Nature’s Treasures Part 2: MCQs (Q26–Q50)

Part II — Questions 26–50

26. Which of the following is a forest product used as a spice?
    A. Coal
    B. Pepper
    C. Iron ore
    D. Sand
    Correct Answer: B — Pepper
    Explanation:
    A: Coal is a mineral fuel, not a spice.
    B: Correct — pepper comes from plant sources often grown in forested regions.
    C: Iron ore is a mineral used for metal production.
    D: Sand is an inert material, not a spice.

27. Which is a reason for water scarcity?
    A. Unlimited groundwater recharge
    B. Pollution and over-use of water
    C. Excessive rainfall everywhere
    D. All water being clean
    Correct Answer: B — Pollution and over-use of water
    Explanation:
    A: Groundwater recharge is limited, not unlimited.
    B: Correct — contamination and over-extraction reduce usable water.
    C: Excessive rainfall is localized and does not prevent scarcity everywhere.
    D: If all water were clean, scarcity would be less of a problem.

28. Which of the following is recycled to make compost?
    A. Plastic bottles
    B. Kitchen waste (vegetable peels)
    C. Glass jars
    D. Aluminium foil
    Correct Answer: B — Kitchen waste (vegetable peels)
    Explanation:
    A: Plastics are not compostable and should be recycled differently.
    B: Correct — organic kitchen waste decomposes into compost.
    C: Glass is recyclable but not compostable.
    D: Aluminium is recyclable but not compostable.

29. Which of the following is used to make paper?
    A. Iron ore
    B. Wood pulp
    C. Sand
    D. Animal hair
    Correct Answer: B — Wood pulp
    Explanation:
    A: Iron ore is unrelated to paper.
    B: Correct — paper is primarily made from plant fibers (wood pulp).
    C: Sand is not used in papermaking.
    D: Animal hair is used occasionally long ago (for brushes), not standard paper.

30. Which energy resource produces least air pollution when used for power?
    A. Coal
    B. Solar energy
    C. Kerosene
    D. Gasoline
    Correct Answer: B — Solar energy
    Explanation:
    A: Coal combustion emits large pollutants.
    B: Correct — solar power generates electricity without combustion emissions.
    C: Kerosene burns with smoke and pollutants.
    D: Gasoline combustion produces pollutants (vehicles).

31. Which one of these is a mineral used in making glass?
    A. Limestone
    B. Sand (silica)
    C. Coal
    D. Wood
    Correct Answer: B — Sand (silica)
    Explanation:
    A: Limestone is used in cement and glass in certain formulations but silica sand is primary.
    B: Correct — silica sand is the main ingredient in glassmaking.
    C: Coal is fuel for energy, not primary glass ingredient.
    D: Wood is fuel/raw material, not for glass.

32. The practice of growing trees in an area where there were no trees before is called:
    A. Deforestation
    B. Overfishing
    C. Afforestation
    D. Logging
    Correct Answer: C — Afforestation
    Explanation:
    A: Deforestation means cutting trees down, opposite of planting.
    B: Overfishing is excessive removal of fish; unrelated.
    C: Correct — afforestation is establishing forest on non-forest land.
    D: Logging is cutting trees for timber.

33. Which of the following is a fossil fuel?
    A. Solar panel
    B. Wind turbine
    C. Petroleum
    D. Hydropower dam
    Correct Answer: C — Petroleum
    Explanation:
    A: Solar panels are technology to harness solar energy, not a fuel.
    B: Wind turbines harness wind energy.
    C: Correct — petroleum is a fossil fuel formed from ancient organic matter.
    D: A dam uses potential energy of water, not fossil fuel.

34. Which gas do plants release that is essential for animals to breathe?
    A. Carbon dioxide
    B. Nitrogen
    C. Oxygen
    D. Methane
    Correct Answer: C — Oxygen
    Explanation:
    A: Plants consume CO₂ and release oxygen during photosynthesis.
    B: Nitrogen is abundant but not used directly for respiration.
    C: Correct — oxygen is released by plants and used by animals for breathing.
    D: Methane is a greenhouse gas produced by decomposition and some animals.

