International Green Warrior Olympiad Class 10 Previous Year Paper

Q.1

In a discussion regarding the significance of tropical rainforests in global climate regulation, a group of environmental researchers is examining the mechanisms by which these forests contribute to this role.
Which mechanism or mechanisms among the following options significantly contribute to the crucial role of tropical rainforests in regulating the global climate?
1. Carbon sequestration through photosynthesis
2. Release of moisture into the atmosphere
3. Absorption of solar radiation

Q.2

Consider the case study given below and answer the following question:
Case Study: The Müller Family's Journey to Renewable Energy
The Müller family, residing in a charming village in the German countryside, had always been conscious about their environmental impact. In 2022, they decided to take an active step towards a greener lifestyle by installing a rooftop solar panel system. Their primary motivation was to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and contribute to mitigating climate change. However, as they embarked on this journey, they discovered a plethora of other benefits:
Environmental Benefits:
-Reduced Carbon Footprint: The solar panels generated clean energy, leading to a significant reduction in their carbon emissions. This translated to a cleaner environment for their family, their community, and the planet.
-Improved Air Quality: By relying less on fossil fuels, the Müllers contributed to cleaner air in their region, which improved their overall health and well-being.
Financial Benefits:
-Reduced Electricity Bills: The solar panels generate enough electricity to cover a significant portion of their household energy needs, resulting in substantial savings on their monthly electricity bills. This provided them with financial stability and freed up resources for other expenses.
-Government Incentives: The German government offers various financial incentives for individuals and families adopting renewable energy solutions. The Müllers took advantage of these incentives, further reducing the cost of their solar panel system and accelerating their return on investment.
Lifestyle Benefits:
-Energy Independence: The Müllers achieved a sense of energy independence by generating their own clean energy. This gave them greater control over their energy consumption and reduced their dependence on the national grid, especially during peak hours.
-Enhanced Home Value: Homes with renewable energy systems are becoming increasingly sought-after, leading to a potential increase in the value of the Müller's property.
Overall Impact:
The Müller family's experience showcases the numerous benefits of adopting renewable energy in a domestic setting. Their commitment to environmental sustainability not only helped them create a cleaner future but also resulted in financial savings and enhanced their quality of life. Their story serves as an inspiration for others to consider switching to renewable energy and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Which of the following statements best describes the primary motivation of the Müller family to switch to renewable energy?
1. Environmental sustainability
2. Financial savings
3. Increased energy independence
4. Minimising the environmental impact

Q.3

A community relies on a rainwater harvesting system for its water supply. The system collects rainwater from rooftops and stores it in large underground tanks. After a heavy rainfall, the residents notice that the stored water has a brownish colour and an unpleasant odour.
What could be the most likely cause of this contamination?
1. Insufficient filtration and disinfection of the rainwater
2. Accumulation of organic debris in the storage tanks
3. Leaching of pollutants from roofing materials

Q.4

A study conducted in the North Atlantic found that a specific population of cod had been overfished for decades. As a result, the average size of cod in the population had decreased by 20%. What are the potential consequences of this decrease in size for the cod population?

Q.5

You're the sustainability coordinator for your school, tasked with analysing and improving waste management practices. To assess current methods, you gather information on various practices used by students and staff.
Analyse each scenario and identify the most appropriate 5R category it falls into: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repurpose, or Refuse.
Scenario 1: The school cafeteria replaces single-use plastic water bottles with reusable water bottles for students to bring from home.
Scenario 2: The school declines any subscription to promotional materials.
Scenario 3: The school installs motion sensor lights in hallways and classrooms to minimise unnecessary energy usage.
Scenario 4: The art department uses leftover fabric scraps from previous projects to create new artwork and decorations.
Scenario 5: The school has separate bins for paper, cardboard, and plastic bottles.

Q.6

You typically wash a full load of laundry with hot water (40°C). Based on the provided information, which of the following options would have the potential to reduce your total laundry energy consumption?
A. Washing smaller loads more frequently instead of a full load once a week.
B. Switching to warm water (30°C) for most washes.
C. Air-drying your clothes instead of using the dryer entirely.
D. Cleaning the lint screen in your dryer after every load to improve airflow.

Q.7

Geneva is an aquatic biologist working for a local environmental agency. She is studying the impact of excess nutrients and increasing atmospheric CO₂ on the health of a nearby bay. She is concerned that the combined effects of these factors could be harming marine life and disrupting the ecosystem.
She has developed a flow chart representing the relationships between various elements.
Based on your understanding of aquatic ecosystems, identify A, B, C, D, and E.

Q.8

A municipality is debating between establishing a waste-to-energy incineration plant or a biogas plant for managing its organic waste. Which option would be more environmentally sustainable, considering the waste reduction and energy generation potential?

Q.9

A rural village has limited access to electricity, relying primarily on kerosene lamps for lighting. Kerosene use has been linked to respiratory problems and indoor air pollution. The village council is considering ways to improve access to clean and reliable electricity. Which of the following would be the most effective long-term solution to address both health concerns and energy needs?

Q.10

You're passionate about reducing your environmental footprint, particularly concerning packaging materials. You've come across a study that highlights the significance of recycling and reuse in lessening the environmental impact of packaging.
Which of the following statements accurately reflects the environmental impact of recycling and reuse in relation to packaging materials?