Great!

Here's Phase 1 with the first 40 MCQs (with answers) from Unit 7: Environmental
Engineering. These cover Air Pollution, Water Pollution, Solid Waste, and Noise Pollution. I’

Phase 1: MCQs 1–40

1. Which of the following is a primary pollutant?

A. Ozone
B. PAN
C. Carbon monoxide
D. Formaldehyde
Answer: C
2. Smog is a combination of:
A. Smoke and Fog
B. Dust and Fog
C. Sulphur and Dust
D. CO2 and Fog
Answer: A
3. The most dangerous size of particulate matter (PM) is:
A. PM10
B. PM2.5
C. PM100
D. PM50
Answer: B
4. A major source of sulphur dioxide in the atmosphere is:
A. Volcanoes
B. Burning of fossil fuels
C. Agriculture
D. Forest fires
Answer: B
5. Which meteorological condition leads to accumulation of pollutants near ground
level?
A. Radiation
B. Inversion
C. Conduction
D. Convection
Answer: B
6. Photochemical smog mainly occurs in:
A. Cold and wet climate
B. Hot and humid climate
C. Dry and sunny climate
D. Snowy areas
Answer: C
7. Fumigation in air pollution refers to:
A. Spread of fog
B. Trapping of pollutants due to temperature inversion
C. Dust storms
D. Use of pesticides
Answer: B
8. Which pollutant is responsible for the brownish color in photochemical smog?
A. CO
 B. NO₂
C. SO₂
D. O₃
Answer: B
9. One of the effective methods for particulate emission control is:
A. Electrostatic precipitator
B. Cyclone separator
C. Bag filter
D. All of the above
Answer: D
10. Air Quality Index (AQI) measures:
A. Air pressure
B. Wind speed
C. Pollution levels
D. Humidity
Answer: C
11. Which of the following is a secondary pollutant?
A. NO
B. SO₂
C. PAN
D. CO
Answer: C
12. Indian standard for PM2.5 for 24-hour average is:
A. 60 µg/m³
B. 100 µg/m³
C. 40 µg/m³
D. 80 µg/m³
Answer: A
13. Main cause of water pollution in urban areas is:
A. Acid rain
B. Domestic sewage
C. Leachate
D. Thermal discharges
Answer: B
14. Which of the following diseases is caused due to water pollution?
A. Tuberculosis
B. Cholera
C. Malaria
D. Pneumonia
Answer: B
15. Eutrophication in water bodies is caused by:
A. Bacteria
B. Algae
C. Nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus
D. Lead
Answer: C
16. A major source of groundwater contamination is:
A. Rain
B. Surface runoff
C. Leachate from landfills
 D. Air pollution
Answer: C
17. The term BOD in water quality stands for:
A. Biodegradable Oxygen Demand
B. Biological Oxygen Demand
C. Biological Oxidation Demand
D. Biochemical Organic Demand
Answer: B
18. High BOD in water indicates:
A. Good water quality
B. Low microbial activity
C. High organic pollution
D. Absence of pollutants
Answer: C
19. Which of the following is not an adverse effect of water pollution?
A. Oxygen depletion
B. Eutrophication
C. Thermal pollution
D. Soil erosion
Answer: D
20. The permissible limit of pH in drinking water is:
A. 5.5–7.0
B. 6.5–8.5
C. 4.0–9.0
D. 7.5–10.5
Answer: B
21. Which Indian body sets standards for water quality?
A. CPCB
B. ISRO
C. DRDO
D. SEBI
Answer: A
22. The Indian standard for drinking water is prescribed by:
A. BIS
B. MOEF
C. CPCB
D. WHO
Answer: A
23. Solid waste from households is classified as:
A. Hazardous waste
B. Biomedical waste
C. Municipal solid waste
D. Electronic waste
Answer: C
24. Which of the following is a biodegradable waste?
A. Glass
B. Plastic
C. Paper
D. Aluminum foil
Answer: C
25. The most effective method for solid waste disposal in rural areas is:
A. Incineration
B. Landfilling
C. Composting
D. Sanitary landfill
Answer: C
26. Leachate is produced in:
A. Incinerator
B. Landfills
C. Composting bins
D. Recycling plants
Answer: B
27. Biomedical wastes are treated by:
A. Open dumping
B. Incineration
C. Composting
D. Shredding
Answer: B
28. Which is not a hazardous waste?
A. Battery
B. Old newspapers
C. Pesticides
D. Paint waste
Answer: B
29. The maximum permissible noise level in residential areas during daytime is:
A. 45 dB
B. 55 dB
C. 65 dB
D. 75 dB
Answer: B
30. Which device is used to measure noise pollution?
A. Sound meter
B. Audiometer
C. Decibel meter
D. Sound level meter
Answer: D
31. Noise above which level is considered harmful to human hearing?
A. 70 dB
B. 85 dB
C. 90 dB
D. 100 dB
Answer: B
32. Noise pollution mainly affects:
A. Lungs
B. Eyes
C. Heart
D. Ears
Answer: D
33. An example of point source of water pollution is:
A. Agricultural runoff
B. Urban stormwater
 C. Industrial discharge pipe
D. Oil spill
Answer: C
34. Greenhouse gases include all except:
A. CO₂
B. CH₄
C. N₂O
D. O₂
Answer: D
35. Which pollutant leads to acid rain?
A. CO
B. SO₂
C. O₃
D. NO
Answer: B
36. The process of trapping pollutants due to cold air above warm air is known as:
A. Condensation
B. Inversion
C. Radiation
D. Fumigation
Answer: B
37. Which of the following is a noise control technique?
A. Mufflers
B. Acoustic panels
C. Plantation
D. All of the above
Answer: D
38. An example of non-biodegradable solid waste is:
A. Vegetable peel
B. Paper
C. Plastic
D. Food waste
Answer: C
39. The acronym MSW stands for:
A. Municipal Sewage Waste
B. Municipal Solid Waste
C. Managed Solid Waste
D. Monitored Sanitary Waste
Answer: B
40. Open burning of solid waste leads to:
A. Noise pollution
B. Water pollution
C. Air pollution
D. Soil erosion
Answer:

41. Which pollutant contributes most to respiratory problems?

A. Sulphur dioxide
B. Carbon dioxide
C. Methane
D. Argon
Answer: A

42. The dispersion of air pollutants depends largely on:

A. Population
B. Traffic density
C. Meteorological conditions
D. Green cover
Answer: C

43. The phenomenon of temperature inversion is harmful because:

A. It causes rainfall
B. It traps pollutants near the ground
C. It increases humidity
D. It causes ozone formation
Answer: B

44. The major component of photochemical smog is:

A. SO₂
B. PAN
C. Dust
D. CO
Answer: B

45. Which control device uses electric charge to remove particulate matter?
A. Bag filter
B. Cyclone separator
C. Scrubber
D. Electrostatic precipitator
Answer: D

46. Ozone in the troposphere acts as a:

A. UV filter
B. Pollutant
C. Coolant
D. Fertilizer
Answer: B

47. Which pollutant is mainly responsible for corrosion of buildings and monuments?
A. NO₂
B. CO
C. SO₂
D. O₃
Answer: C

48. PM2.5 refers to particulate matter with diameter:

A. Less than 2.5 mm
B. Less than 25 µm
C. Less than 2.5 µm
D. Exactly 2.5 µm
Answer: C

49. Which city was the first in India to implement a graded response action plan (GRAP) for
air pollution?
A. Mumbai
B. Delhi
C. Chennai
D. Kolkata
Answer: B

50. What is the role of a cyclone separator?

A. Remove gaseous pollutants
B. Remove solid particles using centrifugal force
C. Remove noise
D. Absorb CO₂
Answer: B

51. Which water quality indicator shows presence of biodegradable organic matter?
A. pH
B. BOD
C. DO
D. EC
Answer: B

52. The term COD stands for:

A. Chemical Oxygen Demand
B. Carbon Oxide Demand
C. Combined Organic Discharge
D. Continuous Oxidation Demand
Answer: A

53. Which parameter indicates presence of microbial contamination in water?

A. TDS
B. BOD
C. Coliform count
D. Turbidity
Answer: C

54. Which of the following sources of water pollution is considered non-point source?
A. Domestic sewage pipe
B. Factory discharge outlet
C. Leaching of fertilizers from agricultural fields
D. Effluent from treatment plant
Answer: C

55. Which plant nutrient leads to algal bloom in water bodies?

A. Calcium
B. Potassium
C. Nitrogen
D. Sodium
Answer: C

56. Which is the most common method of municipal solid waste disposal in India?
A. Incineration
B. Landfilling
C. Shredding
D. Pyrolysis
Answer: B