35. Which of these is an effect of air pollution?
    A. Improved visibility
    B. Health problems like asthma
    C. Both A and B
    D. None of the above
    Correct Answer: B — Health problems like asthma (Option C incorrect because A is false)
    Explanation:
    A: Air pollution worsens visibility due to smog; so A is false.
    B: Correct — polluted air causes respiratory illnesses and other health issues.
    C: Both A and B is incorrect because A is not an effect of pollution in a positive sense.
    D: There are clear negative effects, so incorrect.

36. Which of the following helps to maintain biodiversity?
    A. Deforestation
    B. Pollution of rivers
    C. Protected areas like national parks
    D. Overhunting
    Correct Answer: C — Protected areas like national parks
    Explanation:
    A: Deforestation reduces biodiversity.
    B: Polluted rivers harm aquatic life.
    C: Correct — protected areas conserve species and habitats.
    D: Overhunting decreases species numbers.

37. Which of the following is a way individuals can conserve natural resources?
    A. Wasting water
    B. Throwing away recyclable items
    C. Using public transport and saving fuel
    D. Cutting more trees for fuel
    Correct Answer: C — Using public transport and saving fuel
    Explanation:
    A: Wasting water is harmful.
    B: Discarding recyclables increases resource depletion.
    C: Correct — public transport reduces per-person fuel use and emissions.
    D: Cutting trees reduces forest resources.

38. Which of the following is NOT correct about groundwater?
    A. It is stored in aquifers below the ground
    B. It can be recharged by rainwater
    C. It is always safe to drink without treatment
    D. It is used for irrigation and drinking in many places
    Correct Answer: C — It is always safe to drink without treatment
    Explanation:
    A: Correct — groundwater fills pores in rocks/soil.
    B: Correct — rainfall percolates down to recharge it.
    C: Correct (as incorrect statement) — groundwater may be contaminated and require treatment.
    D: Correct — many regions use groundwater for water supply.

39. Which of the following is an example of a non-biodegradable material?
    A. Fruit peels
    B. Wooden stick
    C. Plastic bottle
    D. Leaves
    Correct Answer: C — Plastic bottle
    Explanation:
    A: Fruit peels decompose quickly.
    B: Wood is biodegradable (though slower).
    C: Correct — plastics persist in environment for very long periods.
    D: Leaves decompose naturally.

40. Which of the following is a direct benefit of conserving water?
    A. Lower bills and sustainable supply
    B. Increase in water pollution
    C. More deforestation
    D. Higher use of fossil fuels
    Correct Answer: A — Lower bills and sustainable supply
    Explanation:
    A: Correct — saving water reduces costs and preserves resources.
    B: Conservation reduces pollution, not increases it.
    C: Water conservation is unrelated to cutting trees; it usually supports environmental health.
    D: Conserving water does not increase fossil fuel use.

41. Which soil type is best for growing crops because it holds water and nutrients well?
    A. Sandy soil
    B. Rocky soil
    C. Loamy soil
    D. Chalky soil
    Correct Answer: C — Loamy soil
    Explanation:
    A: Sandy soil drains water quickly and holds fewer nutrients.
    B: Rocky soil lacks fine particles and nutrients for roots.
    C: Correct — loam is a balanced mix of sand, silt and clay with good fertility.
    D: Chalky soil is alkaline and less fertile for many crops.

42. Which of these is a way to reduce plastic pollution?
    A. Use single-use plastic daily
    B. Burn plastic openly
    C. Use cloth bags and avoid disposable plastics
    D. Throw plastic in rivers
    Correct Answer: C — Use cloth bags and avoid disposable plastics
    Explanation:
    A: Increases pollution.
    B: Burning plastic emits toxic fumes — harmful.
    C: Correct — reusable alternatives reduce plastic waste.
    D: Dumping plastic in water bodies pollutes ecosystems.

