Q31. Water vapour is a highly potent greenhouse gas, yet it is not targeted by international climate mitigation treaties like the Paris Agreement. What is the most appropriate reason for this?
Environmental Issues: Desertification, Deforestation, Climate Change and Ozone Depletion: RAS Prelims MCQs
75 RAS Prelims MCQs on environmental issues cover desertification, deforestation, global warming, climate agreements and the ozone layer. Greenhouse gases, the IPCC, the Montreal Protocol, the Kigali Amendment, the Paris Agreement, the Great Green Wall and desertification in Rajasthan and India are asked as facts, dates and statements.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 31–40 of 75 questions
Q32. Given below are two statements, one labelled as
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The Great Green Wall initiative was initially conceived as a literal contiguous wall of trees stretching across Africa.
Reason (R): It has since evolved into a broad mosaic of targeted sustainable land management, agroforestry, and restoration practices tailored to local conditions.
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The Great Green Wall initiative was initially conceived as a literal contiguous wall of trees stretching across Africa.
Reason (R): It has since evolved into a broad mosaic of targeted sustainable land management, agroforestry, and restoration practices tailored to local conditions.
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
Explanation
The Great Green Wall was originally imagined as a continuous forest strip across Africa. Over time, the concept shifted toward a more integrated approach involving diverse restoration and sustainable management practices. This evolution reflects a growing understanding that local ecological and social conditions require tailored solutions. While both statements accurately describe the project’s history and current form, the evolution is a logical progression.
Q33. The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, adopted in 2016, specifically targets the phase-down of which group of substances due to their high Global Warming Potential?
Explanation
The Kigali Amendment specifically addresses hydrofluorocarbons, which were introduced as ozone-friendly alternatives to chlorofluorocarbons. Although they do not deplete the ozone layer, they are extremely potent greenhouse gases with high global warming potential. By phasing down their use, the international community aims to avoid significant future warming. This amendment represents a crucial expansion of the Montreal Protocol’s environmental scope and impact.
Q34. Consider the following statements regarding deforestation causes:
Statement I: Shifting agriculture (slash-and-burn) has historically been a major driver of deforestation in tropical regions.
Statement II: Shifting agriculture is currently the only form of agriculture responsible for forest loss globally, while commercial agriculture has zero impact.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Statement I: Shifting agriculture (slash-and-burn) has historically been a major driver of deforestation in tropical regions.
Statement II: Shifting agriculture is currently the only form of agriculture responsible for forest loss globally, while commercial agriculture has zero impact.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Historically, shifting agriculture has contributed to forest loss in many tropical areas. However, it is not the only cause; modern commercial agriculture, including cattle ranching and large-scale plantations, now represents a dominant driver of global deforestation.
Q35. Consider the following statements regarding the impacts of global warming:
I. Warmer temperatures are causing mountain glaciers worldwide to retreat.
II. Global warming is increasing the acidification of the oceans.
III. Higher temperatures decrease the moisture-holding capacity of the atmosphere, reducing total global precipitation.
IV. Changes in climate can alter the distribution of vector-borne diseases.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. Warmer temperatures are causing mountain glaciers worldwide to retreat.
II. Global warming is increasing the acidification of the oceans.
III. Higher temperatures decrease the moisture-holding capacity of the atmosphere, reducing total global precipitation.
IV. Changes in climate can alter the distribution of vector-borne diseases.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Rising temperatures cause mountain glaciers to retreat and alter the distribution of diseases. Additionally, increased atmospheric carbon dioxide leads to ocean acidification. Contrary to common misconceptions, warmer air actually has a higher moisture-holding capacity, which generally increases total global precipitation, although patterns become more extreme and variable. Understanding these diverse impacts is essential for developing effective adaptation and resilience strategies.
Q36. Which of the following is NOT a feature of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change?
Explanation
The Paris Agreement relies on a system of transparency, collective progress reviews, and voluntary national commitments. It does not include a mechanism for imposing economic sanctions or legal penalties on countries that miss their targets. Instead, it emphasizes international cooperation, financial support for developing nations, and a five-year cycle of increasing ambition to drive global climate action and emissions reduction.
Q37. Which of the following pairs concerning the primary natural sources of greenhouse gases is correctly matched?