57. Which of the following is not a feature of sanitary landfill?

A. Liner system
B. Leachate collection
C. Groundwater recharge
D. Daily soil cover
Answer: C

58. The main aim of solid waste segregation is:

A. Volume reduction
B. Cost minimization
C. Resource recovery and recycling
D. Aesthetic value
Answer: C

59. Composting converts biodegradable waste into:

A. Fuel
B. Organic manure
C. Synthetic plastic
D. Sand
Answer: B

60. Biomedical waste should be segregated at:

A. Dump yard
B. Disposal site
C. Source of generation
D. Transport hub
Answer: C

61. Noise pollution in cities is primarily due to:

A. Industrial processes
B. Household appliances
C. Traffic
D. Construction
Answer: C

62. Unit of noise level is:

A. Watt
B. Lumen
C. Decibel
D. Newton
Answer: C

63. Which of the following is considered the threshold of hearing?

A. 0 dB
B. 10 dB
C. 30 dB
D. 50 dB
Answer: A

64. Prolonged exposure to noise above 85 dB can cause:

A. Hearing loss
B. Skin disease
C. Lung infection
D. Head lice
Answer: A

65. Which material is most effective in absorbing noise?

A. Concrete
B. Metal
C. Glass
D. Acoustic foam
Answer: D

66. Noise pollution can cause which of the following effects on humans?
A. Sleep disturbance
B. Hypertension
C. Mental stress
D. All of the above
Answer: D

67. The CPCB standard for ambient noise in industrial area during day time is:
A. 55 dB
B. 65 dB
C. 75 dB
D. 85 dB
Answer: C

68. Which of the following is the quietest zone as per CPCB standards?
A. Residential
B. Industrial
C. Silent zone
D. Commercial
Answer: C

69. Which of the following is not a cause of indoor air pollution?

A. Tobacco smoke
B. Cooking fumes
C. Vehicle exhaust
D. Building materials
Answer: C

70. Air pollution leads to which of the following effects?

A. Reduced visibility
B. Respiratory diseases
C. Global warming
D. All of the above
Answer: D

71. Which pollutant causes blackening of building surfaces?

A. Dust
B. CO₂
C. Soot
D. NO
Answer: C

72. CPCB stands for:

A. Central Pollution Control Bureau
B. Central Pollution Control Board
C. Central Pollution Council of Bharat
D. Central Power and Control Board
Answer: B

73. Which gas causes greenhouse effect and acid rain both?
A. CO₂
B. NO₂
C. SO₂
D. CH₄
Answer: C

74. The water pollutant nitrate is mainly introduced through:

A. Household waste
B. Detergents
C. Fertilizers
D. Oil spills
Answer: C

75. E-waste mainly includes:

A. Rotten vegetables
B. Plastic bottles
C. Old electronics
D. Medical waste
Answer: C

76. Landfills without leachate control can lead to:

A. Noise pollution
B. Groundwater contamination
C. Air purification
D. Better composting
Answer: B

77. Which of the following pollutants is not found in air?

A. Lead
B. Fluoride
C. Nitrogen dioxide
D. Ozone
Answer: B

78. Which air pollutant is mostly emitted by vehicles?

A. Methane
B. Hydrogen sulfide
C. Carbon monoxide
D. Ammonia
Answer: C

79. Which of the following methods is not used for air pollution control?
A. Absorption
B. Adsorption
C. Sedimentation
D. Filtration
Answer: C

80. Which air pollutant is a major contributor to acid rain?

A. SO₂
B. O₃
C. CH₄
D. CO
Answer: A

81. Which pollutant is the most potent greenhouse gas among the following?
A. Carbon dioxide
B. Methane
C. Nitrous oxide
D. Ozone
Answer: B

82. Fumigation in air pollution refers to:

A. Use of chemicals to kill pests
B. Sudden mixing of polluted air downward
C. Filtration of air
D. Fog formation
Answer: B

83. The term ‘AQI’ stands for:

A. Air Quality Indicator
B. Atmospheric Quality Index
C. Air Quality Index
D. Air Quota Indicator
Answer: C

84. Which of the following is an example of a primary air pollutant?

A. Ozone
B. PAN
C. Sulphur dioxide
D. Formaldehyde
Answer: C

85. Which gas is colorless, odorless, but highly toxic?

A. CO₂
B. O₂
C. CO
D. NO
Answer: C

86. What is the typical pH of acid rain?

A. 5.6
B. 7.0
C. 8.5
D. 6.2
Answer: A

87. Which of the following causes depletion of the ozone layer?

A. CO₂
B. CFCs
C. NO₂
D. H₂S
Answer: B

88. In which layer of the atmosphere does ozone protect life by filtering UV rays?
A. Troposphere
B. Stratosphere
C. Mesosphere
D. Thermosphere
Answer: B

89. One of the key contributors to smog formation in cities is:

A. Dust storms
B. Vehicular exhaust
C. Noise pollution
D. Groundwater extraction
Answer: B

90. Which instrument is used to measure particulate matter in air?

A. Thermometer
B. Anemometer
C. High volume sampler
D. Hygrometer
Answer: C

91. What is the maximum permissible BOD value in treated effluent for discharge into
surface water, as per Indian standards?
A. 10 mg/L
B. 30 mg/L
C. 50 mg/L
D. 100 mg/L
Answer: B

92. Which of the following is used to disinfect drinking water?

A. Bleaching powder
B. Baking soda
C. Acetic acid
D. Potash
Answer: A

93. Which metal is toxic and bioaccumulates in aquatic organisms?

A. Iron
B. Calcium
C. Mercury
D. Sodium
Answer: C

94. A water body rich in nutrients leading to algal bloom is said to be:
A. Oligotrophic
B. Mesotrophic
C. Eutrophic
D. Hypotrophic
Answer: C

95. Which method is used to remove suspended solids in water treatment?

A. Filtration
B. Chlorination
C. Sedimentation
D. Both A and C
Answer: D

96. The adverse effect of thermal pollution on aquatic life includes:

A. Reduced metabolism
B. Increased dissolved oxygen
C. Decreased reproduction rates
D. Increase in fish size
Answer: C

97. Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) measures:

A. Nutrient content
B. Heavy metals
C. Organic pollution load
D. Sediment load
Answer: C

98. In sewage treatment, activated sludge refers to:

A. Raw sludge
B. Settled solids
C. Sludge rich in microorganisms
D. Sludge after dewatering
Answer: C

99. Which of the following solid waste treatment method generates energy?
A. Composting
B. Sanitary landfill
C. Incineration
D. Open dumping
Answer: C

100. What does leachate contain?

A. Only water
B. Nutrients only
C. Hazardous contaminants
D. Pure minerals
Answer: C

101. Biomedical waste is primarily managed under which Indian rule?

A. Hazardous Waste Rules
B. Solid Waste Management Rules
C. Biomedical Waste Management Rules
D. Environmental Protection Rules
Answer: C

102. The colour code for incinerable biomedical waste is:

A. Black
B. Blue
C. Red
D. Yellow
Answer: D

103. Which method is most suited for organic fraction of municipal solid waste?
A. Incineration
B. Composting
C. Landfilling
D. Shredding
Answer: B

104. Which of these is not considered hazardous waste?

A. Asbestos
B. Used batteries
C. Glass
D. Chemical solvents
Answer: C

105. Which Act governs pollution control in India?

A. Air Act, 1981
B. Environment Protection Act, 1986
C. Water Act, 1974
D. All of the above
Answer: D

106. Which pollutant has a role in the formation of ground-level ozone?

A. CO
B. NOx
C. SO₂
D. NH₃
Answer: B

107. The permissible noise limit in silent zone during night is:
A. 45 dB
B. 40 dB
C. 50 dB
D. 55 dB
Answer: B

108. White noise is generally considered to be:

A. Harmful
B. Random sound
C. Soothing background sound
D. Ultra-sonic sound
Answer: C

109. Which activity typically causes impulsive noise?

A. Traffic
B. Machinery
C. Construction blasting
D. Generator
Answer: C

110. Which method is best for long-term noise control in highways?

A. Horn ban
B. Sound barriers
C. Siren control
D. Honking fines
Answer: B

111. Prolonged exposure to noise causes permanent hearing loss due to damage in:
A. Tympanic membrane
B. Cochlear hair cells
C. Middle ear bones
D. Ear canal
Answer: B

112. Noise mapping helps in:

A. Determining traffic flow
B. Visualizing noise levels geographically
C. Planning water supply
D. Detecting air pollution
Answer: B

113. Which of the following is the best way to control industrial noise at source?
A. Ear plugs
B. Sound proof room
C. Vibration isolation
D. Trees
Answer: C

114. Which device is used for noise level measurement?

A. Sound meter
B. Sound level meter
C. Audio recorder
D. Loudness gauge
Answer: B

115. Noise limits near schools and hospitals are generally:

A. Lower than residential
B. Higher than residential
C. Same as industrial
D. Not specified
Answer: A

116. Which of the following does not contribute to air pollution?

A. Fossil fuel burning
B. Solar panels
C. Vehicle exhaust
D. Industrial chimney
Answer: B

117. Air pollution affects plants by:

A. Increasing photosynthesis
B. Reducing stomatal opening
C. Increasing nutrient uptake
D. None of the above
Answer: B

118. Which of the following is a noise mitigation measure in residential areas?

A. Using fans
B. Concrete paving
C. Green buffer zone
D. Road widening
Answer: C

119. Use of mufflers and silencers in vehicles helps in:

A. Reducing fuel use
B. Increasing acceleration
C. Reducing noise emission
D. Increasing exhaust
Answer: C

120. Permissible noise levels are categorized based on:

A. Day/night only
B. Region and time
C. Population only
D. Industrial activity
Answer: B

121. Which of the following is a non-point source of water pollution?

A. Factory discharge
B. Oil spill
C. Agricultural runoff
D. Sewage outfall
Answer: C

122. The presence of coliform bacteria in water indicates:

A. Industrial waste
B. Algae bloom
C. Fecal contamination
D. Mineral deposits
Answer: C

123. Which Indian agency monitors air and water pollution standards?
A. NITI Aayog
B. CPCB
C. DRDO
D. ISRO
Answer: B

124. Which act specifically addresses water pollution in India?

A. Forest Act
B. Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
C. Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act
D. Environment Protection Act
Answer: B

