International Green Warrior Olympiad Class 9 Sample Paper

Q.1

A local environmental agency is tasked with evaluating the water quality of a river that runs through a town. The river serves as a primary source of drinking water, recreational activities, and supports aquatic life. Concerns have been raised about the river's health due to changes in its appearance and reports of fish mortality.
Please select the most appropriate answer that reflects the main categories relevant to evaluating the river's water quality.

Q.2

A family is considering purchasing a new microwave to replace their old one, aiming to reduce their energy consumption and contribute to sustainability. They are researching various models to ensure they choose an energy-efficient appliance.
In their evaluation of different microwave models for energy efficiency and sustainability, which factor would NOT typically be considered?

Q.3

A community experiences an outbreak of a waterborne disease called Amoebiasis, characterised by severe abdominal cramps, diarrhoea with blood, and high fever. Individuals affected report exposure to contaminated water sources. Identify the causative agent responsible for these symptoms.

Q.4

Consider the following statements and choose the correct option:

Statement 1: Groundwater is primarily recharged through precipitation that infiltrates into the soil.
Statement 2: Groundwater, once depleted, can be quickly replenished through human interventions like pumping water from surface reservoirs.

Q.5

A tropical country experiences frequent severe weather events, including but not limited to drought, hurricanes and cyclones, due to climate change. Its current reliance on large-scale hydropower plants makes it vulnerable to these extreme weather events.
Which of the following clean energy sources is most likely to be resilient to these climate impacts?

Q.6

Blair, an environmentally conscious consumer, is shopping for groceries at a local store. She notices a food product with an eco-label that states "Organic" on the packaging. Curious about its meaning, she checks the information available to understand the significance of the label.

In the context of eco-labelling, what does the presence of an "Organic" label on a food product signify based on Emily's observation?

Q.7

Consider the case study given below and answer the following question:

Case Study: Protecting the Coral Reefs of Raja Ampat, Indonesia

Location: Raja Ampat, a stunning archipelago in Indonesia famed for its thriving coral reefs, biodiversity, and diving tourism.

Challenges:
-Overfishing: Unsustainable fishing practices, including blast fishing and cyanide fishing, have depleted fish stocks and damaged coral reefs.
-Pollution: Plastic pollution, agricultural runoff, and sedimentation from coastal development all threaten the delicate marine ecosystem.
-Climate Change: Rising ocean temperatures and acidification are bleaching and killing coral, the foundation of the reef ecosystem.

Initiatives:
-Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): Establishing and enforcing MPAs restricts harmful fishing practices and allows reefs to recover. Raja Ampat boasts one of the largest MPAs in Southeast Asia, covering over 1.5 million hectares.
-Community-Based Management: Local communities play a crucial role in protecting their reefs. The Coral Triangle Initiative focuses on empowering them through sustainable fishing practices and alternative livelihoods like ecotourism.
-Sustainable Aquaculture: Farming fish responsibly reduces pressure on wild stocks and provides alternative income for fishermen. Locally managed fish farms in Raja Ampat demonstrate successful alternatives to overfishing.
-Coral Restoration: Innovative techniques like coral nurseries and transplantation help regenerate damaged reefs and restore marine biodiversity.

Outcomes:
-Fish stocks are rebounding: The Raja Ampat MPA has shown a significant increase in fish biomass within its boundaries, demonstrating the effectiveness of protected areas.
-Improved water quality: Reduced pollution and sedimentation contribute to healthier corals and a more vibrant marine environment.
-Empowered communities: Local involvement in conservation fosters environmental stewardship and provides sustainable economic opportunities.

Raja Ampat serves as a beacon of hope in marine conservation, demonstrating the effectiveness of community-driven, multi-pronged approaches to protecting life below water. By tackling overfishing, pollution, and climate change, we can safeguard the future of these vital ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.

In the case study, it is mentioned that coral reefs confront challenges from pollution and climate change. How do these challenges interact to negatively affect Raja Ampat's coral reefs?

1. Pollution weakens coral reefs, making them more susceptible to bleaching and mortality as ocean temperatures rise.
2. Climate change alters ocean currents, causing an increased accumulation of pollutants near reefs, adding to their stress.
3. Pollution can harm reefs, but it doesn't significantly affect their vulnerability to climate change impacts.

Q.8

Ecological restoration is the process of assisting the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged, or destroyed. Which of the following is NOT a primary goal of ecological restoration?

Q.9

Consider the case study given below and answer the following question:

Case Study: Protecting the Coral Reefs of Raja Ampat, Indonesia

Location: Raja Ampat, a stunning archipelago in Indonesia famed for its thriving coral reefs, biodiversity, and diving tourism.

Challenges:
-Overfishing: Unsustainable fishing practices, including blast fishing and cyanide fishing, have depleted fish stocks and damaged coral reefs.
-Pollution: Plastic pollution, agricultural runoff, and sedimentation from coastal development all threaten the delicate marine ecosystem.
-Climate Change: Rising ocean temperatures and acidification are bleaching and killing coral, the foundation of the reef ecosystem.

Initiatives:
-Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): Establishing and enforcing MPAs restricts harmful fishing practices and allows reefs to recover. Raja Ampat boasts one of the largest MPAs in Southeast Asia, covering over 1.5 million hectares.
-Community-Based Management: Local communities play a crucial role in protecting their reefs. The Coral Triangle Initiative focuses on empowering them through sustainable fishing practices and alternative livelihoods like ecotourism.
-Sustainable Aquaculture: Farming fish responsibly reduces pressure on wild stocks and provides alternative income for fishermen. Locally managed fish farms in Raja Ampat demonstrate successful alternatives to overfishing.
-Coral Restoration: Innovative techniques like coral nurseries and transplantation help regenerate damaged reefs and restore marine biodiversity.

Outcomes:
-Fish stocks are rebounding: The Raja Ampat MPA has shown a significant increase in fish biomass within its boundaries, demonstrating the effectiveness of protected areas.
-Improved water quality: Reduced pollution and sedimentation contribute to healthier corals and a more vibrant marine environment.
-Empowered communities: Local involvement in conservation fosters environmental stewardship and provides sustainable economic opportunities.

Raja Ampat serves as a beacon of hope in marine conservation, demonstrating the effectiveness of community-driven, multi-pronged approaches to protecting life below water. By tackling overfishing, pollution, and climate change, we can safeguard the future of these vital ecosystems and the communities that depend on them

What is a long-term challenge that the case study implies requires continuous global support to ensure the success of marine conservation in Raja Ampat?

Q.10

A group of students studying ecology in a temperate forest notices a sharp decline in the local frog population. They discover that a new housing development has encroached upon a wetland area that was once home to a diverse array of amphibians.
What is the likely consequence of the wetland habitat loss on the surrounding forest ecosystem?