CUET UG Biology Booster Test 2-Conservation Strategies -

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CUET UG Biology Booster Test 2-Conservation Strategies

⏱️ 30 Minutes

❓ 20 Questions

📌 Answers are locked once submitted — results and explanations appear at the end.

CUET UG Biology Booster Test 2-Conservation Strategies

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QUESTION 1 OF 20

When conservationists face a situation where available resources are not economically feasible to protect all biological wealth, which strategy is primarily adopted on a global scale?

Answer Review

1 When conservationists face a situation where available resources are not economically feasible to protect all biological wealth, which strategy is primarily adopted on a global scale?

A Abandoning conservation efforts completely

B Relying entirely on seed banks for all species

C Moving all species to zoological and botanical gardens

D Identifying and strictly protecting maximum priority regions like 'biodiversity hotspots'

💡 Short Explanation

Resources are limited globally. Hotspots prioritize areas of high endemism and threat. This optimizes conservation ROI (Return on Investment).

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Since global biodiversity is vast and resources are limited, scientists identify "hotspots"—areas with extreme species richness, high endemism, and significant ongoing habitat loss. By focusing efforts here, we achieve maximum conservation impact, protecting the highest number of species per unit area.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → Abandonment is not a valid strategy.
Option B → Seed banks only preserve genetic material, not the ecosystem function.
Option C → Ex situ methods cannot support the entire global biota.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Elimination

Application: Eliminating non-viable or impractical strategies to identify the prioritization model.

Final Logic: Limited resources + High stakes = Priority protection (Hotspots).

🧠 Memory Trick

"Resources tight? Focus on Hotspots."

📚 Class XII – Biology – Chapter: Biodiversity and Conservation – Topic: Biodiversity Hotspots

2 Which of the following is NOT a characteristic associated with "saving the entire forest to save the tiger"?

A It ensures the tiger's natural habitat is preserved.

B It protects biodiversity at all levels of biological organisation within that ecosystem.

C It represents the in situ conservation approach.

D It focuses exclusively on the extraction and off-site care of the tiger.

💡 Short Explanation

The approach is In situ (on-site). Option D describes Ex situ (off-site). Therefore, D is the characteristic not associated with this approach.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

"Saving the forest to save the tiger" is the definition of In situ conservation. Ex situ conservation (Option D) is the opposite, involving the removal of organisms from their habitat, which contradicts the philosophy of preserving the entire ecosystem.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → Habitat preservation is the core of this approach.
Option B → In situ protects the entire trophic web, covering all levels.
Option D → Correct, this is the definition of In situ conservation.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Odd One Out

Application: Identifying that three options align with habitat/ecosystem protection, while one describes human-managed extraction.

Final Logic: Forest preservation = In situ, not Extraction.

🧠 Memory Trick

"On-site, not off-site."

📚 Class XII – Biology – Chapter: Biodiversity and Conservation – Topic: In Situ Conservation

3 High endemism is a key criterion for identifying a biodiversity hotspot. What does high endemism imply in this context?

A Species in the region are uniformly distributed worldwide.

B The region contains species that are confined specifically to that area and found nowhere else.

C The region is experiencing zero habitat loss.

D All species in the region have been artificially introduced.

💡 Short Explanation

Endemic = Native to a specific place. High endemism = Many species unique to that specific location. This is a primary metric for hotspots.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Endemism refers to species native to a specific geographical range. If a region has high endemism, it harbors unique biological treasures that do not exist elsewhere; if that habitat is lost, the species are permanently extinct.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → This defines cosmopolitan, not endemic.
Option C → Hotspots are defined by high habitat loss, not zero.
Option D → Introduced species are alien, not endemic.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application: Defining the biological term "endemism."

Final Logic: Endemic = Confined to one region.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Endemic = Exclusive to home."

