[1] Why are winters more severe in Southern Hemisphere than in Northern Hemisphere?
A.
Earth is titled towards the sun in the Northern Hemisphere
B.
Northern Hemisphere receives more sunlight
C.
Because of more iceberg activity in Southern Hemisphere
D.
Southern Hemisphere is less inhabited
Ans:
Earth is titled towards the sun in the Northern Hemisphere
Explanation :
The winter in the Southern Hemisphere occurs when the Northern hemisphere is tilted more toward the Sun. From the perspective of an observer on the Earth, the winter Sun has a lower maximum altitude in the sky than the summer Sun.
[2] What is meant by Isthmus?
A.
Mouth of a river where it joins the sea
B.
Narrow strip of water dividing two land masses
C.
Narrow strip of land dividing two oceans
D.
Narrow strip of land connecting two large areas of land
Ans:
Narrow strip of land dividing two oceans
Explanation :
An isthmus is a narrow strip of land connecting two larger land areas, usually with water on either side, The Panama Canal crosses the Isthmus of Panama, connecting the North Atlantic and Pacific Oceans; the Suez Canal connects the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean, cutting across the western side of an isthmus formed by the Sinai Peninsula. Strait is the sea counterpart of isthmus.
[3] Magnetic Meridian is a –
A.
Line parallel to the equator of the Earth
B.
Latitude
C.
Line joining the geographic north and geographic south of Earth
D.
Plane passing through the magnetic north and magnetic south of Earth
Ans:
Plane passing through the magnetic north and magnetic south of Earth
Explanation :
Magnetic Meridian is a line on the earth's surface approximating a great circle passing through the north and south magnetic poles. It can be taken as the horizontal component of magnetic force lines along the surface of the earth. A compass needle is parallel to the magnetic meridian.
[4] 'Cloud burst' means –
A.
Sowing of seeds of a crop in cloudy weather.
B.
Abnormally heavy downpour of rain, associated with a thunderstorm.
C.
Formation of artificial rain.
D.
Presence of scattered flakes of cloud in the sky.
Ans:
Abnormally heavy downpour of rain, associated with a thunderstorm.
Explanation :
A cloudburst is an extreme amount of precipitation, sometimes accompanied by hail and thunder, that normally lasts no longer than a few minutes but is capable of creating flood conditions. A cloudburst can suddenly dump large amounts of water. However, cloudbursts are infrequent as they occur only via orographic lift or sudden condensation.
[5] Best way to conserve our water resources :
A.
Rain water harvesting
B.
Sustainable water utilization
C.
Encouragement of natural regeneration of vegetation
D.
All of the options mentioned here
Ans:
All of the options mentioned here
Explanation :
Water conservation encompasses the policies, strategies and activities to manage fresh water as a sustainable resource, to protect the water environment and to meet current and future human demand. Rain water harvesting, sustainable water use and natural regeneration of vegetation are some of the holistic ways for conserving water.
[6] The word Biosphere refers to :
A.
Zone of soil, water and air around earth capable of supporting the flora and fauna.
B.
Part of earth surface which can support the flora
C.
Parts of air around earth a where life can exist
D.
Zone of water on earth which can support life.
Ans:
Zone of soil, water and air around earth capable of supporting the flora and fauna.
Explanation :
Biosphere refers to that portion of the Earth which is occupied by the various forms of life, in addition to the three main physical zones, the Lithosphere, the Hydrosphere and the Atmosphere.
[7] Spring tides occur on –
A.
New moon day only
B.
Full moon day as well as on new moon day
C.
Full moon day only
D.
The day the moon's position moon's position is in its first quarter
Ans:
Full moon day as well as on new moon day
Explanation :
Spring Tides refer to either of the two tides that occur at or just after new moon and full moon when the tide-generating force of the sun acts in the same direction as that of the moon, reinforcing it and causing the greatest rise and fall in tidal level. The highest spring titles (equinoctial springs) occur at the equinoxes.
[8] Choose the correct option which represents the arrangement of atmospheric layers.
A.
Ionosphere, Ecosphere, Mesosphere, Stratosphere, Troposphere
B.
Ecosphere, Troposphere, Ionosphere, Mesosphere, Stratosphere
C.
Mesosphere, Ionosphere. Ecosphere, Troposphere, Stratosphare
D.
Troposphare, Ionosphere, Ecosphere
Ans:
Troposphare, Ionosphere, Ecosphere
Explanation :
From top to bottom, the Earth's atmosphere is divided into five main layers, the exosphere, the thermosphere, the mesosphere, the stratosphere and the troposphere. The atmosphere thins out in each higher layer until the gases dissipate in space. The five main layers are: Exosphere: 700 to 10,000 km Thermosphere: 80 to 700 km Mesosphere: 50 to 80 km Stratosphere: 12 to 50 km Troposphere: 0 to 12 km
[9] The 'graded profile' of a river course is a –
A.
smooth curve from source to mouth
B.
smooth curve in the upper course.
C.
smooth curve in the middle course.
D.
smooth curve in the lower course.
Ans:
smooth curve from source to mouth
Explanation :
The course of a river from its source to its mouth is normally divided into 3 sections, namely upper, middle and lower courses. Action of the river on its valley from source to mouth in relation to the features developed by it is seen in the river valley profile, known as graded profile. Throughout the long profile of a river, deposition and erosion are balanced meaning that, given enough time, the river's long profile would become a smooth, concave, graded profile from its source to mouth.
[10] Which one of the following is called as "Roaring Forty"?
A.
Winds blowing in southern hemisphere between 40°-60° S
B.
Winds blowing in northern hemisphere between 40°-60° N
C.
Very cold winds which blow in winters
D.
Very hot and fast blowing summer winds
Ans:
Winds blowing in southern hemisphere between 40°-60° S
Explanation :
The Roaring Forties is the name given to strong westerly winds found in the Southern Hemisphere, generally between the latitudes of 40 and 50 degrees. The strong west-to-east air currents are caused by the combination of air being displaced from the Equator towards the South Pole and the Earth's rotation, and there are few landmasses to serve as windbreaks.
[11] The distribution of characteristic vegetation of a region is determined mainly by –
A.
soil, water and temperature
B.
water, greenhouse effect and altitude
C.
wind, water and latitude
D.
sunlight, water and wind
Ans:
soil, water and temperature
Explanation :
Soil, water and climate of a region are the three primary factors significantly influencing the vegetation of a region. Such factors as depth, texture, and humus content of the soil determine the type of vegetation that can be supported in a region. Again, any vegetation needs moisture to survive and this explains the range which varies from evergreen forests to shrubs.
[12] The food chain refers to the transfer of energy from :
A.
the interior of the earth to the surface
B.
lower to higher latitudes
C.
one organism to another
D.
organisms of the land to those of the sea by means of river
Ans:
one organism to another
Explanation :
A food chain is a linear sequence of links in a food web starting from atrophic species that eats no other species in the web and ends at a trophic species that is eaten by no other species in the web. A food chain differs from a food web, because the complex polyphagous network of feeding relations are aggregated into trophic species and the chain only follows linear monophagous pathways. A common metric used to quantify food web trophic structure is food chain length.
[13] The presence of a lion in the forest is essential in order to –
A.
keep the trees safe from felling
B.
add beauty in the forests
C.
save the pastures from being overgrazed
D.
keep other carnivorous animals away
Ans:
save the pastures from being overgrazed
Explanation :
Lions provide important ecological and cultural functions. As an apex and keystone predator, lions help to regulate prey populations; they also will scavenge if the opportunity arises. Culturally, the lion (and particularly the male with its highly distinctive mane) is one of the most widely recognized animal symbols in human culture and lion play a key role in save the pastures from being overgrazed.
[14] The main cause of global climatic change is –
A.
increase in the content of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
B.
emissions of industrial gases
C.
adding of dust
D.
changes in plant cover
Ans:
increase in the content of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
Explanation :
Our ever increasing addiction to electricity from coal burning power plants eleases enormous amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. 40% of U.S. CO2 emissions come from electricity production, and burning coal accounts for 93% of emissions from the electric utility industry. Every day, more electric gadgets flood the market, and without widespread alternative energy sources, we are highly dependent on burning coal for our personal and commercial electrical supply.
[15] Echo sounding is the technique applied to—
A.
measure the depth of the sea
B.
measure the amplitude of sound waves
C.
record earthquake waves
D.
record the density of air in the atmosphere
Ans:
measure the depth of the sea
Explanation :
Echo sounding is the technique of using sound pulses to find the depth of water. The interval from the emission of a pulse to reception of its echo is recorded, and the depth calculated from the known speed of propagation of sound through water. This information is then typically used for navigation purposes or in order to obtain depths for charting purposes.
[16] The term territorial water means –
A.
The water found within the country in form of rivers and lakes
B.
The water secured from other countries
C.
The water which is supplied to other countries
D.
Water of the sea located close to the coast of a country
Ans:
Water of the sea located close to the coast of a country
Explanation :
Territorial waters, or a territorial sea, as defined by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, is a belt of coastal waters extending at most 12 nautical miles (22 km) from the baseline (usually the mean low-water mark) of a coastal state. The territorial sea is regarded as the sovereign territory of the state, although foreign ships (both military and civilian) are allowed innocent passage through it.
[17] The acceleration due to gravity at the equator –
A.
is less than that at the poles
B.
is greater than that at the poles
C.
is equal to that at the poles
D.
does not depend on the earth's centripetal acceleration
Ans:
is less than that at the poles
Explanation :
The gravity of Earth, denoted g, refers to the acceleration that the Earth imparts to objects on or near its surface. At latitudes nearer the Equator, the inertia produced by Earth's rotation is stronger than at polar latitudes. This counteracts the Earth's gravity to a small degree - up to a maximum of 0.3% at the Equator - reducing the downward acceleration of falling objects. The second major reason for the difference in gravity at different latitudes is that the Earth's equatorial bulge (itself also caused by inertia) causes objects at the Equator to be farther from the planet's centre than objects at the poles.
[18] Solar eclipse occurs when –
A.
the Moon does not lie on the line joining the Sun and the Earth
B.
the Moon comes between the Sun and the Earth
C.
the Sun comes between the Moon and the Earth
D.
the Earth comes between the Moon and the Sun
Ans:
the Moon comes between the Sun and the Earth
Explanation :
A solar eclipse is a type of eclipse that occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, and the Moon fully or partially blocks ("occults") the Sun. This can happen only at new moon, when the Sun and the Moon are in conjunction.
[19] Biosphere refers to –
A.
the area of the land inhabited by living organism
B.
the part of ocean inhabited by plants and animals
C.
the portion of the earth, including the oceans, the land, the soil and the atmosphere inhabited by living organisms
D.
the atmosphere surrounding the living organisms
Ans:
the portion of the earth, including the oceans, the land, the soil and the atmosphere inhabited by living organisms
Explanation :
The biosphere is the global ecological system integrating all living beings and their relationships, including their interaction with the elements of the litho-sphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. The biosphere is made up of the parts of Earth where life exists. It is the worldwide sum of all ecosystems.
[20] Granite, quartzite areas have upstanding look because –
A.
mechanically weathered faster
B.
these rocks are resistant to all kinds of erosion
C.
these rocks are not easily eroded
D.
not easily worn down
Ans:
not easily worn down
Explanation :
Granite is high in quartz, a mineral very resistant to weathering. Similarly, quartzite is harder than steel. So, they are not easily worn down and give rise to upstanding mountains and hills (Environmental Biology by P.D. Sharma, p. 37). However, they are subject to differential weathering: a rock that is resistant in a climate dominated by chemical weathering may be weak where physical weathering process dominate, and vice versa. So quartzite, though hard and chemically inert, can be fractured by physical weathering.
[21] Equator represents –
A.
line joining North and South poles
B.
imaginary line passing round the Earth midway between North & South poles
C.
a belt (ring) around the planet Saturn
D.
axis of rotation of Earth
Ans:
imaginary line passing round the Earth midway between North & South poles
Explanation :
An equator is the intersection of a sphere's surface with the plane perpendicular to the sphere's axis of rotation and containing the sphere's center of mass. Notably, the Equator refers to the Earth's equator, per above: an imaginary line on the Earth's surface equidistant from the North Pole and South Pole, dividing the Earth into the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere. Other planets and spherical astronomical bodies have equators similarly defined. The length of the Equator is roughly 40,075 kilometres.
[22] Tides in the sea have stored in them :
A.
Hydraulic energy
B.
Kinetic energy
C.
Gravitational potential energy
D.
A combination of all the above three forms of energy
Ans:
Gravitational potential energy
Explanation :
Tides are the rise and fall of sea levels caused by the combined effects of the gravitational forces exerted by the Moon and the Sun and the rotation of the Earth. Tidal barrages make use of the potential energy in the difference in height (or head) between high and low tides. When using tidal barrages to generate power, the potential energy from a tide is seized through strategic placement of specialized dams. When the sea level rises and the tide begins to come in, the temporary increase in tidal power is channeled into a large basin behind the darn, holding a large amount of potential energy.
[23] Snakes and vultures are eating rats in a field. If wild dogs are let into the field, what will be the immediate result?
A.
Decrease in the number of snakes
B.
Decrease in the number of vultures
C.
Decrease in the number of rats
D.
Increase in the number of snakes
Ans:
Decrease in the number of rats
Explanation :
There will be a decrease in the number of rats simply because rat is a prey to all the three of them and this leads to just a single conclusion that there is decrease in the number of rats.
[24] Man can maintain an ecological balance in the biosphere by-
A.
deforestation
B.
developing new breeds of cultivated plants and domesticated animals
C.
using insecticides and pesticides
D.
understanding the delicate balance in the relative number of organisms
Ans:
understanding the delicate balance in the relative number of organisms
Explanation :
Ecological balance is a state of dynamic equilibrium within a community of organisms in which genetic, species and ecosystem diversity remain relatively stable, subject to gradual changes through natural succession." In other words, it refers to stable balance in the numbers of each species in an ecosystem. So to maintain this balance, the delicate balance between the organisms constituting and ecosystem should be understood.
[25] Extensive deserts occur in the western tropical regions of continents because :
A.
of easterly trade winds.
B.
cold ocean currents flow along the western coasts.
