Olympiad Test: Garbage In Garbage Out - Primary 5 MCQ

Waste (or wastes) are unwanted or unusable materials. Waste is any substance which is discarded after primary use, or is worthless, defective and of no use.

Examples include municipal solid waste (household trash/refuse), hazardous waste, wastewater (such as sewage, which contains bodily wastes (feces and urine) and surface runoff), radioactive waste, and others.

Garbage from our homes is typically thrown away in dust bins. These bins are specifically designed to collect and contain waste before it is disposed of properly.

• A: At a distant place: While garbage might eventually be transported to a landfill or waste disposal site, it is not typically thrown directly at a distant place by individuals.

• B: At our doorsteps: Garbage is not usually thrown at doorsteps. Instead, it is placed in bins for proper collection and disposal.

• D: All of the above: This option is incorrect because garbage is not thrown in all of the places mentioned (doorsteps or distant places). The correct place for throwing garbage is dust bins.

The correct answer is C: In dust bins.

Safai-Karamcharis (cleaning workers or sanitation workers) are the individuals responsible for collecting garbage from dustbins. They ensure that waste is properly removed and taken to designated disposal or recycling centers.

• B: By birds and animals: While birds and animals might scavenge through garbage, they do not formally collect or manage it.
• C: By wind: Wind may scatter some waste but it does not actively collect or remove garbage from dustbins.
• D: All of these: This option is incorrect because only Safai-Karamcharis are responsible for collecting garbage from dustbins in an organized manner.

The correct answer is A: By Safai-Karamcharis.

Safai-Karamcharis collect garbage from dustbins and take it to landfills, which are designated areas where waste is disposed of and managed. These landfills are specifically designed for the safe and efficient disposal of waste materials.

• A: To their homes: This is incorrect. Safai-Karamcharis do not take the garbage to their homes.

• B: To distant markets: This is also incorrect, as garbage is not taken to markets but to proper disposal sites like landfills or recycling centers.

• D: Any place of their choice: This is incorrect because there are regulated locations like landfills or recycling centers where garbage must be taken, not just any place of their choice.

The correct answer is C: To landfills.

A landfill is a site used for the disposal of garbage and waste materials. It meets all the following descriptions:

• A: is a low lying open area: Landfills are typically located in low-lying areas, which help to manage waste without affecting the surrounding environment too much.

• C: is a low lying open area, where the garbage collected from a city or town is dumped: This is correct. Landfills are designed to safely store large amounts of garbage that are collected from cities or towns.

• D: is a place where truck loads of garbage are dumped: This is also accurate. Waste is transported by trucks to landfills, where it is unloaded and buried.

The correct answer is B: All of the above are correct.

At a landfill site, the garbage is typically handled in a more systematic way:

• Separation: Before being dumped into the landfill, waste is often separated into recyclable, biodegradable, and non-biodegradable components. This helps reduce the amount of waste that ends up in the landfill, as recyclable materials can be processed separately, and organic waste can be composted or used for other purposes.
• Spread: After separation, the remaining waste is usually compacted and spread in layers to fill the landfill. The waste is covered with soil or other materials to reduce odor and limit environmental impact.

The correct process involves separating useful (recyclable or compostable) and non-useful components before spreading the remaining waste in the landfill, making B the correct answer.

Useful components of garbage, especially organic waste (such as food scraps, garden waste, etc.), are often sent to composting areas. Here, they are broken down by microorganisms to produce compost, which is a valuable organic fertilizer that can be used to enrich soil in gardens, farms, and other agricultural settings. This process is a sustainable way to handle organic waste and reduce landfill burden.

• Organic waste is the primary component that is composted.
• Non-organic waste (such as metals, plastics, and paper) typically goes to recycling centers rather than composting areas.

So, A is a correct and specific answer, focusing on the handling of organic waste in composting areas.

When some things in garbage rots completely and did not smell, it:

• Becomes manure: When organic matter in garbage decomposes completely, it turns into manure. Manure is a natural fertilizer that is rich in nutrients and beneficial for plants.
• Can be mixed with soil to provide nutrients to plants: The decomposed garbage, or manure, can be mixed with soil to enhance its fertility. This enriched soil provides essential nutrients to plants, promoting their growth and health.

