Unit 5: Disaster management - Practice Quiz

CHE110 — Environmental Studies 60 Questions
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1 Which of the following is a natural disaster?

Natural disasters Easy
A. Train collision
B. Earthquake
C. Factory fire
D. Oil spill

2 Which disaster is directly related to the overflow of water?

Water-related disasters Easy
A. Earthquake
B. Drought
C. Flood
D. Heat wave

3 What is a drought?

Floods and drought Easy
A. A large sea wave
B. A strong rotating wind
C. A sudden movement of the ground
D. A long period with little rainfall

4 Which of the following is an air-related disaster?

Air-related disasters Easy
A. Flood
B. Tornado
C. Volcanic eruption
D. Landslide

5 A cyclone is mainly characterized by:

Cyclones and storms Easy
A. Spiraling winds around low pressure
B. Falling rocks from a mountain
C. Lack of rainfall for years
D. Sudden shaking of the ground

6 Which disaster involves the sudden movement of rocks and soil down a slope?

Earth-related disasters Easy
A. Tsunami
B. Landslide
C. Drought
D. Cyclone

7 What instrument is used to record earthquake vibrations?

Earthquakes Easy
A. Thermometer
B. Rain gauge
C. Seismograph
D. Barometer

8 Which condition can increase the risk of a landslide?

Landslides Easy
A. Gentle sunshine
B. Clear skies
C. Heavy rainfall
D. Low humidity

9 What is an avalanche?

Avalanches Easy
A. A release of volcanic gases
B. A rotating column of air
C. A sudden rise in sea level
D. A rapid flow of snow down a slope

10 What may come out of a volcano during an eruption?

Volcanic eruptions Easy
A. Lava and ash
B. Wind and dew
C. Sand and cotton
D. Freshwater and ice

11 Which of the following is a manmade disaster?

Manmade disasters Easy
A. Cyclone
B. Earthquake
C. Industrial accident
D. Drought

12 A nuclear disaster may release harmful:

Nuclear disasters Easy
A. Rainwater
B. Sunlight
C. Oxygen
D. Radiation

13 What is a chemical disaster?

Chemical disasters Easy
A. A seasonal change in temperature
B. A natural movement of tectonic plates
C. An accidental release of hazardous chemicals
D. A shortage of food caused by drought

14 Which event is an example of a biological disaster?

Biological disasters Easy
A. Bridge collapse
B. Disease outbreak
C. Cyclone landfall
D. Volcanic eruption

15 Which of the following is a transport accident?

Transport accidents Easy
A. River drought
B. Train derailment
C. Mountain avalanche
D. Volcanic eruption

16 What is the main purpose of a national disaster management framework?

National disaster management framework Easy
A. To guide disaster risk reduction and response
B. To control daily school activities
C. To increase traffic in cities
D. To regulate ordinary market prices

17 Which is an important role of governmental agencies during a disaster?

Role of governmental agencies in disaster response Easy
A. Organizing rescue and relief
B. Ignoring affected communities
C. Spreading unverified rumors
D. Blocking emergency services

18 How can NGOs help during a disaster?

Role of NGOs in disaster response Easy
A. Damaging emergency shelters
B. Stopping all communication
C. Creating false warnings
D. Providing food and medical aid

19 Why are community-based organizations important during disasters?

Role of community-based organizations in disaster response Easy
A. They prevent emergency alerts
B. They control weather conditions
C. They understand local needs
D. They replace all hospitals

20 What is a responsible role of the media during a disaster?

Role of media in disaster response Easy
A. Broadcasting unverified rumors
B. Sharing accurate safety information
C. Hiding official warnings
D. Encouraging unsafe behavior

21 A town lies near a river, a fault line, and a steep hillside. Which planning approach best addresses its overall disaster risk?

Natural disasters Medium
A. Focus mainly on post-disaster relief
B. Use a multi-hazard risk assessment
C. Build shelters only on the hillside
D. Prepare only for river flooding

22 After heavy rain, a village's drinking-water sources become contaminated. What should be done first?

Water-related disasters Medium
A. Resume normal water collection
B. Add untreated river water
C. Increase water storage outdoors
D. Boil or disinfect drinking water

23 A district alternates between flash floods and long dry periods. Which measure would best reduce both risks?

Floods and drought Medium
A. Build houses beside drainage channels
B. Depend only on emergency food supplies
C. Remove vegetation from slopes
D. Improve watershed and water storage management

24 During a severe air-pollution episode, which action most directly protects people with asthma?

Air-related disasters Medium
A. Reduce outdoor exposure and follow health advisories
B. Burn waste to clear nearby vegetation
C. Exercise outdoors at midday
D. Keep windows open continuously

25 A coastal warning predicts a powerful cyclone will arrive within 24 hours. Which action should authorities prioritize?