C.
of the effect of both the off-shore easterly trade winds and cold ocean currents.
D.
the rate of evaporation is greater along the western margin areas.
Ans:
of the effect of both the off-shore easterly trade winds and cold ocean currents.
Explanation :
Extensive deserts occur in the western tropical regions of continents because of the effect of both the offshore easterly trade winds and cold ocean currents. Most deserts arise due to atmospheric wind conditions. Other deserts result from the effects of ocean currents on landmasses, where cool air masses carry fog and mist, but little rain, along coastal regions. World desert map depicts the location of all the deserts of the world. They are centered along the Tropics of Cancer and. Capricorn. The heart of the tropical desert climate is found near the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, usually toward the western side of the continents
Explanation :
The winter in the Southern Hemisphere occurs when the Northern hemisphere is tilted more toward the Sun. From the perspective of an observer on the Earth, the winter Sun has a lower maximum altitude in the sky than the summer Sun.
[2] What is meant by Isthmus?
A.
Mouth of a river where it joins the sea
B.
Narrow strip of water dividing two land masses
C.
Narrow strip of land dividing two oceans
D.
Narrow strip of land connecting two large areas of land
Ans:
Narrow strip of land dividing two oceans
Explanation :
An isthmus is a narrow strip of land connecting two larger land areas, usually with water on either side, The Panama Canal crosses the Isthmus of Panama, connecting the North Atlantic and Pacific Oceans; the Suez Canal connects the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean, cutting across the western side of an isthmus formed by the Sinai Peninsula. Strait is the sea counterpart of isthmus.
[3] Magnetic Meridian is a –
A.
Line parallel to the equator of the Earth
B.
Latitude
C.
Line joining the geographic north and geographic south of Earth
D.
Plane passing through the magnetic north and magnetic south of Earth
Ans:
Plane passing through the magnetic north and magnetic south of Earth
Explanation :
Magnetic Meridian is a line on the earth's surface approximating a great circle passing through the north and south magnetic poles. It can be taken as the horizontal component of magnetic force lines along the surface of the earth. A compass needle is parallel to the magnetic meridian.
[4] 'Cloud burst' means –
A.
Sowing of seeds of a crop in cloudy weather.
B.
Abnormally heavy downpour of rain, associated with a thunderstorm.
C.
Formation of artificial rain.
D.
Presence of scattered flakes of cloud in the sky.
Ans:
Abnormally heavy downpour of rain, associated with a thunderstorm.
Explanation :
A cloudburst is an extreme amount of precipitation, sometimes accompanied by hail and thunder, that normally lasts no longer than a few minutes but is capable of creating flood conditions. A cloudburst can suddenly dump large amounts of water. However, cloudbursts are infrequent as they occur only via orographic lift or sudden condensation.
[5] Best way to conserve our water resources :
A.
Rain water harvesting
B.
Sustainable water utilization
C.
Encouragement of natural regeneration of vegetation
D.
All of the options mentioned here
Ans:
All of the options mentioned here
Explanation :
Water conservation encompasses the policies, strategies and activities to manage fresh water as a sustainable resource, to protect the water environment and to meet current and future human demand. Rain water harvesting, sustainable water use and natural regeneration of vegetation are some of the holistic ways for conserving water.
[6] The word Biosphere refers to :
A.
Zone of soil, water and air around earth capable of supporting the flora and fauna.
B.
Part of earth surface which can support the flora
C.
Parts of air around earth a where life can exist
D.
Zone of water on earth which can support life.
Ans:
Zone of soil, water and air around earth capable of supporting the flora and fauna.
Explanation :
Biosphere refers to that portion of the Earth which is occupied by the various forms of life, in addition to the three main physical zones, the Lithosphere, the Hydrosphere and the Atmosphere.
[7] Spring tides occur on –
A.
New moon day only
B.
Full moon day as well as on new moon day
C.
Full moon day only
D.
The day the moon's position moon's position is in its first quarter
Ans:
Full moon day as well as on new moon day
Explanation :
Spring Tides refer to either of the two tides that occur at or just after new moon and full moon when the tide-generating force of the sun acts in the same direction as that of the moon, reinforcing it and causing the greatest rise and fall in tidal level. The highest spring titles (equinoctial springs) occur at the equinoxes.
[8] Choose the correct option which represents the arrangement of atmospheric layers.
A.
Ionosphere, Ecosphere, Mesosphere, Stratosphere, Troposphere
B.
Ecosphere, Troposphere, Ionosphere, Mesosphere, Stratosphere
C.
Mesosphere, Ionosphere. Ecosphere, Troposphere, Stratosphare
D.
Troposphare, Ionosphere, Ecosphere
Ans:
Troposphare, Ionosphere, Ecosphere
Explanation :
From top to bottom, the Earth's atmosphere is divided into five main layers, the exosphere, the thermosphere, the mesosphere, the stratosphere and the troposphere. The atmosphere thins out in each higher layer until the gases dissipate in space. The five main layers are: Exosphere: 700 to 10,000 km Thermosphere: 80 to 700 km Mesosphere: 50 to 80 km Stratosphere: 12 to 50 km Troposphere: 0 to 12 km
[9] The 'graded profile' of a river course is a –
A.
smooth curve from source to mouth
B.
smooth curve in the upper course.
C.
smooth curve in the middle course.
D.
smooth curve in the lower course.
Ans:
smooth curve from source to mouth
Explanation :
The course of a river from its source to its mouth is normally divided into 3 sections, namely upper, middle and lower courses. Action of the river on its valley from source to mouth in relation to the features developed by it is seen in the river valley profile, known as graded profile. Throughout the long profile of a river, deposition and erosion are balanced meaning that, given enough time, the river's long profile would become a smooth, concave, graded profile from its source to mouth.
[10] Which one of the following is called as "Roaring Forty"?
A.
Winds blowing in southern hemisphere between 40°-60° S
B.
Winds blowing in northern hemisphere between 40°-60° N
C.
Very cold winds which blow in winters
D.
Very hot and fast blowing summer winds
Ans:
Winds blowing in southern hemisphere between 40°-60° S
Explanation :
The Roaring Forties is the name given to strong westerly winds found in the Southern Hemisphere, generally between the latitudes of 40 and 50 degrees. The strong west-to-east air currents are caused by the combination of air being displaced from the Equator towards the South Pole and the Earth's rotation, and there are few landmasses to serve as windbreaks.
[11] The distribution of characteristic vegetation of a region is determined mainly by –
A.
soil, water and temperature
B.
water, greenhouse effect and altitude
C.
wind, water and latitude
D.
sunlight, water and wind
Ans:
soil, water and temperature
Explanation :
Soil, water and climate of a region are the three primary factors significantly influencing the vegetation of a region. Such factors as depth, texture, and humus content of the soil determine the type of vegetation that can be supported in a region. Again, any vegetation needs moisture to survive and this explains the range which varies from evergreen forests to shrubs.
[12] The food chain refers to the transfer of energy from :
A.
the interior of the earth to the surface
B.
lower to higher latitudes
C.
one organism to another
D.
organisms of the land to those of the sea by means of river
Ans:
one organism to another
Explanation :
A food chain is a linear sequence of links in a food web starting from atrophic species that eats no other species in the web and ends at a trophic species that is eaten by no other species in the web. A food chain differs from a food web, because the complex polyphagous network of feeding relations are aggregated into trophic species and the chain only follows linear monophagous pathways. A common metric used to quantify food web trophic structure is food chain length.
[13] The presence of a lion in the forest is essential in order to –
A.
keep the trees safe from felling
B.
add beauty in the forests
C.
save the pastures from being overgrazed
D.
keep other carnivorous animals away
Ans:
save the pastures from being overgrazed
Explanation :
Lions provide important ecological and cultural functions. As an apex and keystone predator, lions help to regulate prey populations; they also will scavenge if the opportunity arises. Culturally, the lion (and particularly the male with its highly distinctive mane) is one of the most widely recognized animal symbols in human culture and lion play a key role in save the pastures from being overgrazed.
[14] The main cause of global climatic change is –
A.
increase in the content of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
B.
emissions of industrial gases
C.
adding of dust
D.
changes in plant cover
Ans:
increase in the content of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
Explanation :
Our ever increasing addiction to electricity from coal burning power plants eleases enormous amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. 40% of U.S. CO2 emissions come from electricity production, and burning coal accounts for 93% of emissions from the electric utility industry. Every day, more electric gadgets flood the market, and without widespread alternative energy sources, we are highly dependent on burning coal for our personal and commercial electrical supply.
[15] Echo sounding is the technique applied to—
A.
measure the depth of the sea
B.
measure the amplitude of sound waves
C.
record earthquake waves
D.
record the density of air in the atmosphere
Ans:
measure the depth of the sea
Explanation :
Echo sounding is the technique of using sound pulses to find the depth of water. The interval from the emission of a pulse to reception of its echo is recorded, and the depth calculated from the known speed of propagation of sound through water. This information is then typically used for navigation purposes or in order to obtain depths for charting purposes.
[16] The term territorial water means –
A.
The water found within the country in form of rivers and lakes
B.
The water secured from other countries
C.
The water which is supplied to other countries
D.
Water of the sea located close to the coast of a country
Ans:
Water of the sea located close to the coast of a country
Explanation :
Territorial waters, or a territorial sea, as defined by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, is a belt of coastal waters extending at most 12 nautical miles (22 km) from the baseline (usually the mean low-water mark) of a coastal state. The territorial sea is regarded as the sovereign territory of the state, although foreign ships (both military and civilian) are allowed innocent passage through it.
[17] The acceleration due to gravity at the equator –
A.
is less than that at the poles
B.
is greater than that at the poles
C.
is equal to that at the poles
D.
does not depend on the earth's centripetal acceleration
Ans:
is less than that at the poles
Explanation :
The gravity of Earth, denoted g, refers to the acceleration that the Earth imparts to objects on or near its surface. At latitudes nearer the Equator, the inertia produced by Earth's rotation is stronger than at polar latitudes. This counteracts the Earth's gravity to a small degree - up to a maximum of 0.3% at the Equator - reducing the downward acceleration of falling objects. The second major reason for the difference in gravity at different latitudes is that the Earth's equatorial bulge (itself also caused by inertia) causes objects at the Equator to be farther from the planet's centre than objects at the poles.
[18] Solar eclipse occurs when –
A.
the Moon does not lie on the line joining the Sun and the Earth
B.
the Moon comes between the Sun and the Earth
C.
the Sun comes between the Moon and the Earth
D.
the Earth comes between the Moon and the Sun
Ans:
the Moon comes between the Sun and the Earth
Explanation :
A solar eclipse is a type of eclipse that occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, and the Moon fully or partially blocks ("occults") the Sun. This can happen only at new moon, when the Sun and the Moon are in conjunction.
[19] Biosphere refers to –
A.
the area of the land inhabited by living organism
B.
the part of ocean inhabited by plants and animals
C.
the portion of the earth, including the oceans, the land, the soil and the atmosphere inhabited by living organisms
D.
the atmosphere surrounding the living organisms
Ans:
the portion of the earth, including the oceans, the land, the soil and the atmosphere inhabited by living organisms
Explanation :
The biosphere is the global ecological system integrating all living beings and their relationships, including their interaction with the elements of the litho-sphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. The biosphere is made up of the parts of Earth where life exists. It is the worldwide sum of all ecosystems.
[20] Granite, quartzite areas have upstanding look because –
A.
mechanically weathered faster
B.
these rocks are resistant to all kinds of erosion
C.
these rocks are not easily eroded
D.
not easily worn down
Ans:
not easily worn down
Explanation :
Granite is high in quartz, a mineral very resistant to weathering. Similarly, quartzite is harder than steel. So, they are not easily worn down and give rise to upstanding mountains and hills (Environmental Biology by P.D. Sharma, p. 37). However, they are subject to differential weathering: a rock that is resistant in a climate dominated by chemical weathering may be weak where physical weathering process dominate, and vice versa. So quartzite, though hard and chemically inert, can be fractured by physical weathering.
[21] Equator represents –
A.
line joining North and South poles
B.
imaginary line passing round the Earth midway between North & South poles
C.
a belt (ring) around the planet Saturn
D.
axis of rotation of Earth
Ans:
imaginary line passing round the Earth midway between North & South poles
Explanation :
An equator is the intersection of a sphere's surface with the plane perpendicular to the sphere's axis of rotation and containing the sphere's center of mass. Notably, the Equator refers to the Earth's equator, per above: an imaginary line on the Earth's surface equidistant from the North Pole and South Pole, dividing the Earth into the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere. Other planets and spherical astronomical bodies have equators similarly defined. The length of the Equator is roughly 40,075 kilometres.
[22] Tides in the sea have stored in them :
A.
Hydraulic energy
B.
Kinetic energy
C.
Gravitational potential energy
D.
A combination of all the above three forms of energy
Ans:
Gravitational potential energy
Explanation :
Tides are the rise and fall of sea levels caused by the combined effects of the gravitational forces exerted by the Moon and the Sun and the rotation of the Earth. Tidal barrages make use of the potential energy in the difference in height (or head) between high and low tides. When using tidal barrages to generate power, the potential energy from a tide is seized through strategic placement of specialized dams. When the sea level rises and the tide begins to come in, the temporary increase in tidal power is channeled into a large basin behind the darn, holding a large amount of potential energy.
[23] Snakes and vultures are eating rats in a field. If wild dogs are let into the field, what will be the immediate result?
A.
Decrease in the number of snakes
B.
Decrease in the number of vultures
C.
Decrease in the number of rats
D.
Increase in the number of snakes
Ans:
Decrease in the number of rats
Explanation :
There will be a decrease in the number of rats simply because rat is a prey to all the three of them and this leads to just a single conclusion that there is decrease in the number of rats.
[24] Man can maintain an ecological balance in the biosphere by-
A.
deforestation
B.
developing new breeds of cultivated plants and domesticated animals
C.
using insecticides and pesticides
D.
understanding the delicate balance in the relative number of organisms
Ans:
understanding the delicate balance in the relative number of organisms
Explanation :
Ecological balance is a state of dynamic equilibrium within a community of organisms in which genetic, species and ecosystem diversity remain relatively stable, subject to gradual changes through natural succession." In other words, it refers to stable balance in the numbers of each species in an ecosystem. So to maintain this balance, the delicate balance between the organisms constituting and ecosystem should be understood.
