UPSC Essentials | Daily subject-wise quiz : Environment, Geography, Sci-Tech MCQs on Pantanal wetlands, Venus, CFAF and more (Week 77)

(a) It has an extremely high surface temperature of around 462 degree Celsius, hotter than Mercury.

(b) The atmospheric pressure on Venus is much lower than on Earth.

(c) Most of the atmosphere of Venus is made up of carbon dioxide.

(d) India has approved its first mission to Venus to be launched in March 2028.

Explanation

— The Union Cabinet last week approved India’s first mission to Venus that ISRO aims to launch in March 2028. This is the country’s second interplanetary mission after the Mars Orbiter Mission launched in 2013.

— The mission will carry scientific instruments from India and abroad to examine the surface and sub-surface of Venus, its atmosphere, its ionosphere, and its interaction with the Sun.

About Venus

— Venus is often called Earth’s twin because it is similar in mass, density, and size. Therefore, studying Venus may offer scientists clues about the evolution of Earth.

— Venus has an extremely high surface temperature of around 462 degree Celsius, even hotter than Mercury.

— The atmospheric pressure on Venus is much higher than on Earth. It is almost similar to the pressure felt underneath the oceans on Earth.

— Around 96.5 per cent of the atmosphere of Venus is made up of carbon dioxide and there are sulphuric acid clouds on the planet.

— Venus rotates very slowly on its axis as compared to Earth. One rotation of Venus lasts around 243 Earth days.

— There have been several missions to Venus in the past by the United States, the erstwhile USSR, Japan, and a collaborative mission of the European Space Agency (ESA) with Japan.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 2

With reference to the dengue, consider the following statements:

1. It is a viral infection which is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito.

2. It is the only infectious disease for which annual mortality is rising.

3. The WHO recommends Sanofi’s Dengvaxia vaccine for dengue, but it has not received approval in India.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Explanation

— As cities across India report a surge in dengue cases, a record number of cases have been reported around the world this year with Brazil and other South American countries worst affected.

— Dengue is a viral infection which is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Most people with the infection report mild symptoms, but the disease is known to cause fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pains, nausea and vomiting, pain behind the eyes, and rashes. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— Over the past two decades, there has been a “tenfold increase in reported cases” an editorial by The Lancet said, adding that “even this figure is likely an underestimate”. This makes dengue the “only infectious disease for which annual mortality is rising”. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— Several cities have reported a surge in dengue cases over the past two months. More than 32,000 cases and 32 deaths attributable to dengue were reported till June end, according to the latest available data from the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme.

— The Lancet editorial identifies “the triad of urbanisation, climate change, and the movement of people and goods” as facilitating the spread of dengue, and its mosquito vector.

Rise in dengue cases from 2015 to present.

— The WHO recommends two vaccines: Sanofi’s Dengvaxia and Takeda’s QDenga. However, these have not received approval in India. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 3

The Cerrado, which is the world’s most biodiverse savanna and the Pantanal wetlands have been severely affected due to fires in the region. These regions are located in:

(a) South American region

(b) North American region

(c) Western Europe

(d) South-east Asia

Explanation

— South America is witnessing its worst forest fire season in nearly two decades, breaking a previous record for the number of blazes seen in a year.

— Satellite data assessed by Brazil’s space research organisation INPE have identified 346,112 fire hotspots in all 13 South American countries this year.

— Brazil, the continent’s largest country, has been affected the worst, accounting for 60% of the region’s current fires.

— According to Grist magazine, three of the world’s six largest ecosystems—the Amazon, the Cerrado (the world’s most biodiverse savanna), and the Pantanal wetlands—have been badly impacted.

— According to INPE data, Bolivia had the most fires this month, trailing only Brazil. More than 3.8 million hectares of the country’s woods and grasslands had been affected as of September 13. Bolivia is followed by Paraguay, Argentina, and Peru.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 4

With reference to the Climate Finance Action Fund (CFAF), consider the following statements:

1. 75 per cent of the fund will be directed towards climate projects in developing countries.

2. CFAF seeks “binding” contributions from fossil-fuel producing countries and companies.

3. It is formed as part of the COP29 action agenda to enhance ambition and enable action.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 2 and 3 only

Explanation

— The CFAF is part of a large package of proposals that Azerbaijan has prepared for inclusion in the final outcome of COP29 (29th edition of the Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change), which is to be held in the country’s capital, Baku, from November 11 to 22. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

— The Climate Finance Action Fund (CFAF) would seek “voluntary” contributions from fossil-fuel producing countries and businesses, with Azerbaijan, a petroleum country, making the first payment. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

— The main goal of COP29 is to get an agreement on climate financing, including the amount of money that wealthier countries must raise in the post-2025 period to assist the developing world in combating climate change.

— CFAF will serve as a catalyst for public-private partnerships, activating the private sector and reducing investment risk. It will provide off-take agreement guarantees to small and medium-sized renewable energy providers, as well as first-loss finance for green industrial projects.

Distribution of fund

— Fifty per cent of the fund will be put towards climate projects in developing countries that require assistance, including mitigation, adaptation, and research and development. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

— Fifty per cent of the contributions will be used to assist members in meeting the next generation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to keep the 1.5C temperature target within reach.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: cop29.az)

QUESTION 5

Consider the following statements about Storm Shadow Missiles:

1. They have a travel range of 250 kilometres.

2. It is a cruise missile developed by Israel.

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

Explanation

— Storm Shadow missiles are becoming important for Ukraine as it faces daily attacks from Russia. The US and UK are considering lifting restrictions that stop Ukraine from using these missiles against targets inside Russia.

— Storm Shadow is a cruise missile developed by the UK and France. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

— It can travel up to 250 kilometres (155 miles) and is designed to destroy tough targets like bunkers and ammunition storage. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— Ukraine already has these missiles but can only use them within its own borders. Kyiv wants permission to use them against Russian bases that launch attacks on Ukraine.

— Ukraine believes Storm Shadow missiles, and possibly US-made ATACMS missiles, which have an even longer range, could help stop these attacks.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

Previous Daily Subject-Wise-Quiz

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 77)

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 77)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment, Geography, Science and Technology (Week 76)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 76)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 76)

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