Q1: What does BOD stand for in environmental engineering?
A: Biochemical Oxygen Demand
B: Biological Organic Decomposition
C: Biodegradable Organic Discharge
D: Biotic Oxygen Detoxification
Ans: A
Q2: Which of the following is a primary greenhouse gas responsible for climate change?
A: Carbon dioxide (CO2)
B: Methane (CH4)
C: Nitrous oxide (N2O)
D: All of the above
Ans: D
Q3: The process of converting solid waste into compost is known as:
A: Incineration
B: Recycling
C: Composting
D: Landfilling
Ans: C
Q4: What is the acceptable pH range for discharging industrial wastewater into natural water bodies?
A: 4.5 - 6.5
B: 6.5 - 8.5
C: 8.5 - 10.5
D: 10.5 - 12.5
Ans: B
Q5: Which environmental law is aimed at regulating the release of pollutants into the air from industrial sources?
A: Clean Water Act (CWA)
B: Clean Air Act (CAA)
C: Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)
D: Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
Ans: B
Q6: The process of removing suspended solids from water using a porous medium is called:
A: Filtration
B: Coagulation
C: Aeration
D: Flocculation
Ans: A
Q7: What is the primary purpose of constructing a wastewater treatment plant?
A: To produce potable water
B: To treat industrial effluents
C: To convert wastewater into electricity
D: To treat and clean wastewater before discharge into the environment
Ans: D
Q8: The term "eutrophication" refers to the excessive growth of:
A: Algae
B: Fish
C: Aquatic plants
D: Bacteria
Ans: A
Q9: What is the primary cause of the "urban heat island" effect in cities?
A: Deforestation
B: Industrial emissions
C: Lack of green spaces
D: Excessive concrete and asphalt surfaces
Ans: D
Q10: Which of the following pollutants can lead to the formation of acid rain?
A: Carbon dioxide (CO2)
B: Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
C: Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
D: Particulate matter (PM)
Ans: B
Q11: The process of converting wastewater sludge into a stable, non-odorous material is known as:
A: Digestion
B: Decantation
C: Flocculation
D: Aeration
Ans: A
Q12: The parameter used to measure the oxygen concentration in water is called:
A: Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
B: Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
C: Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)
D: Total Organic Carbon (TOC)
Ans: A
Q13: Which of the following is a renewable source of energy derived from organic matter?
A: Natural gas
B: Coal
C: Solar energy
D: Biomass
Ans: D
Q14: The environmental assessment of a proposed project to determine its potential impacts is known as:
A: Environmental auditing
B: Environmental monitoring
C: Environmental impact assessment
D: Environmental compliance
Ans: C
Q15: Which of the following pollutants is primarily responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer?
A: Carbon monoxide (CO)
B: Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
C: Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
D: Lead (Pb)
Ans: B
Q16: What is the purpose of a leachate collection system in a landfill?
A: To prevent erosion
B: To collect methane gas
C: To monitor groundwater quality
D: To collect and manage landfill liquid runoff
Ans: D
Q17: The process of using bacteria to break down organic matter in wastewater is called:
A: Nitrification
B: Denitrification
C: Biodegradation
D: Phytoremediation
Ans: C
Q18: What is the primary function of a wetland in environmental ecosystems?
A: Nutrient cycling
B: Carbon sequestration
C: Flood control
D: Water storage
Ans: A
Q19: The process of converting organic waste into methane gas and fertilizer in the absence of oxygen is known as:
A: Incineration
B: Composting
C: Pyrolysis
D: Anaerobic digestion
Ans: D
Q20: What is the term for the gradual increase in the Earth's average temperature due to human activities?
A: Global cooling
B: Global warming
C: Greenhouse effect
D: Climate change
Ans: B
Q21: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a regulatory agency responsible for:
A: Enforcing wildlife protection laws
B: Monitoring air quality in urban areas
C: Regulating environmental laws and policies
D: Managing national parks and forests
Ans: C
Q22: Which of the following is a non-point source of water pollution?
A: Industrial discharge
B: Sewage treatment plant effluent
C: Oil spills
D: Agricultural runoff
Ans: D
Q23: The process of removing nitrogen compounds from wastewater to prevent water pollution is called:
A: Aeration
B: Nitrification
C: Denitrification
D: Coagulation
Ans: C
Q24: The process of capturing and utilizing rainwater for various purposes is known as:
A: Water harvesting
B: Water desalination
C: Water purification
D: Water conservation
Ans: A
Q25: The term "biomagnification" refers to the process of:
A: Increasing biodiversity in an ecosystem
B: Increasing the size of an individual organism
C: Concentrating pollutants in the food chain
D: Regenerating a depleted ecosystem
Ans: C
Q26: Which of the following is a key component of a sustainable building design?
