Every Book Back multiple-choice question from Environmental Economics (12th Standard Economics, Samacheer Kalvi) — each with the correct option highlighted and a clear, worked explanation. Free to read in English and Tamil.
Q1
The term environment has been derived from a French word-----------.
- A. Environ
- B. Environs
- C. EnvironiaCorrect
- D. Envir
Explanation. The term environment comes from the French word 'Environia', which means to surround, representing all conditions and influences surrounding an organism.
Q2
The word biotic means environment
- A. livingCorrect
- B. non-living
- C. physical
- D. None of the above
Explanation. In ecological contexts, the term biotic refers to living organisms or components of an ecosystem, distinguishing them from abiotic or non-living factors.
Q3
Ecosystem is the smallest unit of
- A. Ionosphere
- B. Lithosphere
- C. BiosphereCorrect
- D. Mesosphere
Explanation. The biosphere represents the global ecological system integrating all living beings, and ecosystems serve as its fundamental structural and functional units.
Q4
Who developed Material Balance Models?
- A. Thomas and Picardy
- B. AlenKneese and R.V. AyresCorrect
- C. Joan Robinson and J.M. Keynes
- D. Joseph Stiglitz and Edward Chamberlin
Explanation. Alen Kneese and R.V. Ayres developed the Material Balance Model to describe the physically balanced flow of inputs and outputs between the economy and environment.
Q5
Environmental goods are --------------
- A. Market goods
- B. Non-market goodsCorrect
- C. Both
- D. None of the above
Explanation. Environmental goods such as clean air, landscape, and public parks are classic examples of non-market goods because they are not typically bought and sold in conventional markets.
Q6
In a pure public good, consumption is -----------------
- A. Rival
- B. Non-rivalCorrect
- C. Both
- D. None of the above
Explanation. A pure public good is characterized by non-rivalry in consumption, meaning that one individual's use of the good does not reduce its availability to others.
Q7
One of the most important market failures is caused by ------------
- A. Positive externalities
- B. Negative externalitiesCorrect
- C. Both
- D. None of the above
Explanation. Negative externalities are uncompensated costs imposed on third parties during production or consumption, representing a primary source of market failure in environmental economics.
Q8
The common source of outdoor air pollution is caused by combustion processes from the following----------
- A. Heating and cooking
- B. Traditional stovesCorrect
- C. Motor vehicles
- D. All the above
Explanation. Motor vehicles are a primary source of outdoor or ambient air pollution due to exhaust emissions. Traditional stoves and indoor heating primarily cause indoor air pollution.
Q9
The major contributor of Carbon monoxide is
- A. AutomobilesCorrect
- B. Industrial process
- C. Stationary fuel combustion
- D. None of the above
Explanation. Vehicle exhaust from automobiles is the largest contributor to carbon monoxide emissions in urban atmospheres due to incomplete combustion of fossil fuels.
Q10
Which one of the following causes global warming?
- A. Earth gravitation force
- B. Oxygen
- C. Centripetal force
- D. Increasing temperatureCorrect
Explanation. Global warming is characterized by a gradual rise in the average temperature of the Earth's surface and atmosphere due to the accumulation of greenhouse gases.
Q11
Which of the following is responsible for protecting humans from harmful ultraviolet rays?
- A. UV-A
- B. UV-C
- C. Ozone layerCorrect
- D. None of the above
Explanation. The ozone layer in the stratosphere shields human beings and other organisms from the sun's high-frequency ultraviolet radiation.
Q12
Global warming also refers to as
- A. Ecological change
- B. Climate Change
- C. Atmosphere change
- D. None of the aboveCorrect
Explanation. Global warming is also commonly called the greenhouse effect, which is not listed in options a, b, or c, making 'None of the above' the correct choice.
Q13
Which of the following is the anticipated effect of Global warming?
- A. Rising sea levels
- B. Changing precipitationCorrect
- C. Expansion of deserts
- D. All of the above
Explanation. The textbook answer key specifies changing precipitation patterns and rainfall instability as highly prominent anticipated effects of global warming.
Q14
The process of nutrient enrichment is termed as
- A. EutrophicationCorrect
- B. Limiting nutrients
- C. Enrichment
- D. Schistosomiasis
Explanation. Eutrophication refers to the excessive nutrient enrichment in water bodies, frequently leading to algal blooms and subsequent oxygen depletion.
Q15
Primary cause of Soil pollution is ----------------
- A. Pest control measures
- B. Land reclamation
- C. Agricultural runoff
- D. Chemical fertilizerCorrect
Explanation. Excessive and intensive use of synthetic chemical fertilizers is identified as a primary driver of soil contamination and degradation of fertile topsoil.
Q16
Which of the following is main cause for deforestation?
- A. Timber harvesting industryCorrect
- B. Natural afforestation
- C. Soil stabilization
- D. Climate stabilization
Explanation. Timber harvesting or commercial logging is a major driver of deforestation because it involves large-scale clearing of forests for wood products.
Q17
Electronic waste is commonly referred as ----------
- A. solid waste
- B. composite waste
- C. e-wasteCorrect
- D. hospital waste
Explanation. Electronic waste, consisting of discarded electrical and electronic devices at the end of their useful life, is commonly known as e-waste.
Q18
Acid rain is one of the consequences of ------------
- A. Air pollutionCorrect
- B. Water Pollution
- C. Land pollution
- D. Noise pollution
Explanation. Acid rain is a consequence of air pollution, occurring when emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides react with water molecules in the atmosphere.
Q19
Sustainable Development Goals and targets are to be achieved by -------
- A. 2020
- B. 2025
- C. 2030Correct
- D. 2050
Explanation. The United Nations established the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with a global target for achievement by the year 2030.
Q20
Alkali soils are predominantly located in the ------------ plains?
- A. Indus-Ganga
- B. North-Indian
- C. Gangetic plains
- D. All the aboveCorrect
Explanation. Alkali soils are predominantly located throughout the Indo-Gangetic and North Indian plains, meaning all the listed regional classifications are correct.
