NTA UGC NET - PAPER II - ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE - JUNE 2012 & JUNE 2013 Question Paper with answer key

1. UGC NET Environmental-Science June-2012 Solved
Paper II
1. If the standard deviation of a population is 20 and the standard error of mean is 4,
then the sample size is
a. 25
b. 80
c. 5
d. 100
2. In a multiple regression model, the explained variance per d.f. Is 50 and unexplained
variance per d.f. Is 10. The F-ratio is
a. 2.5
b. 5
c. 25
d. 0.2
3. Which one of the following is not a random sampling method?
a. Stratified Sampling
b. Cluster Sampling
c. Systematic Sampling
d. Judgement Sampling
4. In the Gaussian Plume Model, the plume size is estimated considering buoyancy of
exhaust gases, stack diameter, wind speed and stability of the atmosphere. The
plume size Dh depends on inside radius of stack (r) as
a. Dh µ r
b. Dh µ r
𝟏
𝟑
c. Dh µ r
𝟐
𝟑
d. Dh µ r2
5. The acidity of normal rain water is due to
a. CO2
b. Cl2
c. NO2
d. SO2
6. Percent of water on the world surface representing fresh water is

2. a. 97%
b. 50%
c. 10%
d. 3%
7. Concentration of CO2 in present day atmosphere is
a. ~220 ppm
b. ~280 ppm
c. ~360 ppm
d. ~390 ppm
8. Hardness of diamond is due to
a. Coordinate bonding
b. Covalent bonding
c. Electrovalent bonding
d. Van der Waals forces
9. In biological systems sulphur is largely bound in
a. Lipids
b. Proteins
c. Nucleic acids
d. Proteins and nucleic acids
10.pH of 0.01M HNO3 is
a. 0.1
b. 1
c. 2
d. 10
11.Which is a correct food chain in the Antarctic ecosystem?
a. Phytoplankton – Krill – Carnivorous Plankton – Emperor Penguin
b. Phytoplankton – Krill – Carnivorous Plankton – Squid – Elephant Seal
– Leopard Seal
c. Phytoplankton – Herbivorous Zoo Plankton – Carnivorous Plankton – Adelic
Penguin – Emperor Penguin
d. Herbivorous Zoo Plankton – Phytoplankton – Carnivorous Plankton –
Elephant Seal – Leopard Seal
12.Given below are two statements: One is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is
labelled as Reason (R).

3. Assertion (A): The phosphorous cycle in an ecosystem is a sedimentary cycle.
Reason (R): Phosphorous does not occur naturally as gas.
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the
options given below:
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.
13.Pyramid of trophic levels is always upright in case of
a. Biomass
b. Energy
c. Number
d. All of the above
14.Which of the following is a correct match?
a. Periyar – Kerala
b. Ranthambore – M. P.
c. Panna – U. P.
d. Bandhavgarh – Bihar
15.Replacement of existing communities by any external condition is termed
a. Primary succession
b. Secondary succession
c. Autogenic succession
d. None of the above
16.The area where two major communities meet and blend together is termed as
a. Ecotype
b. Biotype
c. Ecotone
d. Meeting place
17.Indian wolf has become an important animal because
a. It՚s name appears in Red Data Book.
b. It is only an important member of food chain of almost all Indian forests.
c. Wild dogs disappeared due to their presence.
d. It has been chosen as a state animal.

