2024 — 22 questions
Q100. Which of the following states has coastal mangrove forests?
[SSC CHSL, 5 July 2024]
(A) Andhra Pradesh
(B) Manipur
(C) Telangana
(D) Rajasthan
Answer: (A) Andhra Pradesh
Explanation: Andhra Pradesh has mangrove habitats near coastal estuaries, notably in the Godavari and Krishna delta regions. The other states listed are inland. Mangroves thrive where tides affect muddy or silty shorelines and where salinity varies across seasons.
Q99. Which factor largely explains why coastal and inland locations at the same latitude may have different temperature ranges?
[RPF Sub-Inspector, 3 December 2024]
(A) Ocean currents only
(B) Distance from the sea
(C) Latitude alone
(D) Altitude alone
Answer: (B) Distance from the sea
Explanation: The sea heats and cools more slowly than land, moderating temperatures in nearby coastal settlements. Inland regions generally experience larger annual temperature ranges. Ocean currents can further modify particular coasts, but proximity to the sea explains the basic contrast.
Q98. Which is a characteristic feature of mangrove forests?
[DSSSB Jail Warder, 18 June 2024]
(A) Adaptation to saline coastal water
(B) Year-round snow cover
(C) Occurrence only above the tree line
(D) Growth only in alpine climates
Answer: (A) Adaptation to saline coastal water
Explanation: Mangrove species possess special adaptations to saline and oxygen-poor tidal soils. Depending on species, these include salt-excluding roots, salt-secreting leaves and aerial roots. Their coastal habitat supports fisheries, stabilises mudflats and reduces wave impacts.
Q97. Consider statements:
1. Coral reefs are called the rainforests of the sea.
2. Coral reefs can reduce destructive wave energy near coasts.
Which assessment is correct?
[APPSC Group-I Preliminary Examination, 17 March 2024]
(A) Both are true and statement 2 correctly explains statement 1
(B) Both are true but statement 2 does not explain statement 1
(C) Statement 1 is true but statement 2 false
(D) Statement 1 is false but statement 2 true
Answer: (B) Both are true but statement 2 does not explain statement 1
Explanation: Coral reefs earn the rainforest comparison because of their exceptional biodiversity and ecological complexity. They also dissipate incoming wave energy, protecting shorelines. Coastal protection is a separate function and does not explain the biodiversity-based nickname.
Q96. Which processes help drive ocean currents: wind, Earth’s rotation and underwater earthquakes?
[Bihar School Teacher TRE 3.0, 22 July 2024]
(A) Wind only
(B) Earth’s rotation only
(C) Underwater earthquakes only
(D) More than one of the above
Answer: (D) More than one of the above
Explanation: Wind supplies energy to surface currents, while Earth’s rotation changes their direction through the Coriolis effect. Earthquakes mainly create exceptional wave disturbances, such as tsunamis, rather than sustained broad ocean currents. Hence multiple listed processes, but not all, are relevant.
Q95. How does ocean acidification generally affect reef-building corals?
[SSC Junior Engineer Civil, 6 June 2024]
(A) It has no measurable effect
(B) It always increases coral growth
(C) It weakens the formation and maintenance of calcium-carbonate skeletons
(D) It automatically increases coral biodiversity
Answer: (C) It weakens the formation and maintenance of calcium-carbonate skeletons
Explanation: Absorption of atmospheric carbon dioxide lowers seawater pH and reduces carbonate-ion availability. This makes skeletal growth harder for many marine organisms, especially corals and shellfish. Acidification compounds the stresses from warming, pollution and unsustainable fishing.
Q94. Which of these is a cold ocean current?
[Uttar Pradesh Police Constable, 31 August 2024]
(A) Gulf Stream
(B) North Atlantic Drift
(C) Kuroshio Current
(D) Labrador Current
Answer: (D) Labrador Current
Explanation: The Labrador Current carries cold water southward along northeastern North America. Where it meets warmer currents, temperature contrasts and nutrient availability can influence fisheries and fog formation. The Gulf Stream, North Atlantic Drift and Kuroshio are warm currents.
Q93. The ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education is located in which city?
[Bihar D.El.Ed Joint Entrance Examination, 3 April 2024]
(A) Kolkata
(B) Jamnagar
(C) Cuttack
(D) Mumbai
Answer: (D) Mumbai
Explanation: The fisheries education institute is based in Mumbai and specialises in advanced training and research in fishery sciences. Skilled fisheries management is essential for responsible exploitation of marine fish stocks, aquaculture development and conservation of aquatic habitats.
Q92. The MISHTI scheme announced in Union Budget 2023–24 mainly concerns which type of vegetation?
[SSC GD Constable, 23 February 2024]
(A) Coniferous forest
(B) All forest types equally
(C) Deciduous forest
(D) Mangrove forest
Answer: (D) Mangrove forest
Explanation: MISHTI stands for Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes. It seeks to support mangrove plantation and restoration along coasts and salt-pan lands. Mangroves are important for carbon storage, storm protection and aquatic nurseries.
Q91. Which factor does NOT directly determine the temperature distribution of ocean water?
[SSC Selection Post, 20 June 2024]
(A) Distribution of land and water
(B) Latitude
(C) Longitude
(D) Ocean currents
Answer: (C) Longitude
Explanation: Latitude governs solar heating, land-sea arrangement modifies heat exchange and currents transport warm or cold water. Longitude alone is not an independent primary determinant of seawater temperature. Temperature patterns influence marine habitats and fish distribution.
