General Science/Everyday Science MCQs
Topic Notes: General Science/Everyday Science
MCQs and preparation resources for competitive exams, covering important concepts, past papers, and detailed explanations.
Plato
- Biography: Ancient Greek philosopher (427–347 BCE), student of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle, founder of the Academy in Athens.
- Important Ideas:
- Theory of Forms
- Philosopher-King
- Ideal State
161
A key design feature to prevent wildlife–vehicle collisions is:
Answer:
Wildlife over/underpasses with fencing
Fencing funnels animals to safe crossings. Monitoring shows large reductions in collisions where used. Design must match species behavior.
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162
The “Tragedy of the Commons” occurs when:
Answer:
ommons” occurs when:
Without governance, shared resources (e.g., fisheries, grazing lands) can be depleted. Solutions include property rights, quotas, or community management. Elinor Ostrom documented successful commons governance.
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163
A principal aim of urban “15-minute city” planning is to:
Answer:
Ensure most daily needs are within a short walk/bike
It reduces car dependence, emissions, and congestion. Mixed-use zoning and public spaces support livability. Public transit remains important for longer trips.
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164
Biodegradable plastics like PLA break down best in:
Answer:
iodegradable plastics like PLA break down best in:
PLA often requires elevated temperatures and controlled microbes to degrade effectively. Landfills and marine environments lack such conditions. Labeling can be confusing—end-of-life pathways matter.
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165
The main benefit of shade trees along streets is to:
Answer:
enefit of shade trees along streets is to:
Trees cool via shade and evapotranspiration, reduce ozone formation, and capture particulates. They also slow runoff and enhance streetscapes. Maintenance and species selection are important.
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166
An energy audit primarily identifies:
Answer:
Efficiency opportunities and savings potential
Audits analyze energy flows to prioritize conservation measures. They estimate costs, savings, and payback. They’re foundational to decarbonization plans.
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167
The primary ecological role of keystone species is to:
Answer:
Disproportionately shape community structure
Removing a keystone often causes cascading changes or collapse. Examples include sea otters controlling urchins and wolves regulating herbivores. Abundance is not the defining trait.
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168
The best practice for e-waste management is:
Answer:
Formal recycling with material recovery
Proper facilities recover precious metals and safely handle toxics. Informal processing causes severe pollution and health harm. Repair and reuse should come first when feasible.
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169
A major environmental risk from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is that they are:
Answer:
Known as “forever chemicals”
PFAS persist, bioaccumulate, and are linked to health effects. Treatment requires advanced methods (e.g., activated carbon, ion exchange). Regulation is tightening globally.
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170
“Greywater” typically refers to wastewater from:
Answer:
Showers, baths, and laundry
Greywater excludes toilet waste (blackwater). With proper treatment it can be reused for irrigation or flushing. Kitchen sinks are sometimes excluded due to grease and food solids.
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