80. Consider cashew, papaya and red sanders. How many are native to India?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2024]
(A) One
(B) Two
(C) Three
(D) None
Answer: (A) One
Explanation: Red sanders is native to the southern Eastern Ghats of India. Cashew originated in tropical America, while papaya also came from the Americas. Familiarity with a cultivated plant does not establish Indian origin or natural endemism.
79. Which wildlife sanctuary and district pair in Rajasthan is mismatched?
1. Shergarh—Bundi;
2. Bassi—Chittorgarh;
3. Ramsagar Van Vihar—Dholpur;
4. Sitamata—Pratapgarh.
[RPSC RAS (2023 paper) – 2024]
(A) Pair 1
(B) Pair 2
(C) Pair 3
(D) Pair 4
Answer: (A) Pair 1
Explanation: Shergarh Wildlife Sanctuary is in Baran district, so the Bundi pairing is incorrect. Bassi is linked to Chittorgarh, Ramsagar Van Vihar to Dholpur and Sitamata to Pratapgarh. The question tests careful mapping of Rajasthan’s protected areas.
78. George Castle is found within which national park of Madhya Pradesh?
[MPPSC Assistant Professor – 2024]
(A) Madhav
(B) Kanha
(C) Bandhavgarh
(D) Pench
Answer: (A) Madhav
Explanation: George Castle is a historic structure within Madhav National Park in Shivpuri district. The park was once a royal hunting landscape and today provides habitat for leopards, deer and other wildlife. Its location connects natural and cultural heritage.
77. Which organisation houses the Invasive Species Specialist Group responsible for the Global Invasive Species Database?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2023]
(A) IUCN
(B) UNEP
(C) World Commission on Environment and Development
(D) WWF
Answer: (A) IUCN
Explanation: The specialist group works under the IUCN Species Survival Commission. It compiles information on alien invasive species, which can displace native wildlife and alter habitats. In India, examples include lantana and water hyacinth in affected ecosystems.
76. Which creature communicates food direction and distance to its companions through a waggle dance?
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2023]
(A) Butterfly
(B) Dragonfly
(C) Honeybee
(D) Wasp
Answer: (C) Honeybee
Explanation: Worker honeybees perform a waggle dance after finding a food source. The angle communicates direction relative to the Sun and the duration conveys approximate distance. This behaviour assists collective foraging and illustrates sophisticated animal communication.
75. Which statement about marsupials is correct?
I. They do not naturally occur in India.
II. They can survive only in predator-free mountain grasslands.
[UPSC CSE Prelims – 2023]
(A) Both correct, II explains I
(B) Both correct, II does not explain I
(C) I correct, II incorrect
(D) I incorrect, II correct
Answer: (C) I correct, II incorrect
Explanation: Marsupials such as kangaroos and opossums occur naturally in Australasia and the Americas, not India. Their habitats range from forests to deserts, disproving the claim that they require predator-free mountain grasslands. Historical biogeography helps explain their distribution.
74. Match states to biosphere reserves:
Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Meghalaya;
reserves: Manas, Pachmarhi, Similipal, Nokrek.
Which sequence is correct?
[SSC CHSL Tier-II – 2023]
(A) Assam–Pachmarhi; MP–Nokrek; Odisha–Manas; Meghalaya–Similipal
(B) Assam–Nokrek; MP–Manas; Odisha–Pachmarhi; Meghalaya–Similipal
(C) Assam–Nokrek; MP–Pachmarhi; Odisha–Similipal; Meghalaya–Manas
(D) Assam–Manas; MP–Pachmarhi; Odisha–Similipal; Meghalaya–Nokrek
Answer: (D) Assam–Manas; MP–Pachmarhi; Odisha–Similipal; Meghalaya–Nokrek
Explanation: Manas is in Assam; Pachmarhi is located in Madhya Pradesh; Similipal is in Odisha; and Nokrek occupies Meghalaya’s Garo Hills. Knowing both the reserve names and regional geography prevents mistakes in match-the-column questions.
73. Which reserve was designated India’s sixteenth biosphere reserve in 2009?
[SSC CHSL Tier-I – 2023]
(A) Cold Desert
(B) Seshachalam
(C) Agasthyamalai
(D) Dihang-Dibang
Answer: (A) Cold Desert
Explanation: The Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in Himachal Pradesh was declared in 2009. Its high-altitude cold-arid ecosystem supports wildlife adapted to harsh Himalayan conditions, including mountain birds and mammals. Such habitats contrast strongly with tropical biosphere reserves.
72. What was the theme for World Environment Day 2022?
[SSC CHSL (2022 exam held 2023) – 2023]
(A) Only One Earth
(B) Save Environment for Future
(C) Ecosystem Restoration
(D) Nature is Money
Answer: (A) Only One Earth
Explanation: Only One Earth was the 2022 World Environment Day theme, recalling the message of the 1972 Stockholm environmental conference. World Environment Day is observed annually on 5 June to stimulate international participation in environmental protection.
71. On which date is World Environment Day celebrated annually?
[SSC CHSL (2022 exam held 2023) – 2023]
(A) 5 June
(B) 1 January
(C) 29 August
(D) 1 July
Answer: (A) 5 June
Explanation: The United Nations designated 5 June as World Environment Day following its 1972 Stockholm conference. Observance promotes awareness and practical action on pollution, ecosystems and biodiversity; themes and host countries can vary each year.
