2012 December UGC NET Solved Question Paper in Environmental Sciences Paper 2

1. Assertion (A): Biosphere constitutes an excellent life-support system which is sustainable and can fulfil all human needs.

Reason (R): The size and productivity of the Biosphere is limited by availability of water, nutrients and environmental conditions.

Identify the correct code:

Codes:

(A) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

(B) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

(C) (A) is true but (R) is false.

(D) (A) is false but (R) is true.

Answer: (D)

2. Geostrophic wind occurs when pressure gradient force balances

(A) Coriolis force

(B) Frictional force

(C) Centripetal force

(D) Coriolis and frictional force together

Answer: (A)

3. Scales of Meteorology are in the following order starting from the least

(A) Macro –, Micro –, Meso –

(B) Macro–, Meso–, Micro–

(C) Meso–, Macro–, Micro–

(D) Micro–, Meso–, Macro –

Answer: (D)

4. When the full potential of physical, chemical and biological factors, a species can use if there is no competition, it is called

(A) Fundamental niche

(B) Ecological niche

(C) Realized niche

(D) Competitive exclusion

Answer: (A)

5. The uppermost zone of atmosphere of earth, where shortwave ultraviolet radiations are absorbed, is

(A) Troposphere

(B) Stratosphere

(C) Mesosphere

(D) Thermosphere

Answer: (D)www.netugc.com

6. which of the following oxides of nitrogen is the major air pollutant released from automobile exhausts?

(A) NO

(B) N2O

(C) NO2

(D) N2O3

Answer: (A)

7. Match List – I with List – II which contains pollutant gases and their threshold (safe limit) values as per WHO standards:

List – I                                                List – II

(Pollutant gas)                                     (Thresholds)

a. CO                                                   i. 2 ppm

b. SO2                                                  ii. 50 ppm

c. NO                                                  iii. 0.08 ppm

d. PAN                                                iv. 25 ppm

Identity the correct code:

Codes:

      a b c d

(A) ii iii i iv

(B) iv ii i iii

(C) ii i iv iii

(D) iii iv ii i

Answer: (C)

8. The band labelled as UV-C which is lethal to micro-organisms is

(A) 0.29 – 0.32 m

(B) 0.2 – 0.29 m

(C) 0.17 – 0.2 m

(D) 0.07 – 0.21 m

Answer: (B)

9. Which of the following species in the atmosphere is called atmospheric detergent?

(A) Chlorine radical

(B) Hydroxyl radical

(C) Methyl radical

(D) Ozone radical

Answer: (B)

10. The POH of a 0.001 M solution of HCl is

(A) 12

(B) 10

(C) 11

(D) 13

Answer: (C)

11. Identify the pair (element-health effect) which is correctly matched:

(A) Lead – Methaemoglobinemia

(B) Arsenic – Kidney damage

(C) Mercury – Nervous disorder

(D) PAN – Hypoxemia

Answer: (D)

12. Which of the following organisms can act as primary consumer, secondary consumer, tertiary consumer or scavenger in different types of food chains?

(A) Raven

(B) Tiger

(C) Snake

(D) Phytoplanktones

Answer: (A)

13. The tendency of biological systems to resist change and to remain in a state of equilibrium is called

(A) Homeostatis

(B) Feedback mechanism

(C) Ecological efficiency

(D) Carrying capacity

Answer: (A)

14. If different categories of threatened species are written in a sequence, what is the correct order?

(A) Extinct-> Vulnerable -> Rare -> Endangered

(B) Vulnerable -> Rare -> Endangered -> Extinct

(C) Vulnerable -> Rare -> Extinct -> Endangered

(D) Rare -> Vulnerable -> Endangered -> Extinct

Answer: (B)www.netugc.com

15. Which of the following is not a type of ex situ conservation method?

(A) Botanical garden

(B) Zoological park

(C) Wildlife sanctuaries

(D) Gene banks

Answer: (C)

16. As a consequence of succession the P/B ratio (Gross production /

Standing crop biomass) is changed. It is

(A) High during developmental stages and low at mature stage.

(B) Low during developmental stages and high at mature stage.