Cyclones and storms Medium
A. Open windows to equalize pressure
B. Send residents to low-lying beaches
C. Wait until winds become destructive
D. Evacuate vulnerable coastal communities

26 Which combination most clearly indicates elevated earth-related hazard in a settlement?

Earth-related disasters Medium
A. Wide roads and strong bridges
B. Low rainfall and deep soil
C. Steep slopes and active faults
D. Flat land and stable bedrock

27 During an earthquake inside a classroom, which response is safest?

Earthquakes Medium
A. Drop, cover, and hold on
B. Run toward the staircase immediately
C. Use the elevator to leave
D. Stand beside a glass window

28 A road cuts across a steep, rain-soaked slope. Which measure would most effectively reduce landslide risk?

Landslides Medium
A. Block all drainage channels
B. Install drainage and stabilize the slope
C. Increase slope loading
D. Remove supporting vegetation

29 A mountain trail has received heavy snowfall followed by rapid warming. What is the safest decision?

Avalanches Medium
A. Gather below unstable snowfields
B. Remove warning signs from trails
C. Avoid avalanche-prone routes
D. Travel across steep open slopes

30 During an ash-producing volcanic eruption, which action best reduces respiratory exposure?

Volcanic eruptions Medium
A. Wear suitable masks and stay indoors
B. Drive toward the ash plume
C. Open all doors and windows
D. Sweep ash into open drains

31 A factory stores flammable chemicals near a densely populated neighborhood. Which prevention measure is most appropriate?

Manmade disasters Medium
A. Increase storage near residential areas
B. Restrict information about hazards
C. Strengthen inspections and emergency planning
D. Ignore minor safety violations

32 Following a nuclear release warning, authorities advise residents to shelter indoors. Why is this recommended?

Nuclear disasters Medium
A. Buildings can reduce exposure to radiation
B. Sheltering increases radioactive exposure
C. Outdoor air always neutralizes radiation
D. Radiation affects only vehicles

33 A toxic gas leak occurs upwind of a residential area. Which immediate action is generally safest for residents?

Chemical disasters Medium
A. Remain beside the leaking container
B. Follow official instructions and move crosswind or upwind
C. Move toward the visible cloud
D. Use flames to identify the gas

34 During an outbreak of a contagious disease, which measure most directly interrupts transmission?

Biological disasters Medium
A. Share unverified remedies
B. Use isolation, hygiene, and vaccination when available
C. Ignore symptomatic individuals
D. Increase crowding in public places

35 After a tanker collision, an unknown liquid is leaking onto the road. What should bystanders do first?

Transport accidents Medium
A. Touch the liquid with bare hands
B. Light a match to test flammability
C. Keep away and alert emergency services
D. Approach to identify the liquid

36 Why does a national disaster management framework assign responsibilities before disasters occur?

National disaster management framework Medium
A. To eliminate the need for local planning
B. To clarify coordination and accountability
C. To delay decisions during emergencies
D. To replace hazard monitoring systems

37 A flood has displaced thousands of people. Which governmental action should be prioritized during the initial response?

Role of governmental agencies in disaster response Medium
A. Suspend all emergency communications
B. Wait for private donations before acting
C. Begin long-term tourism promotion
D. Provide search, rescue, shelter, and essential services

38 A local health system is overwhelmed after an earthquake. How can an experienced NGO contribute most effectively?

Role of NGOs in disaster response Medium
A. Distribute supplies without needs assessment
B. Duplicate every government activity
C. Provide specialized medical and relief support
D. Prevent coordination with local authorities

39 Why are community-based organizations valuable during the first hours after a disaster?

Role of community-based organizations in disaster response Medium
A. They can replace all technical agencies
B. They work without communicating with residents
C. They usually understand local needs and resources
D. They should control national warning systems

40 Which media practice best supports public safety during a rapidly developing disaster?

Role of media in disaster response Medium
A. Publish victims' private details without consent
B. Hide evacuation routes from the public
C. Share verified warnings and protective instructions
D. Broadcast unverified rumors quickly

41 A hazard becomes a disaster primarily when it:

Natural disasters Hard
A. Is officially classified by a government
B. Occurs in an uninhabited region
C. Produces measurable environmental change
D. Exceeds the coping capacity of an exposed community

42 After intense rainfall, a downstream town faces contamination of its drinking-water wells. Which factor most directly increases the health risk?

Water-related disasters Hard
A. Reduced surface-water velocity
B. Infiltration of untreated floodwater
C. Lower atmospheric humidity
D. Higher groundwater recharge

43 A basin experiences alternating flash floods and seasonal droughts. Which strategy best addresses both risks without simply maximizing reservoir storage?

Floods and drought Hard
A. Restrict all irrigation during rainy months
B. Combine watershed restoration with demand management
C. Use only emergency water tankers
D. Drain wetlands and deepen channels

44 During a severe urban smog episode, which public-health action is most appropriate for reducing exposure before pollution levels decline?

