Q1: What is the role of light aerosols, like those from high-sulfur coal or oil?
(a) Induce a cooling effect
(b) Contribute to atmospheric warming
(c) Reflect sunlight back to space
(d) Absorb sunlight
Ans: (a)
Light aerosols, such as those from high-sulfur coal or oil, reflect sunlight back to space, leading to a cooling effect on the atmosphere.
Q2: Assertion (A): The Industrial Revolution marked a significant shift in climate forcings.
Reason (R): Since the Industrial Revolution, human-induced forcings, especially greenhouse gas emissions, have become the predominant drivers of climate change.
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true.
Ans: (a)
The Industrial Revolution marked a significant change in climate forcings with the increase in greenhouse gas emissions from human activities becoming the primary driver of climate change.
Q3: Statement 1: One of the key roles of atmospheric aerosols is to reflect sunlight back to space.
Statement 2: Dark carbon-rich particles contribute to atmospheric warming.
Statement 3: Light aerosols induce a cooling effect.
(a) Only Statement 1 is true.
(b) Statements 1 and 2 are true.
(c) Statements 2 and 3 are true.
(d) All statements are true.
Ans: (d)
Dark carbon-rich particles absorb sunlight and contribute to warming, while light aerosols reflect sunlight, inducing a cooling effect.
Q4: The current warming trend cannot be explained by natural forcings alone.
(a) True
(b) False
Ans: (a)
The current warming trend is largely attributed to human-induced forcings, particularly greenhouse gas emissions, which cannot be explained solely by natural forcings.
Q5: Arrange the following events in the order of their occurrence since the Industrial Revolution
1. Increase in CO2 concentrations
2. Significant natural forcing from a slight increase in solar energy
3. Human-induced forcings become predominant
(a) 1-2-3
(b) 2-3-1
(c) 3-1-2
(d) 2-1-3
Ans: (d)
Since the Industrial Revolution, there was a slight increase in solar energy, followed by an increase in CO2 concentrations, and then human-induced forcings became predominant.
Q6: Statement 1: Glacial retreat in the Himalayas threatens water supplies.
Statement 2: The loss of glaciers can significantly impact regional ecosystems.
(a) Only Statement 1 is true.
(b) Only Statement 2 is true.
(c) Both statements are true.
(d) Both statements are false.
Ans: (c)
Glacial retreat in regions like the Himalayas poses a threat to water supplies and can significantly impact regional ecosystems.
Q7: Which of the following is not a symptom of global climate change?
(a) Receding glaciers
(b) Increasing number of glaciers
(c) Rising sea levels
(d) Alterations in weather patterns
Ans: (b)
Receding glaciers, rising sea levels, and alterations in weather patterns are symptoms of global climate change, not an increasing number of glaciers.
Q8: Statement 1: Climate Tipping Points (CTPs) trigger self-sustaining warming when surpasse(d)
Statement 2: A 1.1-degree Celsius increase in global temperature has already triggered five critical tipping points.
(a) Only Statement 1 is true.
(b) Only Statement 2 is true.
(c) Both statements are true.
(d) Both statements are false.
Ans: (c)
CTPs trigger self-sustaining warming, and a 1.1-degree Celsius increase due to human activities has raised concerns about the crossing of critical tipping points.
Q9: Which of the following is a consequence of the collapse of the Greenland ice cap?
(a) Decreased sea levels
(b) Increased rain in desert regions
(c) Substantial rise in sea levels
(d) Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
Ans: (c)
The collapse of the Greenland ice cap would lead to a substantial rise in sea levels.
Q10: At what global temperature rise are nine global tipping points identified?
(a) 1.1 degrees Celsius
(b) 2 degrees Celsius
(c) 15 degrees Celsius
(d) 5 degrees Celsius
Ans: (b)
Nine global tipping points are identified when temperatures rise beyond 2 degrees Celsius.
Q11: Assertion (A): Fossil fuel combustion is the largest single climate forcing agent since 1750.
Reason (R): The combustion of fossil fuels releases significant amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true.
Ans: (a)
Fossil fuel combustion has been the largest contributor to climate forcing since 1750, mainly due to the release of carbon dioxide.
Q12: Statement 1: Human-generated aerosols act as a negative climate forcing.
Statement 2: Burning fossil fuels releases aerosols that can reflect the Sun’s energy.
Statement 3: Human-generated aerosols primarily contribute to global warming.
(a) Statements 1 and 2 are true, 3 is false.
(b) All statements are true.
(c) Statements 1 and 3 are true, 2 is false.
(d) Only Statement 2 is true.
Ans: (a)
Human-generated aerosols, such as those from burning fossil fuels, act as a negative climate forcing by reflecting sunlight, thus they do not primarily contribute to global warming.
Q13: Which of the following is not a type of atmospheric aerosol?
(a) Volcanic dust
(b) Soot from fossil fuel combustion
(c) Ozone
(d) Mineral dust
Ans: (c)
Ozone is not an aerosol; it is a molecule made up of three oxygen atoms. Volcanic dust, soot, and mineral dust are types of atmospheric aerosols.
Q14: Which of the following is considered a positive climate forcing, contributing to Earth's warming?
(a) Aerosols from volcanic eruptions
(b) Dark carbon-rich particles, such as diesel engine soot
(c) Greenhouse gases from fossil fuel combustion
(d) Light aerosols from high-sulfur coal or oil
Ans: (c)
Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide from fossil fuel combustion, act as positive climate forcings, contributing to global warming.
Q15: The loss of mountain glaciers will significantly impact the water supply in dry countries.
(a) True
(b) False
Ans: (a)
The loss of mountain glaciers, such as those in the Himalayas, is crucial as they play a significant role in supplying water to dry countries like Mongolia and Afghanistan.
Q16: What is the primary role of dark carbon-rich particles, such as those from diesel engines, in the atmosphere?
(a) Reflect sunlight back to space
(b) Absorb sunlight and contribute to atmospheric warming
(c) Cause cooling effects on the planet
(d) Increase cloud formation
Ans: (b)
Dark carbon-rich particles absorb sunlight, leading to atmospheric warming.
Q17: Arrange the following events in the order they contribute to climate change:
1. Human-generated greenhouse gases
2. Natural forcings like volcanic eruptions
3. Industrial Revolution
(a) 3-1-2
(b) 2-3-1
(c) 1-2-3
(d) 3-2-1
Ans: (a)
The Industrial Revolution marked the beginning of significant human-generated greenhouse gases, with natural forcings like volcanic eruptions always being a part of Earth's climate system.
Q18: Which of the following is a potential effect of the sudden thawing of permafrost rich in carbon?
(a) Decrease in global temperatures
(b) Reduction in sea levels
(c) Increased greenhouse gas emissions
(d) Enhanced global cooling
Ans: (c)
The sudden thawing of carbon-rich permafrost can lead to increased greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to further global warming.
Q19: What is the primary consequence of the disruption of the North Atlantic current?
(a) Improved agricultural yields in Europe
(b) Increased rain to billions of people’s food sources
(c) Decreased temperatures in Northern Europe
(d) Enhanced rainforest growth in South America
Ans: (c)
The disruption of the North Atlantic current, crucial for moderating temperatures, could lead to decreased temperatures in Northern Europe.
Q20: The potential collapse of the West Antarctic ice sheet poses no significant risk to global sea levels.
(a) True
(b) False
Ans: (b)
The potential collapse of the West Antarctic ice sheet poses a significant risk of rising global sea levels.