[25] Extensive deserts occur in the western tropical regions of continents because :
A.
of easterly trade winds.
B.
cold ocean currents flow along the western coasts.
C.
of the effect of both the off-shore easterly trade winds and cold ocean currents.
D.
the rate of evaporation is greater along the western margin areas.
Ans:
of the effect of both the off-shore easterly trade winds and cold ocean currents.
Explanation :
Extensive deserts occur in the western tropical regions of continents because of the effect of both the offshore easterly trade winds and cold ocean currents. Most deserts arise due to atmospheric wind conditions. Other deserts result from the effects of ocean currents on landmasses, where cool air masses carry fog and mist, but little rain, along coastal regions. World desert map depicts the location of all the deserts of the world. They are centered along the Tropics of Cancer and. Capricorn. The heart of the tropical desert climate is found near the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, usually toward the western side of the continents
Explanation :
Magnetic Meridian is a line on the earth's surface approximating a great circle passing through the north and south magnetic poles. It can be taken as the horizontal component of magnetic force lines along the surface of the earth. A compass needle is parallel to the magnetic meridian.
[4] 'Cloud burst' means –
A.
Sowing of seeds of a crop in cloudy weather.
B.
Abnormally heavy downpour of rain, associated with a thunderstorm.
C.
Formation of artificial rain.
D.
Presence of scattered flakes of cloud in the sky.
Ans:
Abnormally heavy downpour of rain, associated with a thunderstorm.
Explanation :
A cloudburst is an extreme amount of precipitation, sometimes accompanied by hail and thunder, that normally lasts no longer than a few minutes but is capable of creating flood conditions. A cloudburst can suddenly dump large amounts of water. However, cloudbursts are infrequent as they occur only via orographic lift or sudden condensation.
[5] Best way to conserve our water resources :
A.
Rain water harvesting
B.
Sustainable water utilization
C.
Encouragement of natural regeneration of vegetation
D.
All of the options mentioned here
Ans:
All of the options mentioned here
Explanation :
Water conservation encompasses the policies, strategies and activities to manage fresh water as a sustainable resource, to protect the water environment and to meet current and future human demand. Rain water harvesting, sustainable water use and natural regeneration of vegetation are some of the holistic ways for conserving water.
[6] The word Biosphere refers to :
A.
Zone of soil, water and air around earth capable of supporting the flora and fauna.
B.
Part of earth surface which can support the flora
C.
Parts of air around earth a where life can exist
D.
Zone of water on earth which can support life.
Ans:
Zone of soil, water and air around earth capable of supporting the flora and fauna.
Explanation :
Biosphere refers to that portion of the Earth which is occupied by the various forms of life, in addition to the three main physical zones, the Lithosphere, the Hydrosphere and the Atmosphere.
[7] Spring tides occur on –
A.
New moon day only
B.
Full moon day as well as on new moon day
C.
Full moon day only
D.
The day the moon's position moon's position is in its first quarter
Ans:
Full moon day as well as on new moon day
Explanation :
Spring Tides refer to either of the two tides that occur at or just after new moon and full moon when the tide-generating force of the sun acts in the same direction as that of the moon, reinforcing it and causing the greatest rise and fall in tidal level. The highest spring titles (equinoctial springs) occur at the equinoxes.
[8] Choose the correct option which represents the arrangement of atmospheric layers.
A.
Ionosphere, Ecosphere, Mesosphere, Stratosphere, Troposphere
B.
Ecosphere, Troposphere, Ionosphere, Mesosphere, Stratosphere
C.
Mesosphere, Ionosphere. Ecosphere, Troposphere, Stratosphare
D.
Troposphare, Ionosphere, Ecosphere
Ans:
Troposphare, Ionosphere, Ecosphere
Explanation :
From top to bottom, the Earth's atmosphere is divided into five main layers, the exosphere, the thermosphere, the mesosphere, the stratosphere and the troposphere. The atmosphere thins out in each higher layer until the gases dissipate in space. The five main layers are: Exosphere: 700 to 10,000 km Thermosphere: 80 to 700 km Mesosphere: 50 to 80 km Stratosphere: 12 to 50 km Troposphere: 0 to 12 km
[9] The 'graded profile' of a river course is a –
A.
smooth curve from source to mouth
B.
smooth curve in the upper course.
C.
smooth curve in the middle course.
D.
smooth curve in the lower course.
Ans:
smooth curve from source to mouth
Explanation :
The course of a river from its source to its mouth is normally divided into 3 sections, namely upper, middle and lower courses. Action of the river on its valley from source to mouth in relation to the features developed by it is seen in the river valley profile, known as graded profile. Throughout the long profile of a river, deposition and erosion are balanced meaning that, given enough time, the river's long profile would become a smooth, concave, graded profile from its source to mouth.
[10] Which one of the following is called as "Roaring Forty"?
A.
Winds blowing in southern hemisphere between 40°-60° S
B.
Winds blowing in northern hemisphere between 40°-60° N
C.
Very cold winds which blow in winters
D.
Very hot and fast blowing summer winds
Ans:
Winds blowing in southern hemisphere between 40°-60° S
Explanation :
The Roaring Forties is the name given to strong westerly winds found in the Southern Hemisphere, generally between the latitudes of 40 and 50 degrees. The strong west-to-east air currents are caused by the combination of air being displaced from the Equator towards the South Pole and the Earth's rotation, and there are few landmasses to serve as windbreaks.
[11] The distribution of characteristic vegetation of a region is determined mainly by –
A.
soil, water and temperature
B.
water, greenhouse effect and altitude
C.
wind, water and latitude
D.
sunlight, water and wind
Ans:
soil, water and temperature
Explanation :
Soil, water and climate of a region are the three primary factors significantly influencing the vegetation of a region. Such factors as depth, texture, and humus content of the soil determine the type of vegetation that can be supported in a region. Again, any vegetation needs moisture to survive and this explains the range which varies from evergreen forests to shrubs.
[12] The food chain refers to the transfer of energy from :
A.
the interior of the earth to the surface
B.
lower to higher latitudes
C.
one organism to another
D.
organisms of the land to those of the sea by means of river
Ans:
one organism to another
Explanation :
A food chain is a linear sequence of links in a food web starting from atrophic species that eats no other species in the web and ends at a trophic species that is eaten by no other species in the web. A food chain differs from a food web, because the complex polyphagous network of feeding relations are aggregated into trophic species and the chain only follows linear monophagous pathways. A common metric used to quantify food web trophic structure is food chain length.
[13] The presence of a lion in the forest is essential in order to –
A.
keep the trees safe from felling
B.
add beauty in the forests
C.
save the pastures from being overgrazed
D.
keep other carnivorous animals away
Ans:
save the pastures from being overgrazed
Explanation :
Lions provide important ecological and cultural functions. As an apex and keystone predator, lions help to regulate prey populations; they also will scavenge if the opportunity arises. Culturally, the lion (and particularly the male with its highly distinctive mane) is one of the most widely recognized animal symbols in human culture and lion play a key role in save the pastures from being overgrazed.
[14] The main cause of global climatic change is –
A.
increase in the content of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
B.
emissions of industrial gases
C.
adding of dust
D.
changes in plant cover
Ans:
increase in the content of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
Explanation :
Our ever increasing addiction to electricity from coal burning power plants eleases enormous amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. 40% of U.S. CO2 emissions come from electricity production, and burning coal accounts for 93% of emissions from the electric utility industry. Every day, more electric gadgets flood the market, and without widespread alternative energy sources, we are highly dependent on burning coal for our personal and commercial electrical supply.
[15] Echo sounding is the technique applied to—
A.
measure the depth of the sea
B.
measure the amplitude of sound waves
C.
record earthquake waves
D.
record the density of air in the atmosphere
Ans:
measure the depth of the sea
Explanation :
Echo sounding is the technique of using sound pulses to find the depth of water. The interval from the emission of a pulse to reception of its echo is recorded, and the depth calculated from the known speed of propagation of sound through water. This information is then typically used for navigation purposes or in order to obtain depths for charting purposes.
[16] The term territorial water means –
A.
The water found within the country in form of rivers and lakes
B.
The water secured from other countries
C.
The water which is supplied to other countries
D.
Water of the sea located close to the coast of a country
Ans:
Water of the sea located close to the coast of a country
Explanation :
Territorial waters, or a territorial sea, as defined by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, is a belt of coastal waters extending at most 12 nautical miles (22 km) from the baseline (usually the mean low-water mark) of a coastal state. The territorial sea is regarded as the sovereign territory of the state, although foreign ships (both military and civilian) are allowed innocent passage through it.
[17] The acceleration due to gravity at the equator –
A.
is less than that at the poles
B.
is greater than that at the poles
C.
is equal to that at the poles
D.
does not depend on the earth's centripetal acceleration
Ans:
is less than that at the poles
Explanation :
The gravity of Earth, denoted g, refers to the acceleration that the Earth imparts to objects on or near its surface. At latitudes nearer the Equator, the inertia produced by Earth's rotation is stronger than at polar latitudes. This counteracts the Earth's gravity to a small degree - up to a maximum of 0.3% at the Equator - reducing the downward acceleration of falling objects. The second major reason for the difference in gravity at different latitudes is that the Earth's equatorial bulge (itself also caused by inertia) causes objects at the Equator to be farther from the planet's centre than objects at the poles.
[18] Solar eclipse occurs when –
A.
the Moon does not lie on the line joining the Sun and the Earth
B.
the Moon comes between the Sun and the Earth
C.
the Sun comes between the Moon and the Earth
D.
the Earth comes between the Moon and the Sun
Ans:
the Moon comes between the Sun and the Earth
Explanation :
A solar eclipse is a type of eclipse that occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, and the Moon fully or partially blocks ("occults") the Sun. This can happen only at new moon, when the Sun and the Moon are in conjunction.
[19] Biosphere refers to –
A.
the area of the land inhabited by living organism
B.
the part of ocean inhabited by plants and animals
C.
the portion of the earth, including the oceans, the land, the soil and the atmosphere inhabited by living organisms
D.
the atmosphere surrounding the living organisms
Ans:
the portion of the earth, including the oceans, the land, the soil and the atmosphere inhabited by living organisms
Explanation :
The biosphere is the global ecological system integrating all living beings and their relationships, including their interaction with the elements of the litho-sphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. The biosphere is made up of the parts of Earth where life exists. It is the worldwide sum of all ecosystems.
[20] Granite, quartzite areas have upstanding look because –
A.
mechanically weathered faster
B.
these rocks are resistant to all kinds of erosion
C.
these rocks are not easily eroded
D.
not easily worn down
Ans:
not easily worn down
Explanation :
Granite is high in quartz, a mineral very resistant to weathering. Similarly, quartzite is harder than steel. So, they are not easily worn down and give rise to upstanding mountains and hills (Environmental Biology by P.D. Sharma, p. 37). However, they are subject to differential weathering: a rock that is resistant in a climate dominated by chemical weathering may be weak where physical weathering process dominate, and vice versa. So quartzite, though hard and chemically inert, can be fractured by physical weathering.
[21] Equator represents –
A.
line joining North and South poles
B.
imaginary line passing round the Earth midway between North & South poles
C.
a belt (ring) around the planet Saturn
D.
axis of rotation of Earth
Ans:
imaginary line passing round the Earth midway between North & South poles
Explanation :
An equator is the intersection of a sphere's surface with the plane perpendicular to the sphere's axis of rotation and containing the sphere's center of mass. Notably, the Equator refers to the Earth's equator, per above: an imaginary line on the Earth's surface equidistant from the North Pole and South Pole, dividing the Earth into the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere. Other planets and spherical astronomical bodies have equators similarly defined. The length of the Equator is roughly 40,075 kilometres.
[22] Tides in the sea have stored in them :
A.
Hydraulic energy
B.
Kinetic energy
C.
Gravitational potential energy
D.
A combination of all the above three forms of energy
Ans:
Gravitational potential energy
Explanation :
Tides are the rise and fall of sea levels caused by the combined effects of the gravitational forces exerted by the Moon and the Sun and the rotation of the Earth. Tidal barrages make use of the potential energy in the difference in height (or head) between high and low tides. When using tidal barrages to generate power, the potential energy from a tide is seized through strategic placement of specialized dams. When the sea level rises and the tide begins to come in, the temporary increase in tidal power is channeled into a large basin behind the darn, holding a large amount of potential energy.
[23] Snakes and vultures are eating rats in a field. If wild dogs are let into the field, what will be the immediate result?
A.
Decrease in the number of snakes
B.
Decrease in the number of vultures
C.
Decrease in the number of rats
D.
Increase in the number of snakes
Ans:
Decrease in the number of rats
Explanation :
There will be a decrease in the number of rats simply because rat is a prey to all the three of them and this leads to just a single conclusion that there is decrease in the number of rats.
[24] Man can maintain an ecological balance in the biosphere by-
A.
deforestation
B.
developing new breeds of cultivated plants and domesticated animals
C.
using insecticides and pesticides
D.
understanding the delicate balance in the relative number of organisms
Ans:
understanding the delicate balance in the relative number of organisms
Explanation :
Ecological balance is a state of dynamic equilibrium within a community of organisms in which genetic, species and ecosystem diversity remain relatively stable, subject to gradual changes through natural succession." In other words, it refers to stable balance in the numbers of each species in an ecosystem. So to maintain this balance, the delicate balance between the organisms constituting and ecosystem should be understood.
[25] Extensive deserts occur in the western tropical regions of continents because :
A.
of easterly trade winds.
B.
cold ocean currents flow along the western coasts.
C.
of the effect of both the off-shore easterly trade winds and cold ocean currents.
D.
the rate of evaporation is greater along the western margin areas.
Ans:
of the effect of both the off-shore easterly trade winds and cold ocean currents.