Therefore, both the above options are correct.

The process of rotting and conversion of organic materials into manure is called composting. During composting, organic waste such as food scraps, garden waste, and other biodegradable materials are decomposed by microorganisms (like bacteria and fungi) under controlled conditions. This process results in the formation of compost, which is a nutrient-rich material used to improve soil quality.

• Fertilization refers to adding nutrients to the soil, often in the form of synthetic or natural fertilizers.
• Utilization is a more general term referring to the use of something.
• Composting specifically refers to the decomposition of organic matter to create nutrient-rich compost.

Thus, C: Composting is the correct answer.

In many cities, dustbins are color-coded to distinguish between different types of waste. Typically:

• Green bins are used for wet waste or biodegradable waste such as food scraps, garden waste, etc.
• Blue bins are used for dry waste, including paper, plastic, metal, and glass.

The color-coding helps in the proper segregation of waste for recycling or composting, making waste management more efficient and environmentally friendly.

So, the correct answer is D: Blue and Green.

Blue-colored bins are typically used for recycling materials, which are those that can be reused or processed into new products. This includes a variety of recyclable materials such as plastics, metals, glass, and paper. The specific materials that go into a blue bin may vary based on local recycling guidelines, but the general idea is that it’s for items that can be recycled and used again rather than thrown away.

The green-colored bins are typically used for collecting biodegradable or wet waste, which includes materials that can decompose or rot completely when buried in soil. This waste is often composted to produce manure for plants.

Some examples of materials to be collected in the green bins are:

• Kitchen waste (food scraps)
• Plant waste (leaves, branches)
• Animal waste (such as manure)

These materials are organic and can easily break down in a composting process or landfill, hence the green bin is used to collect them.

Thus, the correct answer is D: Those materials that rot completely when buried in soil.

It is not correct to burn large heaps of dried leaves because:

1. Air Pollution: Burning dried leaves releases harmful gases like carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter into the air, contributing to air pollution.
2. Health Hazard: The smoke produced can be harmful to humans and animals, causing respiratory problems, especially for people with asthma or other lung conditions.
3. Fire Hazard: Burning dry leaves can cause uncontrollable fires, especially during dry seasons, leading to environmental damage.
4. Waste of Potential Resources: Instead of burning, dried leaves can be composted to create valuable organic manure for plants, reducing waste and contributing to soil fertility.

Therefore, the correct approach is to compost or recycle dried leaves rather than burning them. Hence, the correct answer is B: No.

Vermicomposting is the process of making compost using worms, primarily earthworms, to decompose organic waste material. These worms help break down the organic waste into nutrient-rich humus, which can be used as a natural fertilizer for plants.

Here's why the other options are incorrect:

• A: It is a method of preparing compost – This is partially correct, but it does not fully capture the essence of vermicomposting, which involves the use of organisms (earthworms).

• C: It gives a vermilian coloured compost – This is incorrect. Vermicomposting does not produce compost with a "vermillion" (red) color. The compost produced is dark and rich in nutrients, but not specifically red in color.

Therefore, the correct answer is B: It is a method of preparing compost with the help of organisms.

In vermicomposting, the organisms used are primarily earthworms, particularly a species known as red worms (often Eisenia fetida), which are highly effective in breaking down organic waste into compost. These worms consume the organic material and excrete nutrient-rich castings, which contribute to the creation of fertile compost.

• A: a type of earthworm – This is correct. Earthworms are the primary organisms used in vermicomposting.

• B: called red worm – This is also correct. The red worm, or red wiggler (Eisenia fetida), is commonly used in vermiculture and vermicomposting due to its ability to thrive in composting environments and break down organic matter efficiently.

Therefore, the correct answer is C: Both the above.

Red worms (Eisenia fetida) used in vermicomposting primarily feed on organic material, such as vegetable and fruit waste. These worms thrive in environments where they can break down plant-based material into compost.

• A: Dead worms – This is incorrect. Red worms do not feed on dead worms but instead on decaying organic matter.

