Concept Application and Fact for Prelims Day-41

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This is the Day-41 questions of the CAF Revision plan for prelims. The questions are based on the syllabus as provided in the schedule. Aspirants are requested to go through the detailed CAF strategy to understand the need of the UPSC prelims and to prepare well for the same. Attempt the questions honestly. The link to key answers and explanations of this test is at the end of the questions. The maximum time to attempt the 17 questions is 25 minutes.


Q.1) Acid rain is caused by the pollution of environment by

(a) carbon dioxide and nitrogen

(b) carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide

(c) ozone and carbon dioxide

(d) nitrous oxide and sulphur dioxide


Q.2) Photochemical smog is a resultant of the reaction among

(a) NO2, O3 and peroxyacetyl nitrate in the presence of sunlight

(b) CO, O2 and peroxyacetyl nitrate in the presence of sunlight

(c) CO, CO2 and N02 at low temperature

(d) High concentration of N02, O3 and CO in the evening


Q.3) With reference to two non-conventional energy sources called ‘coal bed methane’ and ‘shale gas’, consider the following ‘statements:

  1. Coal bed methane is the pure methane gas extracted from coal seams, while shale gas is a mixture of propane and butane only that can be extracted from fine-grained sedimentary rocks.
  2. In India abundant coal bed methane sources exist, but so far no shale gas sources have been found.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2


Q.4) With reference to technologies for solar power production, consider the following statements:

  1. ‘Photovoltaics’ is a technology that generates electricity by direct conversion of light into electricity, while ‘Solar Thermal’ is a technology that utilizes the Sun’s rays to generate heat which is further used in electricity generation process.
  2. Photovoltaics generates Alternating Current (AC), while Solar Thermal generates Direct Current (DC).
  3. India has manufacturing base for Solar Thermal technology, but not for Photovoltaics.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1, 2 and 3

(d) None


Q.5) It is possible to produce algae based biofuels, but what is/are the likely limitation(s) of developing countries in promoting this industry?

  1. Production of algae based biofuels is possible in seas only and not on continents.
  2. Setting up and engineering the algae based biofuel production requires high level of expertise/technology until the construction is completed.
  3. Economically viable production necessitates the setting up of large scale facilities which may raise ecological and social concerns.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3


Q.6) Which of the following statements best describes “carbon fertilization”?

(a) Increased plant growth due to increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere

(b) Increased temperature of Earth due to increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere

(c) Increased acidity of oceans as a result of increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere

(d) Adaptation of all living beings on Earth to the climate change brought about by the increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere


Q.7) The term “sixth mass extinction/sixth extinction” is often mentioned in the news in the context of the discussion of

(a) Widespread monoculture practices in agriculture and large-scale commercial farming with indiscriminate use of chemicals in many parts of the world that may result in the loss of good native ecosystems.

(b) Fears of a possible collision of a meteorite with the Earth in the near future in the manner it happened 65 million years ago that caused the mass extinction of many species including those of dinosaurs.

(c) Large scale cultivation of genetically modified crops in many parts of the world and promoting their cultivation in other parts of the world which may cause the disappearance of good native crop plants and the loss of food biodiversity.

(d) Mankind’s over-exploitation/misuse of natural resources, fragmentation/loss of natural habitats, destruction of ecosystems, pollution and global climate change.


Q.8) Which of the following has/have shrunk immensely/dried up in the recent past due to human activities?

  1. Aral Sea
  2. Black Sea
  3. Lake Baikal

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3

(c) 2 only

(d) 1 and 3


Q.9) What is ‘Greenhouse Gas Protocol’?

(a) It is an international accounting tool for government and business leaders to understand, quantify and manage greenhouse gas emissions

(b) It is an initiative of the United Nations to offer financial incentives to developing countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to adopt eco-friendly technologies

(c) It is an inter-governmental agreement ratified by all the member countries of the United Nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to specified levels by the year 2022

(d) It is one of the multilateral REDD+ initiatives hosted by the World Bank


Q.10) Consider the following statements:

  1. The International Solar Alliance was launched at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2015.
  2. The Alliance includes all the member countries of the United Nations.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2


Q.11) With reference to the Agreement at the UNFCCC Meeting in Paris in 2015, which of the following statements is/are correct?

  1. The Agreement was signed by all the member countries of the UN and it will go into effect in 2017.
  2. The Agreement aims to limit the greenhouse gas emissions so that the rise in average global temperature by the end of this century does not exceed 2 °C or even 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels.
  3. Developed countries acknowledged their historical responsibility in global warming and committed to donate $ 1000 billion a year from 2020 to help developing countries to cope with climate change.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 3 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3


Q.12) On which of the following can you find the Bureau of Energy Efficiency Star Label?

  1. Ceiling fans
  2. Electric geysers
  3. Tubular fluorescent lamps

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3


Q.13) Consider the following statements about Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan – Adopt a Heritage project.

  1. Under the Project, the Monument Mitras are responsible for operation and maintenance and development/up-gradation of tourist amenities, in the non- core areas of the monument.
  2. The conservation of heritage/ancient buildings/monuments does not come under the ‘Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan – Adopt a Heritage’ project of the Ministry of Tourism.
  3. The project categorises the sites into green, blue and orange.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 1 and 3

(c) 2 and 3

(d) 1, 2 and 3


Q.14) ‘Pietermaritzburg Station Incident’ is often in news is related to

(a) Terror attack

(b) Racial discrimination

(c) Communal violence

(d) Sexual violence


Q.15) ‘Gilets Jaunes’ was often in news is a

(a) ‘grassroots citizens’ protest movement

(b) movement to conserve endangered mammals

(c) tax on fugitive offenders who are trading in international markets

(d) religious movement to empower women


Q.16) Consider the following statements about Pokkali Paddy.

  1. Pokkali Paddy is a saltwater-tolerant paddy grown in Kerala.
  2. It is a traditional indigenous method of rice-fish rotational cultivation.
  3. This paddy got GI tag.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 1 and 3

(c) 2 and 3

(d) 1, 2 and 3


Q.17) Regulatory Indicators for Sustainable Energy (RISE) report is released by

(a) World Bank

(b) World Economic Forum

(c) IMF

(d) International Energy Agency


Q.18) With reference to ozone depletion. Consider the following statements.

  1. CFC molecules are heavier than air
  2. Ozone hole is always formed over the source of CFC

Select the correct answer from the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2


Q.19) With reference to Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC). consider the following statements.

  1. OTEC uses the kinetic energy of marine currents to generates electricity
  2. India is developing its first OTEC project in Andaman and Nicobor islands

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2


Q.20) Why is the ozone depletion predominant at the Antarctic, choose correct reasons?

  1. Rising temperature due to global warming enables the formation of polar stratospheric clouds in Antarctic.
  2. Longevity of the Antarctic vortex
  3. Due to long life span of CFCs

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3


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