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. Factory fire
B. Train collision
C. Earthquake
D. Oil spill

2 What is a flood?

Water-related disasters: floods and drought Easy
A. Strong rotation of winds
B. Sudden movement of rocks
C. Overflow of water onto land
D. Long period without rainfall

3 Which condition is most directly associated with drought?

Water-related disasters: floods and drought Easy
A. Prolonged lack of rainfall
B. Rapid movement of snow
C. Sudden release of lava
D. Continuous rise in tides

4 Where do tropical cyclones generally develop?

Air-related disasters: cyclones and storms Easy
A. Below the Earth's surface
B. Over warm ocean waters
C. Inside deep river valleys
D. On permanently frozen land

5 Which action is safest during a severe storm?

Air-related disasters: cyclones and storms Easy
A. Stand beneath a tall tree
B. Stay inside a secure building
C. Remain in an open field
D. Walk through flooded streets

6 Which instrument records earthquake vibrations?

Earth-related disasters: earthquakes, landslides, avalanches and volcanic eruptions Easy
A. Rain gauge
B. Anemometer
C. Barometer
D. Seismograph

7 What is a landslide?

Earth-related disasters: earthquakes, landslides, avalanches and volcanic eruptions Easy
A. Upward movement of ocean water
B. Downward movement of rock and soil
C. Horizontal movement of sea ice
D. Circular movement of strong wind

8 An avalanche mainly involves the rapid movement of which material?

Earth-related disasters: earthquakes, landslides, avalanches and volcanic eruptions Easy
A. Snow and ice
B. Water and mud
C. Lava and ash
D. Sand and dust

9 What may be released during a volcanic eruption?

Earth-related disasters: earthquakes, landslides, avalanches and volcanic eruptions Easy
A. Rain, mist, and fog
B. Sand, soil, and roots
C. Snow, ice, and hail
D. Lava, ash, and gases

10 Which event is classified as a manmade disaster?

Manmade disasters Easy
A. Volcanic eruption
B. Tropical cyclone
C. Natural avalanche
D. Industrial gas leak

11 What is the main hazardous release associated with a nuclear disaster?

Nuclear disasters Easy
A. Volcanic magma
B. Organic compost
C. Radioactive material
D. Rainwater runoff

12 Which incident is an example of a chemical disaster?

Chemical disasters Easy
A. Collapse of a snow slope
B. Shaking of the ground
C. Leak of toxic gas
D. Overflow of a river

13 Which event is considered a biological disaster?

Biological disasters Easy
A. Widespread infectious disease outbreak
B. Major railway collision
C. Large offshore oil spill
D. Powerful coastal cyclone

14 Which event is a transport accident?

Transport accidents Easy
A. Drought damaging crops
B. Volcano releasing ash
C. River flooding its banks
D. Passenger train derailment

15 What is the primary purpose of a national disaster management framework?

National disaster management framework Easy
A. Manage international sports events
B. Regulate daily weather changes
C. Set prices for farm products
D. Coordinate disaster risk and response

16 In India, which body lays down national policies and guidelines for disaster management?

National disaster management framework Easy
A. National Highways Authority
B. University Grants Commission
C. National Disaster Management Authority
D. Election Commission of India

17 Which task is commonly performed by governmental agencies during a disaster?

Role of governmental agencies in disaster response Easy
A. Advertising commercial products
B. Conducting entertainment programs
C. Promoting holiday travel
D. Organizing evacuation and rescue

18 How do non-governmental organizations commonly help disaster-affected people?

Role of NGOs in disaster response Easy
A. Operating all military installations
B. Issuing national currency and coins
C. Distributing food and essential supplies
D. Changing official weather records

19 Why are community-based organizations valuable during disaster response?

Role of community-based organizations in disaster response Easy
A. They replace all professional rescue teams
B. They predict the exact time of disasters
C. They control every national emergency agency
D. They understand local needs and resources

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

Role of media in disaster response Easy
A. Sharing verified warnings and instructions
B. Spreading unconfirmed alarming rumors
C. Blocking communication between agencies
D. Hiding official evacuation information

21 A district is exposed to earthquakes, but most buildings follow seismic codes and residents regularly conduct evacuation drills. Which statement best describes the district's disaster risk?

