Q1. American water plant that has become a troublesome weed in India is
(a) Cyperus rotundus
(b) Eichhornia crassipes
(c) Trapa latifolia
(d) Trapa bispinosa
Correct Answer: (b)
Water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes , is an invasive aquatic weed.
Q2. Migratory birds from Siberia move to
(a) Western Ghat
(b) Meghalaya
(c) Corbett National Park
(d) Keoladeo National Park
Correct Answer: (d)
Keoladeo National Park receives migratory Siberian birds.
Q3. Which animal has gone extinct in recent times in India?
(a) Acinonyx jubatus
(b) Panthera leo
(c) Antilope cervicapra
(d) Rhinoceros unicornis
Correct Answer: (a)
The Asiatic cheetah, Acinonyx jubatus , became extinct in India.
Q4. The endangered largest living lemur Indri indri is found in
(a) Sri Lanka
(b) Madagascar
(c) Mauritius
(d) India
Correct Answer: (b)
Indri indri is endemic to Madagascar.
Q5. An endangered species of Indian medicinal plants is
(a) Ocimum
(b) Garlic
(c) Nepenthes
(d) Podophyllum
Correct Answer: (d)
Podophyllum is an endangered medicinal plant.
Q6. In which pair is a soil characteristic not correctly matched?
(a) Laterite - contains aluminium compounds
(b) Terra rossa - most suitable for roses
(c) Chernozems - richest soil in the world
(d) Black soil - rich in calcium carbonate
Correct Answer: (d)
Black soil is not rich in calcium carbonate.
Q7. Western Ghats species not found elsewhere are called
(a) Keystone
(b) Endemic
(c) Vulnerable
(d) Threatened
Correct Answer: (b)
Species confined to one region are endemic.
Q8. Which region exhibits highest species diversity?
(a) Madagascar
(b) Himalayas
(c) Amazon forests
(d) Western Ghats of India
Correct Answer: (c)
The Amazon rainforest has exceptionally high species diversity.
Q9. The most effective way to conserve plant diversity of an area is
(a) Tissue culture
(b) Creating a biosphere reserve
(c) Creating a botanical garden
(d) Developing a seed bank
Correct Answer: (d)
The source answer identifies a seed bank as most effective.
Q10. Sacred groves are specially useful in
(a) Preventing soil erosion
(b) Year-round river flow
(c) Generating awareness
(d) Conserving rare and threatened species
Correct Answer: (d)
Sacred groves protect rare and threatened species in situ.
Q11. Which animal has become extinct from India?
(a) Snow leopard
(b) Hippopotamus
(c) Wolf
(d) Cheetah
Correct Answer: (d)
The cheetah became extinct in India.
Q12. Flamingoes breed in
(a) Rann of Kutch
(b) Chilika Lake
(c) Sambhar Lake
(d) Manasarovar Lake
Correct Answer: (b)
Flamingoes breed in Chilika Lake.
Q13. Which is the correctly matched endangered animal and national park?
(a) Rhinoceros - Kaziranga National Park
(b) Wild ass - Dudhwa National Park
(c) Great Indian bustard - Keoladeo National Park
(d) Lion - Corbett National Park
Correct Answer: (a)
Kaziranga National Park is associated with the one-horned rhinoceros.
Q14. Identify the odd habitat-animal combination.
(a) Sunderbans - Bengal tiger
(b) Periyar - elephant
(c) Rann of Kutch - wild ass
(d) Dachigam National Park - snow leopard
Correct Answer: (d)
Dachigam is known for hangul, not snow leopard.
Q15. Which shows maximum genetic diversity in India?
(a) Groundnut
(b) Rice
(c) Maize
(d) Mango
Correct Answer: (b)
India has more than 50,000 genetically different strains of rice.
Q16. Which vertebrate group comprises the highest number of endangered species?
(a) Birds
(b) Mammals
(c) Fishes
(d) Reptiles
Correct Answer: (b)
Mammals comprise the highest number in this question set.
Q17. Biodiversity of a geographical region represents
(a) Endangered species found there
(b) Diversity in organisms living there
(c) Genetic diversity in dominant species
(d) Species endemic to the region
Correct Answer: (b)
Biodiversity is the variety of organisms in a region.
Q18. Which is the correct sanctuary-main protected animal pair?
