MCQ 1. What does SEBI mean by “counterparty risk” in the context of digital gold?
A) Risk that the price of gold will fall
B) Risk that the platform or the company backing digital gold may default or shut down
C) Risk of theft of physical gold from vaults
D) Risk of currency fluctuation
Explanation:
SEBI warns that since digital gold platforms are unregulated, if they fail (insolvency, business disruption), investors’ money/gold claims may be at risk.
SEBI warns that since digital gold platforms are unregulated, if they fail (insolvency, business disruption), investors’ money/gold claims may be at risk.
MCQ 2. Which of the following is NOT a concern raised by SEBI about digital gold?
A) Lack of storage transparency
B) High transaction fees on stock exchanges
C) Absence of redemption guarantees
D) No investor protection under SEBI norms
Explanation:
SEBI’s warning does not focus on exchange transaction fees, but on structural risks: lack of regulation, redemption risk, counterparty risk, and no investor protection.
SEBI’s warning does not focus on exchange transaction fees, but on structural risks: lack of regulation, redemption risk, counterparty risk, and no investor protection.
MCQ 3. Which of the following statements about the Humboldt Penguin is/are correct?
1. It is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
2. It naturally occurs in Antarctica.
3. It feeds mainly on anchovies and sardines.
Select the correct answer:
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 1 and 3 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation:
• Humboldt Penguins are Vulnerable → Statement 1 is correct..
• They occur near Peru & Chile, NOT Antarctica → Statement 2 is incorrect..
• Anchovies and sardines form core diet → Statement 3 is correct.
• Humboldt Penguins are Vulnerable → Statement 1 is correct..
• They occur near Peru & Chile, NOT Antarctica → Statement 2 is incorrect..
• Anchovies and sardines form core diet → Statement 3 is correct.
MCQ 4. The natural habitat of the Humboldt Penguin is strongly influenced by which of the following oceanic systems?
A) Agulhas Current
B) Kuroshio Current
C) Humboldt (Peru) Current
D) Gulf Stream
Explanation:
The penguin is named after the cold, nutrient-rich Humboldt Current that sustains its food chain.
The penguin is named after the cold, nutrient-rich Humboldt Current that sustains its food chain.
MCQ 5. Which of the following are major threats to the survival of Humboldt Penguins?
1. El Niño events
2. Overfishing
3. Habitat loss due to guano mining
4. Sea-ice melting in Antarctica
Choose the correct option:
A) 1, 2 and 3 only
B) 1 and 4 only
C) 2, 3 and 4 only
D) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Explanation:
• El Niño → reduces fish → MAJOR threat.
• Overfishing → reduces anchovies/sardines.
• Guano mining → destroys breeding sites.
• They don’t live in Antarctica, so sea-ice melting is irrelevant.
• El Niño → reduces fish → MAJOR threat.
• Overfishing → reduces anchovies/sardines.
• Guano mining → destroys breeding sites.
• They don’t live in Antarctica, so sea-ice melting is irrelevant.
MCQ 6. Consider the following species:
1. Humboldt Penguin
2. African Penguin
3. Galápagos Penguin
4. Emperor Penguin
How many of the above belong to the genus Spheniscus?
A) One
B) Two
C) Three
D) All four
Explanation:
Genus Spheniscus = banded penguins:
• Humboldt
• African
• Galápagos
• (Also Magellanic, not in list) Emperor Penguin belongs to genus Aptenodytes.
Genus Spheniscus = banded penguins:
• Humboldt
• African
• Galápagos
• (Also Magellanic, not in list) Emperor Penguin belongs to genus Aptenodytes.
MCQ 7. In the context of Humboldt Penguins, the term "upwelling" refers to—
A) The seasonal migration of penguins to breeding grounds
B) The rising of nutrient-rich deep waters to the surface
C) The expansion of sea-ice during winter months
D) A process of heat transfer in warm-water currents
Explanation:
Upwelling in the Humboldt Current brings cold, nutrient-rich water → supports fish populations → essential for penguin survival.
Upwelling in the Humboldt Current brings cold, nutrient-rich water → supports fish populations → essential for penguin survival.
MCQ 8. The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) was established under which Act?
A) Environment Protection Act, 1986
B) Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
C) Biological Diversity Act, 2002
D) Forest Conservation Act, 1980
Explanation:
NBA was established in 2003 as a statutory body under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 to regulate access to biodiversity and ensure benefit sharing.
NBA was established in 2003 as a statutory body under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 to regulate access to biodiversity and ensure benefit sharing.
MCQ 9. Which of the following are functions of the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)?
1. Grant approvals for access to biological resources
2. Documentation of traditional knowledge
3. Management of Protected Areas and National Parks
4. Facilitation of benefit sharing with local communities
A) 1, 2 and 4 only
B) 1 and 3 only
C) 2 and 4 only
D) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Explanation:
• NBA regulates access, documents traditional knowledge via PBRs, and ensures benefit sharing.
• Management of Protected Areas is under Forest/Wildlife Departments, not NBA.
• NBA regulates access, documents traditional knowledge via PBRs, and ensures benefit sharing.
• Management of Protected Areas is under Forest/Wildlife Departments, not NBA.
MCQ 10. People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBRs) are maintained by which body?
A) National Biodiversity Authority
B) State Biodiversity Boards
C) Biodiversity Management Committees
D) Ministry of Environment
Explanation:
• BMCs at local level maintain PBRs documenting biological resources and traditional knowledge.
• NBA provides guidelines and monitors compliance.
• BMCs at local level maintain PBRs documenting biological resources and traditional knowledge.
• NBA provides guidelines and monitors compliance.