How many episodes of mass extinctions of species have occurred on earth since the origin and diversification of life?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Five
Option (3) Five — Correct. Since the origin and diversification of life, there have been five episodes of mass extinction. The present loss of species, caused largely by human activities, is often called the sixth.
Note: A similar question was also asked in CUET (UG) 2025 on 13-05-2025 (Slot 1).
NCERT Extract:
Loss of Biodiversity – “From a study of the history of life on earth through fossil records, we learn that large-scale loss of species like the one we are currently witnessing have also happened earlier, even before humans appeared on the scene. During the long period (> 3 billion years) since the origin and diversification of life on earth there were five episodes of mass extinction of species.”