MCQ on Air Pollution

MCQ on Pollution:

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ Quiz) on Air Pollution with answers and explanation. The MCQ based on traditional, contemporary and current affairs parts of air pollution's/environmental issues, which is referred from the UPSC Previous years questions, NCERT, News Papers and websites like WHO, IQAir etc. It is useful for various competitive exams like UPSC, UPPSC, BPSC, IAS/PCS and others.

Que 1. What is Pollution?

a) Undesirable change in air

b) Undesirable change in water

c) Undesirable change in land

d) All of the Above

Answer:

Option (d) is Correct: Pollution is any undesirable change in physical, chemical or biological characteristics of air, land, water or soil.

 

Que 2. According to WHO, the sound becomes harmful when it exceeds 75 decibels (dB) and is painful above 120 dB. It is considered as which type of pollution?

a) Air Pollution

b) Water Pollution

c) Noise Pollution

d) Soil Pollution

Answer:

Option (c) is Correct: The World Health Organization (WHO) defines noise above 65 decibels (dB) as noise pollution. To be precise, noise becomes harmful when it exceeds 75 decibels (dB) and is painful above 120 dB. There are Four Types of Pollution:

1. Air Pollution.
2. Water Pollution.
3. Soil Pollution.
4. Noise Pollution.

 

Que 3. Agents that bring about such an undesirable change in air, water, and land are called as

a) Air Pollutants

b) Water Pollutants

c) Soil Pollutants

d) Pollutants

Answer:

Option (d) is correct: Agents that bring about such an undesirable change in air, water, and land are called as Pollutants. (What are Pollutants?)

MCQ on Air Pollution:

Que 1. When air is contaminated by unwanted substances which have a harmful effect on:

a) Living

b) Non-living

c) Both

d) None

Answer:

Option (c) is correct: When air is contaminated by unwanted substances which have a harmful effect on both the living and the non-living, it is called as air pollution.

 

Que 2. The air pollutants are added to the atmosphere by:

a) Nature Only

b) Anthropogenic Only

c) Both

d) None

Answer:

Option (c) is correct: Air pollutants may come from natural sources like smoke and dust arising from forest fires or volcanic eruptions. Pollutants are also added to the atmosphere by certain human activities.

 

Que 3. What is/are the anthropogenic sources of air pollutants?

a) Burning of firewood

b) Power plants

c) Dung Cake

d) All of the Above

Answer:

Option (c) is correct: The anthropogenic sources of air pollutants are factories, power plants, automobile exhausts (burning of fossil fuels) and burning of firewood and dung cake.

 

Que 4. Which of the pollutants are majorly produced by vehicles?

a) Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and smoke

b) Carbon monoxide, CFCs, nitrogen oxides and Sulphur oxide

c) Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and Fluorides

d) Carbon tetra fluorides, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and smoke

Answer:

Option (a) is correct: Vehicles produce high levels of pollutants like carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and smoke.

 

Que 5. Which is known as poisonous gas in the atmosphere?

a) Carbon dioxide

b) Carbon monoxide

c) Methane

d) Nitrogen oxide

Answer:

Option (b) is correct: Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas. It reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.

 

Que 6. Which pollutant is produced by incomplete combustion of fuels?

a) Carbon monoxide

b) Carbon dioxide

c) Sulphur oxide

d) Nitrogen oxide

Answer:

Option (a) is correct: Carbon monoxide is produced from incomplete burning of fuels such as petrol and diesel.

 

Que 7. Consider the following statements regarding the effects of air pollutants:

1. Its injury to all living organisms.

2. It cause premature death of plants.

3. Affect the respiratory system of humans only.

Which is the correct code given below?

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 1 and 3 only

c) 2 and 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer:

Option (a) is correct: Air pollutants cause injury to all living organisms. They reduce growth and yield of crops and cause premature death of plants. Air pollutants also deleteriously affect the respiratory system of humans and of animals.

 

Que 8. Which is not a source of natural air pollution?

a) Volcanoes

b) Forest Fire

c) Pollen grain

d) None

Answer:

Option (d) is correct: Natural sources of air pollutions are – ash from burning volcanoes, dust from storm, forest fires and Pollen grains from flowers in air are natural sources of pollution.