📚 Class XII – Biology – Chapter: Biodiversity and Conservation – Topic: Biodiversity Hotspots

4 Match the numerical values related to biodiversity hotspots with their correct contexts:

List 1	List 2
1. 25	A. Potential reduction in ongoing mass extinctions
2. 9	B. Initial number of hotspots identified
3. 34	C. Additional hotspots added subsequently
4. 30 per cent	D. Total number of global hotspots currently

A 1-C, 2-B, 3-D, 4-A

B 1-B, 2-A, 3-C, 4-D

C 1-B, 2-C, 3-D, 4-A

D 1-D, 2-C, 3-B, 4-A

💡 Short Explanation

25 (Initial) = B. 9 (Added) = C. 34 (Total) = D. 30% (Reduction) = A.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The history of hotspot identification began with 25 (B), followed by the addition of 9 more (C), totaling 34 (D). Effective conservation in these areas can potentially reduce mass extinction rates by nearly 30% (A).

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Other options scramble the correct historical and statistical values.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Option Grouping

Application: Mapping numbers to their respective biological significance defined in the text.

Final Logic: 1-B, 2-C, 3-D, 4-A.

🧠 Memory Trick

"25+9=34."

📚 Class XII – Biology – Chapter: Biodiversity and Conservation – Topic: Biodiversity Hotspots

5 Consider the following statements about India's biodiversity regions:
I. The Western Ghats and Sri Lanka region is recognized as one of the biodiversity hotspots.
II. The Himalaya region is completely devoid of high endemism. Which of the statements is/are correct?

A Neither I nor II

B Only II

C Both I and II

D Only I

💡 Short Explanation

Statement I: Correct (Western Ghats is a hotspot). Statement II: Incorrect (Himalaya is also a hotspot and has high endemism).

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Western Ghats and Sri Lanka is one of the designated hotspots. The Himalaya is also a major biodiversity hotspot covering Indian territory and is well-known for its exceptionally high level of endemism, making statement II false.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A, B, and C contain the false claim that Himalaya lacks endemism.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Elimination

Application: Evaluating the accuracy of hotspot claims.

Final Logic: I = True, II = False.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Himalaya = High endemism."

📚 Class XII – Biology – Chapter: Biodiversity and Conservation – Topic: Indian Hotspots

6 Regarding the three biodiversity hotspots that cover India's exceptionally high biodiversity regions, which of the following is NOT a true characteristic?

A They include the Indo-Burma zone.

B They are regions of accelerated habitat loss.

C They show very low levels of species richness.

D Strict protection of these hotspots could significantly reduce mass extinctions.

💡 Short Explanation

Hotspots by definition have high species richness. C says low. Therefore, C is not true.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The definition of a biodiversity hotspot is a region with extremely high species richness and high endemism. Stating that they have "very low levels" of species richness is factually opposite to their core definition.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

A, B, and D are all accurate descriptions of biodiversity hotspots.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Extreme Word Filter

Application: Identifying the statement that contradicts the definition of a "hotspot."

Final Logic: Hotspot = Richness, not Low richness.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Hotspot = High richness."

📚 Class XII – Biology – Chapter: Biodiversity and Conservation – Topic: Biodiversity Hotspots

7 Arrange the following protected areas in India in descending order of their current numbers:
I. Wildlife Sanctuaries
II. Biosphere Reserves
III. National Parks

A I, II, III

B I, III, II

C III, I, II

D II, III, I

💡 Short Explanation

Wildlife Sanctuaries (Most) > National Parks > Biosphere Reserves (Fewest). Order: I > III > II.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

India's protected area network contains the highest number of Wildlife Sanctuaries (I), followed by a moderate number of National Parks (III), and the smallest number of Biosphere Reserves (II).

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

A, C, and D incorrectly represent the distribution of protected area counts in India.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Substitution

Application: Recalling the relative abundance of protected area types.

Final Logic: Sanctuary > National Park > Biosphere.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Most: Sanctuary, Fewest: Biosphere."

📚 Class XII – Biology – Chapter: Biodiversity and Conservation – Topic: Protected Area Network

8 Analyze the following statements about India's in situ conservation measures:
I. India strictly relies on ex situ conservation and lacks legal protection for unique habitats.
II. Biosphere reserves are a part of legally protected in situ conservation areas. Which of the statements is/are accurate?

