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. Earthquake
B. Road accident
C. Oil spill
D. Factory fire

2 Which disaster is directly related to excessive water?

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

3 What is a drought?

Floods and drought Easy
A. A strong rotating wind
B. A shaking of the ground
C. A long period with little rain
D. A sudden ocean wave

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

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

5 What is a cyclone?

Cyclones and storms Easy
A. A sudden ground crack
B. A dry river bed
C. A layer of soil
D. A rotating storm system

6 Which disaster is caused by movement beneath the Earth's surface?

Earth-related disasters Easy
A. Heat wave
B. Cyclone
C. Earthquake
D. Drought

7 Which action is safest during an earthquake indoors?

Earthquakes Easy
A. Use the elevator
B. Drop, cover, and hold on
C. Stand near shelves
D. Run toward windows

8 What is a landslide?

Landslides Easy
A. Release of nuclear energy
B. Rise of ocean water
C. Downward movement of soil and rocks
D. Spread of a disease

9 An avalanche is the sudden movement of what down a mountain slope?

Avalanches Easy
A. Water and oil
B. Snow and ice
C. Smoke and ash
D. Sand and salt

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

Volcanic eruptions Easy
A. Pure drinking water
B. Plastic waste
C. Lava and ash
D. Fresh snow

11 Which of the following is a manmade disaster?

Manmade disasters Easy
A. Earthquake
B. Chemical leak
C. Cyclone
D. Drought

12 A nuclear disaster may release harmful what into the environment?

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

13 What should people do after a nearby toxic chemical release?

Chemical disasters Easy
A. Follow official safety instructions
B. Touch the spilled material
C. Ignore warning messages
D. Move toward the smell

14 Which event is an example of a biological disaster?

Biological disasters Easy
A. Volcanic eruption
B. River flooding
C. Disease outbreak
D. Bridge collapse

15 Which is a transport accident?

Transport accidents Easy
A. Disease outbreak
B. Train collision
C. Drought
D. Earthquake

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

National disaster management framework Easy
A. Increase traffic congestion
B. Replace all local services
C. Control daily weather
D. Guide disaster risk reduction and response

17 Which task is commonly performed by governmental agencies during disasters?

Role of governmental agencies in disaster response Easy
A. Selling entertainment tickets
B. Designing advertisements
C. Organizing sports events
D. Coordinating rescue services

18 How can NGOs help during a disaster?

Role of NGOs in disaster response Easy
A. Operate volcanoes
B. Issue driving licenses
C. Provide relief supplies
D. Cause landslides

19 What is an important role of community-based organizations during disasters?

Role of community-based organizations in disaster response Easy
A. Forecasting every earthquake
B. Mobilizing local volunteers
C. Manufacturing aircraft
D. Controlling ocean tides

20 What is an important role of the media during a disaster?

Role of media in disaster response Easy
A. Hiding evacuation notices
B. Sharing verified warnings
C. Spreading unconfirmed rumors
D. Blocking emergency calls

21 A coastal village receives an official warning of a severe natural hazard approaching within 12 hours. Which action best reduces immediate risk?

Natural disasters Medium
A. Wait for visible damage to begin
B. Travel toward the shoreline
C. Store valuables near windows
D. Move to a designated safe shelter

22 After contaminated floodwater enters a community water supply, which measure should be prioritized before the water is used for drinking?

Water-related disasters Medium
A. Boil or properly disinfect the water
B. Mix it with untreated water
C. Store it in open containers
D. Add ice to lower its temperature

23 A farming region experiences repeated droughts followed by intense short-duration rainfall. Which strategy best addresses both problems?

Floods and drought Medium
A. Pave additional agricultural land
B. Remove vegetation from drainage areas
C. Use rainwater harvesting and efficient irrigation
D. Increase groundwater pumping continuously

24 During a severe air-pollution episode, which action most directly reduces a person's exposure to harmful particles?

Air-related disasters Medium
A. Burn waste to improve visibility
B. Use suitable protective masks outdoors
C. Exercise outdoors at midday
D. Keep windows open throughout the day

25 A cyclone warning indicates that storm surge may affect low-lying coastal areas. What is the safest preparedness action?

Cyclones and storms Medium
A. Drive along the coastal road
B. Remain on the ground floor
C. Evacuate to higher inland locations
D. Stand outside to monitor winds

26 A town located near steep slopes has experienced heavy rainfall for several days. Which observation most strongly suggests an earth-related disaster may be developing?

Earth-related disasters Medium
A. Streetlights remain fully operational
B. Local temperatures decrease slightly
C. Clouds become thinner at sunset
D. New cracks appear in roads and walls

27 During an earthquake, a student is indoors and away from windows. Which response is most appropriate?

Earthquakes Medium
A. Use the elevator to exit quickly
B. Stand beside a tall bookshelf
C. Drop, cover, and hold on
D. Run immediately to the staircase

28 A road-cut slope shows bulging soil, leaning trees, and blocked drainage channels after heavy rain. What should authorities do first?

