20 extra multiple-choice questions for Man-Made Disasters - Public Awareness for Disaster Risk Reduction (12th Standard Geography, Samacheer Kalvi), beyond the ones printed in the textbook — each with the correct option highlighted and a clear, worked explanation. Free to read in English and Tamil.
Q1
The root of the word 'disaster' in Greek and Latin means
- A. bad starCorrect
- B. great flood
- C. sudden fall
- D. broken earth
Explanation. The lesson says the root of the word disaster ("bad star" in Greek and Latin) comes from an astrological theme in which the ancients referred to the destruction of a star as a disaster.
Q2
The assets, resources and skills available within a community that can be used to reduce the risks or effects of a disaster are called
- A. Hazard
- B. CapacityCorrect
- C. Mitigation
- D. Prevention
Explanation. Under 'Terms to know', capacity is defined as the assets, resources and skills available within a community that can be used to reduce the risks or effects of a disaster.
Q3
The Mumbai stampede of 29 September 2017 took place on a narrow footbridge connecting Parel station with which station, formerly called Elphinstone?
- A. Dadar
- B. PrabhadeviCorrect
- C. Churchgate
- D. Andheri
Explanation. The lesson says the crush occurred on a narrow footbridge connecting Prabhadevi station, formerly Elphinstone, and Parel station during the morning commuter rush and heavy rain.
Q4
Consider the following statements about community-based disaster risk reduction:
1. It is a process within a community and for the community.
2. It should address the root causes of risks through local knowledge and expertise.
3. It depends only on experts brought in from outside the community.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A. 1 only
- B. 1 and 2 onlyCorrect
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Explanation. The lesson calls community-based disaster risk reduction a process within a community and for the community, which should address root causes of risks through local knowledge and expertise. Statement 3 contradicts this.
Q5
The systematic planning and supervision of the orderly movement and assembly of people is called
- A. Crowd control
- B. Crowd managementCorrect
- C. Flash mob
- D. Safety audit
Explanation. Crowd management is defined as the systematic planning and supervision of the orderly movement and assembly of people, while crowd control is the restriction or limitation of group behaviour.
Q6
Assertion (A): In the middle of a moving crowd, you should not resist the flow by standing still or sitting down.
Reason (R): The force of the crowd is too much to fight; like a wave, there is force in a crowd situation.
- A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.Correct
- B. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
- C. A is true, but R is false.
- D. A is false, but R is true.
Explanation. Under 'How to move when on your feet', the lesson says not to resist the flow by standing still or sitting down because the force is too much to fight, like a wave.
Q7
If you fall during a stampede, the lesson advises you to
- A. lie flat on your back and shout for help
- B. cover your head with your hands and curl up in a fetal positionCorrect
- C. stand still and wait for the crowd to pass
- D. run towards the nearest wall or fence
Explanation. If you fall, cover your head with your hands and curl up in a fetal position, so that your lungs are not exposed to the crowd, and keep trying to get up.
Q8
About what percentage of drowning cases occur in freshwater?
- A. 50 percent
- B. 75 percent
- C. 90 percentCorrect
- D. 25 percent
Explanation. The Fact File says that, shockingly, about 90 percent of drowning cases occur in freshwater, even though the ocean seems more dangerous.
Q9
Consider the following statements about drowning:
1. Fresh water is more similar in composition to our blood than salt water.
2. Fresh water in the lungs passes into the bloodstream through osmosis, and blood cells burst.
3. Drowning in ocean water usually kills a person in two to three minutes.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A. 1 only
- B. 1 and 2 onlyCorrect
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Explanation. Fresh water resembles blood and enters the bloodstream by osmosis, bursting cells; that takes two to three minutes. Ocean water takes between 8 and 10 minutes, so statement 3 is wrong.
Q10
Which one of the following is NOT a barrier listed in the lesson for preventing drowning?
- A. Covering wells
- B. Using doorway barriers and playpens
- C. Fencing swimming pools
- D. Cutting off tree branches near the houseCorrect
Explanation. The lesson lists covering wells, doorway barriers, playpens and fencing swimming pools as barriers against drowning. Cutting off tree branches near the house is a preventive measure for fire.
Q11
Assertion (A): During a fire accident you should keep your head no higher than 30 cm above the floor.
