Section A — MCQ (Single Correct)
Question 1
The two defining properties of living organisms, without exception, are:
A
growth and movement
B
metabolism and cellular organisation
C
reproduction and respiration
D
consciousness and growth
Solution: Metabolism and cellular organisation occur in all living organisms and never in non-living things.
Question 2
The defining feature of human beings is:
A
bipedal locomotion
B
self-consciousness
C
large brain size
D
use of tools
Solution: NCERT singles out self-consciousness as the defining property of humans.
Question 3
The two-kingdom system has been replaced largely because it did not distinguish among the levels of, for example:
A
genus and species
B
eukaryotes and prokaryotes
C
plants only
D
animals only
Solution: Two-kingdom classification ignored prokaryote/eukaryote and other key differences (basis for newer systems).
Question 4
In the name Mangifera indica , 'Mangifera' represents the:
A
species
B
genus
C
family
D
order
Solution: The first word is the genus, written with a capital first letter.
Question 5
The number of described species on Earth is about:
A
1.7–1.8 million
B
17 million
C
1.7 billion
D
170,000
Solution: Roughly 1.7–1.8 million species have been described so far.
Question 6
Which sequence is in correct ascending order of taxonomic categories?
A
Genus, Species, Family, Order
B
Species, Genus, Family, Order
C
Family, Order, Genus, Species
D
Order, Class, Family, Genus
Solution: Species → Genus → Family → Order is the correct ascending order.
Question 7
Botanical names of plants are governed by the:
A
ICZN
B
ICBN
C
IUCN
D
WWF
Solution: ICBN governs plant nomenclature; ICZN governs animals.
Question 8
A 'flora' is a taxonomical aid that provides:
A
dried plant specimens
B
the account of plants of an area
C
information on one taxon
D
living animals
Solution: A flora gives the account (habitat, distribution) of plants of a geographical area.
Section B — Assertion & Reason
Question 9
A: Reproduction is not a defining property of all living organisms.R: Some living organisms, such as mules and sterile worker bees, do not reproduce.
A
Both A and R true, R explains A
B
Both true, R does not explain A
C
A true, R false
D
A false, R true
Solution: The existence of living non-reproducing organisms is exactly why reproduction is not defining — R explains A.
Question 10
A: As we go higher in the taxonomic hierarchy, identification becomes more difficult.R: Higher categories share a greater number of common characteristics.
A
Both A and R true, R explains A
B
Both true, R does not explain A
C
A true, R false
D
A false, R true
Solution: A is true, but R is false — common characteristics decrease (not increase) at higher categories.
Question 11
A: A herbarium can serve as a quick referral system in taxonomy.R: Each herbarium sheet carries label data such as date, place of collection, name, family and collector.
A
Both A and R true, R explains A
B
Both true, R does not explain A
C
A true, R false
D
A false, R true
Solution: The recorded label data is what makes the herbarium a quick referral system — R explains A.
Question 12
A: The growth of a sand dune is comparable to the growth of a living organism.R: Living organisms grow intrinsically by cell division, whereas non-living things grow by surface accretion.
A
Both A and R true, R explains A
B
Both true, R does not explain A
C
A true, R false
D
A false, R true
Solution: A is false (the two kinds of growth are fundamentally different); R correctly states that distinction.