125. Which of the following pollutants affects the central nervous system?
A. Lead
B. Sulphur dioxide
C. Carbon dioxide
D. Oxygen
Answer: A

126. Which natural phenomenon helps in dispersing air pollutants?

A. Radiation
B. Precipitation
C. Inversion
D. Condensation
Answer: B

127. The ‘Greenhouse Effect’ is caused due to:

A. Ozone hole
B. Emission of nitrogen
C. Accumulation of greenhouse gases
D. High oxygen concentration
Answer: C

128. High levels of nitrates in drinking water can cause:

A. Typhoid
B. Methemoglobinemia (Blue Baby Syndrome)
C. Diarrhea
D. Cholera
Answer: B

129. What is the recommended maximum permissible limit of arsenic in drinking water (as
per BIS)?
A. 0.01 mg/L
B. 0.05 mg/L
C. 0.1 mg/L
D. 0.5 mg/L
Answer: A

130. Which instrument is used to measure the intensity of sound?

A. Lux meter
B. Sound level meter
C. Barometer
D. Flow meter
Answer: B

131. The major source of indoor air pollution is:

A. Open burning
B. Cooking using biomass fuel
C. Automobile exhaust
D. Open defecation
Answer: B

132. A common symptom of prolonged exposure to noise is:

A. Nausea
B. Hearing loss
C. Fever
D. Dizziness
Answer: B

133. WHO considers safe noise level for residential areas during night to be:
A. 40 dB
B. 50 dB
C. 60 dB
D. 70 dB
Answer: A

134. One of the main causes of eutrophication is:

A. Heavy metal poisoning
B. Thermal discharge
C. Excess nutrients from fertilizers
D. Oil spills
Answer: C

135. Noise pollution is measured in:

A. Joules
B. Candela
C. Decibel
D. Pascal
Answer: C

136. High concentration of fluoride in drinking water causes:

A. Dental caries
B. Fluorosis
C. Arthritis
D. Anemia
Answer: B

137. Which is not a method of controlling air pollution?

A. Electrostatic precipitator
B. Cyclone separator
C. Incineration
D. Ozonation
Answer: D

138. The minimum noise level for human whisper is:

A. 10 dB
B. 20 dB
C. 30 dB
D. 40 dB
Answer: C

139. Which water-borne disease is caused by Vibrio cholerae?

A. Typhoid
B. Cholera
C. Hepatitis
D. Dysentery
Answer: B

140. Which act gave CPCB statutory powers in India?

A. Water Act, 1974
B. Air Act, 1981
C. Environment Protection Act, 1986
D. None of these
Answer: A

141. Which of the following contributes to noise pollution in urban areas?

A. Loudspeakers
B. Traffic
C. Construction
D. All of the above
Answer: D

142. Air pollution control device using high voltage is:

A. Bag filter
B. Cyclone separator
C. Electrostatic precipitator
D. Scrubber
Answer: C

143. What is the safe permissible limit of pH for drinking water?

A. 4.5–6.5
B. 6.5–8.5
C. 7.0–9.0
D. 6.0–9.5
Answer: B

144. Sewage is mainly composed of:

A. Pure water
B. Human excreta
C. Industrial waste
D. Household waste water
Answer: D

145. Which gas is responsible for photochemical smog?

A. CO
B. SO₂
C. NOx
D. CO₂
Answer: C

146. Which component is most dangerous in smog formation?

A. Water vapor
B. Ozone
C. NO₂
D. PAN (Peroxyacetyl Nitrate)
Answer: D

147. Recycling helps reduce:

A. Fresh resource consumption
B. Energy use
C. Waste accumulation
D. All of the above
Answer: D

148. Municipal solid waste includes:

A. Plastic
B. Food waste
C. Paper
D. All of the above
Answer: D

149. Sound above which level becomes painful for human ear?
A. 100 dB
B. 110 dB
C. 120 dB
D. 130 dB
Answer: D

150. Chlorination in water treatment is mainly for:

A. pH balancing
B. Disinfection
C. Sediment removal
D. Iron removal
Answer: B

151. Air pollutants responsible for acid rain are:

A. CO and CO₂
B. NOx and SO₂
C. CH₄ and NH₃
D. O₃ and CFC
Answer: B

152. A sound of 0 dB means:

A. Very loud sound
B. Painful sound
C. No sound
D. Threshold of hearing
Answer: D

153. Which pollutant is mostly found near thermal power plants?

A. SO₂
B. O₃
C. CH₄
D. NH₃
Answer: A

154. What is the main aim of a septic tank?

A. Aeration
B. Chemical treatment
C. Settling and digestion
D. Chlorination
Answer: C

155. What is the typical retention time in a septic tank?

A. 1–2 hours
B. 6–12 hours
C. 24–48 hours
D. 1–2 days
Answer: C

156. What happens when water has excess hardness?

A. Causes acidity
B. Forms lather quickly
C. Prevents soap action
D. Increases alkalinity
Answer: C

157. Which gas is responsible for respiratory issues and is emitted by vehicles?
A. NO₂
B. SO₂
C. CO₂
D. CH₄
Answer: A

158. Biodegradable waste includes:

A. Plastic
B. Glass
C. Kitchen waste
D. Metal cans
Answer: C

159. Most suitable method for treating biomedical waste:

A. Composting
B. Incineration
C. Open dumping
D. Landfilling
Answer: B

160. Excess phosphate in water causes:

A. Oil slick
B. Algal bloom
C. Acidification
D. Blue baby syndrome
Answer: B

161. Which of the following is a primary pollutant?

A. Ozone
B. PAN
C. Sulfur dioxide
D. Formaldehyde
Answer: C

162. The presence of heavy metals in water can be tested using:

A. pH meter
B. Spectrophotometer
C. Turbidity meter
D. Conductivity meter
Answer: B

163. The term “BOD” stands for:

A. Biological Organic Demand
B. Biological Oxygen Demand
C. Biochemical Oxygen Demand
D. Biotic Oxygen Demand
Answer: C

164. Which of the following is an example of a greenhouse gas?

A. Helium
B. Hydrogen
C. Carbon dioxide
D. Neon
Answer: C

165. Which of the following is a hazardous effect of ozone at ground level?

A. Lung irritation
B. Skin cancer
C. Vitamin D deficiency
D. Bone damage
Answer: A

166. What is the acceptable limit of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) in drinking water (as per
BIS)?
A. 200 mg/L
B. 500 mg/L
C. 1000 mg/L
D. 1500 mg/L
Answer: B
167. Solid waste management includes the following steps except:
A. Segregation
B. Collection
C. Incineration
D. Inhalation
Answer: D

168. The process by which pollutants are converted into less harmful substances before
release is known as:
A. Dilution
B. Detoxification
C. Neutralization
D. Treatment
Answer: D

169. Which gas is primarily responsible for causing acid rain?

A. Carbon monoxide
B. Nitrous oxide
C. Methane
D. Sulfur dioxide
Answer: D

170. One of the common effects of thermal pollution is:

A. Increased oxygen solubility
B. Decreased metabolic rate in fish
C. Increased biological productivity
D. Disruption of aquatic ecosystems
Answer: D

171. The noise level of a normal conversation is approximately:

A. 10–20 dB
B. 30–40 dB
C. 60–70 dB
D. 80–90 dB
Answer: C

172. Inversion in meteorology refers to:

A. A normal vertical temperature gradient
B. Warmer air above cooler air, trapping pollutants
C. Sudden rainfall
D. Strong wind conditions
Answer: B
173. Which method is used for controlling vehicular air pollution?
A. Bag filters
B. Catalytic converters
C. Scrubbers
D. Cyclone separators
Answer: B

174. Which of the following is not considered a renewable source of energy?

A. Solar
B. Wind
C. Biomass
D. Natural gas
Answer: D

175. Municipal waste typically does not include:

A. Kitchen garbage
B. E-waste
C. Construction debris
D. Hospital bio-waste
Answer: D

176. The pollutant most associated with vehicle exhaust is:

A. SO₂
B. CO
C. NO₂
D. Pb
Answer: B

177. Which noise control technique is most effective at the source?

A. Planting trees
B. Soundproofing buildings
C. Use of silencers
D. Establishing silence zones
Answer: C

178. The maximum permissible limit of iron in drinking water (BIS standard) is:
A. 0.1 mg/L
B. 0.3 mg/L
C. 0.5 mg/L
D. 1.0 mg/L
Answer: B
179. The main function of a scrubber in air pollution control is:
A. Filtering particulates
B. Cooling exhaust gases
C. Absorbing gaseous pollutants
D. Burning unburnt gases
Answer: C

