
UGC NET Environmental Science Unit 4 focuses on Environmental Geosciences, including geology, geomorphology, mineralogy, atmospheric science, groundwater hydrology, meteorology, and earth system processes. This unit regularly contributes conceptual, numerical, matching, and assertion-reasoning questions in the examination.
Questions are frequently asked about metamorphic rocks, Mohs hardness scale, plate boundaries, oceanic crust structure, groundwater concepts, atmospheric circulation, geostrophic winds, coal development, volcanism, and weathering processes.
Since many questions require logical sequencing, matching, and application of scientific concepts, practicing Previous Year Questions (PYQs) is essential for scoring well.
This UGC NET Environmental Science Unit 4 session focuses on important concepts repeatedly asked in previous examinations. Key areas covered include:
Rocks and Minerals
Mohs Hardness Scale
Metamorphism and Metamorphic Rocks
Plate Tectonics and Subduction Zones
Oceanic Crust Structure
Groundwater Hydrology
Aquifers and Aquicludes
Darcy's Law
Geostrophic and Gradient Winds
Coriolis Force
Atmospheric Circulation
Coal Formation and Coal Grades
Volcanism and Magma Types
Karst Topography
Weathering and Geomorphological Processes
These important Previous Year Questions cover concepts that are frequently asked in UGC NET Environmental Science examinations.
#Q. Arrange the following minerals in the decreasing order of their relative hardness as per Moh's scale.
A. Apatite
B. Calcite
C. Quartz
D. Gypsum
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
(A) A, C, B, D
(B) B, C, A, D
(C) D, B, A, C
(D) C, A, B, D
#Q. Arrange the following layers that make up a typical oceanic crust from top to bottom.
A. Gabbro
B. Basaltic Pillow Lava
C. Deep-sea sediment
D. Sheeted dike complex
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
(A) C, D, B, A
(B) C, A, B, D
(C) C, B, D, A
(D) C, D, A, B
#Q. At a certain location with latitude Φ = 45°N, the horizontal gradient of sea level pressure is 5 MB per 100 km. What is the geostrophic wind speed at the location? (Assume density of air = 1.25 km m⁻³ and angular velocity of earth = 7.29 × 10⁻⁵ rad/s)
(A) ~ 10 ms⁻¹
(B) ~ 20 ms⁻¹
(C) ~ 30 ms⁻¹
(D) ~ 40 ms⁻¹
#Q. Arrange the following stages of coal development from lower to higher grade.
A. Dehydration
B. Peatification
C. Bituminization
D. Debituminization
E. Graphitization
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
(A) A, B, C, D, E
(B) B, A, C, D, E
(C) A, B, D, C, E
(D) B, A, D, C, E
#Q. Match the LIST-I with LIST-II
| LIST-I (Chemical characteristics) | LIST-II (Rock type) | ||
| A. | Phosphate | I. | Bauxite |
| B. | Sulphate | II. | Stromatolites |
| C. | Mg-Fe rich silicate | III. | Anhydrite |
| D. | Al oxyhydroxides | IV. | Basalt |
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
(A) A-I, B-II, C-III, D-IV
(B) A-II, B-III, C-IV, D-I
(C) A-III, B-II, C-IV, D-I
(D) A-I, B-III, C-II, D-IV
#Q. Match the LIST-I with LIST-II
| LIST-I (Chemical characteristics) | LIST-II (Rock type) | ||
| A. | Pressure is enough to allow free flow of water above ground | I. | Cone of depression |
| B. | Water is withdrawn faster than its replenishment | II. | Piezometric surface |
| C. | Elevation to which water rises in the aquifer | III. | Artesian well |
| D. | Zone of water between aquicludes | IV. | Confined water |
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
(A) A-I, B-II, C-III, D-IV
(B) A-III, B-I, C-II, D-IV
(C) A-III, B-II, C-I, D-IV
(D) A-IV, B-III, C-II, D-I
#Q. A typical basalt consists of approximately 50%:
(A) Al₂O₃
(B) FeO
(C) CaO
(D) SiO₂
#Q. The shortwave radiation flux incident on the wall of a hypothetical isolated cubical building placed at a latitude of 50°N peaks in the morning period during summer season. The wall is facing which direction?
(A) East
(B) West
(C) North
(D) South
#Q. Coriolis acceleration of a particle over the earth's surface depends on:
(A) Angular Velocity of Earth
(B) Mass of the particle
(C) Latitude of the location
(D) Velocity of the particle
(E) Longitude of the location
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
(A) (A), (B) and (C) Only
(B) (A), (C) and (D) Only
(C) (A), (D) and (E) Only
(D) (A), (B), (C) and (D) Only
#Q. Identify the correct statement(s) regarding volcanism:
(A) Volcanoes occur throughout Earth's seas and continents.
(B) Two types of magma are commonly associated with volcanoes.
(C) The gases expelled in an explosive eruption include CO₂, water vapour and sulphur dioxide.
(D) Shield volcanoes are fed by low-silica, low-gas magmas that originate in the core.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
(A) (A) and (C) Only
(B) (B) Only
(C) (B) and (D) Only
(D) (A) Only
#Q. The initial velocity of an object is 2î + 4ĵ m/s. Arrange the magnitude of coriolis force acting on the object in decreasing order for the following latitudes, given that the initial velocity does not change.
(A) 20°N
(B) 40°N
(C) 30°N
(D) 60°N
(E) 80°N
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
(A) (A), (C), (B), (D), (E)
(B) (A), (B), (C), (D), (E)
(C) (D), (B), (E), (C), (A)
(D) (E), (D), (B), (C), (A)
Environmental Geosciences is one of the most important conceptual sections of UGC NET Environmental Science. Candidates can improve their preparation by focusing on the following points:
Revise rock cycle, rock classification, and metamorphic rock sequences thoroughly.
Learn the Mohs hardness scale and important minerals regularly.
Study plate tectonics, subduction zones, and oceanic crust structure.
Practice questions related to groundwater hydrology, aquifers, aquicludes, and Darcy’s Law.
Revise atmospheric circulation, Coriolis force, geostrophic winds, and pressure gradients.
Learn coal formation stages and characteristics of different coal grades.
Focus on volcanism, magma types, and volcanic landforms.
Prepare weathering, erosion, karst topography, and geomorphological processes.
Practice assertion-reasoning and sequence-based questions frequently.
Solve PYQs regularly to identify repeated concepts and improve accuracy.
Consistent revision and PYQ practice can significantly improve performance in Unit 4 and strengthen overall UGC NET Environmental Science preparation.