Explanation
Natural wetlands are the largest natural source of methane globally. In these waterlogged environments, bacteria break down organic matter in the absence of oxygen, a process known as anaerobic decomposition. While other gases have natural cycles, such as carbon dioxide from respiration and volcanic activity, the link between wetlands and methane is a fundamental component of the Earth’s natural greenhouse gas balance.
Q38. Identify the odd one out among the following substances based on their role in environmental issues.
Explanation
Chlorofluorocarbons, halons, and carbon tetrachloride are all recognized as ozone-depleting substances and are regulated under the Montreal Protocol. Sulfur dioxide, however, is primarily known as a precursor to acid rain and a contributor to atmospheric aerosols. While it affects air quality and climate, it does not play a direct role in the chemical destruction of the stratospheric ozone layer.
Q39. Excessive use of irrigation in arid regions with poor drainage systems primarily leads to which long-term effect?
Explanation
Excessive irrigation in arid regions, especially without proper drainage, causes the water table to rise. As water evaporates from the surface, it leaves behind dissolved salts that accumulate in the root zone. This process eventually makes the soil too saline for most vegetation to survive. The resulting loss of plant cover leaves the land vulnerable to erosion, leading to permanent desertification.
Q40. Match List-I with List-II concerning the major regions affected by deforestation and their primary drivers:
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
| Region | Primary Driver |
|---|---|
| A. Amazon Basin | i. Commercial logging and wood-based industries |
| B. Southeast Asia | ii. Cattle ranching and large-scale agriculture (soy) |
| C. Sub-Saharan Africa | iii. Palm oil plantations |
| D. Boreal Forests (Russia/Canada) | iv. Subsistence farming and fuelwood collection |
Explanation
Regional deforestation is driven by distinct economic activities. In the Amazon, cattle ranching and soy farming are primary factors. Southeast Asia sees significant forest loss due to palm oil expansion. Sub-Saharan Africa is largely impacted by subsistence farming and fuelwood needs. In Boreal regions, commercial logging for timber and pulp is a major driver. Identifying these patterns helps tailor conservation strategies.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 31 | (a) Atmospheric concentrations are temperature-controlled, acting as a feedback rather than a forcing agent. |
| 32 | (b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A. |
| 33 | (b) Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) |
| 34 | (c) Statement I is correct, but Statement II is incorrect. |
| 35 | (a) I, II and IV |
| 36 | (d) It mandates immediate economic sanctions for countries that fail to meet their NDCs. |
| 37 | (c) Methane - Anaerobic decomposition in natural wetlands |
| 38 | (b) Sulfur dioxide |
| 39 | (d) Soil salinization and subsequent desertification |
| 40 | (a) A-ii, B-iii, C-iv, D-i |
Key facts from Environmental Issues: Desertification, Deforestation, Climate Change and Ozone Depletion
- Water vapour is the most abundant greenhouse gas, and the ozone layer lies in the stratosphere.
- The IPCC was established in 1988; the order is Montreal Protocol, IPCC, UNFCCC, Paris Agreement.
- The Kigali Amendment of 2016 targets the phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
- The Amazon Basin has the highest absolute rate of tropical deforestation and holds about half the world’s remaining tropical rainforest.
- The Great Green Wall is an African initiative; about 30 per cent of India’s area is undergoing land degradation or desertification.
- In the Thar desert, wind erosion and shifting sand dunes are the most widespread problem; poor drainage in irrigated dry land causes salinisation.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Environmental Issues: Desertification, Deforestation, Climate Change and Ozone Depletion?
This page has 75 practice MCQs on Environmental Issues: Desertification, Deforestation, Climate Change and Ozone Depletion (World Geography). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
When was the IPCC established?
In 1988, by the World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Environment Programme. It assesses the science of climate change and its reports guide the climate negotiations, including the Paris Agreement.
What does the Kigali Amendment target?
The phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are strong greenhouse gases used in cooling. It was adopted in 2016 as an amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which was originally made to protect the ozone layer.
What is the Great Green Wall?
An African initiative to restore land and plant a belt of trees across the Sahel, south of the Sahara. Its aim is to fight desertification, improve food security and support local communities.