180. Lead pollution mainly affects:

A. Lungs
B. Heart
C. Liver
D. Nervous system
Answer: D

181. Which of the following pollutants can cause acidification of lakes and rivers?
A. CO
B. CH₄
C. SO₂
D. CO₂
Answer: C

182. Excessive noise in residential areas can lead to:

A. Improved immunity
B. Better sleep
C. Hearing impairment
D. Enhanced learning
Answer: C

183. The pollutant responsible for depletion of ozone layer is:

A. CFC
B. CO
C. NO
D. CH₄
Answer: A

184. The measure of clarity of water is known as:

A. TDS
B. BOD
C. Turbidity
D. Hardness
Answer: C
185. One of the most effective methods of controlling fly ash emission in thermal plants is:
A. Wet scrubbers
B. Cyclone separator
C. Bag filters
D. Electrostatic precipitator
Answer: D

186. Which of the following diseases is caused by water pollution?

A. Asthma
B. Cholera
C. Tuberculosis
D. Diabetes
Answer: B

187. The term ‘Point source pollution’ is best associated with:

A. Industrial effluent from a pipe
B. Urban runoff
C. Agricultural runoff
D. Diffused air pollution
Answer: A

188. Which of the following solid wastes is non-biodegradable?

A. Food waste
B. Plastic
C. Paper
D. Cotton cloth
Answer: B

189. What is the key cause of photochemical smog in cities?

A. Deforestation
B. Industrial discharge
C. Vehicle emissions
D. Volcanic activity
Answer: C

190. The main source of noise pollution in cities is:

A. Factories
B. Traffic
C. Household appliances
D. Construction sites
Answer: B
191. The primary pollutant that causes global warming is:
A. SO₂
B. CO
C. CO₂
D. NO
Answer: C

192. The purpose of bar screens in sewage treatment is to:

A. Remove grit
B. Remove floating solids
C. Kill bacteria
D. Aerate the sewage
Answer: B

193. What happens to DO (Dissolved Oxygen) levels when BOD increases?

A. Increases
B. Remains unchanged
C. Decreases
D. Fluctuates
Answer: C

194. Which process is most effective for killing pathogens in wastewater?

A. Grit removal
B. Sedimentation
C. Chlorination
D. Aeration
Answer: C

195. Which pollutant leads to corrosion of buildings and monuments?

A. CO
B. SO₂
C. NO
D. CH₄
Answer: B

196. A condition in which visibility is reduced due to pollutants near the ground is called:
A. Mist
B. Fog
C. Smog
D. Haze
Answer: C
197. The BIS permissible limit for nitrate in drinking water is:
A. 10 mg/L
B. 25 mg/L
C. 45 mg/L
D. 100 mg/L
Answer: C

198. Which of the following methods is used for solid waste treatment?
A. Ozonation
B. Composting
C. Chlorination
D. Flocculation
Answer: B

199. The term “landfill” refers to:

A. Burning waste
B. Underground sewage lines
C. Controlled disposal of waste in earth pits
D. Flood control structure
Answer: C

200. The primary pollutant released during firecracker bursting is:

A. CFC
B. Methane
C. Sulphur dioxide
D. Lead
Answer- D

201. Which of the following gases is a major contributor to the formation of photochemical
smog?
A. Carbon dioxide
B. Nitrogen oxides
C. Methane
D. Sulfur dioxide
Answer: B

202. The main effect of suspended particulate matter in air pollution is:
A. Ozone depletion
B. Respiratory problems
C. Greenhouse effect
D. Noise pollution
Answer: B
203. The term ‘fumigation’ in air pollution refers to:
A. Cleaning of crops with pesticides
B. Atmospheric condition where pollutants are trapped near the ground
C. Emission of gases from factories
D. Planting of trees to reduce pollution
Answer: B

204. Which of the following is not a method to control particulate emission?

A. Electrostatic precipitators
B. Cyclone separators
C. Catalytic converters
D. Bag filters
Answer: C

205. The ‘clean air act’ is mainly concerned with:

A. Water pollution
B. Soil erosion
C. Air pollution control
D. Noise pollution control
Answer: C

206. Which of the following is the most common source of water pollution?
A. Industrial discharge
B. Acid rain
C. Volcanic eruptions
D. Earthquakes
Answer: A

207. The most suitable method to reduce nitrate contamination in water is:
A. Chlorination
B. Reverse osmosis
C. Sedimentation
D. Aeration
Answer: B

208. The term ‘eutrophication’ refers to:

A. Oxygen depletion in water bodies due to excess nutrients
B. Pollution of air due to smoke
C. Noise pollution due to urbanization
D. Thermal pollution in rivers
Answer: A
209. Which of the following water pollutants is primarily responsible for causing
methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome)?
A. Lead
B. Nitrates
C. Arsenic
D. Mercury
Answer: B

210. Which is the major gas responsible for the greenhouse effect?
A. Nitrogen
B. Oxygen
C. Carbon dioxide
D. Argon
Answer: C

211. The process of removing suspended solids from water by allowing them to settle is
called:
A. Filtration
B. Sedimentation
C. Flocculation
D. Chlorination
Answer: B

212. Which of the following is a secondary air pollutant?

A. Sulfur dioxide
B. Nitrogen dioxide
C. Carbon monoxide
D. Methane
Answer: B

213. Noise pollution above what decibel level is generally considered harmful to human
health?
A. 30 dB
B. 50 dB
C. 70 dB
D. 90 dB
Answer: C

214. The standard permissible limit for total coliforms in drinking water is:
A. 10 per 100 ml
B. 50 per 100 ml
C. 100 per 100 ml
D. 0 per 100 ml
Answer: D

215. Which of the following is a common indicator of organic pollution in water?

A. pH
B. BOD
C. Hardness
D. Alkalinity
Answer: B

216. The process of converting biodegradable waste into manure is called:

A. Incineration
B. Composting
C. Landfilling
D. Recycling
Answer: B

217. The noise produced by traffic is categorized as:

A. Continuous noise
B. Intermittent noise
C. Impulse noise
D. Steady noise
Answer: A

218. Which of the following is NOT a source of noise pollution?

A. Airports
B. Industries
C. Parks
D. Construction activities
Answer: C

219. Which of the following pollutants is responsible for the formation of acid rain?
A. Nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide
B. Carbon monoxide
C. Methane
D. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
Answer: A

220. Which method is commonly used for measuring noise levels?

A. Anemometer
B. Lux meter
C. Sound level meter
D. Barometer
Answer: C

221. Industrial solid waste disposal is best done by:

A. Open dumping
B. Landfilling
C. Composting
D. Burning in open air
Answer: B

222. Which of the following gases is considered a criterion pollutant by environmental

agencies?
A. Carbon monoxide
B. Argon
C. Neon
D. Krypton
Answer: A

223. Water pollution control measures include:

A. Use of detergents
B. Proper sewage treatment
C. Dumping of untreated industrial waste
D. None of the above
Answer: B

224. The smell or odor in water is primarily caused by:

A. Dissolved solids
B. Organic matter decay
C. Heavy metals
D. High turbidity
Answer: B

225. The removal of dissolved gases from water is achieved by:

A. Aeration
B. Sedimentation
C. Chlorination
D. Filtration
Answer: A

226. The main objective of setting air quality standards is to:

A. Promote industrial growth
B. Protect human health and environment
C. Increase vehicle emissions
D. Encourage urbanization
Answer: B

227. The permissible limit of suspended particulate matter (SPM) in ambient air is:
A. 10 µg/m³
B. 50 µg/m³
C. 100 µg/m³
D. 500 µg/m³
Answer: C

228. Noise pollution can cause:

A. Hearing loss
B. Sleep disturbances
C. Increased stress levels
D. All of the above
Answer: D

229. The main source of particulate air pollution is:

A. Vehicle emissions
B. Industrial emissions
C. Soil dust and construction activities
D. All of the above
Answer: D

230. The standard limit for fluoride in drinking water is:

A. 0.5 mg/L
B. 1.5 mg/L
C. 3.0 mg/L
D. 5.0 mg/L
Answer: B

231. Which is the common method to measure suspended particulate matter?

A. Gravimetric method
B. pH measurement
C. Turbidity measurement
D. Spectrophotometry
Answer: A

232. The presence of oil and grease in water indicates:

A. Organic pollution
B. Inorganic pollution
C. Oil contamination
D. Heavy metal contamination
Answer: C

233. The typical unit for measuring noise level is:

A. Decibel (dB)
B. Hertz (Hz)
C. Watt (W)
D. Pascal (Pa)
Answer: A

234. Which of the following is not a biological source of water pollution?

A. Pathogenic bacteria
B. Viruses
C. Industrial chemicals
D. Protozoa
Answer: C

235. Which of the following is an example of non-point source pollution?

A. Wastewater from a factory
B. Runoff from agricultural fields
C. Sewage discharge from a treatment plant
D. Effluent from a power plant
Answer: B

236. The term ‘smog’ is derived from:

A. Smoke + fog
B. Smoke + fog + dust
C. Smoke + fog + gas
D. Smoke + dust
Answer: A

237. Which of the following air pollutants is primarily emitted from incomplete combustion
of fossil fuels?
A. Carbon monoxide
B. Nitrogen dioxide
C. Sulfur dioxide
D. Ozone
Answer: A