Explanation :
Extensive deserts occur in the western tropical regions of continents because of the effect of both the offshore easterly trade winds and cold ocean currents. Most deserts arise due to atmospheric wind conditions. Other deserts result from the effects of ocean currents on landmasses, where cool air masses carry fog and mist, but little rain, along coastal regions. World desert map depicts the location of all the deserts of the world. They are centered along the Tropics of Cancer and. Capricorn. The heart of the tropical desert climate is found near the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, usually toward the western side of the continents
Explanation :
Water conservation encompasses the policies, strategies and activities to manage fresh water as a sustainable resource, to protect the water environment and to meet current and future human demand. Rain water harvesting, sustainable water use and natural regeneration of vegetation are some of the holistic ways for conserving water.
[6] The word Biosphere refers to :
A.
Zone of soil, water and air around earth capable of supporting the flora and fauna.
B.
Part of earth surface which can support the flora
C.
Parts of air around earth a where life can exist
D.
Zone of water on earth which can support life.
Ans:
Zone of soil, water and air around earth capable of supporting the flora and fauna.
Explanation :
Biosphere refers to that portion of the Earth which is occupied by the various forms of life, in addition to the three main physical zones, the Lithosphere, the Hydrosphere and the Atmosphere.
[7] Spring tides occur on –
A.
New moon day only
B.
Full moon day as well as on new moon day
C.
Full moon day only
D.
The day the moon's position moon's position is in its first quarter
Ans:
Full moon day as well as on new moon day
Explanation :
Spring Tides refer to either of the two tides that occur at or just after new moon and full moon when the tide-generating force of the sun acts in the same direction as that of the moon, reinforcing it and causing the greatest rise and fall in tidal level. The highest spring titles (equinoctial springs) occur at the equinoxes.
[8] Choose the correct option which represents the arrangement of atmospheric layers.
A.
Ionosphere, Ecosphere, Mesosphere, Stratosphere, Troposphere
B.
Ecosphere, Troposphere, Ionosphere, Mesosphere, Stratosphere
C.
Mesosphere, Ionosphere. Ecosphere, Troposphere, Stratosphare
D.
Troposphare, Ionosphere, Ecosphere
Ans:
Troposphare, Ionosphere, Ecosphere
Explanation :
From top to bottom, the Earth's atmosphere is divided into five main layers, the exosphere, the thermosphere, the mesosphere, the stratosphere and the troposphere. The atmosphere thins out in each higher layer until the gases dissipate in space. The five main layers are: Exosphere: 700 to 10,000 km Thermosphere: 80 to 700 km Mesosphere: 50 to 80 km Stratosphere: 12 to 50 km Troposphere: 0 to 12 km
[9] The 'graded profile' of a river course is a –
A.
smooth curve from source to mouth
B.
smooth curve in the upper course.
C.
smooth curve in the middle course.
D.
smooth curve in the lower course.
Ans:
smooth curve from source to mouth
Explanation :
The course of a river from its source to its mouth is normally divided into 3 sections, namely upper, middle and lower courses. Action of the river on its valley from source to mouth in relation to the features developed by it is seen in the river valley profile, known as graded profile. Throughout the long profile of a river, deposition and erosion are balanced meaning that, given enough time, the river's long profile would become a smooth, concave, graded profile from its source to mouth.
[10] Which one of the following is called as "Roaring Forty"?
A.
Winds blowing in southern hemisphere between 40°-60° S
B.
Winds blowing in northern hemisphere between 40°-60° N
C.
Very cold winds which blow in winters
D.
Very hot and fast blowing summer winds
Ans:
Winds blowing in southern hemisphere between 40°-60° S
Explanation :
The Roaring Forties is the name given to strong westerly winds found in the Southern Hemisphere, generally between the latitudes of 40 and 50 degrees. The strong west-to-east air currents are caused by the combination of air being displaced from the Equator towards the South Pole and the Earth's rotation, and there are few landmasses to serve as windbreaks.
[11] The distribution of characteristic vegetation of a region is determined mainly by –
A.
soil, water and temperature
B.
water, greenhouse effect and altitude
C.
wind, water and latitude
D.
sunlight, water and wind
Ans:
soil, water and temperature
Explanation :
Soil, water and climate of a region are the three primary factors significantly influencing the vegetation of a region. Such factors as depth, texture, and humus content of the soil determine the type of vegetation that can be supported in a region. Again, any vegetation needs moisture to survive and this explains the range which varies from evergreen forests to shrubs.
[12] The food chain refers to the transfer of energy from :
A.
the interior of the earth to the surface
B.
lower to higher latitudes
C.
one organism to another
D.
organisms of the land to those of the sea by means of river
Ans:
one organism to another
Explanation :
A food chain is a linear sequence of links in a food web starting from atrophic species that eats no other species in the web and ends at a trophic species that is eaten by no other species in the web. A food chain differs from a food web, because the complex polyphagous network of feeding relations are aggregated into trophic species and the chain only follows linear monophagous pathways. A common metric used to quantify food web trophic structure is food chain length.
[13] The presence of a lion in the forest is essential in order to –
A.
keep the trees safe from felling
B.
add beauty in the forests
C.
save the pastures from being overgrazed
D.
keep other carnivorous animals away
Ans:
save the pastures from being overgrazed
Explanation :
Lions provide important ecological and cultural functions. As an apex and keystone predator, lions help to regulate prey populations; they also will scavenge if the opportunity arises. Culturally, the lion (and particularly the male with its highly distinctive mane) is one of the most widely recognized animal symbols in human culture and lion play a key role in save the pastures from being overgrazed.
[14] The main cause of global climatic change is –
A.
increase in the content of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
B.
emissions of industrial gases
C.
adding of dust
D.
changes in plant cover
Ans:
increase in the content of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
Explanation :
Our ever increasing addiction to electricity from coal burning power plants eleases enormous amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. 40% of U.S. CO2 emissions come from electricity production, and burning coal accounts for 93% of emissions from the electric utility industry. Every day, more electric gadgets flood the market, and without widespread alternative energy sources, we are highly dependent on burning coal for our personal and commercial electrical supply.
[15] Echo sounding is the technique applied to—
A.
measure the depth of the sea
B.
measure the amplitude of sound waves
C.
record earthquake waves
D.
record the density of air in the atmosphere
Ans:
measure the depth of the sea
Explanation :
Echo sounding is the technique of using sound pulses to find the depth of water. The interval from the emission of a pulse to reception of its echo is recorded, and the depth calculated from the known speed of propagation of sound through water. This information is then typically used for navigation purposes or in order to obtain depths for charting purposes.
[16] The term territorial water means –
A.
The water found within the country in form of rivers and lakes
B.
The water secured from other countries
C.
The water which is supplied to other countries
D.
Water of the sea located close to the coast of a country
Ans:
Water of the sea located close to the coast of a country
Explanation :
Territorial waters, or a territorial sea, as defined by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, is a belt of coastal waters extending at most 12 nautical miles (22 km) from the baseline (usually the mean low-water mark) of a coastal state. The territorial sea is regarded as the sovereign territory of the state, although foreign ships (both military and civilian) are allowed innocent passage through it.
[17] The acceleration due to gravity at the equator –
A.
is less than that at the poles
B.
is greater than that at the poles
C.
is equal to that at the poles
D.
does not depend on the earth's centripetal acceleration
Ans:
is less than that at the poles
Explanation :
The gravity of Earth, denoted g, refers to the acceleration that the Earth imparts to objects on or near its surface. At latitudes nearer the Equator, the inertia produced by Earth's rotation is stronger than at polar latitudes. This counteracts the Earth's gravity to a small degree - up to a maximum of 0.3% at the Equator - reducing the downward acceleration of falling objects. The second major reason for the difference in gravity at different latitudes is that the Earth's equatorial bulge (itself also caused by inertia) causes objects at the Equator to be farther from the planet's centre than objects at the poles.
[18] Solar eclipse occurs when –
A.
the Moon does not lie on the line joining the Sun and the Earth
B.
the Moon comes between the Sun and the Earth
C.
the Sun comes between the Moon and the Earth
D.
the Earth comes between the Moon and the Sun
Ans:
the Moon comes between the Sun and the Earth
Explanation :
A solar eclipse is a type of eclipse that occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, and the Moon fully or partially blocks ("occults") the Sun. This can happen only at new moon, when the Sun and the Moon are in conjunction.
[19] Biosphere refers to –
A.
the area of the land inhabited by living organism
B.
the part of ocean inhabited by plants and animals
C.
the portion of the earth, including the oceans, the land, the soil and the atmosphere inhabited by living organisms
D.
the atmosphere surrounding the living organisms
Ans:
the portion of the earth, including the oceans, the land, the soil and the atmosphere inhabited by living organisms
Explanation :
The biosphere is the global ecological system integrating all living beings and their relationships, including their interaction with the elements of the litho-sphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. The biosphere is made up of the parts of Earth where life exists. It is the worldwide sum of all ecosystems.
[20] Granite, quartzite areas have upstanding look because –
A.
mechanically weathered faster
B.
these rocks are resistant to all kinds of erosion
C.
these rocks are not easily eroded
D.
not easily worn down
Ans:
not easily worn down
Explanation :
Granite is high in quartz, a mineral very resistant to weathering. Similarly, quartzite is harder than steel. So, they are not easily worn down and give rise to upstanding mountains and hills (Environmental Biology by P.D. Sharma, p. 37). However, they are subject to differential weathering: a rock that is resistant in a climate dominated by chemical weathering may be weak where physical weathering process dominate, and vice versa. So quartzite, though hard and chemically inert, can be fractured by physical weathering.
[21] Equator represents –
A.
line joining North and South poles
B.
imaginary line passing round the Earth midway between North & South poles
C.
a belt (ring) around the planet Saturn
D.
axis of rotation of Earth
Ans:
imaginary line passing round the Earth midway between North & South poles
Explanation :
An equator is the intersection of a sphere's surface with the plane perpendicular to the sphere's axis of rotation and containing the sphere's center of mass. Notably, the Equator refers to the Earth's equator, per above: an imaginary line on the Earth's surface equidistant from the North Pole and South Pole, dividing the Earth into the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere. Other planets and spherical astronomical bodies have equators similarly defined. The length of the Equator is roughly 40,075 kilometres.
[22] Tides in the sea have stored in them :
A.
Hydraulic energy
B.
Kinetic energy
C.
Gravitational potential energy
D.
A combination of all the above three forms of energy
Ans:
Gravitational potential energy
Explanation :
Tides are the rise and fall of sea levels caused by the combined effects of the gravitational forces exerted by the Moon and the Sun and the rotation of the Earth. Tidal barrages make use of the potential energy in the difference in height (or head) between high and low tides. When using tidal barrages to generate power, the potential energy from a tide is seized through strategic placement of specialized dams. When the sea level rises and the tide begins to come in, the temporary increase in tidal power is channeled into a large basin behind the darn, holding a large amount of potential energy.
[23] Snakes and vultures are eating rats in a field. If wild dogs are let into the field, what will be the immediate result?
A.
Decrease in the number of snakes
B.
Decrease in the number of vultures
C.
Decrease in the number of rats
D.
Increase in the number of snakes
Ans:
Decrease in the number of rats
Explanation :
There will be a decrease in the number of rats simply because rat is a prey to all the three of them and this leads to just a single conclusion that there is decrease in the number of rats.
[24] Man can maintain an ecological balance in the biosphere by-
A.
deforestation
B.
developing new breeds of cultivated plants and domesticated animals
C.
using insecticides and pesticides
D.
understanding the delicate balance in the relative number of organisms
Ans:
understanding the delicate balance in the relative number of organisms
Explanation :
Ecological balance is a state of dynamic equilibrium within a community of organisms in which genetic, species and ecosystem diversity remain relatively stable, subject to gradual changes through natural succession." In other words, it refers to stable balance in the numbers of each species in an ecosystem. So to maintain this balance, the delicate balance between the organisms constituting and ecosystem should be understood.
[25] Extensive deserts occur in the western tropical regions of continents because :
A.
of easterly trade winds.
B.
cold ocean currents flow along the western coasts.
C.
of the effect of both the off-shore easterly trade winds and cold ocean currents.
D.
the rate of evaporation is greater along the western margin areas.
Ans:
of the effect of both the off-shore easterly trade winds and cold ocean currents.
Explanation :
Extensive deserts occur in the western tropical regions of continents because of the effect of both the offshore easterly trade winds and cold ocean currents. Most deserts arise due to atmospheric wind conditions. Other deserts result from the effects of ocean currents on landmasses, where cool air masses carry fog and mist, but little rain, along coastal regions. World desert map depicts the location of all the deserts of the world. They are centered along the Tropics of Cancer and. Capricorn. The heart of the tropical desert climate is found near the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, usually toward the western side of the continents
Explanation :
Spring Tides refer to either of the two tides that occur at or just after new moon and full moon when the tide-generating force of the sun acts in the same direction as that of the moon, reinforcing it and causing the greatest rise and fall in tidal level. The highest spring titles (equinoctial springs) occur at the equinoxes.
[8] Choose the correct option which represents the arrangement of atmospheric layers.
A.
Ionosphere, Ecosphere, Mesosphere, Stratosphere, Troposphere
B.
Ecosphere, Troposphere, Ionosphere, Mesosphere, Stratosphere
C.
Mesosphere, Ionosphere. Ecosphere, Troposphere, Stratosphare
D.
Troposphare, Ionosphere, Ecosphere
Ans:
Troposphare, Ionosphere, Ecosphere
Explanation :
From top to bottom, the Earth's atmosphere is divided into five main layers, the exosphere, the thermosphere, the mesosphere, the stratosphere and the troposphere. The atmosphere thins out in each higher layer until the gases dissipate in space. The five main layers are: Exosphere: 700 to 10,000 km Thermosphere: 80 to 700 km Mesosphere: 50 to 80 km Stratosphere: 12 to 50 km Troposphere: 0 to 12 km
[9] The 'graded profile' of a river course is a –
A.
smooth curve from source to mouth
B.
smooth curve in the upper course.
C.
smooth curve in the middle course.
D.
smooth curve in the lower course.
Ans:
smooth curve from source to mouth
Explanation :
The course of a river from its source to its mouth is normally divided into 3 sections, namely upper, middle and lower courses. Action of the river on its valley from source to mouth in relation to the features developed by it is seen in the river valley profile, known as graded profile. Throughout the long profile of a river, deposition and erosion are balanced meaning that, given enough time, the river's long profile would become a smooth, concave, graded profile from its source to mouth.
