These MCQs on Environmental Pollution with Answers PDF is specially made for those candidates who are preparing for the competitive exam, whether it is SSC or UPSC. Environmental pollution is a process in which the factors such as air, water and land and other natural elements and beings around us get polluted. The MCQ on Environmental Pollution with Answers PDF contains questions and answers that makes a student a perfect one for learning and learn more about our environment.

MCQ on Environmental Pollution with Answers PDF

Multiple Choice Questions on Environmental Pollution

Environmental pollution is an environmental problem which occurs due to the release of pollutants without proper management. Various activities on this planet increase the amount of wastes, which are inherently dangerous to living beings, habitats and ecosystems. These wastes are dispersed in the environment through various ways of disposal, sewage being one of them, triggering off an effect known as environmental pollution. These multiple choice questions help bring students to a better understanding of the various forms of environmental pollution and what they can do to prevent it from occurring.

1. Ozone depletion is caused due to increase in the level of

(a) Water vapour

(b) Oxygen

(c) Chlorofluorocarbon

(d) Carbon monoxide

Answer: Chlorofluorocarbon

2. What type of chemical weathering is enhanced by acid rain?

(a) Hydrolysis

(b) Dissolution

(c) Oxidation

(d) None of the above

Answer: Hydrolysis

3. What process causes the disintegration of rock at or near the earth’s surface?

(a) Physical weathering

(b) Chemical weathering

(c) Erosion

(d) None of the above

Answer: Physical weathering

4. Which of the following gas affects human health by reducing the blood’s ability to carry oxygen to different parts of the body?

(a) Carbon monoxide

(b)Carbon dioxide

(c) Sulphur dioxide

(d) Nitrous dioxide

Answer: Carbon monoxide

5. Nitrogen oxide affects human health by__________

(a) Causing irritation to the eyes and skin

(b) Aggravating asthma problem

(c) Decreasing blood’s ability to transport oxygen

(d) None of the above 

Answer: Aggravating asthma problem

6. The air pollutants are mainly classified as____________

(a) Point source and non-point source

(b) Primary and secondary pollutants

(c) Natural or anthropogenic pollutants

(d) None of the above

Answer: Primary and secondary pollutants

7. The best way to dispose plant waste is___________

(a) Burning

(b) Composting

(c) Dumping in a hilly area

(d) Incineration

Answer: Composting

8. Which of the following is not one of the major environment problems resulting from human interference in the nitrogen cycle?

(a) Global warming due to release of nitrous oxide 

(b) Acid rain

(c) Eutrophication

(d) Ozone depletion

Answer: Ozone depletion

9. Which of the following is not a major greenhouse gas_________

(a) Carbon dioxide

(c) Methane

(b) Water vapour

(d) Calcium carbonate

Answer: Calcium carbonate

10. Montreal Protocol signed in 1987 was signed to_______

(a) Phase out the use of CFC’s which cause depletion of the ozone layer

(b) Reduces the greenhouse effect

(c) Protect endangered species

(d) Ban nuclear testing in tropical oceans

Answer: Phase out the use of CFC’s which cause depletion of the ozone layer

11. Which of the following is not one of the prime health risks associated with greater UV radiation through the atmosphere due to depletion of stratospheric ozone?