238. The main chemical used for disinfection in water treatment is:
A. Chlorine
B. Ozone
C. Fluoride
D. Aluminum sulfate
Answer: A

239. Noise pollution standards are generally more stringent in:

A. Industrial areas
B. Residential areas
C. Commercial areas
D. Agricultural areas
Answer: B

240. The presence of which of the following in water causes hardness?

A. Sodium and potassium
B. Calcium and magnesium
C. Chlorides and nitrates
D. Carbon dioxide and oxygen
Answer: B

241. Which of the following gases mainly contributes to the depletion of the ozone layer?
A. Carbon monoxide
B. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
C. Methane
D. Nitrogen dioxide
Answer: B

242. Primary air pollutants are those which:

A. Are emitted directly from a source
B. Are formed by chemical reactions in the atmosphere
C. Cause acid rain
D. Result from industrial processes only
Answer: A

243. Which of the following is a major source of sulfur dioxide emissions?

A. Motor vehicles
B. Coal combustion in power plants
C. Agricultural activities
D. Forest fires
Answer: B

244. In air pollution control, a ‘bag filter’ is used to:

A. Remove gaseous pollutants
B. Remove particulate matter
C. Measure air quality
D. Control noise pollution
Answer: B

245. Which meteorological condition can increase the concentration of air pollutants near
the ground?
A. High wind speed
B. Temperature inversion
C. Heavy rainfall
D. Strong sunlight
Answer: B

246. The term ‘BOD’ in water pollution stands for:

A. Biological Oxygen Demand
B. Basic Organic Decomposition
C. Biological Ozone Depletion
D. Biochemical Oxidation Demand
Answer: A

247. Which of the following water pollutants can bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms?
A. Heavy metals like mercury and lead
B. Suspended solids
C. Nitrates
D. BOD
Answer: A

248. The primary cause of ‘thermal pollution’ in water bodies is:

A. Effluents from industries releasing hot water
B. Agricultural runoff
C. Sewage discharge
D. Oil spills
Answer: A

249. Which method is commonly used to measure biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) in
water?
A. Winkler’s method
B. Titration with permanganate
C. Incubation of water samples for 5 days
D. Turbidity measurement
Answer: C

250. The best method to control noise pollution in industrial areas is:
A. Installing noise barriers
B. Increasing the number of workers
C. Using louder machinery
D. Ignoring noise limits
Answer: A

251. The main component of smog in London-type smog is:

A. Photochemical oxidants
B. Sulfur dioxide and smoke
C. Ozone
D. Nitrogen oxides
Answer: B

252. The Indian standard for permissible noise limit in residential areas during daytime is
approximately:
A. 55 dB
B. 70 dB
C. 85 dB
D. 100 dB
Answer: A

253. Which of the following is not a typical characteristic of industrial solid waste?
A. May contain hazardous substances
B. Biodegradable in nature
C. Non-biodegradable
D. Can include heavy metals
Answer: B

254. Which gas is mainly responsible for the ‘greenhouse effect’ leading to global warming?
A. Nitrogen
B. Oxygen
C. Carbon dioxide
D. Argon
Answer: C

255. Which of the following is used as a coagulant in water treatment to remove suspended
particles?
A. Chlorine
B. Aluminum sulfate (alum)
C. Sodium chloride
D. Calcium carbonate
Answer: B
256. The process of using plants to treat wastewater is called:
A. Filtration
B. Phytoremediation
C. Aeration
D. Chlorination
Answer: B

257. Which of the following pollutants causes ‘blue baby syndrome’?

A. Fluoride
B. Lead
C. Nitrates
D. Mercury
Answer: C

258. Which of the following is a non-point source of water pollution?

A. Sewage discharge from a factory
B. Agricultural runoff
C. Effluent from a treatment plant
D. Oil spill from a tanker
Answer: B

259. The most common method for municipal solid waste disposal is:
A. Incineration
B. Landfilling
C. Recycling
D. Composting
Answer: B

260. The ‘smoke’ component in air pollution mainly consists of:

A. Gaseous pollutants
B. Particulate matter (soot)
C. Water vapor
D. Carbon dioxide
Answer: B

261. Which of the following pollutants is associated with respiratory irritation and acid rain?
A. Carbon monoxide
B. Sulfur dioxide
C. Methane
D. Ozone
Answer: B
262. Noise pollution above which level can cause permanent hearing loss?
A. 60 dB
B. 80 dB
C. 100 dB
D. 120 dB
Answer: D

263. The permissible limit of total dissolved solids (TDS) in drinking water is:
A. 100 mg/L
B. 500 mg/L
C. 1000 mg/L
D. 2000 mg/L
Answer: C

264. Which of the following gases is a major component of ‘photochemical smog’?

A. Carbon monoxide
B. Ozone
C. Sulfur dioxide
D. Methane
Answer: B

265. The term ‘dry deposition’ refers to:

A. Deposition of pollutants on surfaces without precipitation
B. Removal of pollutants by rain
C. Absorption of gases by plants
D. Settling of dust particles only during rain
Answer: A

266. Which of the following pollutants causes eutrophication in water bodies?

A. Heavy metals
B. Nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus
C. Suspended solids
D. Oil and grease
Answer: B

267. Which gas is the most toxic pollutant emitted from motor vehicles?
A. Carbon dioxide
B. Carbon monoxide
C. Nitrogen dioxide
D. Sulfur dioxide
Answer: B
268. A cyclone separator is used to:
A. Separate gases from liquids
B. Remove particulates from air by centrifugal force
C. Measure air pollutant concentration
D. Control noise pollution
Answer: B

269. Which pollutant primarily causes photochemical smog in urban areas?

A. Carbon monoxide
B. Nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds
C. Sulfur dioxide
D. Particulate matter
Answer: B

270. Which method is used for measuring suspended particulate matter (SPM)
concentration?
A. Gravimetric analysis
B. Spectrophotometry
C. Titration
D. pH meter
Answer: A

271. The ‘incineration’ process in waste management involves:

A. Biological decomposition
B. Burning of waste at high temperature
C. Burial of waste
D. Recycling of waste
Answer: B

272. The maximum permissible noise level in industrial areas during daytime is
approximately:
A. 55 dB
B. 70 dB
C. 75 dB
D. 85 dB
Answer: D

273. Which of the following is a major cause of waterborne diseases?

A. Heavy metals
B. Pathogenic microorganisms
C. Oil spills
D. Thermal pollution
Answer: B

274. Which of the following processes is used to reduce suspended solids in wastewater?
A. Filtration
B. Aeration
C. Sedimentation
D. Chlorination
Answer: C

275. Which pollutant causes ‘acid rain’?

A. Nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide
B. Carbon monoxide
C. Methane
D. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
Answer: A

276. Which of the following is an effect of noise pollution?

A. Hearing impairment
B. Increased blood pressure
C. Stress and sleep disturbances
D. All of the above
Answer: D

277. The process of removing dissolved oxygen from water by microorganisms is indicated
by:
A. High BOD value
B. Low BOD value
C. High pH value
D. Low pH value
Answer: A

278. Which of the following is a gaseous pollutant mainly responsible for photochemical
smog?
A. Sulfur dioxide
B. Ozone
C. Carbon dioxide
D. Nitrogen oxides
Answer: D

279. Which of the following is the correct order of decreasing particle size in particulate
pollutants?
A. PM10 > PM2.5 > PM1
B. PM1 > PM2.5 > PM10
C. PM2.5 > PM10 > PM1
D. PM1 > PM10 > PM2.5
Answer: A

280. The disposal of hazardous industrial waste should be:

A. Landfilled in open dumps
B. Discharged into water bodies
C. Treated and disposed in secured landfills
D. Burnt in open air
Answer: C

281. What is the main source of lead pollution in urban air?

A. Coal combustion
B. Vehicular emissions from leaded petrol
C. Industrial solvents
D. Agricultural activities
Answer: B

282. The process of ‘aeration’ in water treatment helps to:

A. Remove suspended solids
B. Increase dissolved oxygen content
C. Remove dissolved gases
D. Lower water temperature
Answer: B

283. The ‘desulfurization’ process in power plants is used to control:

A. Carbon dioxide emissions
B. Sulfur dioxide emissions
C. Nitrogen oxides emissions
D. Particulate emissions
Answer: B

284. The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a measure of:

A. Noise pollution level
B. Water pollution level
C. Overall air pollution level
D. Soil contamination level
Answer: C

285. Which of the following pollutants is considered a ‘greenhouse gas’?

A. Carbon monoxide
B. Nitrogen dioxide
C. Methane
D. Ozone in the stratosphere
Answer: C

286. The primary method for controlling particulate emissions from factories is:
A. Electrostatic precipitators
B. Catalytic converters
C. Scrubbers
D. Bag filters
Answer: A

287. Which pollutant causes ‘photochemical smog’ and irritates eyes and respiratory tract?
A. Carbon monoxide
B. Ozone
C. Sulfur dioxide
D. Lead
Answer: B

288. What is the typical range of pH considered safe for drinking water?
A. 2.0 to 4.0
B. 5.0 to 6.0
C. 6.5 to 8.5
D. 9.0 to 11.0
Answer: C