Landslides Medium
A. Clear vegetation from the slope
B. Restrict access and arrange technical assessment
C. Allow traffic to continue normally
D. Increase water flow toward the slope

29 A mountain rescue team receives an avalanche warning for a popular trail. Which decision best follows risk-reduction principles?

Avalanches Medium
A. Close the trail until conditions improve
B. Open the trail for experienced hikers
C. Remove warning signs to avoid panic
D. Send one person to test the snowpack

30 During an ash-producing volcanic eruption, which precaution is most suitable for residents who must remain indoors temporarily?

Volcanic eruptions Medium
A. Use fans facing indoors
B. Collect ash with bare hands
C. Seal doors and windows
D. Open windows for ventilation

31 A factory stores flammable materials near a residential area without adequate safety controls. Which approach best prevents a major manmade disaster?

Manmade disasters Medium
A. Depend only on worker caution
B. Improve safety systems and enforce regulations
C. Remove all emergency warning equipment
D. Increase production during heat waves

32 Following a radioactive release, authorities instruct residents to shelter indoors. Which action best supports this instruction?

Nuclear disasters Medium
A. Open windows to remove radiation
B. Travel outside to observe the plume
C. Turn off ventilation systems bringing outside air
D. Consume untested local produce

33 A toxic gas leak occurs downwind of a chemical plant. If evacuation is ordered, which route is generally safest?

Chemical disasters Medium
A. Stay in the lowest nearby area
B. Move upwind or crosswind
C. Approach the plant for information
D. Move directly with the wind

34 A community reports a sudden increase in similar fever cases. Which measure is most important for limiting the spread while the cause is investigated?

Biological disasters Medium
A. Report cases and follow infection-control guidance
B. Share unverified remedies online
C. Use antibiotics without medical advice
D. Stop all disease surveillance

35 After a tanker collision, an unknown liquid is leaking near a highway. What should bystanders do first?

Transport accidents Medium
A. Move away and call emergency services
B. Approach to identify the liquid
C. Use a phone near visible vapors
D. Touch the spill to test its temperature

36 A national disaster management framework emphasizes preparedness before an emergency. Which activity reflects this principle?

National disaster management framework Medium
A. Wait for damage before assigning roles
B. Focus only on post-disaster compensation
C. Conduct hazard mapping and regular drills
D. Replace evacuation plans with informal advice

37 During a major flood, which governmental function is most essential for coordinating an effective response?

Role of governmental agencies in disaster response Medium
A. Issue consistent warnings and coordinate resources
B. Delay rescue until all damage is documented
C. Restrict information to a single local office
D. Allow each department to work independently

38 An NGO wants to distribute relief supplies after an earthquake. Which action is most likely to improve the usefulness of its support?

Role of NGOs in disaster response Medium
A. Send supplies only to easily accessible neighborhoods
B. Coordinate with authorities and assess local needs
C. Operate without sharing beneficiary information
D. Distribute identical items everywhere

39 A local community-based organization knows which residents are elderly, disabled, or living alone. How can it best use this knowledge during an evacuation?

Role of community-based organizations in disaster response Medium
A. Share verified lists with response teams securely
B. Publish personal details publicly
C. Evacuate only organizational members
D. Wait until evacuation is completed

40 A news organization receives an unverified message claiming that a dam has failed. What should it do before broadcasting the claim?

Role of media in disaster response Medium
A. Remove the source from all reports
B. Add dramatic details to encourage evacuation
C. Verify it through reliable official sources
D. Publish it immediately to increase attention

41 A coastal district faces a low-probability but potentially catastrophic hazard. Which planning principle best justifies investing in mitigation before any event occurs?

Natural disasters Hard
A. Fund response capacity instead of prevention
B. Wait until forecasting becomes completely reliable
C. Base spending only on the most recent event
D. Prioritize expected loss and vulnerability reduction

42 After intense rainfall, a river rises rapidly while a nearby dam remains structurally sound. Which observation most strongly indicates a flash-flood emergency rather than a slow-onset flood?

Water-related disasters Hard
A. Groundwater levels rise gradually
B. Agricultural losses increase over a season
C. Peak discharge follows rainfall within hours
D. Floodwater remains for several weeks

43 A basin alternates between destructive floods and prolonged droughts because wetlands were drained and groundwater extraction increased. Which intervention addresses both hazards most directly?

Floods and drought Hard
A. Restore wetlands and regulate groundwater withdrawals
B. Increase irrigation without changing land use
C. Expand pumping during every dry season
D. Construct only higher downstream embankments

44 During a severe urban smog episode, which measure is most likely to reduce population exposure immediately while source-control policies take effect?

Air-related disasters Hard
A. Issue health advisories and reduce outdoor exposure
B. Rely exclusively on annual emissions inventories
C. Increase outdoor physical activity for acclimatization
D. Disperse pollutants by opening all windows

45 A cyclone is forecast to weaken before landfall, but its wind field is expected to expand substantially. Why may evacuation still be necessary?