[10] Which one of the following is called as "Roaring Forty"?
A.
Winds blowing in southern hemisphere between 40°-60° S
B.
Winds blowing in northern hemisphere between 40°-60° N
C.
Very cold winds which blow in winters
D.
Very hot and fast blowing summer winds
Ans:
Winds blowing in southern hemisphere between 40°-60° S
Explanation :
The Roaring Forties is the name given to strong westerly winds found in the Southern Hemisphere, generally between the latitudes of 40 and 50 degrees. The strong west-to-east air currents are caused by the combination of air being displaced from the Equator towards the South Pole and the Earth's rotation, and there are few landmasses to serve as windbreaks.
[11] The distribution of characteristic vegetation of a region is determined mainly by –
A.
soil, water and temperature
B.
water, greenhouse effect and altitude
C.
wind, water and latitude
D.
sunlight, water and wind
Ans:
soil, water and temperature
Explanation :
Soil, water and climate of a region are the three primary factors significantly influencing the vegetation of a region. Such factors as depth, texture, and humus content of the soil determine the type of vegetation that can be supported in a region. Again, any vegetation needs moisture to survive and this explains the range which varies from evergreen forests to shrubs.
[12] The food chain refers to the transfer of energy from :
A.
the interior of the earth to the surface
B.
lower to higher latitudes
C.
one organism to another
D.
organisms of the land to those of the sea by means of river
Ans:
one organism to another
Explanation :
A food chain is a linear sequence of links in a food web starting from atrophic species that eats no other species in the web and ends at a trophic species that is eaten by no other species in the web. A food chain differs from a food web, because the complex polyphagous network of feeding relations are aggregated into trophic species and the chain only follows linear monophagous pathways. A common metric used to quantify food web trophic structure is food chain length.
[13] The presence of a lion in the forest is essential in order to –
A.
keep the trees safe from felling
B.
add beauty in the forests
C.
save the pastures from being overgrazed
D.
keep other carnivorous animals away
Ans:
save the pastures from being overgrazed
Explanation :
Lions provide important ecological and cultural functions. As an apex and keystone predator, lions help to regulate prey populations; they also will scavenge if the opportunity arises. Culturally, the lion (and particularly the male with its highly distinctive mane) is one of the most widely recognized animal symbols in human culture and lion play a key role in save the pastures from being overgrazed.
[14] The main cause of global climatic change is –
A.
increase in the content of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
B.
emissions of industrial gases
C.
adding of dust
D.
changes in plant cover
Ans:
increase in the content of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
Explanation :
Our ever increasing addiction to electricity from coal burning power plants eleases enormous amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. 40% of U.S. CO2 emissions come from electricity production, and burning coal accounts for 93% of emissions from the electric utility industry. Every day, more electric gadgets flood the market, and without widespread alternative energy sources, we are highly dependent on burning coal for our personal and commercial electrical supply.
[15] Echo sounding is the technique applied to—
A.
measure the depth of the sea
B.
measure the amplitude of sound waves
C.
record earthquake waves
D.
record the density of air in the atmosphere
Ans:
measure the depth of the sea
Explanation :
Echo sounding is the technique of using sound pulses to find the depth of water. The interval from the emission of a pulse to reception of its echo is recorded, and the depth calculated from the known speed of propagation of sound through water. This information is then typically used for navigation purposes or in order to obtain depths for charting purposes.
[16] The term territorial water means –
A.
The water found within the country in form of rivers and lakes
B.
The water secured from other countries
C.
The water which is supplied to other countries
D.
Water of the sea located close to the coast of a country
Ans:
Water of the sea located close to the coast of a country
Explanation :
Territorial waters, or a territorial sea, as defined by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, is a belt of coastal waters extending at most 12 nautical miles (22 km) from the baseline (usually the mean low-water mark) of a coastal state. The territorial sea is regarded as the sovereign territory of the state, although foreign ships (both military and civilian) are allowed innocent passage through it.
[17] The acceleration due to gravity at the equator –
A.
is less than that at the poles
B.
is greater than that at the poles
C.
is equal to that at the poles
D.
does not depend on the earth's centripetal acceleration
Ans:
is less than that at the poles
Explanation :
The gravity of Earth, denoted g, refers to the acceleration that the Earth imparts to objects on or near its surface. At latitudes nearer the Equator, the inertia produced by Earth's rotation is stronger than at polar latitudes. This counteracts the Earth's gravity to a small degree - up to a maximum of 0.3% at the Equator - reducing the downward acceleration of falling objects. The second major reason for the difference in gravity at different latitudes is that the Earth's equatorial bulge (itself also caused by inertia) causes objects at the Equator to be farther from the planet's centre than objects at the poles.
[18] Solar eclipse occurs when –
A.
the Moon does not lie on the line joining the Sun and the Earth
B.
the Moon comes between the Sun and the Earth
C.
the Sun comes between the Moon and the Earth
D.
the Earth comes between the Moon and the Sun
Ans:
the Moon comes between the Sun and the Earth
Explanation :
A solar eclipse is a type of eclipse that occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, and the Moon fully or partially blocks ("occults") the Sun. This can happen only at new moon, when the Sun and the Moon are in conjunction.
[19] Biosphere refers to –
A.
the area of the land inhabited by living organism
B.
the part of ocean inhabited by plants and animals
C.
the portion of the earth, including the oceans, the land, the soil and the atmosphere inhabited by living organisms
D.
the atmosphere surrounding the living organisms
Ans:
the portion of the earth, including the oceans, the land, the soil and the atmosphere inhabited by living organisms
Explanation :
The biosphere is the global ecological system integrating all living beings and their relationships, including their interaction with the elements of the litho-sphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. The biosphere is made up of the parts of Earth where life exists. It is the worldwide sum of all ecosystems.
[20] Granite, quartzite areas have upstanding look because –
A.
mechanically weathered faster
B.
these rocks are resistant to all kinds of erosion
C.
these rocks are not easily eroded
D.
not easily worn down
Ans:
not easily worn down
Explanation :
Granite is high in quartz, a mineral very resistant to weathering. Similarly, quartzite is harder than steel. So, they are not easily worn down and give rise to upstanding mountains and hills (Environmental Biology by P.D. Sharma, p. 37). However, they are subject to differential weathering: a rock that is resistant in a climate dominated by chemical weathering may be weak where physical weathering process dominate, and vice versa. So quartzite, though hard and chemically inert, can be fractured by physical weathering.
[21] Equator represents –
A.
line joining North and South poles
B.
imaginary line passing round the Earth midway between North & South poles
C.
a belt (ring) around the planet Saturn
D.
axis of rotation of Earth
Ans:
imaginary line passing round the Earth midway between North & South poles
Explanation :
An equator is the intersection of a sphere's surface with the plane perpendicular to the sphere's axis of rotation and containing the sphere's center of mass. Notably, the Equator refers to the Earth's equator, per above: an imaginary line on the Earth's surface equidistant from the North Pole and South Pole, dividing the Earth into the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere. Other planets and spherical astronomical bodies have equators similarly defined. The length of the Equator is roughly 40,075 kilometres.
[22] Tides in the sea have stored in them :
A.
Hydraulic energy
B.
Kinetic energy
C.
Gravitational potential energy
D.
A combination of all the above three forms of energy
Ans:
Gravitational potential energy
Explanation :
Tides are the rise and fall of sea levels caused by the combined effects of the gravitational forces exerted by the Moon and the Sun and the rotation of the Earth. Tidal barrages make use of the potential energy in the difference in height (or head) between high and low tides. When using tidal barrages to generate power, the potential energy from a tide is seized through strategic placement of specialized dams. When the sea level rises and the tide begins to come in, the temporary increase in tidal power is channeled into a large basin behind the darn, holding a large amount of potential energy.
[23] Snakes and vultures are eating rats in a field. If wild dogs are let into the field, what will be the immediate result?
A.
Decrease in the number of snakes
B.
Decrease in the number of vultures
C.
Decrease in the number of rats
D.
Increase in the number of snakes
Ans:
Decrease in the number of rats
Explanation :
There will be a decrease in the number of rats simply because rat is a prey to all the three of them and this leads to just a single conclusion that there is decrease in the number of rats.
[24] Man can maintain an ecological balance in the biosphere by-
A.
deforestation
B.
developing new breeds of cultivated plants and domesticated animals
C.
using insecticides and pesticides
D.
understanding the delicate balance in the relative number of organisms
Ans:
understanding the delicate balance in the relative number of organisms
Explanation :
Ecological balance is a state of dynamic equilibrium within a community of organisms in which genetic, species and ecosystem diversity remain relatively stable, subject to gradual changes through natural succession." In other words, it refers to stable balance in the numbers of each species in an ecosystem. So to maintain this balance, the delicate balance between the organisms constituting and ecosystem should be understood.
[25] Extensive deserts occur in the western tropical regions of continents because :
A.
of easterly trade winds.
B.
cold ocean currents flow along the western coasts.
C.
of the effect of both the off-shore easterly trade winds and cold ocean currents.
D.
the rate of evaporation is greater along the western margin areas.
Ans:
of the effect of both the off-shore easterly trade winds and cold ocean currents.
Explanation :
Extensive deserts occur in the western tropical regions of continents because of the effect of both the offshore easterly trade winds and cold ocean currents. Most deserts arise due to atmospheric wind conditions. Other deserts result from the effects of ocean currents on landmasses, where cool air masses carry fog and mist, but little rain, along coastal regions. World desert map depicts the location of all the deserts of the world. They are centered along the Tropics of Cancer and. Capricorn. The heart of the tropical desert climate is found near the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, usually toward the western side of the continents
Explanation :
The course of a river from its source to its mouth is normally divided into 3 sections, namely upper, middle and lower courses. Action of the river on its valley from source to mouth in relation to the features developed by it is seen in the river valley profile, known as graded profile. Throughout the long profile of a river, deposition and erosion are balanced meaning that, given enough time, the river's long profile would become a smooth, concave, graded profile from its source to mouth.
[10] Which one of the following is called as "Roaring Forty"?
A.
Winds blowing in southern hemisphere between 40°-60° S
B.
Winds blowing in northern hemisphere between 40°-60° N
C.
Very cold winds which blow in winters
D.
Very hot and fast blowing summer winds
Ans:
Winds blowing in southern hemisphere between 40°-60° S
Explanation :
The Roaring Forties is the name given to strong westerly winds found in the Southern Hemisphere, generally between the latitudes of 40 and 50 degrees. The strong west-to-east air currents are caused by the combination of air being displaced from the Equator towards the South Pole and the Earth's rotation, and there are few landmasses to serve as windbreaks.
[11] The distribution of characteristic vegetation of a region is determined mainly by –
A.
soil, water and temperature
B.
water, greenhouse effect and altitude
C.
wind, water and latitude
D.
sunlight, water and wind
Ans:
soil, water and temperature
Explanation :
Soil, water and climate of a region are the three primary factors significantly influencing the vegetation of a region. Such factors as depth, texture, and humus content of the soil determine the type of vegetation that can be supported in a region. Again, any vegetation needs moisture to survive and this explains the range which varies from evergreen forests to shrubs.
[12] The food chain refers to the transfer of energy from :
A.
the interior of the earth to the surface
B.
lower to higher latitudes
C.
one organism to another
D.
organisms of the land to those of the sea by means of river
Ans:
one organism to another
Explanation :
A food chain is a linear sequence of links in a food web starting from atrophic species that eats no other species in the web and ends at a trophic species that is eaten by no other species in the web. A food chain differs from a food web, because the complex polyphagous network of feeding relations are aggregated into trophic species and the chain only follows linear monophagous pathways. A common metric used to quantify food web trophic structure is food chain length.
[13] The presence of a lion in the forest is essential in order to –
A.
keep the trees safe from felling
B.
add beauty in the forests
C.
save the pastures from being overgrazed
D.
keep other carnivorous animals away
Ans:
save the pastures from being overgrazed
Explanation :
Lions provide important ecological and cultural functions. As an apex and keystone predator, lions help to regulate prey populations; they also will scavenge if the opportunity arises. Culturally, the lion (and particularly the male with its highly distinctive mane) is one of the most widely recognized animal symbols in human culture and lion play a key role in save the pastures from being overgrazed.
[14] The main cause of global climatic change is –
A.
increase in the content of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
B.
emissions of industrial gases
C.
adding of dust
D.
changes in plant cover
Ans:
increase in the content of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
Explanation :
Our ever increasing addiction to electricity from coal burning power plants eleases enormous amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. 40% of U.S. CO2 emissions come from electricity production, and burning coal accounts for 93% of emissions from the electric utility industry. Every day, more electric gadgets flood the market, and without widespread alternative energy sources, we are highly dependent on burning coal for our personal and commercial electrical supply.
[15] Echo sounding is the technique applied to—
A.
measure the depth of the sea
B.
measure the amplitude of sound waves
C.
record earthquake waves
D.
record the density of air in the atmosphere
Ans:
measure the depth of the sea
Explanation :
Echo sounding is the technique of using sound pulses to find the depth of water. The interval from the emission of a pulse to reception of its echo is recorded, and the depth calculated from the known speed of propagation of sound through water. This information is then typically used for navigation purposes or in order to obtain depths for charting purposes.
[16] The term territorial water means –
A.
The water found within the country in form of rivers and lakes
B.
The water secured from other countries
C.
The water which is supplied to other countries
D.
Water of the sea located close to the coast of a country
Ans:
Water of the sea located close to the coast of a country
Explanation :
Territorial waters, or a territorial sea, as defined by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, is a belt of coastal waters extending at most 12 nautical miles (22 km) from the baseline (usually the mean low-water mark) of a coastal state. The territorial sea is regarded as the sovereign territory of the state, although foreign ships (both military and civilian) are allowed innocent passage through it.
[17] The acceleration due to gravity at the equator –
A.
is less than that at the poles
B.
is greater than that at the poles
C.
is equal to that at the poles
D.
does not depend on the earth's centripetal acceleration
Ans:
is less than that at the poles
Explanation :
The gravity of Earth, denoted g, refers to the acceleration that the Earth imparts to objects on or near its surface. At latitudes nearer the Equator, the inertia produced by Earth's rotation is stronger than at polar latitudes. This counteracts the Earth's gravity to a small degree - up to a maximum of 0.3% at the Equator - reducing the downward acceleration of falling objects. The second major reason for the difference in gravity at different latitudes is that the Earth's equatorial bulge (itself also caused by inertia) causes objects at the Equator to be farther from the planet's centre than objects at the poles.