(a) Increased skin cancer

(b) Reduced immune system

(c) Increased liver cancer

(d) Damage to eyes

Answer: Increased liver cancer

12. Unburnt carbon particles causes__________

(a) Cardiac problem

(b) Respiratory problems

(c) Throat problems

(d) Skin infection

Answer: Respiratory problems

13. Which of the following statements are correct in the context of carbon monoxide emissions?

1. It is mainly due to incomplete combustion of fuel.

2. They are more evident in petrol engine.

3. Long-term exposure can cause nausea.

Codes

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1, 2, and 3

(d) 1 and 3 only

Answer: 1, 2, and 3

14. Which of the following units is used to measure the intensity of noise?

(a) Decibel

(b) Phon

(c) Hz

(d) Watts/m

Answer: Decibel

15. Human ear is most sensitive to noise in which of the following frequency range?

(a) 1-2 kHz

(c) 10-12 kHz

(b) 100-500 Hz

(d) 13-16 kHz

Answer: 13-16 kHz

16. Which of the following pairs regarding typical composition of hospitals wastes is incorrect?

(a) Plastics: 9-12%

(b) Metals: 1-2%

(c) Ceramic: 8-10%

(d) Biodegradable: 35-40%

Answer: Biodegradable: 35-40%

17. Maximum soot is released from_________

(a) Petrol vehicles

(b) Diesel Vehicles 

(c) CNG vehicles

(d) Thermal power plants

Answer: Thermal power plants

18. Surface ozone is produced from___________

(a) Transport sector

(b) Textile industry

(c) Carbon monoxide

(d) None of the above

Answer: Transport sector

19. In the metro city of Kolkata, the major cause of air pollution is____________

(a) Cement plants

(b) Chemical industry

(c) Hydrocarbons 

(d) Water vapours

Answer: Cement plants

20. Which of the following is the main discharge from coal based power plants (thermal plants)?

(a) SPM

(b) Smog

(c) Fly ash

(d) None of the above

Answer: Fly ash

21. The chemical responsible for blue baby syndrome that is caused by restricted supply of oxygen to the brain is________

(a) Nitrates

(b) Fluorides

(c) Sulphates

(d) Oxides

Answer: Nitrates

22. Which of the following metal is responsible for Minamata disease?

(a) Mercury

(b) Chromium

(c) Cadmium

(d) Iron

Answer: Mercury

23. Intake of lead may primarily cause damage of the________

(a) Brain

(b) Liver

(c) Lung

(d) Kidney

Answer: Brain

24. Which of the following geographic area is the largest Source of CO2, emissions from burning of fossil fuel?

(a) China

(b) North America

(c) Russia

(d) European Union

Answer: North America

25. Industries generating hazardous waste are classified as___________

(a) Brown

(b) Yellow

(c) Green

(d) Red

Answer: Red

26. Which of the following greenhouse gases are entirely anthropogenic in origin?

(a) Water vapour

(b) CFCs

(c) Carbon dioxide

(d) Methane

Answer: CFCs

27. Peroxyacyl nitrate (PAN) is a by-product of____________

(a) Photochemical smog

(b) Sulphurous smog

(c) London smog

(d) None of the above

Answer: Photochemical smog

28. The balance in oxygen level is maintained by________

(a) Photosynthesis and cellular respiration

(b) Industrial emissions of gases

(c) Release of ozone in upper atmosphere

(d) None of the above

Answer: Photosynthesis and cellular respiration

29. Which of the following methods can be used to increase the supply of usable, good quality water?

(a) Chlorination

(b) Cloud seeding

(c) Metallurgy

(d) None of these

Answer: Cloud seeding

30. According to WHO, the maximum permissible level of chlorides in drinking water is___________

(a) 100 mg/1

(b) 600 mg/1

(c) 200 mg/l

(d) 800 mg/1

Answer: 200 mg/l

31. The main difference between primary air pollutants and secondary air pollutants is

(a) Former contains water molecules, while secondary pollutants do not.

(b) Primary air pollutants have more direct effect on human health.

(c) Former are released directly into the atmosphere, while the latter are formed by chemical reactions in the atmosphere.

(d) Primary air pollutants are formed through photochemical reactions in the sunlight, while the secondary air pollutants are not.

Answer: Former are released directly into the atmosphere, while the latter are formed by chemical reactions in the atmosphere

32. Which of the following can be considered as the best example of primary air pollutants?

(a) Carbon dioxide released from burning of coal.

(b) Sulphur trioxide.

(c) Ozone produced in photochemical smog.

(d) Carbon dioxide released through photosynthesis.

Answer: Carbon dioxide released from burning of coal

33. Which of the following best illustrates a secondary air pollutant?

(a) CO2, released from the burning of coal

(b) NO2, released from the burning of oil.