Natural disasters Medium
A. Risk is unchanged because only the hazard determines disaster losses
B. Risk is eliminated because earthquakes can no longer affect the district
C. Risk is reduced because vulnerability and lack of preparedness are lower
D. Risk is increased because preparedness activities create public anxiety

22 A town receives an intense rainfall warning after several days of rain, and the soil is already saturated. Which immediate action would most effectively reduce loss of life from a possible flash flood?

Water-related disasters: floods and drought Medium
A. Distribute drought-resistant seeds to farmers near the floodplain
B. Deepen every drainage channel before the rainfall begins that evening
C. Move residents from low-lying areas to designated higher shelters
D. Begin constructing a new concrete dam across the main river

23 A drought-prone farming region relies heavily on a rapidly declining groundwater supply. Which measure offers the most sustainable reduction in drought vulnerability?

Water-related disasters: floods and drought Medium
A. Transport water by tanker as the permanent regional water policy
B. Adopt rainwater harvesting and water-efficient irrigation
C. Replace food crops entirely with water-intensive cash crops
D. Pump deeper groundwater during every dry season

24 A coastal village receives a cyclone warning that predicts a severe storm surge. Which location is safest for evacuation?

Air-related disasters: cyclones and storms Medium
A. A basement below a strong building near the shoreline
B. A fishing boat secured inside the village harbor
C. A designated cyclone shelter on elevated inland ground
D. A concrete house located beside the beach

25 During a severe thunderstorm, a family is inside a well-built house. Which action is most appropriate?

Air-related disasters: cyclones and storms Medium
A. Use wired electrical devices to monitor all available weather reports continuously
B. Shelter beneath the tallest nearby tree until lightning stops
C. Stay indoors and avoid windows and electrical appliances
D. Stand on the balcony to observe changes in wind direction

26 A student is inside a classroom when strong earthquake shaking begins. What should the student do first?

Earth-related disasters: earthquakes, landslides, avalanches and volcanic eruptions Medium
A. Stand beside a window to watch for falling objects
B. Run immediately toward the staircase during the shaking
C. Drop, cover, and hold on beneath a sturdy desk
D. Use the elevator to reach the ground floor as quickly as possible

27 After several days of heavy rainfall, cracks appear across a steep hillside above a settlement. What is the most appropriate response?

Earth-related disasters: earthquakes, landslides, avalanches and volcanic eruptions Medium
A. Fill the visible cracks with loose soil and continue normal activity
B. Remove vegetation from the slope to reduce its total weight
C. Evacuate the exposed area and have the slope assessed
D. Direct additional runoff toward the cracked area to identify weak sections

28 Authorities detect increasing volcanic tremors, gas emissions, and ground swelling near an active volcano. What do these observations most reasonably indicate?

Earth-related disasters: earthquakes, landslides, avalanches and volcanic eruptions Medium
A. Magma may be moving upward and eruption risk is increasing
B. The volcano has become permanently inactive
C. A drought is reducing pressure beneath the volcano
D. The warning signs confirm the exact time and size of the next eruption

29 A large fire starts in an overcrowded public hall where an emergency exit has been locked. Which preparedness failure contributes most directly to the likely casualties?

Manmade disasters Medium
A. Failure to maintain accessible evacuation routes
B. Failure to schedule events during daylight hours
C. Failure to install decorative signs at the entrance
D. Failure to provide detailed printed information about the building's construction history

30 Following an accidental release of radioactive material, authorities instruct residents in a nearby area to shelter indoors. Which action best follows this instruction?

Nuclear disasters Medium
A. Travel immediately through the affected zone without waiting for an approved evacuation route
B. Drink iodine solution prepared from household disinfectant
C. Close doors and windows and switch off outside-air ventilation
D. Stand outside to determine the direction of the wind

31 Why should potassium iodide tablets be taken after a nuclear emergency only when public health authorities recommend them?

Nuclear disasters Medium
A. They remove every radioactive substance from the entire body
B. They permanently neutralize contaminated soil, food, water, clothing, and equipment
C. They prevent external radiation from penetrating buildings
D. They protect mainly the thyroid from radioactive iodine and require proper timing

32 A tanker releases a toxic gas that is moving downwind toward a settlement. If evacuation is ordered, which route should residents generally use?