4. 18.Walkley and Black rapid titration method is used for the determination of
a. Organic carbon content of soil
b. Nitrate content of soil
c. Phosphate content of soil
d. Fluoride content of soil
19.Which one of the following is an endoenzyme in soil?
a. Cellulase
b. Invertase
c. Protease
d. Dehydrogenase
20.Of the following humic groups which is not soluble in both acid and alkali?
a. Fulvic acid
b. Humic acid
c. Humin
d. All of the above
21.The sources of thermal pollution are
a. Power plants
b. Cooling forests
c. Industrial effluents
d. All of the above
22.Which one of the following radionuclides has the longest half-life?
a. C-14
b. Sr-90
c. I-131
d. Cs-137
23.What is the importance of the 42nd Amendment to the Constitution brought in the
year 1976?
a. Insertion of Article 48-A
b. Insertion of Article 51-A7
c. Insertion of Article 48-A and 51-A7
d. None of the above
24.Who issues the Eco-mark notification?
a. Ministry of Environment and Forest, Govt. Of India

5. b. Ministry of Human Health and Family Welfare, Govt. Of India
c. Department of Science and Technology, Govt. Of India
d. Bureau of Indian Standards
25.Which one of the following is a waste recycling method of solid waste management?
a. Pelletization
b. Composting
c. Incineration
d. Sanitary Landfill
26.A hazardous waste is characterised by
a. Ignitibility
b. Reactivity
c. Toxicity
d. All of the above
27.How many hot spots have been identified in the world and Indian Subcontinent
respectively?
a. 17,2
b. 12,3
c. 35,2
d. 17,3
28.Which one of the following chemical species of mercury is highly toxic to living
system?
a. Mercurous ion
b. Mercuric ion
c. Organomercurials
d. Atomic mercury
29.Natural gas is composed primarily of
a. Methane
b. n-butane
c. n-octane
d. A mixture of n-octane and n-butane
30.Which of the following is true regarding the Leopold interaction matrix used in
Environmental Impact Assessment Process?
a. It can be expanded.

6. b. It can be contracted.
c. It can be contracted and expanded.
d. It cannot be contracted and expanded.
31.Which of the following can be considered in Environmental Risk Assessment?
a. Exposure period
b. Potency of a toxic material
c. Quality of models
d. All of the above
32.In India, Environmental Impact Assessment report of a proposed river valley project
after environmental clearance is applicable for a maximal period of how many
years?
a. 5
b. 10
c. 30
d. 2
33.An earthquake is rated as ‘major’ if its magnitude in Richter Scale is in the range of
a. 4.0 – 4.9
b. 7.0 – 7.9
c. 6.0 – 6.9
d. 5.0 – 5.9
34.What is the proportion of the frequency of occurrence of La Nina compared to El-
Nino?
a. Half
b. One-third
c. Twice
d. Two-third
35.An element in soil will be considered as a trace element if its concentration is
a. 1-2 wt %
b. < 0.1 wt %
c. > 2 wt %
d. < 1 wt %
36.Which of the following is correct about attribute data in Geographic Information
System?

7. a. Attributes are pieces of data that are connected or related to the points, lines
or polygons mapped in the GIS.
b. Attribute data can be analysed to determine patterns of importance.
c. Attribute data is entered directly into a database where it is associated with
element data.
d. All of the above
37.At Nadir, the LISS – IV camera in IRS-P6 has a spatial resolution of
a. 5.8 m
b. 5.9 m
c. 5.7 m
d. 5.6 m
38.Which one of the following can be estimated by Flame Photometer?
a. Sodium and Potassium
b. Cadmium and Cobalt
c. Chlorine and Bromine
d. Mercury and Arsenic
39.The contribution of CO2 towards global warming has been estimated to be about
a. 57 – 60 %
b. 60 – 75 %
c. 80 – 85 %
d. 45 – 55 %
40.The principal components of photochemical smog in urban areas are
a. SO2 and NO2
b. SPM and CO
c. SPM and NO2
d. Hydrocarbons and Ozone
41.Match List - I with List - II and choose correct answer from the codes given below:
List - I List - II
Aerosol constituents Sources
A. Si 1. Gases in the ambient atmosphere
B. V 2. Natural sources
C. Benzopyrene 3. Combustion of certain kinds of fuel oil
D. Sulfuric acid droplets 4. Incomplete combustion
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