 

Que 9.  The increased surface temperature would cause melting of continental and mountain glaciers and thus would causes climate change and flooding of coastal areas of some countries. It is best description of:

a) Carbon monoxide

b) Carbon dioxide

c) Sulphur oxide

d) Nitrogen oxide

Answer:

Option (b) is correct:  Due to Global warming, the increased surface temperature would cause melting of continental and mountain glaciers and thus would cause flooding of coastal areas of some countries. Carbon dioxide

causes climate change.

 

Que 10. With reference to Carbon dioxide, consider the following statements?

1. It is majorly responsible for global warming.

2. Due to high dissolution of Carbon dioxide in the water, increase the productivity of the marine ecosystem.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) 1 and 2

d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer:

Option (a) is correct: Carbon dioxide is one of the major gases which contributes towards air pollution. The increasing CO2 in the atmosphere is likely to have the following effects: (i) A rise in atmospheric temperature or global warming due to greenhouse effect. Also causes climate change. (ii) Reduced productivity of the marine ecosystem. This is due to the fact that water in the oceans would be more acidic due to increased concentration of CO2 in the air, which dissolves in the water.

 

 

Que 11. With reference to Sulphur dioxide, consider the following statements?

1. It is produced by the burning of coal.

2. It causes necrosis of plants.

3. Acid rain is only caused by it.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 1 and 3 only

c) 2 and 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer:

Option (a) is correct: Sulphur dioxide is produced by the burning of coal in powerhouses and automobiles. It causes chlorosis and necrosis of plants. High concentration of sulphur dioxide in the atmosphere dissolves in rain drops to form sulphuric acid which causes acid rain.

 

Que 12. Consider the following pairs:

Air Pollutants                                           Causes

(1) Fluorides                                              Serious injury to livestock

(2) Oxides of nitrogen                              Acid Rain  

(3) Sulphur dioxide                                  Skin Cancer

(4) Carbon monoxide                              Respiratory issue

How many pairs given above are correctly matched?

(a) Only one pair

(b) Only two pairs

(c) Only three pairs

(d) All four pairs

Answer:

Option (c) is correct:

Pair 1 is Correct: Fluorides is an extremely toxic gas, which causes serious injury to livestock and cattle.

Pair 2 is Correct: Acid rain is caused by a chemical reaction that begins when compounds like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released into the air.

Pair 3 is not Correct: Sulphur dioxide causes irritation in eyes and injury to the respiratory tract (asthma, bronchitis) in humans.

Pair 4 is Correct: Carbon monoxide a poisonous gas which causes respiratory problems.

 

Que 13. With reference to Smog, consider the following statements?

1. It is derived from smoke and fog.

2. It occurs in cool dry climate.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) 1 and 2

d) None

Answer:

Option (a) is correct: Smog occurs in cool humid climate. It is a mixture of smoke, fog and sulphur dioxide.

 

Que 14. It is occurring in warm, dry and sunny climate. When the sun's ultraviolet rays interact with the atmosphere's nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, what is created?

a) Primary Pollutants

b) Photochemical Smog

c) Classical Smog

d) None

Answer:

Option (b) is correct: Photochemical smog occurs in warm, dry and sunny climate. When the sun's ultraviolet rays interact with the atmosphere's nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, photochemical smog is created.

Read More: Photochemical smog

 

Que 15. Consider the following statements regarding Photochemical smog:

1. It appears as a brown haze.

2. It is a Secondary Pollutant.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) 1 and 2

d) None

Answer:

Option (c) is correct: Photochemical smog appears as a brown haze and is most noticeable in the morning and late afternoon, particularly in warm, densely populated places. It is a Secondary Pollutant e.g., Peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN).

 

Que 16. Which is not a component of photochemical smog?

a) Ozone

b) Nitric Acid

c) Formaldehyde

d) Carbon dioxide

Answer:

Option (d) is correct: The common components of photochemical smog –Ozone, Nitric oxide, Acrolein, Formaldehyde and Peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN).

 

Que 17. Which are the sources of photochemical smog?

1. Lightning

2. Fossil fuels

3. Industrial pollution

4. Terpenes

Select the correct code given below:

a) 1, 2, and 3

b) 1, 3 and 4

c) 2, 3 and 4

d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer:

The nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are produced Naturally and Anthropogenic activities.