A Only I

B Both I and II

C Only II

D Neither I nor II

💡 Short Explanation

Statement I: Incorrect (India has extensive In situ legal networks). Statement II: Correct (Biosphere reserves are legally protected In situ).

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Statement I is incorrect because India has a robust legal framework for In situ conservation (National Parks, Sanctuaries, Biosphere Reserves). Statement II is accurate as these areas form the bedrock of India's In situ conservation strategy.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Options A, B, and D assume Statement I is correct, which it is not.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Elimination

Application: Identifying the false claim about India's reliance on ex situ.

Final Logic: India does In situ; Biosphere = In situ.

🧠 Memory Trick

"India = In situ protected."

📚 Class XII – Biology – Chapter: Biodiversity and Conservation – Topic: In Situ Conservation

9 In the context of religious and cultural protection, why are sacred groves considered a critical conservation strategy?

A They provide timber for local communities.

B They ensure total protection of trees and wildlife due to cultural veneration.

C They are purely maintained for recreational tourism.

D They serve as ex situ breeding grounds for marine life.

💡 Short Explanation

Sacred groves = Cultural/Religious belief. This belief mandates total protection. This is why they are critical.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The "sacred" status leads to total protection of the local flora and fauna, making these groves islands of biodiversity that are shielded by the community's belief systems rather than external policing.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → Sacred groves prohibit cutting timber.
Option C → Maintenance is for spiritual, not tourism, reasons.
Option D → These are terrestrial forests, not marine; also they are In situ, not Ex situ.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application: Identifying the function of sacred groves from the passage/text.

Final Logic: Sacred = Protection.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Sacred = Total protection."

📚 Class XII – Biology – Chapter: Biodiversity and Conservation – Topic: Sacred Groves

10 Match the sacred grove locations with their respective states:

List 1	List 2
1. Khasi and Jaintia Hills	A. Maharashtra and Karnataka
2. Aravalli Hills	B. Madhya Pradesh
3. Sarguja and Bastar areas	C. Meghalaya
4. Western Ghat regions	D. Rajasthan

A 1-D, 2-C, 3-A, 4-B

B 1-C, 2-D, 3-B, 4-A

C 1-C, 2-A, 3-B, 4-D

D 1-A, 2-B, 3-C, 4-D

💡 Short Explanation

Khasi/Jaintia = Meghalaya (C). Aravalli = Rajasthan (D). Sarguja/Bastar = MP (B). Western Ghats = MH/KA (A).

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

These mappings correspond exactly to the NCERT list of sacred groves and their associated Indian states.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Mismatched locations.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Option Grouping

Application: Matching specific regional groves to the states listed in the textbook.

Final Logic: 1-C, 2-D, 3-B, 4-A.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Khasi=Meghalaya, Aravalli=Rajasthan."

📚 Class XII – Biology – Chapter: Biodiversity and Conservation – Topic: Sacred Groves

📄 Passage

"Ex situ Conservation– In this approach, threatened animals and plants are taken out from their natural habitat and placed in special setting where they can be protected and given special care. Zoological parks, botanical gardens and wildlife safari parks serve this purpose. There are many animals that have become extinct in the wild but continue to be maintained in zoological parks. In recent years ex situ conservation has advanced beyond keeping threatened species in enclosures."

According to the passage, what is the fundamental criterion that differentiates ex situ from in situ conservation?

A Ex situ conservation involves protecting the entire ecosystem naturally.

B Ex situ conservation requires taking threatened organisms out of their natural habitat into special settings.

C Ex situ conservation relies solely on cultural veneration of forests.

D Ex situ conservation only applies to species that are completely extinct globally.

💡 Short Explanation

Ex situ = "Out of natural habitat." Special setting = Zoo, garden, bank. This is the differentiator from In situ.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The essential difference is the location. In situ is "on-site" (protecting the habitat), whereas Ex situ is "off-site" (moving the organism to a controlled, artificial setting).

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → Describes In situ.
Option C → Describes sacred groves (In situ).
Option D → Ex situ is used for threatened, not just extinct, species.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application: Identifying the defining characteristic of "Ex situ."

Final Logic: Out of habitat = Ex situ.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Ex = Exit."

