Air Pollution MCQ with answer and solution

Concept

Natural sources come from nature. Man-made (anthropogenic) sources come from human activity.

Step-by-step solution

1. List the natural sources: volcanoes, forest fires, pollen, dust storms, sea spray. 2. Check each option. Wildfire, volcanic gases and pollen all come from nature. 3. Burning fossil fuels (coal, petrol, diesel) is a human activity in vehicles, industry and power plants. 4. So combustion of fossil fuels is NOT a natural source.

Explanation

Combustion of fossil fuels is a man-made (anthropogenic) source of air pollution. Wildfires, volcanic gases and pollen are produced by nature without human action.

Why the other options are wrong

A: Wildfire caused by natural temperature change is a natural source. B: Volcanic gases (SO2, ash, CO2) are a natural source. D: Pollen from plants is a natural source.

Shortcut

If humans burn it or run it (vehicles, factories, power plants), it is a man-made source.

Common mistake

Students may think wildfire is man-made, but here it is clearly caused by a natural temperature change.