289. Which type of noise is produced by industrial machines running continuously?

A. Impulsive noise
B. Steady-state noise
C. Intermittent noise
D. Low frequency noise
Answer: B

290. Which water pollutant is commonly associated with oil spills?

A. Hydrocarbons
B. Heavy metals
C. Nitrates
D. Pathogens
Answer: A

291. Which gas is primarily responsible for the ‘smog’ in Los Angeles type smog?
A. Sulfur dioxide
B. Photochemical oxidants including ozone
C. Carbon dioxide
D. Methane
Answer: B

292. What is the permissible limit of Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) in ambient air (in
μg/m³) as per Indian standards?
A. 100
B. 150
C. 200
D. 300
Answer: B

293. Which of the following is NOT a waterborne disease?

A. Cholera
B. Typhoid
C. Malaria
D. Dysentery
Answer: C

294. In noise measurement, the unit ‘decibel’ (dB) is:

A. Linear scale
B. Logarithmic scale
C. Exponential scale
D. Absolute scale
Answer: B

295. Which of the following is a biological method of water pollution control?

A. Chlorination
B. Activated sludge process
C. Filtration
D. Sedimentation
Answer: B

296. The phenomenon of ‘thermal inversion’ leads to:

A. Enhanced air mixing
B. Trapping of pollutants near ground level
C. Reduction of air pollution
D. Increased rainfall
Answer: B

297. Which of the following is an example of biodegradable waste?

A. Plastic bags
B. Food waste
C. Glass bottles
D. Metal scraps
Answer: B

298. What is the main cause of ‘fugitive emissions’ in industries?

A. Leakage from equipment
B. Stack emissions
C. Vehicle exhaust
D. Use of solvents
Answer: A

299. Which of the following is a major source of water pollution in urban areas?
A. Agricultural runoff
B. Industrial effluents
C. Natural springs
D. Groundwater recharge
Answer: B

300. Noise pollution can be controlled by:

A. Increasing equipment speed
B. Using sound absorbing materials
C. Reducing green cover
D. Increasing traffic flow
Answer: B

301. Which air pollutant is known for causing respiratory problems and is produced by
burning fossil fuels?
A. Ozone
B. Carbon monoxide
C. Nitrogen dioxide
D. Chlorofluorocarbons
Answer: C

302. Which of the following solid waste management techniques helps in energy recovery?
A. Composting
B. Landfilling
C. Incineration
D. Recycling
Answer: C

303. The Indian standard for permissible limit of arsenic in drinking water is:
A. 10 µg/L
B. 50 µg/L
C. 100 µg/L
D. 200 µg/L
Answer: A

304. Which of the following gases is NOT considered a primary air pollutant?
A. Carbon monoxide
B. Sulfur dioxide
C. Ozone
D. Nitrogen oxides
Answer: C

305. The formation of ‘acid rain’ mainly depends on the presence of:
A. Carbon monoxide and methane
B. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides
C. Ozone and carbon dioxide
D. Methane and chlorofluorocarbons
Answer: B

306. Which of the following pollutants is primarily responsible for the discoloration of water
bodies?
A. Suspended solids
B. Heavy metals
C. Pathogens
D. Thermal effluents
Answer: A

307. Noise pollution is measured by which instrument?

A. Thermometer
B. Decibel meter
C. Barometer
D. Anemometer
Answer: B

308. Which of the following is a primary source of particulate air pollution?

A. Automobile exhaust
B. Volcanic eruptions
C. Chemical reactions in the atmosphere
D. Photochemical oxidants
Answer: A
309. The common chemical used for disinfection in water treatment is:
A. Chlorine
B. Fluoride
C. Alum
D. Lime
Answer: A

310. Which of the following is a secondary pollutant formed by reaction of primary

pollutants under sunlight?
A. Carbon monoxide
B. Ozone
C. Sulfur dioxide
D. Particulate matter
Answer: B

311. Which pollutant is primarily responsible for the depletion of stratospheric ozone?
A. Nitrogen oxides
B. Carbon monoxide
C. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
D. Methane
Answer: C

312. The ‘scrubber’ used in industries is designed to remove:

A. Gaseous pollutants
B. Noise
C. Solid waste
D. Water pollutants
Answer: A

313. Which of the following pollutants is a colorless and odorless gas that is highly toxic?
A. Sulfur dioxide
B. Carbon monoxide
C. Nitrogen dioxide
D. Ozone
Answer: B

314. Which of the following water pollutants is responsible for the reduction of dissolved
oxygen?
A. Suspended solids
B. Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) substances
C. Heavy metals
D. Oil and grease
Answer: B
315. Which of the following materials is considered hazardous solid waste?
A. Plastic
B. Battery acid
C. Food waste
D. Paper
Answer: B

316. What is the main cause of ‘fugitive dust’ in urban areas?

A. Construction activities
B. Industrial stack emissions
C. Vehicle exhaust
D. Household cooking smoke
Answer: A

317. Which of the following is a major source of nitrate pollution in groundwater?

A. Sewage disposal
B. Agricultural fertilizers
C. Industrial waste
D. Urban runoff
Answer: B

318. Which of the following is NOT a direct effect of noise pollution?

A. Hearing loss
B. Fatigue
C. Increased heart rate
D. Skin irritation
Answer: D

319. Which method is commonly used to control noise pollution along highways?
A. Noise barriers
B. Sprinkling water on roads
C. Increasing traffic speed
D. Reducing vehicle size
Answer: A

320. The term ‘fumigation’ in air pollution refers to:

A. Dispersion of pollutants due to wind
B. Trapping of pollutants near ground due to temperature inversion
C. Formation of fog due to water vapor
D. Chemical reactions producing ozone
Answer: B
321. What is the most common method used to measure suspended particulate matter
(SPM) in air?
A. Gravimetric method
B. Spectrophotometric method
C. Titration method
D. Chromatography
Answer: A

322. Which of the following is an effect of long-term exposure to sulfur dioxide (SO₂)?
A. Skin cancer
B. Respiratory illness and bronchitis
C. Hearing loss
D. Vision impairment
Answer: B

323. The removal of dissolved gases such as hydrogen sulfide in water treatment is done
by:
A. Sedimentation
B. Aeration
C. Filtration
D. Chlorination
Answer: B

324. In air pollution control, a ‘bag filter’ is primarily used to:

A. Remove gases
B. Remove particulates
C. Absorb odors
D. Neutralize acidic gases
Answer: B

325. Which Indian agency is responsible for setting air quality standards?
A. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
B. Ministry of Agriculture
C. Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
D. Indian Meteorological Department
Answer: A

326. The term ‘smog’ is a combination of:

A. Smoke and fog
B. Smoke and dust
C. Smoke and mist
D. Smoke and rain
Answer: A

327. Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) indicates:

A. The amount of oxygen required to oxidize organic matter in water
B. The total dissolved solids in water
C. The amount of oxygen dissolved in water
D. The number of bacteria in water
Answer: A

328. Which of the following is NOT a typical constituent of industrial effluent?

A. Heavy metals
B. Organic compounds
C. Pathogens
D. Inert solids
Answer: C

329. The main cause of ‘blue baby syndrome’ in infants is contamination of water with:
A. Lead
B. Nitrates
C. Mercury
D. Arsenic
Answer: B

330. Noise pollution is typically measured in:

A. Pascals
B. Decibels (dB)
C. Hertz
D. Watts
Answer: B

331. The ‘clean air act’ in India was enacted in:

A. 1974
B. 1981
C. 1990
D. 2000
Answer: A

332. Which of the following gases contributes the most to acid rain?
A. Carbon monoxide
B. Sulfur dioxide
C. Methane
D. Ozone
Answer: B

333. Which method is commonly used for the treatment of domestic sewage?
A. Chlorination
B. Activated sludge process
C. Ion exchange
D. Reverse osmosis
Answer: B

334. The permissible limit of total dissolved solids (TDS) in drinking water as per Indian
standards is:
A. 100 mg/L
B. 500 mg/L
C. 2000 mg/L
D. 5000 mg/L
Answer: B

335. Which of the following gases is colorless, odorless, and highly toxic due to its affinity
to hemoglobin?
A. Nitrogen dioxide
B. Carbon monoxide
C. Sulfur dioxide
D. Ozone
Answer: B

336. The main function of a chimney stack in industries is to:

A. Reduce noise pollution
B. Increase fuel efficiency
C. Dispersion of air pollutants at higher altitudes
D. Filter particulate matter
Answer: C

337. Which pollutant is mainly responsible for the ‘reddish-brown’ color in polluted urban
air?
A. Nitrogen dioxide
B. Sulfur dioxide
C. Carbon monoxide
D. Ozone
Answer: A

338. Which of the following is NOT a control measure for particulate emissions?
A. Electrostatic precipitators
B. Wet scrubbers
C. Catalytic converters
D. Fabric filters
Answer: C

339. In water treatment, ‘coagulation’ is used to:

A. Remove dissolved gases
B. Remove suspended particles by aggregation
C. Disinfect the water
D. Adjust pH levels
Answer: B

340. Which type of noise is generated by sharp, sudden sounds?

A. Steady-state noise
B. Impulsive noise
C. Continuous noise
D. Low frequency noise
Answer: B

341. Which of the following diseases is NOT typically caused by water pollution?
A. Cholera
B. Typhoid
C. Malaria
D. Hepatitis A
Answer: C

