Q.1 What does sustainability primarily aim to achieve?
Short-term growth
Balanced use of resources
Unlimited consumption
Faster industrialization
Explanation - Sustainability focuses on meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Correct answer is: Balanced use of resources
Q.2 Which of the following is an example of renewable energy?
Coal
Natural Gas
Solar Power
Oil
Explanation - Solar power is renewable because it comes from the sun, which is a constant source of energy.
Correct answer is: Solar Power
Q.3 The concept of the ‘three pillars of sustainability’ includes:
Environment, Economy, Society
Industry, Technology, Growth
Water, Air, Soil
Energy, Minerals, Population
Explanation - Sustainability is often described as having three main pillars: environmental protection, economic development, and social well-being.
Correct answer is: Environment, Economy, Society
Q.4 Which gas is a major contributor to global warming?
Oxygen
Carbon Dioxide
Nitrogen
Argon
Explanation - Carbon dioxide is the primary greenhouse gas emitted through human activities like burning fossil fuels.
Correct answer is: Carbon Dioxide
Q.5 What does 'reduce, reuse, recycle' aim to minimize?
Energy production
Population growth
Waste generation
Water pollution
Explanation - The 3Rs are designed to minimize waste by reducing consumption, reusing products, and recycling materials.
Correct answer is: Waste generation
Q.6 Which organization introduced the concept of 'sustainable development' in 1987?
World Bank
United Nations
World Health Organization
UNESCO
Explanation - The UN’s Brundtland Report in 1987 defined sustainable development as meeting the needs of the present without compromising future generations.
Correct answer is: United Nations
Q.7 Which of the following practices is sustainable in agriculture?
Monoculture farming
Overuse of pesticides
Crop rotation
Deforestation
Explanation - Crop rotation improves soil fertility, reduces pests, and is considered sustainable farming practice.
Correct answer is: Crop rotation
Q.8 Why is biodiversity important for sustainability?
It reduces pollution
It ensures ecosystem balance
It increases energy use
It promotes deforestation
Explanation - Biodiversity maintains ecological balance, resilience, and provides resources for survival.
Correct answer is: It ensures ecosystem balance
Q.9 Which of these is NOT a renewable resource?
Wind
Water
Natural Gas
Sunlight
Explanation - Natural gas is a fossil fuel and non-renewable resource, unlike wind, water, and sunlight.
Correct answer is: Natural Gas
Q.10 What does carbon footprint measure?
Energy produced
Greenhouse gas emissions
Economic growth
Population increase
Explanation - Carbon footprint is the total greenhouse gases released due to human activities, usually expressed in CO2 equivalents.
Correct answer is: Greenhouse gas emissions
Q.11 Which city is often recognized as a leader in urban sustainability?
Tokyo
Copenhagen
New York
Mumbai
Explanation - Copenhagen, Denmark, is known for its bicycle-friendly infrastructure and renewable energy initiatives.
Correct answer is: Copenhagen
Q.12 Which practice saves the most water in agriculture?
Flood irrigation
Sprinklers
Drip irrigation
Canal irrigation
Explanation - Drip irrigation delivers water directly to plant roots, reducing waste and conserving water.
Correct answer is: Drip irrigation
Q.13 What is the main goal of sustainable transportation?
Reducing traffic jams
Minimizing environmental impact
Increasing vehicle sales
Expanding highways
Explanation - Sustainable transportation focuses on reducing pollution, conserving energy, and promoting efficient travel methods.
Correct answer is: Minimizing environmental impact
Q.14 Which UN goals focus directly on sustainability?
Millennium Development Goals
Sustainable Development Goals
Paris Agreement Goals
Kyoto Protocol Goals
Explanation - The 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) address global challenges including sustainability.
Correct answer is: Sustainable Development Goals
Q.15 Which material is biodegradable?
Plastic bag
Glass bottle
Banana peel
Aluminum can
Explanation - Banana peels decompose naturally, unlike plastics, glass, or metals.
Correct answer is: Banana peel
Q.16 What is the primary benefit of green buildings?
Higher construction costs
Increased energy efficiency
Use of more cement
Larger size
Explanation - Green buildings are designed to reduce energy consumption, use resources efficiently, and minimize environmental impact.
Correct answer is: Increased energy efficiency
Q.17 Which international agreement addresses climate change?
Paris Agreement
Geneva Convention
GATT
NAFTA
Explanation - The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change adopted in 2015.
Correct answer is: Paris Agreement
Q.18 What does 'greenwashing' mean?
Promoting eco-friendly products truthfully
Misleading consumers about sustainability
Investing in renewable energy
Using recycled materials
Explanation - Greenwashing is when companies falsely present products or practices as environmentally friendly.
Correct answer is: Misleading consumers about sustainability
Q.19 Which farming method is most sustainable?
Organic farming
Chemical-intensive farming
Slash-and-burn
Overgrazing
Explanation - Organic farming avoids harmful chemicals and promotes ecological balance, making it sustainable.
Correct answer is: Organic farming
Q.20 Why is recycling aluminum important?
It reduces noise pollution
It saves a large amount of energy
It increases mining activity
It produces more waste
Explanation - Recycling aluminum uses 95% less energy compared to producing new aluminum from bauxite.
Correct answer is: It saves a large amount of energy
Q.21 Which resource is most at risk due to overpopulation?
Air
Soil
Freshwater
Sunlight
Explanation - Freshwater is limited and heavily strained by population growth, agriculture, and industry.
Correct answer is: Freshwater
Q.22 What does 'sustainable fishing' aim to prevent?
Overfishing
Water pollution
Fish farming
Marine tourism
Explanation - Sustainable fishing ensures fish populations remain healthy and ecosystems are balanced.
Correct answer is: Overfishing
Q.23 Which of these is a non-biodegradable waste?
Paper
Vegetable peels
Plastic bottle
Cotton cloth
Explanation - Plastic bottles take hundreds of years to decompose, unlike biodegradable wastes such as paper or food.
Correct answer is: Plastic bottle
Q.24 What is the biggest advantage of public transportation for sustainability?
Higher ticket prices
Reduced individual emissions
More road congestion
Increased fuel consumption
Explanation - Public transportation reduces per-person emissions by sharing fuel use among many passengers.
Correct answer is: Reduced individual emissions
Q.25 Which of the following is a sustainable water management practice?
Rainwater harvesting
Over-extraction of groundwater
Dumping waste in rivers
Building more dams only
Explanation - Rainwater harvesting collects and stores water, reducing pressure on groundwater and ensuring sustainable supply.
Correct answer is: Rainwater harvesting