Option (d) is correct: Nitrogen oxides are produced in nature by bushfires, lightning, and soil microbiological activities. Terpenes, the hydrocarbons that give oils their ability to burn, are examples of naturally occurring molecules that can evaporate and release volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are created when fossil fuels burn incompetently. Air pollution from garbage dumps and industrial pollution is also rising, adding to the smog in the atmosphere. They are major sources of photochemical smog.

 

Que 18. With reference to chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), consider the following statements?

1. Used in refrigerators, air conditioners and aerosol sprays.

2. CFCs damage the ozone layer of the troposphere.

3. Ozone layer protect us from UV rays.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 1 and 3 only

c) 2 and 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer:

Option (b) is correct: Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are a kind of air pollutants which are used in refrigerators, air conditioners and aerosol sprays. CFCs damage the ozone layer of the Stratosphere. The ozone layer protects us from harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun.

 

Que 19. Which one of the pollutions is threatening the beauty of monuments like Taj Mahal in Agra?

a) Air Pollution

b) Water Pollution

c) Acid Rain

d) Both (a) and (c)

Answer:

Option (d) is correct: The beauty of the monument in white marble is being threatened by air pollution in the area surrounding the Taj. Acid rain corrodes the marble of the monument. The phenomenon is also called “Marble cancer”.

 

Que 20. The Kyoto Protocol is related to:

a) Green House gas emission

b) Ozone depleting substances

c) Methane

d) Carbon dioxide

Answer:

Option (a) is correct: The Kyoto Protocol is an agreement to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases.

Que 21. Consider the following statements regarding Kyoto  Protocol:

1. It is adopted in 2005.

2. Paris Agreement (COP 21) amended the Kyoto protocol.

 Which of the above statements is/are not correct?

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) 1 and 2

d) Neither 1 nor 2 

Answer:

Option (d) is correct: Kyoto  Protocol adopted in 1997 and came into force in 2005. Paris agreement 2015 (COP 21) is not an amendment to Kyoto Protocol but a separate instrument altogether.

Que 22. Montreal Protocol related to

a) Ozone depleting substances

b) Global warming substances

c) Both (a) and (b)

d) None

Answer:

Option (c) is correct:  The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and also responsible for global warming  is the landmark multilateral environmental agreement that regulates the production and consumption of nearly 100 man-made chemicals referred to as ozone depleting substances (ODS). E.g. CFCs.

Que 23. Consider the following regarding ozone depleting substances:

1. CFCs

2. HCFCs

3. Carbon Tetrachloride

4. Carbon Dioxide

5. Sulphur Hexafluoride

Select the correct option given below:

a) 1, 2 and 4

b) 1, 2, and 3

c) 1, 2, 3 and 4

d)) 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5

Answer:

Option (b) is correct: Ozone depleting substances include: chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs),  hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), hydrobromoflurocarbons (HBFCs), halons,  methyl bromide, carbon tetrachloride, methyl chloroform.

Que 24. Why Stratospheric ozone is good?

a) Purifier of the air

b) Protect from UV rays

c) Protect from Skin Cancer

d) Protect from Lungs infection

Answer:

Option (b) is correct:  Stratospheric ozone is “good” because it protects living things from ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Ground-level ozone is “bad” because it can trigger a variety of health problems, particularly for children, the elderly, and people of all ages who have lung diseases such as asthma.

Que. Which is not a greenhouse gas?

a) Methane

b) Carbon Monoxide

c) Carbon Dioxide

d) Water Vapour

Comment your Answer…

 

MCQ on Current Affairs Based Air Pollution:

 

Que 1.  Which is the most air polluted country in the world in 2022?

a) Bangladesh

b) Chad

c) Pakistan

d) India

Answer:

Option (a) is correct: Bangladesh has the highest level of air pollution in the world, averaging a PM2. 5 level of 77.10.

 

Que 2.  Which is the most air polluted capital city in the world in 2022?

a) New Delhi

b) Dhaka

c) Muscat

d) Kathmandu

Answer:

Option (a) is correct: New Delhi is the most air polluted capital city in the world in 2022.

 

Que 3. What is rank of India among the polluted countries in the world?

a) 3rd

b) 4th

c) 5th

d) 6th

Answer:

Option (c) is correct: According to report, India is the 5^th polluted country among the 117 nations.

 

Que 4. The World Air Quality Report published by:

a) IQAir, a Swiss group

b) WHO

c) UNEP

d) UNFCCC

Answer:

Option (a) is correct: World Air Quality Report published by  IQAir, a Swiss group that measures air quality levels based on the concentration of Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5.