342. The main source of carbon monoxide in urban air is:

A. Combustion of fossil fuels in vehicles
B. Industrial chemical processes
C. Agricultural activities
D. Natural forest fires
Answer: A

343. Noise pollution level exceeding _______ dB is considered harmful to human hearing.
A. 40
B. 60
C. 85
D. 120
Answer: C

344. The Indian Standard for permissible pH range in drinking water is:
A. 4.0 – 6.0
B. 6.5 – 8.5
C. 7.0 – 9.0
D. 8.0 – 10.0
Answer: B

345. Which of the following pollutants is responsible for causing eutrophication in water
bodies?
A. Heavy metals
B. Nitrates and phosphates
C. Pathogens
D. Oil and grease
Answer: B

346. Which method is commonly used for noise control in industrial environments?
A. Using ear plugs only
B. Soundproofing and use of mufflers
C. Increasing machine speed
D. Using louder equipment
Answer: B

347. The typical lifespan of a landfill for solid waste depends on:
A. Waste volume and landfill capacity
B. Soil type only
C. Weather conditions only
D. Waste color
Answer: A

348. Which of the following is NOT a typical effect of water pollution?

A. Damage to aquatic life
B. Increase in dissolved oxygen levels
C. Spread of waterborne diseases
D. Disruption of ecosystem balance
Answer: B

349. The gas responsible for the ‘greenhouse effect’ is:

A. Carbon dioxide
B. Nitrogen
C. Oxygen
D. Argon
Answer: A
350. The best measure to control noise pollution in residential areas is:
A. Increasing traffic speed
B. Use of noise barriers and zoning
C. Allowing more industries
D. Using louder horns
Answer: B

351. Which of the following is a typical source of noise pollution in cities?

A. Construction sites
B. Forests
C. Rivers
D. Agricultural fields
Answer: A

352. Which of the following substances is a non-biodegradable pollutant?

A. Paper
B. Plastic
C. Food waste
D. Leaves
Answer: B

353. Which of the following air pollutants causes corrosion of metals?

A. Carbon monoxide
B. Sulfur dioxide
C. Nitrogen
D. Oxygen
Answer: B

354. The most common indicator of organic pollution in water is:

A. Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)
B. Electrical Conductivity
C. pH level
D. Turbidity
Answer: A

355. Which of the following gases contributes to the formation of photochemical smog?
A. Carbon dioxide
B. Nitrogen oxides
C. Methane
D. Argon
Answer: B
356. The maximum permissible noise level for industrial areas during the day as per Indian
standards is:
A. 65 dB
B. 75 dB
C. 85 dB
D. 95 dB
Answer: C

357. Which of the following is NOT a source of water pollution?

A. Industrial effluents
B. Agricultural runoff
C. Wind erosion
D. Domestic sewage
Answer: C

358. Electrostatic precipitators work on the principle of:

A. Gravity settling
B. Electrostatic charge attraction
C. Filtration
D. Sedimentation
Answer: B

359. Noise pollution mainly affects:

A. Eyesight
B. Hearing and mental health
C. Taste buds
D. Skin texture
Answer: B

360. Which of the following pollutants primarily contributes to global warming?

A. Carbon monoxide
B. Carbon dioxide
C. Sulfur dioxide
D. Ozone (stratospheric)
Answer: B

361. Which of the following is a major source of nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the atmosphere?
A. Volcanic eruptions
B. Combustion of fossil fuels in vehicles and power plants
C. Decomposition of organic matter
D. Photosynthesis
Answer: B
362. Which of the following air pollutants is responsible for the depletion of the ozone
layer?
A. Carbon monoxide
B. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
C. Nitrogen oxides
D. Sulfur dioxide
Answer: B

363. Which of the following is a biological method used in the treatment of wastewater?
A. Filtration
B. Activated sludge process
C. Chlorination
D. Sedimentation
Answer: B

364. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of acid rain?

A. Lowered pH of rainwater
B. Damage to vegetation and aquatic life
C. Increased alkalinity of soil
D. Corrosion of buildings and monuments
Answer: C

365. The standard unit for measuring noise frequency is:

A. Decibel
B. Hertz
C. Watt
D. Pascal
Answer: B

366. The primary cause of ‘thermal pollution’ in water bodies is:

A. Discharge of heated industrial effluents
B. Sewage discharge
C. Agricultural runoff
D. Oil spills
Answer: A

367. Which of the following is a common technique used to reduce sulfur dioxide
emissions from power plants?
A. Electrostatic precipitators
B. Flue gas desulfurization (FGD)
C. Catalytic converters
D. Bag filters
Answer: B
368. The term ‘fumigation’ in environmental engineering refers to:
A. Application of insecticides in soil
B. Atmospheric condition trapping pollutants near the ground
C. Use of smoke for disinfection
D. Emission of greenhouse gases
Answer: B

369. Which pollutant primarily causes ‘photochemical smog’?

A. Sulfur dioxide
B. Nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons in presence of sunlight
C. Carbon monoxide
D. Particulate matter
Answer: B

370. The ‘Clean Water Act’ aims to:

A. Control noise pollution
B. Prevent water pollution and protect water quality
C. Regulate air quality standards
D. Manage solid waste disposal
Answer: B

371. The main component of ‘black smoke’ emitted from vehicles is:
A. Carbon monoxide
B. Particulate matter (soot)
C. Nitrogen oxides
D. Sulfur dioxide
Answer: B

372. Which of the following is NOT a health effect of noise pollution?

A. Hearing loss
B. Stress and anxiety
C. High blood pressure
D. Improved concentration
Answer: D

373. The permissible limit of lead in drinking water as per Indian standards is:
A. 0.01 mg/L
B. 0.05 mg/L
C. 0.1 mg/L
D. 0.5 mg/L
Answer: C
374. Which of the following is the primary source of particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5)?
A. Motor vehicles and industrial emissions
B. Photosynthesis
C. Ocean spray
D. Soil erosion alone
Answer: A

375. In water treatment, chlorination is primarily used for:

A. Coagulation
B. Disinfection
C. Removal of turbidity
D. Filtration
Answer: B

376. Which pollutant is responsible for the characteristic ‘rotten egg’ smell near industrial
areas?
A. Ammonia
B. Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S)
C. Methane
D. Carbon dioxide
Answer: B

377. Which of the following is a common effect of water pollution on aquatic life?
A. Increased oxygen levels
B. Fish kills due to oxygen depletion
C. Improved habitat conditions
D. Increased biodiversity
Answer: B

378. Noise pollution control methods include:

A. Zoning regulations
B. Use of noise barriers
C. Maintenance of machinery to reduce noise
D. All of the above
Answer: D

379. The term ‘particulate emission control’ includes:

A. Use of scrubbers
B. Use of electrostatic precipitators
C. Fabric filters (baghouses)
D. All of the above
Answer: D

380. Which of the following solid waste disposal methods is considered most
environmentally safe?
A. Open dumping
B. Incineration with energy recovery
C. Ocean dumping
D. Burning in open air
Answer: B

381. The Indian Standard permissible limit for Suspended Solids in treated wastewater
discharged into surface water bodies is:
A. 10 mg/L
B. 100 mg/L
C. 200 mg/L
D. 500 mg/L
Answer: B

382. The term ‘air quality index’ (AQI) measures:

A. The level of noise pollution in an area
B. The concentration of various air pollutants and their health impact
C. The amount of solid waste generated
D. The temperature and humidity of air
Answer: B

383. The largest contributor to noise pollution in urban areas is:

A. Traffic noise
B. Aircraft noise
C. Industrial noise
D. Household appliances
Answer: A

384. Which of the following is a major source of water pollution in agricultural areas?
A. Pesticide and fertilizer runoff
B. Industrial effluents
C. Sewage discharge
D. Deforestation
Answer: A

385. The ‘primary standard’ in air quality standards refers to:

A. Limits to protect public health
B. Limits to protect vegetation and materials
C. Limits to prevent climate change
D. Limits for odor control
Answer: A

386. What is the main purpose of ‘settling tanks’ in wastewater treatment?

A. Removal of dissolved solids
B. Removal of suspended solids by sedimentation
C. Biological treatment of sewage
D. Disinfection
Answer: B

387. Which of the following gases contributes to the formation of acid rain?
A. Carbon monoxide
B. Nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide
C. Oxygen
D. Methane
Answer: B

388. The term ‘inversion layer’ in meteorology is associated with:

A. Enhanced dispersion of air pollutants
B. Trapping of air pollutants near the surface
C. Increased rainfall
D. Increased wind speed
Answer: B

389. Which of the following is a secondary pollutant?

A. Sulfur dioxide
B. Ozone formed by photochemical reactions
C. Carbon monoxide
D. Particulate matter
Answer: B

390. Which of the following is the principal cause of noise pollution in airports?
A. Aircraft engine noise
B. Passenger conversations
C. Airport lighting systems
D. Ground vehicles
Answer: A