(a) Gir - lion
(b) Sariska - tiger
(c) Sunderban - rhino
(d) Kaziranga - musk deer
Correct Answer: (a)
Gir is the principal protected area for the Asiatic lion.
Q19. Which is not observed in biodiversity hotspots?
(a) Endemism
(b) Accelerated species loss
(c) Lesser inter-specific competition
(d) Species richness
Correct Answer: (c)
Hotspots show high richness, endemism and high threat, not lesser competition.
Q20. The National Aquatic Animal of India is
(a) Gangetic shark
(b) River dolphin
(c) Blue whale
(d) Sea-horse
Correct Answer: (b)
The Ganges river dolphin is India’s National Aquatic Animal.
Q21. An important function of botanical gardens is that
(a) They provide a beautiful recreation area
(b) One can observe tropical plants there
(c) They allow ex-situ conservation of germplasm
(d) They provide natural habitat for wildlife
Correct Answer: (c)
Botanical gardens conserve plant germplasm ex situ.
Q22. Diversity in living beings is due to
(a) Mutation
(b) Long-term evolutionary change
(c) Gradual change
(d) Short-term evolutionary change
Correct Answer: (b)
Long-term evolutionary processes generate biodiversity.
Q23. Ranthambore National Park is situated in
(a) Maharashtra
(b) Rajasthan
(c) Gujarat
(d) Uttar Pradesh
Correct Answer: (b)
Ranthambore National Park is in Rajasthan.
Q24. At which latitude does heat gain through insolation approximately equal heat loss through terrestrial radiation?
(a) 221 ⁄2 ° North and South
(b) 40° North and South
(c) 421 ⁄2 ° North and South
(d) 66° North and South
Correct Answer: (b)
The approximate heat-balance latitude is 40° north and south.
Q25. A high density of a protected animal in a national park can result in
(a) Mutualism
(b) Intraspecific competition
(c) Emigration
(d) Predation
Correct Answer: (b)
High population density increases competition within the species.
Q26. The most important cause of extinction is
(a) Habitat loss and fragmentation
(b) Drought and floods
(c) Economic exploitation
(d) Alien species invasion
Correct Answer: (a)
Habitat loss and fragmentation are the principal cause.
Q27. Tiger is not a resident in which national park?
(a) Sunderbans
(b) Gir
(c) Jim Corbett
(d) Ranthambhor
Correct Answer: (b)
Gir is renowned for Asiatic lions, not tigers.
Q28. Given below is the representation of the extent of global diversity of invertebrates. What do portions A-D represent respectively?
A B C D
(a) A B C D Insects Crustaceans Other animal groups Molluscs
(b) A B C D Crustaceans Insects Molluscs Other animal groups
(c) A B C D Molluscs Other animal groups Crustaceans Insects
(d) A B C D Insects Molluscs Crustaceans Other animal groups
Correct Answer: (d)
Insects comprise the largest invertebrate group, followed by molluscs, crustaceans and other groups.
Q29. A collection of plants and seeds having diverse alleles of all genes of a crop is called
(a) Herbarium
(b) Germplasm
(c) Gene library
(d) Genome
Correct Answer: (b)
Germplasm is the genetic resource of a crop.
Q30. The largest tiger reserve in India is
(a) Nagarhole
(b) Valmiki
(c) Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam
(d) Periyar
Correct Answer: (c)
Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam is India’s largest tiger reserve.
Q31. Which organisation publishes the Red Data Book?
(a) GEF
(b) IUCN
(c) UNEP
(d) WWF
Correct Answer: (b)
The IUCN publishes Red Data Books/Red Lists.
Q32. Which area in India is a biodiversity hotspot?
(a) Eastern Ghats
(b) Gangetic Plain
(c) Sunderbans
(d) Western Ghats
Correct Answer: (d)
The Western Ghats are a global biodiversity hotspot.
Q33. Wildlife is destroyed most when
(a) There is lack of proper care
(b) Mass-scale hunting for foreign trade
(c) Its natural habitat is destroyed
(d) Natural calamity
Correct Answer: (c)
Habitat destruction is the major cause of wildlife loss.
Q34. Which is an example of ex situ conservation?
