Q.1 With reference to the “Polargap Project” ,consider the following statements :
1. It is an international mission to capture data about the Earth’s electrical & magnetic field
2. This project is largely funded by the World bank
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
A) Only 1
B) Only 2
C) Both are correct
D) Both are incorrect
Ans. D
PolarGAP is an ambitious international mission to capture new and critical data about the Earth’s global gravity field.
Innovative radar systems and Lidar technologies will also be deployed from Twin Otter aircraft to fill the ‘data gap’ in
measurements of surface elevation over the South Pole region south of 83.5°.
Two earth observing satellite missions (GOCE and CryoSat 2) mounted by the European Space Agency (ESA) revolutionised
scientists’ ability to ‘map’ the Earth’s global gravity field and monitor how Earth’s ice fields are responding to global
change. However, because GOCE’s orbit did not cross the Poles there is a data gap at the South Pole.
The PolarGAP project will collect new gravity data and combine them with datasets from other Antarctic missions to build
the first accurately constrained global gravity model. This is essential as global gravity data provide unique information
on mass distribution and transport in the Earth System, linked to processes and changes in the Solid Earth, hydrology,
cryosphere, oceans and atmosphere. Key applications of gravity data include geodetic studies (levelling and mapping),
navigation (GPS/GLONASS) and satellite orbit planning.
Q.2 Recently environment minister inaugurates advanced system of air quality “SAFAR”. With reference to this project
consider the following statements :
1. It will monitor all the weather parameters like temperature, wind speed & wind direction
2. The system will also monitor existence of Benzene, Methane & Toluene
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
A) Only 1
B) Only 2
C) Both are correct
D) Both are incorrect
Ans. A
Science& Technology, Earth Sciences; Environment, Forest & Climate Change Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan unveiled a state-of-
the-art Air Quality and Weather Forecast System– SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting)at ChandniChowkin
Delhi today.
The giant true colour LED display gives out real-time air quality index on 24×7 basis with colour coding alongwith
72-hour advance forecast.
The system, first of its kind in the country, was developed indigenously in record time by Indian Institute of Tropical
Meteorology, Pune and operationalized by India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The minister said based on the Air Quality Index on a particular day, Health advisory and related precaution will be
notified to prepare citizens well in advance. Dr. Harsh Vardhan, further added that in addition to monitoring and
forecasting of regular air quality and weather parameters, the ChandniChowk air quality station will also measure sun’s
UV-Index and will provide measurement of online automatic ultrafine particles PM1 and Mercury, both of which have direct
relevance to human health. Based on UVI, skin advisories will be issued on display.
“Our mission model project SAFAR is implemented in four cities of India – Delhi, Pune, Mumbai and Ahmedabad as an
operational service. Accordingto a preliminary economic assessment of the benefits of the system, if 5% of people
suffering from air-pollution related diseases take advantage of the advisories and precautionsin Delhi alone, it would
result in a saving of nearly Rs. 2,500 crores in terms of health-related cost benefit,” said Dr Harsh Vardhan, addressing
a large gathering at Town Hall in ChandniChowk.
The system will be an integral part of India’s first Air Quality Early Warning System operational in Delhi and will
strengthen the existing air quality network of SAFAR, Central Pollution Control Board and Delhi Pollution Control
Committee.
SAFAR will accelerate public awareness and preparedness of air pollution and weather extremes. It will also lead to
better understanding of linkages among emissions, weather, pollution and climate. It will monitor all weather parameters
like temperature, rainfall, humidity, wind speed and wind direction.
In addition to regular air quality parameters like PM2.5, PM10, Sulfur Dioxide, Ozone, Nitrogen Oxides, Carbon Monoxide,
the system will also monitor the existence of Benzene, Toluene and Xylene.
Besides health, SAFAR system would benefit cost savings to several other sectors like agriculture, aviation,
infrastructure, disaster management skill, tourism and many others, which directly or indirectly get affected by air
quality and weather.
Q.3 Which of the following best describes “Global Green Bond Partnership” sometimes seen in news ?
A) This partnership will spread catchment area over 68.9 sq km to provide water for irrigation to cities, states regions.
B) These bonds are issued by world bank in partnership with the government bodies, private organisations or individual
scientists to increase forest cover .
C) This partnership will support efforts of cities, states regions , corporations, private companies to accelerate
issuance of green bonds
D) These bonds are issued by world bank in partnership with the government bodies, private organisations or individual
scientists to provide precious water for paddy crops
Ans. C
The Global Green Bond Partnership (GGBP) launched at the Global Climate Action Summit (GCAS). This new partnership will
support efforts of sub-national entities such as cities, states, and regions, corporations and private companies, and
financial institutions to accelerate the issuance of green bonds.
The founding members of the Global Green Bond Partnership GGBP include the World Bank, IFC – a member of the World Bank
Group, Amundi, European Investment Bank, Climate Bonds Initiative, Ceres, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability,
Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM) and the Low Emissions Development Strategies Global Partnership
(LEDS GP).
Q.4 Currently India is a member of which among the following organizations / groups ?
1. Missile Technology Control Regime
2. Australia Group
3. Wassenaar Arrangement
4. Nuclear Suppler Group
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
A) Only 2 & 3
B) 2,3,4
C) Only 1 & 2
D) 1,2,3
Ans. D
Some countries are opposing the Indian entry into NSG because India has not signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
Q.5 With reference to the news what are Bug Zappers ?