Chemical disasters Medium
A. Move crosswind toward an identified safe area
B. Move directly downwind to remain ahead of the gas
C. Follow the lowest drainage channel because toxic gases always rise rapidly
D. Move toward the tanker to obtain accurate information

33 An unknown chemical has spilled onto a worker's clothing in a factory. What should trained responders generally prioritize after moving the worker away from the source?

Chemical disasters Medium
A. Apply a neutralizing chemical without identifying the spilled substance
B. Remove contaminated clothing and begin appropriate decontamination
C. Allow the chemical to dry before examining the affected skin
D. Send the worker home while preserving the contaminated clothing for later laboratory analysis

34 Several patients from the same neighborhood develop an unusual infectious illness. Which early public health action is most useful for controlling a possible biological disaster?

Biological disasters Medium
A. Close all hospitals to prevent additional patients from arriving
B. Distribute the same antibiotic to the whole population before identifying the disease
C. Wait for every laboratory result before reporting the cluster
D. Identify cases, trace contacts, and strengthen disease surveillance

35 A truck carrying hazardous chemicals overturns on a highway. Bystanders notice a leaking container but no visible flames. What should they do?

Transport accidents Medium
A. Wash the leaking material into the roadside drainage system
B. Approach the truck and identify the substance by smell
C. Keep away, move upwind, and notify emergency services
D. Move the damaged containers by hand so that normal traffic can resume

36 Under India's national disaster management framework, which approach best reflects the shift from relief-centered management to comprehensive disaster management?

National disaster management framework Medium
A. Assigning all disaster functions exclusively to the central government
B. Integrating prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery
C. Replacing local emergency plans with one identical national procedure for every hazard
D. Concentrating resources only on compensation after each disaster

37 After a major flood affects several districts, which task is most appropriately led by governmental agencies?

Role of governmental agencies in disaster response Medium
A. Coordinate evacuation, public services, relief distribution, and interagency support
B. Allow each responding department to operate without a shared command structure
C. Transfer all responsibility for rescue and public order to spontaneous volunteer groups
D. Publish unverified casualty estimates before field reports are received

38 An NGO arrives in a cyclone-affected area where government teams are already distributing food. What should the NGO do first to maximize its usefulness?

Role of NGOs in disaster response Medium
A. Begin an independent distribution at the same locations
B. Select beneficiaries according to the NGO's publicity requirements
C. Import unfamiliar supplies in large quantities without checking local needs, customs, storage, or transport capacity
D. Coordinate with authorities and assess unmet community needs

39 Why can a trained community-based organization often support disaster response more quickly than an outside team during the first few hours?

Role of community-based organizations in disaster response Medium
A. It can legally replace every specialized emergency service
B. It can ignore official warnings because local experience guarantees accurate predictions
C. It always possesses more equipment than national response agencies
D. It knows local hazards, vulnerable residents, routes, and resources

40 During an earthquake response, an unverified social media post claims that a dam has collapsed and causes panic. What is the most responsible action for a news organization?

Role of media in disaster response Medium
A. Reveal the personal details of everyone who shared the post to discourage future rumors
B. Repeat the claim while stating that its accuracy has not been checked
C. Broadcast the post immediately because rapid reporting is always the priority
D. Verify the claim with authorized and independent reliable sources before reporting

41 Two districts experience earthquakes of equal magnitude. District X suffers far greater mortality because of unreinforced buildings, dense settlement, and nighttime occupancy. Which interpretation best explains the difference?

Natural disasters Hard
A. District X had greater exposure and vulnerability despite a similar hazard
B. District X had lower resilience because earthquake frequency was necessarily higher
C. District X experienced a natural hazard while the other district did not
D. District X experienced a higher-magnitude hazard that instruments failed to detect

42 An urban basin receives the same total rainfall in two storms. Storm P produces a much higher flood peak because rainfall is concentrated into one hour after extensive paving. Which mechanism most directly explains the higher peak?

Water-related disasters: floods and drought Hard
A. Increased infiltration and a longer groundwater residence time
B. Reduced infiltration and a shorter time of concentration
C. Reduced evaporation and a lower antecedent soil moisture level
D. Increased channel storage and a flatter runoff hydrograph

43 A region has near-normal annual rainfall, yet reservoirs, crops, and groundwater supplies fail because most rain falls in a few intense events followed by long dry spells. Which assessment is most defensible?

