UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Most conventional plastics are made of long-chain polymers that do not break down easily by microbial action. This non-biodegradability means they persist for decades or centuries in landfills, soils and oceans, fragmenting into microplastics and harming wildlife. Thus, the key problematic property is their long-term persistence in the environment.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because plastics do not decompose into harmless nutrients within days; that behaviour is typical of organic wastes like food scraps, not synthetic polymers.

Option B:
Option B is correct because it highlights non-biodegradability and very long persistence, which lead to accumulation of plastic debris and microplastics in ecosystems.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect since many common plastics can be recycled under suitable conditions; the problem is not that recycling is impossible, but that it is often insufficiently implemented.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because most plastics are insoluble in water; they tend to float or sink rather than dissolving and disappearing.

Statement C is the only wrong statement because Extended Producer Responsibility and deposit-return schemes are in fact widely used policy tools in plastic waste management. Statements A and B correctly describe the contribution of single-use plastics and microplastics to pollution and health risks. Statement D is also correct as behaviour change and alternatives are essential to reducing plastic usage. Thus, identifying C alone as wrong is the correct answer.

Option A:
Option A is correct because it isolates C as the incorrect statement and treats A, B and D as accurate. It reflects current policy practice where producer responsibility and deposit schemes are part of plastic waste strategies.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect since it labels both B and C as wrong. Statement B aligns with scientific concern about microplastics in food chains, so grouping it with C is not justified.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it includes A, C and D as wrong. A and D are true statements about pollution sources and strategies, so this combination misclassifies them.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect as it groups C and D together as wrong. While C is wrong, D is correct, and treating D as wrong would deny the importance of behavioural and lifestyle changes in tackling plastic pollution.