📚 Class XII – Biology – Chapter: Biodiversity and Conservation – Topic: Ex Situ Conservation

12 Passsage:
"Ex situ Conservation– In this approach, threatened animals and plants are taken out from their natural habitat and placed in special setting where they can be protected and given special care. Zoological parks, botanical gardens and wildlife safari parks serve this purpose. There are many animals that have become extinct in the wild but continue to be maintained in zoological parks. In recent years ex situ conservation has advanced beyond keeping threatened species in enclosures."
Based on the passage, what vital role do zoological parks play for species that have no surviving populations in natural forests?

A They maintain and protect animals that have become extinct in the wild.

B They ensure the species can be legally hunted.

C They use them as prey for other predators.

D They convert the animals back into completely different species.

💡 Short Explanation

Passage says: "animals that have become extinct in the wild but continue to be maintained in zoological parks."

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Zoological parks serve as a survival buffer, keeping individuals of a species alive in a controlled environment even when the wild population has completely vanished, preventing total extinction.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

B, C, and D are either ecologically impossible or contradict the purpose of conservation.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application: Reading the specific passage provided.

Final Logic: Extinct in wild = Kept in zoo.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Zoo = Last home."

📚 Class XII – Biology – Chapter: Biodiversity and Conservation – Topic: Ex Situ Conservation

13 Which of the following is NOT a correct inference regarding gamete cryopreservation?

A It preserves gametes in a non-viable state to save space.

B It allows preservation of gametes for long periods.

C It is an advanced ex situ conservation technique.

D It maintains the gametes in a fertile condition.

💡 Short Explanation

Cryopreservation preserves viability. "Non-viable" is the opposite of the goal. Therefore, A is incorrect.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Cryopreservation aims to maintain gametes in a viable and fertile state at sub-zero temperatures (e.g., in liquid nitrogen). Preserving them in a "non-viable" state would be useless for conservation.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

B, C, and D are valid facts about cryopreservation.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Extreme Word Filter

Application: Filtering out the "non-viable" inaccuracy.

Final Logic: Cryo = Viable.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Cryo = Cold/Viable."

📚 Class XII – Biology – Chapter: Biodiversity and Conservation – Topic: Advanced Technologies

14 In vitro fertilisation serves as an advanced technological tool in biodiversity conservation primarily by:

A Facilitating the reproduction of threatened species outside their natural habitats.

B Allowing organisms to breed naturally in biosphere reserves.

C Preventing all genetic mutations in wild animals.

D Increasing the number of sacred groves.

💡 Short Explanation

IVF = Lab fertilization. Helps threatened species that won't mate in captivity. This is an Ex situ tool.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

When threatened species are in captivity and fail to reproduce naturally, IVF is used to bypass these behavioral or physiological barriers, ensuring the next generation is produced.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

B, C, and D describe natural processes, In situ methods, or impossible outcomes.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application: Defining the primary purpose of IVF in conservation.

Final Logic: Outside habitat = Lab breeding.

🧠 Memory Trick

"IVF = Helping breeding."

📚 Class XII – Biology – Chapter: Biodiversity and Conservation – Topic: Advanced Technologies

15 How do seed banks contribute to agricultural and botanical conservation?

A By permanently freezing whole adult plants.

B By keeping seeds of different genetic strains of commercially important plants for long periods.

C By replacing all natural forests with artificially planted seeds.

D By exclusively storing the seeds of agricultural weeds.

💡 Short Explanation

Seed banks = Long-term genetic storage. Specifically for commercial/important plant strains.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Seed banks store seeds under controlled, dry, and cold conditions, maintaining their viability for many years, which is crucial for preserving genetic diversity of important crops.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

A → Seed banks store seeds, not whole adult plants.
C → No intention to replace forests.
D → They focus on commercial/botanical importance, not weeds.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Substitution

Application: Identifying the core function of seed banks.

Final Logic: Long-term seed = Seed bank.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Seed Bank = Crop Library."

📚 Class XII – Biology – Chapter: Biodiversity and Conservation – Topic: Genetic Resource Banks

16 Which statement is NOT associated with the modern advancements in plant propagation mentioned in the text?

A Plants can be propagated using tissue culture methods.

