UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Statements A, B, C, D and F are correct as they show health impacts, sensitive-zone regulation, sources of noise and technical or planning measures for control. Statement E is false because chronic noise exposure is associated with cardiovascular effects such as hypertension. Therefore, the combination that includes A, B, C, D and F and excludes E is correct.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because it omits F and so ignores practical approaches to noise control such as silencers, design and enforcement, even though those are essential for mitigation.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect since it leaves out D, underplaying the importance of traffic, construction and industry as major noise sources in urban environments.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect as it omits A, thereby failing to acknowledge the direct hearing damage that can result from high noise exposure, which is a primary concern in noise pollution.

Option D:
Option D is correct because it assembles all true statements about impacts, sources, regulatory tools and control measures, while rejecting the claim that cardiovascular effects are absent.

The auditory system,which includes the ear and related neural pathways,is directly affected by continuous exposure to high noise levels. Such exposure can lead to temporary or permanent hearing loss,tinnitus and other auditory disorders. The stem explicitly mentions damage from environmental noise,so the auditory system is the correct answer. Therefore Option C is appropriate.

Option A:
Digestive problems can sometimes be indirectly influenced by stress but are not the primary health outcome of noise exposure. The main clinical concern with noise pollution is hearing impairment rather than digestive system disorders,so Option A is not accurate here.

Option B:
The skeletal system involves bones and joints and is generally not affected by noise levels in the environment. Noise does not directly weaken or damage bones,so this option does not match the primary impact described in the question.

Option C:
The auditory system is highly sensitive to sound pressure levels and duration of exposure. Occupational and urban noise regulations are designed specifically to protect this system from long term damage. This explanation fits the content of the stem.

Option D:
The reproductive system is not directly harmed by typical environmental noise levels,although extreme stress can influence many body systems. However,this is not the main issue addressed in noise pollution studies,so Option D is not the best choice.

Noise pollution refers to unwanted or harmful sound in the environment. Sound intensity is measured on a logarithmic scale called the decibel scale. Environmental and occupational standards specify safe limits in decibels for different settings. Therefore, decibel (dB) is the correct unit used for noise levels.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because parts per million are used for concentrations of gases or solutes, not for sound. Air pollutants like SO₂ or NO₂ may be reported in ppm.

Option B:
Option B is correct as decibel is the standard unit for sound intensity. It allows comparison of noise levels from different sources on a common scale.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect since hertz measures frequency, not loudness. Frequency describes pitch, while decibels indicate intensity.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because lumen is a unit of luminous flux used in lighting, not sound. It is relevant to visual, not auditory, pollution.

Statements A, B, C, E and F are correct on hearing loss, non-auditory effects, silence zones, transport noise and control measures. Statement D is false because chronic noise exposure is linked with cardiovascular outcomes such as hypertension. Hence, the correct combination is A, B, C, E and F only.

Option A:
Option A is correct because it includes all true statements and excludes D, which wrongly denies cardiovascular impacts.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because it omits F, missing key mitigation strategies like barriers, traffic management and building design.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it includes D (false) and omits A (true).

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it omits B, ignoring stress and sleep disturbance as major health effects.

Statement C is the only wrong statement because noise control is not limited to personal protective devices; it also includes engineering controls, planning measures and legal regulations. Statements A, B and D are correct: A highlights health effects, B recognises noise as environmental pollution and D lists valid control strategies. Therefore, the combination that identifies C only as wrong is the correct answer.

Option A:
Option A is correct since it accurately singles out C as the wrong statement and leaves A, B and D recognised as true. It reflects the comprehensive approach to noise management that extends beyond individual protection. Thus it matches the requirement of selecting the wrong statement(s).

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because it treats both A and C as wrong. Statement A correctly describes adverse health impacts of chronic noise exposure, such as hearing loss and stress-related problems. Including a correct statement in the wrong set makes this option invalid.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect as it groups C and D together as wrong statements. While C is indeed wrong, D is correct in giving examples of zoning, silencers and time restrictions that are widely used in noise regulation. This mixture of one true and one false statement cannot be accepted.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it sees B and C as wrong. B is a correct statement since noise is widely recognised as environmental pollution affecting well-being. Treating B as wrong undermines standard environmental health knowledge.

Chronic exposure to loud noise can damage the delicate structures of the inner ear, leading to partial or permanent hearing loss. It can also trigger physiological stress responses, elevate blood pressure and interfere with normal sleep patterns and cognitive performance. These combined effects make noise pollution a serious public health issue, particularly in urban and occupational settings.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because long-term noise exposure tends to reduce concentration and disturb sleep rather than improve them.

Option B:
Option B is correct because it lists well-documented health impacts of noise, including hearing impairment, stress and sleep disturbances.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because high noise levels often hinder clear communication and may lead to social irritation or conflict instead of enhancing interaction.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect since noise exposure does not confer immunity from cardiovascular diseases; in fact, it is associated with increased cardiovascular risk through stress mechanisms.

Statements D and F are wrong because they ignore key planning and climate aspects of transport. Assuming planning need not consider land use breaks the well-established link between settlement patterns and travel demand. Saying aviation and shipping have only local effects denies their contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions. A, B, C and E correctly describe air and noise pollution, benefits of public and non-motorised transport and the role of pricing tools. Therefore, the wrong statements taken together are D and F only.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect since it marks only D as wrong and fails to identify F, which also contains a clear error about global climate impacts. It does not capture all the incorrect statements as required.

Option B:
Option B is correct as it pinpoints both D and F as the erroneous claims while implicitly accepting A, B, C and E as accurate. It aligns with integrated land-use and transport planning and climate policy perspectives.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it labels A along with D and F as wrong; however, A is a true statement that road traffic is a major source of urban air pollution. Including A among wrong statements contradicts basic air quality science.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect as it groups B, D and F together, even though B correctly notes health and quality-of-life impacts of noise. This option thus misclassifies a valid health concern.

Noise intensity is typically measured using the decibel scale,which is logarithmic and reflects the perceived loudness of sound. Environmental regulations often specify acceptable noise levels in decibels for different zones. Therefore decibel is the correct unit mentioned in the stem.

Option A:
Candela is a unit of luminous intensity used in photometry to measure light,not sound. It has no direct relation to noise measurement,so it cannot fill the blank correctly.

Option B:
Decibels provide a convenient way to express very large ranges of sound power in manageable numbers. Because the question specifically refers to environmental noise measurement,this option precisely matches the standard practice.

Option C:
Watt hour is a unit of energy,commonly used for electricity consumption. It does not describe sound intensity or noise levels. Hence it is not relevant to the concept in the question.

Option D:
Lumen measures luminous flux or the total amount of visible light emitted by a source. It is again related to light rather than sound,so it is not appropriate for the blank.

Many occupational health guidelines suggest that long-term exposure to sound levels of about 85 dB or higher can cause noise-induced hearing loss. Above this level, the sensitive hair cells in the inner ear can be damaged over time, so protective measures are required.

Option A:
Option A is correct because 85 dB is a widely used benchmark for continuous occupational noise that requires hearing protection and control measures.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect; 25 dB corresponds to very quiet environments and does not harm hearing.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because about 40 dB, typical of a quiet library, is generally safe and even desirable for concentration.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect; 10 dB is an extremely soft sound and poses no risk of hearing damage.