Q161. Environmental pollution can be broadly defined as:
Health, Environment and Agriculture: RAS Prelims MCQs
662 RAS Prelims practice MCQs on health, environment and agriculture are on this page, in 4 chapters. They cover human health, food, nutrition and public health programmes, environmental and ecological changes and impact assessment, biodiversity and conservation of natural resources, and agriculture, horticulture, forestry and animal husbandry in Rajasthan. Each question has an answer and an explanation.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 161–170 of 662 questions
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Q162. Which of the following is classified as a secondary pollutant?
Explanation
A secondary pollutant is formed in the atmosphere from primary pollutants. Ground-level ozone forms from the reaction of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds in sunlight, while CO, SO2 and PM10 are emitted directly.
Q163. Non-point source pollution refers to:
Explanation
Unlike pollution that comes from a single, identifiable pipe or chimney, some contamination originates from broad and diffuse areas. This type of environmental degradation occurs as water moves over and through the ground, picking up pollutants from varied locations like farm fields or city streets. Because it has no specific point of origin, tracking and controlling this variety is extremely challenging.
Q164. Match List I with List II regarding types of pollution and their common causes:
| Type of Pollution | Common Source/Cause |
|---|---|
| A. Air Pollution | i. Agricultural runoff |
| B. Water Pollution | ii. Excessive use of agrochemicals |
| C. Soil Pollution | iii. Jet engine take-off |
| D. Noise Pollution | iv. Incomplete combustion of fossil fuels |
Explanation
Different human activities lead to various forms of environmental degradation. Burning fuels incompletely releases harmful gases into the air. Runoff from agricultural fields carries fertilizers and chemicals into water bodies. Using excessive pesticides directly contaminates the ground. Finally, high-intensity mechanical activities like aviation produce loud sounds that disturb the peace and health of living beings in the vicinity of the source.
Q165. The term ‘smog’ was originally coined to describe a mixture of:
Explanation
The term used to describe a specific type of intense air pollution was originally created by combining two words. It referred to a thick, dark mixture caused by the combination of coal emissions and natural atmospheric moisture common in industrial cities. While modern versions involve different chemical reactions, the name persists as a general description for visible and harmful atmospheric haze.
Q166. Identify the incorrect statement regarding pollutants.
Explanation
Pollutants are classified based on how they behave in the environment. Substances that are easily broken down by bacteria and fungi are considered biodegradable. However, certain synthetic chemicals, such as some older pesticides, are extremely resistant to natural decay. These persistent compounds remain in the soil and water for decades, often accumulating in the bodies of animals and causing long-term ecological damage.
Q167. Which unit is primarily used to measure the intensity of noise pollution?
Explanation
Sound intensity is measured using a logarithmic scale that reflects how the human ear perceives different levels of pressure. This unit helps quantify the loudness of sounds, ranging from a quiet whisper to the deafening roar of a jet engine. Identifying these levels is crucial for establishing safety regulations and protecting public health from the adverse effects of excessive acoustic energy.
Q168. Consider the following statements about persistent organic pollutants (POPs):
I. They remain intact in the environment for long periods.
II. They become widely distributed geographically.
III. They accumulate in the fatty tissue of living organisms.
IV. They are highly water-soluble.
V. They are toxic to humans and wildlife.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. They remain intact in the environment for long periods.
II. They become widely distributed geographically.
III. They accumulate in the fatty tissue of living organisms.
IV. They are highly water-soluble.
V. They are toxic to humans and wildlife.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Persistent organic pollutants are dangerous chemicals that resist natural degradation and stay in the environment for very long periods. Because they are generally fat-soluble and have low solubility in water, they easily accumulate in the adipose tissues of living creatures. These toxins can travel vast distances through air and water currents, eventually reaching and harming wildlife even in remote polar regions.
Q169. Thermal pollution in water bodies is primarily caused by:
Explanation
Thermal pollution occurs when the temperature of a natural water body is suddenly changed, usually by human activity. The most frequent cause is the use of water as a coolant in large industrial facilities and electricity generating stations. When this heated water is returned to the original source, it decreases dissolved oxygen levels and harms fish and other aquatic organisms.
Q170. Which of the following diseases is primarily associated with noise pollution?
Explanation
Constant exposure to high levels of sound can lead to various physical and psychological health problems. Beyond hearing loss, chronic loud environments trigger stress responses in the body, which can result in increased blood pressure. This condition significantly raises the risk of heart disease and other cardiovascular issues, highlighting the serious nature of acoustic disturbances as a major environmental health concern.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 161 | (a) Adding substances to environment faster than dispersal |
| 162 | (b) Ground-level Ozone (O₃) |
| 163 | (b) Pollution from diffuse and widespread sources |
| 164 | (a) A-iv, B-i, C-ii, D-iii |
| 165 | (c) Smoke and fog |
| 166 | (d) DDT is a classic example of a biodegradable pollutant. |
| 167 | (c) Decibel |
| 168 | (a) I, II, III and V |
| 169 | (d) Discharge of heated water from power plants |
| 170 | (a) Hypertension |
Key facts from Health, Environment and Agriculture
- The RPSC General Science syllabus includes human health and nutrition, environmental change, biodiversity and the agriculture of Rajasthan.
- Health questions pair a deficiency or a programme with its cause or target, for example iron with anaemia.
- Environment questions cover ecosystems, pollutants, laws and treaties, including carbon markets.
- Rajasthan agriculture questions deal with dryland farming, crops of the arid zones and the State’s agro-climatic zones.
- Science and technology, policies and defence are on the Science and Technology page.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Health, Environment and Agriculture?
This page has 662 practice MCQs on Health, Environment and Agriculture. Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which chapters does this set cover?
Four chapters: human health, food, nutrition and public health programmes; environmental and ecological changes and their impact assessment; biodiversity, conservation of natural resources and sustainable development; and agriculture, horticulture, forestry and animal husbandry in Rajasthan.
Are health, environment and agriculture part of the RAS Prelims syllabus?
Yes. The General Knowledge and General Science paper includes human health, nutrition, environment, biodiversity and the agriculture sector of Rajasthan, so these topics can be asked every year.
How can I revise this part of the syllabus?
Make short lists of deficiency diseases, pollutants, laws and treaties, and Rajasthan crops and zones. Attempt each chapter, read the explanations of the misses and revisit the lists after a few days.