691: With reference to the art and archaeological history of India, which one among the following was made earliest?
(a) Lingaraja Temple at Bhubneshwar
(b) Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli
(c) Rock-cut Monuments at Mahabalipuram
(d) varaha Image at Udayagiri
692: Which one of the following statements is not correct?
(a) The largest Buddhist monastery in India is in Assam.
(b) The language Konyak is spoken in Nagaland.
(c) The largest river island in the world is in Assam.
(d) Sikkim is the least-populated state of the Indian Union.
693: The 2004 Tsunami made people realize that mangroves can serve as a reliable safety hedge against coastal calamities. How do mangroves function as a safety hedge?
(a) The mangrove swamps separate the human settlements from the sea by a wide zone in which people neither live nor venture out.
(b) The mangroves provide both food and medicines which people are in need of after any natural disaster.
(c) The mangrove trees are tall with dense canopies and serve as an excellent shelter during a cyclone or Tsunami.
(d) The mangrove trees do not get uprooted by storms and tides because of their extensive roots.
694: Consider the following pairs :
Protected area---Well known for
1. Bhiterkanika, Orissa---Salt Water Crocodile
2. Desert NationalPark, Rajasthan---Great Indian Bustard
3. Eravikulam, Kerala---Hoolak Gibbon
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched ?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
695: In the context of ecosystem productivity, marine upwelling zones are important as they increase the marine productivity by bringing the
1. decomposer microorganisms to the surface.
2. nutrients to the surface.
3. bottom-dwelling organisms to the surface.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3
(d) 3 only