8B) India’s Biodiversity (Prelims PYQs)

1] Certain species of which one of the following organisms are well known as cultivators of fungi? [2022]

a) Ant
b) Cockroach
c) Crab
d) Spider

2] With reference to “Gucchi” sometimes mentioned in the news, consider the following statements: [2022]
1. It is a fungus.
2. It grows in some Himalayan forest areas.
3. It is commercially cultivated in the Himalayan foothills of north-eastern India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only
b) 3 only
c) 1 and 2
d) 2 and 3

3] Which of the following is not a bird? [2022]

a) Golden Mahseer
b) Indian Nightjar
c) Spoonbill
d) White Ibisw

4] “Biorock technology” is talked about in which one of the following situations? [2022]

a) Restoration of damaged coral reefs
b) Development of building materials using plant residues
c) Identification of areas for exploration/extraction of shale gas
d) Providing salt licks for wild animals in forests/protected areas

5] Consider the following animals: [2021]
1) Hedgehog
2) Marmot
3) Pangolin
To reduce the chance of being captured by predators which of the above organisms rolls up/roll up and protects/protect its/their vulnerable parts?

a) 1 and 2
b) 2 only
c) 3 only
d) 1 and 3

6] Which one of the following is used in preparing a natural mosquito repellent? [2021]

a) Congress grass
b) Elephant grass
c) Lemon grass
d) Nut grass

7] Which one of the following is a filter feeder? [2021]

a) Catfish
b) Octopus
c) Oyster
d) Pelican

8] With reference to Indian elephants, consider the following statements: [2020]
1. The leader of an elephant group is a female.
2. The maximum gestation period can be 22 months.
3. An elephant can normally go on calving till the age of 40 years only.
4. Among the States in India, the highest elephant population is in Kerala.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 4 only
c) 3 only
d) 1, 3 and 4 only

9] With reference to India’s biodiversity, Ceylon frogmouth, Coppersmith barbet, Gray-chinned miniyet and White-throated redstart are: [2020]

a) Birds
b) Primates
c) Reptiles
d) Amphibians

10] Which of the following are the most likely places to find the musk deer in its natural habitat? [2020]
1. Askot Wildlife Sanctuary
2. Gangotri National Park
3. Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary
4. Manas National Park
Select the correct answer using the code given below:

a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 3 and 4 only
d) 1 and 4 only

11] Which one of the following groups of plants was domesticated in the ‘New World’ and introduced into the ‘Old World’? [2019]

a) Tobacco, cocoa and rubber
b) Tobacco, cotton and rubber
c) Cotton, coffee and sugarcane
d) Rubber, coffee and wheat

12] Consider the following statements: [2019]
1. Asiatic lion is naturally found in India only.
2. Double-humped camel is naturally found in India only.
3. One-horned rhinoceros is naturally found in India only.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3

13] Consider the following pairs: [2019]
Wildlife: Naturally found in
1. Blue-finned Mahseer:Cauvery River
2. Irrawaddy Dolphin: Chambal River
3. Rusty-spotted Cat: Eastern Ghats
Which of the pairs given correctly matched?

a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3

14] Recently, there was a growing awareness in our country about the importance of Himalayan nettle (Girardinia diversifolia) because it is found to be a sustainable source of: [2019]

a) Anti-malarial drug
b) Biodiesel
c) Pulp for paper industry
d) Textile fibre

15] Consider the following statements: [2018]
1. Most of the world’s coral reefs are in tropical waters.
2. More than one-third of the world’s coral reefs are located in the territories of Australia, Indonesia and Philippines.
3. Coral reefs host far more number of animal phyls than those hosted by tropical rainforests.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 and 2 only
b) 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3

16] Why is a plant called Prosopis juliflora often mentioned in news? [2018]

a) Its extract is widely used in cosmetics.
b) It tends to reduce the widely biodiversity in the area in which it grows.
c) Its extract is used in the synthesis of pesticides.
d) None of the above

17] If you want to see gharials in their natural habitat, which one of the following is the best place to visit? [2017]

a) Bhitarkanika Mangroves
b) Chambal River
c) Pulicat Lake
d) Deepor Beel

18] What is/are unique about ‘Kharai Camel’, a breed found in India? [2016]
1. It is capable of swimming up to three kilometres in seawater.
2. It survives by grazing on mangroves.
3. It lives in the wild and cannot be domesticated.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.

