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Introduction to Environmental Engineering and Science – Fundamental and Sustainability
Concepts
Assignment- 12
TYPE OF QUESTION: MCQ/MSQ
Number of questions: 15 Total Marks 15 x 2 = 30
QUESTION 1:
What is the main cause of the water shortage in Cape Town?
a. Excessive rainfall causing reservoir overflow
b. Abnormally low rainfall combined with increasing demand
c. Over-investment in desalination plants
d. A surplus of groundwater resources
Correct Answer: b
Detailed Solution:
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QUESTION 2:
What percentage of total global water is a freshwater reserve?
a. 0.5%
b. 1.5%
c. 2.5%
d. 5%
Correct Answer: c
Detailed Solution:
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Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
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QUESTION 3:
Which among the following measure was introduced by Cape Town to directly reduce household water
usage?
a. Implementing strict water restrictions and daily limits
b. Building additional reservoirs
c. Subsidizing high water consumption
d. Increasing free water allocation
Correct Answer: a
Detailed Solution:
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QUESTION 4:
What is the purpose of installing Water Management Devices (WMDs) in Cape Town households?
a. To measure water quality
b. To enforce a fixed daily water withdrawal limit
c. To increase the water pressure
d. To provide free water after a threshold is met
Correct Answer: b
Detailed Solution:
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Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
QUESTION 5:
Which waste stream is collected using the “pink bin” in Panaji’s source separation system?
a. Plastics
b. Glass and metals
c. Wet waste
d. Paper and cartons
Correct Answer: d
Detailed Solution:
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QUESTION 6:
Which factor is highlighted as key to the success of Panaji’s waste management program?
a. Strong public engagement and community campaigns
b. Privatization of all waste collection
c. Elimination of all user fees
d. Reliance solely on centralized waste processing
Correct Answer: a
Detailed Solution:
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Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
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QUESTION 7:
What percentage of floating marine debris is estimated to be plastic?
a. 50%
b. 70%
c. 90%
d. 100%
Correct Answer: c
Detailed Solution:
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Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
QUESTION 8:
Why were the initial plans for containerized desalination plants scaled down in Cape Town?
a. They produced excessive water that exceeded demand
b. They caused water contamination
c. They operated too slowly to be useful
d. They were found not to be cost‑ effective or reliable
Correct Answer: d
Detailed Solution:
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QUESTION 9:
Which immediate health effect was reported following the Bhopal gas leak?
a. Enhanced cognitive abilities
b. Improved cardiovascular performance
c. Breathlessness and eye irritation
d. Increased resistance to infections
Correct Answer: c
Detailed Solution:
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Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
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QUESTION 10:
How did Cape Town modify its water tariff structure during the crisis?
a. They increased tariffs progressively with higher usage blocks
b. They reduced tariffs to encourage usage
c. They maintained a flat fee regardless of consumption
d. They offered free water to all households
Correct Answer: a
Detailed Solution:
_________________________________________________________________________
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Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
QUESTION 11:
In India, which sector is responsible for the highest withdrawal of freshwater?
a. Domestic use
b. Agricultural sector
c. Industrial sector
d. Medical sector
Correct Answer: c
Detailed Solution:
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QUESTION 12:
At the Union Carbide facility in Bhopal, which chemical was ultimately produced as the pesticide?
a. Atrazine
b. Carbaryl
c. Malathion
d. Parathion
Correct Answer: b
Detailed Solution:
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Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
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QUESTION 13:
What does the principle of “absolute liability” imply in the context of the Bhopal gas tragedy?
a. Companies are liable only if negligence is proven
b. Companies have limited liability for any harm caused
c. Companies are fully liable for damages resulting from hazardous activities, regardless of
precautions taken
d. Liability is equally shared between the company and government agencies
Correct Answer: c
Detailed Solution:
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Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
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QUESTION 14:
Which chemical was stored in the underground tank at the Bhopal plant that later leaked?
a. Carbaryl
b. Methyl isocyanate (MIC)
c. Phosgene
d. Chloroform
Correct Answer: b
Detailed Solution:
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NPTEL Online Certification Courses
Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
QUESTION 15:
State whether the following statement is True or False
“The majority of marine litter originates from land-based sources.”
a. True
b. False
Correct Answer: a
Detailed Solution:
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