(a) Wildlife sanctuary
(b) Seed bank
(c) Sacred groves
(d) National park
Correct Answer: (b)
Seed banks are ex situ conservation facilities.
Q35. A species facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the immediate future is
(a) Vulnerable
(b) Endemic
(c) Critically endangered
(d) Extinct
Correct Answer: (c)
Critically endangered species face an extremely high risk of extinction.
Q36. Maximum nutritional diversity is found in the group
(a) Fungi
(b) Animalia
(c) Monera
(d) Plantae
Correct Answer: (c)
Monera shows the greatest nutritional diversity.
Q37. Bulk fixation of carbon through photosynthesis takes place in
(a) Tropical rain forests
(b) Tropical rain forests and crop plants
(c) Crop plants
(d) Oceans
Correct Answer: (d)
Marine phytoplankton in oceans account for much global carbon fixation.
Q38. A renewable source of energy is
(a) Biomass
(b) Coal
(c) Petroleum
(d) Kerosene
Correct Answer: (a)
Biomass is renewable.
Q39. Identify the correct reserve-wildlife combination.
(a) Gir forest - tiger
(b) Kaziranga - elephants
(c) Rann of Kutch - wild ass
(d) Manas Wildlife Sanctuary - musk deer
Correct Answer: (c)
The Rann of Kutch is the protected habitat of the wild ass.
Q40. Petroleum is a
(a) Synthetic product
(b) Renewable resource
(c) Non-renewable resource
(d) Inconvenient resource
Correct Answer: (c)
Petroleum is a fossil fuel and non-renewable.
Q41. According to Robert May, global species diversity is about
(a) 20 million
(b) 50 million
(c) 7 million
(d) 1.5 million
Correct Answer: (c)
Robert May estimated about 7 million global species.
Q42. The Earth Summit at Rio de Janeiro (1992) was called
(a) To reduce CO2 emissions
(b) For conservation of biodiversity and sustainable utilisation of its benefits
(c) To assess invasive weeds
(d) To discontinue CFC use
Correct Answer: (b)
The Rio Earth Summit adopted the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Q43. Which pair consists of exotic species introduced in India?
(a) Lantana camara , water hyacinth
(b) Water hyacinth, Prosopis cineraria
(c) Nile perch, Ficus religiosa
(d) Ficus religiosa , Lantana camara
Correct Answer: (a)
Lantana and water hyacinth are introduced invasive species.
Q44. A non-renewable resource is
(a) Non-renewable non-conventional energy source
(b) Non-renewable conventional energy source
(c) Renewable non-conventional energy source
(d) Renewable conventional energy source
Correct Answer: (b)
Conventional fossil fuels are non-renewable resources.
Q45. Soil conservation is
(a) Conversion of sterile soil into fertile soil
(b) Aeration of soil
(c) Erosion of soil
(d) Protection against loss
Correct Answer: (d)
Soil conservation means protecting soil against loss and degradation.
Q46. Soil fertility is reduced by
(a) Crop rotation
(b) Nitrogen-fixing bacteria
(c) Decaying organic matter
(d) Intensive agriculture
Correct Answer: (d)
Intensive agriculture depletes soil nutrients.
Q47. In mung bean, resistance to yellow mosaic virus and powdery mildew was brought about by
(a) Hybridisation and selection
(b) Mutation breeding
(c) Biofortification
(d) Tissue culture
Correct Answer: (b)
Mutation breeding produced disease-resistant mung bean varieties.
Q48. The most important cause of animals and plants being driven to extinction is
(a) Overexploitation
(b) Alien species invasion
(c) Habitat loss and fragmentation
(d) Co-extinctions
Correct Answer: (c)
Habitat loss and fragmentation are the leading causes of extinction.
Q49. Minerals and metals are
(a) Biodegradable resources
(b) Renewable
(c) Non-renewable
(d) Renewable and non-renewable resources
Correct Answer: (c)
Minerals and metals are non-renewable resources.
Q50. According to IUCN Red List, the status of Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens ) is
(a) Critically endangered
(b) Vulnerable
(c) Extinct
(d) Endangered
Correct Answer: (d)
The source answer classifies red panda as endangered.
Q51. Fertility of soil is measured by its ability to
(a) Retain nutrients
(b) Hold organic materials
(c) Hold water
(d) Support life
Correct Answer: (d)
Soil fertility is assessed by its ability to support plant life.