(c) Ozone produced in photochemical smog.

(d) None of the above

Answer: Ozone produced in photochemical smog

34. The common features between NO2, SO2, CO2 and SPM is that all of them___________

(a) Are classified as primary pollutants.

(b) Are classified as secondary pollutants.

(c) Have equal role in causing acid rain.

(d) Are greenhouse gases.

Answer: Are classified as primary pollutants

35. How are nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides and carbon Oxides related?

(a) All of them are secondary air pollutants that contribute to global warming.

(b) All of them are primary air pollutants that contribute to acid deposition.

(c) All are air pollutants formed by combustion of fossil fuels.

(d) All of them are air pollutants that result in respiratory diseases in humans.

Answer: All of them are primary air pollutants that contribute to acid deposition

36. Atmospheric pollutants are mainly present in_____

(a) Ionosphere

(b) Stratosphere

(c) Mesosphere

(d) Troposphere and lower stratosphere

Answer: Troposphere and lower stratosphere

37. Carbon dioxide and methane are similar in terms of__________

(a) Both being secondary air pollutants.

(b) Being responsible for respiratory diseases.

(c) Contribution to global warming.

(d) None of the above

Answer: Contribution to global warming

38. What is the main source of pollutants of nitrogen Oxides, sulphur oxides and carbon oxides?

(a) Photochemical reactions in the atmosphere.

(b) Burning fossil fuels at high temperatures.

(c) Industrial processes

(d) All the above

Answer: Burning fossil fuels at high temperatures.

39. Why is photochemical smog typically worse in the summer?

(a) There is more solar energy to drive photochemical reactions.

(b) People tend to travel more in summers.

(c) Warm temperatures prevent the dissipation of pollutants.

(d) None of the above

Answer: There is more solar energy to drive photochemical reactions

40. How does photochemical smog form?

(a) The release of primary air pollutants.

(b) Interaction occurs between chemicals such as CFCs and ozone.

(c) Reactions occur between secondary air pollutants and sunlight.

(d) The release of formaldehyde and radon inside buildings.

Answer: Reactions occur between secondary air pollutants and sunlight

41. Which of the following can help in reducing air pollution?

(a) Small-sized cars

(b) Removal of sulphur from coal

(c)  Lower ignition fuels

(d) None of the above

Answer: Removal of sulphur from coal

42. Air pollution is an increasing problem in developing Countries due to________

(a) Burning of more coal to produce electricity.

(b) Changing lifestyles.

(c) Unavailability of environment-friendly technologies.

(d) All the above

Answer: All the above

43. Quality of resource not degraded due to pollution is__________

(a) Sun

(b) Water

(c) Sand

(d) Air

Answer: Sun

44. The main source of water pollution is_______

(a) Sewage water

(b) Industrial pollutants

(c) Acid rain

(d) None of the above

Answer: Sewage water

45. Which of the following ultimately causes oxygen depletion in water bodies?

(a) Fish

(b) Human beings

(c) Microorganisms 

(d) None of the above

Answer: Microorganisms 

46. Which of the following is a water-borne disease?

(a) Blue baby syndrome

(b) Typhoid 

(c) Meningitis

(d) Cholera

Answer: Cholera

47. Which one of the following is NOT a greenhouse gas found naturally in the atmosphere?

(a) Nitrogen oxide

(b) Carbon dioxide

(c) Methane

(d) Ozone

Answer: Nitrogen oxide

48. Baval trees should be planted and used to prevent and control

(a) Water pollution

(b) Air pollution

(c) Soil pollution

(d) Noise pollution

Answer: Air pollution

49. The protocol which decided to completely phase out CFC is

(a) Cartagena protocol

(b) Stockholm Convention

(c) Montreal protocol

(d) Kyoto protocol

Answer: Montreal protocol

50. Which of the following is/are not Green House Gases?

1. Nitrous oxide
2. Ozone
3. Sulphur dioxide

Select the correct answer from the following codes

(a) Only 3

(b) Only 1 and 2

(c) Only 2 and 3

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: Only 3

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