Q311. Eutrophication in wetlands leads to hypoxia, which means:
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 311–320 of 662 questions
Browse Health, Environment and Agriculture chapters
Q312. An Urban Heat Island (UHI) refers to a phenomenon where:
Explanation
In many large cities, the air and surface temperatures are significantly higher than in the surrounding rural areas. This phenomenon is caused by the way that buildings, roads, and other infrastructure absorb and retain heat from the sun. Additionally, human activities such as driving and using air conditioning release extra heat into the atmosphere. This difference in temperature can have many negative impacts on the local environment, energy use, and health.
Q313. Which of the following properties of urban building materials contributes heavily to the UHI effect?
Explanation
The types of materials used to build modern cities play a major role in how much heat is absorbed from the sun. Common surfaces like dark asphalt and concrete have a low ability to reflect sunlight. Instead, they soak up the energy and store it for a long time. This high capacity for holding heat means that city surfaces stay much warmer than natural areas, especially during the night when the stored energy is released.
Q314. The lack of vegetation in urban areas exacerbates the heat island effect primarily due to the reduction of:
Explanation
Natural landscapes with plenty of trees and plants help to keep the air cool through a process that involves the movement of water from the leaves into the atmosphere. When large areas of land are paved over and covered with buildings, this natural cooling effect is lost. The absence of vegetation means that less moisture is released into the air, which contributes significantly to the higher temperatures that are characteristic of most urban environments.
Q315. What is the impact of the "urban canyon effect" generated by tall buildings?
Explanation
In cities with many tall buildings located close together, the narrow streets between them can create a unique microclimate. During the day, these deep spaces trap incoming solar radiation, and the surfaces of the buildings continue to release heat long into the night.
Q316. Consider the following strategies to mitigate the Urban Heat Island effect:
I. Installing green roofs
II. Using cool pavements with high albedo
III. Increasing urban tree canopy
IV. Expanding asphalt surface parking lots
V. Promoting the use of energy-efficient appliances
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. Installing green roofs
II. Using cool pavements with high albedo
III. Increasing urban tree canopy
IV. Expanding asphalt surface parking lots
V. Promoting the use of energy-efficient appliances
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Several effective strategies can be used to reduce the higher temperatures found in many cities. These include covering rooftops with vegetation, using light-colored materials for pavements that reflect more sunlight, and significantly increasing the number of trees and parks. Improving the efficiency of buildings and vehicles also helps by reducing the amount of waste heat released. Together, these actions can make urban areas more comfortable, reduce energy demand, and improve public health.
Q317. How does the Urban Heat Island effect impact local environmental pollution?
Explanation
Higher temperatures in urban areas can make environmental pollution even worse. The heat can speed up the chemical reactions that form harmful ground-level ozone from common city emissions. Furthermore, as people use more electricity for air conditioning to stay cool, the power plants that provide that energy often release more pollutants into the air. This combination of heat and smog creates a significant health risk for urban populations during periods of extreme weather.
Q318. Anthropogenic heat, a contributor to UHI, originates from:
Explanation
A significant amount of the extra heat found in cities comes from the daily activities of the people who live and work there. This includes the energy released by the engines of cars and buses, as well as the heat discarded by air conditioning and heating systems from buildings. Even industrial processes and common appliances contribute to this localized warming. Together, these human sources add a substantial amount of thermal energy to urban environments.
Q319. Rapid urbanization often leads to the sealing of soil surfaces with impermeable materials. This directly causes:
Explanation
Covering the ground with materials like asphalt and concrete prevents rainwater from soaking into the soil. Instead of replenishing the local groundwater, the water stays on the surface and flows rapidly into drains and nearby streams. During heavy rain, this large volume of fast-moving water can easily overwhelm the drainage systems, leading to frequent and severe flooding in urban areas. This problem also reduces the amount of water available for ecosystems.
Q320. Which of the following best defines genetic diversity?
Explanation
Genetic diversity encompasses the total variety of genetic information contained within the individuals of a single species. It refers specifically to the variation of genes and alleles across populations. This diversity is crucial for the survival and adaptation of species to changing environments and forms a fundamental level of biological variety that ensures long-term reproductive health.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 311 | (d) Depletion of dissolved oxygen |
| 312 | (a) Urban areas warmer than rural areas |
| 313 | (b) Low albedo and high heat capacity |
| 314 | (b) Evapotranspiration |
| 315 | (a) Traps radiation and reduces wind speed |
| 316 | (a) I, II, III and V |
| 317 | (d) Increases cooling energy and emissions |
| 318 | (c) Activities such as vehicles and AC use |
| 319 | (b) Increased flooding and surface runoff |
| 320 | (b) The variation of genes and alleles within a single species |
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.