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UPSC CSE Prelims 2024 — Environment Questions with Answers

All 16 Environment previous-year questions from UPSC CSE Prelims 2024, each with the correct answer and a full explanation. Practise them as a free, timed mock test with instant scoring.

1. Q1.Environment

   According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which one of the following is the largest source of sulphur dioxide emissions?

   • a)Locomotives using fossil fuels
   • b)Ships using fossil fuels
   • c)Extraction of metals from ores
   • d)Power plants using fossil fuels
2. Q2.Environment

   Consider the following statements: Statement-I: The European Parliament approved The Net-Zero Industry Act recently. Statement-II: The European Union intends to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040 and therefore aims to develop all of its own clean technology by that time. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

   • a)Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
   • b)Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
   • c)Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
   • d)Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct
3. Q3.Environment

   The organisms "Cicada, Froghopper and Pond skater" are:

   • a)Birds
   • b)Fish
   • c)Insects
   • d)Reptiles
4. Q4.Environment

   Consider the following statements: Statement-I: Many chewing gums found in the market are considered a source of environmental pollution. Statement-II: Many chewing gums contain plastic as gum base. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

   • a)Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
   • b)Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
   • c)Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
   • d)Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct
5. Q5.Environment

   Consider the following pairs: Country - Animal found in its natural habitat 1. Brazil - Indri 2. Indonesia - Elk 3. Madagascar - Bonobo How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

   • a)Only one
   • b)Only two
   • c)All three
   • d)None
6. Q6.Environment

   Consider the following statements regarding World Toilet Organization: 1. It is one of the agencies of the United Nations. 2. World Toilet Summit, World Toilet Day and World Toilet College are the initiatives of this organization, to inspire action to tackle the global sanitation crisis. 3. The main focus of its function is to grant funds to the least developed countries and developing countries to achieve the end of open defecation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   • a)2 only
   • b)3 only
   • c)1 and 2
   • d)2 and 3
7. Q7.Environment

   Consider the following statements: 1. Lions do not have a particular breeding season. 2. Unlike most other big cats, cheetahs do not roar. 3. Unlike male lions, male leopards do not proclaim their territory by scent marking. Which of the statements given above are correct?

   • a)1 and 2 only
   • b)2 and 3 only
   • c)1 and 3 only
   • d)1, 2 and 3
8. Q8.Environment

   Which one of the following is the correct description of "100 Million Farmers"?

   • a)It is a platform for accelerating the transition towards food and water systems that are net-zero (carbon), nature-positive and that aims to increase farmer resilience.
   • b)It is an international alliance and a network of individuals and farming organisations interested in supporting and strengthening the development of the organic animal husbandry.
   • c)It is a digital platform fully integrated with service providers and built on blockchain that lets buyers, sellers and third parties trade fertilizers quickly and securely.
   • d)It is a platform with the mission of encouraging the farmers to form Farmer Product Organisations or Agribusiness Consortiums, thus facilitating the access to global open markets to sell their products.
9. Q9.Environment

   Which one of the following trees shows a unique relationship with an insect that has coevolved with it and that is the only insect that can pollinate this tree?

   • a)Fig
   • b)Mahua
   • c)Sandalwood
   • d)Silk cotton
10. Q10.Environment

    Consider the following: 1. Butterflies 2. Fish 3. Frogs How many of the above have poisonous species among them?

    • a)Only one
    • b)Only two
    • c)All three
    • d)None
11. Q11.Environment

    Consider the following: 1. Cashew 2. Papaya 3. Red sanders How many of the above trees are actually native to India?

    • a)Only one
    • b)Only two
    • c)All three
    • d)None
12. Q12.Environment

    One of the following regions has the world's largest tropical peatland, which holds about three years worth of global carbon emissions from fossil fuels; and the possible destruction of which can exert detrimental effect on the global climate. Which one of the following denotes that region?

    • a)Amazon Basin
    • b)Congo Basin
    • c)Kikori Basin
    • d)Rio de la Plata Basin
13. Q13.Environment

    With reference to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that are used in making many consumer products, consider the following statements: 1. PFAS are found to be widespread in drinking water, food and food packaging material. 2. PFAS are not easily degraded in the environment. 3. Persistent exposure to PFAS can lead to bioaccumulation in animal bodies. Which of the statements given above are correct?

    • a)1 and 2 only
    • b)2 and 3 only
    • c)1 and 3 only
    • d)1, 2 and 3
14. Q14.Environment

    Consider the following: 1. Carabid beetles 2. Centipedes 3. Flies 4. Termites 5. Wasps Parasitoid species are found in how many of the above kind of organisms?

    • a)Only two
    • b)Only three
    • c)Only four
    • d)All five
15. Q15.Environment

    Consider the following plants: 1. Groundnut 2. Horse-gram 3. Soybean How many of the above belong to the pea family?

    • a)Only one
    • b)Only two
    • c)All three
    • d)None
16. Q16.Environment

    Consider the following statements: Statement-I: The Indian Flying Fox is placed under the "vermin" category in the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. Statement-II: The Indian Flying Fox feeds on the blood of other animals. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

    • a)Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
    • b)Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I.
    • c)Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
    • d)Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct.