SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: DEGREE LEVEL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS PART 8

Science and Technology: Degree Level Questions and Answers Part 8

If you’re preparing for Kerala PSC exams and diving into science and technology topics, you’ve come to the right place! This part of our series focuses on environmental science, conservation, and pollution—subjects that have appeared consistently in degree-level PSC exams. Understanding these concepts isn’t just about passing the test; it’s about grasping how our planet works and why protecting it matters. Let’s break down the key topics and work through some real previous paper questions together.

Why This Topic Appears in Kerala PSC Exams

Science and technology questions, especially those related to environmental science and conservation, are staple items in Kerala PSC degree-level exams. Examiners love testing your knowledge about pollution indicators, conservation methods, and international environmental organizations because these topics directly relate to current affairs and policy decisions. Whether you’re appearing for civil service exams, teaching positions, or other graduate-level categories, you’ll encounter questions like these.

The topics covered here—from SO₂ pollution indicators to greenhouse gas monitoring satellites—reflect India’s commitment to environmental protection and sustainable development. Questions about national parks, IUCN guidelines, and international maritime organizations show how Kerala PSC connects environmental science with real-world governance and global cooperation. Make sure you’re familiar with these concepts because they often appear in both direct questions and as background knowledge for more complex scenarios.

What You Need to Know

To tackle this section effectively, you need to understand three main areas: first, pollution and its indicators (which organisms or measurements tell us about air quality), second, conservation strategies and the organizations that oversee them globally, and third, ecosystem dynamics and international environmental frameworks. Each of these areas interconnects—for example, understanding bioindicators helps you see why certain plants indicate pollution levels, which connects to conservation priorities.

You’ll also want to familiarize yourself with important international bodies like the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) and IMO (International Maritime Organisation), and know key facts about India’s national parks and protected areas. Additionally, having clarity on the difference between “in-situ” and “ex-situ” conservation isn’t just academic trivia—it’s fundamental to how we approach species protection today. For more practice with quantitative reasoning alongside these concepts, check out our Kerala PSC Maths Questions and Answers Part 2 to strengthen your overall problem-solving skills.

Quick Study Tips Before You Start

Here’s the thing: science and technology questions reward those who connect concepts rather than just memorize facts. When you learn about Taj Mahal yellowing, don’t just remember “acid rain”—understand why acid rain causes this specific damage and what makes it different from other environmental issues. Create a simple table comparing different types of pollution and their indicators, and another listing major international environmental organizations with their headquarters and founding years.

Practice grouping related questions together. For example, study all the pollution-related questions as one batch, then move to conservation questions as another unit. This helps your brain recognize patterns and reinforces learning. Additionally, pay special attention to dates and locations—Kerala PSC loves specific factual questions about where organizations are headquartered or when observances occur. Our article on Kerala PSC Civil Excise Officer: Special Topics – Previous Questions & Answers Part 9 uses a similar approach that you can apply here too.

Science and Technology Questions and Answers (PSC Previous Papers)

Question 1: Which of the followings is the best indicator of SO₂ pollution?

a. Bryophytes
b. Pteridophytes
c. Lichens
d. Algae
Answer: (c) Lichens

Question 2: Yellowing of Taj Mahal is an effect of

a. Acid Rain
b. Global Warming
c. Ozone depletion
d. All of the above
Answer: (a) Acid Rain

Question 3: Conservation within the natural habitat is

a. Ex-situ conservation
b. In-situ conservation
c. Ex-vivo conservation
d. In-vivo conservation
Answer: (b) In-situ conservation

Question 4: IUCN headquarters is at

a. Gland, Switzerland
b. Paris, France
c. Vienna, Austria
d. New York, USA
Answer: (a) Gland, Switzerland

Question 5: The Gangotri National Park (GNP) is located in which state?

a. Chhattisgarh
b. Bihar
c. Uttarakhand
d. West Bengal
Answer: (c) Uttarakhand

Question 6: What is the direction of the flow of energy in an ecosystem?

a. Unidirectional
b. Bidirectional
c. Multi-directional
d. Cyclic
Answer: (a) Unidirectional

Question 7: Headquarters of International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is located at

a. New York
b. Geneva
c. Washington
d. London
Answer: (d) London

Question 8: What is the name of the world’s first greenhouse-gas-monitoring satellite?

a. ICESat
b. Jason-1
c. Ibuki
d. NPOESS
Answer: (c) Ibuki

Question 9: Which of the following comes under primary pollutant?

a. Plastic
b. Sulphur dioxide
c. Nitrogen Oxide
d. All the above
Answer: (b) Sulphur dioxide

Question 10: Consider the following observances and the dates on which they are observed

1. World Day to Combat Desertification (WDCD) – 17 June
2. World Tsunami Awareness Day – 5 November
3. World Wildlife Day – 3 March
   Which of the above is/are correct?
   a. 1 and 2 only
   b. 3 only
   c. 2 and 3 only
   d. 1, 2 and 3
   Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

Wrapping Up

You’re doing great by working through these questions systematically! Science and technology topics might seem vast, but when you focus on the patterns—bioindicators, conservation methods, international organizations, and pollution types—everything becomes more manageable. Keep reinforcing these concepts with practice, stay curious about why things work the way they do, and you’ll find these questions become easier each time. Don’t forget to explore Daily GK Questions to maintain your general knowledge edge alongside specialized topics. Keep learning, stay focused, and you’ve got this! Best of luck with your PSC preparation!