A: Excessive use of non-recyclable materials
B: Energy-efficient lighting
C: Lack of green spaces
D: Poor indoor air quality
Ans: B
Q27: The process of reducing the carbon footprint of a product or service is called:
A: Carbon sequestration
B: Carbon offsetting
C: Carbon neutralization
D: Carbon emission
Ans: B
Q28: Which of the following pollutants is a major component of photochemical smog?
A: Carbon dioxide (CO2)
B: Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
C: Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
D: Particulate matter (PM)
Ans: C
Q29: The process of removing dissolved salts and minerals from seawater to produce freshwater is called:
A: Reverse osmosis
B: Distillation
C: Filtration
D: Sedimentation
Ans: A
Q30: What is the term for the area of land from which water drains into a particular river, lake, or sea?
A: Aquifer
B: Watershed
C: Wetland
D: Floodplain
Ans: B
Q31: The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) aims to identify and mitigate the potential adverse effects of a project on the:
A: Natural environment
B: Economy
C: Social well-being
D: All of the above
Ans: D
Q32: Which of the following is an example of a non-renewable energy source?
A: Wind energy
B: Solar energy
C: Coal
D: Geothermal energy
Ans: C
Q33: The process of separating different components of a waste stream for recycling is called:
A: Sanitation
B: Composting
C: Waste segregation
D: Incineration
Ans: C
Q34: Which of the following is a major source of indoor air pollution in residential buildings?
A: Industrial emissions
B: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
C: Particulate matter (PM)
D: Ground-level ozone
Ans: B
Q35: The process of removing nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater to reduce nutrient pollution in water bodies is called:
A: Flocculation
B: Nitrification
C: Denitrification
D: Phosphorus removal
Ans: D
Q36: Which of the following is an example of a point source of water pollution?
A: Agricultural runoff
B: Acid rain
C: Industrial discharge
D: Oil spills
Ans: C
Q37: The term "greywater" refers to:
A: Wastewater from toilets
B: Water from natural springs and wells
C: Wastewater from household sinks and showers
D: Water used for irrigation
Ans: C
Q38: Which of the following is an essential element for the growth of harmful algal blooms in aquatic ecosystems?
A: Oxygen
B: Nitrogen
C: Carbon
D: Phosphorus
Ans: D
Q39: The process of converting solid waste into energy through combustion is called:
A: Composting
B: Recycling
C: Incineration
D: Landfilling
Ans: C
Q40: What is the primary purpose of a constructed wetland in wastewater treatment?
A: Aeration
B: Filtration
C: Disinfection
D: Nutrient removal
Ans: D
Q41: The process of using living organisms to clean up environmental pollutants is known as:
A: Biodegradation
B: Biomagnification
C: Bioaccumulation
D: Bioremediation
Ans: D
Q42: Which of the following pollutants is a major contributor to the formation of smog?
A: Carbon monoxide (CO)
B: Methane (CH4)
C: Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
D: Lead (Pb)
Ans: C
Q43: The process of converting sunlight directly into electricity using semiconductor materials is called:
A: Wind energy
B: Solar energy
C: Geothermal energy
D: Hydropower
Ans: B
Q44: Which of the following is a hazardous air pollutant that can cause respiratory problems and cancer?
A: Carbon monoxide (CO)
B: Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
C: Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
D: Benzene
Ans: D
Q45: The process of treating contaminated soil or groundwater using plants is known as:
A: Phytoremediation
B: Bioremediation
C: Chemical remediation
D: Electrokinetic remediation
Ans: A
Q46: What is the term for the process of restoring a degraded ecosystem to its original condition?
A: Reforestation
B: Ecological restoration
C: Environmental remediation
D: Sustainable development
Ans: B
Q47: The process of collecting and reusing rainwater for non-potable purposes is called:
A: Rainwater harvesting
B: Rainwater sequestration
C: Rainwater infiltration
D: Rainwater diversion
Ans: A
Q48: Which of the following is a measure to control noise pollution in urban areas?
A: Planting trees and vegetation
B: Constructing noise barriers
C: Reducing industrial emissions
D: Encouraging public transportation
Ans: B
Q49: The process of converting waste materials into reusable materials is known as:
A: Incineration
B: Landfilling
C: Recycling
D: Composting
Ans: C
Q50: Which environmental law is aimed at protecting wildlife and their habitats?
A: Clean Air Act (CAA)
B: Clean Water Act (CWA)
C: Endangered Species Act (ESA)
D: Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
Ans: C
Q51: The primary goal of sustainable development is to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Who introduced this concept?