B It is a form of ex situ conservation.

C It helps in preserving threatened or commercially important plant species.

D It requires large tracts of natural forests to be completely destroyed first.

💡 Short Explanation

Conservation methods protect biodiversity. Destruction of forests is the opposite of conservation. Option D is illogical in a conservation context.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Conservation advancement focuses on preservation, not destruction. Tissue culture is a method to grow plants efficiently from small tissue samples, not one that requires clearing forests.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

A, B, and C are valid, positive conservation attributes.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Extreme Word Filter

Application: Removing the illogical negative statement.

Final Logic: Conservation ≠ Destruction.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Conserve, don't destroy."

📚 Class XII – Biology – Chapter: Biodiversity and Conservation – Topic: Ex Situ/Advanced Methods

17 Arrange the following milestones in the sequence of their occurrence:
I. Call for conservation at the Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit
II. Pledge by 190 countries in Johannesburg
III. The target year to achieve a significant reduction in biodiversity loss rate

A I, II, III

B II, I, III

C III, I, II

D I, III, II

💡 Short Explanation

I: Earth Summit (1992). II: Johannesburg (2002). III: 2010 Target (Agreed upon at II). Sequence: 1992 -> 2002 -> 2010 goal.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The sequence starts with the Earth Summit (1992), continues with the Johannesburg summit (2002) where countries made pledges (190), and concludes with the setting of the 2010 target to reduce biodiversity loss.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

They place the events out of chronological or causal order.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Substitution

Application: Following the historical timeline of international biodiversity summits.

Final Logic: 1992 -> 2002 -> 2010.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Earth (1992) -> Joburg (2002) -> Target (2010)."

📚 Class XII – Biology – Chapter: Biodiversity and Conservation – Topic: Global Agreements

18 The World Summit on Sustainable Development (2002) was held in which location?

A Johannesburg, South Africa

B Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

C New York, USA

D Paris, France

💡 Short Explanation

The text specifies: "World Summit on Sustainable Development... in Johannesburg."

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Johannesburg, South Africa, hosted the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development, where the commitment to reducing biodiversity loss was solidified.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Other locations are either past summit sites (Rio) or not mentioned in this context.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Substitution

Application: Recalling the specific location of the 2002 summit.

Final Logic: Joburg = 2002.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Joburg 2002."

📚 Class XII – Biology – Chapter: Biodiversity and Conservation – Topic: Global Agreements

19 What was the specific objective regarding biodiversity loss rates pledged at the 2002 World Summit?

A To completely reverse all extinctions by 2010.

B To increase the biodiversity loss rate in local regions.

C To maintain the exact current rate of biodiversity loss.

D To achieve a significant reduction in the current rate of biodiversity loss.

💡 Short Explanation

The pledge was for a "significant reduction" in the rate. B reflects this exactly.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The goal was not to reverse all extinction (impossible) or maintain the status quo (unacceptable), but to significantly slow down (reduce) the current rate of loss by 2010.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A is an overambitious exaggeration.
Option B is the opposite of conservation.
Option C is the status quo (failure).

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application: Identifying the specific conservation objective from the text.

Final Logic: Significant reduction = Goal.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Reduce rate = Goal."

📚 Class XII – Biology – Chapter: Biodiversity and Conservation – Topic: International Commitments

20 The commitment made by 190 countries in 2002 aimed to reduce the biodiversity loss rate at which of the following levels?

A Only at the global level

B Only at the regional level

C At global, regional, and local levels

D Only in marine ecosystems

💡 Short Explanation

The commitment is comprehensive. It targets all scales: global, regional, and local.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The agreement was a comprehensive commitment, recognizing that biodiversity loss is an issue that must be tackled across all geographical scales to be effective.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Options A, B, and D are too narrow; they ignore the inclusive nature of the global pledge.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Extreme Word Filter

Application: Identifying the most inclusive option.

Final Logic: Inclusive (all levels) = Best.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Everywhere: Global, Regional, Local."

📚 Class XII – Biology – Chapter: Biodiversity and Conservation – Topic: International Commitments

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