(C) > 1 or < 1 at developmental stages and approximately 1 at mature stage.

(D) Remaining unchanged at all stages.

Answer: (A)

17. Preparation of hazard-zoning map in case of landslide prone regions involves comprehensive investigation of

(A) Details of structural and lithological settings.

(B) Geomorphic features relating to instability of slopes.

(C) Seismicity pattern of the region.

(D) all of the above.

Answer: (D)

18. If ap = specified value of peak acceleration, N = mean rate of occurrence of earthquake per year, tep = time interval of consideration (exposure period) and Fap = probability that an observed acceleration is less than or equal to ap, then the cumulative probability distribution of peak acceleration for epoch – dependent seismic hazard map is given by which formula ?

(A) Fmaxtep = exp {–Nt(1 – Fap)}

(B) Fmax = exp {–Nt(1 – Fap)} . tep

(C) Fmaxtep= exp {–t(1 – Fap)N}

(D) All of the above

Answer: (A)

19. Assertion (A): In oceans, Na has the longest residence time, within an order of magnitude of the age of the oceans.

Reason (R): The long residence time of Na reflects a lack of reactivity of sodium in the marine environment by not being readily incorporated in the common sedimentary minerals, nor being removed by biological reactions.

Identify the correct code:

Codes:

(A) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

(B) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

(C) (A) is true, but (R) is false.

(D) (A) is false, but (R) is true.

Answer: (A)

20. According to Goldieh the decreasing order of stability of following minerals of igneous rocks towards weathering is

(A) Muscovite > Quartz > Potash feldspar >Biotite

(B) Biotite> Potash feldspar >Muscovite > Quartz

(C) Quartz > Muscovite > Potash feldspar >Biotite

(D) Potash feldspar > Quartz >Muscovite >Biotite

Answer: (C)

21. In universal polar stereographic coordinate system the eastings and northings are computed using which projection method?

(A) Polar aspect stereographic projection

(B) Non-polar aspect stereo graphic projection

(C) Polar aspect Mercator projection

(D) Non-polar aspect Mercator projection

Answer: (A)

22. Pitchblende is an ore of

(A) Nickel

(B) Chromium

(C) Molybdenum

(D) Uranium

Answer: (D)

23. Copper (Cu) is classified according to its geochemical affinity as

(A) Siderophile element

(B) Chalcophile element

(C) Lithophile element

(D) Atmophile element

Answer: (B)

24. If ‘a’ is the fractional wind speed decrease at the wind turbine, the maximum extraction of power from the wind occurs when ‘a’ is equal to

(A) 1/2

(B) 1/3

(C) 1

(D) 3/5

Answer: (B)

25. in the following fusion energy reaction

D + T = 0n1 + X identify X

(A) Li

(B) H2

(C) He3

(D) He4

Answer: (D)

26. Assertion (A): Natural gas is a very attractive eco friendly fuel.

Reason (R): It produces few pollutants and less carbon dioxide per unit energy than any other fossil fuel on combustion.

Identify the correct answer:

Codes:

(A) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

(B) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

(C) (A) is true but (R) is false.

(D) (A) is false but (R) is true.

Answer: (A)www.netugc.com

27. Assertion (A): Solar photovoltaic cells are expensive.

Reason (R): Solar photovoltaic cells are fabricated from crystalline silicon and operate only at 10-12% efficiency.

Identify the correct answer:

Codes:

(A) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

(B) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

(C) (A) is true but (R) is false.

(D) (A) is false but (R) is true.

