UGC NET Paper 1 — People, Development & Environment
20 PYQ-Based MCQs
Q1. Which of the following is NOT a component of sustainable development?
A. Economic development
B. Social development
C. Environmental protection
D. Unlimited exploitation of natural resources
Answer: D. Unlimited exploitation of natural resources
Explanation:
Sustainable development attempts to balance economic growth, social well-being and environmental protection. Unlimited exploitation of natural resources is contrary to sustainability because it compromises the needs of future generations.
Q2. The concept of sustainable development primarily emphasizes:
A. Development without environmental regulations
B. Development that meets present needs without compromising future generations
C. Maximum industrialization
D. Maximum utilization of natural resources
Answer: B. Development that meets present needs without compromising future generations
Explanation:
The widely accepted definition comes from the Brundtland Commission (1987). Sustainable development seeks to meet present needs while maintaining the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Q3. Which one of the following is a renewable source of energy?
A. Coal
B. Petroleum
C. Solar energy
D. Natural gas
Answer: C. Solar energy
Explanation:
Solar energy is continuously replenished by natural processes and is therefore a renewable source. Coal, petroleum and natural gas are fossil fuels and are non-renewable.
Q4. The Montreal Protocol is primarily concerned with:
A. Climate change
B. Ozone layer depletion
C. Biodiversity conservation
D. Desertification
Answer: B. Ozone layer depletion
Explanation:
The Montreal Protocol (1987) regulates substances responsible for depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer, particularly ozone-depleting substances such as CFCs.
Q5. Which gas contributes significantly to the enhanced greenhouse effect?
A. Oxygen
B. Nitrogen
C. Carbon dioxide
D. Argon
Answer: C. Carbon dioxide
Explanation:
Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is an important anthropogenic greenhouse gas. Other greenhouse gases include methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O) and fluorinated gases.
Q6. Match List I with List II:
| List I | List II |
|---|---|
| A. Montreal Protocol | 1. Biodiversity |
| B. Kyoto Protocol | 2. Ozone depletion |
| C. Convention on Biological Diversity | 3. Greenhouse gas emissions |
| D. Ramsar Convention | 4. Wetlands |
Choose the correct code:
A. A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4
B. A-3, B-2, C-4, D-1
C. A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4
D. A-4, B-3, C-1, D-2
Answer: A. A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4
Explanation:
- Montreal Protocol → Ozone depletion
- Kyoto Protocol → Greenhouse gas emissions
- CBD → Biodiversity
- Ramsar Convention → Wetlands
Q7. Which of the following represents the correct sequence in the waste management hierarchy?
A. Disposal → Recycling → Reduction → Reuse
B. Reduction → Reuse → Recycling → Recovery/Disposal
C. Recycling → Disposal → Reuse → Reduction
D. Disposal → Recovery → Reduction → Recycling
Answer: B. Reduction → Reuse → Recycling → Recovery/Disposal
Explanation:
Waste management prioritizes prevention/reduction first, followed by reuse and recycling. Disposal is generally considered the least desirable option.
Q8. Which of the following is an example of in-situ conservation?
A. Seed bank
B. Botanical garden
C. National park
D. Zoo
Answer: C. National park
Explanation:
In-situ conservation protects organisms within their natural habitats. National parks, wildlife sanctuaries and biosphere reserves are examples. Seed banks, zoos and botanical gardens are generally ex-situ conservation methods.
Q9. The term ecological footprint refers to:
A. Total number of species in an ecosystem
B. Area of biologically productive land and water required to support human consumption and absorb associated wastes
C. Amount of rainfall received in an ecosystem
D. Population density of a region
Answer: B. Area of biologically productive land and water required to support human consumption and absorb associated wastes
Explanation:
Ecological footprint is an indicator of human demand on Earth's biological capacity. A larger ecological footprint indicates greater pressure on natural resources.
Q10. Which of the following is most directly associated with eutrophication?
A. Excessive nutrients entering a water body
B. Depletion of atmospheric oxygen
C. Increased soil erosion only
D. Ozone layer depletion
Answer: A. Excessive nutrients entering a water body
Explanation:
Excessive nitrogen and phosphorus entering water bodies can cause algal blooms. Decomposition of this organic matter consumes dissolved oxygen, potentially producing hypoxic or anoxic conditions.
Q11. Assertion (A): Deforestation can contribute to climate change.
Reason (R): Forests act as carbon sinks and store substantial amounts of carbon.
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
Answer: A
Explanation:
Forests absorb and store carbon. Deforestation reduces this carbon-storage capacity and can also release stored carbon, contributing to increased atmospheric greenhouse gases.
Q12. Assertion (A): Population growth can increase pressure on natural resources.
Reason (R): Human populations require resources such as food, water, energy and land.
