Shankar IAS MCQs: India and Climate Change | Environment for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Q1: Statement 1: Since the early 1990s, satellites have been used to monitor sea levels.
Statement 2: Data from these satellites show a decrease in sea levels since 1993.
(a) Both statements are true.
(b) Statement 1 is true, but statement 2 is false.
(c) Statement 1 is false, but statement 2 is true.
(d) Both statements are false.
Ans: (b)
Satellites have been monitoring sea levels since the early 1990s, and the data shows a consistent increase in sea levels since 1993, not a decrease.

Q2: Arrange the following states in order of their vulnerability to sea-level rise:
1. Goa
2. Gujarat
3. Maharashtra
(a) 1, 2, 3
(b) 3, 2, 1
(c) 2, 3, 1
(d) 1, 3, 2
Ans: (a)
Goa is expected to be the most affected, followed by Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Q3: Which area is at risk of floods due to the rising sea levels, affecting homes and daily lives?
(a) Thar Desert
(b) Ganges Delta
(c) Central Highlands
(d) Western Ghats
Ans: (b)
The Ganges Delta is near the coast and is at risk of floods due to rising sea levels.

Q4: Assertion (A): The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicts accelerated ice sheet disintegration if Earth's average temperature increases by 3-4 degrees Celsius.
Reason (R): Increased global temperatures lead to the melting of large ice sheets, contributing to a rise in sea levels.
(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 assertion correctly states the IPCC's prediction, and the reason accurately explains the link between rising temperatures and ice sheet melting.

Q5: Statement 1: Warming seas contribute to more intense tropical storms.
Statement 2: Tropical storms have decreased in intensity due to sea temperature rise.
(a) Both statements are true.
(b) Statement 1 is true, but statement 2 is false.
(c) Statement 1 is false, but statement 2 is true.
(d) Both statements are false.
Ans: (b)
Warming seas do contribute to more intense tropical storms, making statement 1 true. However, statement 2 is false as storms have increased in intensity.

Q6: The rising sea level causes freshwater sources to mix with seawater, leading to water scarcity.
(a) True
(b) False
Ans: (a)
The intrusion of seawater into freshwater sources due to flooding leads to water scarcity.

Q7: Which of the following consequences is not a direct result of rising sea levels?
(a) Displacement of coastal populations.
(b) Loss of coral reefs and marine life.
(c) Decrease in agricultural productivity.
(d) Enhanced efficiency of solar panels.
Ans: (d)
The first three options are direct consequences of rising sea levels, while enhanced efficiency of solar panels is not related to this issue.

Q8: Statement 1: Cyclone risks in Orissa are expected to decrease due to sea-level rise.
Statement 2: The Ganges Delta is at risk of floods because of rising sea levels.
(a) Both statements are true.
(b) Statement 1 is true, but statement 2 is false.
(c) Statement 1 is false, but statement 2 is true.
(d) Both statements are false.
Ans: (c)
 Cyclone risks in Orissa are expected to increase, not decrease, due to sea-level rise. The Ganges Delta is indeed at risk of floods.

Q9: Which of the following is a primary cause of rising sea levels as per the information provided?
(a) Deforestation
(b) Thermal expansion of ocean water
(c) Increased use of fossil fuels
(d) Overfishing in the oceans
Ans: (b)
While increased use of fossil fuels contributes to global warming, the immediate cause of rising sea levels mentioned is the thermal expansion of ocean water.

Q10: Which of the following is not an impact of sea-level rise on coastal states in India?
(a) Loss of agricultural land.
(b) Displacement of people.
(c) Increased freshwater availability.
(d) Damage to coastal buildings.
Ans: (c)
Sea-level rise leads to loss of agricultural land, displacement of people, and damage to buildings, but it reduces freshwater availability, not increases it.

Q11: Statement 1: Sea level rise is primarily due to melting ice caps and glaciers.
Statement 2: The melting of floating icebergs contributes significantly to sea level rise.
(a) Both statements are true.
(b) Statement 1 is true, but statement 2 is false.
(c) Statement 1 is false, but statement 2 is true.
(d) Both statements are false.
Ans: (b)
Sea level rise is indeed primarily due to melting ice caps and glaciers. However, the melting of floating icebergs does not contribute significantly to sea level rise as they are already displacing water.

Q12: Based on satellite data since the early 1990s, what has been the trend in sea levels?
(a) A steady decrease.
(b) Fluctuations with no clear trend
(c) A consistent and notable increase.
(d) No significant change.
Ans: (c)
Satellite data has shown a consistent and notable increase in sea levels since the early 1990s.

Q13: Which Indian state is not mentioned as being at risk due to rising sea levels?
(a) Kerala
(b) Goa
(c) Gujarat
(d) Maharashtra
Ans: (a)
Among the options, Kerala is not mentioned in the provided text as being at risk due to rising sea levels. The states mentioned are Goa, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.

Q14: Rising sea levels will lead to a decrease in the intensity of tropical storms.
(a) True
(b) False
Ans: (b)
Rising sea levels, which contribute to warmer sea temperatures, are expected to increase the intensity of tropical storms, not decrease them.

Q15: Which of the following is a direct consequence of sea level rise on coastal communities?
(a) Increased agricultural yield.
(b) Decreased urbanization.
(c) Displacement of populations.
(d) Enhanced biodiversity.
Ans: (c)
A direct consequence of sea level rise on coastal communities is the displacement of populations due to flooding and loss of land.

Q16: Assertion (A): The melting of ice sheets in Antarctica and Greenland is a significant contributor to sea level rise.
Reason (R): Melting ice sheets add to the overall volume of water in the oceans.
(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 melting of ice sheets in Antarctica and Greenland does contribute significantly to sea level rise by adding to the ocean's water volume.

Q17: What is a major risk for coral reefs due to rising sea levels?
(a) Increased sunlight penetration.
(b) Reduced water pollution.
(c) Enhanced photosynthesis.
(d) Threatened habitat and biodiversity.
Ans: (d)
Rising sea levels pose a threat to coral reefs and their biodiversity due to factors like increased water temperature and altered salinity.

Q18: According to the IPCC, what could happen if Earth's temperature increases by 3-4 degrees Celsius?
(a) Decreased ice sheet disintegration.
(b) Stabilization of sea levels.
(c) Accelerated ice sheet disintegration.
(d) Reduction in sea level rise.
Ans: (c)
The IPCC predicts that an increase in Earth's temperature by 3-4 degrees Celsius could lead to accelerated disintegration of ice sheets.

Q19: Statement 1: Thermal expansion of ocean water is a minor factor in sea level rise.
Statement 2: Increased freshwater from melting ice sheets is the sole cause of rising sea levels.
(a) Both statements are true.
(b) Statement 1 is true, but statement 2 is false.
(c) Statement 1 is false, but statement 2 is true.
(d) Both statements are false.
Ans: (d)
Thermal expansion of ocean water is a significant factor in sea level rise, and the increased freshwater from melting ice sheets is not the sole cause, as other factors also contribute.

Q20: Which area in Mumbai is at risk due to rising sea levels?
(a) Juhu Beach
(b) Versova Beach
(c) Marine Drive
(d) Chowpatty Beach
Ans: (b)
According to the provided information, Versova Beach and other populated areas near tidal mud flats and creeks in Mumbai are at risk due to rising sea levels.