8. a. A-(2), B-(4), C-(3), D-(1)
b. A-(3), B-(1), C-(2), D-(4)
c. A-(4), B-(1), C-(2), D-(3)
d. A-(1), B-(4), C-(3), D-(2)
42.A river flowing at 20.0 m3/sec has a tributary feeding into it with a flow rate of 5.0
m3/sec. Upstream from the point of junction. The fluoride concentration is 5 mg/L
in the river and 10 mg/L in the tributary. Assuming fluoride to be conservative
substance and rapid mixing in the river, the downstream concentration in the river
is
a. 6 mg/L
b. 8 mg/L
c. 8.5 mg/L
d. 7.5 mg/L
43.The power obtained from a horizontal wind turbine operating at maximum
efficiency is proportional to its diameter (D) as
a. D
b. D2
c. D
3
2
d. /D
44.Noise of 90 dB for 8 hours represents 100 % dose. If the nose of 93 dB is for 1 hour
duration, it represents a dose of
a. 25 %
b. 50 %
c. 75 %
d. 100 %
45.Scale lengths associated with mesoscale phenomenon in atmosphere are typically
in the range
a. 10 – 500 m
b. 1 – 200 km
c. 100 – 1000 km
d. 1000 – 10,000 km
46.When an atmosphere has an isothermal profile, it is
a. very stable
b. slightly stable

9. c. unstable
d. very unstable (turbulent)
47.The wavelength range of UV-C radiation is
a. 320 – 400 nm
b. 280 – 320 nm
c. 100 – 1500 nm
d. 240 – 280 nm
48.Lightening in the atmosphere produces
a. NO
b. CO
c. CO2
d. NH3
49.The maximum tidal energy potential in India is
a. in Gulf of Khambhat
b. in Gangetic delta in Sundarbans
c. along the coast of Odisha
d. along the coast of Chennai
50.The maximum theoretical efficiency of a silicon solar cell can be
a. 45 %
b. 30 %
c. 12 %
d. 50 %
UGC NET Environmental-Science June-2013 Solved
Paper II
1. Given below are two statements: One is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is
labelled as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): Every country should integrate the principles of sustainable
development into its policies and programmes.
Reason (R): Environmental resources are a Nation wealth.

10. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from
the options given below:
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.
2. Wind rose represents statistical distribution of
a. Wind velocity in vector form
b. Wind speeds in scalar form
c. Wind speeds in π diagram
d. Wind speeds in the form of histograms
3. In the redox reaction given below, which one of the substrates in forward reaction
is oxidized? 2Fe3+
+ H2 ⇾ 2Fe2+
+ 2H +
a. Fe3+
b. H2
c. H+
d. Fe2+
4. If soil in a given area is wetted and allowed to drain till percolation is stopped, the
amount of water thus retained is called
a. Storage capacity
b. Capillary capacity
c. Hygroscopic capacity
d. Field capacity
5. Quantity of 5M HCl required for preparing 1000 ml of 0.1 M HCl is:
a. 20 ml
b. 2 ml
c. 200 ml
d. 100 ml
6. The method which can be used for the softening of water having high calcium, high
magnesium-carbonate hardness and some noncarbonated hardness
a. single-stage line process.
b. Excess lime process.
c. Single stage lime-soda ash process.
d. Excess lime-soda ash process.

11. 7. Spotted deer, Asiatic wild ass, Black buck are:
a. Endangered species
b. Vulnerable species
c. Threatened species
d. Key species
8. Specific mortality of members of a population is expressed by
a. Life table
b. Survivorship curve
c. Rate of mortality
d. Rate of fecundity
9. Which group of vertebrate comprises maximum number of endangered species?
a. Fish
b. Amphibia
c. Reptiles
d. Birds
10. Under anaerobic condition denitrifying Pseudomonas changes
a. Nitrate to molecular nitrogen
b. Nitrate to ammonia
c. Nitrate to Nitrite
d. Nitrite to Nitrate
11. The Phenomenon of having higher number of species in Eco tone is called
a. Dominance effect
b. Edge effect
c. Abundance
d. Frequency
12. Which specific common feature is not found in zooplankton and rabbit?
a. Both are animals
b. Both are primary consumers
c. Both are carnivores
d. Both are herbivores
13. The following exogenous and endogenous factors are the cause of extinction of
animal species:

