Q51. Primary microplastics are:
Environmental and Ecological Changes and Impact Assessment: RAS Prelims MCQs
168 RAS Prelims MCQs on environmental and ecological changes and impact assessment cover ecosystem concepts, pollution, climate and environmental law. Ecotones, decomposers, primary productivity, secondary pollutants, the greenhouse effect, the EIA Notification 2006, the Environment (Protection) Act 1986 and the Aravalli mining ban are asked as definitions, laws and statements.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 51–60 of 168 questions
Q52. Which of the following international agreements governs the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes, explicitly including certain plastic wastes?
Explanation
An international treaty was established to control the transboundary movement of hazardous materials and ensure their environmentally sound management. The agreement has recently been updated to include more specific regulations on the trade of plastic waste. This helps prevent developed nations from shipping their non-recyclable plastic trash to developing countries that may lack the infrastructure to handle it safely, thereby reducing global pollution.
Q53. The ‘Great Pacific Garbage Patch’ is primarily an accumulation of:
Explanation
A massive area in the northern Pacific Ocean is known for the high concentration of floating debris brought together by rotating ocean currents. This accumulation consists almost entirely of various types of plastics, ranging from large discarded fishing gear to microscopic fragments. This environmental disaster poses a serious threat to marine life through ingestion and entanglement, highlighting the scale of the global plastic crisis.
Q54. Why is plastic pollution considered a severe threat to marine life?
Explanation
Plastic pollution is particularly dangerous to ocean animals because they often cannot distinguish between floating trash and their natural prey. When creatures consume these synthetic materials, it can cause internal injuries, block their digestive systems, and lead to starvation. Additionally, the chemicals within the plastic can leach into the animals’ tissues, causing long-term health problems and disrupting reproductive success across many different species.
Q55. The term "single-use plastics" refers to:
Explanation
Many modern convenience items are designed to be used only once before they are thrown away or recycled. These products, such as straws, bags, and food packaging, are typically made from durable synthetic polymers that do not decompose in the environment. Because they are used for such a short time but last for centuries, they contribute disproportionately to the growing global waste problem.
Q56. In India, the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of identified single-use plastic items were banned from which date?
Explanation
To combat the rising tide of environmental pollution, the Indian government implemented a significant nationwide ban on the production and use of numerous disposable plastic items. This regulation took effect in the middle of twenty twenty-two. By targeting products with high littering potential and low utility, the policy aims to reduce the environmental footprint of non-biodegradable waste and encourage more sustainable alternatives.
Q57. Regarding Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in plastic waste management, consider the following statements:
I. EPR shifts the responsibility of waste management physically and financially to the producer.
II. EPR encourages manufacturers to design environmentally friendly products.
III. It does not apply to brand owners and importers.
IV. It aims to increase recycling rates.
V. It was mandated in India under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. EPR shifts the responsibility of waste management physically and financially to the producer.
II. EPR encourages manufacturers to design environmentally friendly products.
III. It does not apply to brand owners and importers.
IV. It aims to increase recycling rates.
V. It was mandated in India under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
A policy approach to waste management requires those who produce or import products to be responsible for their entire lifecycle, including disposal and recycling. This system shifts the financial and logistical burden from the public sector to the manufacturers. By holding companies accountable, it encourages the design of more eco-friendly packaging and promotes higher recycling rates, ultimately reducing the volume of waste.
Q58. Nurdles, a significant source of plastic pollution on beaches, are:
Explanation
Tiny, pre-production plastic pellets are the fundamental building blocks for nearly all plastic goods. During shipping and manufacturing, these small granules are often spilled, eventually finding their way into rivers and oceans. Because they are small and buoyant, they wash up on beaches worldwide. These pellets are easily mistaken for food by birds and fish, making them a significant source of marine pollution.
Q59. Match List I with List II regarding climate change concepts:
| Climate Concept | Description |
|---|---|
| A. Mitigation | i. Process of capturing and storing atmospheric CO 2 |
| B. Adaptation | ii. Adjusting to actual or expected future climate effects |
| C. Climate Finance | iii. Reducing the flow of heat-trapping greenhouse gases |
| D. Carbon Sequestration | iv. Local, national or transnational funding to support climate actions |
Explanation
Addressing global warming involves several different strategies.
Q60. The primary goal of the Paris Agreement (2015) is to limit the global temperature increase in this century to:
Explanation
A major international accord aims to significantly reduce global greenhouse gas emissions to limit the increase in the Earth’s average temperature. The primary target is to keep the warming well below a specific threshold compared to levels before the industrial era. Efforts are also being made to further restrict the increase to a more ambitious level to avoid the most catastrophic impacts.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 51 | (c) Manufactured at microscopic sizes for products |
| 52 | (a) Basel Convention |
| 53 | (d) Marine debris and plastics |
| 54 | (b) Animals mistake plastics for food items |
| 55 | (c) Items used once before disposal |
| 56 | (b) 1st July 2022 |
| 57 | (a) I, II, IV and V |
| 58 | (b) Plastic pellets used in manufacturing |
| 59 | (a) A-iii, B-ii, C-iv, D-i |
| 60 | (a) Below 2 degrees, ideally 1.5 degrees |
Key facts from Environmental and Ecological Changes and Impact Assessment
- An ecosystem is made of interacting organisms and their physical environment; an ecotone is a zone of transition between ecosystems.
- Saprotrophs convert complex organic matter into simple substances; gross primary productivity is the rate at which producers create organic matter.
- Plants release water vapour through transpiration.
- Ground-level ozone is a secondary pollutant; CO, SO₂ and PM10 are primary pollutants.
- The greenhouse effect is the trapping of heat by atmospheric gases.
- Category B2 projects are exempt from public consultation under the EIA Notification 2006; the Supreme Court banned mining in the Aravalli range in Haryana and Rajasthan.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Environmental and Ecological Changes and Impact Assessment?
This page has 168 practice MCQs on Environmental and Ecological Changes and Impact Assessment (Health, Environment and Agriculture). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
What is a secondary pollutant?
A pollutant that is not emitted directly but forms in the air from primary pollutants. Ground-level ozone is the standard example, formed when nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds react in sunlight.
What is an ecotone?
A zone of transition between two different ecosystems, such as the area between a forest and a grassland. It often has more species than either neighbour because it has species of both.
Which projects are exempt from public consultation under EIA 2006?
Category B2 projects, which have less environmental impact. Category A and B1 projects need public consultation as part of the clearance process, which is the main way local people are heard.