UPSC 2019 Environment & Ecology Previous Year Questions

Question 1

With reference to the recent developments in science, which one of the following statements is not correct?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. Functional chromosomes can be created by joining segments of DNA taken from cells of different species. | Pieces of artificial functional DNA can be created in laboratories. | A piece of DNA taken out from an animal cell can be made to replicate outside a living cell in a laboratory. | Cells taken out from plants and animals can be made to undergo cell division in laboratory petri dishes.. Artificial DNA can be synthesized, DNA can be replicated in vitro using lab techniques,

Question 2

The word Denisovan' is sometimes mentioned in media in reference to

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. fossils of a kind of dinosaurs | an early human species | a cave system found in North-East India | a geological period in the history of Indian subcontinent. Denisovans are an extinct/archaic human group known from genetic and fossil evidence.

Question 3

What is common to the places known as Aliyar, Isapur and Kangsabati?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. Recently discovered uranium deposits | Tropical rain forests | Underground cave systems | Water reservoirs. Aliyar, Isapur and Kangsabati are known for dams/reservoirs.

Question 4

Which of the following statements are correct about the deposits of methane hydrate? 1. Global warming might trigger the release of methane gas from these deposits. 2. Large deposits of methane hydrate are found in Arctic Tundra and under the seafloor. 3. Methane in atmosphere oxidizes to carbon dioxide after a decade or two. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. 1 and 2 only | 2 and 3 only | 1 and 3 only | 1, 2 and 3. Methane hydrates occur under seafloors and in Arctic permafrost/tundra regions; warming may release methane, and atmospheric methane oxidizes to carbon dioxide over about a decade or two.

Question 5

For the measurement/estimation of which of the following are satellite images/remote sensing data used? 1. Chlorophyll content in the vegetation of a specific location 2. Greenhouse gas emissions from rice paddies of a specific location 3. Land surface temperatures of a specific location Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. 1 only | 2 and 3 only | 3 only | 1, 2 and 3. Remote sensing can estimate vegetation chlorophyll, infer/estimate greenhouse gas emissions including from rice paddies through models/satellite data, and measure land surface temperature.

Question 6

Why is there a great concern about the 'microbeads' that are released into environment?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. They are considered harmful to marine ecosystems. | They are considered to cause skin cancer in children. | They are small enough to be absorbed by crop plants in irrigated fields. | They are often found to be used as food adulterants.. Microbeads are tiny plastic particles that enter water bodies and harm marine ecosystems through ingestion and microplastic pollution.

Question 7

Which of the following are in Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. Neyyar, Peppara and Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuaries; and Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve | Mudumalai, Sathyamangalam and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuaries; and Silent Valley National Park | Koundinya, Gundla Brahmeswaram and Papikonda Wildlife Sanctuaries; and Mukurthi National Park | Kawal and Sri Venkateswara Wildlife Sanctuaries; and Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve. Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve includes Neyyar, Peppara and Shendurney wildlife sanctuaries and Kalakad-

Question 8

In the context of which of the following do some scientists suggest the use of cirrus cloud thinning technique and the injection of sulphate aerosol into stratosphere?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. Creating artificial rains in regions with low rainfall | Reducing the frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones | Reducing the adverse effects of solar wind on the Earth | Reducing the global warming. Cirrus cloud thinning and stratospheric sulphate aerosol injection are geoengineering proposals aimed at reducing global warming.

Question 9

Which one of the following National Parks lies completely in the temperate alpine zone?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. Manas National Park | Namdapha National Park | Neora Valley National Park | Valley of Flowers National Park. Valley of Flowers National Park lies in the high Himalayan temperate/alpine zone, unlike the other parks with tropical/subtropical ranges.

UPSC 2019 Environment & Ecology PYQs with Answers