12. a. Ecological niche
b. Decrease in reproductive potency.
c. Lesser adaptability to fluctuating environment.
Choose the correct answer from the codes given below:
Codes:
a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. 1 and 2
d. 1,2 and 3
14. Positive mass balance of glaciers has been recently reported from
a. Eastern Himalayas
b. Nepal Himalayas
c. Western Himalayas
d. Karakoram
15. Which of the following will lead to reduction in greenhouse gases in atmosphere?
a. Increased chemical weathering of rocks.
b. Volcanic eruption
c. Lowering of mean sea level
d. An increase in melting of glacial ice
16. The unconsolidated material with highest permeability is
a. Landslide with clayey component
b. Altered volcanic ash
c. Well-sorted alluvial sand
d. Buried mud flows
17. Which of the following component of cryosphere has the longest life?
a. Sea ice
b. Icebergs
c. Valley glaciers
d. Ice sheets
18. Aerobic bacteria is most active in
a. Moist and saturated sol
b. Moist and non-saturated soil
c. Alluvial soil
d. Permafrost

13. 19. Andisols are formed by
a. Biological activity
b. Erosion by wind
c. Erosion by waves
d. Volcanoes
20. In case of photovoltaic cell, the maximum theoretical efficiency of conversion is
a. ~45 %
b. ~30 %
c. ~25 %
d. ~50 %
21. Consider an ideal wind power generator of the wind speed increases 3 times, the
power output would increase by how many times?
a. 3
b. 9
c. 27
d. 81
22. Identify the correct sequence in increasing order of total CO2 emissions from
various countries at present.
a. Britain < India < China < USA
b. India < Britain < China < USA
c. Britain < USA < India < China
d. Britain < India < USA < China
23. Arsenic compounds cause
a. Dwarfism
b. Dermatitis
c. Thyrotoxicosis
d. Wilson՚s disease
24.What is the pE value in an acid mine water sample having [Fe2+
] = 7.03 × 10-3
M
and [Fe3+
] = 3.71 × 10-4
M
a. 10.5
b. 12.5
c. 14.5
d. 18.5

14. 25. Given below are two statements: One is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is
labelled as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): Chronic exposure to ozone is a possible contributor to forest decline.
Reason (R): Surface ozone is a greenhouse gas.
Identify the correct code:
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.
26. Identify the most dominant pollutant in terms of its concentration levels in urban
atmosphere.
a. Oxides of nitrogen
b. Oxides of sulphur
c. Particulate matter
d. Carbon monoxide
27.The main constituents of photochemical smog are
a. Oxides of sulphur and CO
b. Oxides of sulphur and hydrocarbons
c. Oxides of nitrogen and CO
d. Oxides of nitrogen, hydrocarbons and ozone
28.The air borne fraction of carbon is
a. ~0.72
b. ~0.62
c. ~0.46
d. ~0.38
29. The noise index Leq is used for noise standards in ambient environment of urban
areas. The prescribed duration of the integration associated with Leq is
a. 12 hours
b. 8 hours
c. 1 hour
d. 30 minutes
30.In alkaline soils, which of the following is not present in soluble state?
a. Phosphorous

