Nature’s Treasures Part 1: MCQs (Q1–Q25)
Part I — Questions 1–25
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The materials and substances provided by nature that are useful to living beings are called:
A. Machines
B. Natural resources
C. Manufactured goods
D. Tools
Correct Answer: B — Natural resources
Explanation:
A: Machines are man-made, so incorrect.
B: Correct — natural resources are materials from nature used by living beings (water, plants, minerals).
C: Manufactured goods are processed items made using natural resources, not raw resources themselves.
D: Tools are human-made implements, not the raw materials provided by nature. -
Which of the following is a renewable resource?
A. Coal
B. Petroleum
C. Forest (wood)
D. Natural gas
Correct Answer: C — Forest (wood)
Explanation:
A: Coal is non-renewable (forms over millions of years).
B: Petroleum is non-renewable.
C: Correct — forests can regrow over time if harvested sustainably.
D: Natural gas is non-renewable. -
Which one is the ultimate source of energy for almost all life on Earth?
A. Moonlight
B. Fossil fuels
C. Wind
D. Sunlight
Correct Answer: D — Sunlight
Explanation:
A: Moonlight is reflected sunlight and too weak to drive most life processes.
B: Fossil fuels store ancient solar energy but are not the primary current source.
C: Wind energy originates from the Sun’s heating but is indirect.
D: Correct — sunlight provides energy for photosynthesis and drives climate systems. -
Which is not a use of forests?
A. Wood for fuel and furniture
B. Habitat for wildlife
C. Production of plastic
D. Preventing soil erosion
Correct Answer: C — Production of plastic
Explanation:
A: Forests provide timber — true.
B: Forests are homes for many species — true.
C: Correct — plastics are made from petrochemicals, not directly produced by forests.
D: Trees bind soil and prevent erosion — true. -
Which fuel is formed from plant and animal remains over millions of years?
A. Solar energy
B. Fossil fuels
C. Hydroelectric power
D. Wind energy
Correct Answer: B — Fossil fuels
Explanation:
A: Solar energy is from the Sun, not from decomposed remains.
B: Correct — coal, petroleum and natural gas are fossil fuels formed from ancient organisms.
C: Hydroelectric power uses water flow, not decomposed remains.
D: Wind energy comes from atmospheric movement, not organic remains. -
Which of the following is a non-renewable mineral resource used to make iron and steel?
A. Limestone
B. Iron ore
C. Sand
D. Clay
Correct Answer: B — Iron ore
Explanation:
A: Limestone is used in building and steelmaking but iron ore is primary for steel.
B: Correct — iron ore is mined and is non-renewable on human timescales.
C: Sand is abundant but not the source of iron/steel.
D: Clay is used for pottery and bricks, not for iron/steel. -
Which of these methods helps conserve water at home?
A. Letting taps drip
B. Washing small loads daily instead of full loads
C. Collecting and using rainwater
D. Watering garden at noon on a hot day
Correct Answer: C — Collecting and using rainwater
Explanation:
A: Letting taps drip wastes water.
B: Washing small loads often uses more water and energy.
C: Correct — rainwater harvesting reduces dependence on other sources.
D: Watering at noon causes high evaporation — inefficient. -
Which one of these is biodegradable?
A. Glass bottle
B. Paper
C. Plastic bag
D. Metal can
Correct Answer: B — Paper
Explanation:
A: Glass is not biodegradable (it persists).
B: Correct — paper breaks down naturally by microbes.
C: Plastic bags take hundreds of years to decompose.
D: Metal cans corrode slowly and are not biodegradable; they can be recycled instead. -
Soil erosion can be reduced by:
A. Cutting all trees on slopes
B. Planting trees and grasses
C. Burning vegetation on slopes
D. Building houses at the edge of a hill without protection
Correct Answer: B — Planting trees and grasses
Explanation:
A: Cutting trees increases erosion.
B: Correct — roots hold soil and prevent erosion.
C: Burning removes vegetation and increases erosion.
D: Building without protection destabilizes slopes. -
Forests are often called the lungs of the Earth because they:
A. Provide raw materials
B. Release oxygen and take in carbon dioxide
C. Are green in colour
D. Keep the soil moist
Correct Answer: B — Release oxygen and take in carbon dioxide
Explanation:
A: While forests provide materials, that is not the reason for the phrase “lungs.”
B: Correct — through photosynthesis they produce oxygen and absorb CO₂.
C: Being green is unrelated to lung analogy.
D: Moisture retention is important but not the basis of the metaphor. -
Which product is obtained from animals?
A. Timber
B. Cotton
C. Wool
D. Rubber
Correct Answer: C — Wool
Explanation:
A: Timber comes from trees.
B: Cotton is plant fiber.
C: Correct — wool is animal fiber (sheep).
D: Rubber is from rubber trees (plant). -
The layer of soil that is rich in humus and best for growing plants is called:
A. Subsoil
B. Bedrock
C. Topsoil
D. Sand layer
Correct Answer: C — Topsoil
Explanation:
A: Subsoil lies below topsoil and has fewer nutrients.
B: Bedrock is the solid rock below soil layers.
C: Correct — topsoil contains organic matter (humus) and nutrients.
D: Sand layer lacks nutrients and holds little water. -
Which of the following is a use of water in industries?
