1. Which of the following countries are members of the Indian Ocean Commission?

1. Madagascar

2. Mauritius

3. Sri Lanka

4. Indonesia

5. Comoros

6. Seychelles

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

a) 1, 2 and 4 only

b) 3, 4 and 6 only

c) 1, 2, 5 and 6 only

d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6

Answer: c

Explanation: The Indian Ocean Commission was created in 1982 at Port Louis, Mauritius. It comprises of 5 African Indian Ocean Nations namely Madagascar, Mauritius, Comoros, Reunion (France) and Seychelles. Therefore, the correct answer is c.

2. Consider the following statements with reference to Tropical Evergreen Forests:

1. These are the most widespread forests in India, also called the monsoon forests.

2. It is well stratified, with layers closer to the ground and is covered with shrubs and creepers,

with short structured trees followed by a tall variety of trees.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: b

Explanation:

Tropical Deciduous Forests are the most widespread forests in India. They are also called the

monsoon forests. They are spread over regions which receive rainfall between 70-200 cm. Based on

the availability of water, these forests are further divided into moist and dry deciduous. So, statement

1 is not correct.

Tropical Evergreen and Semi-Evergreen Forests are found on the western slopes of the Western

Ghats, hills of the northeastern region and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. They are found in warm

and humid areas with annual precipitation of over 200 cm and mean annual temperature above 22

0C. Tropical evergreen forests are well stratified, with layers closer to the ground and are covered with

shrubs and creepers, with short structured trees followed by a tall variety of trees. In these forests,

trees reach great heights up to 60 m or above. There is no definite time for trees to shed their leaves,

flowering and fruition. As such these forests appear green all the year-round. The species found in

these forests include rosewood, mahogany, aini, ebony, etc. The semi-evergreen forests are found in

the less rainy parts of these regions. Such forests have a mixture of evergreen and moist deciduous

trees. The undergrowing climbers provide an evergreen character to these forests. Main species are

white cedar, hollock and kail. So, statement 2 is correct.

Therefore, the correct answer is b.

3. Consider the following statements:

1. It is one among the heaviest flying birds.

2. It is known as Godavan in Rajasthan

3. It can easily be distinguished by its black crown on the forehead contrasting with the pale neck

and head.

4. It is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Which of the following organism has the above characteristics?

(a) Great Indian Bustard

(b) White-bellied heron

(c) Sarus crane

(d) Black-bellied tern

Answer: a

Explanation:

Great Indian Bustard is known locally as Godavan in Rajasthan. It has long white necks, brown bodies

and are native to grasslands and scrublands and are among the heaviest flying birds in the world,

with the adult male weighing up to 15 kilograms.

It can easily be distinguished by its black crown on the forehead contrasting with the pale neck and

head. It is found on the Indian subcontinent mainly in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka,

Maharashtra, MP and Rajasthan.

It is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It is also listed in

Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, CMS Convention, Appendix I of CITES.

It has also been identified as one of the species for the recovery programme under the Integrated

Development of Wildlife Habitats of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India.

Therefore, the correct answer is a.

4. Consider the following statements with reference to the peaty soils of India:

1. These soils are low in humus and organic content

2. They are generally found in areas that have high humidity and high precipitation

3. It occurs widely in coastal areas of West Bengal, Odisha and Tamil Nadu

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: b

Explanation:

Peaty Soils are found in the areas of heavy rainfall and high humidity, where there is a good growth

of vegetation. Thus, a large quantity of dead organic matter accumulates in these areas, and this

gives rich humus and organic content to the soil. Organic matter in these soils may go even up to 40-

50 per cent. So, statement 1 is not correct and statement 2 is correct.

These soils are normally heavy and black in colour. At many places, they are alkaline also. It occurs

widely in the northern part of Bihar, the southern part of Uttarakhand and the coastal areas of West

Bengal, Odisha and Tamil Nadu. So, statement 3 is correct.

Therefore, the correct answer is b.

5. Consider the following pairs:

Soil types : States

1 Alluvial Soil : Maharashtra

2 Black Soil : Uttar Pradesh

3 Arid Soil : Meghalaya

4 Red Soil : Rajasthan

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

a) 1 only

b) 1 and 2 only

c) 2, 3 and 4 only

d) None of the above

Answer: d

Explanation:

1. Alluvial Soil : Uttar Pradesh

2. Black Soil : Maharashtra

3. Arid Soil : Rajasthan

4. Red Soil : Meghalaya

Therefore, the correct answer is d.