31) What would happen if phytoplankton of an ocean is completely destroyed for some reason?
1. The ocean as a carbon sink would be adversely affected.
2. The food chains in the ocean would be adversely affected.
3. The density of ocean water would drastically decrease.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 2 only
(C) 3 only
(D) 1, 2 and 3


32) Vultures used to be very common in Indian countryside some years ago are rarely seen nowadays. This is attributed to
(A) the destruction of their nesting sites by new invasive species
(B) a drug used by cattle owners for treating their diseased cattle
(C) Scarcity of food available to them
(D) a widespread, persistant and fatal disease among them


33) How does National Biodiversity Authority help in protecting the Indian agriculture?
1. NBA checks the biopairacy and protects the indigenous and traditional genetic resources.
2. NBA directly monitors and supervises the scientific research on genetic modification of crop plants.
3 Applications for intellectual property rights related to genetic/ biological resources can not be made without the approval of NBA.

Which of the statements given above is/ are correct?
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 and 3 only 
(C) 1 and 3 only
(D) 1, 2 and 3


34) The national green tribunal act. 2010 was enacted in consonance with which of the following provisions of the constitution of India?
1 Right to healthy environment, construed as a part of Right to life under article 21
2 Provision of grants for raising the level of administration in the scheduled areas for the welfare of scheduled tribes under article 275(1)
3 Powers and functions of gram Sabah as mentioned under article 243 (A) 
Which of the statements given above is/ are correct?
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 1 and 3 only
(D) 1, 2 and 3


35) Biomass gasification is considered to be one of the sustainable solutions to the power crisis in India. In this context which of the following statements correct?
1 Coconut shells, groundnut shells and rice husk can be used in biomass gasification
2 The combustible gases generated from biomass gasification consist of hydrogen and carbon dioxide only
3.The combustible gases generated from biomass gasification can be used for direct heat generation but not in internal combustion engines.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 1 and 3 only
(D) 1, 2 and 3


36) Lead, ingested or inhaled, is a health hazard. After the addition of lead to petrol has been banned, what still are the sources of lead poisoning?
1 Smelting units
2 Pens pencils
3 Paints
4 Hair oils and cosmetics

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(A) 1, 2 and 3 only
(B) 1 and 3 only
(C) 2 and 4 only
(D) 1, 2, 3 and 4


37) Chlorofluorocarbons, known as ozone depleting substances are used
1. In the production of plastic foams
2. In the production of tubeless tyres
3. In cleaning certain electronic components
4. As pressurizing agents in aerosol cans

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(A) 1,2 and 3 only
(B) 4 only
(C) 1, 3 and 4 only
(D) 1, 2, 3 and 4


38) What is/ are the recent policy initiative(s) of Government of India to promote the growth of manufacturing sector?
1. Setting up of National Investment and Manufacturing Zones
2. Providing the benefit of ‘single window clearance’
3. Establishing the Technology Acquisition and Development Fund.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 1 and 3 only
(D) 1, 2 and 3


39) What are the reasons for the people's resistance to the introduction of BT brinjal in India?
1. BT brinjal has been created by inserting a gene from a soil fungus into its genome.
2. The seeds of BT brinjal are terminator seeds and therefore, the farmers have to buy the seeds before every season from the seed companies.
3. There is an apprehension that the consumption of BT brinjal may have adverse impact on health.
4. There is some concern that the introduction of BT brinjal may have adverse effect on the biodiversity.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(A) 1, 2 and 3 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 3 and 4 only
(D) 1,2,3 and 4


40) Which one of the following is the characteristic climate of the Tropical Savannah Region?
(A) Rainfall throughout the year
(B) Rainfall in winter only
(C) An extremely short dry season
(D) A definite dry and wet season