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. Both A and R are false
Answer: A
Explanation:
As population increases, demand for essential resources generally increases. If consumption exceeds the regenerative capacity of ecosystems, resource depletion and environmental degradation may occur.
Q13. Consider the following statements regarding the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- There are 17 SDGs.
- They were adopted by UN Member States in 2015.
- They are intended to be achieved by 2030.
- They focus exclusively on environmental protection.
Which of the above statements are correct?
A. 1, 2 and 3 only
B. 1 and 4 only
C. 2 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: A. 1, 2 and 3 only
Explanation:
The 17 SDGs were adopted in 2015 under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. They cover economic, social and environmental dimensions, so statement 4 is incorrect.
Q14. Which of the following pairs is INCORRECTLY matched?
A. Ramsar Convention — Wetlands
B. Stockholm Convention — Persistent Organic Pollutants
C. Basel Convention — Transboundary movement of hazardous wastes
D. Nagoya Protocol — Ozone-depleting substances
Answer: D. Nagoya Protocol — Ozone-depleting substances
Explanation:
The Nagoya Protocol deals with access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their utilization.
Ozone-depleting substances are primarily addressed under the Montreal Protocol.
Q15. Assertion (A): The concentration of a persistent pollutant can increase at successive trophic levels.
Reason (R): Certain persistent pollutants are difficult to degrade and can accumulate in organisms.
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
Answer: A
Explanation:
This phenomenon is known as biomagnification. Persistent substances that accumulate in organisms can reach higher concentrations at successive trophic levels, especially when they are not readily metabolized or excreted.
Q16. Which of the following correctly distinguishes biomagnification from bioaccumulation?
A. Biomagnification occurs within one organism, whereas bioaccumulation occurs across food chains.
B. Bioaccumulation refers to buildup within an organism, whereas biomagnification refers to increasing concentration across trophic levels.
C. Both terms mean exactly the same thing.
D. Biomagnification occurs only in plants.
Answer: B
Explanation:
- Bioaccumulation: buildup of a substance within an individual organism over time.
- Biomagnification: increasing concentration of a substance as it moves upward through trophic levels.
This distinction is frequently tested in environmental science questions.
Q17. Consider the following statements:
- Methane has a higher global warming potential than carbon dioxide over a specified time horizon.
- Carbon dioxide is the only greenhouse gas responsible for climate change.
- Nitrous oxide is a greenhouse gas.
- Water vapour is also a greenhouse gas.
Which statements are correct?
A. 1, 3 and 4 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 2, 3 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: A. 1, 3 and 4 only
Explanation:
Methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) are greenhouse gases, and water vapour is also an important natural greenhouse gas. CO₂ is not the only greenhouse gas.
Q18. Assertion (A): Carrying capacity is an important concept in sustainable development.
Reason (R): Carrying capacity refers to the maximum population or level of activity that an environment can sustain under specified conditions without long-term degradation.
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. Both A and R are false
Answer: A
Explanation:
Environmental carrying capacity represents the ability of an ecosystem to sustain a population or level of resource use without crossing ecological limits that lead to persistent degradation.
Q19. A country experiences rapid economic growth but simultaneously witnesses depletion of groundwater, loss of biodiversity and severe air pollution. Which concept most appropriately highlights the problem?
A. Economic growth is always equivalent to sustainable development
B. Development must integrate economic, social and environmental dimensions
C. Environmental protection prevents all economic development
D. Population growth has no relationship with environmental pressure
Answer: B
Explanation:
Sustainable development is based on balancing the economic, social and environmental dimensions of development. Economic growth alone cannot be considered sustainable if it results in serious and persistent environmental degradation.
Q20. Assertion–Reason — Advanced
Assertion (A): A reduction in biodiversity can reduce the resilience of an ecosystem.
Reason (R): Biodiversity can provide functional redundancy, allowing different species to perform overlapping ecological roles.
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
Answer: A
Explanation:
Greater biodiversity can provide functional redundancy, meaning that multiple species may contribute to similar ecosystem functions. If one species declines, others may partially compensate. Therefore, loss of biodiversity can make ecosystems less resilient to disturbances.
📌 🎯 UGC NET Exam Focus Areas
For People, Development & Environment, pay special attention to:
- Sustainable Development & SDGs
- Human–environment interaction
- Population and environmental issues
- Natural resources
- Renewable and non-renewable energy
- Pollution and waste management
- Climate change and greenhouse gases
- Ozone depletion
- Biodiversity and conservation
- Environmental conventions and protocols
- Ecosystem and ecological concepts
- Carrying capacity
- Ecological footprint
- Biomagnification & bioaccumulation
- Environmental impact and sustainable development
- Assertion–Reason and Match-the-Column questions
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