[18] Solar eclipse occurs when –
A.
the Moon does not lie on the line joining the Sun and the Earth
B.
the Moon comes between the Sun and the Earth
C.
the Sun comes between the Moon and the Earth
D.
the Earth comes between the Moon and the Sun
Ans:
the Moon comes between the Sun and the Earth
Explanation :
A solar eclipse is a type of eclipse that occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, and the Moon fully or partially blocks ("occults") the Sun. This can happen only at new moon, when the Sun and the Moon are in conjunction.
[19] Biosphere refers to –
A.
the area of the land inhabited by living organism
B.
the part of ocean inhabited by plants and animals
C.
the portion of the earth, including the oceans, the land, the soil and the atmosphere inhabited by living organisms
D.
the atmosphere surrounding the living organisms
Ans:
the portion of the earth, including the oceans, the land, the soil and the atmosphere inhabited by living organisms
Explanation :
The biosphere is the global ecological system integrating all living beings and their relationships, including their interaction with the elements of the litho-sphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. The biosphere is made up of the parts of Earth where life exists. It is the worldwide sum of all ecosystems.
[20] Granite, quartzite areas have upstanding look because –
A.
mechanically weathered faster
B.
these rocks are resistant to all kinds of erosion
C.
these rocks are not easily eroded
D.
not easily worn down
Ans:
not easily worn down
Explanation :
Granite is high in quartz, a mineral very resistant to weathering. Similarly, quartzite is harder than steel. So, they are not easily worn down and give rise to upstanding mountains and hills (Environmental Biology by P.D. Sharma, p. 37). However, they are subject to differential weathering: a rock that is resistant in a climate dominated by chemical weathering may be weak where physical weathering process dominate, and vice versa. So quartzite, though hard and chemically inert, can be fractured by physical weathering.
[21] Equator represents –
A.
line joining North and South poles
B.
imaginary line passing round the Earth midway between North & South poles
C.
a belt (ring) around the planet Saturn
D.
axis of rotation of Earth
Ans:
imaginary line passing round the Earth midway between North & South poles
Explanation :
An equator is the intersection of a sphere's surface with the plane perpendicular to the sphere's axis of rotation and containing the sphere's center of mass. Notably, the Equator refers to the Earth's equator, per above: an imaginary line on the Earth's surface equidistant from the North Pole and South Pole, dividing the Earth into the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere. Other planets and spherical astronomical bodies have equators similarly defined. The length of the Equator is roughly 40,075 kilometres.
[22] Tides in the sea have stored in them :
A.
Hydraulic energy
B.
Kinetic energy
C.
Gravitational potential energy
D.
A combination of all the above three forms of energy
Ans:
Gravitational potential energy
Explanation :
Tides are the rise and fall of sea levels caused by the combined effects of the gravitational forces exerted by the Moon and the Sun and the rotation of the Earth. Tidal barrages make use of the potential energy in the difference in height (or head) between high and low tides. When using tidal barrages to generate power, the potential energy from a tide is seized through strategic placement of specialized dams. When the sea level rises and the tide begins to come in, the temporary increase in tidal power is channeled into a large basin behind the darn, holding a large amount of potential energy.
[23] Snakes and vultures are eating rats in a field. If wild dogs are let into the field, what will be the immediate result?
A.
Decrease in the number of snakes
B.
Decrease in the number of vultures
C.
Decrease in the number of rats
D.
Increase in the number of snakes
Ans:
Decrease in the number of rats
Explanation :
There will be a decrease in the number of rats simply because rat is a prey to all the three of them and this leads to just a single conclusion that there is decrease in the number of rats.
[24] Man can maintain an ecological balance in the biosphere by-
A.
deforestation
B.
developing new breeds of cultivated plants and domesticated animals
C.
using insecticides and pesticides
D.
understanding the delicate balance in the relative number of organisms
Ans:
understanding the delicate balance in the relative number of organisms
Explanation :
Ecological balance is a state of dynamic equilibrium within a community of organisms in which genetic, species and ecosystem diversity remain relatively stable, subject to gradual changes through natural succession." In other words, it refers to stable balance in the numbers of each species in an ecosystem. So to maintain this balance, the delicate balance between the organisms constituting and ecosystem should be understood.
[25] Extensive deserts occur in the western tropical regions of continents because :
A.
of easterly trade winds.
B.
cold ocean currents flow along the western coasts.
C.
of the effect of both the off-shore easterly trade winds and cold ocean currents.
D.
the rate of evaporation is greater along the western margin areas.
Ans:
of the effect of both the off-shore easterly trade winds and cold ocean currents.
Explanation :
Extensive deserts occur in the western tropical regions of continents because of the effect of both the offshore easterly trade winds and cold ocean currents. Most deserts arise due to atmospheric wind conditions. Other deserts result from the effects of ocean currents on landmasses, where cool air masses carry fog and mist, but little rain, along coastal regions. World desert map depicts the location of all the deserts of the world. They are centered along the Tropics of Cancer and. Capricorn. The heart of the tropical desert climate is found near the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, usually toward the western side of the continents
Explanation :
Soil, water and climate of a region are the three primary factors significantly influencing the vegetation of a region. Such factors as depth, texture, and humus content of the soil determine the type of vegetation that can be supported in a region. Again, any vegetation needs moisture to survive and this explains the range which varies from evergreen forests to shrubs.
[12] The food chain refers to the transfer of energy from :
A.
the interior of the earth to the surface
B.
lower to higher latitudes
C.
one organism to another
D.
organisms of the land to those of the sea by means of river
Ans:
one organism to another
Explanation :
A food chain is a linear sequence of links in a food web starting from atrophic species that eats no other species in the web and ends at a trophic species that is eaten by no other species in the web. A food chain differs from a food web, because the complex polyphagous network of feeding relations are aggregated into trophic species and the chain only follows linear monophagous pathways. A common metric used to quantify food web trophic structure is food chain length.
[13] The presence of a lion in the forest is essential in order to –
A.
keep the trees safe from felling
B.
add beauty in the forests
C.
save the pastures from being overgrazed
D.
keep other carnivorous animals away
Ans:
save the pastures from being overgrazed
Explanation :
Lions provide important ecological and cultural functions. As an apex and keystone predator, lions help to regulate prey populations; they also will scavenge if the opportunity arises. Culturally, the lion (and particularly the male with its highly distinctive mane) is one of the most widely recognized animal symbols in human culture and lion play a key role in save the pastures from being overgrazed.
[14] The main cause of global climatic change is –
A.
increase in the content of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
B.
emissions of industrial gases
C.
adding of dust
D.
changes in plant cover
Ans:
increase in the content of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
Explanation :
Our ever increasing addiction to electricity from coal burning power plants eleases enormous amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. 40% of U.S. CO2 emissions come from electricity production, and burning coal accounts for 93% of emissions from the electric utility industry. Every day, more electric gadgets flood the market, and without widespread alternative energy sources, we are highly dependent on burning coal for our personal and commercial electrical supply.
[15] Echo sounding is the technique applied to—
A.
measure the depth of the sea
B.
measure the amplitude of sound waves
C.
record earthquake waves
D.
record the density of air in the atmosphere
Ans:
measure the depth of the sea
Explanation :
Echo sounding is the technique of using sound pulses to find the depth of water. The interval from the emission of a pulse to reception of its echo is recorded, and the depth calculated from the known speed of propagation of sound through water. This information is then typically used for navigation purposes or in order to obtain depths for charting purposes.
[16] The term territorial water means –
A.
The water found within the country in form of rivers and lakes
B.
The water secured from other countries
C.
The water which is supplied to other countries
D.
Water of the sea located close to the coast of a country
Ans:
Water of the sea located close to the coast of a country
Explanation :
Territorial waters, or a territorial sea, as defined by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, is a belt of coastal waters extending at most 12 nautical miles (22 km) from the baseline (usually the mean low-water mark) of a coastal state. The territorial sea is regarded as the sovereign territory of the state, although foreign ships (both military and civilian) are allowed innocent passage through it.
[17] The acceleration due to gravity at the equator –
A.
is less than that at the poles
B.
is greater than that at the poles
C.
is equal to that at the poles
D.
does not depend on the earth's centripetal acceleration
Ans:
is less than that at the poles
Explanation :
The gravity of Earth, denoted g, refers to the acceleration that the Earth imparts to objects on or near its surface. At latitudes nearer the Equator, the inertia produced by Earth's rotation is stronger than at polar latitudes. This counteracts the Earth's gravity to a small degree - up to a maximum of 0.3% at the Equator - reducing the downward acceleration of falling objects. The second major reason for the difference in gravity at different latitudes is that the Earth's equatorial bulge (itself also caused by inertia) causes objects at the Equator to be farther from the planet's centre than objects at the poles.
[18] Solar eclipse occurs when –
A.
the Moon does not lie on the line joining the Sun and the Earth
B.
the Moon comes between the Sun and the Earth
C.
the Sun comes between the Moon and the Earth
D.
the Earth comes between the Moon and the Sun
Ans:
the Moon comes between the Sun and the Earth
Explanation :
A solar eclipse is a type of eclipse that occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, and the Moon fully or partially blocks ("occults") the Sun. This can happen only at new moon, when the Sun and the Moon are in conjunction.
[19] Biosphere refers to –
A.
the area of the land inhabited by living organism
B.
the part of ocean inhabited by plants and animals
C.
the portion of the earth, including the oceans, the land, the soil and the atmosphere inhabited by living organisms
D.
the atmosphere surrounding the living organisms
Ans:
the portion of the earth, including the oceans, the land, the soil and the atmosphere inhabited by living organisms
Explanation :
The biosphere is the global ecological system integrating all living beings and their relationships, including their interaction with the elements of the litho-sphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. The biosphere is made up of the parts of Earth where life exists. It is the worldwide sum of all ecosystems.
[20] Granite, quartzite areas have upstanding look because –
A.
mechanically weathered faster
B.
these rocks are resistant to all kinds of erosion
C.
these rocks are not easily eroded
D.
not easily worn down
Ans:
not easily worn down
Explanation :
Granite is high in quartz, a mineral very resistant to weathering. Similarly, quartzite is harder than steel. So, they are not easily worn down and give rise to upstanding mountains and hills (Environmental Biology by P.D. Sharma, p. 37). However, they are subject to differential weathering: a rock that is resistant in a climate dominated by chemical weathering may be weak where physical weathering process dominate, and vice versa. So quartzite, though hard and chemically inert, can be fractured by physical weathering.
[21] Equator represents –
A.
line joining North and South poles
B.
imaginary line passing round the Earth midway between North & South poles
C.
a belt (ring) around the planet Saturn
D.
axis of rotation of Earth
Ans:
imaginary line passing round the Earth midway between North & South poles
Explanation :
An equator is the intersection of a sphere's surface with the plane perpendicular to the sphere's axis of rotation and containing the sphere's center of mass. Notably, the Equator refers to the Earth's equator, per above: an imaginary line on the Earth's surface equidistant from the North Pole and South Pole, dividing the Earth into the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere. Other planets and spherical astronomical bodies have equators similarly defined. The length of the Equator is roughly 40,075 kilometres.
[22] Tides in the sea have stored in them :
A.
Hydraulic energy
B.
Kinetic energy
C.
Gravitational potential energy
D.
A combination of all the above three forms of energy
Ans:
Gravitational potential energy
Explanation :
Tides are the rise and fall of sea levels caused by the combined effects of the gravitational forces exerted by the Moon and the Sun and the rotation of the Earth. Tidal barrages make use of the potential energy in the difference in height (or head) between high and low tides. When using tidal barrages to generate power, the potential energy from a tide is seized through strategic placement of specialized dams. When the sea level rises and the tide begins to come in, the temporary increase in tidal power is channeled into a large basin behind the darn, holding a large amount of potential energy.
[23] Snakes and vultures are eating rats in a field. If wild dogs are let into the field, what will be the immediate result?
A.
Decrease in the number of snakes
B.
Decrease in the number of vultures
C.
Decrease in the number of rats
D.
Increase in the number of snakes
Ans:
Decrease in the number of rats
Explanation :
There will be a decrease in the number of rats simply because rat is a prey to all the three of them and this leads to just a single conclusion that there is decrease in the number of rats.
[24] Man can maintain an ecological balance in the biosphere by-
A.
deforestation
B.
developing new breeds of cultivated plants and domesticated animals
C.
using insecticides and pesticides
D.
understanding the delicate balance in the relative number of organisms
Ans:
understanding the delicate balance in the relative number of organisms
Explanation :
Ecological balance is a state of dynamic equilibrium within a community of organisms in which genetic, species and ecosystem diversity remain relatively stable, subject to gradual changes through natural succession." In other words, it refers to stable balance in the numbers of each species in an ecosystem. So to maintain this balance, the delicate balance between the organisms constituting and ecosystem should be understood.
[25] Extensive deserts occur in the western tropical regions of continents because :
A.
of easterly trade winds.
B.
cold ocean currents flow along the western coasts.
C.
of the effect of both the off-shore easterly trade winds and cold ocean currents.
D.
the rate of evaporation is greater along the western margin areas.
Ans:
of the effect of both the off-shore easterly trade winds and cold ocean currents.
Explanation :
Extensive deserts occur in the western tropical regions of continents because of the effect of both the offshore easterly trade winds and cold ocean currents. Most deserts arise due to atmospheric wind conditions. Other deserts result from the effects of ocean currents on landmasses, where cool air masses carry fog and mist, but little rain, along coastal regions. World desert map depicts the location of all the deserts of the world. They are centered along the Tropics of Cancer and. Capricorn. The heart of the tropical desert climate is found near the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, usually toward the western side of the continents
Explanation :
Lions provide important ecological and cultural functions. As an apex and keystone predator, lions help to regulate prey populations; they also will scavenge if the opportunity arises. Culturally, the lion (and particularly the male with its highly distinctive mane) is one of the most widely recognized animal symbols in human culture and lion play a key role in save the pastures from being overgrazed.