A: Rachel Carson
B: Aldo Leopold
C: Gro Harlem Brundtland
D: John Muir
Ans: C
Q52: What is the primary purpose of a stormwater management system in urban areas?
A: To promote flooding
B: To collect and treat stormwater runoff
C: To discharge untreated stormwater into natural water bodies
D: To prevent water conservation
Ans: B
Q53: Which of the following is a potential consequence of deforestation?
A: Increased biodiversity
B: Soil erosion
C: Enhanced carbon sequestration
D: Improved water quality
Ans: B
Q54: The process of converting wastewater into high-quality treated water that can be reused for non-potable purposes is called:
A: Filtration
B: Desalination
C: Greywater recycling
D: Potable water treatment
Ans: C
Q55: Which of the following is a measure to conserve energy in buildings?
A: Using energy-efficient lighting
B: Increasing heating and cooling loads
C: Reducing insulation
D: Ignoring energy consumption
Ans: A
Q56: The process of converting organic waste into methane gas and fertilizer in the absence of oxygen is known as:
A: Incineration
B: Composting
C: Pyrolysis
D: Anaerobic digestion
Ans: D
Q57: What is the term for the gradual increase in the Earth's average temperature due to human activities?
A: Global cooling
B: Global warming
C: Greenhouse effect
D: Climate change
Ans: B
Q58: The term "biomagnification" refers to the process of:
A: Increasing biodiversity in an ecosystem
B: Increasing the size of an individual organism
C: Concentrating pollutants in the food chain
D: Regenerating a depleted ecosystem
Ans: C
Q59: Which of the following pollutants is a major component of photochemical smog?
A: Carbon dioxide (CO2)
B: Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
C: Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
D: Particulate matter (PM)
Ans: C
Q60: The process of removing dissolved salts and minerals from seawater to produce freshwater is called:
A: Reverse osmosis
B: Distillation
C: Filtration
D: Sedimentation
Ans: A
Q61: What is the term for the area of land from which water drains into a particular river, lake, or sea?
A: Aquifer
B: Watershed
C: Wetland
D: Floodplain
Ans: B
Q62: The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) aims to identify and mitigate the potential adverse effects of a project on the:
A: Natural environment
B: Economy
C: Social well-being
D: All of the above
Ans: D
Q63: Which of the following is a non-point source of water pollution?
A: Industrial discharge
B: Sewage treatment plant effluent
C: Oil spills
D: Agricultural runoff
Ans: D
Q64: The term "greywater" refers to:
A: Wastewater from toilets
B: Water from natural springs and wells
C: Wastewater from household sinks and showers
D: Water used for irrigation
Ans: C
Q65: Which of the following is an example of a non-renewable energy source?
A: Wind energy
B: Solar energy
C: Coal
D: Geothermal energy
Ans: C
Q66: The process of separating different components of a waste stream for recycling is called:
A: Sanitation
B: Composting
C: Waste segregation
D: Incineration
Ans: C
Q67: Which of the following is a major source of indoor air pollution in residential buildings?
A: Industrial emissions
B: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
C: Particulate matter (PM)
D: Ground-level ozone
Ans: B
Q68: The process of removing nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater to reduce nutrient pollution in water bodies is called:
A: Flocculation
B: Nitrification
C: Denitrification
D: Phosphorus removal
Ans: D
Q69: Which of the following is an example of a point source of water pollution?
A: Agricultural runoff
B: Acid rain
C: Industrial discharge
D: Oil spills
Ans: C
Q70: The term "green building" refers to:
A: A building with a lot of green spaces
B: A building made entirely of green materials
C: A building designed to minimize its environmental impact
D: A building with a green-colored exterior
Ans: C
Q71: The process of converting solid waste into energy through combustion is called:
A: Composting
B: Recycling
C: Incineration
D: Landfilling
Ans: C
Q72: What is the primary purpose of a constructed wetland in wastewater treatment?
A: Aeration
B: Filtration
C: Disinfection
D: Nutrient removal
Ans: D
Q73: Which of the following is a potential consequence of deforestation?
A: Increased biodiversity
B: Soil erosion
C: Enhanced carbon sequestration
D: Improved water quality
Ans: B
Q74: The process of converting wastewater into high-quality treated water that can be reused for non-potable purposes is called:
A: Filtration
B: Desalination
C: Greywater recycling
D: Potable water treatment
Ans: C
Q75: Which of the following is a measure to conserve energy in buildings?