Cyclones and storms Hard
A. Weakening cyclones cannot generate coastal flooding
B. A larger wind field can affect more people and infrastructure
C. Lower intensity always produces higher storm surge
D. Evacuation decisions depend only on central pressure

46 A hazard map shows low geological hazard, but dense informal settlements occupy unstable slopes and lack road access. What does this reveal about disaster risk?

Earth-related disasters Hard
A. Exposure and vulnerability can amplify moderate hazards
B. Risk is determined by hazard alone
C. Poor access affects recovery but not disaster risk
D. Informal settlements reduce geological instability

47 An earthquake early-warning system detects a P-wave and issues an alert before damaging S-waves arrive. Which action is most appropriate for recipients with only a few seconds of warning?

Earthquakes Hard
A. Wait for official confirmation before acting
B. Move toward windows to observe ground motion
C. Use elevators to leave the building quickly
D. Drop, cover, and hold on immediately

48 A road cut shows widening cracks after prolonged rain, but no material has moved downslope. How should this condition be interpreted?

Landslides Hard
A. It indicates only surface erosion with no warning value
B. It is a possible precursor requiring monitoring and control
C. It proves that rainfall cannot trigger failure
D. It is evidence of completed slope stabilization

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

Avalanches Hard
A. Complete removal of the overlying slab
B. Uniform melting without additional loading
C. Fresh snow or wind loading over the weak layer
D. Reduced slope angle below all failure thresholds

50 A volcano shows increasing seismicity and gas emissions, but no lava is visible. Why can authorities still raise the alert level?

Volcanic eruptions Hard
A. Seismicity proves that an eruption has already ended
B. Gas emissions are unrelated to volcanic activity
C. Only visible lava confirms an eruption threat
D. Subsurface magma movement can precede surface eruption

51 A factory incident results from an unsafe design, inadequate training, and ignored warning signs. Which interpretation best reflects modern disaster analysis?

Manmade disasters Hard
A. Natural hazards must have initiated the incident
B. The incident was caused solely by operator error
C. Emergency responders are responsible for prevention failures
D. Multiple organizational and technical failures combined

52 After a nuclear release, officials advise residents to shelter indoors temporarily rather than evacuate immediately. What is the primary rationale?

Nuclear disasters Hard
A. Indoor shelter can reduce short-term external exposure
B. Radiation becomes harmless inside every building
C. Sheltering permanently removes contamination
D. Evacuation is never appropriate after a release

53 A toxic gas cloud is moving downwind from an industrial facility. Which initial public instruction is generally most appropriate unless authorities specify otherwise?

Chemical disasters Hard
A. Move crosswind or upwind and follow official guidance
B. Approach the release point to identify the chemical
C. Travel directly downwind to exit the area faster
D. Open all windows to equalize indoor pressure

54 During an outbreak, reported cases rise after testing capacity expands, while hospitalization rates remain stable. Which conclusion is most defensible?

Biological disasters Hard
A. Transmission definitely doubled during testing expansion
B. Case counts alone cannot establish increased severity
C. The outbreak has certainly ended
D. Testing has no effect on reported incidence

55 Following a train derailment involving an unknown substance, which response priority best balances rescue and responder safety?

Transport accidents Hard
A. Allow bystanders to conduct passenger extraction
B. Establish isolation, identify hazards, and stage specialized teams
C. Enter immediately without hazard assessment
D. Wash the substance into nearby drainage channels

56 A national framework assigns responsibilities before disasters, integrates mitigation with preparedness, and uses an incident command structure during response. What is its central advantage?

National disaster management framework Hard
A. It eliminates the need for local decision-making
B. It transfers all disaster duties to the military
C. It focuses response only after damage is reported
D. It clarifies coordination across phases and institutions

57 Several agencies arrive after a flood with overlapping authority and incompatible damage data. Which governmental action most improves operational effectiveness?

Role of governmental agencies in disaster response Hard
A. Restrict information sharing until recovery begins
B. Use unified coordination and a common operating picture
C. Assign all functions to the agency with the largest budget
D. Allow each agency to issue independent evacuation orders

58 An NGO wants to distribute relief supplies in a remote community where local markets are functioning but transport is disrupted. Which approach is most context-sensitive?

Role of NGOs in disaster response Hard
A. Use local procurement or cash assistance where feasible
B. Distribute supplies without consulting affected residents
C. Suspend aid until all roads are fully restored
D. Import identical goods regardless of local availability

59 A community-based organization identifies elderly residents living alone before a cyclone. Which capability does this most directly demonstrate?

Role of community-based organizations in disaster response Hard
A. Preventing the cyclone through community action
B. Replacing all governmental emergency functions
C. Providing technical forecasting without instruments
D. Using local knowledge to identify vulnerable groups

60 Unverified social-media posts claim that a dam has failed, causing panic evacuation. What is the most responsible media practice?

Role of media in disaster response Hard
A. Verify with competent authorities and clearly label uncertainty
B. Repeat the claim rapidly to maximize audience reach
C. Suppress every unofficial report regardless of accuracy
D. Publish the location of all rescue operations immediately