UPSC Essentials | Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment, Geography, Science and Technology (Week 37)

1. Its consumption can result in a variety of brain, skin, and heart disorders.

2. It can be only produced by artificial processes.

3. There is no mercury contamination in India.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

QUESTION 2

With reference to the ‘unabated’ fossil fuels, consider the following statements:

1. These fossil fuels are those “without interventions that substantially reduce” greenhouse gas emissions.

2. There is an international agreement related to the definition of ‘unabated’ fossil fuels.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

QUESTION 3

Geminids and Ursids were recently in the news. They are:

(a) Pulsars

(b) Star

(c) Dwarf Planet

(d) Meteoroids

QUESTION 4

With reference to the Amyloidosis, consider the following statements:

1. It is a rare disease that occurs when an abnormal protein builds up in one’s organs, affecting their shape and functioning.

2. The deposits of amyloid can build up in the heart and other parts of the body, leading to life-threatening conditions like organ failure.

3. It is normally not found in the body.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

QUESTION 5

With reference to the Global Cooling Pledge, consider the following statements:

1. It commits the countries to reduce their cooling emissions by at least 68% by 2050.

2. Cooling emissions are essentially emissions generated from refrigerants.

3. Cooling emissions account for more than 50% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

ANSWERS TO THE MCQs

1. (a)

FYI:

— Mercury is one of most toxic substances for humans. Its consumption can result in a variety of brain, skin, and heart disorders, and can even be fatal. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— In a paper published last year, the Central Pollution Control Board stated that 1 gramme of mercury found in a clinical thermometer was enough to contaminate a water body with a surface area of nearly 20 acres to the point where the fish in it would be unsafe to eat.

— Mercury is produced naturally, such as in volcanic eruptions, as well as through a variety of industrial processes. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

— Mercury contamination is not widespread in India, but it has been found in dangerous concentrations in water in states such as Maharashtra, Gujarat, Haryana, and Odisha. Water bodies are prone to contamination in mining areas and near leather industries, which emit mercury. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

2. (a)

FYI:

— The unabated fossil fuels are those “without interventions that substantially reduce” greenhouse gas emissions. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— When it comes to fossil fuels, “unabated” means doing nothing to reduce the carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases that are released from the burning of coal, oil, and natural gas.

— The “abated” refers to the attempts to decrease the release of polluting substances to an acceptable level.

— However, there isn’t any clarity on what this level is and how to get there. Moreover, there is no international or agreed-upon definition of the two phrases. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

— Oil and gas-producing companies and countries see carbon capture as a key component in plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

— In its report, Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said power and industrial plants that are equipped with modern CCS technologies capture around 90% of the CO2.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

3. (d)

FYI:

— The Geminid meteor shower was active from December 4 to December 14, with its peak happening around the night of December 14.

— The Geminid meteor shower gets its name from the Gemini constellation, which appears to be where the meteor shower originates.

— The Ursids are not as spectacular as the Geminids.

— The Ursids produce about five to 10 meteors per hour at their peak, under ideal conditions.

— The Ursids are a low-key, but reliable meteor shower that can add some sparkle to your winter nights.

— The Geminid meteor shower is caused by the meteor 3200 Phaeton. The Geminid meteor shower and the Quadrantids meteor shower are the only major showers not caused by a comet.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

4. (c)

FYI:

— Amyloidosis is a rare disease that occurs when an abnormal protein, called amyloid, builds up in one’s organs, affecting their shape and functioning. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— Amyloid deposits can build up in the heart, brain, kidneys, spleen and other parts of the body, leading to life-threatening conditions like organ failure. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— Amyloid is not normally found in the body, but it can be formed from a variety of proteins. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

— Some varieties of amyloidosis occur in association with other diseases. These types may improve with treatment of the underlying disease.

— Amyloidosis can develop as a result of another health condition or as a primary condition. Sometimes it is caused by a gene mutation, but most of the time, the cause of amyloidosis is unknown.

— Many different proteins can lead to amyloid deposits, but only a few lead to major health problems.

— Moreover, while some varieties are hereditary, others are caused by outside factors, such as inflammatory diseases or long-term dialysis.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

5. (b)

FYI:

— Sixty-three countries, including the US, Canada, and Kenya, signed up to the world’s first-ever pledge to drastically cut cooling emissions at the COP28 climate summit.

— The Global Cooling Pledge commits the countries to reduce their cooling emissions by at least 68% by 2050 and outlines several strategies to tackle them. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— These kinds of emissions now account for 7% of global greenhouse gas emissions and are expected to triple by 2050. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

— Cooling emissions are essentially emissions generated from refrigerants, used in appliances like ACs and refrigerators, and the energy used for cooling. Most of the cooling appliances used chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) as refrigerants. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

Previous Daily Subject-Wise-Quiz

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 37)

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 37)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment, Geography, Science and Technology (Week 36)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 36)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 36)

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