50 advanced-level MCQs on Environmental Science

Here are 50 advanced-level MCQs on Environmental Science based on a higher difficulty level:


1. Which of the following gases is primarily responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer?

A) Methane
B) Carbon dioxide
C) Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
D) Nitrogen oxides

Answer: C) Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)


2. Which of the following is an example of a primary pollutant?

A) Sulfuric acid
B) Nitrogen dioxide
C) Ozone
D) Smog

Answer: B) Nitrogen dioxide


3. The Greenhouse Effect is primarily caused by which of the following gases?

A) Ozone
B) Water vapor
C) Carbon dioxide
D) Nitrogen

Answer: C) Carbon dioxide


4. Which of the following is a non-renewable source of energy?

A) Wind energy
B) Solar energy
C) Geothermal energy
D) Fossil fuels

Answer: D) Fossil fuels


5. The term “Biodiversity Hotspot” refers to regions that:

A) Have a high concentration of endangered species
B) Are located only in tropical rainforests
C) Have high levels of air pollution
D) Are heavily populated by humans

Answer: A) Have a high concentration of endangered species


6. Which of the following ecosystems is the largest carbon sink in the world?

A) Oceans
B) Forests
C) Wetlands
D) Grasslands

Answer: A) Oceans


7. The process of converting waste materials into reusable resources is called:

A) Recycling
B) Composting
C) Upcycling
D) Reusing

Answer: A) Recycling


8. Which of the following pollutants is most commonly associated with acid rain formation?

A) Carbon monoxide
B) Nitrogen oxides
C) Particulate matter
D) Ozone

Answer: B) Nitrogen oxides


9. The term “Ecological Footprint” refers to:

A) The measure of biological productivity
B) The impact of human activities on the environment
C) The area of land covered by vegetation
D) The total area of a protected reserve

Answer: B) The impact of human activities on the environment


10. Which of the following is an example of a biotic factor in an ecosystem?

A) Temperature
B) Water
C) Soil
D) Animals

Answer: D) Animals


11. What is the primary cause of desertification?

A) Deforestation
B) Overgrazing
C) Urbanization
D) Climate change

Answer: B) Overgrazing


12. The depletion of which of the following is linked to global warming?

A) Ozone layer
B) Carbon dioxide levels
C) Methane levels
D) All of the above

Answer: D) All of the above


13. What is the major environmental impact of excessive nitrogen fertilizer use?

A) Eutrophication
B) Desertification
C) Soil erosion
D) Ozone depletion

Answer: A) Eutrophication


14. Which of the following is the main cause of the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch”?

A) Nuclear waste dumping
B) Excessive plastic waste in oceans
C) Heavy industrial activities in coastal regions
D) Agricultural runoff

Answer: B) Excessive plastic waste in oceans


15. Which one of the following gases is considered the most potent greenhouse gas per molecule?

A) Methane
B) Nitrous oxide
C) Carbon dioxide
D) Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Answer: A) Methane


16. Which international agreement was aimed at reducing global carbon emissions and combating climate change?

A) Kyoto Protocol
B) Paris Agreement
C) Rio Declaration
D) Montreal Protocol

Answer: B) Paris Agreement


17. The “Tragedy of the Commons” refers to the overuse of:

A) Publicly owned resources
B) Private property
C) Agricultural land
D) Forest reserves

Answer: A) Publicly owned resources


18. Which of the following is a characteristic of an invasive species?

A) It is naturally found in the ecosystem
B) It competes with native species for resources
C) It has a beneficial impact on the ecosystem
D) It is always genetically modified

Answer: B) It competes with native species for resources


19. Which of the following is a greenhouse gas that is released primarily from livestock farming?

A) Methane
B) Carbon dioxide
C) Nitrous oxide
D) Ozone

Answer: A) Methane


20. Which of the following is the largest source of anthropogenic (human-caused) carbon emissions?

A) Agriculture
B) Transportation
C) Deforestation
D) Energy production

Answer: D) Energy production


21. Which is an example of biomagnification?

A) Pesticides becoming more concentrated as they move up the food chain
B) Excessive nutrients causing algal blooms in water bodies
C) Pollutants being removed through natural filtration
D) Depletion of a species due to habitat loss

Answer: A) Pesticides becoming more concentrated as they move up the food chain


22. Which of the following is a major contributor to the depletion of biodiversity?

A) Conservation efforts
B) Climate stability
C) Habitat destruction
D) Natural disasters

Answer: C) Habitat destruction


23. Which of the following pollutants is primarily responsible for the formation of ground-level ozone?

A) Carbon dioxide
B) Nitrogen oxides
C) Lead
D) Sulfur dioxide

Answer: B) Nitrogen oxides


24. The “World Environment Day” is celebrated annually on which date?

A) April 22
B) June 5
C) October 16
D) December 10

Answer: B) June 5


25. What is the major environmental risk posed by the burning of fossil fuels?

A) Air pollution
B) Acid rain
C) Soil contamination
D) All of the above

Answer: D) All of the above


26. Which of the following is the main function of wetlands in an ecosystem?

A) Water purification
B) Oxygen production
C) Habitat for birds
D) Soil stabilization

