Question
NEET 2022 (paraphrased): Regarding population ecology, which of the following statements is correct? (a) age pyramid refers to individuals per unit area (b) density is characterised by shape predicts growth: expanding, stable, declining (c) sex ratio — females per 1000 males (d) population dispersion has no role in population ecology
Solution — Step by Step
This option swaps the definitions. age pyramid is actually shape predicts growth: expanding, stable, declining, not what (a) claims. So (a) is out.
Similarly, density means individuals per unit area. Option (b) is mismatched. Out.
This one reads correctly: sex ratio — females per 1000 males. Match with NCERT wording confirms it.
population dispersion — random, clumped, or uniform — plays a real role in population ecology, so option (d) is factually wrong.
Correct answer: (c) sex ratio — females per 1000 males.
Why This Works
NEET PYQs on population ecology rely on definition swapping. The examiner takes two correct facts and pairs them with the wrong terms. If you know each fact cold, the MCQ dissolves in 20 seconds.
Alternative Method
For definition-swap MCQs, don’t read all four options first. Read option (a), decide true/false, then (b), and so on. This prevents confusion between similar-looking options.
NEET reuses the same fact set every 2–3 years with different distractors. Master the four NCERT facts on population ecology listed here and you’ll handle almost any MCQ on this chapter.
Common Mistake
Students second-guess themselves when they see a familiar option listed as “wrong” in the stem. Trust the elimination — if you know the definition, stick with it.
Keep a one-page sheet of definitions for every NEET chapter. Revise only that sheet in the last 48 hours before the exam.