Answer: (A)

28. Human activities add 7-9 gigatons of CO2 per annum into the atmosphere. Major contributor to this CO2 is

(A) Burning of fossil fuels

(B) Clearing of forests for agriculture

(C) Fermentation industries

(D) Cement industries

Answer: (A)

29. According to WHO, maximum permissible level of chlorides in drinking water is

(A) 100 mg/L

(B) 200 mg/L

(C) 600 mg/L

(D) 800 mg/L

Answer: (C)

30. Wilting coefficient of a loam represents

(A) The minimum water content of the soil at which plants can no longer obtain water

(B) Water holding capacity

(C) Capillary water

(D) Field capacity

Answer: (A)

31. Which one of the following techniques can be used for determining the level of cadmium in soil?

(A) UV – Visible spectrophotometer

(B) Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer

(C) XRD

(D) IR spectrometer

Answer: (B)

32. For noise control in automobiles, the exhaust muffler attenuates sound by

(A) Absorption

(B) Destructive interference

(C) Reducing velocity of hot gases

(D) Absorption and destructive interference

Answer: (C)

Answer: (C)

34. Soil fulvic acids are strong chelators of

(A) Iron (II)

(B) Iron (III)

(C) Both Iron (II) and Iron (III)

(D) Fe(OH)3

Answer: (A)

35. Natural source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is

(A) Root exudates

(B) Anaerobic bacteria

(C) Aerobic bacteria

(D) Grass fires

Answer: (D)

36. Match the ‘phase’ with the ‘activity’ in Environmental Audit. Identify the correct answer from the codes given below the lists:

List – I                        List – II

(Phase)                        (Activity)

a. Pre-Audit                i. Human input output analysis in relation to economy

b. On-site Audit          ii. Reviewingaudit-checklists

c. Post-Audit               iii. Records/Documents Review

Codes:

      a  b  c

(A) ii iii i

(B) i iii ii

(C) i ii iii

(D) iii ii i

Answer: (A)

37. Match the Impact Assessment Methodologies (List – II) with the corresponding environments (List – I).

Identify the correct answer from thecodes given below the lists.

List – I                        List – II

a. Air                           i. Ecosystem models

b. Biological                ii. Gaussian models

c. Water                       iii. Mass balance approach

d. Land                       iv. G.I.S.

Codes:

      a b c d

(A) ii i iii iv

(B) i ii iv iii

(C) iii iv ii i

(D) iv iii i ii

Answer: (A)

38. Public hearing is conducted

(A) Prior to site selection

(B) Prior to approval of Terms of Reference

(C) After preparation of EIA

(D) After environmental clearance

Answer: (C)

39. IAIA stands for

(A) International Association of Impact Assessment

(B) Indian Association of Impact Assessment

(C) International Assembly of Impact Assessment

(D) Indian Assembly of Impact Assessment

Answer: (A)

40. Municipal Solid Wastes (MSWs) have the heating value typically in the range

(A) 9,300 to 12,800 kJ/kg

(B) 1000 to 2500 kJ/kg

(C) 1780 to 2830 kJ/kg

(D) 530 to 780 kJ/kg

Answer: (A)

41. The Motor Vehicles Act 1938 was amended in which year?

(A) 1972

(B) 1980

(C) 1988

(D) 1986

Answer: (C)

42. The following statistical test is used to ascertain whether there is significant difference between the variances of two sets of observations:

(A) t-test

(B) F-test

(C) Chi square test

(D) Regression

Answer: (B)

Answer: (C)

44. The geometric mean of the following data:

4, 10, 25, 10 is

(A) 10

(B) 5

(C) 12.25

(D) 100/49

Answer: (A)

Answer: (A)

46. In the Gaussian Plume Model, the plume rise varies with Buoyancy Flux Parameter F as

(A) F

(B) F1/2

(C) F1/3

(D) F1/4

Answer: (C)

47. United Nations Conference on Environment, also termed as Earth Summit, was held in 1992 in which city?

(A) Rio de Janeiro

(B) Kyoto

(C) Stockholm

(D) Copenhagen

Answer: (A)

48. In which part of India, the tropical Western Ghats are situated?

(A) Punjab

(B) Rajasthan

(C) Gujarat

(D) Kerala

Answer: (D)

49. Variety of different species, genetic variability among individuals within each species and variety of ecosystems constitute the so calledwww.netugc.com

(A) Species diversity

(B) Genetic diversity

(C) Biological diversity

(D) Ecological diversity

Answer: (C)

50. Baba Amte was the leader of

(A) Appiko Movement

(B) Chipko Movement

(C) Narmada Bachao Andolan

(D) Tehri Dam Movement

Answer: (C)