 

Que 5. Air Quality Database 2022 released by:

a) IQAir, a Swiss group

b) WHO

c) UNEP

d) UNFCCC

Answer:

Option (b) is correct: The World Health Organisation (WHO) has publihed Air Quality Database 2022, according to that almost the entire global population (99 %) breathes air that exceeds WHO’s air quality limits.

UPSC Previous Year Prelims Questions on Air Pollution:   Que 1. Which of the following are the reasons/factors for exposure to benzene pollution? (2020) 1.       Automobile exhaust 2.       Tobacco smoke 3.       Wood burning 4.       Using varnished wooden furniture 5.       Using products made of polyurethane Select the correct answer using the code given below:   (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 2 and 4 only (c) 1, 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 Answer: Option (a) is correct: The main sources of benzene pollution in the environment include automobile exhaust, industrial sources, Tobacco smoke, wood burning and fuel evaporation from gasoline filling stations.   Que 2. Consider the following statements: (2020)   1.       Coal ash contains arsenic, lead and mercury. 2.       Coal-fired power plants release sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen into the environment. 3.       High ash content is observed in Indian coal. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3  Answer:  Option (d) is correct: Wen Coal burned, what remains in the ash includes lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, arsenic, and selenium, all in levels that may threaten human health. Coal-fired power plants release sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen into the environment. Indian Coal has comparatively higher ash content than imported coal due to drift theory of formation of coal deposits in India.   Que 3. Which of the following statements are correct about the deposits of ‘methane hydrate’? (2019)   1.       Global warming might trigger the release of methane gas from these deposits 2.       Large deposits of ‘methane hydrate’ are found in Arctic Tundra and under the seafloor 3.       Methane in the atmosphere oxidizes to carbon dioxide after a decade or two Select the correct answer using the code given below.  (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c)1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3  Answer: Option (d) is correct: Methane Hydrate deposits may be several hundred meters thick and generally occur in two types of settings: under Arctic permafrost, and under the seafloor. Global Warming led to the increase in the temperature which consequently destabilize the methane hydrates and thus release of methane. Methane is relatively short-lived in the atmosphere; a molecule of methane is oxidized to water and carbon dioxide within a decade or so, mainly by reaction with another trace gas, the hydroxyl radical OH-.   Que 4. Consider the following: (2019) 1.       Carbon monoxide 2.       Methane 3.       Ozone 4.       Sulphur dioxide Which of the above are released into the atmosphere due to the burning of crop/biomass residue? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2, 3 and 4 only (c) 1 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 Answer: Option (d) is correct: Burning of crop/biomass residues emit gases like sulphur dioxide (SO2), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), black carbon (BC), organic carbon (OC), methane (CH4), volatile organic compounds (VOC), non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHCs), ozone (O3), and aerosols etc which affect the global atmospheric chemistry and climate. Que 5. Consider the following statements: (2019)   1.       Agricultural soils release nitrogen oxides into the environment 2.       Cattle release ammonia into the environment 3.       The poultry industry releases reactive nitrogen compounds into the environment Which of the statements given above is/ are correct?  (a) 1 and 3 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 2 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Answer: Option (d) is correct: Nitrous oxide emission arising from nitrogen leaching and run-off from agricultural soils. Cattle account for 80% of the ammonia production, though their annual growth rate is 1%. The poultry industry, on the other hand, with an annual growth rate of 6%, recorded an excretion of reactive nitrogen compounds.   Que 6. In the context of proposals to the use of hydrogen-enriched CNG (H-CNG) as fuel buses in public transport, consider the following statements: (2019)   1.       The main advantage of the use of HCNG is the elimination of carbon monoxide emissions 2.       H-CNG as fuel reduces carbon dioxide and hydrocarbon emissions 3.       Hydrogen up to one-fifth by volume can be blended with CNG as fuel for buses 4.       H-CNG makes the fuel less expensive than CNG Which of the statements given above is/are correct?  (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4  Answer:  Option (b) is correct: Use of H-CNG can reduce emission of carbon monoxide up to 70%, besides enabling up to 5% savings in fuel, tests by the Automotive Research Association of India and Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) have found. H-CNG is a blend of hydrogen and CNG, the ideal hydrogen concentration being 18%.

Reference: NCERT, News Papers...