43. Which of the following is an effect of excessive groundwater extraction?
    A. Rise in water table
    B. Lowering of water table and land subsidence
    C. Increase in river flow
    D. Improved groundwater quality automatically
    Correct Answer: B — Lowering of water table and land subsidence
    Explanation:
    A: Excessive extraction lowers, not raises, the water table.
    B: Correct — over-pumping can cause water table decline and sinking land.
    C: Rivers may lose baseflow when groundwater is depleted.
    D: Quality often worsens (e.g., salinity increases), not improves.

44. Which of these is called ‘black gold’ because of its economic importance?
    A. Timber
    B. Petroleum (crude oil)
    C. Water
    D. Soil
    Correct Answer: B — Petroleum (crude oil)
    Explanation:
    A: Timber is valuable but not commonly called black gold.
    B: Correct — petroleum is often nicknamed black gold for its value.
    C: Water is vital but not called black gold.
    D: Soil is valuable but not the term used.

45. Which of the following is a renewable energy source produced from flowing water?
    A. Coal power
    B. Nuclear power
    C. Hydropower
    D. Natural gas
    Correct Answer: C — Hydropower
    Explanation:
    A: Coal is non-renewable.
    B: Nuclear uses uranium, considered non-renewable.
    C: Correct — hydropower uses kinetic energy of flowing water and is renewable.
    D: Natural gas is a fossil fuel.

46. Which of the following should be done to keep forests healthy?
    A. Allow poaching of animals
    B. Promote illegal logging
    C. Enforce protection laws and sustainable use
    D. Clear old trees only
    Correct Answer: C — Enforce protection laws and sustainable use
    Explanation:
    A: Poaching harms wildlife populations.
    B: Illegal logging depletes forests.
    C: Correct — laws and sustainable practices protect forests and communities.
    D: Clearing old trees without management can harm the ecosystem.

47. Which of these is a direct use of plants for humans?
    A. Generating electricity directly from plants (not processed)
    B. Using soil to make cement
    C. Fruits for nutrition
    D. Rocks for jewellery
    Correct Answer: C — Fruits for nutrition
    Explanation:
    A: Plants themselves aren’t used directly for electricity without processing (bioenergy requires processing).
    B: Soil is an abiotic material, not a direct plant use.
    C: Correct — fruits are consumed for food and nutrients.
    D: Rocks are mineral-based, not plant products.

48. Which of the following helps to recharge groundwater?
    A. Paving large areas with concrete
    B. Blocking natural drains
    C. Percolation pits and planting trees
    D. Draining wetlands for construction
    Correct Answer: C — Percolation pits and planting trees
    Explanation:
    A: Paving prevents water infiltration and reduces recharge.
    B: Blocking drains disrupts natural groundwater processes.
    C: Correct — percolation pits and vegetation increase infiltration into the ground.
    D: Draining wetlands destroys natural recharge and habitats.

49. Which of the following is a non-metallic mineral used in making glass and ceramics?
    A. Iron ore
    B. Silica (quartz)
    C. Copper ore
    D. Bauxite (as metal ore)
    Correct Answer: B — Silica (quartz)
    Explanation:
    A: Iron ore is metallic, used for steel.
    B: Correct — silica sand is key in glass and ceramics production.
    C: Copper is a metal used in wiring.
    D: Bauxite is the ore of aluminium, metallic in nature.

50. Which of these is a human activity that directly harms wildlife?
    A. Establishing wildlife sanctuaries
    B. Poaching and habitat destruction
    C. Planting native trees
    D. Cleaning rivers of garbage
    Correct Answer: B — Poaching and habitat destruction
    Explanation:
    A: Sanctuaries protect wildlife.
    B: Correct — poaching kills animals; habitat loss reduces survival chances.
    C: Planting native trees supports wildlife.
    D: Cleaning rivers benefits aquatic life.

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