A: Using energy-efficient lighting
B: Increasing heating and cooling loads
C: Reducing insulation
D: Ignoring energy consumption
Ans: A
Q76: The process of converting organic waste into methane gas and fertilizer in the absence of oxygen is known as:
A: Incineration
B: Composting
C: Pyrolysis
D: Anaerobic digestion
Ans: D
Q77: What is the term for the gradual increase in the Earth's average temperature due to human activities?
A: Global cooling
B: Global warming
C: Greenhouse effect
D: Climate change
Ans: B
Q78: The term "biomagnification" refers to the process of:
A: Increasing biodiversity in an ecosystem
B: Increasing the size of an individual organism
C: Concentrating pollutants in the food chain
D: Regenerating a depleted ecosystem
Ans: C
Q79: Which of the following pollutants is a major component of photochemical smog?
A: Carbon dioxide (CO2)
B: Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
C: Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
D: Particulate matter (PM)
Ans: C
Q80: The process of removing dissolved salts and minerals from seawater to produce freshwater is called:
A: Reverse osmosis
B: Distillation
C: Filtration
D: Sedimentation
Ans: A
Q81: What is the term for the area of land from which water drains into a particular river, lake, or sea?
A: Aquifer
B: Watershed
C: Wetland
D: Floodplain
Ans: B
Q82: The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) aims to identify and mitigate the potential adverse effects of a project on the:
A: Natural environment
B: Economy
C: Social well-being
D: All of the above
Ans: D
Q83: Which of the following is a non-point source of water pollution?
A: Industrial discharge
B: Sewage treatment plant effluent
C: Oil spills
D: Agricultural runoff
Ans: D
Q84: The term "greywater" refers to:
A: Wastewater from toilets
B: Water from natural springs and wells
C: Wastewater from household sinks and showers
D: Water used for irrigation
Ans: C
Q85: Which of the following is an example of a non-renewable energy source?
A: Wind energy
B: Solar energy
C: Coal
D: Geothermal energy
Ans: C
Q86: The process of separating different components of a waste stream for recycling is called:
A: Sanitation
B: Composting
C: Waste segregation
D: Incineration
Ans: C
Q87: Which of the following is a major source of indoor air pollution in residential buildings?
A: Industrial emissions
B: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
C: Particulate matter (PM)
D: Ground-level ozone
Ans: B
Q88: The process of removing nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater to reduce nutrient pollution in water bodies is called:
A: Flocculation
B: Nitrification
C: Denitrification
D: Phosphorus removal
Ans: D
Q89: Which of the following is an example of a point source of water pollution?
A: Agricultural runoff
B: Acid rain
C: Industrial discharge
D: Oil spills
Ans: C
Q90: The term "green building" refers to:
A: A building with a lot of green spaces
B: A building made entirely of green materials
C: A building designed to minimize its environmental impact
D: A building with a green-colored exterior
Ans: C
Q91: The process of converting solid waste into energy through combustion is called:
A: Composting
B: Recycling
C: Incineration
D: Landfilling
Ans: C
Q92: What is the primary purpose of a constructed wetland in wastewater treatment?
A: Aeration
B: Filtration
C: Disinfection
D: Nutrient removal
Ans: D
Q93: Which of the following is a potential consequence of deforestation?
A: Increased biodiversity
B: Soil erosion
C: Enhanced carbon sequestration
D: Improved water quality
Ans: B
Q94: The process of converting wastewater into high-quality treated water that can be reused for non-potable purposes is called:
A: Filtration
B: Desalination
C: Greywater recycling
D: Potable water treatment
Ans: C
Q95: Which of the following is a measure to conserve energy in buildings?
A: Using energy-efficient lighting
B: Increasing heating and cooling loads
C: Reducing insulation
D: Ignoring energy consumption
Ans: A
Q96: The process of converting organic waste into methane gas and fertilizer in the absence of oxygen is known as:
A: Incineration
B: Composting
C: Pyrolysis
D: Anaerobic digestion
Ans: D
Q97: What is the term for the gradual increase in the Earth's average temperature due to human activities?
A: Global cooling
B: Global warming
C: Greenhouse effect
D: Climate change
Ans: B
Q98: The term "biomagnification" refers to the process of:
A: Increasing biodiversity in an ecosystem
B: Increasing the size of an individual organism
C: Concentrating pollutants in the food chain
D: Regenerating a depleted ecosystem
Ans: C
Q99: Which of the following pollutants is a major component of photochemical smog?
A: Carbon dioxide (CO2)
B: Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
C: Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
D: Particulate matter (PM)
Ans: C
Q100: The process of removing dissolved salts and minerals from seawater to produce fresh water is called:
A: Reverse osmosis
B: Distillation
C: Filtration
D: Sedimentation
Ans: A
I hope you find these 100 important MCQs for environmental engineers in civil engineering helpful!