Answer: A) Water purification


27. Which of the following describes the process by which plants use sunlight to synthesize foods?

A) Respiration
B) Transpiration
C) Photosynthesis
D) Decomposition

Answer: C) Photosynthesis


28. Which of the following is the largest source of ocean pollution?

A) Chemical runoff from agriculture
B) Oil spills from ships
C) Plastic waste
D) Radioactive waste from submarines

Answer: C) Plastic waste


29. Which of the following species is considered a keystone species in an ecosystem?

A) A top predator in a food chain
B) A species that provides food for many organisms
C) A species that significantly affects the structure of its ecosystem
D) All of the above

Answer: D) All of the above


30. Which of the following contributes to the acidification of oceans?

A) Increased use of plastic
B) Increased CO2 levels in the atmosphere
C) Increased mercury emissions
D) Excessive nutrient loading from fertilizers

Answer: B) Increased CO2 levels in the atmosphere


31. Which of the following is a result of eutrophication in water bodies?

A) Decrease in fish populations
B) Increased dissolved oxygen
C) Decreased algae growth
D) Increased biodiversity

Answer: A) Decrease in fish populations


32. The environmental issue related to the ‘Ozone Hole’ is caused by which of the following chemicals?

A) Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
B) Nitrous oxide
C) Sulfur dioxide
D) Carbon monoxide

Answer: A) Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)


33. Which of the following is an effect of deforestation on the carbon cycle?

A) Increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide
B) Decrease in atmospheric carbon dioxide
C) Increased oxygen levels in the atmosphere
D) Increase in nitrogen fixation

Answer: A) Increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide


34. What is the term used to describe the gradual increase in the Earth’s surface temperature due to human activities?

A) Global warming
B) Acid rain
C) Ozone depletion
D) Desertification

Answer: A) Global warming


35. Which of the following is a common consequence of overfishing?

A) Loss of biodiversity
B) Reduction in fish populations
C) Disruption of marine food webs
D) All of the above

Answer: D) All of the above


36. Which of the following is considered a major cause of ocean acidification?

A) Overfishing
B) Overuse of fertilizers
C) Increased atmospheric carbon dioxide
D) Overproduction of plastic

Answer: C) Increased atmospheric carbon dioxide


37. The term “Sustainability” refers to:

A) The ability to maintain the current standard of living without depleting resources
B) The ability to recycle all forms of waste
C) Reducing pollution levels to zero
D) Increasing industrial development at any cost

Answer: A) The ability to maintain the current standard of living without depleting resources


38. The “Dharavi Model” refers to which of the following in environmental sustainability?

A) Waste recycling
B) Sustainable farming techniques
C) Water conservation techniques
D) Management of urban slums

Answer: A) Waste recycling


39. Which of the following renewable energy sources is considered the most sustainable?

A) Biomass
B) Hydropower
C) Wind energy
D) Solar energy

Answer: D) Solar energy


40. The major environmental concern regarding hydraulic fracturing (fracking) is:

A) Deforestation
B) Groundwater contamination
C) Greenhouse gas emissions
D) Soil erosion

Answer: B) Groundwater contamination


41. Which of the following natural events can significantly affect the global climate?

A) Volcanic eruptions
B) Solar flares
C) El Niño and La Niña events
D) All of the above

Answer: D) All of the above


42. What is the primary goal of the “Kyoto Protocol”?

A) To eliminate poverty
B) To reduce carbon emissions
C) To protect endangered species
D) To stop desertification

Answer: B) To reduce carbon emissions


43. Which of the following is an example of a sustainable agricultural practice?

A) Monoculture farming
B) Crop rotation
C) Excessive pesticide use
D) Soil erosion

Answer: B) Crop rotation


44. Which of the following pollutants is responsible for the formation of photochemical smog?

A) Carbon monoxide
B) Ozone
C) Nitrogen oxides
D) Sulfur dioxide

Answer: C) Nitrogen oxides


45. Which of the following energy sources contributes the least to global warming?

A) Coal
B) Natural gas
C) Oil
D) Wind energy

Answer: D) Wind energy


46. Which of the following is a consequence of excessive irrigation in agriculture?

A) Desertification
B) Waterlogging and salinization
C) Improved soil fertility
D) Increased biodiversity

Answer: B) Waterlogging and salinization


47. Which of the following countries produces the highest amount of carbon emissions globally?

A) United States
B) China
C) India
D) Russia

Answer: B) China


48. Which of the following is an indicator of environmental degradation?

A) Increase in biodiversity
B) Improved soil quality
C) Reduced deforestation rates
D) Increased desertification

Answer: D) Increased desertification


49. The term “carbon sink” refers to:

A) Areas that absorb more carbon dioxide than they release
B) Areas that release more carbon dioxide than they absorb
C) Areas that store radioactive waste
D) Areas that emit no carbon dioxide

Answer: A) Areas that absorb more carbon dioxide than they release


50. Which of the following is a method used to reduce the environmental impact of industrial waste?

A) Incineration
B) Recycling
C) Landfilling
D) All of the above

Answer: B) Recycling


These advanced-level environmental science MCQs cover a range of topics, including pollution, sustainability, climate change, and ecosystem dynamics. Regular practice with such questions can enhance your understanding of key environmental concepts. Stay consistent with your preparation for optimal results!

Comment below if have any doubts on mcqs of environment, 50 advanced-level MCQs on Environmental Science, or any other topiv related to Environmental Science.

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