Reason (R): Above this height, heavy harmful gases may accumulate.
- A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.Correct
- B. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
- C. A is true, but R is false.
- D. A is false, but R is true.
Explanation. Under 'During fire accident', the lesson says to keep your head no higher than 30 cm above the floor because heavy harmful gases may accumulate above this height.
Q12
Arrange the steps for using a fire extinguisher in the correct order:
1. Squeeze the trigger handle.
2. Pull the safety pin from the handle.
3. Sweep from side to side at the base of the flame.
4. Aim at the base of the flame.
- A. 2, 4, 1, 3Correct
- B. 4, 2, 3, 1
- C. 2, 1, 4, 3
- D. 1, 2, 4, 3
Explanation. The tips say: pull the safety pin from the handle, aim at the base of the flame, squeeze the trigger handle, and sweep from side to side at the base of the flame.
Q13
If a TV set or a refrigerator is burning while it is switched on, what should you do first?
- A. Pour water on it
- B. Turn off the electricity from the main switchCorrect
- C. Jump out of the window
- D. Cover it with dry leaves
Explanation. Among the things never to be done during a fire, the lesson says never pour water on burning electrical equipment that is switched on; turn off the electricity from the main switch.
Q14
Which one of the following is NOT one of the four principal industrial hazards?
- A. Fire
- B. Explosion
- C. Toxic release
- D. StampedeCorrect
Explanation. The lesson says industrial hazards consist of four principal hazards: fire, explosion, toxic release and environmental damage. Stampede is a separate man-made disaster.
Q15
Which toxic fumes can an industrial fire produce, according to the lesson?
- A. Acrolein, carbon monoxide and cyanidesCorrect
- B. Methane, ozone and nitrogen
- C. Oxygen, hydrogen and helium
- D. Ammonia, chlorine and argon
Explanation. Fire is the most frequent industrial hazard; the lesson says it can also produce toxic fumes like acrolein, carbon monoxide and cyanides.
Q16
Dust explosions occur when
- A. a flammable gas mixes with air
- B. flammable solids, especially metals, in the form of fine powders are intensively mixed with air and ignitedCorrect
- C. toxic vapours are released into rivers and canals
- D. water is poured on burning electrical equipment
Explanation. The lesson separates the two: gas explosions occur when a flammable gas mixes with air; dust explosions occur when flammable solids, especially metals, as fine powders are mixed with air and ignited.
Q17
Match the means of reducing industrial hazards with their descriptions:
A. Process of Safety Management - 1. Proper training of employees and protective services
B. Safety Audits - 2. Comprehensive risk analysis and practised emergency procedures
C. Emergency Planning - 3. Periodical assessment of safety procedures and safety systems
D. Training - 4. Reliability assessment of process equipment before major process changes
- A. A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1Correct
- B. A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2
- C. A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3
- D. A-4, B-2, C-3, D-1
Explanation. Process safety management assesses equipment before process changes; safety audits periodically assess procedures and systems; emergency planning needs risk analysis and practised procedures; training is for employees and protective services.
Q18
Which one of the following is NOT listed in the lesson as a primary road safety risk factor in low- and middle-income countries?
- A. Speeding
- B. Drink-driving
- C. Non-use or improper use of helmets
- D. Heavy rainfallCorrect
Explanation. The four primary road safety risk factors listed are speeding, drink-driving, non-use or improper use of helmets, and non-use or improper use of seatbelts.
Q19
If there are no markings or signs for crossing the road, students should check for incoming vehicles
- A. on the left side only
- B. on the right side first, and then on the left sideCorrect
- C. on the left side first, and then on the right side
- D. only after reaching the middle of the road
Explanation. Under 'Stop, look and cross', the lesson says to check the right side, after that the left side of the road for incoming vehicles, and to wait for an approaching vehicle to pass.
Q20
The Hyogo Framework for Action is a global blueprint for disaster risk reduction efforts for the period
- A. 1995 - 2005
- B. 2005 - 2015Correct
- C. 2015 - 2030
- D. 2000 - 2010
Explanation. The glossary defines the Hyogo Framework for Action as a global blueprint for disaster risk reduction efforts between 2005 and 2015, giving operational guidance for promoting disaster risk reduction.