15. b. Calcium
c. Nitrates
d. Potassium
31.Which one of the following is not a post audit activity under environmental audit
process?
a. Review of draft report by Law department.
b. Issue of final report to functional specialist.
c. Develop action plan to establish responsibility.
d. Report audit findings.
32.Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched?
a. Specification for environmental management system - ISO 14001
b. Environmental performance evaluation - ISO 14040
c. Guidelines for environmental auditing - ISO 14000
d. Environmental labels and declaration - ISO 14004
33. In accordance with the Indian EIA notification 2006, within how many days if
Environmental Appraisal Committee does not specify the Terms of Reference, the
proponent can go ahead with its own Terms of Reference.
a. 15 days
b. 45 days
c. 60 days
d. 90 days
34.Which is the correct sequence for impact assessment process in EIA?
a. Description of Environment ⇾ Identification of impacts ⇾ Prediction of
impacts ⇾ Evaluation of impacts ⇾ Identification of mitigation needs.
b. Identification of impacts ⇾ Prediction of impacts ⇾ Evaluation of impacts ⇾
Identification of mitigation needs.
c. Identification of impacts ⇾ Description of Environment ⇾ Prediction of impacts ⇾
Evaluation of impacts ⇾ Identification of mitigation needs.
d. Prediction of impacts ⇾ Identification of impacts ⇾ Description of environment ⇾
Evaluation of impacts ⇾ Identification of mitigation needs.
35.Quantifying the energy and raw material requirement as a part of life cycle
assessment, is termed as
a. Life Cycle improvement analysis.
b. Life Cycle impact analysis.

16. c. Life Cycle inventory.
d. Life Cycle pre-requisites.
36.Which of the following pertains to “high-waste approach” in dealing with the solid
and hazardous wastes?
a. Burying and burning
b. Recycling
c. Composting
d. Reusing
37. Given below are two statements: One is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is
labelled as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): Dumping of sewage to river water may decrease oxygen even below
4mg/l.
Reason (R): Dumping of sewage pollutes river water heavily.
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the
options given below:
a. Both (A) and (R) are true with (R) being 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 wrong.
d. Both (A) and (R) are wrong.
38.In most of the studies, a large sample size is anticipated to
a. Get a low level of precision.
b. Maximize the sampling error.
c. Get a high level of precision.
d. Maximize the standard deviation.
39.The geometric mean of 4,8 and 16 is
a. 9.3
b. 8.0
c. 4.8
d. 10.2
40. The mean and standard deviation of a Binomial distribution are 9 and 1,
respectively. The first moment of the distribution is
a. 9
b. 3
c. 1

17. d. 0
41.Which one of the following is used in manufacturing flexible plastic bags and
sheets?
a. Polystyrene (PS)
b. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
c. Low density polyethylene (LDPE)
d. TEFLON
42.Which one of the following is a non-formal environment education and awareness
programme?
a. Environmental appreciation courses.
b. National Environment Awareness Campaign.
c. Environmental Education in school system.
d. Environmental Management Business Studies.
43.Bio parks are conceived, developed and managed with a goal of conservation of
biodiversity through:
a. Development of educational and scientific activities.
b. Promoting silviculture and monoculture.
c. Promoting local community welfare without harming the natural habitat.
Choose the correct answer from the codes:
Codes:
a. 1 and 2
b. 2 and 3
c. 1 and 3
d. 1,2 and 3
44.In about a 7 metre deep pond the series of vegetation development will be
a. Submerged ⇾ Floating ⇾ Reed ⇾ Herb
b. Floating ⇾ Submerged ⇾ Reed ⇾ Herb
c. Floating ⇾ Reed ⇾ Submerged ⇾ Herb
d. Submerged ⇾ Reed ⇾ Floating ⇾ Herb
45.In terrestrial ecosystems, roughly how much NPP ends up being broken down by
decomposers?
a. 90 %
b. 70 %
c. 50 %

18. d. 10 %
46.Which of the following BOD level waste water is permitted to be released inlands
by industries under water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974?
a. 30 mg/l
b. 80 mg/l
c. 100 mg/l
d. 150 mg/l
47.Hydraulic conductivity is a function of
a. medium alone
b. Fluid alone
c. Either fluid or medium
d. Both fluid and medium
48.Dachigam sanctuary is associated with
a. Hangul
b. Rhinoceros
c. Barking deer
d. Leopard
49.Rio + 20 summit was held in
a. Durban
b. Johannesburg
c. Rio de Janeiro
d. Cancun