[14] The main cause of global climatic change is –
A.
increase in the content of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
B.
emissions of industrial gases
C.
adding of dust
D.
changes in plant cover
Ans:
increase in the content of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
Explanation :
Our ever increasing addiction to electricity from coal burning power plants eleases enormous amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. 40% of U.S. CO2 emissions come from electricity production, and burning coal accounts for 93% of emissions from the electric utility industry. Every day, more electric gadgets flood the market, and without widespread alternative energy sources, we are highly dependent on burning coal for our personal and commercial electrical supply.
[15] Echo sounding is the technique applied to—
A.
measure the depth of the sea
B.
measure the amplitude of sound waves
C.
record earthquake waves
D.
record the density of air in the atmosphere
Ans:
measure the depth of the sea
Explanation :
Echo sounding is the technique of using sound pulses to find the depth of water. The interval from the emission of a pulse to reception of its echo is recorded, and the depth calculated from the known speed of propagation of sound through water. This information is then typically used for navigation purposes or in order to obtain depths for charting purposes.
[16] The term territorial water means –
A.
The water found within the country in form of rivers and lakes
B.
The water secured from other countries
C.
The water which is supplied to other countries
D.
Water of the sea located close to the coast of a country
Ans:
Water of the sea located close to the coast of a country
Explanation :
Territorial waters, or a territorial sea, as defined by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, is a belt of coastal waters extending at most 12 nautical miles (22 km) from the baseline (usually the mean low-water mark) of a coastal state. The territorial sea is regarded as the sovereign territory of the state, although foreign ships (both military and civilian) are allowed innocent passage through it.
[17] The acceleration due to gravity at the equator –
A.
is less than that at the poles
B.
is greater than that at the poles
C.
is equal to that at the poles
D.
does not depend on the earth's centripetal acceleration
Ans:
is less than that at the poles
Explanation :
The gravity of Earth, denoted g, refers to the acceleration that the Earth imparts to objects on or near its surface. At latitudes nearer the Equator, the inertia produced by Earth's rotation is stronger than at polar latitudes. This counteracts the Earth's gravity to a small degree - up to a maximum of 0.3% at the Equator - reducing the downward acceleration of falling objects. The second major reason for the difference in gravity at different latitudes is that the Earth's equatorial bulge (itself also caused by inertia) causes objects at the Equator to be farther from the planet's centre than objects at the poles.
[18] Solar eclipse occurs when –
A.
the Moon does not lie on the line joining the Sun and the Earth
B.
the Moon comes between the Sun and the Earth
C.
the Sun comes between the Moon and the Earth
D.
the Earth comes between the Moon and the Sun
Ans:
the Moon comes between the Sun and the Earth
Explanation :
A solar eclipse is a type of eclipse that occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, and the Moon fully or partially blocks ("occults") the Sun. This can happen only at new moon, when the Sun and the Moon are in conjunction.
[19] Biosphere refers to –
A.
the area of the land inhabited by living organism
B.
the part of ocean inhabited by plants and animals
C.
the portion of the earth, including the oceans, the land, the soil and the atmosphere inhabited by living organisms
D.
the atmosphere surrounding the living organisms
Ans:
the portion of the earth, including the oceans, the land, the soil and the atmosphere inhabited by living organisms
Explanation :
The biosphere is the global ecological system integrating all living beings and their relationships, including their interaction with the elements of the litho-sphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. The biosphere is made up of the parts of Earth where life exists. It is the worldwide sum of all ecosystems.
[20] Granite, quartzite areas have upstanding look because –
A.
mechanically weathered faster
B.
these rocks are resistant to all kinds of erosion
C.
these rocks are not easily eroded
D.
not easily worn down
Ans:
not easily worn down
Explanation :
Granite is high in quartz, a mineral very resistant to weathering. Similarly, quartzite is harder than steel. So, they are not easily worn down and give rise to upstanding mountains and hills (Environmental Biology by P.D. Sharma, p. 37). However, they are subject to differential weathering: a rock that is resistant in a climate dominated by chemical weathering may be weak where physical weathering process dominate, and vice versa. So quartzite, though hard and chemically inert, can be fractured by physical weathering.
[21] Equator represents –
A.
line joining North and South poles
B.
imaginary line passing round the Earth midway between North & South poles
C.
a belt (ring) around the planet Saturn
D.
axis of rotation of Earth
Ans:
imaginary line passing round the Earth midway between North & South poles
Explanation :
An equator is the intersection of a sphere's surface with the plane perpendicular to the sphere's axis of rotation and containing the sphere's center of mass. Notably, the Equator refers to the Earth's equator, per above: an imaginary line on the Earth's surface equidistant from the North Pole and South Pole, dividing the Earth into the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere. Other planets and spherical astronomical bodies have equators similarly defined. The length of the Equator is roughly 40,075 kilometres.
[22] Tides in the sea have stored in them :
A.
Hydraulic energy
B.
Kinetic energy
C.
Gravitational potential energy
D.
A combination of all the above three forms of energy
Ans:
Gravitational potential energy
Explanation :
Tides are the rise and fall of sea levels caused by the combined effects of the gravitational forces exerted by the Moon and the Sun and the rotation of the Earth. Tidal barrages make use of the potential energy in the difference in height (or head) between high and low tides. When using tidal barrages to generate power, the potential energy from a tide is seized through strategic placement of specialized dams. When the sea level rises and the tide begins to come in, the temporary increase in tidal power is channeled into a large basin behind the darn, holding a large amount of potential energy.
[23] Snakes and vultures are eating rats in a field. If wild dogs are let into the field, what will be the immediate result?
A.
Decrease in the number of snakes
B.
Decrease in the number of vultures
C.
Decrease in the number of rats
D.
Increase in the number of snakes
Ans:
Decrease in the number of rats
Explanation :
There will be a decrease in the number of rats simply because rat is a prey to all the three of them and this leads to just a single conclusion that there is decrease in the number of rats.
[24] Man can maintain an ecological balance in the biosphere by-
A.
deforestation
B.
developing new breeds of cultivated plants and domesticated animals
C.
using insecticides and pesticides
D.
understanding the delicate balance in the relative number of organisms
Ans:
understanding the delicate balance in the relative number of organisms
Explanation :
Ecological balance is a state of dynamic equilibrium within a community of organisms in which genetic, species and ecosystem diversity remain relatively stable, subject to gradual changes through natural succession." In other words, it refers to stable balance in the numbers of each species in an ecosystem. So to maintain this balance, the delicate balance between the organisms constituting and ecosystem should be understood.
[25] Extensive deserts occur in the western tropical regions of continents because :
A.
of easterly trade winds.
B.
cold ocean currents flow along the western coasts.
C.
of the effect of both the off-shore easterly trade winds and cold ocean currents.
D.
the rate of evaporation is greater along the western margin areas.
Ans:
of the effect of both the off-shore easterly trade winds and cold ocean currents.
Explanation :
Extensive deserts occur in the western tropical regions of continents because of the effect of both the offshore easterly trade winds and cold ocean currents. Most deserts arise due to atmospheric wind conditions. Other deserts result from the effects of ocean currents on landmasses, where cool air masses carry fog and mist, but little rain, along coastal regions. World desert map depicts the location of all the deserts of the world. They are centered along the Tropics of Cancer and. Capricorn. The heart of the tropical desert climate is found near the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, usually toward the western side of the continents
Explanation :
Echo sounding is the technique of using sound pulses to find the depth of water. The interval from the emission of a pulse to reception of its echo is recorded, and the depth calculated from the known speed of propagation of sound through water. This information is then typically used for navigation purposes or in order to obtain depths for charting purposes.
[16] The term territorial water means –
A.
The water found within the country in form of rivers and lakes
B.
The water secured from other countries
C.
The water which is supplied to other countries
D.
Water of the sea located close to the coast of a country
Ans:
Water of the sea located close to the coast of a country
Explanation :
Territorial waters, or a territorial sea, as defined by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, is a belt of coastal waters extending at most 12 nautical miles (22 km) from the baseline (usually the mean low-water mark) of a coastal state. The territorial sea is regarded as the sovereign territory of the state, although foreign ships (both military and civilian) are allowed innocent passage through it.
[17] The acceleration due to gravity at the equator –
A.
is less than that at the poles
B.
is greater than that at the poles
C.
is equal to that at the poles
D.
does not depend on the earth's centripetal acceleration
Ans:
is less than that at the poles
Explanation :
The gravity of Earth, denoted g, refers to the acceleration that the Earth imparts to objects on or near its surface. At latitudes nearer the Equator, the inertia produced by Earth's rotation is stronger than at polar latitudes. This counteracts the Earth's gravity to a small degree - up to a maximum of 0.3% at the Equator - reducing the downward acceleration of falling objects. The second major reason for the difference in gravity at different latitudes is that the Earth's equatorial bulge (itself also caused by inertia) causes objects at the Equator to be farther from the planet's centre than objects at the poles.
[18] Solar eclipse occurs when –
A.
the Moon does not lie on the line joining the Sun and the Earth
B.
the Moon comes between the Sun and the Earth
C.
the Sun comes between the Moon and the Earth
D.
the Earth comes between the Moon and the Sun
Ans:
the Moon comes between the Sun and the Earth
Explanation :
A solar eclipse is a type of eclipse that occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, and the Moon fully or partially blocks ("occults") the Sun. This can happen only at new moon, when the Sun and the Moon are in conjunction.
[19] Biosphere refers to –
A.
the area of the land inhabited by living organism
B.
the part of ocean inhabited by plants and animals
C.
the portion of the earth, including the oceans, the land, the soil and the atmosphere inhabited by living organisms
D.
the atmosphere surrounding the living organisms
Ans:
the portion of the earth, including the oceans, the land, the soil and the atmosphere inhabited by living organisms
Explanation :
The biosphere is the global ecological system integrating all living beings and their relationships, including their interaction with the elements of the litho-sphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. The biosphere is made up of the parts of Earth where life exists. It is the worldwide sum of all ecosystems.
[20] Granite, quartzite areas have upstanding look because –
A.
mechanically weathered faster
B.
these rocks are resistant to all kinds of erosion
C.
these rocks are not easily eroded
D.
not easily worn down
Ans:
not easily worn down
Explanation :
Granite is high in quartz, a mineral very resistant to weathering. Similarly, quartzite is harder than steel. So, they are not easily worn down and give rise to upstanding mountains and hills (Environmental Biology by P.D. Sharma, p. 37). However, they are subject to differential weathering: a rock that is resistant in a climate dominated by chemical weathering may be weak where physical weathering process dominate, and vice versa. So quartzite, though hard and chemically inert, can be fractured by physical weathering.
[21] Equator represents –
A.
line joining North and South poles
B.
imaginary line passing round the Earth midway between North & South poles
C.
a belt (ring) around the planet Saturn
D.
axis of rotation of Earth
Ans:
imaginary line passing round the Earth midway between North & South poles
Explanation :
An equator is the intersection of a sphere's surface with the plane perpendicular to the sphere's axis of rotation and containing the sphere's center of mass. Notably, the Equator refers to the Earth's equator, per above: an imaginary line on the Earth's surface equidistant from the North Pole and South Pole, dividing the Earth into the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere. Other planets and spherical astronomical bodies have equators similarly defined. The length of the Equator is roughly 40,075 kilometres.
[22] Tides in the sea have stored in them :
A.
Hydraulic energy
B.
Kinetic energy
C.
Gravitational potential energy
D.
A combination of all the above three forms of energy
Ans:
Gravitational potential energy
Explanation :
Tides are the rise and fall of sea levels caused by the combined effects of the gravitational forces exerted by the Moon and the Sun and the rotation of the Earth. Tidal barrages make use of the potential energy in the difference in height (or head) between high and low tides. When using tidal barrages to generate power, the potential energy from a tide is seized through strategic placement of specialized dams. When the sea level rises and the tide begins to come in, the temporary increase in tidal power is channeled into a large basin behind the darn, holding a large amount of potential energy.
[23] Snakes and vultures are eating rats in a field. If wild dogs are let into the field, what will be the immediate result?
A.
Decrease in the number of snakes
B.
Decrease in the number of vultures
C.
Decrease in the number of rats
D.
Increase in the number of snakes
Ans:
Decrease in the number of rats
Explanation :
There will be a decrease in the number of rats simply because rat is a prey to all the three of them and this leads to just a single conclusion that there is decrease in the number of rats.
[24] Man can maintain an ecological balance in the biosphere by-
A.
deforestation
B.
developing new breeds of cultivated plants and domesticated animals
C.
using insecticides and pesticides
D.
understanding the delicate balance in the relative number of organisms
Ans:
understanding the delicate balance in the relative number of organisms
Explanation :
Ecological balance is a state of dynamic equilibrium within a community of organisms in which genetic, species and ecosystem diversity remain relatively stable, subject to gradual changes through natural succession." In other words, it refers to stable balance in the numbers of each species in an ecosystem. So to maintain this balance, the delicate balance between the organisms constituting and ecosystem should be understood.
[25] Extensive deserts occur in the western tropical regions of continents because :
A.
of easterly trade winds.
B.
cold ocean currents flow along the western coasts.
C.
of the effect of both the off-shore easterly trade winds and cold ocean currents.
D.
the rate of evaporation is greater along the western margin areas.
Ans:
of the effect of both the off-shore easterly trade winds and cold ocean currents.
Explanation :
Extensive deserts occur in the western tropical regions of continents because of the effect of both the offshore easterly trade winds and cold ocean currents. Most deserts arise due to atmospheric wind conditions. Other deserts result from the effects of ocean currents on landmasses, where cool air masses carry fog and mist, but little rain, along coastal regions. World desert map depicts the location of all the deserts of the world. They are centered along the Tropics of Cancer and. Capricorn. The heart of the tropical desert climate is found near the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, usually toward the western side of the continents
Explanation :
The gravity of Earth, denoted g, refers to the acceleration that the Earth imparts to objects on or near its surface. At latitudes nearer the Equator, the inertia produced by Earth's rotation is stronger than at polar latitudes. This counteracts the Earth's gravity to a small degree - up to a maximum of 0.3% at the Equator - reducing the downward acceleration of falling objects. The second major reason for the difference in gravity at different latitudes is that the Earth's equatorial bulge (itself also caused by inertia) causes objects at the Equator to be farther from the planet's centre than objects at the poles.