Water-related disasters: floods and drought Hard
A. Annual rainfall alone understates agricultural and hydrological drought
B. Only meteorological drought can occur when annual rainfall is near normal
C. Reservoir failure proves that the region experienced below-normal annual rainfall
D. Normal annual rainfall rules out every operational definition of drought

44 A severe cyclone is approaching a low-lying coast at high tide. Forecast uncertainty remains about the exact landfall point. Which action best applies risk-based evacuation planning?

Air-related disasters: cyclones and storms Hard
A. Base evacuation solely on expected wind speed at the cyclone center
B. Evacuate surge-prone zones across the forecast uncertainty corridor
C. Delay evacuation until the storm surge is directly observed onshore
D. Evacuate only settlements located at the predicted landfall coordinate

45 After the eye of a tropical cyclone passes over a coastal town, residents observe calm conditions and begin leaving shelters. What is the most appropriate official message?

Air-related disasters: cyclones and storms Hard
A. Remain sheltered because the eyewall may return with winds from the opposite direction
B. Move toward the coast because storm surge ends before the second eyewall
C. Leave shelters because central pressure rises permanently once the eye arrives
D. Open windows because equalizing pressure prevents most structural wind damage

46 A deep earthquake and a shallow earthquake have the same moment magnitude and occur at similar epicentral distances from a city. Which outcome is generally more likely, assuming comparable geology?

Earth-related disasters: earthquakes, landslides, avalanches and volcanic eruptions Hard
A. Both earthquakes produce identical damage because epicentral distance is unchanged
B. The deep earthquake produces stronger local shaking because magnitude rises with depth
C. The shallow earthquake produces stronger local shaking because its rupture is closer
D. Both earthquakes produce identical shaking because moment magnitude fixes intensity

47 Following a wildfire, intense rain is forecast over a steep valley containing settlements below burned slopes. Which intervention should receive immediate priority?

Earth-related disasters: earthquakes, landslides, avalanches and volcanic eruptions Hard
A. Issue debris-flow warnings using rainfall thresholds and evacuate drainage paths
B. Wait for visible slope cracks because debris flows require prior ground deformation
C. Plant deep-rooted trees before rainfall begins to stabilize every burned slope
D. Excavate the slope toe to increase channel capacity beside the settlements

48 Several avalanche victims are buried after a slab release. Rescuers have transceivers, probes, and shovels, while a second avalanche remains possible. Which sequence best balances rescue probability and responder safety?

Earth-related disasters: earthquakes, landslides, avalanches and volcanic eruptions Hard
A. Wait for snowmelt, mark the crown line, then enter without electronic searching
B. Assess secondary risk, conduct a transceiver search, pinpoint by probing, then dig
C. Begin random digging immediately, assess secondary risk, then activate transceivers
D. Probe the entire debris field, move uphill, then search using transceivers

49 A volcano shows increasing sulfur dioxide emissions, shallow seismic swarms, and ground inflation, but no eruption has begun. Which conclusion is scientifically appropriate?

Earth-related disasters: earthquakes, landslides, avalanches and volcanic eruptions Hard
A. A major explosive eruption is certain within the next twenty-four hours
B. Sulfur dioxide emissions exclude the possibility of a later phreatic eruption
C. Magma may be moving upward, but the timing and occurrence of eruption remain uncertain
D. Ground inflation proves that pressure is declining within the magma system

50 An earthquake ruptures industrial pipelines, causing a toxic release and fire near residential areas. How should this event be classified for planning purposes?

Manmade disasters Hard
A. An unrelated pair of emergencies requiring no integrated command structure
B. A cascading disaster involving a natural trigger and technological consequences
C. A purely manmade disaster because industrial equipment caused every hazard
D. A purely natural disaster because the initiating event was an earthquake

51 A radioactive plume is expected to pass over a community within thirty minutes, while evacuation would take two hours and create severe traffic congestion. What is the best immediate protective action?