Q52. The table gives populations (in thousands) of ten species (A-J) in four areas; habitats are in brackets. Which area shows maximum species diversity?
Area (habitats) A B C D E F G H I J a (11) 2.3 1.2 0.52 6.0 - 3.1 1.1 9.0 - 10.3 b (11) 10.2 - 0.62 - 1.5 3.0 - 8.2 1.1 11.2 c (13) 11.3 0.9 0.48 2.4 1.4 42 0.8 8.4 2.2 4.1 d (12) 3.2 10.2 11.1 4.8 0.4 33 0.8 7.3 113 2.1
(a) a
(b) b
(c) c
(d) d
Correct Answer: (c)
In area c - Populations are fairly balanced among species. While in area d - Species I has an extremely large population (113 thousand) while several others have very small populations (0.4, 2.1, etc.).
Q53. Species diversity increases as one proceeds from
(a) High altitude to low altitude and high latitude to low latitude
(b) Low altitude to high altitude and high latitude to low latitude
(c) Low altitude to high altitude and low latitude to high latitude
(d) High altitude to low altitude and low latitude to high latitude
Correct Answer: (a)
Diversity rises toward lower altitudes and the equator.
Q54. The highest number of species in the world is represented by
(a) Fungi
(b) Mosses
(c) Algae
(d) Lichens
Correct Answer: (a)
Fungi are estimated to have the highest species count among these.
Q55. During an adverse season, therophytes survive by
(a) Bulbs
(b) Corms
(c) Rhizomes
(d) Seeds
Correct Answer: (d)
Therophytes survive unfavourable seasons as seeds.
Q56. Quercus species are dominant in
(a) Temperate deciduous forests
(b) Alpine forests
(c) Scrub forests
(d) Tropical rain forests
Correct Answer: (a)
Oaks (Quercus ) dominate temperate deciduous forests.
Q57. Alexander von Humboldt described for the first time
(a) Laws of limiting factor
(b) Species-area relationships
(c) Population growth equation
(d) Ecological biodiversity
Correct Answer: (b)
Humboldt described the species-area relationship.
Q58. Which is related to ex situ conservation of threatened animals and plants?
(a) Biodiversity hotspots
(b) Amazon rainforest
(c) Himalayan region
(d) Wildlife safari parks
Correct Answer: (d)
Wildlife safari parks are ex situ facilities.
Q59. Which is not used for ex situ plant conservation?
(a) Seed banks
(b) Shifting cultivation
(c) Botanical gardens
(d) Field gene banks
Correct Answer: (b)
Shifting cultivation is not a conservation method.
Q60. Which is not included under in situ conservation?
(a) Botanical garden
(b) Biosphere reserve
(c) National park
(d) Sanctuary
Correct Answer: (a)
Botanical gardens are ex situ sites.
Q61. Select the correct statement about biodiversity.
(a) Bt cotton has no adverse effect on biodiversity
(b) Western Ghats have high species richness and endemism
(c) Conservation is merely a fad
(d) Rajasthan and Gujarat deserts have very high biodiversity
Correct Answer: (b)
Western Ghats show high species richness and endemism.
Q62. World Summit on Sustainable Development (2002) was held in
(a) Brazil
(b) Sweden
(c) Argentina
(d) South Africa
Correct Answer: (d)
The summit was held at Johannesburg, South Africa.
Q63. Species confined to a particular region and not found elsewhere are termed
(a) Alien
(b) Endemic
(c) Rare
(d) Keystone
Correct Answer: (b)
Endemic species are restricted to a specific geographical area.
Q64. An example of ex situ conservation is
(a) National park
(b) Seed bank
(c) Wildlife sanctuary
(d) Sacred grove
Correct Answer: (b)
Seed banks preserve germplasm outside natural habitats.
Q65. Which has maximum genetic diversity in India?
(a) Mango
(b) Wheat
(c) Tea
(d) Teak
Correct Answer: (b)
Wheat shows very high genetic diversity in India.
Q66. An institution preserving valuable plant material likely to be lost in wild or cultivation in viable condition is called
(a) Genome
(b) Herbarium
(c) Gene library
(d) Gene bank
Correct Answer: (d)
Gene banks preserve viable plant genetic resources.