[18] Solar eclipse occurs when –
A.
the Moon does not lie on the line joining the Sun and the Earth
B.
the Moon comes between the Sun and the Earth
C.
the Sun comes between the Moon and the Earth
D.
the Earth comes between the Moon and the Sun
Ans:
the Moon comes between the Sun and the Earth
Explanation :
A solar eclipse is a type of eclipse that occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, and the Moon fully or partially blocks ("occults") the Sun. This can happen only at new moon, when the Sun and the Moon are in conjunction.
[19] Biosphere refers to –
A.
the area of the land inhabited by living organism
B.
the part of ocean inhabited by plants and animals
C.
the portion of the earth, including the oceans, the land, the soil and the atmosphere inhabited by living organisms
D.
the atmosphere surrounding the living organisms
Ans:
the portion of the earth, including the oceans, the land, the soil and the atmosphere inhabited by living organisms
Explanation :
The biosphere is the global ecological system integrating all living beings and their relationships, including their interaction with the elements of the litho-sphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. The biosphere is made up of the parts of Earth where life exists. It is the worldwide sum of all ecosystems.
[20] Granite, quartzite areas have upstanding look because –
A.
mechanically weathered faster
B.
these rocks are resistant to all kinds of erosion
C.
these rocks are not easily eroded
D.
not easily worn down
Ans:
not easily worn down
Explanation :
Granite is high in quartz, a mineral very resistant to weathering. Similarly, quartzite is harder than steel. So, they are not easily worn down and give rise to upstanding mountains and hills (Environmental Biology by P.D. Sharma, p. 37). However, they are subject to differential weathering: a rock that is resistant in a climate dominated by chemical weathering may be weak where physical weathering process dominate, and vice versa. So quartzite, though hard and chemically inert, can be fractured by physical weathering.
[21] Equator represents –
A.
line joining North and South poles
B.
imaginary line passing round the Earth midway between North & South poles
C.
a belt (ring) around the planet Saturn
D.
axis of rotation of Earth
Ans:
imaginary line passing round the Earth midway between North & South poles
Explanation :
An equator is the intersection of a sphere's surface with the plane perpendicular to the sphere's axis of rotation and containing the sphere's center of mass. Notably, the Equator refers to the Earth's equator, per above: an imaginary line on the Earth's surface equidistant from the North Pole and South Pole, dividing the Earth into the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere. Other planets and spherical astronomical bodies have equators similarly defined. The length of the Equator is roughly 40,075 kilometres.
[22] Tides in the sea have stored in them :
A.
Hydraulic energy
B.
Kinetic energy
C.
Gravitational potential energy
D.
A combination of all the above three forms of energy
Ans:
Gravitational potential energy
Explanation :
Tides are the rise and fall of sea levels caused by the combined effects of the gravitational forces exerted by the Moon and the Sun and the rotation of the Earth. Tidal barrages make use of the potential energy in the difference in height (or head) between high and low tides. When using tidal barrages to generate power, the potential energy from a tide is seized through strategic placement of specialized dams. When the sea level rises and the tide begins to come in, the temporary increase in tidal power is channeled into a large basin behind the darn, holding a large amount of potential energy.
[23] Snakes and vultures are eating rats in a field. If wild dogs are let into the field, what will be the immediate result?
A.
Decrease in the number of snakes
B.
Decrease in the number of vultures
C.
Decrease in the number of rats
D.
Increase in the number of snakes
Ans:
Decrease in the number of rats
Explanation :
There will be a decrease in the number of rats simply because rat is a prey to all the three of them and this leads to just a single conclusion that there is decrease in the number of rats.
[24] Man can maintain an ecological balance in the biosphere by-
A.
deforestation
B.
developing new breeds of cultivated plants and domesticated animals
C.
using insecticides and pesticides
D.
understanding the delicate balance in the relative number of organisms
Ans:
understanding the delicate balance in the relative number of organisms
Explanation :
Ecological balance is a state of dynamic equilibrium within a community of organisms in which genetic, species and ecosystem diversity remain relatively stable, subject to gradual changes through natural succession." In other words, it refers to stable balance in the numbers of each species in an ecosystem. So to maintain this balance, the delicate balance between the organisms constituting and ecosystem should be understood.
[25] Extensive deserts occur in the western tropical regions of continents because :
A.
of easterly trade winds.
B.
cold ocean currents flow along the western coasts.
C.
of the effect of both the off-shore easterly trade winds and cold ocean currents.
D.
the rate of evaporation is greater along the western margin areas.
Ans:
of the effect of both the off-shore easterly trade winds and cold ocean currents.
Explanation :
Extensive deserts occur in the western tropical regions of continents because of the effect of both the offshore easterly trade winds and cold ocean currents. Most deserts arise due to atmospheric wind conditions. Other deserts result from the effects of ocean currents on landmasses, where cool air masses carry fog and mist, but little rain, along coastal regions. World desert map depicts the location of all the deserts of the world. They are centered along the Tropics of Cancer and. Capricorn. The heart of the tropical desert climate is found near the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, usually toward the western side of the continents
Explanation :
The biosphere is the global ecological system integrating all living beings and their relationships, including their interaction with the elements of the litho-sphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. The biosphere is made up of the parts of Earth where life exists. It is the worldwide sum of all ecosystems.
[20] Granite, quartzite areas have upstanding look because –
A.
mechanically weathered faster
B.
these rocks are resistant to all kinds of erosion
C.
these rocks are not easily eroded
D.
not easily worn down
Ans:
not easily worn down
Explanation :
Granite is high in quartz, a mineral very resistant to weathering. Similarly, quartzite is harder than steel. So, they are not easily worn down and give rise to upstanding mountains and hills (Environmental Biology by P.D. Sharma, p. 37). However, they are subject to differential weathering: a rock that is resistant in a climate dominated by chemical weathering may be weak where physical weathering process dominate, and vice versa. So quartzite, though hard and chemically inert, can be fractured by physical weathering.
[21] Equator represents –
A.
line joining North and South poles
B.
imaginary line passing round the Earth midway between North & South poles
C.
a belt (ring) around the planet Saturn
D.
axis of rotation of Earth
Ans:
imaginary line passing round the Earth midway between North & South poles
Explanation :
An equator is the intersection of a sphere's surface with the plane perpendicular to the sphere's axis of rotation and containing the sphere's center of mass. Notably, the Equator refers to the Earth's equator, per above: an imaginary line on the Earth's surface equidistant from the North Pole and South Pole, dividing the Earth into the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere. Other planets and spherical astronomical bodies have equators similarly defined. The length of the Equator is roughly 40,075 kilometres.
[22] Tides in the sea have stored in them :
A.
Hydraulic energy
B.
Kinetic energy
C.
Gravitational potential energy
D.
A combination of all the above three forms of energy
Ans:
Gravitational potential energy
Explanation :
Tides are the rise and fall of sea levels caused by the combined effects of the gravitational forces exerted by the Moon and the Sun and the rotation of the Earth. Tidal barrages make use of the potential energy in the difference in height (or head) between high and low tides. When using tidal barrages to generate power, the potential energy from a tide is seized through strategic placement of specialized dams. When the sea level rises and the tide begins to come in, the temporary increase in tidal power is channeled into a large basin behind the darn, holding a large amount of potential energy.
[23] Snakes and vultures are eating rats in a field. If wild dogs are let into the field, what will be the immediate result?
A.
Decrease in the number of snakes
B.
Decrease in the number of vultures
C.
Decrease in the number of rats
D.
Increase in the number of snakes
Ans:
Decrease in the number of rats
Explanation :
There will be a decrease in the number of rats simply because rat is a prey to all the three of them and this leads to just a single conclusion that there is decrease in the number of rats.
[24] Man can maintain an ecological balance in the biosphere by-
A.
deforestation
B.
developing new breeds of cultivated plants and domesticated animals
C.
using insecticides and pesticides
D.
understanding the delicate balance in the relative number of organisms
Ans:
understanding the delicate balance in the relative number of organisms
Explanation :
Ecological balance is a state of dynamic equilibrium within a community of organisms in which genetic, species and ecosystem diversity remain relatively stable, subject to gradual changes through natural succession." In other words, it refers to stable balance in the numbers of each species in an ecosystem. So to maintain this balance, the delicate balance between the organisms constituting and ecosystem should be understood.
[25] Extensive deserts occur in the western tropical regions of continents because :
A.
of easterly trade winds.
B.
cold ocean currents flow along the western coasts.
C.
of the effect of both the off-shore easterly trade winds and cold ocean currents.
D.
the rate of evaporation is greater along the western margin areas.
Ans:
of the effect of both the off-shore easterly trade winds and cold ocean currents.
Explanation :
Extensive deserts occur in the western tropical regions of continents because of the effect of both the offshore easterly trade winds and cold ocean currents. Most deserts arise due to atmospheric wind conditions. Other deserts result from the effects of ocean currents on landmasses, where cool air masses carry fog and mist, but little rain, along coastal regions. World desert map depicts the location of all the deserts of the world. They are centered along the Tropics of Cancer and. Capricorn. The heart of the tropical desert climate is found near the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, usually toward the western side of the continents
Explanation :
An equator is the intersection of a sphere's surface with the plane perpendicular to the sphere's axis of rotation and containing the sphere's center of mass. Notably, the Equator refers to the Earth's equator, per above: an imaginary line on the Earth's surface equidistant from the North Pole and South Pole, dividing the Earth into the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere. Other planets and spherical astronomical bodies have equators similarly defined. The length of the Equator is roughly 40,075 kilometres.
[22] Tides in the sea have stored in them :
A.
Hydraulic energy
B.
Kinetic energy
C.
Gravitational potential energy
D.
A combination of all the above three forms of energy
Ans:
Gravitational potential energy
Explanation :
Tides are the rise and fall of sea levels caused by the combined effects of the gravitational forces exerted by the Moon and the Sun and the rotation of the Earth. Tidal barrages make use of the potential energy in the difference in height (or head) between high and low tides. When using tidal barrages to generate power, the potential energy from a tide is seized through strategic placement of specialized dams. When the sea level rises and the tide begins to come in, the temporary increase in tidal power is channeled into a large basin behind the darn, holding a large amount of potential energy.
[23] Snakes and vultures are eating rats in a field. If wild dogs are let into the field, what will be the immediate result?
A.
Decrease in the number of snakes
B.
Decrease in the number of vultures
C.
Decrease in the number of rats
D.
Increase in the number of snakes
Ans:
Decrease in the number of rats
Explanation :
There will be a decrease in the number of rats simply because rat is a prey to all the three of them and this leads to just a single conclusion that there is decrease in the number of rats.
[24] Man can maintain an ecological balance in the biosphere by-
A.
deforestation
B.
developing new breeds of cultivated plants and domesticated animals
C.
using insecticides and pesticides
D.
understanding the delicate balance in the relative number of organisms
Ans:
understanding the delicate balance in the relative number of organisms
Explanation :
Ecological balance is a state of dynamic equilibrium within a community of organisms in which genetic, species and ecosystem diversity remain relatively stable, subject to gradual changes through natural succession." In other words, it refers to stable balance in the numbers of each species in an ecosystem. So to maintain this balance, the delicate balance between the organisms constituting and ecosystem should be understood.
[25] Extensive deserts occur in the western tropical regions of continents because :
A.
of easterly trade winds.
B.
cold ocean currents flow along the western coasts.
C.
of the effect of both the off-shore easterly trade winds and cold ocean currents.
D.
the rate of evaporation is greater along the western margin areas.
Ans:
of the effect of both the off-shore easterly trade winds and cold ocean currents.
Explanation :
Extensive deserts occur in the western tropical regions of continents because of the effect of both the offshore easterly trade winds and cold ocean currents. Most deserts arise due to atmospheric wind conditions. Other deserts result from the effects of ocean currents on landmasses, where cool air masses carry fog and mist, but little rain, along coastal regions. World desert map depicts the location of all the deserts of the world. They are centered along the Tropics of Cancer and. Capricorn. The heart of the tropical desert climate is found near the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, usually toward the western side of the continents
Explanation :
There will be a decrease in the number of rats simply because rat is a prey to all the three of them and this leads to just a single conclusion that there is decrease in the number of rats.
[24] Man can maintain an ecological balance in the biosphere by-
A.
deforestation
B.
developing new breeds of cultivated plants and domesticated animals
C.
using insecticides and pesticides
D.
understanding the delicate balance in the relative number of organisms
Ans:
understanding the delicate balance in the relative number of organisms
Explanation :
Ecological balance is a state of dynamic equilibrium within a community of organisms in which genetic, species and ecosystem diversity remain relatively stable, subject to gradual changes through natural succession." In other words, it refers to stable balance in the numbers of each species in an ecosystem. So to maintain this balance, the delicate balance between the organisms constituting and ecosystem should be understood.
[25] Extensive deserts occur in the western tropical regions of continents because :
A.
of easterly trade winds.
B.
cold ocean currents flow along the western coasts.
C.
of the effect of both the off-shore easterly trade winds and cold ocean currents.
D.
the rate of evaporation is greater along the western margin areas.
Ans:
of the effect of both the off-shore easterly trade winds and cold ocean currents.
Explanation :
Extensive deserts occur in the western tropical regions of continents because of the effect of both the offshore easterly trade winds and cold ocean currents. Most deserts arise due to atmospheric wind conditions. Other deserts result from the effects of ocean currents on landmasses, where cool air masses carry fog and mist, but little rain, along coastal regions. World desert map depicts the location of all the deserts of the world. They are centered along the Tropics of Cancer and. Capricorn. The heart of the tropical desert climate is found near the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, usually toward the western side of the continents
Explanation :
Extensive deserts occur in the western tropical regions of continents because of the effect of both the offshore easterly trade winds and cold ocean currents. Most deserts arise due to atmospheric wind conditions. Other deserts result from the effects of ocean currents on landmasses, where cool air masses carry fog and mist, but little rain, along coastal regions. World desert map depicts the location of all the deserts of the world. They are centered along the Tropics of Cancer and. Capricorn. The heart of the tropical desert climate is found near the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, usually toward the western side of the continents