25 Environmental studies mcq with answers
What is the primary source of energy for the Earth?
a) Sun
b) Wind
c) Fossil fuels
d) Water
Answer: a) Sun
Explanation: The primary source of energy for the Earth is the Sun which provides light and heat necessary for various ecological processes.
Which of the following is a renewable resource?
a) Coal
b) Natural gas
c) Solar energy
d) Petroleum
Answer: c) Solar energy
Explanation: Solar energy is a renewable resource as it is derived from the Sun and is continuously available.
The main cause of air pollution is ?
a) Deforestation
b) Volcanic eruptions
c) Industrial emissions
d) Excessive rainfall
Answer: c) Industrial emissions
Explanation: Industrial emissions, including pollutants from factories and power plants, are a major contributor to air pollution.
What is the process of converting waste materials into reusable materials called?
a) Recycling
b) Incineration
c) Composting
d) Landfilling
Answer: a) Recycling
Explanation: Recycling involves, the process of converting waste materials into reusable materials to reduce the need for new raw materials.
What is the primary cause of deforestation?
a) Urbanization
b) Mining activities
c) Climate change
d) Clearing land for agriculture
Answer: d) Clearing land for agriculture
Explanation: The primary cause of deforestation is the clearing of land for agriculture, including the establishment of commercial plantations.
Which of the following is a greenhouse gas?
a) Oxygen
b) carbon dioxide (CO2)
c) Nitrogen
d) Argon
Answer: b) Carbon dioxide CO2
Explanation: Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect and climate change.
What is the term for the variety of life on Earth and the interactions between different species?
a) Biodiversity
b) Ecosystem
c) Food chain
d) Population
Answer: a) Biodiversity
Explanation: Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth, including the diversity of species, ecosystems, and genetic variation.
What is the primary cause of water, pollution in rivers and oceans?
a) Oil spills
b) Industrial waste
c) Marine dumping
d) Agricultural runoff
Answer: d) Agricultural runoff
Explanation: Agricultural runoff, including fertilizers and pesticides, is a significant source of water pollution in rivers and oceans
What is the term for the gradual increase in the Earth’s average temperature due to human activities?
a) Global warming
b) Climate change
c) Greenhouse effect
d) Ozone depletion
Answer: b) Climate change
Explanation: Climate change refers to the long-term alteration of temperature and weather patterns, primarily caused by human activities s uch as burning fossil fuels.
What is the primary purpose of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries?
a) Promote tourism
b) Protect natural habitats and wildlife
c) Provide recreational activities
d) Extract natural resources
Answer: b) Protect natural habitats and wildlife
Which of the following is an example of non renewable energy?
a) Solar power
b) Wind power
c) Nuclear power
d) Geothermal energy
Answer: c) Nuclear power
Explanation: Nuclear power relies on the use of non-renewable uranium ,as fuel, making it a non-renewable energy source.
What is the term for the process of converting saltwater into freshwater?
a) Desalination
b) Purification
c) Filtration
d) Condensation
Answer: a) Desalination
Explanation: Desaliation is the process of removing salt and other impurities from seawater to obtain freshwater.
Which of the following is a renewable source of energy, derived from organic matter?
a) Coal
b) Natural gas
c) Biomass
d) Petroleum
Answer: c) Biomass
Explanation: Biomass energy is derived from organic matter such as plant materials, agricultural waste, and wood.
What is the term for the practice of using resources in a way that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs?
a) Sustainability
b) Conservation
c) Preservation
d) Restoration
Answer: a) Sustainability
Explanation : Sustainability entails using resources in a way that ensures their availability for future generations.
Which of the following is a major cause of soil erosion?
a) Deforestation
b) Ocean currents
c) Volcanic activity
d) Soil fertilization
Answer: a) Deforestation
Explanation: Deforestation can cause soil erosion because the removal of trees and vegetation reduces the binding of soil particles making it more prone to erosion by wind and water.
What is the term for the gradual increase in the acidity of the Earths oceans caused by the absorption of excess carbon dioxide?
a) Acid rain
b) Ocean acidification
c) Algal bloom
d) Eutrophication
Answer: b) Ocean acidification
Explanation: Ocean acidification refers to the decrease in pH and increase in acidity of the oceans due to the absorption of excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Which of the following is an exampl e of a non-biodegradable waste?
a) Paper
b) Food scraps
c) Plastic bottles
d) Leaves
Answer: c) Plastic bottles
Explanation: Plastic bottles are an example of non-biodegradable waste as they do not break down easily in the environment and can persist for a long time.
Which of the following is a renewable source of freshwater?
a) Underground aquifers
b) Rivers
c) Lakes
d) Glaciers
Answer: b) Rivers
Explanation: Rivers are a renewable source of freshwater as they are replenished by rainfall and runoff from watersheds.
What is the term for the loss of a species from a particular habitat, or from the entire planet?
a) Extinction
b) Endangerment
c) Overpopulation
d) Migration
Answer: a) Extinction
Explanation: Extinction refers to the complete loss of a species from a particular habitat or from the entire planet.
Which of the following is a major cause of marine pollution?
a) Recycling facilities
b) Oil spills
c) Sustainable fishing practices
d) Marine protected areas
Answer: b) Oil spills
Explanation: Oil spills, whether from natural or human causes, are a major source of marine pollution that can harm marine ecosystems and wildlife.
What is the term for the process of converting waste into nutrient-rich material for use in gardening and farming?
a) Recycling
b) Composting
c) Incineration
d) Landfilling
Answer: b) Composting
Explanation: Composting involves the decomposition of organic waste materials to produce nutrient-rich compost that can be used as fertilizer in gardening and farming.
What is the term for the reduction or loss of the ozone layer in the Earth’s stratosphere?
a) Global warming
b) Acid rain
c) Ozorne depletion
d) Desertification
Answer: c) O zone depletion
Which of the following is a renewable source of energy derived from the natural flow of water?
a) Geothermal energy
b) Tidal energy
c) Nuclear power
d) Natural gas
Answer: b) Tidal energy
Explanation: Tidal energy is generated by harnessing the natural flow of tides, which are caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon and Sun.
What is the term for the process of converting solid waste into heat, ash, and gases through controlled combustion?
a) Recycling
b) Composting
c) Incineration
d) Landfilling
Answer: c) Incineration
Explanation : Incineration involves the controlled burning of solid waste to generate heat, reduce volume, and produce ash and gases.
What is the term for the variety and abundance of different species within a given area?
a) Ecosystem
b) Population
c) Species richness
d) Habitat los
Answer: c) Species richness
Explanation: Species richness refers to the number and variety of different species present in a given area.