Q67. The Biodiversity Act of India was passed by Parliament in
(a) 1992
(b) 1996
(c) 2000
(d) 2002
Correct Answer: (d)
India enacted the Biological Diversity Act in 2002.
Q68. Cryopreservation of gametes of threatened species in viable, fertile condition is
(a) Advanced ex situ conservation
(b) In situ conservation by sacred groves
(c) In situ cryo-conservation
(d) In situ conservation of biodiversity
Correct Answer: (a)
Cryopreservation is an advanced ex situ technique.
Q69. MAB stands for
(a) Man and Biology Programme
(b) Man and Biosphere Programme
(c) Mammals and Biosphere Programme
(d) Mammals and Biology Programme
Correct Answer: (b)
MAB is UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme.
Q70. The organisation which publishes the Red List of species is
(a) ICFRE
(b) IUCN
(c) UNEP
(d) WWF
Correct Answer: (b)
The IUCN publishes the Red List.
Q71. Decline in Indian native fishes following introduction of Clarias gariepinus in the Yamuna is categorised as
(a) Alien species invasion
(b) Co-extinction
(c) Habitat fragmentation
(d) Overexploitation
Correct Answer: (a)
The African catfish is an invasive alien species.
Q72. National park associated with rhinoceros is
(a) Kaziranga
(b) Ranthambore
(c) Corbett
(d) Valley of Flowers
Correct Answer: (a)
Kaziranga is famed for the one-horned rhinoceros.
Q73. All are included in ex situ conservation except
(a) Wildlife safari parks
(b) Sacred groves
(c) Seed banks
(d) Botanical gardens
Correct Answer: (b)
Sacred groves are in situ conservation sites.
Q74. The legally protected region of a biosphere reserve where no human activity is allowed is
(a) Buffer zone
(b) Transition zone
(c) Restoration zone
(d) Core zone
Correct Answer: (d)
The core zone is strictly protected.
Q75. Fill the blanks: bears go into __(1)__ during winter; a broad-base conical age pyramid represents __(3)__ population; a fig wasp and fig flower show __(4)__; a high species-richness area is a __(5)__.
(a) (2) stable; (4) commensalism; (5) marsh
(b) (1) aestivation; (5) escape; (3) stable; (4) mutualism
(c) (3) expanding; (4) commensalism; (5) biodiversity park
(d) (1) hibernation; (2) escape; (3) expanding; (5) hotspot
Correct Answer: (d)
Bears hibernate; a broad-base pyramid is expanding; fig and wasp are mutualists; high-richness areas are hotspots.
Q76. If forest cover is reduced to half, what is most likely on a long-term basis?
(a) Tribals will starve
(b) Cattle will die for lack of fodder
(c) Large areas will become deserts
(d) Crop breeding will suffer due to reduced germplasm
Correct Answer: (c)
Major forest loss promotes desertification.
Q77. Which represents the maximum number of species among global biodiversity?
(a) Lichens
(b) Fungi
(c) Mosses and ferns
(d) Algae
Correct Answer: (b)
Fungi have the greatest number among these groups.
Q78. Which has both correct combinations?
(a) In situ: cryopreservation; Ex situ: wildlife sanctuary
(b) In situ: seed bank; Ex situ: national park
(c) In situ: tissue culture; Ex situ: sacred groves
(d) In situ: national park; Ex situ: botanical garden
Correct Answer: (d)
National parks conserve in situ; botanical gardens conserve ex situ.
Q79. Which animal-plant pair represents endangered organisms in India?
(a) Tamarind and rhesus monkey
(b) Cinchona and leopard
(c) Banyan and black buck
(d) Bentinckia nicobarica and red panda
Correct Answer: (d)
Both Bentinckia nicobarica and red panda are endangered.
Q80. Which is considered a biodiversity hotspot in India?
(a) Indo-Gangetic Plain
(b) Eastern Ghats
(c) Aravalli Hills
(d) Western Ghats
Correct Answer: (d)
The Western Ghats are a biodiversity hotspot.
Q81. Which is not a method of in situ conservation?
(a) Biosphere reserve
(b) Wildlife sanctuary
(c) Botanical garden
(d) Sacred grove
Correct Answer: (c)
Botanical gardens conserve species outside natural habitats.