A. Drinking only
B. Fuel for cars
C. Cooling and manufacturing processes
D. Making soil fertile directly
Correct Answer: C — Cooling and manufacturing processes
Explanation:
A: Drinking is a domestic use, not industry-specific.
B: Cars use fossil fuels, not plain water.
C: Correct — industries use water for cooling machines and in manufacturing.
D: Soil fertility is improved through agriculture, not direct industrial use. -
Which process makes new soil from dead plants and animals?
A. Evaporation
B. Decomposition
C. Condensation
D. Photosynthesis
Correct Answer: B — Decomposition
Explanation:
A: Evaporation changes water from liquid to vapor.
B: Correct — decomposers break down dead matter into humus and nutrients.
C: Condensation is vapor to liquid; unrelated.
D: Photosynthesis produces food in plants, not soil. -
Which of these is a non-renewable energy source?
A. Solar energy
B. Wind energy
C. Coal
D. Hydroelectric power
Correct Answer: C — Coal
Explanation:
A: Solar is renewable.
B: Wind is renewable.
C: Correct — coal is formed over millions of years and is non-renewable.
D: Hydroelectric uses flowing water and is considered renewable. -
Man-made things that are used to get things done are called:
A. Natural resources
B. Tools
C. Forests
D. Fossil fuels
Correct Answer: B — Tools
Explanation:
A: Natural resources are raw materials, not instruments.
B: Correct — tools are devices made by humans to perform tasks.
C: Forests are natural habitats.
D: Fossil fuels are energy sources, not tools. -
Which is NOT a function of soil?
A. Anchorage for plants
B. Storage of water and nutrients
C. Source of sunlight
D. Habitat for many organisms
Correct Answer: C — Source of sunlight
Explanation:
A: Soil anchors plant roots — true.
B: Soil stores water and nutrients — true.
C: Correct — soil doesn’t produce sunlight.
D: Soil hosts earthworms, microbes, and insects — true. -
Which of the following is a consequence of deforestation?
A. Increase in wildlife habitats
B. Improvement in air quality
C. Soil erosion and loss of biodiversity
D. More rainfall always
Correct Answer: C — Soil erosion and loss of biodiversity
Explanation:
A: Deforestation reduces wildlife habitats, not increases them.
B: Removing trees worsens air quality, so incorrect.
C: Correct — tree removal exposes soil and destroys habitats.
D: Deforestation generally reduces rainfall locally, not increases it. -
Which of the following is a way to conserve forests?
A. Overgrazing by cattle
B. Illegal logging
C. Planting trees (afforestation)
D. Setting forest fires
Correct Answer: C — Planting trees (afforestation)
Explanation:
A: Overgrazing destroys young plants and harms regeneration.
B: Illegal logging reduces forest cover.
C: Correct — afforestation increases tree cover and conserves forests.
D: Fires destroy forests and biodiversity. -
Which among the following is NOT obtained from plants?
A. Fruits
B. Medicine
C. Petroleum
D. Timber
Correct Answer: C — Petroleum
Explanation:
A: Fruits are plant products.
B: Many medicines are plant-derived.
C: Correct — petroleum is a fossil fuel formed from ancient organisms over millions of years.
D: Timber is obtained from trees. -
The thin layer of gases surrounding the Earth is called:
A. Lithosphere
B. Hydrosphere
C. Atmosphere
D. Biosphere
Correct Answer: C — Atmosphere
Explanation:
A: Lithosphere is the Earth’s crust and upper mantle.
B: Hydrosphere is all water on Earth.
C: Correct — atmosphere is the gaseous envelope around Earth.
D: Biosphere includes all living organisms and where they live. -
Which of the following protects soil from being washed away by rain?
A. Paving all surfaces around the house
B. Plant cover (vegetation)
C. Removing grass from slopes
D. Throwing garbage on slopes
Correct Answer: B — Plant cover (vegetation)
Explanation:
A: Paving increases run-off and can worsen erosion.
B: Correct — vegetation reduces raindrop impact and binds soil.
C: Removing grass increases erosion.
D: Garbage can block water flow and cause localized problems; not protective. -
Which of the following is a major constituent of the air we breathe?
A. Hydrogen
B. Carbon dioxide
C. Nitrogen
D. Helium
Correct Answer: C — Nitrogen
Explanation:
A: Hydrogen is not a significant component of air.
B: CO₂ is present in small amounts (~0.04%).
C: Correct — nitrogen makes up about 78% of air.
D: Helium is rare in the atmosphere. -
The source of all freshwater on Earth is mainly:
A. Oceans
B. Precipitation (rain and snow)
C. Glaciers only
D. Underground only
Correct Answer: B — Precipitation (rain and snow)
Explanation:
A: Oceans are saline; not direct freshwater source.
B: Correct — rain and snow replenish rivers, lakes and groundwater.
C: Glaciers store freshwater but are replenished by precipitation.
D: Groundwater is recharged by precipitation. -
Which of these is a soil conservation practice?
A. Ploughing up and down steep slopes only
B. Removing hedges around fields
C. Contour ploughing
D. Deforestation
Correct Answer: C — Contour ploughing
Explanation:
A: Ploughing up and down slopes increases erosion.
B: Hedges help reduce wind erosion; removing them harms conservation.
C: Correct — contour ploughing follows slope contours and reduces run-off.
D: Deforestation causes erosion and is not a conservation practice.