391. Which water pollutant causes ‘methemoglobinemia’ or ‘blue baby syndrome’?

A. Lead
B. Nitrates
C. Arsenic
D. Mercury
Answer: B

392. Which of the following is NOT a measure for controlling industrial air pollution?
A. Electrostatic precipitators
B. Baghouse filters
C. Increase fuel consumption
D. Scrubbers
Answer: C

393. Which of the following is the primary source of carbon monoxide in the atmosphere?
A. Complete combustion of fossil fuels
B. Incomplete combustion of fossil fuels
C. Photosynthesis
D. Volcanic eruptions
Answer: B

394. The permissible noise level for residential areas during night as per Indian standards
is:
A. 55 dB
B. 45 dB
C. 65 dB
D. 75 dB
Answer: B

395. Which of the following is the most common waterborne disease?

A. Tuberculosis
B. Cholera
C. Malaria
D. Asthma
Answer: B

396. Which pollutant is primarily responsible for the formation of ‘acid rain’?
A. Carbon dioxide
B. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides
C. Ozone
D. Methane
Answer: B

397. Which of the following solid wastes is biodegradable?

A. Plastics
B. Paper
C. Metals
D. Glass
Answer: B

398. What is the purpose of a ‘noise barrier’ along highways?

A. To absorb sound and reduce noise pollution
B. To increase traffic speed
C. To provide shade
D. To mark boundaries
Answer: A

399. Which device uses electric charges to remove particulate matter from industrial
emissions?
A. Bag filter
B. Electrostatic precipitator
C. Wet scrubber
D. Cyclone separator
Answer: B

400. Which is the most effective method to reduce water pollution from industrial
effluents?
A. Sedimentation alone
B. Proper treatment before discharge
C. Direct discharge into rivers
D. Dilution in large water bodies
Answer: B

Numerical MCQs — Environmental Engineering

1. If the ambient air contains 0.05 ppm of SO₂, what is its concentration in mg/m³ at 25°C
and 1 atm? (Molecular weight of SO₂ = 64 g/mol, 1 atm = 101.3 kPa)
A. 0.13 mg/m³
B. 0.064 mg/m³
C. 0.10 mg/m³
D. 0.20 mg/m³
Answer: A
(Use: mg/m³ = ppm × (molecular weight/24.45))

2. Calculate the dilution factor if the concentration of a pollutant in the source emission is
100 mg/m³ and after dispersion, it reduces to 2 mg/m³.
A. 20
B. 50
C. 100
D. 500
Answer: B

3. A factory emits 150 kg of particulate matter per day. If the stack height is 30 m, what is
the emission rate in g/s?
A. 1.74 g/s
B. 2.5 g/s
C. 0.65 g/s
D. 4.3 g/s
Answer: A
(150,000 g / 86400 seconds ≈ 1.74 g/s)

4. The permissible limit of suspended solids in wastewater is 100 mg/L. What mass of
solids will be present in 10,000 L of treated water?
A. 1 kg
B. 10 kg
C. 100 kg
D. 0.1 kg
Answer: A
(100 mg/L × 10,000 L = 1,000,000 mg = 1 kg)

5. If the noise level is 90 dB, what is the noise level after a reduction of 30 dB by a noise
barrier?
A. 60 dB
B. 120 dB
C. 30 dB
D. 45 dB
Answer: A

6. Calculate the volume of air required to dilute 0.5 g of pollutant to a concentration of 0.01
mg/m³.
A. 5 × 10⁴ m³
B. 5 × 10³ m³
C. 5 × 10⁵ m³
D. 5 × 10² m³
Answer: A
(Volume = Mass / Concentration = 0.5 g / (0.01 mg/m³) = 0.5 × 10³ mg / 0.01 mg/m³ = 5 × 10⁴
m³)

7. A water sample has 5 mg/L of lead. What is the total amount of lead in 500 L of water?
A. 2.5 g
B. 0.25 g
C. 25 g
D. 50 g
Answer: A

8. The air quality index (AQI) is calculated based on pollutant concentration. If PM2.5
concentration is 75 µg/m³, classify the air quality (Good: 0-50, Moderate: 51-100, Poor:
>100 µg/m³).
A. Good
B. Moderate
C. Poor
D. Hazardous
Answer: B

9. If the noise intensity is doubled, by how many decibels does the noise level increase?
A. 2 dB
B. 3 dB
C. 6 dB
D. 10 dB
Answer: B

10. Calculate the BOD load if 2000 m³ of sewage has a BOD of 150 mg/L.
A. 300 kg/day
B. 150 kg/day
C. 100 kg/day
D. 400 kg/day
Answer: A
(BOD load = Volume × BOD concentration = 2000 m³ × 150 mg/L = 300,000,000 mg = 300
kg)

11. If the permissible noise limit is 65 dB, and a machine emits noise at 80 dB, by what
factor should the noise intensity be reduced?
A. 31.6
B. 15.8
C. 10
D. 100
Answer: A
(Every 10 dB increase corresponds to 10 times intensity; difference = 15 dB = approx. 31.6
times)

12. Calculate the concentration of a pollutant in mg/m³ if 0.25 ppm of NO₂ is present in air
at 25°C. (Molecular weight of NO₂ = 46 g/mol)
A. 0.47 mg/m³
B. 0.25 mg/m³
C. 0.12 mg/m³
D. 1.25 mg/m³
Answer: A

13. A wastewater treatment plant treats 5000 m³/day of sewage. If the effluent BOD must
be less than 30 mg/L, what is the maximum allowable BOD load in kg/day?
A. 150 kg/day
B. 300 kg/day
C. 600 kg/day
D. 100 kg/day
Answer: A

14. If a solid waste landfill produces 2 tons of waste per day, how many kilograms is this?
A. 2000 kg
B. 1000 kg
C. 5000 kg
D. 2500 kg
Answer: A

15. Calculate the time in seconds required to fill a tank of 1000 m³ with a flow rate of 0.5
m³/s.
A. 2000 s
B. 500 s
C. 100 s
D. 1500 s
Answer: A

16. If the noise level near a construction site is 100 dB, how many times louder is this
compared to 70 dB?
A. 1000 times
B. 10 times
C. 100 times
D. 30 times
Answer: A
(Difference = 30 dB, every 10 dB = 10 times louder → 10^3 = 1000 times)

17. Calculate the volume of air (in m³) needed to dilute 1 gram of pollutant to a
concentration of 0.1 mg/m³.
A. 10,000 m³
B. 1,000 m³
C. 100,000 m³
D. 1 m³
Answer: A
18. A noise source emits 85 dB. After adding a barrier, noise reduces by 25 dB. What is the
resulting noise level?
A. 60 dB
B. 110 dB
C. 25 dB
D. 85 dB
Answer: A

19. Calculate the volume of water containing 20 mg/L of suspended solids in 500 L. How
much solids in grams are present?
A. 10 g
B. 0.1 g
C. 100 g
D. 5 g
Answer: A

20. The molecular weight of CO is 28 g/mol. Calculate the concentration in mg/m³ for 2
ppm of CO.
A. 2.29 mg/m³
B. 1.15 mg/m³
C. 0.85 mg/m³
D. 3.5 mg/m³
Answer: A

21. If a flue gas contains 0.1% SO₂ by volume, what is its concentration in ppm?
A. 1000 ppm
B. 10 ppm
C. 100 ppm
D. 1 ppm
Answer: A

22. The permissible noise limit in industrial areas during daytime is 75 dB. A machine emits
90 dB. How many times greater is the intensity?
A. 31.6 times
B. 10 times
C. 100 times
D. 3 times
Answer: A

23. Calculate the mass of particulate matter emitted in one hour if the emission rate is 3
g/s.
A. 10.8 kg
B. 1.08 kg
C. 108 kg
D. 0.3 kg
Answer: A

24. Water contains 0.5 mg/L of arsenic. What mass of arsenic is present in 2000 L of water?
A. 1 g
B. 10 g
C. 0.1 g
D. 5 g
Answer: A

25. If the BOD of influent sewage is 250 mg/L and effluent is 30 mg/L, what is the
percentage removal?
A. 88%
B. 75%
C. 80%
D. 90%
Answer: A
((250 – 30)/250) × 100 = 88%

26. Calculate the dB level increase if the noise intensity is increased by 100 times.
A. 20 dB
B. 10 dB
C. 100 dB
D. 30 dB
Answer: A

27. A particulate emission control device removes 98% of particles from a 10 kg/hr
emission. What is the emission after control?
A. 0.2 kg/hr
B. 2 kg/hr
C. 0.02 kg/hr
D. 1 kg/hr
Answer: A

28. Calculate the molar concentration (mol/m³) of SO₂ at 1 ppm in air.

A. 4.09 × 10⁻⁵ mol/m³
B. 1 × 10⁻³ mol/m³
C. 2.5 × 10⁻⁴ mol/m³
D. 6 × 10⁻⁶ mol/m³
Answer: A
29. The sound intensity at 50 m from a source is 80 dB. What will be the approximate
intensity at 100 m?
A. 74 dB
B. 90 dB
C. 86 dB
D. 70 dB
Answer: A
(Every doubling of distance reduces sound by ~6 dB)

30. If a treatment plant removes 90% of BOD from sewage with an influent concentration of
200 mg/L, what is the effluent BOD?
A. 20 mg/L
B. 180 mg/L
C. 10 mg/L
D. 100 mg/L