a) 1 and 2 only
b) 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3

19] Recently, our scientists have discovered a new and distinct species of banana plant which attains a height of about 11 metres and has orange-coloured fruit pulp. In which part of India has it been discovered? [2016]

a) Andaman Islands
b) Anaimalai Forests
c) Maikala Hills
d) Tropical rain forests of northeast

20] With reference to ‘Red Sanders’, sometimes seen in the news, consider the following statements: [2016]
1. It is a tree species found in a part of South India.
2. It is one of the most important trees in the tropical rain forest areas of South India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2

21] In which of the following regions of India are you most likely to come across the `Great Indian Hornbill’ in its natural habitat? [2016]

a) Sand deserts of northwest India
b) Higher Himalayas of Jammu and Kashmir
c) Salt marshes of western Gujarat
d) Western Ghats

22] With reference to ‘dugong’, a mammal found in India, which of the following statements is/are correct? [2015]
1. It is a herbivorous marine animal.
2. It is found along the entire coast of India
3. It is given legal protection under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.

a) 1 and 2
b) 2 only
c) 1 and 3
d) 3 only

23] Which one of the following is the national aquatic animal of India? [2015]

a) Saltwater crocodile
b) Olive ridley turtle
c) Gangetic dolphin
d) Gharial

24] Which one of the following regions of India has a combination of mangrove forest, evergreen forest and deciduous forest? [2015]

a) North Coastal Andhra Pradesh
b) South-West Bengal
c) Southern Saurashtra
d) Andaman and Nicobar Islands

25] If you travel through the Himalayas, you are likely to see which of the following plants naturally growing there? [2014]
1. Oak
2. Rhododendron
3. Sandalwood
Select the correct answer using the code given below.

a) 1 and 2 only
b) 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3

26] The most important strategy for the conservation of biodiversity together with traditional human life is the establishment of: [2014]

a) Biosphere
b) Reserves
c) National parks
d) Wildlife sanctuaries

27] In India, cluster bean (Guar) is traditionally used as a vegetable or animal feed, but recently the cultivation of this has assumed significance. Which one of the following statements is correct in this context? [2014]

a) The oil extracted from seeds is used in the manufacture of biodegradable plastics.
b) The gum made from its seeds is used in the extraction of shale gas
c) The leaf extract of this plant has the properties of anti-histamines.
d) It is a source of high quality biodiesel.

28] With reference to Neem tree, consider the following statements: [2014]
1. Neem oil can be used as a pesticide to control the proliferation of some species of insects and mites.
2. Neem seeds are used in the manufacture of biofuels and hospital detergents.
3. Neem oil has applications in pharmaceutical industry.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 and 2 only
b) 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3

29] Other than poaching, what are the possible reasons for the decline in the population of Gangas River Dolphins? [2014]
1. Construction of dams and barrages on rivers
2. Increase in the population of crocodiles in rivers.
3. Getting trapped in fishing nets accidentally
4. Use of synthetic fertilizers and other agricultural chemicals in crop-fields in the vicinity of rivers
Select the correct answer using the code given below.

a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1, 3 and 4 only
d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

30] If you walk through countryside, you are likely to see some birds stalking alongside the cattle to seize the insects disturbed by their movement through grasses. Which one of the following is/are such bird/birds? [2014]
1. Painted Stork
2. Common Myna
3. Black-necked Crane
Select the correct answer using the code given below.

a) 1 and 2
b) 2 only
c) 2 and 3
d) 3 only

31] Which of the following have coral reefs? [2014]
1. Andaman and Nicobar Islands
2. Gulf of Kachchh
3. Gulf of Mannar 4. Sunderbans
Select the correct answer using the code given below.

a) 1, 2 and 3 only
b) 2 and 4 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

32] Consider the following fauna of India___: [2013]
1. Gharial
2. Leatherback turtle
3. Swamp deer
Which among the above is / are endangered?

a) 1 and 2 only
b) 3 Only
c) 1, 2 & 3
d)  None

33] In which of the following states is lion-tailed macaque found in its natural Habitat? [2013]
1. Tamil Nadu
2. Kerala
3. Karnataka
4. Andhra Pradesh
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

a) 1, 2 and 3 only
b) 2 only
c) 1, 3 and 4 only
d) 1, 2, 3, and 4

34] Consider the following: [2013]
1. Star tortoise
2. Monitor lizard
3. Pygmy hog
4. Spider monkey
Which of the above are naturally found in India?

a) 1, 2 and 3 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 4 only
d) 1, 2, 3, and 4

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