Air-related disasters Hard
A. Use water sprinklers only on residential roofs
B. Open windows facing major roads
C. Reduce outdoor activity and improve indoor filtration
D. Increase outdoor exercise at dawn

45 A cyclone warning is issued for a densely populated coastal district. Which decision best reflects risk-based evacuation planning?

Cyclones and storms Hard
A. Evacuate low-lying zones using forecast and vulnerability data
B. Wait until rainfall becomes heavier than normal
C. Evacuate the entire state regardless of exposure
D. Evacuate only after landfall is confirmed

46 Why can the same magnitude earthquake produce very different levels of damage in two nearby cities?

Earth-related disasters Hard
A. Earthquake duration is identical everywhere
B. Population density has no effect on losses
C. Magnitude changes after crossing borders
D. Damage depends on exposure, building vulnerability, and local ground conditions

47 During strong shaking inside a multistory building, which action generally offers the best immediate protection?

Earthquakes Hard
A. Stand beside a glass window
B. Use the elevator before power fails
C. Run toward the nearest staircase
D. Drop, cover, and hold until shaking stops

48 A hillside shows tension cracks after prolonged rain, and a road-cut has removed toe support. Which intervention most directly reduces immediate slope failure risk?

Landslides Hard
A. Remove drainage channels from the slope
B. Add water to compact the upper soil
C. Increase traffic vibration near the cracks
D. Restore toe support and control surface water

49 A snowpack contains a weak layer beneath a recently deposited slab. Which condition most increases the likelihood of a slab avalanche?

Avalanches Hard
A. Uniform melting over several weeks
B. A gradual decrease in slope angle
C. Rapid loading by wind-drifted snow
D. Removal of all loose snow from the surface

50 A community lies downwind of an explosive volcano. Which preparedness measure is most specifically aimed at reducing ash-related respiratory impacts?

Volcanic eruptions Hard
A. Stockpile masks and protect ventilation systems
B. Construct seawalls along the coastline
C. Remove warning sirens from public buildings
D. Increase aircraft operations near the crater

51 A factory accident releases toxic gas into a nearby settlement. Which initial response principle is most appropriate?

Manmade disasters Hard
A. Establish a hazard zone and follow protective-action guidance
B. Wash all exposed materials into local drains
C. Enter the plume to identify the odor
D. Rely on unverified social-media instructions

52 After a suspected radioactive release, why is sheltering indoors sometimes preferred over immediate evacuation?

Nuclear disasters Hard
A. Radiation cannot travel through outdoor air
B. Evacuation always increases radiation dose
C. Indoor walls can reduce exposure while plume conditions are assessed
D. Sheltering permanently removes radioactive contamination

53 A tanker overturns and releases an unknown chemical near a school. Which action should untrained bystanders avoid?

Chemical disasters Hard
A. Keeping people away from the release area
B. Calling emergency services from a safe location
C. Moving upwind and uphill
D. Approaching the spill to identify its smell

54 During an outbreak with limited laboratory capacity, which surveillance approach best supports early detection of expanding transmission?

Biological disasters Hard
A. Report only laboratory-confirmed deaths
B. Suspend all case reporting until certainty is reached
C. Count only cases from major hospitals
D. Combine syndromic surveillance with targeted testing

55 Following a train derailment involving an unknown substance, which rescue priority best follows incident-safety principles?

Transport accidents Hard
A. Begin mass entry before identifying the cargo
B. Move all injured people through the visible vapor
C. Protect responders and establish zones before rescue operations
D. Allow bystanders to assist without protective equipment

56 Which feature most improves coordination in a national disaster management framework when responsibilities overlap across agencies?

National disaster management framework Hard
A. Separate emergency plans for each department
B. Complete centralization of every local decision
C. Independent decisions without shared terminology
D. Predefined roles, interoperable communication, and unified coordination

57 A government agency receives conflicting damage reports from several districts. What should it do first to allocate scarce rescue resources fairly?

Role of governmental agencies in disaster response Hard
A. Wait for complete data before any deployment
B. Use verified needs assessments and life-safety priorities
C. Distribute resources equally regardless of severity
D. Select the district with the loudest media coverage

58 An NGO plans to distribute food after a flood. Which practice most reduces the risk of creating dependency or inequity?

Role of NGOs in disaster response Hard
A. Replace local suppliers with imported goods permanently
B. Distribute identical packages without assessing needs
C. Coordinate with authorities and involve affected groups
D. Serve only communities that are easiest to reach

59 Why are community-based organizations often crucial during the first hours after a disaster?

Role of community-based organizations in disaster response Hard
A. They can replace all technical emergency services
B. They possess local trust, knowledge, and networks
C. They eliminate the need for governmental coordination
D. They have unlimited supplies and legal authority

60 A media outlet receives an unverified claim that a dam has failed. What is the most responsible response?

Role of media in disaster response Hard
A. Verify the claim and label uncertainty clearly
B. Publish immediately to maximize attention
C. Repeat the claim with anonymous certainty
D. Suppress all disaster-related information