes water flows as a sheet over large areas down a slope. In such cases, topsoil is washed away, known as sheet erosion.
24. What soil conservation technique involves ploughing along contour lines to decelerate the flow of water down slopes?
A. Contour ploughing
B. Terrace farming
C. Strip cropping
D. Shelter belts
Answer: A. Contour ploughing
Explanation: Ploughing along contour lines decelerates the flow of water down the slopes. This technique is called contour ploughing.
25. Planting rows of trees to create shelter and break the force of wind is known as:
A. Shelter belts
B. Contour farming
C. Strip cropping
D. Terrace cultivation
Answer: A. Shelter belts
Explanation: Rows of trees planted to create shelter in dry areas are called shelter belts. They have contributed significantly to stabilization of sand dunes in deserts.
26. Who authored the famous book 'Small is Beautiful', presenting Gandhian philosophy on resource conservation in 1974?
A. E.F. Schumacher
B. Amartya Sen
C. Jawahar Lal Nehru
D. Brundtland
Answer: A. E.F. Schumacher
Explanation: Gandhian philosophy on resource conservation was presented by E.F. Schumacher in his book 'Small is Beautiful' in 1974.
27. Which seminal report introduced the concept of 'Sustainable Development' globally in 1987?
A. Brundtland Commission Report
B. Club of Rome Report
C. Kyoto Protocol Report
D. World Bank Environment Report
Answer: A. Brundtland Commission Report
Explanation: The landmark contribution to resource conservation at a global level was made by the Brundtland Commission Report 1987, published as 'Our Common Future'.
28. What are resources that are found in a region but have not been utilized called?
A. Potential Resources
B. Developed Resources
C. Stock
D. Reserves
Answer: A. Potential Resources
Explanation: Potential resources are resources found in a region but have not been utilized (e.g., solar and wind energy in Rajasthan/Gujarat).
29. What is land left without cultivation for one or less than one agricultural year called?
A. Current fallow land
B. Other than current fallow land
C. Cultruable waste land
D. Barren land
Answer: A. Current fallow land
Explanation: Current fallow land is land left without cultivation for one or less than one agricultural year to regain soil fertility naturally.
30. What constitutes 'Stock' in resource classification?
A. Materials in environment that have potential to satisfy human needs but humans lack appropriate technology to access them
B. Resources surveyed and quantified for utilization
C. Resources owned privately by individuals
D. Subset of reserves that can be put into use with existing technology
Answer: A. Materials in environment that have potential to satisfy human needs but humans lack appropriate technology to access them
Explanation: Stock comprises materials in the environment which have the potential to satisfy human needs, but human beings do not have the required technology to access them (e.g., extracting hydrogen from water for energy).
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