• B: Plastic bags – This is incorrect. Worms cannot digest plastic; it is harmful to them.

• C: Broken toys – This is incorrect. Red worms cannot process synthetic materials like plastic or rubber from toys.

• D: Vegetable and fruit wastes – This is correct. Worms consume organic waste such as fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and other plant-based materials, which they convert into nutrient-rich compost.

Therefore, the correct answer is D: Vegetable and fruit wastes.

Red worms (used in vermicomposting) require a stable and moderate environment for optimal growth and composting activity. The temperature should be neither too hot nor too cold because extreme temperatures can harm the worms.

• A: Dig a pit about 30 cm deep – This is partially correct. Digging a pit is part of creating a suitable habitat, but it needs to be in the right location.

• B: Dig a pit about 30 cm deep at a place which is very hot – This is incorrect. Red worms cannot thrive in excessively hot conditions; they prefer moderate temperatures (around 15-25°C).

• C: Dig a pit about 30 cm deep at a place which is very cold – This is also incorrect. Extremely cold environments are not suitable for red worms, as it can slow down or halt their activity.

• D: Dig a pit 30 cm deep at a place which is neither too hot nor too cold – This is correct. The best environment for red worms is one that is moderate in temperature, with enough moisture and ventilation.

Therefore, the correct answer is D: Dig a pit 30 cm deep at a place which is neither too hot nor too cold.

To create a home for red worms, the following materials can be spread at the bottom of the pit:

• A net: A net can be spread at the bottom of the pit to provide a barrier between the worms and the soil, preventing them from burrowing too deep.
• Wire mesh: Wire mesh can also be spread at the bottom of the pit for the same purpose as a net, to create a barrier between the worms and the soil.
• Chicken mess: Chicken mess can be spread at the bottom of the pit as a source of organic matter and nutrients for the red worms. The worms will feed on the chicken mess, helping to break it down and create nutrient-rich compost.
• Any one of net, chicken mess and wire mesh: It is also possible to use a combination of these materials. For example, a layer of net or wire mesh can be spread first to provide a barrier, followed by a layer of chicken mess to provide organic matter.

By using any one or a combination of net, wire mesh, and chicken mess, the pit can be prepared as a suitable habitat for red worms. This will ensure that the worms have a comfortable and nutritious environment to thrive and contribute to composting efforts.

Red worms, used in vermicomposting, feed on organic matter, specifically vegetable and fruit wastes. These provide the necessary nutrients for the worms to digest and help in the breakdown process, producing compost.

• A: Coffee – While coffee grounds can be used in small amounts for vermicomposting, coffee on its own is not an ideal food source for red worms.

• B: Tea – Similarly, tea can be used in small quantities (such as tea leaves) in composting, but it should not be a primary food source for the worms.

• C: Vegetable and fruit wastes – This is the most suitable food for red worms. They thrive on food scraps like vegetable peels, fruit waste, and other organic matter, which is ideal for composting.

• D: All of the above – While some components (like coffee grounds or tea) can be added in moderation, vegetable and fruit wastes should be the main food source for red worms.

Therefore, the correct answer is C: Vegetable and fruit wastes.

For red worms used in vermicomposting, the food should be placed at a shallow depth, typically 2-3 cm deep inside the pit. This depth ensures the worms can easily access and consume the organic material, promoting efficient composting.

• A: Put at the top layer of soil – If food is only placed on top, it may dry out quickly or attract pests, and worms may not easily access it. It’s important to bury the food at a shallow depth so that the worms can reach it.

• B: Put at the bottom (about 30 cm) deep of the pit – Placing food at the very bottom of the pit may not be ideal because worms generally stay in the upper layers where there is more food and oxygen.

• C: Put at about 2-3 cm deep inside the pit – This is the best practice. Red worms tend to feed in the top few centimeters of the soil, so burying food at a shallow depth of 2-3 cm makes it accessible for the worms.

• D: All the above are correct – Only C is the correct practice, so this option is incorrect.

Therefore, the correct answer is C: put at about 2-3 cm deep inside the pit.