Nuclear disasters Hard
A. Move residents outdoors so radioactive material does not accumulate around them
B. Evacuate immediately through the projected plume regardless of travel time
C. Shelter indoors, close ventilation, and await monitored evacuation instructions
D. Distribute ordinary table salt as a substitute for official iodine prophylaxis

52 Following a reactor release, officials distribute potassium iodide to an exposed population. Which statement correctly describes its protective role?

Nuclear disasters Hard
A. It replaces evacuation, sheltering, food controls, and environmental monitoring
B. It neutralizes external gamma radiation from contaminated soil and buildings
C. It blocks thyroid uptake of radioactive iodine but does not protect the whole body
D. It removes all radionuclides already deposited in the lungs and digestive tract

53 A chlorine tank ruptures near a town during calm nighttime conditions. The release forms a dense ground-level cloud. Which public instruction is most appropriate for people unable to evacuate safely?

Chemical disasters Hard
A. Move indoors to an upper level, seal openings, and stop outside-air ventilation
B. Move into basements, open windows, and operate fans drawing outdoor air inward
C. Approach the leak from downwind while covering the face with a dry cloth
D. Remain outdoors on low ground because chlorine rises rapidly when released

54 Hospitals report an unusual respiratory syndrome in geographically separated patients who attended the same indoor event. Human-to-human transmission is not yet confirmed. Which initial response is most appropriate?

Biological disasters Hard
A. Wait for proof of sustained transmission before beginning surveillance or infection control
B. Apply a case definition, isolate suspected cases, trace contacts, and investigate exposures
C. Release patient identities publicly so untrained observers can locate additional cases
D. Treat every attendee as a confirmed case without laboratory or epidemiological assessment

55 A tanker displaying a hazardous-material placard overturns in a tunnel, and an unidentified vapor is visible. What should the first arriving responder do before attempting rescue?

Transport accidents Hard
A. Enter from downwind, inspect the tanker closely, and move casualties without protective equipment
B. Ignite the vapor deliberately so its chemical identity becomes easier to determine
C. Approach from upwind, isolate the area, identify the substance remotely, and request specialists
D. Wash the spill into tunnel drains to restore traffic and reduce surface contamination

56 A flood affects several districts within one Indian state but does not exceed the state's response capacity. Which arrangement best reflects the national disaster management framework?

National disaster management framework Hard
A. Local bodies suspend their plans until Parliament declares a national disaster
B. The state leads through its authorities while district bodies execute local response plans
C. The national authority automatically assumes direct command of every district operation
D. The armed forces permanently replace civil administration throughout the response

57 A district disaster plan lists agencies and resources but assigns no trigger levels, reporting relationships, or authority for evacuation. Which failure is most likely during a fast-moving emergency?

National disaster management framework Hard
A. Automatic transfer of district powers to NGOs because evacuation authority is unstated
B. Excessive scientific certainty because resource inventories determine hazard probability
C. Complete prevention of interagency communication because agency names are documented
D. Delayed decisions and duplicated actions because command and activation rules are unclear

58 After a major earthquake, separate government departments issue conflicting casualty figures and independently dispatch teams to the same locations. Which corrective measure is most effective?

Role of governmental agencies in disaster response Hard
A. Suspend information exchange until all rescue operations have been completed
B. Establish unified coordination, a common operating picture, and validated reporting channels
C. Centralize every field decision with one remote official regardless of local conditions
D. Allow each department to publish estimates quickly without reconciling definitions

59 Several NGOs arrive after a cyclone and all propose distributing food in accessible neighborhoods, while remote settlements lack water and medical support. What is the best coordination approach?

Role of NGOs in disaster response Hard
A. Permit independent distribution because competition always improves humanitarian coverage
B. Use shared needs assessments and assign activities by location, sector, and capacity
C. Exclude NGOs from response planning until government relief operations are entirely complete
D. Allocate every NGO the same neighborhood so beneficiaries can select among providers

60 A community organization maintains a list of residents needing evacuation assistance. During a flash-flood warning, internet and mobile networks fail. Which preparedness measure would make the list most operationally useful?

Role of community-based organizations in disaster response Hard
A. Store the list only in a remote cloud system to maximize confidentiality during outages
B. Wait for external responders because local volunteers should never support evacuation
C. Publish residents' medical details publicly so any passerby can make evacuation decisions
D. Preassign nearby volunteers, backup communication methods, routes, and transport responsibilities