A) It is is a bio-remediation technique to get rid of oil spill
B) These are the fluorescent traps to eliminate bugs & small insects
C) These are the tools or methods to reduce the greenhouse gases
D) These are the Ultraviolet traps to eliminate various small flying insects
Ans. D
Ultraviolet traps called bug zappers are used to eliminate various small flying insects. They are attracted to the UV and are killed using an electric shock, or trapped once they come into contact with the device.
Q.6 Consider the following statements :
1. Foods containing carotene (Vitamin A) or cooking oils are safe to be cooked in a microwave
2. Thermocol plates are poor barrier to oxygen and water vapor and has a relatively high melting point
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
A) Only 1
B) Only 2
C) Both are correct
D) Both are incorrect
Ans. D
Thermocol plates:-
It is a synthetic aromatic polymer made from the monomer styrene. Polystyrene can be solid or foamed. General-purpose polystyrene is clear, hard, and rather brittle. It is an inexpensive resin per unit weight.
It is a rather poor barrier to oxygen and water vapor and has a relatively low melting point.
Polystyrene is one of the most widely used plastics, the scale of its production being several million tonnes per year.
Polystyrene can be naturally transparent, but can be colored with colorants.
Uses include protective packaging (such as packing peanuts and CD and DVD cases), containers (such as “clamshells”), lids, bottles, trays, tumblers, disposable cutlery.[5] and in the making of models.
Polystyrene is very slow to biodegrade and is therefore a focus of controversy among environmentalists.
It is increasingly abundant as a form of litter in the outdoor environment, particularly along shores and waterways, especially in its foam form, and also in increasing quantities in the Pacific Ocean.
Polystyrene is chemically very inert, being resistant to acids and bases but is easily dissolved by many chlorinated solvents, and many aromatic hydrocarbon solvents. Because of its resilience and inertness, it is used for fabricating many objects of commerce. It is attacked by many organic solvents, which dissolve the polymer. Foamed polystyrene is used for packaging chemicals.
Like all organic compounds, polystyrene burns to give carbon dioxide and water vapor.
Polystyrene, being an aromatic hydrocarbon, typically combusts incompletely as indicated by the sooty flame.
Polystyrene is generally non-biodegradable.
Polystyrene is commonly used in containers for food and drinks. The styrene monomer (from which polystyrene is made) is a cancer suspect agent
Another Japanese study conducted on wild-type and AhR-null mice found that the styrene trimer, which the authors detected in cooked polystyrene container-packed instant foods, may increase thyroid hormone levels
Whether polystyrene can be microwaved with food is controversial. Some containers may be safely used in a microwave, but only if labelled as such.[67] Some sources suggest that foods containing carotene (Vitamin A) or cooking oils must be avoided
Like other organic compounds, polystyrene is flammable.
Q.7 Bio-ethanol can be produced from which of the following feedstocks ?
1. Bagasses
2. Sorghum
3. Sugar beet
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
A) 1 & 3
B) Only 2
C) 2 & 3
D) 1,2,3
Ans. D
Bio-Ethanol:
Ethanol can be produced from a variety of feedstocks such as sugar cane, bagasse, miscanthus, sugar beet, sorghum, grain, switchgrass, barley, hemp, kenaf, potatoes, sweet potatoes, cassava, sunflower, fruit, molasses, corn, stover, grain, wheat, straw, cotton,
Two types of second generation processes are under development. The first type uses enzymes and yeast fermentation to convert the plant cellulose into ethanol while the second type uses pyrolysis to convert the whole plant to either a liquid bio-oil or a syngas. Second generation processes can also be used with plants such as grasses, wood or agricultural waste material such as straw.
By-products such as straw or wood chips can be converted to ethanol. Fast growing species like switchgrass can be grown on land not suitable for other cash crops and yield high levels of ethanol per unit area.
Q.8 Which among the following has been classified under the category of Eurythermal organism ?
1. Red Algae
2. Coral reefs
3. Golden brown Algae
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
A) 1 & 3
B) Only 2
C) 1 & 2
D) 2 & 3
Ans. A
Eurythermal organisms:
Which can tolerate & thrive in wide range of temperatures.
Ex: Cat, Dog, Tiger, Red Algae, Golden brown Algae, Angiosperms sea Grass
Cryophillic organisms:
Which can thrive at lower temperature (as low as zero degree centigrade)
Seals , Coral reefs, Arctic Crustaceans, Salmon
FRAMED FROM WIKIPEDIA
Q.9 Which among the following is/are the examples of the floating plants ?
1. Azolla
2. Utricularia
3. Wolfia
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
A) Only 2
B) 2 & 3
C) Only 1
D) 1 & 3
Ans. D
Floating Plants : Wolfia, Lemna, Azolla, Eichhornia
Submerged Plants : Ceratophylum, Utricularia, Najas
Rooted -Floated Plants : Sagitaria, Ranunculus, Cyperus
Q.10 Which among the following is/are the producers of an ecosystem ?
1. Sea weeds
2. Algae
3. Bryophytes
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
A) 2 & 3
B) Only 2
C) 1 & 3
D) 1,2,3
Ans. D
Producers of an ecosystem :
Algae, Bryophyte, Pteridophytes, Flowering plants, Some photosynthetic bacteria
Sea weeds are producers in marine ecosystem
