UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

A carbon sink is any system that absorbs more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than it emits,thereby reducing net greenhouse gas levels. Forests,oceans and certain soils act as major sinks. The stem’s description of a reservoir that stores more carbon than it releases fits this definition exactly,so sink is the correct word.

Option A:
A source is the opposite of a sink; it emits more carbon than it absorbs. Industrial activities and deforestation are typical carbon sources. Therefore source does not match the absorption focused description in the question.

Option B:
A sink helps slow the rate of climate change by temporarily removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Recognising and protecting natural sinks is an important mitigation strategy. This concept aligns closely with the idea described in the stem.

Option C:
A budget refers to the balance of emissions and removals in the global carbon cycle. While related,it is not the term for the specific reservoirs that absorb carbon. Hence budget cannot properly fill the blank.

Option D:
Offset usually denotes an action that compensates for emissions elsewhere, such as funding tree planting projects. It is a policy mechanism rather than the reservoir itself,so it is not the best answer.