Environmental health: composting: practice question

A PSM question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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PSM · Environmental health: composting

Sample item

A municipality plans to compost refuse and wants an aerobic method in which the material is turned periodically to supply air. Which method is this?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Indore method

The Indore method layers refuse with animal dung or night soil in pits and the heap is turned at intervals, so decomposition is aerobic and relatively quick. The Bangalore method is anaerobic, with the pit sealed with a soil layer and not turned. Controlled tipping is a landfill method and incineration is burning.

Option by option

  • A. Incineration

    Incineration is combustion of refuse and does not produce compost.

  • B. Controlled tipping

    Controlled tipping is sanitary landfill with soil cover, not composting.

  • C. Indore method (correct)

    Correct. The Indore method is aerobic with turning.

  • D. Bangalore method

    The Bangalore method is anaerobic and the pit is sealed without turning.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More PSM questions

Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is C, Indore method. The Indore method layers refuse with animal dung or night soil in pits and the heap is turned at intervals, so decomposition is aerobic and relatively quick.

Why is "Incineration" not the answer?

Incineration is combustion of refuse and does not produce compost.

Why is "Controlled tipping" not the answer?

Controlled tipping is sanitary landfill with soil cover, not composting.

Why is "Bangalore method" not the answer?

The Bangalore method is anaerobic and the pit is sealed without turning.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Environmental health: composting in PSM. The Bangalore method is anaerobic, with the pit sealed with a soil layer and not turned. Controlled tipping is a landfill method and incineration is burning.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Environmental health: composting?

Practise biostatistics with small calculations until sensitivity, predictive values and risk measures are automatic. Then use the flashcards and the other PSM questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.